Sergeant Darius "Hellhound" Rook clenched his fists as General Kruger stepped out of the darkness, his crimson beret almost glowing under the flickering firelight. His cold, calculating eyes locked onto Rook and the unconscious Captain Wolfe, who still twitched from the electrical shock.
"Tsk, tsk," Kruger muttered, shaking his head. "You just had to make things difficult, didn't you, Rook?"
Rook wiped the blood from his lip, leveling his rifle at the warlord. "Let him go, Kruger. Whatever you did to Wolfe, undo it."
Kruger chuckled. "Oh, you misunderstand, Sergeant." He stepped forward, his massive frame casting a long shadow. "Captain Wolfe was never my enemy. He volunteered for this."
Rook's grip on his rifle tightened. "You're lying."
"Am I?" Kruger smirked. "You still believe this war is black and white. That your so-called resistance is fighting for the 'greater good.'" He gestured to Wolfe. "But Wolfe? He finally saw the truth. He saw what's coming."
Wolfe groaned, shifting slightly, but he was too weak to stand.
Rook's mind raced. If Kruger was telling the truth, that meant… Wolfe had willingly submitted to the experiments. But why?
"No." Rook shook his head. "Wolfe would never betray us."
Kruger's grin widened. "Then ask him yourself."
With a snap of his fingers, Wolfe's body jerked violently. His veins pulsed, his muscles twitching as his eyes snapped open—now glowing that unnatural, sickly yellow.
Rook barely had time to react before Wolfe lunged, his strength seemingly restored. Rook blocked the first strike, but Wolfe was faster—stronger. The second blow sent Rook sprawling across the dirt.
"Damn it, Wolfe—fight it!"
Wolfe didn't answer. His face was twisted in pain, his muscles tensed as if he were fighting an invisible force inside him.
Kruger watched in amusement. "You see, Rook, you never had a chance. I've already won."
Rook gritted his teeth. Not yet.
His hand shot to his belt—gripping a flash grenade. With a quick flick, he pulled the pin and threw it directly at Kruger's feet.
The blinding light disoriented Wolfe and Kruger, giving Rook just enough time to charge forward. He grabbed Wolfe's arm, twisting it behind him, and slammed his fist into the side of his head—knocking him out cold again.
Kruger, however, was already recovering.
"Enough games." The general's voice was a low growl. "If you want to save your friend, you'll have to come with me."
Rook exhaled. He knew this was a trap. But looking down at Wolfe's broken, twitching form…
He didn't have a choice.
Raising his hands, he stepped forward. "Fine. Take me to him."
Kruger smiled. "Good boy."