BXBX NOVEL Chapter 431 - Infiltration
\'So that is the Sky Citadel.\'
Looking up at the peak of the tallest mountain within the Kingdom of Tralenstein, Marcus stared in awe and apprehension at the prison he was about to infiltrate.
Even from the great distance he was away from the place he could see it fairly clearly thanks to his enhanced vision and the imposing size of the building.
There was no doubt that its security was top notch, with it not only being located in a nearly impossible location to attack, but also the manpower and magic protecting it.
Still, Marcus had said he would get the job done and he planned on making sure that everything went well.
\'We are almost to our destination, just stay strong for a bit longer.\' Marek said to the group with telepathy.
They were all currently marching through a snowstorm, and the already difficult terrain had been made worse.
At the very least though, not one of the fighters that had been brought along were below level forty, so they were able to continue on thanks to their high stats.
Eventually they made it to the area where the group would be setting up camp, which was on a large ledge that was near the top of one of the mountains.
This spot had been chosen due to its size and relative proximity to the Sky Citadel.
Of course, it was far enough away to avoid detection and was located behind another mountain that blocked it from view of the prison.
\'Prepare to set up camp, but make sure to use as little magic as possible. We do not want to take any chances that we might be detected.\' Marek told everyone once they had arrived.
Quickly the elite solders of the rebellion began digging into the snow that was many feet deep, so that they could set up their tents inside.
Then once that was done, they attached white tarps that blended into with the snowy mountains above them so that the camp would not be spotted from above.
During this time not a single soul spoke, as all communication was now being handled by those with the telepathy skill.
They were taking the upmost caution to not be discovered and thus far everything was seeming to go well.
\'Jed, could you come see me. There is something I wish to discuss with you.\'
Receiving Marek\'s message, Marcus sent back a reply, and said that he would be there in just a second.
Opening up Marek\'s tent and walking in, Marcus could see that he was looking at some type of spherical magic device, that he had been using periodically since they started the journey to the Sky Citadel.
\'Take a seat, I want to ask your opinion on a certain matter.\'
Nodding his head, Marcus did as he was asked and sat down, waiting for Marek to tell him about what was going on.
\'I am sure that you noticed that I have been using this magic tool for some time now. It is a magic device that lets me see what the weather is going to be in the near future. Well more precisely it just predicts it, but most of the time it is accurate. And unfortunately, the weather is not going to be on our side.\'
After saying that Marek passed the magic device over to Marcus.
Looking at the tool he saw that it looked like a weather map from a news report back on Earth.
\'He is right this is not good.\' Marcus thought seeing the upcoming weather.
They had planned on beginning the infiltration tomorrow night. But it appeared that a massive blizzard that was far worse than the little storm going on right now, would be coming in the afternoon and would persist for multiple days.
This would certainly make it difficult for them to both attack and escape the Sky Citadel as the blizzard would cut visibility, and just generally be difficult to move in even for people at higher levels.
\'Now since you are the key player in this mission, I wanted your input. Do you think we should move up the operation and attempt it tonight, or try and wait out the storm?\'
Contemplating this issue, Marcus could see merits to both.
Right now, everyone was relatively tired from traveling for a couple of weeks through the mountains.
But having to fight through a blizzard would likely not be very restful and could dampen moral.
However, they certainly would have more time to complete the mission if they waited.
Otherwise, there was the possibility they could get caught in the blizzard before finishing up the prison break.
Still, as he thought about it more, one option just made more sense.
\'We should start tonight. I understand it will not give us much to recover or prepare, but I believe that it will be for the best. The blizzard will help to delay any sort of reinforcements from the kingdom, and it will help cover our tracks as we escape. Also, everyone is raring to go right now, but after weeks of waiting out a storm, motivation will begin to wane.\'
Nodding his head, Marek agreed with Marcus\' points and said, \'Very well then, we shall get started tonight. I will inform the rest of the troops. You should spend the rest of the time until night to rest and prepare.\'
With his discussion with Marek done, Marcus did just as he suggested and went back to his tent and laid down.
Yet he did not sleep, but instead began running different outcomes through his mind and made sure that he thought of contingency plans for when things went wrong.
There was an old saying that no plan survives first contact with the enemy, and Marcus was pretty sure that this was going to be applicable here.
Still, as long as he was flexible and was ready to adapt, he felt he could get through this ordeal successfully.
Quickly time passed by, and the day turned to night signaling the start of Marcus\' solo infiltration mission into the second most secure facility in Tralenstein, being only inferior to the royal castle.
\'I am heading out now. I will send you a signal as soon as the formations are shut down.\' Marcus said to Marek.
\'Just remember that you only have three hours. If I have not heard from you by then I will be ending the operation and we will retreat. Now good luck. Everyone here wants this to be a success so do everything you can.\'
After receiving Marek\'s\' last words of encouragement, Marcus went into his ghost form and began cautiously floating towards the Sky Citadel.
He made sure to stay out of sight even though he was currently invisible and ethereal, having phased his body into the snow, and only having his head popping out so that he could see.
Soon, he made it to the side of the mountain where the Sky Citadel was located and went inside it.
Normally he did not like going into completely solid objects, since he could easily get disoriented, but this time he was taking the upmost caution.
Slowly he began to rise until he once again found his head poking into open space, and he had now made it inside the prison.