Kapitel 33: Cascadia
The Cascadian mountains loomed ahead like jagged teeth, their peaks shrouded in thick clouds that swirled with the weight of an approaching storm. As we approached, the sense of tension in the cockpit was palpable. This wasn't just another mission—this was the strike that could change everything. Zaitsev's command center was hidden somewhere deep in those mountains, nestled in the heart of a fortress that few would dare to breach. But we had no choice. If we didn't take him down here, Zaitsev's AI fleet would spread like wildfire, controlling the skies and destabilizing the world.
The squadron was in formation, flying through the turbulent air toward the target. Hitman Squadron flew alongside us, Monarch's presence steady and unflinching as always. Prez, Golem, and Diplomat were on point, leading the charge with a level of precision that came from years of high-stakes operations. They were veterans of Cascadia's fiercest battles, and this was their turf. We were about to step into their world.
"Everyone hold tight," I said over the comms, my voice steady despite the adrenaline pumping through my veins. "We're heading into rough air."
Viper, Echo, Blaze, and Raven were locked in, their jets flying with the same controlled determination I'd come to expect from them. They had grown as a unit, their movements tighter and more cohesive than ever before. The high-altitude combat training we had done in preparation for this mission was paying off. The thin air at these altitudes would test all of us, but we were ready.
As we broke through the first layer of clouds, the storm hit us in full force. Wind howled across the mountain range, and visibility dropped to near zero. Lightning crackled in the distance, illuminating the jagged peaks below. The storm was fierce, but it also gave us cover—Zaitsev's radar systems would have a harder time tracking us in this chaos.
Rook's voice came through the comms, her tone focused. "We're getting close to the target. Everyone stay sharp—this storm could work to our advantage, but it's also going to make the approach tricky."
"I see it," Monarch's voice responded. "We'll punch through first and clear a path. Hitman Squadron, engage all surface-to-air defenses."
New Mission: Infiltrate Zaitsev's Cascadian Command Center
Objective: Penetrate Zaitsev's mountain fortress and destroy the AI control hub that coordinates his global drone fleet.
Threat Level: Maximum
Reward: XP: 40,000, Zaitsev's Command and Control Network Disrupted
Failure Penalty: Zaitsev's AI Fleet Grows Internationally
The storm worsened as we descended toward the facility. The radar showed a mess of signals—Zaitsev's drones were already swarming the skies, but they were scattered, struggling to adapt to the unpredictable weather conditions. It was a rare advantage for us, and we needed to exploit it.
"Viper, Echo, Blaze, Raven—you're on drone suppression," I ordered, glancing at the radar. "Keep the skies clear while Hitman Squadron takes out the ground defenses."
"Copy that," Viper replied, his voice cool and composed. "Let's clear them out."
The first wave of Zaitsev's drones appeared through the storm, their sleek, dark forms barely visible against the swirling clouds. They moved fast, but the storm was working against them, making their movements erratic. We had the upper hand—at least for now.
Viper and Echo dove into the drone swarm, their jets cutting through the chaos with surgical precision. Missiles streaked through the air, lighting up the storm as they took down drone after drone. Blaze followed suit, his flying showing more confidence with each engagement, while Raven moved with her usual deadly efficiency, targeting key drones and dispatching them with ease.
"Rook, you ready to hit the control hub?" I asked as we weaved through the aerial battle.
"On your mark," she replied, her jet flying in tight formation with mine.
Monarch's voice crackled over the comms, cutting through the noise of the storm. "Ground defenses are engaging. Hitman Squadron, take them down."
The sound of anti-aircraft fire echoed through the mountains as Hitman Squadron moved in. Their jets danced through the storm, dodging missile fire and taking out surface-to-air batteries with brutal efficiency. Monarch's flying was precise and ruthless, his every move calculated to dismantle Zaitsev's defenses piece by piece.
"We're punching through," Prez said, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Surface-to-air defenses are going down."
I locked onto the facility's outer perimeter, the massive fortress looming through the storm. The AI control hub was buried deep inside, protected by layers of anti-air defenses and drone swarms. But we had a path, and we were going to take it.
