Chương 24: Bird of Prey
The storm clouds over the Chopinburg Ocean seemed to hang low as we returned to base, the horizon swallowed by darkness. The Phantom facility was gone, reduced to a smoldering ruin, but Zaitsev's presence lingered in the air like a specter. We had faced him, but it had been no victory—he had slipped through our fingers, leaving only the twisted remains of his creation behind.
Rook sat across from me in the transport helicopter, her eyes fixed on the horizon. "You really think the F-22 is going to be enough?"
I nodded, but my thoughts were far from certain. "It's a start. Zaitsev's forces are evolving faster than we expected. The F-16's good, but we're outmatched now. His drones… they're getting smarter. We need the Raptor's stealth, speed, and tech."
Rook exhaled slowly. "It's risky. We don't even know what he's planning next."
Levi's voice crackled through the comms, cutting in from his jet escorting us back. "Got a contact lined up for that Raptor. Guy's ex-military, went rogue after the Continental War. He's got a base on the edge of Osea's desert. You'll have to meet him in person to get the plane. But be warned—he's not one to trust easily."
I nodded, feeling the weight of what was coming. The F-22 wasn't just a better fighter—it was a symbol of how far we'd come, and how far we still had to go to take Zaitsev down. If we were going to have any hope of stopping him, this was the edge we needed.
New Objective: Secure an F-22 Super Raptor
Objective: Meet with Levi's contact and acquire the F-22
Threat Level: Medium
Reward: XP: 8000, Advanced Aircraft Capabilities
Failure Penalty: Reduced Effectiveness Against Zaitsev's Forces
Three days later, the desert wind howled as we flew low over Osea's barren wasteland, the dunes stretching out endlessly beneath the blinding sun. The contact Levi had arranged was a former Osean Air Force pilot, a legend turned ghost. His name was Darian "Ghost" Cole, a man who had vanished from the radar after the war, taking with him several valuable assets, including an F-22 Super Raptor.
"I've heard stories about Ghost," Rook said as she piloted the chopper over the desert. "He's a recluse. Doesn't trust anyone anymore."
"Good thing we're not just anyone," I replied, scanning the horizon. The coordinates Levi had given us led to a remote airstrip, little more than a stretch of cracked earth and an old hangar. It was the perfect place for someone like Ghost to hide out.
As we touched down, the heat hit me like a wave, and I stepped out of the chopper, my boots crunching against the sand. The hangar loomed ahead, its doors slightly ajar. The wind carried the distant hum of machinery, but otherwise, it was quiet—too quiet.
Rook followed, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "You sure he's here?"
"He's here," I said, striding toward the hangar. "Levi wouldn't send us if it wasn't legit."
Inside the hangar, the air was thick with the smell of oil and grease. The space was cluttered with old aircraft parts, half-dismantled jets, and crates of supplies. And there, tucked in the corner, was the F-22. Its sleek, angular frame gleamed under the dim lights, a testament to its superiority over anything I'd flown before.
But we weren't alone. A figure stepped out from behind the plane, a man with graying hair, a hard face weathered by years of combat, and eyes that held the weight of everything he'd seen. This was Ghost.
"You must be Wells," Ghost said, his voice rough and untrusting. "Levi said you'd be coming. He's never been one to send strangers unless they're desperate."
I met his gaze, refusing to show any hesitation. "We need the Raptor. Zaitsev's forces are evolving, and the F-16 isn't cutting it anymore."
Ghost studied me for a moment, his eyes narrowing. "Zaitsev, huh? Heard about him. Bastard's been pulling strings behind the scenes for years. You think this plane is going to help you stop him?"
"It's a start," I said, my tone firm. "We can't fight his drones and tech with outdated equipment. We need every advantage we can get."
Ghost didn't respond immediately. Instead, he walked over to the F-22, running a hand along its sleek frame. "This bird's more than just a plane. She's a piece of history. Fast, stealthy, and built for war. But she's also temperamental. You've gotta earn her respect."
Rook stepped forward. "We've earned it. And we'll keep earning it."
Ghost chuckled, a low, gravelly sound. "I like your confidence. Alright, you can take her. But know this—once you're in, you're in. Zaitsev isn't just some warlord or rogue general. He's playing the long game, and you're part of it now."
I nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle in. "We know. And we're ready."
Ghost stepped aside, gesturing toward the Raptor. "She's yours. But if you're going after Zaitsev, you're going to need more than just firepower. You'll need strategy. He's got the world wrapped around his finger, and he's been planning this for years."
I climbed into the cockpit, the controls feeling both familiar and foreign at the same time. The HUD lit up, and the advanced systems hummed to life, more responsive and powerful than anything I'd flown before. This was what we needed—an edge against the growing threat.
Rook stood at the edge of the hangar, watching as I powered up the engines. "You sure you can handle it?"
I grinned. "Watch me."
Objective Complete: F-22 Super Raptor Secured
Reward: XP: 8000, Advanced Aircraft Capabilities Unlocked
The F-22 roared to life as I taxied out of the hangar, the powerful engines sending dust and sand spiraling into the air. This was no ordinary fighter jet. It was a game-changer—a weapon that would level the playing field against Zaitsev's increasingly advanced drones and technology.
As I lifted off into the clear desert sky, the Raptor responded to my every command with precision and speed. It wasn't just faster than the F-16—it was more agile, more advanced in every way. I could feel the difference immediately, and I knew that this was the tool we needed to face what was coming.
Rook's voice crackled over the comms as she took off behind me. "Looks like you're getting the hang of it."
"Feels like I've been flying this thing for years," I replied, banking hard to test the Raptor's handling. "Zaitsev's not going to know what hit him."
But even as the adrenaline coursed through me, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that Ghost had planted in my mind. Zaitsev wasn't just playing a tactical game—he was playing a psychological one. He was always one step ahead, and now that we had the Raptor, we were about to step into the next level of his twisted design.
New Objective: Strike Back Against Zaitsev
Objective: Use the F-22's advanced capabilities to combat Zaitsev's evolving AI forces and disrupt his operations
Reward: XP: 10,000, ???
Failure Penalty: Zaitsev's Control Continues to Expand
As we flew back toward our base, the desert stretching out endlessly below, I knew the war was far from over. Zaitsev's empire was still growing, and every victory we claimed only seemed to strengthen his resolve. But now, we had the tools to fight back.
And the next time we faced him, it wouldn't just be about survival.
It would be about taking him down.
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