The abandoned hangar on the secure airfield echoed with Anton Federov's screams. Kabelo "Shadow" Ndlovu stood behind a one-way observation window, arms folded tightly across his chest as he watched the interrogation unfold. Beside him, Naledi and Pierce observed in tense silence. On the other side of the glass, Federov was handcuffed to a metal chair, sweat soaking through his shirt despite the cold. A tall man circled him methodically, like a shark.
"Let's try again," the interrogator said, voice low and measured. "Who was the buyer for the Prometheus documents? What else were you trafficking for them?"
The man asking the questions was Reed, the task force's newly assigned intelligence officer. Reed had joined their team mere days ago, arriving with an enigmatic resume: ex-CIA, fluent in three languages, and an interrogator of considerable reputation. Kabelo had only exchanged a few words with him so far, but he already sensed Reed's presence was an unsettling one. There was a controlled intensity in the way Reed conducted himself—calm, polite, but with an undercurrent of something potentially ruthless.
Federov whimpered, blood dribbling from a split lip. Reed hadn't been overtly violent—at least not yet. The injuries came from Federov's rough handling during transport. But Reed's psychological tactics were clearly working the arms dealer's nerves raw. On the table before them, the opened briefcase revealed pages of technical schematics and a tablet device.
Through the earpiece, Commander Raines spoke quietly to Shadow and the others from the command post nearby. "He's all yours, Reed. We need that intel now." Raines had authorized Reed to do what was needed, within limits, to get information. The ethical line was a thin one—this was a black site, after all, operating in murky legal territory.
Naledi crossed her arms, her posture rigid. Shadow noted the hard look in her eyes as she watched Reed work. As a medic sworn to save lives, seeing any form of coercion likely tested her conscience. But she said nothing; they all knew what was at stake.
Inside the interrogation room, Reed placed a single sheet of paper in front of Federov. It was a photograph—grainy satellite imagery of a compound. Reed tapped it lightly. "This is where you got the device you tried to sell, isn't it? An old Syrian military laboratory near Aleppo. We know Project Prometheus once had dealings in the region."
Federov's eyes darted to the photo. "I–I don't know," he sputtered. Reed responded by calmly taking out a handgun and placing it on the table with a heavy thud, the barrel pointed casually in Federov's direction. He didn't pick it up, just let it sit there as a wordless threat. Federov flinched, his resolve crumbling.
"All right!" Federov blurted in accented English, tears shining in his eyes. "It's a lab, yes. Used to belong to Syrian research division. It's hidden under a ruined textile factory outside Aleppo. After the war fragmented control, a militia took over it."
Reed exchanged a quick glance with Raines, who had now joined Shadow behind the glass. The commander nodded for him to continue.
Federov licked his lips nervously. "They… they are working on something there. I sold them some data I got from Prometheus contacts, and in exchange they gave me that," he nodded toward the briefcase contents. "Prototype equipment, research files. I don't know everything, I just broker trades!" He winced, anticipating another blow that didn't come.
Reed kept his voice cold and steady. "Names. Who runs the lab now?"
The arms dealer shook his head. "Not sure. They only ever mention a codename: Sirocco. Some say he was a Syrian Army colonel, others that he's just a shadow." Federov's eyes flickered to the one-way mirror, perhaps guessing who might be behind it. "I told you what I know. If I help you, maybe… protection? New identity?"
Reed leaned down, hands on the table. "That's not my department. But cooperate fully and I'll note it." It wasn't a promise, but it was all Federov would get. "What about other buyers? The documents you had—who were they for?"
Federov hesitated, then sighed in defeat. "There's a network… an international market for this kind of technology. One of my contacts is a broker for a man called Wolfe."
At the mention of that name, Reed's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. Kabelo noticed; it was the first real emotional reaction he'd seen from the ex-agent. Wolfe. The name had come up in the intel circles before—a clandestine arms dealer with international reach, rumored to be former military. Wolfe's interest in Prometheus tech made him a high-level threat.
"Wolfe," Reed repeated slowly. "What can you tell me about him?"
Federov shook his head weakly. "Never met him. Nobody meets Wolfe face to face, not unless you're at the top. I deal with his intermediaries only. They wanted what was on that tablet—some research notes. Payment was good, very good."
Reed's eyes narrowed. "And did you deliver anything to them yet?"
"No, I was to send a courier next week after verifying the documents. That's all I swear!" Federov pleaded.
