The Return (IC/OPEN)

[Cadia]

"Look, it's not as difficult as it sounds!" Joseph began immediately, deciding not to comment on Hunter's statement about them neglecting to a launch a rescue mission to get Cymitia out of the prison. "This smuggler, he's been doing this for years out of a network of tunnels, they go even farther down than the sewers. All you guys have to do is follow him and don't get lost, easy." Joseph said, raising his hands defensively. "If you want to try and run through that gate be my guest, this isn't the same situation as it was the first time you managed to slip past."

"Yeah, this time, there really won't be any of you guys to help us," Hunter said sarcastically, recalling the rebellion's stance of even aiding him and George on the rescue mission. They supplied the weapons, but they had signed them off as dead. He looked at the rest of them for their vote. "Well, I think you know where I stand on this, so I'll go by group majority on this one."

Thelin spoke up, "I don't know what they did, or didn't do, but I think its worth the shot. We still have to find George's sister, and while it may not be the right direction to start looking, we can change our search patterns once we're outside London. I'm in. Cymitia? Mike?"

Mike didn't even have to think about his decision:

"I'm in."

[Lancearc]

"Yeah, this time, there really won't be any of you guys to help us," Hunter said sarcastically, recalling the rebellion's stance of even aiding him and George on the rescue mission. They supplied the weapons, but they had signed them off as dead. He looked at the rest of them for their vote. "Well, I think you know where I stand on this, so I'll go by group majority on this one."

Thelin spoke up, "I don't know what they did, or didn't do, but I think its worth the shot. We still have to find George's sister, and while it may not be the right direction to start looking, we can change our search patterns once we're outside London. I'm in. Cymitia? Mike?"

Mike didn't even have to think about his decision:

"I'm in."

Cymitia nodded in agreement. "I am too, it seems to me that this is our only reasonable option now." she said, as she knew it was true. If they tried to get out of the city on their own it was likely to result in each of them being either killed or thrown in jail, neither of which seemed a good alternative to going along with the plan that Joseph had put forward for them.

---

"If you cannot keep up with us we will leave you behind, remember that." one of the men said immediately, not wasting any time in turning from the house and jogging back down the way they came. The men moved at a swift pace, though they made sure to limit themselves to something reasonable for the others to keep up with.

[Eaglleia]

"Right." William nodded. He strode after the men, pulling up his collar as he did so. As for the others, Arthur and Elena were still able to walk fast enough despite having begun the physical decline of their lives, and Arthur, being a big man, carried the Nevidian girl, Anya, as well. This should go well, I hope. William thought as he followed the set of men, his hand in his jacket, lightly touching the grip of one of the now two guns hidden away there for some sense of reassurance.

[Lancearc]

Connor was about to reply to the GEE man, but before he could manage anything other than the beginning to an unrecognizable word the sound of an alarm cut him off. The soldiers all around the camp immediately grabbed their weapons and began rushing towards the fortifications at the edge of the camp without any explanation at all, leaving Connor clueless. He finally reached out to stop one of the soldiers. "Excuse me, what's going on?" he asked urgently, as something was obviously not right. The soldier shrugged him off and continued, but slowed just long enough to explain.

"Scrappers, large group, I'd suggest getting your hands on some hardware mate." the man said, rushing off in the direction everyone else was headed. Connor was still dumbfounded. He didn't exactly know what 'Scrappers' were, though it sounded like something that needed to be killed by the empire, judging by how they were all rushing to the camp's defense. He immediately turned to Anna. "Should we follow?" he asked, as curiosity was really getting the better of him at the moment.

---

"Wait. Stop."

The words came suddenly and quietly. The group of men leading William and the rest towards safer confines had came to an abrupt halt just before turning the corner of an alley they were now exiting. Those at the back didn't know just yet, but a patrol of HGV men was approaching. Thankfully for them, a small, isolated patrol. The two leading rebels removed knives from their boots, though the civilians at the back - unless they had an eye for this kind of thing - wouldn't know that these knives were designed to eject their blades at a fatal velocity, ballistic knives. The result was deadly too, as soon as the two red uniforms of the very small patrol came into view the blades of the rebels' creatively deadly devices had embedded themselves in both of their throats. "Should be fine, let's hurry." the leading man said again as the other two drug the bodies into the alley.

