38.

"Plan?" Kai said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice, "You're the plan... now go out there and rescue good old Stark. Be a hero and... bla bla bla and a couple more bullshit."

"Sir, do you seriously want me to go in there alone?" Natalie said biting her lips, "I can tell just looking at it from here, there are probably hundreds if not more in there..."

"That's an exaggeration..." Kai said patting her on her shoulders as he gently shoved her out of the vehicle, grabbing the bag of heavy weapons he swiftly tossed it close to her feet as he leaned back opening his game back up again.

"By the way how long ago was the kidnapping?"

"What? Um... it should be around a week since the media just released the footage today."

"Oh, that's great... go on ahead."

Natalie stood, looking down at the bag of weapons with a mixture of disbelief and frustration. She took a deep breath, focusing on the task at hand. This was nothing she hadn't trained for, but the sheer arrogance and recklessness of Kai's approach made her job that much harder.

"Go ahead and enjoy..." Kai waved gleefully as if he were sending her on a paid vacation,

"Yes, sir..." she said with bitterness in her voice, glancing down at the bag of weapons. She spotted a particular weapon of interest, a set of small, powerful explosives. A smile tugged at her lips as an idea formed in her mind.

She took a few of the bombs and strategically placed them around the perimeter of the camp, near Kai, who was still engrossed in his game. She then secured the detonators and ensured everything was ready before heading towards the encampment.

Natalie moved with stealth and precision, keeping to the shadows and avoiding the patrols. She carefully navigated the terrain, using the cover of darkness to her advantage. She knew the camp would be heavily guarded, with cameras likely positioned to catch any intruders.

As she approached the first checkpoint, she noted the position of the cameras and waited for the right moment to slip past their line of sight. She moved quickly, her heart pounding in her chest, but her training kept her focused and composed. Just as she rounded a corner, she spotted a guard coming her way. Without hesitation, she raised her silenced pistol and fired, the guard dropping silently to the ground.

Before the sound could bring more guards, Natalie pressed the button on the detonators. A series of explosions rocked the camp, sending plumes of smoke and fire into the air. The chaos provided the perfect distraction, drawing the guards away from their posts and toward the source of the commotion.

Natalie smirked, knowing her plan had worked. She moved swiftly, using the confusion to her advantage as she continued her search for Tony Stark. The explosions had drawn most of the guards outside, leaving the inside of the camp more vulnerable. She carefully navigated the maze of tents and vehicles, her eyes scanning for any sign of Stark.

Her heart raced as she neared the center of the camp. The largest tent loomed ahead, guarded by only a few men who were distracted by the chaos outside. She took them out silently, one by one, and slipped inside.

The interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of sweat and desperation. Natalie moved cautiously, her footsteps barely making a sound. She came to a reinforced door and, after a moment of listening, began to pick the lock. It took a few tense moments, but she finally managed to open it.

Inside, she found Tony Stark lying on a makeshift cot, an electromagnet stuck to a car battery keeping shrapnel from reaching his heart. Beside him, a man Natalie recognized from the mission briefings: Ho Yinsen. Stark looked up as she entered, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"Who are you?" he demanded weakly, his voice strained with pain and exhaustion, "You don't look like a terrorist unless they hire models for it these days."

"No time to explain," Natalie said rolling her eyes, moving quickly to assess the situation. "I'm here to get you out."

Yinsen stepped forward, his expression a mix of hope and skepticism. "Can you help him?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

Natalie nodded. "We need to move fast. Can he walk?"

Tony struggled to sit up, wincing with the effort. "I can manage," he grunted. "But we need to be careful, lady. These guys are not messing around unless this is a game."

"I can knock you out and take you with me regardless."

"Fair enough." Tony nodded

Natalie helped Tony to his feet, supporting him as they moved toward the door. Yinsen grabbed a few essential items, including a small bag of tools, and followed closely behind. They slipped out of the tent and into the night, the chaos of the explosions still drawing the guards' attention away from them.

They began their escape, moving as quickly and quietly as they could. Natalie remained alert, her eyes constantly scanning for any threats. They made their way through the camp, inching closer to freedom with each step. But Natalie's misfortune seemed to strike at the worst possible moment.

As they rounded a corner, they found themselves face to face with a group of terrorists, all armed and aiming their weapons directly at them. The man who seemed to be the leader looked terrified, his eyes wide with fear.

"What did you bring with you?" he demanded in horror, his voice trembling.

Natalie hesitated, trying to gauge the situation. "Remain calm," she whispered to the duo,

The frightened leader shook his head, his fear turning to desperation. "I don't care about Stark or his weapon anymore! Get the girl! Shoot if you have to!"

Natalie's hands were ready on her gun, considering how far she could go in the narrow cave. Their only way out was blocked, and the logical solution seemed to be surrendering. But just then, a chill ran down her spine. She looked around, her instincts screaming that something was wrong. It was clear the other people felt it too.

The terrorists' expressions shifted from aggression to confusion, and then to fear. The cave grew eerily silent, the tension palpable. Suddenly, a shadow moved at the edge of their vision, followed by a guttural growl that echoed through the cavern.

"What the hell was that?" one of the terrorists whispered, his voice trembling.