Irise Delegnere (ALIVE'S Book 3)

by Faulina Arif

  "F-Fall back!!" One of SPEAR soldier that was left shouted. While keep shooting they are retreating to the back.

  Aria wanted to attack at least one of them but that man can grab Aria sword with his two hand, and then kicked her with all his strength made Aria flew to the back and eventually crashing to Marsha computer desk.

  That armored man which kicked Aria were now running away catching up to his friend that already leaving. They are hiding behind the wall that dividing the employee working room 2 to employee working room 1. While hiding they reporting back to their commander and at a time they also waited for reinforcement.

  Marsha was surprised because the computer she use is now broken. But she still could not find an important information about level 7 as what Reyn wanted.

  But because of this precarious condition, Reyn were not cared about that information anymore. He immediately give an order for his group to stay under cover.

  "What should we do now?", Zafar asked while looked at everyone alternately.

  Reyn observing his group for a moment. After passing level 5, not many of them was left. Only himself, Aria, Marsha, Zafar and 4 of mercenary. And by now, 2 of them are already dead.

  Their condition is not advantageous, weariness and also frustration was decorating all of their face. Especially Marsha, that girl was often grimacing in pain, holding the pain at her backs because one of werewolf managed to claw her. Even though that wound is already been treated, but still because of the pain, Marsha could not fight very well. Only Aria that they can rely upon, but Reyn can't order Aria to handle everything, she was too hard headed and persistent, her emotion is really unstable. Aria liked to attack her enemies without any plan.

  Reyn looked to Aria. "What do you think Aria? Are we better wait for our friends?"

  "What if at level 7, many armored soldier like them waited there?", Zafar asked one more time, and his question was succeed to worsen their state of mind.

  All of them become silent, Zafar was right. But still it is only a guess, no one of them know if Zafar assumption was right.

  "What now? Should we wait?" One of mercenary added.

  "We should press on, our enemy is not many by now. I will lead to the express lift there and all of you must follow me." Aria looked at her companion alternately.

  One of mercenary nodded in accordance. "There is 2 way to access level 7. First by using the express lift at this floor and the second by using the lift at floor 5 in this level. But, to go there we must pass through those armored soldiers, and if we must go to floor 5, we do not know if it turned out to be a trap and a lot of those armored soldiers gathered there."

  "Well yes, unfortunately those bastard can't be hurt even by our AP bullets." The other mercenary added.

  "There is another way to that express lift. A far route. But this is only my hunch." Said Marsha.

  Reyn becoming more confused. He had 4 choice that been mentioned by Aria, Marsha, and that mercenary. And all of them is have a high risk. And the last choice they had is only waiting their friends. That choice is also risky, and can't be used. If those SPEAR soldiers reinforcements comes before their friends comes, the worst case scenario will happen to them.

  Zafar checking his anti material sniper rifle ammo that he had left. In truth with his sniper rifle which caliber is very large, he could kill those armored soldier easily. But he only had 5 bullets and Zafar is of course could not spend it all in this level. He must use that bullet as effective as he can. He was clueless what will be waited for them in level 7. At least, Zafar must save 3 bullets for level 7.

  Marsha was frightened. She was worrying so many thing inside her minds. This is unlike what inside her minds at the day before. Marsha said if she was ready to die in this fight, but now she was thinking, she absolutely do not want to die. But Marsha tries not to show her fears toward her friends that now are still busy to think about their next move. Her friends had been fighting marvelously compared to herself, Marsha are realized if she was not helping much. On top of that many mercenaries sacrificed their life's for sole purpose of protecting her.

  Suddenly Aria eyes opened wide. She could felt her instinct telling her a danger approaching, she can even hear the sound of footsteps climbing the stairs. Aria thought, maybe their assumption was right, those armored soldiers is actually guarding every floor at this level?

