Bab 47: The Breach
The mountain air was thick with tension as Task Force Phoenix descended on Zaitsev's final stronghold. The fortress carved into the heart of the mountain was a sprawling complex of hardened steel and reinforced walls, illuminated by the faint glow of distant explosions and tracer fire. The outer defenses had crumbled beneath our assault, but the real fight was just beginning. Zaitsev was cornered, and a man like him was most dangerous when he had nothing left to lose.
As our jets swept low over the jagged peaks, the radar was alive with hostile signatures. Drones, ground-based missile systems, and automated turrets all came online, their defensive grid kicking into overdrive. Zaitsev was throwing everything at us, and we were walking straight into the teeth of it.
"We're approaching the main facility," I said over the comms, my voice calm but firm. "Phoenix, stay sharp. Zaitsev's got this place wired up tight."
Viper's voice crackled through, cold and focused. "Picking up heavy drone activity along the northern ridge. We're going to need to neutralize those before we can make a proper breach."
Echo was already locked into the tactical rhythm, her tone precise. "Those drones are operating on advanced AI protocols—Zaitsev's last stand. We need to hit them hard, or they'll swarm us."
Rook's voice came next, steady but edged with determination. "We've come this far. We're not letting him slip away now."
I glanced at the radar, locking onto the first wave of drones. They were faster and more aggressive than anything we'd faced before—Zaitsev's final ace, designed to outmaneuver and overwhelm. But we had fought his AI creations before. We knew how they worked.
"Phoenix, engage!" I ordered, diving toward the swarm. "We take out these drones, and we open the door to Zaitsev."
New Mission: Neutralize the Drone Swarm
Objective: Destroy the advanced AI-driven drones guarding Zaitsev's command center and clear a path to the facility.
Threat Level: Extreme
Reward: XP: 50,000, Path to Command Center Opened
Failure Penalty: Drone Swarm Overwhelms, Mission Delayed
Missiles streaked through the night as the squadron engaged the drones. Viper's precision strikes led the charge, his jet weaving through the swarm as he targeted the lead drones with deadly accuracy. Explosions lit up the sky as the first wave of drones disintegrated under the assault.
"I've got lock," Viper said, his voice steady. "Taking them down."
Echo followed close behind, her jet moving with surgical precision as she dismantled the drones' formations. "Focusing on the flank. These drones are faster than anything we've seen, but they're still predictable."
Blaze and Raven swung into action, their jets cutting through the chaos as they provided cover fire. Blaze's growth as a pilot was evident in every maneuver, his confidence rising with each successful strike, while Raven's relentless efficiency made her a force to be reckoned with.
"We're thinning them out," Blaze called over the comms, his voice sharp with focus. "But there's more coming in from the west."
"We'll handle them," I replied, locking onto the second wave of drones. "Phoenix, don't let up."
The battle raged on, our missiles lighting up the dark sky as we tore through the drone swarm. Zaitsev's AI-driven weapons moved with an almost sentient intelligence, adapting to our tactics, but we had fought these machines before. We knew how to exploit their weaknesses.
Rook's voice cut through the comms, her tone filled with intensity. "I'm on the last group. Let's finish this."
She dove toward the remaining drones, her jet slicing through the sky as she fired off her missiles. The final wave of drones exploded in a brilliant flash of fire and debris, leaving nothing but the smoking remains of Zaitsev's defenses.
Objective Complete: Drone Swarm Neutralized
Reward: XP: 50,000, Path to Command Center Opened
As the last of the drones fell, the mountain fortress loomed ahead, its walls scarred by the battle but still standing. The path was clear, and the final breach was within reach.
"We've got an opening," I said, my voice steady but filled with anticipation. "Phoenix, move in. We're breaching the facility."
Monarch's voice crackled through the comms, his calm professionalism cutting through the noise. "Hitman Squadron is on standby. Ground forces are moving into position. We're ready to support."
Phantom Leader's cold, measured tone followed. "Belkan ground teams will handle the breach. Phoenix, focus on keeping the skies clear."
The ground forces were already moving into position, storming the entrance to Zaitsev's command center as we provided aerial cover. The facility itself was a massive complex, carved deep into the mountainside, fortified to withstand even the most aggressive assaults. But with the drones down and the air defenses shattered, we had the upper hand.
"Phoenix, let's make sure nothing gets out," I said, my gaze locked on the facility's massive doors. "We shut this place down, or Zaitsev disappears."
New Objective: Breach Zaitsev's Command Center
Objective: Support the ground forces in breaching Zaitsev's hidden command center and disable the facility's core systems.
Reward: XP: 70,000, Command Center Breached
Failure Penalty: Zaitsev's Escape
The ground forces breached the entrance, explosions rocking the complex as the Belkan Remnant and Hitman Squadron's ground teams forced their way inside. Automated defenses lined the interior, turrets and AI-controlled systems opening fire, but the combined strength of the strike teams pushed forward with relentless determination.
"We're inside," Phantom Leader called over the comms, his voice strained but controlled. "Pushing toward the command center now."
"Copy that," I replied, flying low over the facility, watching for any signs of reinforcements. "We've got you covered from above."
Missile fire erupted from the far side of the facility, but Viper and Echo were already in position, neutralizing the remaining ground-based defenses with precision strikes. The skies were clear, and Zaitsev was running out of time.
"Ground teams, you're clear," Viper said, his voice cold and methodical. "No sign of reinforcements."
Inside the facility, the battle raged. The corridors were a maze of automated defenses and reinforced doors, but the ground teams pressed forward, cutting through Zaitsev's last line of defense. This was it—the final push.
Monarch's voice came through again, more urgent this time. "We're reaching the core. Zaitsev's here."
The words sent a jolt through me. After all the battles, all the losses, we were finally within reach of the man who had orchestrated everything. Zaitsev was cornered.
"Phantom, Monarch, get ready," I called out, my voice filled with determination. "We're going to finish this."
New Objective: Capture Zaitsev
Objective: Breach Zaitsev's command center and capture him before he escapes.
Reward: XP: 100,000, Zaitsev Captured
Failure Penalty: Zaitsev's Escape and Rebuild
Inside the command center, the ground forces moved swiftly. Zaitsev's defenses were crumbling, and the man himself was nowhere to run. Phantom Leader's voice came over the comms, filled with finality. "We're at the core. Zaitsev's here."
For a moment, there was silence. The battle was over, the fortress breached. And then, through the comms, came a voice I hadn't heard before.
"Congratulations," Zaitsev's voice crackled over the frequency, calm and calculating. "You've made it this far. But do you really think it's over?"
I felt a chill run down my spine. Zaitsev had always been ten steps ahead, and even now, cornered in his own command center, he wasn't afraid.
"We've got you," Phantom Leader said, his voice hard. "There's nowhere left to run."
Zaitsev's laugh was cold, mocking. "You may have won this battle, but you've only just begun to understand the war."
And then, the connection went dead.
Monarch's voice cut through the comms, sharp with urgency. "He's gone! Zaitsev's escaped the facility—he's not here!"
My heart sank. We had him, and yet somehow, Zaitsev had slipped through our fingers.
"He had a contingency plan," Rook said, her voice low but furious. "He knew we were coming. He led us here."
I clenched my fists, the weight of Zaitsev's escape settling over me. The battle was over, but the war wasn't. Not yet.
"We'll find him," I said, my voice filled with resolve. "No matter where he runs, we'll find him."
The hunt for Zaitsev wasn't over.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone