The cold bit deep as we worked through the night, reinforcing every inch of our defenses. The Black Ravagers would come soon—we all knew it. The only question was when.
The wind howled against the facility walls, carrying the weight of an impending storm. But this time, the storm wouldn't be nature's doing.
System Notification
Incoming Hostile Forces – Estimated Arrival: 4 Hours
I clenched my fists. Four hours. That was all we had to turn this place into an unbreakable fortress.
---
Fortifying the Base
Ray took charge of the defensive positions, organizing our shooters. "We need crossfire points here, here, and here," he said, jabbing a map with his finger. "Bottleneck them through the main entrance and force them into a kill zone."
Daniel adjusted his rifle. "We're short on ammo. We need to make every shot count."
I nodded, accessing my system to check our supply count.
System Notification
Available Resources:
Ammunition: 350 rounds
Grenades: 5 high-yield, 3 fragmentation
Defense Materials: Limited
Not enough. But I wasn't relying solely on firepower.
System Notification
Trap Deployment Available – Cost: 400 System Points
Electrified Perimeter Wire – Cost: 600 System Points
I activated both.
A silent hum filled the air as the ground shifted beneath us, wires snaking out like veins, hiding beneath the snow. Hidden traps were placed at key entry points, ready to trigger at the worst possible moment for the enemy.
Ray gave me a sharp look. "Where the hell did you get that?"
"Old facility stockpile," I lied smoothly.
He didn't question it further.
---
Lily's Fear
As I finished reinforcing a barricade, I felt a small hand tug my sleeve. Lily stood there, eyes wide, her small frame shivering in the cold.
"Are they coming?" she asked.
I kneeled down, gripping her hands gently. "Yes. But we're ready for them."
Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Are you going to get hurt?"
I swallowed hard. "I won't let that happen."
She didn't look convinced.
Max let out a low growl beside her, sensing the tension in the air. I ran a hand through his fur, grounding myself.
"I need you to stay in the safe room, okay?" I said.
She hesitated, then nodded. "Promise me you'll come back?"
I hesitated. Lying wasn't an option. "I'll do everything I can."
She threw her arms around me, clinging tightly before running off toward the secure room where we had set up a shelter for her.
I exhaled sharply. There was no room for fear. Not now.
---
The Enemy Arrives
A distant gunshot echoed through the frozen wasteland. Then another.
Ray cursed. "Scouts."
Daniel peered through his rifle scope. "They're testing our defenses."
I activated my system, scanning for enemy positions.
System Notification
Enemy Forces: 23 Detected
Formation: Encircling
"They're surrounding us," I muttered. "Trying to find a weak spot."
Ray cracked his knuckles. "Then let's remind them who they're dealing with."
A single flare shot into the night sky from their side. A signal.
Then, all hell broke loose.
---
The battle has begun! Do you think James and his group can hold out against the Black Ravagers? Would you have done anything differently to prepare? Let me know your thoughts!