In the cloak of night, Jerry and Alan delved into the base's underground tunnels, revealing Alan's covert hideout. After years of surreptitious planning and recruitment, he'd amassed a group of like-minded allies ready to rebel against the base's reign.

"These are our comrades," Alan introduced his team to Jerry. Some of them Jerry had previously encountered, while others were the technical backbone of the base.

Roy, Alan's right-hand man, handed Jerry a suit. "This garment will shield any tracking devices on you, ensuring you remain undetected."

Jerry quickly changed into it, marveling at how the tech here seemed more advanced than the base's.

"Our priority now is locating Kelly," Alan stated. "I've dispatched a team to infiltrate the other base. They'll seek Kelly and relay her whereabouts to us."

A knot of concern formed in Jerry's stomach. "How can I assist?"

"First, ensure no one in the base grows suspicious of you. And second, gather as much inside information and resources as you can. We need to anticipate the base's every move," Alan laid out the plan in detail.

Bill, the Wall Street heavyweight, approached. "Jerry, remember you're not alone. We're all with you—for Kelly."

A swell of gratitude enveloped Jerry. So many were striving for the same cause.

Over the next few days, intensive training and strategizing took place. They studied the base's blueprints, identifying optimal entry and exit routes, and each team member received thorough instruction.

During this period, Jerry received word: Kelly was confined in a fortified lab, and her condition seemed dire.

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Time flew, and the eve of their mission was upon them. Alan approached Jerry with startling news: "We have someone on the inside."

Jerry's eyes lit up. Alan's influence was clearly vaster than he'd imagined.

"Tomorrow, we strike," Alan voiced with unwavering conviction. He was well aware that this marked the dawn of their rebellion, and potentially their end. Yet, for a just and free world, they were prepared to pay any price.

Alan's strategy was set, and Jerry, utilizing his ability to fly, planned a stealthy descent into the base's lab. As dusk arrived and a cool breeze picked up, Jerry concentrated, elevating softly. Like a nighthawk, he silently flew over the base, touching down atop the lab. Alan's blueprints had indicated a vent there that led into the facility.

Gently, Jerry pried open the vent and silently navigated its passages. He cautiously checked around every bend, ensuring he remained unnoticed. Eventually, he reached the agreed-upon rendezvous with the informant: a secluded storeroom.

The plan was for Jerry to await the mole's arrival, and together they'd rescue Kelly. Yet, as time ticked by, there was no sign of the inside contact. Unease settled within Jerry, when abruptly, a harsh light beam caught him, and from every direction, urgent footsteps resounded.

He was trapped.

"So, you walked right into our trap, Jerry," Alan's voice emanated from a corner. Emerging, with heavily armed soldiers trailing him, was Alan himself.

"Alan... Why?" Jerry couldn't hide his shock and dismay.

A cold smirk played on Alan's lips. "To eliminate unpredictable elements. Not just you, Jerry. All involved in this rescue operation will face consequences. We're in the apocalypse, not some children's play. Your lot only disrupts order, leading to more deaths. You're just a spark, ready to cause a blaze."

At that moment, a middle-aged man dressed in military attire, decorated with numerous medals, entered. It was Colonel James. He approached Alan, offering a congratulatory pat.

"Our plan worked flawlessly," Colonel James commented with satisfaction.

"Indeed, Colonel," Alan replied.

Rage welled up in Jerry. He'd been betrayed. But he refused to give up. He had to find a way out, locate Kelly, and continue their mission.

"Take him to the dungeon," ordered Colonel James coldly.

Soldiers gripped Jerry tightly, but his resolve remained unbroken: he wouldn't let Alan and Colonel James have the last laugh. He was adamant about locating Kelly; their mission was far from over.