Page 99 of Rescuing Sophia

I grab the RUFUS’s frame and steady it against the rock face. Its limbs reconfigure, finding new holds, and it resumes its climb within moments.

“Nice save.” Gabe’s voice comes through the comms, a hint of his usual humor breaking through the tension. “I was not looking forward to being pancaked by a robot dog today.”

“Cut the chatter and stay focused,” Ethan reprimands. “We need to pick up the pace, but safety first. This cliff isn’t going to beat us.”

We continue our ascent, now hyperaware of every handhold and brace against every gust. The storm’s fury intensifies the higher we climb as if Malfor himself is commanding the elements to repel us.

Finally, after what feels like hours, we near the top. Ethan signals for us to hold position a few feet below the edge, out of sight of potential guards.

“Charlie team, this is Command,” CJ’s voice crackles throughour comms. “Alpha team is in position and ready to begin their assault. Bravo team is on final approach for HALO insertion. What’s your status?”

“Charlie team is in position,” Ethan replies, his breathing heavy from the climb. “Ready on your signal.”

“Copy that, Charlie team. Bravo team, you are cleared to jump. Charlie team, hold for Bravo’s insertion. On my mark, we initiate Phase Two.”

We wait, clinging to the cliff face, the anticipation building. After a few tense minutes, Brady’s voice comes through: “Bravo team on the roof. Ready to neutralize air defenses.”

“All teams, execute.” CJ’s voice is filled with grim determination. “Operation Honeycomb is a go. I say again, Operation Honeycomb is a go.”

In the distance, a series of explosions light up the night sky. The assault has begun.

THIRTY-FIVE

Blake

My HUD flickerswith constant updates. Altitude, windspeed, team positions, and RUFI status—a data stream that would be overwhelming if we hadn’t trained for this exact scenario.

Through it all, I focus on the top of the cliff, where our real mission begins. The wind whips around us, carrying the scent of ozone and sea spray, a stark reminder of the storm raging around us.

CJ’s voice crackles through our comms, steady despite the static. “Alpha team, status?”

The sound of distant explosions punctuates Max’s reply, the bass rumble reverberating through the ground beneath our feet. “We’re engaged at the main gate. Heavy resistance, but we’re holding. These bastards fight like they’ve got something to prove.”

“Bravo?”

“HALO insertion complete,” Brady reports, his voice slightly breathless from the high-altitude jump. “Air defenses neutralized. You’re clear to proceed, Charlie.”

“Copy that,” Ethan responds, his voice low and focused. “Charlie team, we’re green. RUFI, take point. Let’s move.”

The three RUFI spring into action, their sleek forms barelyvisible as they crest the cliff edge. We follow closely behind, the wind nearly knocking us off balance. Taking cover behind a low stone wall, we survey the compound before us.

It looms like a dark monolith against the stormy sky, its windows glinting ominously in the flashes of lightning. In the distance, muzzle flashes light up the night, accompanied by the staccato rhythm of gunfire. Alpha team is keeping Malfor’s forces busy, as planned.

Ethan signals silently, and we move out. The RUFI take the lead, and their advanced sensors scan for threats as we approach the villa. Our steps are careful and methodical, with the RUFI adjusting their pace to match ours. The rain pelts us relentlessly, but our gear keeps us dry and focused.

We reach the villa, its ornate stonework marred by bullet holes and scorch marks. One of the RUFI identifies a broken window on the ground floor—our entry point.

RUFI-2 takes point, slipping through the window first to secure the immediate area. The smell of ozone grows stronger as we follow, glass crunching beneath our boots despite our best efforts for silence.

The interior is dark, lit only by the occasional flash of lightning from outside. Our night vision kicks in, bathing everything in an eerie green glow.

“Mitzy, we’re in,” Ethan whispers into his comm. “Guide us to Sophia.”

Mitzy’s voice comes through clear and focused. “Routing to your HUD. She’s in the east wing, sub-basement level. Be advised, I’m detecting multiple hostile signatures between you and the target.”

“Copy that,” Ethan responds. “Charlie team, move out. RUFI, maintain perimeter scan. Blake, you’ve got point with RUFI-3.”

I take the lead alongside RUFI-3, my rifle at the ready. We move like shadows through the compound, our black tactical gear and the RUFI’s adaptive camouflage blending seamlessly with the darkness. The exosuits enhance our speed and agility, allowing us to cover ground quickly and silently. The smell of damp stone andmold grows stronger as we descend, the air growing noticeably cooler.

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