Zzzt... BLAAARRR!The massive sensory explosion produced by the flashbang instantly tore through Elias's necrotic energy transmission pathway like a lightning strike hitting a high-voltage power line. The tremendous backlash surged unhindered through the air and slammed directly into the center of the controller's consciousness.On the rain-soaked rooftop, Elias's frail body suddenly arched violently upward in a brutal seizure. His back bent backward at an unnatural angle against the wheelchair, forcing his body into extreme tension. The nylon safety straps securing his paralyzed frame tightened so hard that the threads groaned and nearly tore apart."ARGHHH...!"The cry of agony that escaped the disabled man's mouth died abruptly in his throat. It was immediately replaced by a horrifying wet gurgle, a sign that fluid was obstructing his airway.Thick black blood erupted from both ears, his nostrils, and the corner of his infected left eye. The foul-smelling fluid flooded the inside o

Tap... tap... tap...The footsteps of Roman Vancroft's leather shoes rang out sharp and steady, slicing through the oppressive silence of the command headquarters corridor, now shrouded in total darkness.The Third Pillar continued forward with rigid posture, passing the defensive line of heavy machine-gun barricades his troops had just assembled. A PMC captain standing behind one of the fortified positions called out anxiously."Mr. Roman! Please don't leave the defensive formation!"But Roman paid no attention to the warning. His gaze remained frozen, radiating controlled, icy fury despite the fact that his pride had just been challenged by his opponent's provocation.Ahead of him, three severed heads lay scattered across the blood-soaked carpet, their clouded white eyes still staring in his direction. Their mouths hung partially open, as though preparing to whisper more psychological poison designed to shatter his concentration.Roman raised his right arm and leveled his suppressed

Inside the oppressive darkness of the main server room, an unnatural chill suddenly crept through the entire chamber. The scent of ozone from burned electronic circuits mingled with the metallic smell of fresh blood beginning to pool across the carpet.Roman Vancroft slowly lowered his satellite phone after finishing his instructions to the sniper teams. Behind the thin frame of his glasses, his sharp eyes caught the drastic change in the corpse he had pinned against the steel cabinet.The corpse's eyes were no longer lifeless white orbs. They had turned a blazing crimson, thick veins threading across them, radiating an aura of absolute fury that felt disturbingly real."You've transferred one hundred percent of your consciousness here," Roman murmured in a calm, measured tone. Even so, the muscles in his arms and legs subtly shifted as he adopted a stance prepared for a pure close-quarters fight. "A remarkably foolish tactical decision, little brother. You haven't considered the resi

BOOOOOOOOM!Another deafening explosion thundered through the night, tearing through the curtain of rain and shaking the very atmosphere around the complex. The massive blast came from the thirtieth floor of Roman Vancroft’s command headquarters. Thick black smoke burst violently through the shattered window frames, followed moments later by tongues of red-orange fire licking across the ceiling of the enemy’s server room.Meanwhile, atop the abandoned apartment building across the street, the rows of streetlights below slowly flickered back to life. The destructive effects of the homemade EMP wave released earlier by Kael Thorne were gradually fading, restoring power to the city after its brief total blackout. The storm that had ravaged the district also began to weaken, its heavy downpour fading into a thin drizzle that carried a cold sharp enough to pierce bone.At last, an absolute tactical victory had been achieved.Roman Vancroft’s body had been reduced to ash.Yet on the rain-so

Psssshh... click... psssshh... click...The monotonous flutter of the mechanical ventilator's valves continued to break the silence inside the shipping container warehouse at the harbor. The sound was steady and rhythmic, like the ticking of an old wall clock slowly grinding away the last remnants of life remaining in the damp room.Elias Vancroft sat motionless in his folding wheelchair.He no longer wore the full-face protective mask he had relied on before. Both of his arms were now rigidly bent inward. His fingers curled like the talons of a dead eagle, resting passively atop thighs that had long since lost all muscle mass.Sloane stood beside the tactical wheelchair, gripping a bowl of bland-smelling instant oatmeal. The former military paramedic scooped up a small spoonful and carefully guided it toward Elias's cracked lips.Elias slowly opened his mouth.He swallowed the nutrition without chewing, his dark eyes fixed on the rusting steel walls of the container in front of him.