Chapter 110

Chapter 110:

Lina finally reached her team, who were gathered around a table with a detailed map of the gothic city. Black Eagle waited until she took her place before speaking in his usual no-nonsense tone.

"Alright, here's the plan," he began. "We're jumping from 600 meters above the drop zone. The 4th squad will already be in position to mark key landing points using IR lasers. These markers will only be visible through our NVGs."We are designated Alpha, the second squad is Beta, the third squad is Gamma, and it continues up to the tenth squad, which is Kappa."

Once we're on the ground, we infiltrate quietly to the crash site. Minimal noise, zero contact if possible. Onru," he said, turning to the operator, "you'll be responsible for retrieving the flight recorder, the Black Box, from the aircraft."

Onru gave a sharp nod, her face serious and focused.

"After we collect all necessary intel and materials," Black Eagle continued, "we regroup and extract to the northern rendezvous point. Extraction will be by helicopter. Mission clock starts as soon as we touch ground. Questions?"

Lina hesitantly raised her hand.

"Yes, SCP-8888?" Black Eagle prompted.

"I've… I've never parachuted before," Lina admitted, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

Black Eagle's tone didn't change as he replied flatly, "Already accounted for. We've arranged for you to be tandem-jumped." His gaze shifted to Mendoza. "You're babysitting her."

Lina froze in shock, her face heating up as the rest of the team erupted into muffled snickers, some failing miserably to hold back their laughter. Even the typically composed operators couldn't resist a few chuckles, while Onru, Red Eagle, Black Eagle, and Green remained stoic.

"Try not to drool on Mendoza, Lina," one operator teased, eliciting another round of quiet laughs.

Lina crossed her arms, glaring at the others while her face burned. "Very funny," she muttered under her breath, trying to maintain some dignity.

"Enough," Black Eagle said, his tone shutting down the humor instantly. "Focus up. You'll all need it for this mission."

Black Eagle turned to his team and spoke firmly, "All necessary equipment is behind me. You have 10 minutes to gear up and conduct final checks. Time starts now."

The squad immediately moved to the gear station, each operator efficiently donning their tactical plate carriers, chest rigs, and securing their load-bearing equipment (LBE). They double-checked their primary weapons, secondary sidearms, and individual tools, ensuring everything was in place for the mission.

Lina stood in front of her equipment, hesitating as she tried to figure out the placement of each piece. Viper, noticing her hesitation, approached. "Here," he said, motioning toward her plate carrier. "Straps go over your shoulders, clips secure on the sides. These MOLLE loops are for attaching pouches. Holster goes on your right thigh."

Following his instructions, Lina awkwardly strapped on her gear. Once done, Viper gave her a quick once-over. "Not bad. You'll get faster with practice."

Ten minutes later, the team stood at attention, fully kitted out, in front of Black Eagle. He scrutinized their readiness before giving his next command. "Check your NVG systems."

The operators flipped down their night vision goggles and activated them. The advanced systems cast the environment in a high-contrast ghostly white with sharp detail, allowing for clearer visibility in low-light conditions compared to older green-phosphor systems.

Lina noticed a faint light on everyone's helmets and curiously pointed to Mendoza's. "What's that light on your helmet?" she asked.

Mendoza gave a small chuckle. "You seriously need to finish your tactical training," he sighed. "That's an IR strobe, infrared beacon. It helps identify friendlies in the field. The light is invisible to the naked eye but stands out when viewed through NVGs like ours. If you see someone without a beacon or with a different signal, you know they're not one of us."

Lina nodded, adjusting her NVGs and trying to familiarize herself with the white phosphor view.

At that moment, Black Eagle was joined by the squad leaders of the other nine teams. They gathered around a central table displaying a detailed map of the operation zone. The atmosphere grew tense as final details were discussed, last-minute adjustments made, and contingencies planned to ensure the operation would run smoothly.

Finally, Black Eagle clapped his hands sharply and picked up his radio. "All units, board your assigned aircraft."

The squad moved in formation toward a dirt airstrip where three aircraft awaited them. The planes were Breguet 941 STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft, modified for the Foundation's operational needs. The planes retained their distinct high-wing, four-propeller design, with rugged landing gear adapted for rough terrain. The aircraft bore the emblem of the SCP Foundation, black, cleanly stenciled onto the fuselage, flanked by a serial number indicating its designation.

The fuselage itself was painted matte black to reduce visibility during nighttime missions, with reinforced panels indicating modifications for durability and additional armor. The large rear cargo ramp was lowered, allowing the operators to board with ease.

Black Eagle's team climbed into the first plane and took their seats along the interior walls, securing themselves with the heavy-duty harnesses attached to the folding metal chairs. The second and third squads soon followed, filing in with precision. Once all operators were seated, the crew chief gave a sharp nod, and the ramp began to rise with a mechanical hum, sealing them inside the aircraft.

The interior of the Breguet 941 was illuminated by a dim red light, casting long shadows across the operators' gear and faces. The atmosphere was tense, the hum of the engines and the rhythmic vibration of the aircraft the only sounds breaking the silence.

No one spoke. Each operator sat quietly, adjusting their gear, checking their weapons one last time, or staring ahead with the calm, disciplined focus of soldiers prepared for the mission ahead. The low red lighting and muted sounds of the aircraft created an almost surreal, otherworldly feeling, emphasizing the gravity of the task they were about to undertake.

After a few minutes of silent anticipation, the aircraft's engines roared louder as it began its takeoff roll. The plane rumbled down the dirt airstrip, its reinforced landing gear handling the uneven surface with ease. Finally, with a sudden surge, the Breguet 941 lifted off, the vibrations of the ground replaced by the steady hum of the aircraft cruising through the air.

Inside, the operators remained silent. Each one focused on their own thoughts or prepared mentally for the operation ahead. The dim red light inside the cabin gave everything an eerie glow, and the occasional glance exchanged between teammates was all the communication taking place.

Suddenly, the voice of the pilot crackled over the intercom, clear and authoritative: "Ladies and gentlemen, arrival at the drop zone in 1 hour and 23 minutes."

The announcement hung in the air, a reminder of the countdown toward the unknown. The operators nodded slightly, their expressions unchanging, each quietly going over their training, mission objectives, and contingencies in their minds.

---

An hour later, the cabin's red light shifted to a dim orange hue, signaling a change in the atmosphere. Moments later, the pilot's voice echoed through the intercom: "Approaching drop zone in 10 minutes."

The once-silent cabin burst into action as all the operators stood in unison, checking their gear and running last-minute inspections. Lina, startled by the sudden movement, hesitated briefly before mimicking the others.

Mendoza tapped on her helmet, grabbing her attention. "Alright, turn around," he instructed. "I'll prep your gear for the jump."

Lina obeyed, turning her back to him. She felt his hands securing her harness to his own equipment, the clicks and snaps of buckles locking into place filling her ears over the ambient hum of the aircraft.

As she adjusted to the sensation, she felt a firm tap on her helmet again. Turning back, she was met with the sight of a familiar face. An operator standing nearby lowered her mask, revealing a sharp, confident smile.

Lina's eyes widened in surprise. "Lieutenant Kovacs?!" she exclaimed.

The woman smiled wickedly, stepping closer to Mendoza and Lina. She placed a hand on Mendoza's shoulder and quipped, "Colonel, don't forget her pacifier."

Mendoza chuckled at the remark, but Lina stiffened, her face turning red beneath her mask.

Kovacs winked playfully, then pulled her own mask back over her face and walked away, rejoining her squad with a light stride.

After several minutes of silence, the pilot's voice echoed through the intercom once again: "Drop in one minute."

Black Eagle's voice immediately followed over the team's comms: "Night vision, now."

Every operator toggled their NVGs, the previously dim world around them transforming into a ghostly white haze, illuminated by the advanced optics. Lina hesitated briefly but quickly followed suit. Her view was disorienting at first, an uncomfortable brightness overlaying the dark, but she pushed through the unease.

As the ramp began to lower, the roar of the wind filled the cabin, sending a sharp chill through Lina. She instinctively hugged her gear closer and began trembling. The drop felt far too real now.

The operators moved methodically toward the ramp, each step deliberate and practiced. Lina, tethered to Mendoza, followed as her legs wobbled beneath her.

The countdown came over the intercom, precise and steady:

"Drop in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… GO! GO! GO!"

The dim orange light illuminating the cabin abruptly shifted to green, signaling the operators to jump. One by one, they leaped from the aircraft with practiced ease. Lina stood frozen, staring at the sprawling city below. Its architecture stretched out for miles, sparsely lit by faint flames and flickering lights. The height was dizzying, and her heart raced.

