The air in the base was lighter than usual, a rare moment of celebration for a group that had been through so much. Logan Holt was sitting at the center of the mess hall, his friends and teammates gathered around him, grinning as they prepared to celebrate his 19th birthday. It was strange, given how much of his life had been filled with danger and conflict, that a simple birthday could feel so significant. But today was different—today was for the team, for the people who had become his family in this chaotic world.
Matthew was the first to hand over his gift, an unusual smirk on his face as he tossed a neatly wrapped box in Logan's direction. Logan raised an eyebrow, curious about the contents. He unwrapped it, revealing two custom-made Desert Eagles, sleek and powerful. But these weren't just any firearms—they were twice the firepower of regular Desert Eagles, with modifications that made them perfect for his precise combat style.
"Happy birthday, Grey," Matthew said with a grin, gesturing to the unique engraving on the side of the guns. The words "GREY" were etched in a bold, stylish font. "Thought you could use some new toys. These will match your style."
Logan grinned, appreciating the thoughtful gift. "Thanks, Matthew. I guess I'll need them for the next time I run into trouble." He threw Matthew a playful jab, "Maybe this time, I'll actually need them to save your ass instead of the other way around."
The team chuckled as Matthew shot him a mock glare.
Next up was William, who slid a long, flat box across the table. Logan opened it to find a high-tech jacket. William grinned. "It's got cloaking tech. Should make it a lot easier to sneak around, or just get the hell out of dodge when you're in over your head. Perfect for recon or avoiding detection in, you know, all those hostile environments you like to find yourself in."
Logan gave a low whistle, impressed by the quality of the gift. "I'll definitely put this to use. Thanks, man."
Jessica was next, handing Logan a smaller box with a delicate ribbon tied around it. When Logan opened it, he was greeted by a claw-like dagger, its design unlike anything he'd ever seen. The material seemed to shimmer with an almost supernatural energy.
"This dagger was forged from the material of an ancient beast. A prehistoric look, huh? Figured it fits your style," Jessica said with a knowing smile. "You never know when you might need something sharp and dangerous."
Logan grinned, testing the weight of the dagger. "I'll keep this close. Thanks, Jess."
Lastly, Elsa handed Logan a small, elegant box. Logan's breath caught when he opened it. Inside was a set of dual wakizashi, their blades glowing faintly with an ethereal energy.
"They're energy-enhanced," Elsa explained, her voice soft. "My arcanist ability infused them with power, but they'll only last for a limited time. Use them wisely—only when things get really bad. I don't want to see you get hurt."
Logan nodded, his eyes meeting hers. The weight of the gift, the meaning behind it, wasn't lost on him. But it wasn't just the wakizashi that made his heart swell. Along with the blades was a small silver pendant, the design of an eagle etched into the metal. He held it up, recognizing the symbol of his beloved pet, Midnight.
"I—I don't know what to say," Logan whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "This means a lot, Elsa. Thank you."
Without thinking, he leaned in, kissing her on the forehead. "You're amazing."
The team, noticing the tender moment between them, all raised their voices in unison. "Aww, look at the lovebirds!"
Logan rolled his eyes but couldn't help the smile spreading across his face. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks for the gifts, everyone. But seriously, you didn't have to get me all this stuff."
Just then, Logan's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, seeing his father's name flashing across the screen.
"Hey, pops," Logan greeted, trying to mask his soft smile. "What's up?"
George Holt's voice crackled through the speaker, full of warmth. "Happy birthday, son. You've made it this far. I'm proud of you." There was a slight pause before he added, "I'm sorry I couldn't be there in person, but you know I've always got your back."
Logan's heart swelled at the sound of his father's voice, despite everything. "Thanks, Dad. I know."
The team gathered around him, tossing jabs and good-natured teasing. Matthew grinned. "Your dad sends his love, huh? Should've known. Always the responsible one."
William smirked. "Yeah, but now you're officially 19. Does that mean you're done being a kid?"
Jessica winked. "Maybe now he'll actually listen to us when we give him advice."
Elsa just laughed, leaning in to kiss him again, her fingers lingering on the pendant she gave him.
Logan chuckled, shaking his head. "You guys are crazy. But seriously, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Thanks for making today special."
