"Richard."

A familiar voice called, prompting Richard to close his system with a wave of his hand and flicker his gaze to the person who called him.

"Oh...Sara, how can I help you?" Richard asked formally.

"Why are you speaking to me so formally? Did I approach you in a way that made you uncomfortable?" Sara’s eyebrows arched in genuine surprise.

Richard realized his tone had been more rigid than intended. "No, not at all. It’s just that I was busy using the system. Anyways, what’s up?"

Sara nodded, understanding his situation. "I just wanted to report that Operation Reception is commencing soon. As expected, Lin Feng and his associates have fled the island, and sheltered on another island."

"Where are they?" Richard asked.

"They are on an island called Alabat?" Sara said, unsure if she pronounced it right. "It’s located in the Philippine archipelago, off the coast of Quezon Province in the Calabarzon region. It’s a relatively small island, long and narrow, situated in the Philippine Sea. The geography is varied, with dense forests in the interior and some mountainous areas, particularly towards the northern end. There are also several small communities scattered across the island that we assumed are all dead."

Richard processed this information. Alabat, with its varied terrain and small size, could offer both advantages and challenges in their pursuit of Lin Feng. The dense foliage and mountainous regions could provide hiding places, while the small size of the island meant that Lin Feng couldn’t go unnoticed for long, especially with their surveillance capabilities.

"Well if Lin Feng occupied an island, there’s an absolute certainty that the locals living there would have been turned into zombies. Well, let’s not make them feel comfortable on their stay here in the country, how long until the B-52 is up in the air?"

Sara quickly checked her tablet for the latest updates. "The B-52 is currently undergoing final preparations. We expect it to be airborne within the next twenty minutes. The crew is briefed and ready for the mission."

Richard nodded, his mind already strategizing their next move. "Good. Make sure they maintain a holding pattern at a safe distance until we have a clearer picture of the situation on the ground. I don’t want to alert Lin Feng prematurely. Also, coordinate with our satellite surveillance team to get real-time imagery of Alabat. We need to map out potential hotspots where Lin Feng and his associates might be hiding."

"Understood," Sara replied. "What about ground forces? Are we deploying any teams for reconnaissance?"

Richard shook his head. "Let’s avoid direct confrontation on the ground for now. Let’s focus on our air assets. Our objective is to kick Lin Feng out of the country and farm experience points and gold coins."

"But don’t you have a lot of gold coins?" Sara asked, tilting her head to the side.

"I do, but I think the futuristic tech beyond level 60 would cost, if not millions, billions of gold coins. I just saw a glimpse of it."

"Like what?"

"Mecha," Richard revealed. "Yeah...Mecha, like those in science fiction... The one I received, the Titan’s Defender, is just the tip of the iceberg. There could be more advanced tech waiting for us as we level up. Hence, we need to acquire them before the final fight against Lin Feng."

"I see...but if you are grinding for gold and experience points, Lin Feng must be doing the same," Sara said.

"Of course he would do that, there’s no doubt about it. Both of us know that we are a system bearer, and whoever wins between us decides the fate of humanity. It’s why I’m playing it safe from now on...because I am scared of the outcome, like what if I lose. You, my little sister, the people that are depending on me, looking up to me, every person around the planet hoping for a better future. Do you understand what I am carrying on my shoulders?"

Sara nodded solemnly, her expression serious. "I do, Richard. We all do. You’re carrying a heavy burden, but you’re not alone in this. We’re all here with you, all of Blackwatch."

Richard heaved a sigh of relief. "Okay, let’s focus on the operation now."

***

Twenty minutes later, Richard wore a headset while watching the display screen on the monitors on the wall.

"Eagle Actual to Whiskey Tango Foxtrot 117, do you read?" Richard said.

"Whiskey Tango Foxtrot 117 we copy, over," the pilot responded.

"Whiskey, your mission remains the same, do a bombing run on Alabat Island, expel the invader out. You are not going to be alone in this as you will have two F-35s, codenamed Lightning-1 and Lightning-2 respectively on your six for support. They will assist with aerial reconnaissance and engage any hostiles that might pose a threat during the operation. Keep your communications open and report any significant activity or engagement.``

"Understood, Eagle Actual. We’re maintaining the holding pattern as instructed. Ready to proceed on your command," the pilot replied with a clear sense of readiness in his voice.

Richard nodded to himself, analyzing the satellite feed of Alabat Island on the monitors. "Stay alert, Whiskey. We don’t know what Lin Feng might have up his sleeve. Lightning-1, Lightning-2, confirm your status."

"Lightning-1, ready and on standby," the first pilot responded.

"Lightning-2, all systems go," added the second.

"How long till you arrive at your target location?" Richard asked.

"Two minutes," the pilot of the B-52 answered.

"Copy that. Proceed as planned," Richard instructed, his voice steady.

Two minutes later, the B-52 began its bombing run.

"We are in position, beginning the drop," the pilot reported.

The B-52 opened its bay doors, and the payload was released. The bomb that plummeted toward the island was a GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM).

"GBU-31 deployed," the pilot confirmed.

A few seconds later, the feed showed the JDAM hitting its target, a suspected stronghold area in the dense forest. The explosion was contained but powerful, sending a plume of smoke into the air.

"Direct hit," the pilot of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot 117 reported.

***

December 3rd, 2023.

From there, day after day, week after week, Blackwatch consistently and persistently bombed Lin Feng’s hideout, giving him no chance to breathe. He couldn’t retaliate as the B-52 was operating at 30,000 ft. During the operation, Lin Feng sustained a lot of casualties, particularly on the side of the summoned mutated zombies.

There was only one choice left for him to do. Su Xue already knew their best course of action but she chose not to voice it out as she remembered what happened when she did that.

"We have to leave this fucking country...the Blackwatch are relentlessly attacking us wherever we go."

"But where to sir?" Su Xue asked.

"Anywhere but not here."