Story 491: Inferno’s Core

The oppressive heat in the circular chamber felt alive, an unrelenting force that pressed down on the team. Rook crouched behind the platform’s railing, his eyes scanning the figures below as the fiery glow of the machine illuminated their ritualistic movements.

“Shadow, give me a count,” Rook whispered, his tone calm despite the situation.

Shadow adjusted her scope, her rifle steady. “Five targets directly engaging the machine. Two sentries patrolling the perimeter. A dozen more armed guards covering their flanks.”

“And the machine?” Viper asked, her voice sharp and urgent.

“It’s not just a generator,” Ghost’s voice crackled over the comms from the control room. “It’s siphoning energy from the fire above, using it to power something beneath the ground. If we don’t stop it soon—”

“We’ll stop it,” Rook interrupted, cutting him off. “Viper, with me. Shadow, find a position and take out their snipers. Ghost, can you cause a distraction?”