Chapter 08: MISSION BRIEFING

Axel sat alongside his parents and the rest of the team in the resistance bunker's briefing room, surrounded by holographic displays and tactical maps of Omicron Citadel.

Dr. Zhang stood at the front, leading the mission briefing.

"Citadel's layout is divided into five sectors:

1.Command Center: Housing Omicron's high command and strategic operations.

2.Research Facility: Where the Chrono Code reboot will occur.

3.Security Hub: Centralized surveillance and guard deployment.

4.Detention Block: Prison cells for high-value targets – potentially where they'll hold us if caught.

5.Engineering: Power generation and infrastructure maintenance.

Our infiltration paths will converge on the Research Facility," Dr. Zhang explained, highlighting the routes on the holographic map.

Ryder Lee, the elite resistance soldier, spoke up. "I'll lead sewer tunnel breach team – Axel, you're with me. We'll provide distraction while Lena hacks security feeds."

Lena Kim nodded, her eyes fixed on her datapad. "I'll disable cameras and alarms along your infiltration route."

Maya Vaughn addressed the medical aspects. "I've packed emergency kits with Chrono Code antidotes – in case of exposure during the mission."

Elliot Vaughn concluded the briefing. "Our window for sabotage is narrow – Omicron expects Chrono Code reboot completion within 6 hours. Let's move out."

Axel felt adrenaline surge through his veins as he stood with his team, ready to embark on the perilous mission to destroy Omicron's sinister plans. Axel nodded firmly alongside his team members, mentally preparing for the high-stakes mission ahead.

Dr. Zhang handed out custom-made mission comms devices,Stay vigilant, team. Comms channels are encrypted. Call signs assigned:

- Axel: 'Specter'

- Ryder: 'Viper'

- Lena: 'Ghost'

- Elliot: 'Chronos'

- Maya: 'Medic'

- Dr. Zhang: 'Command'

Dr. Zhang concluded the briefing. "Move out to staging areas. Mission start time: 0200 hours. Omicron Citadel awaits."

The team dispersed to prepare for infiltration:

Axel followed Ryder ('Viper') to the sewer tunnel staging area, where they donned black tactical gear and checked weapons.

Lena ('Ghost') worked alone in the hacking lab, finalizing her security feed disruption plan.

Elliot ('Chronos') and Maya ('Medic') headed to the medical staging area to prepare emergency kits and Chrono Code antidotes.

Dr. Zhang ('Command') monitored overall mission status from the bunker's command center.

At 0155 hours, Axel received a comms message from Dr. Zhang:

"Specter, this is Command. Mission countdown begun. Proceed to sewer tunnel entrance."

Axel nodded to Ryder, and they moved out into the darkness, ready to infiltrate Omicron Citadel.

As they approached the sewer entrance, Axel heard distant humming – Citadel's security drones patrolling above ground.

Axel and Ryder slid into the sewer tunnel, darkness enveloping them like a shroud. The air reeked of decay and mold.

Ryder activated his night vision goggles, then handed Axel a pair. The green-tinted landscape revealed twisted pipes and knee-deep murky water.

"Stay close, Specter," Ryder whispered, leading onward. "Drones patrol above. We need to reach tunnel junction 3 before they sweep this sector."

Axel followed Ryder through the winding tunnel, avoiding rusty pipes and dodging falling debris. Water splashed beneath their boots, echoing off walls.

Suddenly, Lena's voice crackled through their comms devices. "Ghost here. Security feeds hacked. Cameras blinded in your sector, Viper."

Ryder nodded, though Lena couldn't see him. "Thanks, Ghost. Junction 3 approaching. Specter, prepare for Citadel entrance breach."

Axel readied his grappling hook and lockpick tools, heart racing with anticipation.

At junction 3, Ryder halted beside a maintenance access hatch. Axel worked swiftly to pick the lock while Ryder covered their rear.

The hatch creaked open, revealing a dimly lit Citadel corridor. Axel exchanged a nod with Ryder before they slipped inside.