Regrouping and reorganizing a rebel group is very difficult and challenging, but it is also crucial for any group or situation involving more than one person.
This important task has always been undertaken by the leader or owner of the group, meaning it was Cassian's responsibility to finally take over TEC.
After the previous conflict a few days ago, Nia helped him set up the TEC base. She gathered the members and prepared them to meet their next leader, someone she respected.
Since the members listened to her well, it would be easy to assume the character of their new leader.
Cassian walked through the damp corridors of TEC's hideout.
The walls still felt cold, if not even colder; the men and women scattered in his path were motionless, their eyes wary and unsure of what to do. Their leader was dead, killed by none other than Cassian himself, though they did not know that.
However, his reasoning was no longer in question; he hadn't left them with a choice, and with Nia by his side, everyone would believe him without much of a reason. Now, the future of TEC was his to claim.
At his side, Nia remained silent, watching his every step with equal parts curiosity and caution.
She felt anxiety, her mind still reeling from Cassian's calmness after Kingston's death. Though he had killed without remorse, it was the resolve that crossed his face afterward that unsettled her the most. She didn't dare question him now—there was no telling what he might be planning next.
Nia finally understood why he had such a grand goal in mind; it was because he had the ability to achieve it. It was not just a dream but a conviction, a belief, a goal that he knew he had the power to realize—a confidence she had never seen in anyone before.
Cassian, now Shade, arrived at the assembly hall where TEC's core members had gathered. He had explained some of his plans to Nia—how he would be taking over TEC as Shade, a mask created to conceal his identity and facilitate the emergence of an entirely different TEC altogether.
He covered his face with a mask crafted from matte obsidian metal, sleek and angular, with piercing eye slits and smoke-like etchings around them. Silver lines traced its edges, catching faint light like starlight in shadows. The mask concealed all expression, exuding fear and dominance.
The hall filled with expressions that shifted from confusion and impatience to unreadable as Cassian's gaze swept across them.
He noticed recognition in their eyes. Kingston had run TEC with an iron fist; he was strict and unyielding. But here was Cassian—different, yet still unmistakably powerful.
The lights in the hall dimmed slightly, drawing all attention to the platform where he stood. He waited a moment, letting the silence deepen. He could see his reflection in the monitor beside him, the sharp angles of his mask catching the light.
The name Shade was an identity neither tied to his past nor bound by the expectations that others had placed upon him. He had finally taken his second step toward improving the world by using Shade as his mask.
He cleared his throat, his voice steady as he addressed the assembly.
"As most of you know, Kingston led this organization with a philosophy of fear. But TEC deserves more than a leader who cares only for his own power." He glanced toward Nia, feeling her stare as he continued, "From this moment forward, TEC will have a new direction. Under my leadership, we will grow into something stronger—something unstoppable. I am Shade, and I will take full responsibility for all of you."
Murmurs rippled through the hall. He watched their expressions closely, knowing that loyalty would require more than promises; it would take vision and order, discipline, and strength.
After all, he only had Nia to vouch for him—no one here knew that Shade was Cassian. They simply knew that he was someone whom Nia respected.
"To ensure this," he continued, "TEC will follow a new hierarchy. No longer will power be a privilege held by the few or something taken on a whim. Positions will be earned, and every member will know where they stand."
The room fell silent. The TEC members were staring, and Cassian could sense that beneath their expressions, they were grappling with this new promise of order. He raised a hand, signaling to Nia.
"Many of you already know of her abilities and loyalty. From this day forward, she will be TEC's Alpha—my second-in-command."
Cassian felt satisfaction in his words. Nia hadn't just followed orders; she had shown insight, bravery, and a strength he could use.
'Making someone they know and trust the vice commander will ease their worries and change their mindset a little,' he reminded himself.
Nia blinked, trying to keep her composure.
Alpha. The word reverberated through her mind, heavy with responsibility.
She scanned the crowd, observing their reactions—subtle nods and thoughtful expressions. Her title would place her directly under Shade, demanding more from her than she had ever imagined.
Cassian turned his focus back to the assembly.
"Ranks will no longer be given; they will be earned. No one will rise based on favoritism or empty claims. If TEC is to be unstoppable, it must be united. To that end, I expect each of you to adhere to the new order."
Each word left little room for debate.
As he descended from the platform, members began murmuring again, weighing the implications of this new system, and he knew that questions would persist.
Back in his quarters, he removed the mask.
He'd felt a calm he hadn't anticipated while facing them, a steadiness that somehow felt more right than he would have guessed. The memory of Kingston's fallen body was a grim reminder of the cost that came with leadership.
If he made one mistake, he would end up like their former head.
The door creaked open behind him, and he turned to see Nia, her face unreadable. She closed the door behind her, glancing around to ensure that no one else could hear before she spoke.
"I didn't expect…" She trailed off, then met his gaze. "To be your Alpha, I mean. Cassian, what is this really about?"
He relaxed himself, feeling the honesty in her question; after all, she was now the vice commander of TEC, and she needed to know.
"This is about TEC becoming something better," he said. "With Kingston, TEC would never be more than a tool for his whims. Now, it has the chance to become something organized, something powerful."
"But why me?"
Her voice carried a blend of suspicion and genuine curiosity; it was characteristic of her nature.
He paused before answering, "Because you possess something this organization needs. You care about more than just power. You understand loyalty, and I need someone at my side."
Surprise crossed her face. She realized that the role he had given her was not merely a title but a call for balance—a buffer for his harsh plans and a conscience for TEC's new direction.
Whoever she thought Cassian was, it was clear that he was no slouch when it came to guidance.
As realization settled in, her eyes glinted with ambition.
"And if I fail you?" she asked, her tone challenging, almost daring him to reconsider.
"Then I'll know. But until that happens, you're Alpha."