บท 25: The Foundations
The roar of the F-22's engines filled the air as I banked over the desert, the familiar sense of power and precision surging through me. It was more than just a plane—it was a symbol of our next step forward. The switch to the Super Raptor gave us the firepower we needed, but it also meant something else: this war was growing. It wasn't just me and Rook against the world anymore. We needed a team. We needed a base. We needed a foundation.
As we touched down back at the base, I stepped out of the cockpit, the heat of the desert sun already bearing down. Rook was waiting near the hangar, arms crossed, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"We've got the tools," she said, nodding toward the F-22, "but we need more than that. Zaitsev's not just fighting with drones and AI. He's building an empire. We can't do this alone anymore."
I glanced around the airfield, the makeshift base we had been operating out of feeling smaller with every mission. She was right. If we were going to take Zaitsev down, we needed to think bigger. We needed infrastructure, logistics, and a squadron we could rely on.
"I've been thinking the same thing," I replied, my mind already racing through the possibilities. "We need to expand. Build a team, a squadron, and a base that can keep up with the kind of fight we're in."
Rook raised an eyebrow. "We don't exactly have the resources of a full military operation."
"Not yet," I said, a plan already forming. "But we can start small. The system's given us an edge with technology and upgrades. Let's see if it can help us manage something bigger."
New Objective: Establish a Base of Operations
Objective: Expand the current base, recruit a squadron, and set up logistics to support future operations
Reward: XP: 15,000, Base Management Features Unlocked
Failure Penalty: Difficulty in future missions and lack of support
I pulled up the system interface, the familiar grid of stats and abilities filling my vision. But this time, something new appeared—an option for Base Management. It was as if the system had been waiting for this moment, anticipating the need to build something more than just a personal arsenal.
Base Management Unlocked
You can now manage base expansion, squadron recruitment, and logistics. Use resources gained from missions to upgrade facilities, train personnel, and strengthen your operations.
I scrolled through the options, seeing the layout of the base and its potential upgrades. The system had divided it into several key areas:
Hangar: Where we could store and maintain aircraft, including the F-22s and other jets we'd acquire along the way.Barracks: A place to house pilots and ground crew, essential for building a reliable squadron.Logistics Hub: Where we could manage supply lines, fuel, ammunition, and aircraft parts, keeping us operational even in hostile territory.Command Center: A strategic hub where missions could be planned, and intelligence could be analyzed.Training Grounds: A place for squadron development, allowing us to improve the skills and cohesion of our pilots.
It wasn't much now, but with the resources we'd gathered from previous missions, I had enough to begin expanding the hangar and the barracks. I set the system to allocate resources, watching as the virtual blueprint began to update in real-time.
Hangar Upgrade: Level 2
Capacity increased: Can now hold up to 6 aircraft.Maintenance efficiency improved.
Barracks Upgrade: Level 1
Space for up to 10 pilots and crew.Basic living quarters established.
Rook stepped up beside me, watching the interface as it flickered with updates. "Looks like we're getting an upgrade."
"It's a start," I said, scrolling through the options. "We need to recruit pilots next. Levi's contacts might know a few people looking for work, and we've got enough funds from recent missions to start building out a proper squadron."
Rook nodded, her expression thoughtful. "It's not just about numbers, though. We need people who can handle the kind of missions we're running—pilots who can fly against drones, navigate hostile airspace, and keep their cool under fire."
"I'll reach out to Levi," I said, already tapping into the system's recruitment options. "He can point us in the right direction."
New Feature: Squadron Creation
You can now recruit pilots, assign them to aircraft, and develop their skills. Train your squadron to improve their abilities and cohesion in battle.
The system provided a few initial candidates based on our current resources:
Callsign: Viper
An experienced fighter pilot, formerly Osean Air Force. Specializes in dogfighting and high-speed engagements. Known for his aggression in the air.
Callsign: Echo
A stealth operations specialist, formerly from a covert ops unit. Expert in infiltration missions and stealth flying. Quiet and tactical.
Callsign: Blaze
A young but talented pilot, highly adaptable with raw potential. Eager to prove himself but lacks battlefield experience.
I selected all three, using the system's interface to initiate contact through Levi's network. The screen flashed with confirmation that the pilots were en route to the base, ready to join our growing team.
Squadron Created: Viper, Echo, Blaze Assigned
Your squadron will need time to train and develop. Assign them to missions to gain experience and improve their skills.
Rook looked over the roster, a faint smile crossing her face. "Not a bad start. But they're going to need time to gel as a unit."
"We'll get them up to speed," I said, pulling up the logistics hub. "In the meantime, we need to make sure we've got enough supplies to keep everything running."
The logistics hub was sparse for now, but I allocated some of our remaining resources to fuel, ammunition, and basic supplies. As the base expanded, we'd need more advanced materials—aircraft parts, upgraded weapons systems, and intelligence to stay ahead of Zaitsev's growing empire.
Logistics Hub: Level 1
Fuel and ammunition reserves established.Basic supply lines in place.
As I finished the upgrades, the system chimed with another notification—something I hadn't expected.
New Skill Unlocked: Commander's Insight
Commander's Insight allows you to oversee operations from a strategic level. Gain bonuses to squadron performance and logistics management. Cooldown: 10 minutes.
I raised an eyebrow at the new skill, feeling the weight of what we were building. It wasn't just about being a pilot anymore. I was becoming something more—a commander, responsible for not just myself, but for the entire team.
Rook clapped me on the shoulder. "Looks like you've got your hands full, Commander."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Yeah, well, someone's gotta keep this thing running."
But behind the lighthearted moment, I could feel the gravity of what lay ahead. Zaitsev wasn't just sitting in the shadows anymore. He was making his next move, and every time we hit one of his facilities, he retaliated harder. We needed to be ready.
The F-22 was only the beginning.
New Objective: Build and Strengthen Your Squadron
Objective: Train your squadron and prepare for future missions against Zaitsev's forces.
Reward: XP: 20,000, ???
Failure Penalty: Squadron Underprepared for Future Missions
As I looked over the base, watching the hangar expand and the first squadron members arrive, I knew one thing for sure: this war wasn't going to be won in the skies alone.
It was going to take everything we had.
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง