Fragile Trust

The Nachtwache Operatives hurriedly sought refuge inside the building, with the kid being the last to enter. As he slammed the door shut, he leaned against it, his body heaving with heavy breaths. The tension in the room was palpable, amplified by the shock and surprise that rippled through the operatives upon seeing Ace alive before them.

Breathing heavily, Ace removed his hood with his left hand, revealing his face to the bewildered group. Gasps of astonishment filled the air, mixed with a hint of relief. It was Ace, miraculously alive and standing in front of them.

"They're surrounding the whole area now," Ace muttered, his voice strained and filled with exhaustion.

Turning his gaze towards the rest of the NawOps, it seemed as if he had momentarily forgotten their presence, lost in his own thoughts. Confusion and curiosity mingled within the operatives, eager to understand why Ace seemed taken aback by their presence.

"What are you all doing here?" Ace questioned, his tone laced with a hint of frustration.

Amelie stepped forward, her voice calm yet resolute. "I thought the last time we met, you wanted our help," she stated.

Ace's eyes widened in a quiet exclamation of disbelief. "Not against these guys!" he quietly exclaimed, his anger palpable as he glanced at each of them.

Just then, Chey entered the room, her presence bringing a sense of relief to the group.

"Ace, they've surrounded the area," Chey informed, her voice filled with urgency.

Enkoth expressed his surprise and relief upon seeing Chey alive. "Chey? You're alive. Where have you been!?" he exclaimed.

Chey, aware of the need for immediate action, replied, "How about we have this conversation later. Ace, give them that EMP protection thing."

Ace retrieved a small device piece and handed it to the operatives. "Wear it," he commanded.

Amelie hesitated, her trust in Ace wavering. "How can I trust you?" she questioned.

Ace's gaze hardened as he replied, "They could detect all of you if you don't."

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the remaining NawOps complied, wearing the device piece as instructed.

Ace's frustration grew evident as he gestured towards the state of the town. "Look what you've done to the whole town," he admonished.

Amelie's voice held a tinge of defiance as she retorted, "Well, if you had just explained to us what had happened when we first met you, maybe all of this wouldn't have happened."

Ace's response was sharp and laced with resentment. "Well, I would've if you all hadn't triggered the alarm and sent a missile onto our heads."

Enkoth interjected, exasperated by their ongoing conflict. "You guys are still fighting about that?" he remarked.

In a rare moment of synchrony, both Ace and Amelie responded in unison, their frustration evident as they simultaneously exclaimed, "Yes!"

"You caused Chey to go missing," Amelie accused, her voice firm with a hint of anger.

Tensions reached a boiling point as Amelie confronted Ace, accusing him of causing Chey's disappearance. Ace's anger flared, his frustration seething through his words.

"Well, I can just make her missing again right here!" Ace spat, his fury evident as he forcefully pushed Chey down to the ground and aimed his pistol at her. The other NawOps, their guns rendered useless by the EMP, attempted to intervene, their eyes locked on Ace with a mixture of concern and defiance.

Amidst the chaos, Chey mustered her calm and pleaded, "Ace, calm down."

Madison chimed in, her voice filled with urgency, "Kid, don't do this."

Ace's anger blazed like a wildfire, his words laced with exhaustion and disappointment. "I am tired of all of you NawOps. I've helped you countless times, and yet you continue to backstab me again and again!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with pent-up frustration.

Just as the situation seemed to spiral out of control, Husin emerged from another room within the building, his presence serving as a voice of reason.

"Hey, hey! Calm down, Ace," Husin interjected, attempting to diffuse the mounting tension. "I know you're angry, but we need to escape this place now."

Ace, still visibly furious, struggled to regain control of his emotions. "Fine," he grumbled, forcefully holstering his weapon at his side. The gun seemed precariously close to falling out, a testament to Ace's unsteady emotions.

The echoes of Lumen Veritas soldiers' voices permeated the desolate building, their words bouncing off the walls and filling the air with a sense of purpose and efficiency. The NawOps listened intently, their hearts pounding with anticipation, as they strained to catch every word spoken by their adversaries.

Soldier 1, with a commanding presence, issued concise orders that left no room for ambiguity. His voice reverberated with authority as he directed the search operation. "Take note of the bodies. Swift and precise. These operatives knew what they were doing. Maintain your focus."

