Terra had coordinated one of scalpels autopilot vehicles for me that morning. The ride she chose was a beat-up piece of shit. A fucking minivan straight from out of the year 1998. The outside clearly looked like it belonged in Mexico. But the inside was completely redone to make it more comfortable for operations such as this. The windows were completely tinted, and I was reclined back in the middle passenger captain`s chairs, bored out of my fucking mind.

　　I had started to play around with my map system and realized that my auto-translation feature in my neurochip was acting up. Some items were coming up perfectly fine, and other words, were not. I assumed it was still part of the fragmentation errors I had been receiving ever so often. I decided to make my own map and designate areas of interest, especially with all the& interesting activity that had started to unfold that morning.

　　>COMM OPEN< | [:::]

　　"Be advised the meeting just ended and our two subjects are getting inside their vehicle. Enable your communication link so we can talk instead of chat." Terra messaged me as I sat inside my van. I had no idea what Terra was talking about regarding the communication link. I still had not watched Brian`s training video. I simply guessed and mentally told my neurochip to enable the feature she had just mentioned.

　　A notification appeared and displayed Comm Open in the top right corner of my HUD. A small box appeared which informed me Terra was requesting a communication link connection, it asked me to confirm and allow the connection. I of course chose, yes, and then heard Terra`s voice come through as if we were utilizing radios.

　　"Okay, that will be a lot easier." She said as her voice cut in and out, just like a radio transmission.

　　I liked how easy this was going to be to communicate. My vision wouldn`t have to deal with pop up boxes flying all around my HUD with messages or be distracted by a video display. But the neurochip didn`t require me to carry an additional item such as a radio itself.

　　"Where are you at?" She asked me.

　　"I`m on Bravo 2 Street, right in front of the rental car location."

　　"What?" The high pitch in Terra`s voice made me realize that I had not informed her. Nor was she aware of my custom map.

　　"Yeah, I`m on B2 in front of the car rental shop. Here& I`ll send my current map over to you." My mind worked through the quick menu options until I finally figured out how to actually send it to her.

　　"What the hell is this?" She said in a startled tone. Before I could answer she continued. "This is the dumbest thing I have ever seen! It doesn`t even make sense! Where is North? You have a building numbered 0? Why didn`t you finish your labeling of all your building? You don`t even have your direct building labeled where you are!"

　　I finally cut her off, "It`s the best I could do, alright?"

　　"I need to have Brian remove your access so you can`t edit your map overlay again. This is the shittiest product ever and is probably going to get you killed." She scolded.

　　The blend of sarcasm and seriousness in Terra`s voice made me think of her as an older sister. The kind of older sister who gives you the reality check that bringing a stripper to family Thanksgiving Dinner is not the best idea. Needless to say, that meal had more than two glazed breasts at it and became very awkward.

　　I felt embarrassed now as she completely ripped my efforts apart. The last thing I wanted was to hear about my utter failure, so I quickly changed the subject. "Look& I have a sedan parked across the street from me with three individuals of interest. I also have two pickup trucks slightly to the north and in the parking lot across from me with multiple individuals of interest as well. Once they showed up, I knew I wouldn`t be able to come in or out without arousing suspicion. So& I am at least going to have to launch from here if shit kicks off."

　　"We`ll I am certainly glad it is you down there and not me, at least with that fucking disaster of a map you made. I will TRY& my best to adapt to it while I give you information. Standby& I need to finish tapping into another agencies resource." I could just barely hear the faint sound of her keyboard keys going to town as she said it.

　　I had no idea which agency she was referring to, but as I sat in the van I felt a fresh bead of sweat come tumbling into my eye. The ever so lovely sting arrived with it. My hand reached up and did my best to wipe my eye clear and then grabbed my ball cap and wiped it over my head. Attempting to remove the sweat that was now forming all over my face.

　　The heat inside the van was starting to go from uncomfortable to unbearable, and I didn`t know how much longer I`d be able to take it without having to roll the windows down or turn the van on. As I waited for Terra I told my neurochip to create a playlist for me, Song 1, "Storm the Gates of Hell" by Demon Hunter. Song 2, "Determined" by Mudvayne. Song 3, "Blow Me Away -Ft. Valora" by Breaking Benjamin.

　　I didn`t have time to add anything more to the playlist as Terra cut through my concentration. "Alright& be advised there are 10 vehicles in the convoy. I have given them the designation of Fox. Fox 1 through 4, each has two passengers within them. Fox 5 has three passengers. Fox 6 is carrying our subject of interest and has four additional passengers. Fox 7 has three passengers, and Fox 8 through 10 have two passengers each."

　　I went through the count mentally, 24? & No wait& 25 total. I was keeping my gaze on the three individuals in the Sedan for the time being but started to notice two of the individuals from one of the trucks in the parking lot start to linger and make their way over towards my street. There were multiple vehicles in between them and I. My vision was mostly blocked, and I couldn`t get a full look at them in the moment. The way they were walking certainly gave me the sense that they were two I wanted to keep my eyes on.

　　Thankfully the captain`s chair I was sitting in had been modified and allowed me to swivel 360 degrees around to get the best view I needed without twisting or cranking my head into contorted positions that would strain my neck.

