The sky burned like hell had split open.
Tracer rounds streaked through the night. Mortars screamed overhead. Somewhere in the distance, a building collapsed with a deafening roar, sending debris flying. The city — once the heart of Avenir — had turned into a war zone.
Julian Silverbrook hit the ground hard, shoulder-first, as another explosion shook the ground. The gunship had been shot down. The mission was over before it started.
His earpiece crackled.
"Silverbrook—*static*—wrong LZ—*repeat*—get out—"
Too late.
The roof beneath him trembled again as another explosion went off nearby. Concrete and steel crumbled into the street below. Julian dove behind a rusted air vent, chest heaving. Blood trickled from a gash on his forehead. He wiped it away.
*This wasn't how it was supposed to go.*
The plan was simple: Infiltrate, extract the VIP, get out clean. Four people. Two rooftops. Precision.
But Vex Corps had gotten there first.
Now, it was just him — alone, surrounded by enemies.
Julian gritted his teeth, wiped away the blood, and peered over the rooftop edge. Vex troopers patrolled the streets below, dressed in dark, heavy armor. They moved with military precision — no hesitation. No mercy.
*Monsters in human skin.*
His grip tightened on his rifle, his knuckles turning white beneath his gloves.
Then, a voice broke through the static of his earpiece.
"Silverbrook, do you copy?"
Julian froze.
"I copy," Julian said, shifting to crouch behind cover. "Where are you?"
"Sector Nine. Northwest rooftop. I've got eyes on you. Move any slower, and I'll send a drone to drag your corpse out."
Julian ducked lower, scanning the horizon for any movement. He grinned despite the danger. That was Thorne Ashford — always direct, always ready. The two of them had been a team for a long time. Julian was the strategist. Ashford was the hammer. They didn't always get along, but they always got the job done.
"Appreciate the concern," Julian muttered, taking a quick breath and looking around.
"Less talking, more running."
Julian clicked his tongue, but didn't argue. He sprinted across the rooftop, vaulting over a stack of debris and dodging a collapsing beam that fell just inches from his foot.
---
By the time he reached Sector Nine, the sound of gunfire filled the air. Julian slid into a stairwell of a collapsed building, breathing heavily, trying to stay quiet. His hand instinctively rested on the grip of his rifle, his eyes darting around the darkened space. He crouched low, listening.
Footsteps.
Slow. Heavy. Mechanical.
Julian's head snapped up as a Vex hunter drone appeared at the top of the stairs, its glowing red eye locking onto him. He immediately dropped low and pressed his back against the wall. The drone hissed and whirred as it advanced.
The air was thick with tension. Julian gritted his teeth, quickly pulling a smoke grenade from his belt. With a sharp toss, it went flying toward the top of the stairs. The drone opened fire, bullets rattling against the walls. Julian dashed for the exit as the drone's shots missed by inches.
He slammed the rooftop door open, rolling onto the roof, and immediately slid behind a broken air conditioning unit for cover. His breath came fast as the sounds of the drone's pursuit echoed in the stairwell.
Just then, a sharp voice came through his earpiece.
"Nice entrance."
Julian raised his head just enough to see Ashford standing at the edge of the rooftop, rifle in hand, looking down at him with a grin. He had one hand resting casually on his hip, the other clutching his gun with perfect ease.
"You good?" Ashford asked, tilting his head as he surveyed the damage.
"I've been worse," Julian said, catching his breath as he stood and brushed off his gear. He glanced at Ashford, his lips quirking into a faint smile.
"You always say that."
Julian pushed himself up, adjusting his vest. He eyed the distant explosions. "Maybe it's just a habit."
The drone crashed through the door, its red eyes searching wildly for a target. Ashford didn't waste any time. He raised his rifle, lined up his shot, and fired.
*Boom. Boom.*
The drone's head exploded, sparks flying as it collapsed.
"Thanks," Julian said, stepping out from behind cover and adjusting his gloves.
"You're welcome," Ashford replied, his eyes scanning the area. "But we're not out of this yet."
They both started moving toward the far side of the rooftop, moving with purpose. Julian's hand instinctively went to his rifle again, while Ashford kept his eyes peeled, standing tall and ready to respond to any sudden movement. The air was tense.
The city stretched out beneath them — a twisted labyrinth of smoke and flame. Far in the distance, Vex HQ stood like a giant monolith, untouched by the war, looming cold and silent.
Julian glanced at the data chip in his hand and then at Ashford. Ashford's expression was unreadable as he reached for the chip.
"Got something off a scout drone," Julian said, handing it over.
Ashford plugged it into his wrist module, his jaw tightening as he read through the data.
"They're planning an orbital strike," Ashford said. He looked up, eyes dark. "Civilian sectors. Four targets. Tonight."
Julian's stomach sank.
"Tactical cleansing," he muttered, his fists clenching. "They're sending a message."
Ashford shook his head slowly, his fingers drumming on the rifle in his hands. His voice was low.
"Command's not going to do anything, are they?"
Julian didn't need to answer. He just shook his head.
"No. No time. No backup. No interest."
Ashford gave a sharp, humorless laugh.
"So, we stop it ourselves?"
"Looks like it."
There was a beat of silence. Ashford turned his gaze back toward the distant Vex HQ, his face hard.
"You always drag me into these impossible missions."
"You're welcome," Julian said, his lips twitching into a smirk.
Ashford shot him a look, but Julian's grin only widened. Ashford's mouth twitched, but he didn't respond.
---
Suddenly, the ground shook with a deep, guttural vibration.
*Thump. Thump. Thump.*
A shadow appeared at the far end of the street — towering, armored, and unstoppable.
VEX MECH: HOUND-6.
The giant war machine strode forward, its heavy footsteps shaking the ground. Julian's eyes narrowed as he watched it approach, his hand tightening on his rifle.
Ashford exhaled through his nose.
"We run?" he asked, voice even.
Julian didn't answer right away. He just stared at the towering mech, calculating. His jaw tightened.
"No," Julian said, his tone cold. "We fight."
---
The mech's cannon whirred to life, and before Julian could react, it opened fire. Bullets tore into the rooftop, showering them with debris. Julian dove behind a metal crate, his heart racing. Ashford sprinted to the opposite side of the rooftop, weaving between ruined columns and taking cover behind a broken wall.
Julian peeked out from behind cover, looking for an opening. He fired at the mech's armor, but the shots bounced off, useless.
"Cover me!" Ashford shouted, diving for a better position as he launched a flash grenade.
The grenade went off with a blinding flash, disorienting the mech. Julian immediately took the shot he'd been waiting for — aiming for the exposed wiring beneath the mech's armored shell.
*Boom.*
The explosion ripped through the mech, sending chunks of metal flying in every direction. Ashford landed hard on the rooftop, groaning as he pushed himself up.
"I think I broke something," he said, grimacing as he stood.
Julian pulled him up with a smirk.
"You good?"
"I'll walk it off," Ashford muttered, rolling his shoulder.
The rooftop fell silent. The city was still burning around them. Julian turned toward the distant Vex HQ, his eyes cold.
"This was never just about one mission, was it?"
"No," Ashford said, looking toward the city. "It never is."
They stood together, side by side, as the war around them raged on.