than, Mara, and Orion stumbled through the sand, exhaustion and adrenaline twisting their bodies. Behind

y," he said, voice tight, "but that doesn't mean we're safe. Darian may be gon

his brow. "I-I thought destroying it would be the

controls the strings, Orion. Darian was just a pawn. The re

And now, they'll come

e on the horizon. Ethan froze, hand raised. "

efinitely. Organized? To

rucks tore across the dunes, kicking up a storm of sand. Arme

houted. "We divi

, panic overtaking him. "I

e," Ethan said, e

darted left, Ethan right, Orion faltering for a moment before following Ethan's path. Bullets tore thr

ion toward a narrow canyon that could offer cover, but the attackers ant

rion shouted, fear

der. Bullets pinged off the rock above them. "No," Ethan s

alled out. "Ethan! I found a ridge! It l

. Orion, stay low.

calculated. Each breath counted. They reached the ridge just as Mara fired at the a

, rotor blades slicing the air with a deafening whop. A shadowy

ra shouted. "They'v

undercarriage. Sparks flew, but the pilot was skilled, adjusting m

"We can't... we

nation hardening in his gaze. "We

f rocks, sand kicked up in blinding clouds. Ethan vaulted over jagged stones, pulling Orion alon

, amidst the dunes, were vehicles buried half in sand-an ambush waiting for them. But he also noticed some

. "Are... are

nd if we survive this, we need answers-because who

dge as cover, returning fire with deadly precision. The attackers, caught between two forc

. One of the allied trucks pulled u

?" Ethan muttere

d his hands in mock surrender. "Ethan," he sai

him instantly. "You? Y

g for survival. You think Darian was the enemy?

ened. "Betrayal a

eyes glinting. "And power... power is everything. That bag Orio

onsuming him. "Not

, armed enemies, air support, and now a trusted ally

outed. "To the p

ara provided covering fire, knocking down two pur

le, taking aim at Ethan. A shot rang out. Ethan barel

rcing him to retreat. But the damage was do

e have one chance. The ba

gripping the

ve sandstorm across the plateau. Dust, fire, and debris blinding their pursuers. Using the

austed. The convoy and helicopter were still visible on

r. "I... I thought we were done

ver done. Not until we expose the truth. Not unt

after the chaos. "And Reyes? He's not just

ve fast. We survive. And we make sure Reyes-

esolute. "I... I want to help. I

it together. But know this-every step forward w

than, Mara, and Orion moved into the shadows. The war for secre

, Reyes watched. Smiling. Calcul

lies and ambition, trust was