　　"Okay, I see movement on the South-West side of the roadway, Via de la Juventud Ote. Seeing how you didn`t label it! I will just say& that is the roadway directly south of you. Looks like they are doing a complete reconstruction and created a detour where they`ll be led down that way."

　　"Is it really a detour?" I rolled my head, not believing the information to be at all factual.

　　"Does it fucking matter B2? They`re on their way, maybe less then a minute out and you`re worried about traffic patterns?"

　　"You have a point there."

　　"No shit!" Terra scolded me.

　　I watched as the three in the sedan got out of their vehicles and watched as my two individuals of interest quickly turned out to be the targets I had assumed they were. The two quickly move in-between two SUV`s. The first target came to the bumper of the vehicle but poorly tried to conceal the RPG rocket launcher that he clutched closely to the side of his body.

　　"He`s got an RPG, I`m going to take him out!" I told Terra as I immediately swirled around in my captains chair and cranked the handle on the van`s side door. It slid open as quickly as I could force it to. Neurochip, play playist! My foot hit the sidewalk and I headed towards the back of the van. Using it as concealment.

　　"Motorcade is passing by now." Terra said.

　　I quickly glanced down the roadway and saw the black and white SUV`s drive past the roadway intersection. Their red and blue flashing lights strobing as they did. It was not even three seconds later that I heard the first explosion happen down the street behind me, followed almost instantly by a second explosion up ahead of me.

　　Terra`s voice returned. "F1 and F10 have been taken out by RPG`s. They`ve blocked the motorcade in. It looks like a cement truck or heavy construction vehicle is blocking the roadway at Interstate 1`s overpass section."

　　As soon as she finished saying those words, I saw my target begin to raise his RPG launcher onto his shoulder. I heard the screeching of tires down the street as the motorcade came to a jolted halt. I felt the safety of my rifle with my thumb and flicked it to happy mode. My muzzle raised up and I found the red dot in my sights as I nestled the butt of the rifle into the crux of my shoulder.

　　My HUD displayed the black ammunition icon for the HAMMER rounds I had loaded my rifle with. My finger lightly wrapping around the trigger as the target was unaware of my presence. My eyes narrowed in on Target 1 as he began to raise the rocket launcher up and aimed it directly at the motorcade. His rib cage completely exposed to me without armor.

　　I squeezed back on the trigger and felt the recoil of the rifle. The round punched into Target 1 just under his arm pit. His body launched itself back in-between the two vehicles. He pulled the trigger on the launcher out of reflex. The rocket soared across the street in my direction but flew high and at an angle. It impacted on the upper portion of building 6. The voice of war erupted all around me.

　　The echoing cry of gunfire reverberated off the buildings, vehicles and hardened surfaces of blacktop and concrete sidewalks. The glorious song of death made it hard to distinguish where exactly the gunfire was started from and ending at. The initial chorus of sounds made you believe it was happening all around you and you had to strain to tune into the actual source. Two new explosions cut through the savage song of gun fire.

　　Terra`s voice came alive, "Fox 2 and Fox 9 were just hit by RPG`s. The were launched from the South-West vegetation on the other side of the motorcade. Looks like we have four killed in action, two at Fox 1 and two at Fox 10."

　　My eyes focused onto Target 2. He had been standing directly behind Target 1. His arms cradled around Target 1`s body as the HAMMER rounds force caused Target 1 to fall into him. Target 2 had now taken notice of me while Terra was saying all this within my head. He was carrying some type of AK-47 configuration or variant.

　　His rifles muzzle started to raise up and point in my direction. My red dot was already on his center mass though, and I squeezed back on the trigger. My eyes watched as his shoulders caved inward, his back arched out behind him as my rounds slammed into his chest with deadly effect. He flew at least two feet backwards as the HAMMER round drove him in reverse until he tumbled down onto the ground.

　　"Be advised, we have multiple targets to the West which are now starting to make their way towards the back of the convoy. I`m showing at least 10 targets not including those in the southern vegetation." There was a slight pause in Terra`s update until she continued. "Additionally, we have 13 targets identified on Bravo 1 roadway, just East of your position. They appear to be gathering and looking to start moving forward towards Fox 3`s vehicle. Fox 2`s driver is killed in action, but the second passenger is alive and has made their way back to Fox 3`s vehicle."

　　Gunfire roared to life at the South end of my street. I quickly glanced towards it and noticed three individuals opening up on a designated clustering of vehicles. The three in the sedan I had previously been watching were now out and started to join in with the gunfire. They were carrying a mixture of AK-47`s and M16 rifles from what I could tell given my angle.

　　"Terra, what vehicles are directly center on my street that are receiving all the gunfire?"

　　"That is Fox 5, 6, and 7. Fox 6 is the vehicle with our subject inside it."

　　"Got it!"

　　My gaze narrowed in on one of the targets from the sedan. I watched as the red dot overlayed against his black sweatshirt. He was standing behind the hood of mid-size sedan. I could see the brass ejecting out of his M16 rifle as the casings reflected in the sunlight. His fire aimed directly at Fox 6`s vehicle. My rifle rang to life as I pulled back on the trigger and I watched as Target 3`s body slammed against the hood. His body slumped over it for a moment until the rest of his body weight slowly dragged him back down and onto the pavement.

