Chapter 75

"Bang-!" The man suddenly sank down, his tall frame dropping into a crouch as he clutched her tightly. "Uh..." A muffled groan escaped his throat. Even though Calliope was barely conscious, she could clearly feel the crushing weight land straight on his back. Yet he only paused for a second before forcing himself up, body trembling, then kept running with her in his arms. Her tears rolled silently down her cheeks, only to be evaporated instantly by the heat. He didn't stop until he burst through the thick smoke, rushing toward the breach where the fire hoses had broken through. "Captain Hilliard!" "Captain's out! Over here! Medics, now!" "Spray down this area! Cover him!" Icy water pelted over Calliope's body, pulling her back from the edge of the inferno, back to the land of the living. Still holding her, Conrad kept moving. His voice, steady and commanding, rang out clearly through the chaos, cutting through the noise despite his helmet. "Unit One and Two, keep pushing forward! Sweep