As Axel struggled to suppress the distracting thoughts caused by the grotesque entity, other human operatives began to arrive at the scene. Some descended from the sky, others came on foot, and a few emerged from the depths of the sea, resembling a congregation of humanity's heroes. Amid the chaos, they spotted a red flash, it was the gunner who had assisted them a few days ago. He perched atop the tallest tree and fired shots into the night sky, each round bursting into vibrant colors. The five operatives of Comet Team could not help but watch intently, eager to see how the situation would unfold.
Silence gripped the scene as no soldiers exchanged glances or spoke. Each operative held their defensive positions with eyes scanning the surrounding darkness. Suddenly, five shots in vivid green streaked into the forest and exploded into clouds of blinding smoke that obscured all senses. The men and women moved instinctively toward their designated area as if they were commanded how to be in that location, their actions dictated by instinct rather than sight or sound. The creature became disoriented and lost track of their movements as it was also affected by the smoke.
In the chaos, Sprayer One unleashed a relentless barrage of gunfire, mercilessly targeting the men on the ground. They were completely helpless, stripped of sight, sound, and even the most basic senses of smell, touch, and taste that was caused by the smoke. Yet with each bullet that struck, a silent signal ignited within them, allowing a fleeting return of their lost senses. In that moment, they were propelled into an extremely heightened state of awareness. Instinctively, they redirected their aim toward the towering worm-like structure looming ominously in the middle of the forest. Shots rang out in all five directions, creating a symphony of destruction orchestrated by a grand maestro.
The worm-like structure, resembling the sinuous tail of a lizard and adorned with multiple fly-like eyes, jerked violently as it received a relentless barrage of futuristic disintegration beams from thousands of operatives. Each shot struck with devastating precision, vaporizing its grotesque form in bursts of brilliant light, sending plasma into the air due to the non-stop barrage, the forest even started to dry up. The massive eye at its tip blinked erratically, desperately trying to find the danger as the cacophony of destruction reverberated across the battlefield. The air crackled with tension as the operatives moved with lethal coordination, determined to bring the monstrous tower crashing down.
As the disintegration beams continued to tear into its flesh, the grotesque worm-like structure emitted a horrific, echoing cry, a last, desperate plea for help aimed at any hive available, one capable of reaching billions of light-years and transcending spacetime itself.
But just as the cry surged forth, it was met with overwhelming resistance. Lightning flashed in jagged arcs, and tornado winds howled, creating a chaotic cover that masked the battlefield. The relentless hum of frequency scramblers filled the air, drowning out the creature's desperate call and saturating the environment with a deafening roar. Jamming devices surrounded the area, ranging from the simplest radio jammers to advanced spacetime jammers, a comprehensive array that spanned the entirety of human technological development. Together, they erected an impenetrable barrier that prevented its signal from cutting through the chaos to reach its allies.
Stripped of hope, the creature braced for its inevitable demise, sinking deeper into despair as it realized it was truly alone and unheard, the timeless fabric of the cosmos indifferent to its plight. In its final moments, even as its senses dulled and it could no longer see, the creature seemed to project an overwhelming sense of rage towards the operatives standing before it. This wrath, born from countless encounters and a life steeped in suffering, pulsed through the air like a storm about to unleash its fury. It was a primal anger, a final protest against the universe that had abandoned it, as if it sought to challenge the very fabric of reality itself in a desperate bid for acknowledgment. The operatives, fully aware of the creature's torment, felt a chilling awareness of the shared struggle for existence, caught in an unending cycle of life and death that neither side could escape.
After a moment of silence, the rain, created by the operatives started to clear out the smoke and dust as the tornado and thunderstorm subsided, receding like a passing wave along the beach. The operatives of Team Comet 01 beheld an otherworldly sight. It was a massive brain shaped like a pine tree that gleamed with crystalline beauty, resembling amethyst that has been carved by the finest artisans. Without a word, the operatives swiftly collected their share of the spoils. One by one, they retreated into the shadows from which they had come, remaining silent and devoid of chatter, greetings, or acknowledgment. They had eliminated the jammer that had hindered the operation of humanity, and in their stoic efficiency, they vanished into the night, leaving behind only an eerie silence.
As they surveyed the area closely, the vicinity just outside the range of the green smoke was littered with the corpses of the Huechromixix operatives, their eyes still open in shock, having died from the grief of not understanding what had happened. These operatives seemed to heard the commotion and planned to take advantage of the chaos to ambush the spearhead of the mission to protect humanity. This stark scene illustrated a crucial lesson, for every stronger attack you devise, we can create a strategy that turns you into a laughingstock.
"How has humanity truly prospered to reach such a state of harmony, entrusting oneself completely to another? This goes beyond mere brotherhood! It is the understanding that each person is an extension of oneself." Wong analyzed as he was awed by how the operatives have executed such a creature.
Axel, who had witnessed the scene, couldn't help but feel frustrated with his performance during the mission. He had thought he was already one of the best in the world, but now he understood what a fellow soldier he worked with before had meant when he said, 'There is no ceiling when it comes to improving oneself.' He used to believe it was impossible to improve any further, but now he saw multiple avenues for learning. Determined not to let his negative thoughts lead him astray, he made a mental note to ask Fairy 001 to teach him some techniques. He wasn't the kind of chauvinistic man who would hesitate to seek help from a woman, especially one who was an expert in her field.
As everyone present at the scene left, including Team Spearhead, Axel and the rest of his team gathered the remaining loot that had been left behind. They worked efficiently, silently assessing the scattered treasures that heaved with potential. The teams that had participated in the orchestrated barrage were all veterans who understood that it would be more beneficial to leave some spoils for the recruits. They were not there for personal gain because their true mission was to carry the banner of humanity and stand as guardians against the extraterrestrial invaders. In this way, they forged a legacy that would inspire those who followed them, serving as a reminder of their unwavering commitment to the fight for the future of mankind.
As they finished, he offered some of the spoils to the ladies, but they declined, stating that they didn't need any more of those. Alex and his team weren't shy at all, they knew they were recruits who needed to grow stronger. Even though they could think on their feet, they felt the gap between themselves and the other operatives. As people aspiring to become pillars of not just a country but the entire human race, they needed every help they could get.
As the group rode back to their horses, they noticed some men dressed in black formal attire, hard at work along the path. These individuals were preparing props, meticulously tying together crocodile skins and adjusting the wings of a condor to create a bizarre amalgamation of bird and reptile. They also took time to plant trees, skillfully rearranging the landscape to support the fabricated narrative of a dragon raid. As they labored, they made a point to collect any items from the site that looked suspicious, even a miscolored leaf was gathered, leaving nothing behind to hint at the presence of the Spacetime Operatives that just had a huge operation on the area.
This unusual sight made it clear that while these were ordinary men, however, their work carried extraordinary weight. Officially known as Cleaners, they represented the origins of what we know today as the "Secret Service." Their role extended beyond mere protection and service, they were primarily tasked with concealing secrets, showcasing the multifaceted nature of their duties. These men sought no recognition, they went about their tasks with quiet diligence, completing their work as if nothing unusual had transpired.
As Axel's team passed by, they offered a silent salute in their hearts to these brave men. The Cleaners nodded in acknowledgment and expressed their gratitude to Axel's team for their service to humanity, fully aware that they needed to operate as a perfectly tuned machine to drive the wheel of progress for the human race.