Kapitel 53: Checkmate
The wind howled through the storm as Task Force Phoenix hovered above Zaitsev's black site. Lightning cracked across the sky, illuminating the steel and concrete structure below us as we pushed forward. Inside, the ground teams were moving through the facility, racing against time to reach the command center before Zaitsev could unleash whatever nightmare he had triggered.
"He's set something in motion," I said, my voice sharp over the comms. "Phoenix, we need to move now. If we don't stop him, it's all over."
Rook's voice came through next, steady and filled with a sense of urgency. "We're close. No more delays—let's shut him down."
The radar lit up with activity inside the black site. The machinery Zaitsev had activated was beginning to rumble to life, powering up systems buried deep beneath the facility. Whatever Zaitsev had planned, it was bigger than anything we had seen before. This was no ordinary trap—it was something far more dangerous.
"Hitman Squadron, what's your status?" I called out, guiding my jet into a lower position as we neared the facility's core.
Monarch's calm voice crackled over the comms. "We're at the inner sanctum. Heavy resistance inside, but we're pushing through. Zaitsev's close."
Phantom Leader's tone was cold, final. "We're breaching the command center. Get ready to take him down."
New Mission: Capture Zaitsev and Stop the Weapon
Objective: Infiltrate Zaitsev's command center, capture him, and disable the black site's weapon system before it activates.
Threat Level: Maximum
Reward: XP: 100,000, Zaitsev Captured, Weapon Disabled
Failure Penalty: Zaitsev Escapes, Weapon Deployed
We dove toward the facility, the storm buffeting our jets as the ground forces made their final push. Inside the black site, the lights flickered, and the rumble of machinery grew louder. The ground shook beneath the command center as Zaitsev's weapon systems powered up, and we had minutes—maybe less—before it was too late.
"We've breached the final doors," Phantom Leader called out, his voice tense but controlled. "Zaitsev's in the command center. He's waiting for us."
I locked onto the entrance of the facility, my heart pounding with a mix of adrenaline and dread. "Phoenix, let's move. This is it."
The storm raged above as we swooped down, providing aerial cover for the ground teams as they stormed the final room. The automated defenses had gone offline, their power routed into the weapon systems, but that didn't mean Zaitsev was unprotected. The man was a mastermind, always two steps ahead, and whatever was waiting for us in the command center wasn't going to be easy.
New Objective: Disable the Weapon System
Objective: Shut down Zaitsev's weapon system before it can be activated, and capture him before he escapes.
Reward: XP: 70,000, Weapon System Disabled
Failure Penalty: Weapon Activated
Inside the command center, the tension was suffocating. Zaitsev stood at the far end of the room, his back to the wall, his hand hovering over the control panel that would activate the weapon. His face was calm, almost amused, as he watched the ground teams close in.
"You've done well to make it this far," Zaitsev said, his voice smooth and mocking. "But I'm afraid this is where your little game ends."
Phantom Leader stepped forward, his weapon drawn, his eyes locked on Zaitsev. "It's over, Zaitsev. Step away from the panel, or we will take you down."
Zaitsev's lips curled into a thin smile. "Over? No, no. This is just the beginning. I've led you here for a reason, Phoenix. Everything has been part of the plan."
I gritted my teeth, my heart pounding in my chest. "What are you talking about? You're finished."
Zaitsev chuckled darkly. "You still don't get it, do you? This weapon—it's not just a tool of destruction. It's a beacon. A signal."
Phantom Leader's eyes narrowed. "A signal for what?"
Zaitsev's eyes gleamed with cold satisfaction. "For the future. The next phase of evolution. The world is about to change, and you can't stop it."
Before we could react, Zaitsev's hand shot toward the control panel. The room shuddered violently as the weapon system roared to life, the lights flickering as power surged through the facility.
"He's activating it!" Rook shouted, her voice filled with urgency. "We need to stop him now!"
Monarch moved quickly, his weapon aimed at Zaitsev's chest. "Step away from the panel!"
But Zaitsev only smiled, his hand pressing down on the final control. "Too late."
New Objective: Override the Weapon Activation
Objective: Shut down the weapon system by overriding Zaitsev's final command before it can deploy.
Reward: XP: 80,000, Weapon Disabled
Failure Penalty: Weapon Deployed
The room erupted into chaos. The control panels flickered as the weapon systems surged to life, power routing through the facility's core. Zaitsev laughed as the ground shook beneath us, the machinery roaring louder with each passing second.
"Phoenix, we need to disable that system!" I shouted over the comms, my heart pounding. "Levi, what do we need to do?"
Levi's voice came through, filled with urgency. "I'm working on it. You need to override the main control system. There's a failsafe built into the core—if you can shut that down, the weapon won't deploy."
Phantom Leader was already moving, racing toward the control panel as Zaitsev backed away. "I'll handle the override. Keep him covered!"
Rook and Raven moved to secure the room, their weapons trained on Zaitsev as Monarch worked the control panel. The air was thick with tension, every second ticking by like a countdown to disaster.
"Failsafe engaged," Monarch called out, his voice tight. "It's working, but we need more time."
Zaitsev watched with cold amusement, his eyes gleaming with the knowledge that he still held all the cards. "Time? You're out of it, Phoenix. The weapon is already active. And soon, the signal will go out."
I gritted my teeth, locking onto the final system as we worked to shut it down. "Not if we stop you first."
New Objective: Capture Zaitsev
Objective: Take down Zaitsev and complete the override to disable the weapon system.
Reward: XP: 100,000, Zaitsev Captured
Failure Penalty: Zaitsev Escapes, Weapon Deployed
The final moments were a blur of action and noise. Phantom Leader worked furiously to disable the system, while Rook and Raven closed in on Zaitsev. The control room trembled with the force of the weapon's activation, the lights flickering as the countdown continued.
"We're almost there," Monarch called out, his hands flying over the controls. "Just a few more seconds."
But Zaitsev wasn't done yet. With a sudden burst of speed, he lunged toward the control panel, his hand reaching for the final switch that would complete the activation.
"Stop him!" I shouted, my heart pounding.
Rook moved faster than I'd ever seen, her weapon trained on Zaitsev as she fired a single shot. The bullet struck his hand, knocking him back before he could complete the activation.
Zaitsev stumbled, blood trickling from his hand, but his smile never faded. "You think you've won? You're only delaying the inevitable."
"We've stopped you," Rook said, her voice cold and final. "It's over."
Phantom Leader completed the override, and the room fell silent. The weapon's systems powered down, the lights dimming as the countdown was halted.
Zaitsev's smile finally faded, replaced by a look of quiet resignation. "For now."
Objective Complete: Zaitsev Captured, Weapon Disabled
Reward: XP: 100,000, Zaitsev's Plan Stopped
The storm outside began to die down as the black site fell silent. The ground teams secured Zaitsev, his hands bound as they led him away from the control room. For the first time, we had him—no more escapes, no more traps.
But even as we stood there, victorious, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the end.
Zaitsev had been defeated, but his words lingered in the air like a shadow.
"The world is about to change."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein