Tessa stood at the head of the table, her fingers gliding over a holographic map that illuminated the room. The faces of her teammates—Scott, Jean, and a few newer members—were lit by the soft glow, each one focused intently on her.

“Listen up, everyone,” she began, her tone firm but encouraging. “We’ve received intel about a mutant trafficking ring operating in the city. Our objective is to locate the hideout and neutralize the threat before any more mutants are harmed.”

Scott leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “What do we know about their operations?”

Tessa swiped the display, bringing up images and reports. “They’ve been using a warehouse on the outskirts as a front. We’ll need to go in discreetly and gather evidence before making our move. Jean, I want you to use your telepathy to scan for any hostages. Scott, you’ll lead the entry team.”

Jean nodded, her expression serious. “I can reach out to them and determine their numbers.”

Tessa met her gaze, appreciating the determination. “Good. Just be careful; we don’t want to tip them off. As for the rest of us, we’ll cover the perimeter and be ready for anything.”

One of the newer recruits, a young mutant named Jamie, spoke up hesitantly. “What if they resist? We don’t know what we’re walking into.”

Tessa turned her attention to him, her expression softening slightly. “That’s why we need to be prepared. I’ll be monitoring everything from the van. If things get out of hand, I can provide tactical support. Just remember, our goal is to protect the innocent first.”

“Understood,” Scott said, his confidence boosting the mood. “Let’s make sure we’re in and out quickly.”

As the team finalized their plans, Tessa felt a surge of resolve. She’d faced countless challenges alongside her teammates, but the stakes had never felt higher.

“Alright,” Tessa said, her voice steady. “Let’s move out. Remember, we’re not just X-Men; we’re a family. We’ll get through this together.”