Kapitel 32: Uncharted Skies (Wingman Crossover)
The base hummed with quiet anticipation as the dust settled from our last mission. The destruction of Zaitsev's AI lab had crippled his drone program, but the war was far from over. Zaitsev's empire still stretched across Usea, and his grip on military and political assets was tightening. We had dealt him a serious blow, but I knew we hadn't seen the worst of it yet.
As I reviewed intel with Rook and Levi, something strange appeared on the radar—a small fleet of unidentified aircraft, flying in formation and heading toward our base. They weren't Erusean, and they didn't belong to any of the local factions. The markings were unfamiliar, and the signature on the radar was something we hadn't seen before.
"Who are they?" Rook asked, leaning in closer to the radar display.
"No idea," Levi muttered, his brow furrowing. "But they're coming in fast."
I tapped the system interface, pulling up additional data on the incoming fleet. Their approach was precise, almost too perfect, as if they were familiar with this type of airspace. Whoever they were, they weren't amateurs.
"Get the squadron ready," I said, already making my way toward the hangar. "We need to find out who they are before they reach us."
New Objective: Identify the Incoming Fleet
Objective: Intercept and investigate the unidentified aircraft approaching the base.
Threat Level: Unknown
Reward: XP: 15,000, ???
Failure Penalty: Base Vulnerability to Unknown Forces
The squadron scrambled, our jets roaring to life as we lifted off into the clear blue sky. Viper, Echo, Blaze, and Raven formed up behind me as we flew toward the incoming fleet. The Belkan Remnant stayed behind to guard the base, but Phantom Leader had made it clear that if we needed backup, they'd be ready.
As we approached the unidentified fleet, I could see their aircraft more clearly—sleek, advanced fighters that looked unlike anything in our region. The markings on the jets were unfamiliar, and their flight patterns were military, but there was something off about them. They moved with the precision of AI-controlled drones, but they weren't drones. These were manned aircraft, flown by pilots who knew exactly what they were doing.
"Who are these guys?" Blaze asked over the comms, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"No clue," I replied. "But we're about to find out."
As we closed in on the formation, the lead aircraft broke off from the group, turning sharply to intercept us. A voice crackled over the open frequency, cool and controlled.
"This is Monarch of Hitman Squadron. Identify yourselves."
The name hit me like a punch. Monarch. That name didn't belong in Usea—it was from the Independent State Allied Forces, a private military group from a distant region called Cascadia. And if they were here, it meant that something big was happening.
"This is Wells of Task Force Phoenix," I responded, keeping my voice steady. "You're flying into restricted airspace. What are Cascadian mercenaries doing in Usea?"
There was a brief pause before Monarch's voice came back over the comms, calm but firm. "We're here on a mission. Your war has drawn the attention of the world, and the people I work for want to make sure it doesn't get out of control."
I frowned, glancing at Rook, who was flying beside me. "Zaitsev's reach goes beyond Usea. If Cascadian forces are involved, this is bigger than we thought."
Monarch continued, his tone more direct. "We've been monitoring the situation. Zaitsev's AI network is growing, and if we don't stop it, it could destabilize the entire region. We're here to help, but we'll do it our way."
New Crossover Objective: Coordinate with Hitman Squadron
Objective: Join forces with Monarch and Hitman Squadron to disrupt Zaitsev's global operations.
Reward: XP: 25,000, New Allies and Expanded Tactical Options
Failure Penalty: Zaitsev's Influence Grows Internationally
I didn't like the idea of more outside forces meddling in our fight, but Monarch was right. Zaitsev's influence was growing too fast, and if he managed to take full control of the AI network, it wouldn't just be Usea at risk—it would be the world.
"Alright, Monarch," I said after a moment, "we'll work with you. But this is our war, and we're not letting anyone take control of it."
Monarch's voice was calm. "Understood. We've got intel on one of Zaitsev's facilities, deeper in Erusea. It's a drone manufacturing plant, but they're working on something new—advanced combat algorithms for an AI squadron that can operate autonomously without any human oversight. If they succeed, they'll deploy these squadrons globally."
Rook's eyes widened slightly at the implication. "Fully autonomous AI squadrons? That's a game-changer."
"It's more than that," I added. "If Zaitsev has an AI fleet, he could take control of entire airspaces without a single pilot in the cockpit. We can't let that happen."
