New Feature Unlocked: SECTOR MAP
A real-time, dynamically updating holo-map for deployment and recon.
She tapped the notification, A metallic hexagonal grid sprawled out, each tile labeled with coordinates and biomes. Some glowed green, others red, and a few pulsed an ominous orange. Projected from the P.D.D. Each hex represented a different biome or region, and when selected, it zoomed in to reveal terrain, settlements, or resource points. The entire system looked sophisticated and military-grade, something that would usually be reserved for high-ranking officers.
"Well, this is fancy as hell," David muttered, leaning over her shoulder.
"What are we, playing chess now?" Bilal smirked, scrolling through the glowing hexagons.
Ava scrolled through the interface. "Each hex is a different region… forests, wastelands, deserts… even radioactive zones. Looks like the entire surface is mapped."
Lyra tapped the screen, bringing up Mission Intel.
Deployment Time: 0900 Hours
[Mission Briefing: Controlled Destruction Operation]
Location: Sector 14 – The Scarlet Fields
Objective: Assist in the eradication of illicit drug crops.
Secondary Objective: Provide security for the Phoenix Corporation Agricultural Reclamation Unit (A.R.U.)
Mission Lead: Field Marshal Richard Wallace
Assigned Squad: Omega Squad (Support Team)
Primary Threat: Rival PMC forces defending the drug crops
Intel: Fields are vast. Phoenix Corp will oversee the “crop replacement” process.
David's entire body tensed at the name.
"Wait… my dad is leading this mission?"
Shawn smirked. "Hope you don’t owe him money."
David shot him a glare. “You don’t know my dad. If he’s involved, there’s something bigger going on.”
Ava crossed her arms. “Like what?”
David hesitated. “Let’s just say… he doesn’t do charity work.”
A heavy silence settled over the squad.
The room went silent for a second. Burning entire fields? That wasn’t just a simple job—it meant full deployment. Vehicles, air support, armed resistance.
"Oh great, so we’re just unpaid firefighters now?" Shawn quipped, cracking his knuckles.
"I dunno," Lara said, stretching. "Something feels off about this."
"You mean the part where Phoenix Corp is planting corn after?" Lyra raised an eyebrow.
Ava smirked. "No, no, that all sounds completely legit. Totally not suspicious at all."
Bilal rubbed his chin. "And here I thought corporations were just misunderstood."
David sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Well, whatever it is, we’re just a support squad. We go in, do our job, and get out. Simple, right?"
"Sure," Lyra muttered, staring at the Phoenix Corp insignia glowing at the bottom of the screen. "Simple."
The drop ships roared overhead, their thrusters kicking up dust as Omega Squad was deployed into the wasteland. The poppy fields stretched out for miles, the bright red flowers swaying under the golden sun.
Colonel Richard stood with a hard expression, scanning the fields before turning to them.
"This is a delicate mission," he said, his voice sharp. "Phoenix Corp wants these fields gone, and they want them gone fast. You’ll be assisting the front teams in setting controlled burns. Stay in formation, and don’t get trigger-happy."
"Define 'controlled,'" Bilal whispered to Ava.
"Probably 'don’t set yourself on fire,'" she whispered back.
Richard ignored them. "The biggest concern is hostile resistance. These fields belong to a rival PMC, and they won’t let them burn without a fight. Stay sharp."
The squad nodded, checking their weapons. Each of them had started gravitating toward personal favorites:
?? Lyra – XM8 Assault Rifle (lightweight, futuristic, high accuracy).
?? Lara – AA-12 Automatic Shotgun (destruction incarnate).
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
?? Bilal – Desert Eagle .50 & M249 SAW (because why not both?).
?? David – MK14 EBR Sniper Rifle (precision & power).
?? Ava – MP7 SMG (fast, deadly, and tactical).
?? Shawn – FN SCAR-H (classic powerhouse).
Omega Squad moved in.
The first few fires started smoothly. They spread controlled, systematic, just like the briefing had described. But then—
Gunfire.
A bullet whizzed past Lara’s head, slamming into a barrel nearby. Then another. Then a whole damn wave.
"CONTACT!" Lyra shouted, diving behind cover.
The rival PMC emerged from the poppies, dressed in makeshift armor with red armbands. AKs, RPGs, machine guns—they were fully loaded.
"Of course they’re not just gonna let us burn their entire drug supply," David growled, firing back.
Bilal let loose with the SAW, sending a wall of bullets downrange. "Maybe they should’ve tried negotiations!"
Shawn took cover behind a burning truck, pumping shells into advancing enemies. "Do we even negotiate anymore?"
