Chapter 15: The Final Stand

The tension in the air was palpable as Lin Yuan and his team prepared for the final assault. The Covenant, wounded but far from defeated, had retreated to their last stronghold—The Nexus, a heavily fortified data center nestled deep within the heart of New Omo City. If they could take it down, the Covenant's influence would crumble once and for all.

Lin Yuan stood at the head of the table in their safehouse, staring at the holographic display of the Nexus. "This is it. We take down the Nexus, and they have nowhere left to hide."

Evelyn adjusted the magazine in her weapon, her jaw set. "You sure about this, Lin? This is their last stand. They'll throw everything they have at us."

Lin Yuan nodded. "I'm sure. We end this tonight."

Rei leaned back in her chair, chewing gum. "Alright, boss. You got a plan, or are we just winging it like usual?"

Lin Yuan smirked. "A little of both."

Xu Wei tapped away at his tablet, bringing up several access points on the display. "I've identified three entry routes. The front gate is suicide—too many guards, too much firepower. But there's an old sewer system that runs beneath the Nexus. It's risky, but it might get us inside undetected."

Evelyn crossed her arms. "I hate sewers."

Rei grinned. "Oh, come on, Ev. It's all part of the adventure."

Lin Yuan cut through the banter. "We'll split into two teams. Evelyn and I will take the underground route and plant charges on their primary server banks. Rei and Xu Wei, you'll handle overwatch—disable their security and keep their communications down."

Xu Wei frowned. "And if things go south?"

Lin Yuan's expression hardened. "Then we do what we do best. Fight our way out."

Evelyn gave a tight nod. "Let's finish this."

The Approach

Night had fallen by the time Lin Yuan and Evelyn made their way through the abandoned sewer tunnels beneath the city. The air was thick and musty, the sound of water dripping echoing through the darkness. Lin Yuan's flashlight cut through the gloom, revealing old maintenance doors marked with faded Covenant insignias.

Evelyn walked beside him, her weapon at the ready. "I don't like this. It's too quiet."

Lin Yuan remained focused. "Stay sharp. We're almost there."

Over the comms, Rei's voice crackled in. "Heads up, guys. I'm reading motion sensors in your path. Covenant's expecting company."

Lin Yuan clenched his fists. "Figures. Can you disable them?"

"Already on it," Rei replied. "But it'll only buy you a few minutes."

"Understood," Lin Yuan said. "Let's move."

As they pushed forward, they encountered their first set of guards—Covenant operatives in full tactical gear, patrolling the tunnels with lethal precision. Lin Yuan signaled to Evelyn, and they took them down silently, dragging the bodies into the shadows.

They reached the base of the Nexus, a massive steel hatch leading to the facility's underground data core. Xu Wei's voice came through. "I'm tapping into their system. You've got about ten minutes before they realize you're inside."

"More than enough," Lin Yuan muttered.

Evelyn set charges on the hatch, and with a muffled explosion, the door gave way. They slipped inside, their footsteps silent as they moved through the narrow corridors filled with humming server racks.

Inside the Nexus

The air inside was cold, sterile. Rows of towering servers stretched as far as the eye could see, each one holding the Covenant's darkest secrets. Lin Yuan moved swiftly, planting explosive charges at key junctions.

Suddenly, the lights flickered, and an automated voice echoed through the room.

"Intrusion detected. Security response engaged."

Evelyn cursed. "We're out of time."

The sound of approaching footsteps filled the corridors as heavily armed Covenant enforcers stormed in. Lin Yuan took cover, returning fire with sharp, controlled bursts. Evelyn covered his flank, picking off enemies with lethal precision.

"Rei, we need an exit!" Lin Yuan shouted.

"Working on it!" Rei's voice was tense. "Hang in there!"

Lin Yuan ducked behind a console, his mind racing. They were pinned down, but they couldn't afford to fail now.

Then, Victor Kain's voice boomed over the intercom.

"Lin Yuan… you really should have stayed hidden."

Lin Yuan's grip tightened on his weapon. "And let you keep playing god? Not a chance."

Victor's laugh echoed through the room. "This city belongs to us. You can't stop the inevitable."

Lin Yuan exchanged a look with Evelyn. "Watch me."

He reached into his jacket, pulling out the Core. Its faint blue glow pulsed stronger than ever. Lin Yuan had resisted using it, but now he had no choice.

Channeling its energy, he released a powerful EMP blast that short-circuited the room, plunging everything into darkness.

"GO!" he yelled.

Evelyn tossed a smoke grenade, covering their escape. They sprinted through the smoke-filled corridors, the charges they had planted ticking down.

The Escape

Back on the surface, Rei and Xu Wei were waiting with their getaway vehicle, a modified hover truck packed with stolen Covenant tech.

"Hurry!" Xu Wei shouted, opening the back door.

Lin Yuan and Evelyn jumped in just as the Nexus erupted in a series of explosions, sending shockwaves through the city.

Rei whooped. "Now that's what I call a job well done!"

Lin Yuan leaned back, catching his breath. "It's not over yet."

Xu Wei pulled up the live city feeds. The Covenant was in disarray, their operations crippled. But Victor Kain was still out there.

Evelyn glanced at Lin Yuan. "So, what now?"

Lin Yuan's eyes burned with determination. "We finish what we started. We find Kain… and we end this for good."

Epilogue: The Hunt Begins

With the Covenant's influence shattered, New Omo City began to heal. The people reclaimed their streets, and the resistance grew stronger. But Lin Yuan knew this was just the beginning.

Sitting alone in their new hideout, he studied the Core, its glow softer now, almost… peaceful.

Rei entered, smirking. "Planning your next big move?"

Lin Yuan smiled faintly. "Something like that."

Evelyn and Xu Wei joined them, and for the first time in a long while, there was a sense of hope.

But deep down, Lin Yuan knew the fight wasn't over.

Victor Kain was still out there.

And Lin Yuan would be ready.