288: Chapter 288 Escape

In the Mist,

Two figures ran forward in a panic, their clothes already torn in several places. The man was named Caleb Vance, and the woman was Laila Montgomery. They were the only two survivors of the Verland Communications Company's second squad. Behind them, Third-Party Technology forces were hunting them down.

Everyone else in their squad had been killed by that company. Recalling the horrific sight of his teammates' deaths, Caleb's eyes were filled with resentment.

Deep down, he also felt a profound sense of fear.

Caleb feared he would never forget the scene he saw when he stepped out of the Mist. At that time, their squad had expected to see their company's forces achieving a total victory. After all, the company had deployed two full aerospace fleets and most of its forces on Earth. The last recorded information showed they were in an excellent state, just waiting to annihilate the enemy.

But to their surprise, what they saw was a deathly silent graveyard of stone statues, including several highly respected legion commanders in the command room; they had suffered the same fate.

The two fleets had also vanished without a trace.

My God, what happened? Our great Verland Company actually lost this battle. Why did our company's troops turn into these stone statues?

Upon learning of this situation, the entire squad was in disbelief and on the verge of collapse. To make matters worse, their presence alerted the Third-Party Technology personnel who were conducting a search.

The escape began. The squad instantly became determined to send this tragic news back so the company could prepare a response.

During the escape, the other members of the squad sacrificed themselves one after another. Now, only Caleb and Laila remained.

"Caleb, you must get this news back to Verland. Make those bastards pay in blood!"

Recalling the squad leader's words, Caleb became even more determined to bring the message back.

But then...

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Several sudden gunshots rang out. Caleb, who was a step behind, stumbled and fell to the ground as a flower of blood bloomed on his thigh.

"Caleb!" Laila, who was running in front, turned around without hesitation, pulled Caleb onto her back, gripped his thighs tightly, and began to sprint again with renewed effort.

Even as a woman, she exploded with considerable strength at this moment.

"Laila, put me down..." Caleb's voice was weak, his hand gently brushing the hair on Laila's neck. "You keep going. I'll lead them away."

"I won't," Laila's voice carried a hint of stubbornness as she choked out, "I said we would survive together."

"Caleb, hang in there. We're almost at the edge of the Mist."

By now, Laila's physical strength was nearly exhausted, but she didn't dare stop, even though the weight on her back felt like a thousand-pound boulder and her lungs felt like they were on fire.

After an unknown amount of time, a light finally appeared ahead.

Like a hand of salvation reaching out in despair, Laila's eyes lit up.

"Caleb, look, we're almost there..."

Laila's voice was hoarse beyond recognition, yet it carried an unprecedented excitement. Her pace quickened slightly, but Caleb on her back gave no response, having lost too much blood and fainted.

Laila gritted her teeth, struggling forward step by step.

The exit of the Mist was Verland's forward base. As long as she reached it, they would be safe.

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