Chapter 8: The Risk We Had to Take
Flaibia — A Broken History
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After a long day in Bashistan, Demarion finally returned home to Flaibia, the country that served as his base of operations. From here, he controlled most of the drug trade flowing through five neighboring nations. He worked with powerful business partners, recruited gangs, and trained them to become killers.
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But Flaibia had not always been like this.
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For years, it was a peaceful country—a place where families came to start better lives. That peace ended when an extremist movement rose to power. The group sought absolute control, led by a former military officer named Devon Stein.
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Stein saw Flaibia not as a sanctuary, but as an opportunity. He built his own private military, enforcing his ideology through fear. Anyone who opposed him was executed or forced to flee. Civil war erupted, tearing the country apart.
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For two brutal years, Flaibia drowned in blood. Families were destroyed. Friends turned against one another. Every day became a battle for survival.
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Eventually, many citizens realized the war was unwinnable. They fled the country, escaping to Olympics and beyond. Devon Stein viewed their departure as his final victory.
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He was wrong.
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One night, Stein was shot in the back of the head—killed instantly.
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The man who pulled the trigger was Demarion.
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We Were Not Prepared for This
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Now Demarion was back in Flaibia, moving fast. He had a rare opportunity—one too valuable to ignore.
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Intelligence confirmed that a royal aircraft was passing through the region, carrying Princess Aurora of the Republic of Eimpus. Capturing her would give Demarion the leverage he needed to blackmail the Prime Minister and control the Republic.
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He stood among his troops, holding an EMP rocket launcher.
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Demarion:
“Today is a big day. That plane carries the princess. We’ll disable it with this EMP. The pilots will be forced to crash north of the woods. Kill all survivors—except the princess. She stays alive. Understood?”
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Battalion Troops:
“Yes, sir.”
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Demarion smiled.
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Demarion:
“Looks like luck is finally on my side.”
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He locked onto the aircraft and fired.
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The rocket streaked through the sky.
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Princess Aurora had no idea what was about to happen.
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Aboard the Royal Aircraft
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Pilot 1:
“Captain to air traffic control. We’ll be arriving in three hours. Preparing for landing.”
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Air Traffic Control:
“Copy that. Stand by for landing instructions.”
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Moments later, the captain addressed the cabin.
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Pilot 1 (over intercom):
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We’ll be landing in approximately three hours. Please relax and enjoy the flight. Princess Aurora, if you need anything, our staff is happy to assist.”
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Guard Conversations
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Mitchell Bates leaned toward Toby Lane.
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Mitchell:
“Hey, Toby. Want to talk before we reach Eimpus?”
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Toby:
“Sure. What about?”
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Mitchell:
“Why did you join the Republic Guard? You could’ve had a peaceful life.”
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Toby sighed.
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Toby:
“I didn’t have a choice. It was either live on the streets with my family or join. I gave up my childhood to keep them alive. What about you?”
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Mitchell:
“My father took massive loans to buy a house—ninety thousand to purchase it, ten thousand a month to maintain it.”
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Toby:
“That’s insane. Why not find a cheaper place?”
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Mitchell:
“My mom said the same thing. My dad wouldn’t listen. Four years later, we were evicted. The debt didn’t disappear. So I joined the Guard to pay it off.”
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Toby looked away.
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Toby:
“I need some quiet time. Personal space.”
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Mitchell:
“Yeah… sure. Nice talking to you.”
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Mitchell returned to his seat.
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Everything seemed fine.
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Until it wasn’t.
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Impact
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Pilot 1:
“Running system check.”
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Pilot 2:
“Engines stable. Fuel systems normal. No issues detected.”
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Suddenly—
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Pilot 1:
“What was that?”
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Pilot 2:
“We’ve been hit! All systems are down—I’ve lost control!”
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The aircraft began to plunge.
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Princess Aurora:
“What’s happening? Why are we going down?”
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Lieutenant Benjamin Allen:
“Pilots, do you copy?”
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Mitchell:
“Lieutenant—we were hit by an EMP. Communications are down.”
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Lieutenant Allen:
“Understood. Everyone, brace yourselves. Seatbelts now. Sergeant Lee—protect the princess.”
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Sergeant Elsie Lee:
“Yes, sir.”
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Pilot 2:
“Attempting reboot… systems failing!”
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Pilot 1:
“Wait—systems are back online! Partial control restored.”
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Pilot 2:
“That’s impossible.”
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Pilot 1:
“Doesn’t matter. We’re landing in the woods. Divert all power to the shield.”
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Pilot 2:
“That’s a huge risk.”
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Pilot 1:
“It’s the only way.”
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The shield flared to full power as the aircraft tore through trees, smashing branches and metal alike. The impact shook the cabin violently—but the shield held.
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The plane finally stopped.
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Silence.
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Ground Threat
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Lieutenant Allen:
“Status report!”
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Pilot 1:
“We’re alive. No injuries. Engines shut down.”
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Lieutenant Allen:
“Everyone out. We need to know where we are.”
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Moments later—
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Mitchell:
“Lieutenant—hostiles approaching from the north.”
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Lieutenant Allen:
“Damn it. Everyone listen up. We’re outnumbered. Seven of us will stay here and distract the enemy. The rest will escort Princess Aurora to safety and call for help.”
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Mitchell:
“I should go with them. I’ve lived here—I know the terrain.”
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Lieutenant Allen:
“Approved. Go. Now.”
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Smoke grenades hit the ground.
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Lieutenant Allen:
“Sergeant Lee—take the princess. Move!”
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Sergeant Lee:
“Princess Aurora, follow my orders. If something happens to me, keep going.”
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Princess Aurora:
“I understand.”
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Lieutenant Allen:
“On my mark. Three… two… one!”
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Smoke filled the forest as gunfire echoed.
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The fight for survival had begun.
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End of Chapter 8
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