Love Beyond Farewell

Scorch stood in the dimly lit facility within his citadel, surrounded by rows of workstations and hooded technicians assembling the deadly oblivion key's components.

"Victor how many days remain until Eclipse protocol deployment?" Scorch demanded, his voice low and cold.

Victor consulted his data-pad before responding. "Fourteen days, sir. Oblivion key production is on schedule.

Scorch nodded, satisfied with the progress.

Shortly, Scorch's cold smile faded dramatically as he turned away from Victor, his gaze lost in thought.

He walked silently to a secluded corner of his citadel's command center, surrounded by shadows.

Victor knew better than to follow – Scorch's introspective moments were rare and ominous.

Scorch's mind delved into the past, to the origin of his relentless grudge against Commander Taylor and the sectors…

Twenty years ago, before the zombie virus outbreak, Scorch was once "Marcus Fierce" – a brilliant scientist working alongside – Dr. Abigail, Commander Rudy and Dr. Elena Vasquez on a top-secret government project.

"The project is codenamed 'Erebus', it is a virus designed to enhance soldier's performance, increase aggression and reduce fear."

But during experimentation, the Erebus mutated catastrophically transforming into the 'Z-virus'. The virus escaped the lab containment through the already infected Dr. Elena and spreading globally.

Commander Taylor, then a military liaison, had about the catastrophic virus and had no choice but to give order to destroy the lab, trapping Scorch's pregnant wife inside.

She died alongside countless others. Scorch sanity died with her.

Reborn from the ashes of grief and rage, Scorch emerged seeking vengeance against those responsible.

Scorch's face twisted in bitter reflection…

"Commander Taylor thinks my crusade is about power… but it is about justice – for my wife, my child… my erased life."

Victor's voice broke the silent from across the room.

"Scorch, sir – one potential risk, sir. Our insiders report Commander Taylor has increased Sector security measures recently…"

Scorch's face leaned in, voice low and menacing.

"Explain. What kind of security measures has Commander Taylor implemented?"

Victor swallowed hard before responding, "Sir, Intel suggests he is increasing security patrols around all Sector's perimeter especially Sector's 3 perimeter. He have enhanced encryption on their communication network and… summoned an emergency meeting with Mayor Santos of Nova Haven."

Scorch's gloved hand clenched into fists. "This means Commander Taylor suspects something.

Do our insiders believe he knows about Eclipse protocol or just suspects a general attack?"

Franklin arrived at Mayor Santo's office at Nova Haven, his expression grave.

"Mayor Santos, I have urgent information about Scorch's plans. I need to share what I confirmed from our insider informant to Commander Taylor and commander Rudy. I knew it, my guesses were correct.

Mayor Santos nodded and quickly contacted them.

Within 30 minutes Commander Taylor and Commander Rudy arrived at the office.

"Franklin why did you summon us, Mayor Santos said it was urgent and concerns all our sector and eclipse protocol."

Franklin took a deep breath before revealing, "Remember that time Lieutenant Patel informed us about that Eclipse protocol… before it went dark and remember those my guesses and what I overheard back at New Eden, they are correct. My informant working for Scorch said that he is planning a massive scale attack… codenamed 'Eclipse protocol' which is now confirmed.

It involves a powerful weapon called 'Oblivion key'. Deployment is imminent."

Commander Rudy of Sector 3 looked alarmed. "Our Sector's borders have been quiet lately, could Scorch target us first?"

Commander Taylor of North Sector added. "My investigation suggests that Scorch seeks revenge against North Sector, my family was involved with in his downfall."

Mayor Santos of Nova Haven frowned. "And Nova Haven's strategic location makes us vulnerable as well…

Do we know which sector is Scorch's primary target?"

Franklin's expression remained grim. "My source did not specify the primary sector that will be targeted, but hinted that Scorch has a strategic advantage…

Because he has someone feeding him information from within our alliances."

Commander Taylor's eyes narrowed intensely. "A mole. This changes everything. We need to purge our sectors immediately."

Commander Rudy of sector 3 looked pale. "I will initiate internal scans on sector 3 personnel right away."

Mayor Santos of Nova Haven nodded vigorously. "I will do the same in Nova Haven. But Franklin, how reliable is your source?"

Franklin's voice was firm. "Very reliable. This person has risked it all to stop Scorch…

And he mentioned one name associated with the mole, 'Sergeant Ryder'."

Commander Rudy's eyes widened in shock, but then he looked at Commander Taylor and said. "Do you know this Sergeant Ryder, Commander?"