Soldier 2, his tone measured and composed, added his agreement. "Agreed. The level of skill displayed here suggests that we're dealing with highly trained individuals. Proceed with caution."

In the dimly lit room, Soldier 3's voice cut through the tension, urging his comrades to leave no stone unturned. "Search the area meticulously. We cannot afford to overlook any details. Thoroughness is paramount."

The NawOps, hidden within the confines of their sanctuary, exchanged concerned glances. The Veritas soldiers' professionalism was evident in their communication, leaving no room for idle chatter or personal musings. Each soldier spoke with a purpose, a testament to their years of training and discipline.

Suddenly, the discovery of encrypted data on a tablet sparked a surge of excitement in Soldier 4's voice. "I've found encrypted data on this tablet. It seems to have been extracted from the operative's mind."

Soldier 1 acknowledged the importance of the find, his nod a silent confirmation of their progress. "Secure it immediately. We need to transmit this to the higher-ups for analysis. It could provide valuable insights."

Soldier 2, swift and decisive, took charge of the task. "Understood. I'll ensure this data reaches the intelligence team without delay. They'll know how to handle it."

Their communication was a well-choreographed dance, their words precise and purposeful. Each soldier seamlessly played their part, contributing to the collective effort with unwavering dedication.

"Maintain the search," Soldier 3 commanded, his voice resonating with authority. "We must locate any remaining targets. Leave no corner unexplored."

Soldier 4 affirmed the order, his response crisp and disciplined. "Roger that. Moving to the next building. We'll continue the search."

Their voices faded into the distance as the Veritas soldiers pressed forward, their footsteps echoing through the silent streets. Their communication exemplified the professionalism and cohesion of an elite special operations unit, united by a common mission and unwavering commitment.

Ace pushed himself off the door and made his way towards a room at the back of the building, his steps purposeful and determined. The rest of the NawOps followed suit, their eyes trained on Ace as he disappeared into the room. They were keenly aware of the gravity of the situation and the need for a swift escape.

Inside the room, Ace located a hidden crate beneath a table and pulled it out, revealing a stash of pistols. He gestured for the others to approach, his expression serious and focused.

"These pistols won't be much against their bulletproof vests, but they're better than nothing," Ace stated, his voice laced with a hint of urgency. "We need to get out of this area as quickly as possible. There's a road that leads down into the forest. Consider these pistols a last resort."

Andorra voiced her doubts, concern evident in her voice. "Do you really think these pistols can do anything against heavily armed special forces with their bulletproof armor?"

Razali chimed in, his tone resolute. "It's better than being completely defenseless. We have to make the best of what we've got."

As if on cue, Zain and Razali descended from upstairs, joining the group. They had been keeping a watchful eye for any signs of enemy presence, ready to alert the others if danger approached. Although unfamiliar to the Nachtwache Operatives, Zain and Razali remained silent, understanding the need for caution and not wanting to jeopardize the mission.

Ace distributed the pistols to the NawOps, emphasizing their limited effectiveness. "These are Malinnov M2P pistols, produced by Aegis Malinnov Sdn Bhd. For now, they're our best option since your current firearms are still offline. Just be mindful of the recoil."

The room fell into a brief silence as the NawOps examined their new weapons, their hands gripping the pistols with a mixture of apprehension and determination. The weight of their situation pressed upon them, the urgency of their escape palpable in the air.

With a nod from Ace, the group understood that time was of the essence. They tucked the pistols into their holsters, ready to employ them if all other options failed. Each member knew that their survival depended on their collective resilience and resourcefulness.

The NawOps, led by Ace, quickly made their way toward the backdoor, their collective focus and determination palpable in the air. Fear lingered in their minds, overshadowed only by the urgency of escaping the clutches of their pursuers.

Each step was taken with caution, their movements deliberate and silent. They understood the importance of stealth, not knowing what awaited them on the other side of the door. The scratches and bullet holes marring the door's surface served as a stark reminder of the violence that had unfolded in this forsaken town.

Madison took the lead, her eyes scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger. With a subtle gesture, she motioned for the others to follow. The group held their breath, their anticipation growing with each passing moment.

