CUS 9; Cinco Encounter

ENCOUNTER 21

Simon's masked face turned towards Blade, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity beneath its usual stoicism. "Once we're back at base, we'll need to start decoding all this information we gathered from them. Your brother's work might be the key to unraveling this whole conspiracy."

Garen's tensed frame relaxed slightly as the vehicle sped away from the danger zone, but his eyes remained alert. "We have struck a significant blow, but our enemies will not remain idle. We must be prepared for their retaliation."

"We should stay vigilant. The enemy will soon find out the sudden infiltration and might learn we did that," Sab warned. "Have you cleared the surveillance, lieutenant?" He turned his attention to Simon.

Simon's masked face turned towards Blade and then to Sab, his voice carrying a note of professional pride. "Affirmative. I've wiped all surveillance footage and planted false data to mislead any potential investigations."

Sab nodded approvingly, his eyes scanning the horizon as they sped away. "Good. We can't be too careless with an operation of this magnitude."

Garen shifted slightly, his deep voice thoughtful. "We should consider changing our base of operations. If they suspect our involvement, our current location may be compromised."

The vehicle remained tense but the passengers still focused. As it brought distance between them and the target site, Blade's team began to feel the gravity of their actions and its potential consequences. The intel they acquired could change everything, but it also painted targets on their backs.

Blade put her bow and arrows on the floor. Feeling the relief of success from their mission, she gently closed her eyes to get some rest as she leaned on the backrest of the seat. Her exhausted body calmed but the sharpness of her instincts was still there. Her mind is still in deep thoughts as waves of questions swirling in her mind chaotically.

She had never in her life tried to use a bow and arrow, she was not good at target shooting practice ever since. Her ability in target shoot were just average yet the way she used the bow and arrows earlier were comparable of a pro. Her gaze fell on her gloved hand, staring blankly upon it as her mind still wanders.

Blade leaned back, visibly exhausted, Sab's eyes softened with concern. Simon's masked face turned towards her. His gaze cold; masking the terror thats slowly engulping his mind. Blade was someone far too dangerous to cross. He couldn't begin to imagine how much he would regret it if she ever got truly angry.

Garen relaxed slightly, his deep voice gentle. "You did a great job there, rest for now. We'll keep watch..."

Blade nodded and closed her eyes.

As they sped towards their base, the team knew that their fight was far from over, but they had struck a significant blow against their enemies and taken a crucial step towards justice for Blade's brother.

"Indeed. I wanna witness the destruction of these traitorous bastards..."

Sab nodded grimly, his blue eyes meeting Blade's with fierce determination. "We'll make sure they pay for what they've done, lass. Your brother's sacrifice won't be in vain."

Simon's masked face turned towards her, his voice low and intense. "The intel we've gathered will be crucial in bringing down their entire operation. We're closer than ever to exposing the truth."

Garen straightened, his deep voice carrying a note of grim satisfaction. "Ja, these traitors will face justice. We will dismantle their plans piece by piece."

The vehicle crackled with renewed energy, the team's shared desire for justice overcoming their fatigue. As they continued their journey back to base, each member of the team knew that the real work was just beginning. The information they had acquired would need to be carefully analyzed, and their next moves would need to be planned with utmost precision.

"I'm still thinking about how we could get the chance to capture them in the future or if possible, sooner..."

Sab's eyes lingered on Blade, understanding her eagerness for further action. "We can't rush into anything like that, lass. We need to be tactical, not impulsive."

"I know. I couldn't help it." Torn between hopeful and losing it. Blade's gaze lowered to her bow. A sense of familiarity towards the weapon loomed over her thoughts.

Simon's masked face moved closer, his voice reiterating Sab's message. "We have this information now, but those traitors are well established. We need to breach their defenses carefully, completely, and thoroughly."

Garen's presence added weight to the mission, his deep voice is a symphony with; "our focus should be fragmenting the duration of their power,... Whoever is behind this activity. "

The group fell silent. Their mind racing into the darkness. Each individual buried in their own thoughts. Their souls were filled with purpose and resolve but these things weren't enough for them to get a lead to the person behind the cruel activity.

"We need to move fast. Lots of possibilities could happen or could be happening if we cannot piece out this puzzle, fast. I'm hoping there won't be another people's lives played at..." Blades fist clenched tight. Her gloved hand turned white. If not for the thick fabric of the gloves, her nails would be tearing on her palm skin.

Simon noticed the suppressed seething anger arose in Blade's face. Hesitantly, he put his gloved hand on hers as his gaze gentle.
"Trust us, we'll do everything in our capabilities to capture this enemy..."

Simon's touch caught Blade off guard, yet it was reassuring, the warmth of his gloved hand easing into her tense grip. For a fleeting moment, her defenses lowered, the sharp focus in her eyes softening as she locked onto his steady, stoic gaze. Time seemed to slow, and her racing heart began to calm. His touch conveyed a silent reassurance. A reflection of the unspoken bond forged through countless missions together.

Behind the mask, Simon's lips twitched into a subtle smile. It was barely noticeable, but it was enough to remind her that he was there-constant, dependable, and ready to face any storm with her. Blade's eyes held his a little longer before she gave a small nod, feeling the tension overwhelming her, melt away.