Two soldiers were on night duty, standing alert and vigilant as darkness enveloped their surroundings. They were fully equipped with their armor, The Exo Armor, or the Suit is a marvel of technology and design, crafted with sleek lines and sturdy materials. Imagine a suit that is wrapped around the wearer like a second skin, molded to perfection. Its surface gleams with a metallic sheen, reflecting light in a way that suggests strength and resilience.

At its core, the suit is a symphony of plates and panels, each meticulously fitted to provide maximum protection without sacrificing mobility. Picture armor plating arranged in segments, forming a formidable barrier against harm. Yet, despite its bulk, the suit manages to convey a sense of agility and grace.

On the helmet, envision a visor that spans the wearer's face, tinted like polished glass. Behind it lies a world of technology, with heads-up displays and targeting systems that enhance the wearer's senses. This visor, like the eye of a warrior, offers both protection and insight into the chaos of battle.

"So, what's the deal with those guys?"

"I'm not sure, but all I've noticed is that they disappear sometimes for like an hour during our break."

“Damn it.”

“Dude, you're overthinking it, maybe they just wanna bust outta here or somethin',” the other soldier said, and they fell eerily silent. But then, a slight snicker from the second soldier slowly evolved into a hearty chuckle, ultimately breaking into a full-on belly laugh.

"Escape," they both said laughing loudly.

But suddenly, their laughter was drowned out by the urgent announcement blaring from the radio, "All men on guard. It's 11:59, rove in, five, four, three, two, one."

Roving is a crucial routine task where guards wander around the perimeter wall, keeping a keen eye out for any signs of trouble, like potential threats or vulnerable spots that could be exploited by intruders.

Normally, the lights stay on throughout the night without any issues, but on this particular evening, there was a glitch that caused them to flicker off momentarily. At least, that's what the guards were informed about the situation.

Huddled together in complete concealment, the sixth and the tenth were clad in matching suits. Positioned to their left was none other than Colonel Mendez. The group remained still and quiet, anticipation hanging in the air as they awaited further instructions. Each member felt a mix of nerves and excitement, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

"They are moving," Aitr's voice crackled over the radio. Jenny inquired, "Shouldn't we start?"

"Wait, we must wait for a five-minute window before the second couple comes into sight." Mendez replied.

"Five minutes," Aitr echoed thoughtfully. Then, decisively, he ordered, "Commence!" The team sprang into action.

Tanner and Sukina, both known for their quick reflexes and agility, swiftly grabbed their ropes with hooks attached. they were the star climbers in their respective teams. Sukina wasted no time in flinging her rope, the hook firmly latching onto the edge above. With seamless grace, she began her ascent. Tanner, not far behind, followed suit almost instantly.

Once Bahir reached the summit, he paused to soak in the panoramic view. Mendez could be seen darting back towards the distant, pitch-black Dome, five kilometers away. The faint glow of the outposts encircling the Dome added a mystical aura to the scene. It was a sight that left Bahir awestruck.

“Come on, Shoot already!” Anom yelled in frustration. His rope had gotten jammed in the slinger, leaving him stranded without a way to descend to the distant abandoned tower. Meanwhile, the tenth had already managed to shoot and land their rope successfully, with Andreo and Jenny already making their way down.

"Just use ours," Jenny said, a hint of exasperation in her voice as she prepared herself to descend.

“What is it?” Aitr's voice crackled over the radio.

“The slinger, ours, it's not releasing,” Bahir replied.

"Did you take off the safety?" Aitr asked.

"Shit, my fault," Anom cursed under his breath, realizing his error and immediately by taking off the safety mechanism.

"You got that right," Yang chimed in, shaking her head.

The tenth and sixth on the ground, they continue the run, their destination, A golf club.

One hour had passed since they started running nonstop, their lungs burning and legs aching with every step. Finally, they arrived at the crossroads marked by the familiar sign "R26." Altus, gasping for breath, pointed at the sign and exclaimed, "We've made it to our destination, guys!"

