Chapter 19: Tensions Rising

Chapter 19: Tensions Rising

Time Period: 2015

Age: 13 years old

The days following our strike against The Dominion were filled with a nervous tension that permeated every corner of Umbra. We were playing a dangerous game, and everyone knew it. The Dominion hadn't struck back yet, but the silence was more unsettling than any immediate retaliation could have been.

It was as if they were waiting, biding their time, and that made everyone in Umbra anxious. We were on high alert, our operatives working around the clock to gather intelligence and prepare for whatever might come next. But despite our best efforts, there was a growing sense of unease, a feeling that something was about to go very wrong.

One afternoon, as I was reviewing reports in my office, Kee entered without knocking—a sign that whatever he had to say couldn't wait.

"James," he said, his voice low but urgent. "We've got a situation."

I looked up from the stack of papers on my desk, meeting his serious gaze. "What is it?"

Kee handed me a tablet, the screen displaying a live feed from one of our surveillance teams. The image showed a group of heavily armed men moving through a warehouse—a warehouse that I recognized as one of our safehouses.

"They're Dominion," Kee explained, his tone grim. "They've found one of our safehouses. We need to act fast."

My mind raced as I considered our options. The safehouse was supposed to be secure, one of the many places we used to store sensitive materials and house operatives on the run. If The Dominion had found it, that meant they were closing in on us faster than we anticipated.

"How many men do we have on site?" I asked, my voice calm despite the adrenaline beginning to surge through my veins.

"Six," Kee replied. "But they're outnumbered. We need to get them out before The Dominion can close the net."

I nodded, already formulating a plan. "Get Elijah and Mia. We're going to handle this personally."

Kee didn't waste any time, leaving the room to carry out my orders. I turned back to the tablet, watching as The Dominion's forces methodically searched the warehouse, their movements precise and professional. They were good—too good for this to be a simple raid. This was a message.

Minutes later, Elijah and Mia arrived, both of them ready for action. Elijah's usual calm demeanor was tinged with a hint of urgency, while Mia's golden eyes were sharp and focused.

"What's the plan?" Elijah asked, always straight to the point.

"We need to extract our people before The Dominion can get to them," I explained. "We'll hit them hard and fast, distract them long enough to get our operatives out and destroy anything that could be used against us."

Elijah nodded, already running through the logistics in his mind. "We'll need to move quickly. The longer we wait, the more dangerous it gets."

"Agreed," I said, turning to Mia. "I want you coordinating from the command center. Keep an eye on the feed, and guide us through this. We can't afford any mistakes."

Mia nodded, her expression serious. "I'll make sure everything goes smoothly."

With the plan in place, we moved out. The ride to the safehouse was tense, the silence in the car broken only by the occasional update from Mia over the comms. The streets of Houston passed by in a blur, the city oblivious to the shadow war being fought right under its nose.

As we approached the warehouse, I felt a familiar surge of adrenaline—the kind that sharpened my senses and focused my mind. This was what I lived for, the moments when everything was on the line, and the only thing that mattered was getting the job done.

"Alright," I said as we pulled up a few blocks away from the warehouse. "We go in, extract our people, and neutralize any threats. No heroics—just get in and get out."

Elijah and Kee nodded, their expressions mirroring the cold determination I felt in my gut. We moved quickly, slipping through the shadows as we approached the warehouse. The Dominion's men were spread out, their attention focused on searching the building. They didn't see us coming.

The first strike was quick and silent, a knife to the throat of the nearest guard. He went down without a sound, his body crumpling to the ground as Elijah signaled for us to move forward. We slipped inside the warehouse, moving through the darkened corridors with practiced ease.

Mia's voice crackled in my ear, guiding us through the building. "Two hostiles in the next room. Take them out quietly."

Elijah and Kee moved ahead, their footsteps barely making a sound as they approached the door. I followed close behind, my senses heightened as I prepared for the confrontation.

The door swung open, and before the two guards could react, Elijah and Kee were on them, their knives flashing in the dim light. The guards went down without a fight, their bodies hitting the floor with a dull thud.

"Clear," Elijah whispered, his voice steady as ever.

We continued through the warehouse, taking down The Dominion's men one by one. It was a methodical, brutal process—one that required precision and control. There was no room for error, no space for hesitation.

Finally, we reached the room where our operatives were holed up. They were surrounded, pinned down by The Dominion's forces, but still holding their ground. I could see the relief in their eyes as we entered the room, their tense postures relaxing slightly at the sight of reinforcements.

"Time to go," I said, my voice leaving no room for argument. "We're getting you out of here."

The operatives didn't need to be told twice. They gathered their gear and prepared to move, their eyes still wary as they glanced at the door. They knew the danger wasn't over yet.

As we made our way back through the warehouse, the tension was palpable. We had accomplished the extraction, but we weren't out of the woods yet. The Dominion's forces were still out there, still searching, and if we were caught now, it would be a bloodbath.

But we moved quickly, efficiently, our steps silent as we navigated the darkened corridors. Finally, we reached the exit, the night air cool against our skin as we slipped out of the building.

"Extraction complete," Mia's voice came over the comms, filled with relief. "Get out of there, now."

We didn't need to be told twice. We moved quickly to the vehicles, the tension in the air finally beginning to dissipate as we sped away from the warehouse. The operation had been a success, but the cost was high, and the message from The Dominion was clear—they weren't going to back down.

As we drove through the quiet streets, I couldn't help but think about what was coming next. The Dominion was a formidable opponent, and this was just the beginning of a long and bloody conflict. But as I looked at the faces of my team, I knew one thing for sure: we were ready for whatever came next.

We had to be. There was no other option.