The sun was barely above the horizon when Sophia and her team touched down at the base. The morning air was crisp, carrying with it the lingering chill of the night. As the helicopter's blades slowed to a halt, Sophia took a deep breath, her mind already shifting to the next phase of their operation.
They had barely disembarked when Director Collins approached, his expression unreadable. He moved with a calmness that belied the urgency of the situation, his sharp eyes taking in the state of the team. "I heard you ran into some trouble out there," he said as they approached.
Sophia nodded, her tone measured. "We encountered more resistance than expected, but we got what we needed. Black Phoenix isn't just regrouping—they're digging in. They've established a network of facilities and safe houses across the region, and they're heavily fortified."
