Chapter 424

Luna White followed closely behind Andrew Smith as they finally reached the mouth of the rocky cave.

The sight before her made her heart lurch.

"Lily! Ethan!" she shouted into the dark opening. A faint, broken response echoed back, igniting a spark of hope in her eyes.

"We have to get them out now," Luna said, her voice tight. "Any longer, and the mud alone will kill them."

Andrew gave a grim nod.

"Hank!" he called out.

The situation was worse than they'd anticipated. Enemy artillery fire had already begun, and scouts could be closing in. They were likely compromised.

Hank Miller stumbled over, his face streaked with blood.

"Captain!"

"Stand guard," Andrew ordered, slinging his rifle off his shoulder. "Dr. White and I will handle the rescue. Sound the alarm at the first sign of trouble."

Hank wiped the blood from his face. "I'll push forward ten meters. In this damned weather, the enemy could be right on top of us before we see them."

"Remember—no shooting unless absolutely necessary," Andrew said in a low voice. "We're outnumbered. Conserve our strength."

Hank understood, crouching low before vanishing into the rain.

Luna was already digging through the rubble barehanded. Jagged stones sliced her palms, blood mixing with the downpour.

Andrew tore a strip from his shirt and handed it to her. "Wrap them."

They worked frantically, but their hearts grew heavier with each passing second. Mud was seeping into the cave—that was the real killer.

"Use this," Andrew said, pulling out a knife.

Luna took it and gestured nearby. "Secure the weapons first."

Andrew quickly gathered fifteen rifles, each wrapped in waterproof cloth with fully loaded magazines.

The rain intensified.

They pried at the rocks, every second a race against time. Strange noises echoed in the distance, but neither dared to look away from their task.

Luna's gloves had long since torn apart, her blood staining the knife's grip. Andrew's movements grew more urgent, his knuckles white from exertion.

Just as they dislodged a large boulder, a weak cough sounded from within the cave.

Their eyes met—hope flickering to life.