89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mXwo59zEY
Chapter 16: Risk We Had to Take – Part 7
Final Battle
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOijIW7qNpX
Sergeant Randy and his team finally reached the radio station, where Sergeant Elsie Lee and the remaining royal guards had been protecting Princess Aurora. The old building was damaged from years of abandonment, its walls cracked and power barely functioning, but for the moment it had kept them alive. Elsie lowered her rifle slightly as Randy entered the room with Ghost, Kevin, Kayla, and Wolf behind him.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLlFbkFe9e
“Thank you for helping us,” Sergeant Elsie Lee said with relief in her voice.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9Q53McE8C
“You’re welcome,” Randy replied before turning toward Kayla. “Kayla, check on the princess.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqllpq2u8yE
“Copy that,” Kayla answered as she moved toward Aurora, activating her medic drone to scan for injuries.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4eqb9BDhw
Randy looked back at Elsie. “So what’s the next plan to get out of here?”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78c9p4ymm4
Elsie motioned toward a young man surrounded by holographic screens projected from a glowing gauntlet attached to his arm. Sparks flickered across the interface while cables connected to the station’s dead systems. “Michael,” she called out, “need you over here.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwjClUHJCz
Michael stepped closer, his fingers moving rapidly across the floating controls. Through rerouted power and improvised wiring, he had somehow restored portions of the station’s systems, enough to bring security cameras and city maps online again.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3O3uK0eMj
“This is Michael,” Elsie explained. “He’s the one using the gauntlet.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ct2kHQvmS
Randy nodded. “So what’s your plan to get us out?”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhhuZ8wWDE
Michael expanded a holographic map of the city. “We’ve got three options. Option one: the old factory district. Problem is, it’s two miles away. We don’t have enough time to reach it before getting surrounded. Option two: the Empire State Building. Plenty of room, but too many open flanks. We don’t have enough people to defend all sides.” He zoomed in on another section of the city. “Option three: the block. Liquor store, bail bonds office, central apartment complex, and surrounding houses. Tight streets. Limited flank routes. Better defensive position.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDAFpdl8zK
Randy studied the map carefully before nodding. “That means we can box them in and force them to attack us head-on.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj8mQrcIIc
Kevin smirked. “And once we get there, we set traps.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynr6ki2yX9
“Good idea,” Randy replied. He turned toward Elsie. “Get the princess and the rest of your people together. We move now.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4UIwHNTGn
“Understood,” Elsie answered.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Gur5nW6Zn
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhfdhXDEfK
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA3eBwowDp
Far across the ruined city, Demarion Walker stood inside his command post, staring at the silence on his tactical display. No reports. No communication from the battalions stationed around the radio station. Something felt wrong.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqz4iTJoX1
Demarion narrowed his eyes. “Prepare a squad. We move out.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5SYQmOaGE
Minutes later, he and Zalen Daronte arrived at Broken Structures Street. Dead battalion troopers littered the road, their armor shattered by precision attacks. Demarion slowly looked toward the radio station in the distance.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkIJvmWMRH
“Something’s wrong, sir,” Zalen muttered.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4VnOzRQ5R
“The Division was here,” Demarion growled. “Give me the map.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTf0j8KIea
Zalen handed him a holographic display.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5MMgMnDG3
Demarion scanned possible routes. “Not the docks… not the factory…” His eyes widened slightly. “Wait. The block.” He looked directly at Zalen. “That’s where they’re going.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TWjpVDVg3
“What are your orders, sir?”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bSM0yy8nn
“I want five battalions and heavy weapon support sent to that location immediately.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8iUhCw7FZ
“Yes, sir.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBH08ASMR2
Demarion clenched his fist tightly. He knew this was his final opportunity to capture Princess Aurora.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxMT1jmo8H
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVdtClpkhw
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyaqGBItG0
The block was silent when Randy’s forces arrived. Broken storefronts and abandoned apartments surrounded narrow streets that created natural choke points. It was exactly the kind of battlefield Randy wanted.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRG9BPgCZP
“Kevin and Wolf, set traps around the area,” Randy ordered. “Kayla, keep your medic drone close. Ghost, assist Sergeant Elsie’s team.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxUrdbE6na
“Copy,” they answered together.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr1BQ4ynaR
Elsie turned toward her soldiers. “Johnny Austin, stay with Princess Aurora.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaH2a2D1GrZ
“Copy that,” Johnny replied, positioning himself beside the princess.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC23tfkjR8
“Me and Kevin finished setting all the traps,” Wolf reported a few minutes later.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyyXs4qtVx
“Good,” Randy answered. “Wolf, set up your light machine gun overlooking the main street. If they push forward, gun them down.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz7D1HQ72B
“Copy.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1UOF04etr
“Kevin, Kayla, with me. We’ll take position in that house.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7x2u0mlSQ
Elsie checked her own squad. “Nicholas, Michael, ready?”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe7KEF4lrV
“Yes,” they answered firmly.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCRobcPIPa
Randy activated his comms. “Command Center, this is Sergeant Randy. We have Princess Aurora and surviving royal guards secure. Requesting extraction.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizZGIh0l44
Commander Thorne’s voice came through the static. “Copy that. Battleship is on standby. ETA seven minutes.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOuIrW5QSX
