Chapter 8: The Risk We Had to Take
Flaibia — A Broken History
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR1Gi1Jn98
After a long day in Bashistan, Demarion finally returned home to Flaibia, the country that served as his base of operations. From here, he controlled most of the drug trade flowing through five neighboring nations. He worked with powerful business partners, recruited gangs, and trained them to become killers.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMGrDCV06n
But Flaibia had not always been like this.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLZiKv4Rue
For years, it was a peaceful country—a place where families came to start better lives. That peace ended when an extremist movement rose to power. The group sought absolute control, led by a former military officer named Devon Stein.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG19Y1Qo8IA
Stein saw Flaibia not as a sanctuary, but as an opportunity. He built his own private military, enforcing his ideology through fear. Anyone who opposed him was executed or forced to flee. Civil war erupted, tearing the country apart.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO3gl2ZApA
For two brutal years, Flaibia drowned in blood. Families were destroyed. Friends turned against one another. Every day became a battle for survival.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoLh9MPAGk
Eventually, many citizens realized the war was unwinnable. They fled the country, escaping to Olympics and beyond. Devon Stein viewed their departure as his final victory.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVglYGkQfe
He was wrong.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y0TVI8IMO
One night, Stein was shot in the back of the head—killed instantly.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX78jp8MRf
The man who pulled the trigger was Demarion.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCajwCWNRiJ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqktLJ6UHNP
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQDcfGupoG
We Were Not Prepared for This
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdezPyznCc
Now Demarion was back in Flaibia, moving fast. He had a rare opportunity—one too valuable to ignore.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2uFEH5Yra
Intelligence confirmed that a royal aircraft was passing through the region, carrying Princess Aurora of the Republic of Eimpus. Capturing her would give Demarion the leverage he needed to blackmail the Prime Minister and control the Republic.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddgj3V168X
He stood among his troops, holding an EMP rocket launcher.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKUloZxFmi
Demarion:
“Today is a big day. That plane carries the princess. We’ll disable it with this EMP. The pilots will be forced to crash north of the woods. Kill all survivors—except the princess. She stays alive. Understood?”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghoXFOE1Ch
Battalion Troops:
“Yes, sir.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqyoWqyRfm
Demarion smiled.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzqU31A5gZ
Demarion:
“Looks like luck is finally on my side.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbppk1KUSJ
He locked onto the aircraft and fired.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpkx73sWaL
The rocket streaked through the sky.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFlR6CqnGh
Princess Aurora had no idea what was about to happen.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTlqJLUTeS
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ODTSZ50Rz
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VI27OTAMD
Aboard the Royal Aircraft
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGRYPbwDgZ
Pilot 1:
“Captain to air traffic control. We’ll be arriving in three hours. Preparing for landing.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfA6lnavxB
Air Traffic Control:
“Copy that. Stand by for landing instructions.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP3gADbbDg
Moments later, the captain addressed the cabin.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BIV3Gcdao
Pilot 1 (over intercom):
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We’ll be landing in approximately three hours. Please relax and enjoy the flight. Princess Aurora, if you need anything, our staff is happy to assist.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoqvlS1Wc0
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTyuJsrGUe
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzMUzE9r89
Guard Conversations
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGnIZNevYn
Mitchell Bates leaned toward Toby Lane.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0tL31uxYY
Mitchell:
“Hey, Toby. Want to talk before we reach Eimpus?”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYESge9jq1
Toby:
“Sure. What about?”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6P8rup1hn
Mitchell:
“Why did you join the Republic Guard? You could’ve had a peaceful life.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbtrhVWFpJ
Toby sighed.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDFwtKQsi1
Toby:
“I didn’t have a choice. It was either live on the streets with my family or join. I gave up my childhood to keep them alive. What about you?”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVvBAL6mlv
Mitchell:
