Beyond The Lie

Chapter 58: Last minute prep

Eryx.

Reno moved swiftly, taking cover behind a nearby pillar. "Eryx, we've got multiple hostiles closing in on our position!" he shouted above the din of the alarms.

I nodded, my eyes locked on Marcus. "Take care of the tangos, Reno. I've got Blackwell."

Marcus sneered at me, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You'll never take me alive, Eryx," he taunted.

I smiled grimly. "We'll see about that."

With a swift motion, I lunged at Marcus, my gun trained on him. But he was too quick, dodging to the side and disappearing into the chaos of the room.

"Reno, I've lost visual on Blackwell!" I shouted.

Reno's voice came back, tight with urgency. "Eryx, I've got multiple hostiles pinned down, but I need backup! Ryker, can you clear a path to the exit?"

Ryker's voice came through the earpiece, calm and steady. "On it, Reno. I've got eyes on the exit. I'll clear a path."

I nodded, even though Ryker couldn't see me. "Asher, what's your status?" I asked my brother.

"I've got your six, Eryx," Asher replied, his voice firm. "I'm watching the hallway. We've got hostiles moving in from the east wing."

I gritted my teeth. We were surrounded.

"Reno, we need to move, now!" I shouted.

Reno nodded, popping out from behind the pillar to take down a hostile. "Let's go!" he yelled.

We moved swiftly through the room, taking down hostiles left and right. Ryker cleared a path to the exit, and we followed close behind.

As we burst through the door, I caught a glimpse of Marcus Blackwell, fleeing down the hallway.

"After him!" I shouted, taking off in pursuit.

The chase was on.

We sprinted down the hallway, our footsteps echoing off the walls. Marcus was fast, but I was gaining on him.

Reno and Asher were right behind me, their guns drawn. "Eryx, I've got a clear shot!" Reno shouted.

But I hesitated. I wanted to take Marcus alive.

Suddenly, Marcus ducked into a side room. I followed, my gun trained on him.

But as I entered the room, I realized it was a trap. The room was filled with more hostiles, all of them armed to the teeth.

Marcus smiled, a triumphant glint in his eye. "You'll never leave this place alive," he sneered.

I gritted my teeth. We were outnumbered, but we weren't outgunned.

"Take cover!" I shouted to Reno and Asher.

We dove behind nearby crates, returning fire as the hostiles closed in.

But I knew we couldn't hold out for long. We needed a new plan, and fast.

That's when I spotted it - a ventilation shaft in the wall, partially hidden by a crate.

I nudged Reno. "See that vent? We can use it to flank them."

Reno nodded. "Asher, cover us!"

Asher nodded, laying down a withering field of fire as Reno and I made a break for the vent.

We squeezed inside just as the hostiles returned fire, their bullets ricocheting off the walls.

Now we were in the vent, crawling through the darkness. But we had the upper hand.