Friendly Fire

Rin Bane (27) The Retreat

The plan was simple. Get into The Elite Strike Force's base. Regain their trust. Lure them into a trap after informing Leo of my success. I have done just that.

All that's left to do now is strike and show them all that The Resistance is capable of turning the tables. They will see what they have made me become after abandoning me in the middle of a battle zone at Nha Trang.

These long, dreadful weeks of playing the role of a Cadet will pay off right here and now.

Everything was set and going according to plan as I motioned Lieutenant Davis to the cargo hold of the vehicle and allowed him to open the door. The minute he withdrew his gun, I had my hands over his mouth and pulled him back harshly. His shots only went straight up into the air which startled some birds in the area as they all flew off into the distance. Lieutenant Davis continued to struggle with the hold I had on him but his efforts were of no avail as he eventually used up all his stamina and his magazine was near empty. Finally, he went still. A wise choice to make. His eyes shot up to look at mine and when our gazes locked, I could see the frustration, the anger, the hatred. All of it boiling inside him.

I was about to shove him into the cargo hold where Dawn and Sophia could restrain him but a bullet grazed past my shoulder which made me let him go.

"Fuck!" I cried out loudly in pain.

Sure there was no impact, but the wound on my shoulder burned as the bullet had indeed broken skin and drew blood. I reached up to cover up the wound and hissed at the contact.

I heard the sound of a gun cocking back again and there he was. Private Riley. Standing before me. I never thought he'd have the guts to fire at me. I couldn't tell if he missed on purpose or if his aim was still as bad as what it was when I still sided with The Elite Strike Force. Regardless. I could tell he was afraid based on the way his stance trembled and a shaky hand still pointed the gun at me. His breath was short and shallow.

"Lieutenant Davis. Get behind me. N-now."

I watched Lieutenant Davis pick himself up off the ground and return to his feet where he too took a stand with Private Riley.

"No. We stand together. It's already 3 against 6. I should've seen this coming... should've trusted my gut... you are no Cadet. You are former Private Rin Bane!"

I chuckled softly.

"Lieutenant Davis... always so skeptical and observant... however," I shot a glance at Felix and Raphael who had stepped out from the back passenger seat and managed to sneak their way behind the two soldiers before me. "You failed."

Just as Raphael was about to strike, his foot snapped a twig beneath his combat boot which was enough to make Lieutenant Davis whirl and fire a bullet right into his chest. The padded chest plate failed to protect him from the close-up shot.

"Raphael!" Felix screamed in horror seeing the life-sustaining blood pour out of him. He could do nothing but catch him and lay him down on his back as he tried to apply intense pressure to the wound, resulting in a loud groan coming from Raphael's lips.

Dawn and Sophia had heard the commotion and finally left the cargo hold to fight hand-to-hand.

Dawn failed and stood no chance against Lieutenant Davis as she ended up flat on her stomach with him holding her arms behind her back and sat on her legs so she's completely imobilized.

Sophia tried to make her move on Lieutenant Davis to free Dawn, only for her path to be blocked by Private Riley as they engaged in combat.

With Raphael down and Felix tending to his wound. Dawn and Sophia in losing battles. All that remained was myself and Leo. I muttered a curse under my breath and yelled out to Leo.

"Man down! Get in the truck! Now!"

I charged and managed to tackle Lieutenant Davis off from Dawn.

"Help Sophia! Get Raphael and Felix in the truck! Tell Leo to stop assing around and fucking drive!"

She gave me a nod and to my surprise, followed my orders. She helped Sophia while myself and Lieutenant Davis wrestled in the mud. Striking one another. I needed to keep him distracted so the others could escape. Some part of me couldn't bring myself to severely hurt Lieutenant Davis. I couldn't put a bullet through his skull or slit his throat open with a blade. I couldn't end his life. But he could end mine as he held me at gun point. By that moment, I had heard the truck speed off.

The Resistance left me behind. Left me for dead. However, the circumstances were different. It was either me or Raphael. They made their choice. The right choice. He could die while I could still live another day. I can handle myself.

"Rin Bane. You are coming with me. And if you make one wrong fucking move. I will not hesitate to put a bullet through that thick fucking skull of yours. Do you hear me?"

"Crystal."