"Gentlemen, we're officially screwed."
My voice echoed through the small room, cutting through the tense silence that hung over us.
All eyes were fixed on me—some filled with anticipation, others trying to mask their concern. I took a deep breath before continuing.
"As you've probably noticed, we've lost contact with base. We've searched every inch of this lab and found nothing useful—no alternate exit, no functional comms gear... nothing."
I paused deliberately, letting the weight of our situation settle into each of their minds. I saw their eyes meet, tension building, and then I dropped the final bomb:
"In other words… we've got no ride home."
An invisible weight seemed to fall over the group.
The defeat in their eyes was clear, but these men weren't your average soldiers. They were the elite of the elite, hardened by years of combat, forged in the fire of impossible missions.
And even so, even the bravest could taste the bitter sting of uncertainty when staring into the unknown.
It was Joel who broke the silence, muttering as he rubbed his gloved hands together.
A man who radiated leadership just by the way he walked, close to 35 years old, standing at 6'2", with a powerful frame—broad shoulders, strong chest, the kind of physique that looked carved out of steel.
His long black beard gave him a commanding presence, while his neatly combed military haircut reinforced his disciplined nature. His dark eyes held a silent intensity, like they were always ready to make a hard call or dive into hellfire for someone.
Joel carried himself upright and firm, with a heroic aura that made anyone nearby feel like they were in good hands. He was the kind of man you'd follow into hell—and he'd bring you back alive.
"Ghost, what's the plan to get outta this damn place? My balls are freezing out here."
I let out a small nasal chuckle, shaking my head.
"Well… simple." I crossed my arms and looked at each of them before continuing. "According to some reports I read before we came to this frozen shithole, there's a Russian military base a few kilometers from here."
The eyes around the room sharpened, waiting for more.
"We go in." I paused, letting the words hang. "Kill whoever needs to be killed." Another pause. "Steal a plane and fly the hell home."
The silence was broken by Richard's dry laugh.
Tall, blond, with blue eyes as bright as a clear sky, Richard looked like he'd walked straight out of an American action movie. Standing at 6'1", muscular and laid-back, he always had a cocky smirk or a sarcastic comment ready.
His light blond hair was cut short and practical, and his face was rarely serious—even on the battlefield, he had that "troublemaker brawler" vibe, the type to taunt enemies over comms right before dropping them with a clean shot.
Richard was the comic relief in the chaos, but behind the jokes was a lethal warrior—fast reflexes, sharp mind, and a heart loyal to the bone.
"Simple?! We're just gonna invade a Russian base? Kill people? Steal a damn military plane?!" He ran a hand down his face, laughing nervously. "That's anything but simple, man!"
And then, like we'd all been struck by the same wave of collective insanity, we started laughing—a rough, exhausted laugh, full of adrenaline and pure madness.
"That's it." I shrugged, glancing at the group with a crooked grin. "Simple, right?"
No one replied, but I could see it in their eyes.
Acceptance.
They knew there was no other option.
And if hell was what waited for us... then we'd burn in style.