CUS 9; Cinco Encounter

ENCOUNTER 24

Blade was a bit startled upon the pitiful sight of Captain Anthony. His face was swollen. The beaten areas where had gotten green and purple. The dried blood created a line down from his head to the side of his face. The crack on his lips and the cuts on the corner of his eyebrows. Blade felt her heart being squeezed upon seeing the Captain's condition. The guilt cursed through her chest like a raging flame that's terrorizing her soul.

"Captain," she called out to him, her voice barely audible. "We're here. We've come to get you."

Blade gently shook Captain Anthony's shoulder, she called his name in a low tone. "Captain... it's me... Blade,"

Captain Anthony's eyes fluttered open, his gaze unfocused. "Blade?" he murmured, his voice rough and hoarse.

Blade's heart leapt with relief as she leaned forward, her face inches from his. "Yes, it's me," she whispered, her eyes locked on his. "We've come to get you. Are you okay?"

Captain Anthony's gaze drifted towards the team, his eyes narrowing. "What about Sab, Simon and Garen?" he asked, his voice a little stronger now.

Blade nodded. "They're here too. They're outside to keep watch. We plan on saving the others. We all made it out, Captain. We have to get out of here, immediately."

Captain Anthony nodded, his eyes clearing. He sat up, his movements stiff and awkward due to the beating from his captors. Blade reached out and helped him to his feet, supporting his weight as he struggled to stand.

As they made their way out of the cell, Blade could feel the tension suffocating them. She knew that they were close to escaping, but that the enemy was waiting for them.

The team moved swiftly and stealthily. Simon and Sab were with Blade to rescue the captain while Garen was watching from his vantage point with his sniper rifle. He wasn't hesitant to take any enemy down from his spot.

Blade and the two men had successfully rescued Captain Anthony. On the vehicle where Andrews had been calling for backups, the disappointment entched on his face for failed attempts were lit up upon seeing Captain Anthony's arrival with Blade, Simon and Sab.

Blade's voice cut through the tense silence, filled with resolve. "We need to go back and release the others. They might help us take down our enemies," she said, her gaze flicking between Simon, Sab, and Second Lieutenant Andrews.

Simon frowned slightly, weighing her suggestion. "Are you sure? We don't know if the others are compromised or if they're even still alive." His voice was calm but tinged with doubt.

Blade held his gaze firmly. "I know. But we can't fight this alone. If there's even a chance they're still with us, we need them."

Sab nodded in agreement, cracking his knuckles as he stepped forward. "She's right. We can't afford to leave any potential allies behind. We're outnumbered, and we need all the help we can get."

Andrews finally spoke, his voice still low but with a sense of urgency. "Then we need to move fast. If they know we're onto them, they'll tighten security."

"Time's against us," Simon said, "But if we're doing this, we do it together."

"Yes, Sir." Blade gave a respectful nod to Simon. She's ready to face the enemy ahead with her four companion leading the mission. Captain Anthony who's leaning on the backrest slightly opened it's eyes and spoke, "be careful out there. The enemies aren't easy to deal with. Don't get yourselves killed by them..."

"We'll do our best shot Sir." Blade promised. She had a strong feeling that she can manage to succeed in this battle.

Sab led them. Telling his plans for the infiltration before they began their move. Blade used all her strength to face the enemies. A series of raging gunshots echoes throughout the base. The grunts and the cries of the men who had assaulted under the bullets were also heard. The rush and the tension hung in the air.

"Simon, Garen, Sab! Where are you?" Panic engulfing Blade's rationality as she heard the three's groans from the comms.

"Answer me! Damn it!" She shouted impatiently, gitting her teeth. Clenching on her gun firmly but there's still a sense of alertness in her tensed movement and expression.

The silence enveloped the last top floor of the building. There is no any sign of person. Only the sound of her shoes breaking the silence. Blades weapon aimed ready to the front. Her eyes trained to scan the surroundings when a pair of large palm garbbed her and pulled her behind the big post.

"I'm here. Dont worry."

"Lieutenant!"

Blade's breath caught in her throat as Simon suddenly pressed her against the concrete post, his eyes scanning their surroundings with sharp vigilance. She tensed for a second before realizing it was him.

"Did I startle you?" Simon whispered, his voice low but filled with concern.

Blade nodded slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes. A bit."

Simon chuckled softly, relief washing over his tense expression. "Damn, girl, you scare the shit out of me. But I'm glad you're fine."

Blade's lips twitched into a slight smile, her heartbeat still racing from the surprise. "You weren't exactly subtle yourself."

Simon smirked behind his mask, his hand lingering for a moment longer before pulling away. "Don't scare me like that, alright?"

"I didn't..." She replied, trying to convince him but his gaze; tender and worrying melts the words she wants to say.

Simon's heart pounded as he slowly leaned in, his masked lips brushing softly against Blade's. The contact, though separated by fabric, felt strangely intimate, as if their lips were locked for each other.

But then reality hit him. Simon's eyes widened in shock as he registered what he had just done. He quickly pulled back, his breath hitching. Blade's gaze locked onto his, her eyes wide with surprise.