Editing Jim (section)

===== Escalation at McKenzie Airfield =====
Roughly five days after Jim and Edward began retracing Marty Marcano’s movements, the effects of outside interference became increasingly visible. Syndicate-controlled drug markets began to falter, with sales dropping sharply and distribution routes showing signs of disruption. The pattern suggested deliberate manipulation rather than coincidence.

Information relayed by Alexa Morrison pointed toward a growing presence in Grapeseed, centered around McKenzie Airfield. Given their history with the region, Jim and Edward initially suspected the [[Alamo Hellraisers]]. Early surveillance, however, failed to substantiate that assumption.

Operating independently, Jim drove the Terrorbyte to the airfield while Edward conducted aerial reconnaissance using a drone. It was Edward who made the identification. He observed Hans Naumann at the field, actively preparing a Duster 300-H aircraft, and immediately relayed this to Jim. The confirmation came as a shock. Hans’s presence marked a direct violation of Jim’s earlier warning and confirmed that he had returned to San Andreas without restraint.

Jim reacted instinctively. Despite Edward urging him to slow down and reassess the situation, Jim exited the vehicle and attempted to stop the aircraft before takeoff. His response was uncharacteristically impulsive, driven by a surge of anger tied to Hans’s past involvement in his life and the growing suspicion that Hans was once again destabilizing everything around him. Hans responded with speed and precision, getting the aircraft airborne under fire and escaping the airfield before meaningful damage could be inflicted.

Jim immediately informed Alexa of Hans’s return and escape. Alexa’s concern shifted sharply toward Marty Marcano, and she voiced her belief that Hans was directly connected to his disappearance.

Three days later, Jim and Edward returned to McKenzie Airfield to continue their pursuit. This time, the situation escalated further. Edward detected a heavily armed cargo aircraft on radar, indicating that Hans had significantly expanded his operational capabilities. Jim engaged using the Terrorbyte’s missile systems, while the opposing aircraft returned fire with a mounted 40mm weapon. After sustaining damage, Hans withdrew toward Fort Zancudo rather than risk destruction.

Not long after disengaging, Jim and Edward were attacked by a B-11 Strikeforce. Based on the timing and the nature of the engagement, both believed Hans himself was piloting the jet. The pursuit carried over the Alamo Sea before ending without a decisive outcome.

In the aftermath, Jim and Edward encountered one of Hans’s operatives on the ground. The man was detained at gunpoint and admitted to working for Hans Naumann. When pressed for further information regarding Hans’s return and Marty Marcano’s location, the operative refused continued cooperation and ultimately took his own life, leaving Jim and Edward without additional intelligence.

Jim reported the engagements and developments to Alexa. Recognizing the severity of the situation, she advised Jim to contact Giuseppe Marcano directly. Jim informed Giuseppe that his son had been abducted and that Hans Naumann was involved. Giuseppe reacted with immediate fury and pledged his full support in recovering Marty and dealing with Hans by whatever means were necessary.

For Jim, these events marked a turning point. What had begun as a controlled investigation gave way to open confrontation. His brief loss of restraint at McKenzie stood in contrast to his usual discipline, underscoring how deeply Hans’s return—and Marty’s disappearance—had cut into his carefully maintained control.