[[[ Three o'clock in the afternoon ]]]
[[[ Winding paths between the mountains ]]]
(Zeus in a low voice): Don't you see they're slowing us down… We would've arrived long ago if we were alone.
(Surai): Be patient, we're almost there… Look, do you see that faraway peak?
(Zeus frowning): Yeah, it's really far… That's not the enemy base, is it?
Marwan, who suddenly popped his head between the two, answered:
_ The enemy base's area starts from the cliff ahead to that peak… and that's just the part I know of.
"Damn!… Are you sure we're only fighting 130 men!?… This base could hold an army of at least 10,000 soldiers," Zeus thought, slightly angry.
Beatrix checked her sniper ammo and asked:
_ Are we going in?
(Marwan): Wait here, I'll take a look and be back.
The wind was fierce where Zeus's group and the village fighters were gathered on this high point.
There was nothing but the sound of the wind for the past few minutes… then suddenly the mountains and the whole area shook with the sound of deep underground explosions.
Zeus and Beatrix were shocked and clung to the ground like the others.
Surai asked loudly:
_ Is there an active volcano in the area!!!?
(One of the villagers): I'm afraid I know what's happening.
(Zeus): What's happening!?
_ I think the enemy knew the Union forces were coming… These tremors are from explosive traps in the tunnels… Strong tremors like this only happen when tunnels collapse… and with this intensity… I think the enemy blew up the entrances to block the Union forces from entering.
Suddenly, Marwan returned, panting and terrified:
_ No, they blew them up after the forces entered… I'm not sure what's happening, but the Union forces are trapped inside… The entrance we were going to use exploded in my face too… Luckily, I was a bit far and sheltered behind the rocks.
(Zeus): So does this mean we have no way in?
(Surai urgently): Impossible, they wouldn't destroy all the entrances… they'll leave exits for themselves… Marwan, think and tell me where the nearest possible entrance is?
(Marwan): It would be on the opposite side, behind those two mountains… we need to hurry—chaos is at its peak now, we won't get a better chance.
. . . . . .
[ Inside the enemy base tunnels ]
(Colonel Murad): Give me the status report—what happened?
(One of the field commanders over comms): The tunnels exploded as our last troops entered… We lost around 50 soldiers and also the three war robots covering the army's rear.
(Murad angrily): Do they really think they can escape!!?… All forces must spread out—I don't want anyone left alive… Push the ST-360 robots to the front and scout the path with drones… Call from Commander Murad to the Mecha—what's your status out there?
(The six pilots): It's quiet out here. Should we dig out the blocked tunnels?
(Murad): No, that's a waste of time—we move forward, no retreat… just keep your eyes open for any rats crawling out from underground… Those bastards will try to escape no doubt, and no matter how long or deep their tunnels are, they'll have an end and lead to the surface.
(Unified voice): Yes, sir.
. . . . . .
(Half an hour later)
The entrance Zeus's group found was completely unguarded—proof that the enemy was indeed retreating.
The group of around 45 fighters entered cautiously and in formation, one behind the other, into this narrow single-person tunnel.
Everyone had their weapons raised, ready for any sudden clash.
At the front was Surai, the best at stealth and with the most powerful combat suit, scouting the path ahead.
Behind him were Zeus, Beatrix, and Marwan, followed by the village fighters.
Surai spoke through the communication device linked to Zeus and Beatrix:
_ There are sounds of gunfire exchange… I've reached the end of this tunnel—it connects to a wide main tunnel… Damn!…
Zeus informed Marwan of the situation, and Marwan told everyone to halt and wait a bit for the army to move forward.
Their destination was in the direction where the enemies were gathered, through a tunnel that led to deep chambers the gang used to keep prisoners and hostages.
Yet, strangely, the army wasn't able to advance for the next half hour.
Surai didn't dare approach the combat zones because the war robots' systems could detect him if he got too close.
He also tried sneaking through enemy areas but had to retreat due to the intense gunfire and targeted explosions—he couldn't risk being spotted and injured there.
His efforts weren't fruitless, though—they gave him a general idea of the situation.
The Union forces were in a tight spot, and the gang fighters were attacking from all directions, then retreating instantly—preventing the Union army from charging in recklessly, especially after several sudden tunnel explosions.
They were literally between the jaws of a serpent, being swallowed slowly.
The stronger force couldn't overcome the weaker one—
Because of the environment and the underdog's preparation… In fact, the real battle showed heavy and growing losses for the Union, while the gang suffered only minor ones—the difference was drastic.
Even the flying drones couldn't breach the tunnels due to how easily they could be shot down in such narrow spaces that didn't allow for proper maneuvering.
(Surai): We have to breach now—the war robot has retreated, and only groups of enemy men remain, preparing portable rocket launchers… I'll attack them… Zeus, when I give the signal, rush with the others to my location.
(Zeus): We're ready.
(Surai): Now go…
Surai indeed attacked a group of seven fighters from the rear, quickly killing three before the rest realized his presence and opened fire—managing only to hit him with two or three bullets thanks to his speed, evasiveness, and immediate return to stealth mode.
He then killed the remaining enemies—except for one, a level two genetic fighter, who took a few hits before Surai finally brought him down.
Surai used the rocket launcher they had been prepping to destroy the tunnel that enemy reinforcements were charging through after hearing the battle noise.
At that moment, Zeus and the others arrived.
(Marwan): Five of you stay by this tunnel—they'll open it soon. You must hold it and stop them from entering until we return… The rest, follow me.
And so, the group entered another tunnel that sloped downward until they reached locked prison cells in a dark area with no lights on the walls.
Marwan urgently searched the prison cells one by one—many men, women, and children were imprisoned there.
The village fighters began organizing and guiding them to the exit after freeing them.
Five minutes later, Marwan stood in front of the last cell and collapsed to the ground, crying.
Zeus and Beatrix looked at him with sympathy. Zeus wanted to console him, thinking he had found the ones he was searching for dead—
The last cell contained a pile of decaying corpses.
(Zeus): Marwan, get a grip—we have to leave.
(Beatrix): None of these corpses are your siblings… at least not your brother we saw in the video.
(Zeus, confused): How do you know that?
Beatrix looked clearly shocked by the question and responded, stunned:
_ Are you all this stupid or just blind? Can't you see these are decomposed corpses!!… It's clear they've been dead for over a week—some maybe a month.
Marwan calmed down, and after a closer look, realized she was right… Even though he regained his composure, he was still extremely worried—he hadn't found his siblings or friends in this place… So where were they!?
(Surai): Do you know where the room is of the man who spoke to you in the video call?
Marwan's eyes lit up and he responded immediately:
_ Yes… but it's deeper, behind the enemy lines.
Suddenly, the sound of nearby fighting erupted—the tunnel had indeed been opened, and the five men began firing a barrage of bullets at the entrance.