Internal Battle

3 days later. 11 days from infection.

***

Luke and Nica perched on the edge of a cliff, mantled themselves with camouflage and beaten and tattered military camo uniforms. Luke wore it, too, which he hesitated at first. Being seen as a combatant gave him second thoughts. But their invisibility played a crucial role in their espionage, hence, he had no choice.

They nested on the edge of rock formations on a hill, a few miles away from Fort Cygnet North. They had long-range telescopes, and Nica had her semi-automatic M60 rifle, while Luke brought his gadgets – Death Tab, and his hunting R15 Crossbow, Neurax Worm on its arrow casings.

"Holocarriers are transporting a lot of new enlisters," Nica said.

Their position provided them a vast vantage point on Fort Cygnet, and miles farther sprawled the wide city of Brigham. The cold winds of the sunny morning whistled occasionally onto them, reminding Luke that below was a deathly chasm.