Chapter 483: You Made It Happen
"Come on, get in there."
Ashley waved a hand, watching as the prisoners shoved the captured soldiers into the nearest building still standing in the compound.
Once the last soldier was inside, the prisoners stepped back out. Ashley, however, remained by the doorway, studying every face staring back at her.
Fear.
That was all she could see, even with only the light behind her spilling through the narrow gap in the door and stretching across their terrified faces.
Even now, she searched within herself for something—anything. Like the slightest trace of sympathy. After all, these were still human beings.
But there was nothing.
Ashley felt no remorse. No pity. Nothing at all.
Perhaps it was because, deep down, she knew that if their positions were reversed, they wouldn’t feel sorry for her either.
If anything, they’d probably smirk.
"I’m sorry," she said casually. "I really am sorry... for not being sorry. I think this place deserved everything that happened here tonight."
A faint smile crossed her lips. "We’ll see you again... in hell."
With that, she pulled the heavy door shut and slammed it closed.
"Let’s roll out!" she shouted as she jogged toward the truck Red was driving. She climbed aboard in one smooth motion, grabbing the side for support.
Instead of sitting down, she looked ahead.
The trucks Rum and Khan had looted earlier were already pulling away. A few remained behind, circling the building before their occupants lobbed grenades through the windows.
"Come on! Come on!"
Someone shouted from behind as the remaining trucks sped toward them.
Every vehicle carrying Ashley’s crew and the rescued prisoners accelerated as fast as it could. Even from a distance, the massive explosion that erupted from the building housing the soldiers rocked the trucks, making them sway.
But no one stopped.
They continued driving at full speed as more buildings erupted behind them, ignited by the fuel and grenades they had scattered throughout the compound.
Dead men told no tales.
Her orders had been simple: Wipe them out.
And Ashley had meant every word.
She wouldn’t let Dominion be dragged into this. Nor would she allow a single rat to escape out of pity or a guilty conscience.
Whatever burden came from tonight, she would carry it herself.
Overhead, Khan circled the compound, launching missile after missile to ensure Ashley got exactly what she wanted.
To reduce the place to rubble.
Eventually, the convoy came to a stop a safe distance away.
The jet was still making its passes, but they were now too far away to feel the heat or the violent tremors shaking the earth.
Ashley climbed onto the hood of the truck, absentmindedly swinging her legs. Leaning back on her hands, she quietly watched the flames.
An arm’s length away, Red leaned against the front bumper, one arm resting on the hood beside her.
Nearby, the prisoners stood outside the trucks, their eyes fixed on the massive inferno consuming the compound in the distance.
No one spoke.
They simply watched the fire, almost as if they were watching a fireworks display.
Only the whistle of the wind and the distant booms echoing from the collapsing base filled the silence.
A tear slipped down Old Fool’s weathered face as he stared at the place that had imprisoned them all.
Thud!
"I-It’s... it’s over."
One prisoner collapsed to his knees, choking on his sobs, yet unable to tear his eyes away from the burning fortress.
Tears welled in every prisoner’s eyes. Some buried their faces in their arms. Others slowly dropped to their knees, shoulders trembling. A few simply embraced one another.
"We’re... we’re free," Charm whispered, not even bothering to wipe away the tears blurring his vision. He sniffed hard and tried to compose himself, but the tears continued streaming down his face.
Just hours ago, none of them had believed something like this could ever happen.
If anything, their greatest concern had been surviving another day without being beaten to death.
Even after Red and Gin killed the first guards, and Ashley’s announcement echoed throughout the compound, it still felt impossible.
Like a hallucination.
The kind of dream they had every night, only to wake up and find themselves trapped in that hell all over again.
Even now, it didn’t feel real.
Hence, they couldn’t look away. Some even pinched themselves, desperate to wake up before daring to believe this wasn’t another cruel dream.
"It’s gone... isn’t it?" Old Fool whispered. His voice was soft, yet everyone heard it. "It’s all gone?"
The prisoners looked toward the old man, each wearing a different expression.
Before anyone could answer, Ashley spoke.
"Yes."
Every head turned toward her. She remained seated on the truck, her gaze still fixed on the burning compound.
For a long moment, she said nothing. Then she slowly looked at them and smiled.
"It’s not a dream." Her voice came out softer than she intended, yet every word carried quiet certainty. "This really happened... and you made it happen."
A small smile lingered on her lips as she gave them a gentle nod. Ashley watched as the prisoners’ restrained cries broke completely.
Tears poured down their faces like a burst dam. None of them could explain why hearing those words affected them so deeply.
Some sobbed openly. Others screamed at the burning compound, hurling curses at the place that had stolen years of their lives.
It didn’t erase their pain, but it let them breathe.
Ashley and her crew gave them the time they needed.
Once everyone had calmed down, Old Fool stepped forward and quietly organized the survivors.
They stood in perfect rows, offering a silent tribute to the comrades who had fought until their final breaths.
The crew remained behind, watching in respectful silence. Everyone... except Red, Tank, and Rus.
The three of them kept their eyes on Ashley, who was quietly watching the prisoners with the faintest smile on her face.
Eventually, she noticed. Her brows lifted as she turned toward them.
"What?" she asked, looking from one to the next before settling on Red. "Why do you keep staring at me?"
Rus and Tank glanced at Red. They wondered whether he would tell her what they had overheard earlier.
That they were sorry for what she’d endured in that place.
That they couldn’t understand how Marshal could allow something like that to happen to his own daughter.
So, they waited.
Instead, Red simply chuckled and looked away.
"I was just thinking I should’ve had my phone with me," he said with a laugh. "I would’ve taken a picture of you right now. I wonder what the Master would say."
Ashley frowned. "Want to die or something?"
He only shrugged and laughed harder.
Rus and Tank studied Red for another moment before exchanging faint smiles. Neither of them said a word.
Yet they shared the exact same thought:
I guess... it’s better to keep it to ourselves. There’s no point bringing it up and reminding her of something she’d rather forget.