Reed studied the trembling man for a long moment, silent except for Federov's labored breathing. Then he holstered his sidearm and rapped on the door twice, a signal to conclude the session. Two military police officers stepped in to haul Federov away to a holding cell.
As Reed gathered the files and tablet, he spoke into his lapel mic. "Got enough to proceed. We have a location on the lab in Syria, and confirmation that Wolfe is actively seeking Prometheus tech. Recommend immediate action to hit the lab before they relocate."
Commander Raines responded with urgency, "Agreed. Good work. Team, gear up for deployment. We have a narrow window."
Shadow turned away from the glass, adrenaline already surging at the prospect of the next mission. A strike on a covert lab in a war-torn region—this was exactly the type of operation the task force was built for.
Pierce let out a low whistle. "Syria, eh? Nothing like a trip to a sunny conflict zone to start the day." He flashed a quick grin, masking any nerves with humor. But Kabelo didn't miss the way Pierce's fingers tapped restlessly on his tablet; the tech expert was already interfacing with the confiscated device, likely pulling blueprints or schematics that might help their raid.
Naledi was quiet, her face unreadable. But Shadow could guess at her thoughts. Syria had been a nightmare for civilians and aid workers. If there were captives or victims in that lab, Naledi would want them out safely. And if the militia holding it was performing experiments… her jaw clenched at the mere idea.
The team quickly moved to an adjacent briefing room where a map of northern Syria was projected on a screen. Reed entered, files in hand, and joined them. Standing around a table strewn with intel reports, Commander Raines initiated the briefing.
Raines pointed at a satellite image showing a cluster of bombed-out buildings. "This is the target: codename Lab Sirocco. It's situated beneath a derelict textile factory complex here, about thirty kilometers west of Aleppo in an area of limited government control. Federov's intel suggests a militia group is using the underground facilities to continue experiments similar to Prometheus. Possibly human experimentation."
Naledi's eyes flashed with anger. "Do we have any confirmation on prisoners or victims on site?"
Reed answered, "Not concrete. But intercepted communications hint at 'test subjects' and security protocols for 'containment'. It sounds like they're actively trialing something on living subjects." His tone was level, but a muscle in his cheek twitched.
Pierce brought up a thermal scan on his tablet, relaying it to the screen. "I pulled this from a recent drone flyover. There are heat signatures in one of the larger factory buildings and below ground. Could be equipment or bodies. Hard to tell numbers, but definitely activity."
Raines continued, "Mission objectives: infiltrate the facility, gather intelligence—particularly any research data or prototypes—and shut down their operation. That likely means destroying the lab. Rescue any surviving test subjects or prisoners if possible."
Shadow noted the careful phrasing. If possible. In black ops, objectives often took precedence over saving lives, harsh as it was. He and Naledi exchanged a look. They would do what they could.
Reed cleared his throat, addressing the team. "I'll be coming along on this one in the field. My intel expertise might be needed on site to identify critical data. Plus, I speak Arabic which could help if we run into locals or need to interrogate on the fly."
Kabelo assessed Reed. The ex-CIA officer looked fit enough and carried himself like he could handle a firefight if it came to it. Still, Shadow wondered how Reed would perform under heavy fire—analysis and espionage were one thing, combat another.
Pierce grinned and quipped, "Great, the more the merrier. Just don't slow us down, old man." It was a joke—Reed couldn't have been older than his mid-forties—but the tech's tone was irreverent as usual.
Reed raised an eyebrow, either amused or annoyed. It was hard to tell. "Don't worry, I won't be needing a wheelchair just yet." There was a glint of dry humor in his reply.
Commander Raines swiftly refocused them. "Shadow, you'll once again be point man given your…special abilities. You'll insert first, recon via portal if possible, and create an entry point for the others. Pierce will run electronic warfare—jam their comms, tap into any security cameras. Naledi, you're our combat medic; you stay close to the team, keep us patched up, and handle any medical needs especially if we find prisoners. Reed will gather intel on site and assist as needed with securing HVTs or documents.
We're wheels up in 30. We've arranged covert transport out of Incirlik (a US airbase in Turkey). From there, a chopper will take you low-level across the border. This operation is off the books—no official air support if things go south."
All of them understood the implication: they were on their own in hostile territory. If captured, no one would claim them.
Raines locked eyes with each member of the team. "Questions?"
Kabelo only had practical ones. "Expected resistance?"