"Oh shii- AHHHHHHH!" Lina's voice cracked into a scream as Mendoza pushed off the ramp, pulling her along into the abyss.

The wind howled around them as they fell through the night sky. Lina's breath came in ragged gasps, the sheer drop overwhelming her senses. Below, the city loomed larger with each passing second, its towering spires and eerie glow giving it an almost otherworldly presence.

"Relax, Lina," Mendoza's voice crackled in her earpiece, calm and steady. "You're not gonna die. I've got you."

Lina forced herself to take deep breaths, trying to focus on anything but the ground rushing toward her. She glanced at the operators around her, their forms barely visible except for the faint outlines picked up by her NVGs.

"Laser markers confirmed," Black Eagle's voice came over the comms. "Eyes on the LZ. Follow the grid."

Through her goggles, Lina spotted the laser markers, precisely aligned beams of faint white light crisscrossing in the distance. These were invisible to the naked eye, but her NVGs picked them up with stark clarity.

"Fourth squad reports the zone is clear," came a voice over the team comms. "Landing site secured. No hostiles in sight."

"Copy," Black Eagle replied. "Maintain position and stand by for reinforcement."

As they neared the markers, the operators began to deploy their parachutes. One by one, black canopies unfurled in the wind, slowing their descent. Mendoza tugged on the release for their shared chute, and Lina felt a jarring pull as the harness tightened around her.

"Chute deployed," Mendoza reported over comms. "Lina's still in one piece."

A few snickers broke through the comms channel, but they were quickly silenced by Black Eagle. "Stay focused. Watch for any changes in the environment."

Descending further, Lina's eyes adjusted to the scene below. The gothic city seemed impossibly still, the only movement coming from flickering shadows and distant torchlight. Her heart pounded as she scanned the area, half-expecting enemies to emerge at any moment.

"Landing in 30 seconds," Black Eagle called. "Final checks, everyone."

Mendoza tightened his grip on the harness connecting them. "Brace yourself, Lina. Touchdown's the easy part. It's what comes after you should be worried about."

Finally, they landed. Mendoza took a few quick strides to stabilize himself before expertly disconnecting from his parachute. Without hesitation, he folded it back into its bag, his movements quick and practiced. Once done, he detached himself from Lina, who stumbled a few disoriented steps before dropping to one knee.

Breathing heavily, she drew her weapon, a SIG Sauer MPX, heavily modified with Foundation enhancements. The compact submachine gun felt solid in her hands, its ergonomic grip steadying her nerves. She scanned her surroundings before carefully moving toward her team.

Black Eagle stood a few meters away, already conducting a headcount of the squad as the faint rustle of parachutes echoed in the background. Lina's NVGs illuminated the scene in stark white, revealing the landing zone, a sprawling, eerie park with towering trees and overgrown paths. In the distance, the silhouettes of the fourth squad, Delta, were visible as they secured a perimeter around the landing site.

More operators were still descending from the sky, their parachutes ghostly shadows against the faint glow of the moon.

Black Eagle activated his comms, his voice sharp and authoritative:

"Black Eagle to Overwatch, we've established contact with Delta. Elements of Beta and Gamma are still descending and en route to the rendezvous."

A calm yet commanding voice responded through the channel:

"Overwatch to Black Eagle, acknowledged. Hold position until Beta and Gamma regroup. Once complete, proceed to the target location."

Black Eagle gave a curt nod, even though Overwatch couldn't see him. "Understood. Holding position."

Lina exhaled slowly, her eyes darting around the dimly lit park. The wind rustled through the trees, casting shifting shadows that her NVGs picked up with eerie clarity. Despite the quiet, the tension in the air was palpable. This was the calm before the storm.

Finally, the remaining elements of Beta and Gamma regrouped. Their leaders, designated as Beta 1 and Gamma 1, gathered around Black Eagle and were joined by Delta 1. Black Eagle addressed them in a firm tone:

"We're moving into an urban zone. Advance in two columns, one on each side of the street. Remember, combat is three-dimensional, watch rooftops, windows, and ground-level threats. We'll proceed in parallel.

Alpha will lead Column 1, followed by Bravo. Gamma will lead Column 2, followed by Delta. Once we reach the objective, Beta, Gamma, and Delta will establish a security perimeter around the target. Alpha will breach and clear the objective.

Once we secure all intel or assets, we exfil according to the plan. Let's move."

The combined units moved out of the park, their boots barely making a sound against the wet, cracked cobblestones. Towering Gothic structures loomed around them, their pointed arches and ornate spires silhouetted against a dark, cloudy sky. Gargoyles jutted from the facades of the buildings, their eerie shapes casting twisted shadows in the faint light of enchanted lanterns.

The operators advanced cautiously, their NVGs casting the landscape in sharp monochrome detail. The air was heavy, carrying the faint metallic tang of magic and the distant hum of energy. Black Eagle raised his fist, signaling the columns to halt.

Ahead, two figures emerged from the shadows near an ivy-covered fountain, their armor glinting faintly in the lantern light. The guards, clad in chainmail and leather with longswords at their hips, were chatting quietly. Their voices carried in the stillness, speaking a language unfamiliar to the operators.

Black Eagle issued a series of rapid hand signals. Red Eagle and Onru peeled off silently, sticking to the shadows of a cathedral wall. The pair moved in sync, rifles trained on the targets. As they approached, they noticed faint runic etchings glowing softly on the guards' chest plates, an enchantment likely meant for protection.

Red Eagle switched to his suppressed sidearm, aiming for the exposed neck of the closest guard. Thwip. The guard collapsed without a sound. Onru struck the second guard just as quickly, her combat knife slipping beneath the chainmail to deliver a precise, fatal blow. Both bodies were dragged into the alcove of the cathedral's entrance.

"Two down. No alerts," Onru reported over comms.

"Good. Keep moving," Black Eagle ordered, his voice calm but firm.

The team pressed deeper into the Gothic maze of the city, the operators advancing in staggered formations on both sides of the street. Magical lanterns floated in wrought iron holders, their flickering yellow glow adding an unnatural tension to the scene.

"Eyes on rooftops and upper windows," Black Eagle instructed, his voice low through the comms. "Expect archers or sentries."

Lina scanned the Gothic spires nervously, her MPX raised and ready. Mendoza moved just ahead of her, keeping her in his line of sight. "Relax," he murmured through their encrypted channel. "Focus on your sector. We've got the rest."

At a four-way intersection, Black Eagle raised his fist again. Everyone froze. Through their NVGs, they spotted three guards stationed near a Gothic archway, a glowing crystal embedded into the cobblestones at their feet. The guards wore plate armor adorned with etched sigils, their weapons glowing faintly with an enchantment. They stood alert, their eyes scanning the darkened streets.

"Gamma, take the left flank," Black Eagle ordered. "Bravo, with me on the right. Suppressed shots only. Take them out clean."

Gamma 1 led his squad around the left, weaving through the shadows of grotesque statues and stone columns. Black Eagle's team mirrored their movements, positioning themselves behind a row of stone benches. Mendoza tapped Lina on the shoulder, signaling her to hold position as he took aim.

The guards were unaware, their attention on the magical crystal. At Black Eagle's signal, the operators fired in unison. The muffled shots from their suppressed rifles barely echoed, and the guards dropped to the ground, their enchanted weapons clattering against the cobblestones. Gamma operators moved in to clear the bodies, ensuring no magical traps had been triggered.

"Intersection clear," Gamma 1 reported.

"Keep moving. Maintain intervals," Black Eagle instructed.

As the team advanced further into the city, the narrow streets opened into a small plaza dominated by a Gothic cathedral. Its massive stained glass windows reflected the dim light of the enchanted lanterns, creating a kaleidoscope of muted colors across the cobblestones. The towering spires seemed to reach into the heavens, their tips disappearing into the low-hanging clouds.

Black Eagle raised a fist once more. The operators crouched low, their weapons trained on the plaza's edges. Lina spotted movement: two figures patrolling the far side, their glowing staffs marking them as magic users. Mendoza switched to his thermal scope, confirming the presence of faint heat signatures emanating from the guards' bodies.

"Thaumaturgists. Likely casters," Mendoza whispered over comms.

"Gamma, hold position. Bravo, we'll handle this one," Black Eagle ordered.

The operators moved into position, using the cathedral's flying buttresses for cover. Red Eagle lined up his shot, aiming for the caster's head, while Onru prepared to neutralize the second with a quick takedown. At the signal, two suppressed shots dropped the targets before they could even react, their glowing staffs dimming as they hit the ground.

