023

My head buzzed like a broken alarm clock, forcing me awake as the other people in the van were tense. "What's going on?" I asked Haya in a whisper.

"Cassie noticed two cars tailing us about 2 kilometers south." Haya said, as Cassandra opened a holographic representation of the map by the side. The map is succinctly detailed, as we're flanked on both sides by forests. It seems we took a backwoods route.

"Sorry boss," Neil said, perhaps noticing my bewilderment over the choice, "I thought it'd be easier for us to lose them here." He reasoned.

"That's fine," I said, "How do we know they're hostile?" I asked. Looking further upon the map. The two cars seemed to be medium sized vans. They moved at a steady pace towards us, increasing their speed as we do, decreasing their speed as we do.

"Seems obvious, no?" Cassandra said, "Then take a look at this." She zoomed the map out, showing several red dots spread throughout the forests, "Airborne. They've been following us as well, about 10 kilometers back."

"Shit, then." Twain said, waking up from his deep sleep, "how many?" He questioned, crawling and standing up to check out the map.

"At least 20. I can't discern what they are. Our sonar and satellite fields can barely see them." She explained, typing along. A huge interface appeared as she started finding weaknesses in the airborne's systems.

"You ready?" Haya asked Cassandra, to which she nodded. "If they ever do something hostile we'll blow them up." She pressed a final key, and hovered her hands over the 'enter' key.

Then, it flew by. The sonic boom of its flight momentarily shook the van. I slid the van's door open as the air rushed in and I saw ten of the Draconic Machines. Their rusted bodies struggle to fly, yet they persist as the boosters below them flew half mast. "Blow them up!" I yelled at them

Useless parts, rusted and broken, fell into the forest below with a loud 'THUD' "I'm trying!" They typed relentlessly into the night as the Dragons went into formation. One of them broke formation and charged at us.

I harnessed Terrium at the tip of my staff and aimed at it to prepare a powerful blast. It opened its jaws, the sun powering up from inside it as I unleashed my blast straight into its mouth.

It exploded, the debris flying towards us. I tried to cover myself before all of it got deflected by a forcefield that surrounded the van. I looked behind me and noticed Twain stretching out his hands, straining it to maintain the barrier, "Still have it." He says.

He limps to stand up and approaches the edge of the van, from our left, a light streaked across the dark sky, falling in an arc towards one of the dragons as it explodes. Bringing it down to the forest, exploding in a fiery shockwave. "Don't let up now!" Yelled Daphne, reloading her grenade launcher.

Twain touched the roof and pulled himself up, maintaining the barrier as I provided support against the attacking dragons. Sparks flew from both sides. The barrier was strong enough to deflect the monstrous blasts the dragons produce.

Then, they flew away. Withdrawing as they went back into formation. Before all simultaneously exploding among itself. I looked back at them as I gave Haya a thumbs up.

She just nodded, "They all seem to be pulling back now." Cassandra said, I looked over to the map and sure enough, the remaining dragons, as well as the two tailing vans are pulling back.

We all breathed a sigh of relief as Twain went back inside the Van, sliding it close, "They're aware of where we are huh." Said he.

"It's the border guards," Daphne explained. "We didn't switch on the fake license plates. Thanks, stupid." She sneered towards Neil who just sneered back.

"The switch was your responsibility!" Neil argued.

"Well? I…" Daphne stopped, pouting as she crossed her arms.

"We're alive, that's what's important," Said Twain, going back to his spot.

"So… what now?" I asked them.

"Your decision, commander." Said Daphne.

"We just… keep going then."

I sat down, resting. I'm at a loss, and it seems that everyone knows that. All my life I've only thought about defending myself, the fact that I worked for the agency is only out of necessity. Or so my memories say. To be thrusted into this…

I don't know what to do.