With a creased map in hand, Percival trekked alongside Soren to a nearby abandoned mine.

At the mine's entrance, they stumbled upon a covert mark of White Tiger etched into the rock face, its meaning unclear yet undeniably significant. And there, scattered nearby, lay a cache of critical documents belonging to CK.

"Base, this is Soren. We've found the mark," Soren hollered into his headset.

A different voice crackled back, not Micah's as expected, but that of the HQ commander. "Copy that. Proceed underground."

Exchanging a glance, Percival and Soren strapped on their oxygen masks and descended into the bowels of the earth.

Markers bearing White Tiger's emblem appeared sporadically along the mine's tunnels-faded, but a trail they could follow nonetheless.

As they ventured deeper, the air grew thin, and a faint, metallic scent of blood wafted from the depths.

Suddenly, a clod of earth tumbled from directly above Percival.

"Run!" Percival barked, his eyes dark with urgency.

With lightning reflexes, Soren signaled to the team behind them, and the third squad retreated in a disciplined dash toward the exit.

Then, a thunderous collapse echoed from behind Soren.

"Captain!" He yelled.

"Get out of here. That's an order!" Percival's voice crackled through the headset as Soren could only glimpse his silhouette through the narrowing gaps in the debris.

"Captain, I'll get you out!" Soren halted along with a few others.

Percival's voice was icy. "Get lost. After you're out, find Vivienne!"

Leopold and Thomas, sensing the gravity of the situation, called out, "Captain, report your status!"

"Mine... Collapse... Get out..."

voice faded

bullets like a hailstorm. Leopold and Thomas fought back while retreating to HQ. But unfamiliar with the terrain, the front squad often stumbled into collapsing tunnels, with some members falling into

with Thomas, Leopold boosted their firepower

HQ, Micah shouted into the mic, "Wolf, unidentified forces

aside his useless headset, shouting to Soren, "Comms are jammed. There's a signal blocker somewhere. Go

Soren knew staying meant certain death

only chance was to escape and return

"Captain, wait for

escaped the mine, though not without injuries-broken

outside, his headset crackled back to life with Micah's voice urging Wolf to pull

comms are down. Send me the coordinates of the hostile fire.

was no time to consider the consequences. They had to down the helicopters to cut off

cursed and relayed the

the fight, downing two helicopters, while the

rendezvous point, with casualties among them, they

relayed Percival's location

voice a mix of anger and resolve. "First squad,

follow, dizziness from blood loss nearly overcame

to report and heal.

stormed over, nearly collapsing. "Everyone, back to base

our captain is still in there!" Leopold roared, defiance written across

was not only his captain but his dear friend who grew up with him. There was no way he would let

knew the stakes but stood firm. "Look at your men. They're heavily wounded, and their lives matter, too. Back

Soren from Thomas. "Get him treated, then

approached with urgent news. "Deputy director, it's the

handset.

satellite confirmation before proceeding. Do you not understand 'stand by"?"

the mine.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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