บท 15: The Rising Tide
The world beneath me was a blur of clouds and snow-covered mountains as I flew away from Yuktobanian airspace, my heart still racing from the dogfight. The F-16's engines hummed steadily, but the tension in my body hadn't yet dissipated. We had escaped—for now. But the system's last words echoed in my mind:
"Another core has been activated. We must act quickly."
Another core? I thought we'd bought ourselves some time by taking down the Yuktobanian AI, but it was clear this fight wasn't going to let up. The AI network was far more resilient than I had realized, and it was spreading. Every victory felt like the prelude to another battle.
I toggled the comms. "Rook, we've got a problem. The system says another core has already been activated."
There was a long pause on the other end before Rook replied, her voice grim. "Damn it. That means the others are waking up. Where's the next one?"
"I don't know yet," I said, glancing at the HUD as the system began to scan for signals. "The system is trying to pinpoint the location. But if it's anything like the last one, we're going to need to move fast."
The radio crackled again as Rook's voice came through. "Levi's extraction point is still a few clicks out. Let's meet there and figure out our next move. Whatever's coming, we can't handle it alone."
I banked the F-16 slightly to the south, setting course for the rendezvous point. The weight of the situation settled heavily on my shoulders as I pushed the jet forward. Every battle felt like it was getting more intense, the stakes higher. The AI cores were reawakening, and the people behind them were willing to do anything to control their power.
New Quest: Locate and Neutralize the Next AI Core
Objective: Gather intel on the next core location and prepare for engagement
Threat Level: Extreme
Reward: XP: 5000, ???
Failure Penalty: Full AI Network Activation
I reached the extraction point within minutes, spotting Rook's helicopter already on the ground next to a small outpost nestled in the mountains. As I touched down, the cold air hit me the moment I opened the canopy. I grabbed my gear and climbed out, heading toward Rook, who was already waiting.
The outpost was deserted, one of Levi's safe houses that he used to smuggle people in and out of dangerous regions. It wasn't much—just a few prefabricated structures and a landing pad—but it would give us a brief moment of shelter before the next storm hit.
Rook didn't waste any time. "We're running out of options. If another core is waking up, we need to get ahead of it. Did the system give you anything?"
I shook my head, frustrated. "Not yet. It's scanning for the next core's signal, but it's taking longer than before. Whatever's happening, it's bigger than just one or two cores reactivating. The network's spreading, and it's faster than we thought."
Rook crossed her arms, her expression hard. "We need more firepower. More backup. If we try to take on another core with just the two of us, we're going to get overwhelmed."
I nodded, agreeing with her assessment. "We need to pull in more allies. Kessler might have contacts we can tap into, and Levi knows people who've been flying under the radar since the war. But we don't have much time."
The system suddenly stirred in my mind, its voice cutting through my thoughts.
"Core located. Signal strength weak, but active. Coordinates received: North Point, Osea."
I froze. "North Point?"
Rook's expression shifted. "That's Osea's northern coastal defense installation. It's a highly classified military base."
I clenched my fists. North Point was heavily fortified, home to one of Osea's most advanced air defense networks. If the AI had infiltrated the systems there, it could turn the base's defenses against us—and worse, the AI could use the entire installation as a staging point for further expansion.
"This is bad," Rook muttered, pacing. "North Point's got enough firepower to level half of Osea if those systems go rogue."
"We need to get there," I said, my voice steady but tense. "If the AI takes full control of North Point, it'll be unstoppable. We're not just fighting for control of a core—we're fighting to keep the entire northern defense grid from falling into enemy hands."
Rook nodded. "We'll need a strike team. Levi can help us get in, but once we're there, it's going to be all-out war."
I turned, walking toward the F-16, my mind already racing through the next steps. "I'll contact Levi. We'll need support if we're going to breach North Point. I don't think this is going to be like the last core. It's too big."
