As Hayden and his crew worked to solidify their base of operations, the Syndicate’s presence loomed larger than ever. Patrols in the lower districts increased, their enforcers more aggressive and watchful. Word on the street was that Dregan was on high alert, hunting for a rogue operative who had been causing disruptions.

  It wasn’t long before Hayden’s actions began to attract attention.

  Late one night, while Hayden was overseeing the setup of their new safehouse—a hidden room behind an old tech repair shop—Griff burst in, his face pale.

  “We’ve got a problem,” he said. “The Syndicate knows someone’s stirring the pot. They’re sending a strike team to the lower districts tonight.”

  Hayden’s jaw tightened. “How many?”

  “Enough to wipe us out if they find us,” Griff said grimly. “We need to lie low.”

  “No,” Hayden said firmly. “If we run now, they’ll just keep coming. We need to send a message.”

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  The crew gathered around, their expressions a mix of fear and determination.

  “We’re going to ambush them,” Hayden said. “Show them that the lower districts aren’t theirs to control anymore.”

  The Codex hummed approvingly, feeding him a tactical overview of the surrounding area. It highlighted a narrow alleyway near the marketplace—a perfect spot for an ambush.

  “Here’s the plan,” Hayden said, pointing to the map. “We’ll funnel them into the alley and take them out before they even know what hit them. No survivors.”

  The group nodded, their fear giving way to resolve. They armed themselves with makeshift weapons—plasma cutters, electrified batons, and scavenged pistols—and headed to the ambush site.

  The Syndicate’s strike team arrived shortly after midnight, their boots echoing against the cobblestones. They moved in formation, their weapons at the ready.

  Hayden watched from the shadows, his neural uplink feeding him real-time data on their movements.

  “Wait for my signal,” he whispered into his comm device.

  The enforcers entered the alley, their leader barking orders.

  “Now!” Hayden shouted.

  His crew attacked with brutal precision, catching the enforcers off guard. Plasma fire lit up the darkness as the battle raged. Hayden moved like a phantom, his enhanced reflexes allowing him to dodge and strike with deadly efficiency.

  The fight was over in minutes. The Syndicate’s strike team lay defeated, their bodies sprawled across the alley.

  Hayden wiped the sweat from his brow, his chest heaving. The Codex chimed:

  ?Mission Complete: Ambush Successful. Syndicate Strike Team Neutralized.

  ?Reward: +300 Pleasure Points. Skill Upgrade: Tactical Awareness.

  As his crew regrouped, Hayden stepped over the bodies and addressed them.

  “This is what we’re capable of,” he said. “The Syndicate isn’t invincible. They can be beaten. And this is only the beginning.”

  The group cheered, their spirits lifted by the victory. But Hayden knew the real battle was still to come.

  “Kyra,” he thought, his resolve hardening. “I’m coming for you.”