Reed answered, "Likely moderate. The militia isn't large—maybe twenty to thirty fighters max on site, but they could have support from local warlords. They might be well-equipped; Prometheus tech could mean they have some advanced weapon or a couple of enhanced operatives. We should prepare for surprises."
At that, Shadow recalled the strangely tough guard they'd taken down during a previous raid—one who took multiple hits to drop. Perhaps one of these experiments was already in play. He nodded grimly, understanding the unspoken warning: the enemy may not all be normal.
Naledi asked softly, "And the chances of civilians?"
Raines pursed his lips. "Unknown. But if experiments are being done, there could be innocent captives. We'll treat them as a priority two objective: after securing intel, we evacuate whom we can."
That wasn't entirely satisfying to the medic, but she accepted it with a curt nod.
With the plan set, the team dispersed to gear up. In the armory, Shadow donned matte black tactical gear suited for the night operation—Kevlar-weave suit, light ballistic vest, and his custom helmet with integrated goggles. He double-checked his primary weapon: a suppressed MR-68 rifle, reliable for mid-range precision and full-auto when needed. His sniper rifle would stay behind this time; the mission called for close quarters and quick movement inside a facility, so he opted instead for a shorter DMR slung on his back and a silenced pistol at his thigh.
Pierce was strapping on a lightweight pack filled with his high-tech toys—mini drones, signal jammers, and a rugged laptop rig. He also carried a compact SMG for personal defense, though Shadow knew Pierce was more comfortable behind a screen than in a direct fight.
Naledi checked her medical kit: field dressings, morphine syrettes, tourniquets, and a few advanced goodies courtesy of the task force's resources—like quick-heal foam injectors for temporarily stabilizing wounds. She also carried a carbine for when things got hot, and Shadow had seen she could handle it.
Reed entered the armory last. He had traded his interrogation-room suit for black tactical fatigues and a chest rig loaded with extra magazines. He carried an M4A1 rifle with the ease of someone who'd used one in the field before. On his hip was a sidearm and, curiously, a long knife—perhaps a habit from a previous life. Reed caught Shadow observing the blade and gave a thin smile. "Never know when things get up close and personal."
Shadow nodded. He understood the sentiment. As much as his powers gave him an edge, combat often devolved into primal close quarters struggle. He patted the sheathed combat knife on his own belt in agreement.
A short drive later, they were on a jet en route to Turkey, then onto a helicopter skimming low over the Turkish-Syrian border under cover of night. The chopper's rotors thumped steadily as the team made final preparations.
In the dim red glow of the cabin, Shadow sat next to Pierce and Reed. Pierce was reviewing the facility layout gleaned from Federov's tablet. "Looks like the main entrance to the underground lab is via a freight elevator in this warehouse building," he said, pointing to a 3D model on his screen. "Likely heavily guarded or locked down. There might be ventilation shafts or a secondary access if we can find it."
Reed leaned over, studying the layout. "A direct assault through the main entrance could turn into a choke point bloodbath. We'd be better off slipping in quietly." He looked to Shadow. "This is where you come in. Think you can portal inside? Perhaps into this storage room adjacent to the lab complex? If we had a drone inside to give you line of sight—"
"I can manage a blind jump if needed, up to a few meters through a wall," Kabelo replied. "But it's risky without seeing where I'll land. A drone feed would help a lot."
Pierce patted one of his gear cases. "Got just the thing. I'll sneak a nano-drone through an air vent to get eyes in. It's basically a flying camera the size of a beetle—should go unnoticed." His voice carried enthusiasm; he loved showing off his gadgets.
Naledi, seated across, was loading her weapon with quiet determination. "We go in, get our info, free who we can, and then blow that lab sky-high," she said, as if reciting a mantra.
Shadow gave her a reassuring look. "That's the plan." He noticed her fingering something on a chain around her neck—a small cross. She caught him looking and tucked it back under her collar, her face stoic.
Reed addressed them all, "Remember: in and out before they can muster a large response. The longer we linger, the higher the risk of something unexpected, like reinforcements or the destruction of intel. Wolfe's people might even be monitoring; we don't want him knowing we hit this place until it's done."
The helicopter pilot's voice came over the cabin comm: "Approaching drop zone. LZ is hot; can't set down, so you'll fast-rope onto the roof of the target building. Be ready."
