Tests of Xibalba [Part 1]

“So, um, what am I supposed to do exactly?” Izel asked, huddled in the back of a tech heavy Van: Outfitted with various screens and monitors, dozens of wires, and a couple of compartments that also function as seats for the passengers in the back.

Izel looked at Espectro, expecting him to answer the question. However, Izel clearly forgot that Espectro is a man of little words. A fixed gaze hidden behind that mask of his, only willing to display his expressionless eyes, perfectly positioned corners of the eyeholes of the balaclava. Both bobbing slightly, in a rhythmic motion as the van moves through the city to their destination.

“Water boy.” Tenoch cackled.

“Sorry, Izel, just hang tight while we do this job.” Yollohtli mentioned, in the passenger seat of the van.

“If you want something to do, I’m sure there is something we can have you do.” Chima mentioned with a smile.

“I mean, sure… But I can just do some school work if it's not really needed.” Izel remarked.

“Hmm…” Chima pondered an idea, placing his hand on his chin. “Alright, how about this.” He got up, and gestured to Izel. “So these are the monitoring equipment we use to show our vitals and this displays nearby MicroNet traffic. With some other stuff… Just keep an eye on each of our brain activity, and if one of ours spikes, then quickly tell Yollohtli, okay?” He finished, pointing at the mundane yet efficient monitors.

“Okay, I can do that. I can probably do homework too.” Izel remarked, studying the screen. “I have to put together a make-up presentation for the day that I was forced to skip.” He then groaned.

“Excellent! What an idea!” Chima smiled, showing off his pearly white teeth. “What will you be working on, if you don’t mind?” He added.

“Oh, I have to give a speculative presentation on what are some potential outcomes of World War 2 if we focused on Nuclear Weaponry instead of AI.” Izel stated as he then pulled out a laptop to prepare his school work.

“Sounds! Boring as hell!” Cash interrupted to pronounce her opinion, quickly followed by Izel rolling his eyes in annoyance. “Chima, Tenoch, Espectro! We’re about to arrive!” She then shouted to the Team in the back of the van.

“Haha, heard!” Chima remarked with a chuckle. “Ready, boys?” He then asked Tenoch and Espectro.

“You know it.” Tenoch grinned, exhaling a heavy cloud of smoke, along with a prompt nod from Espectro.

“So how long do these take?” Izel asked with curiosity.

“Well, if we’re correct about the location of the target, then it should only take 13 minutes to get to them and 13 minutes to get back.” Chima explained. “I’d say about 30 minutes total.” He then smiled with confidence.

“As long as you don’t get sentimental like last time.” Tenoch grimaced at Chima with delight, recalling a previous job.

“Oh, shut it, we still finished everything in the job, on time.” Chima remarked with a huff.

“Ya see this vicious beast is actually a water down teddy bear.” Tenoch mentioned with the same delightful grimace as he turned to Izel. “Our boy did some time in the military but was discharged for being too nice, hehe.” He then chuckled.

“That’s not what happened!” Chima snarled slightly. “There was just a disagreement with the chain of command is all.” He then defended.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.” Tenoch smiled once more before exiting the van.

“Alright, everyone, this should be a pretty easy one. Just stick to the plan and we’ll have an easy day.” Yollohtli soon announced as Cash and Espectro stepped out of the van. “Once you confirm the target, activate the jamming devices as you leave the building, considering the target’s high-priority, we can’t let anyone else know our whereabouts until their safe return. Any questions.” They then asked.

Chima, Espectro, Cash, and Tenoch nodded in understanding of the assignment with the team’s signature ‘Heard’ in recognition. Fully suited up with sharp weaponry and finely crafted stealth gear that is also cleverly crafted for surprise combat. While Yollohtli and Izel stayed in the van. The Team quietly rushed to the back of the target building, helpfully covered by the dark of night along with the blinding shadows of the city lights.

“Alright, here we go.” Yollohtli mentioned sitting in the back of the van to monitor the Team. “Izel, take a glance at the monitors with everyone’s POVs, and if something odd pops up, let me know.” They then asked of Izel.

“Yeah…” Izel confirmed. “30 minutes.” He then mumbled to himself.

The team quickly ran to the planned position to access the building, located in the back. Cash then placed a device over the digital scanner of the door. Within moments the door was open, and the team promptly rushed into the building, quickly checking every corner and upper areas of the room they entered. Once the area was confirmed to be cleared they communicated with one another by Thought Phone. Seamlessly communicating with every step, directing in prompt callouts on where to turn and what doors to go into.

“Clear.” Cash ran stealthily to the edge of a corridor in the first levels of the building.

“Heard. Moving in.” Chima responded, to then direct the others to move forward.

After several instructions of careful movements, the Team made it to a secret passageway to the lower floors of the building. Overriding the countless security cameras for just enough time for the Team to sneak to the next rest spot, making little use of the aggressive actions with any patrol drones or other guards. With a few more careful and concise actions, the Team was eventually led to an expansive area with a low enough ceiling for semi trucks shipping containers to fit in, completely filled with them.

“Never ceases to amaze me how many of these underground structures are still being built.” Chima mentioned with a scoff.

“Well, ya gotta do your shady shit somewhere, hah-heh.” Tenoch cackled in everyone's head.

“I’ve got the signal location of the target. Head north, they should be in the last container.” Yollohtli guided.

Within moments the Team reached the container with the target, hitting the mark in just over 13 minutes. Swiftly removing the heavy doors of the container revealing several individuals inside, bound in some way.

“Uh, is an ‘Abel Hernández’ in here?” Tenoch announced, reading the name off of his phone.

“Uh, that’s me.” One young man spoke up meekly.

“You're coming with us, dad’s orders, heheh.” Tenoch chuckled in a devious manner. To then destroy Abel Hernández’s bonds, releasing him, to then be handed to Chima for safety.