Rounds of explosive shells pounded the house, each blast shaking the reinforced room where Chris, Sparrow, and the major huddled. The echoing roar slowly faded, leaving an eerie silence outside.
Sparrow pressed his ear to the wall, straining to hear any movement, when a bullet shot straight through, grazing him. He stumbled back, clutching his ear as another round hammered into the door.
"They're cutting through!" he hissed, regaining his balance.
Chris gave a quick nod, loading a fresh magazine into his rifle. "On first contact, fire at will. Got it?"
The three of them positioned themselves, eyes fixed on the door, waiting. But suddenly, gunfire erupted outside, drowning out all other sounds. Muffled screams followed, echoing as if a machine gun had torn through the mercenaries. A beat later, silence returned.
Chris risked a glance outside, then gestured with a wave. "Clear!"