Shadow pulled down his face mask and lowered his goggles. Everyone donned black balaclavas or face coverings—identities needed to stay concealed. He flexed his hands, mentally preparing. Next to him, Pierce cracked his knuckles nervously, and Naledi mouthed a silent prayer. Reed checked his watch, then gave a thumbs-up.
The helicopter hovered just above a crumbling factory rooftop as the side door slid open with a burst of night air. One by one, they descended on thick ropes: Shadow first, swiftly sliding down and landing cat-soft on the concrete roof. He swept his rifle in a quick arc—clear. The others followed: Reed landed quietly, followed by Naledi, then Pierce last, who nearly slipped the final few feet but caught himself, casting a sheepish grin.
Above, the helicopter peeled away into the darkness to avoid detection, promising to return when called for extraction. Now the four operatives were alone under the Syrian night sky, atop what remained of an old textile factory, its roof partially collapsed and rusted machinery jutting out like skeleton bones. In the distance, faint explosions and gunfire echoed—reminders that even if this area was relatively quiet tonight, Syria was still a land at war.
Shadow moved to the edge of the rooftop, gazing down into the factory's shadowy interior through a gaping hole. Below, he could make out a few flashlights and the muffled voices of guards patrolling the ground floor. They were still unaware of the intruders above. He silently signaled the team: two guards visible at the main entrance, one more near a burnt-out truck inside. Possibly more further in.
Pierce unpacked a small cylinder from his bag and tapped on his tablet. The nano-drone launch tube. He released the tiny device; it buzzed quietly as it flew, no louder than a mosquito. On the tablet's screen, a grainy live feed appeared as the drone slipped through a gap in the roof and into the building's upper rafters. Pierce guided it carefully, searching for a way into the underground levels.
"Drone deployed," Pierce whispered. "Switching to night vision. Let's find that lab."
Reed and Naledi kept watch at opposite ends of the roof while Shadow knelt beside Pierce to also observe the feed. The drone navigated down a stairwell, bypassing two oblivious guards smoking and chatting in Arabic about mundane things. Then it found a grated vent leading downward. It was a tight squeeze for the little machine, but Pierce expertly maneuvered it through, inch by inch.
Suddenly, the camera view expanded into what looked like a corridor illuminated by harsh electric lights. Lab equipment carts lined the hallway. Pierce's eyes lit up. "Bingo. We're in the underground complex."
He guided the drone further. It flitted up to a corner, peeking around. The feed showed a large chamber with makeshift cells along one wall—sturdy cages, inside which huddled a handful of figures. People. Naledi sucked in a quiet breath at the sight of the prisoners. A guard in military fatigues paced nearby, an assault rifle slung over his shoulder. Across the room, separated by glass partitions, were laboratory tables full of chemical apparatus and computers. Two men in lab coats stood over one bench, engrossed in some experiment with a device that hummed with a blue glow.
Shadow exchanged a glance with Reed. This was it. The lab and presumably their targets—both intel and human.
Pierce moved the drone a bit closer to the lab area. His feed now revealed details: one screen showed charts of vital signs; on another table lay syringes and what looked like spent vials of some serum. In one of the cells, a prisoner moaned, possibly in pain or drugged.
Reed's face hardened. "They're definitely doing human trials… God knows on what. We have to move fast."
Pierce pulled the drone back to the corridor and positioned it high up, giving a wide view. "Okay, Shadow," he whispered, "I can hold the drone here to maintain line-of-sight into that corridor or maybe even into the lab if I angle it. Should give you a visual reference to portal in somewhere nearby."
Shadow nodded. He fixed the layout in his mind: If he opened a portal from the roof into that corridor just outside the lab cells, he could get the drop on the guard by the cages quickly and silently. But he'd have to be precise; too far off and he might materialize in plain view of the scientists.
"Ready," Kabelo murmured. "On my go, Naledi and Reed follow through the portal. Pierce, you hold position here until we secure the corridor, then come through."
Naledi tightened her grip on her carbine and gave a single nod, her eyes steely. Reed drew his sidearm with a suppressor already attached; a rifle would be cumbersome jumping through a portal into a hallway, so he opted for his pistol in one hand, knife in the other just in case.
Shadow positioned himself in an open area of the roof, clear of debris. He focused on the drone's video feed, visualizing that corridor's end. It was maybe 30 meters below and north of them. A bit beyond his usual range for precise teleport, but with the visual he could manage. He felt that now-familiar energy coalesce around his core, spreading to his hands as he extended them outward. The night air rippled.
