Chapter 41: Facing Coco
Inside the Ranger headquarters,
Captain Sam stood before the screen, his face shadowed by deep concern. He decided to hold his ground, knowing that half of their forces were outside the city. At the same time, the rest were scattered—some assigned to patrols, others near the opposition, and the majority at the President’s camp. Only a handful remained inside the headquarters, tasked with defending in case an unforeseen circumstance arose.
Behind him, a man shivered. "C-Captain..."
"Lieutenant," Sam said slowly, his voice heavy with uncertainty. "Our duty is to protect this headquarters." He paused, contemplating whether he was making the right decision. "S-some of us have to stay back... to defend our base."
He sensed his subordinates’ restless energy—their intense urge to rush to the battlefield and assist their comrades. However, if he let emotions cloud his judgment, he would fail as a leader.
Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself. "Go back and tell the men to stay on high alert," he commanded. "If anyone dares to leave this building without permission, I will handle them personally."
The lieutenant paused briefly before nodding and leaving the room.
Captain Sam redirected his attention to the screen, a troubled look on his face. "General, I trust you can manage this chaos before it ruins everything you hold dear."
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On the battlefield, which extended from the Presidential buildings to nearby structures, Rangers and Rogues desperately fought for their survival.
A deafening crash shattered the chaos as a metallic figure slammed into a car, its sheer weight sending tremors through the ground. The air smelled of burning metal as plasma shots streaked across the sky, their bright flashes temporarily blinding anyone who dared to look. The intense heat from the exploding car scorched the onlookers’ skin, adding to the madness of the scene.