Chapter 88: Incoming Enemy
Inside the ruins, blood seeped from cracks in the rubble. Any staff who hadn't evacuated and the remaining soldiers outside were buried alive beneath the collapsed structure. Zack hovered in the sky, surveying the destruction with a calm expression. "Air superiority—it's a beautiful thing," he muttered, glancing at the smoldering ruins below.
"Ego, scan for survivors," he commanded, his tone sharp. His AI responded instantly, activating the suit's sensors to sweep the area. The battle wasn't over until he was certain every threat was eliminated.
"Sir, an underground structure has been detected," Ego reported crisply. "It seems the building also has a hidden base, likely housing their command personnel."
Zack frowned as he processed the information. "An underground base..." he muttered. He didn't have ground-penetrating missiles, and conventional explosives wouldn't do much against a bunker buried that deep. Close combat might be the only option—but that came with its own risks.
As he deliberated, Ego's voice broke through his thoughts. "Sir, two fighter jets are approaching NYC City!"
"Fighter jets?" Zack's brow furrowed. "The Vanguard Organization," he muttered under his breath. Their retaliation was faster than expected. The commander he'd interrogated earlier had confirmed that the Black Hand base was merely a branch of the larger Vanguard Organization, whose main headquarters were located overseas.
"Are they from the Vanguard?" he asked quickly.
"No, sir. Based on satellite data, the two jets took off from Southeast Asia. They're F-15 models," Ego clarified.
"F-15?" Zack's irritation flared. "Wait a second... It's those two idiots, isn't it?" His expression darkened. "I've left them alone, and now they've got the nerve to come after me?"