Aegis Core

The Midnight Temptation

The moment my boot presses down, a faint click echoes through the quiet forest. Instantly, I freeze, realizing what’s beneath me. My heart races, but I force myself to stay calm, knowing any sudden move could trigger it.

"Leo," I say, my voice barely a whisper, "I’ve just stepped on a land mine."

He turns sharply, his expression shifting from alert to focused in an instant. He carefully approaches, his gaze moving from my foot to the surrounding snow, looking for any signs of more mines nearby. "Don’t move," he says, calm but firm.

I give a slight nod, keeping my weight steady, my eyes locked on him as he assesses the situation. He crouches down, examining the mechanism beneath my boot, his hands moving with practiced precision.

"Alright," he murmurs, looking up at me. "We’re going to get you off this. Slowly shift your weight forward, and I’ll hold the pressure when you lift."

I steady my breathing, nodding. "On your count."

"Three...two...one."

As Leo lifts me up with practiced precision, I feel the shift in the air—the weight beneath my foot now gone. But then, I hear a louder click, and I see Leo’s foot land squarely on the mine.

The tension rises immediately as he places a large rock on the mine to stabilize the pressure. The mechanism shifts, and I hold my breath, waiting for any sign that the situation is under control. Leo’s grip tightens around me, his arms keeping me steady, but it’s clear that the danger isn’t over yet.

Still in his arms, I feel his movements adjust slightly, trying to keep us both balanced. I become acutely aware of how close we are in this moment, and the weight of the situation presses in.

"Leo…" I say softly, my voice steady despite the rush of adrenaline. The proximity is intense, but I focus on the task at hand.

“We need to move,” Leo replies, his voice calm, his eyes still scanning our surroundings as he keeps his attention fixed on the mine. His movements are deliberate, the urgency of the situation forcing us both to act quickly.

We stay focused, knowing that we have to get out of this with no room for error.

As we finally release ourselves from the tension of the land mine, the weight lifts off my shoulders—both literally and figuratively. My breath comes a little easier now, but the still-present sense of urgency doesn’t fade. In the midst of the chaos, I suddenly remember something important.

BRJ has my location.

I search my cargos, fingers brushing over the familiar fabric until they land on the walkie-talkie tucked into my pocket. A small but vital piece of equipment. I grab it and quickly press the button.

"BRJ, this is Xena. Do you copy?" I speak quickly, my voice steady despite the chaos still swirling around me.

As I wait for a response, I can’t help but notice the state of my outfit—my black cropped tank top clings to my frame, and the military cargos fit just right. It’s not the most practical thought, but in the moment, it’s hard not to appreciate the way I look and feel, the confidence coursing through me despite everything.

"Xena, loud and clear," comes BRJ's voice over the walkie-talkie, snapping me back to the task at hand. "What's your status?"

"Clear for now," I reply, my gaze still scanning the snowy forest around us. "But we need extraction, ASAP."

As I speak into the walkie-talkie, the words slip out without me even thinking. "Uncle, I think we’ll need back-up."

The moment the word "uncle" escapes my lips, I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest. I glance quickly at Leo, and his face registers pure shock. His eyes widen, his mouth slightly parted, clearly caught off guard by the slip-up.