Secret Alliance

[𝟹 𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔𝚜 𝚊𝚐𝚘, 𝚀𝚎𝚟𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚜 𝙵𝚛𝚊𝚗'𝚜 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗]

Chey and three members of her squad approached Qevrols' mansion, their objective clear—to uncover any valuable information regarding the events leading up to Qevrols' death.

Chey led the team, her voice carrying a determined tone. "This is Qevrols' mansion. We might find out some intel about what really happened before he died."

The team cautiously entered the expansive mansion, expecting a robust security presence. However, an eerie silence enveloped the premises, unsettling the squad. Chey quickly made a decision, instructing her team to spread out and search the mansion.

As Chey ventured deeper into the mansion alone, the sight of lifeless bodyguards strewn across the area sent a chill down her spine. She immediately reached for her comms to update her team but received no response. The jamming of their communications was evident, isolating Chey within the mansion's confines.

Undeterred, Chey pressed on until she spotted a figure in the distance. It was Ace, a young individual whose presence intrigued her. After surveying the surroundings, Chey cautiously approached him.

"Why are you here, kid?" Chey inquired, curiosity lacing her voice.

Ace, seemingly occupied with his own tasks, responded nonchalantly. "Getting some stuff done."

Chey's skepticism grew as she probed further. "So, why did you tell me to come here?"

Ace's enigmatic nature persisted as he revealed his intentions. "I have a job for you. Head to the woods at night. I'll be there, but not for long. There will be people chasing me."

The unexpected request left Chey hesitant. "Who will be chasing you? Qevrols' men?"

Ace confirmed her suspicions, his words cryptic yet compelling. "You could say that. I need you to be captured by them."

Chey's initial resistance was evident. "What?! I'm not doing that! I barely know who you are."

Unfazed by her reluctance, Ace posed an enticing proposition. "And you want to know who I am and what's going on, right? Besides, you're here to proof your usefulness."

Reluctantly, Chey relented, her determination overriding her apprehension. "Fine. What do I do after that?"

Ace wasted no time, revealing his objective. "I need you to find out where Zain Watson is."

Confusion clouded Chey's face as the name was unfamiliar to her. Ace swiftly produced a picture, urging her to commit it to memory.

"You need to find out where he is, at what place. I'll set up hidden cams in the woods to see where they will take you," Ace instructed, emphasizing the importance of the task.

Chey nodded, her focus sharpening. "Alright. What do I do next? Do I upload the information?"

Ace's response was sobering, revealing the risks involved. "Dont use your microchip there. They could exploit it. I'll exfiltrate you and Zain out of there."

Before they could delve further into their plan, the distant sound of Chey's PhoCo Quick Response team echoed through the mansion. In a mysterious turn of events, Ace vanished, leaving Chey to face her team alone.

[𝙱𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚝]

Chey, Ace, and Husin continued their journey through the citadel, their minds focused on the task at hand—locating Zain Watson. As they moved swiftly, engaged in a fierce firefight with the incoming quick response team, determination fueled their every step.

Amidst the chaos, Chey questioned Ace, seeking confirmation of his name. "Ace? That's your name?"

Ace's response was curt as his attention remained fixed on their objective. "Where's Zain?"

Chey quickly recalled the information she had gathered. "Oh, right. He was in another block. I heard that he's in a maximum-security area."

Husin interjected, raising a crucial concern. "Not in death row?"

Chey assured him, emphasizing the importance of keeping Zain alive. "They need him alive."

Ace's tone hardened as he asserted his expectations. "He better not be dead."

Their priorities clear, the trio pressed forward, fighting their way toward Zain's block. Ace and Husin faced an overwhelming force, engaged in an intense firefight while Chey focused on finding a way inside the heavily secured block.

Chey's assessment was swift as she observed the locked doors. "Locked."

Ace responded with a hint of wryness. "What do you expect from maximum-security?"

Ace's eyes then caught sight of the control room situated in the heart of the block. An idea sparked in his mind, driving him towards the control room with purpose. Utilizing a drill, he forcefully gained entry and swiftly neutralized the four guards stationed inside. With the room under their control, Ace turned his attention to the control panel and the layout before him.

