The Final Stand

<p> </p><p>The night doesn't end quietly.</p><p>It rips open.</p><p>The Dominion's sirens scream through the shattered streets</p><p>like a warning from a dying beast. Floodlights slice through the</p><p>fog as armored patrols swarm the ruins of what used to be a free</p><p>city. Every breath tastes like smoke and rust. My heartbeat is</p><p>too loud in my ears-steady fast ready.</p><p>We're not hiding anymore.</p><p>The Remnant stands scattered across the old bridge faces</p><p>streaked with ash eyes burning with the kind of fire that</p><p>no propaganda can snuff out. Below the black river churns</p><p>dragging broken machines downstream like bones in a current.</p><p>Positions! I hiss into the comm clipped to my collar. My voice</p><p>doesn't shake. Not anymore.</p><p><br><br> </p>