Alex leaned back in his chair, staring out the space window at the swirling nebula, its colors shifting like a cosmic mood ring. The elder's section had become home. He fiddled with his bracelet, its upgraded chip from the elder granting Mid-Level access, encrypted channels, and a quiet hum that no longer cracked jokes. No more "cosmic vacuum cleaner badge"—now it was all business, unlocking doors and data streams with a serious vibe. Fiona sat across from him, her flux staff propped against the wall, while Dmitri and Lyra lounged on the couch, debating sparring techniques. The team—Squad Zero—had gelled, with Fiona and Alex's relationship a steady anchor, and Dmitri and Lyra's flirty sparring adding spark.
The bracelet vibrated, a message from the elder flashing: Squad Zero, Varkis included, to my office. Urgent mission. Alex bolted up. "Elder's calling. All of us—Lyra too."
Fiona grabbed her staff. "Must be big if it's the whole squad."
Dmitri stood, spear in hand. "About time. Bored of drills."
Lyra flexed her green-skinned arms, silver hair catching the light. "Let's see what the old man's got."
We tapped our bracelets, teleporting to the elder's office—a spacious room with holo-screens flickering data, a desk like a command console, and space windows framing the void. The elder, his metallic skin like cracked starlight, sat behind the desk, eyes glowing like twin suns. Varkis stood beside him, dark armor glinting.
"Squad Zero," the elder rumbled, voice like gravel in a warp drive. "I have a mission. Sensitive."
I crossed my arms, power fist flexed. "We're listening, Elder. What's the play?"
Fiona leaned on her staff. "Better be worth the wait. We're A-rank now—itching for action."
Dmitri grunted. "No more babysitting."
Lyra's amber eyes narrowed. "Spill it, boss."
The elder's eyes flickered. "The 5th Elder's leaking our location to pirates. Not for credits—for resources. Rare alloys, tech scraps. The ship's safe, but it's treason."
I whistled. "Leaking to pirates? That's bold. Why?"
The elder leaned forward. "Power struggle. He wants leverage over the council—16 elders, including me. I need proof to expose him, demote him, or… negotiate."
Fiona's brow furrowed. "Proof? Like spying?"
Varkis nodded, voice sharp. "Infiltrate his territory, gather data—logs, communications. Unnoticed."
Dmitri's spear glinted. "Sounds risky. What's in it for us?"
The elder's smirk widened. "Higher rank access on your bracelets—S-level clearance, full ship schematics, restricted zones. And a cut of the 5th's resources if we succeed."
I tapped my bracelet. "S-level? That's a power-up. I'm in."
Fiona nodded. "Me too. But how do we sneak in?"
Varkis pulled up a holo-map. "Teleport with chips—discreet entry. I'll guide remotely."
Lyra smirked. "My Veltari speed's perfect for stealth. Let's scout."
Dmitri cracked his knuckles.
I grinned. "Squad Zero's first espionage gig. Like a cosmic heist!"
Fiona laughed. "Just don't trip over your power fist, Alex."
The elder's eyes glowed. "Succeed, and you'll have my backing against the council. Fail, and we all pay."
We changed to fighting clothes, teleporting to the 5th Elder's territory—a shadowy corridor with flickering panels and guarded doors. Varkis's voice hummed in our bracelets: "Left turn, data room ahead."
I whispered, "This is tense. Like sneaking past a gym trainer for extra reps."
Fiona stifled a laugh. "Shh, Coach. Focus."
Dmitri's shield dimmed. "Quiet, lovebirds."
Lyra elbowed him. "You're one to talk, shield guy."
We slipped past a patrol, Varkis hacking a door. "In," he said. The data room hummed, holo-screens displaying ship locations and pirate comms.
"Jackpot," I said, scanning. "He's trading coordinates for alloys."
Fiona's staff pulsed. "Proof—download it."
Dmitri guarded the door. "Hurry. Patrols."
Lyra's speed blurred as she grabbed a data chip. "Got it!"
An alarm blared. "Blimey!" I yelled, pistol drawn. Pirates? No—guards.
Varkis's voice: "Out now! Teleport!"
We fought back—my power fist smashing a guard, Fiona's flux arrows pinning another, Dmitri's shield blocking blasts, Lyra's kicks toppling one. We tapped bracelets, teleporting back to the elder's office, data chip in hand.
The elder's eyes flared. "Success? Show me."
I handed the chip. "Proof—he's leaking locations for resources."
The elder's smirk was cold. "Good. I'll handle the 5th—demote him, or worse. You've earned your upgrades."
He tapped his desk, our bracelets pinging: S-Level access granted. Full schematics unlocked. "Now you see the ship as we do," he said. "Restricted zones, secrets—use wisely."
Fiona's eyes widened. "This is power."
Dmitri nodded. "And risk."
Lyra grinned. "Let's test it."
I laughed. "Squad Zero, upgraded and unstoppable!"
The elder's glow softened. "Rest. More missions soon."
We teleported home, the bracelet's new access humming like a promise. I'm Coach Bounce, with a squad that's family, a girlfriend who sparks my world, and S-level secrets in my bangle, ready to crack this cosmic power game—one sneaky step at a time.