New Joint Mission: Destroy Zaitsev's Autonomous AI Drone Facility
Objective: Work with Hitman Squadron to infiltrate and destroy Zaitsev's drone manufacturing facility before the AI fleet goes operational.
Threat Level: Extreme
Reward: XP: 30,000, Disruption of Zaitsev's Global Drone Program
Failure Penalty: Zaitsev's Autonomous AI Fleet Deployed Worldwide
The mission briefing was quick, but the stakes were higher than ever. We would strike at dawn, with both Task Force Phoenix and Hitman Squadron working together to take down the facility. It was a complex operation—Monarch and his team would handle the outer defenses, while our squadron would focus on destroying the AI control systems and production lines inside.
As we prepared for the mission, Monarch's second-in-command, Prez, contacted us. His tone was more relaxed, but still serious. "Monarch's not much of a talker, but he's the best there is. Stick with us, and we'll make sure Zaitsev's drones never see the light of day."
"I'll hold you to that," I replied, strapping into my jet. "Let's show Zaitsev what happens when he pushes too far."
The skies were clear as we flew toward the facility, our jets cutting through the early morning air. The radar showed a heavy concentration of drones and air defenses, but with Hitman Squadron flying support, we had a real shot at taking the facility down.
"Viper, Echo, Blaze, Raven—you're on drone suppression," I said over the comms. "Rook and I will hit the control systems inside the facility. Monarch, what's your team's status?"
"Hitman Squadron's in position," Monarch replied. "We're taking out the outer defenses now."
The radar lit up as Hitman Squadron engaged the first wave of drones. Their jets moved with surgical precision, missiles streaking through the air as they cleared a path for us. Monarch's flying was something else—every movement was calculated, every shot a kill. He was an ace in every sense of the word.
"We're clear," Prez said over the comms. "Your turn."
New Objective: Destroy the AI Control Systems
Objective: Infiltrate Zaitsev's facility and destroy the AI control systems before the autonomous drones go operational.
Reward: XP: 30,000, Zaitsev's Autonomous Drone Program Crippled
Failure Penalty: AI Fleet Deployed Internationally
The battle erupted as our squadron dove toward the facility. The sky filled with missile trails and flak as we dodged anti-air fire and drones. Viper and Echo tore through the enemy, their dogfighting skills on full display as they picked off drones one by one. Blaze held his own, following Raven's lead as they cut a path through the swarm.
Rook and I descended toward the facility, locking onto the key targets—the AI control systems that powered Zaitsev's autonomous drones. The system's interface guided me as I lined up the shots, my missiles tearing into the facility's infrastructure.
"We're inside," I said over the comms, firing off another volley. "Taking out the AI cores now."
The facility shook with the force of the explosions, the control systems going dark as we obliterated the heart of Zaitsev's drone network. But we weren't out of the woods yet. The radar lit up again—more drones, more reinforcements, and a final wave of defenses.
"We need to pull out," Monarch said, his voice calm but urgent. "Zaitsev's sending everything he's got."
"Copy that," I replied, pulling up from the facility as the last of the AI cores exploded in a fiery blaze. "Everyone, fall back!"
Objective Complete: Zaitsev's Autonomous AI Facility Destroyed
Reward: XP: 30,000, Zaitsev's Drone Program Crippled
As we made our escape, the horizon lit up with the aftermath of the battle. We had hit Zaitsev hard—crippled his autonomous drone program before it could go global—but I knew it wouldn't stop him. Zaitsev was relentless, and every time we struck, he would come back stronger.
Monarch's voice cut through my thoughts. "Good work, Phoenix. But this isn't the end. Zaitsev's still out there, and he's not done yet."
"I know," I replied, the weight of the mission still heavy in my mind. "Zaitsev's not going to stop until he gets what he wants. But as long as we're still in the air, we won't let him win."
Monarch's voice was steady, but there was an edge to it. "We'll keep fighting. You've got Hitman Squadron with you now. Whatever Zaitsev throws at us next, we'll be ready."
As we flew back to base, the vast expanse of Usea stretching beneath us, I couldn't help but think about what this new alliance with Hitman Squadron meant. Their reputation preceded them—Monarch and his team were some of the best pilots in the world. But it also meant that this war was growing, and Zaitsev's reach was no longer limited to just our region. He had caught the attention of the world, and that was both a blessing and a curse.
Rook's voice cut through the comms, breaking my thoughts. "We hit him hard today. Took out one of his key facilities, but Zaitsev's going to double down. He always does."
