The Sprint for Safety

The team hastily made their way across the open area, seeking safety and a potential means of escape. Ace's sharp eyes caught sight of a vehicle on the other side of the field, offering a glimmer of hope.

"I could spot a vehicle on the other side of the field. We could use it," Ace relayed to the rest of the team, urgency lacing his voice.

They sprinted towards their newfound objective, their hearts pounding in their chests. However, their desperate flight was abruptly interrupted as an enemy jet swooped down from the sky, unleashing a devastating strafing attack. Most of the NawOps managed to evade the deadly hail of bullets and shrapnel, but three unfortunate operatives—Chey, Rebecca, and Katie—were wounded by the onslaught.

Without hesitation, Ace took charge, his concern evident as he directed the others.

"Get to that truck and turn on the engine. I'll help them up," Ace instructed, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

His mind raced, searching for a solution to carry the injured operatives to safety while the rest of the team made their way to the vehicle. Ace carefully approached the wounded, assessing their conditions. Chey, being the smallest and lightest, was the first to be assisted. Ace quickly secured her on his back, strapping her to his backpack.

"I've got you, Chey," he reassured her.

Turning his attention to Rebecca and Katie, he surveyed the area, searching for a suitable tool. His eyes settled on a long and sturdy branch nearby. With a momentary spark of inspiration, Ace devised a makeshift solution. He slid the branch under the vests of both Rebecca and Katie, creating a makeshift sled of sorts.

"Alright, hold on. I think I've got an idea," Ace announced, his voice filled with determination.

Addressing the injured operatives, he offered practical advice. "Keep your feet up or something, to reduce friction. It'll be easier to move."

With the injured operatives now secured and ready to be transported, Ace began his arduous journey towards the waiting vehicle. The weight of the girls, coupled with their weapons, burdened him, making each step an exertion.

In the midst of their slow progress, Katie couldn't help but voice her discomfort. "Ow, this is painful."

Ace, focused on their collective survival, responded with a mixture of empathy and determination. "It's better than nothing."

To alleviate the situation, Ace handed Katie a bandage, allowing her to attend to her injuries while they made their way towards the truck.

As the team continued their frantic escape, the distant sound of explosions reached their ears, causing a jarring sensation even through their ear protection. The ground beneath them trembled, a stark reminder of the devastating power of the artillery pieces targeting their vicinity.

"My ears! Those damn artillery pieces! They didn't even need to be near us to wreak this much havoc!" Ace exclaimed, his voice filled with frustration and discomfort.

Suddenly, they realized that the explosions were growing closer, a creeping barrage that threatened to engulf them in its destructive path.

"It's a creeping barrage!" Ace shouted, urgency fueling his words.

Aware of the need to pick up the pace, Rebecca voiced their collective concern. "We need to move faster!"

Fueled by a surge of adrenaline and a fight-or-flight response, Ace made a split-second decision. He discarded the method of dragging the injured operatives and, instead, hoisted Katie onto his left shoulder and supported Rebecca under his right arm. The weight of the three girls, combined with their weapons, burdened the diminutive Ace.

With determination etched on his face, Ace pushed himself to his limits, sprinting across the field as if he were unburdened. His focus narrowed, tunnel vision setting in as the urgent need to reach safety superseded all else.

"Oh, how I hate open fields," Ace muttered, his words laced with a mix of frustration and fear.

Unbeknownst to Ace, the intense circumstances and his desperate grip may have inadvertently caused some unintended reactions from both Katie and Rebecca.

"Hey! No! Don't touch me there!" Katie exclaimed, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Rebecca chimed in, her tone a mix of discomfort and amusement. "Easy on the grip. We appreciate the help, but let's not make it more uncomfortable than it already is."

Ace, consumed by the intensity of the situation, snapped back in response, his voice laden with urgency. "As if I actually care! Death is literally on our heels, and I'm not enjoying a single moment of this!"

Meanwhile, the other NawOps who had already reached the safety of the heavy utility truck watched in awe as Ace sprinted towards them with incredible speed.

"He's moving at Mach 10!" Ami exclaimed, exaggerating the feat.

Finally reaching the edge of the field, Ace bellowed across the distance, his voice filled with a mix of desperation and determination. "What are you all still doing?! Start the engine!"

