Once they were back in the relative safety of the apartment, Alex gathered the Scorpions around him. "Alright, listen up," he said, his voice low but intense. "We've got a lot of work to do, and not much time to do it. Malik, I need you to put a list of household ingredients together to make explosives. Something that’ll be sure to take out everyone inside a room.”

  Malik nodded, his tone more serious than usual. “I have something in mind, Gunny. All the components are basic enough, stuff you can find in a kitchen, including regular cleaning products.”

  “Good. Ha-Yoon can get you what you need to make five bombs. Zoe, Jackson—we’re also going to need to arm four thousand fighters as best we can, with something that can pierce Kikko armor. Again, we have to use what we have inside Hut.”

  “Like hammers and kitchen knives?” Zoe asked. “That won’t exactly cut it.”

  “No pun intended,” Jackson said. “She’s right, boss-man. What can we get in quantity that might help?”

  “Molotov cocktails, for one,” Alex said. “But you’re the brain, Zoe. I’m sure you can come up with something creative.”

  “I’ll think about it. I have a couple of ideas.”

  “I figured you would. Miranda,” Alex continued, "you and Ha-Yoon are our liaisons with the civilians. Keep the lines of communication open, but be careful. We can't afford any leaks."

  "What about you, Gunny?" Zoe asked.

  Alex's expression hardened. "I'm going to start planning our assault on the fort. When those bars go up and the civilians start fighting back, that's our window. We hit them hard, hit them fast, and kick them out of our damn house.”

  “Oorah!” the others replied.

  As the others moved to their assigned tasks, Alex retreated to a corner of the apartment, mentally working through scenarios and strategies. This was already war. But by executing Marines, the enemy had made it personal.

  And Alex intended to make them regret it.

  CHAPTER 40

  The next two days passed in a blur of frenetic activity. Malik, with Zoe and Jackson's help, threw himself into the task of creating improvised explosives. They worked in shifts, careful not to arouse suspicion by gathering too many materials at once. Ha-Yoon's bathroom became a makeshift lab, the air thick with the acrid smell of chemicals and the tension of their clandestine operation.

  True to their word, Miranda and Ha-Yoon became the vital link between the Scorpions and the growing civilian resistance. They moved through the settlement with casual ease, passing messages and coordinating efforts under the occupying forces' noses. Alex marveled at their effectiveness, grudgingly admitting that Diego's faith in Ha-Yoon hadn't been misplaced after all.

  For his part, Alex spent every waking moment planning their assault on Fort Brix. He pored over mental maps of the base, recalling every detail from his time there. He ran through countless scenarios, weighing risks and potential outcomes. The plan had to be perfect. They would only get one shot at this.

  On the evening of the second day, as artificial twilight settled over the domes of Hut, Alex called the team together. The apartment was crowded, and the tension was palpable as they gathered around the small dining table.

  "Alright, people," Alex began, his voice low but commanding. "It's time to go over the plan. Malik, what's our explosives situation?"

  Malik grinned, a hint of manic energy in his eyes. "We're locked and loaded, Gunny. Five bars, five bombs, each one packing enough punch to level a building. Once they go off, it'll be chaos."

  Alex nodded, a grim satisfaction in his expression. "Good work. Zoe? Jackson?”

  “We’ve got civilians in five different domes producing Molotovs like you suggested,” Jackson said.

  “And I came up with a design for a single-shot rocket launcher,” Zoe said, "with the help of Mal’s expertise, of course.”

  “I’m working on getting the components for the weapons,” Miranda said. “We have to pull them out of construction stockpiles without the guards noticing, which is easier said than done.”

  “The launcher will fire a single titanium flechette,” Zoe explained. “The heat will ruin the tube once it’s shot, but it should have enough velocity to punch through the Kikko’s composite plating.”

  “It works in our favor that they’re using last generation kit,” Malik said. “I don’t think we could get through Kurata armor with the blast.”

  “So we’ll have four thousand shots,” Alex said. “If we can score a kill with an average of seven shots, that will put us in a good spot.”

