4.Tactical Assault, and a Victory That Wasn't
Location: Kaohsiung Port, Taiwan – Covert Operation BeginsTime: 11:45 PM
Sea winds brushed past the docks, carrying the metallic scent of salt and steel. Flickering lights dotted the silhouette of a massive container ship moored in the bay. Shadowy figures moved in silence along the pier.
This wasn't just any cargo vessel.It was the heart of the weapons trade—Iron's staging ground for a nuclear warhead deal.
Vincent clenched his coat against the wind and pressed the comm.
Vincent: "All teams, status report."
Responses crackled in:
Emily: "CCTV systems hacked. At least ten hostiles—heavy weapons confirmed."
Volkov: "C4 primed. I can breach the gate in fifteen seconds."
Gabriel: "Front entry team ready. I move on your go."
Nick Carson: "Two extraction routes secured. If it goes bad, we bail by boat."
Vincent exhaled slowly, eyes locked on the looming shape of the ship in the darkness.
Vincent (to Gabriel): "Let's begin."
Behind the steel gate, enemy chatter buzzed faintly:
"Prep the ship for departure.""Keep the perimeter tight. No one gets close before the buyer arrives."
Volkov chuckled, tapping the C4 into place like a sculptor at work.Volkov: "Told you—nothing beats a little fireworks."
He pressed the detonator.
BOOM!The blast tore through the steel, echoing across the harbor.
Vincent and Gabriel surged forward as smoke and shrapnel cleared, weapons raised.
"Contact!""Engage!"
Gabriel dropped the first target with a clean headshot.Vincent flanked left, disabling a second guard with a precise shot to the wrist—gun clattering from his grasp.Volkov was already planting the next charge.
Nick (via comm): "They're falling back behind the supply containers!"
Container Zone – Close Quarters Combat Begins
Gunfire erupted from the ship.Gabriel cursed under his breath.
Gabriel: "Shit, there's more than we expected!"
Vincent pressed low, advancing along the wall—knife drawn.Close combat was inevitable.
He closed in fast, twisted a guard's wrist to disarm him, then slashed across his neck—quick and silent.
Volkov (from behind): "Haven't seen a man fight like that without a gun in years."
Meanwhile, Emily fed real-time intel through hacked security cams.
Emily: "Three hostiles behind the right container—approaching fast."
Gabriel flicked his M4 to semi-auto and returned fire, targeting knees and shoulders with brutal precision.
Volkov lobbed a grenade.KRAK-BOOM.A fiery burst lit the night, tossing enemies like rag dolls.
But then came the worst news.
The deal was already done.
They had won the fight—but lost the war.
Vincent stood over broken steel and bloodied shadows.He clenched his fists.
Gabriel (scanning): "Damn it… we're too late, aren't we?"
Nick: "The warhead was supposed to be here… but it's already gone."
Emily (typing fast): "Data logs say 'Transaction Complete.' We were chasing bait."
Gabriel (wiping blood): "Then the real warhead already left Taiwan?"
Nick (defeated): "So we blew the whole place up—for nothing?"
Vincent (coldly): "No. Even this failure might hold a key."
CNN Breaking News: "Taiwan Ministry of Defense Denies Nuclear Development Allegations"
MoD Spokesperson:
"Taiwan is not developing nuclear weapons."
CNN Anchor:
"Anonymous sources suggest this deal may not have been about acquisition—but leverage."
Analyst:
"The government's hesitation to respond strongly suggests internal division."
Vincent watched the screen, eyes narrowed.
Vincent (muttering):
"This isn't just a weapons deal. This… is a message."
Vincent:
"They didn't need to fire a single shot to win.And we thought the game just started—turns out, we've already lost the first round."
***
Location: Kaohsiung Port, Taiwan – Covert Operation BeginsTime: 11:45 PM
Sea winds brushed past the docks, carrying the metallic scent of salt and steel. Flickering lights dotted the silhouette of a massive container ship moored in the bay. Shadowy figures moved in silence along the pier.
This wasn't just any cargo vessel.It was the heart of the weapons trade—Iron's staging ground for a nuclear warhead deal.
Vincent clenched his coat against the wind and pressed the comm.
Vincent: "All teams, status report."
Responses crackled in:
Emily: "CCTV systems hacked. At least ten hostiles—heavy weapons confirmed."
Volkov: "C4 primed. I can breach the gate in fifteen seconds."
Gabriel: "Front entry team ready. I move on your go."
Nick Carson: "Two extraction routes secured. If it goes bad, we bail by boat."
Vincent exhaled slowly, eyes locked on the looming shape of the ship in the darkness.
Vincent (to Gabriel): "Let's begin."
Behind the steel gate, enemy chatter buzzed faintly:
"Prep the ship for departure.""Keep the perimeter tight. No one gets close before the buyer arrives."
Volkov chuckled, tapping the C4 into place like a sculptor at work.Volkov: "Told you—nothing beats a little fireworks."
He pressed the detonator.
BOOM!The blast tore through the steel, echoing across the harbor.
Vincent and Gabriel surged forward as smoke and shrapnel cleared, weapons raised.
"Contact!""Engage!"
Gabriel dropped the first target with a clean headshot.Vincent flanked left, disabling a second guard with a precise shot to the wrist—gun clattering from his grasp.Volkov was already planting the next charge.
Nick (via comm): "They're falling back behind the supply containers!"
Container Zone – Close Quarters Combat Begins
Gunfire erupted from the ship.Gabriel cursed under his breath.
Gabriel: "Shit, there's more than we expected!"
Vincent pressed low, advancing along the wall—knife drawn.Close combat was inevitable.
He closed in fast, twisted a guard's wrist to disarm him, then slashed across his neck—quick and silent.
Volkov (from behind): "Haven't seen a man fight like that without a gun in years."
Meanwhile, Emily fed real-time intel through hacked security cams.
Emily: "Three hostiles behind the right container—approaching fast."
Gabriel flicked his M4 to semi-auto and returned fire, targeting knees and shoulders with brutal precision.
Volkov lobbed a grenade.KRAK-BOOM.A fiery burst lit the night, tossing enemies like rag dolls.
But then came the worst news.
The deal was already done.
They had won the fight—but lost the war.
Vincent stood over broken steel and bloodied shadows.He clenched his fists.
Gabriel (scanning): "Damn it… we're too late, aren't we?"
Nick: "The warhead was supposed to be here… but it's already gone."
Emily (typing fast): "Data logs say 'Transaction Complete.' We were chasing bait."
Gabriel (wiping blood): "Then the real warhead already left Taiwan?"
Nick (defeated): "So we blew the whole place up—for nothing?"
Vincent (coldly): "No. Even this failure might hold a key."
CNN Breaking News: "Taiwan Ministry of Defense Denies Nuclear Development Allegations"
MoD Spokesperson:
"Taiwan is not developing nuclear weapons."
CNN Anchor:
"Anonymous sources suggest this deal may not have been about acquisition—but leverage."
Analyst:
"The government's hesitation to respond strongly suggests internal division."
Vincent watched the screen, eyes narrowed.
Vincent (muttering):
"This isn't just a weapons deal. This… is a message."
Vincent:
"They didn't need to fire a single shot to win.And we thought the game just started—turns out, we've already lost the first round."