Returning to the Reclaimer base with Marcus's artifact and valuable information about Drake's network, Leo and his team were greeted with mixed reactions. The council was pleased to see them back safely, but questions arose about their methods and the risk they'd taken by making deals with outsiders.
Cassandra, the head of the council, called an emergency meeting with Leo, Sofia, Owen, and Evelyn. Marcus was allowed to stay, but he had to be heavily guarded—his reputation among the Reclaimers was far from pristine.
"You took a significant risk, Sofia," Cassandra said, her stern gaze focused on the artifact in Marcus's possession. "Dealing with someone like Marcus could have jeopardized the entire Reclaimer operation."
"We needed information," Sofia replied, her tone steady. "Drake's allies are getting bolder, and the council's sources weren't yielding results. Marcus provided us with critical intel, and without it, we wouldn't have found the hidden fortress."
