Chapter 43: Covert Mission

Chapter 43: Covert Mission

Silvia's POV

The ruins of the old outpost loomed in the dim light before nightfall, a stark contrast to the glowing city of Vexhall just beyond the horizon. The city's towering skyscrapers pulsed with artificial light, a constant reminder of corporate dominance over what was left of human civilization. This was enemy territory.

Silvia adjusted the hood of her cloak, glancing at her small team. Raleth and two exiles stood to her right, while Tarren and Dragon lingered close behind. They had one shot at this.

"We'll go in separately," Silvia instructed. "No obvious group movements. Raleth, take the west entry. Tarren, you and Dragon handle the southern checkpoint. I'll take the main route."

Dragon frowned. "You're going in alone?"

Silvia smirked. "Don't tell me you're worried about me."

"I'm always worried about you," he muttered before crossing his arms. "But fine. Just don't start a fight you can't win."

Silvia placed a hand on his arm briefly. "Trust me. I know what I'm doing."

Tarren rolled his eyes. "Alright, lovebirds, let's focus. We get in, find contacts willing to listen, and get out. No heroics."

Dragon scoffed. "You say that like Silvia listens to orders."

Silvia shot him a playful glare before turning back to the city. This was a mission of diplomacy, not war. At least, that was the hope.

Inside Vexhall

Silvia moved through the bustling streets, her cloak shielding her identity from the ever-watchful surveillance drones overhead. Vexhall was a city of excess, neon-lit streets lined with towering billboards showcasing the latest corporate propaganda. People walked with purpose, but beneath their movements was a sense of quiet oppression.

Holographic ads flickered above, displaying messages of corporate unity and strength. "The future is built by us. Stand with progress. Stand with Titan Industries." Silvia clenched her fists. All lies.

She spotted her first contact outside a closed shop, an older man with cybernetic implants in his arms. "Cordon?" she whispered as she approached.

The man glanced at her and then at the mark she discreetly revealed on her wrist—a small insignia that identified her as an ally of the underground movement.

"Follow me," he muttered, leading her through a narrow alley.

Inside a dimly lit hideout, several resistance members huddled around outdated computer screens. Silvia recognized a few from past intelligence reports—disgruntled workers, ex-soldiers, people tired of corporate control.

"We've been waiting for a sign that the war could be stopped," one of them admitted. "But people are afraid. The corporations control everything. If we go against them, we won't just lose our jobs—we'll lose our lives."

Silvia took a deep breath. "Then we give them something worth fighting for. The war is being manipulated, and if we don't fight back on our own terms, there won't be anything left."

The room fell silent. Then, Cordon nodded. "We'll help. But we need proof—something undeniable."

Silvia clenched her fists. Proof. That would be their next move.

A Close Call

Outside, Silvia met up with Dragon and Tarren in a shadowed alley. "I found a group willing to listen, but they need proof that the corporations are behind this war. We need to infiltrate their data servers."

Tarren exhaled. "That's easier said than done."

Dragon grinned. "I like a challenge."

Just then, the sound of heavy boots echoed down the street. A corporate patrol was approaching.

Silvia grabbed Dragon's arm. "Move—now!"

The three of them darted into a side alley as the patrol passed, their hearts pounding. This mission had just become even more dangerous.

Dragon pressed himself against the wall, watching the patrol with narrowed eyes. "They're ramping up security. They know something's coming."

Tarren adjusted the strap of his rifle. "Then we need to move fast. We don't get another chance at this."

Silvia nodded, her mind racing. Proof. They needed evidence, something irrefutable.

"There's a secure data vault in Titan's headquarters," she whispered. "If we can get in, we can expose them."

Dragon raised a brow. "Breaking into the most fortified building in Vexhall? Sounds fun."

Silvia shot him a dry look. "Glad you're enjoying this."

Tarren sighed. "We need a plan. A real plan."

Silvia turned back to the city, the neon lights reflecting in her eyes. "Then let's make one."

The Plan Takes Shape

They retreated to a safe house hidden beneath a mechanic's shop on the outskirts of Vexhall. Cordon had provided them with limited schematics of Titan's headquarters, though much of it was outdated. The security systems had likely evolved over the years.

Silvia spread the blueprints out across a rickety wooden table, her eyes scanning for a weakness. "The vault is underground, heavily fortified. We'll need to bypass three security checkpoints before we even get close."

Dragon leaned over the table, tapping a section near the ventilation system. "If we create a distraction near the main entrance, we could slip in through here. It's risky, but it might be our best shot."

Tarren shook his head. "That ventilation shaft is bound to have heat sensors. One wrong move and we'll set off every alarm in the city."

Raleth, who had been quietly watching, finally spoke. "Then we use them to our advantage. If we trip a low-level alarm elsewhere in the building, the guards will be too distracted to check the vents. We slip through while they're busy chasing ghosts."

Silvia exhaled. "It's a gamble, but it might be the only way in. We'll need to move fast, and we can't leave a trace. If they know we were there, they'll tighten security even more."

Dragon smirked. "And here I thought we'd finally get a nice, easy mission."

Silvia rolled her eyes. "When have we ever had one of those?"

Tarren chuckled. "She's got a point."

Silvia let out a breath. "Alright. We move at night. No mistakes."

Dragon placed a hand on her shoulder. "We've got this."

Silvia looked at him, feeling the weight of his words. For the first time in a long time, she believed it.