Lucia arrived at the foot of the cliff ten minutes after ending her communication with Aubrey. The air had a biting chill, and the damp ground beneath her boots squelched with each step. She froze, narrowing her eyes at a sound too loud in the still night.
Her brows furrowed in irritation as she spotted a patch of moss growing against the rocks. Perfect. With a few quick motions, she tore it up and pressed it beneath her boots, securing it with strips of cloth from her pack. The thick layer would absorb moisture and soften her steps. The damp moss clung to the soles, muffling her footsteps as she tested her weight. The difference was immediate--no more than a wet crunch beneath her feet.
Moving on, she focused intently on the scene ahead. Potential hiding spots. Her sharp gaze darted between the underbrush, crevices, and shadowed nooks where an enemy might be concealed. She scoped the entire area thoroughly, rifle in hand, until she was confident there were no threats. Only then did she allow herself to retrace her steps, consciously steering clear of the blood and footprints she had spotted earlier.
Ralph had fallen here, but there was more to the story—subtleties she hadn’t fully processed yet. Kneeling down, she studied the tracks with full focus. Four distinct sets of footprints. Her heart raced as she noted their size and spacing; the three larger prints surrounded a single set, smaller in comparison. The left print of the smaller set had a slight drag, and the blood within them confirmed her hypothesis: Ralph.
‘To confirm,’ she muttered, lifting her gaze to the spot where he must have fallen. His footprints led away from the cliff’s edge, consistent with the struggle that had likely ensued.
‘His feet have always been quite small for a man,’ She whispered, recalling the moments of banter shared between the Spades. He hated being made fun of, but they always did.
‘Three against one. The three clustering suggests synchronization—so an organized unit.’ Lucia paused, narrowing her focus again on the size and depth of the prints. Ralph's tracks were deeper but erratic, indicating he was struggling to had fight back. The prints of his attackers were wider and more uniform, indicating they had stayed close together.
Her eyes followed the trail until it led to a deeper indent in the ground, where the earth had given way. A struggle had taken place here. The dirt beneath her fingers was damp and smeared, as if someone had been dragged.
The terrain had likely shifted since the encounter, either from the wind or the force of movement during the struggle. Yet, from what she could still make out, the evidence painted a fairly clear picture. Near the prints, scuff marks on the rocks were sharp, erratic, and recent. Ralph must have hit the rocks during his fall, struggling to regain control mid-air. The blood splatter at the base suggested a rough landing, but the way it streaked and pooled indicated he hadn’t stayed down long. The blood from the pool and the streak were both darker than the blood she saw across the terrain.
Lucia’s focus shifted to the spent bullet casings lodged in the ground and wedged between the cracks of the rocks. She had ignored them too earlier while ensuring the area was clear, but now she could afford to investigate. Picking one up, she rolled it between her fingers, studying it carefully. Up close, she recognized it immediately—these were not standard-issue rounds. They were the ones Aubrey had insisted on swapping, likely used against Ralph in the skirmish.
The pattern was tight, almost clustered. Close-quarters combat. The spacing between the rounds confirmed that whoever fired them had done so from nearly point-blank range, likely during a brawl. A wider spread would have indicated shots fired from a distance, but the narrow cluster hinted at rapid firing. Ralph must have been too close for comfort, forcing his attacker to fire in quick succession.
‘That certainly sounds like something he would do.’
It wasn’t just the positioning; the marks on the ground—a scuffle—combined with the tight grouping of the casings told her everything she needed to know. This wasn’t a clean execution from a distance. Ralph had forced them into close-quarters combat, and in the confusion, they’d opened fire, desperate to subdue him before he could strike back.
However the casings were clustered too tightly to suggest multiple shooters. If all three had fired at him, the pattern would have been more erratic, with some rounds spread farther apart. Instead, their close grouping suggested one shooter was responsible, likely the one who had moved in closest during the confrontation.
She then considered the positioning of the three sets of boot prints again. While they had moved in sync, it was clear that one had taken the lead in firing while the others were poised to assist. ‘But why didn’t he fire back?’ She knew him too well and she knew he dropped his rifle earlier, but he always carried secondary weapons. ‘Unless the fall damaged them,’ She pondered, frowning at the lack of distinct bullet casings from a pistol.
She got up to her feet and took a few steps back, standing in silence, she absorbed the entire scene, pondering over everything. Her mind replayed the events like a movie, reconstructing what had likely happened. After he had fallen, he had tried to get up—his strength faded as the seconds passed. Three men, including Brian, descended upon him, but he fought back, even injured. But they overpowered him, and from the blood trail leading away, she could see they had dragged him toward the waiting vehicle.
Her eyes followed the blood streak in the ground, ending at a pair of tire tracks further away from the skirmish site. The final clue.
They had taken him.
She exhaled slowly, her expression hardening. The evidence was subtle but undeniable, all pointing to the same conclusion: Ralph was captured.
‘TAOS is down.’ She whispered to herself, knowing what it meant. ‘But why do I feel like it was too easy.’ She bit her nail, lost in contemplation, completely forgetting Aubrey had sent her on a mission. The unexpected twitch and crackle of static from her radio snapped her out of her state of wonder.
“I did it, Lucia. I’ve put an end to TAOS.” Brian announced immediately. He sounded tired and weak, however it didn’t surprise her. After all, he was the one Aubrey made execute Saber, Doc and the SEALs. It’s too much a burden for a single soul to bear.
“I see, good work,” was all she could muster before putting back the radio in its place.
Deadeye -- Lucia was strong, but even she couldn’t suppress the wave of uncertainty that washed over her, it casted a shadow of doubt on her convictions. Though she had chosen her path, the weight of camaraderie lingered, stirring emotions she had long made peace with, the moment she decided to side with Aubrey. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness for Ralph, and the lives lost, especially the ones who were just collateral. Their deaths meant nothing, it just had to happen for the sake of propaganda.
She casted one last glance at the scene before turning away, she had been tasked with a mission too. It is cruel, but her emotions were insignificant.
‘I guess even you are human, Captain. Now I must do my part,’ she muttered to herself, as if she was still struggling to believe it. As if voicing it out will convince her it’s actually happened.
She lowered the rifle she had strapped, ready for the unexpected and went back to her Jeep. She started it immediately and headed for the top of the cliff. Its navigation system providing her with routes to take her to the top. Lucia carefully maneuvered the through the treacherous terrain, even on routes deemed unsuitable for off-road vehicles. Its specialized tires, designed for maximum traction, gripped the rocky ground, while its suspension system absorbed the jolts and bumps of the rugged landscape.
A sense of eagerness coursed through her as she approached the towering peak of the cliff. It weighed a lot on her, and she hated herself for even considering killing one of her friends. Upon reaching the top, Lucia parked and stepped out onto the rocky plateau. She was met with an expansive emptiness, broken only by the faint glow of distant lights in the direction of the base, accompanied by the echoing staccato of gunfire. Tracers streaked across the night sky, illuminating brief glimpses of the battlefield.
She raised her shades and peered through her binoculars, carefully adjusting it’s focus, the distant outline of the base coming into view, and its features becoming clearer with each adjustment. The ongoing battle, though distant, held a haunting intensity that compelled her to gather more information, besides, the binoculars wasn’t enough to locate Noah. She retrieved her equipment from the Jeep, including the Falcon 11XC, a high-tech military-grade drone. With its advanced features and near-silent propulsion, it could provide unmatched real-time reconnaissance with HD cameras, thermal imaging, and LIDAR sensors.
She launched the drone, having first radioed Aubrey for clearance and emphasizing the need to avoid friendly fire. The drone’s silent hum indicated its readiness as she input the base’s coordinates into the navigation system, setting its flight for autonomous navigation towards the target.
With the drone en route, she swapped her automatic rifle for a much bigger and powerful sniper rifle, carefully strapping it to her back. Her eyes scanned the area, and after a brief moment of consideration, she approached the edge of the cliff, where a lone tree stood like a silent sentinel overlooking the vast terrain below.
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She set down her gear and unfolded the tripod for her spotter scope, positioning it precisely next to the tree trunk. She glanced toward the base in the distance, roughly 4,600 yards away, then adjusted the scope for clarity.
Her rangefinder was securely strapped to her vest, it hung at her side within easy reach. She gave it a quick glance to check the distance once more before finally settling into position. The wind whispered through the branches, but her focus did not waver, she focused on the landscape that came into sharp detail through the lens. It was so vivid that she felt it. Thanks to a condition of hers’ -- one she calls the Atmospheric sensory perception.
Lucia had always been special since birth. She’d always possessed a keen awareness of her surrounding, a sensitivity to the world that set her apart from others. It’s extremely rare, and for someone like her, it provided an advantage that made her a one of a kind marksman. With ASP, it was as if the world around her gained new dimensions, she didn’t just see the landscape, she felt it. Colors became richer, shadows deeper, and the air itself seemed to come alive with subtle cues.
She could anticipate weather patterns, predict changes in terrain, and adapt to shifting environmental conditions.
As she observed, she not only saw but also sensed the intricate dance of the air currents against her skin. Every gust of wind, every shift in temperature, whispered secrets to her heightened sense. It was like having a sixth sense for the environment. It was a good ‘condition’ to have as a sniper, but it had no off button. But the specialized shades she always wore took care of that problem. It helped her interpret the enhanced visuals provided by her ASP, allowing her to perceive the world around her in a manner similar to how a normal person would.
Lucia observed the dance of the air currents, noting their subtle shifts and undulations. ‘Suboptimal.’ She murmured, her voice barely audible above the rustle of the wind. She remained steadfast, despite the less than ideal conditions. ‘Beggars can’t be choosers.’ She added with a wry twist of her lips. For a moment, she lingered in contemplation, mapping out potential strategies to overcome the obstacle before her internally.
She adjusted her stance, a subtle realignment of her body attuned to the rhythm of the terrain. In her world, where precision was paramount and split-second decisions could mean the difference between success and failure, she trusted in her skill and expertise to guide her forward. ‘Nothing I can’t handle.’ she muttered confidently.
Moving on to the sniper, she sought out her target, Noah, who was still running rampant at the base. She tried different positions to get him in sight, whether crouching or laying flat, but her efforts were impeded by obstacles that obstructed her view, hindering her ability to acquire a clear line of sight. ‘Target obscured by intervening terrain.’ she muttered silently. On a tripod however, her sights locked onto him, engrossed in a heated exchange with another soldier, she could perfectly track him through her scope. Although the perfect angle and distance for a clean shot presented themselves multiple times, she hesitated to pull the trigger as she suddenly struggled with the moral dilemma of potentially ending the life of a very dear friend.
The hesitation stemmed not only from loyalty and love but also from a deeply ingrained sense of respect and camaraderie that transcended their current adversarial roles. Her request to Aubrey - to be kept away from such emotionally charged confrontations - echoed in her mind. She made it explicitly clear that she supported her and will go with whatever she said, on the condition that she’ll be kept far away from situations like this. Yet here she was, faced with a reality that challenged her principles and blurred the lines between duty and conscience.
As Noah came into focus again, she grappled with the internal conflict raging within her. She found herself frozen, unable to reconcile her instincts as a soldier with the profound connection she shared with her peers.
“Tsk! Fuck!” Her frustration surged to the forefront as she cursed out and stomped her now, ‘moss-less’ boot against the unforgiving earth. She lowered her weapon, and continued monitoring his actions through a device around her wrist. It was a wrist-worn gadget she wore moments ago while prepping her gear. The device provided a live feed from her drone on its integrated display, presenting a sweeping vista of the commotion enveloping the base. Though significantly larger than a traditional watch face, the device remained compact and easily accessible, providing her with an exclusive vantage point that allowed her to see beyond her immediate surroundings, compensating for any blind spots that might otherwise compromise her mission. The drone and device were specifically designed to enhance her marksmanship, allowing for precise targeting and minimizing the risk of missing her target.
'Noah’s pissed, pissed.’ She muttered under her breath, her gaze fixed on the unfolding spectacle. ‘For the infiltration specialist amongst us, he’s been awfully loud, I see why Aubrey is so alarmed.’ She added, her expression thoughtful as she absently nibbled on her nail.
Noah’s onslaught was evident as she witnessed the destruction and carnage left in his wake. It was evident that the constant presence of her drone above him had provoked a strong reaction, leading him to act impulsively. Seeing the Falcon 11XC hovering above him meant only thing, he knew what was to happen next, all too well. She watched his every move with intense scrutiny when he tried to shoot down her drone, for a moment there, she raised her sniper and nearly squeezed the trigger in a purely instinctive response to protect her property. However, she halted mid-action when she noticed his adversaries -- her new allies -- forcing him into cover as if they were safeguarding the drone themselves. It was as if they were buying time, and telling her to put him down already.
Except, it wasn’t that easy. Her heart pounded in her chest as she considered the consequences of disobeying Aubrey’s orders. To refuse meant defying the States, a fate she couldn’t bear. Yet, on the other hand, obeying meant killing someone important to her and condemning innocent lives. The situation demanded careful thought and strategic planning.
While she was still wrestling with her rational sense, and conscience, another troubling notion crept into her mind. In spite of the imminent danger posed by her presence, Noah seemed oddly undeterred after that one time, he displayed a brazenness that defied rational explanation. He knew she was crept up somewhere around, ready to put him down at her convenience. Was it sheer audacity, fueled by hatred or desperation, that drove him forward? Or was there a deeper motive at play, concealed beneath the surface of his ‘reckless’ actions.
