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Finnegan Larson -
Finn stayed unconscious. Outside the cell, Sera's fire raged on. But in the distance they could hear the sound of robotic armor, treading through the ashes, resisting the fire. The enemy robotic armor was nearly indestructible, something even Sera's fire couldn't stop. Sera, Finn and the rest of the troops needed to get out, and fast, but Finn, remained unconscious. |
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Sera’s heart raced as she crouched down beside Finn, her breath shallow from the heat of the fire and the weight of the situation. The distant rumble of the robotic armor grew louder, and her muscles tensed, ready to act. Without thinking, she pulled Finn up, his dead weight a burden that only fueled the fire in her chest. Her arms tightened around him, clutching him to her as she stood, her flames crackling like the fury inside her. "Move out!" she shouted to the rest of the troops, her voice a command that cut through the chaos. "I’ve got Finn. We need to move, now!" Her voice was sharp, a cutting edge beneath the panic that threatened to consume her. The troops were scrambling, some already on their feet, others sluggish from the exhaustion of the battle. But they knew better than to hesitate. They had to trust her. They had to move. Sera gritted her teeth, feeling the strain of carrying Finn, but there was no choice. She couldn’t leave him behind. Not now. Not when they were so close to getting out. Her flames rippled in the air around her, a beacon of intensity that gave her a momentary strength as she ran, pushing forward despite the heat, despite the danger that lurked just behind them. Her eyes never left the path ahead, the escape route they’d plotted in case the fire and the robots ever cornered them like this. They would make it. She would make it. But Finn, unconscious in her arms, had to wake up. She wouldn’t be able to carry him much longer, and the robots were almost upon them. “Hang on, Finn,” she muttered, her voice breaking with the weight of desperation. "Please... wake up.” Her footsteps were a blur as she sprinted ahead, her fire illuminating the darkened world around them. Every second mattered. |
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Finnegan Larson -
Finn stayed unconscious in Sera's arms as she carried him, the robots chasing them like dogs. |
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Sera’s lungs burned, her body aching under the strain of Finn’s weight, but she refused to slow down. Every step was a fight, the ground beneath her feet uneven, the smoke thick in the air. The fire that raged behind them was relentless, its heat licking at her skin, threatening to swallow them whole. The rumble of the robots grew louder, an oppressive sound that pressed on her chest like a vise. Her fingers dug into Finn’s shirt, the fabric torn and soaked in sweat and blood. She could feel the heat of his body against her, and for a moment, she allowed herself to imagine that he was still with her—still fighting, still breathing. But she couldn’t afford to dwell on that. Not now. “Come on, Finn, wake up,” she hissed under her breath, her heart hammering faster with every step. The others were behind them, but Sera knew she couldn’t wait for them. The escape route was close, but if she didn’t get Finn to safety first, there would be no one left to get out. She focused on the horizon, where the escape tunnel was just visible through the smoke—a sliver of hope that felt as distant as the stars. Her flames crackled around her, casting an orange glow over the darkened terrain. It was a beacon for them, but also for the robots. They were closing in, she could hear their mechanical footsteps, the whine of their engines pushing them forward. With a forceful breath, she pushed harder, her legs aching, her mind spinning with the weight of the situation. Her flames flared brighter, the heat intensifying as she pushed herself harder, faster. Every step felt like an eternity. The robots were closer now, the sound of their relentless pursuit almost deafening. She could feel the dread creeping up her spine, but she couldn’t stop. She wouldn't stop. Ahead, the entrance to the tunnel grew larger, the jagged rocks of the mountain casting long shadows over it. The way was almost clear, just a little further. |
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Finnegan Larson -
Finn remained unconscious although his sense of smell started to come back, and the feeling of pressure. He could smell the burnt atmosphere of the battle scene and the pressure of Sera's arms holding his body as she ran, but he was still unconscious. |
