Chapter 268: Heading To Cairo 2 [Edited]

The cool night wind swept across the wide concrete helipad on the rooftop of the Grayland Association branch.

Two heavy, twin-engine transport helicopters sat idling on the dark tarmac, their rotor blades spinning and whipping the air around the landing zone.

Nicholas stood near the boarding ramp of the lead helicopter, his dark canvas duffel bag resting beside his boots.

He didn’t need to pack an arsenal of firearms, knives, or tactical gear. With Plague Touch, he could shape any weapon he needed directly out of thin air. Because of that, his travel bag remained light.

Inside were four heavy-duty thermal canteens, high-protein field rations, emergency medical kits, and durable desert clothes. Everything he needed for surviving in the desert, without weighing him down.

Beside him, the rest of the strike team stood assembled under the rooftop floodlights.

Zero stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his dark travel cloak snapping in the wind. His longsword was strapped across his back, the purple plague gemstone embedded at the base of the blade giving off a faint glow.

Across from him, Nectron hoisted a metal crate filled with survival supplies and tossed it effortlessly into the helicopter’s cargo bay with one arm. Vixen leaned against the fuselage, her windbreaker zipped up to her chin as she watched the preparations.

A few steps away, Selena was going through the final flight manifests with two senior Association field supervisors. All three wore lightweight field gear suited for the desert. Selena had arranged for the supervisors to accompany the team overseas, ensuring they had proper communication, transportation, and supplies once they landed.

Eric and Dana stood near the rooftop access door, seeing the expedition off.

Eric wore a thick brown overcoat over his button-down shirt, while Dana held a digital tablet under her arm.

"The flight corridor is cleared all the way to the coast," Eric shouted over the helicopter engines as he stepped toward Nicholas and Zero. "These choppers will take you straight to a private, unlisted airfield outside Grayland. From there, a long-range transport jet will fly you non-stop to our forward staging camp near Cairo, Egypt. Once you touch down, local guides will have heavy desert vehicles fueled and ready to take you deep into the Sahara."

"What is the status back home?" Zero asked, his voice carrying clearly despite the noise. "The situation in Chicago and the surrounding sectors?"

"Handled as best as we can," Eric replied. "I’ve placed our regional hero garrisons across Detroit, Chicago, and the neighboring cities on maximum alert. Several of our most dependable top-tier heroes are already stationed across the metropolitan defense lines to monitor the clone."

Eric’s expression darkened as he mentioned the duplicate.

"We still have no idea where that clone came from, who manufactured him, or why he suddenly decided to start tearing up infrastructure in broad daylight," Eric continued. "Right now, our priority on this side of the ocean is containment and protecting civilians. We will hold the line here and keep close tabs on him. Your focus must remain entirely on Africa."

"Understood," Nicholas said calmly, picking up his light canvas duffel bag and swinging it over one shoulder.

Eric turned to Nicholas, his tired eyes filled with genuine respect and trust.

"Zero knows the desert path, but once you descend beneath the sand, you will be in completely uncharted territory. Keep your wits about you, Phantom. Secure that ancient ship, lock down any active power cores, and ensure those ruins remain buried forever. The world cannot afford to let that energy fall into the wrong hands."

"We’ll handle it," Nicholas replied.

Dana stepped forward, offering the group an encouraging smile.

"Please be careful out there, everyone," Dana called over the wind. "I made sure the second chopper is loaded with extra water purifiers, emergency medical gear, and the latest satellite comms. Selena, make sure you bring everyone back in one piece!"

"I’ll keep them in line, Dana," Selena called back with a confident smile.

"Good luck, strike team," Eric said, straightening his posture and offering a crisp salute. "Make us proud, and come home safe."

Zero gave a single, curt nod in return before turning and walking up the metal gangway into the lead helicopter.

Nectron slapped Nicholas on the shoulder with an easy grin before climbing inside, followed by Vixen.

Selena and the other two field supervisors finished loading the remaining equipment into the second helicopter. The two supervisors climbed aboard the support aircraft, while Selena walked over to the lead chopper and paused at the open door to look back at Nicholas.

"Time to move, Phantom," Selena said before stepping inside.

Nicholas gave Eric and Dana one last parting nod. He stepped onto the boarding ramp and walked into the cabin.

Moving down the narrow aisle, he found an empty seat along the wall bench, slid his duffel bag beneath the metal frame, and fastened the safety harness across his chest.

The crew chief pulled the sliding door shut with a mechanical thud, cutting off the roaring wind and leaving the cabin relatively quiet.

Dim red night-lights flickered on overhead.

Across from him, Zero sat with his eyes closed, mentally preparing for the desert crossing. Nectron adjusted his seatbelt while Vixen leaned against the bulkhead, looking through the small reinforced window at the cityscape.

Nicholas leaned his head back against the interior wall.

He didn’t have to worry about the apartment. The security arrangements Selena had put in place would keep Marina and Katie safe while he was away. He didn’t have to worry about Chicago either. The Association’s defense garrisons were holding the line against the clone.

His mind was clear.

The helicopter’s turbine engines rose into a high-pitched whine.

With a smooth heave, the aircraft lifted from the concrete pad, hovering briefly above the rooftop before banking toward the east.

Through the small circular window, Nicholas watched the glowing towers and streets of Grayland shrink into the distance, swallowed by the darkness as the transport accelerated toward the coast and the uncharted sands waiting beyond the sea.