Ava grinned, ducking and weaving, firing both pistols with pinpoint accuracy. "Only if they say 'please' first."
The squad held their ground, fighting through the field. But then—
Explosion.
An RPG hit too close, sending Lyra and Shawn flying.
When the dust settled, Shawn groaned. Bleeding from his shoulder.
"Shawn!" Lyra rushed over. "You good?"
He coughed, smirking. "I’ll live. Still owe you for saving my ass all these years."
Lyra slapped his head. "Idiot. Shut up and don’t die."
Shawn just laughed, grabbing his shotgun. "I’ll consider it."
The squad regrouped, pushing through the last of the hostiles. Within an hour, the fields burned.
Omega Squad had won.
Phoenix Corp’s vehicles rolled in.
The field was razed.
The insurgents were wiped out.
But as the smoke cleared, Omega Squad noticed something.
The Phoenix Corp. trucks were not just carrying fertilizer and corn seeds.
They were also loaded with packaged cocaine and methamphetamine, freshly produced from the processing plants.
David’s fists clenched. “…They weren’t just destroying the fields. They were shipping out the product.”
Ava muttered, “Phoenix Corp. doesn’t reclaim land. They just take over the drug trade.”
Lyra exhaled. "We just fought and bled for them."
Silence.
Shawn finally said, “Welcome to the real world.”
"Yup," Ava muttered. "Totally legit."
Lyra and David exchanged a glance. This wasn’t about stopping drugs. This was about controlling them.
Back at base, Omega Squad stood at attention.
Field Marshal Richard stepped forward. "For exceptional performance and bravery in the field, you have been awarded the Bronze Combat Cross."
The medals were pinned onto their chests.
Ava smirked, leaning toward Bilal. "Guess we’re war heroes now."
Bilal smirked back. "And still broke."
Richard cleared his throat, his sharp gaze scanning each of them before continuing. "In recognition of your outstanding performance in the field and your ability to execute high-risk objectives with precision, Omega Squad has been officially assigned a personal hangar in Lot 5."
A brief murmur spread through the squad—this wasn’t just some standard-issue reward. Personal hangars were a luxury granted only to squads that had proven themselves capable, reliable, and battle-hardened.
Richard continued, his voice firm. "Lot 5 is part of a restricted-access zone designated for elite squads. You are now among those considered valuable assets in field operations. Your hangar is your own—your space to fortify, modify, and outfit to your specific needs. It can serve as a staging area, a barracks, or even a war room, depending on how you choose to utilize it."
A flicker of a smirk crossed his face. "Other squads have their own hangars as well, and while friendly competition is encouraged, let me be clear—this is a privilege, not a playground. You will be expected to maintain it, supply it, and prove that you deserve to keep it. That means more missions, more results, and more responsibility."
He took a step back, folding his hands behind his back. "From this point on, Omega Squad is no longer just another group of operatives. You are an officially recognized unit within Phoenix Corp’s roster of active strike teams. Make use of your new resources wisely."
He nodded once. "Dismissed. Also you all receive 50k credits each."
A moment of silence followed before Bilal turned to the others, a grin creeping onto his face. "Oh, hell yeah. We’re getting a damn fortress and money."
Ava crossed her arms. "I call dibs on the best sleeping quarters."
Shawn cracked his knuckles. "Nah, first order of business? Stocking up. Weapons, gear, supplies—let’s turn this place into a real warzone."
Lyra simply smirked. "Let’s make it home."
And with that, Omega Squad had just taken its first step into something bigger.
Silence.
Then Bilal fist-pumped. "Hell. Yes."
The squad walked into the hangar, eyes wide. It was empty—a huge space just for them.
"Alright," Lyra grinned. "Time to make this place ours."
- Lara: "We need a proper armory."
- David: "And a lounge. I want a couch."
- Bilal: "Weapons, ammo, explosives!"
- Ava: "A goddamn coffee machine."
- Shawn: "A bar. With alcohol."
The team got to work.
By the end of the night, the hangar was painted, weapons stocked and a large Omega Squad logo sprayed on the wall.
It was home.
And tomorrow? A new mission. Bigger stakes. More rewards. More credits.
David’s P.D.D. beeped—another 100 credits added to his balance.
The squad collectively turned to him, eyes narrowing.
Bilal threw his hands in the air. “Oh, come on! Again?!”
Ava shook her head. “This has to be rigged.”
Shawn crossed his arms. “At this point, I’m starting to think he’s got a sugar daddy in High Command.”
David just grinned, pocketing his P.D.D. “What can I say? The universe provides.”
The squad groaned in unison.
“Fuck no.”