"Plaza clear," Black Eagle confirmed. "All teams, converge on me. We're close."

The operators regrouped, their eyes scanning the horizon as they approached the next street. Beyond the cathedral, the faint outline of an aircraft hangar came into view, partially obscured by smoke rising from distant fires. Black Eagle motioned for the team to halt.

"We're almost there," he said, his voice steady. "Eyes up. Stay sharp."

Their helmets transmitted a voice:

"Overwatch to Group 1, the drone is following you. Thermal scans have detected multiple individuals, including five non-humans at the target site. Several patrols are moving within 100 meters of the target."

Black Eagle confirmed, "Black Eagle to Overwatch, copy that. Alpha-2 and Alpha-5, meet me at the head of the column."

Two confirmations came through, and soon two operators moved to the front of the formation. Onru, designated as Alpha-5, and Red Eagle, designated as Alpha-2, joined Black Eagle. He turned toward them.

"Alpha-5, connect to the drone's camera feed and tag all individuals within a 500-meter radius of the target, excluding our own signatures."

"Copy," Onru replied, activating a holographic interface on her forearm. A translucent blue screen appeared, projecting a three-dimensional map. She marked every thermal signature except those belonging to the Foundation with red dots.

"Alpha-2," Black Eagle continued, "I need you to put every marked individual to sleep."

Alpha-2 gave a silent nod, pressing a button on the side of his helmet. Lina noticed his headset seemed to seal itself tighter against his skin, like a suction device. Taking a deep breath, Alpha-2 adjusted a dial on the tactical module mounted to his wrist.

Suddenly, Alpha-2 froze, and Lina felt a strange vibration ripple through her entire body, leaving her uneasy. One of the operators exhaled sharply and muttered, "Jeez, he's a psionist."

Lina, confused, leaned closer and whispered, "A what?"

The operator turned toward her and replied, "You seriously haven't read the Field Agent Manual?"

Lina shook her head, prompting a brief explanation. "A psionist is someone who can influence their environment through sheer mental focus. It's different from a reality bender. A psionist works within the natural laws, using some kind of innate energy."

Before Lina could respond, another operator interjected, "Stay focused. We're on infiltration. You can give her a full lecture later."

The first operator sighed, "My bad."

Alpha-2's calm voice suddenly came through the comms, breaking the tension. "All marked targets within 500 meters are temporarily neutralized. The path is clear."

Black Eagle didn't waste a moment. "Group 1, move out."

The two columns advanced cautiously, their boots moving silently across the cracked cobblestones as they entered a plaza. The area bore clear signs of destruction, scorch marks on the ground, shattered stone, and overturned carts. Gamma-1's voice crackled over the comms. "Gamma-1 to Black Eagle, confirming signs of combat. My Kant Counter is picking up a slight drop in Hume levels around the aircraft. Something big went down here."

Black Eagle responded calmly, "Understood. Bravo, Gamma, and Delta, secure the perimeter around the aircraft. Alpha, you're with me."

The columns split, with three groups moving to establish a defensive perimeter. Alpha squad advanced toward the target, moving in a staggered formation to cover all angles. They stepped over the bodies of several guards lying motionless on the ground, clearly subdued by Alpha-2's psionic abilities. Bloodstains streaked the cobblestones, a grim reminder of the chaos that had unfolded.

As they approached the aircraft, its right-side door was smashed inward, leaving a gaping entry point. Black Eagle gestured for Green and Viper to breach first. The two operators moved swiftly, rifles raised, scanning every corner as they entered. Lina followed closely, clutching her MPX nervously as she stepped into the damaged cabin.

Inside, the chaos was even more apparent. Abandoned luggage littered the floor, some torn open and spilling their contents. Electrical wires dangled from the ceiling, sparking faintly. Oxygen masks swung from above, evidence of an emergency deployment during whatever disaster had taken place.

The team moved methodically, clearing the tight space with practiced efficiency. Mendoza pointed his rifle toward the cockpit. "Clear ahead," he reported.

Onru knelt by a shattered panel, her gloves brushing against the jagged metal. "Whatever hit this plane wasn't subtle. Electrical systems are fried, could be thaumaturgical interference."

Black Eagle didn't respond immediately, scanning the area. "Onru, secure the black box. The rest of you, look for anything anomalous."

The operators spread out, combing through the wreckage with discipline. The eerie silence was broken only by the faint hum of their comms and the occasional sound of shifting debris.

Lina crouched on the floor, rummaging through the scattered belongings. The abandoned suitcases and personal items were scattered everywhere, a grim reminder of the chaos that had unfolded. She hastily pushed aside clothing and empty containers, frustration mounting until something caught her eye, a faint glint from the interior of a seemingly empty suitcase.

Curious, she paused and examined it more closely, spotting a logo glowing faintly in violet on the inner lining. Her heart skipped a beat. "I just found something," she announced, her voice breaking the tense silence.

The other operators immediately shifted their focus, converging on her position. Red Eagle was the first to reach her, taking the suitcase from her hands. He inspected the glowing logo closely, his expression unreadable behind the visor of his helmet. Without a word, he tossed the suitcase to Black Eagle, who caught it effortlessly.

Black Eagle examined the logo for several seconds, his posture rigid as he stared at the faintly illuminated emblem. Finally, he spoke in his usual commanding tone, though there was a weight to his words. "Good find. SCP-8888."

Lina's eyes widened in shock. She never expected to hear those words from Black Eagle, not in a situation like this. A wave of confusion and unease swept over her, but she couldn't help a faint smile, it felt like validation, a confirmation that she was useful here.

Black Eagle set the suitcase down carefully and pressed his gloved hand against the glowing logo. The light grew brighter, pulsing softly, and a voice emanated from the suitcase, calm and mechanical yet distinctly clear:

"This is a emergency protocol employed by the Foundation. If you are not personnel possessing a Level 5 accreditation card, please press this logo immediately and transport the object upon which it is affixed to an authorized Level 5 personnel."

The voice paused momentarily, and Black Eagle's head snapped toward his team as if anticipating what was coming. The voice continued:

"I have a simple question for you…"

Black Eagle's voice erupted in a sharp, urgent command. "COVER YOUR EARS, NOW, OR YOU'LL DIE!"

Lina didn't hesitate. Her instincts kicked in as she ripped off her helmet just enough to shove her hands over her ears. Her pulse raced, and the weight of his warning echoed in her mind. Around her, the operators scrambled to obey, each moving with the same urgency, dropping their rifles or shifting positions to shield themselves from whatever was about to happen.

The voice asked, clear and chilling: "Does the black moon howl?"

Without missing a beat, Black Eagle responded automatically, as if he was possessed: "Only when the shepherd is missing."

For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air. Black Eagle consciousness snapped back and he scanned the room quickly, ensuring that no one had succumbed to the unseen threat. His shoulders relaxed slightly as he sighed in relief, satisfied that his warning had been heeded in time.

The voice continued, calm yet laced with an eerie certainty:

"If you are not dead, then I suppose you are Foundation personnel holding Level 5 clearance."

Black Eagle gestured with his hand, signaling the squad that it was safe. Slowly, the operators lowered their hands, their movements cautious as they recovered from the tense moment. Lina followed suit, removing her hands from her ears. Her breath was shaky, but she forced herself to steady it, glancing nervously at the others.

Onru's voice cut through the silence, her tone as calm and measured as ever but with a mechanical undertone. "My sensors detected a high-level memetic attack. It fried some of my systems."

Black Eagle turned toward her and nodded. "We'll deal with it later. Focus on the mission."

The squad shifted uneasily, their composure returning as they refocused on the task at hand. The glowing logo on the suitcase dimmed, its purpose fulfilled.

The voice continued: "This is a distress call and an automated recording. I am the deputy commander of MTF Resh-1 ´Seat of Consciousness', on a mission to protect a Class-A personnel. Our aircraft crashed in an unknown zone, and we were forced to abandon the site due to multiple attacks from Type-Blues. I've left behind a thaumaturgic filament detectable with an aura sensor and a clairvoyant psionist. You can follow our trail and locate us quickly. Hurry, the life of a Class-A personnel is at stake."

Black Eagle dropped his tactical bag onto the floor, retrieving a strange device. Lina immediately recognized it as the bizarre radio O5-1 had given him before the mission. He powered it on and handed it to Red Eagle.

"How long will it take you to review the scene?" Black Eagle asked, his voice steady despite the tense atmosphere.

Red Eagle took the device, examining it briefly before responding, "Ten minutes, max."

