Chapter 27: Strength in Numbers
The desert wind was harsh as the squadron returned to base, the sun casting long shadows over the freshly upgraded hangar. The supplies from the convoy mission had arrived safely, and the team had held their own against Zaitsev's drones. It was a small victory, but the feeling of momentum was growing.
As I watched Viper, Echo, and Blaze taxi their aircraft into the hangar, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride. The squadron was coming together, and for the first time, it felt like we weren't just surviving. We were building something capable of taking on Zaitsev's forces head-on.
Rook joined me on the tarmac, her expression thoughtful. "They did well. Blaze is still rough around the edges, but he's learning fast."
"Yeah," I nodded, "but we'll need more than just skill to win this. Zaitsev's got the resources, and if we don't start growing our own network, we'll be overwhelmed."
She gave me a sidelong glance. "You're thinking about expansion?"
I pulled up the system interface, the Base Management screen flickering to life in my mind. We had a squadron, but it wasn't enough. Not yet. We needed more planes, more personnel, and more infrastructure to keep everything running smoothly. And that meant we had to start thinking bigger.
New Objective: Expand Squadron and Base
Objective: Recruit additional pilots and upgrade base facilities to support larger operations.
Reward: XP: 20,000, New Aircraft and Personnel
Failure Penalty: Inability to Meet Future Mission Demands
The system's interface provided new options for base expansion, and I scrolled through the list, my eyes narrowing as I assessed what we could afford with the current resources. The hangar could hold more aircraft now, but we were running low on spare parts. The barracks were enough for our current team, but if we wanted to bring in more pilots, we'd need to expand.
Base Expansion Options
Hangar Upgrade: Level 3
Increase aircraft capacity and maintenance speed.
Cost: 5000 resources
Reward: +4 aircraft slots
Barracks Upgrade: Level 2
Increase capacity for pilots and ground crew.
Cost: 3000 resources
Reward: +6 personnel capacity
Logistics Hub Upgrade: Level 2
Improve supply line efficiency and stockpile management.
Cost: 4000 resources
Reward: Faster resupply and more efficient use of resources
I selected the hangar and barracks upgrades first, allocating the resources we had secured from recent missions. The base construction would take time, but it was necessary if we wanted to keep up with the growing demands of the war.
"Upgrading the base should help," I said, glancing at Rook. "But we need more pilots—and better planes."
Rook nodded. "I've got a few contacts we can tap into. There's a pilot I flew with back during the Continental War. She's a bit of a lone wolf, but if anyone can keep up with Zaitsev's drones, it's her."
I raised an eyebrow. "Who is she?"
Rook's expression hardened. "Her callsign's Raven. She's a merc now, flying whatever job pays the most. She won't come cheap, but she's one of the best."
"Get in touch with her," I said, already feeling the weight of the decision. "We need the best we can get."
New Recruitment Objective: Raven
Objective: Recruit Raven, an ace pilot with a reputation for high-risk, high-reward missions.
Cost: 2000 resources
Reward: XP: 5000, Elite Pilot Added to Squadron
As Rook made the call to Raven, I turned my attention back to the system interface. The expansion options had unlocked another feature—Aircraft Acquisition. The F-22 Super Raptor was a game-changer, but we couldn't rely on a single type of aircraft to win the war. We needed versatility.
Aircraft Acquisition
F-35 Lightning II
A stealth multirole fighter capable of handling both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
Cost: 7000 resources
Reward: XP: 8000, F-35 added to hangar
A-10 Warthog
A heavily armored ground attack aircraft, perfect for taking out hardened targets and providing close air support.
Cost: 6000 resources
Reward: XP: 7000, A-10 added to hangar
Su-57 Felon
An advanced fifth-generation fighter with excellent maneuverability and stealth capabilities.
Cost: 9000 resources
Reward: XP: 10,000, Su-57 added to hangar
I hesitated, considering the options. The F-35 would give us flexibility for different mission types, and the A-10 could be invaluable for ground support, especially against Zaitsev's fortified positions. The Su-57 was tempting, but the cost was steep, and I wasn't sure we had the resources to maintain it yet.
"We go with the F-35," I said, locking in the choice. "We need a multirole fighter to handle different mission profiles."
F-35 Lightning II Acquired
Reward: XP: 8000, F-35 Added to Hangar
As the day turned into evening, the upgrades were underway, and the base hummed with activity. Viper, Echo, and Blaze were back in the training grounds, running flight drills as the ground crew worked on maintaining the F-22 and the newly acquired F-35. The base was growing, but there was still a long way to go before we could take on Zaitsev's full force.
Levi called in just as the sun dipped below the horizon, his voice calm but with an edge of urgency. "Wells, I've got intel on Zaitsev's next move."
I leaned against the edge of the hangar, watching the distant horizon as he continued. "There's a research facility deep in Yuktobanian territory. Zaitsev's using it to develop new drone prototypes—faster, more agile than anything we've seen before. If he completes the program, he'll have a fleet of drones capable of overwhelming entire squadrons."
"Where's the facility?" I asked, already feeling the tension building.
"Near the Gracemaria border," Levi replied. "It's heavily defended. You'll need to hit it fast and hard before the prototypes go online. I'll send you the coordinates."
Rook joined me, listening in as Levi gave the details. "Sounds like a suicide mission."
"It's our best shot," I said, glancing at her. "If Zaitsev gets those drones operational, we're finished."
She nodded grimly. "Then we hit it with everything we've got."
New Mission: Disrupt Zaitsev's Drone Research
Objective: Infiltrate Zaitsev's Yuktobanian facility and destroy the drone prototypes before they go operational.
Threat Level: Extreme
Reward: XP: 20,000, Zaitsev's Drone Program Delayed
Failure Penalty: Zaitsev's Drone Fleet Operational
The mission was set. The squadron would deploy at first light, with Viper, Echo, Blaze, and, if Rook managed to recruit her, Raven leading the charge. I would fly the F-22, using the Raptor's stealth capabilities to penetrate the facility's defenses, while the others provided cover and took out any drones that came online.
It was a high-risk operation, but we didn't have a choice. If we failed, Zaitsev would have the upper hand, and the war would tip in his favor.
I stared out at the darkening desert, the weight of command pressing down on me. We had come so far, but this was only the beginning. Zaitsev wasn't just fighting with drones and AI—he was building an empire, one piece at a time. And every day we delayed, his influence spread further across the world.
"Get some rest," I said to Rook, my voice low. "We've got a long day ahead of us."
She nodded, turning toward the barracks. "You too. Tomorrow's going to be brutal."
As she walked away, I pulled up the system interface one last time, checking the squadron's stats, the base's progress, and the upcoming mission data. Everything was in place, but nothing felt certain. We were building strength, but Zaitsev was always one step ahead.
The war wasn't just coming—it was already here.
And we were about to take it to the next level.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone