Carver’s Point — Stronghold Interior

  Jason breaches first.

  Two Green cadets drop instantly — freeze rounds locking them mid-motion.

  Above, a body tumbles off the roof, slamming into the snow below.

  Vale’s voice crackles in the comm.

  “Roof’s clear.”

  Jason doesn’t slow.

  He slams the gate controls and forces it open—

  —and immediately eats fire.

  Freeze rounds rip through the entryway.

  Three Red cadets lock up and fall before they even hit cover.

  Jason swears.

  “Fuck—my dumb ass should’ve expected that.”

  Vale’s voice again.

  “I’m closing in. We’ll regroup.”

  “Orange just initiated full assault from the right.”

  Jason grins despite the chaos.

  “Bet.”

  He keys his comm.

  Split screen.

  Jason / Jeff — Simultaneous

  “Jeff,” Jason says, breathless.

  “Orange is hammering the right. We’re regrouping bottom.”

  “Green’s stacked on that side.”

  Jeff answers instantly.

  “Perfect.”

  “We’re pushing left.”

  Cut.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Jeff’s POV — Tower Exit

  Jeff turns, already moving.

  “You heard it,” he shouts.

  “Stronghold’s under pressure. We push now.”

  Weapons come up.

  Boots hit stairs.

  They storm down from the tower.

  Jeff slams into the left-side entrance.

  The door explodes inward.

  Three Green cadets freeze before they can react.

  One Red goes down — locked mid-turn.

  Jeff barely registers it.

  “Sagoya. Julian.”

  “You and five — main hall. Flag room.”

  “Clear it.”

  Sagoya gives a quiet sound.

  “Ahuh.”

  Lardes watches him for a second too long.

  Then looks at Julian.

  “Good luck.”

  Julian smirks.

  “Don’t need luck. That’s your thing.”

  Lardes deadpans.

  “That’s cringe, bro.”

  Jeff cuts in.

  “Move.”

  They split.

  Jason & Vale — Stronghold Breach

  Vale’s group slams in from the side as Jason pushes again.

  They spot it — an opening.

  Two Green cadets freeze from inside fire.

  Jason doesn’t hesitate.

  “Go!”

  They crash through.

  Green collapses under pressure from both sides.

  Five Green freeze.

  Two Red lock up.

  The stronghold interior finally breaks.

  Julian & Sagoya — Main Hall

  Julian peeks inside.

  Low numbers.

  “Not many,” he mutters.

  Sagoya nods.

  Julian signals.

  “Move in.”

  The Red cadets surge forward—

  —and Julian stops.

  Sagoya hasn’t moved.

  He’s crouched. Arms tight. Head down.

  Like he’s somewhere else.

  “Sagoya,” Julian snaps.

  “Come on, man. Lock in.”

  Nothing.

  Green fire erupts.

  Two Red freeze instantly.

  Julian turns back.

  “Bro—let’s go!”

  Still nothing.

  Julian swears.

  “Fuck it.”

  He charges alone.

  Clears the last Green cadets.

  Stands there, breathing hard.

  “All that—for nothing,” Julian mutters.

  “Waste of manpower, okay yo—”

  His arm locks.

  Then his legs.

  Julian freezes mid-sentence.

  Elsewhere — Maximus

  Maximus’ comm buzzes.

  A familiar voice.

  “They’re split,” it says.

  “Red’s fractured.”

  Maximus watches the holo-map.

  The flag flips.

  GREEN → BLUE

  He exhales calmly.

  “Excellent.”

  He turns.

  “We’re moving.”

  Nicholas hesitates.

  “Any word on Jackson?”

  Maximus doesn’t answer.

  Jackson — Reveal

  Jackson finishes freezing a Red cadet at the right choke.

  Steps closer.

  Shoots his wrist.

  Shoots both legs.

  Rips the top and wristband free.

  Tucks his own into his pocket.

  Pulls the Red gear on.

  Adjusts his cap.

  Then walks.

  Andreas — Command Room

  Andreas stands at the window, silent.

  The flag shifts.

  Blue.

  His jaw tightens.

  “That fucking Jackson,” he snarls.

  “I’m going to get his ass.”

  Behind him—

  Jackson steps into the room.

  No words.

  Just a smile, hidden beneath the cap.