The alloy door of the briefing room closed behind them, blocking out the uncomfortable, scrutinizing gazes. However, Gestalt knew the real "eyes," the "Messenger" drone, would soon follow them like a shadow.
He leaned against the cold alloy wall and looked at his team. A dangerous spark of fighting spirit had been rekindled in them by his words, but he felt no sense of relief. He had just pushed this squad onto a tightrope, straying from the Federation's orders with a bottomless abyss below.
Complaining and anger wouldn't solve anything. Now, they needed to convert that anger into the strength to survive on the Ash-Gray Frontier.
"Listen up," Gestalt said, his voice regaining its usual steady decisiveness as it echoed in the slightly empty preparation area.
"We have one standard Earth hour."
"In one hour, the transport will be waiting for us at the underground hangar."
His gaze first fell on Ryan. The fire in the young man's eyes had not yet completely subsided; it had been replaced by a more dangerous sharpness.
"Ryan, control your 'Crimson' core's emotions."
"Channel them into checking your 'Enhanced Sentinel' interface and weapons."
"I don't want to see anything go wrong with your right arm in the Ash-Gray Frontier."
"I know it was injured during Operation Red Coral, and the energy conduction is still sluggish."
Next, he turned to Nadeshiko. The girl's eyes still held worry, but now there was a new layer of determination.
"Nadeshiko, in addition to the standard medical supplies, prepare extra Federation Psionic Synchronization Stabilizer fluid and Barrier brand anti-high-frequency radiation aerosol."
"The environmental report for the 'Withered Bone Forest Sea' isn't promising."
"We need to be on guard against 'Rust Blight' and abnormal static electricity."
Finally, Shen Kai.
"Kai, you are in charge of checking the squad's 'Territory Beacon' communication equipment and 'Insight' multifunction detector."
"Make sure they can function at maximum capacity in a high-interference environment."
"Calibrate your 'Whisper' detector to its highest sensitivity."
He paused, setting the final tone for the operation in a heavy voice.
"I don't care what the Federation High Command's objectives are."
"I also don't care what that damn 'Messenger' drone records."
"Remember what I said before."
"Our primary goal is to complete the mission and come back alive."
"Not a single person left behind."
"Now, dismiss! Get to your preparations!"
The squad members sprang into action immediately, and the subtle sounds of various equipment adjustments filled the preparation area. Instead of preparing his own gear, Gestalt patrolled the area at a slow pace. It was a habit he had developed over many years and a responsibility he had as captain.
He saw Ryan Crimson-Charge standing in front of his equipment locker, carefully inspecting the neural bundle connection interface between his right arm and the Type-12 Mod. I "Enhanced Sentinel" armor. The old injury from "Operation Red Coral" was a weak point in Ryan's power and a thorn in his side.
Gestalt watched Ryan grit his teeth and repeatedly calibrate the energy parameters. His eyes were filled with a thirst for power and a subtle, hard-to-detect anxiety.
This kid will get into trouble sooner or later because of this obsession, Gestalt thought. But it is also this obsession that allows him to unleash astonishing combat power in desperate situations.
Not far away, Sakura Nadeshiko methodically took inventory of various medical supplies and emergency equipment at her tidy workstation.
In addition to Gestalt's assignment, she had specially prepared several high-concentration, military-grade Psionic Synchronization Stabilizers, as well as a few boxes of the Federation's latest "Guardian Type III" multi-effect protective pills. These pills can resist "Exotic Color" energy radiation for a short time.
Gestalt noticed her gaze drifting from time to time to the cases of "Core Energy Psionic Backlash" displayed on her terminal; her brow was slightly furrowed.
She was worried about Shen Kai and everyone else. She was always this team's warmest and most fragile back shield.
In a corner of the prep area, Shen Kai was quietly calibrating the squad's standard-issue "Warden" MK-III wide-area signal scanner. He had a natural familiarity with these cold machines, his fingers dancing nimbly across the complex control interface.
This young man was the true eye of the storm for this mission—the squad's biggest variable and possibly their only chance of victory.
Time ticked by, second by second.
When the assembly order came through their personal terminals, the four of them had finished preparing. They arrived at Underground Hangar Bay One, under the jurisdiction of the Central Technical Workshop.
A standard-issue Federation "Falcon-class" medium rapid-assault transport sat quietly in the designated dock, its ramp open to reveal the cold, spartan troop transport bay within.
At the entrance, a silent specter was already waiting.
The unmanned observation drone, Courier-7B, also known as the "Messenger," hovered at the transport's entrance. Its compound-eye optical sensors scanned every member of the "Pathfinder" squad as they prepared to board. Its cold red light hung over their heads like the Sword of Damocles, reminding them of the true nature of this journey.
Gestalt took a deep breath, suppressed all distracting thoughts, and turned to face his team. He saw the different emotions in their eyes: Ryan's resolve, Nadeshiko's worry, and Shen Kai's calm.
He knew that words were now superfluous. What came next would be a trial of steel and will.
He issued a short command, his voice echoing clearly and powerfully in the vast hangar.
"Suit up!"