The Safe Zone - Ascension (Book 4)

Chapter 16: The Final Assault

Lena:

The air was heavy with tension, thick enough that every breath felt like I was inhaling shards of glass. Around me, the resistance fighters were preparing for the battle we all knew would decide everything. It was eerily quiet—too quiet, considering we were about to walk into the belly of the beast, where the Directive had fortified their stronghold. My pulse pounded in my ears, a steady drumbeat reminding me that this could be my last day alive.

I glanced to my left, where Ethan was adjusting his gear. He moved stiffly, and the aftereffects of what the Directive had done to him were still visible in his movements. But his eyes—they were sharp, focused. The fractured man I had pulled out of that nightmare facility had been replaced by someone determined, ready to face whatever hell awaited us.

"Lena," he said quietly, noticing my gaze. His voice was soft, but there was a steel edge that hadn't been there before. "We're ready."

I nodded, though my throat was dry. We were ready. But I couldn't shake the feeling that no preparation would be enough for what lay ahead.

"All units are in position," Zara's voice crackled through my earpiece, breaking the oppressive silence. "We're waiting on your signal."

I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of command settle heavier on my shoulders. The map of the Directive's base glowed dimly on the screen in front of me—a complex labyrinth of corridors, defenses, and technology far beyond anything we had. This was the heart of their operation, where they controlled the soldiers and prepared to launch Phase Three.

I had been the one to say we could do this. I had rallied the troops, gathered our allies, and promised them we would win. Now, it was time to deliver.

"Zara, Carter, everyone—this is it. We hit them hard and fast. Remember, our primary objective is the control center. We stop Phase Three. Everything else is secondary," I said, my voice firm, trying to keep the fear from creeping in.

A chorus of confirmations buzzed in my ear, but I could only focus on the impending storm. I turned to Ethan. His eyes were locked on mine, and I knew without words that he felt the same foreboding. This battle wasn't just about winning or losing. It was about surviving.

"Let's move," I said.

As we advanced toward the base, the night was pitch black, but the darkness was our ally. The Directive might have had superior technology, but we had the element of surprise. Our approach was calculated and silent. Every step closer felt like another second stolen from the bomb ticking down in my mind.

Carter and Zara led their respective teams, flanking the outer defenses. I could hear faint whispers over the comms, the quiet reassurances between soldiers. Everyone knew what was at stake. But no one said it aloud. We couldn't afford to voice our fear when we were this close.

The first explosion ripped through the night; a shockwave shook the ground beneath my feet. I watched as the western defenses of the Directive's compound crumbled, flames licking the sky. The sound of gunfire followed immediately, a chaotic symphony of violence.

"We're in!" Zara's voice barked through the comms. "Carter, you're clear on the east side."

"Copy that," Carter replied.

It was my turn now.

"Let's go!" I shouted, leading my team toward the breach. The adrenaline hit me like a wave, washing away any hesitation. The soldiers behind me followed without question, their determination feeding into mine.

The Directive's soldiers were waiting for us as we stormed the walls. Their sleek and emotionless armor gleamed in the firelight, the perfect reflection of the system they served. But we were prepared for this. Their first wave fell under our barrage, our bullets finding the weak spots in their otherwise impenetrable suits.