“Copy.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BAzrLE8Ak
Randy looked at Elsie. “Extraction arrives in seven minutes.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI4EEIL6n2
Elsie took a deep breath and loaded her rifle. “Then we hold for seven minutes.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SifYcLgjd
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5orKoabvI
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GUX7MRfuA
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXQEuP4ahr
Outside the block, Demarion Walker and Zalen Daronte observed the area from behind ruined vehicles.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UqipRIYEc
“You see them?” Zalen asked.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD9CDUq05H
“No,” Demarion replied coldly. “But they’re there somewhere. Let’s draw them out.” He raised his hand. “Send in the first wave.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1ufIeKhx6
Battalion troopers charged into the streets fearlessly—
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEBa2kdY7H
Then explosions erupted beneath them.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7etcOHK7s
Trap after trap detonated, throwing armored soldiers through the air. Before the survivors could recover, a storm of gunfire ripped through the smoke-filled streets. The first wave was slaughtered within seconds.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJyvPGmUn8
“The first wave is gone!” a trooper shouted in panic.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDjdNkZEc6
Demarion’s eyes narrowed. “Second wave. Move.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucSWHrbRey
This time the battalion advanced more carefully, but thick smoke suddenly covered Randy’s defensive positions. Troopers fired blindly while more hidden explosives detonated around them. Several soldiers managed to breach one of the houses, only for another trap to explode inside the doorway, killing two instantly and stunning the others.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSMswh7KAZ
Ghost emerged from the darkness like a phantom and eliminated the remaining troopers before disappearing again.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXih0R05Ji
“The second wave is down,” Zalen reported uneasily.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RcQl4lzxs
Demarion growled. “They prepared more traps than expected… and they’re using smoke to hide firing positions.” He pointed toward the battlefield. “Find another flank route.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qb9TpmiC8
“Yes, sir.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Dy27kqTLP
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3dDXmqSlm
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxFqrJ2Qjc
Heavy armored vehicles soon rolled into the streets, shielding advancing battalions behind reinforced plating.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSwYEjKffl
“Stay behind the armor!” commanders shouted.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF0dwzePeJ
The third wave advanced under vehicle protection—
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4yxvEa7WT
Then massive explosions erupted beneath the armored carriers, destroying them and killing dozens of troops. Burning wreckage blocked the streets while survivors stumbled forward into another storm of bullets.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcnRJiTL4R
“Sergeant Randy,” Kevin called out, “we only have two smoke grenades left. Once they clear, they’ll see our positions.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrVSnMl49C
“Then prepare the Deployable Magshield.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZ7y995zQg
“Copy.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5FnQTaFcl
Commander Thorne contacted them again. “Battleship arrival in five minutes.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIDHhFL21R
“Understood.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8znaKCFtW
Inside the defensive line, Johnny Austin crouched beside Princess Aurora. “Stay low, Princess. You’re gonna be okay.”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0S0r5wQOC
Aurora nodded nervously. “Okay…”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfpgsaZdDU
As enemy gunfire intensified, Kevin slammed his gadget into the ground. A glowing blue Magshield expanded outward, blocking incoming fire while Randy and Elsie’s forces shot safely through the barrier.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHYEqdKAoA
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3phsnc4V66
Troopers continued charging endlessly.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCIwSZjFGN
Kevin fired a concussive blast into a crowd of enemies, sending soldiers crashing into walls and pavement. Wolf unleashed armor-piercing rounds from his light machine gun, shredding armored battalion troops as they tried to advance.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4iwxAFM5S
Randy suddenly spotted six enemy troopers attempting to flank their right side. He fired a Push Banshee launcher, the sonic blast disorienting them long enough for him to eliminate all six.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQa2KwI7ic
“Regroup together!” Randy shouted to Elsie.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgKenBF86D
The two teams combined positions and concentrated their firepower into the narrow streets.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0gVmFeV5w
Then Johnny Austin spotted another enemy force moving around the apartments.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9kxPmhhZh
“They’re flanking us!”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlxtCq8t7n
Before the enemies could attack—
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0vBwLsJhN
Missiles rained down from the sky.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiSdTsuzCy
Explosions tore through the advancing battalions as a massive battleship descended through the smoke-filled battlefield.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADQiLZsByN
“The battleship!” Kayla shouted.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaY8F0e7Hd
Randy immediately activated his comms. “Everyone to the ship! Move now!”
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Aoc8MBFxZ
Sergeant Elsie Lee’s team escorted Princess Aurora aboard first while Randy’s squad provided covering fire. Ghost disappeared into the smoke one final time before reappearing inside the battleship seconds later.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRcDeiXZGu
As the last soldiers boarded, the massive ship lifted off the ground and blasted into the dark sky.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0cy1Amh0D
Below them, Demarion Walker stood among the burning ruins of the battlefield, fury burning in his eyes as the battleship escaped with Princess Aurora.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1aXPNIXAD
His final chance was gone.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMhj6Dlf2v
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z057OptF7
End of Chapter 16
ns216.73.217.110da2
and then Add to home screen.