Chapter 27: The First Strike

Chapter 27: The First Strike

The sun had barely begun to rise, casting long shadows across the battlefield. Pragya stood on a rooftop, overlooking the city, his mind buzzing with a mix of anticipation and dread. The resistance had gained significant momentum in recent weeks, thanks to the Chips of Earth Consciousness. But with every gain, the stakes seemed higher. Now, they were about to strike the government where it hurt the most—its central command center.

"All systems are ready," Raj said, approaching with a tablet in hand. "We've got a clear path to infiltrate the command center. Once we're in, we'll broadcast our message to the world."

Pragya nodded, but his mind kept drifting back to the message Oracle had warned him about. "Not all of Earth's past is worth remembering..." It echoed in his mind like a warning, but he shoved it aside. They had a mission, and failure was not an option.

He activated the Power Chip and felt a surge of strength. The world around him seemed to slow, his movements becoming more fluid, more controlled. He could hear the hum of machines in the distance, the steady beat of his heart in sync with the rhythm of the resistance. For a moment, it felt like nothing could stand in their way.

"Let's go," Pragya said, his voice steady, but beneath it, there was a hint of something darker—an uncertainty that even he couldn't fully understand.

The team made their way through the city's underbelly, moving quickly and quietly, a group of shadows hidden from the prying eyes of the government. As they approached the command center, the air grew tense. This was the moment they'd been waiting for.

"On my signal," Pragya whispered, "we break in and make history."

But just as he was about to give the order, the ground beneath them rumbled. A low hum filled the air, followed by a blinding flash of light. It was as if the very fabric of space was bending around them.

"What the hell is that?" Raj asked, his voice tense with fear.

Pragya's eyes narrowed. "We're not alone."

Suddenly, the sky split open, revealing a massive aircraft descending toward them. It was like something out of a nightmare—sleek, dark, and ominously silent. Pragya's heart skipped a beat. The government had already been prepared for this attack. They knew they were coming.

"Get down!" Pragya shouted, pulling Raj to the ground as the aircraft hovered overhead. Laser beams fired from it, striking the ground around them with deadly precision.

The resistance scattered, ducking into cover as the assault continued. Pragya's mind raced. They hadn't expected this—no one had. The government had adapted quickly, and now they had a new weapon. It was clear that they weren't just fighting for control of the city anymore. This was a war for the future.