ZERO SHIFT

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, the forest around Unit Zero's headquarters filled with laughter and the sounds of the team's "Capture the Turkey" game. Josuke, clad in an oversized, ridiculous turkey costume, dashed through the trees with a look of intense focus on his face, dodging low branches and scrambling over rocks as Ace, Arthur, and the others pursued him with gleeful determination. Every few seconds, he'd glance back, narrowly avoiding Ace's hefty battle hammer, which swung with startling speed and force. Arthur, swift as ever, nearly caught him with a glinting blade, but Josuke managed to weave away just in time.

He could hear the others laughing, both at the game and at his costume, which fluttered comically as he ran. Hinata's precision shot from her crossbow grazed his costume, not aimed to hit him directly, but to slow him down. Her smirk as she lined up her shots told him she was enjoying the chase. Even Lily couldn't hide her amusement, occasionally calling out fake directions to throw him off.

Then, just as Josuke dodged another strike from Ace, Kyle held up a hand, signaling for everyone to stop. In the hush that followed, a soft, respectful voice broke through the trees. "Commander Kyle. Vice Commander Maya." A young ranger appeared behind them, looking slightly winded but composed. The messenger, named Mai, saluted with a slight bow, then stepped forward to address them.

Kyle, immediately sensing the change in atmosphere, turned to Mai with a slight nod. "What's the news, Mai?" he asked, his usual lighthearted tone now edged with seriousness.

"Commander, Vice Commander… we've discovered a cult group responsible for the recent surge in possessed criminals. They're planning a large-scale attack tonight," Mai explained, her voice steady but urgent.

The team listened intently as she continued, "My comrade and I stumbled upon one of their hideouts, but… they got him. He fought bravely, but there was no way out."

Kyle's gaze softened momentarily, and he gave a respectful nod. "May he rest in peace. We'll honor his sacrifice by making sure his information wasn't in vain."

Mai swallowed hard, her eyes shadowed. "There's one more thing, Commander. The elders have sent a summons. They're calling for all commanders and vice commanders to attend an emergency council meeting. They didn't give specifics, only that all Unit leaders are required to be present."

Kyle sighed, his usual playful demeanor gone. "Of course, it's always something with them," he muttered under his breath, though everyone could hear the frustration in his voice. He turned to Maya, who stood with arms crossed, expression unreadable.

"Alright, Mai, you're dismissed," Maya said, nodding at the young ranger. "Take the rest of the day to recover. You've earned it."

With a quick salute, Mai nodded, teleported away, leaving the team in silence.

Maya turned to Kyle. "So, what's the plan? The B-rank rangers are already out on missions, and the C-rank are still in training. The other Unit Zero rangers are in Soryu City on assignment."

Kyle sighed again, a touch of reluctance in his expression. "Looks like we're going to have to send these kids. Based on Mai's intel, tonight might be our only chance to intercept this cult. If we wait any longer, they could strike without warning, and we'd lose our lead."

Maya gave a slow nod, understanding the weight of his decision. "What about the council's summons?"

"We'll have to go," Kyle replied. "But we'll make it quick. Josuke, Ace, Arthur, Hinata, and Lily will go ahead. They'll need to keep a low profile and avoid unnecessary risks until we're back."

Kyle turned to the rest of the team, who had gathered around to listen, their expressions ranging from excitement to worry. He took a deep breath and addressed them, his voice carrying the weight of his command.

"Alright, listen up. You five are going in alone tonight," Kyle announced, meeting each of their eyes one by one. "There's a cult planning a large-scale attack. We don't know much, other than that they're likely responsible for the possessed criminals we've been dealing with. I need each of you to stay sharp, keep your heads down, and focus on gathering information. This isn't a full assault mission. Avoid direct confrontation unless necessary."

Josuke looked around at his teammates, his usual confidence tempered with a hint of apprehension. The team shared a moment of silent understanding, their expressions reflecting both readiness and respect for the dangers ahead.

"But, Josuke," Kyle added, a small smirk returning, "if you try anything like peeking into Hinata's room again, I'll send you into battle as the next turkey. Got it?"

Laughter rippled through the team, easing some of the tension. Hinata blushed slightly, but she gave Josuke a forgiving look. He grinned back sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Got it, Commander," Josuke replied, feeling a mix of embarrassment and appreciation for the camaraderie of his team.

With that, the team dispersed, each member heading to prepare their gear. The lighthearted energy had faded, replaced by the quiet, intense focus of rangers about to embark on a high-stakes mission.

As they prepared, Josuke couldn't shake the sense that this mission would be a defining moment, a trial that would either strengthen them as a team or test them beyond their limits. And as he tightened his gloves, he silently vowed to make sure each of them returned safely.