New Haven buzzed with fragile hope under Valor's shield, its streets alive with repair crews and flickering lights. Inside P.A.I.R.E.'s battered base, Alex stood at the holo-table, the three orbs casting a steady glow. Zenith Corp's offer—or threat—echoed in his mind: Join us, or we take it. His parents rested in the med bay, recovering, their faith in him a quiet anchor. But the shuttle's departure left a chill—Zenith wasn't Syndicate; they played smarter, deeper.
Marcus limped over, datapad in hand. "Council's on board—funding's flowing. Base'll be fortified in weeks."
Maya adjusted her brace, scanning reports. "City's stable, but that drone trace—Zenith's circling. They're not done."
Alex synced the orbs, pulling the signal. "Northwest—faint, but active. They're watching."
Laura wheeled in, Daniel beside her, both steadier. "Zenith's ruthless," she said, voice firm. "They've poached tech before—MercerTech dodged them for years."
Daniel nodded. "Valor's a prize they can't resist. They'll push—hard."
"Options?" Marcus asked, eyeing Alex.
"Boost Valor," Alex said, tweaking its output. "Stronger shield, tighter trace. We need eyes on them."
Fae's comms crackled—static, then her voice. "Mercer, Zenith's sniffing. Old pal of mine tipped me—plant's not their only base. Stay sharp." She cut off.
"She's alive," Maya said, smirking. "Reliable chaos."
"Useful, though," Alex replied, mind ticking. "If Zenith's got more sites, we scout—hit them first."
Marcus grunted. "Risky—we're stretched thin. Jace, get drones up. Map their movements."
Jace nodded, limping off. The team dispersed—repairs, patrols—but Alex lingered, syncing Valor deeper. The holo flared—Zenith's signal sharpened, a facility fifty klicks out. "Second base," he muttered, marking it.
Maya joined him, coffee in hand. "You're stepping up. Bossy now."
"Had to," he said, half-smiling. "You're stuck with me."
"Good," she replied, serious. "We need you—especially with Zenith."
He glanced at the orbs. "Valor's ours—not theirs. I'll keep it that way."
Hours bled into plans—drones launched, base walls reinforced. Alex worked with his parents, stabilizing Valor's grid. Laura guided his hands, her expertise sharp despite fatigue. "Add a feedback loop here—cuts power drain."
Daniel grinned. "Kid's a natural—better than me."
"Learned from the best," Alex said, warmth cutting through stress. The shield strengthened—New Haven glowed safer on the holo.
Night fell, tense and quiet. Alex patrolled the bay, staff in hand, when alarms blared—perimeter breach. "Zenith?" he yelled, rushing to the holo-table.
Marcus joined, pistol drawn. "Not drones—ground team. East wall!"
Maya and Jace armed up, agents scrambling. Alex synced Valor—a dozen signatures, cloaked, closing fast. "They're here," he said, pulse racing.
The east wall exploded inward—dust and fire swallowing the bay. Figures in sleek suits stormed through, rifles spitting stun rounds. Marcus fired back, dropping one, but a dart hit his shoulder—he slumped, dazed.
"Hold 'em!" Maya shouted, staff swinging. She stunned two, but a third tackled her, pinning her down.
Alex swung, cracking an attacker's helmet, but numbers overwhelmed. Agents fell—stunned, not killed. Zenith wasn't playing Syndicate's game; they wanted captives.
A suited figure loomed, visor dark. "Mercer, stand down. Valor's ours."
"No chance," Alex snarled, staff sparking. He stunned the man, diving for the orbs as more poured in. A dart grazed his arm—numbness spread, but he shook it off, adrenaline surging.
Fae's voice hissed through comms. "Incoming, kid—hold tight!" A window shattered—her blade flashed, cutting down two suits. She landed, grinning, bio-tech scars glowing faint. "Miss me?"
"Always," Alex gasped, rallying. Together, they pushed back—Fae's speed a blur, his staff a thunderclap. Maya broke free, joining them, her strikes fierce.
The suits retreated, dragging stunned agents—Marcus among them. "No!" Alex yelled, lunging, but Fae pulled him back as a stun grenade burst, blinding them.
Smoke cleared—half the team gone, the bay a wreck. Alex sank to his knees, orbs clutched tight. "They took him."
Maya coughed, grim. "Not dead—stunned. They want leverage."
Fae sheathed her blade. "Zenith's style—hostages, not corpses. They'll trade."
"For what?" Alex snapped, guilt clawing him. "Valor?"
"Or you," Laura said, wheeling in with Daniel, faces pale. "They've wanted MercerTech's brain trust—us, now you."
Daniel gripped the chair. "We fight back—find that base."
Alex synced Valor, the holo flickering—Marcus's comms signal blinked, faint, moving toward the northwest facility. "They're there," he said, voice steely. "We get him—hit 'em where it hurts."
Fae smirked. "Road trip, then. I've got a score with Zenith—old debts."
Maya nodded. "Team's thin, but we're enough."
Alex stood, staff humming. "No more running—we take the fight to them."
They prepped fast—drones, rifles, Valor's portable core. Laura adjusted the orbs, her hands steady. "Boosted range—track Marcus, jam their tech."
Daniel handed Alex a wrist comm. "Stay linked. We'll hold here—guide you."
"Thanks," Alex said, hugging them. Their trust fueled him—failure wasn't an option.
The van rolled out, Fae driving, Maya beside her, Alex in back with Jace and two agents. The northwest base loomed in his mind—Zenith's lair, Marcus captive. "They underestimated us," he said, orbs glowing.
"Big mistake," Fae replied, grinning sharp.
A holo flickered—Zenith's voice, smooth and cold. "Mercer, surrender Valor—or your commander pays. Forty-eight hours."
The feed cut. Alex's jaw clenched. "They don't know us."
Maya met his eyes. "We'll show 'em."
The van sped on, the base drawing near—salvation or a trap, waiting in the dark.