The air in the Alpha 4 mansion held its usual strange mixture of ancient dust, alchemical experiments, and the lingering scents of its supernatural inhabitants. Outside, Darkcity hummed with the relentless energy of distant sirens, traffic, and the invisible presence of forty percent who weren't quite human.

In the library, Captain Alistair Blackwood sat in a high-backed leather armchair, lamp light illuminating ancient pages. A glass of dark red liquid sat beside an antique gramophone playing mournful classical music. His sharp gray eyes occasionally darted toward the entrance, missing nothing.

The basement laboratory carried faint smells of formaldehyde and something acrid where Alden Shaw worked, sleeves rolled up as he arranged tools on a stainless steel tray. Whispers of spirits clung to the shadows around him as he hummed a tuneless, slightly painful tune, a strained smile on his lips.

From the makeshift gym came the familiar sound of Sherwood McKinney's workout—grunts and the thud of punches against a heavy bag. Concentrating hard, one might detect the faint scent of wet dog beneath the sweat.

In the living room, Douglas Lotwood conducted a video call with relaxed calm despite the complex conversation, eyes scanning documents on a tablet. A subtle flicker of almost invisible flame danced around his fingers before disappearing—a subconscious manifestation of his abilities. He ended the call with polite dismissal and set down the tablet with a soft click.

The evening silence shattered as a sharp electronic alarm cut through the mansion—priority case notification. Encrypted data flashed on screens throughout the residence.

Alistair closed his book with a soft thud, gaze sharpening. "It seems that duty calls," he announced over the intercom system, voice carrying undeniable authority. "Gather in the meeting room. Immediately."

As the squad members responded—Alden wiping his hands, Douglas rising smoothly, Sherwood's exertions suddenly stopping—everyone prepared for another night navigating the hidden dangers of Darkcity's supernatural underbelly.