Redamancy ✷ Simon Riley

Chap 38)

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𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐄𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭
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Placing her dainty forefinger on the curved trigger of her pristine rifle she had thoughtfully selected from Alejandro's armoury, Poppy narrowed her eyes as she scanned the parched terrain where a patrol of Shadow soldiers were currently stationed. Leaning slightly over, her movement was silent as a mouse as she maneuvered her way around prickly green cactuses.

The soles of her begrimed boots further granulated the grained sand beneath her feet as she sauntered forward vigilantly. Despite the weight of the rucksack on her back that contained the explosives she and Simon were going to plant, her body movement was skillfully graceful and nimble.

A balmy crisp breeze brushed softly by, caressing her warm face and exposed neck. She expired an invisible breath from her parted lips as she moved around sharp pointed rocks sitting on the dry ground in her path. Sere plants scattered the powdered gravel and sand-like bones on an ancient battlefield. She flattened thirsty leaves as she crouched to the ground by Simon.

"Dargie," Craning her head to regard Simon, he raised his gloved hand and signalled his index finger at the Shadow soldier with the cap on. "On my mark, drop the one in the cap."

She raised her silenced rifle and aimed the weapon, getting an accurate target on the back of the Shadow's head. Her finger hovered over the trigger as she tightened her grasp on her firearm and steadied her arm so she wouldn't accidentally miss.

"Ready," she murmured assuredly.

The lieutenant nodded in her direction before lining up his aim perfectly at the back of the heavily armoured Shadow's head on the left. "Check—3, 2, 1..."

As soon as he said one, she pressed down on the trigger and fired a flawless shot. The bullet whooshed through the air and struck the soldier in the back of the skull. Upon the metal bullet making contact with his brain, the Shadow dropped to his knees with a thud and slumped forward motionless.

Slowly rising back to her feet alongside Ghost, she lessened her firm grip around her gun but kept the rifle close to her chest. She had a small grenade launcher that was securely attached under the barrel of her weapon so she could fire grenades if intense trouble occurred in the prison unexpectedly.

"Solid. Two down. On the move." Simon ambled around the front of the armoured Shadow vehicle where a soldier stood. "Soap, Dargie, take the two, right of the vehicle, I'll hit the one on the other side."

"Poppy, take the left lad," Sergeant MacTavish instructed. "I'll take the right."

She merely nodded at Soap in reply and decided to go in stealthily this time. She lowered her rifle to her side and moved the strap so she wasn't restricted and was able to move swiftly. Faintly peeling a velcro pocket open on her bulletproof vest, she retrieved the keen knife Simon had given her and clutched it in her palm.