Chapter 5: Reunions in Shadows_1

The dim glow from the computer screen highlighted the focus etched on Elias's face, his fingers flying across the keyboard.

He leaned closer, the soft hum of servers filling the quiet room.

At 5'11", he had a lean but strong build, though right now he just looked like another guy at a desk job, his plain white shirt hiding the fact that he used to be a top-tier operative in the disbanded Black Phoenix Unit.

The sterile scent of old electronics and stale coffee lingered in the cold air; typical of this government facility filled with analysts, hackers, and strategists working behind closed doors.

Even here, stuck in a mundane role, Elias remained one of the best.

He could still breach the most secure systems with ease, his eyes glued to the lines of code racing across the screen.

His earpiece buzzed softly with incoming messages, and he barely flinched when the door creaked open behind him.

A woman entered, her long auburn hair and bright smile cutting through the dimness.

Her heels clicked softly on the tile floor, but Elias was too absorbed to notice.

She approached, leaning over his shoulder and making a deliberate noise. When that didn't work, she nudged his arm.

Startled, Elias blinked, pulling out his earpiece.

"Didn't see you there," he said, his voice calm, his eyes only briefly meeting hers before returning to the screen.

Iris rolled her eyes with a playful sigh.

"You never do, Elias." With an amused smile, she tilted her head.

"You really are married to that computer, aren't you? I swear, I've never seen you take a break."

Elias's lips twitched, a hint of a smile breaking through his usual stoic demeanor.

"It's what I'm good at. And it keeps me out of trouble," he replied simply.

"So, what brings you here?" Iris leaned in a bit closer, her tone teasing, "Can't I just drop by for a chat?"

Elias responded with a steady, silent gaze; calm, unreadable.

The awkward silence lingered, making Iris shift uncomfortably before she threw up her hands in defeat.

"Fine, you win," she said with a sigh, "I came to let you know your leave request got approved." 

Elias straightened a bit, surprise flashing briefly in his eyes.

"Seriously? That's a first. Guess the bosses are feeling generous."

"So, where's the great Elias heading off to?" Iris asked with a grin.

"Promised my little sister a trip. Figured it's time to keep that promise," Elias said, his voice softer than usual.

Iris's expression softened too, a genuine warmth replacing her playful banter.

"You're really sweet when it comes to your sister." Then, with a mischievous glint, she added,

"And remember, Elias, one day you'll ask me out willingly. Mark my words."

Elias watched her leave, a faint smirk lingering on his face.

But as soon as she was out of sight, his expression hardened again. He muttered under his breath,

"As if you really have a choice."

Elias shook himself back to the present. He was well aware of the constant surveillance surrounding him.

As an elite operative of Black Phoenix, it was something he'd gotten used to, even after the unit's disbandment.

Iris wasn't just any colleague; she was assigned to keep tabs on him, both at work and at home.

Her attempts at friendliness were laughably transparent, a classic government tactic that never failed to amuse him.

It was all routine by now: subtle surveillance at work, casual monitoring at his apartment, and those so-called "friendly" chats meant to subtly dig for information.

He didn't let it get to him. If anything, it kept him sharp, always one step ahead.

With his leave approved, Elias saved his work, shut down the system, and reached for his coat.

He headed for the elevator, his mind already plotting the next moves for his upcoming trip.

As the elevator doors closed, Iris was in a nearby office, updating a middle-aged man.

"He's got the leave confirmation. No unusual reaction," she reported.

Without looking up, the man responded,

"Noted. Make sure to log your report tonight, unless something changes." Iris paused, hesitating before blurting out, "How long is this going to last? I mean… don't I get a life too?"

 The man finally glanced up, his expression softening for a moment before returning to its usual sternness.

"I don't know. Orders are orders. Stick with it." 

She nodded, though her resignation was clear, "Yes, sir." 

The elevator hummed softly as it descended.

The moment the doors opened on the ground floor, Elias pushed away thoughts of surveillance and stepped out into the chilly evening air, the cold wind biting his face.

Elias's apartment was small but tidy, mirroring his no-frills lifestyle.

He heard muffled rustling from his sister Ema's room and knocked lightly before stepping inside.

"I'm home," he called out.

Ema, just 12 years old, was trying to hurriedly hide something under her bed.

