Jake knew something was amiss. Alley had not returned for a few minutes and he couldn't stay here much longer. He would have to move. He had donned a set of goggles and wrapped a wet rag around his face to deal with the thick smoke that flooded the chamber. Even so, it was getting harder and harder to breath. His resolve hardened and he got to his feet. He hadn't seen the enemy since he set fire to the entrance. He knew they were waiting for him though and would be prepared for him to rush out. He looked around the room for another exit. He saw smoke drifting into the far side of the room. He approached a rug hung from the wall there and tore it down.

There was a grate in the wall. He summoned his E-tool and pried the grate from the wall. There was a large ventilation shaft there and he crawled inside. He looked up and saw a dim light up above. He wedged himself up the shaft and slowly made his way up. It was hot sweaty work but after some time he made it to another grate.

Jake looked out of the grate and saw a group of men waiting at the opening of the stairwell leading to the basement. Their back was facing him but he knew if he made any noise that would change swiftly. Jake racked his brain as to what he should do next. He Drew his pistol while balancing wedging his legs to support his weight. As he aimed however there was an explosion from the wall behind the enemy.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The building shook and Jake almost lost his footing. Looking out from the grate he saw bodies, and parts of bodies strewn about. A few were getting up to shaky feet. As the dust settled a VTOL was seen landing outside. A few of the enemies started to approach only to be cut down by machine gun turrets mounted on the nose of the aircraft. Jake inwardly cheered as he saw a hatch open up revealing a worried-looking Alley. Jake then noticed one of the enemy inching forward with a crossbow along the wall towards the opening.

Jake quickly aimed with his pistol and fired until the enemy hit the ground. He noticed Alley though didn't retreat she ran forward. Almost panicked. Jake beat at the grate until it gave way. Alley spotted him and ran over to pull him out. As He got to his feet she hugged him tightly weeping.

Jake consoled her saying, “It's okay sweetie, I'm fine. Everything is okay.” Despite his gore-covered and smoke-smelling body, she held him tightly and kissed him repeatedly. She cried “I thought something might have happened to you, and I don't know what I would do.” Jake said, “Let's just get back home and we can get cleaned up. I will always do what is in my power to be there for you. As he looked into her blue eyes he said, I love you and her tears of worry and relief turned to tears of joy.”