Blackwatch Command Center.

"What was the report again? Lin Feng’s associate?" President Barry asked Richard.

Richard, pacing back and forth along the command center floor, answered. "It’s those people that Lin Feng corrupted, and have them under his control through magic. Though technically we don’t have a term for magic yet. But that’s basically the idea. Those associates are as powerful as his strongest summons, they can wield magic like straight out of fantasy."

President Barry nodded, his expression grave. "We can’t afford to underestimate them. Have we dispatched any teams to deal with this threat?"

Richard nodded. "Yes, sir. We’ve sent multiple squads to assist the M1128 Mobile Gun System that reported the encounter. Additionally, air support is en route to provide backup and assistance."

President Barry glanced at the large monitor displaying real-time battlefield data. "How’s the situation on the ground?"

Richard checked the latest updates on his tablet. "It’s still a fierce battle, sir. Our forces are engaged in heavy combat with Lin Feng’s minions, and casualties are mounting. But with the reinforcements we’ve dispatched, we’re hoping to turn the tide."

President Barry clenched his jaw, his eyes reflecting determination. "Keep me updated on any developments. We need to coordinate our efforts and ensure that we crush Lin Feng’s forces before they can cause any further damage."

With a nod, Richard continued to monitor the situation. "All stations, this is Eagle Actual. Continue what you are all doing, I want all those zombies eliminated within 48 hours."

***

In the sector where the M1128 faced Zayra.

Zayra staggered as she rose to her feet, her eyes locked on the tank that sent her flying.

She puffed. She did expect that those heavy machines could take her on, but not to a degree that she would be defeated easily by a single mobile unit.

"It can’t be helped, I guess I have to do this," Zayra muttered under her breath, and extended her hand forward. The ground shook as a twisted thicket sprouted beneath the M1128.

The vines snaked around the M1128’s tracks, attempting to immobilize the vehicle. Inside the M1128, the crew immediately recognized the threat and sprang into action.

"Sir, we’ve got vines wrapping around the tracks! We’re losing mobility!" shouted one of the crew members.

The commander of the M1128 wasted no time. "Engage the tracks! Try to break free!"

The driver maneuvered the vehicle as best as they could, trying to shake off the entangling vines. Meanwhile, the gunner adjusted their aim, targeting the source of the vines with the M1128’s main cannon.

With a thunderous boom, the cannon fired, sending a high-velocity round towards Zayra’s location. The explosive impact blasted apart the thicket of vines, momentarily halting Zayra’s assault.

However, Zayra was quick to retaliate. With a wave of her hand, she conjured a barrier of dense foliage, deflecting the incoming projectile.

"Keep firing! Don’t let up!" ordered the M1128 commander.

The crew continued to unleash a barrage of gunfire and cannon rounds, relentlessly pounding Zayra’s defenses. However, this time, Zayra moved from one place to another, taking advantage of the slow swivel rate of the M1128 to evade the incoming fire.

Inside the M1128, the crew grappled with the challenge of tracking Zayra’s elusive movements.

"She’s too fast! I can’t get a clear shot!" the gunner shouted in frustration.

The commander gritted their teeth, eyes glued to the monitor displaying Zayra’s movements. "Keep trying! We can’t let her get the upper hand!"

Despite their efforts, Zayra continued to evade their attacks, weaving through the debris-strewn streets with uncanny agility. The crew of the M1128 knew they were locked in a deadly game of cat and mouse, with Zayra holding the advantage in maneuverability.

With a determined grimace, Zayra extended her arms, channeling her dark magic through the twisted vines snaking around the M1128. With a surge of power, the vines tightened their grip, lifting the heavy vehicle off the ground with surprising ease.

Inside the M1128, the crew braced themselves as the vehicle was hoisted into the air, their training kicking in as they prepared for the inevitable impact.

"Brace for impact! Hold on tight!" shouted the commander, gripping the controls tightly.

The crew clung to their stations as the M1128 was violently thrashed about by the force of Zayra’s attack. Metal groaned and strained under the pressure as the vehicle was slammed back down onto the cracked asphalt with a resounding crash.

The impact reverberated through the interior of the M1128, sending shockwaves rippling through the crew. Despite the chaos, they quickly regained their composure, assessing the damage and determining their next course of action.

"Damage report! Status of the systems!" barked the commander, their voice cutting through the chaos.

"Tracks are damaged, but operational! The main cannon is still online, but we’ve lost targeting capability!" reported the gunner.

The driver swiftly assessed the situation, their hands flying over the controls as they fought to regain control of the vehicle. "We’re mobile, but it’s gonna be rough!"

!

As the crew scrambled to recover from the brutal assault, Zayra wasted no time in launching her next attack. With a sinister grin, she summoned another wave of thicket vines, this time with a deadly purpose.

The twisted vines slithered with malevolent intent, piercing through the underside of the M1128 with frightening precision. The crew inside the vehicle could only watch in horror as the sharp tendrils tore through the armor plating, breaching the interior of the tank with alarming ease.

Panic spread among the crew as the vines lashed out, impaling them with savage ferocity. Shouts of pain and desperation echoed within the confines of the M1128 as the crew fought valiantly against the relentless onslaught. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

But it was futile.

One by one, the crew members succumbed to their wounds, their lifeless bodies slumping against the cold metal interior of the tank. The once formidable M1128 now lay silent and still, a grim testament to the overwhelming power of Zayra and her dark magic.

Outside, Zayra surveyed her handiwork with cold satisfaction, her eyes gleaming with malice as she watched the wreckage of the M1128. With a flick of her wrist, she dispersed the thicket vines, leaving behind nothing but devastation in her wake.

As she was about to leave, Zayra heard a faint engine noise from the sky.

Zayra’s attention shifted as she heard the faint sound of engines approaching from the sky. Looking up, she saw the unmistakable silhouette of Blackwatch helicopters descending upon the battlefield. From the records Su Xue compiled, she could tell what it was. It was the AH-64 Apache,

Knowing that she couldn’t afford to stay and face the approaching threat head-on, Zayra quickly assessed her options. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a dense dark fog to cloak her movements, concealing herself from the prying eyes of the incoming helicopters.

The Apache pilot, who just saw the thick fog below, smiled.

"You think you can run away with that fog?"