An Awakener's Peradventure

Chapter 3: The Fight for Freedom

Both brothers were loaded up on weapons and ammunition and loaded their rounds. The bookshelf attempted to hold back the platoon's charges. They waited in anticipation. The bookshelf got shoved and chaos ensued as it hit the ground. The brothers ended the squad in a flash, and they ran down the corridor.

They soon became the target of the fire from the two squads outside. In response, the brothers fired their weapons and hit a few of them. They made it through and exited the room through a door that lead them to the courtyard. They found a small drill outside and saw that the barrier losing its strength. A long ditch trail remained from where the drill had tunnelled through.

"If we move towards the right side of the yard and continue south, we should be able to find the station." Void said. They reloaded their firearms and sharpened their blades with their whetstones. Two squads came out from behind them and were locked in at them.

"Drop your weapons and put your hands in the air," the second lieutenant called out. Both brothers turned around; they raised their hands in the air.

"I said to drop your weapons," he called out again.

"I'll gladly do that after I disengage my weapons." Void said.

"That's what I mean. Drop your weapons or else," he said.

"What are you doing? We're outnumbered." Afrim whispered to him.

"I mean," Void continued while taking out his sai, "our weapons came with an emergency protocol that would otherwise endanger the planet. Just think about how furious your leader will be when finds you responsible for destroying the entire military."

The lieutenant thought about it for a moment and said, "Disengage the protocol, then." Void took out one of his sai and aimed the bottom of the handle at a soldier that stood at the front.

"It's nothing complicated, really. All I do is press this button," Void said. He pressed a red button on the side and the handle stretched out from the bottom where it plugged the rifle's barrel. The soldier had pushed the trigger, but it exploded in her face, creating an enormous explosion, leaving a giant smoke cloud around them. The lieutenant ordered his platoon to use their anti-fog goggles. Void and Afrim ran through the fog, engaging their weapons. Together, they took down the squad before dealing the last strike to the lieutenant. They stepped out of the fog without a scratch. The sai that Void had used had now been transformed into a trident.

"T-minus three minutes," the voice called out.

"Come on. We must leave," Afrim said. Afrim was running away for the back exit when he turned back and saw Void looking up in the sky. He stood staring at the sky; the barrier was reaching its breaking point. He ran back to him. "Come on, brother. Let's go before they catch up."

"What if we didn't?"

"What are you saying? They will get us if we stay here any longer."

"If it means you can survive, so be it."

"If they capture you, I cannot help you. Even if you stayed here, you will be surrounded."

"It's something I'm willing to gamble."

"What?! This is no gambit. It's a suicide mission. Please brother, I don't want to lose you too."

"I'm sorry, but there will be no option unless I do something. I must fight to keep us alive."

Afrim was torn. He was desperate for sanctuary, but he couldn't leave his brother behind. Void was loading his rifle, ready to face the army's might. Afrim had also loaded his rifle and said, "Then I will fight for our lives."