Chapitre 32: A Desperate Gambit
The thick jungle air felt oppressive as Wolfe cradled Vega's battered body in his arms, his mind a blur of panic and desperation. The explosion had torn through her mecha like a beast ripping through paper, and though she still breathed, the damage was grave. Her face, pale and streaked with dirt, looked fragile as he gently placed her in the secure compartment of the titan's living quarters.
He didn't know how long they had before the swarm returned, but he knew he couldn't afford to let Vega's life slip away in front of him.
With trembling hands, Wolfe rummaged through his gear, pulling out the healing drug they'd obtained from the mysterious supply drop. The syringe felt heavier than it ever had before, and his hands shook as he pressed it into Vega's arm, the drug coursing into her bloodstream. It wasn't enough to fully stabilize her—he knew that much—but it was the only thing he had. It would close her wounds, stop the bleeding, and perhaps buy her the time she needed to survive.
But it wouldn't stop the blood loss.
Her chest rose and fell, shallow, labored. He could hear her faint breath, but it was all so fragile, so fleeting.
Wolfe sat down beside her, his hand on her forehead, brushing a few strands of hair out of her face. He gazed at her for a long moment, his emotions roiling inside him.
He couldn't lose her. Not like this.
As the quiet hum of the titan's systems pulsed around them, Wolfe unwrapped the cloak they'd won in their earlier battles. It was large enough to cover Vega's form, and he draped it over her gently, pulling it snug around her, trying to shield her from the chill that was creeping in as the sun began to dip below the horizon.
His stomach twisted with guilt and fear, but he knew he had to act. He couldn't stay with her, not while the swarm was still closing in.
Wolfe bit his lip, trying to steady himself. He reached into his bag, pulling out some dried meat. His teeth sank into it, chewing it quickly before he leaned over and, with trembling hands, carefully placed the chewed meat in Vega's mouth. It was the best he could do in this moment—just a small act, a faint chance for survival.
"Come on, Vega," Wolfe whispered softly, his voice strained with emotion. "You've got to pull through this. I don't know what I'll do if I lose you... I don't know how to live in a world without you."
His voice cracked, and he wiped his eyes, feeling the heat of the tears that threatened to spill. He didn't know if she could hear him, but he needed to say it anyway.
"If you survive this... I'll tell you everything," he whispered, his voice raw. "I'll tell you how I really feel. I'll tell you everything I've been hiding... Just don't leave me, Vega. Don't leave us."
He stood up slowly, leaving the warmth of the living quarters behind, his heart heavy with the weight of his words. The sounds of the warzone were already starting to creep back into his mind—he couldn't stay here. Not now.
Wolfe closed the door quietly behind him, his jaw set with a renewed determination. There was no time to waste. He had to protect them all. And maybe, just maybe, he could give Vega a chance to survive if he could lure the swarm away from the base.
Luring the Swarm
Meanwhile, Ace stood outside the titan, his mind working through the plan he had devised. The swarm's relentless attacks had only intensified, and now they had no choice but to retaliate with everything they had.
But even with the strength of the titan and their combined firepower, the swarm was closing in too fast. Ace knew they couldn't stop it. Not like this.
"We need to buy time," Ace said, turning to Captain, who stood beside him, watching the horizon warily. "The first base we found, it's five kilometers south. We need to lure the swarm there—get them to chase us. Then we can use the turrets to take them out before they reach the second base."
Captain's brow furrowed. "That's dangerous, Ace. You're talking about drawing hundreds of them to you."
"I know," Ace said, a fierce glint in his eyes. "But it's the only way to buy us time. We don't have the luxury of waiting any longer."
Captain hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Do it. Just make sure you survive, Ace."
With no time to waste, Ace climbed into his mecha. He gripped the controls, his mind focused, calculating. He had to be fast. He had to be wild. He had to make the swarm follow him, and only him.
With a loud roar of his mecha's engines, Ace surged forward, his mecha skimming over the jungle floor as he fired random shots into the air—wild, erratic fire meant to draw attention, to confuse the swarm and make them think he was alone.
It worked. The swarm, confused but sensing the opportunity, surged toward him like a ravenous beast. Ace grinned to himself, adrenaline pumping through his veins.
But it wasn't enough.
Another explosion ripped through the jungle. More swarm units. More monsters, more artillery. Ace pushed forward, continuing his barrage of fire, weaving through the trees as the swarm followed like a shadow at his heels.
He kept firing, making sure he kept their attention. The swarm was massive, hundreds of them, each one deadly, each one moving with relentless precision.
"Come on, you bastards," Ace muttered under his breath, pushing his mecha harder, faster. The distance between him and the base was shrinking.
The first base—he could see the turrets now, just ahead. His plan was working. But at what cost?
As Ace neared the base, he glanced over his shoulder. The swarm was right on his tail, but now they were within range of the base's automated turrets.
The first turret fired, and the sky lit up with explosions. The swarm began to thin out under the assault, but it wasn't enough to stop them. There were too many.
Ace reached the perimeter of the base and immediately cut his engines, turning sharply as he leapt from his mecha. He ran toward the control room, shouting over the comms, "Activate the defenses! Now!"
The base turrets whirred to life, sending a barrage of laser fire into the incoming swarm, tearing through their ranks. Explosions rang out, the sound of destruction reverberating through the jungle.
But it wasn't enough. The swarm kept coming. And as Ace glanced back one last time, he could hear the ground trembling as the rest of the swarm approached.
Back at the Titan
Wolfe's eyes narrowed as he watched the chaos unfold on his comms. The swarm was everywhere, and the war wasn't over yet.
He could only hope that Ace's gamble paid off.
But inside him, a fear gnawed at his gut—Vega was still lying unconscious, and if they didn't win this battle, they'd never get a chance to find peace.
"Wolfie..." Vega's weak voice came through, barely audible over the comms, "I'm still... here..."
Wolfe's heart stopped. He rushed back to the titan, his voice barely a whisper. "Vega...?"
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone