Chapter 36
The dense, moonlit canopy of the valley obscured the rugged terrain below. The engines of the Veldorian Special Operations aircraft droned in the cold night sky. Inside, a squad of elite soldiers, clad in dark, lightweight body armor woven with genetically modified spider silk, readied themselves for the mission. The material, a new breakthrough in protective technology, was both feather-light and capable of withstanding high-impact forces. Each operative's visor displayed a tactical HUD linked to their command center.
Lieutenant Commander Kael, a seasoned officer of Veldoria's elite "Ghost Unit," moved silently down the narrow aisle of the aircraft. His voice was calm, almost clinical, as he briefed his team one last time.
"Our target is Minister Lazaro, the mastermind behind the recent assassination attempt on King Ethan. His estate lies deep within this valley in the mountains of Costa nova, guarded by a mercenary force. The ground approach is compromised the roads are mined with IEDs and anti-armor ordnance. Intel confirms functional World War II-era anti-aircraft guns. Extraction will occur post-detonation of key defenses. Lethal force is authorized if capture is impossible. Questions?"
The team remained silent, their focus sharp. Kael nodded.
"Check gear. Prepare for drop."
Moments later, the side doors opened with a hiss. The roar of wind filled the cabin as the team leaped into the darkness, silent phantoms descending into the valley line ghosts.
---
The team landed smoothly within the valley's shadows, guided by precision navigation. Each soldier moved like a whisper, blending into the terrain. Their night vision optics illuminated the world in shades of green.
Kael raised a hand, signaling a halt as they neared the first perimeter guard. A mercenary with a heavy rifle stood watch, his cigarette's glow a giveaway. Kael approached with predatory silence, a blade flashing once before the guard slumped silently to the ground his throat slashed blood pooling.
The team moved methodically, eliminating sentries with surgical precision. Each takedown was swift and silent in stories told later each had their throats slit open.
---
The mansion loomed ahead, a relic of the old regime. Lights flickered within, shadows moving across the windows. Kael signaled his team to fan out. They breached the rear entrance, weapons raised, sweeping each room.
They found Lazaro in a dimly lit study, a pistol trembling in his hand.
"Drop it!" Kael commanded.
Lazaro's eyes flickered with defiance. He raised the gun.
A single shot from Kael ended it. The former minister slumped backward, his ambitions and treachery silenced forever.
---
With the mission objective complete, the team planted high-yield explosives on the anti-aircraft guns and within the estate. Kael activated the timer, giving them five minutes to exfiltrate.
The soldiers moved swiftly, their presence already ghosting from the valley as explosions ripped through the night, a symphony of fire and destruction.
Far above, the extraction helicopter hovered, its rotors slicing through the air. The Ghost Unit rose into the sky, disappearing into the darkness, their mission accomplished.
---
The map of Costa Nova is spread out on the table. General Vorn stood at attention, his dark uniform crisp, the gleaming silver insignia reflecting the weight of his responsibility. King Ethan, propped against plush cushions, still bore the pallor of his recovery, though his eyes burned with determination as he gestured for the report.
"General," Ethan said, his voice measured but strong, "I trust this news is worth the interruption of my rest."
Vorn nodded solemnly. "It is, Your Majesty." He unfolded a leather-bound dossier and began. "The operation concluded successfully last night. Minister Lazaro, the mastermind behind your assassination attempt, was located after a week of joint intelligence efforts with Costa Nova. He had entrenched himself in a valley fortress protected by a cadre of mercenaries and an array of outdated but lethal defenses."
The King's gaze sharpened. "Details?"
"Yes, Sire. Due to the heavy mining of the roads and anti-aircraft emplacements, we ruled out conventional approaches. A night raid was deemed the only viable strategy. Our Ghost Unit parachuted into the valley, neutralizing sentries with silent precision. They breached the compound undetected and found Lazaro armed in his study. He refused to surrender and was eliminated in the ensuing engagement." Vorn paused. "Explosives neutralized the anti-air defenses and demolished the compound upon extraction."
King Ethan leaned back, a hand brushing his chest reflexively over the still-healing wound. "A decisive strike. And the cost?"
"No casualties, Sire. The new spider silk-based armor performed exceptionally well in the field, allowing enhanced mobility and protection."
"That's a relief," Ethan murmured. "But this won't be the last time we need to act preemptively."
"Agreed, Sire. I also have updates regarding the next phase of our military modernization."
The King's eyes narrowed. "Go on."
