Two days had passed, giving Alpha Team the much-needed time to rest and recharge after their relentless efforts. The base had been relatively quiet, with everyone taking advantage of the brief respite. Lester sat on the edge of his bunk, lost in thought, the weight of the upcoming mission to Spain hanging over him. He knew the break wouldn't last long, and they'd be back in action soon.
Suddenly, his glasses phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts. The familiar voice of Ray filled his ears as the call connected.
"Lester, are you there?" Ray's voice had a sense of urgency.
Lester straightened, his soldier's instincts kicking in. "Here, Ray. What's the situation?"
"I've secured transportation for you and the team," Ray explained, his voice steady but serious. "A helicopter will be arriving at your location shortly. It'll take you straight to Spain. From there, we'll be coordinating with local operatives. I'll brief you more once you're in the air, but this is happening fast. Be ready."
Lester stood up immediately, his military training kicking into full gear. "Understood. We'll be ready. What's the ETA on the chopper?"
"Less than an hour," Ray replied. "Make sure the team is prepped. This mission is going to take you deep into enemy territory. And Lester... this isn't a routine op. The labs you're headed to may contain more than just data. Be prepared for anything."
Lester's jaw tightened. "Roger that. We'll be ready for whatever's waiting."
Ray gave a brief acknowledgment before signing off, leaving Lester staring at his phone. He took a deep breath and turned toward the rest of his team. They had been relaxing, but it was clear from their faces that they knew the downtime was over.
Lester raised his voice, his tone commanding and focused. "Alright, listen up! Ray just gave us the green light. A helicopter will be here in less than an hour to take us to Spain. This is it—we've got our next lead, and we're moving fast. Get your gear together, check your weapons, and be ready in thirty minutes. We leave as soon as that chopper touches down."
The team sprang into action. Jason, Ali, Williams, and Frederick moved with practiced efficiency, grabbing their equipment and double-checking their weapons. The air in the room shifted, the sense of urgency palpable.
Lester moved to his locker, pulling out his tactical gear. His mind was already racing ahead to Spain. The mention of labs sent a chill down his spine. They were walking into uncharted territory, and if Umbrella's history was anything to go by, the labs would be filled with more than just dusty old files. Whatever they were about to face, it wasn't going to be easy.
Jason, always the optimist, approached with a grin. "Spain, huh? Never thought I'd be heading there under these circumstances. Think we'll get a chance to see the sights?"
Lester smirked but shook his head. "Doubt it, Jason. This isn't a vacation. Stay focused."
Jason's grin faded slightly, but his tone remained light. "I know. Just trying to keep the mood up."
Lester appreciated the effort but knew the seriousness of the situation. As he fastened his tactical vest, he glanced at Williams, who was meticulously checking his rifle.
"You ready for this?" Lester asked, his voice low.
Williams nodded without hesitation. "Always. This is what we signed up for, right?"
Lester gave a nod in return. "Damn right."
Ali was already geared up, adjusting his gloves as he approached. "Any more details from Ray about what we're walking into?"
Lester shook his head. "Not yet. Just that the labs might hold more than we expect. We're going in blind, but that's not new for us."
Ali gave a curt nod, her expression determined. "We'll handle it."
Frederick, always the quiet one, was checking over the comms equipment. He gave a thumbs-up, signaling that the communication lines were good to go.
As the team finalized their preparations, the familiar sound of helicopter blades began to hum in the distance. The whirring grew louder, signaling that their ride had arrived.
Lester stood at the entrance, watching as the helicopter descended. Dust kicked up from the powerful rotor blades as it touched down in the clearing outside the base. The team moved in sync, heading toward the chopper with precision.
As they boarded the helicopter, the adrenaline started to kick in. Lester took his seat near the door, his hand resting on his rifle. The noise of the rotors filled the cabin as the helicopter lifted off, leaving the base behind. The horizon stretched out before them, the journey to Spain now underway.
Ray's voice crackled through their comms as the helicopter gained altitude. "Lester, team, this is it. The labs you're headed to are in a remote area—a village in Spain. We've received intel that there's been activity there linked to Umbrella's past operations. Your mission is to investigate, recover any files or data you can find, and report back. Expect resistance. Locals have reported strange occurrences, and we're not sure what's waiting for you on the ground."
Lester's mind raced as he listened. "Any contact with local forces?"
Ray hesitated for a moment. "Limited. The locals are scared. We have one contact on the ground, but they've gone dark in the last 24 hours. We'll update you as we get more information. For now, stay sharp."
Lester nodded, his gaze hardening as he stared out at the clouds racing by. "Roger that, Ray. We'll handle it."
As the helicopter sped toward Spain, the team sat in focused silence, each member mentally preparing for what was to come. The mission had taken a dangerous turn, but Alpha Team was ready.
As the helicopter cruised through the sky, the rhythmic hum of the rotor blades filled the cabin. The team was focused, but the calm of the journey across the sea didn't sit right with Frederick. He sat by the window, scanning the horizon when something caught his eye—a boat, cutting through the waters below, far enough that it wouldn't have drawn much attention.
"Lester," Frederick called, his voice steady but alert, "we've got something down there. A ship."
Lester immediately snapped out of his thoughts, grabbing his binoculars. He moved over to Frederick's side and peered down toward the water. The ship wasn't just a random fishing vessel or some merchant cruiser—it looked well-maintained, almost too clean for these waters. The kind of ship that didn't belong out here, at least not without a reason.
Squinting through the binoculars, Lester saw a few men on deck. They were armed, each holding rifles as they patrolled the ship's perimeter, keeping a close watch on their surroundings. But what really drew his attention were two figures standing at the bow, both of them looking directly up at the helicopter as if they'd been waiting for it.
The first figure was a man dressed in black jeans and a raincoat, his posture rigid, his eyes hidden beneath the brim of his hood. There was something off about him—a stillness, a coldness in the way he stood, like a predator sizing up its prey.
The second figure beside him was a woman, or at least that's what Lester could make out from her frame. She wore brown pants and the same type of raincoat, but there was something more agile about her stance, more alert. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, were locked onto the helicopter, never wavering.
Lester lowered the binoculars and exchanged a look with his team. "Looks like we're not the only ones headed to Spain."
Jason raised an eyebrow. "Who the hell are they? Locals?"
Lester shook his head. "No way. They're armed and watching us like they know exactly who we are. That's not coincidence."
Ali leaned forward, her expression hardening. "Think they're part of what we're walking into?"
Lester gave a curt nod. "Could be. Whoever they are, they're ready for something. We should expect a lot of action once we hit the ground."
Williams adjusted his grip on his rifle, his eyes narrowing. "They look like they're tracking us."
Lester gave a grim smile. "Let 'em. They're not gonna like what happens when we land."
Frederick, still watching out the window, added, "We should keep an eye out for more. Where there's one, there's usually more."
The team settled back into their seats, but the atmosphere had shifted. Whatever was waiting for them in Spain, it was clear they weren't going to be the only players in the field.