Chapter 258 Threat and Lie
Before Reyes could give a reply, the call was abruptly terminated. Frustrated, he hurled the radio to the ground. It cracked sharply against the hard floor. Time was of the essence; they had only two hours left.
Instantly regaining his composure, Reyes understood that his outburst wouldn't alter their dire situation. His lieutenant, a man of unwavering loyalty, entered his office shortly after witnessing Reyes' rare display of anger.
"So what did you two talk about?" the Lieutenant inquired.
"We have been given an ultimatum," Reyes replied gravely. "In two hours, they'll drop a missile here if we don't vacate the palace and denounce our claim as the legitimate government."
"So the missile really came from them, and it might even be a drone," the Lieutenant deduced.
"Yes, which is why we need to fight back. We have anti-aircraft guns, correct?"
"We have the 9K38 Igla. You're thinking of shooting down the drone?"
Reyes nodded firmly. "Taking down their drone sends a clear message. We won't be intimidated by a faceless enemy. Prepare the Igla launchers."
"But, sir," the Lieutenant cautioned, "this could provoke them to attack us sooner. Are we certain about this course of action?"
Reyes nodded decisively. "If we don't stand by our principles, then our party deserves to perish. I won't repeat myself."
"Understood, sir," the Lieutenant saluted and promptly left the room to execute the orders. This material is rooted in n0velbin★
***
Meanwhile, in the command center at New Clark City.
"I should have given them one hour," Richard said, looking at his staffers. "How long does an MQ-9 reaper last in the air again?"
"Hmm...how about we fire at those men aiming their guns at us?" Richard proposed.
"Your words are our command, sir," Sara said, indicating that whatever target Richard chose, they were going to obliterate them.
"I don't want to destroy the Malacanang Palace so yeah, just attack the palace grounds."
"But the shockwave is going to destroy its facade, sir, are you sure?"
"That can be fixed," Richard replied with a steely resolve.
Back on the ground, Reyes and his team remained unaware of the imminent threat from above. The men with the Igla launchers continued their sweep in the sky, but they were not seeing anything nor were the sensors picking up anything.
One of them noticed something in the sky.
"What is that?" he said, pointing at the sky, moving his finger following the path of a bright object descending rapidly. Realizing it was a missile, he shouted, "Missile incoming! Take cover!"
But it was too late. The AGM-114 Hellfire, launched from the MQ-9 Reaper, was already on its final approach. The missile crashed into the palace grounds.?The explosion engulfed those within the blast radius, sending a shockwave that rattled the facade of the Malacanang Palace. Though the palace itself stood, the impact caused noticeable damage to its exterior.
"Get me in line with them again," Richard ordered as he watched the aftermath of the strike.
"Have them on the line now, sir," Sara said.
Richard picked up the receiver and spoke. "That's a bad decision from the leadership, sir. Now I'm going to give you one chance to reprimand you for your mistake. Leave the Malacanang Palace now and we won't harass you again."
After saying that, Mark tapped Richard on the shoulder, getting his attention.
"What?" Richard said, glancing over his shoulder.
"Are we really going to let them go?"
Richard shook his head as he covered the mouthpiece of the receiver. "Hell no, once they clear out the area we are going to obliterate them."