In the Eye of the Storm

Corporal Reyes found himself standing in front of the secured doors of HQ's command center, his heart pounding against his ribs.

This was uncharted territory—strictly off-limits to anyone outside of high-ranking personnel and, of course, Team Unknown.

But after his recent encounters with Val, Dr. Lewis had requested him personally, explaining that he would be aiding in Team Unknown's latest reconnaissance mission.

The words had barely registered before Reyes found himself escorted to the command center, wondering if this would finally be the moment that his sanity deserted him.

The doors slid open with a low hiss, and Reyes was met with a room bustling with analysts, medics, and tactical operatives, all glued to the glowing screens that lined the walls.

Monitors flickered with maps, thermal scans, and live feeds from each member of Team Unknown, their masked faces visible only on secure channels. He swallowed, feeling like an ant in a forest of giants, trying to absorb it all while standing at the edge of the command platform.

Dr. Lewis spotted him and waved him over, nodding encouragingly. "Welcome, Corporal. This is a rare privilege—take it in. You'll be working with us to track Team Unknown's mission. We need all hands on deck for this."

Reyes nodded, still trying to hide his nervousness as he took his place. He scanned the monitors, zeroing in on the feeds of Bo, Riggs, Fon, and, of course, Val. Each was positioned in a different sector, moving silently through dense forest, a black cloak blending them into the shadows as they scouted their designated perimeters.

Dr. Lewis explained, "Team Unknown is positioned around a Black Lotus safe house. Our objective is simple: block any exits, secure the perimeter, and make sure no one escapes. Your job, Corporal, is to assist with monitoring each sector and report any unexpected activity."

"Understood, sir," Reyes replied, nodding with resolve. He felt a strange sense of pride, standing in this restricted domain, even if it meant dealing with the unpredictable chaos of Team Unknown.

But just as Reyes started to settle into his task, something on the screen caught his eye.

The feed on Fon's camera flickered, his black cloak whipping as he crouched on a rocky ledge, surveying a darkened pathway below. But as he adjusted his view, Reyes could hear his voice over the feed—a voice that seemed to be grumbling.

Oh, come on, Umbra… can't you warn us before you jump us all over the place? Fon's voice was strained, a hint of nausea lacing his words.

The view on the screen shook wildly, and before Reyes could fully understand what was happening, the feed cut to Riggs, who let out a loud, exasperated sigh.

I swear, dude, you enjoy springing these teleports on us, Riggs muttered, his voice thick with discomfort. His camera jolted, showing a blur of the ground as he crouched, clearly steadying himself.

"Look at this," muttered one of the command center analysts, gesturing at the feed with a grin. "Every mission. Every single mission."

Reyes looked between the analysts and the screen, feeling both bemused and bewildered. It didn't help that Bo's feed now showed him in an open clearing, visibly leaning against a tree, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like, I'm going to lose my lunch again.

The command center erupted in quiet snickers as Team Unknown's synchronized teleport-induced nausea played out across the monitors. Reyes watched, half in awe and half in disbelief, as Val's voice crackled over the comms.

Alright, alright, Val said, his tone a mixture of amusement and command. Deep breaths, people. Keep your focus on the mission. This one's important.

Fon's voice came through, muffled but loud enough to be heard by everyone in the room. Maybe next time, give us more than a one-second warning, Umbra. Just saying.

Reyes couldn't help the incredulous chuckle that escaped him. For all their elite status, the legendary Team Unknown, whose missions were as classified as they were feared, had one achilles heel: teleportation sickness.

One of the younger analysts elbowed Reyes, grinning. "First time seeing them in action, Corporal?"

"Uh, yeah," Reyes stammered, still watching the screens, his mind reeling with a mix of awe and sheer disbelief. "Didn't expect to… uh, see this part of the job."

Dr. Lewis smirked, giving Reyes a knowing look. "They're highly skilled, but human. Every team has its quirks, and… let's say teleportation is theirs."

Just then, Val's feed shifted to a new angle, showing his position atop a high vantage point, his black cloak fluttering slightly in the wind as he scanned the landscape below.

The silence in the command center grew as everyone watched him, his presence embodying the silent, calculated confidence that Team Unknown was known for.

But Val's commanding aura didn't last long before Fon's voice crackled over the feed again.

By the way, Umbra, if you teleport us one more time without a countdown, I'm filing a formal complaint.

