Compromised 2

As they stared at the vehicles blocking their exit, Nadia quipped, "Well, this is just great. Trapped like rats in a cage."

Tyler nervously chuckled, "Hey, at least we're together, right?"

Ryker shot them a stern look. "This isn't a joke. We need a plan... now!"

Duke spoke up, surprising himself, "Or I can just walk up to them. I think they're here because of me."

Ryker clicked his tongue. "Contain your narcissistic ego till we find a way out."

Tyler suddenly chipped in, "Wait! What if I use some of my gadgets to take us out?"

Duke's expression turned thoughtful. "What kind of gadgets do you have in your possession that can get us out, Tyler?"

Tyler's eyes lit up. "I've got a grappling hook, a smoke bomb, and... oh, wait! My trusty hoverboard!"

Nadia raised an eyebrow. "A hoverboard? Really, Tyler?"

Tyler nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! We can use it to hover over the vehicles and make a quick escape!"

Ryker snorted. "Or crash into them and make a quick exit... six feet under. Even if it gets the job done, it's a hoverboard and it's meant for one person. Right?"

Tyler's face held a dull expression as he responded. "I didn't exactly plan an escape for more than one, so yeah."

"Hold on a second," Duke cut in. "The mosquito net!"

"It's not a mosquito net," Tyler corrected. "It's a state-of-the-art net—I'm still working on the name."

"Guys, we don't have time to argue right now. How can the net be of help?" Ryker raised a question.

"Well, Tyler mentioned how it could trap unwanted guests, so maybe we can implant it somewhere to buy us time to escape. At least enough for us to get to your car, Nadia."

"I think I like the idea of giving you up better, Duke," Ryker let out without hesitation.

Nadia turned to Tyler, her eyes stern. "Get the mosquito net, Tyler. We need it now."

Tyler began to correct her. "It's not a mosquito net, it's—" but Nadia's deadpan expression silenced him.

"I'll go grab some weapons," Nadia continued, her mind racing with their escape plan. "Ryker, you get the food and water. We don't know how long we'll be on the run."

Ryker nodded, his eyes never leaving the door. "Got it. Let's move, we don't have much time."

Nadia turned to Duke, her tone firm. "Make yourself useful, Duke. Help Tyler find that gadget."

With that, Nadia and Ryker exited the room, leaving Tyler and Duke to search for the device.

"How's the search for the gadget coming along?" Duke asked after a while. He helped look around, not sure what he was searching for. Duke's eyes met Tyler's and he mouthed, "Time is running out."

Tyler nodded, his hands shaking as he searched through his bag. "A minute, I swear it was just here," he muttered to himself.

The sound of footsteps outside grew louder, accompanied by menacing voices. "We know you're in there. Come out with your hands up! You have ten seconds to comply."

Duke's eyes widened, and he mouthed to Tyler, "Any minute now."

Tyler's face set in determination, and he dived back into his bag. "Almost... got it!"

Nadia reentered the room, weapons in hand, her eyes scanning the space. "Tyler, how much longer? We need to go, now!"

Tyler held up the device, a small, sleek gadget with a glowing screen. "Got it!"

Nadia nodded, her eyes locked on the device. "Good work, Tyler. Now, let's get out of here!"

The group made a break for the door, Nadia leading the way. Ryker covered their backs, his weapon at the ready, as they burst out into the hallway.

The sound of footsteps and gunfire echoed through the corridor, and the group ducked for cover behind a nearby pillar. Ryker returned fire, his weapon blazing as he tried to pin down their attackers.

"Tyler, get the net ready!" Nadia yelled above the din of gunfire.

Tyler nodded, his fingers flying across the net's controls. The net's wires hummed to life, and it sprang open, ready to trap their unwanted pursuers.

"Now, let's go!" Nadia yelled, her eyes locked on the exit sign.

"We can't just yet," Tyler said.

"Why not?" Nadia asked, her gaze darting to Tyler.

"They need to step on the net for it to work. And the gunfire won't let them come any closer till they're sure we have no bullets left in our weapons."

Duke stood up suddenly, already coming to a decision. He grabbed Ryker's gun before he let out, "Throw the net and make a run for it once it apprehends them."

Without waiting for a response, he started running back to where they came from. His idea worked. The men shouted, "That's him!" and they started running in Duke's direction.

"Now, Tyler!" Nadia yelled, her eyes locked on the net.

Tyler threw the net into the path of the attackers, and it sprang into action, trapping them in its electrified wires.

"Yes, it worked!" Tyler exclaimed, relieved, as the men shouted and struggled but couldn't escape.

Nadia grabbed his arm, pulling him towards the exit. "Let's go, now!" she yelled, her voice urgent.

Ryker nodded, his eyes still fixed on the struggling attackers, his gun still trained on them in case they managed to break free. "Time to get out of here, before more show up!" he agreed, backing towards the door.

They burst through the doors and out into the night air, gasping with relief. Nadia scanned their surroundings, her mind racing with their next move. "The car! Get to the car!" she ordered, spotting their vehicle across the parking lot. "We need to get out of here, fast!"

They sprinted towards the car, their footsteps echoing off the buildings. They jumped into the vehicle, surprised to find it undamaged, and locked the doors behind them. "Ryker, get us out of here!" she yelled, her eyes fixed on the new vehicles closing in, their headlights illuminating the dark parking lot.

Ryker nodded, his hands moving swiftly across the keys. The engine roared to life, and they sped away from the danger zone, leaving the trapped attackers and new pursuers behind. They weaved through the streets, their hearts still racing from the close call.

"Wait," Tyler suddenly spoke up, his voice laced with concern, "Where's Duke?"