---

"I think you need to relax." Cymitia said to Hunter as their group made their way back through the sewers, deliberately walking rather close to him with her hand intertwined with his to perhaps help him be a little less cranky, as she'd described his current mood. She could understand his anger, and the rebels not wanting to help them get her out angered her too, but she could also see the reasoning behind it even if it didn't exactly align with what she wanted personally. She didn't want to say that he was selfish, but he certainly didn't believe in what they were doing with the same fire she did. Perhaps she was just naïve, though. Either way Joseph had given them clear instructions to reach a certain sewer exit that lead up into the basement of their man, the smuggler, and they were on the right track it seemed like.

[Altito Asmoro]

Gilang immediately turned to the sound of the alarm. Scrappers. Again, they are such a worthy enemies, large in numbers, but small in power. He ordered three of the GEE officers to escort Anna to the evacuation camp, where the important assets are left behind. He walked to Connor.

"Mr. Connor. I expect you want to be with Ms. Collins or help us defend the camp? Either way, here's a gun for your self-defense. I suggest you start using it for a better purpose." said Gilang as he handed Connor a Beretta and 2 boxes of ammo. He began to ran to the fortifications with the other soldiers, and he also brought along his M16 too.

[Mincaldenteans]

"I think you need to relax." Cymitia said to Hunter as their group made their way back through the sewers, deliberately walking rather close to him with her hand intertwined with his to perhaps help him be a little less cranky, as she'd described his current mood. She could understand his anger, and the rebels not wanting to help them get her out angered her too, but she could also see the reasoning behind it even if it didn't exactly align with what she wanted personally. She didn't want to say that he was selfish, but he certainly didn't believe in what they were doing with the same fire she did. Perhaps she was just naïve, though. Either way Joseph had given them clear instructions to reach a certain sewer exit that lead up into the basement of their man, the smuggler, and they were on the right track it seemed like.

"I'll relax when we're actually outside the city," Hunter muttered back. His hostility and anger were geared toward the rebels and their shortsighted ways. Cymitia and the others didn't deserve his brooding attitude currently but he couldn't help it as the sense of danger and death was just lurking about, around the corner so to speak, once more. A 'simple' smuggling run. If it were so simple they would've done it themselves. He shook his head, it smacked of using people out of convenience and Hunter wondered just how many more others the rebels had done that to. He was also a little surprised to see how much his opinion of them had changed. While he was endeared to their cause (who in their right minds weren't?), nothing said he had to appreciate their methods; after all, they nearly got Cym killed.

Gripping her hand a little tighter, the comfort provided was a quiet reassurance as they trudged their way through the sewers. Thelin had hung back with Mike and had kept an arm entwined with his loosely. She nearly hummed if it weren't for the rank odor. She'd have to ask Cymitia or Hunter what that was all about back there, clearly they were once part of the resistance but from the way Hunter had spoken out, things didn't turn out well. But Cymitia and George supported them, or at least found their offer reasonable. Nothing like a backstory for later, she mused to herself. She pulled Mike instantly, having seen a small pothole in their tracks that she knew Mike couldn't see himself. Her vision, like Cymitia's, were fine in the dark and the only light was the one Joseph was carrying to lead them through the tunnel. "Sorry," she mumbled, "didn't want you to trip on a shithole."

---

Edeson Estates

The dinner had gone rather smoothly, and Edeson agreed that it was time for a new offensive against the HGV without GEE aid, or at least make it a show that London itself was capable of fighting back without GEE assistance. "A show of strength" was what Malone and Edeson agreed to call it; it would give them some leeway in negotiating terms to being absorbed into the GEE as well as secure their political careers.

