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Heeseung & Aiko
The van doors creaked open as the group stepped out, the weight of what lay ahead pressing down on them. The lab stood in front of them, its once-sterile walls now a tomb of horrors. The silence in the parking lot was unnerving, and the faint hum of the van's engine fading into the distance left only the sound of their breathing.
Heeseung turned to the group, his jaw set and his eyes sharp. "Alright, listen up. This is how it's going to go. Stick to the plan, and we all make it out. Deviate, and we're screwed. Understood?"
A series of nods followed, though tension was evident on every face.
Heeseung continued, "Everyone knows their roles. Let's go over them one more time before we head in."
He gestured to himself, Jay, and Aiko. "Retrieval team: that's us. We're going straight to the top lab to get everything we need—data, research, materials. Our job is to move fast and stay focused. No distractions. No unnecessary risks."
Jay tightened his grip on his rifle, his face unreadable but his posture tense. Aiko nodded firmly, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of unease. She adjusted the strap of her pack, feeling the weight of the blood darts inside.
Heeseung turned to Sunghoon, Yuna, and Sunoo. "Roof support team: you're heading to the roof and holding it secure. When we're done, we'll rendezvous with you there for extraction. Keep the area clear, make sure the helicopter has a safe landing zone, and keep comms open at all times."
Sunghoon gave a curt nod, his expression cold and determined. Yuna's grip on her rifle tightened, and Sunoo looked serious for once, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced with steely resolve.
Finally, Heeseung's gaze shifted to Ni-ki, Jake, and Jungwon. "Ground defense team: you're holding the ground floor and securing our escape route. If anything—or anyone—tries to block our way out, you handle it. Keep this entrance clear, no matter what."
Jake rubbed the back of his neck, his lips pressed into a thin line. "Got it. We'll keep the door open for you."
Ni-ki gave a thumbs-up, trying to mask his nerves with a smirk. Jungwon stood silently, his eyes scanning the dark parking lot like a sentinel.
"Everyone good?" Heeseung asked, his voice firm.
"Good?" Jake muttered with a dry laugh. "Not exactly, but we're here, aren't we?"
"Yeah, and we're not leaving until we get what we came for," Sunghoon said, his voice steady.
Yuna's brows furrowed. "Do you really think we can pull this off? I mean... this is the lab. The lab."
"We don't have a choice," Aiko said sharply, her voice cutting through the doubt. "We either do this, or we let all of this be for nothing."
Jay cleared his throat. "She's right. We've made it through hell to get here. What's one more layer of it?"
