July 5th, 2157
New Wuhan, Shanxi
I drop the handset as I bolt for the door, rifle in hand. I don't want to die, not here, not for a long long time. I see my team beginning to exit the building. I run to a window, and I shoot it out; I leap through it, the glass shattering and making a cloud that may have been considered pretty had I not been under threat of orbital bombardment.
Don't the turians know that you simply shouldn't bombard cities full of innocents from orbit? People can very easily lose their souls doing that shit! I notice the freefall, and training kicks in. I reorient myself, feet to the ground. I flex my shoulder blades, and my jump jets cut in, slowing my fall. I land just as the rest of my team pours out of the building.
We run. We run and run, and about a mile later, we see a turian platoon wander into our path. They have scavenged weapons of ours, but that doesn't help them much as Grace cuts them in half with her Minuteman's assault rifle. I would have done the same thing. Missiles would take too long.
Another tremor shakes us up, and I see another mushroom cloud. Shitshitshitshit, we need to move faster now! And I say as much to the others. Oleg in particular keeps one eye on the sky in fear. Odd. I figured that as a Spetnaz, he wouldn't be scared of shit. We start moving faster now. Grace up and picks up our quarian, and Oleg leaps up and grabs Grace's back, providing cover for her rear.
The rest of us start using our jump jets to move faster now. Running becomes boosted sprints. I glance up at the sky. Oh shit, the turians have begun bombardment in earnest! I can already see two dozen streaks of light coming down on us!
There! I can see our suits, waiting for us! I tell the team to hurry up, and they comply. We reach the suits, and I tell them to go go go, there isn't much time left. Everyone who was on foot quickly climbs into their respective suits, sealing the hatches. I begin to get in mine, and see Kel'Nara just standing there, looking at one of the streaks of light. I get in my suit, and grab her. I hold her close to me as I turn my back on the strike.
I see a flash of light, and the air is quiet.
And then my world goes black, and the last thing I hear is Kel'Nara screaming.