“My father took massive loans to buy a house—ninety thousand to purchase it, ten thousand a month to maintain it.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOBC11DXa2
Toby:
“That’s insane. Why not find a cheaper place?”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AaZrSaPBT
Mitchell:
“My mom said the same thing. My dad wouldn’t listen. Four years later, we were evicted. The debt didn’t disappear. So I joined the Guard to pay it off.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJalEJbabX
Toby looked away.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvch8ZyrUh
Toby:
“I need some quiet time. Personal space.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tr5XrTcDP
Mitchell:
“Yeah… sure. Nice talking to you.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca1KROOc7u
Mitchell returned to his seat.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lOl39AzeQ
Everything seemed fine.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFuwxIQA7T
Until it wasn’t.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhryHzUJjBe
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZMcg1EfdE
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3VNTEahEu
Impact
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fO26pmbwZ
Pilot 1:
“Running system check.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL80O1qB1s
Pilot 2:
“Engines stable. Fuel systems normal. No issues detected.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFihCc3qzax
Suddenly—
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tFxoJZDo0
Pilot 1:
“What was that?”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwFkR7f83m
Pilot 2:
“We’ve been hit! All systems are down—I’ve lost control!”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OIUOfsRWt
The aircraft began to plunge.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw0GDFZvCc
Princess Aurora:
“What’s happening? Why are we going down?”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDbA9l5KzG
Lieutenant Benjamin Allen:
“Pilots, do you copy?”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL9faBoVQf
Mitchell:
“Lieutenant—we were hit by an EMP. Communications are down.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoF0KyKmNG
Lieutenant Allen:
“Understood. Everyone, brace yourselves. Seatbelts now. Sergeant Lee—protect the princess.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvX5QGgo0Q
Sergeant Elsie Lee:
“Yes, sir.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJa9f7tRTU
Pilot 2:
“Attempting reboot… systems failing!”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmstv5kKVEU
Pilot 1:
“Wait—systems are back online! Partial control restored.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWrZg8hMOB
Pilot 2:
“That’s impossible.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCfVUo14bq
Pilot 1:
“Doesn’t matter. We’re landing in the woods. Divert all power to the shield.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibJsXsOwFo
Pilot 2:
“That’s a huge risk.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIjVi5CHss
Pilot 1:
“It’s the only way.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgAo6j0TcF
The shield flared to full power as the aircraft tore through trees, smashing branches and metal alike. The impact shook the cabin violently—but the shield held.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7AKaJFYFT
The plane finally stopped.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaPrcysaLc
Silence.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbNx9RKuPq
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ytYhILWke
Ground Threat
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorNdaZnx1C
Lieutenant Allen:
“Status report!”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsHb0wqE5h
Pilot 1:
“We’re alive. No injuries. Engines shut down.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrUv5oldMC
Lieutenant Allen:
“Everyone out. We need to know where we are.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxjHtXpRB7
Moments later—
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEZXs5tf7m
Mitchell:
“Lieutenant—hostiles approaching from the north.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHjilgMBTN
Lieutenant Allen:
“Damn it. Everyone listen up. We’re outnumbered. Seven of us will stay here and distract the enemy. The rest will escort Princess Aurora to safety and call for help.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSMHaAQTNc
Mitchell:
“I should go with them. I’ve lived here—I know the terrain.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv95uzllWKC
Lieutenant Allen:
“Approved. Go. Now.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CnW5D6PlX
Smoke grenades hit the ground.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQEQawTfqD
Lieutenant Allen:
“Sergeant Lee—take the princess. Move!”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOFagPUiSP
Sergeant Lee:
“Princess Aurora, follow my orders. If something happens to me, keep going.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5753JLouGo
Princess Aurora:
“I understand.”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNd0BTHc9Gw
Lieutenant Allen:
“On my mark. Three… two… one!”
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj4AyRiBi0
Smoke filled the forest as gunfire echoed.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEXJqJau1f
The fight for survival had begun.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLGxWRT6PA
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YMD8f0eEI
End of Chapter 8
ns216.73.217.22da2
and then Add to home screen.