Suddenly, a deafening explosion echoed in the distance, shaking the ground beneath them. A frantic voice blasted through their comms:

"TO ALL STATIONS, THIS IS ZETA. OUR COVER IS BLOWN. WE'VE BEEN AMBUSHED BY HOSTILE TROOPS. CAN'T HOLD THE POSITION!"

Everyone in the aircraft froze, exchanging uneasy glances as the urgency in the voice sank in. Another voice broke through the static, more frantic than the last:

"THIS IS EPSILON-1! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK, CAN'T HOLD! OVER A HUNDRED TYPE-BLUES ARE SWARMING US!"

A third voice followed swiftly:

"THETA-1 TO OVERWATCH! WE'RE BEING HUNTED BY MULTIPLE FOUR-LEGGED ANOMALIES. REQUESTING SUPPORT!"

And yet another:

"ETA-1 HERE! OUR SQUAD HAS BEEN AMBUSHED BY A MASSIVE HOSTILE FORCE. WE NEED TO FALL BACK NOW, OR WE'RE DONE FOR!"

An uneasy silence fell over the aircraft as the transmissions ceased. Red Eagle muttered under his breath, "Damn it… It's a trap."

Before anyone could respond, Overwatch's voice crackled into their comms:

"To all second-group squads, fall back to the first group and establish a unified front. Third group, leave the ramparts immediately. Move to the extraction helicopters to provide air support for the first and second groups during evacuation. First group, how much time do you need?"

Black Eagle responded without hesitation: "Black Eagle to Overwatch, we only need ten minutes."

"Understood," Overwatch replied. "Make it quick."

Black Eagle turned to his squad, his voice sharp and commanding: "We're moving out of the aircraft. Cover Red until he's done. Shoot on sight. Watch your targets, friendly forces are converging on our position. GO!"

The squad moved quickly, exiting the damaged plane with precision. Lina stepped out, her rifle clutched tightly, looking left and right, unsure of where to position herself. The chaos outside was overwhelming, distant explosions and fire illuminated the dark, casting eerie shadows across the destruction.

An operator from another squad waved at her. Without hesitation, she approached.

The operator, a woman, spoke calmly despite the situation: "Looking for someone, Alpha-10?"

Lina instantly recognized the voice. "Kovacs! I've been tasked with supporting your squads, but I don't know where to position myself."

Kovacs nodded, her voice steady as ever. "Stick with me, then."

Lina moved to Kovacs' side, quickly taking a knee behind a large stone block that offered partial cover. Kovacs knelt beside her, eyes scanning the distance.

Lina followed her gaze, peering into the darkness. The black night was interrupted by bursts of orange and red, flames and explosions drawing closer with each passing second. The ground trembled slightly as distant gunfire and the echoes of magical discharges filled the air. Tension hung thick as the enemy forces approached, their silhouettes barely visible on the horizon.

The incoming explosions grew louder and more frequent, shaking the ground beneath them. Lina's grip on her rifle tightened, sweat forming on her brow.

Suddenly, the radio crackled to life, the urgency in the voice unmistakable:

"THETA-1 to Black Eagle, we're approaching your position, but we're still being pursued! Prepare for immediate engagement!"

Black Eagle's voice came through the comms, calm and decisive:

"Understood. Once you hit the square, split to the right and left so we can light up the hostiles."

"Copy. Contact in 20 seconds!"

Kovacs, kneeling beside Lina, glanced at her and muttered under her breath, "Get ready. They're coming from our side."

Lina nodded, adrenaline surging through her veins. She adjusted her position, her sights trained on the street ahead.

The distant rumble of explosions suddenly became deafening. In the dim, fiery light, ten Foundation operatives burst out of a narrow street, sprinting for their lives. They dove for cover along the sides of the square, taking positions behind debris and crumbled walls.

Not a second later, a massive explosion erupted from the same street, sending chunks of stone and dust flying into the air. Lina shielded her face as the shockwave rippled through the square.

Emerging from the smoke and rubble were monstrous creatures, each one towering over the operatives. They resembled wolves, but far more grotesque, giant beasts with jagged bone spikes protruding from their backs, their fur matted with blood and dirt. Their glowing eyes burned with primal rage, focused solely on their prey.

The creatures let out deep, guttural growls that shook the air. Then, with terrifying speed, they lunged into the square.

Black Eagle's voice roared over the radio: "Engage! Take them down!"

Without hesitation, the operatives of Group 1 opened fire. The night lit up with muzzle flashes as automatic fire tore through the air. Lina squeezed the trigger, her rifle spitting a hail of bullets toward the closest beast. Sparks flew as rounds impacted the creature's bony spikes, but its charge didn't falter.

Kovacs shouted, her rifle steady despite the chaos: "Aim for the eyes! Drop them fast!"

One of the wolves lunged at an operator to Lina's left, only to be stopped mid-air as a burst of gunfire tore into its skull, sending it crashing to the ground. Another beast pounced from the side, slamming into a pile of rubble where an agent had taken cover, scattering debris everywhere.

"Reloading!" Lina called out, her hands moving on instinct as she slammed a fresh magazine into her rifle.

The square had become a warzone. The growls of the beasts mixed with the sharp cracks of gunfire and the shouts of operators calling out targets. Explosions erupted intermittently as grenades were tossed to push the creatures back.

Despite their grotesque appearance, the wolves were fast and relentless, dodging gunfire with unnatural agility. One leapt over a barricade, crashing into an operator and pinning him to the ground. Before the creature could deliver a killing blow, a precise shot from another operative's sidearm pierced its eye, dropping it instantly.

"Hold the line!" Black Eagle barked. "Don't let them break through!"

Lina's heart raced as she fired again and again, the recoil of her rifle becoming almost rhythmic. She could feel the tension in the air as more creatures began to pour into the square, their numbers overwhelming.

For every beast that fell, another seemed to take its place. The operators fought with precision and coordination, but it was clear this battle was far from over.

The battlefield descended into chaos as the situation spiraled further out of control. The operators were struggling to hold the line, their coordinated fire barely keeping the wolves at bay. Recognizing the imminent danger, Black Eagle barked an order over the comms, his voice cutting through the chaos like a knife:

"All special operatives and anomalies, you are cleared to use your abilities! Clean up this mess now!"

Almost instantly, the tide of the battle began to shift. Bright spheres of energy arced across the battlefield, slamming into the monstrous wolves and exploding on impact. Lina's eyes widened as she watched a massive, human hand materialize out of thin air, its fingers closing around a cluster of wolves. With a bone-crushing grip, the hand squeezed, reducing the creatures to lifeless, mangled heaps before hurling their remains into a nearby pack.

Lina's breath hitched. "Iris?" she murmured, her gaze darting around the battlefield.

Her search stopped as she spotted a smaller operator off to the side, her arm disappearing into a photograph she was holding. The scene within the image seemed to shimmer and shift unnaturally, and with every movement of her arm, the hand mirrored her actions on the battlefield.

Before Lina could react, Kovacs landed a swift kick to her backside, nearly knocking her off balance. "You count as an anomaly too, Alpha-10!" she shouted. "So stop gawking and start helping!"

Kovacs's words snapped Lina out of her daze. She glanced at her surroundings, her heart racing as the wolves continued to charge. With a deep breath, she steeled herself, leapt over the stone barricade, and sprinted into the fray.

As she ran, Lina felt the familiar surge of her abilities awaken within her. Flesh rippled unnaturally across her back, and with a sickening squelch, several tendrils of sinewy, bloodied flesh burst forth. The grotesque appendages writhed and lashed about, their sharp tips slicing through the air like whips.

Her hands warped as well, her fingers merging and extending into long, serrated blades of raw, living flesh. She clenched her newly-formed claws, the sensation of their weight and texture both alien and exhilarating.

With a feral cry, she dove into the nearest pack of wolves, her tentacles thrashing violently. One of the beasts lunged at her, its fangs bared, but she sidestepped with unnatural speed, driving one of her bladed hands through its skull. Blood sprayed as the creature fell lifeless to the ground.

Lina's tentacles lashed out, wrapping around the neck of another wolf and yanking it toward her. With a swift motion, she decapitated it, the blade of her hand slicing cleanly through its spine. The body fell limp, joining the growing pile of corpses at her feet.

Around her, the chaos continued to escalate. Explosions, energy blasts, and the brutal sounds of combat filled the air. Yet Lina was entirely in her element, her movements fluid and precise. She twisted and spun, her blades carving through the wolves like a scythe through wheat.

One particularly large wolf charged at her, its glowing eyes filled with rage. Lina planted her feet, her tentacles surging forward to grapple with the beast. They coiled tightly around its limbs, holding it in place as she drove both blades into its chest with brutal force. The creature let out a final, guttural howl before collapsing.

