When Jonas came to his senses, he found himself seated on a private jet belonging to Beyond Technology. The plane glided smoothly above the clouds, the sky outside a pristine blue, with gentle sunlight streaming through the window and reflecting off the table in front of him. Yet, this tranquility could not dispel the unease that lingered within Jonas.
Ever since joining the Light Activation Project, an indescribable feeling had taken root deep inside him, like a snake lurking in the shadows, occasionally stirring and causing his body to react involuntarily. It felt as if an invisible force was pushing him, urging him to break free from the impending unknown.
He knew what this feeling was; it was an instinct honed over years on the battlefield—an instinctive response to unknown dangers. This intuition had saved him countless times from life-and-death situations, allowing him to evade lethal threats in numerous battles. But this time, that instinct seemed to have intensified, becoming almost impossible to ignore.
Jonas couldn't explain why this sense of alertness kept resurfacing, especially at this moment when the operation was about to commence. The Light Activation Project appeared to be merely a scientific expedition, yet a part of him insisted that this mission was far more complicated than it seemed. Whenever he tried to relax, that instinct would reemerge, reminding him that some danger he had yet to fully comprehend was approaching.
He exhaled softly, his gaze drifting out the window toward the endless blue sky and white clouds. The steady flight of the plane offered a semblance of safety, but Jonas's heart remained taut, as if bracing for an unpredictable crisis at any moment.
Perhaps it was fear of the unknown or an instinctive aversion to this operation; Jonas couldn't be sure. But he knew he could not ignore this feeling. This unease felt like an ominous omen, urging him to stay vigilant—no matter what awaited him ahead, he could not afford to let his guard down.
The plane continued its smooth journey above the clouds, but Jonas's mind was engulfed by that invisible pressure. He understood that this trip would not merely be a simple adventure; it would thoroughly test every ounce of his intuition and experience, leading him into a realm filled with uncertainty. He could only prepare himself for each challenge ahead and do everything possible to protect his team.
In contrast to Jonas's inner turmoil, the other team members appeared much calmer, even somewhat relaxed. Especially Samuel, whose demeanor resembled that of someone on a routine business trip. At that moment, he eagerly called for the flight attendant and ordered a cold beer, sipping it while engrossed in his tablet, seemingly unconcerned about the impending mission. Samuel's expression radiated youthful fearlessness and confidence.
Watching this scene unfold, Jonas shook his head helplessly, feeling a twinge of worry about Samuel's attitude. He knew that this mission was far more complex than it appeared on the surface; Samuel's recklessness could become a fatal weakness when danger struck. Jonas had seen too many examples of those who lacked sufficient caution towards risks often paying a heavy price in crises.
Just as Jonas pondered these thoughts, a hearty laugh erupted beside him. Raymond sat next to him, playing poker with several hired soldiers. At that moment, Raymond excitedly raised his hand with cards displayed triumphantly on his face and shouted loudly, "Straight flush! Bet you didn't see that coming!"
Raymond's laughter echoed in the cramped cabin, drawing attention from those around them. His unabashed joy and confidence stood in stark contrast to Jonas's caution. For Raymond, this mission might just be another challenge worth taking on rather than a life-or-death adventure.
Jonas looked at Raymond and felt slightly more at ease; Raymond had always been like this—able to find lighthearted ways to cope with any situation. This optimistic mindset might be one reason he had survived on the battlefield for so long. Yet even so, Jonas maintained his vigilance. He knew that everyone involved in this operation had their own methods for dealing with pressure, but he also understood that once they fell into perilous circumstances, those calm facades could shatter in an instant.
Raymond gleefully accepted the winnings he had just earned, laughing as he spread the bills out to count them. Then, he casually pulled out a bill and stuffed it into Jonas's hand. With a grin, he said, "Come on, boss, don’t always wear that serious face. Relax a bit! Let’s play some cards to pass the time; who knows, maybe your luck will change too."
Jonas glanced down at the cash in his hand, unable to suppress a wry smile. Raymond was always like this; no matter how tense the situation was, he could find a way to lighten the mood for himself and those around him. Just then, a mercenary who had just lost a bet threw up his hands in resignation and said, "I've had enough. I'm out this round. You guys play; I need to catch my breath."
Looking at Raymond's eager expression and then at the chaotic card game on the table, Jonas pondered quietly. The plane was still flying smoothly, and there was some time before their mission began. Rather than sitting here lost in thought, it might be better to join them and take a moment to unwind. The challenges they would face in this mission were unpredictable, but a little relaxation before the real action started wouldn’t hurt.
Jonas shrugged and finally nodded in agreement. "Alright then, since there's nothing else to do right now, let’s play a round."
Upon hearing Jonas's response, Raymond's eyes sparkled with triumph as he quickly tidied up the card game to make space for Jonas. Jonas sat down and took the cards Raymond handed him, beginning to shuffle them skillfully. As the playing cards flipped back and forth in his hands, he felt that unsettling emotion being temporarily pushed down inside him. The sound of the airplane's engines continued to roar steadily, and the atmosphere in the cabin lightened somewhat due to this impromptu card game.
Raymond chuckled, "That's more like it, boss! Just relax; maybe we'll hit it big this time." Jonas nodded lightly. Although he still felt some worry in his heart, he decided to set aside those complicated thoughts for now and focus on this friendly match. Perhaps this was exactly what he needed—some time to breathe before the real challenges arrived.
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