One Malone and his aide had left, he noticed Asuka had done the same and called for Margaret to bring the list he was reading on before Malone had come for dinner. Once again reading the dossiers, he made a decision for the hacker, as it seemed he was likely well suited for the task he had in mind. There were even a few dark and disturbing details regarding this man and Edeson perked an eyebrow in interest. This boy was another dangerous fellow, but unlike Asuka, he didn't mind flaunting his violent tendencies around in almost childlike manner.

What have I come to to reply on such shadowy figures, he chided himself with a shake of his head. Though even he knew that this wasn't the first time, nor would it be a last, that he employed such men and women to his bidding.

"Margaret dear, have Howard relay this message to this Abel fellow, will you?"

"Yes, m'lord. Who is he?"

"A dangerous man, Margaret, a very dangerous man."

[Lancearc]

HGV Headquarters

The relentless shelling being carried out by the GEE guns outside the walls had intensified in the most recent days. Instead of but one gun being aimed on the headquarters three of the many had turned their aim towards the complex of structures serving them as their apparently safe base of operations. Safe from the rebels, but perhaps not the empire, as those going about their tasks would soon find out. The shelling in itself was enough to disrupt things greatly, but a direct attack had not been expected, or prepared for, not just yet anyway. They knew what the GEE was capable of, of course. Their ability to prep for such an attack was limited by the fact they were being bombarded constantly, however.

The rather quiet sound of the approaching helicopters, the group comprised of 3 Eurocopter Dauphins, cut through the air above the city. It wasn't an uncommon sight in recent days to see helicopters flying about the city, but tonight these aircraft were on a mission that would be the beginning of a sharp decline for the HGV's ability to wage war against both themselves and whatever remained of London's government forces. It would certainly be helpful to the London parliament, give them time to again solidify some sort of power while the HGV are regrouping.

With the information garnered from their prisoners at the camp, they'd figured the important names of the HGV hierarchy, most of which resided within the HQ. The choppers began their slow descent, the special forces men aboard them ensuring their weapons were prepared for the fire they'd surely be receiving...

---

"Just try to cheer up for now, then." Cymitia said, glancing up at him with a silent plead to perhaps pull him out of his bad mood. Up ahead, Joseph suddenly stopped.

"This is as far as I can take you, now. Here." the man said, removing a map from his pocket. "It's not much further, but there are a lot of branches in the tunnels ahead, I've got the route marked for you." he said, indicating a red line on the map that bent and twisted along with a few of the tunnels.

---

"Wouldn't you know it, we actually got here without trouble..." the leading man said as he glanced back at William and the rest of their cargo, motioning towards a manhole covering before opening it. "C'mon, down here, not much further." the man grunted, lifting the metal covering with a bit of effort.

[Jessjohnesik]

As Anna was about to reply to Connor, she was led away by three men who were ordered by Gilang to take her to the evacuation camp. But that was far from what Anna wanted. She wanted to know what these 'Scrappers' are.

"Get your hands off of me. I'm not going anywhere, I want to stay here." She stated, stopping dead in her tracks and giving the men a menacing glare as she walked back to where Connor and multiple soldiers were.

[Eaglleia]

[
"Wouldn't you know it, we actually got here without trouble..." the leading man said as he glanced back at William and the rest of their cargo, motioning towards a manhole covering before opening it. "C'mon, down here, not much further." the man grunted, lifting the metal covering with a bit of effort.

"Without much trouble." William said under his breath. They had run into some HGV men, but they had given no trouble. Or rather, they hadn't had the opportunity to do so. He was quite interested in those knives that the soldiers used, though. He'd worked as an assassin, and had looked for such a weapon at the time, but could not find it. Silent and deadly, he liked it. 'Down in the sewers?' He wondered. 'Or is that just where we cross over from?' Well, he had no time to think over it in any case. William swung and grabbed the ladder, climbing down quickly. The other three hesitated briefly but soon followed. It seemed that they had escaped detection, and had made it safely. Williams feet touched the ground and he glanced around, waiting for the rebel men to follow and take them in the right direction.

