The safe house was unusually quiet as the team prepared for their most dangerous mission yet. The data retrieved from the collapsed west sector facility had revealed Gao's location: an underground complex outside the city, hidden beneath miles of dense forest and rocky terrain. If he succeeded in creating a new Rift, the consequences would be catastrophic.
"We need to be in and out before he realizes we're there," Jiang Xia said, her voice steady despite the weight of their task. "This is our one shot."
Xu Min nodded, checking her weapon. "Gao won't make it easy. He knows we're coming."
"That's why we have to move fast," Qin Chuan added, his tone grim. "We hit hard, grab what we need, and destroy everything."
Li Wen hesitated, glancing at the holographic map. "This facility… it's unlike anything we've encountered before. If the anomalies are as strong as the data suggests, we're walking into a warzone."
Jiang Xia looked at him, her gaze unwavering. "We don't have a choice."
---
The Journey to the Facility
The drive to the underground complex was tense. The team traveled in a stolen utility vehicle, its windows tinted to avoid detection. The forest grew denser as they approached their destination, the towering trees casting long shadows over the narrow dirt road.
"Satellite scans show a small access point here," Xu Min said, pointing to a section of the map on her tablet. "It's heavily guarded, but it's the only way in."
Qin Chuan gripped the wheel, his eyes scanning the road. "How much time do we have before Gao realizes we're there?"
"Not long," Xu Min replied. "Once we breach the perimeter, it's a race against the clock."
Jiang Xia leaned back, her mind racing. Every step they took brought them closer to Gao—and to the truth about the Rift. Her father's voice echoed in her mind: "The Rift is not just a tool—it's a trap."
---
The Breach
The access point was a reinforced steel hatch embedded in the forest floor, guarded by armed personnel and surveillance drones. The team parked a safe distance away, using the cover of the trees to plan their attack.
"I'll disable the drones," Li Wen whispered, connecting his laptop to a portable signal jammer. "Give me thirty seconds."
Jiang Xia and Qin Chuan moved into position, their weapons drawn. As the drones powered down, Xu Min signaled the attack. The guards never saw them coming.
Within minutes, the team had secured the area. Li Wen worked quickly to hack the hatch's control panel, his hands steady despite the tension.
"Almost… got it," he muttered. The hatch opened with a hiss, revealing a ladder that descended into darkness.
"Let's go," Jiang Xia said, taking the lead.
---
The Underground Complex
The air grew colder as they descended, the faint hum of machinery growing louder with each step. The complex was massive, its walls lined with pipes and glowing conduits. The Rift's energy pulsed faintly, casting an eerie light over the sterile corridors.
"This place is a fortress," Xu Min murmured, her weapon at the ready. "We'll need to move carefully."
Li Wen checked his scanner. "The main control room is three levels down. That's where we'll find Gao—and the new Rift."
As they moved deeper into the facility, the anomalies began to manifest. Time stuttered, forcing them to relive moments seconds after they had already happened. Shadows flickered at the edges of their vision, and strange whispers filled the air.
"Stay focused," Qin Chuan said, his voice steady. "These tricks are meant to distract us."
---
The Control Room
When they reached the control room, the sight before them was chilling. At the center of the room was a massive energy core, surrounded by technicians and armed guards. The core pulsed with an unnatural light, its power feeding into a partially formed Rift hovering above it.
"There it is," Jiang Xia said, her voice a mix of awe and dread. "The new Rift."
"We need to take it out," Xu Min said, her gaze locked on the core.
Jiang Xia nodded. "Li Wen, can you overload the system?"
Li Wen studied the control panel, his brow furrowed. "It'll take time, but yes. Cover me."
---
The Fight Begins
The team moved quickly, taking out the guards before they could raise the alarm. Jiang Xia and Qin Chuan provided cover as Li Wen worked on the control panel, his fingers flying over the keyboard.
"This system is more advanced than anything we've seen," Li Wen muttered. "Gao's not messing around."
"Neither are we," Jiang Xia replied, firing at an approaching group of guards.
As the core's energy began to destabilize, the room trembled, and the partially formed Rift pulsed violently. Shadowy remnants emerged from the edges of the anomaly, their distorted forms lunging toward the team.
"Here we go again," Qin Chuan muttered, firing at the remnants. "Li Wen, how much longer?"
"Almost there!" Li Wen shouted, sweat dripping down his face.
---
A Shocking Revelation
As the core's energy levels dropped, the room was suddenly flooded with light. The sound of slow, deliberate applause echoed through the chamber.
"Well done, Ms. Jiang," a familiar voice said.
Jiang Xia turned to see Gao standing on an elevated platform, flanked by heavily armed guards. His expression was calm, almost amused.
"You've proven yourself quite resourceful," Gao continued. "But you're too late. The Rift is already forming. There's nothing you can do to stop it."
"Watch us," Jiang Xia replied, her voice cold.
Gao smirked. "You don't understand, do you? The Rift isn't just a gateway—it's a beacon. And soon, it will bring forth a power beyond anything you can comprehend."
"What are you talking about?" Xu Min demanded.
"You'll see," Gao said, his smile widening. "If you survive."
---
The Core's Destruction
Li Wen shouted, "Done! The core's overloading!"
The room shook violently as the core began to collapse, its energy spiraling out of control. Gao and his guards retreated through a hidden door, disappearing into the depths of the facility.
"We need to move!" Qin Chuan shouted, pulling Jiang Xia toward the exit.
The team sprinted through the collapsing complex, the walls crumbling around them. The partially formed Rift flickered and dissolved, its energy dissipating as the core imploded.
They emerged into the forest just as the facility was swallowed by a massive explosion, the shockwave knocking them to the ground.
---
A Grim Victory
As they lay in the dirt, catching their breath, Jiang Xia stared at the burning ruins of the facility. They had stopped Gao's operation, but his words echoed in her mind.
"What did he mean?" she whispered. "A beacon?"
Li Wen sat up, clutching his laptop. "I managed to download some of the data before we escaped. If we analyze it, we might find answers."
Xu Min stood, her expression grim. "We need to move fast. If Gao's right, this fight is far from over."
Jiang Xia nodded, her resolve hardening. "Then let's finish it."