Chapter 46: Shadows in Zone Epsilon
The journey to Zone Epsilon was grueling. The land changed drastically as the group moved away from the lush forests and into a barren, desolate stretch of terrain. The ground was cracked and dry, the sparse vegetation little more than brittle shrubs clinging desperately to life. The air was heavy with dust, and the faint smell of chemicals hinted at Nexus's prior activity in the region.
Victor led the group, his pace steady and unyielding. The silence among them was broken only by the crunch of boots against the dry earth and the occasional gust of wind that carried particles of sand into their faces.
Lex adjusted her scarf, shielding her mouth and nose from the dust. "I hate this place already," she muttered. "Feels like the kind of place where bad things happen."
Marcus chuckled. "Everywhere we go, bad things happen. Why should this be any different?"
Adam walked quietly, his thoughts racing. The system's warnings about Zone Epsilon played over and over in his mind, and he couldn't shake the unease that settled in his chest. He glanced at the system interface, its faint glow a constant reminder of the weight he carried.
"System," Adam whispered, "what's the likelihood of encountering Nexus forces in Zone Epsilon?"
<SCANNING... HOSTILES DETECTED: MULTIPLE UNITS IN PERIMETER. PROBABILITY OF ENCOUNTER: 68%. RECOMMENDATION: UTILIZE NATURAL COVER TO AVOID DETECTION.>
Adam relayed the information to Victor, who nodded grimly. "We're walking into a trap," Victor said. "Keep low and stick to the rocks. If Nexus is here, they'll have scouts patrolling."
The group approached the outskirts of Zone Epsilon as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape. The barren terrain gave way to a massive construction site, illuminated by harsh floodlights that turned the area into a stark contrast of light and dark.
From their vantage point on a rocky hill, they could see Nexus soldiers moving in tight formations, their movements efficient and disciplined. In the center of the site stood a massive structure, its skeletal frame towering against the night sky. Trucks and drones buzzed around it like ants around a hive.
Lex peered through a pair of binoculars. "Looks like they're building something big. That doesn't scream 'bunker.' What do you think it is?"
Victor didn't answer immediately, his eyes fixed on the site. "Whatever it is, it's important enough for them to pour this many resources into it. We need to get inside and find out more."
Marcus shifted uncomfortably. "Getting inside that place is suicide. Look at all those guards. Not to mention the drones."
"System," Adam whispered, "what's the best way to infiltrate the Nexus facility?"
<RECOMMENDED ENTRY POINT: SOUTHWEST SERVICE TUNNEL. LOWEST GUARD DENSITY AND LIMITED SURVEILLANCE. RISK LEVEL: MODERATE. PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS: 54%.>
"There's a service tunnel on the southwest side," Adam said. "It's our best shot."
Victor nodded. "We'll approach from the west and move in once patrols shift. Lex, you'll handle the security overrides. Marcus, cover our exit. Adam, stay close to me."
The approach to the service tunnel was tense. The group moved under the cover of darkness, sticking close to the rocky outcrops that dotted the landscape. The distant hum of drones filled the air, their searchlights sweeping the ground methodically.
When they reached the tunnel entrance, Lex immediately got to work, her fingers flying over her tablet. Sparks flared briefly as she bypassed the electronic lock.
"You're in," she whispered.
Victor led the way inside, the group descending into the narrow, dimly lit tunnel. The air was damp and smelled faintly of oil and machinery. Adam felt a shiver run down his spine as they moved deeper into the facility.
The tunnel opened into a sprawling underground complex. The walls were lined with pipes and cables, and the faint hum of machinery echoed through the corridors. The group moved cautiously, avoiding the few workers and guards they encountered.
They reached a control room near the center of the facility, its walls covered with monitors and control panels. Lex plugged her tablet into the main terminal, her expression grim as she began extracting data.
"This place is a nightmare," she muttered. "They've got enough firepower here to take over half the continent."
"System," Adam whispered, "what is the purpose of this facility?"
<ANALYZING... FACILITY FUNCTION: DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF ORBITAL STRIKE WEAPON. PRIMARY TARGETS: GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND RESISTANCE STRONGHOLDS.>
Adam's breath caught in his throat. "It's a weapon," he said. "An orbital strike system. They're planning to target cities, resistance bases—everything."
Victor's expression hardened. "We need to destroy this place. Now."
Lex's eyes widened. "Destroy it? Do you have any idea what it'll take to bring this place down?"
Victor turned to Adam. "System, what's the most effective way to disable the facility?"
<RECOMMENDED ACTION: OVERLOAD MAIN POWER CORE LOCATED IN SECTOR 4. DETONATION WILL DESTABILIZE ENTIRE FACILITY. WARNING: EXTREMELY HIGH RISK OF CASUALTIES.>
"We hit the power core," Victor said. "Lex, pull what you can and get ready to move. Marcus, we'll need you on defense."
The path to Sector 4 was fraught with danger. Patrols were heavier, and the air grew warmer as they approached the core. The group moved quickly, taking out guards silently when necessary.
The power core was an enormous, glowing structure surrounded by a network of pipes and conduits. The hum of energy was almost deafening, the air vibrating with its intensity.
Adam and Victor set charges around the core while Lex monitored for incoming patrols. Marcus stood guard at the entrance, his rifle trained on the corridor.
"Hurry up," Marcus hissed. "We've got movement."
Victor secured the final charge and motioned for the group to retreat. They ran back through the corridors as the countdown ticked away, the sound of alarms blaring behind them.
The explosion shook the ground as the power core detonated, the shockwave collapsing tunnels and ripping through the facility. The group barely made it out, stumbling into the open air as a massive fireball erupted behind them.
They didn't stop running until they were miles away, hidden among the jagged rocks of the wasteland. The facility was gone, but Adam couldn't shake the feeling that their fight was far from over.
"System," he whispered, "what's Verdan's next move?"
<PREDICTING... LIKELY RESPONSE: ESCALATION OF RETALIATORY MEASURES. WARNING: TARGETS MAY INCLUDE CIVILIAN AREAS AND RESISTANCE LEADERSHIP.>
Adam clenched his fists. They had struck a major blow, but Nexus would only grow more dangerous. The war was far from won.