In a sudden, dramatic turn, the mutant facing Sky had its head burst into a cloud of blood and toppled backwards, its demise only registering after the distant echo of a sniper rifle reached Sky's ears.

Meanwhile, Max was locked in a fierce struggle with four mutants he had previously thrown off. The other mutants, initially focused on Max, froze momentarily at the sound of the sniper fire.

Soon after, another blast from the sniper rifle echoed, and a mutant's chest exploded in a gory spectacle, sending it crashing to the ground.

The remaining three mutants, quick to react, instantly abandoned their assault, opting instead for a swift retreat from the battleground.

Max, seizing the moment, lunged at the nearest mutant from behind. With a swift motion, he drew his chainsaw sword from his back, its motor roaring to life. The blade whirred into a deadly blur as Max brought it down mercilessly. The mutant's tough, scale-like skin held for a mere moment before giving way to a brutal display of blood and viscera, accompanied by its final, agonized scream.

By this time, Emily had already reached Sky, pulling him to his feet and pursuing the last two mutants. A barrage of gunfire took down one, who stumbled and fell lifelessly to the ground.

Then, another sniper shot rang out, obliterating the final mutant's head in a gruesome shower of blood and brain matter.

Max's voice came over the team channel, commanding with urgency, "Eliminate any remaining foes swiftly. We need to open a route for the encircled squad to break free."

Luca chimed in, "The bandit forces are launching an assault on the city guard at three o'clock. Other enemies are rallying as well."

Without hesitation, Max dispatched two bandit soldiers ahead and then decisively instructed, "Emily, rush to the refugee guard unit. Set up a new comm link and integrate their channel with ours."

Like a gust of wind, Emily dashed across the battlefield, vanishing into the dense foliage ahead.

In a landscape devoid of mutant enemies, Max, alongside Sky, swiftly cleared the remaining hostile forces. Concurrently, a fresh threat emerged for the encircled team: bandits from the 3 o'clock position initiated their onslaught. The city's defense forces, responsible for safeguarding them, started reallocating some units to lead refugees towards Sky's location, while others continued to heroically withstand the enemy's fierce attack.

"Alert for high-energy signatures, anticipate heavy weapons strike!" warned Luca through the squad's communication channel.

The atmosphere was pierced by the ominous whistling of heavy artillery shells, casting a brief, eerie calm over the battlefield, only to be shattered by a massive explosion in the 3 o'clock direction.

The frontlines, entrenched against the bandit advance, suddenly fell into a strange silence. The bandit assault team, wielding a diverse array of firearms, seized the moment and launched a ferocious assault on the city defense line.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Fortunately, the silence was fleeting; the defenders quickly responded, their gunfire felling the advancing bandits' front ranks.

Another harrowing shriek sliced the sky, followed by a subsequent explosion that sent a mixture of dirt, debris, and severed limbs soaring.

Max's voice, firm and authoritative, cut through the turmoil. "We need to eliminate that heavy artillery. Luca, can you locate its precise position?"

"Working on it!"

"Is it possible for you to stealthily approach and mark the artillery with a flare? Can you handle it?" Max inquired.

"Give me five minutes," replied Luca.

Emily's voice resonated, "I've rendezvoused with allied forces – the 302nd Battalion of the city defense. Setting up a new communication channel."

"Emily, start with moving the genetic lab staff. Our primary mission is to secure the safe evacuation of these individuals, followed by a move to Hank's position to manage the equipment box. Luca is en route to mark the heavy artillery."

"Understood!"

Shortly thereafter, another voice transmitted over the channel, "Lieutenant Rick from the 2nd Platoon, 302nd Battalion here. We were tasked with escorting the genetic research lab personnel from Satellite City 15 to Satellite City 14. We engaged the enemy here two hours ago, suffering substantial losses. The entire squad from Satellite City 15 has been annihilated, yet the five researchers remain unharmed, along with over 50 other refugees."

"Captain Max Russo of the 5th Genetic Warrior Squad speaking. Lieutenant Rick, we're assuming command of the escort mission. Your job here is done. Prepare to evacuate immediately."

"Copy that, Captain."

Max added after a pause, "Prioritize the preservation of your combat forces."

A moment of silence ensued before Rick acknowledged, "Understood, Captain."

Sky comprehended the harsh reality of their orders: to leave the other refugees behind. It was a grim norm of their era, yet it stirred a deep unease within him.

Emily quickly came over with a group. At first glance, it appeared to be five people, but it was actually six — one middle-aged man was notably shouldering a young girl, about fifteen or sixteen.

Max, intrigued, asked Emily, "Is there a young girl with you?"

The man shouldering the girl answered, "She's my daughter, Arachne. I'm Duncan, a senior researcher at the lab. I beg you, please take her with us."

Max queried, "Is she injured? Why do you need to carry her?"

"Arachne has struggled with poor vision since her childhood, compelling me to carry her," he explained.

"This could potentially slow our pace..." Max hesitated.

Then Sky chimed in, "Captain, if we leave Arachne, Mr. Duncan might not accompany us. I'll take care of them. If needed, I can carry Arachne without affecting our speed."

"If that's the case... alright," Max finally relented.

Duncan, the researcher, excitedly and effusively thanked Sky, his gratitude evident.

Sky felt a surge of excitement. The system alert, dormant since his arrival in this world, suddenly activated in his mind: "Target identified: your new houseguest, Arachne. Ensure her safety until the end of the current gang siege."

Observing Arachne, Sky noted her youthful appearance, accentuated by her flowing black hair. Her eyes, though vacant, exuded a serene beauty. Her face, unmarred by the world's harshness, radiated calm purity.

Drawing closer and speaking softly, Sky reassured, "Arachne, I'm Sky. I'll ensure your and your father's safety. Stay close, and we'll keep you safe."

Arachne responded to Sky's kindness with a faint nod. Her placid eyes revealed depths of serenity and determination. The wind gently caressed her hair, bringing a faint smile to her face. Duncan looked at Sky with immense gratitude, thanking him once more.

The battlefield's tension, however, remained unyielding. The thunderous roar of heavy artillery resounded again.

Max promptly directed Emily to Hank's location to operate the equipment in his backpack. He and Sky, with the researchers following closely, hastened towards Hank.

Luca's voice crackled over the team's radio, "The heavy artillery's position is locked. Ready to launch a marker flare at any moment."

Max checked in, "Emily, Hank, how are the preparations?"

"One minute out," came Emily's response.

"Excellent, Emily and Sky, prepare to fire the mini-missiles. On Luca's marker, target half of them at the designated spot. We need to obliterate that artillery!" Max commanded as they navigated the battlefield.

Emily's voice sounded again, "Sky, can you adjust the missile's targeting? Check the final settings at the lower right of the control panel. I've synced Luca's marker signal to your system. Confirm when ready."

"Got it. Ready to launch," Sky responded.

"Remember, each shoulder launcher has six missiles. Only use three of them; we can't afford to deplete them," Emily cautioned.

"Understood. We're almost there," Sky and Max were nearing Hank's position.

Max switched channels, "Lieutenant Rick, do you copy? Respond if you hear me."

"Roger that, Captain!" Rick's voice came through.

"In a minute, we'll destroy their artillery. Seize the opportunity to break away. Good luck, Lieutenant."

"Wishing you good fortune as well, Captain."

Max returned to his squad's channel, stating calmly, "Luca, launch the marker."

"Marker locked and ready. Launching in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4..." Luca's steady voice filled the squad's ears.