Chapter 64

Chapter 64:

Lina sat quietly on the beach, her boots off and feet buried in the cool sand. The rising moon reflected on the calm waves, casting a silver glow across the sea. For a moment, she felt a fleeting sense of peace, her mind almost still, as if the impending battle was miles away.

"Lina," a voice called out, cutting through the silence. She turned to see Lieutenant Kovacs approaching her. "It's almost time."

Lina nodded, brushing the sand off her pants as she stood. She slipped back into her boots, tying the laces with a firm tug, then followed Kovacs back toward the hangar. The peaceful shoreline vanished behind her as the looming sounds of preparation filled the air.

When they reached the hangar, it was buzzing with activity. Fighters from all walks of life, knights, agents, priests, and MTF operators, filled the space, gearing up and going over last-minute checks. Lina found the rest of Omega-7 among them, their expressions tight with anticipation.

In front of everyone stood Black Eagle, the commander of Resh-1, his figure imposing against the backdrop of the tactical map. He clapped his hands loudly, calling everyone to attention. His voice cut through the murmurs.

"You all know what's at stake here," Black Eagle began. "This operation is bigger than any one of us. We succeed, and we hold back a tide that would drown the whole country. We fail… and there won't be a home to go back to. But I know every one of you is ready. You've trained for this. You've bled for this. Now it's time to fight for it."

The hangar erupted in a roar of approval, a fierce battle cry that echoed off the walls. Soldiers from every unit shouted in unison, their voices filled with both resolve and fear. Black Eagle raised a fist in the air, and the cry grew even louder, a primal sound that reverberated through Lina's chest.

As the cry died down, the soldiers began moving swiftly toward the tarmac where an armada of helicopters waited, Chinooks, H145Ms, Caracals, and MV-22B Ospreys. Omega-7 headed straight for one of the Caracals, their steps quick and purposeful.

Colonel Mendoza, already at the open sliding door of the helicopter, crouched at the edge, offering a hand to each member of the task force as they climbed in. Lina was one of the last to board, squeezing in beside Kovacs as the others settled into their seats.

Just as Mendoza moved to close the door, a hand stopped him. He turned, startled, to see Black Eagle standing at the entrance, his armored form towering over the colonel. Behind him were ten more Resh-1 operatives, their presence commanding and ominous.

"We're coming with you," Black Eagle said, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight. The Resh-1 operatives climbed in after him, their movements swift and precise.

The members of Omega-7, usually calm and collected, couldn't hide their unease as Resh-1 joined them. The presence of these soldiers, with their reputation, had everyone on edge. They settled near the doors, taking their positions without a word, but the tension was palpable.

Black Eagle took a seat directly across from Lina, his faceless helmet angled toward her. Even though she couldn't see his eyes, she felt his gaze, sharp and penetrating. A chill ran down her spine as memories of that battle in the Black Forest resurfaced. She recalled the rumors and the whispers, Resh-1 had been ready to kill her on the spot during that incident. The mere thought of their ruthlessness made her shiver.

She clenched her fists, trying to steady her nerves. Black Eagle said nothing, simply staring at her from behind his helmet. The silence between them felt heavy, like a storm waiting to break. She remembered what one of the other Omega-7 operatives had told her, Resh-1 would turn her into Swiss cheese if they had the chance. It didn't seem far from the truth.

Black Eagle stood up suddenly, breaking the tension. He moved toward the window and pressed a button on the side of his helmet, activating his comms. "All units, report status," he commanded.

The sound of affirmations crackled through the radio as each unit reported in. Satisfied, Black Eagle glanced out the window, the rising moon casting a glow over his armor. Then, without another word, the helicopters' engines roared to life, and they lifted off the ground, their destination set.

The fleet of helicopters flew in formation, skimming just above the ocean at low altitude, the French coastline in the distance. The night was calm, but Lina knew it wouldn't stay that way for long. The real storm was waiting for them on the ground.

---

Inside the helicopter, the silence weighed heavily, with the only sound being the low hum of the rotors and the occasional crackle of the comms. Black Eagle, his presence as daunting as ever, broke the quiet, addressing everyone in the chopper with a calm yet authoritative tone. "We're heading toward a tactical defense point," he said. "A house surrounded by open plains. From there, we'll hold the line." His words, though concise, carried the weight of the mission's gravity.

As the helicopter descended, the house they were to defend came into view. It was a rural property nestled along the D275. The house stood in isolation, its pale stone walls stark against the dark plains. A modest two-story structure, it was framed by a small courtyard with worn cobblestones, bordered by a narrow fence that led out to the vast surrounding fields. The terrain was mostly flat, with few trees to provide cover, a strategic position for a defense line, but also one that offered little in terms of natural protection.

Military vehicles zipped up and down the road in front of the property, creating a constant churn of activity. The rhythmic noise of engines and boots on gravel added to the tension in the air as they touched down in the courtyard. Lina stepped out of the helicopter, her boots hitting the ground with a soft thud. The wind from the rotors kicked up the dust and leaves around her, making her squint as she surveyed the scene.

Inside the house, the team quickly assembled in the living room. The space was cramped, filled with old wooden furniture that had been pushed to the sides to make room for the soldiers. The windows overlooked the surrounding plains, offering a wide view of what was soon to be their battlefield. The pilots remained in the helicopter, engines running, ready to take off at a moment's notice.

Colonel Mendoza, wasting no time, began positioning his troops around the house, pointing them to strategic positions near the windows and on the upper floor. From there, they could cover the approach, keeping a direct line of sight on the anticipated demonic incursion zone. As he ordered Lina to take up position with another operator near one of the windows, Black Eagle's voice cut through the air again, sharp and decisive.