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Sera's breath came in short, ragged bursts, each step feeling like a battle as she sprinted through the war-torn landscape, Finn's limp form cradled against her chest. His body felt impossibly heavy in her arms, but she pushed forward, her heart pounding louder than the chaos around them. Every few steps, she could feel the warm weight of his body shift slightly, and though his pulse was faint, it was there. "Come on, Finn," she muttered through clenched teeth, her voice trembling despite the determination in her eyes. "Just hang on, please." The acrid smell of smoke and burnt debris clung to the air, mixing with the faint traces of blood and sweat. Finn’s unconscious form felt too still, too fragile, and Sera couldn’t shake the dread crawling up her spine. She needed to get him to safety—now. She barely registered the few voices that called out in the distance, the blur of movement around her, but she didn’t slow. The makeshift medic station was a few blocks ahead, but it might as well have been miles. She could see it now, just through the haze—a flicker of green and white amid the rubble. She shifted Finn’s weight and pushed herself faster, dodging debris and keeping an eye on the few soldiers that had managed to make their way to the medics. As she reached the station, she shouted over her shoulder, “Medic! I need a medic—now!” Two of the medical staff rushed to her, one of them pulling Finn from her arms with a gentle but firm precision. "He's still unconscious," she said, her voice hoarse. "But... he's breathing, right? He's alive?" Sera crouched beside them, barely able to stop her hands from trembling. "Please... don't let him die." |
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Finnegan Larson -
The medical staff at the station whisked Finn away and they started hooking him up to all sorts of machines to stabilize his condition. After they had managed to do so, the head doctor at the station turned to Sera. "He's gonna be okay. He's just weak right now, he needs time to rest and heal. We're cleaning, flushing and bandaging his wounds right now. He probably won't wake up for the next few days." the nurse spoke with Sera. "I've ordered a helicopter to come pick him up and transport him back to the jump location later tonight," |
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Sera stood still, absorbing the doctor’s words, her hands clenched at her sides. It felt like her chest had a weight pressing down on it, the anxiety gnawing at her, but she forced herself to focus on what was being said. He would be okay. Weak, but okay. Her thoughts raced—images of Finn bleeding out, struggling for breath, flickering through her mind like an unrelenting storm. The memories of that moment, of seeing him so vulnerable... they almost made her sick. She swallowed hard, biting back the feeling that threatened to choke her. He was alive. That was the important thing. "Good," she said quietly, her voice betraying none of the emotions that were threatening to overwhelm her. She looked briefly at the team working around Finn, their careful hands moving over him like they’d done this a thousand times. Sera knew they were professionals, but a knot of unease still tightened in her stomach. They weren’t his people. She forced her gaze back to the doctor. "Keep me updated," she said, her tone firm but quiet. Then, without another word, she turned and walked out, trying not to look back at Finn. It wasn’t that she didn’t care—she cared too much. But sometimes it was easier to walk away than to let yourself break apart. She had to keep it together. For him. For the mission. For everything that came next. |
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Finnegan Larson -
Finn stayed unconscious. The doctors cleaned out his cuts, bandaging them up, and loading him with antibiotics. Soon enough, night had fallen and the helicopter had arrived and Finn's unconscious body and the machinery keeping him alive was loaded onto the helicopter. The doctor found Sera. "Excuse me, Ma'am, Finn is now departing for the jump location. We have 5 minutes till take off," |
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Sera nods, "Let me sit with him" she pleads. She needed to be with him, needed to make sure he was okay, even if she couldn’t fully understand what was happening. She couldn’t let him go without her—she just couldn’t. The wind picked up as the helicopter’s rotors began to spin faster, the noise overwhelming, but it didn’t stop her from climbing aboard. She found a spot by Finn’s side, her eyes never leaving him as the team worked to secure him and make sure the medical equipment was stable. The helicopter lifted off, and the world below her started to shrink, but Sera barely noticed. She reached out, her hand brushing Finn’s unconscious one, feeling the warmth of his skin even through the sterile bandages. She wouldn’t leave him. Not now. Not ever. The weight of that promise settled in her chest, and she gripped his hand tighter, knowing there was no turning back from this. She had made her choice, and she wasn’t going anywhere until he was safe. As the helicopter soared toward the unknown, her thoughts circled around him. **Just hold on, Finn. Please. Hold on.** |
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Clear and Calm
