The van barreled down the dark highway, its engine humming steadily. Inside, the team reviewed Takashi's hastily drawn map, which detailed a Kurogami transport route. Their goal: intercept a convoy carrying another shard before it reached Kurogami's research facility.
Sora, sitting shotgun, adjusted their goggles and glanced back at Takashi, who looked like he might pass out at any moment. "You sure about this route? If you're wrong, we're walking into a trap."
Takashi wiped his forehead, nodding nervously. "I'm positive. They always use this route to avoid main roads. Trust me, I want them stopped as much as you do."
"Sure," Kenji said from the back, lounging with his feet up. "And if it is a trap, I'll use my frying pan diplomacy again." He brandished the pan with a flourish.
Rei, who was sharpening her dagger, didn't look up. "Kenji, the last time you tried 'frying pan diplomacy,' we almost got arrested. Please don't do that again."
Kenji grinned. "Hey, it worked, didn't it? Besides, I'm undefeated in pan-to-hand combat."
Ryo leaned forward, his expression serious. "Focus. If Takashi's intel is right, this could be our best chance to stop Kurogami from gaining another shard. We can't afford any mistakes."
---
Setting the Trap
The team reached a narrow mountain pass, where Takashi insisted the convoy would appear. They parked the van in a concealed spot and began setting up their ambush.
Sora planted a series of EMP devices along the road, designed to disable the convoy's vehicles. "These should buy us enough time to grab the shard and get out before reinforcements arrive."
Rei scouted the area, her sharp eyes scanning for any signs of movement. "I'll take the high ground and cover us from above. If anything goes wrong, I'll signal."
Kenji was tasked with distraction duty. He climbed onto a nearby boulder, holding his frying pan like a scepter. "Alright, people, I'm ready to bring the chaos!"
"Just don't get yourself killed," Akira said dryly, double-checking their gear.
Kenji winked. "Me? Killed? Nah. They'd miss me too much."
"Doubtful," Rei muttered, already moving to her position.
---
The Waiting Game
As the group settled into their positions, the tension grew. The night was eerily quiet, the only sounds being the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of crickets.
Kenji, who had taken up a spot near Sora, leaned over and whispered, "So, do you think they'll have lasers? Or maybe robots? I'm kind of hoping for robots."
Sora sighed. "Kenji, can you be serious for five minutes?"
"Define serious," Kenji replied, smirking.
Before Sora could respond, Rei's voice crackled through their earpieces. "Heads up. I see headlights."
Everyone tensed, their eyes fixed on the winding road ahead.
---
The Convoy Appears
Three armored vehicles came into view, their engines rumbling as they navigated the narrow pass. The lead vehicle carried a mounted turret, while the others were heavily fortified with reinforced plating.
"Looks like they brought the whole armory," Sora muttered, activating the EMP devices remotely.
The devices emitted a high-pitched whine before discharging a burst of energy. The convoy's lights flickered, and the vehicles screeched to a halt as their engines sputtered and died.
"Go!" Ryo shouted, leaping from his hiding spot.
---
The Attack Begins
Ryo charged toward the convoy, his fists glowing with shard energy. The lead vehicle's turret swiveled to target him, but before it could fire, Rei's arrow struck the operator's hand, forcing them to retreat.
Kenji followed close behind, yelling, "Surprise attack!" as he hurled his frying pan at one of the guards climbing out of the second vehicle. The pan hit with a loud clang, knocking the guard unconscious.
"Nice throw!" Sora called out, using a gadget to disable the convoy's communications.
Ryo reached the lead vehicle, ripping the door off its hinges and pulling out the driver. "Where's the shard?" he demanded.
The driver stammered, "It's... in the last vehicle!"
"Thanks," Ryo said, tossing the man aside like a ragdoll.
---
Complications Arise
As the group closed in on the last vehicle, reinforcements arrived. A squad of Kurogami agents emerged from the surrounding forest, their weapons trained on the team.
"We've got company!" Rei shouted from her perch.
Akira stepped forward, their twin blades glinting in the moonlight. "Stay focused. We can handle this."
Kenji, however, was less composed. "Uh, guys? They've got lasers. I repeat, they've got lasers!"
Sure enough, one of the agents fired a laser rifle, narrowly missing Kenji and leaving a scorch mark on the ground.
"Kenji, less screaming, more dodging!" Sora yelled, throwing a smoke bomb to obscure their position.
As chaos erupted, Ryo fought his way to the last vehicle, determined to retrieve the shard. But just as he reached the back door, a towering figure stepped out—a Kurogami enforcer clad in advanced combat armor, wielding a massive energy blade.
"Well, this just got interesting," Ryo muttered, clenching his fists.
---