As Mason led the way and the team followed suit, Hadrian followed just slightly behind as his Nora System screens were popping into his view.
[New sub-quests gained: You now have sub-quests to get to know each member of your team.]
{New Quest: Team MIssion 1 - you've just joined a team, let's see how they work together and what you can do to help. Tasks to complete - Accomplish Mission task, successfully analyze at least 1 esper and give guidance to at least 1 esper to complete this quest.}
Hadrian quickly marked the Team Mission Quest as his current objective before running to catch up with the group. The team followed Mason into a dimly lit chamber where a holographic table flickered to life, projecting a three-dimensional map of a sprawling subterranean complex. "Alright, listen up," Mason commanded, his voice sharp and focused. "This is the abandoned Nora Corp research facility out in the Wastes. We've been getting erratic energy spikes from deep within the core. Our job is to infiltrate, identify the source, and neutralize it."
"Looks like a maze down there," Athena commented, tracing a finger through a holographic ventilation shaft. "I can probably slip through these ducts and bypass their main security hubs. Faster than knocking down doors, right, Artemis?"
Artemis scoffed, his massive arms crossed tightly over his chest. "I prefer knocking. Those corridors look too damn small for a real fight. We should find a central point and force them out into the open."
"Rushing in could be a disaster if the energy fluctuations are unstable," Nyx countered softly, her baby blue eyes fixed on the pulsating core of the map. "It could be affecting the very structure of the facility. We need to be cautious. Leo, can your illusions scout the area for structural weaknesses?"
Leo Harten leaned back in his chair, a faint, knowing smile on his lips. "Of course, my dear Nyx. I can project a few phantom squads to test the waters. We'll see what kind of welcome party they have waiting for us before we even step inside."
Mason nodded, his emerald gaze sweeping over the team before landing on Hadrian. "Your job is to keep us stable. Watch our energy levels. If anyone starts to get overloaded by whatever is down there, you're the one who pulls them back from the edge. We're wheels up in five. Gear up."
As Mason dismissed them to gear up, Hadrian took the chance to mentally steady himself as the team dispersed. He hadn't realized how soon he might have to guide someone and was slightly worried that it would go wrong just like with all those espers before. But Hadrian thought to himself that this would be his first time guiding a fellow S rank, so maybe things wouldn't go as bad.
Hadrian rubs his left arm as a phantom ache pulses through it, a reminder from an esper that had most recently attacked him from receiving his guiding. As the team filed out, Nyx's soft steps paused beside Hadrian. Her baby blue eyes, full of a gentle concern, flickered down to where Hadrian's hand rested on his left arm.
"Are you alright, Hadrian?" she asked, her voice a quiet melody against the fading hum of the briefing room. "It's natural to feel some pressure before the first mission with a new team."
Before Hadrian could be left to his thoughts, Athena clapped him on the shoulder, a wide, challenging grin on her face as she led him toward the transport bay. "Don't let Nyx get you all sentimental. We just need you to keep us from blowing a gasket. Simple, right? Come on, you don't want to be the reason Artemis has to walk to the Wastes."
Artemis, who was already strapping himself into a seat on the sleek black transport, let out a grunt. "I'd get there faster than this tin can anyway."
Once everyone was in, the transport lifted off with a low thrum, the city lights shrinking below. Leo sat across from them, idly conjuring a shimmering, translucent butterfly that fluttered around his fingers. "Nervous energy is just another flavor of power," he chimed in, his grey eyes glinting. "Try to enjoy the anticipation."
Mason stood at the front of the cabin, reviewing a data slate. "Cut the chatter," he ordered, not looking up. "Leo, your scouts are up as soon as we land. The rest of you, focus. We go in quietly."
~~~
Upon arrival at their drop point, the transport descended, touching down softly on the cracked, barren earth of the Wastes. The transport's ramp lowered with a quiet hiss, opening onto the desolate landscape. The air was cold and thin, carrying the scent of dust and decay. Leo's eyes glowed with a faint silver light as he closed them, his illusory butterflies dissolving into motes of light that drifted towards the hulking silhouette of the research facility.
A moment later, he opened his eyes, a playful smirk on his face. "Well, the place isn't exactly rolling out the welcome mat. I'm seeing automated defense turrets in the main corridors and a few patrolling drones. Nothing a little misdirection can't handle. The energy source is deep, pulsating like a grumpy heart."
"Turrets are just glorified scrap metal," Artemis grumbled, cracking his knuckles. "Let me go first. I'll clear a path straight to the core."
"And trigger every alarm in the facility?" Athena shot back, vaulting lightly off the ramp. She pointed towards a grated opening high on the building's exterior. "That's our way in. I can get to their central security nexus through those vents and disable the drones and turrets before they even know we're here. Clean and quiet."
Nyx nodded in agreement. "Athena's plan is safer. Rushing in could be a disaster if the energy fluctuations are unstable. We don't know what we're walking into."
Mason's gaze swept over the facility, his expression serious. "Athena's right. We go in silence. Athena, you take the vents. Disable security. Leo, cover her with illusions to mask her energy signature. Artemis, you're with Hadrian and me. We'll secure the entrance once Athena gives the all clear. Nyx, you stay with us and monitor for any adverse energy effects."
He looked at each of them in turn. "Move out."