Vorn gestured to a small case beside him, withdrawing a sleek, black-plated prototype of the future military uniform. "Our research division has completed designs for a full-body suit crafted from genetically engineered spider silk. Unlike traditional vests, this suit provides comprehensive protection from neck to toe. The primary layer resists most small-caliber rounds, while the chest piece integrates reinforced Kevlar infused with spider silk to withstand higher-caliber projectiles."
He pointed to the reinforced padding. "Additional protection covers vulnerable areas like thighs, knees, and shins. A modular neck guard connects seamlessly to a new helmet system."
Vorn held up the helmet, a masterwork of engineering. "This helmet incorporates bio-monitoring technology, a heads-up display linked to AI support, and multi-channel communication. Soldiers will have instant access to tactical overlays, target information, and shared sensory data from teammates. The AI continuously analyzes battlefield conditions, suggesting adaptive strategies."
"Vision modes?" Ethan inquired.
"Standard, lowlight, night vision, and heat vision. The HUD filters blinding light and dampens deafening noise. When fully sealed, the suit provides air filtration for hazardous environments."
King Ethan nodded thoughtfully. "This is the armor of the future."
"Indeed, Your Majesty," Vorn said. "Deployment begins in six months.
---
The soft hum of the hospital monitors faded into the past as King Ethan emerged from the Royal Medical Center. His first breath of fresh air as a fully cleared man felt like a victory unto itself. He smiled, shaking hands with the lead doctor, who beamed with pride.
"Your Majesty, you're as healthy as ever. But please, don't push too hard just yet," the doctor advised.
"I'll be careful," Ethan said with a nod. "But there's too much to do for me to sit idle any longer."
---
Six Months Later
The large circular table in the council chamber buzzed with conversation as ministers and military leaders exchanged reports. At the center of the discussion, King Ethan sat in full control, his hands steepled as General Vorn provided his summary.
"Your Majesty, Costa Nova's projects are progressing on schedule," Vorn began, spreading a detailed map across the table. "The temporary airfield on the island is operational. It's receiving our supplies and equipment shipments. Air interceptors have been deployed for defensive operations, and the installation of permanent hangars is underway. The harbor construction is at fifty percent, and the water and power plants are on track to be fully functional in four months."
The Minister of Infrastructure added, "Our engineers are training Costa Nova teams on sustainable building techniques. Their progress has been remarkable. Additionally, a wave of Costa Nova's best students has arrived at Liberty schools to participate in exchange programs. Integration is smooth, and they're acclimating well."
"Good," Ethan said, his voice firm. "This partnership will solidify both our nations' futures. General, the armor project?"
Vorn leaned forward. "The AIA—Artificial Intelligence Armor—has been distributed to select units. Training with the new suits is showing outstanding results. Soldiers report increased mobility, seamless integration of tactical data, and unparalleled situational awareness. AI analysis has already helped predict and prevent ambushes during recent exercises."
The Minister of Defense interjected, "The feedback is overwhelmingly positive, Your Majesty. The first squads will be combat-ready in a month."
"Excellent," Ethan said, leaning back. "What about the AI project we've been developing with our ally?"
"Progress is substantial," Vorn confirmed. "We've developed an adaptive AI system capable of recognizing complex human behavior patterns. It requires an unprecedented level of computing power, so we are building a centralized supercomputer hub to unify all systems under one seamless network."
Ethan's brow lifted. "All data in one place?"
"Yes, Sire," the general nodded. "This will revolutionize our capabilities. It'll streamline medical, military, and logistical operations."
The Minister of Health spoke next. "Speaking of advancements, the collaboration between our genetics research division and the spider silk project has resulted in significant breakthroughs. We've successfully developed nerve replacements, leading to prosthetics with near-perfect mental command response. Early trials with wounded soldiers have exceeded expectations."
The King's interest piqued. "And the cancer suppression trials?"
"Positive," the minister said proudly. "Our genetic treatments have shown promise in suppressing cancer growth. While refining this, we discovered a pathway to accelerating cellular regeneration and potentially slowing aging. We are studying the regenerative properties of certain reptiles for broader applications."
Ethan allowed himself a small smile. "Immortality research and advanced healing? Keep me informed."
The final update came from the Space Program Director. "The space station, Your Majesty, is ready. Deployment and assembly in orbit will begin next month. It represents a leap forward for Veldoria's space initiatives."
The King stood, placing his hands firmly on the table. "You've all done tremendous work. This is the foundation of a brighter, stronger future. Let us not grow complacent. Our enemies are watching, waiting for weakness. We will show them innovation, strength, and unity. Prepare the announcements—we'll share these victories with the world."
"Long live the King!"