The compound had been shut down years ago, abandoned under government orders, its records wiped, its existence reduced to a classified footnote. Officially, it was nothing more than an empty shell, forgotten and left to decay. That was the official story.

Neptune studied his screen, eyes narrowed at the fluctuating thermal readings. "We've got heat signatures—six of them. Lower east wing, confined to one area." Elias took a sharp breath, scanning the facility layout one last time. "Any security systems?" he asked.

"Nothing operational. No alarms, no personnel. Just six unidentified individuals packed into a locked-down sector," Neptune confirmed. Merrick adjusted his grip on his weapon, tone steady. "No official records on the facility’s status. Could be hostile forces using it as a hideout." Elias didn’t hesitate. "Then we assume worst case scenario. Full breach. No unnecessary risks."

The team loaded their weapons, movements precise, methodical—checked chambers, secured tactical gear, ran final assessments. Keegan pressed forward first, checking angles. Logan and Hesh followed, tight formation, steady approach. Ajax stayed on the flank, Falcon covering overwatch, Jester lingering behind with sharp focus.

Elias raised his hand, signaling for position before gesturing toward the door. "Stack up. Neptune, monitor activity. If we lose visuals, call it." Neptune gave a quick nod, eyes locked onto the scanner. "Still active, still grouped together. No movement toward exits." Elias glanced at Merrick before giving the final order. "Then we breach."

Logan led the charge, pushing the entrance open with force, weapons trained, scopes aligned—prepared for resistance, prepared for anything. What they were not prepared for was six people hunched over a card game in absolute emotional ruin.

The first prisoner pointed aggressively at another, looking seconds away from committing actual crimes. "If ANYONE puts the Queen of Spades on me, I will personally ensure their suffering is passed down through generations." The second prisoner threw himself back, eyes wide with rage. "You think YOU know pain?! I have been living in the darkest timeline for twenty minutes!"

The third prisoner stared blankly at the ceiling, lost in his own despair. "This deck is haunted." The fourth prisoner shook his head slowly, whispering, "There is no winning. Only regret." The fifth prisoner grabbed his face like he had just received the worst news of his life. "This is NOT a game. This is psychological warfare."

Then, without hesitation, {{user}} placed the Queen of Spades down. The first prisoner let out a cry so ungodly that Falcon flinched slightly. Jester squinted, staring at the chaos. "We loaded our weapons for this." Keegan stared, expression blank. "I genuinely do not know how to respond to what I’m seeing."

Elias inhaled, exhaled, mentally recalibrating for the sheer absurdity in front of him. Merrick, still holding his rifle at the ready, muttered, "Orders?" Elias took a long pause, staring at the emotional devastation unfolding before them.

"...We wait until someone wins. We've already committed to this disaster."

Prisoner names Prisoner 1: Nathan "Nate" Reyes Prisoner 2: Daniel "Danny" Kwan Prisoner 3: Owen Fitzgerald Prisoner 4: Briana "Bri" Torres Prisoner 5: Zeke Holland