"SCP-8888 comes with us," he said flatly, gesturing toward Lina.

Mendoza's brow furrowed, clearly not thrilled about having one of his operatives pulled away. But there was no arguing with Black Eagle. Resh-1's authority and reputation were well-known, and Mendoza's objection died in his throat. With a curt nod, he turned and left the room, leaving Lina alone with Black Eagle and the rest of Resh-1.

For a moment, she stood frozen, the air in the room thick with tension. The members of Resh-1, clad in their imposing armor and silent as statues, remained still, their visors pointed in her direction. She could feel their eyes on her, even if she couldn't see them, and the weight of their attention pressed down on her like a physical force.

Black Eagle, still imposing and emotionless behind his visor, dragged two chairs into the center of the room with a heavy scrape against the wooden floor. He turned one around and placed it in front of Lina, motioning for her to sit. With her heart racing, she hesitantly obeyed, lowering herself into the seat while her hands trembled in her lap.

His gaze was piercing, as if he could see through her very soul, and his voice, though calm, was laced with a cold undercurrent of anger. "Let's not waste time with pleasantries," he began, his tone measured yet filled with a simmering rage. "You know full well the debt that hangs over you. You dared to attack the Administrator. Our orders from him, his mercy, is the only reason you're still breathing. He signaled us to stand down, and so we did."

Lina could feel the temperature in the room drop, her fear mounting as Black Eagle continued, his voice growing darker with each word. "But make no mistake. His order to forget the incident is the only thing sparing you. We won't touch you now, but if you ever, *ever*, betray the Foundation again, or worse, the Administrator himself…" He paused, leaning in slightly, his gloved hands tightening into fists. "I swear, we will hunt you down to the ends of the earth. And when we find you, and we *will* find you, we will deliver a death so slow, so agonizing, that your very soul will beg for release."

Each word dripped with venom, and Lina couldn't stop the chill from running down her spine. Her mouth was dry, her pulse deafening in her ears as she struggled to hold back tears. She had never felt so small, so utterly powerless, as she did in that moment, under the weight of his cold threat.

Black Eagle straightened, dismissing her with a curt nod. "Now, return to your unit. Do not forget this conversation."

Still trembling, Lina stood up, her legs barely able to support her as she stumbled out of the room. Her mind raced, replaying his words over and over. When she finally found Colonel Mendoza, her face was ashen, and she could hardly meet his eyes. Mendoza, noticing her pallor and shaking hands, gritted his teeth. He didn't need to ask what had happened, he knew the look of someone who had crossed paths with Resh-1.

Without a word, he pointed toward her assigned post. "Get to your position with Cain and the others," he ordered, his tone sharper than usual.

Lina nodded silently, her heart still pounding, and hurried off to take her place, the weight of Black Eagle's words lingering in the back of her mind like a shadow.

---

Léonard stood silently in the command post of FSCP-01 "La Bastide," gazing out over the dark, seemingly endless expanse of the sea. His ever-present mask, along with his signature trench coat and tailored suit, gave him an air of mystery that hung over him like the fog clinging to the ship's hull. His posture was rigid, hands clasped behind his back, as he absorbed the stillness. The command center was unusually quiet—no chatter, no movement. The only sound was the distant hum of the engines below deck.

Without warning, the door to the command room burst open, and Élise charged in with her usual exuberance. She moved with swift purpose toward him, her boots echoing against the metal floors. Once beside Léonard, she didn't say a word. Instead, she mimicked his stance, looking out to the sea as he did, her expression suddenly becoming mockingly serious. She narrowed her eyes in a failed attempt to look stoic, and her efforts didn't go unnoticed. A few of the operators in the room couldn't stifle their chuckles.

But the Administrator turned his head sharply, and the command room fell into silence at once. The amused expressions disappeared, and professionalism returned to every face. Léonard shifted his focus to Élise. "What do you need, Élise?" 

The playful knight-commander grinned, raising a finger to her lips in a shushing motion. "It's classified," she said in a singsong voice.

Léonard sighed, knowing well how mischievous she could be, and then nodded toward the crew. "Everyone, out," he ordered.

Without hesitation, the command post cleared, the agents filing out in silence until only the two of them remained. Élise waited patiently until the last soldier was gone before sidling up closer. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she reached for his mask, tipping it slightly to the side. Just enough to expose his cheek.

Before he could react, she leaned in and planted a quick, light kiss on his skin. Her lips barely brushed his cheek, but the warmth lingered there long after she'd pulled away. With a smile that could only be described as devilish, she stepped back, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.

"That's my way of saying thank you," she teased, her voice soft yet playful. "For everything."

Without giving him a chance to respond, Élise spun on her heel and darted out of the room, leaving the Administrator standing there, frozen in shock. His thoughts raced as his face flushed a deep red beneath the mask. 

A few moments passed before the door creaked open again, and one of the operators of Resh-1 re-entered, this one the second-in-command under Graves. His eyes flicked to where Élise had been moments before, then back to the Administrator, who was still visibly off-kilter. A knowing smile tugged at the corner of the agent's lips.

"Everything alright, Boss?" he asked, his tone just this side of professional, though amusement danced in his eyes.

Léonard cleared his throat, trying to push away the lingering embarrassment. "Yes," he replied, the usual sharpness in his voice now a little unsteady. "Return everyone to their posts."

"Of course, sir," the agent said, his smile not quite hidden as he left to follow the order.

Once the room began to fill again with operators, Léonard turned back toward the window, gripping the railing as he stared out at the ocean. Beneath his breath, he muttered to himself, "Damn it. I hope I won't be too tired when I get back to class."