They all turned to see a young boy, no more than twelve, his eyes wide with fear and confusion. He stared at the heavily armed men before him, his small body tense as if ready to bolt.
Saber Three reacted instinctively, placing a finger over his lips, signaling the child to keep quiet. His expression softened, trying to communicate reassurance through his eyes, the only part of his face visible beneath his tactical gear.
But the child's panic overrode any understanding of the silent plea. Instead of staying silent, he backed away, bumping into a metal shelf that clanged ominously in the quiet of the warehouse.
"Intruders!" he screamed. "Intruders!"
In an instant, the stealth of the mission collapsed under the weight of the boy's cry. Shouts answered from various parts of the building, and the faint sound of scrambling feet grew louder as the alerted hostiles mobilized.