"Rook, on me," I ordered, diving toward the facility. "We're going in."
New Objective: Destroy the AI Control Hub
Objective: Infiltrate Zaitsev's mountain fortress and take out the AI control systems coordinating his global drone fleet.
Reward: XP: 40,000, Zaitsev's Command Center Destroyed
Failure Penalty: Zaitsev's AI Network Expands
The facility loomed ahead, its defenses lighting up as we approached. Missiles streaked through the storm, but the system's interface guided me, showing the best approach paths and target points. I dodged the incoming fire, releasing flares and weaving through the chaos as Rook and I closed in on the control hub.
"Missiles away," I muttered, firing off a volley of explosives that slammed into the facility's outer defenses.
The first explosion rocked the fortress, fire and debris scattering through the storm as we breached the perimeter. But the control hub was deeper inside—buried beneath layers of hardened structures designed to withstand anything less than a direct hit.
"Hitman, we need cover," I called out, weaving through the incoming fire. "We're going for the hub."
"Covering you," Monarch replied, his jet diving to engage a fresh wave of drones.
As we pushed deeper into the facility, the defenses grew more intense. Zaitsev had fortified this place to withstand a full-scale assault, and the closer we got to the control hub, the heavier the resistance became.
Rook's voice crackled through the comms, her tone tense. "This place is a fortress. We're going to need more firepower to punch through to the hub."
I cursed under my breath, glancing at the radar. We were running out of time—the drones were regrouping, and Zaitsev's systems were adapting to the storm. If we didn't hit the hub soon, we'd lose our window of opportunity.
But then, a new signal flashed on the radar—an allied signal, coming from above.
"This is Crimson 1 of Project Wingman," a new voice said over the comms. "Looks like you could use a hand."
My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the callsign. Crimson 1. One of Cascadia's most feared and respected pilots, a mercenary with a reputation for taking down impossible targets. If he was here, it meant things were about to get even more intense.
"Crimson 1?" Rook asked, incredulous. "What the hell is he doing here?"
"No time for questions," I said, my mind racing. "We can use the help."
Crimson 1's jet roared into view, cutting through the storm with brutal efficiency. His missiles slammed into the facility's defenses, tearing through the outer layers with devastating force. With his arrival, the tide of the battle shifted. We had the firepower we needed.
Objective Updated: Destroy the AI Control Hub with Crimson 1's Support
Reward: XP: 50,000, Zaitsev's Command Network Crippled
"We've got a shot," I said, locking onto the control hub's location. "Let's finish this."
With Crimson 1 and Hitman Squadron providing cover, Rook and I made our final approach. The facility shook as more explosions rocked the mountain, and the control hub came into view—an armored structure at the heart of the fortress.
"Fire everything you've got," I ordered, locking onto the hub.
Missiles streaked through the storm, slamming into the hub with a thunderous explosion. The entire facility seemed to groan under the force of the attack, and for a moment, the sky went silent.
Then, the control hub exploded in a brilliant flash of light, sending debris spiraling into the storm.
Objective Complete: AI Control Hub Destroyed
Reward: XP: 50,000, Zaitsev's Command Network Crippled
The battle was over. Zaitsev's global AI network was crippled, and the fortress was in ruins. But I knew this was just one victory in a much larger war. Zaitsev wasn't finished—he never was. But today, we had struck a blow that would set him back in ways he hadn't anticipated.
As we flew away from the burning wreckage, the storm finally began to clear, revealing the jagged peaks of Cascadia below. We had done it—but the fight was far from over.
"Good work, Phoenix," Monarch said over the comms, his voice calm. "We hit him where it hurts."
"Thanks for the assist, Crimson 1," I added, feeling the adrenaline begin to wear off. "Couldn't have done it without you."
Crimson 1's voice was as cold as ever. "Don't mention it. We're not done with Zaitsev yet."
I glanced at Rook, knowing that the war was far from over. But for now, we had won. And that was enough.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein