𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐌𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿

62.. war (log.i)

Back at the Iron Lion's base in Emberfield, a soldier stood guard on an overlook, spotting the aircrafts approaching nearby.

"Sir, aircraft inbound," the soldier radioed back to base.

Casper picked up the radio, his expression hardening. "What is it? Who's coming?"

The soldier's voice crackled through the radio, strained. "Not sure yet, sir. But there's a whole lot of them, and they don't look friendly from here."

Casper radioed back, "Understood, keep an eye on them. Let me know if they make any moves."

He turned to Vincent, who stood nearby with the Right Arm teens. "We've got trouble," he said, his voice tight. "Aircrafts approaching. No idea who they belong to."

Vincent looked at the Right Arm teens and to Vivian, "Where are they now?"

Casper's voice came over the radio. "They're nearing the city. They're not far."

Vivian's eyes narrowed, "Any visual confirmation on who they belong to?"

"Definitely WCKD." Thèrèse confirmed, exchanging looks with Teresa and Thomas.

"Damn," Vincent cursed, his jaw set.

The air was thick with tension as the Right Arm teens and the rest of the base prepared for the incoming threat.

"How many aircrafts are there?" Vincent asked, his eyes flickering to Vivian.

Vivian checked the radar, her fingers flying over the controls.

"Not just here," she said, her tone grim. "WCKD's sending reinforcements around the other islands, too. Looks like they're not just targeting one location."

"They're spreading their forces thin. If they knew we were here, they'd be sending all their manpower to this location." Jorge said.

Vincent's eyes narrowed. "That could work in our favor. We know they're here, but they don't know we're here. We have the element of surprise."

"But they'll figure it out soon enough," Thèrèse said, crossing her arms. "They're not dumb. They'll realize we're not on any of those other islands, and they'll come looking for us here."

Vincent nodded, a grim expression on his face. "Yes, and when they do, we'd better be ready for them."

He turned to the Right Arm teens, his gaze sweeping over each of them. "We need to prepare for a fight. WCKD has the numbers, but we have something they don't."

"The... power of friendship?" Frypan whispered.

There was a collective snort of laughter from the group at Frypan's quip, easing the tension for a moment.

"Yeah, that too," Vincent said, cracking a smile.

Casper, as the leader of the Iron Lion base, immediately barked orders to the soldiers stationed around the castle-base.

"Stand to arms! We've got WCKD incoming!" he roared. "Lock and load, and get those perimeter defenses ready!"

The Iron Lion base sprang to life, soldiers racing to their positions, readying weapons and checking supplies.

Casper turned to Vincent and the Right Arm teens. "We're going to need every able-bodied person ready for this. We won't go down without a fight."

Vincent nodded. "Agreed."

Vivian looked around, taking in their surroundings. "We need to assess the defense perimeter. Make sure there are no weaknesses WCKD can exploit. Soldiers, let's go!"