The Calm Before the Storm

The cold air cut through Vale's jacket as the team crouched behind a pile of debris, watching the extraction point just ahead. The distant hum of engines warned them that they weren't safe yet. Their mission had gone awry, the Hidden Hand's forces hot on their tail. The information they had acquired was invaluable, but it came at a price: lives, resources, and time.

The extraction point—a small, remote warehouse on the outskirts of the city—was supposed to be their safe haven. But with each passing minute, the odds of a smooth extraction dwindled.

Vale's eyes scanned the surrounding area. His mind was sharp, calculating. He couldn't afford to let his guard down now. Zero's console buzzed softly, signaling an incoming communication. He tapped it, glancing up at Vale.

"Hostiles closing in," Zero said, his voice laced with tension. "Five clicks out. ETA ten minutes."

Vale's jaw tightened. They had no more time to waste.

"We move fast," Vale commanded, eyes flicking toward Kiera and Doc. "We hit them hard, slow them down, and buy enough time to get to the extraction. We don't wait for them to come to us."

Kiera nodded, her grip tightening on her weapon. "I'll take the east side. I can cover the approach and lay down suppressive fire."

Doc checked his rifle, making sure the weapon was locked and loaded. "I'll handle the west flank. Keep 'em off Zero while he works his magic."

Zero cracked his knuckles, already tapping away at his console. "No worries. I've got the door codes. Just get me to the terminal."

Vale took a deep breath, his gaze settling on the distant horizon. "Alright, team. Let's make this quick and clean."

They moved out of their cover, taking positions around the extraction point. The wind howled, cutting through the city's abandoned streets, making the atmosphere tense, like a predator stalking its prey.

Vale moved to the center of the field, scanning the area ahead. He knew the Hidden Hand wasn't just a criminal organization—they were methodical, intelligent, and ruthless. If they wanted to stop them, they would need to be better than their enemies at every turn.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft click from Zero's console. "I've hacked into their comms. They're not expecting us to make a move this early."

"Perfect," Vale said, offering a sharp smile. "Let's use that advantage."

Kiera, crouched low to the ground, slid into position on the east side, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the incoming threat. Doc moved swiftly to the opposite flank, his movements fluid, trained. They were ready for this. Vale could see it in their eyes.

The first sound of distant engines filtered through the air—then a burst of light. The first wave was coming.

"Here they come," Zero muttered under his breath.

Vale didn't hesitate. "Hold your ground. Kiera, Doc, get in position and prepare to fire on my mark."

He could hear the rumble of engines growing louder. The enemy was closing in, moving fast. A mix of military vehicles, ground troops, and armored transports. They were here to ensure no one made it out of this alive.

"Mark!" Vale shouted.

A burst of gunfire erupted from Kiera's position, her rifle sending deadly precision shots into the advancing enemy. Doc wasn't far behind, opening up with suppressive fire that forced the enemy to take cover. Vale held his ground, his rifle raised, scanning the horizon for any sign of movement.

The first wave of Hidden Hand's forces fell back, regrouping behind cover, trying to reposition. But the team had them on the defensive.

Vale's voice cut through the chaos. "Zero, how much longer?"

"I'm almost in," Zero replied, fingers flying over his console, sweat beading on his forehead. "Just need a few more seconds."

Vale's eyes flicked to Kiera. "We hold them. Don't give an inch."

The enemy regrouped, pushing forward with more firepower. The sound of gunfire filled the air, deafening in its intensity. Vale kept his team moving, keeping them covered, keeping them focused. They couldn't afford to make a mistake now.

"Keep them off me!" Zero shouted from behind the terminal, his fingers tapping furiously. "I'm in! Door's opening."

"On it!" Kiera shouted, her shots echoing as she moved between cover, her rifle barking with lethal precision.

"Doc, cover the rear!" Vale ordered, his voice tight. "We've got to move, now."

The door to the warehouse slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the extraction vehicle within. It was their last chance.

"Go, go, go!" Vale shouted, sprinting toward the open doorway.

Zero was already inside, moving to the vehicle's control panel. Kiera and Doc covered the rear, firing back at the enemy as they advanced. Vale kept pace, his legs pushing him forward, adrenaline pumping through his veins.

Just as the last enemy soldier fell, Vale's team reached the extraction vehicle. The door closed behind them with a hiss, and the vehicle shot into the air, leaving the battlefield behind.

They had made it.

Vale exhaled a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "Good work, team."

But as the vehicle ascended into the night sky, heading toward the safety of their rendezvous point, the reality of what they had just survived began to sink in. They had made it out alive—but the Hidden Hand wasn't done. And neither was Vale.

The mission had just begun.