The Deep Strike Mission was planned with frantic urgency. Captain Marcus, a dedicated but risk-averse field commander, was nervous, relying heavily on my comms intelligence and Lexi's logistical expertise. Our primary transport was a heavily armored tanker truck, and our team consisted of Captain Marcus, Kael (who was assigned to be our rear security), and three other experienced ESD guards.
The journey was fast and tense, driving deep into the high-risk zone under the cover of a rare, dense fog. Using my comms intelligence, I guided the truck along obscure utility routes, avoiding known Viper patrol schedules. Lexi's planning was meticulous; she had created a color-coded loading and rigging sequence that theoretically would allow us to pump and secure the massive diesel payload in under an hour.
The abandoned fuel depot was a bleak, desolate industrial park. As soon as we arrived, Kael and the guards established a perimeter, moving with practiced efficiency. Lexi and I immediately went to work on the tanker truck. Lexi supervised the manual priming of the old diesel pump, while I focused on securing the hoses and setting up the rigging, knowing we had mere minutes before the Vipers might detect our presence.
As the loud, rhythmic thud-thud-thud of the diesel pump echoed through the fog, Lexi leaned in, her voice strained. "We have less time than we think, James. I'm hearing faint comm chatter on the Viper low-band frequency—they're aware of something."
My comms headset crackled with Kael's frantic whisper. "Contact! Two bikes, fast approach from the east! They're running a hard intercept!"
The ambush was upon us. We were halfway through pumping the critical payload. Captain Marcus immediately ordered us to abandon the pump and prepare for a firefight, but Lexi immediately countermanded the order.
"No! We finish the transfer! James, cover the pump, keep the hose secure! We lose this fuel, we lose the Citadel!" Her voice was firm, prioritizing the mission over immediate safety.
The next moments were chaos. The Viper bikers burst through the fog, rifles blazing. Kael and the guards immediately returned fire, the sound deafening in the confined space. I grabbed my rifle, positioned myself behind the fragile fuel pump, and provided covering fire. Lexi, ignoring the bullets whizzing past, remained focused on securing the main pump valve. She finished the transfer, quickly retracting the hose and sealing the main valve with astonishing speed.
"Load secured! Let's move!" Lexi shouted, scrambling into the truck's cab.
We jumped into the armored tanker just as Kael threw a final flash grenade to cover our retreat. The truck roared to life, driven expertly by Captain Marcus, who swerved violently to avoid the bikers. As we sped away, Kael leaned out the back, providing suppressing fire. We escaped the immediate ambush, but we were deep in enemy territory, driving a slow, fully laden tanker, and the Vipers were now in full pursuit. The success of the mission, and our very lives, rested on our ability to outrun the Serpent's grasp one final time.