UNDERGROUND BUNKER — COLLAPSING
Dust and debris rained from the ceiling as the secondary explosion ripped through the bunker. The once-solid corridors cracked and groaned like a dying beast.
Su Chen's system flashed urgent warnings.
[Structural integrity failing. Evacuate immediately.]
FIGHTING THROUGH CHAOS
Su Chen and Li Wei burst through fallen beams and shattered walls, the air thick with smoke and the acrid scent of burning circuits.
"Move!" Su Chen barked, pushing forward despite the pain shooting through his leg.
THE FINAL OBSTACLE
A locked blast door barred their path — the last line of defense protecting the puppet masters' secrets.
Li Wei hacked furiously, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Almost there… hold on!"
SACRIFICE
Behind them, enemy reinforcements closed in. Yue Lin's voice crackled in their comms.
"I'm buying you time. Get out of there, now!"
Su Chen's heart clenched.
"No. We do this together."
ESCAPE
With a final burst, the door hissed open. They stumbled into the blinding night, lungs burning, hearts pounding.
ENDING SCENE
Above ground, dawn was breaking — a fragile hope in the aftermath of destruction.
Su Chen looked at Li Wei.
"This war is far from over. But today, we live to fight another day."
End of Chapter 29