Chapter 47: Retaliation
The group trudged through the wasteland, exhaustion etched into their faces. The barren expanse stretched endlessly before them, illuminated only by the faint light of the moon. Adam's legs felt like lead, and his breathing was labored, but he forced himself to keep moving. Behind him, Lex adjusted her pack, her face pale and drawn. Marcus brought up the rear, his rifle slung loosely over his shoulder, while Victor walked at the front, scanning the horizon with steely focus.
The explosion at the Nexus facility had left a mark on all of them. The massive fireball and collapsing tunnels had been a victory, but it came with a heavy price. They had struck a blow against Nexus, but the system's warning about Verdan's retaliation loomed large in Adam's mind.
"System," Adam whispered, "how long before Nexus retaliates?"
<ANALYZING... EXPECTED RETALIATION WITHIN 12 HOURS. LIKELY TARGETS: RESISTANCE STRONGHOLDS AND CIVILIAN INFRASTRUCTURE. RECOMMENDATION: WARN ALLIES AND RELOCATE IMMEDIATELY.>
Adam relayed the warning to Victor, whose jaw tightened. "We can't wait around. We need to reach the Crimson Fang and warn them before Nexus makes their next move."
Lex glanced at him, her brow furrowed. "And what if we don't get there in time? Nexus won't just send soldiers—they'll flatten anything in their way."
Victor didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up the pace, his steps purposeful.
By dawn, they reached a rocky ridge overlooking the Crimson Fang's relay station. Smoke rose faintly in the distance, the sight making Adam's stomach drop.
Marcus raised his rifle, his expression grim. "That doesn't look good."
Victor motioned for silence and led them closer, keeping to the shadows of the rocks. As they approached the camp, the full extent of the destruction came into view. The makeshift barricades were torn apart, and the once-busy station was eerily quiet. Bodies lay scattered across the ground, some clad in Crimson Fang armor, others in the sleek uniforms of Nexus soldiers.
"Damn it," Victor muttered under his breath.
Lex knelt beside one of the bodies, her hands trembling. "They didn't stand a chance," she said quietly. "Nexus hit them hard."
Adam felt a surge of anger and helplessness. "System, what happened here?"
<ANALYZING... NEXUS DEPLOYED STRIKE TEAM WITH AIR SUPPORT. ATTACK INITIATED 6 HOURS AGO. NO SURVIVORS DETECTED.>
"No survivors," Adam said, his voice hollow.
Victor clenched his fists. "We're too late."
The group moved cautiously through the ruins of the camp, searching for anything salvageable. Lex worked to recover data from a damaged terminal while Marcus scavenged weapons and supplies. Adam couldn't shake the weight in his chest as he walked among the wreckage.
Tessa's body lay near the main building, her face still set in a defiant scowl. Victor crouched beside her, closing her eyes with a grim expression. "She fought until the end," he said.
Lex's voice crackled over the comms. "I've got something."
The group gathered around her as she brought up a fragment of intercepted Nexus communications. The audio was distorted but clear enough to send chills through them.
"...target confirmed. Zone Omega... maximum force... eliminate resistance leadership."
Victor's eyes narrowed. "Zone Omega. That's where the resistance leaders are gathering."
Marcus shook his head. "If Nexus is sending everything they've got there, it's going to be a massacre."
Adam felt his blood run cold. "System, what's the likelihood of Nexus destroying Zone Omega?"
<PROBABILITY OF SUCCESSFUL NEXUS OPERATION: 82%. WARNING: HIGH RISK OF CIVILIAN CASUALTIES AND COMPLETE RESISTANCE LEADERSHIP LOSS. RECOMMENDATION: INTERVENE IMMEDIATELY.>
Adam relayed the grim projection, and Victor's jaw tightened. "We need to move. If we can warn them, we might be able to turn this around."
The journey to Zone Omega was fraught with tension. They moved quickly but cautiously, avoiding open ground and sticking to cover whenever possible. Nexus patrols seemed to be everywhere, their drones scanning the terrain with relentless precision.
Adam's mind raced with questions, but he forced himself to focus. They had only one chance to stop Nexus from wiping out the resistance, and every second counted.
"System," Adam whispered, "what's the best way to reach Zone Omega undetected?"
<RECOMMENDED ROUTE: USE CANYON PASS THROUGH SECTOR X-17. AVOID MAIN ROADS AND DENSE FORESTED AREAS. PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS: 64%.>
Victor adjusted their course based on Adam's guidance, leading them through a narrow canyon that cut through the barren landscape. The walls rose high on either side, providing cover but also trapping them in a confined space.
"We're sitting ducks in here," Marcus muttered.
"Better than out there," Victor said.
By nightfall, they reached the outskirts of Zone Omega. The area was a sprawling network of caves and bunkers, hidden beneath layers of rock and earth. Resistance fighters moved quickly between the entrances, their faces tense as they prepared for the inevitable.
Victor approached the nearest sentry, a young woman with a rifle slung over her shoulder. "We need to speak with your leaders. Now."
The sentry hesitated, eyeing the group warily. "Who are you?"
"Friends," Victor said. "And if you don't let us through, this place won't be standing much longer."
The sentry relented, leading them into the largest bunker. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of oil and sweat, and the murmur of hurried conversations filled the space. At the center of the room stood a group of resistance leaders, their faces drawn but determined.
Victor wasted no time. "Nexus is coming. They've deployed everything they have to wipe this place off the map."
One of the leaders, an older man with a scar across his cheek, frowned. "We've heard rumors, but nothing concrete. How do you know?"
Adam stepped forward, his voice steady despite the weight of the moment. "Because I know things no one else does. And if we don't act now, everyone here is going to die."
The room fell silent as the leaders exchanged uneasy glances. Finally, the older man nodded. "What do you suggest?"
Victor's gaze was sharp. "We fight. But we don't wait for them to come to us. We hit them first."
Preparations began immediately. Resistance fighters armed themselves, fortified the bunkers, and coordinated ambush points based on Victor's plan. Lex worked with the resistance techs to hack into Nexus's communications, intercepting their movements.
Adam stood apart, his thoughts heavy. He had only one question left for the system that day, and he needed to make it count.
"System," he whispered, "what's the key to winning this battle?"
<ANALYZING... SUCCESS DEPENDS ON COORDINATED DEFENSE, PRECISION STRIKES ON NEXUS COMMAND UNITS, AND DISRUPTION OF AIR SUPPORT. RECOMMENDATION: UTILIZE RESISTANCE TACTICAL ADVANTAGES IN TERRAIN.>
Adam relayed the system's advice, and Victor nodded. "That's what we'll do. We're not just defending this place—we're taking the fight to them."
The hours ticked by as the resistance prepared for the battle ahead. As dawn approached, the air grew heavy with anticipation.
Adam tightened his grip on his weapon, his resolve hardening. Nexus was coming, and this time, they wouldn't back down.