Chapter 21: INFILTRATION AND RESCUE
Axel burst out of the vent, landing silently behind Kael.
With swift precision, he disarmed Kael and the two remaining guards, taking control of their weapons.
Erebus's eyes widened in shock as Axel pointed one of the guns at him.
"You should've stayed out of this, Erebus," Axel growled.
Maya and Elliot, still bound, exchanged hopeful glances - Axel quickly freed them.
Maya rubbed her wrists, eyes locked on Erebus.
"It's over. Your empire ends tonight."
Elliot stood tall, weapon drawn.
"Ryder's team will secure the perimeter. We need to extract Erebus for trial."
Axel nodded, still covering Erebus.
"Agreed. This ends with justice, not vengeance."
Suddenly, Erebus sneered.
"You fools. My true power remains..."
He pressed a hidden button on his throne - the room plunged into darkness, alarms blaring wildly...
Axel's instincts screamed warning - what had Erebus triggered?
Axel swiftly activated his tactical goggles, illuminating the darkened room with low-light vision.
Erebus's maniacal laughter echoed through the speakers.
"My self-destruct sequence is initiated... this fortress will implode in 5 minutes!"
Maya grabbed Axel's arm, panic rising.
"We have to get out - NOW!"
Elliot already moved towards the door, weapon still drawn.
"Ryder's team is breaching the east exit - we need to reach them!"
Axel yanked Erebus up, using him as a shield.
"We're taking him with us - as evidence."
The group sprinted through smoke-filled corridors, alarms deafening them.
Axel's goggles displayed the fortress layout - they were close to the east exit.
Suddenly, explosions rocked the corridor behind them - Erebus's fortress was collapsing!
Ryder's voice crackled through comms.
"Axel, we're at the exit - come quick, implosion imminent!"
Axel pushed his team forward - they burst through the east exit doors just as the fortress behind them erupted in flames...
Axel stumbled out into the cool night air, Erebus still captive, as the fortress behind them imploded in a massive fireball.
Ryder rushed towards them, relief etched on his face.
"Everyone accounted for - let's move, we have helicopters waiting 2 klicks north!"
Maya coughed, smoke still lingering in her lungs.
"Erebus needs medical attention - his condition is deteriorating fast."
Elliot nodded, already moving towards the extraction point.
"We'll get him stable en route to the safehouse - Phoenix Initiative doctors are standing by."
Axel dragged Erebus along, his eyes scanning the perimeter - clear.
As they reached the helicopters, Axel finally felt a glimmer of victory.
"It's over. Umbra, Patriot, Erebus - all defeated."
Ryder clapped him on the back.
"Your mom would be proud, Axel. Justice is served."
Axel looked up at the burning fortress, a sense of closure washing over him.
But then, his comms device beeped - an unknown number flashed on screen:
"Congratulations, Axel Vaughn. But my work is only beginning...
Axel's instincts screamed warning as he read the ominous message.
He showed it to Ryder, Maya, and Elliot during the helicopter flight to the safehouse.
Ryder's expression turned grim.
"This is either a prank or a new player entering the game."
Maya's eyes narrowed.
"Or someone who survived Erebus's organization."
Elliot leaned in, voice low.
"We need to assume the worst - prepare Phoenix Initiative for potential retaliation."
Axel nodded, already contacting Phoenix HQ.
"Agent Kim, update me on Erebus's interrogation progress and enhance safehouse security protocols - immediately."
Agent Kim's voice came through comms.
"Erebus is stable, Axel. Interrogation yields nothing yet... but I found something - a hidden file on his comms device."
Axel's heart skipped a beat.
"What does it say?"
Agent Kim paused, then replied:
"It mentions a codename: 'Oblivion Protocol'... and a single name: 'Architect'.
Axel's mind reeled as he processed the revelation.
"Oblivion Protocol... Architect... This changes everything."
Ryder leaned in closer.
"What does it mean, Axel?"
Axel's eyes locked onto his team.
