"Unless you've got a better idea, I suggest you shut up and shoot."
Li He couldn't believe what he was hearing. The gang members were still advancing, their bullets ricocheting off the truck and surrounding debris and this recruit-level upstart was giving orders like he had a death wish.
Li gritted his teeth, ducking lower behind the truck as a fresh hail of gunfire tore through the air. His heart hammered against his ribs, adrenaline flooding his system as his mind raced. This wasn't what he'd signed up for.
When the job offer came through, it was pitched as a simple gig, something routine and straightforward. They'd be dealing with some local gang activity, the kind of two-bit operation that barely counted as a threat. A couple of scare tactics, a few quick strikes, and it would all be over. Easy money, they'd said.
"Fuck this shit," he muttered under his breath, his frustration boiling over. He had spent over a decade in the field, first as a soldier, then as a freelance mercenary. He had survived warzones, insurgencies, and black ops missions where the odds had been stacked against him.
Years of experience taught him the value of caution and measured action, which is why he knew that one wrong move in this situation could mean death for all of them. Choosing to focus on clearing the right side at the cost of the other sides seemed like suicide, especially with a sniper lurking in the shadows, ready to pick them off.
To be honest, Forger hadn't exactly struck him as the reliable type. There was something about the way the plain looking man carried himself-confident but slippery, like a rat always looking for an exit.
In addition, while clearing the right flank would expose them to attacks from multiple angles, it just so happened to be the easiest route to escape the chaos. Was this rookie looking for a way out while the rest of them covered his ass? The thought burned in Li He's mind, fueling his growing frustration.
Should have just stayed home and watched some Real Housewives of Nothern District...
Still, he obeyed, swinging his large rifle toward the alley and unloading a burst of suppressive fire. Rosa followed suit, and together they managed to force the gangsters to scatter, thinning their assault.
It was then that he caught sight of Forger. The middle aged man crouched low behind cover, clutching his weapons like his life depended on it-which, Li He supposed, it did. His countenance was still deadpan, but something about his demeanor had shifted.
What the hell is he-?
"OVERCLOCK!"
The shout rang out over the chaos, cutting through the gunfire like a blade. Blue arcs of electricity surged from Forger's arms, racing along his weapons with a crackling intensity that made the air hum. Li He's eyes widened as the man's entire frame seemed to glow, the energy somehow radiating off him in pulses that sent a shiver down his spine.
Is he seriously—
Before Li He could finish his thought. Forger had become a blur of motion. Blue energy trailed behind him as he shot out from cover, weaving through the barrage of bullets with a speed and precision that defied belief.
What the hell is that?
Li He watched, slack-jawed, as the gangsters opened fire, their rounds kicking up sparks and dirt in Forger's wake. A stray bullet grazed the man's shoulder, but he didn't falter, his movements too fast and deliberate.
Then the sniper took the shot.
Li He barely registered the sharp crack before Forger somehow pivoted sharply, dodging the round by what seemed like sheer instinct. The man dropped low, twisting mid-movement and raising his glowing handguns in one fluid motion.
«Whizz!»
«Whizz!»
Li He's breath caught as the characteristic soft hum of Forger's strange guns filtered through the air. The weapons were unlike anything he was accustomed to;sleek, and unnervingly quiet. Instead of the deafening roar of traditional gunfire, they emitted a sound more akin to a high-pitched whisper.
His attention, as well as that of all the others on the battlefield was drawn by the blue trails left behind by the rounds as they streaked through the night towards towards the rooftop where the sniper had last taken his position. The brilliance of the trails drew their eyes, making it hard to look away.
The precision with which they traveled bordered on supernatural, as though the bullets themselves were guided by some unseen hand.
Both projectiles struck the rooftop with a series of sharp, metallic impacts, but that was only the prelude. An instant later, the incendiary payload within each round ignited, unleashing a localized searing burst of flames. The fire spread with alarming speed, fueled by a chemical mixture that clung to the rooftop surface like liquid flame.
The fire consumed everything in its path, quickly turning the rooftop into a mini inferno. The flames danced and flickered, casting long, jagged shadows that stretched across the surrounding buildings. The light transformed the scene into something out of a nightmare, the once-dim environment now bathed in a hellish orange-red glow.
Amid the chaos, Li He's sharp eyes caught movement—quick, panicked, and unmistakable. The sniper, once securely hidden, was now exposed, his position transformed into a fiery deathtrap. He darted from shadow to shadow, his form briefly illuminated by the flickering firelight.
Holy shit...
Forger's incendiary round had set the sniper's nest ablaze, throwing the gang members below into disarray. The burning rooftop lit up the battlefield like a signal flare, scattering their attackers and momentarily disrupting the enemy's rhythm.
"Go! Go! Go!" Forger's command cut through the noise, his magnetic handguns at the ready as he surged forward. His show of power seemed to have emboldened the others. With newfound determination, the team sprang into action, their earlier doubts replaced by a fierce resolve.
