‼️ PAUSED ‼️ ❝ 𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐂𝐘 ❞ ~ [ᵂᵉˡᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᴴᵒᵐᵉ/ᴿᶠ ᵂᵃˡˡʸ ˣ ᴼᶜ]

[𝟐𝟖.] 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

                _______ 💉 ______

    
    
Walden shifted in his seat, the hum of the van's engine creating a rhythmic backdrop to his contemplative silence.
His gaze remained fixed on the passing landscape, a myriad of thoughts swirling in his mind.
Vincent, seated beside Walden, noticed his colleague's introspective demeanor.
    
    
    
"Something on your mind?" He inquired, breaking the quiet tension that lingered in the vehicle.
    
    
    
Walden sighed again, his breath escaping like a subtle confession. 

"Just thinking about the mission ahead. It's a lot to process." He admitted, his eyes reflecting a mix of uncertainty and determination.
    
    
    
Vincent nodded in understanding, the weight of their responsibilities evident in his lilac eyes. 

"It's a complex mission, but we'll get through it. We always do." He reassured, a sense of camaraderie embedded in his words.
    
    
    
    
    
As the van continued its journey, the soldiers inside engaged in subdued conversations, discussing various aspects of the upcoming mission. 

Some reviewed their equipment, ensuring everything was in order, while others exchanged glances filled with a shared sense of readiness.
    
    
    
Walden, despite the chatter around him, remained lost in thought.
Vincent leaned closer, lowering his voice to a confidential tone. 

"Had any other concerns there? You seem a bit more distant than usual."
    
    
    
Walden's prosthetic hand tapped rhythmically on his thigh, a habit that betrayed his internal contemplation. 

"It's not about the mission, per se. Just... personal matters." He admitted, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through his usual coarse exterior.
    
    
    
Vincent maintained a supportive silence, allowing Walden the space to share or withhold as much as he felt comfortable. 
The van continued its journey, the road stretching ahead like an uncertain path leading to the mission's challenges.
    
    
    
    
    
As the landscape transitioned, Walden finally spoke, his words carrying the weight of unspoken thoughts. 

"I never thought I'd find myself on a mission like this. It's not what I signed up for, especially when the Head Director assigned me that same assignment with you — I'll never understand that guy." He confessed, his gaze now focused on Vincent.
    
    
    
"None of us expected this. But circumstances change, and we adapt. That's what makes us effective."

He remarked, emphasizing the resilience required in their line of work — yet he failed to note one important detail about the Head Experimenter's troubles.
    
    
    
    
    
As the van continued its journey, the soldiers engaged in quiet conversations, their voices blending with the rhythmic hum of the tires on the road. 

Some checked their gear, ensuring everything was in order for the impending operation. Others stared into the distance, lost in their own reflections.
    
    
    
    
  

  
    
    
    
    
The van shuddered to a stop, the abrupt silence signaling the team's arrival at the undisclosed location.
    
    
    
"We're here." The soldiers, accustomed to swift transitions, emerged from the vehicle, greeted by an unfamiliar landscape that seemed to stretch endlessly in all directions.
    
    
    
The air was thick with an undeniable tension as the team assessed their surroundings. 
The commander, ever vigilant, surveyed the terrain, his gaze lingering on key features of the landscape.
The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows that danced across the ground.
    
    
    
"Alright, team, gather up." The commander called, his voice cutting through the quiet. 
    
    
    
The soldiers, clad in their tactical gear, formed a semi-circle around him, awaiting instructions. The driver, still behind the wheel, observed the scene with a detached expression.
    
    
    
    
The commander, unfolding a map, outlined the mission parameters. 
"We're in uncharted territory, supposedly where the raid would occur.
Our objective is to secure and retrieve the relic without drawing much unnecessary attention. Stay alert, follow orders, and trust your training."
    
    
        
The soldiers nodded in acknowledgment, their readiness evident in the way they adjusted their equipment. 
    
    
The unfamiliarity of the location added an extra layer of complexity to the mission, and the team's cohesion would be crucial in navigating the challenges that lay ahead.
    
    
    
As the team advanced, the landscape unfolded its mysteries.
Tall grasses swayed with the gentle breeze, and the distant rustle of leaves hinted at hidden wildlife. The commander led the way, his movements deliberate and calculated.
    
    
    
"Any specific intel about this place?" Walden inquired, his gaze flickering between the map and the surrounding terrain.
    
    
    
The commander, maintaining a measured tone, replied, "Limited information. We're relying on real-time updates and our own observations. This mission demands adaptability."
    
    
    
    
The team, following Vincent's orders, swiftly moved into action, fanning out to strategic positions around the solitary building. 
The air buzzed with a subdued urgency as soldiers unpacked the dynamites, handling the explosives with practiced precision.
    
    
    
Vincent, overseeing the operation, approached the team members responsible for placing the charges near the building's pillars. 

"Ensure they're evenly distributed. We want maximum impact with minimal collateral damage."
    
    
    
As the soldiers positioned the dynamites, Walden approached Vincent, a subtle frown creasing his forehead.
    
    
    
"Are you sure about this, Commander? The destruction seems extreme." He expressed his concern, eyeing the explosives.
    
    
    
Vincent, aware of the gravity of their actions, sighed. "I don't like it either, but it's a necessary measure. We need to cripple the facility without compromising our primary objective."
    
    
    
Walden, though hesitant, nodded in acknowledgment. 
The team continued their meticulous preparations, the gravity of their mission hanging in the air.

The building, an enigmatic structure rising above the trees, seemed to hold secrets waiting to be unearthed.
    
    
    
"Stay in communication. I'll coordinate from here." Vincent said, his gaze lingering on each team member. 
    
    
The tension escalated as the countdown to detonation began, the seconds ticking away with a methodical rhythm.
    
    
    
    
"Three... Two... One..." 

Vincent's voice cut through the silence, and with a controlled explosion, the dynamites erupted in a cascade of smoke and debris. The shockwave reverberated through the air, a testament to the team's strategic placement of explosives.
    
    
    
Seizing the moment, the team surged forward, moving with synchronized precision. The building, now enveloped in chaos, became their cover.