[Lancearc]

As Anna was about to reply to Connor, she was led away by three men who were ordered by Gilang to take her to the evacuation camp. But that was far from what Anna wanted. She wanted to know what these 'Scrappers' are.

"Get your hands off of me. I'm not going anywhere, I want to stay here." She stated, stopping dead in her tracks and giving the men a menacing glare as she walked back to where Connor and multiple soldiers were.

"Let's go then." Connor said quickly, taking her wrist and pulling her along with him through the flood of soldiers, deciding to head in the direction that the rest of the GEE men were headed. They'd set up a rather well fortified line just outside of the camp, Connor didn't see how anything could breach it. In the distance, the sound of an approaching vehicle could be heard. Not long after, several could be spotted on the horizon. They looked to be cars, heavily modified to accommodate gun turrets and makeshift armor. They looked rather sturdy for the job that had been done, however. Their appearance was greeted by rockets being launched, taking down a good number of them. Some still advanced though, and men could be seen approaching too, and whatever their plan was Connor and Anna didn't have time to decide as one of these armored cars rapidly accelerated and GEE soldiers and they themselves were forced to duck out of the way as it bolted through and further into the camp.

---

"Why do you think he couldn't take us any further?" Cymitia asked to no one in particular as they continued on their way through the sewers with the map Joseph had handed over to them. It was odd to her, seeing as how the sewers were supposed to be safe territory for the rebels.

---

"Right, just follow us then." the man leading William and his own said with a quick hand gesture as they climbed down into the sewers. It was one of the entrances closer to their little base beneath the ground, and soon enough they found themselves upon it. Men and women were rushing about in the corridors, making it a bit cramped for the new arrivals. "You'll get used to the smell, don't worry." one commented as they lead their new 'citizens' towards a bunk room and showed them to their new quarters. "You'll be making your home here, not comfortable but it could be worse, remember that."

[Mincaldenteans]

"Why do you think he couldn't take us any further?" Cymitia asked to no one in particular as they continued on their way through the sewers with the map Joseph had handed over to them. It was odd to her, seeing as how the sewers were supposed to be safe territory for the rebels.

"Wrong person to ask," Hunter huffed. Sounding petulant but his point was valid, "You guys wanted to go with him. Told ya this sounded fishy, y'all."

"Maybe he's needed elsewhere," Thelin said, ignoring Hunter's protest. "Seemed as though he's one of those that calls the shots around here. No one seemed to disobey him, stands to reason anyway." She glared at Hunter but the man hadn't bothered to take notice.

[Lancearc]

"Quiet, you." Cym said with a glare, elbowing Hunter in the side as he began talking about something being awry with why he'd neglected to take them further. "It doesn't make me feel particularly confident in our safety, though." Cymitia conceded reluctantly. "Let's just hurry up and get out of here." she said with a quick nod. Even with her excellent vision in the dark the shadows seemed to be creeping around them now.

[Altito Asmoro]

"Try to pierce through that car!"

Gilang and his GEE officers under his command was trying to carefully fired their weapons to the car from the 'Scrappers'. They are trying to hit it precisely for a better chance of hitting those who drove it.

"You two, get Ms.Collins back, take her forcefully to the evacuation camp, her safety is the order from General Matthews!" said Gilang to two of his officers who quickly rushed to the direction of where Anna went to, in order to take her to safety.

[Lancearc]

Despite whatever doubts each of them may have had about why Joseph decided to head back and the apparent hostile nature of the sewers now (Cymitia thought so, at least), as was promised they did eventually reach a makeshift ladder that lead up to a similarly makeshift entrance to the sewers. The ladder wasn't the most sturdy of things as it was simply wooden planks secured to form one, but it held each of them as they climbed it and emerged in the basement of their smuggler.

"Hello?" Cymitia called out, glancing around the basement. It was nowhere near as dark as the sewers, so she imagined that the two Humans of their group shared her horror when she saw who she assumed to be their smuggler with his throat cut wide open and slouched against the wall. "No, no, no!" was all she could say, rushing over to the body. "Damn it, now what do we do?" she asked frantically, searching the man's pockets. "Do you think he had a map of his routes or something?" she asked no one in particular, glancing up urgently.

[Mincaldenteans]

Despite whatever doubts each of them may have had about why Joseph decided to head back and the apparent hostile nature of the sewers now (Cymitia thought so, at least), as was promised they did eventually reach a makeshift ladder that lead up to a similarly makeshift entrance to the sewers. The ladder wasn't the most sturdy of things as it was simply wooden planks secured to form one, but it held each of them as they climbed it and emerged in the basement of their smuggler.

"Hello?" Cymitia called out, glancing around the basement. It was nowhere near as dark as the sewers, so she imagined that the two Humans of their group shared her horror when she saw who she assumed to be their smuggler with his throat cut wide open and slouched against the wall. "No, no, no!" was all she could say, rushing over to the body. "Damn it, now what do we do?" she asked frantically, searching the man's pockets. "Do you think he had a map of his routes or something?" she asked no one in particular, glancing up urgently.

Holding back from cursing out loud, Hunter moved over to the corpse and began searching the body for anything useful. The smuggler was filled with pockets and hidden compartments on his jacket alone and Hunter had only managed the left side of the man's jacket. "Help me with this. If we find a map, we continue on. If there's nothing on him, we'll have to head back to get some help... or we continue forward regardless; though that'll be pretty damn difficult without a map of this area."

[Lancearc]

Despite whatever doubts each of them may have had about why Joseph decided to head back and the apparent hostile nature of the sewers now (Cymitia thought so, at least), as was promised they did eventually reach a makeshift ladder that lead up to a similarly makeshift entrance to the sewers. The ladder wasn't the most sturdy of things as it was simply wooden planks secured to form one, but it held each of them as they climbed it and emerged in the basement of their smuggler.

"Hello?" Cymitia called out, glancing around the basement. It was nowhere near as dark as the sewers, so she imagined that the two Humans of their group shared her horror when she saw who she assumed to be their smuggler with his throat cut wide open and slouched against the wall. "No, no, no!" was all she could say, rushing over to the body. "Damn it, now what do we do?" she asked frantically, searching the man's pockets. "Do you think he had a map of his routes or something?" she asked no one in particular, glancing up urgently.

Holding back from cursing out loud, Hunter moved over to the corpse and began searching the body for anything useful. The smuggler was filled with pockets and hidden compartments on his jacket alone and Hunter had only managed the left side of the man's jacket. "Help me with this. If we find a map, we continue on. If there's nothing on him, we'll have to head back to get some help... or we continue forward regardless; though that'll be pretty damn difficult without a map of this area."

"I don't like this, he was killed very recently, what if the HGV men are still here?" Cymitia said as she complied with Hunter's request, helping him sift through the various pockets that the man's rather unique coat held. Finding nothing of use to them on the left she quickly checked the other side, the second search being similarly fruitless. "Do you think maybe he had something upstairs, maybe in his bedroom?" she said hopefully, with an attempt at a positive nod. "Yes, that must be it." she continued, glancing towards the staircase leading up.

[Cadia]

Holding back from cursing out loud, Hunter moved over to the corpse and began searching the body for anything useful. The smuggler was filled with pockets and hidden compartments on his jacket alone and Hunter had only managed the left side of the man's jacket. "Help me with this. If we find a map, we continue on. If there's nothing on him, we'll have to head back to get some help... or we continue forward regardless; though that'll be pretty damn difficult without a map of this area."

"I don't like this, he was killed very recently, what if the HGV men are still here?" Cymitia said as she complied with Hunter's request, helping him sift through the various pockets that the man's rather unique coat held. Finding nothing of use to them on the left she quickly checked the other side, the second search being similarly fruitless. "Do you think maybe he had something upstairs, maybe in his bedroom?" she said hopefully, with an attempt at a positive nod. "Yes, that must be it." she continued, glancing towards the staircase leading up.

Mike wasn't scared of the corpse, but the thought of there still being HGV got him. Taking his pistol out of his pocket, he looked over at Cym and Hunter.

