The sun rose reluctantly over the scorched plains and jagged hills, casting long shadows across the forward operating base of the Golden Eternal Kingdom's 21st Fleet. The nights here were restless; whispers of ambushes and distant bursts of gunfire haunted every soldier's thoughts. The Sons of Liberation were not an enemy that could be met head-on. They were phantoms, striking and retreating into the hills, leaving only destruction and confusion in their wake.
Ace's squad was huddled near a makeshift barracks, the tension palpable. Despite the weight of their exhaustion, they moved with purpose. The previous night's briefing still hung heavily in the air—a high-priority mission to secure a suspected Sons’ supply route hidden deep in the mountainous terrain.
Sergeant Rohen stood at the center, his voice sharp and unwavering as he addressed the team. "The Sons of Liberation are using these hills to move weapons and reinforcements. Command wants it shut down. Expect ambushes. Stay sharp, stay together, and don’t take unnecessary risks."
Ace adjusted his helmet and shifted uncomfortably. He was still getting used to the rhythm of war—the constant state of alertness, the gnawing uncertainty of whether the next step could be his last. But in the eyes of his squadmates, there was no room for hesitation.
“Private,” Corporal Becca said, snapping Ace from his thoughts. Her tone was firm but not unkind. “You’re on rear guard. Watch our backs. The Sons like to circle around.”
Ace nodded, swallowing his nerves. “Yes, Corporal.”
---
The trek into the hills was grueling. The terrain was uneven, and the heat bore down on them like a relentless weight. The squad moved in silence, their eyes scanning every rock and ridge for signs of movement.
As they climbed higher, the landscape opened into a narrow pass, flanked by jagged cliffs. Becca raised a hand, signaling a halt.
“Movement,” she whispered, pointing toward a cluster of rocks ahead.
Ace squinted, his heart pounding. At first, he saw nothing, but then a glint of sunlight off metal betrayed the position of an enemy sniper.
“Confirmed,” Rohen said quietly into his comm. “We’ve got overwatch on our position. Get ready to engage.”
The squad spread out, taking cover behind boulders and scrub. Ace’s fingers tightened around his rifle as he took position behind a large rock. His breathing was shallow, his focus sharp.
The first shot rang out like thunder, striking the ground mere inches from one of the soldiers. Chaos erupted as the squad returned fire, their plasma bolts lighting up the pass.
---
The battle was fierce and disorienting. Sons of Liberation fighters emerged from hidden crevices and camouflaged positions, their weapons firing in controlled bursts. They moved with the precision of those who knew the terrain intimately, forcing the squad into a desperate fight for survival.
Ace crouched low, his rifle pressed against his shoulder as he fired at a figure darting between rocks. His plasma bolts seared the air, but the target vanished before he could land a hit.
“Stay low!” Becca shouted over the din. “They’ve got the high ground!”
The realization made Ace’s stomach sink. This wasn’t a fair fight—it was an ambush, perfectly orchestrated to exploit their vulnerabilities.
“Grenade out!” Rohen barked, tossing an explosive toward a cluster of enemy positions. The detonation sent a plume of dirt and debris into the air, forcing the Sons to scatter.
Ace took the opportunity to advance, moving from cover to cover as he tried to close the distance. His heart pounded in his chest, the adrenaline pushing him forward despite the fear clawing at his mind.
---
The fight dragged on for what felt like hours, but eventually, the gunfire began to dwindle. The Sons, realizing they couldn’t hold their ground, began to retreat into the deeper reaches of the hills.
The squad regrouped near the mouth of the pass, their breaths heavy and their armor scorched.
“Casualties?” Rohen demanded, his voice hoarse.
“Two wounded, but they’ll make it,” Becca replied, gesturing toward a medic tending to a soldier with a plasma burn on his arm.
Rohen nodded grimly, his gaze sweeping over the team. “We’re not done here. If the Sons were defending this pass, it means something important is nearby. We keep moving until we find it.”
Ace wiped the sweat from his brow, his hands still trembling slightly from the battle. He knew this was only the beginning. The Sons of Liberation wouldn’t give up their hold on this region easily, and the war would only grow more brutal from here.
As the squad prepared to push deeper into enemy territory, Ace couldn’t shake the feeling that they were walking into something far larger than themselves. The Sons were fighting for more than survival—they were fighting for a cause. And that made them more dangerous than any army.
YOU ARE READING
Eternal.
Science Fiction"They stood with us, side by side, Fighting through battles as the nights got colder. Their blades once lit up the battlefield, And their voices were strong-but now, it's quiet. I can still remember the way they laughed, The way they'd charge into t...
