The Return (IC/OPEN)

[Lancearc]

"We certainly would be, glad ta see yer alive still." the man replied, turning his gaze to the Nevidian woman. "Imagine ya've come from Prince, then?"

"Not really. We moved here recently, me and my boyfriend, and hoped to settle down." Thelin spoke, "As you can see, that plans been interrupted a bit."

---

Mike was running around frantically trying to get the wounded into stretchers. The explosion he heard was more than likely from the lightly covered french vehicles, and knew that GEE would be coming by sooner or later. They had escaped from the patrol vehicles rather quickly, but two men had bled out during the search for a place to hide. A single, low wattage light was keeping the room lit up and provided just enough visibility for the few medically qualified people to work. "Does anyone here have any idea on what's going on outside?" said one of the wounded, the static of a stolen radio providing too little information on the current situation to the south; "No idea." replied another voice. Why can't we get anything he thought as he tuned the radio, hoping that he could pickup at least one of the many BBC channels.

While they wouldn't be able to catch so much as a single radio station (in London, at least - stations from surrounding cities and larger towns still came through the static) the GEE did begin to reestablish a presence in Prince after the first wave of skirmishers had been dealt with. Squads of troops made their way through the streets, ensuring that the battle was well and truly over. Still, many of them were at the same time setting up defenses to ensure that if another wave of French scouts were to push their way towards the city they would be greeted with a hail of lead being tossed from well entrenched troops.

A man, obviously an officer, raised his voice loudly. "Attention! Our orders are now to evacuate all citizens further north to avoid unnecessary casualties. This will begin tomorrow, I would advise that you all pack your things, only what is necessary!"

With that, the man disappeared. To Mike's right though, Butters nudged at his side, the reptilian creature looking very sad in the absence of his two owners.

[Phoenix2012]

"We certainly would be, glad ta see yer alive still." the man replied, turning his gaze to the Nevidian woman. "Imagine ya've come from Prince, then?"

"Not really. We moved here recently, me and my boyfriend, and hoped to settle down." Thelin spoke, "As you can see, that plans been interrupted a bit."

---

Mike was running around frantically trying to get the wounded into stretchers. The explosion he heard was more than likely from the lightly covered french vehicles, and knew that GEE would be coming by sooner or later. They had escaped from the patrol vehicles rather quickly, but two men had bled out during the search for a place to hide. A single, low wattage light was keeping the room lit up and provided just enough visibility for the few medically qualified people to work. "Does anyone here have any idea on what's going on outside?" said one of the wounded, the static of a stolen radio providing too little information on the current situation to the south; "No idea." replied another voice. Why can't we get anything he thought as he tuned the radio, hoping that he could pickup at least one of the many BBC channels.

Seeing Mike run around helping the wounded into stretchers, Jon knew that it was partly his duty as well. Strapping his rifle to his back, he too helped those who could walk, limp, or crawl into the small makeshift hospital, where a lone 40 watt incandescent light bulb provided light. Jon gave up one of his flashlights, a compact model that put out 800 lumens, and helped with what first aid that he was qualified to do. Many of the injuries weren't that bad, sprained ankles and other stuff of the sort. He still didn't have the faintest idea about what was going on, and he was still trying to arrange transportation out of the area. He asked the soldiers for some ammo, 7.62 NATO for his rifle, 5.56 for the volunteers, and 9mm rounds for Thelin's ppk.

[Lancearc]

"Not really. We moved here recently, me and my boyfriend, and hoped to settle down." Thelin spoke, "As you can see, that plans been interrupted a bit."

---

Mike was running around frantically trying to get the wounded into stretchers. The explosion he heard was more than likely from the lightly covered french vehicles, and knew that GEE would be coming by sooner or later. They had escaped from the patrol vehicles rather quickly, but two men had bled out during the search for a place to hide. A single, low wattage light was keeping the room lit up and provided just enough visibility for the few medically qualified people to work. "Does anyone here have any idea on what's going on outside?" said one of the wounded, the static of a stolen radio providing too little information on the current situation to the south; "No idea." replied another voice. Why can't we get anything he thought as he tuned the radio, hoping that he could pickup at least one of the many BBC channels.

Seeing Mike run around helping the wounded into stretchers, Jon knew that it was partly his duty as well. Strapping his rifle to his back, he too helped those who could walk, limp, or crawl into the small makeshift hospital, where a lone 40 watt incandescent light bulb provided light. Jon gave up one of his flashlights, a compact model that put out 800 lumens, and helped with what first aid that he was qualified to do. Many of the injuries weren't that bad, sprained ankles and other stuff of the sort. He still didn't have the faintest idea about what was going on, and he was still trying to arrange transportation out of the area. He asked the soldiers for some ammo, 7.62 NATO for his rifle, 5.56 for the volunteers, and 9mm rounds for Thelin's ppk.

