Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 271 Ryder's POV I began falling back myself, but two drones locked ontospecifically, their machine guns tracking my movement through the trees. I had no choice I shifted.

My powerful haunches launchedinto 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 cback immediately, filled with the srage 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?" Static crackled for several seconds before Logan's low voice cthrough: "Just breached the building. We're inside." "The drones pulled back," I reported, my voice tense. "Wiley might know you're there. Watch your six." "Copy that." I shoved the raback 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 alert." As we approached the guard tower again, I found Alpha Wiley had vanished, but more than a dozen warriors still held their guns trained on our direction, ready for battle. Just as I was deciding to launch another attack, the racrackled with Logan's urgent voice: "We've been discovered. A large swarm of drones is heading our way." My heart clenched, my hands tightening into fists. Rage consumed me-I had to take the front gate quickly.

I leaned against a tree, using the mind link to notify all warriors that we were attacking again. All warriors immediately responded. The sun was beginning to set, the light growing dim. We moved through the forest, and after everyone confirmed their positions through the mind link, I commanded: "FIRE!" Instantly, gunfire erupted. The guards were caught completely off guard by our assault and quickly fell into disadvantage. I roared, "CHARGE! ATTACK THE GATE! Swarriors shifted into wolf form, 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 pain.

"Jimmy, move Keir and Bastian's bodies to the corner. We'll bury them after the battle ends, I commanded. Jimmy, tears streaming down his face, carefully carried their bodies and gently placed them in the corner. I couldn't bear to watch this scene and left the guard tower.

All warriors were waiting for my command to continue the attack. I looked into the factory complex, faintly hearing gunfire. My heart tightened as my gaze 1/2 Chapter 271 unconsciously turned to the central high-rise building. Xena and William might be in there. I pulled out my rato call Logan-no response. My hands clenched tighter.

Seeing Jimmy hurrying back to rejoin the group, I looked at him and roared, "Jimmy, take the team to support Logan where the gunfire is! Novak, you're with me!' Both Jimmy and Novak looked atin shock, seeing the ice-cold determination in my eyes before nodding. Jimmy moved to the front, raised his rifle, and shouted, "MOVE OUT!*

The warriors' responding voices rang through the sky as watched them sprint into the factory complex. I turned to Novak with a serious expression: "Let's go. We're rescuing Luna and William." "Yes, Alpha!" Novak responded with a booming voice.

We ran toward the high-rise building.

As it loomed larger, my heart m e my heart pounded faster et felt like I was about to see see Xena at any moment, and my excitement

was overwhelming. I truly couldn't bear the twithout Xena-she was everything to me. My grip on the rifle tightened as I unconsciously quickened my pace.

THUD! Two figures crashed to the ground in front of me! Chapter Comments Visitor I'm sitting here on the edge of my seat View All 2 Comments > 2