The armored vehicle grinds over broken ground, its interior lit only by the pale glow of tactical screens and dim lights from the ceiling. Packs and rifles crowd close around you, jolting together with every uneven stretch of road. West leans through the dark and barks the order, speaking about holding the formation north of the stadium and then, Park's fist rises through the press of bodies.

"Orders are anytime, anyplace."

The Marines answer as one, rough beneath the idle of the engine. The vehicle finally stops and the squad spills out into the night, one after another disappearing through the open hatch. Jay goes last, his boots hitting the ground behind the rest while West stays behind in his seat as he speaks to remind Jay to keep his scouts in line.

Hajin unfolds around them, streets slick with rain and lit in fractured neon, karaoke signs flickering above shuttered stalls. The squad moves through the noise, packs shifting with each step. Someone near the back wonders if they'll swing by the Komatsu on the way and then Park glances back over his shoulder, his grin already climbing.

"The new guy is low on rations."

The squad laughs, the sound trailing them down the street. They come to a stop outside a convenience store, fluorescent light spilling through the glass. Jay reaches the door first, pulling it open and telling everyone to make it fast. Shelves rise on either side inside, packed with instant noodles and rows of bottled drinks.

Near the register, one of them squints at the muted television and asks if the man on screen is some kind of K-pop star. Park glances toward the reply, catching the answer, the new supreme leader of North Korea, before the same soldier mutters that the guy looks too young to be running anything.

Outside, the alley is still lit when they walk out. Suddenly every sign on the street dies at once and the block is swallowed into darkness for a single breath, followed by a faint gunshot in the distance.

"Did you guys hear that?"

Park asks the others but, before anyone can reply, the first strike hits the nearby building ahead, lighting the area around them with an orange hue and Park's hand locks around your arm as he shouts, dragging you down while the others scramble to follow.

"OH SHIT- GET DOWN! GET DOWN"