The God of War's Secret Mission

Joint Secret Team

“Why does it have to be at the intelligence headquarters? Why not a coffee shop or a bar?” Andreas grumbled as he continued walking towards the intelligence centre. That night, General Sinclair asked him to come to the headquarters immediately.

Andreas walked down a quiet hallway with quick footsteps. His shadow lengthened on the wall due to the dim light from the chandelier. When he arrived in front of a metal door with biometric security, he took a deep breath. His heartbeat matched the electronic sound as his fingerprints were scanned.

Andreas was successful and allowed to enter the room.

The metal door opened, revealing a spacious room with a large oval table in the centre. A holographic screen filled the wall, displaying a map of the world with red dots flashing in various locations. The dim blue light from the screen cast mysterious shadows on the faces of those already waiting there.

“Wow, there are a lot of people here,” muttered Andreas, estimating.

Tania Hamilton, with her sturdy posture and arms folded across her chest, looked at Andreas like a hunter observing her prey. Her black hair in a neat bun made her sharp face look even more stern. Despite the stern look on her face, she looked beautiful in Andreas' eyes.

Beside Tania, Kane sat in an artificially relaxed manner. A sardonic smile adorned his face, right leg raised on the table as if the room belonged to him. Very arrogant, according to Andreas. While on the other side, there was Victor tapping the table with his fingertips, the rhythm of his tapping irregular - a sign of the anxiety simmering behind his cold gaze.

“Oh my, what kind of team is this? Why does everyone look so annoying? Are they a secret team too?” Andreas mentally commented on them one by one.

General Sinclair stood in front of them with his hands behind his back. His sharp eyes watched Andreas as he stepped inside.

“Welcome, Captain Andreas,” greeted Sinclair. The general's voice was flat, yet filled with gravity. “This team will be the last line of defence against Shadow Ares.”

Tania immediately spoke up. “Line of defence? We don't even know who he is yet.”

Tania pointed at Andreas with her chin. “Is he going to lead this team?”

“Yes, he is the best commander in ....” Sinclair's sentence was cut short as Tania deliberately interrupted.

“Someone who just escaped from a trap without a single piece of concrete evidence. Why should we trust him with this secret mission?” Tania quipped in her haughty manner, as if underestimating Andreas’ abilities.

Andreas held back the anger that began to boil in his chest. He looked directly into Tania's eyes. “I'm not asking for your trust. Trust only in God,” Andrean retorted with subtle sarcasm.

Andreas tried to remain calm but his words were firm. “But, if we want to stop Shadow Ares, you need what I know.”

Kane gave a short laugh, his voice raspy like the sound of metal clashing. “You know what? You were supposed to die in that trap. If we hadn't rescued you right there. Either you were very lucky, or you played both sides.”

Victor typed something on his tablet, then gave Andreas a probing look. “All the data shows that your last operation was unsatisfactory and a near failure. There was no trace of success to boast of, just a lot of death and destruction. Then, suddenly you are made the leader of this secret mission?” He raised an eyebrow, sceptical.

“Shadow Ares are always one step ahead,” Andreas stepped closer to the table, challenging their gaze. “That's because they have eyes and ears everywhere, even in places you think are safe.”

The room was silent for a few seconds, the tension hanging heavy in the air. Tania finally spoke, this time in a lower but still sharp tone. “It's not about who knows more. It's about surviving together. We only have one chance to live.”

“And you will destroy that chance if you continue to suspect each other,” Sinclair cut in, his voice rising an octave. “You're all here because you're the best. But, remember, the best skills mean nothing without the trust of each team member. Shadow Ares is preparing for a big move. Let's focus on that.”

Before anyone could answer, the lights suddenly flickered. A sharp beeping sound echoed, and the holographic screen on the wall displayed flashing red writing:

[System Infiltration. Location Revealed.]

Victor gasped, panicking. “Do they know we're here?”

Sinclair drew his weapon. “Prepare yourselves! Think of it as a training exercise!” he ordered.

Tania glanced at Andreas once more, this time without sarcasm, just tension and readiness. Andreas nodded, drawing his gun with a deft movement.

“Okay,” Andreas said. “We'll see who can be trusted when the bullets start flying.”

They moved together, back to back, forming a defensive circle as the sound of enemy footsteps began to approach from the dark corridor outside.

***

The sound of the pouring rain bounces off the building's old iron roof creating a constant rhythm that echoes throughout the narrow room. Andreas looked down, staring at the monitor screen in front of him with a hardened jaw. The access code he had just decrypted blinked, displaying a map of the latest target locations moved by Shadow Ares.

“We have the location,” Andreas said without looking at Tania, who stood in the corner with her arms folded. “We need to move now before they re-secure this data.”

Tania remained silent, just staring at Andreas with suspicious eyes. After a few seconds that seemed to last longer than normal, she finally spoke.

“How do I know this isn't a trap again?” she asked, her voice sharp as a dagger.

Andreas turned his head, his eyes flashing with anger. “A trap?” she repeated, her voice low but filled with pent-up anger. “You really think I work for them?”

Tania approached, her steps slow but firm. “I think,” she said, “you survived a situation that should have killed you. I think you might have an agenda we don't know about.”

“Agenda?” Andreas pounded his fist on the table, the sound of old wood crunching under the pressure. “You talk about an agenda? You never even let anyone know your next move. You think you're a solo hero, unfortunately you're wrong, baby. We're already a team. In fact, I'm worried that your presence will be the team's biggest weakness.”

Tania's eyes narrowed. She moved closer until they were only inches apart. “I'm the weakness of this team?” She hissed.

“Every time I trust someone, I watch them die because of their own stupidity. I won't make the same mistake again,” Tania insisted.

Andreas looked directly into her eyes, his lips smiling mockingly. “Then why are you here, Tania? If you don't trust anyone, why bother joining this team?”

Tania was silent for a moment, the muscles in her jaw tightening. She took offence at Andreas' taunt. Meanwhile, the sound of the rain outside was getting heavier, but the atmosphere between them was much heavier.

“I'm here to stop Shadow Ares. And I'm not going to let someone like you thwart this mission,” Tania retorted, not to be outdone.

“You're wrong about me,” Andreas said, his voice low but full of firmness. “If you continue to see everyone as enemies, you'll end up alone in a battle you can't win on your own.”

They stared at each other in tense silence, their breathing ragged. Andreas girded his loins and was still staring at the beautiful woman.

The intercom suddenly came alive with static.

“Enemy movement detected!” Victor's voice rang out, panicked and hurried. “You three get out of there, right now!”

Tania pulled a gun from her holster without turning around. “Our fight is not over yet.”

Andreas zipped up his jacket, preparing himself with a hard stare. “Let's see if you can trust someone when the bullets start flying.”

With their hearts still full of suspicion, they ran outside into the dark night and the lurking danger.