Location: Gibraltar – Eteon Forward Command Facility
The Mediterranean wind howled over the rocky outcrop of the Eteon base nestled into the cliffs of Gibraltar. It was here that Gideon Mace, the cold-eyed tactician behind the Belarus ambush, oversaw global operations for Eteon's black cell unknown to the world, protected by diplomatic ghosts and a private army.
But tonight, hell followed him.
Three Hours Earlier – Onboard a Black VTOL over Spain
Devon stood in silence, dressed in a black tactical suit, staring out the cockpit window as lights of the coastline blurred below. The crew was quiet too mourning had passed, but Harry's absence still echoed like a hole in the team's spine.
"Skynet," Devon muttered. "Confirm target location."
"Target Gideon Mace confirmed inside Gibraltar base. No off-site movements in the last 14 hours. Estimated force: 30 operators, 2 AI gun platforms, and one auto-defense system coded to Mace's biometric signature."
Silas loaded a grenade belt. "That son of a bitch knew exactly what he was doing."
"He baited us," Raven said quietly, still tightening her gloves. "That explosion didn't just kill Harry. It was a message."
Devon's jaw clenched. "Then we send one back."
Operation: Ashfall Protocol – Initiated
The VTOL went dark half a klick out. The team deployed via glider wingsuits, slicing through the air like shadows. The cliffside base loomed ahead—floodlights, watchtowers, and the steel maw of an underground elevator shaft.
Devon's HUD lit up as Skynet synced with their earpieces.
"EMP charges ready. Thermal masking active. Countdown to breach: 00:03:00."
Raven and Silas landed first, eliminating the outer guards with silenced rounds. Devon hit the deck near a steel ventilation shaft, plasma cutter already humming.
He tapped comms. "Go."
The EMPs fired across the outer ridge.
Boom-boom-zzzzt.
Lights shattered. Alarms stuttered. Skynet's virus jammed the AI gun nests within milliseconds.
The team stormed through the ventilation shaft, descending into the belly of the beast.
Interior – Eteon Command Hall, Sublevel 3
Gideon Mace stood over a holotable, sipping from a crystal glass as the chaos unfolded above.
A lieutenant burst in, panicked. "Sir we've lost external systems. We're being breached "
Thud!
A suppressed round hit the lieutenant mid-sentence. He collapsed.
Devon stepped out from the shadows.
"Evening, Gideon."
Mace didn't flinch. "Well. I suppose you've come to kill me."
"No," Devon replied coldly. "I came to erase you."
Without waiting, he lunged.
Their fight was fast and brutal Mace wasn't just a desk commander. He was former SAS, wired with reflex boosters, and fought like a serpent. Blades clashed. Elbows and knees drove into ribs and flesh.
But Devon had rage-and Harry's ghost pushing him further.
A final twist of Mace's own combat knife drove into his thigh. He screamed, falling.
Devon pinned him.
"For Harry."
Then he crushed the man's throat with one mechanical-augmented punch.
15 Minutes Later – Outside the Base
As the flames consumed the facility, Devon and the crew walked away in silence. The explosion lit up the night sky like judgment from the gods.
No words were said.
None were needed.
They'd buried a brother.
Now the man responsible was ash.
But the war wasn't over.
Post-Mission Debrief – Skynet Control Room
Back at the hidden base, Devon stood before a display screen showing Eteon's network splintering from the loss of Mace. Data links severed, AI control nodes dissolving into static.
"Target terminated. Eteon cell destabilized. Risk reduction: 28%."
But another alert pinged.
"Cipher: status – location unknown.
Devon's fists clenched.
He turned to the crew.
"We'll mourn Harry properly when this war is over. For now Cipher just became top priority. No hiding. No second chances."
Raven stepped forward. "We hunt her next?"
Devon's eyes narrowed. "No. First, I answer another call."
The screen flashed again.
Incoming Transmission: DECKARD SHAW
Devon tapped accept.
Deckard's gravel voice filled the room.
"I found out who screwed with Owen… and who helped Cipher set him up. A street crew out of L.A. The Torettos."
Devon's brows rose.
"Dom?"
"Yeah. Him and his circus. I'm heading their way. Thought you'd like to tag in… for family."
Devon looked toward the burning Gibraltar image one last time… and smiled.
"Send me your location. Let's finish what they started."