The tranquilizer dart hissed through the humid air—a whisper of death aimed with lethal precision.
But Adam was already on edge. He twisted mid-step with the reflexes of someone who had dodged death more than once. The dart missed its mark and thudded harmlessly into a nearby tree trunk, its shaft quivering slightly from the impact.
"Sniper!" he barked, throwing himself behind the base of a collapsed observation tower. Dirt and leaves exploded around him as he hit the ground, his pulse drumming in his ears.
The trees above rustled unnaturally. Whoever was out there moved with trained silence and deadly purpose. This wasn't some local militia or rookie bandit—it was someone experienced, someone who knew how to kill.
"Operator, I need eyes in the sky. Now," Adam growled, wiping sweat from his brow as he scanned the treeline.
"Launching micro-drone," the calm, efficient voice in his earpiece replied.
Adam risked a glance from behind the tower and squeezed off a short burst of gunfire—aimed not to hit, but to stir the shadows. He needed to reposition, and a little chaos might buy him a few precious seconds.
Birds scattered in a frantic blur, shrieking as they escaped the canopy. But near the ground, there was something more telling. A single twig snapped behind him—a whisper of movement.
He immediately rolled to the side, pressing himself tight to the ruined foundation as tension surged through his limbs.
"Hostile's using advanced jungle camo and thermal optics," Operator relayed. "Their movements suggest high-level training—possibly ex-military or special forces."
Adam's jaw tightened. "They're not here to destroy the drive," he muttered. "They want it back."
"Confirmed. Immediate extraction is advisable."
Adam exhaled slowly, controlling his breath. "Too late for that. I'm not running."
Meanwhile, above...
Perched high in the canopy, a figure watched the ruins below. Their mask caught slivers of light, while matte black armor blended into the branches.
With precise fingers, they tapped a sequence on a wrist-mounted device. A green light blinked twice.
"Authorization confirmed," a synthetic voice murmured.
The figure began their descent—each motion fluid, purposeful. They moved with the poise of a predator, navigating the canopy like second nature.
Back below...
Inside the crumbling skeleton of what had once been a field generator shed, Adam crouched beside a frayed power line. He worked quickly, stripping insulation with a pocket tool and bending the copper into a loop.
In under a minute, he'd fashioned a crude yet effective trap—thin wire rigged with a voltage pulse set to strike.
He positioned himself nearby, steadying his breath. The shed reeked of rust, mildew, and the lingering burn of old circuitry.
Then—
A soft footstep. Another. Just outside.
The trap flared to life with a sharp burst of light and crackling noise.
A short grunt. The thud of a heavy body.
Adam surged forward, pistol up, breath shallow—
—but the trap was empty. A blood smear trailed out through the door and into the brush.
"Damn," he muttered. "This one's good."
A noise above—a creak, nearly imperceptible.
Adam's instincts kicked in. He turned on a dime, eyes locking onto the rafters.
A voice, calm and edged with familiarity, fell like a blade:
"Adam Carter. We meet again."
His breath caught. That voice—it wasn't just familiar. It cut deeper.
In the rafters crouched a masked, armored figure. Deliberate. Poised. Ghostlike.
Adam's grip on the pistol tightened as adrenaline surged.
To Be Continued...
_________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️