  “That sounds doable,” Jackson said.

  Alex turned to Ha-Yoon. “And the civilian coordination?"

  "We’ll have people in place at each location," she reported. "They know the signal and are ready to move on your command."

  “The tricky part will be getting them all armed,” Diego said. “We can’t have them walking around the streets with the launchers. It’ll be too obvious.”

  “And how are you planning to make it happen?” Alex asked.

  “A combination of things. Long coats in some cases, deliveries in others. Pick up points post-explosion. And passing them out early when we can.”

  “We’ve already distributed a few hundred,” Miranda said.

  “And no indication the wrong people have wind of this yet?” Alex questioned.

  “Negative, Gunny,” Diego said. “We’ve been very careful.”

  "Excellent," Alex said. He took a deep breath, surveying the faces of his team. "Here's how this is going to play out. At 2200 hours tomorrow night, the explosions will go off simultaneously. That's the rebellion’s signal to launch their attack, and our signal to move. The enemy will be in disarray, scrambling to respond to multiple threats. That's when we strike at the heart."

  He leaned over the table, where he had sketched out a rough map of Fort Brix. "We'll split into two teams. Zoe, Jackson—you're with me. We'll hit the command center here." He tapped a spot on the map. "That's where they'll be coordinating their response. We take it out, and they’ll struggle to organize effectively."

  "What about us, Gunny?" Malik asked, gesturing to himself and Diego.

  "You two have the equally critical task of securing the armory," Alex replied. "We're going to need heavy weapons if we're going to keep fighting after the initial surprise wears off. Once you've snuck in and secured it, we’ll be along shortly. We’ll suit up, and then start arming any civilians who make it to the base. We're going to need every gun we can get."

  The team nodded, absorbing their roles. Alex could see the mix of excitement and apprehension on their faces. This was what they had trained for, what they had dreamed of during all those endless hours in the simulators. But this was real, with real stakes and real consequences.

  "One more thing," Alex added, his voice taking on a harder edge. “According to rumor, some of our fellow Marines were captured and executed by these bastards. Remember that when you're out there. Show no mercy, because they certainly won't."

  A ripple of anger went through the group, their expressions hardening with resolve.

  "Any questions?" Alex asked, looking around the room.

  Zoe raised her hand. "What about Sarah? Have we heard anything from her?"

  Alex shook his head. "Nothing concrete, but the fact that the enemy is still conducting sweeps of the jungle suggests she's keeping them busy out there. My assumption is that she'll realize what's happening when the explosions go off and make her way back to join us."

  "And if she doesn't?" Jackson asked, voicing the concern they all shared.

  Alex's jaw tightened. "Then we complete the mission without her. We can't afford to wait or risk exposure by trying to contact her. Sarah's smart. She'll figure it out."

  The room fell silent momentarily, the weight of what they were about to attempt settling over them. Then Malik spoke up, his voice uncharacteristically serious.

  "Gunny, I just want to say...it's been an honor serving with all of you. Whatever happens tomorrow, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, with anyone else."

  A murmur of agreement went through the group. Alex felt a swell of pride and affection for his team. They had been through hell together, and tomorrow they would face an even greater challenge. But he had no doubt they were up to the task.

  "Get some rest," he ordered. "Tomorrow, we take back what's ours."

  As the others moved to their makeshift sleeping areas, Alex remained at the table, his eyes fixed on the crude map. He felt a presence beside him and looked up to see Ha-Yoon, her expression a mix of admiration and concern.

  "You truly believe you can do this?" she asked softly. "Retake an entire military base with just six people?"

  Alex met her gaze, his eyes burning with determination. "We have to," he replied simply. "There's no other choice."

  Ha-Yoon nodded, reaching out to squeeze his shoulder. "Then we'll do everything we can to support you. The people of Hut are behind you, Alex. All of you."

  “I appreciate that. And it’s not six people, Ha-Yoon. It’s six Marines.” He smiled. “And four thousand brave men and women of Hut, you included.”

