Forest Clearing - Two Kilometers from Algoria Palace, Pre-Dawn
The extraction point occupied a depression in the terrain where ancient oaks had grown dense enough to block moonlight, creating darkness that served concealment better than any Uncos could manage. Amari's team had assembled in staggered intervals over the past twenty minutes—each member arriving through different routes, confirming no pursuit before revealing their position to others. Professional discipline that came from operations where mistakes meant capture or death.
Lena saw him first. Her plant manipulation had created subtle vine network throughout the clearing—early warning system that detected footsteps through ground vibration. When the vines pulsed twice in rapid succession, she knew it was Amari returning rather than patrol discovering their location.
Except he wasn't alone.