Reyes bit back a laugh, but his amusement only grew as he noticed Dr. Lewis raise an eyebrow, clearly considering the threat.

Even General Luis, who had entered the command center just moments earlier, seemed amused as he glanced at Reyes and then back at the screen.

The corporal shook his head, still processing the surreal scene unfolding on the monitors. "I'm just surprised," he murmured. "With their… reputation, I wouldn't have expected this."

Dr. Lewis chuckled, his voice warm with experience. "They're not just machines, Corporal. That's what makes them the best. Besides," he added with a faint smile, "they keep us all on our toes."

Reyes nodded, feeling a new sense of respect as he looked back at the screens.

Then Val's voice came through the comms—a voice low, calm, and carrying a steely confidence that cut through the banter like a blade.

Focus, everyone. Keep your positions, and hold formation.

Reyes's spine straightened instinctively, goosebumps pricking along his arms.

Val's words were clipped and precise, his tone conveying a gravity that immediately reset the atmosphere.

The effect on Team Unknown was immediate; the humor dissipated, and each operative fell silent, their postures shifting back into readiness.

Bo's feed stabilized, showing him crouched near a tree line, his breathing slowing as he refocused on his mission.

Reyes swallowed, his throat tight, and glanced at Dr. Lewis, who gave him a nod as if to say, "You're seeing the real deal now."

In the monitor directly in front of Reyes, Val's screen showed him at a high vantage point, gazing down over the compound. His cloak flared slightly in the breeze, casting long, dark shadows across his frame. Even from the tiny movements on screen, Reyes felt the commanding weight of Val's presence, like a predator lying in wait.

Umbra, Bo's voice came through the feed, steady and controlled, the humor gone. Perimeter secure. Ready on your call.

Reyes felt a strange thrill at hearing them use their codenames—a layer of mystery and intensity he'd never encountered before. There was a chill in his veins, the kind of raw, unnerving energy that came with witnessing something legendary unfold in real time.

He'd heard stories about Team Unknown, of course, but seeing them in action, led by the notorious ARM user, was another experience entirely.

As the moments ticked by, Reyes watched as Val began issuing commands. They were short, precise, and cut straight to the heart of the mission.

Aura, cover the southeast. Terra, secure the ridge—disrupt any movement.

The words sent a shiver down Reyes's spine. He could feel the quiet authority in each syllable, the unyielding confidence in Val's tone. It was as if Val's voice itself was a weapon, something forged and honed to command not just his team, but the entire landscape.

Reyes swallowed, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck rise as each instruction unfolded with seamless precision.

Roger that, Umbra, Riggs replied, his voice steady, instantly repositioning as ordered.

Fon adjusted his own position, his view shifting to a lower incline where he could monitor the movements within the camp. In place, Umbra.

Val's voice came again, as sharp as a blade slicing through the silence. Aura, on my count, release. Terra, destabilize. Execute on my mark.

Reyes's breath caught, feeling as if he was right there in the field, the tension twisting within him.

The command was almost visceral, the kind that seeped under the skin and took hold of every muscle. It felt strange, even surreal, to be sitting here in HQ and feeling the chill of fear, the thrum of power, just from hearing a man speak.

Execute.

Riggs unleashed a controlled gust of wind, whipping through the compound. The sudden force of air roared across the screens, scattering debris and sending tents flapping violently.

Reyes's pulse quickened as he saw the confusion ripple through the Black Lotus ranks on screen. He could almost feel the raw, ruthless energy of the command room as everyone leaned forward, eyes glued to the unfolding operation.

Then, as if on cue, Fon sent a tremor through the ridge, cracking the earth beneath several of the tents, tilting crates and supplies in a chaotic burst. Reyes felt his pulse race, adrenaline spiking as he watched Team Unknown dismantle Black Lotus's defenses with effortless synergy.

Dr. Lewis glanced at Reyes, a small smirk on his face. "Not exactly how it looks in the movies, is it?"

Reyes swallowed, his throat dry. "No, sir. It's… something else entirely."

On the screens, Val moved to a new position, his cloak sweeping around him as he scanned the terrain, calculating the next move. Every movement was deliberate, almost too calm given the unfolding chaos around him.

Reyes felt a strange mix of awe and unease settle in his stomach, as though watching Val at work was something beyond mortal.

