Building a Force

The sun dipped low over the desert as the sounds of construction echoed across the base. The upgraded hangar was bustling with activity, ground crew moving between aircraft as the new squadron members began to settle in. The barracks were modest but functional, a necessary start to housing the pilots we'd need for the battles ahead. We weren't just surviving anymore—we were building something that could stand against Zaitsev's empire.

I stood at the edge of the runway, watching as the first of our recruits arrived. The helicopter touched down, and as the dust settled, three figures emerged—Viper, Echo, and Blaze. They were the foundation of our new squadron, and while they didn't know it yet, they were stepping into a fight unlike anything they'd ever seen.

Viper was the first to approach, his tall, broad frame silhouetted against the fading light. His eyes were sharp, full of the confidence of someone who had been in the cockpit more times than he could count. Echo followed behind him, silent and calculating, while Blaze trailed slightly, his youthful eagerness barely contained.

Rook stepped up beside me, arms crossed. "Think they'll be ready for this?"

"They'll have to be," I replied, meeting Viper's gaze as he reached us. "We don't have time to ease into it."

Viper gave a nod, his expression all business. "Levi briefed us. We're ready to fly. Just tell us where you need us."

I appreciated his directness. "You'll be flying missions against AI-controlled drones, advanced air defenses, and whatever else Zaitsev throws at us. The tech is evolving fast, and we need pilots who can adapt."

Echo remained silent, but Blaze's eyes widened slightly at the mention of drones. "AI drones? That's what we're up against?"

Rook chuckled softly. "Not just drones. You'll be flying against Zaitsev's entire network. The AI is just the beginning."

I nodded. "We're building a squadron to fight something bigger than any of us. This isn't a war you've seen before. It's going to get worse before it gets better."

Viper didn't flinch. "We've been through wars. We can handle it."

I looked at him, then at the others. "We'll find out soon enough."

New Objective: Train Your Squadron

Objective: Begin training operations to improve pilot skills and squadron cohesion.

Reward: XP: 12,000, Improved Squadron Performance

Failure Penalty: Squadron Unprepared for Future Missions

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. The training grounds we had set up were modest, but enough to get the squadron in the air. I watched from the command center as the recruits took off in their aircraft, their performance stats scrolling across the system's interface.

Viper's dogfighting was aggressive and sharp, as expected, his maneuvers precise and deadly. Echo flew with almost eerie calm, disappearing into the sky like a ghost, her stealth capabilities shining in the training exercises. Blaze, though raw, showed flashes of brilliance—his instincts were strong, but he lacked the discipline and experience the others had.

As they flew, I pulled up the system's interface, using Commander's Insight to monitor their performance. I could see their progress in real-time, their skills growing as they trained, and the cohesion between them slowly building.

Skill Activated: Commander's Insight

Squadron performance improved. Training progress accelerated.

The system provided new stats for each pilot, showing how they were developing:

Viper: Dogfighting proficiency increased. Now capable of handling multiple targets at once with improved missile lock speed.Echo: Stealth operations mastery. Able to evade radar and engage enemies undetected.Blaze: Adaptive flying improved. Instincts are developing, but lacks the experience to execute advanced tactics consistently.

As the training continued, Rook and I focused on logistics. The base was growing, but we needed more than just pilots—we needed resources to keep everything running smoothly. Fuel, munitions, spare parts for the F-22s and other aircraft. Without a steady supply, we'd be grounded before the next big mission even started.

Rook pulled up the logistics hub on the system interface, her brow furrowed. "We're running low on fuel reserves. And the ammunition stockpile isn't where it needs to be. If Zaitsev hits us hard, we won't have the supplies to keep flying."

I nodded, glancing over the data. "We need supply lines. We can't rely on scavenging from the missions forever."

Luckily, Levi had been working his contacts. He'd secured a few trade routes that could provide us with the resources we needed, but they came with risks. The more we relied on these supply runs, the more we exposed ourselves to Zaitsev's forces.