The team, now fully aware of the imminent danger they faced, hastily obeyed Ace's command, scrambling to start the engine and prepare for their escape. The adrenaline-fueled chaos and informal banter echoed through the air, intermingling with the urgency that permeated their every action.

With the heavy utility truck's engine roaring to life, Husin skillfully maneuvered the vehicle, the absence of a key proving no obstacle with Razali's assistance. The heavy utility truck, reminiscent of a blitz truck, roared to life just in the nick of time. Ace, having almost reached the truck's bed, swiftly yeeted Rebecca and Katie onto its surface before leaping inside with Chey strapped to his back.

As the NawOps piled into the pickup truck, Husin wasted no time, pressing his foot down on the gas pedal. The truck accelerated, propelling them forward as they desperately made their way along the road.

Gasping for breath and speaking in fragmented sentences, Ace managed to convey his directive. "Keep... moving... until... we reach the forest."

The Nachtwache Operatives, along with Zain, glanced backward and saw several jeeps hot on their trail, closing in with menacing intent.

Enkoth, attempting to offer guidance, began speaking to Ace. "Kid, we need—"

However, before Enkoth could finish his sentence, Ace's body succumbed to severe exhaustion. Overwhelmed by the physical strain he had endured, Ace collapsed onto the back of the truck, his senses temporarily impaired. He lay there, temporarily blind and deaf, his body ravaged by aches, muscle pulls, back sprains, and other health issues resulting from carrying excessive weight and running at an extraordinary pace. Ace was temporarily paralyzed, his body's way of demanding rest and recovery.

As the heavy utility truck raced through the treacherous terrain, Husin skillfully weaved through the obstacles with his masterful driving skills. The pursuit jeeps struggled to keep up, their tires screeching as they attempted to match the truck's agility. Husin's face was a picture of concentration, his eyes fixed on the path ahead, maneuvering the vehicle with precision and confidence.

Inside the truck, the Nachtwache Operatives clung to their M2P Malinnov pistols, their grips tightened with determination. They exchanged glances, understanding the gravity of the situation and the need to buy time for their fallen comrade, Ace. They knew that their pistols were no match for the armored jeeps, but they refused to give up.

Rebecca, her voice filled with frustration, exclaimed, "These damn pistols are like peashooters against those jeeps!"

Katie nodded in agreement, her eyes scanning the pursuing vehicles. "We need something more... something to even the odds. We just need one lucky shot, one weak spot to exploit."

Ami, her expression steely, chimed in, "If only Ace were awake. Keep your focus, everyone. We need to hold on until Ace regains consciousness. He'll find a way to get us out of this mess."

Enkoth, his voice laced with determination, reassured the team, "Ace will wake up. He's been through worse. Until then, we have to hold on."

Just then, the pursuers unleashed a volley of bullets, their impacts rattling the truck's exterior. The operatives ducked and took cover, returning fire with their pistols. Though their shots seemed futile against the reinforced jeeps, they remained steadfast in their resolve.

Stella, her voice laced with urgency, called out, "Stay focused, everyone! We just need to buy him the time he needs."

Zain, his eyes flickering with a mix of concern and determination, added, "We've faced tougher challenges. We'll find a way out of this, just like always."

With a surge of determination, Ace fought against the dizziness and regained consciousness. He struggled to focus his blurry vision, but his urgency pushed him forward. Slowly, he reached into the outside pocket of his backpack and retrieved something strapped to it.

Ace's voice trembled slightly as he spoke, "Here, use this gun and shoot at the engine."

He handed the peculiar-looking weapon to one of the operatives nearest to him. The gun itself was a fusion of various parts, a combination of the PTRS, Scar-H, and M1 Garand. Its appearance was intimidating, a monstrosity that defied conventional design.

The Nachtwache Operatives stared at the weapon in disbelief, their eyes widening at its bizarre and unconventional appearance. They exchanged uncertain glances, questioning the safety and effectiveness of such a weapon.

Stella voiced their concerns, her voice filled with doubt, "What is this? Can we even trust this thing?"

As their hesitation grew, the relentless pursuit by the enemy forces intensified, bullets whizzing past their truck. The urgency of the situation pressed upon them, compelling them to make a decision.

