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…”

Percival’s voice faded into static.

last known location. However, before they could

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 and rescued

the mic, “Wolf, unidentified forces are attacking from

the mine, Percival tossed aside his useless headset, shouting to Soren, “Comms are jammed. There’s a

Soren knew staying meant certain death

was to escape and return

Soren vowed, “Captain, wait for my

without injuries—broken limbs and,

outside, his headset crackled back to life with Micah’s

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 the attack and minimize

cursed and

squads swiftly ended the fight, downing two

point, with casualties among them, they awaited further

head hastily bandaged, relayed Percival’s location to Leopold, insisting they had to go

other members and strapped them on, his voice a mix

the sentiment.

Soren turned to follow, dizziness from blood loss

him. “Go back to report and heal. Or

stormed over, nearly

there!” Leopold roared, defiance

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

men. They’re heavily wounded, and their lives matter, too. Back

Leopold aside and took Soren from Thomas. “Get him treated, then document everything about the mine. Hand it

urgent news.

handset. “This

authorized this operation? I told you to wait for satellite confirmation before proceeding.

the loud

the mine. When

pause, an enraged voice came from the other side, “Bullshit! I’ve been shouting my throat

the comms for viruses,

too, and yelled for

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