Write to Rank 2: Shadow City Under Fire

Round 4: Fast-Paced Thriller

Gods of the realms, please give me strength and wisdom. I am but a humble servant who humbly needs your guidance.

"Commander Reade," Hunter, my subordinate, called over the radio.

"Speak."

"Reports coming in from the frontline..."

"Spit it out, kid," urged Pacey, my second. She cracked her knuckles, a sign she was agitated.

"The King of Ashes has taken the bridge."

"How?" Pacey leaned forward. "Where's the vanguard?"

"They've fallen back to the Citadel. Lady Shadow has been mortally wounded."

I looked up, reading the confusion on Pacey's face and the shock on Hunter's.

"What do we do, Commander?" Pacey asked.

"We press on." I looked down at the gloves on my hands. "We respond to the distress call and find out what happened to Alpha Team... then we worry about the Citadel."

The APC came to a shaking halt. I took a deep breath and whispered a final prayer to the Umbra.

Gods, let Lady Shadow survive. Shadow City will not stand without her.

Pacey threw open the door, and we stepped out into the afternoon sun. We stood on a dust-choked road, leading to a collection of small shacks. Carrion birds circled overhead, squawking at our intrusion. A second APC waited thirty feet up the path. The dust on its windows spoke volumes about its time there.

Pacey, Hunter, and our driver, Lars, gathered around me. I gestured toward the second troop carrier and Pacey led the way. I moved to the driver's side while Hunter and Lars checked the rear. Pacey scanned our surroundings for any threats. Her laser rifle could cut down an orc at 200 yards. We were in good hands.

Opening the door, I quickly scanned the interior. The stale air hung with dust. The APC has been sitting in the sun for a few days.

"Clear," I stated.

"Clear," Lars and Hunter declares in unison.

No sign of Alpha Team.

"Nothing out here but us and the birds," Pacey said as she climbed to the top of the carrier.

"I thought the Shadow Quarter was a laborer shanty town, Commander." Hunter's voice trembled, still shaken by the news of Lady Shadow.

"It is home to upwards of 1000 citizens," Lars responded.

"Check your drone uplink, Lars," I ordered the robot.

He was designed by Cyber.Red and linked to her drone network.

"Acknowledged, Commander Mermia Reade... connecting to drone 31... drone 31 inbound..."

I looked skyward for signs of the approaching eye-in-the-sky. Cyber.Red's drones kept vigilant watch over Shadow City and environs. Thanks to them, the city had never been caught by surprised.

"Incoming! Mer, get down!"

Pacey crashed into me, pinning me to the ground. The air filled with the sound of heavy rifle fire. Like zipping bugs, flying metal tore up the road and shook the APC on its tires. Hunter cried out. From beneath the carrier, I watched his feet dance before he fell to the floor. Blood pooled beneath him.

Glass shattered and metal whined. Lars stumbled into view, the automaton's body riddled with smoking holes. He took two steps then fell to his knees.

"Sorry, Commander-"

A bullet tore through his CPU and the machine fell. Silent. Gone.

The barrage of gunfire stopped and the sudden stillness was deafening.