CUS 9; Cinco Encounter

ENCOUNTER 22

The base came into view, its lights flickering in the distance. The team steeled themselves for what lay ahead, knowing that their next steps would be crucial.

The eerie silence was broken by the sound of footsteps, the engine of the vehicle and the sound of the nocturnal animals awoke from the surroundings. The silence was undeniably suspicious. Blade senses that there's something more on this quietness on their base.

"Wait! I have a bad feeling about this." She stopped the three from stepping out of the car. Her instincts telling her about the danger. An unfamiliar scent lingers in her nostrils. Outsider...

Blades eyes narrowed, her sharp gaze roaming at the darker side of the surroundings. Her eyes fell on the corner where a tall figure formed, slowly approaching. Blade grip on her weapon. The tension building in her chest but not shown in her gaze.
Soon, a figure emerged from the shadows. Its features were disheveled. As if he had on a messy fight.

Simon's arms immediately blocked Blade. Restricting her to do anything as he noticed her bows aimed at the figure. His Adams apple bobbed up and down in a gulp. If he's not fast enough to stop her, Blade won't hesitate to shoot her arrows at the person approaching. It was a matter of seconds between and he's thankful for being alert enough to save the person's ass from death.

"Wait Blade!"

Second Lieutenant Andrews stood in a trance. His usual confident demeanor replaced with a haunted and startled expression. His sharp facial features were pale, his eyes shadowed with exhaustion. It was as though he'd just walked through hell and barely made it out. He scanned the team, his gaze lingering on each member before settling on Blade, who was still recovering her composure.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, rough and strained as if speaking was an effort. There was something ominous in the way he asked-like he already knew the answer but needed confirmation, perhaps to ground himself in the reality of the situation.

Simon exchanged a quick glance with Sab before stepping forward. "We've uncovered something big, Andrews. The mission's just gotten a whole lot more complicated."

Blade straightened up, the earlier tension returning to normal as she sensed the weight of Andrews' presence. Whatever had happened to him, it was clear they weren't out of danger yet.

Blade noticed the second lieutenant's discomfort-the deep crease in his forehead and the twitching of his right eye. He seemed to be in pain. Pushing aside Simon's arm, which was blocking her, she hesitated for a moment, worried she might overstep. "You're injured, Second Lieutenant. Let me take a look..." she said, her tone serious, eyes locked onto his.

Simon, Sab, and Garen exchanged meaningful glances. They weren't sure what Blade intended, but chose not to interfere. They simply observed her actions. Blade gently took hold of Andrews' right arm, her grip firm but not too tight-just enough to support its weight and for the force she was about to apply. In the blink of an eye, a sharp cry escaped Andrews' throat as Blade twisted his arm with precise force.

A crisp snap followed, and his dislocated joint was realigned. The pain in his shoulder vanished instantly. Andrews' eyes widened in awe and disbelief. The injury had been nagging him ever since he had jumped from the second-floor window earlier to escape, and he had endured the pain for hours.

"How did you...?" Andrews asked, his voice still filled with amazement.

Blade couldn't explain how she did it. It was as if her instincts had taken over, guiding her actions without a second thought. The three men were confused as well but what Blade did amazed them as well.

"Forget it. Just be thankful she helped you." Simon interfere. He noticed Blade's struggle for explanation. Andrews didn't push the question and goes back on their topic.

Sab's eyes met Andrews', a look of grim determination passing between them. "We succeeded," he said. "We infiltrated the facility and gathered crucial intel. But we need to be careful. The enemy knows we're onto them, and they'll stop at nothing to silence us."

Andrews nodded, his eyes wide with fear. "We'll do everything we can to protect you," he said. "We need to act fast. The longer we wait, the more lives will be lost."

The team nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination.

Simon's masked face turned towards Andrews, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the disheveled appearance of the second lieutenant. "What's going on, Andrews? Why is the base quiet and what happened to you?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

Andrews took a deep breath. The disappointment instantly overwhelms him."The enemy has infiltrated the base after you left. It's so sudden that we pack of time to prepare. They're searching for you and your team. We need to get out, and fast."

The team exchanged worried glances, their faces pale and drawn. They knew that the situation was serious, and they needed to act quickly.

Simon's fist clenched, while Sab and Garen cursing. Blade remained silent but the worries still showed in her face.

"What about the other? Where's Captain Anthony?" Sab asked, his voice barely above a whisper with a hint of panic.

Andrews shook his head, his expression grim. "I'm sorry, Sergeant. He was captured during the infiltration. We need to move, now."

No! The captain... He can't be!