Cynetic Wolf
CONFETTI

‘What’s the status of team two?’ I asked, voice wavering.

‘One minute to target,’ Ganla replied.

‘Connect me.’

She did.

‘Raek here,’ I said as the call connected, our VTOL descending.

‘We’re here, sir. It’s Michaels. Entering the building now.’

‘Wait!’ I shouted. ‘Wait for me. Calter took out team one. Has anyone else come or gone?’

‘Negative. Got here two minutes ago and secured the perimeter,’ he added, reading my mind.

A door slammed. ‘Move, move!’ another voice yelled.

The ground raced to meet us. Twenty meters, ten. We hit the pavement hard, doors flying open. I jumped out, smelling blood as Henk messed with controls.

‘Prepare for breach in three, two—’

BOOM!

An explosion rocked the building, flinging me back. Debris showered from a gaping hole on the fourth floor, a deluge of brick and wood and concrete plummeting toward me.

I dove into the entrance as a support beam slammed into the street. The implosion launched chunks of concrete into the air, reverberating through the building, and echoing down the streets.

‘Come in, Michaels. Come in!’

Nothing. Five seconds later, again. I was already halfway up, taking the steps three at a time. ‘Michaels!’ I screamed.

No response. No...

Hitting the fourth floor landing, I launched myself into the corner and leveled my blasters. The view was breathtaking, the entire wall decimated by the blast. Jumping broken glass, I hurried into the apartment and checked each room.

First room, all clear.

A call from Henk. Not now.

Where are you, Calter?

I kicked down the second door and spun, firing twice as a precaution. Other than Bikkins and Todd—both covered in blood and missing half their torsos—it was empty as well.

Judging by the size of the building, there were two more rooms. My heart pounded, everything in slow motion as I cleared the third room.

One to go.

I darted in, blasters leveled.