Chapter 54: Storming the Palace

Location: Zacrota Palace – 2:00 AM

In the dark of night, the atmosphere was tense. Marco's gang stood in front of the ventilation tunnel that would lead them to the basement of Zacrota Palace. This was a watershed moment, no turning back.

Marco (whispering seriously): "Okay, guys, this is the time to prove that we're not just amateurs. We'll move in quietly, plant the bombs, and get out before they know what hit them."

Franco (smiling): "In other words, a quick and clean operation?"

Colombo (holding his device): "Nothing is clean in the world of hacking, but I'll try to make it as smooth as possible."

Luca Ferri (grabbing his massive weapon and smiling confidently): "I think I'm going to enjoy this night."

Lucchini (nervous): "I'm a doctor! Why am I here?!"

Marco: "Because you're one of us, now… let's get started."

---

Sneaking into the Palace

Colombo went first, using his device to disable the surveillance systems, causing the cameras to show fake footage of empty footage. Franco and Salvo followed, crawling into the tunnel. The air was stuffy, and the smell was terrible, but they kept going until they reached the exit leading to the basement.

Franco (whispering as he held a handkerchief to his nose): "This place needs some fancy perfume."

Salvo (sarcastically): "Or a bomb to blow it all up, which is exactly what we're going to do."

Once they got down to the basement, they started placing explosives in the designated places. The basement was filled with stacked boxes, some containing weapons, others holding gold bars.

Luca (surprised as he opened one of the boxes): "My God... How much does this guy have?!"

Franco: "Too much. That's why we have to take everything from him."

But suddenly...

Colombo (screaming through the headset): "We have a problem! The security system has started to reboot automatically, we only have three minutes before the cameras go back on!"

Marco: "Hurry up guys, no time to stall!"

But before they can get out, they hear the basement door being violently slammed open. Dante, Zacrota's right-hand man, enters with a group of armed men.

Dante (smiling confidently): "Well, well... Look who we have here, little mice trying to steal cheese."

Marco (puts his hand on his gun): "Oh, Dante! I thought you were taking the night off."

Dante (sarcastically): "I was thinking about that, but I'd rather spend the night smashing some skulls."

Luca (readies his finger on the trigger): "Come on and try!"

The shootout quickly begins! Marco and his comrades move behind the crates, while Dante's men open fire.

Franco (screaming as he shoots): "Can we talk about this more diplomatically?!"

Salvo (looking at him angrily): "We're in the middle of a shootout, genius!"

Taking advantage of the chaos, Columbo releases a virus into the palace's control system, causing all the doors to open and an emergency alarm to go off.

Columbo: "I gave you an escape route, but we have to get out now before this place turns into hell!"

Marco: "Everyone, to the back exit!"

But before they can escape, Dante fires a bullet that hits Marco's arm, who falls to the ground.

Luchini (runs towards him in panic): "Marco! Damn it, you have to hold on, let me stop the bleeding!"

Marco (laughing despite the pain): "Lucchini, I told you you'd be useful!"

Dante (grabs his gun and heads towards Marco): "This is the end, my friend..."

But suddenly, BOOM!!!

The first bomb planted in the basement explodes, partially collapsing the ceiling and setting the place on fire.

Franco (screaming): "This is the time to escape, not for dramatic conversations!"

Luca picks up Marco on his shoulder, and they all start running towards the exit, as the flames engulf the basement behind them.

Colombo (with a sarcastic laugh): "Zacroutta won't be happy about this."

As they exit the palace, they get into their car and quickly flee, as the sound of explosions shakes the place behind them.

---

At Zacroutta's Palace - After the Explosion

Zacroutta stands on his balcony, looking at the smoke rising from his palace, with Dante in front of him, bleeding but still standing.

Zacroutta (in a calm, eerie voice): "They've already started the war..."

Dante: "It seems they're braver than we expected."

Zakrota (smiles coldly): "Then we'll show them what happens when they defy me."