The next day has begun, the interior of the safehouse was still in early dawn as artificial lights reflect it based on the time. Heavy rainfall outside patters in a rhythmically on the rusted roof that echoes into the safe house. The condensation seeps in beads along the metal piping, giving the room the clammy and enclosed feeling. The flickering lights reflect on the cadets standing ready near the terminal, quiet and ready.

Her eyes peer over the holo-map, projecting the route towards the mining operations that were being used by the Vaadwaur, the objectives bullet-pinned at the side. K’Nala took a deep breath, “You got a small window, hit fast and clean. Above all, don’t get capturrred, if you deem it dangerous pull out” She looked at both Alara and Rhixa who took command of the two teams.

Both Alara and Rhixa took a brief and yet loaded glance at each other, tension, unspoken trust and from Rhixa perhaps more. In rhythm, they both look at their dean and stated “Yes, ma’am”.

Shaari checks the explosives as Verrik does a final check on the rigged disruptors they found in one of the scouts. In the back, Eli runs a final diagnostics on Vaadwaur hacking nodes while muttering to himself quietly, being in up most focus.

K’Nala nodded, “Good, we leave in five. No heroics. In and out” With that she dismissed the two squad leaders and looked back at the map. There was much going through her mind, but she made the choice and carries the weight for it. There was no turning back.

Only moments later, in the industrial corridor near the Vaadwaur mag-rail spine, half-submerged in the fog and steam from the nearby pressure valves. Massive rusted pipes that run the walls, with thick cables that seem to be rushed into position as the humming rail lines cutting through the darkness. Above, gantries stretch high between the loading cranes transporting the cargo.

Team one heads below the rail platform, Rhixa gave the signal to halt as she heard a patrol passing by. Both Verrik and Eli stop, eyeing the same patrol. The drips of rain rolling over Rhixa face as her eyes follow the patrol, leave their sight. She continues forward to their first target.

Meanwhile, team two climbs the rusted gantries out of sight of any lights. Alara up front, followed by Shaari and Jorven, their mission was clear, stage the distraction.

The echoing of the propaganda echoes overhead, “One voice. One victory. One supremacy” With a proud Vaadwaur soldiers displayed as a silhouette portrayed on various walls of the warehouses. “You are not forgotten. You are claimed” It resumes as the teams blend in with the passing shift workers.

Floodlights sweep low, Vaadwaur drones hum nearby the valley. Alara looked at the direction where the other team was and then looked at her team members giving a nod. Jorven opens the panel and directs a fake power surge at the mining location, a blackout appeared and attention was drawn. The echoing of in rhythm boots hitting the ground came near as a patrol of Vaadwaur rushed to the area.

At the mag-rail conduit junction kneeled the first team, ready to make their move. The sparking wires above them, as Rhixa nodded to Eli, who started his part to place the explosives in key critical areas. The rain began to become more intense, Rhixa looks at her side, seeing an unscheduled supply train. It surprised her as she fumbles barrels down the hill, “Shit…” She mutters.

“You have been noticed” A voice on both team earplugs was heard, that of K’Nala “Do it now or get out of there”

With a quick reaction, Verrik grabs the detonator and with some quick settings on the device and clicks it “Hold on!” A partial detonation is trigged as the team move. Rhixa stayed at the last line, pulling Eli up and pushed in front of her.

The charge had a delay as a follow-up erupts, the rail collapses mid-transit of the supply train coming over it. The storm was picking up, the winds were against both teams as they manage to get into the drain network and out of the area. Sirens going off, blaring and echoing in the drain system network. The sky glows from the distant fire as they exit the network.

Both teams arrived at their safehouse, soaked and out of breath. When they hear the loudspeakers that were spewing propaganda earlier, now changed to “The Supremacy has been attacked. Order will be restored”.

Jorven smirks at that comment, “See you try…” He mutters to himself as he enters the dim, familiar, humid interior of the safehouse. The static hums from the damaged electronics and flickering lights.

While Liss starts patching up Shaari’s arm. Eli was still breathing heavy, adrenaline fading from his body of the rush they all had experienced a few minutes ago. K’Nala looked at them, grateful and calm she nods at them “Good work, we dealt a blow to their logistics, and it shall impact their operations on this planet. For now” a small victory, but celebration might be too early.

Suddenly, Alara stiffens up and looked around, “Where’s Rhixa?” everyone freezes as Shaari looked at the door. No one saw her peel away from the safe house. No one saw her enter it, either.

Meanwhile…

A drone spotlight, however, over the damage rail, fires everywhere as its searchlight stops at the side. Vaadwaur soldiers rushed to the edge of the severely damaged bridge and weapons were drawn. Pointing at the wounded Rhixa barely holding at the side. The earlier explosion did a number on her, loosing her balance. A trail of blood sips down her face as she looked up at the Vaadwaur soldiers.

“We found one. Take her to the cells for questioning” One of the Vaadwaur soldiers said after tapping on his comm.