The faint echoes of approag Syndicate reinforts reverberated through the metallic corridors of the auxiliary base. Ethan crouched he tral loading dock, his psma pistol in hand, while Thalor stood beside him, his stoic demeanor unshaken by the tension. Above them, Zyrix's voice came through the s with a cold precision that matched the Velkarn merary's calm.

  "We've got hostiles ining, heavily armed. Five on the western fnk, four more sweeping in from the south," Zyrix reported.

  Ethan adjusted his grip on the pistol and g Thalor, who gave a single nod. No words were exged; they didn't hem. The mission wasn't over yet, and the escape route was looking increasingly precarious.

  "Zyrix, take the western fnk. We'll hold the south," Ethan instructed, his toeady despite the gravity of the situation.

  "On it," Zyrix replied. The sharp crack of his psma rifle echoed shortly after, signaling that the fight had begun.

  Ethan and Thalor moved quickly into position, dug behind the reinforced crates stacked around the loading area. The sound of Syndicate boots pounding against the metallic floor drew closer, apanied by shouted orders and the telltale hum of energy ons.

  The first wave of reinforts emerged from the southern corridor. Ethan's enhanced reflexes kicked in, allowing him to fire precise shots that dropped two soldiers before they could raise their ons.

  Thalor charged forward, his Velkarn bde gleaming in the dim light. His movements were calcuted and deadly, each swing of his bde slig through Syndicate armor as if it were paper. The soldiers barely had time to react before he cut them down, his t figure a blur of porecision.

  A Syndicate officer barked orders from the rear, sending in a squad of bat droo fhan and Thalor. The drones skittered along the walls, their energy ons glowing with an ominous blue light.

  "Drones agaihan muttered, his HUD lighting up with warnings.

  "Let me hahem," Thalor rumbled. Without waiting for a response, he lu the drone, smming it to the ground with his immerength. Sparks erupted as his bde pierced its core.

  Ethan fired at another drone, his ser pistol's shots ricocheting off its armor. He switched to his psma dagger, closing the distand driving the bde into a oint near its tral processor. The drone sputtered and colpsed.

  Above the chaos, Zyrix was a model of efficy. His psma sniper rifle hummed with energy as he fired at the Syndicate soldiers attempting to breach the western fnk. Each shot recise, taking down targets with lethal accuracy.

  "Western fnk is clear," Zyrix reported over the s. "Moving to provide support on your end."

  Etha a surge of relief. Zyrix's overwatch was crucial in keeping the odds manageable.

  As another wave of Syndicate soldiers stormed the southern corridor, Zyrix's sh out, thinning their ranks before they could reach Ethan and Thalor.

  The reinforts kept ing, but the team refused to be overwhelmed. Ethan's training and enhanced reflexes were on full dispy as he alternated between his pistol and dagger, adapting to the ebb and flow of bat.

  Thalor, ever the stoic warrior, held the lih unyieldiermination. His bde moved with an almost rhythmic precision, each strike a testament to his Velkarn discipline and strength.

  "Reinforts are thinning out," Ethan said betweehs. "We're almost through this."

  A final wave of Syndicate soldiers charged into the room, led by a heavily armored officer wielding a high-powered energy rifle. The officer fired a devastating volley, f Ethan and Thalor to take cover.

  "I'll handle him," Zyrix said.

  From his elevated position, Zyrix fired a single shot that pierced the officer's helmet, dropping him instantly. With their leader gohe remaining soldiers hesitated, givihan and Thalor the opening they o finish them off.

  As the st Syndicate soldier fell, the loading area fell silent save for the hum of maery. Ethan activated his s. "All hostiles ralized. Status on the explosives?"

  "They're ihalor replied, gesturing to the charges he had pnted earlier. "We detonate remotely once we're clear."

  Ethan nodded and motioned for the team troup. Zyrix desded from his perch, his sniper rifle slung over his shoulder.

  "Good work," Ethan said, his voice ced with fatigue.

  "Don't tha," Zyrix replied. "We're not out of this pce."

  The team moved quickly toward the exit, but their path was far from clear. Arms bred throughout the base, signaling that additional Syndicate forces were likely on the way.

  As they he ate, another squad of drones appeared, blog their path. Ethan cursed under his breath and signaled for the team to take cover.

  "Zyrix, take the lead," Ethan ordered. "Thalor and I will hahe drones."

  Zyrix nodded, sprinting ahead to secure the exit.

  Ethan and Thalaged the drones with a mix of precision and brute force. Ethan's psma dagger found its mark again and again, while Thalor smashed through the maes with relentless efficy.

  Ohe drones were dowhan activated the remote detonator. A series of explosions rocked the base, sending plumes of fire and debris into the night sky.

  The team emerged from the base just as the fmes began to e it. They climbed into the rented hover truck parked nearby, exhaustion evident on their faces.

  As they sped away, Ethan gnced back at the burning pound. "We did what we came to do," he said, though his tone was heavy. "But this won't stop them. Ve will rebuild."

  "Then we'll tear it down again," Zyrix said matter-of-factly, his tone as cold as ever.

  Thalor remained silent, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

  Ethan leaned ba his seat, his thoughts already turning to the mission. The Syndicate ting, but so was he. This war was far from over, aeo see it through to the end.