Andorra, driven by a mix of desperation and determination, snatched the weapon from Ace's hand. Her gaze focused, she searched for the safety switch, her fingers tracing along the gun's unique contours until she located it.

With a click, she disengaged the safety mechanism and shouldered the weapon, bracing herself for what was to come. The first squeeze of the trigger caught her off-guard, the recoil jolting her shoulder, but she held her ground. A three-round burst erupted from the gun, tearing through the engine of the enemy jeep that pursued them.

Andorra winced, rubbing her shoulder, a mixture of pain and awe in her expression. "Ow, what is this recoil? But damn, it packs a punch!"

The astonishing power of the weapon left the team stunned, their eyes fixed on the destroyed enemy vehicle. The handmade gun had demonstrated an unprecedented level of penetration, capable of rendering heavily armored vehicles defenseless.

Ami's voice trembled with disbelief, "That kind of power... from a handmade gun?"

A wave of astonishment washed over them, the reality sinking in. They questioned the very possibility of crafting a handheld weapon with such extraordinary capabilities.

Amelie's voice was filled with wonder, "Is it even physically possible... to create something this powerful using scraps?"

Stella, her voice tinged with a mix of shock and admiration, could only manage a whisper, "How on earth...?"

As the truck sped along the road, Ace felt a sudden surge of unease, a foreboding sense of danger that gripped his senses. Instinctively, he knew that something terrible was about to happen. In a flash, a glimpse of the future flickered in his mind, urging him into action.

"Look out!" Ace's voice rang out, filled with urgency.

He forcefully directed Husin, who was at the wheel, to veer onto a small dirt road to the right, still maintaining their course parallel to the main road. The truck swerved, narrowly avoiding a collision with a looming tree.

Husin exclaimed, "We almost hit a tree!"

And then, it happened. On their left, the entire expanse of the main road was obliterated in an instant, reduced to a trail of devastation carved by the strafing of a jet. The aircraft, still in pursuit behind them, unleashed its deadly firepower, leaving destruction in its wake.

With a swift and calculated movement, Ace reached for a small weapon resembling a custom-made rocket launcher. His gaze flicked towards the jet, which had momentarily stalled at a low altitude due to its close air support role. He swiftly assessed the trajectory, the angle of attack, and took aim.

The unguided projectile shot forth from the weapon, hurtling through the air with precision. It struck the right wing of the enemy jet, ripping it from its fuselage in a spectacular explosion of metal and flames. The damaged aircraft, now crippled, was forced to retreat to its base, a solitary wing struggling to maintain balance.

Ami's voice trembled with awe and disbelief, "Did I just see what I think I saw? He hit that jet!"

Ace let out a weary sigh, the weight of his actions and the reality of their situation settling upon him.

Ace's voice carried a sense of resignation, "Those jets can survive even with a broken engine and a missing wing. It's likely we haven't seen the last of that jet."

The team absorbed his words, the gravity of the situation sinking in. The relentless pursuit and the formidable capabilities of their adversaries reminded them that their fight was far from over.

After the harrowing escape, the weary group found a moment of respite to catch their breath and recover from the intensity of their ordeal. They settled down for a brief rest, seeking solace in the knowledge that they were finally safe.

Ace, still grappling with the aftermath of their narrow escape, initiated a conversation, his curiosity piqued by their unexpected arrival in town.

Ace asked, "By the way, how did you find your way to the town?"

Amelie, her voice tinged with exhaustion, responded, "We made our way out from Der Strum hideout and navigated our way here."

Ace's eyes widened with surprise. "Der Strum hideout? You've already been there? Please tell me you didn't cause any chaos there."

Amelie shook her head, her expression grave. "No, our headquarters was under attack. It was your friend who saved us."

Ace couldn't help but smirk, a mix of relief and pride welling up within him. "Heh, well, he deserved that. Looks like you're now part of our team. You've survived a 150mm ship cannon. That's quite the initiation."

Amelie's eyes widened in realization. "Wait... so... what they were saying was almost true?"

Zain, his weariness evident in his voice, chimed in, "It's been a long... very long day..."

The exhaustion began to take its toll, and one by one, the members of the group settled down on the truck bed, their bodies succumbing to fatigue.

Chey managed to utter a few words before drifting off into slumber. "We... are all... finally... safe..."