"I'll check."

He walked up the steps and slowly opened the door, peeking through. He heard nothing, so he slowly motioned for the others to approach.

[Mincaldenteans]

"I don't like this, he was killed very recently, what if the HGV men are still here?" Cymitia said as she complied with Hunter's request, helping him sift through the various pockets that the man's rather unique coat held. Finding nothing of use to them on the left she quickly checked the other side, the second search being similarly fruitless. "Do you think maybe he had something upstairs, maybe in his bedroom?" she said hopefully, with an attempt at a positive nod. "Yes, that must be it." she continued, glancing towards the staircase leading up.

Mike wasn't scared of the corpse, but the thought of there still being HGV got him. Taking his pistol out of his pocket, he looked over at Cym and Hunter.

"I'll check."

He walked up the steps and slowly opened the door, peeking through. He heard nothing, so he slowly motioned for the others to approach.

Could be burned to all hell or just stolen, who the fuck cares at this point? Hunter silently fumed to himself. He swallowed his agitation and over all frustration on this situation, it felt a like hot acidic bile running down this gullet as he did. Falling dead silent he moved up with Mike's signal. Thelin and George were close behind him and Cymitia.

[Lancearc]

"I don't like this, he was killed very recently, what if the HGV men are still here?" Cymitia said as she complied with Hunter's request, helping him sift through the various pockets that the man's rather unique coat held. Finding nothing of use to them on the left she quickly checked the other side, the second search being similarly fruitless. "Do you think maybe he had something upstairs, maybe in his bedroom?" she said hopefully, with an attempt at a positive nod. "Yes, that must be it." she continued, glancing towards the staircase leading up.

Mike wasn't scared of the corpse, but the thought of there still being HGV got him. Taking his pistol out of his pocket, he looked over at Cym and Hunter.

"I'll check."

He walked up the steps and slowly opened the door, peeking through. He heard nothing, so he slowly motioned for the others to approach.

Cymitia waited with bated breath as Mike announced he would head up the staircase to check, stopping just to barely crack the door. Cymitia listened intently to the floor above them, hearing no movement just as Mike announced that it appeared to be all clear. Cym was startled by the sudden sound of footsteps though, heading down the staircase that presumably lead up to a second floor of the house. She continued listening, her heart rate increasingly noticeably at the fact that it sounded like there were a good number of HGV men in the house with them. She found herself reaching for her knife out of instinct.

"Doesn't seem like there's much else, the boys on the wall just have to keep an eye out now." one of the HGV men said. There were seven, as Mike would be able to see. "You got the bastard's maps?" one asked, the one that had spoken first nodding. "Aye, we've got 'em. Head on back, we'll clean up here." the man ordered, three of the seven departing not long afterwards. Once they were gone, one of the remaining four chuckled. "Clean up my arse, just had to get him out of here, I can't stand being around Haggard." the man chuckled. One of their gazes drifted towards the door slowly.

"Oi, didn't we have to lock the doors?" one of them said, tapping their apparent leader on the shoulder as they noticed the door was cracked just slightly...

[Eaglleia]

"Right, just follow us then." the man leading William and his own said with a quick hand gesture as they climbed down into the sewers. It was one of the entrances closer to their little base beneath the ground, and soon enough they found themselves upon it. Men and women were rushing about in the corridors, making it a bit cramped for the new arrivals. "You'll get used to the smell, don't worry." one commented as they lead their new 'citizens' towards a bunk room and showed them to their new quarters. "You'll be making your home here, not comfortable but it could be worse, remember that."

William squeezed his way through the occupants of the area where the men had led them. There seem to be a lot of them.. The man was right, too. Their residence in the back alleys of HGV-London had only been marginally larger, and was far less safe. Though, that said, he couldn't really be too guaranteed or reassured by the safety of this one either, but it was a good deal safer in any case. "I'm sure I will." He muttered, under his breath, only half-sarcastic, in response to the mans comment about the smell. Some places of London smelled just as bad or worse. "Thank you for your efforts getting us here." He told the man as he went into his own quarters and unpacked what little he has brought, while the other three went to their own and did whatever it was they wished to there. William sighed as he rested on the bed, wondering what would be happening to those unfortunate folk who had not managed to escape, who could be directly above them even now.