Why would he forsake his carefully honed tactics, opting instead for a bold and potentially perilous maneuver? The question gnawed at her, a puzzle with no easy solution.
As she contemplated the situation further, a troubling realization dawned on her.“
"Could he be….?”
The Noah she knew would never leave Mother May and Phantom Ghost to face such a reckless charge alone. He’s fiercely protective of his team, always prioritizing their safety above all else, just like his role model. The only logical explanation for his behaviour was also the most illogical one, he intended to seize control of the Hive, then use it as a bargaining chip to secure the lives of his remaining comrades. It was a risky gambit that took the heat away from May and Ghost, and it’d definitely work out if he pulled it off, that certainly underscored the depth of his commitment to his comrades and the lengths he was willing to go to ensure their survival.
But if he truly intended to use the Hive as a bargaining chip, a stealthier approach would have been more effective. Why then, did he opt for such a brazen and conspicuous move? Perhaps he’s got a screw loose upstairs.
‘I must be looking too deep into a simple situation.’ She shook her head and muttered to herself. ‘He’s just lost his friends and his idol, perhaps he’s just mourning, in his own pitiful way.’ She added with a sigh. A hint of remorse in her green eyes as she slid her shades back on, shielding the emotions present in her eyes.
“I’ll end your suffering, for old times’ sake, Noah.” She sniffled softly, as she fought back a sudden wave of emotion, her eyes, shielded by the shaded lenses, remained glistening with unshed tears.
She took a few moments to collect and compose herself. Inhaling deeply, Lucia refocused her attention on her mission. She assessed the situation with a peek to the display on her wrist then got on her rifle. “Can I even make the shot?” More and more frustration gripped her, and she laid neck deep in the pool of overwhelming self doubt, something that hasn’t happened to her in a really long time. She sucked her teeth angrily and started to pack her gear up. “What was she thinking, asking me to eliminate him from this far out anyway? I’m not just some tool. It’s beyond unreasonable.” Her tone filled with exasperation, as she prepared to relocate to a closer and more advantageous position.
As she got up to leave and began walking away, she stopped in her track all of a sudden. Her brows furrowed and she turned back, her thoughts momentarily interrupted by a nagging uncertainty.
‘Wait a minute,’ her voice barely above a whisper. She knelt down slowly, dropping the case in her hand. She reached into it as it touched the ground and brought out her sniper.
“Brian’s truck is not at the base!” She exclaimed. It was a small detail, amongst all the ongoing chaos, but one that raised unsettling questions about the situation before her.
As she returned to the edge of the cliff, her focus shifted from the base to the surrounding area where Ralph had been taken. She peered through the scope, carefully tracing the path from his ‘abduction’ point to the tire tracks left by Brian and his men. Following the trail she had discovered earlier, she narrowed down her options, and carefully observed their direction.
However, her reconnaissance was soon met with an unexpected obstacle -- a landslide obstructing the route that truck had taken. She quickly glanced back at the base, only now assessing its entrance. Regardless of the lights illuminating the road, there were no recent tire tracks to be seen, nor any sign Brian’s vehicle. To further spice it up, Aubrey already had the base locked down.
“Blade wouldn’t happen to be with you right now, would he, Ma’am?” She inquired anxiously, speaking into her earpiece.
“Then I guess we have a problem. I’ll contact you soon, when I get hold of the situation.” She gently tapped the earpiece to end the call.
Lucia then navigated the drone away from the base, to scout over the terrain she couldn’t see through her scopes, and as she feared, Brian’s truck was parked right there. It sent chills down her spine, but she knew she had to check it out.
“I knew it looked too easy.”
And for that brief moment, she recalled her brief conversation with Brian. It did sound like he was tired, and weak. But she also unconsciously ignored the tone of fear he spoke with, because her mind was too occupied to notice.
She started running towards her Jeep, cases in hand. Lucia stowed them back to their places in the trunk, then armed herself with her automatic rifle and holstered her secondary weapons.
‘Motherfucker!”
As she tried to get into the Jeep, she noticed that her tires were all slashed. Normally she was the calm type, under most circumstances, but being in a situation whereby she’s being hunted by Ralph - TAOS, the man she and Aubrey betrayed, didn’t sit right with her. It was a position she wouldn’t wish upon her worst enemy, so the feeling of immense fear and anxiety gripped her.
It was no mere coincidence she was here. Knowing how Ralph thought and operated, she just knew he wanted her here, right here, right now.