The helicopter blades cut through the crisp night air, but the hum of the engine did little to mask the tension between Alyssa and Eleanor. Both knew that the explosion on the island was just the beginning of the final push against The Shroud. They sat in silence, gathering their thoughts as they headed back to base.
Marcus's voice crackled over the comms again. "We've been monitoring chatter. The Shroud is disoriented, but they're not defeated. They're regrouping, and it looks like they're focusing their efforts in one last stronghold."
Alyssa's brow furrowed. "Where?"
A brief pause, then Marcus replied grimly, "Russia. Deep within the Siberian wilderness. It's their main data hub, protected by military-grade security. If we're going to finish this, that's where we have to go."
Eleanor clenched her fists. "Figures they'd hide in a place that cold and remote."
Alyssa's mind raced. Taking down a single bunker was one thing, but infiltrating a Siberian fortress would be a suicide mission if not properly planned. She looked at Eleanor, the resolve in her eyes matching her own.
"We'll need everything we've got for this one. No half-measures," Alyssa said.
"Agreed," Eleanor replied. "This is the last piece. Once we take it down, there's no coming back for The Shroud."
The helicopter touched down at their base. As the dust kicked up around them, they were greeted by Marcus, who had already started putting together a plan.