Two weeks had passed since Rohen’s death, but the memory lingered like a wound that refused to heal. For Ace and the rest of the squad, it wasn’t just the loss of their leader—it was the loss of their confidence, their cohesion.
Now, they were deep in Sons of Liberation territory, operating as part of a larger campaign to cripple the guerilla force. Intelligence had revealed supply lines linking the Sons to the Republic of Vessan, and command was determined to sever the connection.
---
Ace sat quietly on the edge of a drop-ship, plasma rifle resting against his knee. The roar of the engines was loud, but it wasn’t enough to drown out his thoughts. Across from him, Becca checked her weapon with the precision of a soldier who’d been through this too many times.
“We hit the ground, we move fast,” she said, her voice cutting through the noise. “This isn’t a patrol. We’re taking out a supply depot—intel says it’s critical to their operations in this sector.”
Ace nodded, his grip tightening on his weapon. He’d heard the briefing, but hearing it from Becca made it feel real. She was their de facto leader now, though the squad hadn’t officially acknowledged it.
“Stay sharp, Private,” she added, her gaze piercing. “These bastards play dirty.”
---
The drop was swift and brutal. The squad landed in a dusty canyon, the harsh sun beating down on them as they moved into position. The supply depot was nestled in a series of caves, heavily guarded and well-hidden.
Ace felt the tension in the air as they advanced, the silence broken only by the crunch of boots on dirt. Every shadow seemed alive, every rock a potential ambush.
“Contact!” someone shouted.
Plasma bolts lit up the canyon as Sons of Liberation fighters emerged from hidden positions. The squad scattered, taking cover behind boulders and returning fire.
Ace’s heart pounded as he ducked behind a jagged rock, plasma bolts scorching the air around him. He peeked out, firing in controlled bursts at the enemy positions.
“Push forward!” Becca yelled, her voice commanding.
The squad moved as one, advancing under heavy fire. Ace’s mind raced as he followed Becca, his weapon blazing. The Sons fought fiercely, their tactics brutal and unrelenting.
---
The caves were a maze of narrow passages and hidden traps. The squad moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing in the darkness. Ace felt the weight of the mission pressing down on him, every step a reminder of what was at stake.
“Hold up,” Becca said, raising a hand.
The squad froze as she knelt, inspecting a faint glint of wire stretched across the passage. A tripwire.
“Disarm it,” she ordered, motioning to a demolitions specialist.
The soldier moved forward, working quickly to disable the trap. Ace held his breath, his finger hovering over the trigger.
The explosion came from behind them.
The force knocked Ace to the ground, his ears ringing as debris filled the air. He scrambled to his feet, his weapon ready, but the passage was chaos.
“They’re flanking us!” someone shouted.
The Sons had anticipated their advance, setting off a charge to cut them off and attacking from the rear. Ace fired wildly, his vision blurred by the dust and smoke.
“Regroup!” Becca yelled, her voice cutting through the chaos. “Fall back to the main chamber!”
---
The squad regrouped in a larger cavern, their numbers diminished but their resolve intact. Becca’s face was grim as she assessed the situation.
“They knew we were coming,” she said, her voice low. “This wasn’t just a supply depot. It was a trap.”
Ace looked around at the battered squad, his chest tight with fear and anger. “What do we do now?”
Becca’s eyes hardened. “We finish the mission.”
She pointed to a stack of crates marked with the emblem of the Republic of Vessan. “That’s what we came for. We take out their supplies and get the hell out of here.”
---
The squad worked quickly, planting charges on the supply crates while holding off waves of Sons fighters. The tension was suffocating, every second feeling like an eternity.
As the final charge was set, Becca gave the signal to retreat. The squad moved swiftly, navigating the treacherous passages under constant fire.
Ace was the last to leave, covering their escape as the charges detonated behind him. The cavern shook violently, the roar of the explosions echoing through the valley.
---
Back at the extraction point, the squad was silent as they boarded the drop-ship. The mission had been a success, but it didn’t feel like a victory.
As the ship lifted off, Ace stared out the window at the smoldering ruins below. The Sons of Liberation were far from defeated, and the Republic of Vessan’s involvement only complicated the conflict.
Becca sat beside him, her expression unreadable.
“You did good today, Ace,” she said quietly.
He didn’t respond, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. The war was just beginning, and he knew the road would only get harder.
For now, though, they had survived. And in this war, survival was its own kind of victory.
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...
