Success of the Broken Banner

Chapter 19: Key Cards

With a jolt, the truck lurched to a stop, Kilo already opening his door. "Time to move on foot. One mile to the facility. Grab your gear, we roll out now."

My heart pounded in my chest as I scrambled out behind Kilo, leaping into the truck bed to rip my pack and rifle from the shadows. Knives, ammo, sidearm – I inventoried my weapons on instinct, muscle memory by this point of surviving the hellscape. We weren't walking into a fight, we were walking into a war.

"Got everything you need?" Echo's voice was low and steady as he extended a hand to help me down from the truck bed. I took it, his calloused palm a familiar anchor as I jumped to the ground. His gaze swept over me, gear and all, before giving a sharp nod of approval.

"We're good to go." I forced a casual smile, attempting to mask the thrumming adrenaline that made my heart race. Echo's arm came around my shoulders, pulling me into his side in a brief, reassuring squeeze. His lips brushed against the scar on my temple – a silent promise to watch my back, no matter what lay ahead.

"If you lovebirds are done preening, we've got lives to save." Kilo's sarcastic drawl cut through the moment, his figure already a fading shadow as he moved into the inky blackness. Echo's eyes locked onto mine, a flicker of uncertainty there. Was I ready for this? I gave him a curt nod, and he returned it before we fell into step behind Kilo, the unknown swallowing us whole.

The trek flew by in a blur of adrenaline and crunching gravel. Then, the facility loomed before us, cold and imposing. "Looks better than I figured," I murmured, a thread of surprise in my voice.

Echo's gaze flashed with anger. "That's the trap. They promise safety, deliver a nightmare."

Silently, Kilo handed me a comms device, its familiar weight a strange comfort. I fitted it into my ear, hissing at the static. Three black bandanas appeared in his fist. "Camouflage. Amelia's face is known. We can't risk recognition."

The bandana rough against my skin, I mirrored the guys, securing it to leave only my eyes bare. Kilo's voice was a low growl. "Echo, Amelia, you're on point. Find us a hole in their security. I'll cover, shout if anything pops off."

Echo and I exchanged a look, a shared nod, and we peeled off from Kilo's shadow. Every step around the perimeter stretched my nerves tighter, my rifle a comforting weight. The back of the building loomed, and with it, our first target – two guards flanking a massive steel door.

My earpiece crackled. "Kilo, we have two hostiles at the rear entrance. Armed."

"Neutralize them. I'll take the front gate." His voice, steady as ever, even as my pulse skyrocketed.

"Roger that. Standing by."

My knife seemed to hum in my hand, familiar and deadly. Echo's grip closed around my wrist, his eyes crinkling at the corners behind his bandana. "Remember, we get through this. Together."

With a sharp nod, we fell into sync, hand signals flying between us. Left and right, we pounced. My blade sank into flesh, a swift, merciful kill. In my ear, Echo's voice, icy calm. "Rear secure. Awaiting your move."

Silence stretched, long and thin, until Kilo's voice shattered it. "Front gate is a go. Moving to your position."

I let out a breath, focusing on the shape emerging from the gloom – Kilo, a shadow with a rifle, already on our six.

"Key card access, boys," Kilo reminded us, his voice low and urgent. "Check the guards, keep the cards handy." I was already on it, my fingers digging into the still-warm pockets of the guard I'd taken down just moments before. My prize gleamed in the dim light – the gold and silver key card, clutched tightly in my fist as I shoved it into my own pocket for safekeeping. I gave Kilo a curt nod, ready for his next command.

"Prisoners first," he said, his attention focused on his weapon as he checked it for what felt like the hundredth time. "We move as one. I'll get them out, take them to safety. You two, you're our rear guard. Hold the interior doors, take down anything that tries to follow." His gaze met mine, then flicked to Echo. "Once they're clear, we regroup and move forward."

We crept towards the heavy gate, my heart pounding in my chest. I fished out the key card, the cool metal a stark contrast to my sweating palm. One swipe through the security system, and the lock disengaged with a heavy thunk. The gate slid open, revealing the facility beyond.

Kilo's massive hand landed on my shoulder, his grip tight. "No turning back now, kid. You ready for this?" I nodded, mirroring his stance by placing my own hand on his shoulder. "Let's do this," I echoed, trying to sound braver than I felt.

One last look passed between us, a silent confirmation that this was it. End game. With a deep breath, Kilo led us into the heart of danger.