The Patriot batteries continued firing into the night sky.
Missile after missile launched from the perimeter of Basa Air Base, each intercept lighting up the southern horizon in violent flashes of orange and white. The explosions reflected across the reinforced windows of the command center, brief pulses of light washing over the operators inside.
But the swarm of flyers kept coming.
"They're still pushing north!" one of the analysts reported.
The tactical display remained crowded with red markers despite the successful intercepts. Every time the Patriot systems cleared one cluster, another wave appeared behind it.
Adrian stared at the screen for several seconds.
Then he made another decision.
"Recall the fighters."
Several operators looked up immediately.
"Sir?"
"The F-22s and F-35s are running low on missiles," Adrian said. "I'm not risking aircraft losses over saturation targets."
One of the communication officers keyed his mic immediately.
