coming up." Later, at HQ… In the weight room, Ian looked around.
Ian- "Where's Deadshot?"
Blade shrugged, "Skipping again, probably."
Ian shook his head, "I swear, he's allergic to responsibility."
In the meeting room, Ian stood at the head of the table, surrounded by their elite strike team.
Ian- "Me and Optimus talked. We're labeling Varnyx a planetary-level threat."
Optimus- "We're calling in the full STF. We need options."
The room filled with STF members. Among them, Buzzblade, the 17th Great, leaned forward.
Buzzblade- "So what's the plan?"
Ian- "That's why you're all here—we don't have one."
Optimus- "We need to work together on this. Suggestions?"
Blade- "Wow. Ian's actually open to suggestions. Mark this day."
Voltron, in a cold, metallic tone, "We find where the demons are coming from… and we obliterate it."
Optimus- "I like that. But how do we find the source?"
Ice King stroking his beard, "It's always one of three things, a portal, a hidden world… or the underworld itself."
Ian- "That reminds me—Drunnith mentioned something. He called it… the Old World."
He turned to Ice King.
Ian- "You ever heard of it?"
Ice King leaning forward, arms crossed, "I'm old… but not that old. I've heard whispers—rumors from way back—that this world isn't the first. I always thought it was nonsense. Stories made up by guys who stared at magic too long."
Optimus thinking aloud, "Maybe it's not so crazy. If there's even a sliver of truth, we should look into it."
Ian, Serious, "Agreed. We should test Drunnith's DNA—maybe we can determine just how ancient he really is."
The room fell quiet. Everyone turned and stared at Ian.
Blade, raising a brow, "Uh… nobody said that, man."
Ian, blinking, rubbing his eye, "Huh… must be tired. Long day."
Optimus, smirking, "Yeah. It's been a long one. Everyone get some rest. And heads up—we've got a new batch of interns and trainees arriving tomorrow. You're all assigned to mentor them."
The Lion, grinning, "I can't wait. Last time I was a trainee, someone decided to slice up my gear during inspection."
Blade laughing, "That was a harmless prank. Relax—it was funny."
Ian, cutting in, "You're all dismissed. Sleep while you can."
The STF members stood up and filtered out, laughter echoing as they walked the polished halls of the HQ—warriors, legends, and now mentors.
STF HQ – Common Room | 6:00 AM Optimus stands near the center of the room, coffee in hand. Ian leans against the wall next to a large display showing the STF schedule.
Optimus- "Alright, listen up. Around 1,000 new recruits are coming in today. Your job is simple—mentor them, guide them, and get them used to what it means to be part of the STF."
Some STF members groan. A few stretch and sip their drinks.
Ian, firm tone, "This isn't a break day. Treat it like any other. You're allowed to take them on field work, show them the ropes. Missions, maintenance, or whatever else you're on today."
He checks the time. Ian- "They arrive at 0800. That's two hours from now. Questions?"
Deadshot Valor, half-awake, arms crossed, "Why did we pick the busiest day of the week for this?"
Optimus , smirking, "Because the galaxy won't wait. We want to give them a real taste of what it's like here."