Kara’s team started moving swiftly through the ruins, closing the gap toward where Reeve would likely regroup. The air was thick with tension, each step bringing them closer to their target. Just before they reached the location, Torik halted, raising his hand in a silent signal. Through the broken remnants of the city, Kara spotted him—Vek, Reeve’s sniper, positioned in a prime spot, scanning the horizon.

Kara crouched low, her pulse quickening. “That’s him. Vek’s covering their flank.”

She signaled to the team to stay low. They needed to avoid detection until they could come up with a plan. Ryan, Zera, and Torik flanked her, their eyes locked on the sniper’s position.

Kara motioned for Torik to keep his scope on the sniper while the rest of them quietly moved into the nearest building for cover. Zera stayed close to Ryan, who had already begun working on a distraction. Kara’s mind raced, piecing together a strategy. She wouldn’t let Reeve get the upper hand this time.

Inside the dimly lit building, Ryan quickly set up a device—a small mechanical drone he had built for reconnaissance. “This should buy us time,” he whispered, sending the drone out through the window. The tiny device buzzed quietly as it moved through the alleyways, its image feed beaming back to Ryan’s wrist device.

The drone approached Reeve’s position, and as it rounded the corner, Kara saw exactly what she expected—Reeve and his team were set up for an ambush. Vek, his sniper, was stationed just past the corner of the building. Lira, the thief, was nearby, waiting to flank them once they walked into the trap. Reeve, ever the tactician, watched from the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

But now, Kara had the advantage.

“Torik,” Kara whispered, “fire off a shot—make it count, but don’t aim to kill. I want them rattled.”

Torik gave a sharp nod and took aim. His finger squeezed the trigger, and the shot rang out, echoing through the empty city streets. The bullet hit the edge of the building near Vek’s position, sending a shower of debris in his direction. Vek ducked, startled, as the sniper scope swayed off target.

“Move!” Kara ordered. In an instant, the team dashed through the alleyways, staying out of sight while Reeve’s team scrambled.

 

What followed was a deadly game of cat and mouse. Reeve, realizing his ambush had failed, repositioned his team, hoping to catch Kara off guard. They moved through the twisting streets, sticking to the shadows, but every step they took, Kara anticipated. She knew Reeve’s tactics too well. They would outmaneuver him, drive him into a corner, and make him slip up.

Minutes stretched into an hour, the tension mounting as both groups navigated the labyrinthine city. Every sound, every footstep echoed in the stillness, a reminder that they were being hunted—and were hunting in return.

Finally, after leading Reeve’s team into the heart of the city, Kara’s plan came together. She signaled for Ryan to trigger another distraction—a nearby building rigged to explode. As Reeve’s team rushed to investigate the noise, Kara and Torik flanked them from the side.

Reeve’s eyes widened as he realized his mistake, but it was too late. Kara was already standing in front of him, her blade drawn, her expression cold.

You’re out of moves, Reeve,” she said quietly. “It’s over.”

With a swift and calculated move, Kara’s team disarmed Reeve and his crew. Vek cursed under his breath as Torik ripped the rifle from his hands, and Lira scowled as Zera expertly tied her hands with a length of rope.

Reeve, ever the strategist, tried to keep his composure, but Kara saw the flicker of frustration in his eyes. “You really thought you could outmaneuver me?” she asked, her voice steady.

“You’ve gotten lucky before, Kara,” Reeve sneered. “But luck runs out.”

“Maybe,” Kara replied, “but not today.”

They dragged Reeve and his team to one of the nearby buildings—a Soomite structure with a reinforced door—and locked them inside. As Kara secured the door, she glanced at Torik, who was still watching the streets for any signs of more trouble.

“Good eye,” she said, nodding toward him.

Torik smirked. “Just doing my job.”

With Reeve’s ambush thwarted, Kara and her crew took a moment to breathe. But deep down, she knew this was far from over. Reeve would find a way to escape—he always did. But for now, the game had shifted, and Kara had the upper hand.

 

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