The Price We've Paid

The Blood of Khryste

Trigger Warning: Blood, Death, Violence

I've been here before. Over and over again...and each time, it's the same question.

Is this it?

Will this time be the one?

Honestly, I've gotten to the point where I stop asking. After living for over 6,000 years...you stop wondering when it'll end...and start wondering if it ever will.

But out of all the days the universe could've picked...why did it have to be today?

...

"How many left?" Andy yelled into the com as gunfire echoed down the hallway. The team was pinned down in the lab, running extremely low on bullets and being pushed toward the back wall.

"Just one more, hold tight guys." You said, running through the darkened hallways. You'd set three of the charges already and as you ran for the fourth beam, you held the last watch in your hand. Thankfully, you had studied the blueprints of the basement and underground structure on the way here. There were four beams, one in each corner under the basement, that were integral parts of the building's structure. And luckily, these watches packed just enough of a punch that they could bring the beams down, practically obliterating the building from the bottom up.

"Tyler, how's that fire coming?" You asked a little out of breath.

"Evacuation of the building is nearly complete. Henley has Khryste and Copley's gone to help the surrounding buildings get clear."

"Okay," you said as you kept running.

Almost there. You thought to yourself as you approached the last beam. You pulled the putty from your vest, slapping some onto the concrete beam before placing the back of the watch onto it. You clicked a few of the buttons to make it connect to your data pad, then double checked that all the watches were synchronized. You'd only get one shot at this, so it had to work.

"Alright, charges are set," you said into the coms as you made your way toward the ladder that let out back down in the tunnels. "Everyone out!"

Hearing your order, the team changed their tactic. Instead of trying to push back against the slew of guards that had them pinned against the back wall, they retreated; slowly inching their way toward one of the lab's exits. Andy, Booker, and Nicky stood in front with Joe and Nile at the sides, all trying to protect Quynh. She had hold of the serum and the team was determined not to lose any of it; especially now that they only had half of what they came for. Quynh had done her best to stay hidden amongst them, keeping the vials tucked carefully in her tactical vest and avoiding getting hit by bullets. She needed to prove to Zo and Andy she could be trusted.

As she backed herself to the door, she grabbed the handle and peeked outside. As far as she could see at the moment, the coast was clear. "We can exit this way," she said to Nile and Joe as they closed in around her. 

"Okay, we'll cover you," Nile said as she moved to open the door to allow Joe and Quynh out. As Quynh passed her, she pulled the USB from her tactical vest. "Hang on to this too will you?"

Booker, Andy, and Nicky acted as the second line of defense, pushing back the guards while Joe, Quynh, and Nile made their exit. Andy had unfortunately run out of bullets, so she'd resorted to making small strides forward to strike with her labrys. Nicky had gone with her, stowing his gun in favor of using his sword. While they distracted the guards with hand to hand combat, Booker made his way around trying to pick up extra clips or loaded guns he could supply the rest of the team with.