The master spy or Puss in the boot adventures

Surrender or die, Part 44

"All right," Mer-Mer said, his voice calming despite the urgency. "We must work as one. Shadow-Cat, you and I will create a diversion. We'll move in the shadows, keep them distracted while Spartacus and Latina target that wire."

Latina nodded, determination hardening her features. "I will strike it with my spear; it should have enough force to break the link."

Spartacus smiled and gripped his sword tightly. "And I will cover you both. If they focus on me, you'll have a better chance."

Ragnar swallowed hard, but stood firm. "Okay, I may not be a warrior like you, but I won't hide anymore. Turn me in."

When everyone joined in, they quickly worked out their plan. Mer-Mer and Shadow-cat were going to use shadow magic to disguise themselves as they snuck out of the ravine towards the patrol with the assault rifles. Spartacus and Latina would wait for the opportune moment before attacking.

The mechanical sentries were still scanning the area above them, their sensors flickering ominously. Mer-Mer felt the pulse of shadow energy within him, throbbing to the rhythm of his beating heart. He signaled Shadow-Kat with a flick of his tail.

"Now!" he whispered.

The two moved into the thick brush, blending into the shadows that surrounded them like living cloaks. Darkness enveloped them, making them almost invisible as they approached the nearest automaton.

Spartacus gripped his sword and nodded to Latina, who held her spear tightly at her side.

"On my trail," he whispered fiercely.

As Mer-Mer and Shadow-Kat darted behind the automatons in hidden silence, Spartacus shouted an urgent battle cry to get their attention.

"Look here!" he bellowed, rushing one of the guards.

The automatons turned quickly towards him, their red lenses glaring at the Thracian warrior as they activated their weapons. Energy crackled around them like lightning, illuminating the darkened grove.

"Now!"�� Mer-Mer shouted again.

As attention turned away from them, Shadow-Kat popped out from behind a bush, twin blades drawn. She hit the head of one of the automatons, but had to jump back just in time as sparks flew out of its frame. 

"That's right!" she taunted. "Come and get us!"

Meanwhile, Latina fired across the clearing with deadly accuracy, driving her spear towards the wire protruding from the head of one of the automatons. It connected with a satisfying crash, and she spun sharply to sever it. Sparks flew out! The automaton stuttered for a moment before falling to the ground with a heavy crash, a small victory amidst the chaos.

"Keep going!" yelled Spartacus, slashing at another guard's torso as Mer-Mer summoned dark tendrils that targeted another approaching guard - pinning his legs to the ground beneath him!

But more automatons joined the fray; now that they found hostility around them, they relentlessly pursued their targets. 

"It is not enough!" Ragnar shouted nervously when he saw more guards marching closer. "Hide in the bushes quickly!"

Latina hid behind the trunk of a tree, holding a spear in her hands, and Shadow-cat leapt nimbly into a tree. Mer-Mer and Latina stumbled into a thick bush.

"We must act quickly," Mer-Mer urged, his heart racing at the urgency of their situation. "If those automatons get any closer, we'll completely lose our chance."