　　As soon as Target 3 was down, I had a clear shot on my fourth target. I squeezed the trigger back, but my shot missed just wide and to the left of the target. I re-centered my red dot and sent two more rounds downrange and this time hit dead center into Target 4`s back. The window of the sports car he was standing behind shattered as one of the rounds punched clean through him and continued its` trajectory through the next vehicle.

　　"Be advised, Fox 4 and Fox 9 agents are engaging the targets in the bushes just South of their position. Looks like two targets are down." Terra updated me.

　　My attention was drawn towards the end of the street and had taken my awareness off of the two trucks I had previously identified in the parking lot. I was caught off guard as rounds began to pour through the minivan which was no longer able to conceal me.

　　I dropped down to the ground as rounds started to rip through the minivan, turning the thin metal frame into swiss cheese. I quickly curled up into a ball as incoming rounds started to drop low. The led hitting on the streets black top and were now ricocheting up and around my legs. I could feel the vibrations of the projectiles as they sliced all around me.

　　There was a brief pause from the incoming fire. I took advantage of it and launched myself up off the ground. I turned around and moved towards the front of the minivan to face and engage the new threats. I noticed four targets approached me from the parking lot where the trucks were parked. The two targets who were towards the front of the formation were quickly reloading the M16`s they were carrying.

　　I knelt behind the hood of the minivan, keeping my right leg back as a brace. The pad of my finger wrapped around the trigger and pulled back as I started to return fire. My rifle kicked into my shoulder as I sent four rounds towards Target 5, who was on my left side. The rounds pounded into his small frame so hard that it sent his body flailing backwards and he crashed into Target 7 who was directly behind him.

　　Target 6 who was off to the right side from Target 5 and had now reloaded his weapon. He started to spray a new volley of fire towards me. The rounds hit low, then high and wide to my right. The target had practically no control of the M16. The recoil was overpowering his strength while he held the weapon system.

　　I returned fire towards Target 6, my first round hit low but punched right through his knee cap. The force of the HAMMER round tore a massive hole in his pants. The impact blew bone fragments and muscle fibers out the gaping hole that the round created upon its exit. Target 6 instantly fell to his side and screamed out in agony as he reached down and grabbed hold of the injury. My second round, however, hit dead center in his sternum and slammed him back onto the pavement. The third round grazed just over his corpse and skipped across the pavement and out into the void.

　　I noticed movement to my left and saw three individuals starting to creep up towards the position of Target 1 and 2`s corpses. I immediately ducked down and began to reposition myself behind my swiss cheese minivan. As I did, my vision caught notice of my magazine display which showed I had only 7 rounds remaining in my magazine. I rotated my magazine selector in my HUD and felt the slight reverberation as the new HAMMER magazine slid around my waist and arrived, front and dead center for me.

　　Terra`s voice announcing in my head while the ammo was being delivered. "Fox 2 and 3 are in an exchange with their targets. Fox 4 has eliminated another target in the hedge line to their South as well as Fox 9. However, The Targets to the West are making their way down the motorcade and have taken out Fox 9`s passenger." I was about to pop back up and start re-engaging my targets when Terra stopped me, "Be advised there is a sniper on the roof."

　　"Where?"

　　"Building 3, Charlie Sector. It looks like there is another individual with them and I see a rocket launcher tube on the ground next to them."

　　"Well let`s hope they don`t have any more then."

　　"Sniper just took out Fox 8."

　　" Fucking hell! "

　　I had no time to react and stood frozen as a everything crashed in all around me within a flash. Hostile fire poured in all around me and felt like it was from all directions. I dove backwards, landing directly on the back plate of my armor system. Guess were going to really test this baby out. I said in my mind. My legs kicked my body backwards as the back plate of the armor aided me in grinding backwards across the concrete walkway. I did my best to move quickly, but still felt like a defenseless turtle within that moment.

　　It was nothing but the shattered sound of rupturing plastic and metal being ripped apart. Rounds ricocheted on pavement and glass shattered around me as if it were hail falling from the sky. I was stuck within a full cacophony of madness and warfare. The cracking sound of a whip seemed relentless as the rounds continued to get more accurate on my position.

　　My left leg started to get peppered and felt like someone was whacking me with a crowbar. My dragonskin lined blue jeans being hit with four rounds on my left side. I quickly twisted and rolled onto my left side, but took two rounds into my right-side oblique as I did.

　　The light armor system took them without failing me, thankfully. I did feel the sensation of a crowbar had slammed against me, multiple times. My pain receptors soon felt as if they were being blocked out, the sensation of injury faded out over a few seconds afterwards. I was pretty sure my enhancements were behind that.

　　I took notice of my health icon as it started to change its` coloration, my left leg had turned to a light orange in appearance. A small red dot was at its` center, but I didn`t pay it any further attention. There was also small crack appearance on the armor portion of my health icon. I didn`t feel any pain or notice a difference in the display and immediately ignored it.

