Chapter 53 - Those Who Fall

10.51 Hours, June 8th, 2187

Grid location: Proxima System, Planet Tethlis, Super Earth Space.

The briefing room was stifling, a small, cramped space buzzing with the low hum of anxious energy. Maps and screens lined the walls, displaying troop movements and strategic points. Jack stood at the forefront, his eyes scanning the room, catching glimpses of anticipation and resolve on the faces of his team.

Lieutenant Collins entered, his presence commanding silence. He carried a stack of folders, each likely containing scenarios that could make or break their next series of operations.

"Settle down," Collins barked, his voice cutting through the murmurs. He spread the folders across the table, each slap of paper a stark reminder of the gravity of their mission. "We've got a narrow window to strike. Intelligence suggests the enemy's still reeling from our last hit. We push forward now."

Jack leaned in, his focus sharpened on the map. "What's our entry point?" he asked, tracing possible routes with his finger.

"Here and here," Collins pointed at two nodes on the digital map. "Simultaneous strikes. Alpha team, you're up north. Bravo, south. We box them in, disorient their chain of command."

Elena, who was leading one of the raids, chimed in, her voice steady. "What about local support? The resistance could give us an edge in the south."

Collins nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "They're in. Met with their leader last night. They're hungry for this, ready to cut the head off the snake."

The room felt charged, each officer and enlisted person absorbing the weight of their task. Jack's mind raced with tactical possibilities, aware of the lives at stake, both their own and their allies'.

"Timing's everything," Jack stated, locking eyes with Collins. "We go at dusk. Less visibility, more confusion."

Collins approved with a grunt. "Right. Surprise is our best weapon."

The meeting shifted as they discussed logistics, armaments, and contingencies. Jack found himself reassessing the battlefield, not just the physical terrain but the psychological one. They were waging war on multiple fronts, against an enemy known for their brutal counterstrikes.

As the briefing wrapped up, Jack pulled Elena aside. "Keep your team tight tonight. If anything looks off, you pull back. We can't afford a drawn-out firefight."

Elena nodded, her expression resolute. "We'll be swift. Hit and move. No lingering."

The atmosphere was thick with resolve as they dispersed. Outside, the sun was setting, casting long shadows over the base. Jack watched his team prepare, each member checking their gear, a ritual of readiness and reassurance.

Later, as twilight descended into darkness, Jack found himself atop a lookout point, binoculars in hand. Below, the teams moved like shadows, slipping through the terrain with practiced stealth. His radio crackled intermittently with status updates, each transmission a pulse of life amidst the silence.

Suddenly, the south lit up, flashes of light followed by the distant thuds of explosions. The operation was underway, the night alive with the sounds of their orchestrated chaos.

Jack's heart raced, but his face remained a mask of calm. This was it, the culmination of their planning, their training. Every moment led here, to this night, this fight.

From his vantage point, he could see the flashes grow in intensity, hear the crackle of gunfire. It was going down just as they planned, each move a testament to their preparation and resolve.

As the night wore on, reports came in—objectives secured, enemy assets neutralized, minimal casualties. Each word buoyed Jack's spirits, though he knew the night was still long, and war, ever unpredictable.

Back at the base, as the first hints of dawn crept across the sky, Jack allowed himself a moment of quiet satisfaction. They had struck hard, struck fast, and it had paid off. But as he gazed out at the weary but victorious faces returning to base, he knew the real battle was just beginning. The enemy would retaliate, and they had to be ready to withstand whatever came next.