Chase's Promise: A Tale of Love and Valor

Chapter 19

Chase's POV

With Skye by my side, a fierce determination surged through me as we made our way through the smoke-filled corridor. The sound of gunfire outside intensified, echoing through the facility. We had no time to waste. I focused on one thing: getting Skye and the others out of this nightmare.

We quickly reached the holding cells and freed up everyone. "Let's move!" I urged.

As I unlocked the last cell' the sound of a heavy machine gun roared through the air. The distinct thud of a high-caliber machine gun echoed from above, cutting through the tension. A UH-1Y helicopter roared past the facility, its gunner reporting over the radio, "Enemy vehicle neutralized."

The aerial support was doing its job, keeping the enemy at bay. But that wasn't enough—we had to move.

"You're safe now," I reassured the pups, trying to keep my voice steady. "But we have to get out of here. Now."

I grabbed a radio from one of the SEAL operatives nearby, my heart racing as I pressed the button. "Control room, this is Chase. We've secured Skye and the others. Requesting exfil, ASAP!"

"Copy that, Chase," came the reply, the static barely masking the urgency in the operator's voice. "Extraction team is en route. Hold your position."

Relief swept over me for a split second, but the urgency didn't fade. "Let's go! Follow me!" I shouted, my mind racing. Alarms blared and red lights flashed throughout the facility, casting an eerie glow on the metal walls. The ground beneath us shook as another explosion rocked the compound.

I turned to Skye, who was keeping pace, her eyes wide with fear but also determination. I caught a glimpse of the same fire in her that kept me going. We couldn't lose now. Not after everything we had been through.

We sprinted through the labyrinth of hallways, the sounds of battle thundering in the background. Every corner we turned, I expected an ambush. But the explosion had drawn most of the guards away. The SEALs had done their job perfectly, and we took full advantage of it.

"Move! Move!" I urged the pups, pushing them ahead as my ears caught the unmistakable hum of approaching helicopters. My heart surged. The extraction team was close.

"Chase, over here!" one of the SEALs shouted, pointing toward the landing zone where a V-22 osprey hovered, its blades slicing through the cold night air. The gunner of UH-1Y helicopter had the area secured, and the helicopter was waiting for us to board.

Suddenly, the ground shook again, another explosion ripping through the facility behind us. I glanced back and saw the towering flames in the distance. "Keep moving!" I shouted as I turned back to focus on our escape.

We sprinted for the chopper, every step feeling like it took an eternity. As we approached, I heard the distinct crack of gunfire from a nearby sniper. But almost instantly, the UH-1Y helicopter gunner opened fire, silencing the threat.

"We're almost there!" I shouted over the roaring engines, turning briefly to Skye, who was keeping up right beside me.

Finally, we reached the helicopter, and the SEALs motioned for us to climb aboard. The moment we stepped inside, a flood of relief washed over me. The pups piled in, their eyes filled with a mixture of exhaustion and hope.

The doors slammed shut behind us, sealing us inside the safety of the chopper. I strapped myself in next to Skye, the weight of the past few days finally hitting me, but we weren't done yet.

As the helicopter lifted off, I looked down at the facility, now shrinking beneath us. Chaos still raged below, but we were free. We had escaped, and Skye was safe.