The night sky flickered with the distant glow of explosions.
Julian and Ashford crouched in the shadow of an abandoned building, scanning
the street below. The roar of combat echoed from all directions, but they had a
singular mission: stop the orbital strike. Time was running out.
Julian adjusted his grip on his rifle, his eyes flicking
between Ashford and the burning city.
"We need to move," Julian said quietly, his voice almost drowned by the distant
explosions. "Vex HQ's still too far. We're gonna miss the strike
window."
Ashford was already crouched, checking the ammo in his
sidearm. He glanced at Julian, eyes narrowed in thought.
"We'll make it. We take out their comms tower first,
cut them off from the satellites. Then we hit the HQ."
Julian nodded. The plan was risky, but it was their only
shot. Vex had established a secure line with a satellite relay station in the
heart of the city. If they didn't disable it, they were dead before they even
reached the HQ.
Ashford moved first, darting from cover to cover with
practiced precision, his movements sharp and fluid. Julian followed, always a
step behind, his mind calculating the next move, looking for any sign of
danger.
---
They reached the comms tower without incident. Julian took a
knee, checking the perimeter.
"No sign of Vex patrols. But don't relax yet," he
muttered. He reached into his pouch, pulling out a small device. "This
will cut the signal. Five minutes, tops."
Ashford crouched beside him, scanning the area once more.
His fingers tightened around his rifle.
"We'll have less time than that. Once the tower goes
down, the Vex will know. They won't let us get to HQ without a fight."
Julian looked up, meeting Ashford's gaze.
"We've faced worse."
Ashford grinned, though it was grim.
"You keep saying that. You sure you're not a walking
miracle?"
Julian didn't smile back. Instead, he focused on the device,
his fingers flying over the controls as he activated it. The screen blinked,
confirming the hack was in progress. Julian's heart beat faster. The clock was
ticking.
"Give it a few seconds. We'll be on our way."
A high-pitched whine filled the air. Julian's eyes snapped
up. In the distance, a pair of Vex war drones were coming into view, their red
lights glowing ominously.
"I told you," Ashford said, his voice low, barely
a whisper. He glanced at the device. "Can you move faster?"
Julian cursed under his breath, hands moving even quicker.
The device was nearly there. He had a few more seconds.
"Almost—"
A loud, mechanical hum filled the air. A Vex Hound—another
one of their massive war machines—rumbled into sight, its shadow casting over
the street. Julian swore under his breath.
"We're out of time," Ashford said, his voice
steely. "Move."
Before Julian could react, Ashford was already sprinting
toward the Vex drones, his rifle raised. He dropped to a knee, firing in a
quick, controlled burst. The drone closest to him exploded in a cloud of
sparks, but the other one continued its approach.
Julian yanked the device from the ground, slinging it over
his shoulder, and followed Ashford. They moved like ghosts, darting behind
buildings and walls, staying low. The Vex Hound was closing in fast. The ground
vibrated with every step it took.
"We've got company," Julian grunted, as he slid
into cover beside Ashford, both of them looking at the approaching mech.
Ashford leveled his rifle at the Hound, his face set in a
tight, focused expression.
"We're not outrunning that thing."
Julian took a deep breath, his fingers tapping against the
grip of his rifle. He checked the ammo again. It would take more than just
gunfire to take down the Hound. They'd need a plan.
"Distract it," Julian said quickly, his eyes
darting from Ashford to the massive war machine. "I'll set the
charges."
Ashford gave a sharp nod, adjusting his stance as he aimed
his rifle at the mech's exposed joints. He fired with precision, hitting the
armor at its knees. Sparks flew, but the Hound didn't falter.
It roared, its mechanical arms swinging wildly as it began
its charge. Ashford dove out of the way just as the Hound slammed into the
building they were hiding behind, sending debris flying. Julian moved quickly,
already positioning himself next to a pile of concrete blocks, setting charges
with steady hands.
"How much longer?" Ashford called out, rolling
behind cover.
"Almost done!" Julian shouted back, his voice
strained with the effort.
With a final click, he set the last charge. Julian dove
behind cover just as the Hound swiveled around, aiming its cannon at the spot
where they had been. The air crackled with tension. The countdown began.
"Take cover!" Julian shouted.
Ashford didn't need to be told twice. He ducked into the
alley, rolling out of sight. Julian's heart pounded as he watched the Hound's
cannon charge up.
*Come on, come on...*
The explosion shook the ground, sending shockwaves through
the street as the charges detonated. The Hound's torso buckled under the force,
its mechanical body collapsing to the ground in a heap of twisted metal and
sparks.
The two of them emerged from their hiding places, breathing
heavily, eyes scanning the wreckage.
"Let's move," Julian said, already turning toward
the next stage of their mission.
Ashford wiped the sweat from his brow, glancing at the
ruined Hound.
"How many more do you think are out there?" he
asked, the grin creeping back onto his face despite the intensity of the
situation.
Julian adjusted his vest, his expression unreadable.
"Enough to make it interesting."
They moved quickly, cutting through the alleyways and side
streets. Their goal was clear — get to Vex HQ and stop the orbital strike. But
as they neared the heart of the city, the air grew heavier, the tension
palpable.
The Vex HQ tower loomed in front of them, casting an
imposing shadow over the streets below. Vex troopers moved in tight formations,
patrols sweeping the area. The city's heartbeat seemed to slow as Julian and
Ashford crouched behind an overturned truck, eyes locked on the fortified
building.
"This is it," Julian said. "Get to the roof.
We take out their satellite controls, then get out."
"Got it," Ashford replied, his voice calm but with
a hint of something darker beneath. He was ready for whatever came next.
They moved again, blending into the shadows, taking
advantage of every piece of cover. The tension was thick, like the air before a
storm. And sure enough, the storm was approaching.
Julian's pulse quickened as they neared the entrance, the
final obstacle standing between them and the strike they had to stop. Every
step felt like a countdown.
"Once we're inside, no more mistakes," Julian
said, glancing at Ashford. "We don't have time for another fight."
Ashford nodded sharply.
"I'll cover you. Let's end this."