"Jenkins, you see anything?"

Reece whispered into his comms device.

"Negative, Reece," Jenkins' voice crackled back. "It's pitch black out here."

"Stay alert. I guess they're around."

Reece nodded to himself, his eyes scanning the darkness. He knew the enemies were out there, waiting for their chance to strike.

He huddled behind a snowbank, his eyes were staining to pierce the darkness out there.

"Where did you hide, bustards?"

He gritted his teeth.

The night was absolute, the stars and moon obscured by a thick layer of cloud. Only sound was the creaking of the wind, and the occassional rumble of artillery.

The troop was scattered throughout the terrain. In the freezing cold of minus twenty degree celcius, they were hiding, waiting for the enemy troop to locate.

Suddenly, a faint rustling sound echoed through the night air. Reece's head snapped up, his heart racing.

"Be careful."

He signaled to Jenkins, and together, they crept forward, their rifles were ready.

The rustling grew louder, and Reece caught a glimpse of movement in the distance. He froze, his finger tightening on the trigger.

"Wait," Jenkins whispered, his voice barely audible.

"It might be a trap."

Reece paused, hesitated. Yes, it might be a trap. How many were there! Two.. four... Or —

The comms device buzzed.

"I've spotted. Incoming!"

Joe yelled, spotting a fresh cluster of enemy soldiers emerging from the whiteout."

Reece's eyes were frowned instantly. His gaze was fixed on the movements before him.

And then, in an instant, the darkness erupted into chaos!

Gunfire shattered the night air, and Reece felt the snowbank explode beneath him.

He rolled to the side, returning fire as he desperately sought cover.

"Jenkins, fall back!"

Reece yelled, his voice lost in the cacophony of gunfire.

Take cover!"

Reece shouted, as the team scrambled to find shelter behind the rocky outcroppings.

Jenkins dropped to one knee, his rifle at the ready.

"I've got the left flank!" he called out.

"I've got the right!" Reece responded, his voice was steady despite the chaos erupting around them.

He scrambled to his feet, firing his rifle in short, controlled bursts. The enemy was everywhere, their muzzle flashes lighting up the darkness like fireflies.

The air was filled with the staccato bursts of gunfire, the sound echoing off the mountainside.

Reece peered around the boulder, his eyes locking onto an enemy soldier. He squeezed the trigger, and the enemy soldier crumpled to the ground.

"We need to fall back!"

Joe yelled, as a fresh wave of enemy troops appeared on the horizon.

"Negative!" Reece countered. "We hold this position!"

His rifle blazed to hold off the enemy onslaught.

"Fucking bustards."

....

A few hours ago....

It was the night of thirty first December, bone chilling cold.

Amidst the snow and the chill, the whole country was excited for the new years eve. Whether it was the cities, the small towns or the villages — every corner of the country was adorned with bright lights, sparkling Christmas trees and vibrant decorations.

The resturants were filled with people, the children were running through the snow covered roads and fields, their laughter filled the atmosphere with joy! The smell of the delicious dishes emerged from the households, everything was so lively and cheerful!

But the picture at the northern frontier was completely different.

The night here was dark and cold. Situated at a higher altitude, it was the most difficult frontier of the country — surrounded by mountains, dense forest and an unforgiving terrain: icy boulders, crevices and snow shrouded ridges.

In the Northern frontier's army base camp, the new years eve didn't bring anything special. Here, the day was very similar to every other day, the same routine — twenty four hours, ready for sudden attacks and dangers.

But again, the soldiers were a little cheerful today. Most of them were gathered in small groups, chatting and sipping in a relaxed manner.

"Hey bro, wanna have some?"

Joe asked Robin, one of his fellow soldiers, pointing towards a plate of barbecued chicken.

"Why not!" He stepped torwards, picked up a piece.

"Umm.. delicious."

They sat together, sharing the plate. Robin looked around and asked.

"Where's Reece, by the way?"

"Where else! With his satellite radio!"

"Huh! This boy... People don't even take their girlfriends the way he clungs to the radio."

"His radio is more precious than any random girl!"

"I wonder sometimes... When will he learn to have some fun bro!"

"Probably, never."

"Ha ha!" They chuckled.

Far away from all these, Reece was sitting in his own room. The noise outside didn't enter there. Reece sat on the chair, in front of him there was a satellite radio on the table.

The unpleasant sound of the static was coming out of it continuously, and he tried to adjust it.

Knock knock!

A sudden knock on the door caught his attention.

"Door's open."

Without looking back, he answered.

"Hey, Reece, what's up?"

Another soldier entered the tent. It's Jenkins.

Reece turned around, slightly annoyed at the interruption.

"Just trying to get some signal. It's not easy out here."

Jenkins nodded with a knowing gaze.

"I know, man. But it's New Year's Eve. Can't you take a break?"

Reece shook his head. "Can't afford to."

Jenkins shrugged. Everybody in this camp knew Reece very well. When he decided to do something, he won't leave it until it's finished.

"Suit yourself. But you're missing out on some great food and company."

"I'll catch up later. Just need to get this radio working."

Jenkins nodded and turned to leave. "Good luck with that. And happy New Year, Reece."

Reece grunted in response, his focus already back on the radio. The static continued to crackle, and he adjusted the knobs again, his eyes fixed intently on the dials.

This radio was his only device to connect with the outside world. In the military base camp, no personal device were allowed. This radio was kept in the base camp's instruments room, unused.

Reece had brought it out and fixed it. This satellite radio allowed him to tap into a world beyond the base — receiving broadcast from various channels that brought news, music and comfort from afar.

He was immersed in his work fully, when the the alerm of the base camp started ringing loudly!

All the soldiers were very familiar with it — It was the indication of enemy invasion. Their radar recorded suspected movements at the border area.

"Attack!"

In a second, he slammed the radio on the table and sprinted out of his room. As he got out, he saw Jenkins, running towards the arms camp.

"What's the situation?"

"Don't know yet." Jenkins replied.

Soon, both of them joined the chaotic rush of the soldiers in the base camp, ready for another battle!

But unknown to Reece, the radio actually caught a news channel by then. The sound from its speaker echoed throughout his empty room.

"Breaking news!

we interrupt your regular programming to bring you this urgent announcement.

A powerful solar storm is expected to hit Earth in approximately two hours. According to the National Weather Service, the storm will severely impact the planet's magnetic field, causing widespread disruptions to communication systems and infrastructure.

Residents are advised to prepare for potential power outages, communication blackouts, and disruptions to essential services. We will continue to bring you updates as more information becomes available.

Stay tuned for further instructions and stay safe."