Chapter 20: Divided Forces

The tension aboard the jet was palpable as Natasha, Snake Eyes, and Stark prepared to divide their forces and launch simultaneous assaults on the Overseer's two largest remaining hubs. The weight of what lay ahead settled over them, and for the first time since the mission had started, Natasha felt the enormity of the task they were facing. Splitting up meant taking a greater risk, but it was the only way to stop the Overseer before his enhanced soldiers could be unleashed on the world.

Natasha stood at the head of the room, looking at the world map on the large screen. The two main hubs—one in Eastern Europe and the other in the dense jungles of South America—glowed ominously on the display. She could feel the eyes of Stark and Snake Eyes on her as she spoke, laying out the plan they would follow to take down both hubs at once.

"We hit these two facilities simultaneously," Natasha said, her voice firm. "These are the core hubs of the Overseer's network, where the bulk of the enhanced soldiers are being created and trained. If we take these down, we cripple his operation. We can't afford to wait."

Stark, seated at the console, studied the blueprints of both hubs. "They're fortified, heavily armed, and we're expecting a lot of resistance. The one in South America is hidden in the jungle, so Snake Eyes will need to get in and out without drawing too much attention. But the Eastern European facility is more of a fortress—it's going to be loud, no way around it."

Natasha nodded, already anticipating the chaos that would unfold. She had chosen to lead the assault on the Eastern European facility because it required an upfront attack, and she had no problem being the tip of the spear. Snake Eyes, on the other hand, would be better suited for the stealthier, more surgical operation in South America. His ability to move through the shadows and eliminate threats before they even knew he was there was unmatched.

"I'll lead the team into the Eastern European hub," Natasha continued, pacing in front of the screen. "S.H.I.E.L.D. will provide backup, but we'll need to take down their defenses before they can send in a strike team. Snake Eyes, you'll infiltrate the South American hub and disable their core systems. Stark will coordinate from here and keep us connected."

Snake Eyes gave a single, sharp nod. He had already studied the layout of the South American facility and knew the terrain well. The jungle provided ample cover for someone with his skills, and he preferred the quiet, tactical approach. He wouldn't need to rely on a large team; he would slip in, take out the key targets, and disappear before anyone knew what hit them.

"Once both facilities are down," Natasha continued, "we'll regroup and move on to the remaining targets. This won't take out the entire network, but it'll deal a major blow to the Overseer's operation."

Stark crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. "You know he's not going to go down without a fight. He's got a contingency plan. Guys like him always do."

Natasha gave him a sharp look. "That's why we're hitting him now, before he has a chance to adjust. He'll expect us to go for the secondary targets first, but we're going straight for the heart."

There was a moment of silence as they all absorbed the plan. They had faced impossible odds before, but this time it felt different. The stakes were higher, and the risk of failure weighed heavily on them. Still, Natasha knew they didn't have a choice. The world was at risk, and they had to stop the Overseer, no matter the cost.

As they prepared for the upcoming assault, Stark pulled up the satellite feed for both locations. "I'll be in constant communication with both of you," he said, his voice more serious than usual. "If anything goes wrong, I'll send in the Iron Legion, but we're trying to keep this quiet for now. No media, no headlines."

Natasha appreciated Stark's concern for keeping things under the radar, but she knew that wasn't always an option. The world was already teetering on the edge of chaos, and they couldn't let the Overseer push it over.

"Let's get moving," Natasha said, her voice taking on a sharp edge of determination. "Time's not on our side."

---

Two hours later, Natasha found herself sitting in the back of a tactical transport, flying low over the snowy mountains of Eastern Europe. The transport hummed quietly, its lights dim as the team inside made their final preparations. The S.H.I.E.L.D. strike team was fully suited up, their weapons ready, but Natasha was focused on the mission ahead. She had chosen a smaller, elite team for this assault—speed and precision were key, and they couldn't afford any mistakes.

The transport shuddered slightly as they descended, and Natasha stood up, moving to the cockpit to get a better view of their target. The Eastern European hub was nestled deep in the mountains, surrounded by high walls and watchtowers that bristled with advanced weaponry. Snow-covered trees surrounded the facility, providing some natural cover, but once they were inside, it would be a brutal fight.

"We're approaching the drop zone," the pilot said over the intercom, his voice calm despite the tension.

Natasha glanced back at her team, giving them a sharp nod. "Ready up. We hit hard and fast."

The ramp at the back of the transport began to lower, cold air rushing in as they flew just above the treetops. Natasha felt the familiar adrenaline kick in, her muscles tightening in anticipation of the battle ahead.

The team leapt from the transport in unison, parachuting down into the thick forest that bordered the facility. Natasha hit the ground silently, her landing soft and precise, as she immediately crouched behind a tree, scanning the area for any sign of patrols.

"Stark, we're in position," Natasha whispered into her comms, her breath misting in the cold air.

"I see you," Stark's voice crackled through the earpiece. "Looks like their external defenses are fully operational. I'll start working on cutting their comms and scrambling their sensors, but it's going to take a few minutes."

"We'll hold," Natasha replied, signaling for the team to advance.

They moved through the snow-covered forest, approaching the outer wall of the facility. The watchtowers above were manned by guards armed with high-powered rifles, their eyes scanning the perimeter. But Natasha and her team moved like shadows, slipping through the trees, staying out of sight.

Snake Eyes would have already made his move by now, infiltrating the South American hub with his silent, deadly efficiency. Natasha knew that his mission would be just as dangerous as hers, but if there was anyone who could handle it, it was Snake Eyes. They had faced similar odds before, and he had always come out on top.

The team reached the base of the wall, and Natasha motioned for them to stop. They crouched low as she pulled out a small device from her belt and placed it against the wall. The device hummed quietly, sending out a pulse that disabled the electrical barrier protecting the wall.

"Wall's down," Natasha said into her comms. "We're going in."

Stark's voice came through, tense but focused. "I've got their comms jammed for now, but they'll figure it out soon. You need to move fast."

Natasha and her team scaled the wall with practiced precision, moving quickly and silently. Within moments, they were over the top, dropping down into the facility's courtyard. The guards patrolling the area were caught off guard, and before they could react, Natasha and her team were on them. The fight was quick and brutal, with no time for hesitation.

As they moved deeper into the facility, Natasha's mind was already working through the next steps. They needed to reach the command center, disable the enhanced soldiers' activation systems, and take out any key personnel who were overseeing the operation.

But as they rounded a corner, something stopped her in her tracks. A large group of guards stood waiting, their weapons drawn and ready.

They had been expected.

"Trap," Natasha muttered under her breath.

The leader of the guards stepped forward, his face cold and expressionless. "Romanoff," he said, his voice low and threatening. "You're not leaving here alive."

Natasha tensed, her eyes flicking between the guards as they raised their weapons. This was going to get messy.

"Stark," Natasha whispered, her voice steady despite the rising tension. "We've got company."

"On it," Stark's voice crackled back. "I'll send backup. Just hold them off."

Natasha nodded, her grip tightening on her weapons. She glanced at her team, signaling them to take defensive positions.

They weren't done yet.