Two hours overdue, and there would be fifteen people waiting for him in the departure lounge. Fourteen won and a boy. Caleb's toes were already curling with impatience when the Earth Team finally strutted into the departure lounge. There were six of them, each carrying an air about them as confident as his own.
First was Dr. Mia—hawk's eyes, a splice making her vision much better, to the point where she could be titled the sharpshooter of the team. Then there was Leo, the muscle-bound giant; it was pretty apparent that his bear genes were apparent from his towering fra and brute strength.
Zoey was a strategist and reflexive as a cat, to her dominant ataraxic cald deanor. Next ca Ethan, whose wolf DNA made him possess predatory instincts and acute sensory skills. Sarah, venomous and flexible to the touch, slithered in quietly. Lastly, there was Alex, whose eagle genes granted him unmatched speed and aerial prowess.
Caleb was never a man of many words; he would grunt in response, that's all. "Finally showed up, huh? Thought you got lost on the way to the goddamn airport."
Zoey ca right out and said, "We should get to know each other better. Our quirks, our strengths, everything. There's no room for arrogance if we're gonna do this thing together." Caleb lounged in his chair as he watched the six mbers bickering among themselves. Their egos fought it out, as if they were titans who each wished to dominate in the group.
"Listen up!" Caleb barked suddenly, bringing all sounds in the room to an abrupt halt. "Y'all think you're the shit, don't ya? But alone, you're just that—shit! Together, though, we might actually stand a chance."
Mia looked at him, shaking her head, and squinting her eyes, as she nodded. "He's right. And, Adam, you've got that.edge. You see the big picture. You should lead."
The rest of them grumbled their assent, albeit reluctantly. Leo grunted, "You're not the hardest, Adam, but you've got a way of steering things. Making us see sense."
His lips twitched into a small smirk; everything seed to be working out even better than he had anticipated. "So, cut the ego crap or we're pretty much dead. I ain't gonna babysit a bunch of arrogant geniuses straight to our graves. We do this together or don't do it at all. Is that clear?"
Their nods, though hesitant, sealed the unspoken pact.
Caleb leaned back, giving them a direct look. "Okay, spare the sweet treatnt. I want to know precisely what you freaks can do, and I an in detail, don't skimp on ."
"I have an augnted night and thermal vision," Mia started, speaking soundly. "A vision that sees a fly's wing from a hundred ters and possibly the most accurate thing you will find."
Leo stretched his massive arms. "Bear genes here. So naturally, the na of my ga is strength and endurance. I can take a hit and then keep running, plus tear through most materials like paper."
Zoey, on the other hand, spoke with complete calmness, "Cat DNA. It's all about agility and strategy. I see the paths, the options, in and out of combat. And my reflexes are lightning quick."
Ethan grumbled softly, "Wolf genes. Enhanced senses, tracking, and a bit of a tactical mind. I'm the hunter of the pack, can sniff out prey or danger miles away."
Sarah's eyes sparkled. "Serpent infusion. Flexibility and the touch to paralyze or kill. I am the silent assassin of the group."
"Yondem genes," Another spread his arms out. "Flight, speed, and so serious aerial reconnaissance skills. I own the skies."
Caleb nodded. "Impressive shit. Now, listen up about the airport rules. No showing off your powers here, literally keep a low profile. Security's tight, and we don't need attention. Caras everywhere, and they don't like surprises."
He looked levelly at each of them. "Following rules here is damn important. We ss up, we get grounded, and that screws our mission. No heroics, no crap about being a lone wolf. We blend in, get through, and we get out. Clear?" They were both irritated with his lecturing, but they agreed. They had to follow the laid down rules at the airport if they really did not want to jeopardize the mission.
Caleb's eyes were jetting every which way across the departure screen when a voice suddenly blared out through the entire terminal. "Attention, Flight 7 to Starbound Station is now boarding at gate 42. Attention, passengers of Flight 7 to Starbound Station, please proceed to gate 42. Your flight will be non-stop, with an estimated 11-hour, 45-minute travel ti. Thank you."
Ethan suggested, "We should take the elevator, not the stairs. It's quicker, and with our gear, we'll attract less attention. Plus, the elevator has a direct line to the gate area, bypassing the crowd." Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire
All eyes turned to Caleb. Zoey voiced, "Adam, we're with you. You're always the calst among us, and your head is always in the ga. What's the call?"
Caleb looked at the group, then at the flight board. "Elevator, it is. We ain't here to be all fly and shit. Let's keep it smooth and llow. Stick with . You'll be alright."
Caleb led the way to the elevator, moving fast but steady, his eyes scanning incessantly. "Stick close, don't fuck around. We get to the gate, we board, no sideshows."
Mia noticed a group of officials staring at passengers. "Got so eager beavers over there," she murmured, nodding towards them. "Keep your heads down."
Leo, towering and grumbling about the cramped space, squeezed into the elevator with a scowl. "Stuff a bear into a birdcage," he muttered, making Sarah roll her eyes.
Zoey, the strategist, suggested, "Let's spread out a little at the gate. Blend in. We don't want to look like a pack ready for the hunt."
Ethan whispered to Caleb, "I sll tension; sothing's up. Quick but not like in a rush."
Sarah moved through the crowd silently and watchfully, her movents smooth and unobtrusive, while Alex observed every security cara and exit from above.
Caleb nodded, thinking, "Play it cool and smart. Get through security and act normal. We're just a bunch of travelers, not a fucking special ops team on display."
But internally, Caleb was frustrated, thinking, "Why the hell am I the captain of this freak show?" He was annoyed by his teammates' peculiarities.
"Why does Mia have to notice everything? It's like she's got eyes at the back of her head," he grumbled to himself. "And Leo, the walking mountain, takes up more space than necessary. We get it; you're strong."
He silently criticized Zoey's constant strategizing and Ethan's keen senses, feeling overwheld. Caleb's thoughts darkened, suspecting Sarah's quietness and resenting Alex's aerial superiority.
"Why ?" Caleb wondered, his mind filled with doubts. "Leading these geniuses is like trying to control the weather. Impossible and unpredictable. What a ss I have landed myself into."
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