A round, dark portal unfurled silently in front of Shadow. Simultaneously, down in the corridor outside the lab chamber, its twin appeared—a shimmering oval of darkness against the concrete wall. In that remote hallway, the lone guard by the cells jerked in surprise as a black void materialized from thin air. But before he could raise his weapon, Shadow was already stepping through.
Kabelo emerged from the portal right behind the guard. In one swift motion, he clamped a hand over the man's mouth and drove his combat knife into the guard's neck. The guard let out a gurgling choke, his shout of alarm dying in his throat. Shadow gently lowered the dying man to the floor soundlessly. Blood pooled on the concrete.
Reed was next through the portal, fanning out smoothly to cover the lab door with his pistol. Naledi followed, moving immediately to check the cell doors and the prisoners within, her weapon ready in her hands.
Inside the lab room, one of the scientists looked up through the glass partition, brow furrowed at something beyond his view. Perhaps he'd glimpsed movement or sensed that guard's absence. He said something to the other and started to move toward the corridor, reaching for an alarm switch on the wall.
Shadow acted without hesitation. He raised his silenced pistol and fired twice through the corner of the open doorway before the scientist could hit the alarm. The man crumpled, shot in the chest. The other scientist yelped in alarm and dove behind a metal table.
An instant later, a shrill klaxon rang out throughout the facility—someone had triggered an alert. Red warning lights flashed along the corridor. Shadow realized with a curse that their presence was now known.
All hell broke loose in an instant. An alarm klaxon began to wail—perhaps triggered remotely or by someone else in the complex who saw something on camera. Red warning lights flashed along the corridor.
"So much for quiet," Reed muttered, as he moved to cover another entrance where footsteps were thundering—reinforcements responding from deeper in the base.
Shadow saw two armed militiamen barreling down the hall towards them, rifles up. He ducked back just as they opened fire, bullets sparking off the concrete near his head.
Naledi had gotten one cell door open—inside, a disheveled man in torn clothes slumped forward. "Help… me…" he rasped. Naledi caught him and dragged him out of the line of fire. Another prisoner, a young woman, gripped the bars of the next cell, screaming in terror at the sudden firefight.
Pierce's voice crackled in their earpieces from the roof, "I'm coming through!" A second later, Pierce leapt through the still-open portal and nearly slipped on the blood from Shadow's takedown. He righted himself, eyes wide at the chaos. "Bloody—!" he cursed, fumbling for his SMG.
Shadow needed to buy them breathing room. He concentrated and flung his hand out towards the hall where the two gunmen were advancing. With effort, he spawned a mini-portal just big enough to toss something. Quickly, he grabbed a flashbang grenade from his vest, pulled the pin, and tossed it through the small dark oval. The linked portal opened just behind the attackers.
The grenade exploded in a burst of blinding light and sound, right at the militants' backs. They stumbled, crying out in shock as they were momentarily disoriented. Shadow and Reed swung out from cover and fired in tandem. Their silenced shots found marks—both gunmen dropped before they could recover, one with a bullet in his forehead, the other writhing as two shots punctured his chest.
Inside the lab, the surviving scientist was crawling toward a side door, trying to escape. Pierce was already moving to the lab entrance, his SMG raised uncertainly. Shadow gestured for him to cover that scientist. "Don't let him get away!"
Pierce nodded, swallowing hard, and advanced into the lab after the man.
Reed kicked away the weapons of the downed enemies and signaled down the hall. "Clear here for now. But more will be coming."
Shadow heard muffled gunfire above—likely the guards up in the factory had realized something was wrong and were firing blindly or shooting at the collapsed roof area in confusion. At least they hadn't come down yet.
Naledi had freed the young woman and a third prisoner, an older man limping badly. She was swiftly checking them over even as her head jerked at the sound of approaching boots from the opposite direction. "We've got at least two more this way!" she warned, pointing to the path that presumably led to the elevator and surface.
Shadow moved to her side, peering around a corner. Sure enough, two militia fighters were cautiously coming from the elevator area, sweeping their flashlights. Shadow traded quick shots with them, forcing them to duck back to cover. But return fire peppered the wall, forcing him and Naledi to flatten against the concrete. The prisoners cowered behind them.
