Location: En Route to UNSC Forward Operating Base, Virek
Date and Time: May 21, 2553 – 1330 Hours
The Warthog bounces over the uneven terrain, the roar of its engine barely cutting through the sound of gunfire and explosions in the distance. My mind is racing, my heart pounding in my chest. We left the firefight behind, but the battle isn't over—not by a long shot.
Santiago sits beside me, his jaw clenched, his rifle resting across his lap. In the back, Dash and O'Neill are silent, their expressions grim. They know what's at stake. We're not just running from the battle—we're running to save Emily.
The comms are alive with frantic chatter, reports of URF forces breaching the base perimeter, of Marines turning on each other. It's chaos, and we're driving straight into the heart of it.
As we approach the base, the sounds of the battle grow louder. Smoke billows into the sky, and the crack of gunfire is almost constant now. The URF has mobilized a massive assault, hitting us with everything they've got. And with Kane's betrayal, it's hard to tell who we can trust anymore.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Dash mutters from the back, his voice tight with tension.
"You're not the only one," I reply, gripping the wheel tighter. "But we've got to get to her. We don't have a choice."
The base comes into view, and what we see makes my blood run cold. The main gates have been blown open, and URF forces are pouring in, engaging Marines in brutal firefights across the compound. Warthogs burn in the distance, and the sound of automatic fire fills the air.
"Damn it," Santiago breathes, his eyes scanning the chaos. "We need to move fast."
I nod, my mind laser-focused on one thing: finding Emily.
We weave through the chaos, dodging debris and the occasional burst of gunfire. I know the med tent is somewhere near the center of the base, but with the way things are going, I don't know how much time we have before the fighting reaches her.
As we get closer, I can feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me. The smoke, the gunfire, the shouting—it's all closing in, but I push it aside. I can't afford to think about the odds. I can't afford to hesitate.
We pull to a stop just outside the medical area, and I jump out of the Warthog before it even comes to a full halt. My boots hit the ground, and I'm already running toward the tent, my rifle at the ready.
"Stay close!" I shout over my shoulder as Santiago, Dash, and O'Neill follow, their weapons raised, scanning for threats.
The med tent is still standing, but barely. The walls are riddled with bullet holes, and I can see the frantic movement inside as the medical staff tries to evacuate the wounded. I spot Emily through the opening, her face pale but focused as she helps move a patient onto a stretcher.
I sprint toward her, my heart racing. "Emily!"
She looks up, her eyes wide with shock when she sees me, but there's no time for relief.
"We need to go!" I shout as I reach her, grabbing her arm. "It's not safe here. The URF is pushing through the base!"
"I can't just leave!" she protests, glancing at the wounded around her. "There are still people here—people who need help."
I feel a surge of frustration, but I know she's right. She's always been dedicated to her work, to helping people. But right now, the priority is getting her out alive.
"We'll help them," I say, my voice firm. "But we need to move fast. This place is about to be overrun."
She hesitates for a moment, but then she nods, her expression determined. "Okay. Let's get them out."
I signal to Santiago and the others. "We're evacuating the wounded. Get them to the Warthog. Now."
We move quickly, loading the wounded onto stretchers and helping them toward the Warthog. The sound of gunfire grows closer, and I know we don't have much time before the fighting reaches us.
As we load the last of the wounded into the vehicle, I glance at Emily. She's pale, but she's holding it together. I feel a wave of relief wash over me. She's safe—for now.
But as we're about to load up and head out, a new burst of gunfire erupts from the other side of the base, followed by an explosion that rocks the ground beneath us.
"Go!" I shout, waving Emily toward the Warthog. "Get in!"
She hesitates for a split second, but then she scrambles into the back, helping secure the wounded. Dash and O'Neill are already in the driver's seat, ready to get us out of here.
I take one last look around the base, the chaos swirling all around us. Marines are fighting for their lives, and somewhere out there, Kane is pulling the strings, orchestrating all of this.
"We're not done yet," I mutter to myself as I jump into the Warthog, slamming the door shut.
We tear out of the base, the Warthog's engine roaring as we speed away from the chaos. But even as we leave the fighting behind, I know this isn't over. The URF is still out there, and Kane is still playing his game. But for now, I've done what I came to do.