New Feature Unlocked: Supply Line Management

Manage supply routes to keep your base operational. Choose between high-risk, high-reward runs or safer but slower supply chains.

Failure to maintain supply lines will reduce base effectiveness and limit aircraft capabilities.

I pulled up the available routes on the system's interface. There were three options:

Route 1: High-Risk Supply Run

Quick access to fuel, ammunition, and advanced aircraft parts, but heavily patrolled by Zaitsev's forces. Could result in losses or ambushes.

Reward: Immediate stockpile boost.

Risk: High.

Route 2: Medium-Risk Supply Run

Standard resupply with moderate risks. Some patrols, but manageable with the current squadron.

Reward: Gradual stockpile increase.

Risk: Medium.

Route 3: Low-Risk Supply Run

Safe but slow. Low risk of ambush but only provides basic resources over time.

Reward: Slow stockpile increase.

Risk: Low.

Rook raised an eyebrow. "Which one are you thinking?"

I considered our current position. We needed the supplies fast, especially if Zaitsev made his next move soon. But sending the squadron out on a high-risk run this early could end badly if we weren't careful.

"We go for the medium-risk route," I said after a moment. "We need the supplies, but we can't afford to take heavy losses this early. The squadron's still green."

Rook nodded. "I'll get Viper and the others prepped."

New Mission: Secure a Supply Line

Objective: Escort a supply run through moderate-risk territory. Protect the convoy from Zaitsev's forces.

Reward: XP: 10,000, Supply Stockpile Boost

Failure Penalty: Loss of Resources, Squadron Casualties

Later that afternoon, Viper, Echo, and Blaze were in the air, escorting a convoy of supply trucks through a narrow pass on the edge of Osea's eastern border. The supply line wasn't heavily guarded, but it had to pass through territory known to be patrolled by Zaitsev's drones.

I monitored their progress from the command center, the system's interface tracking their every movement.

"Convoy's entering the danger zone," Rook said, standing beside me, her eyes glued to the radar. "No sign of hostiles yet."

"Stay sharp," I said into the comms. "They'll hit you when you least expect it."

The tension was palpable as the squadron flew ahead of the convoy, their jets cutting through the air. For a while, everything seemed quiet. Too quiet.

Then the radar lit up. A swarm of drones, closing in fast.

"Hostiles inbound!" Viper's voice crackled over the comms. "Engaging!"

The system flashed warnings as the drones descended on the convoy, their AI-driven movements erratic and fast. Viper broke off to engage the first wave, his missiles streaking through the sky, while Echo veered off to provide cover from above. Blaze, though the least experienced, held his own, weaving through the enemy fire as he protected the convoy.

Skill Activated: Combat Awareness

Squadron performance improved. Enemy movements tracked and countered effectively.

The battle was intense, the drones faster and more coordinated than anything the squadron had faced in training. But they held together, each pilot playing to their strengths. Viper took out multiple drones in rapid succession, while Echo's stealth capabilities allowed her to take out key targets without being detected.

Blaze, though under pressure, showed his potential—his instincts kicking in as he dodged enemy fire and took down two drones with well-placed shots.

Squadron Performance Improved

Viper: Increased proficiency in handling multiple targets.Echo: Mastery of stealth engagements.Blaze: Adaptability under pressure improved.

By the time the dust settled, the convoy had made it through the pass, the supplies intact. Viper's voice came over the comms, tired but victorious. "Convoy's clear. Heading back to base."

I leaned back, feeling the weight lift slightly. The mission was a success, and our supplies were secured—for now.

Objective Complete: Supply Line Secured

Reward: XP: 10,000, Supply Stockpile Boosted

As the squadron returned to base, I glanced at Rook, feeling a flicker of hope. "We're building something here. If we keep this up, we might just have a chance."

Rook smiled faintly. "Yeah, maybe."

But even as we celebrated the small victory, I knew it was just the beginning. Zaitsev was still out there, still building his empire, and every time we hit one of his operations, he'd strike back harder.