Carefully studying the controls and the intricate layout displayed on the panel, Ace's mind raced with strategic possibilities. He assessed the security measures, seeking weaknesses and potential paths to their objective.

Chey, joining him in the control room, glanced at Ace, anticipation filling her voice. "Any way we can override the security and access Zain's location?"

Ace's eyes narrowed as a plan formed in his mind. "There's a way. We'll need to bypass several layers of security, but it's our best shot."

With their resolve solidified and a plan in motion, Chey and Ace prepared to navigate the treacherous depths of the maximum-security block, inching closer to securing Zain's freedom.

With determination fueling their every action, Husin, Chey and Ace approached Zain's cell, ready to execute their plan and free their comrade. The scraping sound of the cell door opening reverberated through the corridor, unveiling Zain's confined form.

Zain's eyes widened in a mix of surprise and hope as he recognized Husin and Ace standing before him. The weight of his captivity had taken its toll, but his spirit remained unbroken. Gratitude and relief filled his voice as he spoke, "You... you came for me."

Chey offered Zain a reassuring smile, her determination shining through. "We're getting you out of here, Zain. We won't leave you behind."

Ace's sharp gaze scanned their surroundings, his instincts on high alert. Time was of the essence. "We don't have much time. The quick response team will be on high alert."

Zain nodded, his resolve resurfacing. "I'm ready. Let's get out of here."

In a moment that raised Chey's curiosity, Ace handed her a black head sack, causing her to question his intentions.

Chey voiced her confusion. "What? Why?"

Ace's response was resolute. "You've done your part."

Chey hesitated, resisting the idea. "Ain't no way I'm doing that."

But with a mixture of reluctance and trust, Chey ultimately complied, donning the head sack. Moments later, Zain followed suit, his hands tied securely. Husin reassured them both, his voice steady, "Just follow us."

Chey looked at Ace, her curiosity piqued. "How did you manage to get inside in the first place with all these guards?" she asked, hoping to uncover the details of their daring infiltration.

Ace, however, remained silent, his focus fixed on the path ahead. He knew that time was of the essence, and their priority was to escape the citadel safely.

[14 Hours ago]

Ace gathered the KB 6 team. "Ever heard of the Trojan Horse?" he asked, his voice low but filled with confidence. "We're going to employ a similar strategy. There's a shipment container scheduled to enter the citadel. We'll utilize anti-radiation coating and conceal the inside of the container."

Razali, one of the squad members, furrowed his brows in confusion. "Wait, so you're planning to sneak inside by hiding within the container? But won't they be suspicious when their X-ray scanners can't penetrate it?"

Ace: "Who said we'll be in the container? Instead, I'll be the one bringing the container into the citadel. Raz, you'll be driving us in. We'll wear balaclavas to conceal our faces."

The team exchanged glances, contemplating the audacious plan. Though risky, it offered them a chance to infiltrate the heavily guarded citadel undetected

[Back to present]

As the team ventured deeper into the citadel, their objective was clear: reach the armory to acquire explosives and weapons for their escape. Ace and Husin, leading the way, managed to locate the armory, its reinforced doors looming before them.

"Stay here," Ace instructed Chey and Zain, their identities still concealed under the black hostage bags. "We'll secure the armory and get the necessary equipment."

"Just be quick. We don't want to stay here any longer than we have to."

Ace and Husin swiftly moved forward, their senses heightened as they approached the armory door. With a skillful combination of lock-picking and electronic hacking, they managed to breach the door and gain access to the arsenal within.

Inside, rows of weapons and ammunition greeted their eyes. Ace's gaze fell upon the SABR-11 Battle Rifles, a powerful and versatile weapon choice.

"Grab the SABR-11s," Ace whispered to Husin. "They'll give us the firepower we need for the escape."

Husin nodded, swiftly gathering the rifles and a sufficient amount of ammunition, ensuring they were well-equipped for the challenges that awaited them.

"We're good to go. Let's rendezvous with Chey and Zain and proceed to the extraction point."

Ace and Husin made their way back to Chey and Zain, the bags still covering their heads. As they reunited, the team felt a renewed sense of determination, knowing that their arsenal had been bolstered.

Husin: "We've got the explosives and the SABR-11 Battle Rifles. We're ready to make our way out of here."