AUTHOR’S POV:
A sense of anxiety washed over Samuel and Elena as they listened to what Noah intended to do over their headsets. They pleaded with him to reconsider, to heed reason in the middle of their delicate situation, that their best option will be to retreat and piece themselves together. But their words fell on deaf ears, Noah’s fortitude resolute as he charged forward, driven by a singular purpose that blinded him to all else.u
Heavy heartedly, they prepared to move, to support their comrade, after failing to convince him, fully aware of the risks that lay ahead. Yet, as they were about to join him, the crackling voice of Ralph echoed through the static-filled airwaves, freezing them in their tracks. It was a moment of uncertainty, a decision they had to make, whether to stand by Noah and potentially face a hopeless fate, or to reach out to Ralph and have a chance of success in fulfilling their mission, and living.
They made their decision at that moment, to hold their positions and await orders, not out of selfishness or a desire for personal safety, but out of loyalty to their fallen comrades and a commitment to their duty. They knew that following Ralph’s orders would provide them with the best chance of achieving their objectives and bringing justice to those who had betrayed them. For now, their mission was clear, to honor the fallen, uphold the values they fought for, and maintain a beacon of hope in the darkness of war. And once they established contact with Ralph, they were confident they could turn the tide against Aubrey and her people, ensuring that the sacrifices made were not in vain.
. . .
Approaching the base from the back, a group of reinforcements, distinguishable by the same attire worn by their peers who encountered Ralph. This unit was assigned the critical role circling around Mamba, while the other units stationed themselves in and around the main building, effectively cornering him.
Two soldiers from the unit engaged in a conversation filled with anxiety as they passed through the base.
“You know how you sometimes try to do something then begin to wonder if the destination is worth taking the journey? Now is one of those times for me.”
“.….I can see why,” replied the other, his voice faltering slightly as he scanned the gruesome scene of their fallen comrades. “Look at all these bodies.”
Their jog towards the building brought them past grim sights… The bodies, blood and gore constantly reminding them of the cruelty of war, to some, a first time experience that will scar them for life.
The soldiers exchanged somber glances, grappling with a wave of fear, anxiety and grief at the loss of their comrades.
“Stand firm, soldiers!”
The man upfront, leading the pack bellowed. His voice was confident, resolute, cutting through the somber atmosphere like a clarion call.
"He is just one man! Hot headed and running on adrenaline… This is nothing more than a suicide run, a last ditch to go out fighting. We’ve overcome greater challenges. What can one man possibly do, when we destroyed their entire group? Where is the so called Ace? Where are the SEALs? We fucking destroyed them all!”
“So do yourselves and our fallen brothers a favor, raise your heads, march forward, and don’t look back. For some of us, this is just another Monday, and for you inexperienced fucks, this should be a lesson. We shall conquer this menace, just as we did the the other useless sacks of garbage… in honor of our fallen brothers!”
“SIR!” The soldiers affirmed in unison. Their leader’s words ignited a spark of determination in their hearts, as they marched forward with their new found resolve.
. . .
Amongst the uproar of gunfire and combat, the echoing roar of reinforcements penetrated the chaos, catching Noah’s attention. He was locked in a fierce duel with his adversaries, alert and attuned to the nearing danger. Instincts kicked into overdrive upon hearing the distant shouts and he immediately launched from cover, moving swiftly through the chaos. Bullets whizzed past him as he anticipated and sidestepped them with a dancer’s grace to evade each deadly projectile.
Swift and fluid, he closed in on the nearest enemy, who was panic shooting as he was stunned by the sheer madness of seeing someone run at dozens of enemies fearlessly. He tried disarming the enemy but he was quick to snap out of his daze and try to jump back, and gain some space. He was paused mid air when he realized something was stepping hard on his foot, forcing him down from his jump. The next thing he knew was his weapon being snatched away from him and hearing it clatter to the ground then seeing Noah’s crazed look locked on him.
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Noah closed the gap further and grabbed hold of his vest’s collar, as he unleashes a barrage of bullets into his armpits and blew out both his knees, ensuring he was incapacitated and can’t reach for a secondary weapon. While the man was crumbling to the ground, Noah capitalized on his advantage and yanked the body close in a frenzied bid for cover against the onslaught of bullets, from enemies beyond the man.
His eyes burned with intensity and a savage grin plastered on his face as he surged forward with the body. With a single--minded focus, he charged forward, ignoring the bullets raining on his mobile cover and the ones that zipped past him, as if nothing could deter his onslaught. The odds stacked against him didn’t hinder, nor faze him, he remained determined, every step bringing him closer to his target.
And menacing on his face spoke of only the emotion he was feeling at the moment, euphoria… he found extreme satisfaction amongst the chaos.
