Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 271

Ryder's POV

I began falling back myself, but two drones locked onto me specifically, their machine guns tracking my movement through the trees. I had no choice I shifted.

My powerful haunches launched me into the air as the first drone's bullets whistled past my ears. My claws extended to their full length. The first drene never had a chance to adjust its targeting. I crashed into it mid-flight, my claws punching through its metal housing like it was made of cardboard, Spac flew as I tore its rotors apart, sending it crashing to the forest floor in a shower of twisted metal and burning circuits.

The second drone tried to bank away, but I was already moving. I leaped from tree trunk to tree trunk. When I caught the drone, i didn't just destroy it-1 shredded it. The crunch of metal and electronics being pulverized filled my ears as I landed on a branch.

But when I shifted back and assessed our situation, my heart plummeted. Ahead lay open ground–no cover, no way to leap up and destroy the remaining drones. It was almost a dead end. We would very likely be completely wiped out. My heart sank to the bottom.

I wasn't going to sit here and wait for death. I pulled out my mind link, letting my fury fuel my words: "Warriors! Prepare for one final assault! We make our stand here! For Keir! For Bastian!"

Their responses came back immediately, filled with the same rage that burned in my chest. Good. That anger might be the only thing that could save us..

But then something impossible happened. Every drone in the sky suddenly turned and flew away. The gunfire from the compound stopped completely.

I was stunned. One of my warriors started to move forward, but I barked at him sharply: "HOLD POSITION! Don't move!"

We watched in confused silence as the drones disappeared into the distance. What the hell was happening? Had Logan been discovered?

My hands shook as I grabbed my radio. "Logan, what's your status?"

seconds before Logan's low voice came through:

drones pulled back," I reported, my voice tense. "Wiley might know you're there.

"Copy that."

radio back in my pocket and stared at the eerily quiet compound ahead. Something had changed, but I couldn't figure out what. I raised my rifle and spoke through the mind link: "Follow my lead. We're moving forward. Stay

still held their guns trained on our direction, ready for battle. Just as I was deciding to launch another attack, the radio

Rage consumed me-I had to take

again. All warriors immediately responded. The sun was beginning to set, the light growing dim. We moved through the forest, and

were caught completely off guard by our assault and quickly fell into disadvantage. I roared, "CHARGE!

GATE!

their claws tearing the gate to shreds, while others maintained human form with rifles, providing cover for the gate assault. The guards couldn't withstand our offensive and were quickly eliminated. I reached the guard tower, and after c ng all guards were dead, I saw Bastian's body. My heart ached with

the corner. We'll bury them after the

face, carefully carried their bodies and gently placed them in the corner. I couldn't bear to

the attack. I looked into the factory complex, faintly hearing gunfire. My heart tightened as

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Chapter 271

and William might be in there.

back to rejoin the group, I looked at him and roared, "Jimmy, take the team to support Logan

me!'

Jimmy and Novak looked at me in shock, seeing the ice-cold determination in

the front, raised his rifle,