[b][u]James E. Carter[/u][/b]

James darted through the narrow streets of Inbur, clutching his Model II shotgun tightly. The city was a cauldron of chaos, sounds of rifle fire overhead, explosions shook the ground beneath his boots, and the stench of smoke and blood filled the air. This was supposed to be a quick job: arrive, collect the cargo and leave. Instead, he found himself trapped in a foreign city under siege, with his crew scattered and likely lost in the chaos. Now, alone and exposed, his only hope lay in reaching the military base he’d spotted earlier, the one where the airship still sat tethered.

Turning a corner, James found himself in a wide boulevard leading up to the base. Relief flickered briefly until he spotted a group of Inburian soldiers ahead. He approached cautiously, raising a hand to signal them, but his instincts screamed something was off. The soldiers wore red armbands, and their behavior wasn’t defensive, it was predatory. He watched as some of them forced their way into a large, ornate house, the kind that screamed nobility.

Taking cover against a corner, James hesitated. Screams erupted from inside the building, piercing even the din of gunfire and explosions. The shotgun felt heavier in his hands as he considered his options. Moments later, the muffled sound of gunfire from inside confirmed his worst suspicions. His jaw tightened as he looked back at his weapon, then at the scene. Could he do something? Should he?

Before he could decide, another scream echoed down a street besides the house, drawing the attention of the rebel soldiers standing guard outside the house. Seizing the distraction, James slipped past, his heart pounding as he kept low and fast. Guilt gnawed at him, but there was nothing he could do, he was a single man with a single shotgun, and survival was all that mattered now.

As he approached the gates of the base, he was greeted by an eerie sight: the gate was wide open, and no guards were posted. For a moment, dread gripped him. Had the base already been overrun? But then he saw it, the massive airship he’d spotted from the docks. Its imposing silhouette loomed against the chaos of the city, its lights glowing faintly in the smoke-filled night.

James cautiously made his way up the ramp leading to the gondola, his shotgun raised. The silence was unnerving, broken only by the distant sounds of battle. As he stepped into the gondola, faint voices reached his ears. Moving quietly, he edged toward the source, peering into the cabin.

Inside, he spotted two figures: a man in a military uniform and a young woman. He tightened his grip on the shotgun, not sure whether the soldier was loyal or a rebel. Slowly, he stepped into view, holding the shotgun at the ready, not directly aimed, but a clear signal that he was prepared to defend himself.

“I’m not looking for trouble,” James said, his voice firm but measured. “Just want to know—can I catch a ride on this thing?”