Chapter 15
Within days, no one dared underestimate her.
The man behind her in crisp military uniform swept his hand sideways, signaling silently: Prepare to move!
Allison murmured, “Initiate countdown!”
The screen flashed a sixty–second timer as everyone sprang into orderly action. Allison pointed to a map coordinate, telling the man behind her; “Mr. Sanchez, this direction has a gap. They might assault.”
The man nodded, rapidly issuing commands before adding quietly, “Skip the formalities. Call me Markus.”
Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Allison smiled faintly, then leaned wearily against the chair.
Markus chuckled behind her, “Well done, Dr. Eslinger.”
Allison was momentarily dazed; it had been ages since she last heard that title.
The military base perpetually reeked of gunpowder. Thirty minutes later, they breached the main gate, mobilizing the entire facility.
“All units, split into three teams! Stay safe!”
Allison rose with her laptop. “Intelligence may update at any moment.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll protect you at all costs.
Nervousness gripped Allison–her first time on the front lines. Without experience, she feared becoming a burden.
Markus seemed to read her thoughts, smiling faintly as he said, “Not deadweight–our secret weapon.”
Such high praise made Allison flush, though the tension in her chest did ease considerably.
Only night vision goggles pierced the darkness now.
Allison crouched low behind him, cold sweat beading at her temples.
“Stay close. No sound.”
Chapter 15
Even hunched over, Markus cut an imposing figure–until the sudden
turn of events.
An ominous alarm blared. Markus barked, “Fall back to rally point!”
He seized Allison’s wrist, dragging her into a side alley.
Chaotic shouts erupted. Allison’s heart pounded violently against her ribs when Markus suddenly shoved her aside. A pained grunt escaped him.
“Markus!?”
“Keep moving forward!”
They stumbled deeper into the mine shaft, where scattered rocks and overgrown weeds concealed the entrance. Assured of temporary safety, he‘ leaned against the rocky wall, breathing heavily.
“Not a scratch… I need to remove the bullet. This might hurt.”
Allison quickly examined the wound, then retrieved simple tools from her small pouch with startling proficiency.
Markus watched her, giving a faint smile: “Never knew our codebreaker doubled as a combat medic.”
“Jack of all trades,” Allison replied calmly, though her hand holding the blade showed a slight tremor.
She took a deep breath and focused on the task. In the surrounding silence, her fingers worked with steady precision. Markus‘ gaze lingered on her concentrated expression, his eyes tracing the determined lines of her brows without wavering.
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Chapter 15
“The commander is hard as nails, didn’t utter a sound.” Allison’s forehead glistened with cold sweat as she straightened up, her expression visibly relaxing.
“Thanks.” Markus’s voice came out raspy, yet it carried a hint of a smile.
“Replenish your energy and fluids. We need to retrieve those antibiotics. quickly.” Allison passed him water and crackers.
They sat shoulder–to–shoulder in the cavern, the silence broken only by soft sounds of drinking and chewing.
“Does it hurt terribly?” Allison suddenly asked in a hushed tone.
Markus shook his head, but his taut jawline betrayed his discomfort. Of course it hurt–how could it not without anesthesia?
Hesitating briefly, Allison continued, “When I was little, thunder terrified me. During every storm, Mother would tell folktales from her
hometown…”
Markus turned toward her in surprise, glimpsing only her dim silhouette in the shadows.
Is she telling a story to distract herself?
“They say that at the pinnacle of the high clouds, there lives an old woman who mends the clouds…
Her voice was soft and slow, like a cradle, gently swaying in the silent surroundings, as if coaxing someone to sleep.
Strangely, Markus truly felt his pain lessen significantly. He relaxed against the stone wall, and gradually, his breathing steadied.
Chapter 15
Unconsciously, dawn broke. The communicator at Markus’s waist connected to a signal and emitted sound.
“Commander! The operation succeeded. Please issue the next order!”
