Valerie's plan was bold and risky, leveraging the Vipers' expectations against them. Instead of waiting for the Citadel's secure contact time, we would move out early, at 0100 hours, traveling in the deepest part of the night. This accelerated departure ensured we created maximum distance before the Vipers realized we were gone. The urgency was palpable as we silently packed the remaining supplies, fueled by the knowledge that organized help—and extreme danger—lay ahead.
The night march was a study in controlled terror. We moved like ghosts, the only sound the low, controlled rumble of the truck's engine and the muffled crunch of our boots on the dry earth. We had to rely heavily on Kael's field sense and the limited night vision gear. Every shadow looked like a Viper ambush, and the sheer effort of continuous motion was exhausting. We knew the Vipers were running grid searches in the daylight; our only defense was the consuming blackness.
As the column pushed through the scrubland, the hours crawled by. Finally, at precisely 0300 hours, we found a temporary, highly concealed hollow beneath a cluster of massive granite boulders. Valerie ordered an immediate, silent halt. I quickly set up the directional antenna, aimed high and slightly west, to maximize the chance of intercepting Citadel Command's signal. The fate of the entire column rested on this brief, high-stakes communication.
I keyed the walkie-talkie to the newly designated secure frequency. The static was minimal, a sign of the Citadel's powerful transmission. A moment later, the deep, authoritative voice of Command cut through, sounding much closer now.
"Alpha-Three, copy. We have your approximate vector. You are currently positioned directly within the Serpent's Web—their main operational zone. You must deviate from the direct path."
The Command then relayed a complex set of instructions for a precise, counter-intuitive route. They described a nearly forgotten, single-lane maintenance road that cut through a mountainous gorge, a path they called the "Ghost Path." This route was longer and significantly more difficult, but Command assured us it was rarely patrolled by the Vipers, who favored the easier, wider highways.
"The Ghost Path is heavily degraded. You will face extreme difficulty with the vehicle. Coordinate with their internal engineering and logistics specialists," Command instructed, their tone brooking no argument. "We require three days' notice before arrival. Use the 0300 beacon to confirm your location daily. Citadel out."
I quickly transcribed the route details onto my map, feeling the weight of the new plan settle heavily on my shoulders. It was a terrifying route, weaving through narrow passes that could easily be choked with debris or controlled by a single, well-positioned Viper sentry. The high walls of the gorge would also severely restrict our radio range.
I immediately shared the complex instructions with Valerie, Kael, and Lexi. Kael looked deeply skeptical of the "Ghost Path," worried about the mountainous terrain. Lexi, however, quickly understood the strategic brilliance.
"It's a tunnel, not a wide target," Lexi pointed out, tracing the route on the map. "The Vipers are built for speed and open-road patrols. They won't waste resources searching a treacherous gorge unless they know we're there. It's our best chance to avoid their main forces."
Valerie, relying on her gut and the proven trustworthiness of the Citadel's guidance, made the final decision. "We move to the Ghost Path. Lexi, you and Sam will manage the truck's passage—any mistake with weight or clearance, and we're stuck. James, you'll scout ahead for any debris or ambush points."
Before we moved out again, Lexi pulled me aside. She didn't speak, but her hands cupped my face, her long brown hair brushing my shoulders. The darkness and the urgency of the moment magnified the intensity of her eyes. She leaned in and kissed me, a quick, fierce seal of commitment. "Be safe on that trail, James. We can't afford to lose the scout." Her love wasn't a distraction; it was the concentrated fuel that made the terrifying journey toward the Citadel possible.