"Can you find her?" the gunner of the Apache asked, his voice crackling over the intercom.

The pilot focused on their instruments, and replied, "Let me use the thermal imaging. It might cut through the fog and give us a better chance of locating her."

The gunner nodded in agreement, adjusting the helicopter’s sensors to activate the thermal imaging system. With the flick of a switch, the display screen in front of them shifted to show a heat map of the area below, highlighting any warm bodies amidst the cold fog.

Slowly, the Apache began to hover lower, its sensors scanning the battlefield. The crew strained their eyes, searching for any sign of movement that could indicate Zayra’s presence.

Minutes passed in tense silence as they combed through the fog. Still, they can’t find Zayra.

"Where did that bitch go?" The gunner demanded.

"Just look into the building, she might be hiding there. Also, more aerial units are one minute out of our position. The moment we find that son of a bitch, we will rain hell—" The pilot paused.

"What? What did you find?"

The pilot’s voice crackled over the intercom. "I’ve got movement in the building to the northeast. Looks like she’s trying to take cover."

The gunner adjusted the Apache’s position, directing its gaze toward the indicated building. Through the thermal imaging display, they spotted a figure moving cautiously among the shadows within the structure.

"That’s her. Let’s light her up," the gunner said, determination evident in his voice.

The pilot maneuvered the Apache into position, keeping a steady hover as the gunner aligned the targeting reticle with Zayra’s heat signature.

"Locked on target," the gunner announced, fingers poised over the trigger controls.

"Fire at will," replied the pilot.

The gunner unleashed a barrage of rounds from the Apache’s mounted weapons, sending streams of bullets tearing through the building’s walls. Explosions erupted as the rounds found their mark, ripping through concrete and sending debris flying in all directions.

Inside the building, Zayra scrambled to evade the onslaught, her dark cloak billowing around her as she darted from cover to cover. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t escape the relentless hail of gunfire raining down upon her. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Ahh...so irritating!" Zayra flicked her fingers, and sharp thorny vines erupted from the ground, snaking their way towards the Apache. The gunner and pilot quickly realized the danger and maneuvered the helicopter to avoid the incoming attack.

"Yeah...keep your eye on her, we can’t let her get away when the bomber is already seconds away from the AO," the gunner said.

"Roger that," the pilot replied, maintaining his focus on the thermal imaging display.

Inside the building, Zayra gritted her teeth, frustration evident on her face. "I need to get out of here fast, the Blackwatch is all on me."

***

Meanwhile, in the sky, the B-52 Stratofortress bomber soared towards its target, its payload of precision-guided munitions ready to unleash devastation upon Lin Feng’s forces below.

The pilot and crew aboard the bomber maintained a tense silence as they approached the area of operation.

"This is Whiskey Tango 0-2, we are orbiting the AO, requesting target coordinates," the bombardier called out over the radio.

The navigator quickly relayed the coordinates, guiding the bomber towards its designated target with precision.

"Target coordinates received Whiskey Tango 0-2. You are cleared to engage."

"Copy that, proceeding with engagement," replied the pilot.

"Bombs armed and ready," the bombardier confirmed.

"Prepare for drop sequence," the pilot ordered.

"Drop!"

B-52 Stratofortress began to release, falling towards their intended target below. The crew watched as the explosives hurtled towards the city below. Seconds later, there were explosions erupting from the impact.

As the bombs hit their target, the shockwaves rocked the Apache, causing it to jolt in the air. The crew watched from a safe distance as the explosions tore through the enemy stronghold, engulfing it in flames and smoke.

"Damn, that’s some serious firepower," the gunner remarked. "There’s no way she’d be able to survive that."

"Let’s see if that bitch is already dead. Blackwatch this is Raptor 5-4, conducting a sweep of the target area."

"Raptor 5-4, this is Blackwatch. You have been granted permission to sweep the area. Whiskey Tango 0-2 will be on standby," the Blackwatch operator responded over the radio.

"Copy that, Blackwatch. Conducting sweep," the pilot confirmed.

The Apache dipped lower, cautiously approaching the target area amidst the aftermath of the bombing run. The crew scanned the surroundings, their eyes sharp for any signs of movement.

"Keep an eye out for any hostiles," the pilot instructed.

The gunner adjusted the Apache’s sensors, scanning the area for heat signatures or any other indicators of life.

Minutes passed as they conducted their sweep, and the pilot seemingly nodded his head.

"Negative visual on the target," the pilot noted.

"Well, she must have been killed by that bombing run. Let’s get out of here and leave this up to the ground crew," said the gunner.

"Hold on...I’m getting transmission from Blackwatch. They said they are two unknown individuals attacking our Northern and Eastern sectors," replied the pilot.

"Unknown individuals only meant one thing, and that is Lin Feng’s associates. The one we have been looking for may have been already dead, so let’s get our focus on these new threats," the gunner proposed.

The pilot nodded in agreement, already scanning the horizon for any signs of the approaching adversaries. He shifted the yoke slightly, adjusting the Apache’s heading toward the reported Northern and Eastern sectors where the unknown individuals were spotted.

"Blackwatch, this is Raptor 5-4. We’re redirecting our course to engage the new threats," the pilot radioed in.

"Raptor 5-4, this is Blackwatch. Proceed with caution.

***

Under the rubble, Zayra took a moment to catch her breath, grateful for the cover the vines provided. Despite narrowly escaping the Apache’s and bomber’s assault, she knew her mission was far from over. With determination burning in her eyes, she focused on her next objective: to slaughter as many Blackwatch forces as possible.

"Vega, Maiden, where are you?" Zayra contacted telepathically.

"I’m fighting the Blackwatch forces, I’m getting pushed back. I need help," Maiden requested.

"Okay...I’ll come to you."

As Zayra left her hiding spot, she spotted a silhouette, walking confidently down the street.

"So you are one of Lin Feng’s harem huh?" said the man.

Zayra’s eyes widened as she recognized the voice.

"Don’t tell me...you?"

The man revealed himself, an active plasma blade on his right hand.

"Yeah...you have been a nuisance during my fight with Lin Feng. So I’ll kill you this time."