Jack had packed his belongings which were mostly Dr.Wormsly and Alec's equipments, Jack stood beside Saskia, gazing out at the crumbling remnants of the town they once called home. The shadow of the Fallere terrorist group loomed large, forcing many to flee. Yet, Saskia hesitated, her fingers clenched tightly around a small silver cross that dangled from her neck, her church and its dwindling congregation still holding a piece of her heart.
"I promise, Saskia," Jack said softly, his voice steady and full of conviction. "I'll take you somewhere safer, away from the Fallere. There's a community far from here—protected, secure. You won't have to worry anymore."
Saskia looked up, her brow furrowed in worry. "But my church... I can't just leave it behind. It's all I've ever known. What about the people there? What if they need me?"
Jack placed a hand on her shoulder, reassuring but firm. "The Cordero Task Force will handle the rest. They're moving in soon, and they'll take care of the Fallere threat. You don't need to carry the burden alone."
She sighed, torn between the duty she felt toward her faith and the pull toward safety. But Jack's presence, calm and confident, made her feel something she hadn't felt in a long time: safe. And for the first time in weeks, the thought of leaving didn't seem like an impossible betrayal.
As the team made their way out they ran into Yuri, he tossed the knife back to Jack in which he caught it mid air, he exchanged gratitude at Yuri who went out his way to find his knife that he had thrown in order to save Saskia.
As they stealthily moved through the streets, his senses heightened, alert to any potential threats. The once bustling city now lay in ruins, its streets deserted, except for the occasional sound of distant gunfire and the echoes of destruction. The teams heart raced, adrenaline coursing through their veins, as Jack navigated the treacherous urban landscape.
Approaching the subway station, a glimmer of hope flickered in his eyes. As they approached the heavily barricaded subway entrance, Yuri slipped the keycard ID into the slot and the door creaked open. The group cautiously made their way in, feeling a sense of relief that they had made it this far.
The dim, flickering lights cast long, dancing shadows along the walls of the abandoned subway station. Layers of dust coated every surface, dulling the once-bright tiles and rendering the advertisements from decades past barely legible.
The air was thick, musty, Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the faint sound of Dr.Wormslys sneeze, muffled and dry, and the sound of the teams footsteps.
As the air grew quiet, a sense of unease settled over Jack and his team. Their instincts honed from countless battles warned them that something was amiss. In the distance, they noticed a train approaching, but Jack's keen eye immediately sensed that it was not their anticipated ride to safety.
"That's not our train," Jack murmured, his voice laced with suspicion. His gaze narrowed as he surveyed the approaching locomotive, his mind racing to decipher the situation. The tension among his comrades rose palpably, their instincts urging them to brace for an imminent threat.
As the train came to a halt, the doors slid open, revealing a scene that confirmed their worst fears. It was an ambush. Jack's heart pounded in his chest as he and his team swiftly raised their weapons, prepared to defend themselves against the unexpected onslaught.
With a nod of silent communication, Jack and his team spread out, taking strategic positions to maximize their defensive capabilities.
Amidst the ambush, Jack called out to his friend Alec, who was known for his agility and quick reflexes. "Alec, grab Saskia and get her out of here!" he yelled, his voice filled with urgency. Alec nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation, and rushed towards Saskia, who was visibly shaken but determined to escape.
As the rest of the team including Dr.Wormsly engaged in a fierce firefight, Jack and his soldiers held their ground, exchanging gunfire with the enemy. The sound of bullets whizzing through the air was deafening, but they remained focused and determined to protect each other and ensure Saskia's safety.
Alec managed to reach Saskia, pulling her away from the chaos and towards a safer spot. He kept a firm grip on her, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any potential threats. Saskia looked back at Jack and the others, her eyes filled with gratitude and worry.
As the fight carried on, Jack's eyes fell upon an oddly large grenade within his pocket. A mischievous grin tugged at the corners of his lips as a daring plan formed in his mind. Without hesitation, he snatched the grenade and swiftly flung it towards the stairs leading to the entrance, aiming to collapse it and cut off the enemy's escape route.
"Y'all can dodge right?" Jack called out to his team, his voice laced with both confidence and a hint of mischief. He knew he was about to create chaos, but he also trusted in his teammates' abilities to navigate the imminent danger.
Quinn, who happened to be in close proximity to the grenade, instinctively sensed the impending explosion. Without wasting a second, he dove for cover, seeking shelter from the imminent blast.
"'Jack!" he called out angrily, his voice mingling with the chaos of flying debris and smoke that erupted as the grenade detonated.
Alec and the rest kicked in as they assessed the situation. He knew he had to act swiftly to survive. His eyes darted around, searching for any possible escape routes or means to turn the tide in his favor. With no time to lose, he made a quick decision.
