The Enemy Within

The hours passed quickly as Vale's team and the rebels moved deeper into the heart of the insurgent's controlled zones. The dense forests surrounding the old settlement were silent now, but the tension between the two factions was palpable. Despite their uneasy alliance, Vale couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more lurking beneath the surface—something the rebels weren't telling him.

Zane's drones continued to provide tactical intel, buzzing through the air in perfect synchrony, scanning the territory for any signs of ambush or enemy patrols. The swarm's data streams were a constant hum in his earpiece, relaying real-time updates.

"Team, eyes open," Vale commanded as they approached the edge of a cliff. Below them, a sprawling rebel camp stretched out in the valley, a mix of old military equipment, makeshift barricades, and fortified positions. Rebel soldiers moved in organized patrols, unaware of the team's presence.

"Command, we're in position," Vale reported through his comms.

A crackling response came through. "Roger, Blacklight. You're clear for now. We'll continue monitoring. Do not engage unless necessary. We need that intel, Vale. The clock is ticking."

Vale's jaw clenched. He didn't need to be reminded. They were on a tight schedule, and the more time they wasted, the more likely it was the rebels would catch wind of their presence.

Zane adjusted his equipment, setting up a small portable uplink station to ensure that all his drones were in sync. "I've got full surveillance on the camp. We can see everything."

Kiera, ever the sniper, adjusted her rifle's scope, checking for any elevated positions that would give her a clear line of sight. "I'll keep an eye on any movement. Let me know when it's time to take the shot."

Zero, silent as ever, took up position on the high ground, scanning the area with his binoculars. He was an expert in detecting enemy activity, and the last thing they needed was a surprise attack from another direction.

They waited. And waited.

After what felt like an eternity, Vale broke the silence.

"Doc, Zane. You're with me. We're moving in. Kiera, Zero—cover our approach."

The team split into two groups, their movements precise and calculated as they crept toward the rebel camp. Vale led his team through the underbrush, careful to avoid any detection. Every step felt like a potential tripwire, and the weight of their mission hung heavy on his shoulders.

It wasn't until they reached the outskirts of the camp that they realized something was wrong. There were no sentries at the entry points. No guard posts. It was as if the camp had been abandoned.

"Stay alert," Vale muttered, a sinking feeling in his gut. "This isn't right."

They moved quickly, sweeping through the camp. Empty tents. Broken equipment. A few abandoned crates marked with strange symbols Vale didn't recognize. The place was eerily quiet.

"Something's off here," Doc said, his voice tight with concern.

Zane nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "This isn't the camp they were operating out of. It's too… quiet. I don't like it."

Kiera's voice came through the comms, low and steady. "I've got a target. Rebel soldier moving towards the far side of the camp. He's not in a hurry. Something's up."

Vale held up a hand, signaling the team to halt. They all froze, listening carefully. It was true—the soldier moved with a certain disinterest, almost as if he wasn't expecting an attack.

Vale's eyes narrowed. "That's not a guard, it's a scout. We're being watched."

Just as he spoke, the ground shook beneath them. A distant rumble turned into a deafening roar as a series of explosions tore through the camp. Dust and debris flew into the air, and the team dove for cover.

"Damn it, it's an ambush!" Vale yelled. He scrambled to his feet, taking in the situation. Rebel soldiers had appeared from hidden positions—civilians and fighters had been hiding among the wreckage, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Explosions continued to rain down from above as the rebels unleashed their heavy artillery. Vale's team immediately returned fire, weapons blazing as they fought for control of the area.

Kiera took a few long-range shots, taking out the rebel snipers perched in the higher ground. Zane deployed his drones to provide real-time intel, watching as the rebel fighters converged on their position.

"We've got reinforcements inbound!" Zane shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We're outnumbered!"

Vale didn't hesitate. "We need to move—now!"

With fire raining down all around them, Vale led the charge. Doc and Zane followed closely behind as they made a break for the rear side of the camp. They ducked into a nearby building, using its structure for cover.

"Status?" Vale barked, his breathing ragged from the sprint.

"We've lost Kiera and Zero's positions," Zane said, his voice tense. "They've been pushed back. They're trapped."

"Not for long," Vale muttered. "We'll fight our way through."

Suddenly, a voice came through Vale's comms. It was General Sokolov. "Vale, status report."

Vale's heart skipped a beat. "We've been ambushed. The camp is compromised, and our position is falling apart. We need immediate extraction."

There was a brief silence on the other end before Sokolov responded. "Negative. We don't have assets on standby. You're going to have to push through to the secondary objective—there's intel we need, and we can't lose it."

Vale clenched his fists. "You're telling me we're on our own?"

"You're not alone," Sokolov replied coldly. "Your mission stands. Complete the objective."

Vale's gaze hardened as the sounds of explosions continued to echo through the air. He turned to Zane and Doc. "We're not giving up yet. Move out. We finish this."