  14 SPEAR soldiers are coming and approaching their 2 friends that already waited. Even though their number is many, this time they are more cautious and aware than before. They already know who that woman that managed to kill a few of their members. That woman is extremely dangerous. She was the one that for a long time searched by their leader, David. The woman that was said as an immortal and strong. The only way to defeat that woman is to shoot her head repeatedly and made her fall unconscious.

  Reyn that also realized about that imminent danger standing up at once, and he put up ready stance while lifting his weapon.

  "I will hold them," Said Aria.

  Reyn was shocked to hear Aria words. He was forget if Aria always do rash and crazy act. "No, it's dangerous Aria!"

  "Then, what should we do? All of them will come and attack us first."

  "I will install some claymore." Said mercenary that before in Delta team.

  Reyn shook his head. "No, they will notice."

  Both of those mercenary become quiet for a moment then one of them takes initiative by pulling a large metal desk beside him. His friend immediately helped. Both of them flipped and putting that table near the wall that connecting to corridor. After they blocking the way, they are returned to take cover at the wall exactly in front of Reyn.

  Zafar prone with his sniper rifle at his front. He aimed his rifle at the gap which was at the table sides.

  No other way for them all except waiting for their enemy comes and see what will happen.

  A few second later, 16 SPEAR soldiers entering to the employee working room 1 alternately. They are going forward with a fast movement, no doubt can be seen through their fast movement.

  Looking at their enemy number, made Reyn and the mercenaries courage's down. Moreover all of their enemies are drawing closer. But they still fired their weapon even though they know if their weapons is useless. Nothing that they can do except that.

  That is where Zafar taking action. Carefully and without a doubt, Zafar pull his sniper rifle trigger and BANG!! One of that beast bullet are not wasted. That bullet successfully pierced one of armored soldier chest.

  All of armored soldier are surprised and panic. They come back to retreat and taking cover behind desks.

  "Good Zafar," Reyn praising with whisper. "You manage to intimidate them."

  Because of Zafar heroic action, Reyn and 2 mercenary becomes spirited and feel a slight hope.

  Zafar put up a prideful smile. "But now I only have 4 bullets left, I didn't have enough to kill all of them."

  "You just need to fire it in dire situation. I am sure all of them became panic and wouldn't dare to come at us directly."

  "Reyn was right. They didn't know how many bullet that we had, that's why they are hiding. That become a great advantage to us. Perhaps we can hold out in here till our friends arrive." One of mercenary added.

  Zafar was agreed. He have 4 bullets left. So, Zafar must use it wisely. Failure is not an option for him, if he did all of them will ends.

  Those SPEAR soldiers is indeed surprised. They did not expect if there is some other one that they must be aware of than Aria. Because of lack of information, how many enemy number is? And what kind of weapon did they use? Made those armored soldiers becoming more cautious than before. They did not expect how hard it was to eliminate those intruders, even though they were using a specialized armored suit but still that armor can still be pierced by enemy weapons, they were now aware if their armor can't defend against certain destructive force.

  From behind the desk, those armored soldiers sometimes firing at Reyn and his mercenaries. But they can't hit anyone
.

  "Is this the reason why our elite beast controller died?", Said one of SPEAR soldiers.

  "I can't even imagine they can arrive at this level." Said the other.

  One of armored soldiers which was known as the most skilled in SPEAR are sighed. "If this keeps on, when will it be finished? How long all of you wanted to play cat and mouse? Perhaps many of us will fall victim. I will be a bait for all of you!"

  All of SPEAR soldier nodded in understanding.

  As one of SPEAR member, he was not only known as a skilled person, but he is also strong, smart, agile, and fast. If he will do it, all of SPEAR soldiers will sure they can found a chance to defeat their enemies.

  That skilled SPEAR soldier running fast toward Reyn and his group.

  Reyn and his 2 mercenary firing their weapons.

  Exactly at that time, that soldier slide to the front. He doesn't know what kind of bullet his enemy was firing, so he tried to evade every bullets that was fired by their enemies.

