The night was eerily quiet, save for the distant hum of engines and the soft crunch of boots on gravel. Ishizaki crouched on the rooftop, his knife strapped to his side as he peered down at the narrow alley below. Beside him, Drax leaned against the wall, his sledgehammer resting on his shoulder.
"Three squads," Drax muttered, his sharp eyes scanning the approaching figures. "Six per squad. Looks like they're splitting up to search the area."
Ishizaki nodded, his jaw tightening. "They're looking for us."
"Correction," Solus said, its voice calm in Ishizaki's mind. "They are tracking a specific energy signature—yours."
Ishizaki frowned. "How?"
"Unknown," Solus replied. "However, the scouts' equipment indicates access to advanced tracking technology. This suggests external support beyond the overlord's known resources."
"Great," Ishizaki muttered under his breath.
Drax glanced at him, his expression grim. "What's the plan, kid? We can't take them all head-on."
"We don't fight," Ishizaki said. "We move. Now."
The Scouts Close In
The group moved quickly through the maze of alleys, the faint glow of the scouts' flashlights flickering on the walls behind them. Ishizaki led the way, his enhanced senses alert to every sound and movement.
"Stay close," he whispered, glancing back at the kids. Hana clung to Ryo's hand, her wide eyes darting nervously. Mei followed silently, her blanket trailing behind her.
Drax brought up the rear, his sledgehammer gripped tightly in one hand. "We can't keep running like this," he said, his voice low. "If they're tracking us, they'll find us again no matter where we go."
"Then we keep moving," Ishizaki said sharply.
"And what happens when you burn out?" Drax shot back. "You think you're invincible, but I've seen what pushing too hard does to people. You're no good to them if you drop dead in the middle of a fight."
"I don't have a choice," Ishizaki said through gritted teeth.
Drax didn't respond, but the tension between them hung heavy in the air.
A Desperate Escape
The scouts' voices echoed through the alleys, sharp commands cutting through the night.
"Fan out! Check every corner!"
Ishizaki gritted his teeth, his mind racing. "Solus, options?"
"Evading detection is improbable," Solus replied. "Recommend diversion tactics to delay pursuit."
Ishizaki scanned the alley, his eyes landing on a stack of rusted barrels near a corner. "Stay here," he whispered to Drax and the kids.
Before anyone could protest, he darted forward, moving with enhanced speed. He reached the barrels and slammed his shoulder into them, sending them crashing to the ground. The noise echoed like a thunderclap, drawing shouts from the scouts.
"East quadrant!" one of them barked. "Move in!"
Ishizaki slipped back into the shadows, his breathing shallow as the scouts rushed past. He motioned for the others to follow, leading them deeper into the labyrinth of alleys.
A Tense Standoff
The group didn't make it far before the scouts caught up. A sharp beam of light cut through the darkness, illuminating Ishizaki as he turned a corner.
"There! Engage!"
Ishizaki's body moved on instinct, his knife snapping into his hand as the first scout lunged toward him. Blade Resonance flared, the weapon glowing faintly as it sliced through the scout's rifle, sending sparks flying.
"Take the kids and go!" Ishizaki shouted over his shoulder.
Drax hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "You better survive, kid," he said before ushering the children away.
The remaining scouts surrounded Ishizaki, their movements coordinated and precise. Plasma bolts streaked through the air, forcing him to dodge and weave as he closed the distance.
"Quantum Reflex Boost active," Solus said. "Reaction time optimized."
Ishizaki's blade lashed out, cutting through armor and circuitry with ruthless efficiency. But the scouts weren't like the enforcers he'd faced before—they moved with practiced precision, covering each other's weaknesses and adapting to his attacks.
"You're fast," one of them said, their voice distorted by their helmet. "But you're not faster than us."
Ishizaki didn't respond. His knife glowed brighter as he pushed forward, the energy coursing through him like fire.
Cliffhanger – The Path Forward
By the time the last scout fell, Ishizaki was on his knees, his chest heaving and his vision swimming. His knife slipped from his hand, the resonance fading as his energy reserves dwindled.
"Energy levels critical," Solus said. "Recommend immediate recovery."
"I'll recover when they're safe," Ishizaki muttered, forcing himself to his feet.
As he staggered back toward the group, something caught his eye—a small device on one of the fallen scouts. He picked it up, the faint glow of its interface pulsing softly.
"Solus, what is this?"
"Analyzing," Solus replied. After a moment, it continued, "This device is a tracker and data relay. It has likely transmitted your location to central command."
Ishizaki's stomach sank. "How long do we have?"
"Unknown," Solus said. "However, reinforcements are probable."
Ishizaki clenched his fists, his mind racing. He couldn't keep running—not like this. They needed to strike first.
"Drax," he said as he reached the group. "We're not waiting anymore. We're taking the fight to them."