The calm that had settled over the resistance camp after the raid was short-lived. By the third day, news began to spread—rumors whispered among the camp's members, passed in hurried conversations and exchanged glances. Valtoria was preparing to retaliate.
Enno sat with Senna and a few of the other key resistance leaders in the central tent. The atmosphere was tense, thick with unspoken fears. The raid had been a success, but it had also drawn Valtoria's attention in a way that few had anticipated. Now, they were all waiting for the hammer to fall.
"I've had word from our scouts," said Daron, one of the more experienced fighters. His face was lined with worry. "Valtoria's enforcers are mobilizing. They've been seen gathering at several key points around the city's base. It looks like they're preparing for something big."
"They're going to come after us," Senna said, her voice flat and without surprise. "We hit them hard, and now they're going to hit back. We knew this was coming."
Enno remained silent, his mind racing through possible scenarios. The resistance had always operated in the shadows, striking at small, strategic targets. But the raid on the energy station had been different. It had been a bold move, one that had shaken Valtoria's confidence. But now, it had exposed them.
"What do we know about their movements?" Enno finally asked, breaking the silence.
Daron glanced at the map laid out on the table, tracing his finger along the pathways that led from Valtoria to the outskirts. "They've increased patrols along the main routes. There are checkpoints at every major junction. But that's not the worst of it. There are rumors they're mobilizing their drones and deploying heavy armor."
Senna's expression hardened. "They're not just coming after us—they're planning to crush us."
The room fell silent as everyone processed the gravity of the situation. Enno could feel the weight of their mission pressing down on him. The raid had been a blow to Valtoria, but now it seemed like it had been a signal for all-out war.
"We need to relocate the camp," one of the other leaders suggested, his voice filled with anxiety. "If they find us here, we're finished."
"We can't keep running forever," Senna replied, her tone sharp. "Moving the camp buys us time, but it won't stop them. Sooner or later, we have to stand and fight."
Enno met her gaze across the table. He understood her determination, but he also knew they were not ready for an all-out battle. The resistance was growing, but they were still outmatched in terms of resources and firepower. Running might not be the solution, but neither was rushing into a fight they couldn't win.
"What if we hit them first?" Enno suggested, his voice steady. "They're expecting us to hide, to retreat. But if we strike before they can mobilize fully, we might be able to throw them off balance."
Senna's eyes flickered with interest. "You're proposing another raid?"
Enno nodded. "Something quick, something that disrupts their preparations. We can't face them head-on, but we can slow them down."
Daron frowned. "That's risky. We've just pulled off one raid. Doing it again so soon could expose us even more."
"It's already risky," Senna countered. "If we wait too long, they'll come at us with full force. A preemptive strike might be our only chance to weaken them."
The room grew quiet again as the leaders considered their options. Enno could see the tension in their faces, the doubt. But he also saw something else—resolve. They were all scared, but they were willing to fight. They had no choice.
"Alright," Senna said, her voice firm. "We'll plan a strike. But it has to be fast. We hit them and get out before they know what's happening."
Enno nodded, feeling a strange sense of calm settle over him. The decision had been made. Now, it was just a matter of execution.
The Plan Unfolds
The next few hours were spent mapping out the details of the strike. The target would be one of Valtoria's main supply depots located near the base of the city. It was heavily guarded, but taking it out would disrupt their ability to resupply their forces for a time.
Enno and Senna worked closely together, discussing tactics and potential escape routes. It felt familiar, almost routine, but the stakes were higher than ever. As they finalized the plan, Enno couldn't help but notice the fatigue in Senna's eyes. She had been carrying the weight of the resistance for so long, and every decision seemed to wear on her a little more.
"You should rest," Enno said, his tone softer than usual.
Senna looked up from the map, her brow furrowed. "Rest? Now?"
Enno smiled slightly. "You can't lead if you're half dead. I'll handle the final preparations."
For a moment, it looked like Senna might argue, but then she sighed and leaned back in her chair. "You're right. But just for an hour."
Enno nodded. "That's more than enough."
As Senna left the tent, Enno turned his attention back to the map. The supply depot was a high-value target, but it wouldn't be an easy one. They would need to move fast, hit hard, and vanish before Valtoria's forces could respond. He knew they were playing a dangerous game, but there was no other option.
The Storm on the Horizon
By the time Senna returned, the camp was buzzing with activity. The strike team had been selected, their gear prepared, and the rest of the camp was on high alert, ready to pack up and move if things went south.
Enno stood by the entrance to the tent, watching as the team gathered. Each member was focused, their faces set with determination. They all knew what was at stake. The strike would either buy them more time or seal their fate.
Senna stepped up beside him, her expression unreadable. "We're ready."
Enno nodded. "Then let's move."
The team departed under the cover of night, their movements silent and efficient. Enno felt the familiar rush of adrenaline as they approached the depot, the outline of Valtoria looming in the distance like a dark shadow against the stars.
They reached the outskirts of the depot without incident, crouching low behind a ridge that overlooked the complex. The supply depot was lit by harsh spotlights, and enforcers patrolled the perimeter in groups.
"Looks tighter than expected," one of the team members whispered, his voice tense.
Senna frowned as she surveyed the area. "We'll need a distraction to draw the enforcers away from the main entrance."
"I'll take care of it," Enno volunteered, already scanning the area for potential weak points.
Senna shot him a look. "Don't take unnecessary risks."
Enno smirked. "Risks are part of the job."
Before she could respond, Enno was already on the move. He slipped through the shadows, keeping low to the ground as he made his way toward a nearby storage unit. His heart pounded in his chest as he rigged a small explosive charge to the base of the unit, setting the timer for a quick detonation.
The explosion wasn't large, but it was enough to send the enforcers scrambling toward the source of the noise. Enno watched from the shadows as the guards moved away from the entrance, leaving it exposed.
"Now," he whispered into his comm.
Senna and the rest of the team moved quickly, slipping through the gap in the patrol and making their way inside the depot. Enno followed, staying close to the walls as they navigated the narrow corridors of the supply depot.
A Surprise Encounter
Just as they reached the main storage area, something went wrong. Enno sensed it before it happened—the tension in the air, the sudden stillness.
A door swung open at the far end of the room, and a group of enforcers stepped through, their weapons raised.
"Ambush!" someone shouted, but it was already too late.
Gunfire erupted, and the team scattered for cover. Enno's pulse raced as he fired back, his thoughts racing. This wasn't supposed to happen. How had Valtoria known they were coming?
"Fall back!" Senna's voice cut through the chaos. "We need to get out of here!"
But the enforcers were closing in fast, and escape routes were disappearing by the second. Enno ducked behind a stack of crates, his mind racing. They were trapped.
"Enno!" Senna shouted, her voice desperate. "We need a way out!"
Enno scanned the room, looking for anything—any way to get his team out of this mess. His eyes landed on a nearby control panel, the system that controlled the depot's heavy blast doors. If he could trigger it, he might be able to close the doors long enough to buy them time.
Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the panel, dodging bullets as he moved. His fingers flew across the controls, and with a loud clang, the doors began to close.
"Move!" Enno yelled, and the team rushed through the narrowing gap just as the doors slammed shut behind them.
They ran through the depot, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as they made their escape. The mission had gone sideways, but they had survived. For now.