  Reyn and mercenaries becomes panic. And Zafar couldn't shoot him, because he was moving around too fast.

  When their distance becoming very close, that soldier jumped high passing that flipped metal table.

  Reyn and the other was shocked to see that armored soldier action, he could fully utilize his armor.

  Aria pull her giant sword very fast and swing her sword toward that armored soldier which are still flying.

  But that armored soldier swiftly evade right in the air, Aria attack was a miss and instead it nearly hit one of mercenary below her that now are shocked. That armored soldier roll to the floor and then running away toward the employee working room 3, which are at their far right side.

  Aria was confused to see that, and so with the other. Aria turned and looked back to the place he's coming from and suddenly she shouted. "Take cover!!"

  All of Reyn group was surprised and immediately taking cover. While Aria must take dozens of bullets with her body.

  Aria fall to the floor along with her own blood. Very much blood came's out from her body but at quick speed her blood came back to inside her body while at the same time dozens of bullets slowly coming out from her body.

  Even though what they see is truly strange. But everyone is already not surprised with the truth that Aria is immortal.

  One of Reyn mercenary throwing his last grenade toward armored soldiers direction.

  Knowing if that grenade is an explosive ones, those armored soldiers which now are close to them is forced to hide again.

  “Are you . . . Alright miss?”, One of mercenary asked Aria that question.

  Aria weren’t answering. Still in lying down position, Aria reloading her pistol bullet with an explosive ones. She inserting the last 3 of it to inside her magnum pistol revolver. And then with half awake position, Aria looking at a little gap behind the flipped table.

  That grenade before was exploded but no one was caught in it.

  After that grenade explosion, all of SPEAR soldiers come out from their hiding to go forward.

  Aria awakes, still in sitting position Aria shoot one of armored soldier with her pistol.

  Blam!! With only one shot, the armored soldier that been hit fall crashing to the floor. One of his arm fall off and he screamed in pain.

  The other SPEAR soldiers are shocked to see that. All of them returned to hide and some of them helping their wounded friend.

  "Holy shit! What the fuck is that? Is that grenade launcher?", Said one of SPEAR soldiers.

  "No, it's not. It exploded on impact, and the explosion is not as large." Answered the other.

  SPEAR soldier courage was ended, they are in doubt to go forward. Enemy number is not as many as them, but their weapons is truly deadly. Only with one shot Aria and her group can made one of armored soldier fall.

  Unlike the true soldiers in army, SPEAR unit member is untrained. Some of them are only trained by their own will. And they were never had any real battles, only a training with their prisoners that of course are all amateur. If not because of their advanced armor that they wear, all of them will surely running away since before. Those armor are indeed gave them immense strength and ability more than any normal human. But only because they are never do any real battle, they could not utilize their armor perfectly.

  A running steps was heard from Aria right side, exactly at where that skilled armored soldier ran off. That sounds was originated from the stairs at the far side of corridor, exactly at employee working room number 5.

  That skilled armored soldier before that managed to escape Aria attack returned with 10 SPEAR soldiers. They are coming from other direction, as if they are planned to surround Reyn group.

  Reyn and his group surely are confused. They didn’t know what side they must face, at their left side first or the other side? Their enemy number is too many. Their number is indeed made them desperate.

  Not long after, they decide to take cover except Aria that still crouching behind the flipped table. Their enemies is becoming closer and by now they was in employee working room number 3, they running toward Aria with full speed.

  Aria glare at them with sharp eyes, and with one fast movement she shoot her magnum pistol that still had explosive bullet inside.

  The skilled armored soldier is in the front, with swift movement he evade to his right side. Because of that, Aria explosive bullet was hitting his friend that exactly at his back. It exploded and made that man body utterly destroyed while his head pop out just like a doll head.

  Once again Aria team could destroy enemy mental strength. Because what Aria did, all of armored soldiers retreated to the back and cancelling their plan to attack. They are taking cover beside the wall of employee working room 2/3.