Covered in blood and breathing heavily, Lina glanced around the battlefield. Her fellow operatives were unleashing their own abilities, finishing the last wolves. 

Lina caught a flicker of movement in her peripheral vision. Instinctively, she spun and slashed with one of her blade-like arms, only to stop mere inches from her target. Her eyes widened as she realized it wasn't another wolf, it was one of her fellow operatives.

"Hey, hey, easy!" the operator yelled, his hands raised in alarm. "I'm not an enemy!"

Lina froze, her breath hitching as her mind caught up with her actions. She retracted her tentacles with a wet, slithering sound, and her hands twisted and reshaped themselves back into their human form. Looking around, she took in the bloody carnage she'd wrought, the mutilated corpses of wolves strewn across the battlefield.

Her gaze lingered on the lifeless bodies, her heart pounding in her chest. But as the adrenaline subsided, a strange and overwhelming hunger surged through her, a primal craving she'd never felt before.

She reached up, removing her helmet and lowering her mask. The scent of blood filled her nostrils, and her stomach growled audibly. Before she could think, she lunged at the nearest wolf carcass, tearing into it with her teeth.

The operator who had approached her earlier took a hesitant step forward. "Hey, hey, calm down," he said cautiously, his voice tinged with concern.

Before he could get any closer, Mendoza grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back. "Don't,".

The operator frowned. "What? Why not?"

Mendoza's voice dropped to a warning tone. "She's a Sarkic. Never interrupt a Sarkic when they're feeding unless you want to end up as their next meal."

The operator's face went pale, and he immediately took a step back, his eyes darting nervously between Lina and the gruesome feast she was making of the wolf's flesh.

Lina's face was drenched in the blood of the beasts she had devoured, her breath ragged as she crouched over the mangled corpse of a wolf. Suddenly, her glowing eyes flickered, dimming as though the light of reason returned to her. She froze, her gaze locking onto the grotesque scene before her, the torn limb of a wolf in her bloodied hands, a chunk of flesh missing from it.

"Haaa…" A soft gasp escaped her lips, trembling with disbelief. Her grip loosened, and the leg fell to the ground with a sickening thud.

She scrambled backward, hands shaking as she stared at the mess of gore and viscera in front of her. "No… no, no, no, no," she muttered, her voice growing increasingly frantic.

Mendoza approached her cautiously, his rifle lowered but his expression calm. "Finally conscious again?" he asked, his tone neutral, though his eyes betrayed a hint of wariness.

Lina spun to face him, her eyes wide and pleading. "I… I didn't mean to. I don't understand. I don't, " Her voice cracked, tears welling in her eyes.

Mendoza held up a hand to steady her. "Calm down. It's normal."

"Normal?" Lina's voice rose in pitch, her horror evident. "I tore them apart! I ate them! What part of this is normal?"

Mendoza took another step forward, his gaze steady but firm. "You pushed yourself too hard. You overused your power, tapped into your reserves until there was nothing left. When that happens, your Sarkic instincts take over."

Lina's head snapped toward him, her face twisting with despair. "I'm not a monster! I'm not, "

Mendoza cut her off with a calm but stern voice. "No one said you're a monster. Lucretia warned me this might happen. She said it's a part of what you are."

"I don't care what Lucretia said!" Lina shouted, tears spilling over as her voice cracked. "This isn't me! I would never… I would never do something like this!"

She fell to her knees, clutching her head as though trying to block out the memory of her actions. The taste of blood lingered on her tongue, nauseating her, but the primal satisfaction it brought earlier haunted her even more.

Mendoza crouched down a few paces away, his voice softening. "You're not the first to feel this way, and you won't be the last. But fighting it, denying it, will only make it harder for you to control."

Lina's breathing hitched, her shoulders trembling. "I don't want to be like this," she whispered.

Mendoza sighed, giving her a moment before adding, "You don't have to like it, but you need to understand it. If you don't, you'll lose yourself the next time."

Lina didn't respond. She stared at the ground, her bloodied hands trembling as her mind wrestled with the weight of what she'd done.

A crackle came over the radio, breaking the tense silence.

"This is Theta-1 to Black Eagle. We're closing in on your position, ETA two minutes, but we've got over a hundred Type Blues on our tail. Three wounded. Prepare for immediate confrontation. Over."

Black Eagle's voice responded calmly but with an edge of urgency. "Copy that, we'll roll out the welcome mat. Beta, use 073 as a shield to counter their magic. Advance in tactical shield formation for confined spaces. Your goal is to draw all their attacks onto 073."

Beta-1 voice came over the radio, sharp and to the point. "Understood. Moving now."

Lina's breath caught as she recognized the number. Her voice came out as a whisper, almost unconsciously. "Cain?"

Her eyes flicked to a group of three operators advancing toward a nearby street. Among them was a figure that stood out, a man without a weapon, walking calmly at the center of the formation. The two operators on either side of him used his body as a shield, their rifles raised as they scanned the area. Cain's demeanor was composed, his movements deliberate, as if the chaos around him didn't faze him in the slightest.

Before Lina could process the sight, she felt something hit her lightly on the arm. Reflexively, she caught it mid-air, her enhanced instincts taking over. She looked down at the object in her hand, a metal canteen.

Mendoza's voice drew her attention. "Clean yourself up."

Lina glanced at him, confused for a moment, before realizing what he meant. The blood smeared across her face, remnants of her earlier frenzy, was still there. She opened the canteen, pouring a small amount of water onto her hand before carefully wiping her face. The cool sensation of the water against her skin grounded her, allowing her to focus.

As she cleaned herself, she couldn't help but glance back at Cain. The sight of him standing so confidently, seemingly impervious to the chaos around him, stirred a mix of awe and unease within her. Whatever was coming, she knew it would push them all to their limits.

The distant sound of explosions grew louder, punctuated by bursts of energy tearing through the night. Lina's grip tightened on her weapon as the echoes of chaos closed in. Suddenly, out of the shadows of a side street, a group of operators burst into view, their movements desperate and hurried.

Several of them were supporting injured comrades, their bodies slumped but clinging to consciousness. Others scrambled against the walls, bracing themselves as they fired around the corner, their shots lighting up the narrow passage like fleeting stars.

The pounding of boots echoed louder as the last two operators dove to the ground, rolling out of the way just as a searing fireball roared past, slamming into the space where they had been seconds before. The explosion's force sent a gust of heat and debris down the street, but the operators didn't falter.

The group pushed past the trio, their expressions grim but determined, heading toward the open plaza where Group 1 had set their line. The faint glow of flames behind them cast long shadows as they disappeared into the organized chaos ahead.

The air grew heavier as a sudden, unnatural chill swept through the street. Lina froze, her instincts screaming danger. From the same corner where the operators had emerged moments ago, figures in dark, flowing robes stepped into view, their hands aglow with swirling energy. Their faces were obscured by ornate masks, but their intent was clear. Thaumaturgists.

"Contact!" Beta-1 barked, raising his weapon. Lina's pulse quickened as she shifted into a ready stance, her eyes darting to the trio standing at the center of the street. Cain, unarmed and unarmored, stood between two operators who flanked him like sentinels. His calm expression betrayed no fear, even as the thaumaturgists raised their hands in unison, chanting in a language that made Lina's skin crawl.

A crackling bolt of energy surged from one of the attackers, racing toward Cain with deadly intent. The instant it struck him, however, the energy shimmered unnaturally and disappeared. A heartbeat later, the same thaumaturgist let out a guttural scream as the energy reappeared, ripping through his chest and leaving a charred, lifeless husk behind.

"&1@}#% ?" one of the attackers faltered, but the others continued their assault. Streams of fire, lightning, and shadow lashed out toward Cain, each one vanishing the moment it struck him. The thaumaturgists fell like dominoes, their own spells turning against them in horrific displays of power. One erupted in flames, his screams cutting through the chaos; another crumpled as his body twisted unnaturally under the force of his own kinetic blast.

Lina's eyes widened as the street descended into a massacre. Cain didn't move, didn't flinch, his passive expression unchanged as his presence alone turned the thaumaturgists' might into their doom.

Beta Squad opened fire, their weapons cutting down the few thaumaturgists who tried to flee, their robes tearing under the hail of bullets. Lina, snapping out of her stupor, joined the fray, charging forward with her flesh-blades glinting in the dim light. She intercepted a thaumaturgist attempting to summon a protective barrier, her tentacles lashing out to ensnare him before she plunged her blade into his chest.

