Chapter 13: Strike First

The small storage room was filled with tension. Ishizaki leaned against the wall, his arms crossed and his knife resting in its sheath. The kids huddled in the corner, their faces pale and drawn, while Drax paced near the entrance, his heavy boots thudding softly against the floor.

"This is insane," Drax said, breaking the silence. "You want to attack them? After all we've been through just to survive?"

Ishizaki didn't look at him. "We can't keep running. If we don't hit them first, they'll find us again—and next time, it'll be worse."

"You're gambling with all of our lives," Drax shot back. "The kids don't need more fights—they need safety."

"And where do you suggest we find that?" Ishizaki snapped, his voice rising. "You think there's some safe haven waiting for us? There isn't. The only way to survive is to make them stop coming after us."

The kids flinched at Ishizaki's tone, and he immediately regretted it. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

"Look," he said, his voice softer. "I know it's risky. But if we don't do something now, they'll hunt us down no matter where we go. This is the only way."

Drax frowned, his arms crossing. "You better hope you're right, kid."

Preparing for the Mission

"Analysis complete," Solus said, its calm voice cutting through the room. "A relay station is located approximately 2.7 kilometers from this location. It serves as a communications hub for local operations."

"And if we take it out?" Ishizaki asked.

"Enemy coordination will be disrupted temporarily," Solus replied. "This will delay reinforcements and provide a tactical advantage."

"Sounds like a good target to me," Ishizaki said.

Drax sighed, running a hand through his hair. "So, what's the plan? We just waltz in and blow the place up?"

"Not exactly," Ishizaki said. "We get in, disable their systems, and get out before they know what hit them."

Drax snorted. "Right. Easy as pie."

"I'll need your help," Ishizaki said, meeting Drax's eyes. "You're strong, and you can handle yourself in a fight. The kids will be safer if you're with me."

Drax hesitated, his gaze flicking to the children. Finally, he nodded. "Fine. But if this goes south, don't expect me to stick around and play hero."

Later that evening, as the group prepared to leave, Ishizaki knelt beside Hana, who clung tightly to her blanket.

"You're leaving again," she said quietly.

"Only for a little while," Ishizaki replied. "Drax and I will be back before you know it."

"What if you don't come back?" Hana's voice was small, and her wide eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Ishizaki hesitated, the weight of her words pressing down on him. "I'll come back," he said finally. "I promise."

Hana nodded slowly, but her grip on the blanket tightened.

"Stay with Ryo and Mei," Ishizaki said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "They'll need you to keep them safe."

Hana straightened slightly, a flicker of determination crossing her face. "Okay," she said.

The Infiltration Begins

The relay station loomed in the distance, its stark metal towers silhouetted against the night sky. Ishizaki and Drax crouched behind a pile of rubble, scanning the perimeter for guards.

"Two patrols," Drax muttered. "One at the front gate, one circling the building."

"Stealth is recommended," Solus said. "Avoid direct confrontation if possible."

"Yeah, we'll see about that," Ishizaki murmured.

The pair moved quickly and silently, sticking to the shadows as they approached the building. Ishizaki's enhanced senses picked up the faint hum of machinery inside, and he could feel the buzz of energy coursing through the structure.

They slipped past the first patrol without incident, but as they rounded a corner, a guard stepped into their path, his rifle raised.

"Hey! Stop—"

Ishizaki moved before the guard could finish, his knife flashing in the dim light. Blade Resonance flared as the weapon sliced cleanly through the guard's rifle, sending sparks flying. A swift kick to the chest sent the guard sprawling to the ground, unconscious.

Drax raised an eyebrow. "Remind me not to get on your bad side."

"Keep moving," Ishizaki said.

Cliffhanger – A Dangerous Discovery

Inside the station, the air was heavy with the hum of machines. Ishizaki and Drax moved cautiously through the dimly lit corridors, their footsteps muffled by the thick metal floor.

"This way," Solus said, directing Ishizaki toward a locked door at the end of the hall.

Ishizaki knelt by the control panel, his fingers working quickly as Solus provided instructions. The lock clicked open, and the door slid aside to reveal a small chamber filled with glowing screens and intricate machinery.

"What is this?" Drax asked, stepping inside.

"Central command interface," Solus said. "This system coordinates local operations and stores encrypted data logs."

Ishizaki's eyes narrowed as he approached the terminal. "Can you access it?"

"Attempting decryption," Solus replied.

The screens flickered as lines of code scrolled past, and a faint hum filled the air.

"Partial success," Solus said. "Data indicates external support for the overlord's operations. Additional analysis required."

Before Ishizaki could respond, a shrill alarm pierced the air, red lights flashing along the walls.

"Reinforcements inbound," Solus said. "Time to contact: two minutes."

Ishizaki's jaw tightened as he turned to Drax. "We need to move. Now."