Sergeant Ryder stood hidden behind a partially closed door in Mayor Santos's office, listening intently to the conversation.

His eyes widened slightly at Franklin's mention of his name.

Commander Taylor frowned thoughtfully. "Sergeant Ryder… I have heard that name before. Remember, he was a former sector 3 strategist who supposedly left for a remote outpost months ago."

Commander Rudy nodded vaguely. "Yes, that's right. I hadn't thought of him in ages."

Sergeant Ryder silently backed away from the door, his heart racing. He quickly turned and disappeared into the Nova Haven sector's crowded hallway, blending in with guards and survivors.

Meanwhile, at mayor Santos's office… Franklin urged, "We need to find Sergeant Ryder immediately. He might be our only lead to Scorch's plans."

Commander Taylor and Mayor Santos already have their comms device out.

"We will alert all sectors to apprehend Sergeant Ryder for questioning?"

Sergeant Ryder navigated through Nova Haven Sector's crowded hallway and corridors, his mind racing for escape routes and contingency plans.

He dodged survivors and guards, careful not to blow or draw attention to himself.

Finally, he reached a secluded stairwell leading to the sector's lower maintenance levels, rarely patrolled by guards.

He descended swiftly, his heart still pounding and pulled out a secure communication device from his pocket.

The comms device has an encrypted network – Scorch had insisted on this precaution.

Ryder typed hastily. "PHOENIX BREACHED. Franklin a North Sector accomplice discovered Eclipse protocol. Sector leaders alerted. Extraction needed ASAP."

He sent the message and waited anxiously for Scorch's response…

Meanwhile, back in Mayor Santos's office…

Commander Taylor's comms device crackled to life. "All sectors, this is Commander Taylor. Apprehend Sergeant Ryder for questioning regarding Scorch's Eclipse protocol…"

…

Scorch's eyes gleamed with intensity as he read Sergeant Ryder's encrypted message on his comms device. "PHOENIX BREACHED. Franklin discovered Eclipse protocol.

Sector leaders alerted. Extraction needed ASAP."

He typed a response. "Protocol in production. But protocol timeline remain unchanged. Eclipse protocol deploys in 14 days. Your safety is prioritized, most importantly because you have valuable information for them, I don't want you to get killed. Head over sector 3's old windmill outpost. Victor will extract you tonight."

Scorch leaned back in his chair, confident in his plan unfolding perfectly.

Sergeant Ryder read Scorch's response on his comms device, relief washing over him.

He quickly made his way to the sector's east exit, avoiding the main corridors and checkpoints.

Once outside Nova Haven Sector's walls, Ryder sprinted towards the abandoned landscape, nightfall approaching helping him conceal his escape.

His destination in Sector 3's old windmill outpost, 10 kilometres east.

Meanwhile, in Nova Haven sector… Mayor Santos briefed his security team. "Seal all exits, double all checkpoints. Sergeant Ryder must be found before he alerts Scorch to our knowledge of Eclipse Protocol," Mayor Santos concluded.

Commander Taylor added. "Commander Rudy increase more security patrols on the entrance and exits of Sector 3. Ryder might return to his former Sector."

Commander Rudy responded. "Already on it, Commander Taylor. Our patrols will sweep the entire perimeter."

Commander Ryder heart sank after hearing this through a hacked comms device – Scorch's extraction plan just got complicated.

He quickened his pace towards the windmill, seeing a figure emerging from the darkness…

Sergeant Ryder approached Victor cautiously, despite knowing he was Scorch's trusted operative.

Victor nodded curtly. "Ryder, Scorch sends confirmation. Eclipse protocol remains on schedule, 14 days remaining."

Ryder exhaled slowly, relieved extraction was still possible. What is the exit route?" he asked Victor.

"An abandoned tunnel system beneath the old windmill. Leads to a secure vehicle 5 kilometres east. Scorch wants you briefed on countermeasures against sector leader's investigation."

Victor handed Ryder a data pad containing encrypted files. As Ryder scanned the contents, his eyes widened.

"Scorch plans to frame Commander Rudy for my betrayal…"

…

Back at Nova Haven Sector's command center… Commander Taylor studied the sector map with mayor Santos.

"Ryder escape could be anywhere, but I am betting on Sector 3," Commander Taylor said.

Mayor Santos nodded. "Commander Rudy's patrol reported nothing unusual near the borders yet."

"Santos have you checked the old windmill outpost."

Mayor Santos contacted his security team to check the outpost via comms device. "I suspect that Ryder might be hiding there.

The security leader's voice came promptly. "Already en route with a squad."

*TO BE CONTINUED*