X's grip tightened around his pistol. Commander Graves. The voice alone brought back memories—painful ones.
The radio crackled again. "Agent X, we both know you're outnumbered. Surrender, and I promise this will end painlessly."
Raven shot X a look. "Is he serious?"
X didn't answer. He knew Graves well. The man never made promises he intended to keep.
X raised the radio to his mouth. "Graves. You still cleaning up Echelon's mess?"
A low chuckle came through. "Always." A pause. "But you were my best asset. You don't have to die here."
X's mind raced. They needed time. If he could keep Graves talking, maybe they could find a way out.
X leaned against the rusted tunnel wall, keeping his voice calm. "If you wanted me alive, you wouldn't have sent a kill squad."
Graves sighed. "You know how this works. If you won't cooperate, I have to neutralize you. But I'd rather have you back in the fold."
X smirked. "You mean back under Echelon's leash?"
Silence. Then—Graves' tone hardened.
"You were designed for this, X. You can't run from what you are."
Raven whispered, "We need a way out. Fast."
X scanned the tunnel again. The locked gate. The ventilation shaft above.
There.
A small, rusted grate near the ceiling. Narrow, but big enough to squeeze through.
X tapped Raven's arm and pointed. She nodded in understanding.
X spoke into the radio. "Tell me, Graves. What's the bounty on my head now?"
As Graves responded, X quietly lifted Raven toward the vent. She gripped the edges and pulled herself up. Silent. Precise.
Graves kept talking. "Let's just say you've made a lot of enemies."
X smirked. "Then why do you sound so nervous?"
Another pause. Then—Graves laughed.
"Because I know you, X. And I know you're up to something."
Before X could reply—gunfire erupted.
The mercenaries opened fire, bullets shredding the tunnel walls. X dove for cover, returning fire with calculated shots.
Raven ripped the vent cover off and crawled inside.
"Come on!" she hissed.
X fired two more shots—then jumped, gripping the vent's edge. He pulled himself up just as bullets ripped through the spot where he stood.
The mercenaries stormed forward—but they were too late.
X and Raven crawled through the vent, deeper into the underground.
Behind them, Graves' voice echoed over the radio. "Run all you want, X. I will find you."
X smirked. We'll see.