Miron had no time for tears behind that iron door; the shouts of guards approaching from the side corridors were drawing closer. He wiped his tears with his sleeve and felt for the data chip that Mers had sacrificed himself for.
Miron (whispering to himself, panting):
"I must make it... I'll come back for you, Mers. I swear it."
Suddenly, two elite guards blocked his path at the junction leading to the secret exit. Miron gave them no chance to speak. Taking advantage of their confusion, he lunged forward, using the remaining charge in his crystal knife. With an instinct he had never known before, he stabbed the first in the joint of his armor and shoved the second with all his might toward a high-pressure generator, sending the guard to the floor, killed by an electric shock. He didn't look back; he ran toward the light of dawn beginning to seep through the exit.
Meanwhile, Kayan stood in the operations room, surrounded by Ortinus, Nerar, Pecos, Romelius, and the commanders of the Liberation Army. The digital map flickered in red, announcing the start of the countdown.
Kayan (in a firm, steady voice):
"Comrades, time is not on our side. The peace treaty sent by King Ragos might be a trap or it might be an opportunity, but we will proceed with our plan to storm the palace to ensure the Vuanck family is removed from power. Ortinus, you have laid the plan, and now I will divide the roles based on each of your competencies."
Silence fell as Kayan began to look at each face with intense focus.
Kayan: "First, Nerar. Your mission is the hardest. You will lead the 'Engineering Squad.' Once we reach the walls, you must disable the gravity generators using the devices you developed. Without gravity, Ragos's soldiers will be nothing more than floating bodies with no balance."
Nerar (adjusting his black patch): "Consider it done, Kayan. I've studied the angles of descent; I'll make their fortresses feel as light as feathers."
Kayan: "Pecos and Darius. You will be at the 'Heart.' You will lead the heavy infantry to breach the South Gate. Pecos, I don't want random smoke bombs this time; I want precision explosives that open the paths without destroying the infrastructure."
Pecos (with a wide grin): "I promise you, Chief, my explosions will be as artistic as a painting!"
Kayan: "Romelius. Your role is strategic, behind the lines. You will be responsible for the medical unit and the field support unit. Since we have discovered your skill in dueling and analysis, you will be our 'eye,' watching for enemy vulnerabilities during the fight."
Romelius (nodding calmly): "I will guide the fighters to the weakest points in their armor. A doctor always knows where the fatal spot lies."
Kayan: "As for you, Ortinus. You will be by my side in the Central Command Unit. We will lead the assault from above using flight vehicles. Your mind is our compass, and any change in the plan will come directly from you."
As Kayan was finishing the roles for the rest of the leaders (Enil, Batter, and Lizard), the hall door burst open. Miron entered, staggering, his clothes torn and his face covered in dust and blood.
Darius (alarmed): "Miron! What happened? Where is Mers?"
Miron fell to his knees, gasping for air, and reached out a trembling hand toward Ortinus, holding the data chip.
Miron (in a broken voice): "They... they exposed us. Mers... Mers pushed me out and closed the door. I heard so many gunshots... I don't know if he's still alive."
The atmosphere in the room shifted completely. Sadness and rage loomed over everyone. Ortinus approached Miron, placed a hand calmly on his shoulder, and took the chip.
Ortinus: "Mers's sacrifice will not be in vain. Miron, you have done your job perfectly. Rest now, for the battle in which everyone will participate to recover Mers and crush the tyrants begins today."
Kayan (drawing his sword): "Liberation Army! Companions of Aetheria! They have spilled our blood, killed our birds, and kidnapped our brothers. Tomorrow, the sun shall not rise upon the Vuanck palace except under the sovereignty of the people. Prepare yourselves!"