Shadows in the Ruins

Planet: Xeros-9

The air was thick with the scent of rust and decay. The ruins of what was once a thriving city now lay in shambles, overgrown with the creeping tendrils of nature reclaiming its land. The team moved cautiously through the decimated streets of Xeros-9, a city that had been ravaged by decades of conflict. Now, it was home to the remnants of a rebel group. The walls of crumbled buildings towered over them like the bones of a forgotten giant. The ground beneath their boots was uneven, littered with broken concrete, shattered glass, and discarded weaponry.

Vale led the way, his eyes scanning the environment with practiced precision. The faintest sound, the slightest movement — they could be the difference between life and death.

"Stay low, stay quiet," Vale muttered over the comms, his voice low and steady. "This place is a graveyard. We don't want to attract attention."

Zero moved ahead of him, his sniper rifle hanging casually over his shoulder, though his eyes were sharp as ever. "Got it. No mistakes today."

Kiera kept her head on a swivel, her movements smooth and calculated as she dropped behind a wrecked car for cover. "I don't like this, Major. There's something off about these ruins."

"You're right," Vale agreed. "It's too quiet. There should be more activity. Keep your eyes open. Zane, status on the drone feeds?"

Zane's voice came through, calm but alert. "I've got two drones in the air, scanning the area. No movement yet, but there's a large heat signature coming from the east. Could be a patrol."

"Then we need to move fast," Vale said, his gaze narrowing as he looked in the direction Zane had mentioned. "We're not here for sightseeing. We're getting in, retrieving the intel, and getting out."

As they moved further into the ruins, the team could hear the distant sound of engines — the rebel patrols were getting closer. Vale's eyes flicked to Zero. "We've got about three minutes before they reach our position. You think we can make it to the intel drop?"

"Depends on how quiet we stay," Zero muttered, his eyes scanning the broken landscape for any sign of movement. "We don't have the luxury of running and gunning here. We need to stay sharp."

"I've got your back," Kiera said, checking her weapon as she moved closer to Vale. "If we can make it to that building," she pointed to a partially collapsed structure just ahead, "we should be able to get a good angle on the intel."

Vale nodded. "Alright. Zane, keep those drones overhead. Any sign of movement, you let us know."

Zane gave a curt reply, "Already on it, Major."

The team moved forward, their steps light but purposeful. As they approached the building, Vale signaled for them to stop. He crouched low behind a pile of rubble, pulling up the map on his wrist display.

"The intel's in the central room, two floors down," he muttered, scanning the map again. "We're going to have to breach the building from the rear. I'll take point, Kiera, you're with me. Zero, keep an eye on the front. Zane, stay in the air with the drones. Got it?"

"Got it," the team responded in unison.

The rear of the building was just as decrepit as the front. Old doors hung crookedly on their hinges, and the structure seemed like it could collapse with the slightest touch. Still, they had no choice. The mission came first.

Vale carefully pried open one of the doors, wincing as it creaked loudly. He froze for a moment, listening for any reaction. When none came, he motioned for the others to follow.

Inside, the air was stale, thick with dust and the smell of old paper. The remnants of desks and equipment lay scattered, evidence of the once-bustling command center. The walls were covered with half-faded maps, outdated military schematics, and the odd stack of abandoned files.

"I'll take the stairs," Vale said. "Zero, you and Kiera take the left flank. Zane, keep monitoring the drone feeds."

Zero nodded and moved to the left side of the building, taking up a position behind a broken wall. Kiera moved with him, her eyes scanning the building for any sign of movement. Zane's voice echoed in their earpieces. "The heat signature is closer. I'm seeing two patrols approaching your position. Stay sharp."

Vale's hand gripped his weapon tightly as he began climbing the stairs, his senses on high alert. Each step was calculated, his breathing steady. He reached the second floor and cleared the first room quickly. The room was empty, save for scattered papers and an overturned chair. He motioned for Kiera to follow.

The air was heavy with tension as they moved deeper into the building. Suddenly, a faint sound reached Vale's ears. His hand went to his earbud. "Zane, report!"

Zane's voice crackled through the comms, sharp with urgency. "I've got incoming fire from the east. Multiple targets. You're not alone!"

Vale's pulse quickened. "Zero, Kiera, we've got company. Fall back to the stairs. We need to hold them off."

Kiera's eyes locked onto Vale as she reached for her weapon. "On it."

There was a split second of silence before gunfire erupted from the east, the sound of bullets tearing through the walls of the building. Vale fired a shot into the doorframe, hitting a rebel soldier attempting to enter the building.

"Take cover!" Vale shouted.

Kiera was already moving, her body weaving around the debris as she returned fire. "We need to move quickly, Major. We're getting boxed in!"

"Zane, can you get us any kind of exit route?" Vale demanded, his eyes darting toward the windows for a potential escape route.

"I've got a tunnel beneath your position," Zane responded, his voice calm under pressure. "It leads out to the eastern edge. I'll mark the coordinates. Get to the basement."

Without waiting for a reply, Vale grabbed Kiera's arm and pulled her toward the stairs. "Downstairs. Now!"

As the team descended into the lower levels of the building, the firefight above them intensified. Explosions shook the walls, dust falling from the ceiling. The sounds of the rebels echoing in their comms only spurred them on, urging them to move faster.

They reached the basement, and Zane's voice guided them to a small, hidden entrance. Vale kicked the door open and found the tunnel beneath. It was narrow, but it offered them a chance to escape.

"Everyone in," Vale ordered.

The team rushed into the tunnel, the sound of the enemy's pursuit growing louder. Zane's voice echoed in their earpieces again. "Hurry. They're close."

With the sounds of the rebels closing in behind them, the team moved quickly through the darkened tunnel, hoping they could make it out alive.