As Lily and Team Alpha regrouped at the entrance of the abandoned mine, she could feel that some members of the team were tense, even with all their training.
The eerie silence of the surroundings did not help in removing the foreboding atmosphere that left each member of the team on high alert for any danger.
Even Lily was certain to have her senses on overdrive at all times to pick up for the slightest threat around them— this was the Brotherhood, after all.
With her senses, she could even sense the faint presence of several individuals deep within the mines, likely the Brotherhood mutants they were sent to eliminate.
'Stay sharp, everyone."
The team leader whispered into the comms in a barely audible voice.
"We move in quietly and take them out before they know what hit them. Bravo and Falcon, I want you to watch our backs. Eagle, Hound, and Cat, I want you to cover the sides. Ant, I want you with me. Please notify me if you sense anything."
Ant was Lily's nickname for this operation; the main purpose of the name was to keep things undercover in case they got exposed and also to make it easier to give orders.
With the orders given, the team began moving as one down the mining pathway. Their training was evident as they perfectly synchronized their movements and fulfilled the positions given to them.
Lily was at the front with the leader, with her senses ready to detect any incoming threats.
As they descended deeper into the mines, the narrow passageways and dim lighting added to the challenge of moving as a team, resulting in them having to form a small line.
Suddenly, a noise ahead caught Lily's attention, and she signaled for the team to halt. Her eyes narrowed as they focused on the source of the sound; adapting to the darkness, she was able to see faintly ahead of her.
Several figures were gathered in a cavern that had been dug out of the mine and was being used as a makeshift camp— they looked rough and dirty.
Their appearance reminded Lily of miners, but she couldn't be certain of what they were without confirmation.
"We've got company."
Lily whispered into the comms for all the other members to hear.
"At least five of them, possibly more. Unarmed. Get ready."
The team positioned themselves strategically, preparing for the coordinated assault. They waited for Lily to give the signal before they began moving, their weapons trained on the unsuspecting Brotherhood mutants.
The initial attack was swift and precise, catching the people off guard thanks to their limited lighting. The Team focused on using their knives to avoid the loud sounds produced by guns— they didn't want to draw the attention of others just yet.
However, it wasn't long before the element of surprise wore off, and the Brotherhood members who weren't killed right away began to fight back fiercely.
Lily engaged in close combat with the mutants in order to try and quickly end this fight; her enhanced strength and agility allowed her to dodge their attacks and strike with deathly blows.
She could feel that her opponents weren't much stronger than a normal human— which left her confused. They didn't even use any mutant abilities.
Lily quickly eliminated her opponents and turned to the others. Team Alpha was quickly dealing with their own targets; however, because they couldn't use their guns, it took longer.
Lily aided them, and together, they were able to quickly deal with the remaining Brotherhood members, breaking the resistance and killing all of them.
The mine was now silent, save for the breathing of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents who had difficulty. None of them were injured in the fight. However, a few of them were hit by desperate attacks from the people.
"Clear."
The team leader announced through his comms, not just for them to hear but for everyone else.
"Good work, everyone. Let's secure the area and keep moving in."
He spoke again and was about to start moving to check out the area; however, Lily's voice brought him to a halt.
"Sir, these weren't mutants."
With the fight over, Lily could now properly focus on the matter at hand, why that fight was so easy for her, even in this clone form. None of the people she was fighting were mutants; in fact, they weren't even trained.
They were completely normal humans; at best, they were somewhat stronger than the average human because they worked in the mines, but that was it.
"Our mission is to eliminate the Brotherhood members, mutant or otherwise."
The team leader replied in his stoic voice, causing Lily to furrow her brows.
It wasn't that she had a problem killing humans— she had killed her fair share of humans and had grown used to it. What she didn't like was how fishy this mission was right off the bat.
She was ordered to kill mutants— she was told they would be fighting mutants— yet she hadn't even found a single mutant yet.
Something was wrong here, and Lily could feel it. She just didn't know what.
"Understood, Sir."
She replied and just went about her task. Getting into an argument here would do her no good— she didn't want to lose this cover in the situation that S.H.I.E.L.D. somehow turns against her.
For now, she would just do as they ordered and complete this task— if her life was endangered, she would retreat without a second thought. Even S.H.I.E.L.D. would understand something so simple.
Plus, it wasn't like they would get rid of her so easily— she had been useful so far.
===========
I know I posted a chapter previously mentioning my new Original Novel, The Violet Warlock, but I want to clarify something here going forward.
While it is not a Fanfic, and is listed under original novels, it will be Completely Free. It will not cost you any money to read it and I will not be accepting any contracts for it at all. I do not wish to have it restricted, and it will be open to all to read.
Secondly, as I plan to focus heavily on this new original novel, I will be updating it a lot throughout the course of the week. For this novel, Marvel, I will only be posting once a week at most. However, for that novel, I will post anywhere between 5-10 chapters a week.
I wish to progress that novel as it is easier to write than a fanfic. I do not need to research the world's lore and all that stuff. Plus, I like it.
That's going to be it for my rambling. If you're interested in fantasy stories with themes similar to Warlock in the Magus World, then feel free to check them out. I was inspired by such novels to write it.