Hunter

Chapter 4

Althea takes Jhan outside, carefully guiding him to where the people have gathered. She lays him against one of the walls.

In the distance, Nad and the group approach, with Amara and Divina helping guide Seffrey, who had awakened earlier due to the commotion.

They move through the crowd, their eyes darting around at the anxious expressions on the faces of the strangers.

Avery looks around, her brow furrowing in confusion.

Avery 
"What are these people doing in a place like this?"

She mutters to herself as they reach Althea and Jhan.

They look at Jhan, who has drifted off to sleep after the attack.

Amara and Divina gently set Seffrey down on a pile of debris. Seffrey, clearly puzzled, remains quiet, while Nad stands silently, still trying to make sense of what had just happened.

Then, after a moment, the faint sound of helicopter blades can be heard in the distance.

Althea's earpiece crackles to life.

Lyra 
"Althea, you there… Do you read me?"

Althea quickly taps her earpiece.

Althea 
"Yeah... This is Althea. I read you."

Lyra
"Thank goodness.... We've been trying to reach you since we entered the wastelands.

Lyra
"Hang tight...we're almost there. "

Soon, the helicopter flies overhead, circling around the area.

Vence 
"What the... That's a lot of people... Wasn't there supposed to be seven of them?"

Kairos glances down as they continue to circle around.

Kairos 
"They’re probably civilians."

Vence 
"Civilians? In a place like this?"

Kairos taps his earpiece.

Kairos 
"Falcon-9 to Aegis… We have located the survivors and are doing fine, ready for transport."

Kairos continues looking around while keeping his hand on the earpiece.

Kairos 
"Also requesting another transport here at our location."

Staff 4 
"Another transport?....May I ask the reason?"

Kairos 
"We don't know why, but civilians are here too. There are too many of them, we can't bring them all with this helicopter."

Staff 4 
"Roger…if that's the case then, a tandem-rotor on standby is ready to go."

Kairos releases his hand from the earpiece and looks down at the scene below.

Soon after.

The helicopter lands in a nearby clearing, its rotors still spinning as dust and debris scatter around.

Kairos and Vence jump out of the chopper, while Lyra remains inside, scanning the area for potential threats with the mini monitor in her hand.

Vence 
"Good job staying alive, Thea!"

He shouts over the helicopter blades cutting through the air.

Althea shoots him a cold look, saying nothing in response.

Her attention shifts to Kairos, who immediately heads toward the civilians, calmly gathering them and assuring them that another transport is on its way.