Chapter 15: Liberation Of The Industrial Sector Pt. 1
The smoke-filled air of the industrial sector clung to Wanda Maximoff's lungs as she crouched behind a row of rusted shipping containers. Hydra's symbol was painted boldly across the towering factory walls, a reminder of their control over this part of Novi Grad. The clanking of machines and muffled orders from Hydra's guards echoed through the dimly lit complex.
Eska Vryn crouched beside her, her pistol drawn and her sharp blue eyes scanning the shadows. Behind them, a small squad of resistance fighters awaited the signal to strike.
"This place reeks of desperation," Eska muttered under her breath. "Hydra's grip on this sector is tight. They won't let go easily."
Wanda smirked, her crimson eyes flickering as chaos magic pulsed faintly at her fingertips. "Good. I'm in the mood for a challenge."
Eska shot her a sideways glance. "You're enjoying this a little too much."
Wanda shrugged, twirling the Chitauri Scepter lightly in her hand. "It's not every day you get to wreck Hydra's toys. Besides, they deserve it."
Eska rolled her eyes but nodded toward the factory's heavily guarded entrance. "Guards on the perimeter, snipers on the roof, and who knows what inside. How do you want to play this?"
Wanda grinned. "Let's make an entrance they'll never forget."
Wanda stepped into the open, her chaos magic sparking to life as she walked toward the factory gates. Hydra guards spotted her immediately, their shouts ringing through the air as they raised their weapons.
"Target acquired! Engage!" one of the guards barked.
Wanda stopped mid-step, her lips curling into a smirk. "Engage? Oh, honey, you don't know what you're asking for."
She thrust her hand forward, sending a wave of crimson energy hurtling toward the gate. The blast shattered the reinforced metal, sending shards of steel flying and guards scattering. The resistance fighters surged forward, using the chaos to their advantage.
Eska moved like a shadow, picking off guards with precise shots while barking orders to the resistance. "Keep to cover! Take the high ground!"
Wanda strode into the factory courtyard, her movements fluid as chaos magic coiled protectively around her. A sniper on the roof took aim, but Wanda's telepathic senses caught the intent. She raised the scepter, deflecting the shot with a pulse of energy.
"Nice try," Wanda called out, her voice dripping with mockery. "But I'd recommend aiming for something a little less... magical."
The sniper hesitated, giving Wanda just enough time to flick her wrist. A tendril of chaos magic wrapped around his rifle, yanking it from his grip and sending him tumbling off the roof into a pile of crates below.
Eska joined her, ducking behind a column as gunfire erupted from the factory windows. "You're showing off," she said, reloading her pistol.
Wanda grinned. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
The resistance fighters pushed deeper into the courtyard, taking out guards as they went. Wanda led the charge, her chaos magic and telepathic abilities working in tandem. She sensed a group of guards preparing an ambush around the corner and signaled Eska with a sharp nod.
"Flank them," Wanda said, her tone calm but commanding. "I'll keep them distracted."
Eska didn't hesitate, motioning for a few fighters to follow her. Wanda stepped into the open, drawing the guards' attention as she twirled the scepter lazily.
"Really?" Wanda said, raising an eyebrow as the guards opened fire. "Bullets? Against magic? I almost feel bad for you."
She didn't. With a flick of her wrist, she redirected the bullets into a nearby wall, the impact leaving scorched marks. The guards hesitated, and Wanda seized the moment. A wave of chaos magic surged from her hands, sending them sprawling.
Eska and her team appeared from the shadows, taking out the remaining guards with swift efficiency. "That was almost too easy," Eska said, her tone dry.
Wanda shrugged. "They're Hydra. They have to make up for quality with quantity."
The factory's massive doors creaked open, revealing a labyrinth of machinery and conveyor belts. The acrid stench of molten metal filled the air as workers—civilians forced into labor by Hydra—cowered at their stations. Wanda's heart tightened, but she pushed the emotion aside. There was no room for hesitation.
"Stay low!" Eska shouted to the workers. "We're here to help."
Wanda's telepathic senses picked up a wave of fear from the workers and determination from Hydra's guards deeper inside. The guards were rallying, preparing to defend the sector at all costs.
"They're setting up a kill zone ahead," Wanda said, her voice steady. "We need to move fast."
Eska nodded. "What's the plan?"
Wanda grinned, raising the scepter. "I break things. You clean up."
Eska sighed but motioned for the fighters to spread out. "You heard her. Let's give Hydra a reason to regret today."
The resistance advanced cautiously through the factory, using the machinery for cover. Hydra's guards had fortified the upper levels, their rifles trained on the intruders below. Wanda felt the tension building and decided it was time to take control.
"Cover me," she said, her voice firm.
Without waiting for a response, Wanda stepped into the open. The guards opened fire, their shots ringing through the factory. Wanda raised the scepter, deflecting the bullets with a shimmering barrier of chaos magic.
"Really? You're still trying this?" she called out, her voice laced with sarcasm. "I thought Hydra had better tech than this."
She reached out telepathically, planting a suggestion in one guard's mind. Your weapon is overheating. Drop it. The guard panicked, flinging his rifle away as if it burned him. The confusion spread through the ranks, giving Wanda the opening she needed.
With a sharp motion, she sent a blast of energy toward the upper levels. The platform buckled under the impact, sending guards tumbling to the floor below.
Eska and the fighters moved in swiftly, taking advantage of the chaos. "You really know how to make a scene," Eska said as she reloaded.
Wanda smirked. "You're welcome."
The battle raged on as Hydra sent reinforcements into the factory. Wanda felt the strain of using her magic, but Fracture's steady voice kept her focused.
***"You are stronger than this, Wanda. Let them see what chaos truly looks like."**
Wanda drew on the symbiote's guidance, using its subtle physical enhancements to move faster and hit harder. She disarmed one guard with a swift kick, sending his weapon skidding across the floor. Another lunged at her, but she spun gracefully, slamming the scepter into his chest.
Eska fought beside her, her movements precise and deadly. Together, they carved a path through Hydra's forces, their teamwork seamless.
As the last of Hydra's guards fell, the factory grew eerily quiet. Wanda surveyed the scene, her chest heaving. The workers emerged cautiously from their hiding spots, their faces a mix of fear and hope.
"You're free now," Wanda said, her voice soft but firm. "But we need your help to keep it that way."
Eska stepped forward, addressing the resistance fighters. "Secure the area. Make sure Hydra doesn't come back."
Wanda turned toward the factory's control room, her instincts pulling her forward. Inside, she found files and blueprints detailing Hydra's operations in Novi Grad. Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the documents.
"This isn't just about Sokovia," Wanda said, her tone dark. "Hydra's using this place to fund their global ambitions."
Eska joined her, her expression grim. "Then we'll take everything they have and turn it against them."
Wanda nodded, her grip on the scepter tightening. "This is just the beginning."
As the resistance secured the factory, Wanda stepped outside, her crimson eyes scanning the smoke-filled skyline of Novi Grad. The city was still in Hydra's grip, but for the first time, Wanda felt the tide beginning to turn.
"We'll take it all back," she murmured. "Piece by piece."
Fracture's voice echoed in her mind, calm and resolute. ***"And when you do, Wanda, they will know your name."**
Wanda exhaled deeply, her resolve hardening. The fight was far from over, but she was ready for whatever came next.
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