"Sniper! Take out their machine gunners!" Naraza shouted.
"No sniper…" Norman replied. "They took out two of our machine gunners, then blew the sniper's tower with a grenade."
"This is a gang?" Naraza spat.
"Roples' gangs," Norman said.
Naraza had planned for issues—local patrols, a stubborn third-rate Asian merc, even T-Lilith resisting. But he hadn't expected to run into BSAA right at the target's doorstep, nor these local gangs crashing the party with AK-47s, heavy machine guns, and freaking RPGs. He just wanted out of this hellhole. Why did a tiny city feel like Afghanistan?
"Target's not here, BSAA and gangs fucked us up, mission's a bust. We're pulling out!" Naraza told Norman.
"No can do…" Norman shook his head. "New orders from above. They tracked the target's location. We're to find and retrieve her."
"Goddamn it, when I find that merc, I'll skin him and hang him on the wall," Naraza growled.
…
Chris clutched his forehead. This was way beyond his expectations. Intel from their informant confirmed the target BOW was with a local merc. With local government forces' approval, he led his team into Roples for a midnight raid on the merc's base. But they ran head-on into another armed group—same combat gear and setup as the convoy's security team from days ago. Firefight erupted. They were likely after the BOW too. Chris could handle that.
Then the local gangs stormed in… with scalp-numbing heavy firepower.
Chris wanted air support, but Kirk said local forces denied BSAA's request. Instead, the government had negotiated with the gangs, and mediators were en route to safely extract BSAA's team.
Chris couldn't accept that. Hiding in an alley, he watched the gangs unload on the security team like maniacs.
Two military-green jeeps screeched to a stop at the alley's mouth. A local officer hopped out, waving at Chris. "You must be Mr. Redfield. I'm Engel, call me Sergeant Major. I'm here to escort your team out of the combat zone."
Chris glanced at the security team's position. They'd tossed smoke grenades, prepping to retreat. The gangs charged through the haze, reminding Chris of a CIA report from last year about a new BOW, the Plaga parasite, controlling its hosts like these crazed gangsters.
"Don't be surprised. They're always like this—hot-blooded lunatics who believe in some 'golden spirit.' Roples is drug-free, thanks to them," Engel said, reading Chris's confusion. "They're the last shred of humanity in this trash city."
Chris thought for a moment, then patted Lenny's shoulder. "Lenny, take the team and follow the sergeant."
"What about you? Where you going?" Lenny asked, shocked.
"Personal business," Chris said.
"Mr. Redfield, I must warn you," Engel interjected. "My orders are to get BSAA out safely. If you stay, we can't guarantee your life."
"I'll handle any fallout," Chris replied. "Please, take my team out."
Engel gave him a long look but said nothing.
BSAA's team left with the government convoy. The gangs had breached the smoke, and gunfire echoed from the street's other end.
Chris took a deep breath, gripped his M416, and slipped through the smoky streets into a back alley. His gut told him the security team wouldn't retreat easily, so he'd cut them off via a shortcut.
"Let's see what sparked this shitshow."
---
"They're coming," Lilith whispered.
"See 'em. Heading straight for us. No way it's a coincidence," Li Yexing said, flicking off his safety. "See that? Kelly sold us out."
Lilith stayed silent, her red eyes flickering with disappointment.
"Don't worry, I'm not leaving you," Li Yexing said, ruffling her hair. "We gotta move."
Lilith looked at him, wordlessly slinging her AR-15 off her back and holding it ready. They descended the building. Li Yexing frowned. "We can't just run. They'll hunt us forever."
Lilith waited quietly for his call.
"We'll use the buildings here to play cat-and-mouse. If they're after us, they'll slow down, and the gangs will tear into them."
"Miss Kelly's tracker is in Lilith. I can move alone, draw their attention, while you hit them," Lilith said.
"No way…" Li Yexing shook his head. "I'm not letting you go solo."
"It's fine…" Lilith said. "Lilith's super strong. They can't catch me."
Li Yexing wanted to argue, but the security team was closing in. No time to hesitate.
"Fine…" Reluctantly, he admitted her plan was the best shot. "You draw them out, I'll snipe. But you stay in my range. I'll fight around your position."
"Don't worry, I'll be okay," Lilith said, flashing a faint smile. She pulled on the SEAL Team skull mask he'd bought her. "Lilith's super awesome."
"Lookin' like a proper merc now," Li Yexing said, chuckling as he patted her shoulder. "Stay safe."
They split up. Li Yexing climbed to a high vantage point, spotting Lilith at an alley's mouth through his scope. She gave him a thumbs-up.
Felt a bit like Call of Duty.
Li Yexing set up his AR-15. Unlike the convoy job where he coasted, this was a fully armed squad. He had to cover Lilith while taking them out—and watch for the gangs tailing them. He knew a few gang guys, but in Roples, even "friends" might pop you for stirring shit on their turf, maybe even take out the Mad Dog while they're at it.
Getting shot by buddies was just Roples life. Don't like it, don't play.
…
"Goddamn, they're relentless!" a security team member cursed, firing at the chasing gangs, who ducked behind buildings and shot at their tail.
"Where are they?" Naraza demanded, frowning.
Norman checked his phone's tracker. "Target's stopped. Fifty meters ahead. Round that blue building at twelve o'clock, you'll see her."
"Charge!" Naraza roared. "Ready the tranq guns! We might run into that damn merc. I'll tear him apart myself!"
The team tossed two grenades back, then sprinted toward the signal.
Rounding the last blue building, Norman looked up. "Right at the alley's corner!"
…
Through his scope, Li Yexing saw Norman and fired without hesitation.
Norman dropped, but Li Yexing knew their vests meant only headshots were lethal. The team dragged Norman to cover while the burly Black leader aimed at Li Yexing's position.
"Up in that building! Suppress him! Team A, five with me and tranq guns to grab the princess!" Naraza shouted.
Li Yexing ducked as bullets flew, weaving through rooftop clutter to reposition. Rounds whizzed past, but he stayed cool, sliding behind another pile. He glanced down—the Black guy and five men were charging Lilith's spot.
Can't let them near her!
Li Yexing gritted his teeth, ready to pop up, when Lilith leaned out in a textbook stance, firing at the team.
The Black leader slid into a dive. The guy behind him took a headshot, blood spraying the others.
Lilith kicked the sliding man, sending him flying like a broken kite, crashing into a wall.