Chapter 42: The Alliance
The Crimson Fang's leader, introduced as Tessa, leaned over a worn table covered in maps and diagrams of Nexus installations. The maps were scrawled with notes, their edges torn and stained from years of use. She traced her finger along a marked route leading into Zone Gamma, her sharp eyes never leaving Victor's face.
"This is where Nexus has been consolidating their experimental tech," Tessa said. "They've fortified it heavily—drones, automated turrets, you name it. But they've also been sloppy. Their supply routes are predictable, and their eastern perimeter is weak."
Victor studied the map closely, nodding. "How long have you been monitoring this facility?"
"Long enough to know they're hiding something big," Tessa replied. "But we haven't had the manpower to hit it. Not without losing more people than it's worth."
Lex leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "What kind of experimental tech are we talking about? Weapons? AI?"
Tessa smirked. "Your guess is as good as mine. But if Nexus is guarding it this heavily, it's important. And if it's important to them, it's dangerous for us."
Marcus crossed his arms, his skeptical gaze fixed on Tessa. "So why share this intel with us? What's stopping you from taking the credit and leaving us in the dirt?"
Tessa's expression hardened. "Because we're not stupid. We know we need you as much as you need us. You've got skills we don't. That depot stunt in Sector Delta? That's proof enough."
Victor straightened, his posture commanding. "Then we have a deal. We'll work together to take out the facility, but we need full access to your data and resources."
Tessa laughed softly. "You don't waste time, do you?" She extended a hand. "Fine. But if you double-cross us, don't expect to walk out of here."
Victor shook her hand without hesitation. "We won't."
The Crimson Fang's camp buzzed with activity as preparations for the assault began. Mercenaries moved between makeshift armories and planning stations, their conversations a mix of rough camaraderie and grim determination. Adam couldn't help but feel out of place among the hardened fighters, their scarred faces and battered armor a stark contrast to his own uncertainty.
Lex sat at a workstation piled high with salvaged tech, her fingers flying over a keyboard as she integrated the Fang's data into her system. "They've got good intel," she muttered, half to herself. "Weak points, patrol schedules, even schematics for the facility's defenses. This might actually work."
Adam stood nearby, his thoughts swirling. He glanced at the system interface in his peripheral vision. "System, what's the success rate for this mission?"
<ANALYZING... PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS: 42%. CONDITIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT: OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INTELLIGENCE ON FACILITY INTERIOR AND REINFORCE STRATEGIC PLANNING. WARNING: HIGH RISK OF CASUALTIES.>
Adam's chest tightened. Forty-two percent wasn't great, and the mention of casualties made his stomach churn. He relayed the information to Lex, who frowned but kept working.
"We'll bump that number up," she said. "We always do."
Victor and Tessa stood near the camp's central fire, going over the final plan. Marcus sharpened his knife nearby, occasionally chiming in with sarcastic remarks.
"We'll split into two teams," Victor explained. "One team creates a diversion on the western perimeter, drawing their forces away. The other team infiltrates through the eastern weak point and takes out the core operations."
"I'll lead the diversion," Tessa said. "My people know how to raise hell."
Victor nodded. "Good. I'll take Adam, Lex, and Marcus through the eastern side. We'll focus on disabling the facility's defenses and retrieving any critical intel."
Marcus grinned. "So, the loud team and the sneaky team. I know which one I'd rather be on."
Tessa shot him a sharp look. "Let's hope you're as good at sneaking as you are at running your mouth."
As dawn approached, the camp grew quieter. Fighters double-checked their weapons, loaded supplies, and exchanged quiet words. Adam found himself staring at the horizon, the weight of the upcoming mission pressing heavily on his shoulders.
Victor approached, his expression unreadable. "You ready?"
Adam hesitated before nodding. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Victor placed a hand on his shoulder. "You've come a long way, Adam. You'll do fine."
The words offered some comfort, but Adam couldn't shake the gnawing doubt in his mind.
"System," he whispered, "what's the best way to minimize casualties during this mission?"
<RECOMMENDATION: PRIORITIZE DISABLING DEFENSE SYSTEMS BEFORE ENGAGING ENEMY FORCES. UTILIZE DIVERSION TEAM TO MAXIMIZE CONFUSION. RELAY CRITICAL UPDATES IN REAL TIME.>
Adam took a deep breath. He could do this. He had to.
The mission began under the cover of predawn shadows. Tessa's team moved west, their movements swift and purposeful. Explosions and gunfire soon echoed in the distance, signaling the start of the diversion.
Victor led the infiltration team through a narrow ravine, their footsteps silent on the rocky ground. The eastern perimeter loomed ahead, a stretch of fence lined with cameras and motion sensors.
Lex crouched beside a terminal embedded in the rock wall, her hands moving deftly as she hacked into the system. Sparks flared briefly, and the cameras went dark.
"You're clear," she whispered.
The team slipped through the fence, their movements precise and coordinated. Adam's heart pounded as they entered the facility grounds, the sleek buildings illuminated by harsh floodlights.
"System," Adam whispered, "how many guards are in this sector?"
<HOSTILES DETECTED: SEVEN. LOCATIONS: PATROLLING MAIN WALKWAY AND STORAGE AREAS. RECOMMENDATION: AVOID DIRECT ENGAGEMENT.>
Victor gestured for the group to take cover behind a stack of crates as a pair of guards passed by. Adam held his breath, his grip on his weapon tightening.
When the guards were gone, the team moved toward the main building. Lex worked quickly to bypass the door's security system, her muttered curses punctuated by the occasional beep of success.
The door hissed open, revealing a dimly lit hallway. Victor led the way, his rifle at the ready.
"Stay close," he said. "This is where it gets tricky."
Inside the facility, the air was colder, carrying a faint metallic tang. The hum of machinery filled the halls, accompanied by the distant clatter of footsteps. The team moved carefully, avoiding cameras and patrols as they navigated the labyrinthine corridors.
They reached a central control room, its walls lined with monitors displaying security feeds and operational data. Lex plugged her tablet into the main terminal, her face illuminated by the screen's glow.
"This is it," she said. "Give me a few minutes to download everything."
Victor nodded, standing guard at the door. Marcus checked the room for supplies, his movements quick but thorough.
Adam hovered near Lex, his mind racing. "System, what's the most critical piece of intel in this facility?"
<IDENTIFYING... CRITICAL DATA LOCATED IN LAB SECTOR 3. CONTENTS: PROTOTYPE WEAPON DESIGN AND COMMAND STRATEGY. RECOMMENDATION: RETRIEVE AND EXFILTRATE IMMEDIATELY.>
Adam relayed the information, and Victor's expression darkened. "Lab Sector 3. We'll hit it after this."
Lex glanced up. "Just let me finish here first. And keep those guards off my back."
As the minutes ticked by, the tension grew. Adam knew this mission was far from over—and the hardest part was yet to come.