Using his surroundings,to their advantage, Saskia and Alec ducked behind a crumbling wall, seeking cover from enemy fire. Gunshots echoed through the air, the sound of bullets whizzing past his head. Alec heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing to find a solution.
The train finally arrived, the wind from the train kicked up dust and posters of Jack being wanted for bounty flew around the subway. the lights flickered as the fallers had planned an ambush and were actively searching for Jack, a thief and Saskia a runaway.
"Saskia!, we need to board the train now!" he exclaimed, his eyes filled with anxiety. He grabbed Saskia's hand, pulling her towards the waiting train. Saskia shoved Alec aside "I'm not leaving without Jack!" She persisted.
The rest of the group, still recovering from the intense firefight, heard the distant announcement that the train was about to depart. Adrenaline surged through their veins once more as they realized the urgency of the situation.
As they raced through the narrow passage, debris and dust clouded their vision, but Jack pressed on, his survival instincts kicking into high gear. With each step, he could feel the distance between him and his pursuers growing. Hopes of escape swelled within him, pushing him forward.
The announcement on the loudspeaker echoed across the station signaling the train was about to leave. Jack and his crew raced down the stairs, Dr. Wormsly dove first into the train doors and then Yuri and followed by Alec, as the door shut in front of them panicked settled for everyone. The train conductor had a tight schedule and would not permit anyone else in because of past raider experience.
Jack,Saskia and Quinn were being left behind and more soldiers were coming, in a last ditch effort Quinn got Jacks attention and told him to bring Saskia to safety while he holds the enemies off so it meant that Jack would have to race against the train and make it to the caboose.
Jack and Saskia followed, the train leaving and Alec had made it to the caboose and barged the door open for Jack to jump in with Saskia.
Now running on the tracks he made Saskia go in front of him and motioned her to make the jump, Saskia being a weaker figure made the best effort to leap towards the caboose, the rest was waiting to catch her.
In a moment that seemed to defy gravity, Jack landed directly on top of Saskia, their bodies intertwined in a comical yet heartwarming embrace. The unexpected collision elicited a burst of laughter from both of them, their eyes meeting in a moment of shared amusement.
Jack then looked back at the Quinn who was single handily massacring the enemies and throwing them off the tracks. The image of Quinn was getting smaller and Jack felt a sudden sadness, he knew Quinn was the strongest but he never wanted him to fight battles alone but he had to focus on the mission.
Finally, they emerged from a tunnel, finding himself on the outskirts of the city. The chaos and destruction gradually faded into the distance, replaced by a glimmer of tranquility. The soldiers took a moment to catch their breath, grateful for the narrow escape.
The others were worried about leaving Quinn behind, Jack reassured them that Quinn was gonna come back, he's got this Jack whispered to himself.
As the rest continued on the journey, the soldier's determination remained unshaken. Although bruised and battered, they knew he would never give up. The city may have ambushed him, but Jack had outwitted the odds, surviving to fight another day.
Holding on the handles tightly, Dr.Wormsly face pale and expressionless. Motion sickness had always been a problem for him but it didn't deter him from keeping a glaring eye on Saskia, who sat across from him.
As Dr. Wormsly observed Saskia, he couldn't help but find her captivating.
There was a beauty about her that intrigued him. However, every time he thought of his wife, a wave of guilt washed over him. He knew that Saskia, with her purity and innocence, would meet the same fate if he were to ever pursue his desires. In his mind, she was just another useless woman, bound by societal constraints.
On one side of the train Yuri moved his communicator looking for a signal until he finally got one. The radio switched on to channel three, the channel that had access to Cordero and Mr.Yoshi.
Jacks head perked up as he heard Sergeant Corderos voice, the radio was scratchy but as they were farther from the desolate city the communication got clearer. Jack snatched the radio from Yuri and explained everything that happened and Cordero listened attentively.
"I completed my reconnaissance mission as ordered. I have vital information about the enemy's movements."
Once Jack was done explaining he felt a wash of relief when he finally heard his voice however Cordero's words were serious "Good work, Evergreen I need to hear what you've discovered. But first, we need to talk about something urgent." Jack was curious and concerned "what is it sir, is something wrong?" He replied.
Jack, listen carefully. "Our headquarters has been compromised. It's no longer safe for us to operate from there. We've been overrun by terrorists. It's chaos."
"What? How did this happen, sir?"
[sighs] "Our location was leaked, Jack. The enemy knows where we are, and they've launched a full-scale assault. It's a free-for-all out there."
Jack gathers his thoughts, Alec could see from Jacks expression that he was stressed. "What's the plan, sir? Where do we go from here?" Jack says.
