Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again.-Chapter 542: Not a drill!

Small drones were flying out of Fortress four like fireflies. The Command Center was humming with energy as the comms officers monitored drone feed from across the entire region, especially the battle ground.

The air felt like it was humming with a static charge, the tension was just too intense. Hades stood at the center of a dozen flickering holographic screens, his eyes darting from one place to another, but he mostly monitored the forest part where the distress report came from.

He had always prided himself on being five steps ahead of everyone especially when Sunshine was away, but everything was just a mess, a chaotic curve ball which had caught him off guard. The best soldiers were scattered. Some were only returning from Ferry land after battle; others were halfway to Kings bridge to secure the new territory.

And now, the live feed from the Northern Westbrook mountain was a horror show of blood and screams and howling mutants.

"My God!" Lisha gasped, her hands hovering over her keyboard. "Hades, look at the heat signatures. Every time they kill one of those mutants, three more crawl out of the shadows. It’s like the forest is vomiting them up."

"It’s the damn watchers." Owen said, pointing at the video from the footage he was monitoring. It was coming from drones that were following the watchers. The creatures were not bothered because they had not tried to destroy the drones just yet.

The drones were not just following the watchers, they were analyzing and capturing images of the new gear the watchers had.

"They did not just drop the mutants there but almost everywhere else along the path." Hades leaned in, his jaw tight. "Has someone figured out what that black cloud or whatever is hanging over that end of the forest is. And where is the backup? How come no one has got to them yet!" He tugged tightly at his front hair, the roots cried. "I wish I could just send one of our bombs to that location but that would kill everyone including our people."

"The aircrafts are pushing their engines to the limit, but they’re still five minutes out. The solo-fliers in exo-suits are closer, but they’ll be outnumbered ten-to-one the moment they land. The mutant numbers are increasing too rapidly." Officer Gunner replied.

Hades watched the screen. He saw the strangers from the Drift Lands fighting to save his people, but even with their help, the monsters were closing the circle. He turned to the main console. "Then wake up every one that can fight. Activate the Reserve Forces, we prepared them for such emergencies. We will not be outnumbered. Send them out with the upgraded acid grenades. This could be a case of the mutants splitting when cut through with swords.’

Lisha looked at him, nodding her head. "Right of course, I will do that immediately and remind them of what you have said."

"Look at the drones, Sir," Owen said, pointing to a screen showing the high altitude above the entire mountain. "The watchers are heading towards Westbrook, and the black cloud is spreading. More of those mutant creatures are dropping out."

"I think it’s the mist." A woman said. "Look at way its moving and how its spreading. We have seen this pattern of movement before. The watchers changed their appearance, so who is to say that they did not manipulate the mist too?"

"I will be damned." Warren zoomed in on the image, squinting really hard. "It really is mist."

Lisha immediately relayed this to Sunshine. She swiped her thumb across a thermal sensor, sending a high-frequency signal through the base, urging civilians to go indoors and put on their masks. Throughout the Fortress, retired soldiers young and old felt vibrating from pagers that they were always supposed to keep on their person. Whether they were working in the kitchens or resting at home, they dropped everything. They rushed to the training grounds, ready to take on the duty of defending the base."

Hades picked up his phone. He called his mother first. "Mom, get the children in the safe rooms. Don’t let them near the windows. Keep them busy and distracted."

Then, he dialed Sunshine. He knew she was still on the road, likely exhausted and irritable. "You are going to hate me for this," he said the moment she picked up. "The watchers are dropping mutants outside the walls, The same things that are attacking Leah and the rest. I’ve triggered the base-wide alarm. I’ve already secured the kids, so don’t panic, but I’m calling in the reserve forces because we could need more men."

"Hades, secure the children and the base. Mostly the children. The base can be rebuilt but a life cannot be brought back when it is lost. Do not let my children out of sight or else..." Sunshine’s voice was a low, dangerous growl.

"I know. I’ve got it. Just get back here fast, be safe." Hades said, cutting the line. He didn’t have time for a lecture or reminder of the last trip to the forest Ariel had tricked him into.

Throughout the Fortress, the bells tolled. it was a deep, mournful clang that meant hide, bright red colored lights accompanied the loud sound. Owen made sure to warn the residents all over the fortress that it was not a drill. The ordinary people always respected the warnings but the wealthy. They were troublemakers that needed to be herded inside like sheep.

On the training fields, the adult squads armed themselves and prepared for war with the enemy no matter who it was. They didn’t need to be told what to do. The scouts took out their LED wands and began ushering civilians toward the underground bunkers.

"Move it! Move it!" Sergeant Kerri yelled. "This isn’t a drill! If you can’t fight, get underground or lock yourself in your house!"

The Kids squad, led by Ariel, was already in motion. Usually, they were always the most thrilled in such situations to put their training to use, in fact in moments of crisis, they were faster than the adults. They knew every secret tunnel and shortcut in the Fortress.

Rori was losing her mind, trying to convince them to get indoors. A thing that was proving impossible. Her husband was no help because he was working alongside them. Only Leo, Castiel and White were staying home obediently.

"Ariel! Pico! Over here!" a group of elderly residents called out.

The kids worked like a well-oiled machine. Lyra pointed out the way with her small, glowing LED baton, while Mickey used her super strength to help lift a heavy blast door. But in the middle of the work, Ala stopped.

She stood perfectly still, her eyes glazed over. She could feel it. The connection between her and her mother, Leah, was vibrating with a sharp, cold fear.

"My mom is in trouble," Ala whispered, her eyes sparking red.