The sky over Frostgate Pass burned with artillery fire. Snowmelt hissed into steam as mechanized Alliance infantry advanced from the south, iron hulls glinting with the symbols of suppression.
Amber crouched behind a fractured wall, fingers trembling as she adjusted the amplifier on her belt. Blood dotted the snow—too much, too soon.
A comm crackled in her ear. Raven's voice, clipped and cold. “Status?"
“We're holding," she said. “Barely. They deployed sonic disruptors. They're trying to override my whistle frequency."
“I'll disable their command line," Raven replied. “Don't engage unless you have to."
“Raven, they're forcing transformations—soldiers are losing control on both sides."
Static.
Then: “Then do what you do best."
She exhaled, stepped out from cover.
—
On top of a rui
