"The disbandment was not about the charges," Amira continued, her voice steady.
"It was driven by opposition parties within the federation, led by Vice-Chancellor Reinfeld and his allies. They pressured the Chancellor into this decision. Why? Because we became a variable; a threat to those trying to control the military's elite units."
A wave of realization swept over the room.
They now understood the political undercurrents that had torn apart their team.
She paused, allowing her words to sink in.
Then took a deep breath, preparing to reveal the true reason for their gathering.
"You're probably wondering how all of this relates to why I called you here," she said, her gaze unwavering.
Sophie, a seasoned operative sitting near the front, looked puzzled.
"Yeah, why? What's the connection?" she asked.
Instead of replying directly, she raised one hand, concentrating her energy.
A moment later, an icy dagger materialized in the air, floating steadily before her.
The sight of the weapon, formed from thin air, left everyone in awe.
Some stared in surprise, while others seemed to have suspected something like this.
The hall buzzed with murmurs and disbelief, the reality of what they were seeing slowly sinking in.
"I wasn't detained for what you think," Amira explained, her voice firm.
"I was held because I had a potential to be awakened harnessing supernatural abilities. And there were many others like me, held as variables that needed to be controlled or contained."
The revelation was met with a mix of skepticism and curiosity.
Before anyone could speak, she continued.
"I met a guy named Carl while I was there. His power was one of a kind: he could project his mind forward in time and see what would happen in the future. But using his power too much made him extremely ill."
Her voice softened slightly as she recalled the encounter.
"In his final moments, Carl sent those memories to me, begging me to save his family."
The crowd was silent, trying to digest the incredible claim.
She continued, her tone growing more urgent.
"I know it's hard to believe. I was skeptical too. But in the days that followed, things unfolded exactly as I'd seen in the memories. That's when I knew Carl wasn't lying."
The room was heavy with tension as she described her escape.
"I broke out of the facility, trapping everyone inside to buy time. But my real goal was to verify what I'd seen."
"As I tried to get away, I came across mutated animals that were vicious and bloodthirsty. I killed one, but then I faced a much scarier animal: a huge python that could conjure the wind element."
Sam's face twisted in disbelief.
"You mean the one from the Atharya mission?" he asked.
She nodded grimly.
"Similar, only this one was far more powerful. Even with my abilities, I barely survived. It was then I realized that Carl's memories might be correct."
Her expression was serious as she addressed the next point.
"I needed more proof, so I asked Elias and Layla to hack into satellite feeds to estimate the number and density of these mutated beasts."
She turned to Elias, who stepped forward, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced by a somber expression.
"What we found wasn't good," Elias admitted, "The satellite data shows a rapid increase in mutated life forms."
The operatives' faces grew even more serious as they processed this information. Asher, a quiet but observant member of the team, broke the silence.
"So, what's the future according to Carl? You wouldn't have risked everything and called us here without a significant reason."
Amira looked at Asher, grateful for his clarity.
"You're right, Asher," she said, "This mutation wasn't natural. It was artificially induced by the meteorite that fell two months ago."
The crowd was visibly stunned. Bella, her face pale with shock, asked the question on everyone's mind.
"The meteorite did all this?" Her expression was grave as she answered.
"It wasn't just a meteorite. But was a scout ship-an alien vessel that landed by accident." Amira told,
"Realizing the planet's potential, they released spiritual energy to terraforming it, making it habitable for their kind."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle.
"The spiritual energy has been mutating plants, animals, and even humans. But we're only at the beginning. The real danger is set to unfold tomorrow evening."
Her voice grew more urgent, each word landing like a hammer blow.
"They're planning to release a massive burst of energy worldwide, completing the terraforming process. It will disrupt all long-range communication, isolate Earth, and unleash chaos."
Elias picked up where Amira left off, "Once the energy is released, the beasts will grow stronger and more aggressive. And move out of forest to nearby town or cities."
"And with signal disrupted federation will definitely fail to respond in time, and most likely abandon the outer provinces, focusing solely on the central region.", Her voice grew colder.
"They'll even restrict entry to the central province, preventing refugees from fleeing there. It's all about securing supplies for themselves."
She took a deep breath, then addressed her unit with renewed urgency.
"That's why I called you here. We need to protect our families and save as many as we can. I know it's a lot to take in."
"Take some time to process this," She said, her voice softer now. "But remember, we don't have much time."
The operatives nodded slowly, the gravity of the situation setting in.
The hall fell silent once more, but it was the silence of determination, not doubt.
As the initial shock began to wear off, Rina broke the silence with an outburst of questions.
"So, Captain," she blurted, her voice eager and curious, "when will we awaken? Can everyone get powers? And can we make the process faster?"
Amira felt momentarily speechless, bombarded by the flood of questions.
She took a deep breath, regaining her composure as the entire group turned their expectant gazes toward her.
"Yes, Rina," She began, her tone patient, "Firstly, everyone here can awaken. And yes, we can speed up the process."
The room fell into a hushed silence as she continued.
"As for what kind of abilities you'll gain, it varies," she explained.
"It can depends on your personality, physical and mental traits, and even your habits."
"So, it's not like in those novels where you suddenly get powers," Amira added, a hint of sarcasm in her voice, earning a few chuckles.
"It's more of a gradual adjustment. As the spiritual energy in the environment increases, your body will adapt, allowing you to tap into and manipulate that energy."
The group listened intently, their expressions a mix of fascination and determination.
She sensed their growing interest and continued.
"This means that you may be able to control and shape these energies into different elemental or non-elemental powers," she clarified.
"Some of you will have an affinity for a particular element, making it easier to control with less energy consumption. Others might not have a specific affinity, but you'll be able to use all elements, albeit less efficiently."
To demonstrate, she extended her hand, conjuring a tiny flame that danced on her palm.
She let it linger for a moment before extinguishing it.
"See?" she said, her voice matter-of-fact, "I have an affinity for ice, but I can manipulate fire to some extent. It's more difficult, so I prefer to focus on honing my ice abilities."
A wave of murmurs rippled through the room.
Many seemed to be absorbing the idea that they, too, could wield similar powers one day.
"This affinity varies from person to person," Amira continued.
"Some people start with strong abilities, but that doesn't mean they'll automatically excel. It takes hard work and discipline."
She paused, letting her words sink in. The operatives nodded, their expressions more resolved now.
"For those without a clear affinity," she added, "you can still master multiple elements, but it will require more practice to match those with specialized powers."
The operatives looked determined, ready to tackle the unknown.
"But let's leave the details for later," she said, sensing that the explanations were overwhelming them.
"I'll give you notes on all of this so you can study and prepare yourselves."
Amira then shifted the conversation to a more pressing matter: how to speed up the awakening process.
"There are three main ways to accelerate your awakening," she announced.
"First, there are exercises that help your body adjust faster to the spiritual energy. Second, consuming the meat and blood of mutated beasts is highly beneficial. Lastly, certain herbs can enhance the process."
She moved to a bag placed by the side, opening it to reveal containers filled with dark red blood and neatly packed chunks of raw meat.
"This," She said, holding up a sealed container, "is the meat and blood of an elemental beast I killed recently. It's extremely nutrient-rich and can help awaken latent abilities."
Rina's eyes widened, but she quickly pointed out, a bit disappointed, "This isn't enough for everyone, though."
Amira tapped Rina's forehead lightly,
"You want to kill everyone by making them eat a regular portion of this meat?" she teased, earning a few laughs.
Layla, who had been observing quietly, spoke up.
"So, it's that potent?" she asked, her tone curious, "Should we be cautious with the dosage?"
Amira nodded seriously, "Exactly. It's potent and shouldn't be consumed in large amounts, especially by those who haven't awakened yet."
She then turned to address the entire group.
"Each of you will receive a small piece of this meat when it's cooked. For your family members, adults will get a larger bowl of broth made from it, while children will get a small portion."
"This way, everyone can digest it slowly, allowing the energy to saturate your bodies safely."
The operatives nodded, understanding the careful approach needed.
She then pointed to three individuals in the crowd: Sophie, Asher, and Mira.
"You three will receive a slightly larger portion," she announced, surprising everyone.
The operatives exchanged confused looks, unsure of why these three were singled out.
She raised an eyebrow.
"Out with it," she urged, sensing their hesitation, "How long were you planning to hide it?"
Asher cleared his throat, looking embarrassed.
"I wasn't hiding it, Captain," he stammered, "I just wasn't sure how to bring it up."
Her eyes softened.
"I know," she said gently, "It's nothing to be ashamed of."
Realizing what she meant, the operatives gathered around Sophie, Asher, and Mira, bombarding them with questions.
"How did it happen?"
"What are your powers?"
Amira stood back, watching the three with a mix of pride and amusement.
Asher, the first to speak, explained.
"I have an earth affinity," he said, "It's not as strong as Captain's, but I can create a protective barrier around parts of my body and small shields."
"But I can't alter terrain or create large barriers yet," he added, scratching his head.
Sophie, a petite woman with a calm demeanor, went next.
"I don't have a clear element," she said. "But my body has adapted to be faster, making me stronger and quicker. I can enhance my lower body to speed up to 4-5, which makes me fast but energy consumption is also high"
As she explained, people nodded to show that they understood. Speed and agility were very important in what they did.
Mira stepped forward, her expression serene.
"I have water affinity," she said, "But my abilities lean more toward healing than offense or defense."
The operatives absorbed the information, fascinated by the diversity of abilities emerging among them.
She decided it was the perfect moment to drive home the point she wanted them to understand.
"See?" she said, her voice strong, "Awakening isn't just about flashy powers. It's about adapting to what you have and making it work for you. Everyone's path will be different."
The group seemed more focused now, ready to explore their own potential.
There was a change in the atmosphere; it was now a mix of determination and interest instead of uncertainty.
She sensed it was time to wrap things up for now.
"Alright," Amira announced, her tone decisive, "I want you all to break this news to your families and spend some time with them. After dinner, I'll assign tasks and share the next steps of the plan."
The operatives dispersed, eager to share the information with their loved ones and perhaps get a glimpse of what the future held.
As they left the hall, She felt a sense of satisfaction.
Despite the looming threats, the group's morale was strong.
They were beginning to understand the gravity of the situation and the possibilities that lay ahead.