I scanned the area, every sense heightened, every nerve on edge. The intel we'd received had been sparse, but it was enough to know that we were walking into a nest of vipers. The target we had been hunting for months was finally within reach, but that only made the stakes higher. One wrong move and the entire operation could go up in smoke, taking us with it.
The team stood frozen behind me, their breaths barely audible, waiting for my next command. I could feel the weight of their trust, their faith in my leadership, and it only added to the pressure gnawing at my gut. But there was no room for doubt, not here, not now. I took a slow, deliberate breath, letting the cold air steady my racing heart.