As the team continued to joke and laugh around him, Logan couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed since his first mission—how far he had come, and how much he had grown. From being a triggerman for the cartel to facing down alien invasions and surviving life-threatening battles, he had come a long way. But despite everything, one thing was clear: he had a team—his friends—his family.
And as long as he had them by his side, he was ready to face whatever the world had in store next
The buzz of Logan's birthday celebration still echoed faintly in the back of their minds, though the team was quick to return to their more pressing concerns. The news was out, and the Bureau of Justice had made its official announcement: the Zirathkrill had been confirmed as the alien species name, along with the designation of their Hive, the Zirath Brood. The headlines were everywhere, with the government's statement emphasizing the importance of keeping the public calm. They assured the citizens—both supers and regular humans alike—that the Bureau of Justice and the military were already taking protective measures and had a solid plan in place to prepare for any possible alien arrival.
Logan and his team sat together, watching the live broadcasts on a wall-mounted screen at their base. The tone of the news was calm, reassuring, and carefully constructed. They were not told everything, but what was said was enough for most people to breathe a little easier. There was no mention of the second incoming alien ship, and the Bureau of Justice kept that critical piece of information under wraps. They didn't want to cause panic—not yet, anyway.
Matthew shot a glance at the screen as the news anchor continued with rehearsed calmness, detailing the government's efforts. He snorted in amusement, shaking his head.
"Yeah, they're really doing a great job of keeping the lid on things, aren't they?" Matthew muttered, his eyes narrowing as he leaned back in his chair. "They won't even mention the second ship that's coming in. Guess they don't want to create a mass hysteria among the civilians or supers. Can't let people get too paranoid. Just wait until they find out what's really going on."
Logan glanced at Matthew with a smirk, knowing exactly what he was talking about. The team was well aware of the alien insecticoids' second wave, something Matthew's father, Captain Reed Carter, had learned through his military connections, specifically with a board member of Department 77. Matthew's knowledge of the incoming invasion was one of the reasons why Logan and the team had stayed tight-lipped about their information to the general public. They already knew what was coming, even if the rest of the world was still in the dark.
"It's almost funny," Logan muttered, shaking his head as he stretched, his mind still lingering on the mission ahead. "They can keep the truth from the public all they want, but we know what's coming. I just hope they're ready for it."
William was less amused, his mind focused on the gravity of the situation. "It's not just about being ready. They've got a whole lot more to contend with than just that second ship. We've already seen what those Zirathkrill can do, and if we don't take this seriously..." He trailed off, his usual confidence replaced with a rare moment of solemnity.
Elsa, ever the pragmatist, nodded. "They might have all these reassurances, but they still haven't figured out how to fight back effectively. Bio-weapons? Half-baked prototypes at best. I don't think they have the means to take on a whole new wave of aliens, not without getting some of us involved."
Jessica, who had been quietly observing the conversation, finally spoke up. "I think we all know what this really means." She glanced at each of her teammates, her expression serious. "We might be able to stop them if they're prepared to listen to us, but the question is—are they going to let us?"
Matthew couldn't resist another jab, leaning back in his chair with a grin. "Of course not. They'd rather keep us in the dark, like we're a secret weapon they can't control." He glanced over at Logan, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "But if anyone's got the firepower to deal with this, it's you, right, 'Grey'?"
Logan shot Matthew a look, rolling his eyes. He had been nicknamed "Grey" during the Death Race, and while he appreciated the respect, he couldn't help but feel like the name was starting to follow him around a bit too much.
"Let's hope they don't need me to pull another C4 miracle. I'm fresh out of those for a while." Logan replied, his tone light but carrying the weight of experience. The truth was, he had barely made it out of the explosion in the first place, and if it wasn't for his forcefield and a little luck, he wouldn't be here now.
Elsa leaned in, nudging him with a smile. "I think we can all agree on one thing," she said, her eyes dancing with amusement. "The real question is, when those Zirathkrill land, will they be ready for the fight we're about to bring?"
The team nodded in agreement, the silent acknowledgment passing between them. They were the ones who had seen the truth up close—what the Zirathkrill were capable of, the destruction they had left in their wake. Now, it seemed that the world at large was about to face the same harsh reality.
As the news continued, the Bureau of Justice reiterated their confidence in humanity's ability to prepare for the worst, but for Logan and his team, the reality of the situation was clearer than ever. The time to fight back was coming, and they knew they had to be ready.