Infiltration Plan

The underground tunnel felt colder now that the stakes had been raised. Xu Lian's eyes stayed fixed on the map Lin Wei had spread out before them. The hidden service tunnel was their only way in.

"How well-guarded is it?" Yu Xian asked, his arms crossed over his chest.

Lin Wei tapped a point near the back entrance of the depot. "Not much security. Most of them think it's been sealed off for years. But it leads straight into the depot's storage area."

Lian frowned. "And if they're wrong? If someone discovered it?"

Lin Wei's expression darkened. "Then we're walking into a trap."

Jiao let out a low whistle. "Great. So we're either taking the easy way in or heading straight for an ambush."

Guo Chen, who had remained silent, finally spoke. "We prepare for the worst. If it's clear, we move fast. If it's compromised, we fight our way out."

Lian nodded. "We need to be ready for both. We don't know how many enemies we're dealing with."

Lin Wei leaned back against the damp tunnel wall. "I can tell you this much there are at least twenty of them. Maybe more."

A heavy silence fell over the group.

Yu Xian exhaled. "We'll be outnumbered."

Jiao ran a hand through his hair. "Anyone else thinking this is a suicide mission?"

Lian shot him a look. "If we don't take this base, where do we go? Keep running? Keep hiding?"

Jiao sighed. "Fine, fine. I get it."

Chen pulled out his knife and twirled it between his fingers. "Then we do this right. We move in silence, strike hard, and take them out before they even know what's happening."

Lin Wei smirked. "Sounds like my kind of plan."

Lian glanced at each of them, her chest tightening. They had to succeed.

Because failure meant death.

---

Preparation for Battle

They didn't waste time.

Each member of the group went through their gear, ensuring weapons were loaded and knives were sharpened.

Lian stocked up on medical supplies, stuffing bandages, antiseptics, and painkillers into her bag. If they got injured, they wouldn't have the luxury of a hospital.

Yu Xian adjusted his tactical vest. "We need a signal in case something goes wrong."

Chen nodded. "If the tunnel is compromised, we back out immediately. No heroics."

Jiao smirked. "You telling me that or yourself?"

Chen didn't respond, just tightened the strap on his rifle.

Lian adjusted the straps of her backpack, feeling the weight of their mission settle on her shoulders.

"We leave at sunset," she said. "That's when security is at its weakest."

Lin Wei glanced at her. "You sure you're ready for this?"

She met his gaze, her voice steady. "We don't have a choice."

---

The Approach

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the city's shadows stretched long and deep. The group moved carefully, weaving through the ruins of old warehouses and abandoned streets.

The military depot loomed ahead a massive structure surrounded by fences and watchtowers.

"Guards on the perimeter," Chen murmured. "Two on the west side, one on the north."

Lian exhaled. "We go through the tunnel."

Lin Wei led them toward a small, rusted gate near the depot's back wall. It looked untouched, overgrown with weeds.

"Here," he whispered, crouching down to clear away the debris. Beneath it was a heavy metal hatch.

Jiao whistled. "Damn. I was expecting something more dramatic."

Yu Xian ignored him and tested the hatch. It groaned but opened without resistance.

"No alarms," Lian noted. "That's a good sign."

Chen slipped inside first, gun raised.

One by one, they followed.

---

Inside the Beast's Den

The tunnel smelled of old metal and dust. Their footsteps were muffled against the damp floor.

Lin Wei led the way, his movements sure. "Storage area is ahead. From there, we'll have a clear shot at their main control room."

Jiao whispered, "What's in storage? Anything good?"

"Ammo. Supplies. Weapons," Lin Wei replied. "If we can secure it, we'll have enough firepower to defend this place."

Lian's fingers tightened around her gun. They needed those supplies.

But before they could reach the exit, Lin Wei suddenly stopped. His entire body went rigid.

Chen tensed. "What?"

Lin Wei cursed under his breath. "They found the tunnel."

Ahead, a metal grate had been welded shut.

And on the other side footsteps.

Lian's heart pounded. They weren't alone.

---

The Fight Begins

The first shot rang out before anyone could react.

A bullet ricocheted off the tunnel walls, missing Lian by inches.

"Ambush!" Chen shouted, diving for cover.

Yu Xian moved fast, raising his rifle and returning fire. The tunnel lit up with muzzle flashes.

Jiao swore as a bullet grazed his arm. "Damn it! I hate being right!"

Lin Wei pulled out a grenade. "Cover your ears."

The explosion shook the tunnel, sending dust and debris flying. The welded grate was blasted apart.

Lian coughed, waving away the smoke. "Move!"

They rushed forward, stepping over the bodies of two guards caught in the blast.

Chen led the way, clearing the hallway beyond. "This way!"

The depot was waking up. Alarms blared, voices shouted. Their element of surprise was gone.

Lin Wei cursed. "We need to take the control room now!"

Lian nodded. "Then let's finish this."

---

A Race Against Time

The corridors of the depot were a battlefield.

Guards swarmed from all directions, bullets tearing through the air.

Yu Xian took cover behind a stack of crates, firing in controlled bursts.

Jiao gritted his teeth as he reloaded. "Tell me again why we thought this was a good idea?"

Chen took out a soldier with a precise headshot. "Because we don't run."