The underground corridors of the Verdancy base buzzed softly with activity.
Blue neon lights stretched across the metallic walls while transport drones floated overhead carrying weapons, supplies, and mission equipment between different sections of the base.
For the first time since joining Verdancy…
The Superhuman Unit walked through the halls fully equipped for an actual mission.
And honestly…
They looked intimidating.
The black cybernetic armor molded perfectly across their bodies while streams of glowing blue energy pulsed faintly between the armor plates.
Their footsteps echoed sharply across the metallic floors.
CLANK.
CLANK.
CLANK.
The retractable helmets remained inactive for now, exposing their faces, but even without them…
People moved out of their way instinctively.
Both squads walked together toward the teleportation hall.
Some members discussed mission details casually while others checked their Meta Watches one last time.
The holographic mission data floated before their eyes occasionally.
“So basically,” Bobby said while walking beside Damien, “we break into a secret mech base, maybe fight terrifying murder androids, destroy everything, then leave.”
“That’s one way to summarize it,” Sylvia replied dryly.
Jack shrugged.
“Honestly sounds straightforward.”
Damien glanced toward the mission map again.
“The SERAPHS are the only real unknown.”
“Three of them too,” Grace added quietly.
Nearby—
Nova Reign sounded far less concerned.
“This mission is honestly too easy,” Adrian said confidently while walking ahead with his hands in his pockets.
“We go in…”
He counted dramatically with his fingers.
“Destroy drug facility.”
“Beat up enhanced humans.”
“Look cool while doing it.”
“Then leave.”
Drew snorted.
“You forgot your favorite part.”
Adrian grinned.
“Getting contribution points.”
Sasha shook her head.
“You’re way too relaxed.”
“That’s because worrying changes absolutely nothing.”
Adrian stretched casually.
“Besides…”
A grin spread across his face.
“…we’re monsters compared to normal humans now.”
Silver walked quietly beside Sasha as usual.
Even she seemed slightly nervous now though.
This was their first real mission after all.
Not simulations.
Not training.
Reality.
Eventually—
The massive teleportation hall came into view.
The room was gigantic.
Easily one of the largest sections of the underground base.
Circular teleportation platforms covered the floor in rows while enormous glowing rings floated above each platform.
The entire hall radiated blue Aether energy.
Streams of light moved across the ceiling like flowing rivers while giant holographic displays showed coordinates, destination routes, and teleportation statuses.
The atmosphere felt alive.
Dozens of Verdancy agents moved throughout the hall operating systems and preparing squads for deployment.
Many wore engineer uniforms instead of combat gear.
Teleportation engineers.
Some monitored energy outputs while others calibrated destination stability manually.
Massive mechanical arms adjusted teleportation rings overhead with frightening precision.
The technology itself looked absurdly advanced.
Even by Third Millennium standards.
Bobby looked around slowly.
“Okay…”
His eyes widened slightly.
“This place is insane.”
“No kidding,” Jack muttered.
Even Damien quietly studied the teleportation systems carefully.
Verdancy truly possessed ridiculous technological capabilities despite being labeled anti-technology terrorists.
The irony was almost funny.
Ria checked her Meta Watch again.
“Looks like the teleporters can connect to any Verdancy base worldwide.”
Sylvia nodded.
“As long as the destination base possesses synchronized coordinates.”
Nearby Adrian smirked slightly.
“So basically…”
He pointed dramatically toward the massive teleportation rings.
“…instant worldwide travel.”
“That has existed for decades,” Sasha replied.
“Yes but it sounds cooler when I say it.”
“No it doesn’t.”
The S-Unit soon realized something else.
They weren’t the only ones deploying today.
Most wore standard Verdancy combat armor.
Others operated heavy mechs or advanced weapon systems.
And almost immediately…
The room’s atmosphere shifted subtly once people noticed the Superhuman Unit.
Whispers spread quietly.
People stared.
Some curiously.
Others cautiously.
And some…
With clear discomfort.
The S-Unit noticed it instantly.
Because even within Verdancy—
They were different.
Artificially perfected humans.
Living weapons.
People respected them.
But many also feared them.
One squad standing near Platform Seven glanced openly toward them.
Then one of the men laughed quietly.
Not even trying to hide it.
“Look over there.”
His voice carried across the hall.
“It’s the freaks unit.”
Several others around him snickered immediately.
“Those are the Superhumans?”
“They look normal.”
“That’s somehow creepier.”
“Dr. Frost’s monsters.”
The S-Unit heard every word clearly.
