Ben remained back at the base, watching the scene unfold through the surveillance feed on his monitor, a faint glow illuminating his otherwise shadowed office. He had positioned covert cameras around their target sites, a habit formed from years of caution and mistrust—especially when testing new recruits like tonight. He leaned forward, eyes narrowed as the screen displayed Mia briefing her team outside the smaller branch of the heroes league.
He studied her closely, watching the way she kept her voice low, her gaze stern as she gave instructions to the recruits. Her body language revealed a subtle tension—the tapping of her finger on her elbow, a small habit he hadn’t seen before. It suggested a level of anxiety she was otherwise trying to mask. Interesting, he thought.
The recruits looked uneasy, some more hesitant than others, but they followed her lead. Ben observed as Mia laid out the plan, her tone leaving no room for discussion. Her command over the group was apparent, and while she was clearly in control, he could see the doubts lingering on a few faces. It was a tricky balance she was playing—asserting dominance without overstepping, maintaining their trust while keeping her own secrets.
He watched as she led them to the vent, effortlessly bending the metal grate aside with her touch. As she ushered the recruits inside, Ben’s gaze sharpened. There was something almost methodical about the way she moved, too precise for someone just following orders. She was careful, strategic—traits that made her useful but also dangerous if her loyalty wavered.
Ben leaned back in his chair, folding his arms as the screen switched to a different angle, showing the recruits disappearing into the vent behind her. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Mia had her own agenda, but for now, she was doing exactly what he needed. Whether she was truly loyal or playing a longer game, he would soon find out. And he would be ready either way.