Chapter 74: Chapter 74: The Endless Chasm

The journey back to base was marked by an uneasy silence. The successful raid on the Black Phoenix safe house had been a crucial victory, but Sophia knew better than to rest easy. Every victory came with a cost, and the weight of their actions would soon follow them.

As the helicopter touched down on the base's landing pad, Sophia was the first to disembark, her boots hitting the ground with a solid thud. Ethan and Zoe followed closely behind, their expressions unreadable but their eyes betraying a shared understanding of the stakes.

"Debrief in fifteen," Sophia announced as they walked towards the command center. "Get yourselves squared away and meet in the briefing room."

Her words were met with silent nods as the team dispersed. Sophia could feel the tension in the air, the kind that lingered after a close call. She knew her team well enough to recognize that while they were proud of their success, they were also aware of the dangers that still lay ahead.