Kapitel 42: Threads of Control
The base was bathed in a golden hue as the sun set behind the mountains, but the tension hung over everything like a cloud. We had stopped Zaitsev's advanced AI from escaping the underground lab, but the reality of what we had uncovered was impossible to ignore. Zaitsev had been on the verge of releasing something that could have changed the war entirely—an AI that could adapt, evolve, and control entire fleets on its own. And if he had been that close, it meant there were other projects, other secrets hidden in the shadows, waiting to be unleashed.
In the command center, the lights were dim, and the screens were filled with data from the underground lab. Levi was hunched over the main console, his fingers flying over the keys as he decrypted the final pieces of information we had pulled from the facility. Phantom Leader stood nearby, his usual stoic expression even more grim than usual. Everyone knew what was at stake now.
Rook leaned against the table, arms crossed, her eyes locked on the screens. "So, what's next? We shut down his AI project, but Zaitsev's always got something else cooking. We need to know what's coming."
Levi glanced up, his face tired but focused. "I've been analyzing the data we recovered from the underground lab. It's… more complicated than we thought."
"Complicated how?" I asked, stepping forward.
Levi tapped a few keys, bringing up a new set of files on the screen. "Zaitsev wasn't just working on one AI. There are traces of multiple projects, all interconnected. His plan wasn't to just create a single, autonomous AI unit—he was developing an entire network of AIs, each one designed to evolve and specialize in different areas. This wasn't just about drones. It's bigger than that."
Rook's eyes narrowed. "So what are we dealing with here? More drone fleets? Automated ground forces?"
Levi shook his head. "It's worse. Zaitsev was building AI systems capable of taking control of existing infrastructure—military systems, communication networks, even civilian sectors. If these AIs go online, Zaitsev won't need to deploy a physical army. He'll have control of everything, and he can manipulate the world from behind the scenes."
The weight of Levi's words sank in like a stone. Zaitsev wasn't just trying to win a war—he was trying to control the entire world, to build a system that could take over without anyone knowing until it was too late.
"So, where are these other AIs?" Rook asked, her voice tight. "If we took down the one in the lab, there have to be more out there."
Levi nodded grimly. "We've identified three more suspected sites. They're scattered—one in Osea, another in northern Erusea, and the last one… well, we haven't confirmed the exact location yet, but it's somewhere in the Belkan Remnant-controlled territory."
Phantom Leader stepped forward, his eyes narrowing at the mention of Belka. "If Zaitsev's operating in our region, we need to know immediately."
I glanced at Phantom Leader, understanding the severity of what Levi had just uncovered. Zaitsev's reach extended into Belka itself. This wasn't just our fight anymore—every nation, every faction was at risk.
New Objective: Uncover Zaitsev's Remaining AI Networks
Objective: Investigate Zaitsev's suspected AI sites across Osea, Erusea, and Belkan Remnant territory, and prevent the AIs from going online.
Threat Level: Maximum
Reward: XP: 60,000, Zaitsev's AI Network Crippled
Failure Penalty: Global AI Control Established
The map on the screen showed the locations of the two confirmed sites—one deep in Osean territory and the other nestled in the mountains of northern Erusea. The third, hidden somewhere in Belka, was still a mystery, but we couldn't afford to wait.
"We need to move fast," I said, my voice firm. "If Zaitsev manages to bring even one of these AIs online, we could be looking at a global crisis. Phoenix will take the Osean site. Phantom, you'll need to handle the one in Belka."
Phantom Leader nodded. "We'll deal with it. But if Zaitsev has operatives in Belkan territory, it's going to be a fight."
Rook crossed her arms, her eyes scanning the map. "And what about the Erusean site?"
I glanced at Levi, who was already pulling up more data on the northern facility. "It's heavily fortified, and we've picked up chatter that Zaitsev's drones are guarding it. If we're going to hit it, we'll need to split our forces."
Levi nodded in agreement. "The Osean site is more vulnerable right now. It's not as well defended, but that means Zaitsev might activate it sooner if he thinks we're coming. The Erusean facility, on the other hand, is a fortress. It'll take everything we've got to breach it."
New Mission Objective: Coordinate Strikes on Zaitsev's AI Sites
Objective: Launch simultaneous strikes on Zaitsev's AI development sites in Osea and Erusea, while investigating the hidden site in Belkan territory.
Reward: XP: 60,000, Zaitsev's AI Network Crippled
Failure Penalty: Zaitsev's AIs Go Online
The next few hours were spent in preparation. The tension in the air was thicker than ever as we coordinated the simultaneous strikes. Task Force Phoenix would lead the charge on the Osean facility, while Hitman Squadron and the Belkan Remnant forces would split between the Erusean and Belkan sites. Every move had to be precise—there was no margin for error.
The storm clouds were gathering again as we launched from the base, the engines roaring beneath us as Task Force Phoenix cut through the darkening sky. The Osean facility lay ahead, hidden deep in the heart of a military complex, but we had the element of surprise. If we could hit it fast and hard, we might be able to shut down Zaitsev's AI before it even had a chance to activate.
"Phoenix, we're approaching the target," I said over the comms, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. "We need to disable the AI systems and shut down the facility. Keep it tight."
"Copy that," Viper replied, his jet already locking onto the facility's outer defenses. "I've got visual on enemy drones—looks like Zaitsev's already preparing for us."
Echo's voice came through next, calm and tactical. "We'll handle the drones. Blaze, Raven, stay on my six."
The radar lit up as we closed in on the facility. Drones swarmed out from the complex, sleek and fast, their AI systems already adapting to our approach. But this time, we were ready.
New Objective: Disable the Osean AI Facility
Objective: Destroy the AI systems inside the Osean facility and prevent it from going online.
Reward: XP: 40,000, Osean AI Disabled
Failure Penalty: AI Activated
The first wave of drones surged toward us, their movements fast and erratic, but Viper and Echo were already in position. Missiles streaked through the sky as the squadron moved to intercept, the drones exploding in fiery bursts as they fell one by one.
"I've got lock," Viper said, his voice calm and controlled. "Engaging now."
Echo followed close behind, her jet weaving through the chaos as she targeted the drones' weak points. "Taking out the lead drones now. Blaze, Raven, move in for support."
Blaze and Raven closed the distance, their jets cutting through the skies as they provided cover for the ground teams. The facility's defenses were active, but they weren't prepared for the full force of our attack.
"We're in," I said, locking onto the facility's main structure. "Rook, take point with me. Let's shut this place down."
New Objective: Destroy the AI Control Systems
Objective: Take out the core AI systems inside the Osean facility to prevent activation.
Reward: XP: 40,000, AI Network Disabled
Failure Penalty: Global AI Control Established
As we moved in for the final strike, the tension hit its peak. The facility loomed ahead, its defenses faltering under our assault, but the AI was still online, still fighting back. We had to finish this before it could deploy.
"Missiles away," I muttered, firing off the final round. The explosions rocked the facility, and the AI systems began to collapse, their control nodes shorting out one by one.
"We've got it," Rook called out, her voice triumphant. "The AI's offline."
The facility fell silent, its systems dead, its threat neutralized. But even as we pulled away, I couldn't shake the feeling that this war was far from over. Zaitsev had lost another piece of his plan, but he was still out there, still watching, still waiting for his next move.
"We've got more work to do," I said, my eyes fixed on the horizon. "And Zaitsev's not going to stop until we've taken him down for good."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein