The four stood frozen, witnessing the crystal atomize and vanish. Matilda, her voice deceptively calm, raised her helmet, putting it on, and issued a chilling command:
"Kill them all."
Without hesitation, the soldiers unleashed a volley of bullets at the leader, Xin, Bethany, and Jinx.
BAM!
The projectiles slammed into an invisible barrier, a shimmering shield conjured by Bethany.
"You all know the plan... There is always plan B!" the leader bellowed, exchanging a resolute nod with Bethany.
He then produced a smoke grenade, smashing it against the ground.
BOOOM!
Smoke billowed instantly, engulfing them and the barrier in a thick, opaque cloud.
"How cute," Matilda murmured, her gaze fixed on the four silhouettes retreating into the smoke. A smirk played on her lips beneath the helmet...
...With a sudden flash, she vanished into the swirling mist.
"Advance!!" the soldiers roared, activating their helmet scanners as they marched into the smoke.
_