One thaumaturgist, desperate to escape, raised a hand toward Cain, muttering an incantation. The ground beneath the trio began to tremble as dark tendrils erupted from the earth, reaching for them. Cain's gaze shifted ever so slightly, and the tendrils recoiled, twisting unnaturally before slamming back toward their caster. The thaumaturgist's own spell engulfed him, crushing his body in a grotesque display of raw force.

Lina moved with brutal efficiency, tearing through the remaining thaumaturgists with a ferocity that left no room for resistance. Her blades sliced through robes and flesh alike, her tentacles ripping weapons from hands and crushing throats. Beta operatives covered her from behind, their shots precise and unyielding, ensuring no enemy got close enough to counterattack.

Within minutes, the street was littered with the bodies of the thaumaturgists, their robes soaked in blood and their masks shattered. The stench of burnt flesh and ozone hung heavy in the air. Lina stood amidst the carnage, her breathing ragged, her blades dripping with blood. She turned to Cain, who remained untouched, his calm demeanor unshaken.

The two operators flanking him gave curt nods, one murmuring, "Area secure." Cain tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable, before stepping forward and surveying the aftermath.

Cain's gaze briefly met Lina's, and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of something in his eyes, sadness, perhaps, or regret, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"Move out," Beta-1 said, his voice calm but firm. The group regrouped, leaving the grisly scene behind as they pushed forward toward the plaza, the echoes of their violent triumph fading into the night.

The sharp voice over the radio broke through the tension gripping the battlefield. Lina listened intently, her mind racing to process the update.

"Zeta-1 to Overwatch, we've linked up with Eta. Both of our squads have joined forces, but the enemy groups pursuing us have done the same. Over." The operator's voice was steady, but the underlying strain was clear.

A moment passed before Overwatch replied, their tone calm and precise. "Overwatch to Zeta-1, we will initiate drone strikes to slow the hostiles. Designate targets with laser markers for confirmation. And be advised, close-range danger is imminent. Proceed with caution."

Lina glanced toward the distance, her pulse quickening as the weight of the situation sank in. The sound of distant explosions and sporadic gunfire punctuated the air, growing louder as the enemy drew closer.

Suddenly, multiple fireballs lit up the sky from the drone strikes. Overwatch's voice came through the radio:

"Overwatch to Black Eagle, Eta and Zeta will reach your position in a few minutes. Prepare for heavy engagement; we're tracking over 3,000 hostile forces advancing on your location. Over."

Black Eagle responded immediately:

"Overwatch, copy that. We'll prepare to receive them. Over."

Turning to his team, he issued swift orders:

"Group 1, you have three minutes to set traps in every street northeast of the objective. Thêta and Epsilon, secure our flanks and rear. Prepare for a large-scale engagement."

The radio buzzed with acknowledgments as the operators scrambled into action.

Lina watched silently as the operators moved with calculated precision, scattering through the narrow streets to lay traps. Even in the dim light, their professionalism was evident. Some carried small, cylindrical devices that they carefully placed along walls and under debris, while others dug shallow pits and buried mines beneath loose rubble.

She noticed one operator stringing nearly invisible wires across an alleyway, his hands steady and quick. Another was planting a box-like device against a wall, whispering into his radio before stepping back. A faint red light blinked on the box, it was armed.

Further down the street, two operators worked together to set up a makeshift barricade, stacking debris and discarded furniture to create a choke point. Their movements were silent but purposeful, their focus unshaken by the distant echoes of explosions and the occasional growls carried by the wind.

Lina's gaze fell on Mendoza, who was crouched by a trap, securing its final components. He glanced at her and gave a quick nod, signaling that it was all going according to plan. She nodded back, her hands gripping the edge of her weapon tightly.

"Keep your head in the game, Alpha-10," he muttered before moving further down the street.

The scene around her was organized chaos. Operators darted between cover, communicating through quick hand signals and low murmurs on their radios. Every street, every corner, every alley was being transformed into a deadly maze.

As the final moments ticked away, Black Eagle's voice came over the comms:

"All units, fall back to defensive positions. Eta and Zeta are 30 seconds out. Prepare for contact."

The operators abandoned the streets and retreated to their positions. Lina followed, her heart racing as she crouched behind a low wall. The night was quiet, save for the faint sound of boots approaching in unison.

The tension was suffocating as the operators braced for the storm to come.

Explosions shook the ground, sending shockwaves reverberating through the air as Lina turned her gaze toward the northern sector. The sounds of detonations blended with the faint echoes of frantic gunfire and screams. Suddenly, several operators rounded the corner, thrown violently into the open by the force of a blast behind them. They hit the ground hard but immediately scrambled to their feet, weapons raised, retreating with suppressive fire to cover their escape.

An arrow streaked through the air, embedding itself deep into one of the operator's shoulders. He grunted in pain, faltering, but before he could collapse, one of his comrades grabbed him and began dragging him backward. Their retreat was cut short as another explosion tore through the street, flames and debris swallowing the spot where they had just stood.

Lina's breathing quickened as she tightened her grip on her weapon, instinctively scanning for more incoming hostiles. Black Eagle stepped forward beside her, his dark figure unwavering amidst the chaos. She glanced at him and saw his hand rise, his gloved fingers snapping with a faint, resonating crack.

In an instant, Eta and Zeta operatives disappeared from the street and materialized behind Black Eagle, landing on the ground with varying degrees of grace. Most collapsed to their knees, breathing heavily, sweat and soot marking their faces. Their exhaustion was evident, but the moment of disorientation quickly passed as they recognized the familiar uniforms around them.

Without turning, Black Eagle's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Eta, Zeta, fall in and reinforce the line. If you're injured, move to the rear. Everyone else, weapons up and prepare to hold this position. Go!"

The teleportation shock faded instantly as the operators snapped to attention, their training overriding any hesitation. The groups split into smaller teams, merging seamlessly with the defensive line. The wounded were carried to cover, while the rest sprinted forward, finding positions alongside Group 1. Within seconds, they were firing downrange, joining the defensive effort without missing a beat.

As the reinforcements engaged, the enemy forces began spilling into the northern approach like a tidal wave. But they were met with devastating resistance. The traps laid earlier sprang to life in quick succession. Claymore mines hidden under rubble detonated with ear-splitting booms, sending shrapnel slicing through the attackers. Magical sigils etched into the stone streets erupted into bursts of blinding light, incinerating anything within their radius.

Flaming arrows and magical projectiles shot from the enemy ranks, streaking toward the defenders. One slammed into a hastily constructed barricade, igniting it in a burst of flames, but the operators held firm. Their precision fire rained down upon the charging enemy, cutting down wave after wave before they could even get close.

Lina watched as the attackers hesitated, their lines faltering amidst the carnage. But their sheer numbers pushed them forward, forcing them into the kill zone. One enemy thaumaturge raised his hands, summoning a glowing orb of energy that arced toward the defenders. Before it could strike, a sharpshooter's bullet found its mark, dropping the caster instantly and causing the spell to dissipate harmlessly into the air.

"Hold your firelines!" Black Eagle's commanding voice boomed across the battlefield. "No one breaks formation! Keep them pinned!"

Lina felt her pulse pounding in her ears as the operators around her continued their relentless assault. Eta and Zeta had fully integrated into the formation now, their combined firepower turning the northern streets into a killing field. Explosions continued to erupt as hidden traps detonated, collapsing sections of buildings onto the advancing forces.

She stole a glance at an operator nearby and heard the crackle of a voice. "Eta and Zeta have fully engaged. Thirty seconds to full contact with the enemy vanguard."

Lina's eyes flicked toward the horizon, her heart pounding as she saw the enemy forces continuing to pour forward. The air was thick with smoke, the screams of the dying mingling with the relentless gunfire. This was only the beginning.

As the vanguard of the enemy forces surged forward, the battle reached a fever pitch. Lina could feel the ground tremble beneath her boots as hundreds of hostiles charged into the zone of contact, their war cries mixing with the cacophony of gunfire and explosions.

The traps continued to spring with ruthless efficiency. One squad of attackers sprinted through an alley, only to trigger a hidden line of explosives that detonated in sequence, reducing them to ash and debris. Magical sigils engraved into walls activated, unleashing bursts of energy that disoriented or obliterated entire groups of enemies.

Foundation operators held their positions with military precision, rifles blazing in controlled bursts. Each shot was calculated, every target neutralized with cold efficiency. The street had become a gauntlet of death, and the enemy paid for every inch of ground with blood.

"Keep firing!" Black Eagle's voice cut through the chaos. He stood like an immovable pillar in the center of the defensive line, barking orders while calmly picking off targets with his rifle. "Suppress their casters first! They're the priority!"