　　The rounds continued to crack by me with such speed and so many angles, I felt like I was being engaged by a machine gun. Small pieces of the van`s metal frame were peppering against my skin. I wedged myself between a rental car and the concrete wall which led towards the rental car garage. I was taking suppressive fire from the last remaining target down by the sedan as well as accurate fire pouring in from directly across the street, and from my far right side.

　　"Be advised, I have LDS making entry into the area and he is taking up position on top of building 4. I`m connecting him now to our communication link."

　　"Holy shit mate! You`ve stirred up a hornets nest havn`t you?" A British voice came to life through my comm link.

　　"I`m a little busy at the fucking moment!" I yelled back.

　　I lunged upwards and started to make my way onto my knees. I used the rental car`s hood as my rear cover to the best of my ability. My body turning over to my left side and leaned around the concrete wall. I found the last target by the sedan, my finger glided down onto the trigger. My vision focused on my red dot as I waited patiently. Target 7 popped back up from the sedan he was concealed behind.

　　My rifle fired four rounds towards him, the first round ripped through him and just above his right hip. The wall that was next to him was now coated with pieces of blubber from his love handle being ripped off. The apartment complex behind him received a customized mural of human flesh. The other three rounds punched center mass and knocked him back and on top of a trash bin. His lifeless body was now propped up on grand display. His corpse looked like a fucking Halloween decoration that had been placed there.

　　I started to receive a new volley of gunfire from what felt like behind me. My head could feel the pressure in the air as rounds streaked just passed and above my head, cracking the air pressure as they did. I snapped myself around as fast as I could but took two rounds into my chest plate and one into my right shoulder. I thankfully didn`t feel anything as my vision was zeroed in on Target 8 at the far north end of the street. I steadied my red dot in and unloaded my final three rounds in my magazine. My teeth grinded together as I unfortunately missed on all three shots.

　　My effort did allow me time to keep the target ducked down and behind cover as I reloaded my rifle. His head peaking up as he took a few pop shots at me, but with him not taking the time to aim, the rounds didn`t even come close. I did my best to ignore the pain in my shoulder as I reached down and slammed a new magazine into the well, sent the bolt forward and went back to work.

　　My rifle muzzle started to rise. I was about to send a round directly towards him when the minivan burst apart with a new volley of gunfire tearing through it. It sounded like a damn woodpecker that was high on every substance known to man was going to town on its shredded metal skin. The rounds tore through and cracked all around me against the pavement. I leaned in close to the rental car I had been previously using for cover. The hostile fire was now punching into the motor block of the rental vehicle. I heard the newly arriving voice come over my comm feed.

　　"Hold on mate!" I kept my head down and waited for the word. "Alright, both of those targets are down. Stay down, the target to your north is sprinting up and going to try and take you by surprise. I`ll have him in my sites here in a second!" The voice was stern, forceful, but calm in the moment. It was only seconds later that LDS`s voice came back over the comms, "Target down! You`re clear to the North."

　　Terra cut in as soon as he was done. "Be advised, all of Fox 2, 3, 8, and 9 are now down! The motorcade has large groups enclosing on it from both sides!"

　　LDS`s voice following after, "Alright, I`ll swing around and start working on the group to the South-East, hopefully it will help Fox 4 survive. B2, you make your way around and flank the other group from the North-West, try to keep them from crashing down on Fox 7. LDS out!"

　　"Sounds good LDS!" I replied.

　　I stood up from my position and began to swing left in a sidestep motion as I walked around the destroyed minivan and acquired two more targets across the parking lot. Their eyes widened in shocked belief as I caught them off guard. My impression was that they had assumed I had been taken out of the gun fight. My finger squeezed back smoothly on my trigger. I punched three rounds into Target 8 on the right side. His body twisted around and fell in a spiraled motion to the pavement. My red dot gliding over as I sent Target 9 crashing back 5 ft as three rounds pounded him backwards and onto the blacktop. Jack wasn`t kidding when he said people don`t get back up from this thing! I mentally whispered. The author`s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

　　I started to charge forward through the parking lot. I was just off to the left side of the trucks which had delivered the fresh corpses that were now scattered throughout the area. My sprint wasn`t fast enough to keep me from being caught up in an exchange of gunfire from the South end of the street. I had not identified two targets that were down closer to the vehicle convoy. They were still engaged with the Mexican federal agents. The gunfire and ricochets were cracking and whizzing past me as I ran through the crossfire of lead.

　　I heard LDS`s voice come over the comm`s as I entered the parking lot. "Two tango`s down from Group 1 on the East side."

　　Terra then added on, "There is an additional target moving down the center lane and utilizing Fox 2 and 3`s vehicles as cover. Current count of identified targets is 31 remaining."

　　I felt my right side begin to have a slight limp as I maintained my stride. There was no pain registering internally but I could certainly feel the difference in my enhanced endurance. The distance closed faster as I pushed to close in and flank Group 2`s position which was still actively engaging the motorcade from the West side.

　　My armor system was nice and tight against my shoulders, armpit, and back shoulder blade area. The mid-torso portion was fitted with just enough spacing that it gave me enough space to breathe far more comfortably than the traditional military plate carriers I had worn in my past. The rig system normally bobbed all about and loosely adjusted itself when you had to run while wearing them. Brian`s armor system, however, hardly budged at all.

