Kapitel 36: Hunting
The sky over northern Usea was a peaceful shade of blue as we flew back to base, but I knew it was a fragile peace. Black Echo was nothing but rubble, and Zaitsev's AI network was crippled—but a man like Zaitsev doesn't vanish into the wind. He was still out there, hiding in the shadows, waiting for his next move. As Task Force Phoenix, Hitman Squadron, and the Belkan Remnant descended onto the runway, I felt the tension that had been simmering through the mission still pulsing in my veins.
We had won a decisive battle, but the war was far from over.
As soon as my feet hit the tarmac, Levi was there to meet us, his face tense, but there was an undeniable sense of relief in his eyes. "You pulled it off. Black Echo's done. Without the core AI, Zaitsev's drone network is in shambles."
Rook appeared beside me, wiping the sweat from her brow and giving a half-smile. "Yeah, but I doubt it'll be that simple. He's always got something up his sleeve."
Levi nodded. "That's what we need to figure out next. We've knocked him off-balance, but he won't stay that way for long. We need to find out where Zaitsev's regrouping before he can rebuild."
Monarch and his team were disembarking from their jets, their stoic leader giving a curt nod as he approached us. "It was a good hit," Monarch said, his voice as cool as ever. "But Zaitsev's too smart to leave his entire network vulnerable. He's got fallback options. We need to find them before he can adapt."
Phantom Leader from the Belkan Remnant stood by silently, his usual unreadable expression giving nothing away. The Belkans had been vital in pulling off the Black Echo mission, but their loyalty remained questionable. They were here for the fight, not the cause.
"We need intel," I said, looking between Levi and the Belkans. "If Zaitsev has fallback positions, we need to find them. He'll be weakened, but he'll strike back when we least expect it."
New Objective: Track Zaitsev's Movements
Objective: Gather intel on Zaitsev's fallback positions and disrupt his regrouping efforts.
Reward: XP: 30,000, Zaitsev's Recovery Slowed
Failure Penalty: Zaitsev's Operations Rebuild
The next few days were spent in a frenzy of reconnaissance and planning. Black Echo's destruction had given us a reprieve, but we all knew Zaitsev was working behind the scenes, piecing his empire back together. The task now was to track his movements, find out where he was rebuilding, and strike before he could regain full control.
Levi's contacts worked overtime, scanning communications channels and monitoring military movements. The Belkan Remnant had sources as well, though they were secretive about sharing their information. Monarch and his team had already moved out, scouring the fringes of Usea for signs of Zaitsev's re-emergence.
I stood in the command center, reviewing a map of suspected Zaitsev outposts. There were too many possibilities. He could be anywhere—operating through proxies, rogue factions, and hidden AI nodes we hadn't even uncovered yet.
Rook leaned over the table, her eyes narrowing as she studied the data. "It's too scattered. Zaitsev's smarter than this. These are distractions."
"Agreed," I said, rubbing my chin. "But we have to start somewhere. We can't afford to spread ourselves too thin."
Levi walked in, his face grim. "We might have a lead."
He brought up a satellite image of a remote facility, nestled deep within the frozen north. "This is a research station that Zaitsev used as part of his AI development program. It's been off the grid since Black Echo went dark, but we've detected some activity there. It's possible Zaitsev's regrouping there—testing new AI systems, or maybe developing something else entirely."
Phantom Leader glanced at the image, his expression hard. "If it's a fallback, it'll be heavily fortified."
Rook crossed her arms, her voice sharp. "We've handled worse."
New Mission Objective: Investigate the Northern Research Facility
Objective: Conduct a reconnaissance and strike operation on Zaitsev's suspected research station in the frozen north.
Threat Level: High
Reward: XP: 40,000, Intel on Zaitsev's Next Move
Failure Penalty: Zaitsev's Operations Continue Unchecked
The mission was set. We would head north, investigate the research facility, and find out what Zaitsev was planning next. The intel we gathered could give us the edge we needed to keep him on the run, but if we were wrong, we'd be flying into a trap.
The squadron prepped for the cold weather and harsh terrain, checking systems and ensuring the jets were ready for sub-zero combat. The frozen north was notorious for its unpredictable weather, and we'd be operating in some of the most challenging conditions yet.
As we stood on the tarmac, the cold wind biting through our gear, I felt the familiar weight of anticipation. This mission was about more than just destroying another facility—it was about staying one step ahead of Zaitsev.
Monarch's voice cut through the comms as Hitman Squadron lined up for takeoff. "Let's make this quick. We need to know what Zaitsev's up to before he gets his systems back online."
"Agreed," I replied, climbing into the cockpit of the F-22. "Phoenix, Hitman, let's get in and out before the storm hits."
As the jets lifted off into the sky, the frozen landscape stretched out beneath us, an endless expanse of white and ice. Somewhere in the distance, Zaitsev was plotting his next move, and it was up to us to stop him before he could regain control.
New Feature Unlocked: Extreme Weather Combat
Squadron performance and tactics now adapted for combat in harsh, unpredictable conditions, including sub-zero temperatures and blizzard-like environments.
The storm clouds loomed on the horizon as we approached the facility, the radar already showing signs of enemy activity. Drones—smaller, more agile than the ones we'd encountered before—were patrolling the perimeter, their AI systems likely reconnected to whatever backup Zaitsev was using.
"Drones on radar," Rook said, her voice steady. "Looks like they've already adapted."
I nodded. "Let's move in fast. Take out the drones, and we'll move on the facility. We need to know what they're working on."
New Objective: Neutralize the Drone Patrols
Objective: Eliminate the drone patrols guarding the northern research facility and breach the perimeter.
Reward: XP: 20,000, Facility Breached
Failure Penalty: Mission Delayed
Viper, Echo, Blaze, and Raven broke off, their jets cutting through the icy winds as they moved to engage the drones. The smaller drones were fast, darting through the air like insects, but Viper's missile lock was as sharp as ever, taking them out with precision strikes. Echo's jet followed, weaving between the drones and disabling key units without giving them a chance to regroup.
"Drones down," Viper reported, his voice calm. "Moving toward the facility."
Monarch's voice came through the comms, cold and professional as ever. "Hitman's moving in on the southern entrance. Let's breach this place."
We descended toward the research facility, the storm swirling around us as we approached the entrance. The radar showed no sign of additional resistance, but that didn't mean we were safe. Zaitsev always had a backup plan.
Rook's voice was tight. "Something feels off. We're not seeing the kind of resistance I expected."
"I know," I replied, my eyes scanning the horizon. "Stay sharp. This could be a trap."
As we breached the facility's perimeter, the cold air pressed in, and the icy wind howled around us. The facility loomed ahead, silent and foreboding. Whatever Zaitsev was doing here, we needed to find out—and fast.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein