A few days later, the CAD team, already positioned within the underwater city, met with a cadre of special ops. “Greetings, CAD team. We’re here to assist in taking down the Flying Dragons,” one operator announced, his face grim. “But understand this: if we fail to capture or eliminate their leader, the navy will level this entire city.”

Mei raised an eyebrow. “So, total annihilation is the backup plan?”

“Precisely,” the operator confirmed, projecting a map of the underwater city onto a nearby wall. “William, their leader, is holed up in a central dome. Intel suggests he’s taken Alam’s bait and made contact.”

The CAD team exchanged surprised glances.

“We know you’re the True Horde’s best,” the operator continued. “We’ll be taking orders from you.”

A sense of anticipation filled the air. Vance stepped forward. “Alright. Let’s get to it. The city’s hosting a Spring Festival soon. Security will be lax—perfect timing.”

Mei smiled. “A festival. We’ll have the element of surprise.”

“We’ll also gather more intel and study the city layout,” Vance added. “No room for error.”

As the Spring Festival arrived, the underwater city went all-out. It was a crazy mix of every local culture crammed together and tweaked for underwater living. Instead of fireworks and lanterns, they had these crazy drone and hologram displays—giant, shimmering fish and dragons weaving between the buildings, their scales catching the neon light that painted the murky water in wild, vibrant hues.

“It’s beautiful,” Vance remarked, eyeing the lively atmosphere.

“But it’s all a façade,” Mei said, a hint of sadness in her voice. “It’s a shame it’s just a pretense.”

“Let’s move,” Vance commanded, and the team split up, each unit assigned different tasks to prepare for their operation.

They swiftly subduing guards and infiltrating deeper into the base. Razor expertly disabled cameras and locked doors, allowing them to remain undetected.

“Alright, this is it,” Vance whispered as they reached the dome area. “Eyes peeled.”

The team nodded, the air thick with tension. They slipped into the dome hall, their silenced weapons held ready. An operator, quick as a cat, vaulted over the reception desk. “Only one way into the main office—that elevator.”

A massive, chrome elevator dominated the center of the dome, its sleek surface reflecting the distorted neon lights. It looked more like a high-end aquarium than a lift.

“Ready?” Vance asked, his eyes scanning the team.

They all gave a thumbs-up, adrenaline buzzing in their veins. Just then, the elevator lights flickered on, a low hum signaling its descent and the constant whooshing of water pumps

“Guns up!” Vance hissed, and the team’s weapons snapped towards the elevator doors.

The doors slid open with a soft whoosh, revealing a couple of slick-looking gang members in sharp suits and an older man in traditional robes, their eyes wide with surprise, like they’d just walked into a very awkward party.

“What in the blazes…?” the old man sputtered.

“Drop your weapons!” Vance yelled. But before he could even blink, the suited goons were already reaching inside their jackets.

The CAD team reacted instantly. A flurry of silenced gunfire ripped through the air, the soft thwips echoing in the dome. Some of the gang members crumpled to the ground, others dove for cover, scrambling behind potted plants and decorative pillars.

“Damn it, we’re blown!” Vance shouted, realizing they couldn’t stay a second longer.

They retreated from the dome hall, blending back into the chaos of the festival. After a tense few hours spent dodging security patrols and blending with the celebrating crowds, they finally regrouped at their apartment HQ, a wave of relief washing over them.

“Phew… no casualties, but mission… well, let’s call it a partial failure,” Vance said, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration.

Mei sighed, disappointed but grateful they were back safe. “What’s next? Do we leave the city?”

The operator glanced at her. “What about the civilians? Our naval forces will bombard this place.”

“I’m not sure,” Mei replied. “They might be evacuating to higher ground. The city will only be destroyed if the navy acts against the Flying Dragons. Since we’re back, it means their leader is still alive.”

Razor, still fixated on his monitor, suddenly spoke up. “I’ve been analyzing the city map. The dome area resembles a prison, but there’s another exit leading out to the sea.”

Vance looked at his teammates, realization dawning. “That dome might be a lobby for pirate transactions. If we attack, their leader could escape.”

“We need to inform base to hold the navy attack,” Vance instructed. “We can’t let the leader slip away.”

Mei nodded, agreeing with the urgency of the situation. “We must find a way to lure him out.”

“Any ideas?” Vance asked.

Mei thought carefully. “If we create a situation that makes us look vulnerable, he might take the bait.”

“You want to use us as a decoy?” the operator asked incredulously.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

“Yes,” Mei confirmed. “If he sees us as an easy target, he’ll come out.”

Vance frowned, considering the risks. “That’s a drastic measure, especially since we’re outnumbered.”

But with the Flying Dragons still lurking, the CAD team knew they had to act decisively. The stakes were high, but they were ready for whatever came next.

Mei agreed with Vance. It was a drastic move, no doubt, and seriously risky. But if it worked, the payoff would be huge. Sometimes you had to roll the dice to win big.

After a long pause, Vance said, “Alright. We’ll set the bait near one of the city’s main entrances. That way, if things go sideways, we can make a quick getaway.”

The CAD team gathered in a dusty, cavernous space that had once been a parking garage. But with the underwater city’s population booming, the streets above had become a dense thicket of buildings, making cars obsolete.

The garage, already a bit of a dump, had been abandoned—now, it was the perfect spot for their ambush. The concrete floor was cracked and littered with debris, and faint, echoing drips of water punctuated the silence.

“This’ll do nicely,” Mei declared, surveying the space. “The Flying Dragons won’t see this coming.”

Vance rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Now, how do we get their attention?”

Mei considered it for a moment. “We make some noise. A few well-placed gunshots, maybe a couple of small explosions. That should definitely pique their interest.”

“I like it,” Vance replied, nodding. “The other teams can spread out and flank them when they take the bait.”

Mei agreed, a thrill of anticipation running through her. The trap was set, the plan was in motion, and a surge of confidence coursed through them.

The day after the Spring Festival, the CAD team put their plan into action. They fired a volley of shots into the murky water above, the muffled reports echoing through the underwater city. Then, they detonated a few small explosives, the concussions sending vibrations through the concrete and sending startled fish scattering.

To add a bit of extra flair, they set off some leftover fireworks from the festival. The colorful bursts lit up the water above, casting dancing shadows on the buildings below and drawing curious onlookers. Some residents grumbled about the noise, others blamed the already-stretched-thin city guards, but most simply watched from a safe distance, thoroughly intrigued.

“Now we just gotta hope they take the bait,” Vance said, watching the unfolding chaos on the monitors.

The team remained vigilant, their eyes glued to the feeds from their hidden cameras. Soon enough, they spotted the Flying Dragon leader and his entourage making a beeline for their location. The gang leader, easily identifiable by his signature half-mask and graying hair, swaggered forward with an air of arrogant confidence.

“There he is!” Vance exclaimed, pointing at the screen. “Let’s go!” Adrenaline surged through the team as they prepared for the final act.

As the gang members approached the garage, the CAD team sprang their trap. They quickly and quietly took down the handful of guards stationed around the perimeter. Then, they activated the garage’s old sprinkler system, drenching the approaching gang members in a sudden downpour before zapping them with well-aimed taser shots. The scene quickly devolved into a chaotic mess of sputtering thugs and flashing electricity.

“Target neutralized! Grab him!” Vance shouted as Mei darted forward, grabbing the disoriented leader and securing him in a firm hold.

“Let’s get out of here!” Vance yelled, urgency lacing his voice.

The team made their escape through the underwater city, adrenaline still pumping as they navigated the maze of streets and buildings. Once they were safely back at their base, Vance received the confirmation.

“We got him,” he announced, a wide grin spreading across his face. “Alive. Alam’s gonna love this.”

Later, in a dimly lit prison cell, Alam prepared for his interrogation. He expected a furious rebel leader, but instead found William—calm and composed, a cold stare fixed on him.

“Greetings, Mask Dude. Nice suit, by the way,” Alam quipped, earning a blank stare from William.

“I heard my men captured you after the festival. Unexpected, right?” Alam continued, taking a seat across from him.

William remained silent, his expression unchanging.

“Let’s see that scar of yours,” Alam said, pulling off William's half-mask without resistance. A faint scar ran down William's cheek, but he showed no signs of discomfort.

“Not too bad,” Alam remarked, he then remove his leather jacket, A jagged, pale scar, like a lightning strike frozen on his skin, ran diagonally across his back. “I got this in Europe. You see, I was a pirate once too.”

William’s eyes widened slightly, showing a flicker of interest.

“I raided ships, enslave people, smuggled people, attacked forts,” Alam elaborated, leaning back in his chair. “I was young and stupid, chasing thrills without a care for the consequences.”

William’s gaze softened as he processed Alam’s words.

“But I changed. That’s why I despise pirates now. I know their ways because I was once one of them. So tell me, what do you want? An easy death or the chance for redemption?”

William took a moment before responding, his voice steady. “I have no desire for an easy death. I want to fight, to redeem myself. I will face whatever punishment comes.”

Alam Sniff “Alright, Li. But you’ll serve time for your rebellion first,” he said, leaning closer. “You know the drill.”

William nodded, his expression revealing a hint of remorse.

“So...?” Alam prompted.

William sat silently for a few seconds, then spoke with quiet resignation. “I accept my fate.”

“Good. You should thank my spec ops for sparing your city. Until next time, farewell.”

William nodded slightly, his voice calm yet determined. “Yes, I must thank them. Goodbye.”

As Alam exited the cell, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this encounter was just the beginning of a much larger game, flying dragon is linked to blue nation. that is how they manage to survive so long. alam intertwined his finger. its was complicated situation. blue nation is..our kinda ally in this war against red nation. alam then rub his chin. well nevermind. i will blow them up too if they attack me.

In a bustling newsroom, neon lights sparkled against the backdrop of a vibrant cityscape. The camera zoomed in on a reporter, her sharp power suit reflecting the pulse of the urban jungle.

“Good evening, folks!” she exclaimed, a grin spreading across her face. “Witty World News here, live from the streets of a reunified China, where power plays like Peking duck during the Spring Festival! And who’s the roast duck in question? None other than Alam, fresh off uniting this land under the True Horde Confederacy banner. Talk about your wok wok wow!”

The scene shifted to Alam, a charismatic figure with piercing eyes, confidently striding through throngs of cheering citizens, his presence electrifying the atmosphere.

“One month, folks,” the reporter continued, raising an eyebrow. “Just one month! That’s all it took for Alam to go from warlord extraordinaire to the top dog of a billion-strong nation. Diplomacy? He sprinkled that like soy sauce on negotiations with the Xian remnants. War? Oh honey, he sent the Flying Dragons packing faster than a rogue noodle from a hot pan!”

The camera cut to Alam engaged in a heated discussion with a Xian official, his charisma as palpable as the tension in the air.

“Now, I know what you’re thinking,” the reporter said, leaning closer to the camera. “Is Alam the real deal or just another kung fu fighting rooster ready to stir-fry the whole country? Buckle up, dumplings, because this ain’t your grandma’s dynasty!

Alam’s got vision, folks! He’s promising high-speed maglev trains that’ll make travel between Beijing and Ukraine faster than a greased lightning bolt, and his nanobot factories are churning out everything from self-repairing roads to personalized nutrient paste! Dude makes Zuckerberg look like he’s still using a rotary phone

The scene shifted again, showcasing Alam unveiling blueprints for high-speed trains that would connect Central Asia to China, his enthusiasm infectious.

“But let’s be real, folks,” the reporter continued, her tone shifting to a more serious note. “Power is a seductive dragon, and even the wisest emperors can get singed by its breath. Will Alam rule with an iron wok or a gentle stir-fry? Only time, and maybe a steaming plate of dumplings, will tell. One thing's for sure: this ain’t your average history lesson. China’s reunited, folks, and the wok’s in Alam’s hand! So tune in next week to see if he cooks up a golden age or ends up with egg on his face. This is Witty, signing off. Remember: keep calm and wok on!”

Meanwhile, in a cozy nook of their HQ, Mei and the CAD team huddled around a screen, their eyes glued to Alam’s triumph.

“It’s a victory for all!” Vance declared, taking a triumphant sip of his drink. “With this, no one dares to attack us—not even the Red Nations!”

Mei nodded, feeling a swell of pride. This was a win for the CAD team , solidifying their reputation while driving the Red Nations into retreat.

“I wonder what happens to the underwater city now that the Flying Dragons are gone,” Vance mused, a glint of mischief in his eye. “Will it be abandoned?”

“Probably,” Mei replied thoughtfully. “Without their protection, it won’t be livable. The residents will likely leave.”

“What a waste!” Vance exclaimed, his imagination running wild. “If they’re selling it, I might just buy it and turn it into a theme park! Hehe!”

Mei couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of Vance’s idea, picturing roller coasters and cotton candy in a once-menacing underwater fortress. “You’re incorrigible, Vance.”