Far from the location of the Federation—specifically outside the Wall of Walkers that Marcus had surrounded—in a secluded and dark place, a large group of people had gathered.
"Are you sure those idiots will cooperate with us tomorrow?" one man asked.
"I'm sure," replied a man with bulging muscles. "Those people have been blinded. This is our chance to grow much stronger."
"Then should we go in at full force?" another man asked. "I already told them we'd go all in."
"Francis," the leader said calmly, "you should be smarter than that. We'll send only a few men—at most fifty—and you'll lead them."
"Fifty?" Francis said. "That's a small force compared to what we have."
The leader looked at him and replied, "Our goal this time is only to send an advance team and attempt cooperation with these greedy fools before taking over their position. We must not surprise them with a large force. Let them underestimate us."
Francis paused, then nodded. "Hmm… makes sense. Alright, I'll follow your arrangements."
Inside the Federation, exactly at midnight—when most people should have been asleep—one section near the Federation wall was unusually active. In a house built close to the wall, people could be seen both inside and outside, seemingly unconcerned that they might attract attention.
"Is everyone already here?" Garry asked.
"Hmm, yes. Everyone is already here," James replied.
"Then let's start getting into our positions. I'm getting excited," Finn said, already imagining what he would do once he was in power.
"I agree," Quin echoed, lost in his own thoughts.
Meanwhile, Ezzy remained silent, saying nothing to the others.
James noticed and asked, "What, cat got your tongue, Ezzy?"
When Ezzy still didn't respond, James added, "Well, you're no fun."
"Enough of that. How many are there?" Garry asked.
"Exactly 120 people," Ezzy said, finally breaking his silence.
"With that number, and together with the outsiders, it's more than enough. With surprise on our side, victory is already guaranteed," James said happily.
"Yeah, keep dreaming," Ezzy thought to himself. You don't understand the reality you're in—or the outsiders you trust so easily. Marcus won't let you get away with this, especially not you traitors.
Meanwhile, on Marcus's side…
Marcus and Troy were already prepared to take action. Ray and Jessy did not come along with Max; the trio were furious, but ultimately decided not to join the operation tonight, as they would be needed to handle the aftermath.
Alongside Marcus and Troy, Alex also joined after Max told him what had happened. For now, Alex's position in the Federation remained uncertain.
The soldiers had been fully geared up for some time, and Troy had already briefed them. Together with Marcus, Troy, and Alex, a total of 400 Federation soldiers stood ready for the operation.
Marcus named the mission Operation Lasty, meaning that every enemy connected to this plot would be eliminated. He would also be dealing with the outsiders the traitors had contacted.
Marcus
We advanced slowly, our boots echoing faintly against the stone as we moved closer to the wall. Four hundred soldiers can't move quietly for long. I knew it. Troy knew it. And soon enough, so did the enemy.
A split second later, gunfire erupted.
Bullets tore through the night, flashes of light cutting through the darkness as my soldiers took cover and returned fire. The silence of midnight shattered instantly, replaced by the roar of weapons and screams of panic.
Taylor had been asleep when the sound of gunfire tore her from her dreams.
She bolted upright in bed, her heart pounding. "What… what is that?"
Her eyes immediately went to the spot where Marcus had been earlier. It was empty.
"Marcus?" she whispered.
She already knew the answer. She knew where he would be.
All around her, the sounds of confusion spread. Doors opened. Voices rose in panic. Like Taylor, many others had been awakened by the gunfire. The noise would surely draw attention—far too much attention for anyone else.
But Marcus was not just anyone.
If it were anyone else, this chaos would have exposed them instantly. But Marcus's ability—his foresight, his control—was the only reason the operation hadn't already collapsed.
Still, as Taylor threw on her clothes and moved toward the door, a deep sense of dread settled in her chest.
Whatever was happening out there…
Marcus was at the center of it.
Before the gunfire
We moved slowly toward the traitors' location, careful but fully aware that secrecy wouldn't last long. Alex stayed close beside me, while Troy led the others from another section of the wall. I had split the troops into two groups—making sure no one will escape the net we've created.
"It won't be long until we're noticed," Alex said quietly.
"You're right," I replied. "With this many people, it's only a matter of time."
Several soldiers were already in position, along with the snipers. I raised my radio.
"Marcus, we're in position. Waiting for your signal," one of them reported.
I took a slow breath, then lowered the radio and glanced at Alex. "Are you ready?"
He nodded without hesitation.
I raised my hand and gave the signal.
A single shot rang out as the sniper fired, cutting through the silence of the night.
"Let's start," I said.
And with that, my long day began.