Chapter 56: Zeros Invasion

Location: Milan Streets – Outside Café Venosa

The air was thick with the smell of smoke and gunpowder, and the sound of gunshots filled the place. As the gang tried to fend off Ivan Petrenko's men's attack, Zeros robots began to appear at the end of the street, walking with heavy steps, their red eyes glowing in the dark.

Marco (stunned): "This... This isn't real, is it?!"

Franco: "If this is a dream, then it's the worst nightmare ever!"

Ivan (laughing sarcastically): "Oh, did you like Zacrota's surprise?"

Salvo: "Honestly? I would have preferred a free cake instead!"

Colombo (yelling from behind): "The robots aren't complete yet, but they're working on automatic combat mode! If we don't stop them, we'll be nothing but piles of roast meat in minutes!"

Luchini (sarcastically): "Great... Finally I'll see how a human can be roasted alive!"

Luca Ferri (frowning as he loads his weapon): "Great talk... Can we focus on not dying now?"

Rocco (laughing as he pulls out a grenade): "Well, let's see how these machines love a little fireworks!"

Rocco throws the grenade at one of the robots, and it explodes with force, but when the smoke clears, the robot appears standing... unharmed!

Franco: "Oh my god, even the grenades don't work?!"

Marco (angry): "Damn Zacrota! Why didn't he just go with the common criminals?!"

Ivan (sarcastically): "Because criminals can betray... but these ones only know how to follow orders."

Ivan points to the robots, and they start moving quickly, their metal arms turning into machine guns that start firing!

Colombo (screaming): "Back off immediately!"

Everyone jumped back, and began to hide behind cars and barriers, as bullets pierced the walls and filled the air with metallic sparks.

Salvo (screaming): "This isn't a battle... This is a science fiction movie made real!"

Lucino (walking out of the cafe, holding his gun): "And who gave you permission to turn my street into a war zone?!"

Marco: "Lucino! Why are you still here?!"

Lucino: "Because I won't let a piece of metal steal my livelihood!"

He raised his gun and shot one of the robots... but barely made a scratch on its steel armor.

Lucino (frustrated): "Well, that's not encouraging."

Colombo: "Normal weapons don't work on them! We have to get to the factory and take control of the system manually!"

Marco: "Excellent! And how do we get there when these things are trying to chop us up?!"

Franco (smiling): "We only have one plan... Run like crazy!"

Marco: "Oh my god... I hate these plans!"

But there was no other choice.

Marco shouted: "Now! Run to the side alleys!"

Everyone started running at full speed, while bullets were chasing them. Some robots tried to catch up with them, but they managed to enter the narrow alleys, where the big moving robots couldn't pass easily.

Rocco (laughing as he ran): "These robots are huge, but they're dumber than a piece of bread!"

Lucini (gasping): "Please, don't underestimate bread. At least bread can be eaten!"

But what they didn't expect was that Ivan and his men were waiting for them at the other end of the alley!

Ivan (smiling as he pointed his gun at them): "Hey... Where were you going so fast?"

Marco (nervously): "Oh, we were just... taking a walk!"

Franco: "Yeah, just a night out! The weather's great tonight, isn't it?"

Evan: "Unfortunately, this will be your last outing."

But before Evan can give the order to fire, a huge explosion occurs behind him!

Columbo (joyfully): "Backup has finally arrived!"

From the smoke, a massive truck, driven by Columbo, appears remotely, and quickly rushes towards Evan's men, momentarily scattering them.

Marco (screaming): "This is our time! Run!"

Everyone jumps towards the truck, managing to climb in before the robots come back to chase them.

Columbo (over the truck's speakers): "Hold on tight, this is going to be a bumpy ride!"

The truck speeds off, as the robots try to catch up, the lights of Milano flashing around them in a scene resembling a futuristic nightmare!

Marco (screaming out the window): "Where are we going?!"

Columbo: "Right to the factory! Either we stop them there... or we're all done for!"

But far away from them, Zacrota was watching everything from his palace, smiling calmly, while Dante stood beside him.

Dante: "Do you think they'll reach the factory?"

Zacrota (coldly): "Let them try... The second phase of the Zeros Project hasn't even started yet."

The screen in front of them turned, showing new, more advanced robots... and equipped with deadly weapons!