บท 17: Chapter Seventeen:

With the makeshift barrier in place, a group of soldiers was assigned the crucial task of maintaining a vigilant watch over the street leading to the village hall.

Positioned strategically, they stood guard behind the barrier, their eyes scanning the road ahead with unwavering focus. Lieutenant Reynolds, aware of the potential threat posed by Valorian soldiers, emphasized the importance of staying alert and ready to respond to any approaching danger.

The soldiers, armed and resolute, remained poised and attentive, their senses heightened as they kept a watchful eye on the street. Each soldier understood the gravity of their duty and the need to protect the village hall and its inhabitants from any potential threats.

As the four soldiers stood guard behind the barrier, their eyes trained on the road ahead, a tense silence enveloped the area. After several minutes of watchful vigilance, one of the soldiers caught sight of a figure running towards them, this was James.

Breaking the stillness with a sharp intake of breath. "Contact!" The soldier's voice cut through the air, the urgency evident as he raised his rifle, prompting the other three soldiers to swiftly follow suit, their weapons aimed at the approaching figure.

With fingers poised on triggers, the soldiers remained on high alert, their training and instincts guiding their response. As the figure drew closer, their features becoming clearer, uncertainty hung in the air, each soldier ready to act decisively if the situation demanded it. Amidst the tension, one of the soldiers managed to discern the identity of the approaching individual.

"Hold fire, it's a civ," the soldier's words rang out, breaking the heightened atmosphere as realization dawned. The identification of the civilian figure brought a moment of relief, yet the soldiers remained poised, the gravity of the situation still palpable in their stance and expressions.

As the man ran frantically towards the soldiers, their initial confusion turned to alarm as they glimpsed the valorian soldiers in pursuit. A sense of urgency gripped the group as they realized the gravity of the situation unfolding before them.

"Enemy contact! Behind the civ!" one of the soldiers called out, his voice laced with urgency. The soldiers swiftly assessed the escalating threat, their training kicking in as they prepared to defend themselves and the civilian.

In a split-second decision, one of the soldiers took aim and fired a single shot, effectively neutralizing one of the valorian soldiers and causing the others to seek cover. The tension in the air was palpable as the soldiers braced themselves for the ensuing exchange of gunfire.

"Hold your fire! We don't want to hit the civilian," another soldier interjected, swiftly intervening to prevent further shots from being fired in the chaotic moment. The group's focus shifted to protecting the civilian, even as the valorian soldiers regrouped and retaliated with gunfire of their own.

As James raced towards the soldiers behind the barrier, the cacophony of gunfire echoed in his ears, driving him forward with determination. The imminent danger and the stakes at hand spurred him on, his heart pounding as he sought refuge and protection amidst the escalating conflict.

The soldiers behind the barrier watched in tense anticipation as the valorian soldiers opened fire, their emotions running high as they witnessed the perilous situation unfolding with the civilian caught in the crossfire.

As the bullets landed dangerously close, impacting the ground and whizzing past, the soldiers felt a surge of urgency. Their priority was clear – they had to ensure the safety of the civilian amidst the chaos of the firefight. Unable to engage the enemy directly for fear of harming the civilian, they channeled their energy into encouraging and supporting the fleeing individual.

"Fucking run!" "Come on!" "Come on!" "Run!" The soldiers' voices echoed urgently, their shouts blending with the sounds of gunfire and chaos. Some soldiers gestured wildly, waving their arms to signal the civilian to hasten their pace, to push through the danger towards safety.

The scene was a harrowing tableau of bravery and desperation, as the civilian sprinted through the hail of bullets, the air alive with the ominous sounds of gunfire, whizzes, crackles, and impacts. The soldiers' voices carried a mix of urgency and encouragement, willing the civilian forward through the perilous path to safety, their own hearts racing.

After what seemed like an eternity, the soldiers watched in tense anticipation as the man, now identified as James, leaped over the makeshift barrier. In a split-second reaction, the soldiers opened fire with their rifles as he made his daring move.

Safely behind the protective cover of the barrier, James kept his head down, the sounds of gunfire ringing in his ears as the soldiers discharged their weapons. With a momentary pause in the intense exchange, one of the soldiers next to him knelt down to reload his rifle, stealing a brief moment to catch his breath.

As the soldier glanced at James, a mix of admiration and camaraderie crossed his features. "Fucking hell, man, that was impressive," the soldier remarked, a hint of admiration in his tone as he chuckled at the audacity of James's escape.

"You running as they were firing at you, bullets landing all around you, that was truly something," the soldier continued, a mix of admiration and disbelief coloring his words as he chuckled.

"The name's Ethan," the soldier introduced himself with a warm smile, extending his hand in a gesture of friendship and respect.

"James," he replied, shaking Ethan's hand, his expression a blend of bewilderment and gratitude at the unexpected camaraderie amidst the chaos of the unfolding events.