Rafe was the first to move, grabbing a bag and slinging it over his shoulder as he led the group toward the back exit. “Everyone, gear up! We’ve got a head start, but not by much.”

  They hurried through the door and into the dense woods surrounding the safe house. The night was thick and silent, the canopy of trees casting deep shadows across their path. They moved quickly, their breaths coming in short, sharp gasps as they navigated the uneven terrain.

  But as they pressed forward, the sound of distant footsteps and radio chatter reached their ears. Leo felt his pulse quicken. The Commission was closer than he’d thought.

  “Split up!” Zara hissed. “We’ll be harder to track in smaller groups.”

  They darted into the trees, each one moving with as much stealth as they could muster. The woods seemed to close in around them, the darkness a constant reminder of the Commission soldiers hunting them. Leo ducked behind a tree, listening as heavy footsteps passed nearby. He held his breath, his heart pounding, waiting until the footsteps faded before he moved again.

  Suddenly, a series of sharp, metallic clanks echoed through the woods, followed by a low, mechanical hum. Leo looked back in alarm as the trees in the distance began to light up with flashes of gunfire. Rafe reappeared at his side, his eyes wide with shock.

  “It’s an automated tank,” Rafe whispered, barely containing his disbelief. “Looks like some kind of Wesirian defense.”

  The tank rolled through the trees, its sensors scanning the surroundings as it fired bursts of rounds, its automated targeting system locking onto the advancing Commission soldiers. Leo and the others used the distraction to slip further into the woods, listening as shouts and curses rang out behind them.

  “Move, move!” Elias urged, leading them down a narrow path that twisted through the trees. They could hear the tank’s mechanical roar as it clashed with Grieger’s men, explosions lighting up the forest as they distanced themselves from the chaos.

  After a few minutes, they reached the edge of the woods and stumbled onto a deserted road. The night was silent here, the air heavy with tension as they caught their breaths, the sounds of the battle fading into the distance.

  But before they could regroup, the rumble of a vehicle broke the stillness. An armored personnel carrier (APC) approached from down the road, its lights dimmed, moving with eerie precision. As it drew closer, they realized there was no driver.

  The back ramp of the APC lowered, and a familiar voice crackled over the speakers. “Get in, Leo!”

  They didn’t hesitate, clambering into the vehicle as the ramp closed behind them. Just as the APC began to move, a gunshot echoed from the woods, the bullet ricocheting off the APC’s armor with a sharp ping. The shot bounced around the interior, finally hitting Rafe in his side. He gasped, clutching his wound as he sank to the floor, his face contorted in pain.

  The voice over the speakers spoke again, calm but urgent. “Don’t worry. There’s a team at your next location that can patch him up. Just hang in there.”

  Elias was already at Rafe’s side, tearing a strip of cloth from his sleeve and pressing it against the wound. “Stay with me, Rafe. I’ll stop the bleeding until we get there.”

  The APC sped down the road, its engine humming steadily as it carried them toward their next destination. Leo’s mind raced as he sat beside Rafe, his eyes fixed on the wound, a mixture of fear and determination filling him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning—that the path ahead would be darker and more dangerous than anything he’d faced so far.

  But as the APC hurtled through the night, he felt a glimmer of hope. Whoever was guiding them, whatever force was behind the automated machines and the hidden messages, he knew they weren’t alone. And for the first time, he felt a quiet certainty that they might just have a chance.

  The APC continued through the winding roads, each twist and turn taking them further from the conflict. The automated system seemed to know exactly where it was going, maneuvering with a precision that reassured Leo, despite the urgency of their situation.

  Elias continued to tend to Rafe’s wound, his hands steady as he applied pressure and murmured words of encouragement. Rafe’s breathing was labored, but his gaze remained focused, a grim determination in his eyes.

  After what felt like an eternity, the APC slowed, pulling up to a secluded structure nestled in the woods—a larger, more fortified building that looked like it had been constructed for defense. The back ramp lowered again, and the voice over the speakers spoke one last time.

  “Get him inside. The team is ready for you.”

  They filed out, Elias supporting Rafe as Zara and Leo followed, glancing around at their surroundings. The building was stark and unassuming, yet there was an energy to it that felt oddly familiar, a reminder of the hidden power and resources the Wesirians held.

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  As they entered, a team of medics rushed forward, taking Rafe from Elias and guiding him to a room where they could tend to his wound. Zara exchanged a glance with Leo, a silent acknowledgment of the journey they’d just survived.

  But even as they regrouped, Leo couldn’t shake the memory of the Keeper’s words and the knowledge his mother had hidden from him. He was starting to understand the stakes of the path he was on, the weight of the legacy he carried.

  The air was thick with the sounds of a well-prepared base. Diesel engines rumbled, the clank of armored personnel carriers (APCs) and fighting vehicles reverberated, and the hum of activity gave the entire place an energy that was both reassuring and intimidating. Leo followed Zara, his eyes wide as they approached the main entrance to the base. High, reinforced walls lined the perimeter, interspersed with sniper towers that offered panoramic views of the surrounding forest. Each tower was manned by Wesirian snipers, their rifles gleaming, barrels trained on the treeline.

  Along the top of the wall, Leo spotted heavy machine guns—M2 Browning .50 cals—and Mark 19 grenade launchers, their barrels pointed outward, ready to unleash devastation on anything that dared to approach unannounced. This was no mere safe house; it was a fortress, a last line of defense in a war that had remained hidden from most of the world.

  As they entered the base, a tall, broad-shouldered Wesirian with a grizzled beard and a scar running down his cheek approached them. His face was weathered, his eyes sharp and assessing, a man who had seen more battles than he’d likely care to admit.

  “Welcome to Fort Horizon,” he said, his voice a low, gravelly rumble that matched the harshness of his features. “Name’s Kade. I’m the acting commander here.”

  Zara nodded in acknowledgment, introducing the group quickly. “This is Leo, Elias, and Rafe. We had some trouble getting here, so Rafe’s in rough shape.”

  Kade’s gaze shifted to Rafe, who was still leaning heavily on Elias, his face pale but determined. With a nod, Kade gestured toward a medical tent near the center of the base. “We’ll get him patched up. We’ve got some of our best medics stationed here, so he’s in good hands.”

  Two medics approached, guiding Rafe carefully toward the tent, where he could finally receive proper care. Leo watched as they led him away, a mixture of relief and worry settling in his chest. Rafe had been a pillar of strength for them, always steady and unflinching. Seeing him injured brought a grim reminder of the stakes they were up against.

  Kade gestured for the rest of them to follow, leading them deeper into the base. As they walked, Leo took in the scale of the operation. There were rows of barracks, neatly arranged and well-maintained, as well as several warehouses filled with supplies. Crates of ammunition and food were stacked high, alongside rows of spare parts for the vehicles stationed throughout the base. The Wesirians moved with purpose, their faces focused, each person fully aware of their role in this hidden war.

  They passed by a training area where several Wesirians were engaged in close-combat drills. The fighters moved with precision and skill, their movements sharp and calculated, each one a testament to the rigorous training they had undergone.

  Elias leaned over to Leo, his voice low. “This place is impressive. They’re not just defending—they’re preparing for something big.”

  Leo nodded, his gaze lingering on the fortifications and the weaponry. “I thought we were just running from the Commission. But this… this is something else.”

  Kade glanced back at them, a knowing look in his eye. “We’re not just defending ourselves. The Commission isn’t the only threat out there. We’re preparing for something larger, something that could change everything. And you, Leo… you’re at the center of it.”

  They finally reached a central building, a sturdy structure fortified with sandbags and steel plating. Kade gestured for them to step inside, leading them into a large common area where several Wesirians were gathered. Maps and charts covered the walls, detailing routes, safe houses, and strategic points across the region. A sense of purpose filled the room, an energy that spoke of both resilience and urgency.

  A woman with short-cropped hair and an intense gaze approached them, her movements precise and measured. “Commander Kade,” she greeted with a curt nod, her gaze shifting to Leo and the others. “I’m Samira, one of the senior strategists here. You must be Leo.”

  Leo nodded, feeling a mix of awe and intimidation under her sharp gaze. “Yeah, that’s me.”

  She studied him for a moment, as if measuring his resolve, before giving a slight nod of approval. “You’ve done well to make it this far. Not many could survive what you’ve been through. We’ll make sure you’re prepared for what comes next.”

  As they settled into the common area, Kade began introducing them to some of the other Wesirians stationed at Fort Horizon. Each one had a story, a background that connected them to the ancient knowledge they protected. They came from different walks of life—former soldiers, scholars, tech specialists—all united by a single purpose: to protect the knowledge of the past and safeguard the future.

  Two days later, Leo and Elias made their way to the medical tent, where Rafe was resting on a cot, his side heavily bandaged. The medics had worked quickly, stabilizing him and ensuring the wound was clean. His face was still pale, but he managed a weak smile as they approached.

  “Can’t get rid of me that easily,” he joked, his voice hoarse.

  Leo chuckled, a wave of relief washing over him. “You gave us a scare back there.”

  Rafe waved a hand dismissively. “Just a scratch. I’ve been through worse.” But the look in his eyes betrayed the pain he was in, his bravado barely concealing the severity of the injury.

  Elias pulled up a chair beside him, his expression earnest. “Take it easy, alright? We’re safe here, for now. No need to push yourself.”

  Rafe nodded, his gaze softening. “Yeah, yeah, I hear you. I’ll rest. Just don’t expect me to sit still for too long.”

  The medics checked in on him periodically, monitoring his vitals and ensuring the wound was healing properly. As the night wore on, the atmosphere in the base relaxed slightly, the tension easing as the Wesirians settled into their routines. The threat of the Commission was ever-present, but within these fortified walls, they found a moment of respite.

  Leo stayed by Rafe’s side for a while, the two of them talking quietly, sharing stories from their journey and reminiscing about the challenges they’d overcome. For the first time since his escape, Leo felt a sense of camaraderie, a bond that went beyond the dangers they faced. These people were his allies, his team, and he was starting to understand the importance of the mission they shared.

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