Inside the lab, Pierce had cornered the remaining scientist at gunpoint. The man, shaking, raised his hands in surrender. "Don't shoot! I'm just a researcher—" he babbled in Arabic. Pierce, not understanding, just gestured with the barrel for him to move back into the lab area.
Reed joined Pierce, taking charge by yanking the scientist's arm and marching him toward the cells. "Get over there and sit, now," Reed commanded, using Arabic. The scientist complied, practically collapsing next to the corpse of his colleague, fear in his eyes.
Reed looked at Pierce. "Start copying all the data you can from their systems, fast." Pierce slung his SMG and pulled a portable drive from his pocket, rushing to the nearest computer station. He connected the device and began a quick data dump procedure.
The alarms still blared. Time was running out before either more militia or possibly an external force responded.
Shadow heard a shouted order from up the corridor: likely the militia leader rallying his men to counterattack. They were regrouping.
He clenched his jaw. They needed to exfiltrate soon. "Naledi, get those civilians ready to move. Reed, Pierce—how's it coming?"
Pierce hissed, "Ninety percent done… come on, come on," as a progress bar inched forward on the screen.
Reed kept his pistol trained on the trembling scientist and occasionally glanced down the hall. "We need another minute."
A burst of gunfire tore overhead, rounds ricocheting into the lab. One of the prisoners screamed as plaster dust rained down. The militants had brought up a machine gun and were spraying the corridor from cover.
Shadow knew they had to break the stalemate or get pinned. He looked to Naledi. "Get them out through the portal. Go now!" He gestured at the still-open gateway to the rooftop.
Naledi didn't hesitate. She helped the limping man and the woman up, ushering them toward the eerie black oval hanging in the corridor. "This will take you out of here, trust me," she said firmly. The prisoners, too frightened to question, let themselves be guided. One by one, she sent them through, disappearing from the lab to the rooftop above, which was at least out of immediate harm.
The younger male prisoner, the one initially collapsed, was regaining consciousness with Naledi's injection of a stimulant. She hauled him to his feet, slinging his arm over her shoulder. He moaned but stumbled forward with her support. They vanished through the portal together.
Now it was Shadow, Reed, Pierce, and their captive scientist left on the underground level.
Pierce's device pinged completion. "Got it! All data copied," he reported, yanking the drive and shoving it into a secure pocket.
Reed immediately addressed the cowering scientist. "Where is your research backup stored?"
"T-that was it! It's all on the mainframe you just copied, I swear!" the man stuttered. "Please, I cooperated!"
Reed weighed the plea with a cool stare. Then, unexpectedly, he pistol-whipped the scientist across the temple, knocking him out cold. "Not taking chances," he said flatly.
Kabelo didn't protest; time was short. He looked at Reed and Pierce. "You two, go. I'll cover."
Reed shook his head. "Shadow, I'll cover. You're our trump card for quick escape. Get Pierce topside and portal out of here."
It made sense—if Shadow remained last, he could teleport out on his own if needed. He relented with a nod. "Alright. Pierce, move!"
Pierce was already hurrying through the portal, clutching his laptop and gear.
Shadow popped off a few covering shots downrange where he saw a flicker of a flashlight—keeping the militia at bay. Reed dragged the unconscious scientist toward the portal. "Intel asset," he said simply, meaning they might interrogate this one too. He shoved the limp body halfway through the portal, then climbed through himself, pulling the scientist behind him onto the roof.
Shadow was the last. Bullets whizzed by as the militants advanced, emboldened by the decreased return fire. Shadow fired one more burst to slow them, then dove through the portal, closing it behind him the instant he emerged onto the rooftop.
On the roof, the scene was lit by moonlight and the sporadic muzzle flashes from below as confused gunmen fired at ghosts. Naledi had the three rescued prisoners huddled safely behind an old ventilation unit, tending quickly to their wounds. Pierce was on one knee packing up his drone controls, the little nano-drone having automatically returned to its tube on his command. Reed was securing the hands of the unconscious scientist with zip-ties.
Shadow took a quick headcount. All team members accounted for, plus three civilians and one captive researcher. Now to get out before the enemy realized they had moved to the roof.
He radioed the helicopter, "Shadow to extraction, package secured. We need immediate exfil, hot zone!"
The reply crackled, "ETA two minutes, hang tight."
Below, shouting voices indicated the militia were searching. A beam of a flashlight probed up through the hole in the roof near where they first dropped in.
One rebel stuck his head up to the roofline, spotting movement. Naledi reacted instantly, firing a short burst that sent the man reeling back with a cry. But more were certainly coming.
