The air was thick with tension as Lucia stood at the edge of the camp, watching the night settle in around her. The Fractured had spent the last few hours preparing for their daring escape. Weapons were checked, provisions gathered, and final plans discussed in hushed voices. The cold, damp air seemed to press down on her shoulders as if the weight of the task ahead was already upon her. She had never thought of herself as a leader, but the Fractured had placed their trust in her. And now, there was no turning back.
She turned to Talon, who was standing near a pile of crates, quietly inspecting a map. His expression was unreadable, but there was a certain intensity about him tonight—a sharpness that made Lucia uneasy. He wasn't just focused on the mission. He was focused on the danger that lay ahead. They both knew the Dominion would stop at nothing to find them. The closer they got to Haven, the greater the risk. But there was no time to waste. They had a plan, and it was as simple as it was dangerous: infiltrate a Dominion supply convoy, use it to bypass their perimeter defenses, and slip into their heavily guarded territory unnoticed.
"Is everyone ready?" Lucia asked, her voice steady despite the knot of anxiety in her stomach.
Talon glanced up at her, his lips curling into the slightest of smiles. "As ready as we'll ever be."
Lucia took a deep breath, looking over the camp one last time. The Fractured had been fighting for survival for so long that they had become experts in the art of preparation. But there was something different about tonight. The stakes had never been higher, and the weight of that realization pressed heavily on her chest.
"I know it's not much," she said, her voice low, almost to herself. "But I'm counting on all of you. We can't afford to fail."
Talon's eyes softened, and for a moment, there was something more—something deeper—in his gaze. "We won't fail. Not if we stick together."
Lucia nodded, her resolve hardening. She didn't know if he believed it, but she had to. There was no other option. The Fractured needed her, and the world needed them to succeed. They were humanity's last hope.
The convoy was scheduled to pass through the valley just before dawn. It was a risky move, but they had no other choice. If they missed this window, they'd have to wait days, maybe longer, for another opportunity. The Dominion's patrols were relentless, and the longer they stayed in one place, the greater the chance of detection.
Lucia met Cal and Mira near the edge of the camp. Cal had been the one to organize the ambush, and his eyes were sharp, filled with the kind of focus that only came from years of living on the edge. Mira, on the other hand, was calm but intense. She was the strategist, the one who always thought five steps ahead. Between the two of them, they had devised a plan to intercept the convoy before it reached the border, ensuring that the Fractured would have the chance they needed to slip through unnoticed.
"We'll move out in ten," Cal said, his voice low. "Keep your heads down. The Dominion's patrols won't be far behind. They'll be looking for us, and they won't show mercy if they catch us."
Lucia nodded. "Understood."
Mira stepped forward, her expression serious. "We're counting on you, Lucia. You know the Dominion better than any of us. You'll need to use that to guide us once we're inside their perimeter."
Lucia swallowed, feeling the weight of her new role settle over her. She had always been a soldier, a weapon of the Dominion. But now, her past and the Dominion's knowledge of her were both weapons—and vulnerabilities. She had to be careful. Every move would count.
The group moved out in silence, their footsteps muffled by the dense underbrush. The night was still, the kind of stillness that made the air feel thick with anticipation. The only sound was the rustling of leaves beneath their boots and the occasional whisper of a breeze. The convoy wasn't far. They had spent days tracking its movements, using old Dominion intel and carefully watching the roads they had to cross. This was their best chance.
They reached a high vantage point overlooking a narrow pass through the mountains. From here, they could see the convoy in the distance—three large transport vehicles, flanked by a half-dozen Reapers, their sleek, armored forms moving in tight formation. The convoy was moving quickly, unaware that anyone had the audacity to challenge it. But Lucia knew better. The Dominion never traveled alone. There were always eyes watching. Always soldiers prepared for an ambush.
"We'll hit them hard, fast," Talon said, his voice barely a whisper in the night. "We take down the Reapers first, then secure the vehicles. The rest of the Fractured will handle the rest."
Lucia nodded, tightening her grip on her rifle. Her heart beat steadily in her chest, and though her body was primed for the fight ahead, her mind was elsewhere. She had seen the Reapers before—those genetically enhanced soldiers who were faster, stronger, and deadlier than any normal human. They were the Dominion's elite, and the thought of facing them in combat sent a shiver down her spine. But she wasn't alone. She had the Fractured with her. And they had come this far. They wouldn't let the Dominion win without a fight.
Talon gave the signal, and the Fractured sprang into action. The ambush unfolded with the precision of a well-rehearsed drill. Lucia sprinted forward, her boots pounding against the earth as she moved to a position above the convoy. She peered through her scope, adjusting the focus until she had a clear line of sight on the lead Reaper. His face was obscured by a helmet, but she could see the sharpness of his movements—he was a predator, always alert, always aware.
The Fractured's sharpshooters took out two of the Reapers in a matter of seconds. Their shots were precise, and the Reapers never saw it coming. The convoy screeched to a halt, chaos erupting in the space between them and the attacking force. The soldiers were scrambling to react, but they were too late. Talon led the charge, a blur of motion as he dove into the fray. Mira and Cal followed closely behind, each with their own method of handling the enemies who were now fighting for their lives.
Lucia's rifle barked, and another Reaper fell, his body crumpling to the ground with a sickening thud. She moved quickly, slipping down the ridge and into the battle zone. The Dominion soldiers were disoriented, their movements erratic as they tried to regain control of the situation. But the Fractured had the upper hand, and they were relentless.
The convoy was theirs. The Reapers had been taken out, and now, Lucia could see the large transport vehicles, their cargo crates filled with supplies that would help them in their journey forward. But as the battle raged on, Lucia's senses went on high alert. There was something wrong—something off.
"Fall back!" Talon's voice rang out. "It's a trap!"
Before Lucia could process the words, the sound of engines roaring filled the air. More Dominion vehicles, hidden in the dense forest, emerged from the shadows. A second wave of Reapers, more heavily armed and equipped with advanced weaponry, charged into the fight. This was no ordinary convoy. The Dominion had known they would be coming. And now, the Fractured were trapped in the heart of an ambush.