Bahir pointed up the steep hill towards the glowing lights of the club. "The club is up that hill,"

Jenny, a little out of breath from the climb, suggested they pause for a moment to catch their breath. "Let's just take a minute,"

Their breaths were ragged and shallow, each inhale feeling like a struggle after an hour of non-stop jogging. The ropes, forgotten after their descent, could have easily given away their position by now. If the council's strict orders to refrain from meddling with the ropes were to be ignored, and the army started pressing the council for answers, the entire mission was bound to crumble like a house of cards.

"We'll take ten, if no one shows up, that means the mission is on," Bahir declared confidently, his gaze shifting to the south where the unknown awaited.

"Ten?" Sukina inquired.

"Yeah," Jenny chimed in, exuding a cool demeanor. "They've got an entire convoy - cars, tanks, helicopters! If they were serious about catching us, we'd be in cuffs by now."

"Relax and keep watch," Bahir urged, his voice calm but firm

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Jenny couldn't believe her eyes as she gawked at Bahir. It was as if he hadn't just completed a rigorous hour-long run - his chest was eerily serene, devoid of any signs of heavy breathing. In a daze, she rose from her seat and approached him, her hand instinctively reaching out to touch his chest. Everyone looked at her, their faces a mix of surprise and bewilderment. It was only then that Jenny had a sudden realization - the armor he wore acted as a barrier, preventing her from feeling his heartbeat beneath.

"What are you doing?" Tanner asked, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion and a hint of concern in his voice.

Jenny, caught off guard, swiftly withdrew her hand from his chest, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She instinctively took a few hurried steps back, her mind racing to find the right words to respond. The silence between them stretched uncomfortably as she struggled to piece together a coherent explanation. Time seemed to slow down as she desperately tried to convey her thoughts, her gaze shifting nervously as she searched for the right words to clarify the situation.

Bahir was taken aback ‘The fuck was that? Is she? No, no one knows, she doesn’t. Say something.’ Bahir thought, he scuffed, arms crossed, trying to make sense of the situation. Finally, breaking the silence, he quipped, "So, do you really like me that much?"

“Excuse me!!” Jenny shouted.

Sukina, equally thrilled, began to jump up and down while exclaiming, "Oh my god! oh my god! This is so amazing you two. You two make a perfect fit! It’ll be cute, the lea-"

"Sukina, shut up!" Jenny's voice was dripping with a level of anger that caught Bahir off guard. It was a tone unlike anything he had ever heard from her before. She paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and continued in a firm tone, "Out of everyone, you know exactly-"

"We can talk about it later," Bahir said abruptly as he interrupted her mid-sentence. It dawned on him that he had put her on the spot, and she was not one to back down without a fight. "Let's take a break for now. We need to rest so that later we can get ourselves a car,”

Silently scolding himself for jumping to conclusions and testing her patience. ‘Why did I push her like that? I should have thought before opening my big mouth,’

"Eighty feet, now!" Jenny exclaimed, gesturing for Bahir to follow her as she briskly made her way to a spot twenty feet away from the rest of the group. Bahir casually strolled behind her, fully aware that at this distance, their conversation would remain discreet from the others, for it was the radio’s range.

"You're nothing but a lie, a fake, trying to pull the wool over my eyes. I won't be fooled by your facade of not being tired. Why aren't you even out of breath? How did I miss this before? I see it now - you never break a sweat, you never show any signs of exhaustion. You're not one of us, that's clear. Look at them, barely able to stand, while you're just standing there all cool and collected. You expect me to believe you're not tired after running for an hour. Don't play me for a fool. Who the hell are you really?" She said, her anger in a level he never saw.

“She's way smarter than I thought! Actually, scratch that. I reckon she was just so mad before that she couldn't see straight. But now? She's laser-focused, and that's a whole new ball game. Darn it, I can't let her see through me. That would totally mess up everything, you know? It'd sow seeds of doubt, and that's the last thing I need right now. Maybe even worse. Lie already!”.

“My lungs are in top-notch condition, and I have full control over my breathing. Of all the things we sixth can do, jogging is our thing. A fun fact about me is that I have a condition called Anhidrosis, which means I don't sweat like other people do. If I could show you my legs, you'd probably feel like you were standing by a flowing river - that's the only place I break a sweat. That's why you never saw me.” Bahir replied the words came out of his mouth so quick she couldn't interrupt.