"Come on, you bastards!" Li He growled as he brought his large firearm to bear. The deafening roar of gunfire echoed through the alley as he unleashed a relentless barrage, the heavy thuds of impact vibrating through his chest as the rounds tore through their defenses. The gang members, who were previously bold and threatening, now quickly scrambled for cover as each bullet sent a message to the thugs: stay down or die trying.
The bullets continued to tear through the air, splintering wood, shattering glass, and sending chunks of debris flying in every direction. By keeping the gang members pinned down behind makeshift cover-rusted cars, stacks of crates, overturned dumpsters, or anything that could protect them from the storm that was being unleashed- Li He ensured they couldn't regroup, reposition, or mount a counterattack.
The remaining followed suit, their movements synchronized as they advanced under the cover of Li He's suppressive fire. Bailey, her face smeared with blood and grime, moved with purpose. She coordinated the team's movements, her voice steady and authoritative. "I and Li He will keep them suppressed! Rosa, hold the left flank! Forger, take point and burn those fuckers to the ground!"
At some point, Rosa had pulled out a small bottle filled with green liquid. He bit off the bottle stopper and gulped the contents down. Veins popped out on his forehead, his eyes sharp and focused. He took a position to Bailey's left, his limbs stretching to unnatural lengths to pick off gang members who tried to flank them.
His adept ability allowed him to stretch his arms and legs to incredible lengths, giving him a reach advantage that kept their enemies at bay. Each shot from his gun found its mark, downing gang members before they could get close enough to be a threat.
Meanwhile, Rion was a whirlwind of energy, moving with the agility and precision of a seasoned combatant. He darted from cover to cover, laying down bursts of incendiary rounds that tore through the gang's ranks. Each shot was a calculated move, designed to maximize chaos and minimize their enemies' ability to regroup.
After emptying the clip, he swapped back to ferromagnetic rounds and continued to fire at any visible threats. The arcs of electricity from his Resonance ability had drained, but his focus and aim remained sharp.
As he downed one gang member after another, his eyes constantly scanned around for threats. The incendiary rounds had set the sniper's position ablaze, but he knew better than to assume the danger was gone. His experience led him to believe that they had a narrow window to neutralize the threat of the goons before the sniper, most likely still alive, found another vantage point. With the flames lighting up the area, visibility was improved, but so was their exposure.
The team advanced methodically, their combined firepower overwhelming the remaining opposition. The goons had most likely been promised great rewards for securing the contents of the truck and had initially been emboldened by their numerical advantage and the presence of the sniper.
However, they were now in disarray, their morale shattered by the display of superior firepower and tactics. The air was thick with smoke and the acrid smell of gunpowder, and the gang members, realizing they were outmatched, began to retreat.
As the team closed in on the remaining gang members, the intensity of the fight began to wane. Bailey looked around and saw that the although the gang's numbers were dwindling, her teammates couldn't keep up their elevated performance.
"Fall back! Get back in the truck!" Her command was immediate, her voice cutting through the din of battle. The team moved swiftly, regrouping and retreating to the relative safety of the armored vehicle.
One by one, they climbed back into the truck, their weapons still at the ready. Li He, who was covering their retreat was the last to jump in, slamming the door shut behind him. Bailey pushed the body of the aloof woman aside and gunned the engine, the truck roaring to life and speeding away from the ambush site.
Inside the truck, the smell of sweat and gunpowder hung heavy in the air. Rosa collapsed against the wall, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath. His elongated arms began to retract, returning to their normal length with a faint crackling sound, as if invisible strings were pulling them back into their natural proportions.
As for the other two, Li He slumped into his seat, his smoking rifle resting across his lap, while Bailey focused on driving. Each member of the team was lost in their thoughts, the spectacular performance they had witnessed playing over and over in their minds.
Li He glanced at Rion, a newfound respect in his eyes. "That was... something else," he finally said, his voice tinged with awe.
Rion on the other hand still had his senses on high alert. He couldn't shake the feeling that the sniper might not be dead. A professional like that wouldn't go down easily. He kept his magnetic handguns close, ready for any sign of trouble.
Bailey kept her eyes on the road, gripping the steering wheel tightly as the truck bounced over uneven terrain. She was also aware that they weren't out of danger yet. "Keep your eyes peeled," she warned, seemingly sharing his concerns. "We're not in the clear until we reach the delivery point."
The truck barreled through the deserted streets, the tension inside palpable. They were still in enemy territory, and any moment could bring another ambush. But as the minutes ticked by, the threat seemed to diminish. The ambush zone was behind them, and no further attacks materialized.
Finally, the outline of the delivery point came into view. It was a nondescript warehouse, blending into the industrial landscape. Rion allowed himself a moment of relief as Bailey brought the truck to a halt, the team remaining alert as they disembarked, weapons at the ready.
The warehouse door slid open, and a figure stepped out, waving them in. "You made it," the contact said, relief evident in his voice.
Bailey nodded, her expression grim. "We had some trouble, but we're here. Let's get this done."