"Erebus was likely just a pawn. 'Architect' is the mastermind behind Umbra, Patriot, and Erebus's plans."
Maya's grip on her weapon tightened.
"We need to find out who Architect is and stop them before Oblivion Protocol unfolds."
Elliot nodded grimly.
"Agent Kim, dig deeper into Erebus's files and any connections to this Architect."
Agent Kim's voice came through comms instantly.
"Already on it, Elliot.
Found a cryptic message from Erebus to Architect:
'Oblivion Protocol activation pending your approval. Umbra remnants secured.'
And another file labeled 'Architect Credentials'... encrypted."
Axel's eyes narrowed.
"We need to crack that encryption. NOW."
Suddenly, the helicopter pilot's voice interrupted.
"Incoming transmission from unknown source... claims to be 'Architect'.
Axel's heart racing, he nodded to the pilot.
"Put it through. I want to hear what Architect has to say."
The pilot flipped switches, and a cold, calculated voice filled the helicopter speakers:
"Axel Vaughn. Congratulations on defeating Erebus. But you've merely delayed Oblivion Protocol."
Axel's grip on his armrest tightened.
"Who are you? What is Oblivion Protocol?"
Architect's laughter sent chills down Axel's spine.
"My identity is irrelevant. Oblivion Protocol is global chaos unleashed - pandemics, economic collapse, and nuclear winter.
Erebus was merely paving the way. You, Axel, are the last obstacle."
Maya whispered urgently beside Axel.
"We have to trace this call!"
Axel nodded, already instructing Agent Kim through comms.
"Agent Kim, track Architect's transmission origin - NOW."
Agent Kim's voice came back instantly.
"Signal bouncing through multiple servers... but I've isolated a possible location: an abandoned facility on the outskirts of Tokyo."
Architect's voice cut in again.
"Too late, Axel Vaughn. Oblivion Protocol countdown begins... in 3 hours.
Axel's eyes locked onto the countdown timer Agent Kim displayed on his comms screen:
**2:59:59... 2:59:58...**
He barked orders to his team:
"Ryder, prep a stealth team for Tokyo extraction. Maya, Elliot - gather intel on the facility.
Agent Kim, hack into Tokyo facility security feeds - I want real-time visuals."
Architect's voice sneered through comms again:
"Futile efforts, Axel Vaughn. My agents will destroy any evidence, kill anyone interfering."
Axel smiled grimly.
"We'll see about that."
The helicopter landed near Phoenix Initiative HQ - Axel and team rushed out, sprinting towards their vehicles.
As they sped towards the airport for Tokyo deployment, Axel received Agent Kim's update:
"Tokyo facility visuals online...
Showing armed guards, lab equipment, and strange cylindrical containers labeled 'Oblivion Serum'."
Maya gasped beside Axel.
"That must be the pandemic trigger!"
Elliot's voice was deadly calm.
"We're going in hot. Prepare for extraction and destruction of Oblivion Serum."
Axel nodded, eyes fixed on the countdown timer...
**2:30:00...**
Axel's team arrived at Tokyo's Narita Airport, boarding a stealth military jet bound for the facility's coordinates.
During flight, Agent Kim updated them:
"Oblivion Serum production is accelerating. Facility guards increased to 200+.
Detected 3 high-security labs containing Serum vials and a central control room."
Maya studied the facility layout on her tablet.
"We need to split into teams:
Elliot and Ryder take out guards and secure perimeter.
Axel and I infiltrate labs and control room to destroy Serum and disable protocol."
Axel nodded, eyes locked on the countdown timer projected on the jet's screen:
**1:15:00...**
The jet landed 5 miles from the facility. Axel's team geared up, moving out in silence.
As they approached the perimeter fence, Elliot's team engaged guards in a suppressed firefight, clearing a path.
Axel and Maya slipped inside, moving swiftly towards Lab 1...
Suddenly, alarms blared - motion detectors triggered.
A voice echoed through facility speakers:
"Intruders detected. Oblivion Protocol activation sequence initiated... 10 minutes remaining."