  That skilled armored soldier looked at his friends alternately. “Enemy weapon is dangerous. Did one of you have some kind of smoke grenade?”

  “I have one flash grenade.” Some of them answered.

  “Good, you that have it, throw it altogether . . . Now!”, Said him to order their friends.

  Those grenade have been thrown toward Reyn and his group. Because of loud explosive sound along with a very bright sudden light, their sight and hearing are disabled. For a moment all of them becoming blind and deaf.

  Reyn, Aria, and 2 mercenary blinded and deafen at once. They tried to hide but still they are clueless to where they could move. So the only thing they can do is lying low to the floor.

  Marsha that also experience the same thing screamed in pain, some tears flowed from her eyes.

  At that time the skilled SPEAR soldier starting his solo action. He run forward full of confidence. He intend to stab Aria's head with his jagged knife, he was sure if that knife will stay at Aria head and made her unconscious till that knife is pulled out.

  But, Zafar which are immediately closing both his eyes and hide his face to both of his arms when that flash grenade exploded, his sight is back to normal in quick speed. Zafar lift his face and found an armored soldier is already standing beside Aria, he will stab his knife toward Aria head. Before that was happened, Zafar shoot him with his sniper rifle first.

  BANG! A very loud sound reverberated across the room. That skilled armored soldier body was holed and he was thrown far till he hit the wall because of a strong force Zafar rifle had.

  The other SPEAR soldier which saw that are shocked. They retreating to where they was before. The death of the skilled one in their units is made them becoming more panic. If only their enemies is not an immortal human, they have no need to feel worried as they are now. But, all of SPEAR soldiers know the fact, even if they kill that immortal woman several times, that woman which had that giant sword will not truly died. Meanwhile that woman friends bringing a terrifying weapons. Made the armor which they always proud off were useless.

  Aria that was already recovered becomes furious. Her eyes turned to red, looked at the SPEAR soldiers at her right side. At once she standing up and she pull her sword from her back while kicking flipped t
able at her left. That metal table flew far to the employee working room number 1 and made SPEAR soldiers that still lurking there becoming panic and scared.

  With all her strength Aria ran toward the employee working room number 3. She swing her sword wildly, targeting SPEAR soldier which were there.

  All of SPEAR soldiers there raining bullets toward Aria.

  But Aria is too angry. Those bullets pierced her body but unable to made her fall.

  Because the blockade had been removed by Aria, their left side is opened wide. Zafar shifted his body to hide himself behind the wall. But he still cautious, tried to cover that side.

  Reyn and the other were grunting holding their pains and still could not control themselves.

  Dozens of bullets rained down to Aria body. Aria fall but she immediately rolled to the front. She at least concentrating to evade the bullets which targeting her head. For sometimes she manage to close their distance till she enter the employee desk partition.

  SPEAR soldiers at employee working room number 3 is panicked. They keep retreating while firing their weapons at Aria. But whenever there was bullet pierced her body, this time Aria body immediately spew out their bullets.

  Some of SPEAR soldiers from the left side attempt to go forward. They become a bit daring because they see Aria was inside employee working room number 3. That devil woman is far from her friends. Without Aria, they think the enemy strength is becoming weak.

  But Zafar that since before was ready, when he see some of SPEAR soldiers made a move, he suddenly shoot one of them that was at the front. Zafar successfully hit his head and made that armored man fall to the floor with half of his head disappear.

  SPEAR soldiers retreated again, they always forced to retreat over and over. They are truly panic and feared their enemies. They actually could not expect how hard it was to attack them, even though that devil woman which they are feared already away and the blockade was opened.

  Aria manage to broke some of SPEAR soldiers armor but she could not manage to wound their body because of her haphazard movement. Aria can’t only focus with one enemy. She only slashing her sword to anyone closest to her so that none of her attack hitting enemy vital.