As he got close to the enemy’s position, his right hand already grasped his knife and his left secured his mobile cover. His grip on the knife tightened as he swiftly sliced the throat of the mobile cover. The skill and efficiency was elite, the madness and erratic seemed to amplify by the second, and his movement was completely unhindered by the weight of the human shield. A spray of blood erupted from the enemy’s throat, coating his face and hands. He was already bathed in blood from previous encounters , but this fresh splatter seemed to invigorate him.
His left hand moved deftly to snatch away the secondary firearm of the human shield and he simultaneously did and combat roll to the side, for new cover, ditching his brief companion. As he took cover, the enemy’s relentless gunfire pounded against his makeshift refuge, while he inspected the pistol he seized, ensuring it was loaded. Satisfied with its condition, he holstered it with a careless flick. His gaze then darted to the rifle slung across his shoulder, feverishly, he ripped out the spent magazine and slammed in another, ready to continue his charge to the hive.
. .
Noah found himself in a tempest of conflicting emotions. The weight of their mission bore down on him with each passing moment, pushing him to the edge of recklessness. And despite the chaos he unleashed upon his foes, a gnawing sense of inadequacy tormented his soul. It was never sufficient. It would never be.
He was heavily affected by the loss of his mentor and Captain, and that left an irreplaceable void in his wake. Though others had also fallen, and he mourns them too, none of them could compare to the impact of Ralph’s absence. He only found fleeting moments of respite amidst the crucible of combat, brief flashes of catharsis amid the turmoil. There was no turning back for him, no retreat from the path he had chosen, whether in triumph or in demise.
Pressing onward, each step brought him closer to the ominous structure that had become both his refuge and his curse. Betrayed by his government, and branded a terrorist, he sought solace in the unyielding pursuit of his primary objective, the obliteration of the very building that had sealed his fate.
His actions were not just those of a soldier seeking vengeance, but also desperate cries of a man mourning the loss of his comrades. Each enemy felled was a tribute to their memory. For him, there was no greater honor than to continue the fight in their name, to ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain. He carried their spirits with him, with every step forward, a silent vow carved into his heart, to see the mission they got killed for, through to the bitter end, no matter the cost.
. . .
Somewhere near the cliff…
In the moonlit embrace of midnight, the rugged terrain unfolded beneath the Jeep’s headlights, casting shadows that danced in the darkness. Seated behind the wheel, a woman, her features obscured by the play of light and shadow.
Clad in the uniform of the Spades, she exuded an air of confidence. A pair of sleek shades shielded her eyes from the glare of the moon, their lenses reflecting the shimmering light. She only had her combat shirt on, with its short sleeves revealing her sinewy arms. Atop her head, a beret perched, the fabric rustling softly in the night breeze, while her pixie cut hair danced freely beneath it. And an earpiece nestled in her ear.
With on hand on the wheel and the other holding a lit cigarette, she steered the Jeep along the path. As the crackle of the earpiece broke through, her attention snapped to the unseen voice on the other end.
“What you’re asking for is near impossible, Aubrey.” She responded evenly.
Before she could continue, Aubrey’s voice cut in, causing her to intensely focus. “Yes, the cliff is in sight.” She confirmed with a nod, her eyes returning to the moonlit landscape ahead, where the looming silhouette of the cliff was visible in the distance.
Every line on her face conveyed gravity as she outlined her plan to Aubrey. “I understand, Ma’am. I’ll be quick, after assessing if it’ll be possible or not. Finding a suitable position to take him out won’t be a problem.”
With a nod of understanding, she tapped the earpiece once and ended the call. As the connection went silent, she let out a soft exhale, her mind already shifting gears to the job she’s been tasked with. ‘Seriously?’ she murmured, a hint of amusement tugging at the corners of her lips.
‘Does she think I got laser vision or something? The hive is nearly five thousand yards out. Really? Might as well ask me to take a shot from the moon while she’s at it!’ She scoffed, sarcasm lacing her words with a hint of exasperation.
‘Bitch I thought I made it clear I was on your side, but I refuse to be complicit in killing my brothers.’
Her mind raced, and she thought of solutions to her moral dilemma as she neared the cliff. But as she judged from the gravity in Aubrey’s voice and tone, she understood that compliance was her only option. While she harbored a flicker of hope that Aubrey would have granted her request under different circumstances, the urgency of the situation left no room for negotiation. she resigned herself to the inevitable, bracing herself to fulfill the mission, aware that there was no retreat from the path set before her.
She flicked her wrist, sending the cigarette butt spiraling into the darkness. Her resolve to put the comrades they betrayed to rest driving her forward as she steered the Jeep onward.