PUPPET MASTERS' STRONGHOLD — NIGHT
The compound loomed like a fortress of nightmares, its steel and concrete walls scarred by time and violence. Su Chen's squad crouched in the shadows, breaths shallow, hearts pounding in synchronization.
His system hummed softly — tactical analysis, threat assessment, countdowns. Every second was a knife-edge between victory and death.
BREACH
With precision, the team moved in — disabling alarms, neutralizing guards silently. Su Chen's fingers danced across his wrist device, hacking into security grids with ruthless efficiency.
Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed — a misstep.
ALERTS BLARE
Red lights bathed the corridors as security systems screamed into life. Enemy forces poured in, the battlefield erupting in chaos.
Gunfire ripped through the air. Su Chen ducked behind a pillar, exchanging shots with heavily armed mercenaries.
LOYALTY TESTED
Amid the firefight, Yue Lin took a bullet meant for Su Chen, collapsing with a cry. The team's morale faltered, but Su Chen's cold resolve hardened.
"Fall back! Regroup at extraction point!"
UNEXPECTED ALLY
As the team retreated, a figure appeared from the smoke — Li Wei. His face was a mask of pain and determination.
"I'm here to make things right," he said, voice barely a whisper.
ENDING SCENE
Su Chen's eyes narrowed. Trust was a weapon, but betrayal's scars ran deep.
"This war isn't over," he said coldly. "Not by a long shot."
End of Chapter 26