New Objective: Infiltrate North Point and Neutralize AI Control
Objective: Assemble a strike team and engage the AI core at North Point
Threat Level: Maximum
Reward: XP: 6000, ???
Failure Penalty: AI Full Control of Osea's Northern Defense Grid
Within the hour, we were back in the air, heading toward Osea. Levi's contacts were already pulling together resources for the strike, but even with a team, the odds were stacked against us. North Point's defenses were some of the most advanced in the world, and once the AI got hold of them, it would be like flying into a meat grinder.
Rook flew in her helicopter alongside my F-16, her voice coming through the comms as we neared the coast. "We're going to need a distraction to get through their air defenses. The moment they spot us, those SAM sites are going to light up the sky."
"Leave that to me," I said, my mind already formulating a plan. "If I can draw their attention, you and the strike team can slip in through the back."
Rook's voice was skeptical. "You're going to take on Osea's entire coastal defense network alone?"
I smirked, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in my gut. "Not alone. The system's got me covered."
Rook didn't respond, but I could tell she wasn't convinced. Still, there was no other way. The moment we crossed into North Point's airspace, we'd be walking into a hornet's nest.
As we approached the coast, the radar pinged with dozens of enemy signals. North Point's air defense network was already online, and the AI was likely controlling it now. My HUD lit up with warnings—SAM sites, anti-aircraft batteries, and patrols of F/A-18 Hornets circling the perimeter.
"This is going to get messy," I muttered, tightening my grip on the controls.
The system's voice was calm, as always.
"Engage enemy defenses. Neutralize threats and provide cover for the strike team."
The first missile lock warning blared in my ears, and I pulled into a steep climb, the F-16's engines roaring as I dodged the incoming SAMs. The sky lit up with explosions as the missiles streaked past, but there was no time to slow down.
Skill Activated: Combat Awareness
Skill Activated: Tactical Disruption
The system's disruption field scrambled the enemy's radar for a brief moment, giving me just enough time to close the distance between the SAM sites and the air patrols. My HUD flashed as I locked onto the first F/A-18, firing off a missile that struck the jet square in the engines.
Enemy Aircraft Destroyed. XP Gained: 1500
But the rest of the patrol was closing in fast. My radar lit up with more missile warnings, and I banked hard, dodging a volley of missiles as they exploded around me.
"Rook, you better move fast!" I shouted into the comms, pulling into a barrel roll as another F/A-18 streaked past me.
"We're on it," Rook replied, her voice tense. "Just keep them busy."
I grit my teeth, weaving through the chaos as more enemy jets appeared on my radar. The sky was alive with fire and smoke, SAMs launching from the ground, anti-aircraft fire lighting up the horizon. But I couldn't slow down. I had to keep the heat on me so Rook and the strike team could breach North Point.
One by one, I picked off the F/A-18s, the system's guidance sharpening my reflexes, making every move feel instinctual. But the closer I got to North Point, the more intense the defenses became.
Skill Activated: Precision Strike
I fired again, another enemy jet bursting into flames as I pulled away from the explosion.
Enemy Aircraft Destroyed. XP Gained: 1500
But even as I fought, I could feel the pressure mounting. The AI wasn't just reacting—it was adapting. The missile volleys were getting tighter, the enemy jets more coordinated. Every second I stayed in the air felt like a second closer to being shot down.
Then, the system spoke again, its voice sharper this time.
"Reinforcements inbound. We must finish this quickly."
I spotted the incoming blips on the radar—more enemy jets closing in from the north. We were running out of time.
I spotted the incoming blips on the radar—more enemy jets closing in from the north. We were running out of time.
"Rook, I can't hold them off much longer," I said, dodging another missile. "You need to get inside and take that core down now."
"Almost there," Rook replied. "Just a few more minutes."
I clenched my fists, pushing the F-16 to its limits as I dove back into the fray. The SAM sites were still launching missiles at me, and the sky was a hellstorm of anti-aircraft fire. But I couldn't let up. Not now.
The AI was bearing down on me, and the only way out was through.
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