As the door swung open, a rustling of leaves and branches filled the air. Suddenly, an unknown soldier appeared, catching them off guard.

"Halt!" the soldier barked, his voice filled with authority.

Reacting swiftly, Ace stepped in front of Stella, his hand swiftly retrieving a silenced pistol from his side. He fired two shots at the soldier, his aim true. The enemy soldier, clad in a uniform similar to that of the Veritas troops, fell to the ground lifelessly.

"It's them!" the soldier's last words echoed in the air, confirming their fears.

Without hesitation, the NawOps surged forward, their determination propelling them towards the western edge of the town, their only hope of escape. The sound of urgent shouts chased after them, fueling their resolve.

"Get the Admiral! Don't let them leave!"

"Kill the NawOps on sight! Don't let a single one leave!"

"Fire at will!"

As the Veritas soldiers activated their EMP devices, a powerful pulse washed over them, but the counter-EMP devices provided by Ace allowed the NawOps to withstand the impact and continue moving. The enemy soldiers, recognizing their resistance, became more determined to bring them down.

"They've got a counter-EMP device! Shoot them!" one Veritas soldier shouted, his voice filled with frustration.

Live rounds tore through the air, forcing the NawOps to seek cover. Ace swiftly retrieved a submachine gun from his backpack, unleashing a hail of bullets upon their pursuers. The NawOps followed suit, their gunfire cutting through the chaos as they fought back with every ounce of determination.

The scene erupted into a symphony of gunshots and shouted commands, the air thick with tension and the smell of gunpowder. The NawOps, fueled by a blend of fear and defiance, pushed forward, unwilling to yield to the relentless onslaught.

The NawOps watched in astonishment as Ace displayed his formidable skills on the battlefield. Despite his unassuming appearance, he held off the elite Veritas soldiers with surprising accuracy and composure. The Veritas' marksmanship was daunting, and the NawOps felt a sense of helplessness as they were suppressed, unable to retaliate effectively.

Ace, ever composed in the face of danger, swiftly assessed the situation and called out to his fellow operatives.

"Seems like more are coming. There's an ammo box over there. Do what you operatives do best and fight," he urged them.

His words were met with a surge of determination from the NawOps, their training and expertise driving them forward. However, their resolve was quickly tested when two enemy armored personnel carriers (APCs) and an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) approached their location. The IFV boasted a menacing 20mm autocannon mounted on top, a formidable weapon of destruction.

Ace's expression changed, his voice filled with urgency. "I take back what I said. Take cover!"

Reacting swiftly, they threw themselves to the ground, seeking refuge behind available cover. Katie voiced their concerns, her voice laced with worry.

"The enemy is attacking with a 20mm autocannon?" she questioned, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

Rebecca echoed her uncertainty. "What's next?"

Ace stepped forward, his eyes locked on the IFV. He formulated a plan amidst the chaos.

"The gunner of the IFV is mostly protected from the inside," he explained, his voice resolute. "Take down the remaining soldiers, and I'll handle the IFV."

"The gunner of the IFV is mostly protected from the inside. Take down the rest of the soldiers, and I'll handle the IFV," he instructed calmly.

Stella couldn't help but express her worry, "He'll handle the IFV... by himself...?"

Yet, there was no time for hesitation. They had to trust in Ace's abilities and focus on their part of the battle. Each operative steeled their nerves and intensified their efforts to take out as many enemy soldiers as possible.

As Ace maneuvered from cover to cover, he discreetly rummaged through his backpack, searching for something specific.

"C'mon, where is it?" he muttered to himself.

Finally, he found what he was looking for - the stolen explosives he had acquired from the Citadel.

"Here it is," Ace declared with determination.

In a swift and daring move, he planted the explosives at the vulnerable part of the IFV and then triggered the charge, causing a powerful explosion that eliminated the gunner inside.

The NawOps were taken aback by the audacity and effectiveness of his tactics.

Enkoth, astonished, asked, "That works? Did you always have that?"

Ace, ever enigmatic, simply replied, "Long story."

Despite their concern for his safety, the NawOps couldn't deny the awe they felt for Ace's skill and resourcefulness. They were now more determined than ever to fight alongside him and escape this situation. As the battle raged on, they would continue to rely on their trust in each other.