  “Of course,” she replied, returning his smile. “And not just any six Marines. Force Recon Marines, led by the son of the Wraith. They don’t stand a chance.”

  As she walked away, Alex turned back to the map, running through the plan one more time in his head. Tomorrow would change everything, one way or another. They would either liberate Jungle from its occupiers or die trying.

  Either way, the Scorpions would show these invaders why they were the elite of the FUP Marines. And why they should never have come to this planet in the first place.

  CHAPTER 41

  As that night seemed to stretch endlessly on, Alex found sleep elusive. Each minute crawled by with agonizing slowness, his mind racing with last-minute adjustments to the plan and contingencies for every possible scenario. When he finally managed to doze off, his dreams were filled with the faces of dead Marines, their accusing eyes following him through nightmarish landscapes.

  He awoke with a start as the first hints of dawn began to filter through the apartment windows. Around him, the other Scorpions were already stirring, their movements quiet but purposeful as they prepared for the day ahead.

  The hours ticked by, a strange mix of frenetic activity and nerve-wracking waiting. Malik made final adjustments to the detonators, his usual joking demeanor replaced by intense focus. Zoe and Jackson ran through weapons checks, their movements fluid and practiced. Miranda and Ha-yoon came and went, ferrying last-minute messages and updates from their contacts.

  As evening approached, Alex gathered the team for one final briefing. He stood at the center of the room, the crude map of Fort Brix spread out before him. His eyes roved over the assembled team, taking in each face in turn.

  "Alright, Scorpions," he began, his voice low but intense. "This is it. The moment we've been preparing for. In one hour, those bombs are going off, and we'll be making our move on the fort."

  He tapped the map, indicating the key locations. "Malik, the detonators all synced?"

  He nodded. "Locked and loaded, Gunny. Those bars are going up like fireworks on the Fourth of July. And I've got a little something extra for us, too." He patted the duffle bag at his feet, which clinked with the unmistakable sound of glass bottles.

  Alex raised an eyebrow. "Improvised grenades?"

  "You know it. Stuffed with my special sauce. Figured we could use a little extra firepower when we hit the fort."

  "Good thinking." Alex turned to Zoe and Jackson. "The flechette launchers?"

  "Distributed and in position," Zoe reported. "Four thousand of them, ready to punch through Kikko armor like it's made of paper."

  "And the civilians know the signal?"

  "They're ready," Ha-yoon confirmed. "The moment those explosions go off, they'll be in the streets, giving the occupiers hell."

  Alex nodded, satisfaction in his eyes. "Excellent work, all of you. I couldn't ask for a better team."

  He glanced at the clock, noting the time. "Alright, gear up. We move out in ten. We need to be in position in the jungle before the fireworks start."

  As the others began their final preparations, Diego moved to Ha-yoon's side, his expression a mix of tenderness and worry. He took her hands in his, meeting her gaze.

  "Ha-yoon..." he began, his voice thick with emotion. "I just want you to know, these past few weeks with you... they've meant everything to me. I love you."

  Ha-yoon's eyes shone with unshed tears. "I love you, too, Diego. More than I ever thought possible." She leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a fierce, desperate kiss. "Come back to me," she whispered as they parted. "Promise me."

  Diego swallowed hard. "I promise."

  Across the room, Miranda approached Alex, a bittersweet smile on her face. "Sergeant Strickland," she said softly. "Or should I call you Peter, one last time?”

  Alex chuckled despite the gravity of the moment. "Alex is fine, Miranda. I think we're a little past formalities at this point."

  She nodded, her expression turning serious. "I just wanted to say...I wish things could have been different. That we could have met under other circumstances, gotten to know each other without all of this hanging over us."

  Alex met her gaze, a flicker of regret in his eyes. "Me, too," he admitted. "But right now, the mission has to come first. We have to focus on taking back our home."

  Miranda reached out, grasping his hand and giving it a squeeze. "I understand. Just...be careful out there."