　　"Be advised, Group 2 is starting to push past Fox 10`s vehicle B2." Terra updated me.

　　I started to turn the corner on Building 2 within the sector I had designated as Charlie. My eyes narrowed in on a cluster of targets huddled next to a small building across the street. The small structure appeared to serve as a guard shack and access point for the parking lot of the medical center adjacent to it. I raised my rifle and started to squeeze back on the trigger, the muzzle jettisoned out a small flash of flame as the gunpowder continued to burn past the muzzle. My rounds streaked towards their targets. I watched as large grapefruit and softball size junks of the building started to chip away on the building`s exterior as my targets quickly ducked back behind the cover.

　　I continued to pour hatred down upon the building and caught one of the targets trying to poke around the right side. His failed attempt to gain an advantage over me ended with me punching three rounds into Target 10`s mid torso. His body being forced over the side of a small concrete wall and crumpled behind it with his legs sticking up for a half second before they collapsed down at the knee.

　　It looked like Target 11 had coordinated the failed attempt. As I had just sent Target 10 to the undertaker, Target 11 had turned the corner on the left side at the same time. A short burst volleyed down upon me as multiple projectiles surged in-between my legs. One round rose up and landed directly on my quad while another three rounds shattered into my chest armor plating. I adjusted my sights back over to the left side in just enough time to counter Target 11`s volley with my own, but completely missed him. The pain in my leg burned all the way through and I ducked behind a vehicle for cover as I went to reload my spent magazine. The rail delivery system sent a new magazine forward and around my waist as it stopped right where my hand was awaiting it.

　　My face practically kissed the pavement as I just finished reloading my rifle. The shattered glass started to pelt all around me and onto my face as the rounds slammed into the vehicles I was now wedged in-between. My body dropped down onto my belly, trying to find the best cover and concealment available. I now had all the attention in the world a guy could ask for as hot led skipped around me. The ground was now covered in shattered laminated glass.

　　I began to low crawl on the pavement and found a smaller pickup truck directly to my right side. I continued my low crawl underneath it to give me some more distance from Target 11`s position. My arms and elbows dug into the glass as I worked against the resistance of the pavement and could feel my skin start to cut open from the debris. I made it to the other side of the truck and started to make my way around the wheel well of the passenger side. I did my best to stay huddled behind the engine block and then popped up and saw a target running down the center of the street, carrying an M16 in his grasp as Target 11 continued to shoot towards my previous location. I centered the red dot on Target 12`s chest and watched as the HAMMER round ripped right through his basketball t-shirt and whipped his head back so aggressively that the baseball hat whipped off his head.

　　Target 11 took notice of my new position and started to adjust his fire. His rounds now jack hammered into the truck as rounds skipped across the front windshield. The driver`s side pillar started to be pelted with projectiles as some of them were now ricocheting upwards. The rounds began to dance over and adjusted course, slammed into the passenger side frame which held the side mirror. The plastic instantly shattered and launched itself upon my face. The debris and shrapnel sending me reeling backwards.

　　I tripped over my own feet and fell onto my back as the plastic particles, dirt and paint chips all went launching into my eyes. I had forgotten to wear glasses or any other protection for my eyes. FUCKING HELL! I rolled on the ground and could feel the tears surging into my eye sockets. The tears began to pour out over my cheeks as my body naturally did its` best to flush out the harsh particles.

　　As I rolled on the ground in mind splitting pain I heard LDS come over the comms, "Two more tango`s down from group 1."

　　I had let go of my grip on my rifle and it draped on top of my armor system as my hands covered my face. My eyes blinked rapidly while I tried to force them open and gauge the current situation, I was in. As I worked to regain my bearings from the temporary vision loss, I could make out a pair of tennis shoes. They were moving up and around the front portion of the truck I was hiding behind and tucked off to the side.

　　My hand latched around my pistol handle, and I ripped it from my holster. I didn`t even have the ability to aim. My hand merely pointed towards the mass as I saw it appear from around the hood of the truck. My finger pulled back mercilessly as I began to unload the magazine as quickly as I could.

　　A new wave of gunfire began to pour over my position again. I was barely able to keep my eyes open long enough to gaze over at Target 13`s body. A young boy`s corpse now lay directly off to my right side. I began to sit up enough to see there were more bullet holes in the kid`s pure white t-shirt than I could count. Tears streaking out the side of his eyes as his gaped mouth struggled to intake air inside his punctured lungs and chest.

　　The gunfire that was pelting all around me then ended the kid`s misery as he took another three rounds from his counter parts. One of them slammed into the right side of his head and his eyes instantly rolled backwards. I had mostly blocked out the music that was playing in the background of my mind, but as I took a moment to let my eyes adjust once again, the chorus rang out,  Only the strongest will survive! Lead me to heaven when we die& I am a shadow on the wall, I`ll be the one to save us all!`

　　"Let`s fucking get it!" I cried out loud, not realizing that my statement went out over the comm link, but was instantly reminded of it when LDS replied.

　　"That`s the fucking spirit mate!"

　　I rolled to my left and regained my footing, holstering my pistol after a quick reload. My rifle clutched in my grips as I hugged the butt of the rifle back into my shoulder`s crux. I worked my way back towards the tailgate of the truck and then pushed forward towards the corner of Charlie 2`s building. The gunfire directed towards me had been paused as I made my way to the edge of the corner.

　　I peered around with my rifle up and aimed towards the location of the small shack. My red dot was practically on Target 11`s head before he realized it. I watched as the cartel member had just slammed a new magazine into his AK-47. He was just able to take notice of my movement. His eyes looked straight at me, and we locked onto each other. The only difference was& I was ready& and he was not.

　　I sent him straight to hell as the HAMMER round split his skull in two. The rupture made his head look as if it was a god damn watermelon. The brain matter and pink mist lofted into the air all around his body as his carcass dropped onto the ground. The small structure now clear of any threats and I didn`t wait as my feet launched me forward.

　　"Be advised, I`m moving down the street across from building Charlie 3."

　　LDS replied back, "Got it!"

　　Terra echoed out, "Be careful, you still have two targets on Charlie 3`s rooftop."

　　I crossed the street and made my way through the medical center`s parking lot and onto the sidewalk. My focus shifted towards the corner at the end of the street. I looked beyond the guard shack but noticed the handy remodeling work my HAMMER rounds had caused on the exterior of the structure. I paused on the other side of an SUV and was about to check the Charlie 3 roof line for the two targets that may potentially be peering down at me.

　　My attention was interrupted though. A slight shuffle directly behind me was caught by my ears. I instantly reached down, felt the studded pistol grip in my hand and pulled my pistol up. My arm punched out to my right side in the direction of the noise. My head whipped backwards to analyze what I had heard.

　　All I latched onto was the Glock pistol pointed in my direction. The male appeared to continually creep towards me. I noticed the slight twitch in his pistol move slightly upwards and I let loose five rounds, without questioning what his motive was. I didn`t analyze if he was truly a threat or not. It wasn`t until my rounds cut through the guys uniform that I realized he was a mere security guard overseeing the medical center.

　　I had no idea if he was a friend or foe. His grip failed to hold onto his weapon and he let go of his pistol. His hands soared upwards and grabbed hold of his throat. The blood poured out from between his fingers and immediately started to coat his hands as his heart literally pumped his body dry. His carotid artery spewed out blood like it was the fucking Colorado river.

　　I didn`t waste another second on the thought. My thumb punched the magazine release and I retrieved a new FMJ magazine from my belt. I shoved the fresh magazine into my pistol and holstered the weapon as quickly as I could. My right hand rotated back around and grabbed hold of my rifle`s pistol grip as my ears heard the initial thump sound and then the immediate streaking noise of the rocket. My eyes dashed upwards in just enough time to notice the rocket projectile for the millisecond I had as&

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　　"B2!" & "B2!" & "TALK TO ME B2!"

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　　I could feel my head roll around on the hot concrete. The scent of burning oil, gasoline and metal caused my face to contort. My eyes started to blink as the streaks of sunlight pierced through the dark plumes of smoke. The smoke drifted over me like a blanket in the breeze. I was just barely coming back into my senses as I noticed the icon flashing in my HUD display.

　　{{{LONE SURVIVOR ATTRIBUTE ENGAGED}}}

　　I could hear the cries for my name as both Terra and LDS`s voice came over the comm`s inside my head. "B2! YOU WITH US?" & "COME ON MATE, SAY SOMETHING!"

　　{{{LONE SURVIVOR ATTRIBUTE ENGAGED}}}

　　I looked up at Charlie 3`s roof and saw the mother fucker standing there with the grenade launcher tube still in his hand. He peered down at me to assess if I was dead or not. The way his head moved and tilted about made me believe he had not determined if I was or not. It looked as if he could not clearly see me clear enough as the two vehicles directly in front of me were now on fire.

　　I started to feel the sensation in my arms once again and brought my right hand up and was grateful to find my rifle still laying slightly on top of me. I focused as hard as I could, the notification still flashing in my HUD as I mentally cleared the notification so I may get a good view of the target standing on the roof.

　　I propped the butt of the rifle into my shoulder, and brought my left hand up. It grabbed hold of the forward grip as I slowly squeezed back on the trigger as soon as I saw the red dot overlay on the dark jacket the target was wearing. I only saw his body hunch over and start to tumble off the roof and plummet towards the ground. I never saw where his body landed.

　　&

　　"B2, MATE! YOU THERE?" LDS`s voice encouraged me back within the moment.

　　&

　　"I`m down& but& I think I`m okay. My& my lone survivor is engaged and I`m starting to come back into the moment."

　　&

　　Terra`s voice cut me off though to warn LDS, "LDS there are five targets that just exited Building Bravo 10. They are slowly making their way to the front of your location."

　　"Got it, B2, you good mate?"

　　&

　　I started to regain my senses and I could feel my body slowly recovering faster than I would expect it to; given my current predicament. I knew I had an elephant amount of adrenaline flowing through my body, but was positive that it was the Lone Survivor Attribute which forced my body through the chips effects to get me back into the fight. I was now able to take back control and forced myself to sit up. My right arm braced me up on the sidewalk and into a seated position.

　　"Yeah& I think I am." I paused and let out a long breathe, "I still got targets at the corner and need to get to Fox 10, I`m gonna try to make it that way now."

　　"Sounds good mate!"

　　Terra followed up, "Be advised all of Fox 4`s members are now down, and Fox 7 is taking heavy fire from Group 2."

　　"Thanks Terra!" LDS replied.

　　I stammered up to my feet, my health icon displayed my left leg was orange and multiple red spots, as well as my right arm and shoulder. As I started to take my first steps, I felt a hot intensity burn all throughout my left side. The pain started all the way from my ankle and carried itself up to my shoulder. The agony would then surge inside my mind, but then in an instant was gone. The process would repeat itself for 2-3 seconds at a time with the intense effect and then recede for a few seconds. I was positive it was my neurochip enhancements that worked on overdrive to overcome the suffering that would have normally crippled me. I could only imagine how immobilized I would have been if I didn`t have these abilities blocking my pain receptors.

　　I tried to pick up my pace and get my body to jog down the street and make it to the corner. My left leg limped the entire time and I was more hobbling than jogging. The gunfire was still raging on and off as it sounded like one group would send a volley out, and the opposite group would respond with their own counterattack. I was halfway down to Fox 10`s corner when Terra gave us the update that Fox 5`s members were all killed and out of the fight. Shit just hold on guys& I thought and knew that LDS and I were the only chance they had.

　　I cut back across the street and moved up tight to building Charlie 6, directly to the south from Charlie 3. I only hoped the other fucker on the roof didn`t have another RPG waiting for me. I was about to raise my rifle up to engage Target`s 14 and 15. They were both kneeling, side by side, raining rounds down the street towards the motorcade. They were completely unaware of my presence.

　　LDS stopped me in my tracks as he called out, "B2, don`t move!"

　　I paused and waited for his next set of instructions.

　　"Got the fucker! The sniper on Charlie 3`s rooftop is down, you`re clear mate!" He replied.

　　As soon as LDS gave me the update, I pulled my rifle up and sent 7 HAMMER rounds down and into both targets. Target 14 was turned around and pummeled so hard that he actually fell on top of his counterpart. Target 15 now trapped in place, making it even easier as my 4 rounds ripped through both bodies.

　　The corner now clear of any targets, I turned and hobbled down the roadway, pointed towards the motorcade. I saw four and the cartel members all in a line and slowly making their way towards Fox 7`s vehicle. They were collapsing down quickly upon the main subjects vehicle.

　　"LDS those five targets are entering your structure." Terra warned him,

　　"I know, I can hear them coming up& I still got some time!" LDS replied quickly.

　　My eyes gazed past the line of individuals in front of me. I could just make out two targets on the other side of the main motorcade. Instantly their bodies dropped at the far end. There was no doubt in my mind that it was LDS taking out as many targets as possible with the spare seconds he had.

　　I sent the command for a fresh rifle magazine and did a quick reload. I told my delivery system to send another magazine forward. I wanted it waiting for me when I needed it. The last HAMMER magazine was now in my rifle, and I did my best to share the wealth. My rifle muzzle raised up and my finger squeezed back on the trigger. The recoil pumped into my shoulder with every round sent out.

　　Target 16 who was closest to me shared a portion of his brain on the side wall and pavement. Target 17 was next in line and took four rounds into the back before he fell lifeless onto the ground. Target 18 started to notice something was wrong and turned around fast enough that he got to see me fire the shot. His throat ripped clear off as it exploded outwardly once the HAMMER round punched into him. Target 19 caught led both ways, as both the motorcade security and I hit the target at the same time. His body was filled with so many holes that he looked like he had taken an entire box of buckshot rounds at close range.

　　I did another magazine reload and slowly hobbled down the street towards the lead vehicle. I could make out the security team were trying different vehicles to see if there were any still operational. Terra was quick to provide us with the update.

　　"The Fox 5 vehicle is operational, the subjects are inside, be advised they`re turning around and heading down Bravo 2`s roadway." She took a quick pause, "LDS you, okay?"

　　I could actively hear gun fire in LDS`s communications as he came over, "Oh sure& Just a few fuckers in need of lead therapy." A slight pause in his communications as he then came over, "Frag out!"

　　I started to force myself to move faster as I hobbled down the street and worked my way towards LDS`s direction. "I`m on my way LDS." I said.

　　The burning sensation of pain started to overpower my neurochips abilities to continue its` suppression of my receptors. I started to notice a draining sensation and I quickly glanced down. My entire left pants leg was red with what I was sure was my own blood. My health icon was practically all red on my left side. I started to feel the warm trickling sensation appear on top of my hand and run down my fingers. I rotated my rifle to the right enough that I could take a glance at my hand. Red blood was now starting to cover the back side. Yup& pretty sure that is my blood!

　　"Be advised Fox 5 has made it out of the area and they appear to be in the clear at the moment." Terra updated us.

　　My sluggish movement now brought me to the front end of Fox 6. I was amazed to think they had made it out of there alive. Though the vehicle was bullet proof, it still had multiple holes in the metal in areas where the armor had failed after absorbing so many rounds. I had slowed for a brief moment to look over the damage and then caught movement out of the corner of my vision, off to my left side.

　　A punk kid who looked to be maybe 15 or 16 years old, was lurking down the side of the street I had labeled as Bravo 2. I couldn`t discern his intentions as I turned and centered the red dot of my rifle on him. He stopped dead cold in his tracks and looked at me. His eyes glared at mine and they weren`t filled with fear, worry, or concern. There were no tears and the pleading gaze of mercy.

　　His eyes only showcased a hatred filled within them. The anger of being caught in a moment and unable to strike me before I could strike him. His face sneered and I could see the muscles in his jaw tighten from the tension his teeth were making as they clenched together. He started to ball his fists, as if he was daring enough to use them while being caught in the middle of a gunfight. My finger was already on my trigger and the demonic voice in my head whispered, " do it!"

　　I hesitated for another half second until my ears registered a gunshot and I felt the sensation of a hot nail pierce into my side and back, just above my kidneys. I instantly spun around and saw Target 20. I was amazed to think of how they had survived the onslaught of gunfire. I had a guardian angel watching over me, his weapon seized up on him. He stood there stupefied about what to do. " Have fun in hell fucker!" I bellowed out as my finger pulled back on the trigger and I sent 5 FMJ rounds into him at close range.

　　I didn`t have time to focus on his body as I then turned to see the punk kid was now charging towards me with his fists raised up and prepared to strike. He had cut the distance with a blazing speed that was nothing short of impressive. I had no time to draw my pistol for the close-range assault. Instead, I swung my left leg back and planted myself in a side stance.

　　I shoved my muzzle forward and it thrust itself directly into the fucker`s gut. The strike completely knocked the wind out of him and dropped him to the ground as he lay there, balled up and clutching his gut as he struggled for air. "Should have stayed home kid." I said. He turned his head and looked at me. The boy had turned into a man nothing short of ten seconds ago. His eyes told me that they didn`t regret their decision, only the regret of failing in his attempt. I blasted his skull open and splattered his brains across the pavement where he lay.

　　"I`ve got the final two down and am making my way out! B2 where are you?" LDS said over the comm link.

　　"I`m at the motorcade now and will be turning north bound on Bravo 1 roadway soon." I replied.

　　"Got it mate. See you on the street corner. Terra! We need a ride."

　　"On it, LDS." She replied.

　　I stumbled my way towards the corner. The smoke from multiple burning vehicles wrapped around me as I struggled forward. I turned north bound on the Bravo 1 roadway which led to LDS. My feet kicked and shuffled past the spent brass casing and shattered glass strewn all throughout the street.

　　I navigated through the graveyard that LDS had created. 9 cartel members` bodies laid lifeless on the ground. Their blood started to run and pool together, the street had a slight descent to it and created a river at the bottom. Flies were already starting to buzz about as I continued to trudge my way towards his location.

　　My left leg was now dragging behind me as I continued to lose more and more strength in it. I felt it wasn`t my muscles failing me, it was my loss of blood. A large delivery truck was parked on the left side of the road. The closer I approached the more I drifted to the left and hobbled down the sidewalk next to the vehicle.

　　I felt my Neurochip enhancements were now failing me. I started to gasp for air and the intensity of pain was starting to climb at a rate that I didn`t know how much longer I would last. My body gave me the sensation that it was wanting to faint. My vision started to blur at the edges, my feel in my limbs was now numb.

　　I forced myself with all my strength to press forward. As I did so, I came directly face to face with three individuals, two women and a man. They were roughly thirty feet from me as I came to a stop, we all stood there like statues, frozen in the moment. The one woman and man were standing off to my left side and one woman was on my right, just behind another parked vehicle. I started to reach for my pistol, my attention focused on the man to my left.

　　Terra`s audio cut in, "B2 the woman on your right is the target!"

　　Her warning was too late. I drew my pistol and pointed it towards the man. As my hand already started to punch my pistol up and towards the male, I could just make out the woman to the far-right side. She had been concealing a shotgun behind the vehicle and now had it raised and pointed directly at me.

　　In a last ditch effort, I tried to swing my aim to the right and catch her. Her shotgun round punched into my armor and in my weakened state, it sent me falling backwards. My vision was now a full opaque blur. My hearing was muffled and began to fade. My eyes began to go heavy and then I saw the display pop back into my HUD,

　　&

　　{{{LONE SURVIVOR ATTRIBUTE ENGAGED}}}

　　&

　　{{{LONE SURVIVOR ATTRIBUTE ENGAGED}}}

　　&

　　{{{LONE SURVIVOR ATTRIBUTE ENGAGED}}}

　　&

　　The popup continued to pulse in my vision, and I mentally swiped it away. With the fleeting seconds I had before it all went black, I pulled up the screenshot I had taken from Sasha`s video and focused solely on her. The adorable smile greeted me, and I was lost in it. I made sure to whisper out the words that I thought would be my last, "Sorry I couldn`t make it back to you angel&"