“Taken by Fabian?” Cathy repeated.

    William replied with guilt. “I’m really sorry. We lost the station. We probably won’t be able to follow through on our promise.”

    “It happens. We’re in Area D. Juste over here. There’s still time. We’ll figure something else out.” Cathy said.

    After the call ended, Cathy turned to the others. “William’s team lost their supply station. Thoughts?”

    All six pairs of eyes immediately turned to Aria.

    Aria arched an eyebrow. “Why is everyone looking at me?”

    Cathy smiled. “You’ve put in the most effort, so you decide. We’ll follow your lead.”

    Aria shook her head. “You’re themander. It’s your call.”

    Cathy offered, “Well, we’re bored anyway. How about you or me taking two people to snatch the station back?”

    Aria nodded and said, “Okay.”

    Cathy nced at the rest of the team, and everyone nodded in agreement.

    Liz added, “If we’re helping, might as well go all the way. William’s the kind of guy who keeps his word.”

    It was true. William’s team wasn’t top-tier, but they had a solid reputation. It was rare to get betrayed while working with them.

    When William’s team arrived, Cathy asked directly, “Who’s over there?”

    “Fabian and Bruce,” William replied.

    Cathy said, “Caroline and I will go. You leave two people here to help out.”

    William was stunned. He didn’t expect Cathy to go herself, and with their strongest fighter no less.

    Seeing him freeze, Cathy asked, “You don’t think two of us are enough?”

    “No, no, it’s not that… I’m just worried you’ll get caught up in something. Area D is pretty central. Lots of teams pass through, William shook his head.

    “Rx. No one’s taking our supply station. Just leave two of your people,” Cathy said.

    As long as they didn’t run into Gerald, Weyne, or Fabian, they could stall for five minutes-and that was enough for Aria to

    handle the rest.

    William was worried about implicating Cathy’s team and left two fighters.

    Cathy said, “Just leave one fighter.”

    In the end, William left one fighter and a tech guy with them.

    Before heading out, Cathy told them. “Just do whatever Aria says.”

    The two replied, “Got it.”

    Once they were gone, Allison pulled out the cards. Smiling, she asked the two guys, “Wanna y poker? Loser buys dinner- one meal per loss.”

    They’d been crushed by Aria earlier and were eager to regain some pride.

    William’s teammates hadn’t expected such a chill vibe. After exchanging a nce, they joined in.

    Allison, Jocelyn, Liz, and Emily rotated in. The two new guys, worrying about William, kept losing, over and over.

    Meanwhile, Cathy and Caroline arrived at Area C.

    Fabian saw them and wasn’t surprised. “So you showed up. Here to help William’s team? Ready to fight us for it?”

    Cathy sneered. “Don’t act like we picked this fight. Area C was ours. You took it. We’re just taking it back. Simple as that.”

    Fabian didn’t want a direct confrontation. “Cathy, I’ll make you a deal. Work with us. I’ll guarantee you second ce.”

    Cathy smirked. “Captain Fabian, is there really a big difference between second and deadst?

    “I want the championship.”

    “Your team’s not nearly as strong as ours. Forget about winning,” Fabian replied.

    “Enough talk. Let’s fight. Loser gets lost,” Cathy said, refusing to back down.

    Fabian frowned, thinking inwardly, ‘With Cathy and Caroline, they essentially had three fighters. While my team only had two-including myself.

    ‘If we went toe-to-toe, we probably wouldn’t get eliminated, but no advantages would be gained.

    ‘We’d just waste time and energy, and might not even be able to hold onto the Area C supply station.

    Going up against them right now just isn’t worth it.’

    Fabian scanned the area. “You brought Caroline with you. Who’s guarding your supply station?”

    “Not your problem,” Cathy snapped. “Are we fighting or what?”

    Tension was thick-until Fabian suddenly stepped back. “We’re not fighting. It’s yours.”

    ‘Better to save our strength and hit another team instead,’ he thought.

    Cathy hadn’t expected him to give up that fast.

    Soon after, Liz received a call from Cathy: “We’ve reimed Area C. Caroline and I will stay here. Hold Area D until the day

    ends.”

    Liz looked at Aria. Thetter nodded. “Sure. We’ll hold down Area D.”

    William’s teammates exchanged a look.

    They’d noticed that the supposed leader was Cathy, but everyone deferred to Aria.

    One of the teammates thought, ‘Aria was a special recruit. She hadn’t even undergone training yet. If the others obeyed her without question, her strength had to be overwhelming.

    And not once had they worried about defending their supply station.

    ‘Aria might be even stronger than Cathy’

    Elsewhere, Weyne was fuming. “Captain, Cathy and Caroline are camping out in Area C. William’s missing two people. Must’ve sent them to help her team guard their station.”

    “Then let’s take Cathy’s station instead,” he suggested.

    That way, both teams will end up fighting over the same supply station.

    Fabian thought for a moment. “Find out which area their supply station is in.”

    Weyne grinned. “Let me handle this one, Captain. I’ll take Aria out and redeem our pride.”

    Fabian hadn’t nned on shing with Cathy’s team so soon, but things hade to this-might as well let Weyne take a shot.

    He finally nodded. “Go for it.”

    Once he confirmed Cathy’s team was in Area D, Weyne was pumped. “It’s close. We’ll be there in thirty minutes.” Fabian’s team got back. Weyne took Geoffrey, ire, and a few people from their partner team and headed out.

    Somewhere else, Gerald was typing on his keyboard. After thirty minutes of nonstop hacking, he finally broke into the Bureau’s surveince system.

    Mike was snacking beside him. When he saw the screen, he gasped. “You’re insane, Gerald.”

    “Keep your voice down. If the cameras catch us, they’ll confiscate theptop.” Gerald warned.

    If that happened, they’d be screwed for the team round.

    Mike instantly shut his mouth.

    The cameras were everywhere. Gerald had to pull up each feed individually.

    He paused on Cathy-saw only her and Caroline. The rest were clearly from William’s team.

    He switched to Area D.

    There, five girls were clearly at ease. William’s two members were also visible.

    It didn’t take a genius to see the two teams were working together.

    Just then, another group appeared on the feed. Weyne was in the lead.

    “Hey Mike, wanna see your mentor in action?” Gerald teased.

    Mike hesitated. “Might not be a good idea.”

    Gerald said, “Fabian’s team is going after their supply station.”

    Mike lunged over. “Let me see!”

    That’s when Clifford pulled back the tent p. “Your turn for watch.”

    Gerald didn’t even look up. “Give us another thirty minutes.”

    Clifford saw they were glued to the screen and came around. “Holy shit!”

    Mike pped a hand over his mouth.

    Clifford cursed through gritted teeth, shoved Lu Mike’s hand off, and hissed, “If we get caught, we’re dead.”

    “Shut up,” Gerald snapped.

    On the big screen, Weyne’s group was silently approaching Area D supply station.

    Gerald tapped the keyboard, switching to another feed. Clifford spotted Aria. He leaned down. “Oh man. This is gonna be good. Gerald, you absolute legend.”

    Clifford thought, ‘Hacking into the Bureau’s system mid-evaluation and not getting caught? This guy was scary.

    Good thing he was on the Bureau’s side.’

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