One of the figures spoke through a throat filter, their voice stripped of any gender. "You shouldn't be here."
Ethan smirked, muttering under his breath, "Good news,we brought party favors."
"Quiet," Gunner snapped, his focus unwavering.
The lead elite took a cautious step forward..not aggressive, just testing the waters.
Then Stone fired.
The X5 round struck center mass. It should have sent a man sprawling. Instead, this one bent slightly before straightening up again.
A shimmer danced across its armor like heat waves on asphalt. The elite lifted its rifle and returned fire.
Stone instinctively bent sideways as the round whizzed past him, missing by mere inches.
The shot hit the pillar behind him with a splintering crack that echoed in the air.
"Reactive lattice," Silas observed coolly. "They're using top-tier plates. You'll need double-taps or aim for the joints."