Another command echoed through the room, low and lethal. Aura, cover. Terra, halt any exits.

Copy that, Umbra. Riggs's voice came over the line, smooth and steady, his camera view shifting as he secured the southeast perimeter, his movements fluid.

Fon's camera adjusted as he stationed himself at the ridge, his stance wide as he readied himself to seal any exits. Position held, Umbra. They're not getting out.

Then Val's screen displayed him drawing his weapon, a Void-tinged blade that flickered with a dark, ghostly energy.

Reyes felt a jolt of shock and something close to fear as he saw it—this was the power of the ARM user, the weapon that could wield the Void itself.

He watched as Val's voice came over the feed, chilling and powerful.

Everyone in position? Prepare to engage on my signal. Remember, no one gets through. Black Lotus needs to understand that.

The quiet, deadly authority in Val's tone made Reyes's blood run cold. He could feel the sheer weight of it, like a pressure bearing down on him, an ironclad certainty that left no room for doubt.

This was why Team Unknown was unstoppable—this was why Val was feared even among Clareo's enemies.

For a moment, Reyes almost felt sorry for the Black Lotus operatives on the other end of Val's command. Almost.

Fon's voice crackled through, laced with dark humor. They're gonna wish they'd never set up camp here. On your call, Umbra.

In HQ, one of the analysts shook their head with a wry smile. "They've got no idea what's coming for them. Poor bastards."

Dr. Lewis, still standing near Reyes, leaned in and spoke quietly. "Now you see, Corporal. This is what separates Team Unknown. It's not just their skills. It's the unity, the absolute trust they place in each other—and the unwavering command of a leader who knows every one of them down to the bone."

Reyes nodded slowly, feeling a strange mixture of respect and something close to intimidation. He couldn't imagine what it was like to follow a leader like Val into battle, but he felt a surge of pride in knowing he was part of this, even if just for tonight.

A soft chime indicated that Val was about to initiate the final phase of the mission.

Execute.

The screens exploded with movement. Team Unknown launched into action, each member playing their role with deadly efficiency. The Black Lotus encampment descended into chaos as shadows blurred and weapons clashed.

The analysts watched in silence, their eyes fixed on the screens, and Reyes could hardly breathe, his heart hammering with every command Val issued, every calculated movement on the monitors.

By the time the dust settled, Reyes felt as though he'd run the mission himself. His mind spun, his body tensed from the intensity of watching a mission unfold under Val's command. It was nothing like he'd ever seen—this wasn't just strategy; it was an art, orchestrated by a man whose calm presence could inspire, control, and, in the right circumstances, devastate.

"Well, Corporal," Dr. Lewis said, a knowing gleam in his eye. "How does it feel to witness the legendary Team Unknown in action?"

Reyes shook his head, still slightly in awe. "It's… humbling. And terrifying."

Dr. Lewis clapped him on the shoulder with a chuckle. "Welcome to the real side of the battlefield. You'll have quite the story to tell."

As the final cleanup wrapped, Val's voice echoed through the comms, steady but carrying a faint, almost teasing tone.

All right, team. Prepare for extraction. We'll be teleporting back in… three.

Fon's groan came through immediately. Not again… Umbra, at least give us a fighting chance here!

Riggs let out an exaggerated sigh, his tone laced with weary resignation. One of these days, you're gonna teleport us without a warning. And I'll haunt you, Umbra.

Bo's reply was even, though a bit strained. Is there… absolutely no other way back?

In the command center, chuckles spread through HQ staff, familiar with the ongoing "teleportation saga" of Team Unknown.

Reyes couldn't help but join in, a grin tugging at his mouth as he watched the team's incredible transformation—from the lethal, synchronized unit that dismantled Black Lotus to a group of elite warriors bemoaning yet another round of teleportation nausea.

Dr. Lewis leaned toward Reyes with a smirk, whispering, "There's your full picture of Team Unknown—the fearless, relentless, nausea-prone legends."

Reyes chuckled, both admiration and amusement filling his gaze as he looked at the screens, catching a final glimpse of Val's figure, his commanding presence softened just slightly by the faint, hidden humor beneath his mask.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he was witnessing something rare—two sides of an elite squad bound by loyalty and, apparently, a strong aversion to teleportation.

And as he prepared to follow their return, he felt the thrill of being one step closer to understanding this mysterious, powerful, and uniquely human team.