Caden's phone went off loud enough to snap him out of sleep.
Meeting Room 30. Now.
He didn't even think, just moved. Threw on his gear, barely fixed his hair, and jogged through the halls of HQ, still waking up as he reached the door. He pushed it open and stepped inside.
Steel. Stark. And The Lion.
Three Vanguard members. Two Greats.
Caden straightened instantly.
Optimus stood near the front, arms crossed. "Good, you made it."
He didn't waste time.
"The original mission's reassigned. New one just came in." His tone sharpened. "Industrial planet. Snow mountains. Ore transport train getting hijacked, workers and resources onboard. You've got ten minutes."
A beat.
"Move."
They were already running before he finished speaking.
Straight to the hangar. No delays.
Steel pointed toward a sleek, heavy-built ship. "We're taking mine."
No one argued.
They boarded fast, engines roaring to life almost immediately as the ship lifted and shot out into space.
Mid-flight, Caden finally had a second to breathe.
The Lion stood across from him, tall, calm, his green-and-gold armor catching the light. The helmet gave him a regal, almost ancient presence.
"Name's Lion," he said simply. "Steel trained me."
Caden nodded. "Caden."
Lion tilted his head slightly. "I don't use weapons. Just Kia and hands."
Caden gave a small grin. "I use… pretty much everything else."
From the front, Stark chuckled. "You'll fit right in."
Then his voice shifted. "We're coming up."
The train came into view, cutting through snow-covered mountains at high speed. Wind howled around it, ice kicking up from the tracks.
And demons,
Already swarming it.
"Jump!" Stark called.
They hit the train from above.
Boots slammed against metal as freezing wind tore past them. Snow whipped through the air, making it hard to see, harder to breathe.
Caden didn't hesitate, he dropped inside through the nearest hatch.
Workers froze when they saw him.
"Everyone stay calm, " Caden started.
"WATCH OUT!"
A demon slammed into him from behind, sending him crashing forward. He rolled, firing instinctively, rounds tearing into the creature until it dropped.
Caden got back up fast, locking the rear door and checking the windows.
"Stay down!" he shouted to the workers. "I've got you!"
Outside,
Steel and Stark were already in motion, cutting through demons with precision. The Lion dropped in beside them, no weapon, just raw power. Every strike sent demons flying off the train like they weighed nothing.
More demons appeared from the front.
Gunfire erupted.
Inside, Caden moved fast between train cars, clearing each one.
One demon got too close, grabbing him, forcing him back.
For a split second, Caden struggled.
Then he reacted.
He drove his blade forward, clean, direct, ending it instantly.
He stepped back, breathing heavier now.
"…Keep moving."
By the time he reached the front, the others were already there.
Steel and Stark had forced their way to the engine, securing control while holding off the last of the attackers.
The train slowed slightly.
Caden stepped in beside them just as the final demon dropped.
For a moment,
Silence.
Just the sound of wind and metal.
The Lion stretched his shoulders, like it was nothing. "Not bad."
He looked at Caden. "Good start."
Caden exhaled, finally letting the tension drop.
"…Yeah," he muttered. "Guess so."
Steel laughed. "That's one way to wake up."
Stark shook his head, smiling. "And it's not even noon yet."
They secured the train and handed it off to local forces before heading back.
Back at HQ, as they stepped off the ship, Steel walked up beside Caden.
"Didn't think you'd clear the inside solo," he admitted. "That was solid."
Caden gave a tired half-smile. "Appreciate it."
Steel clapped him on the shoulder.
"Don't get too comfortable though."
Caden frowned slightly. "Why?"
Steel grinned.
"Full Vanguard training later today."
Stark laughed behind him.
"Welcome to the real job."