Reed moved toward the roof's edge, pulling a fragmentation grenade from his vest. "I'll slow them." He tossed it expertly down the stairwell they'd bypassed, and seconds later it detonated with a sharp whump, likely taking out or at least frightening any pursuers.
"They won't chase too hard if they're smart. We left them plenty of mess to deal with," Reed said. Shadow glanced at him, noting the coolness with which Reed spoke. The man had just concussed a scientist and lobbed a grenade without batting an eye. Certainly not squeamish.
In the distance, the faint thumping of the extraction chopper grew louder. A spotlight beam cut through the darkness as it approached.
"Get ready!" Shadow shouted over the noise as the helicopter came in low, its side door already open. The pilot expertly hovered just above the roof.
One by one, they helped the weakened prisoners up into the chopper. Naledi climbed in last, continuing to tend to them. Reed and Pierce hauled their captive scientist aboard. Shadow was the last to leap in, the helicopter already lifting away even as stray bullets from below pinged off its exterior. The militia fired desperately, but to no avail; the bird gained altitude and sped off into the night.
Inside the cabin, everyone was catching their breath. The rescued trio looked frightened and bewildered, clutching at Naledi as she assured them in basic Arabic that they were safe now. Reed sat opposite, securing the unconscious scientist with extra cuffs. Pierce slumped against the wall, closing his eyes in relief.
Kabelo removed his helmet and sucked in the cool night air rushing through the cabin. They had done it. Lab Sirocco was effectively neutralized—he could see a fire glowing from the direction of the compound, likely the lab equipment or generator they'd blown up burning out of control. The research data was secured on Pierce's drive, and they had even saved four lives from that hellhole.
Not a clean op, but a successful one.
Reed was already pulling out a satellite phone to update Command on mission status. As he spoke in low tones to Raines, Shadow tuned out momentarily, letting the adrenaline ebb. His hands were shaking slightly from exertion and the after-effects of multiple portals in quick succession. He flexed his fingers, trying to calm the trembling.
Naledi looked over at him from where she sat with the civilians. She gave him a tired smile and a nod of gratitude. Kabelo knew that saving these people meant the world to her. In that moment, any earlier tension between medic and intel or the morality of their methods was set aside—lives had been saved and that validated the mission in her eyes.
Pierce, catching his breath, broke into a grin. "Well… that escalated, didn't it? Remind me to write a strongly-worded complaint about their hospitality."
Kabelo chuckled quietly, shaking his head. Leave it to Pierce to find humor after a gunfight. "At least we got what we came for."
Reed finished his call and addressed the team, his expression unreadable in the dim light. "Command is pleased. We're to return to base for full debrief. The intel we grabbed is top priority. They'll want to know everything these folks can tell us too." He nodded toward the dazed civilians and the knocked-out scientist.
Shadow leaned back against the vibrating hull of the helicopter, exhaustion creeping in now that the danger had passed. He closed his eyes for a moment, listening to the rotor blades. His mind replayed the night's events in flashes: the terrified eyes of the prisoners in their cages, the cold determination in Reed's actions, the exhilaration of striking a blow against the remnants of Prometheus's dark legacy.
This war wasn't over. In fact, it seemed to be widening. Wolfe was now a confirmed player, and Project Prometheus had copycats sprouting like poisonous mushrooms in the shadows of global chaos. But today, at least, they had snuffed out one of those toxic blooms.
Kabelo opened his eyes and looked at his teammates—this eclectic group of specialists thrown together for a cause none of them could tackle alone. Pierce caught his glance and raised an imaginary toast, while Naledi offered a weary but genuine smile, and Reed gave a curt nod of acknowledgment.
Shadow allowed himself a hint of a smile in return. Together, they were making a difference. One mission at a time, they would dismantle the nightmare that Prometheus had unleashed. Even if it meant storming into the most forsaken places on earth, or facing enemies enhanced by unnatural science, they would stand against it.
After all, Kabelo "Shadow" Ndlovu had become a phantom in his own right—a wraith to haunt those who exploited the dark corners of technology and war. And he was not alone in the fight.
The helicopter sped off toward the horizon, carrying the team to safety as dawn began to edge the sky with the faintest gray. Another chapter in the Shadowstrike saga closed, and a new one—full of deeper conspiracies and deadlier foes—lay ahead on the uncertain path.