Elias raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Still sneaking snacks, huh?" he teased, bending down to reveal a familiar snack box.

Ema's cheeks flushed red, "Brother! I'm not a little kid anymore! You can't just barge in like this!" 

Elias grinned, holding up the box, "And yet, you're still hiding candy like one." 

Ema snatched the box from his hand, her face a mix of embarrassment and defiance.

"Who says only kids eat candy?" 

He chuckled, shaking his head, "Fair point. But don't eat too many, or you'll ruin your dinner." 

His tone softened as he placed a hand on her shoulder, "Pack your bags. We're leaving tomorrow."

Ema's eyes widened, her earlier annoyance quickly replaced by excitement.

"Wait, really? Where? How long? Are we meeting your cool friends from the unit?" 

Elias's expression grew serious, but he kept his voice warm, "You'll see. Just pack what you need." 

Ema rushed off to gather her things, excitement bubbling over.

Meanwhile, Elias retreated to his own room, packing his essentials and making sure nothing was left behind.

The air was thick with anticipation, each action deliberate as he prepared for what lay ahead. 

Elias was in the middle of packing when his phone suddenly rang.

The ringtone was unusual enough to make him pause, but he didn't reach for the phone in his pocket.

Instead, he opened a drawer and pulled out another phone—heavily encrypted and rarely used.

"Hello," he answered in a low, steady voice.

"Is everything ready?" came a familiar voice on the other end.

"Yeah," Elias confirmed, "Everyone's routes are set, masked, and scrambled. If anyone tries to trace it, they'll need at least a day or two to figure out the real destinations."

He hesitated, then added, "But if units like Dragon or Panther get involved, they could crack it sooner." 

The voice on the other end sounded confident.

"Getting approval for specialized units isn't that easy. And even if they do manage to get involved, we'll be done by then."

Elias paused, then asked, "Did the captain mention why we're being called in?" 

There was a slight shift in tone, colder this time.

"You'll find out when you get there. Just be prepared." 

After the call ended, Elias chuckled to himself, "And they say she's only rude to men outside her unit."

As the night grew darker, Elias packed the last of his things with practiced efficiency.

He glanced toward Ema's room, where she was fast asleep among half-packed bags.

His expression softened, a mix of affection and worry in his eyes. 

With one final look around, Elias lay down on his bed. He closed his eyes, though his mind was too restless for sleep.

The thought of seeing familiar faces, reuniting with comrades he'd thought lost, made his heart race.

Despite the secrecy surrounding the mission, he felt a strange anticipation bubbling up. 

"Tomorrow, it all begins again," he murmured to himself before finally giving in to sleep. 

Across the federation, similar scenes were unfolding; former Black Phoenix operatives making their quiet exits.

Each used a different cover story: some feigned illness, others requested family leave, and a few simply disappeared without a trace.

It was all part of the plan to move discreetly toward the rendezvous point.

The next morning, Elias and Ema arrived at the airport without any trouble, blending seamlessly into the crowd.

Elias kept a watchful eye as they navigated security, his senses on high alert. Meanwhile, Ema, bubbling with excitement, chattered away.

"This is the first time you're actually taking me on a vacation," she teased.

"Don't get used to it," Elias replied, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Once they boarded the plane, Elias let out a quiet sigh of relief. The toughest part was over; for now.

He leaned back in his seat and glanced over at Ema, who was already staring out the window with wide-eyed wonder. 

"What's so fascinating? They're just clouds," he teased. 

"They're interesting when you don't see them often," she shot back with a grin. 

Elias watched her for a moment, feeling a warmth he rarely allowed himself.

No matter how uncertain the mission, the bond with his sister was the one constant in his life.

Meanwhile, on a different flight, Amira sat quietly, her eyes closed. To anyone observing, she appeared to be asleep, her breathing slow and even.

As the plane began its descent, the pilot's announcement echoed through the cabin, stirring the passengers.

Amira kept her eyes closed for a moment longer, taking a deep, controlled breath. Though her body seemed relaxed, her mind was far from it.

She had remained alert the entire flight, ready for any sudden changes. 

She finally opened her eyes as sunlight streamed through the windows, casting golden streaks across the cabin.

Passengers around her began gathering their belongings, preparing for arrival. She stretched discreetly, loosening her muscles and preparing for the next step.