The Plan Takes Shape
The dimly lit strategy room inside the base was filled with Emjay's team, each member focused as Emjay stood at the front, briefing them on their next mission. The map on the table was marked with red circles, showing enemy locations and potential weak points.
"This mission is critical," Emjay began, his voice firm. "The enemy has fortified one of their supply bases, and we need to take it down before they can move those resources. It won't be easy—they're expecting us, and we'll be facing strong opposition."
Kazuki leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "We need a clear entry point. If they already know we're coming, walking through the front door isn't an option."
Leon nodded, pointing at a side path on the map. "There's a secondary entrance here. It's less guarded, but there are traps. If we can disable them before making our way in, we'll have the element of surprise."
Kai cracked his knuckles. "I say we go in fast and hard. The longer we wait, the more time they have to prepare."
Nami sighed. "And that's how you get yourself killed, Kai. We need a balance between speed and strategy."
Crimson smirked. "Either way, there's going to be a fight. That's all I need to know."
Bleaf, now absent from the group, was on all their minds, but none spoke of him. They honored him by pushing forward, knowing he wouldn't want them to hesitate.
Emjay looked at them all, his gaze serious. "We split into teams. Kai, Crimson, and Nami will lead the first wave. Kazuki, Leon, and I will be backup and provide cover. Any questions?"
Silence.
"Then let's move."
Conversations Before Battle
The night before the mission, the atmosphere in the base was heavy. Everyone knew what was coming, and the weight of past battles hung over them. They had been through so much, and yet, war didn't wait for anyone.
Leon sat on a crate, sharpening a combat knife while watching Nami check her weapons with an almost obsessive focus. He finally broke the silence. "You always get like this before a mission?"
She didn't look up. "Like what?"
"Like you're trying to memorize every bullet, every blade, as if that'll be what keeps you alive."
Nami sighed, placing a magazine into her firearm. "Preparation is what keeps me alive, Leon."
Leon smirked. "And here I thought it was my amazing cover fire."
She rolled her eyes but allowed herself a small smile. "I'll give you that one."
Across the room, Crimson was stretching his arms when Kai nudged him. "You ready for this?"
Crimson cracked his knuckles. "Born ready."
Kai grinned. "Good. Because if you fall behind, I'm not carrying your unconscious body again."
Crimson scoffed. "That was one time."
Kai crossed his arms. "One time too many."
Crimson laughed, shaking his head. "Just keep up, speedster."
In the corner of the room, Kazuki sat quietly, disassembling his rifle and checking every piece carefully. Emjay approached him and sat down next to him. "You've been quiet."
Kazuki didn't look up. "Not much to say."
Emjay nodded. "You sure you're ready?"
Kazuki finally looked up, his gaze sharp. "I have to be."
Emjay studied him for a moment before patting his shoulder. "Good. Because we need every single one of us at our best."
The Battle Begins
The silence before the storm was deafening. The team had positioned themselves, hidden in the darkness outside the enemy supply base. Then, the explosion came—a decoy blast set by Kai, just as planned.
Instantly, alarms blared, and the enemy forces scrambled, unaware that Emjay's team had already infiltrated through a side entrance.
Gunfire erupted as Crimson and Nami took cover, their weapons trained on enemy soldiers who were still struggling to respond. Crimson let out a battle cry as he rushed forward, slamming his fist into the nearest enemy before unloading a barrage of bullets into the next.
"You picked the wrong side," he muttered as his opponent fell.
Nami moved with precision, her movements sharp and controlled. She took out two enemies before they even realized she was there, her blade slicing through the air before she switched to her firearm. A shot to the knee, another to the chest. Clean. Efficient. Deadly.
Leon, meanwhile, worked from the shadows. He maneuvered through the battlefield unseen, picking off enemies silently and disappearing before they could react. "Push forward," he whispered into the comms.
Kai was a blur of movement, dashing between enemies, dodging attacks with ease. One soldier swung a rifle at him, but Kai ducked under it, delivering a crushing kick to their ribs. "Too slow!" he taunted, before zipping past another attacker and disarming them with fluid precision.
From above, Emjay and Kazuki provided cover fire, sniping down approaching reinforcements. The enemy forces were strong, but Emjay's team was relentless.
Kazuki vs. Alexer: The Sniper's Duel
As the battle raged, Kazuki found himself on the outskirts of the fight, face to face with Alexer.
"It's been a while, Kazuki," Alexer said, a smirk on his lips. "How about a proper sniper's duel? No powers, just skill."
Kazuki narrowed his eyes. "Fine."
They both took their positions, rifles in hand. The battlefield faded away as they focused solely on each other. Kazuki steadied his breathing, scanning the area for movement. Alexer did the same.
The first shot rang out—Kazuki fired, but Alexer dodged just in time, countering with his own shot. Kazuki rolled to cover, barely avoiding the bullet.
They continued their duel, both taking calculated shots, testing each other's limits. Every movement was precise, every decision life or death.
Kazuki repositioned himself, aiming carefully. His finger pressed the trigger, but before he could fire, Alexer grinned. "Enough games."
He activated his power—X-ray vision.
Kazuki barely had time to react before Alexer's next shot grazed his side, knocking him back. Pain surged through him, but he gritted his teeth, steadying himself.
Alexer chuckled. "Looks like I've got the advantage now."
Kazuki clutched his wound, eyes sharp. "This isn't over."