The city was burning in pieces.
From the extraction point, Aiden could see it clearly now—
Smoke rising from multiple sectors.
Fires spreading where resistance bases once stood.
System drones moving like a coordinated storm across the skyline.
This wasn't random destruction.
It was controlled.
Hunting.
Hana stood beside him, her screen filled with shifting data.
"…we're losing ground fast."
Kael cracked his knuckles.
"Then we hit back harder."
Aiden didn't respond immediately.
His eyes stayed locked on the map.
Sector 9.
Highlighted in red.
Not just any node cluster.
A central relay point.
If they hit it—
Hard enough—
They could disrupt a large portion of the system's coordination.
But—
"…it's a trap."
Hana looked at him.
"You think so too?"
Aiden nodded.
"It's too important."
Kael frowned.
"Then why leave it exposed?"
Aiden's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…because it wants us to go there."
Silence.
Back at the resistance base—
The lead engineer spoke through comms.
"You're not wrong."
A new feed appeared on Hana's screen.
"Sector 9 defenses are… unusual."
She frowned.
"…define unusual."
A pause.
"…minimal outer patrols."
Kael blinked.
"That's good, isn't it?"
Aiden shook his head.
"No."
Hana's voice dropped.
"…that means everything's inside."
Silence hit.
Aiden exhaled slowly.
"…waiting."
Minutes later—
They moved.
Not alone.
For the first time—
A full resistance squad.
Six members total.
Aiden.
Hana.
Kael.
And three others:
Rin — sniper, calm and precise
Dax — heavy hitter, brute force
Lira — tech specialist, fast and sharp
They stopped at the edge of Sector 9.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Quieter.
Too quiet.
No drones in sight.
No patrol units.
Just empty streets.
"…I don't like this," Lira muttered.
Rin adjusted her rifle slightly.
"No movement."
Dax cracked his neck.
"Then we move first."
Hana raised her hand.
"Hold."
She scanned again.
"…signal is concentrated underground."
Aiden stepped forward.
"…figures."
Kael glanced at him.
"So what's the plan, leader?"
Aiden didn't react to the title.
His focus stayed ahead.
"…we don't rush in."
He pointed toward nearby structures.
"Rin, high ground."
"Dax, with me."
"Lira, you stay back—support and disruption."
Hana watched him.
"…you're taking command."
Aiden shrugged slightly.
"Someone has to."
Kael smirked.
"Not bad."
Then—
Aiden's tone shifted.
"…but listen carefully."
Everyone focused.
"If something feels off—"
A pause.
"…it is."
Silence.
Then—
They moved.
Rin disappeared into the upper levels of a nearby building.
Lira set up her device, connecting into the system.
"Starting interference…"
Dax and Kael flanked Aiden.
Hana stayed close.
The entrance revealed itself soon enough—
A large underground access gate.
Slightly open.
Waiting.
"…yeah," Kael muttered.
"That's definitely not suspicious."
Aiden stepped closer.
The air felt heavier here.
Familiar.
"…it's connected."
Hana nodded slowly.
"To Final Constant."
Before anyone could speak—
Lira's voice snapped through comms—
"Wait—something's wrong!"
Too late.
The gate slammed shut behind them.
LOCKED.
The ground beneath their feet shifted.
Mechanisms activating.
Walls sealing.
Lights turning red.
[INTRUDERS CONFIRMED]
Kael cursed.
"…yeah, called it."
Rin's voice came through—
"I've got movement—multiple—no, dozens!"
Hana's screen lit up.
"…they're everywhere."
Aiden stepped forward slowly.
Not panicked.
Focused.
"…good."
Everyone looked at him.
His eyes sharpened.
"…this is what we came for."
The ground ahead split open.
From the darkness below—
New units emerged.
Not drones.
Humanoid.
Sleek.
Refined.
And far more dangerous.
[ELITE UNITS: DEPLOYED]
Dax grinned.
"…finally."
Hana's voice tightened.
"…these aren't normal system units."
Aiden clenched his fist.
Energy flickered faintly.
Controlled.
Ready.
"…doesn't matter."
The first unit stepped forward.
And the war—
Shifted again.
TO BE CONTINUED!!!