[Cadia]

Mike wasn't scared of the corpse, but the thought of there still being HGV got him. Taking his pistol out of his pocket, he looked over at Cym and Hunter.

"I'll check."

He walked up the steps and slowly opened the door, peeking through. He heard nothing, so he slowly motioned for the others to approach.

Cymitia waited with bated breath as Mike announced he would head up the staircase to check, stopping just to barely crack the door. Cymitia listened intently to the floor above them, hearing no movement just as Mike announced that it appeared to be all clear. Cym was startled by the sudden sound of footsteps though, heading down the staircase that presumably lead up to a second floor of the house. She continued listening, her heart rate increasingly noticeably at the fact that it sounded like there were a good number of HGV men in the house with them. She found herself reaching for her knife out of instinct.

"Doesn't seem like there's much else, the boys on the wall just have to keep an eye out now." one of the HGV men said. There were seven, as Mike would be able to see. "You got the bastard's maps?" one asked, the one that had spoken first nodding. "Aye, we've got 'em. Head on back, we'll clean up here." the man ordered, three of the seven departing not long afterwards. Once they were gone, one of the remaining four chuckled. "Clean up my arse, just had to get him out of here, I can't stand being around Haggard." the man chuckled. One of their gazes drifted towards the door slowly.

"Oi, didn't we have to lock the doors?" one of them said, tapping their apparent leader on the shoulder as they noticed the door was cracked just slightly...

Shit.

He stepped away from the door and held his gun up to it at head height. Hopefully they'll just close the door and leave but if they entered they'd get a surprise in the form of a piece of lead.

"Get down, they're coming. Hide." he whispered to the group. He too slowly walked down the steps, making no sound. He hid behind one of the containers and prepared himself to fire upon another human being.

[Mincaldenteans]

Cymitia waited with bated breath as Mike announced he would head up the staircase to check, stopping just to barely crack the door. Cymitia listened intently to the floor above them, hearing no movement just as Mike announced that it appeared to be all clear. Cym was startled by the sudden sound of footsteps though, heading down the staircase that presumably lead up to a second floor of the house. She continued listening, her heart rate increasingly noticeably at the fact that it sounded like there were a good number of HGV men in the house with them. She found herself reaching for her knife out of instinct.

"Doesn't seem like there's much else, the boys on the wall just have to keep an eye out now." one of the HGV men said. There were seven, as Mike would be able to see. "You got the bastard's maps?" one asked, the one that had spoken first nodding. "Aye, we've got 'em. Head on back, we'll clean up here." the man ordered, three of the seven departing not long afterwards. Once they were gone, one of the remaining four chuckled. "Clean up my arse, just had to get him out of here, I can't stand being around Haggard." the man chuckled. One of their gazes drifted towards the door slowly.

"Oi, didn't we have to lock the doors?" one of them said, tapping their apparent leader on the shoulder as they noticed the door was cracked just slightly...

Shit.

He stepped away from the door and held his gun up to it at head height. Hopefully they'll just close the door and leave but if they entered they'd get a surprise in the form of a piece of lead.

"Get down, they're coming. Hide." he whispered to the group. He too slowly walked down the steps, making no sound. He hid behind one of the containers and prepared himself to fire upon another human being.

Hunter motioned for Thelin and George to move back, they swiftly complied and did their best to hasten their steps down with Hunter right after. Not having a weapon on himself, he waited close by, preparing to aid Mike if he needed and from the way he sounded, it definitely made him think they were out of the league. So he crouched and waited.

