The attack came from six directions at once.
Marcus processed the tactical data through carefully regulated enhancement as alerts lit up their command center. Three weeks after expanding their organization, their new early warning network was proving its worth.
"Multiple breacher teams," Bobby reported from his expanded communications hub. "Professional gear, coordinated approach. They're using our own surveillance blind spots."
"Because someone told them where to look," Maya concluded, already moving to coordinate their defense teams. "Chen, what's our resource status?"
The logistics expert consulted his displays without missing a beat. "Emergency supplies secured in secondary locations. Medical resources dispersed per Protocol Seven. Dr. Martinez's samples are already in transit to the backup lab."
Marcus felt a surge of pride at their efficiency. The new specialists hadn't just integrated – they'd enhanced every aspect of their operation.
"Sarah, power status?"
"Neural interface is stable," she reported from her station, where Martinez's viral research team maintained constant monitoring. "You've got forty percent capacity available without risking burnout."
The precognition came smooth and controlled: multiple breach points, synchronized assault. These weren't corporate mercenaries like the Nexus teams. This was military precision.
"Cross," he said quietly.
Maya nodded. "Makes sense. We've hurt his operation enough times. He was bound to strike back."
"All teams, this is not a drill," Marcus announced through their comm system. "Confirmed hostile force led by enhanced individual. Execute Distribution Protocol."
Their expanded organization moved like a well-oiled machine. Security teams led by Maya's trained operators took defensive positions. Medical personnel under Doc's command secured critical research. Bobby's parkour-trained scouts maintained surveillance while Chen's logistics teams protected their supply lines.
"Multiple helicopter signatures approaching," their air defense specialist reported. "Military grade, running silent."
"They're not here to capture," Maya assessed. "This is an elimination run."
Marcus processed this through measured tactical enhancement. "Because Cross knows we're growing too strong. Bobby, what's our exit coverage?"
"All routes secure, but..." Their scout's voice held professional concern. "They're using our own evacuation protocols against us. Someone who knew our playbook."
"The leak was intentional," Marcus realized. "They let us recruit a mole."
"Already traced it," Bobby replied with grim satisfaction. "That Army Corps engineer we picked up last week? Just found his real service record. Black ops, specialized in infiltration."
"Smart play," Maya admitted. "Question is, do we let them think it worked?"
Marcus smiled, feeling the familiar weight of command balanced by absolute trust in his people. "Chen, are the supply caches where they think they are?"
"Negative." The logistics expert allowed himself a small grin. "Martinez insisted on parallel distribution networks. Something about viral sample security protocols."
"Bobby, how many of our evacuation routes did the mole actually see?"
"Just the ones Maya wanted him to see." Their scout's grin was audible. "The really obvious ones that somehow all lead to perfect ambush positions."
"And our real resources?"
"Secured and relocated the moment he joined," Chen confirmed. "Standard quarantine procedure for new acquisitions."
The precognition flashed: breaching charges on the main doors, tactical teams moving with lethal precision. But Marcus had already seen this future. Had planned for it.
"All teams, execute Omega Protocol."
The server farm's lights died as Bobby's systems initiated their prepared response. Emergency power rerouted to essential systems while their defense teams moved to predetermined positions.
"Contact front!" Maya's warning overlapped with scattered gunfire. "They're pushing hard!"
"Let them." Marcus kept his voice calm as he coordinated through measured power usage. "Chen, status on the package?"
"Research data and vital supplies already evacuated. What they're attacking is an empty shell."
The building rocked with multiple breaching charges. Marcus tracked Cross's teams through carefully regulated precognition, watching them execute a perfect assault on a completely worthless target.
"Commander," Martinez's voice came through secure channels. "The backup lab is fully operational. All samples secure."
"Medical teams confirmed at secondary location," Doc added. "Ready to receive casualties if needed."
Marcus allowed himself a moment of satisfaction as Cross's forces breached their outer defenses. The former black ops commander was good – but he was fighting the last war. Expecting a small tactical team instead of a fully integrated organization.
"Maya, begin staged withdrawal. Bobby, activate our presents."
The server farm's supposedly secure servers began overloading, releasing enough electromagnetic interference to disable sophisticated combat gear. Cross's teams found themselves fighting blind while Maya's security forces executed a fighting retreat through predetermined routes.
"Neural patterns still stable," Sarah reported from their real command center across town. "Power usage under thirty percent."
"Because we're not really fighting," Marcus replied. "We're just letting them think they are."
The battle, such as it was, lasted another ten minutes. Cross's forces secured an empty facility while the real organization continued operations from multiple backup locations. Their mole would report a successful raid that destroyed nothing of actual value.
"All teams confirmed clear," Maya reported. "Zero casualties, minimal equipment loss."
"And Cross's forces?"
"Dealing with enough electronic interference to mask our real evacuation." Bobby's satisfaction was clear. "By the time they realize they're attacking a shell, we'll be fully operational at our new sites."
Marcus surveyed their real command center through tactical enhancement. Martinez's team continued viral research without interruption. Chen's logistics network maintained smooth operation. Every specialist and support team performed their roles with professional precision.
"Update our protocols," he ordered. "Cross will adapt once he realizes what happened. We need to stay ahead of his planning."
"Already on it," Maya confirmed. "New distribution patterns, updated security measures. We're not just a tactical team anymore."
"No," Marcus agreed, watching their expanded organization work. "We're something better."
The command center hummed with focused activity as teams coordinated across multiple secure locations. They'd lost a facility but proved a point: they weren't just surviving anymore. They were winning.
Five weeks until the original outbreak timeline. But now they had an army of their own.
Cross had just learned the hard way – you don't hunt what you don't understand.