Escape into the Night

Planet Name: Xeros-9

The tunnel was claustrophobic, the walls pressing in on them as they hurried through its darkened corridors. Their footsteps echoed eerily in the silence, muffled by the thick stone beneath their boots. Vale led the way, his weapon ready in his hands, eyes scanning every corner and shadow. The air was thick with tension. They had no idea how much time they had before the rebels closed in on their position.

Zane's voice crackled through their earpieces. "You're almost there. Keep moving, there's a clearing ahead. You'll be able to catch your breath for a second."

"Understood," Vale muttered, his breath steady despite the pressure. His team's well-being depended on staying focused. "We keep moving. The second we stop, they'll catch up."

Kiera was right behind him, her face illuminated by the dim light of her headlamp. "They're not going to let us slip away that easily, Vale. You saw the way they moved. They're organized. I wouldn't be surprised if they have a second squad waiting up top."

"I know," Vale said, his voice grim. "Which is why we won't be waiting for them. Zane, you're on point. Get those drones back out. I need eyes on everything above ground."

Zane's reply came almost immediately, calm and precise. "Already on it, Major. Two drones in the air, watching the exits. They'll pick up any movement within a hundred meters. I'll be monitoring your six."

As they reached the end of the tunnel, Vale slowed down. His eyes were scanning the floor ahead, trying to make out the shape of the opening that Zane had mentioned. A small exit, tucked beneath a fallen piece of concrete rubble — the only path that led to their escape. But as they approached it, the familiar, unmistakable sound of rebel boots pounding against the ground echoed in their comms.

"They're closer than I thought," Kiera muttered under her breath, her hand gripping her weapon tightly. "We're running out of time."

Vale's mind raced as he calculated their next move. "Zero, check the perimeter. We need cover and we need it fast."

Zero, ever the calm and collected sniper, responded coolly. "I've got a vantage point just outside. I'll pick off the first rebel that shows his face. Stay close to me."

Vale gave him a sharp nod, signaling for Kiera to follow him. "Let's move."

The moment they emerged from the tunnel into the clearing, the contrast of open space felt jarring after the tight, oppressive confinement of the underground. Their eyes adjusted to the dim twilight, scanning the area.

Zane's voice came through their earpieces again. "There's a rebel patrol about fifty meters east of your position. They're armed and moving in your direction. Stay low, Major."

"Shit," Vale cursed under his breath. "We're not out yet."

"Zero, we need suppression fire. Get ready to take them out if they see us," Kiera said, her hand tightening on her weapon.

Zero nodded, his eyes locking onto the distant figures moving through the brush. "On your mark."

Vale waited for the right moment. The rebel patrol was close now, their boots crunching over the dry ground, oblivious to the team's presence. He held his breath, then signaled with a sharp gesture. "Now."

In an instant, Zero's sniper rifle cracked through the air, the high-powered shot ringing out, sending one rebel crashing to the ground. The others were immediately alerted, but before they could react, Kiera's assault rifle roared to life, mowing down another two with precise, controlled bursts. Vale's team moved like a well-oiled machine, each member covering the others, eliminating threats with ruthless efficiency.

"Nice shooting," Vale said, as they quickly moved forward, past the bodies of the fallen rebels. "Zane, how much farther?"

"Less than a hundred meters," Zane responded, his voice steady. "I'm opening up the next safe route. You're clear to proceed."

With the rebels in pursuit, there was no time to linger. The team pushed forward, moving faster through the overgrown terrain. They were close, so close to making it out of this alive. But the sound of approaching vehicles told them otherwise. The rebels weren't far behind.

"Shit," Kiera muttered, glancing back over her shoulder. "The cavalry's coming. We need to go now, or they'll catch us."

Vale knew the drill. "Zane, get the next route open now! Zero, cover our six. Kiera, stay with me. We're not losing anyone today."

As they neared a small cliffside with a narrow, jagged path leading downward, the rumbling engines of the rebel vehicles grew louder. Their headlights cut through the dark, casting long shadows that threatened to engulf them.

"Zane!" Vale barked.

"I've got it!" Zane shouted back. The ground shook as the sound of explosions filled the air. One of the rebel vehicles had hit a hidden mine.

"They've hit the mine," Zero's voice came through, his tone filled with satisfaction. "But they're still coming, and they're pissed."

"Let's move," Vale snapped. "Into the ravine. Now!"

The team scrambled down the narrow path, dodging debris as they descended into the ravine below. They were still too close to the rebel patrols. The sound of gunfire began echoing from above as the rebels began firing into the ravine.

Kiera's voice came through, almost a shout over the sound of gunfire, "We've got a serious problem. They're coming down after us."

Vale scanned the path ahead. There was no way out but forward. "We'll have to fight our way through. Zero, you with me on point?"

"Always," Zero responded.

The team moved deeper into the ravine, with Zero and Vale taking the lead. The others followed closely behind, exchanging fire with the rebels as they tried to push their way down. Every step felt like it could be their last.

Zane's voice came in again, more urgent this time. "I've marked another extraction point. It's about a kilometer from your position. You need to move now."

"Roger that. Zero, Kiera — take lead. Zane, stay on the drones. We need this path cleared."

Zero aimed carefully and fired, picking off another rebel. "We're not out of the woods yet, Major."

"Then we fight our way out," Vale said, his voice steady and commanding, though the urgency was clear in his eyes. "Let's finish this."

As they sprinted for the extraction point, the gunfire rang out behind them, but the team was relentless. They would make it out — not by luck, but by sheer will.