[Lancearc]

"Right, just follow us then." the man leading William and his own said with a quick hand gesture as they climbed down into the sewers. It was one of the entrances closer to their little base beneath the ground, and soon enough they found themselves upon it. Men and women were rushing about in the corridors, making it a bit cramped for the new arrivals. "You'll get used to the smell, don't worry." one commented as they lead their new 'citizens' towards a bunk room and showed them to their new quarters. "You'll be making your home here, not comfortable but it could be worse, remember that."

William squeezed his way through the occupants of the area where the men had led them. There seem to be a lot of them.. The man was right, too. Their residence in the back alleys of HGV-London had only been marginally larger, and was far less safe. Though, that said, he couldn't really be too guaranteed or reassured by the safety of this one either, but it was a good deal safer in any case. "I'm sure I will." He muttered, under his breath, only half-sarcastic, in response to the mans comment about the smell. Some places of London smelled just as bad or worse. "Thank you for your efforts getting us here." He told the man as he went into his own quarters and unpacked what little he has brought, while the other three went to their own and did whatever it was they wished to there. William sighed as he rested on the bed, wondering what would be happening to those unfortunate folk who had not managed to escape, who could be directly above them even now.

"Haven't seen you around before, a new rat running about in our little sewer home?" came a voice, apparently directed towards William. If he glanced about he'd find that it emanated from a rather clean looking man, well groomed and rather gentlemanly in appearance to be associated with the rebels, save for the fact he wore the same fatigues as everyone else. "Planning to stay or are you just here for a leisure trip?" the young man asked with a friendly grin.

---

Cymitia didn't need any kind of prompting to know when the opportune time to strike was. She didn't like the fact, but she thought that she'd become very good at knowing just when to lash out at the enemy and how to make the fights as short as possible, to keep herself alive and hidden. As soon as she saw a red uniform emerging around the corner she was crouched at, she pounced and plunged her knife into the man's jugular, immediately ducking out of the way afterwards as she expected the others to unleash a hail of lead or spring their own attacks before the HGV men could effectively react.

[Mincaldenteans]

Cymitia didn't need any kind of prompting to know when the opportune time to strike was. She didn't like the fact, but she thought that she'd become very good at knowing just when to lash out at the enemy and how to make the fights as short as possible, to keep herself alive and hidden. As soon as she saw a red uniform emerging around the corner she was crouched at, she pounced and plunged her knife into the man's jugular, immediately ducking out of the way afterwards as she expected the others to unleash a hail of lead or spring their own attacks before the HGV men could effectively react.

Watching Cymitia spring into action, Hunter peered to his left to see Mike do the same and took both cues to jump into the fray. He moved off to the corpse Cymitia had left behind and un-holstered the man's sidearm, just as another HGV man entered the room. Wasting no time he disengaged safety and shot the man that barely had enough time to look. The bullet took the soldier from the neck and up his head, dropping his weapon in the process and Hunter stepped on it and shoved it backward toward Cymitia or Thelin, or George, whoever was closest to it while he squeezed of a few rounds into the opening doorway. He wasn't sure he hit anything, but it wasn't the goal either, as long as it kept the HGV off balance long enough to let them prepare for another attack.

[Lancearc]

Cymitia didn't waste any time in taking the weapon that Hunter had scooted towards her from the dead man's body, also ensuring that it was loaded before she took it into her hands. That was two of the four, if the others didn't return anyway. Cymitia was confused as to why the other men weren't rushing in to help their comrades, but a clattering sound moving down the stairs alerted her to something being tossed down. She spotted a strange canister stopping at the bottom of the stairs. She'd been told about grenades before, they exploded and sent shrapnel flying all around that cut people to pieces and maimed them horribly. She didn't have time to react before it exploded, however.

To her surprise, it didn't kill her, but the bright flash of light sent her stumbling backwards through the room. The white light was so intense that she actually felt an intense headache coming on, her head throbbing as if it were about to explode. She couldn't even stand to be in sunlight for too long, and this canister had exploded with the most intense light she'd ever seen, leaving her on the ground in intense pain, covering her eyes and rubbing at them in a vain attempt to make the pain stop. She only hoped that she wasn't lying out in the open, and if she was, she hoped that the others kept her protected while she was so blinded.