On the other side Cordero points at a map and says "I've already relocated our base to Rainbow City, the capital. It's our best chance of regrouping and mounting a counter-attack. We need to get there as soon as possible. We need to ensure the people's safety. Report back to me as soon as you reach Rainbow City. We'll coordinate our next steps from there."
"Yes, sir! I won't let you down. I'II do everything in my power to eradicate the Fallers and complete the mission."
"I have faith in you, Evergreen. Stay alert, stay focused, and stay safe. We'll get through this together."
As the call ends Cordero looks towards his office and whispers "Godspeed Evergreen."
"I never been to Rainbow city but I heard every sky scrapers windows are a different color and a big angel statue sits in the center of town square!" Alec excitedly told everyone. Rainbow city was considered 'the people's city' but Cordero and Fallere had both overcame the territory and was now a mixture of conflict.
The soldiers, weary from their arduous journey, returned to new headquarters on a train that slowly chugged its way through picturesque landscapes. As the train approached the outskirts of the city, the scenery transformed into a mesmerizing vista of glistening skyscrapers, lush green parks, and elegant architecture.
The soldiers gazed out of the windows, their tired faces brightening with anticipation of what awaited them.
As the train rolled into the city, a sense of astonishment enveloped the air. The streets were adorned with colorful banners and flags, fluttering proudly in the gentle breeze. The city's grandeur was accentuated by the vibrant flowers blooming in every corner, their fragrance adding to the already intoxicating atmosphere.
Saskia pressed her nose on the window and admired the beauty of Rainbow City and Cordero helicopters flying overhead scouting every owned territory. Jack watched her curious expression and enjoyed it Then the train made a halt and she lost her balance and Jack chuckled.
the doors opened, and the team stepped onto the platform. A crowd of Cordero soldiers and officials erupted into cheers and applause, their voices echoing through the station. The team, overwhelmed by the support and gratitude, couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions. All of them came back alive and that was all it counted.
Dr. Wormsly hid behind Jack, he hated social interaction however Jack was glad to see familiar faces of his comrades.
At the entrance of the train station, a large crowd had gathered, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the soldiers. Among them stood the president, a beacon of leadership and gratitude.
Dressed in a sharp white suit, he exuded a sense of authority and warmth. Jack spotting him from afar, straightened their uniforms and stood a little taller. Cordero looked down at Jack and then stared at Saskia and Dr.Wormsly.
Jack realized how awkward it was, he succeeded in keeping the presidents younger brother safe and even found a citizen to join them and found the missing serums in the process but his motives in survival might be a little reckless than most military plans.
"Come to my office Mr. Evergreen" Cordero tells Jack, he also motions Jacks team to follow him as they were now part of the plan in further investigation.
They followed Cordero and his guards back to new headquarters,and were seated on a long table, Alec's eyes darted around the room, he's never been anywhere fancy and was excited meanwhile Yuri was glaring at him and motioned him to pay attention.
Cordero sat down then Mr. Yoshi enters the room, his emotionless expression puts everyone on edge. "Why don't we get some tea" Cordero tells the table before discussing to ease the tension. He had expected Yoshi or his guards to get the tea but Dr. Wormsly quickly arose from his seat "I'll make it!" He says ditching the messenger bag and heading to the kitchen.
Jack rose from his chair as well, he wanted to be a helping hand in any way but forgot Saskia was his priority now and followed him everywhere.
Dr. Wormsly rushed through the cupboards for more cups while Saskia and Jack filled them with hot tea. As he reached for the cup to hand it to Jack, his grip faltered, and the cup slipped from his trembling hands.
The sound of shattering porcelain filled the air, and Wormslys heart sank. Panic swept over him as he anticipated the punishment that awaited him.
But in that moment of despair, Saskia, who had witnessed the accident, stepped forward. She placed a comforting hand on Dr. Wormslys shoulder and looked into his eyes with empathy. "It's okay, Wormy," Saskia said softly, her voice filled with reassurance. "Accidents happen, and it's not your fault. You don't have to be afraid."
A mix of relief and gratitude. He had forgotten what it felt like to have someone understand his fears and offer support.Saskia words resonated deeply, gradually easing the weight of the past trauma that had burdened Dr.Wormsly for so long.
As Jack held on to the tray of tea he felt something in Saskia that he never felt before. Her kindness and compassion reminded Jack of who he wanted to be and he admired her but love was just out of his reach.
YOU ARE READING
Green Valor
AcciónJack Evergreen's world is shattered when a devastating war erupts, leaving destruction in its wake. In the chaos, a terrorist attack claims the life of his mother, igniting a fierce desire for revenge within him. Determined to honor her memory, Jack...