Enemy thaumaturges desperately tried to return fire, hurling fireballs and arcs of electricity toward the operators. However, the advanced training and equipment of the Foundation proved their undoing. A sharpshooter from Theta squad dropped one caster with a single shot to the head, the glowing orb in his hand fizzling out as he collapsed. Another thaumaturge attempted to raise a barrier to protect his allies, but before the spell could complete, a grenade sailed over and detonated at his feet, silencing him permanently.

Lina could hardly keep up with the pace of the battle. She watched as an operator from Gamma squad unleashed a barrage of grenades from a launcher, obliterating a charging group of enemies. Further down the line, another operator set up a portable turret, its relentless fire cutting down attackers before they could even see the defensive line.

But the enemy had numbers on their side, and for every wave that fell, another seemed to take its place. Then the ground began to shake.

Lina turned her gaze toward the enemy ranks, and her eyes widened in shock. Pieces of stone and rubble were rising from the ground, swirling through the air as if drawn by an invisible force. A glowing parchment hovered in the air at the center of the commotion, and the rocks began assembling themselves into a massive humanoid form. Within moments, a towering golem of stone stood before them, its hulking frame dwarfing everything around it. The glowing parchment floated in place where its head would be, pulsing with a sinister light.

The operators faltered for a moment, the sheer size of the creature forcing a brief pause in their assault. Black Eagle was the first to recover. "Open fire! Focus all firepower on that thing! Don't let it get any closer!"

A hail of bullets erupted as every operator turned their weapons on the golem. Tracers lit up the battlefield as hundreds of rounds slammed into the creature, but the stone proved impervious. The bullets ricocheted harmlessly off its surface, leaving only faint scratches. Operators threw grenades, and explosions engulfed the creature in smoke and flame, but as the dust cleared, the golem emerged unscathed, its glowing parchment head still pulsating.

"It's not working!" one operator shouted.

The golem began to move, each step shaking the ground. It raised one massive arm and slammed it into a nearby building, collapsing the structure in a cloud of dust and rubble. Lina could feel the vibrations from where she stood, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Delta-1 to Overwatch," a calm voice came over the radio, cutting through the chaos. "Requesting immediate drone strike on marked target. Designating now. Danger close."

A green laser beam appeared, circling the head of the golem as operators continued their futile assault to buy time. The creature raised its arm again, preparing to crush the defensive line, when a high-pitched whine filled the air.

Lina looked up just in time to see a streak of light descending from the sky. A missile screamed toward the battlefield, and in an instant, it slammed directly into the glowing parchment.

The explosion was deafening. A massive fireball engulfed the golem's upper body, the force of the blast shattering its stone frame. Lina shielded her eyes as chunks of rock rained down across the battlefield. When she looked back, the golem's entire torso had disintegrated, its remaining pieces collapsing into a lifeless heap.

"Target neutralized," Delta-1 confirmed over the radio, his voice steady.

Cheers erupted from the operators, but Black Eagle quickly raised his hand. "Stay sharp! That was just the opening act. Hold the line and prepare for the next wave!"

The operators immediately refocused, their weapons trained on the enemy ranks once more. Lina took a deep breath, her hands trembling as she gripped her weapon. The fight was far from over.

As the remnants of the enemy forces regrouped, a sudden, eerie silence fell over the battlefield. The calm before the storm. Then, a deafening roar erupted from the enemy ranks as they surged forward en masse, abandoning all caution. Thousands of enemies, wielding weapons of both steel and magic, poured into the streets in a desperate, coordinated charge.

From his position at the front line, Black Eagle took a moment to assess the situation before his voice boomed through the radio. "All operators, go all out! No holding back! Break their charge!"

The operators of the Foundation responded with unparalleled precision and determination. Grenade launchers roared, rifles tore through the advancing horde, and high-explosive rounds reduced clusters of enemies to nothing but crimson mist. Traps hidden in the streets claimed dozens more, explosions ripping through the tightly packed ranks of attackers.

Yet, despite the relentless onslaught, the enemy continued to press forward, their numbers seemingly endless. Black Eagle turned to Lina, Cain, and four nearby operators, his expression calm but firm. With a snap of his fingers, they were suddenly enveloped in a bright flash of light.

In an instant, the group found themselves atop a tall building overlooking the chaos below. The view was staggering, waves of enemies swarmed the streets, clashing with the Foundation's defensive line in a brutal, unrelenting melee.

Black Eagle's voice came through the earpieces of those he had teleported. "Samsara squad, with SCP-8888 and SCP-073. You're going into the thick of it. Engage in close combat and exterminate on sight. Show them no mercy."

Cain's calm, unreadable face turned toward Lina for a moment. "Stay close. It's about to get messy."

Lina nodded, gripping her weapon tightly as her heart pounded. She wasn't sure what to expect, but the sight of Cain, seemingly unshaken, filled her with a small measure of confidence.

"Move out!" Black Eagle commanded.

The group leaped from the rooftop, landing amidst the chaos with thunderous impacts. The operators of Samsara squad immediately activated their advanced cybernetic enhancements, their movements a blur of speed and precision. Lina, her arms turned into blades of flesh cleaving through enemy soldiers with terrifying ease.

Cain followed close behind, his very presence a harbinger of destruction. Every blow, spell, or projectile directed at him was immediately reflected back at its source, annihilating those who dared attack him. Enemies crumbled in droves, their own power turned against them.

Lina, now fully embracing the Sarkic instincts she had feared earlier, moved like a predator through the battlefield. Her enhanced strength and agility allowed her to tear through enemies with ruthless efficiency, her hands glowing with an eerie crimson energy. Beside her, the Samsara operators fought with unparalleled precision, their advanced equipment and training making them nearly unstoppable.

The battle was a massacre. The enemy's charge faltered as their ranks were cut down with brutal efficiency. Entire squads of attackers were annihilated before they could even reach the defensive line. Explosions and gunfire echoed through the streets, the air thick with smoke and the metallic scent of blood.

As the last of the charging enemies fell, Lina and her group stood amidst the carnage, their weapons and armor slick with blood. The battlefield was littered with the bodies of those who had dared to challenge them.

But the moment of triumph was short-lived. A strange, shimmering light appeared at the far end of the street. From the light emerged a new group of enemies, their presence sending a chill through the air.

They were knights, clad in resplendent golden armor that gleamed even in the smoke-filled streets. Their weapons, enchanted with radiant energy, pulsed with an intimidating aura. Unlike the chaotic hordes they had just defeated, these warriors moved with discipline and purpose, their formation tight and unyielding.

Black Eagle's voice crackled through the radio. "New contacts. Prepare for engagement. Do not underestimate them."

Cain's violet eyes narrowed as he stepped forward. "Looks like we've found a real challenge."

The Samsara squad readied their weapons, and Lina felt her heartbeat quicken once again. The golden knights began their advance, and the stage was set for another brutal clash.

Lina observed the chaos, her breathing steady despite the carnage around her. The golden knights were nothing like the disorganized hordes they had fought earlier. These warriors moved in disciplined formations, their enchanted armor gleaming even in the dim light. Their mages, positioned behind shield walls, chanted incantations that conjured blazing sigils of energy. Arrows of light and bursts of fire filled the air, forcing her and the Samsara operators to maintain constant movement.

She twisted her body as a beam of magical energy surged past her, slamming into a nearby wall. The shockwave sent debris flying, but Lina was already advancing. Her arms, grotesque and reshaped into serrated blades of muscle and sinew, pulsed with unnatural life.

"Focus fire on the shield wall!" one of the Samsara operative barked, his voice sharp over the comms. Gunfire erupted, hammering into the knights' defenses. Bullets sparked and ricocheted off their enchanted shields, but the relentless barrage began to crack their formation.

Lina saw her moment. Her body twisted unnaturally as tentacles of raw flesh burst from her back, propelling her forward like a coiled spring unleashed. She landed amidst the knights with a sickening crunch, her bladed arms slicing through shields and armor with brutal efficiency.

The first knight barely had time to turn before her blade-arm punched through his chest plate, tearing him apart in a spray of blood. Another swung a glowing mace toward her, but Lina's tentacles coiled around his arm, yanking him off balance. She brought her other blade down in a savage arc, cleaving him in two.

"Push forward!" Black Eagle's voice cut through the comms. The operators advanced in coordination, their weapons systematically breaking through the knights' defenses.

But the enemy wasn't faltering. The mages behind the shield wall unleashed a devastating counterattack. Runes exploded with radiant light, and a wave of fire surged toward Lina and the operators.

"Scatter!" one of the Samsara operators shouted, diving for cover.

