Chapter 13: OPERATION MOTHERBIRD EXECUTION

48 hours had passed since Axel agreed to surrender to Commander Vex.

The team sat in the Resistance HQ briefing room, gear laid out before them, faces set with determination.

Axel checked his watch – 10:45 PM. Midnight surrender deadline looming.

Maya Blackwood reviewed final details:

"Citadel systems hacked: cameras blind, alarms muted near cell block D-7.

Ryder, Elliot: sewer tunnel entry successful. Waiting for Axel's signal.

Guard patrols neutralized near extraction route."

Ryder's voice came through comms, low and ready.

"Specter, we're in position. Motherbird team awaiting your entrance."

Axel stood, shouldering his fake surrender gear – empty guns and a handcuff prop.

Elliot approached him, eyes emotional.

"Bring your mother home, son. We'll get you both out alive."

Axel nodded, resolve hardened.

"For the Resistance... and family."

He turned to Maya.

"Initiate Citadel's east entrance override. It's time to deceive Commander Vex.

Maya Blackwood nodded and typed rapidly on her console.

"Citadel's east entrance controls overridden. Door unlocking now..."

Axel heard the distant hum of magnetic locks disengaging through the comms device feed from Citadel's cameras – now hacked to provide his team with visuals.

He took a deep breath, put on a defeated expression, and walked towards the Citadel entrance.

The massive metal door slid open with a hiss. Axel stepped inside, pretending to surrender.

"Commander Vex... I've come alone," he called out, voice loud enough to carry to the guards.

Two Omicron soldiers approached him cautiously, scanning the surrounding area – Maya's hack holding strong, no alarms blared.

One guard handcuffed Axel's wrists – actually magnetic releases controlled by Maya – and led him deeper into Citadel.

Axel transmitted a subtle signal to his team through a hidden earpiece.

"Motherbird team, I'm in. Proceed to cell block D-7."

Ryder's low voice responded instantly.

"Moving to extraction point. ETA 3 minutes. Your mom's close, Specter.

Axel's heart raced with anticipation as he walked between the two guards, feigning defeat.

They stopped at Cell Block D-7's entrance – his mother's prison door visible behind reinforced glass.

Commander Vex emerged from the shadows, a triumphant smile twisting her face.

"Axel Vaughn, foolish rebel. Your mother's life for your surrender... a fair trade."

Axel glared at her, hiding his confidence in the rescue plan.

Just then, a faint noise echoed from the corridor – Ryder's team taking out guards silently.

Maya's voice whispered in Axel's earpiece.

"Guards neutralized. Cell block doors unlocking... now."

The magnetic locks disengaged, and Ryder burst into view, gun drawn, followed by Elliot.

Commander Vex's eyes widened as Axel's "handcuffs" clicked open – Maya's magnetic release triggered.

Axel tackled Commander Vex to the ground as chaos erupted around them.

Ryder and Elliot moved swiftly to his mother's cell, blasting open the reinforced door.

Maya Vaughn stumbled out, tears of joy streaming down her face as she embraced Axel tightly.

"My son... I knew you'd come for me!"

Elliot helped Maya away from the cell block as Ryder covered their escape route, gun firing precision shots at arriving Omicron guards.

Commander Vex struggled beneath Axel, snarling curses. He pinned her down, furious.

"You've lost. Omicron falls tonight."

Suddenly, Maya Blackwood's urgent voice crackled through their earpieces.

"Team, Citadel self-destruct sequence initiated – Commander Vex must have triggered it remotely! 

We have 5 minutes to escape!"

Axel's grip on Commander Vex tightened. 

"Not without you going down with your regime..." 

But Ryder yelled, "Specter, we need to MOVE – NOW!

Axel dragged Commander Vex up, intending to take her into custody, but Ryder grabbed his arm.

"Specter, forget her – we'll never make it out with a prisoner! Citadel's collapsing!"

Axel hesitated, then nodded grimly and dropped Commander Vex to the ground.

She screamed defiance as Axel turned to follow his team.

The group sprinted through smoke-filled corridors, alarms blaring, and explosions rocking the Citadel.

Maya Blackwood guided them through the chaos, her knowledge of Omicron's layout crucial to their escape.

"Left up ahead... then right into sewer tunnel access!"

They burst through the entrance just as a massive explosion sealed the corridor behind them – Citadel's self-destruct sequence engulfing the facility.

The team caught their breath in the relative safety of the sewer tunnel.

Axel embraced his mother tightly, tears of relief in his eyes.

"We did it. You're safe."

Elliot clapped him on the back.

"And Omicron is no more. Your bravery sparked a revolution, son."

Ryder grinned.

"Time to rebuild and celebrate – Resistance HQ is throwing a party tonight!"

But Maya Blackwood's expression remained serious.

"One threat down... but I discovered another in Omicron's files – a powerful ally, hidden in shadows..."

Axel's eyes narrowed. 

"Tell us.