  "I will," Alex promised. “Thank you for⁠—”

  A sudden, urgent knock at the door cut him off. The Scorpions tensed, hands flying to weapons. Alex swept Miranda behind him as Ha-yoon moved to answer the door. She cracked it open cautiously, then pulled it wide as she recognized the visitor.

  It was the woman from the elevator, her face pale and drawn with fear. "Something's wrong," she said without preamble, her voice shaking. "You need to see this."

  Alex frowned, a sense of unease coiling in his gut. He motioned for the others to follow as he trailed the woman out into the corridor and across to an apartment on the opposite side, facing inward towards the center of the dome.

  As they crowded around the window, Alex felt his blood run cold. Below, the streets filled with enemy forces, dozens of them moving with purpose, weapons ready. They were taking up positions around key buildings, setting up barricades, their movements coordinated and precise.

  "They know," Zoe breathed, horror dawning on her face. "Someone must have talked."

  A heartbeat later, a deafening boom echoed, the shockwave rattling the windows. A bloom of fire and smoke erupted from the adjacent dome.

  "Enzo," Ha-yoon whispered, her hand flying to her mouth. "He...he must have set it off early."

  Alex's mind raced, calculating, adapting. Enzo had sacrificed himself, taking out as many of the enemy as he could in a final act of defiance.

  "We have to move," Alex barked, spinning to face his team. "Now, before they⁠—"

  Another explosion cut him off, this one further away but no less powerful. Then a third, the shockwaves blending into a rolling thunder.

  It had begun. The uprising forced into action ahead of schedule by Enzo's sacrifice and the enemy's foreknowledge. In an instant, the carefully laid plans had dissolved into chaos.

  "Go!" Alex roared, spurring the Scorpions into motion. They gathered their gear and raced for the stairs, boots pounding on the metal steps as they descended at breakneck speed.

  They burst out into the corridor on the ground floor, only to find themselves face-to-face with a unit of enemy soldiers. The two groups stared at each other in shock for a frozen second.

  The Scorpions recovered first, spewing bullets into the surprised enemy. Their faceplates cracked, their heads shattered as the Marines’ rounds dug in, taking them out in one focused barrage.

  "Move!" Alex commanded, already sprinting for the rear exit. The others followed, racing through the service corridors and bursting out into the alley behind the apartment complex.

  Only to find themselves in the midst of a war zone.

  The streets were already chaotic, civilians streaming out of every building, armed with flechette launchers and makeshift weapons. They clashed with the occupying forces, the rattle of gunfire and the visceral thumps of enemy grenades filling the air.

  Alex watched as a group of residents charged a squad of soldiers, firing their launchers. The titanium darts sank into the enemy’s armor, filling them like pincushions, and the soldiers fell, thrashing and bleeding.

  But for every enemy that fell, two dozen civilians were cut down, the superior firepower and armor of the occupiers telling. They advanced down the street, methodically gunning down anyone who stood in their way, leaving a trail of blood and dead bodies in their wake.

  "We have to get to the fort!" Alex shouted over the din. "It's our only chance of⁠—"

  A shadow fell over them, and Alex's head snapped upward. An Armadillo dropship angled overhead, its weapons swiveling to target the Scorpions.

  They scattered, diving for the scant cover of the alleyway. But there was nowhere to hide from the ship's guns, nowhere to run that would put them out of its line of fire.

  Alex braced himself, desperate for a solution. But he had nothing. In that frozen instant between breaths, he realized it was over. They had tried their best, taking the fight to the enemy, but it hadn't been enough.

  And now it was all going to end here, in this narrow alley, he and his team unceremoniously cut down.

  Only that didn’t happen.

  Alex stared, openmouthed, hardly daring to believe the streak of blinding light that split the sky, arcing up from the direction of the jungle. The dropship began to turn away, but it was too late. The killing blow struck the Armadillo dead center, the impact force crushing the dropship's hull like an eggshell.

  The explosion was titanic, a miniature sun blooming in the night sky. Flaming debris rained down just outside the dome, the twisted remains of the Armadillo spinning out of control and crashing into the jungle to the north.