Lina didn't flinch. The fire washed over her, but her grotesque flesh absorbed the heat, leaving her unharmed. She lunged forward, her tentacles snatching one of the mages from behind the line. The robed man screamed as he was dragged into the fray, silenced moments later by the sweep of her blade.

The knights regrouped, forming a tight circle around their remaining mages. Lina snarled, her crimson eyes locked on their formation. Her tentacles lashed out, slamming into the ground and sending fragments of stone flying. She used the distraction to charge, her blades tearing through their ranks with surgical precision.

One knight attempted to intercept her, raising a glowing spear. Lina parried the strike with one blade while her other arm drove through his throat. He crumpled to the ground, gurgling as life left him.

The Samsara squad provided covering fire, precision shots finding weak points in the knights' armor. Explosions rocked the battlefield as grenades detonated, further disrupting their formations. Despite their magical prowess and discipline, the knights were no match for the Foundation's overwhelming firepower and brutal efficiency.

As the battle raged, Lina caught sight of a mage frantically gesturing to his comrades. A sigil of golden light appeared above him, growing brighter by the second. She didn't wait to see what he was conjuring. With a burst of speed, she closed the distance, her tentacles lashing out to drag the mage toward her. He screamed, his spell unraveling as her blades tore through his chest.

Finally, one knight remained among the group. He stood amidst the bodies of his comrades, his golden armor dented and smeared with blood. Despite the carnage around him, his posture remained unbroken.

Lina approached cautiously, her blade-arms ready. The knight turned to face her, his glowing sword raised in defiance. He moved with surprising speed, slashing toward her in a wide arc. Lina deflected the blow with her arm, but the impact sent her skidding back.

Before she could counter, the knight stepped forward and delivered a devastating kick to her chest. The force sent her hurtling through the air, crashing through the wall of a nearby building. She hit the ground hard, her vision swimming as debris rained down around her.

Through the haze, she heard the distant shouts of the Samsara operators and the sound of gunfire resuming. Her body ached, but her unnatural biology was already beginning to heal. Lina growled, pushing herself up from the rubble as the knight stood at the ready, prepared to face whatever came next.

Lina stood amidst the rubble, her breath steady as she locked eyes with the golden knight. His armor was battered, streaked with blood, yet he radiated an aura of unyielding resolve. The glow of his sword intensified, runes etched along its blade pulsing with energy. The air between them crackled with tension, the battlefield momentarily silent as the two combatants squared off.

The knight charged first, his heavy boots slamming against the stone ground as he closed the distance with astonishing speed. Lina braced herself, her bladed arms raised. His sword came down in a sweeping arc, aimed to cleave her in two. She sidestepped at the last moment, her reflexes far quicker than any human.

Her blade slashed upward, aiming for his exposed neck, but the knight turned with fluid precision, his sword parrying the strike in a shower of sparks. The impact sent vibrations through her arm, but she used the momentum to spin and strike again, her other blade carving a shallow gouge across his chest plate.

The knight grunted, stepping back and raising his sword. His free hand glowed with golden light as he unleashed a wave of energy, the force slamming into Lina like a hammer. She flew backward, skidding across the ground before digging her tentacles into the stone to anchor herself.

Without hesitation, she surged forward, her tentacles propelling her at blinding speed. The knight raised his sword to block, but she feinted, darting to his side and slashing downward. Her blade struck true, carving through the edge of his pauldron and severing the straps holding it in place.

The knight retaliated with a brutal backhand swing, his glowing sword slicing through one of her tentacles. The severed flesh writhed on the ground before dissolving into a pool of blood, but Lina didn't falter. She lashed out with her remaining tendrils, entangling his arm and locking his movements.

The knight roared, breaking free of her grip with sheer strength and countering with a crushing overhead strike. Lina crossed her blade-arms to block, but the force sent her staggering backward. She recovered just in time to see him lunge, his sword aimed directly at her heart.

She twisted her body unnaturally, the blade grazing her side as she spun behind him. Her bladed arm came down in a vicious arc, smashing into the side of his helmet. The metal caved in with a sickening crunch, and half of the knight's helmet was torn away, revealing a scarred face twisted in fury.

Despite the damage, the knight didn't falter. He swung again, his strikes faster and more ferocious as golden light enveloped his weapon. Lina parried blow after blow, her arms blurring with speed, but she could feel the strain building. The knight wasn't just strong, he was relentless.

Finally, she saw an opening. As he overextended on a thrust, she ducked under his blade and drove her bladed arm into his side, piercing through the gaps in his armor. The knight grunted in pain, staggering back, but Lina didn't let up. She slashed again, her blade carving deep into his chest.

The knight fell to one knee, blood seeping from his wounds, yet he refused to collapse. He looked up at Lina, defiance burning in his one visible eye.

Before Lina could finish him, a shadow fell over the knight. Onru stepped out from behind him, her presence cold and methodical. The knight didn't even have time to react before Onru's mechanical arm unfolded, revealing the nozzle of a flamethrower.

Lina stepped back, watching as Onru raised the weapon. The sound of the ignition was deafening, and a torrent of fire engulfed the knight. His screams filled the air, a haunting mix of agony and fury as the flames consumed him. His golden armor glowed red-hot, and his flesh blackened beneath the inferno.

The knight collapsed moments later, his body a smoldering husk. Onru lowered her weapon, her expression unreadable as she turned to Lina.

"Clean and efficient," Onru said simply, her voice devoid of emotion.

Lina stared at the charred remains of the knight, then glanced back at Onru. "I had it under control."

Onru's gaze lingered on her for a moment before she turned and began walking away. "Of course you did."

The street was eerily quiet as Lina turned, her eyes scanning the battlefield. Around her, the bodies of golden-armored knights lay motionless, their once-gleaming forms reduced to lifeless remnants of a fierce struggle. The six operators regrouped, their weapons raised but their postures easing slightly now that the immediate threat was neutralized.

One of them, his voice steady, keyed into his radio. "Gamma-6 to Black Eagle, we've cleared the entire zone. Area secure."

The radio crackled, but no response came. The operators exchanged brief, concerned glances before, without warning, they were yanked out of their positions. The world blurred for a fraction of a second, and suddenly, Lina found herself standing beside Black Eagle, disoriented by the sudden shift. She stumbled slightly, then regained her footing, quickly scanning her surroundings.

Pockets of remaining enemies were scattered throughout the streets, some fleeing in disarray while others were being swiftly cut down by the forces of the Foundation. Lina watched silently as Black Eagle observed the chaos with a calm but calculating gaze.

The silence was broken by a voice on the radio. "Alpha-2 to Black Eagle, I've finished locking the Administrator's position. Ready to move."

Black Eagle responded immediately. "Perfect. Black Eagle to Overwatch, mission objective complete. Requesting immediate extraction."

The reply came swiftly, though it carried an edge of hesitation. "Acknowledged, extraction in- wait, Black Eagle. There's a problem."

Black Eagle's voice hardened. "What problem?"

Before Overwatch could respond, a sharp beeping noise erupted. Lina glanced down, startled, as an unfamiliar device attached to her belt began to flash and emit rapid, high-pitched tones. She wasn't the only one; every operator froze for a brief second, their attention locked on the small device, which now displayed rapidly shifting numbers.

"What the hell is this?" Lina murmured, but the alarmed expressions of the operators around her said it all, they knew exactly what it meant.

"Shit!" Black Eagle roared into his radio. "Black Eagle to all Group 1 and 2, Hume density is spiking through the roof! Activate all SRAs immediately and converge within 50 meters of my position! MOVE!"

The operators sprang into action, their training kicking in as they sprinted to regroup. Lina followed, her eyes darting between the beeping device on her belt and the frantic movements of her allies. Within moments, a defensive perimeter had formed around Black Eagle, the operators bristling with tension as they activated their Scranton Reality Anchors (SRAs) in unison.

"Black Eagle to Overwatch," he barked. "Cancel the extraction. Reality in our immediate vicinity is destabilizing. Repeat: extraction is not possible!"

One of the operators near him shouted, his voice strained with panic. "270 Humes! 456 Humes! 600 Humes!"

Another operator, standing closer to Lina, suddenly pointed skyward, his voice filled with dread. "There! In the sky, north side!"

Every head turned as the group collectively looked up. Floating high above the street, framed against the darkening sky, was a figure clad in flowing white robes. Its form seemed impossibly still, its gaze fixed coldly upon the Foundation operatives below. The oppressive weight of its presence was suffocating, as if the very air had turned to lead.

One operator, his face pale as death, stammered, "700 Humes… 800 Humes… SHIT. IT'S A LEVEL 4 REALITY BENDER!"