I nodded to myself, already knowing that she was right. Zaitsev wasn't just an ordinary mastermind—he was calculating, relentless, and every time we hit him, he learned from it. His retaliation would come, and when it did, it would be fiercer than anything we'd faced before.
Back at the base, the mood was one of cautious optimism. The Belkan Remnant Forces had returned, quietly regrouping after their role in the mission. Hitman Squadron's presence was more noticeable—Monarch and Prez remained stoic, but there was a shared sense of respect between our teams now. We were no longer fighting alone.
In the command center, we debriefed and reviewed the mission. Levi was poring over data, analyzing the impact of our strike on Zaitsev's global operations. "The destruction of the AI lab has bought us some time, but not as much as we'd like. Zaitsev's drone production has taken a hit, but he's got other facilities—hidden ones, more spread out than we thought."
I frowned, studying the map of known and suspected Zaitsev facilities. "Where do we go from here? We can't chase down every single facility. We'll be playing defense forever."
Monarch, standing silently near the table, finally spoke up. "You're right. Chasing facilities is a losing game. We need to strike at the heart of his operations. Cut off his command and control."
I looked at him, curious. "And where do you suggest we start?"
Monarch stepped forward, pointing to a location on the map. It was deep in the Cascadian region, far from Zaitsev's known strongholds. "There's a facility here, hidden in the mountains. It's a covert research station. From what we've gathered, Zaitsev's using it as a backup command center for his global operations. If we take this out, we could cripple his ability to coordinate the AI network."
Rook raised an eyebrow. "Cascadia? That's out of our jurisdiction."
Prez grinned from across the room. "Not for us, it isn't."
I glanced at Rook, then back at Monarch. "This is your turf, but Zaitsev's reach extends everywhere. If he's using Cascadia as a fallback, we need to stop him before he consolidates his forces."
New Crossover Mission: Strike at Zaitsev's Cascadian Command Center
Objective: Infiltrate Zaitsev's hidden research station in Cascadia and destroy his global AI control hub.
Threat Level: Maximum
Reward: XP: 40,000, Zaitsev's Command and Control Network Disrupted
Failure Penalty: Zaitsev's AI Network Grows Unchecked
The plan was ambitious—strike deep into Zaitsev's backup command center, hidden far from where we'd been operating, in the mountains of Cascadia. It would require more than just tactical precision. It would require an unprecedented level of coordination between Task Force Phoenix, the Belkan Remnant, and Hitman Squadron.
Over the next few days, we prepared for the mission. The base was bustling with activity as we ran drills, tested new tactics, and coordinated logistics. The Cascadian mountains were notoriously difficult to navigate, with extreme weather conditions and high-altitude threats that made conventional operations a nightmare.
But we didn't have time for conventional operations.
New Feature Unlocked: Advanced Squadron Tactics
You can now train your squadron for specialized roles in extreme environments and high-risk operations.
High-Altitude Combat: Train pilots for operations in thin air, where maneuverability and speed are reduced.Mountain Warfare: Prepare for operations in mountainous terrain, where radar and communication systems are limited.
I allocated resources to train the squadron for high-altitude combat. If we were going to hit Zaitsev's facility in the Cascadian mountains, we needed to be ready for whatever the terrain threw at us.
Squadron Training: High-Altitude Combat in Progress
Reward: Increased effectiveness in high-altitude and extreme environment operations.
As the day of the mission approached, the tension in the air was palpable. Everyone knew what was at stake. Zaitsev's command center in Cascadia wasn't just another facility—it was the nerve center for his global AI network. If we could take it down, we would cripple his ability to coordinate his operations. But if we failed, Zaitsev's influence would spread like wildfire, beyond anything we could control.
The morning of the mission, we stood on the tarmac, ready to launch. Hitman Squadron was already in formation, their jets sleek and battle-tested. Monarch gave a nod from his cockpit, a silent acknowledgment that today would be the turning point in this war.
Rook stood beside me, her helmet tucked under one arm. "This is it, isn't it? We either take Zaitsev down here, or the whole world's going to feel the impact of his AI network."
I nodded. "We've been fighting him on our terms. Now we're going to hit him where it hurts."
With that, we climbed into our jets, the engines roaring to life as the squadron lifted off into the sky. The Cascadian mountains loomed ahead, shrouded in mist and danger, but we were ready.
This was the moment we had been building toward—the moment we took the fight to Zaitsev's doorstep.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein