The distant sounds of grunts, shouts, and the occasional crash echoed across the HQ training grounds, the unmistakable signature of Beta Team's ongoing struggles.
Every yelp or strained cry seemed to resonate with the growing infamy of Dr. Lewis's month-long transformation from diligent scientist to begrudging drillmaster.
Inside the briefing room, a faint hum from the holoscreen filled the otherwise quiet space. Dr. Lewis stood at the head of the table, shoulders slumped and tablet clutched loosely in one hand. If anyone had walked in unannounced, they might have mistaken him for a sleep-deprived apparition.
His hair, usually neat, stuck out in random directions as though he'd been caught in a windstorm. The dark bags under his eyes seemed almost exaggerated, bordering on comedic. His lab coat, once pristine, now bore faint smudges and a few suspicious marks of mud or coffee—possibly both.
The door to the briefing room slid open with a soft hiss, and Team Unknown entered in unison, their movements fluid and purposeful. Their cloaks billowed faintly as they stepped inside, the sight of the beleaguered scientist stopping them in their tracks.
Ember was the first to speak, his gaze flicking over Dr. Lewis. "Is… everything alright, Doc?"
Dr. Lewis didn't respond immediately. Instead, he raised a single hand, palm out, as though commanding silence. His gaze was fixed on his tablet, and his lips moved faintly as he muttered incomprehensible words under his breath.
Val exchanged a glance with Riggs, the faintest hint of amusement tugging at his lips. Riggs, as usual, didn't bother hiding his reaction. "Is it just me, or does he look like he's about to narrate the world's scariest bedtime story?"
Bo tilted his head slightly, his tone flat. "He looks like he hasn't slept in days. Maybe weeks."
"Months," Fon corrected quietly, leaning forward to peer closer.
As the team moved to their seats, they placed their masks on the table in front of them, their presence looming even without the anonymity the masks provided. Still, none of them could ignore the literal storm cloud hovering metaphorically above Dr. Lewis's head.
Dr. Lewis finally lowered his tablet, his bloodshot eyes sweeping over the team. His voice, raspy and haunting, broke the silence. "Welcome… to the next installment… of my descent into madness."
Riggs stifled a laugh, though it was evident from the way his shoulders shook that he was struggling. Ember, almost lost his composure, raised an eyebrow. "Should we be concerned?"
Dr. Lewis leaned forward, planting his hands on the table. The faint scent of stale coffee lingered as he spoke. "Concerned? Concerned? I'm juggling the training of an overconfident Beta Team, briefing you lot on missions, and occasionally remembering to eat and sleep. Concern doesn't even begin to cover it."
Val leaned back slightly, his tone light but teasing. "You're still standing, though. That's impressive."
"Barely," Dr. Lewis muttered, dragging a hand through his disheveled hair. "At this point, I'm fueled by spite, caffeine, and the faint hope that one day Beta Team might learn how to climb a rope without me screaming at them."
Bo glanced at the holoscreen, which flickered with mission details. "And yet, you still find time to prep our briefings. That's dedication."
"Or masochism," Riggs added helpfully.
Dr. Lewis shot him a withering glare. "Thank you, Riggs. Your commentary is as refreshing as ever."
Fon, ever the quiet observer, leaned forward slightly. "You're not going to collapse, are you?"
Dr. Lewis's laugh was sharp and humorless. "Oh, no. I'm beyond collapsing. I've entered the realm of existential endurance. You'd be amazed what the human body can withstand when fueled by sheer annoyance."
Ember's lips twitched faintly, though he remained professional. "Let's get to the briefing before you start quoting philosophy."
Dr. Lewis tapped his tablet, and the holoscreen shifted to display a detailed map of a mountainous region. "Fine. Let's talk about your next mission, since apparently, I can't catch a break."
The map zoomed into a narrow canyon dotted with Void energy hotspots. Dr. Lewis gestured toward the glowing areas, his voice taking on a more serious tone despite his frazzled state. "This is the Apex Rift. We've identified a significant Void-tainted energy signature emanating from this location, suggesting a newly established facility. Your objective is to infiltrate, assess, and, if necessary, neutralize the threat."
Val studied the map, his tone thoughtful. "What's the estimated resistance?"
Dr. Lewis sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Heavy. Surveillance indicates Void-tainted constructs guarding the perimeter, with potential for reinforcements. You'll need to move quickly and avoid prolonged engagements."
Bo nodded. "What about intel retrieval?"
Dr. Lewis's eyes sharpened slightly, his focus cutting through his exhaustion. "High priority. If this facility is tied to the same network as Karnaxis Rift, the data inside could be crucial. You'll be equipped with enhanced extraction tools for this mission."
Riggs leaned forward, his grin widening. "And how much of the facility are we allowed to break?"
Dr. Lewis's glare could've frozen water. "Preferably none. But since I know you'll ignore that request, try to keep collateral damage to a minimum."
"Noted," Riggs replied, looking anything but contrite.
Ember's tone was brisk. "Deployment time?"
"2000 hours," Dr. Lewis replied, tapping his tablet again. The holoscreen shifted to display a countdown timer. "That gives you enough time to prepare and review the intel."
Fon tilted his head, his gaze steady. "And Beta Team?"
Dr. Lewis's eye twitched faintly. "Beta Team will remain on the training grounds, where they will continue their grueling regimen under my… watchful eye."
Riggs chuckled. "Translation: you're going to yell at them until they cry."
Dr. Lewis didn't deny it. Instead, he straightened slightly, his voice regaining some of its edge. "If they cry, that means they're paying attention. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to prepare their next session. It involves ropes, mud, and a very steep hill."
As Dr. Lewis gathered his things, Val's voice cut through the air, laced with faint amusement. "Don't push yourself too hard, Doc. We'd hate to lose you."
Dr. Lewis paused, glancing back at the team with a wry smile. "Lose me? Oh, don't worry. I'll be here. I may be tired, irritated, and slightly unhinged, but I'm not going anywhere. Someone has to keep you lot in line."
As he left the room, Riggs leaned back in his chair, his grin wide. "He's holding up better than I expected."
Bo's tone was calm. "For now."
Ember's gaze swept across the table. "Let's make sure this mission goes smoothly. The last thing we need is giving him another reason to spiral."
Val smirked faintly, his voice light. "Agreed. Let's get to work."
The team rose, their masks glinting faintly in the light as they prepared for another mission.
Outside, Beta Team's painful grunts of exertion carried through the air, accompanied by Dr. Lewis's distant shouts.