Bab 37: Ice and Steel
The wind howled across the frozen expanse, whipping snow into icy sheets that lashed against the canopy of the cockpit. We were deep in northern Usea now, nearing Zaitsev's hidden research facility. The drones we had taken down were just the beginning. Something about this place felt off—too quiet, too hidden. Even as we breached the perimeter, a gnawing sense of dread settled in the pit of my stomach.
"Facility's dead ahead," I said into the comms, my voice cutting through the static. "Phoenix, hold formation. Hitman, take point."
Monarch's voice came through, cold as ever. "Hitman Squadron, moving in."
We descended through the swirling snow, the facility's silhouette coming into view—a massive structure of steel and concrete, its edges softened by the snow and ice that clung to every surface. It was isolated, buried in the heart of the tundra. The perfect place for Zaitsev to hide something dangerous.
"Keep your eyes open," Rook said, her tone tight with caution. "Zaitsev doesn't leave a place like this unprotected."
As if on cue, the radar lit up with hostile signals—more drones, but these were different. Larger, faster, and more heavily armed than anything we had encountered at Black Echo. Their AI had adapted. Zaitsev was pulling out all the stops now.
"We've got incoming," I warned, locking onto the nearest drone. "Phoenix, engage."
Viper and Echo peeled off, their jets banking hard as they moved to intercept the incoming wave. Missiles streaked through the storm, and the night lit up with explosions as the first wave of drones clashed with our forces.
"They're faster," Blaze muttered over the comms, his voice tense as he dodged a volley of missiles. "These aren't the same models we've been fighting."
"Adapted," Rook said, her jet pulling into a sharp dive. "Zaitsev's evolving his tech. We need to take them out before they swarm us."
I tightened my grip on the controls and dove into the fray. The drones moved in erratic patterns, their AI systems clearly upgraded to handle the harsh conditions and rapid engagements. They were more aggressive, more coordinated. Zaitsev was pulling no punches.
New Mission: Breach the Northern Research Facility
Objective: Defeat the advanced drones guarding Zaitsev's northern research station and breach the facility's interior.
Threat Level: Extreme
Reward: XP: 40,000, Intel on Zaitsev's Next Move
Failure Penalty: Zaitsev's Research Continues Unchecked
"Viper, Echo, focus on clearing the air," I ordered. "Rook and I will hit the facility's defenses. Blaze, Raven, cover us."
Missiles tore through the sky as the squadron engaged the drones, each movement precise despite the chaotic conditions. Viper was a machine, his jet weaving through the enemy formations as he picked off drone after drone with deadly efficiency. Echo followed, her stealth tactics allowing her to slip past the main battle and target the drones' weak spots.
But these drones were different—each one we destroyed was quickly replaced by another. The facility wasn't just housing research; it was a production hub. Zaitsev was building these drones here, mass-producing them faster than we could take them out.
"We need to hit that facility hard," I muttered, locking onto the main structure. "If we don't stop production, these drones will overwhelm us."
Rook's voice came through, sharp and determined. "Agreed. Let's take out their production lines."
New Objective: Disable the Drone Production Facility
Objective: Destroy the drone production lines inside Zaitsev's research station to stop the flow of reinforcements.
Reward: XP: 30,000, Facility Production Halted
Failure Penalty: Drone Reinforcements Continue
We dove toward the facility, dodging fire from both the drones and the ground-based defenses. The anti-air batteries opened up, but Hitman Squadron was already in position, taking out the turrets and SAM sites with surgical precision. Monarch was a force of nature, leading his team through the storm with the kind of cold efficiency that made him one of the best.
"We've got an opening," Monarch said over the comms. "Hit that facility hard. We'll cover you."
"Copy that," I replied, my targeting systems locking onto the production lines inside the facility. "Rook, let's take them down."
Together, we unleashed a volley of missiles, the explosions ripping through the facility's exterior and exposing the production lines beneath. The drones being manufactured inside were still in various stages of assembly, but they wouldn't stay offline for long. We had to destroy them before Zaitsev could send another wave after us.
"Missiles away," I called out, firing off another round.
The production lines erupted in a series of explosions, fire and debris filling the sky as we tore through the facility's infrastructure. The drones inside were caught in the blast, their incomplete frames crumpling under the force of the attack.
"We're clear," Rook said, her voice steady but laced with urgency. "But there's something else. I'm picking up a heat signature deeper in the facility."
I frowned, checking my sensors. "What kind of signature?"
"Large. Too large to be a drone. It's moving—fast."
My blood ran cold. Zaitsev wasn't just building drones here. He had something else hidden in this facility, something bigger.
"We need to get inside," I said, my voice tight. "There's more going on here than we thought."
New Objective: Investigate the Heat Signature
Objective: Enter the research facility and uncover the source of the anomalous heat signature.
Reward: XP: 50,000, Discovery of Zaitsev's New Project
Failure Penalty: Critical Intel Lost
We descended toward the facility, the drones around us beginning to falter as the production lines fell silent. Monarch's team continued to engage the stragglers, keeping the airspace clear while we prepared for the next phase of the mission.
"I'll lead the ground team," Rook said, her tone decisive. "We need to know what Zaitsev's been working on here."
"Agreed," I replied, already coordinating with Levi back at base. "Get inside, find out what that heat signature is, and report back. If Zaitsev's building something new, we need to know."
The team prepared for the ground assault, descending into the facility's exposed interior. The heat signature was coming from deeper within the complex, hidden beneath layers of reinforced walls. Whatever Zaitsev had been working on here, it was dangerous—and we were running out of time to stop it.
Inside the facility, the cold air gave way to a harsh mechanical heat. The walls were lined with wires, machinery, and broken drones, some half-finished, others in pieces from the bombardment. But there was something else—a hum of energy that pulsed from the depths of the structure.
Rook led the ground team deeper into the facility, her rifle ready as they moved through the industrial corridors. Every step brought them closer to the source of the heat signature, and the tension was mounting with each passing second.
"I don't like this," she muttered. "Something's not right."
As they approached the central chamber, the doors hissed open, revealing the source of the heat signature: a massive, armored vehicle, unlike anything we had ever seen. It wasn't a drone—it was something else. A massive, autonomous AI weapon, bristling with energy weapons and thick plating. And it was still active.
"Zaitsev's building a war machine," Rook whispered, her eyes wide. "He's been planning this all along."
New Objective: Disable Zaitsev's Autonomous War Machine
Objective: Destroy the AI war machine before it becomes operational and is deployed.
Reward: XP: 50,000, Zaitsev's Superweapon Neutralized
Failure Penalty: War Machine Deployed
The war machine roared to life, its systems coming online as the facility shook with the force of its activation. Rook's team sprang into action, firing at the massive vehicle as it powered up. But it was heavily armored, and their weapons barely made a dent.
"We need air support!" Rook shouted over the comms. "This thing's too big for ground forces."
"On our way," I replied, banking hard toward the facility. "Phoenix, Hitman, get ready to hit this thing with everything you've got."
The war machine emerged from the facility, towering over the complex as it moved toward the open air. It was a monster, its massive cannons turning toward us as we approached.
"Everyone, focus fire on the war machine!" I ordered, locking onto the behemoth. "We take this thing down, or it's over."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone