After returning to the S.O.S. Disaster Management Center, Eli and Misbah were exhausted but exhilarated. The mission in Peru had tested every ounce of their training, yet they had risen to the challenge, saving lives in the face of chaos and devastation. The weight of the experience was still fresh in their minds, yet so was the satisfaction of knowing that they had truly made a difference.
As they walked through the center's bustling halls, still wearing the dust and sweat of their journey, Eli turned to Misbah. "We actually did it, man. I still can't believe it."
Misbah nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, we did. I mean, we spent years training for this, but… being out there was different. It was real."
The two friends shared a moment of silence, the depth of their accomplishment sinking in.
The next day, Eli and Misbah received an unexpected summons. Commander Steve had called a meeting for all senior S.O.S. members and selected trainees. The reason was still unknown, but rumors had begun circulating that the Peru earthquake had brought attention to a need for a specialized team—a team that could respond to the most extreme and dangerous disasters with skill and precision.
When they arrived in the meeting hall, the air was thick with anticipation. Commander Steve stood at the front of the room, flanked by Vice Commander Loran and a few other officials. Once everyone had gathered, Steve addressed the room.
"Thank you all for coming. As many of you know, we recently faced a challenging operation in Peru, and our team's performance has been commendable. But this event has shown us something else—that we need a specialized team ready to handle the most dangerous situations we face." He paused, letting his words sink in. "Today, we're forming that team. We're calling it Squad S."
A murmur went through the room. Squad S would be the elite of the elite, a group specifically trained for the highest-risk missions. Steve's gaze fell on Eli and Misbah, who exchanged a look of shock and excitement.
"Squad S will consist of six members," Steve continued, nodding at the selected recruits. "Eli, Misbah—you two will be part of it. You've proven yourselves to be dedicated and capable, and we need that strength on this team."
Eli felt a surge of pride but kept his expression calm. Beside him, Misbah nodded, his face unreadable but his eyes bright with excitement.
Steve went on to introduce the other members. "First, we have Captain Jordan Kim. Captain Kim is a seasoned field officer with extensive experience in rescue operations and disaster coordination. He'll be leading Squad S, and I expect you all to learn from his expertise."
Captain Kim, a tall man with a serious demeanor and a calm yet intense presence, gave the group a nod. He was known for his no-nonsense approach and strategic thinking, and Eli felt a mix of admiration and intimidation.
"Next," Steve said, turning to a young woman with short, dark hair and sharp eyes, "we have Lina Torres. She's an expert in engineering and construction, which will be vital in rescue operations involving collapsed buildings or unstable structures."
Lina gave a slight smile, her gaze steady and confident. She looked like someone who could keep her cool under pressure—a quality that would undoubtedly prove valuable in the field.
Steve then introduced the final two members, two young men both around 19 years old, fresh recruits with excellent marks in disaster management and first aid. One was Aiden Jones, who specialized in emergency medicine and had a quiet, thoughtful demeanor. The other was Ravi Patel, a tech-savvy young man known for his skills with communication equipment and navigation tools.
Once the introductions were complete, Steve looked over the six of them. "This is Squad S. Each of you brings something unique to the team, and together, you'll be our first line of response when disaster strikes. You'll receive specialized training in high-risk operations, and you'll be called upon for missions that others wouldn't be able to handle."
As the meeting wrapped up, Captain Kim led the new Squad S members to a private room to discuss their upcoming training. The atmosphere was a mix of excitement, tension, and curiosity.
Once they were alone, Captain Kim addressed the group. "I know most of you are new to this kind of work, and I won't sugarcoat it—Squad S will be tough. We're here to respond to situations where others can't, which means you need to be at the top of your game. If any of you are unsure about this, now is the time to step back."
Nobody moved. Eli felt a renewed determination settle within him. This was what he had dreamed of—a chance to truly make an impact.
Kim continued, "Good. Now, let's start with some introductions. Let's get to know each other better. Lina, why don't you go first?"
Lina leaned back, crossing her arms. "I'm Lina Torres. I'm from Los Angeles, and I got into this work after my neighborhood was hit by an earthquake a few years back. Since then, I've wanted to understand the engineering behind buildings and make them safer. If we're going to rescue people, I want to know the structures we're dealing with."
Eli nodded, impressed by her confidence. Next up was Aiden, who spoke quietly but with resolve. "I'm Aiden Jones. My family's from Oklahoma, so I grew up seeing tornadoes tear through our town. I studied emergency medicine because, well… someone has to know how to handle the injuries."
Ravi added with a grin, "I'm Ravi. Grew up in Chicago, and I've always been fascinated by technology and communication systems. Figured if I could help people communicate when everything goes down, I'd be doing something useful."
Captain Kim turned to Eli and Misbah. "And you two?"
Eli spoke up. "I'm Eli Grant. I've seen my town drown in floods and burn in wildfires. I joined S.O.S. to be on the frontlines, to make sure others don't suffer the same way."
Misbah, standing beside him, nodded. "I'm Misbah. I lost my family to a forest fire. Ever since then, I've wanted to be able to stop these things from taking lives."
Captain Kim looked at each of them, his gaze serious. "Good. You all have your reasons for being here, and they're strong ones. Hold onto that, because there will be days where it's all that keeps you going."
As they walked out of the room, Eli and Misbah exchanged a glance. They were now part of something bigger than they had ever imagined—an elite team that would be called to the frontlines when the world needed them most. Their journey was only beginning, and they knew the challenges ahead would test them in ways they couldn't yet fathom. But with Squad S by their side, they were ready to face whatever came next.