The night air was cool and still, carrying with it a tension that weighed heavily on the resistance camp. As Enno and the others prepared to move out, the rustle of gear and quiet whispers were the only sounds. Everyone knew the risks—they had all seen what Valtoria's enforcers were capable of—but tonight wasn't just another raid. It was a chance to strike at the city's heart, to send a message that the people below would not remain silent forever.
Enno moved through the camp, his gaze shifting between the faces of the resistance fighters. They were a motley crew—former engineers, laborers, and even a few who had once served the city. Each had their own reason for joining, their own story of loss, pain, or anger. And each of them carried a quiet determination that was almost palpable in the dark.
Senna stood at the edge of the camp, her figure barely visible against the backdrop of the towering cliffs. She was focused, her eyes scanning the horizon as if she could already see the path they would take. Enno approached her, the familiar weight of his gear resting against his body.
"We move in ten," Senna said without turning, her voice low and steady. "Scouts report minimal activity near the energy station. If we're quick, we'll be in and out before they can react."
Enno nodded, though his mind was already racing ahead. The energy station was one of Valtoria's key power sources, feeding electricity into the lower districts where the workers toiled endlessly. Disrupting it wouldn't cripple the city, but it would create chaos—enough to stir unrest and buy them time.
"You seem distant," Senna remarked, finally turning to face him. Her sharp gaze met his, and for a moment, Enno wondered how she could always read him so easily.
"Just thinking about how this could go wrong," he admitted, his voice tight. "They're not going to ignore something like this. Once we hit them, we'll be on their radar. Permanently."
Senna crossed her arms, her expression softening slightly. "We've been on their radar for a while now. This just makes it official. Besides, what choice do we have? We need to hit them where it hurts, or we'll be stuck running forever."
Enno exhaled slowly, the weight of her words settling over him. She was right, of course. They had no other options. Valtoria's hold on the people was tightening every day, and if they didn't start fighting back now, there might not be another chance.
"Let's do it," he said, his voice firm. "It's time they know we're not afraid."
Senna gave a brief nod and turned to the others. "Alright, everyone. This is it. We move in two teams. Enno, you'll lead the second group. Our goal is the main grid control room. Once we're inside, take out the security systems and shut down the generators. We'll have less than ten minutes before the backup power kicks in, so we need to move fast."
The resistance fighters gathered their weapons, tension thickening the air as they prepared for what could be their most dangerous mission yet. Enno could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, sharpening his focus. It was time.
The Descent into Valtoria
The journey to the energy station was a silent one. Moving through the dense forest and rocky terrain that surrounded the cliffs, Enno's group followed the narrow paths that led down toward the outskirts of Valtoria's lower districts. In the distance, the city's lights flickered against the night sky, a constant reminder of the power it wielded over them.
As they descended, Enno's thoughts drifted back to the life he had left behind in the city. The narrow streets, the towering buildings, and the endless hum of machinery—he had once found comfort in the predictability of it all. But now, those memories were tainted by the loss of Aelia, by the knowledge that the city had taken her from him, just as it had taken so much from so many others.
"Stay focused," Senna whispered from ahead, pulling him from his thoughts. Her voice was barely audible, but it carried a sharp edge of command.
Enno adjusted his grip on his weapon and forced himself to push the memories aside. There would be time to remember later—if they survived the night.
They reached the outskirts of the city, where the towering concrete walls of the energy station loomed before them. The structure was massive, its industrial design a stark contrast to the elegant spires of the upper districts. The hum of electricity buzzed faintly in the air, a reminder of the power that flowed through these walls and into every corner of Valtoria.
Senna raised a hand, signaling the group to stop. "We're here. Enno, take your team around to the west entrance. We'll hit them from both sides."
Enno nodded, gesturing for his group to follow him as they moved silently along the perimeter of the station. The tension was almost suffocating as they approached the entrance, the quiet punctuated only by the occasional shuffle of feet or the click of a weapon being adjusted.
Breaking In
The west entrance was guarded, but lightly. Two enforcers stood watch, their attention more focused on their surroundings than on any potential threat. They clearly didn't expect an attack this deep in Valtoria's territory.
Enno raised his hand, signaling for his team to wait. He crept forward, his heart pounding in his chest as he closed the distance between him and the guards. With practiced precision, he struck—his blade catching the first enforcer by surprise, silencing him before he could react. The second guard barely had time to turn before he too was taken down.
"Move," Enno whispered to his team, and they quickly slipped inside the station.
The interior of the station was a labyrinth of metal corridors, humming generators, and flickering lights. The air was thick with the smell of oil and electricity, the sound of machinery echoing off the walls. Enno led the way, his senses heightened, every step calculated as they made their way deeper into the facility.
"Grid control room should be ahead," one of his team members whispered, his voice barely audible.
Enno nodded, signaling for them to move quickly. They didn't have much time before the station's security systems would pick up on the breach.
As they approached the control room, Enno's thoughts once again drifted to Aelia. He couldn't help but wonder what she would think of him now, of the choices he had made. Would she have approved of this fight? Or would she have begged him to walk away, to find another way? The thought of her haunted him, driving him forward even as it tore at him inside.
"Focus," he reminded himself, shaking the thoughts away.
They reached the control room door, and Enno motioned for his team to stand back. He placed a small explosive charge on the door's locking mechanism, stepping back as the device clicked and whirred. There was a soft pop as the lock disengaged, and Enno pushed the door open.
Inside, the room was filled with monitors and control panels, the heart of the energy station's operations. Two technicians sat at the controls, their faces turning to shock as they saw the intruders.
Before they could react, Enno's team moved in, subduing them and taking control of the room.
"We're in," Enno said into his comm. "Shutting down the grid now."