Enhanced hearing thanks to Aether made sure of that.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Bobby’s expression darkened immediately.
“The hell did he just say?”
Jack cracked his knuckles slightly.
“Oh this is definitely about to become a problem.”
Ria however raised her hand calmly.
“Ignore it.”
Her voice remained steady.
“They want a reaction.”
Bobby clearly didn’t agree.
“They called us freaks.”
“And?”
Ria looked toward him calmly.
“We know what we are.”
That shut him up briefly.
But only briefly.
Unfortunately…
Someone else had already started moving.
Adrian.
“Oh no,” Sasha muttered immediately.
Drew sighed heavily.
“Here we go.”
Adrian walked calmly across the teleportation hall toward the other squad.
Smiling.
Which somehow made him look even more dangerous.
The man who made the comment initially still looked confident at first.
Until Adrian stopped directly in front of him.
Then suddenly—
GRAB.
Adrian grabbed the man by the neck instantly and lifted him completely off the ground with one arm.
The entire teleportation hall froze
“What the—?!”
Several nearby agents immediately raised their blasters.
CLICK.
CLICK.
CLICK.
Energy weapons aimed directly toward Adrian.
“LET HIM GO!”
“Stand down!”
“Release him now!”
The captured man struggled violently while choking.
But Adrian…
Started laughing.
Not loudly.
Not crazily.
Just quietly.
Which honestly felt worse.
“I could break the neck of everyone here…”
His voice turned cold instantly.
“…before any of you even blink.”
The temperature in the area somehow felt heavier.
The pressure coming from Adrian’s Aether alone made several agents visibly tense.
Because deep down…
They knew he wasn’t bluffing.
The enhanced human strength gap between Superhumans and normal agents was terrifyingly obvious at moments like this.
Then Adrian smiled again.
“But…”
He tilted his head slightly.
“…since I’m a nice guy…”
Drew immediately facepalmed nearby.
“…I’ll let this slide with only a warning.”
The struggling agent looked terrified now.
Adrian leaned closer toward him slightly.
“Anyone…”
His voice lowered dangerously.
“…who calls me or my teammates freaks…”
The blue energy streams across his armor glowed brighter.
“…will have their spine separated from their body…”
Several agents visibly swallowed nervously.
“…and used as a jump rope.”
The hall became dead silent.
Then—
THUD.
Adrian released him casually.
The man collapsed onto the floor coughing violently while clutching his throat desperately.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
The entire teleportation hall stared at Adrian silently.
Even the engineers paused working.
Then casually—
Adrian adjusted his gloves.
“There.”
He smiled brightly.
“Problem solved.”
Sasha stared at him like a disappointed older sister.
“Was that really necessary?”
Adrian blinked innocently.
“Yes.”
“You threatened to turn someone’s spine into sports equipment.”
“Metaphorically.”
“It absolutely did not sound metaphorical.”
Nearby Drew shrugged lazily.
“They already see us as demons anyway.”
He gestured around the room.
“Might as well act the part.”
Several nearby agents immediately avoided eye contact hearing that.
Adrian folded his arms confidently.
“I think this was the easiest way to gain respect.”
Ria sighed tiredly.
“You mean fear.”
“Fear and respect are cousins.”
“No they are not.”
“They’re definitely related.”
Adrian pointed toward the terrified squads nearby.
“Look.”
Sure enough…
Nobody dared say anything now.
Most avoided even looking toward the S-Unit entirely.
“They’ll think twice before disrespecting us again.”
Sasha slapped her forehead dramatically.
SMACK.
“You two are hopeless.”
Drew grinned.
“Thank you.”
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
Meanwhile Damien quietly observed the entire situation.
And honestly…
Adrian wasn’t completely wrong.
The moment the other squads realized how overwhelming the difference in power was…
Their attitudes changed instantly.
Not admiration.
Not acceptance.
Fear.
Pure fear.
The realization settled quietly into Damien’s mind.
No matter how friendly the S-Unit became with each other…
To the rest of the world—
They might truly become monsters someday.
[Low ominous hum]
Then suddenly—
BEEEEEEP.
A mechanical voice echoed throughout the teleportation hall.
[AUTOMATED SYSTEM: DESTINATION COORDINATES LOCKED]
[AUTOMATED SYSTEM: SAWYER CITY ROUTE READY]
[AUTOMATED SYSTEM: LISBON CITY ROUTE READY]
The massive teleportation rings above the platforms activated instantly.
FWOOOOOOOM.
Blue Aether energy surged violently through the hall while glowing streams of light spiraled around the teleportation gates.
The missions were about to begin.