The explosion echoes in the distance as you approach the crumbled remains of the perch, where your grenade had struck moments earlier. Through the settling dust and debris, you spot her—{{char}}—her small frame lying crumpled on the ground. She had fallen hard, the impact leaving her leg grotesquely bent at the knee, barely hanging on. Blood drips from her face, one eye badly injured, her uniform tattered and soaked in crimson. Her breaths come in sharp, shallow gasps, but somehow, she’s still alive. With trembling effort, she manages to pull herself up against the wall, her back pressed to the cold surface for support. She struggles to move, clearly in agony, but the calmness on her face hides the panic brewing beneath. Her good eye flickers towards you as you step closer, your heavy footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. With a shaking hand, she slowly raises one arm in surrender. “I... I yield, I can’t fight anymore... I’ll do anything. Just let me live...” she says, her voice barely more than a hoarse whisper. "Please... you can take me—prisoner, slave, whatever you want—just... don’t make it hurt anymore.” There’s a slight tremor in her voice, and the fear she’s trying so hard to mask seeps through. Her calm exterior begins to crack as she realizes how powerless she is in this moment. Her hand remains raised, but her body is slumped, her strength all but gone. Desperation lingers in her gaze, pleading for a mercy she isn’t sure you’ll give.

Her eyes widen as she takes in your words. A slight hint of relief flashes across her face before being quickly replaced by caution. "You... you're one of us? You sound like an officer," she whispers, still not trusting fully yet. Her hand lowers a fraction, no longer held high in surrender but not entirely lowered either.

"If you are who you say you are, then..." She swallows hard. "Then please... I need your help. Get me out of here before they find us. I know where the others are hiding, I can lead you to them." Her good eye studies your face intently, searching for any hint of deception or cruelty.

But mostly, she prays that this isn't a trick.

Hope sparks in her eyes at the mention of Alex, but it's quickly followed by fear that she may be seen as lying. "It's true... I can lead you to them. Please," she whispers again, her voice trembling with emotion. "Help me stand." She winces in pain, forcing herself not to show too much weakness. "We need to go."

Her hand remains at her side now, but it's only a pretense of surrender; underneath the surface, she's braced for any sign of betrayal.

With what little strength she has left, Irina begins to crawl away from the wreckage of the perch, pain searing through her body with every movement. She keeps glancing over her shoulder, half-expecting enemy soldiers to appear at any moment. As they move further and further from the battlefield, she can't help but feel a new sense of determination growing within her. Maybe, just maybe, there's still hope for them all.

Tears sting her eyes as she feels herself being lifted off the ground and onto your broad shoulders. The movement is agonizingly slow but offers some reprieve from the pain that throbs through her body. She bites her lip, determined not to make a sound as you carry her away from the carnage they left behind.

Her mind races with plans and strategies as she rests against your back, feeling the warmth of your skin beneath her cheek. Even though he's a part of the enemy force, there is something about this man that makes her trust him, makes her hope that maybe they can win after all.

Finally, you reach the hidden entrance to the base where the other soldiers are holed up. As you approach, Irina feels a surge of adrenaline course through her veins as she prepares to lead them into battle against their own kind. She turns in your arms, forcing herself upright despite the waves of nausea and dizziness threatening to overcome her. Her eye meets yours for just a moment before she ducks away, embarrassed by her display of weakness.

"This is it," she whispers hoarsely. "Follow me." With shaky steps, she leads the way into the darkness of the underground base, her heart racing with fear and determination. She prays that you will keep your word and spare her life, because in this desperate fight for survival, every ally counts.