‘I never feel anything, but if I could experience an emotion at this moment, it wouldn't be weariness weighing me down. No, it would be fear gripping my heart, the kind that sends shivers down your spine and makes every nerve tingle with anticipation.’ Bahir thought to himself.

“The sixth aced the test with flying colors, proving to be the most sharp and cunning of the bunch. Despite my growing distrust and disbelief in your motives, I understand the importance of maintaining security within the RFZ. So, I'll keep quiet and follow orders, Sergeant.” She said, turning around, back to the bunch who were still gathering their strength.

As Bahir sat peacefully under the starlit sky, gazing at the gentle glow of the moon above, his tranquil moment was suddenly shattered by the insistent beeping of the timer. With a jolt, he realized that ten minutes had slipped by unnoticed.

"Come on, we've got to pick up the pace," Bahir said, getting up.

"I am still tired," Altus said.

"When we finally get our hands on a car, we can crash and catch some Z's, but until then, we gotta tough it out on foot," Tanner replied.

"Just remember, this place is supposed to be deserted, but you never know when those sneaky reptiles might decide to make an appearance. Keep those weapons at the ready and stay alert, eyes peeled for any unexpected guests." Bahir said.

"Reptiles, head shot, nothing else," Sukina muttered, trying to remind herself.

Anom, intrigued, inquired, "What kinda calm you have to be, so the shot lands?"

Without missing a beat, Andreo responded in a cool and collected manner, "Not calm, but in control. You must control your fear, let it out with the bullet. Only then will your aim be true, and your target meet its end."

“Well said.” Bahir said.

“Thanks.” Andreo replied.

They fell into formation, lining up in a wedge shape as they proceeded forward cautiously. The sixth positioned themselves on the left side at the front, while the tenth took up the right rear position. Walking silently, fear crept into their minds, especially after watching the chilling footage of the towering reptiles with thick, impenetrable skin – the only vulnerable spot being their heads.

The area fell eerily silent, save for the occasional chirping of crickets and the skittering of roaches. As they approached a fence, Tanner took out the wire cutters and got to work. The rest of the group stood ready with their guns, poised for any potential danger. After a few moments, the cut was large enough for them to slip through and continue on their mission.

"Entering," Tanner said, taking the lead as they advanced.

Bahir, ever vigilant, responded with a stern tone, "It's no time for jokes."

Tanner, with a hint of amusement in his voice, quickly clarified, "I wasn't," as a soft chuckle escaped him.

Ladybrand Academy stood tall at the corner of the bustling intersection. Bahir took a right turn, his steps echoing on the pavement as he wandered through the vibrant streets lined with quaint shops and cafes. As he strolled, his eyes scanned the horizon until they locked onto a sturdy vehicle parked by the roadside.

‘There is a car shop next to the church, Piet... piet? Piet Retief st.’ Bahir reminded himself in doubt, t was unlike him to forget details, but the name of the street seemed to have evaded his memory for a moment.

"It looks peaceful," Sukina said softly as they strolled down the desolate streets lined with closed shops and abandoned playgrounds that once echoed with children's laughter. The neighborhood was a suburban oasis, a place that used to beckon people with promises of a beautiful life filled with charm and tranquility.

"It sure does," Anom replied.

‘Aitr had mentioned that the beings possessed cunning minds and could possibly be seeking shelter within the houses.’ Bahir pondered to himself, realizing the imminent danger of being outnumbered and trapped. "Stay alert, focus on the windows," he commanded, fully aware that there might be nowhere to escape once surrounded.

Jenny's distrust in Bahir bubbled over as she voiced her question, "You think someone might be in them?" She couldn’t stop thinking, ‘What is he hiding?’

"I don't know anything, neither do you." Bahir replied.

As they gazed on the windows and activated their helmet night vision, Tanner who caught sight of something intriguing—a pickup truck, standing out amidst the shadows with its seemingly pristine condition.

"Sargent, that one looks good enough," Tanner said.

"Tenth, hold the rear. Anom, Yang, stick with me. Eyes on ahead," Bahir ordered without skipping a beat.

"Copy," came the unified reply as everyone swiftly assumed their designated positions.

"Do your thing, Tanner," Bahir commanded.