He would quickly find that while many of the soldiers were reluctant to share their own ammunition, most did give up what rounds they could spare to Jon. Their reluctance was more in the light that the French could return and that ammo was already low than anything else, though having the civilians fighting alongside them did help significantly rather than their fighting alone. The streets were being cleared and checkpoints set up as well - it was clear that the evacuation that had been announced was indeed beginning as soon as possible, perhaps even before the next day if the GEU felt it necessary.

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

“Your story is certainly far-fetched...” George said, with some light doubt in his voice. But is seemed like he didn’t have a choice at all. They would either be bombed to smithereens on the surface or captured in the tunnels, and he liked the sound of capture more than the smithereens bit. So, he took the M16 from the Russian. “I will take my chances below. You might be lying, but it’s the only chance we’ve got. Hunter, take the gun. Are you with us, Cym?”

[Altito Asmoro]

"What? How do you know?" Cymitia immediately questioned. The man that entered the alley soon after they had was very suspicious, at least in her view. The fact that he was armed so heavily didn't endear him to her either. She took a cautious step closer to Hunter. "Why exactly should we even trust you?" she frowned inquisitively. She wished none of this had to happen, her time around all the violence was over, at least she'd hoped.

"Because I am the only person here with guns. You want to die without knowing what happens in the subway or not? If you want to survive, help me, and I will help you in exchange. Anything. Even a safe sanctuary in places where I have connections. You can take this offer or not. I am not forcing you guys to help me take that data again."

“Your story is certainly far-fetched...” George said, with some light doubt in his voice. But is seemed like he didn’t have a choice at all. They would either be bombed to smithereens on the surface or captured in the tunnels, and he liked the sound of capture more than the smithereens bit. So, he took the M16 from the Russian. “I will take my chances below. You might be lying, but it’s the only chance we’ve got. Hunter, take the gun. Are you with us, Cym?”

"You can't believe me? It's fine, as long as you help me. Of course, I never force you guys to help me take the data in the subways. All I am saying now is that the chance of you and me survive outside the subways is low. Critically low. Our company try hard to evacuate all of us, with the help of GEE too. But we are occupied with the French too."

Vladimir took one step to the direction of the subway, with SPAS on his hand.

"You all coming? Or not?"

[Lancearc]

"It's not as if I actually have a choice now." Cymitia frowned, taking one of the rifles that they were handed. It was surprisingly light, made of some kind of plastic she noted. It was unlike the sniper rifles she'd grown accustomed to, but it seemed to be simple enough to use effectively. She held it with a visible reluctance, keeping close to Hunter while suppressing a burning fury inside here which she would be sure to unleash on either the French in the form of lead or Hunter in the form of angry words later. "Let's get going, then."

[Mincaldenteans]

"It's not as if I actually have a choice now." Cymitia frowned, taking one of the rifles that they were handed. It was surprisingly light, made of some kind of plastic she noted. It was unlike the sniper rifles she'd grown accustomed to, but it seemed to be simple enough to use effectively. She held it with a visible reluctance, keeping close to Hunter while suppressing a burning fury inside here which she would be sure to unleash on either the French in the form of lead or Hunter in the form of angry words later. "Let's get going, then."

Hunter took a rifle, the weight of it surprisingly light but had a sturdiness to it that defied all rationale. Gripping it as though he knew what laid in his hands, or what it was capable of he looked to the rest, "Surface or tunnels. At this point, tunnels sounds good." Turning to the guy that supplied their weapons, Hunter gestured for him to lead the way.

Prince
Thelin had been given two full clips and had reloaded her weapon with efficiency. She had remained somewhat and had been grateful that the GEE among them were willing to spare their ammo. When Butters had popped his head up, the Nevidian grinned and moved over to hug the vorshaj, "We'll get Hunter, George and Cym, you'll see," she assured the creature. Some of the men looked at her oddly, no doubt wondering how a razor fanged creature such as Butters could be so social, much less be approached.

[Altito Asmoro]

Vladimir took steps slowly into the subway. Descending with the help of his new friends surely will help him. The data mission is to take the data and get back quickly. There is a secret door at the same place of the data that leads to the hidden evacuation base where the survivors taking refuge. The subway is in a dark condition, with no lights at all. However, as Vladimir descending into the railway, he noticed, in the distance, a light, and a scout group of French.

"Be aware, those men in front of us are French."

[Phoenix2012]

Seeing Mike run around helping the wounded into stretchers, Jon knew that it was partly his duty as well. Strapping his rifle to his back, he too helped those who could walk, limp, or crawl into the small makeshift hospital, where a lone 40 watt incandescent light bulb provided light. Jon gave up one of his flashlights, a compact model that put out 800 lumens, and helped with what first aid that he was qualified to do. Many of the injuries weren't that bad, sprained ankles and other stuff of the sort. He still didn't have the faintest idea about what was going on, and he was still trying to arrange transportation out of the area. He asked the soldiers for some ammo, 7.62 NATO for his rifle, 5.56 for the volunteers, and 9mm rounds for Thelin's ppk.

He would quickly find that while many of the soldiers were reluctant to share their own ammunition, most did give up what rounds they could spare to Jon. Their reluctance was more in the light that the French could return and that ammo was already low than anything else, though having the civilians fighting alongside them did help significantly rather than their fighting alone. The streets were being cleared and checkpoints set up as well - it was clear that the evacuation that had been announced was indeed beginning as soon as possible, perhaps even before the next day if the GEU felt it necessary.

Grateful that the soldiers spared what they could, Jon reloaded his magazines and went through all his gear. Satisfied that his equiptment was in good working order, he helped the GEE soldiers maintain their weapons in return fot the ammo. After helping unjam a few rifles, Jon checked on the wounded to make sure that their condition was stablilzed for the night. He also checked on what was left of their civilian group, making sure that they were resting and ready to move out in the morning. Before turning in for the night, he went and found mike and Thelin to discuss the plan for the evac.

[Jessjohnesik]

"Yea I think it's fine now. " Anna said, entirely sure that the bombing has stopped for good, though fearing that it was just a temporary 'pause'.

[Lancearc]

Cymitia made certain to crouch low as the group came to a halt after their quick journey to the nearest subway entrance. It was obviously abandoned, the platform littered with newspapers and snack food wrappers. The quiet was very eerie to her, and she couldn't help but feel uneasy in this type of environment. When the GEE man pointed out lights up ahead, her grip around the weapon she held tightened. "So are we going to fire on them or wait for them to pass?" she asked in an urgent hushed whisper.

---

"I don't feel like we should return." Connor said with concern, still holding the animals he'd been instructed to carry with him on their short flight from their apartment. "Not now, at least. No one gets lucky twice, they could have another wave of bombing in store and I'd rather not be a part of that."

[Mincaldenteans]

Cymitia made certain to crouch low as the group came to a halt after their quick journey to the nearest subway entrance. It was obviously abandoned, the platform littered with newspapers and snack food wrappers. The quiet was very eerie to her, and she couldn't help but feel uneasy in this type of environment. When the GEE man pointed out lights up ahead, her grip around the weapon she held tightened. "So are we going to fire on them or wait for them to pass?" she asked in an urgent hushed whisper.

---

"I don't feel like we should return." Connor said with concern, still holding the animals he'd been instructed to carry with him on their short flight from their apartment. "Not now, at least. No one gets lucky twice, they could have another wave of bombing in store and I'd rather not be a part of that."

Hunter didn't know. They could take them, but they weren't professional soldiers. Instead he'd let the guy who led them here make the decision; Hunter simply shrugged in response to Cymitia's question. He checked his rifle though, making sure it was armed and ready to go if the need arose.

[Altito Asmoro]

Cymitia made certain to crouch low as the group came to a halt after their quick journey to the nearest subway entrance. It was obviously abandoned, the platform littered with newspapers and snack food wrappers. The quiet was very eerie to her, and she couldn't help but feel uneasy in this type of environment. When the GEE man pointed out lights up ahead, her grip around the weapon she held tightened. "So are we going to fire on them or wait for them to pass?" she asked in an urgent hushed whisper.

"I guess we should open fire. Once they reach the range of M16, I guess you two have to take fire, while I take a closer look for firing. While you, Mr. George, should be careful." said Vladimir. The French group had came a bit far, and now Vladimir waited for them to get closer.

[Cadia]

He would quickly find that while many of the soldiers were reluctant to share their own ammunition, most did give up what rounds they could spare to Jon. Their reluctance was more in the light that the French could return and that ammo was already low than anything else, though having the civilians fighting alongside them did help significantly rather than their fighting alone. The streets were being cleared and checkpoints set up as well - it was clear that the evacuation that had been announced was indeed beginning as soon as possible, perhaps even before the next day if the GEU felt it necessary.

Grateful that the soldiers spared what they could, Jon reloaded his magazines and went through all his gear. Satisfied that his equiptment was in good working order, he helped the GEE soldiers maintain their weapons in return fot the ammo. After helping unjam a few rifles, Jon checked on the wounded to make sure that their condition was stablilzed for the night. He also checked on what was left of their civilian group, making sure that they were resting and ready to move out in the morning. Before turning in for the night, he went and found mike and Thelin to discuss the plan for the evac.

"Time to practice my Glaswegian." Mike said under his voice, turning to look at Rambo. Being asked about an evac, he gave Thelin a disgruntled look for before turning his gaze back to Jon; "We don't have one. I thought about Scotland being a place to run to, Liverpool being my next choice; the north, basically.". He watched as a few GEE troopers loading the wounded onto stretchers before turning the corner and disappearing. "Do you happen to have one?"

[Lancearc]

Cymitia held her tongue as she was about to protest. She saw that they could easily sneak past the French before they made it all the way down the tunnel, but she supposed that the man they'd decided to follow knew best, or at least he should. She waited until the men with their flashlights drew within what she estimated to be a comfortable range for the light rifle she held, before raising it to her shoulder and gazing down the sight. The darkness didn't do much to throw off her aim considering her Nevidian sight.

She pulled the trigger three times in quick succession, and one of the men ahead dropped. Obviously she hadn't aimed for the armored spots, rather the neck which happened to be the most exposed and an easy shot when so nearby. Now she only hoped the others did their part.

[Altito Asmoro]

Cymitia held her tongue as she was about to protest. She saw that they could easily sneak past the French before they made it all the way down the tunnel, but she supposed that the man they'd decided to follow knew best, or at least he should. She waited until the men with their flashlights drew within what she estimated to be a comfortable range for the light rifle she held, before raising it to her shoulder and gazing down the sight. The darkness didn't do much to throw off her aim considering her Nevidian sight.

She pulled the trigger three times in quick succession, and one of the men ahead dropped. Obviously she hadn't aimed for the armored spots, rather the neck which happened to be the most exposed and an easy shot when so nearby. Now she only hoped the others did their part.

Vladimir fired four shots, intensely to the French, and one of the men dropped again. Perhaps his shot hit the neck, or not. Or the other. The darkness, however, may limits his sight to fire his shotgun. With no other choice, he pulled one of the Flash grenades, and threw it to the French.

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

“Cym! Hunt! Close your eyes, NOW!” George was horrified when the Russian cowboy threw a Flash bang at the French forces, and remembered the stories about bleeding eyeballs told a thousand times by Hunter, increasing in gravitas every time. The last time he’d told him the story, he’d told him they were fighting an army of a thousand HGV soldiers, with three tanks and a helicopter. Truly, the story became cooler every time. But now, the faced a problem. Without giving it a second thought, he tackled Hunter and Cymitia, who had been stationed next to each other, trying to get them behind some form of protection. While doing so, he fired the M16 he’d been given at the French, this time being more successful with his firing. He hit the ground in front of the French this time, a remarkable improvement of his marksmanship.

[Lancearc]

“Cym! Hunt! Close your eyes, NOW!” George was horrified when the Russian cowboy threw a Flash bang at the French forces, and remembered the stories about bleeding eyeballs told a thousand times by Hunter, increasing in gravitas every time. The last time he’d told him the story, he’d told him they were fighting an army of a thousand HGV soldiers, with three tanks and a helicopter. Truly, the story became cooler every time. But now, the faced a problem. Without giving it a second thought, he tackled Hunter and Cymitia, who had been stationed next to each other, trying to get them behind some form of protection. While doing so, he fired the M16 he’d been given at the French, this time being more successful with his firing. He hit the ground in front of the French this time, a remarkable improvement of his marksmanship.

Cymitia had seen the odd cylinder fall to the ground after being thrown by the man, but it looked far different from the flash grenade she'd seen before. This one was obviously military grade, and by that logic, far more effective than the simple one they'd been affected by prior to their escape from London months earlier. She didn't know it, but this one could blind her for much longer or permanently, if it was close enough.

Luckily George ensured she and Hunter were not gazing at it with a shout, and the following tackle just at the moment the thing exploded made sure that the only effect was their ears ringing slightly. The Frenchmen were backing up slowly, the remaining two wiping their eyes frantically to no effect. She heard gunshots and the two fall, but she didn't know exactly who it was that had finished them off. After helping Hunter to his feet she nodded to George. "Thank you." she said sincerely, before retrieving her weapon from the ground. "Now which way are we supposed to go?" she questioned, glancing down the two possible tunnels, left and right.

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

“I have an idea!” George said, with a smug smile. From his pocket, he got his phone. “I have a road tracking app. I couldn’t use it before, but since the Empire has gotten us wifi…” He looked at his phone, and his smile disappeared in a second. He held it up above his head, twisting it round, and pulling it back down. “Since then, it’s being blocked by twenty feet of hard concrete. Great.” He looked at the Russian, reluctantly. “Now, cowboy. Take us somewhere.”

[Mincaldenteans]

“I have an idea!” George said, with a smug smile. From his pocket, he got his phone. “I have a road tracking app. I couldn’t use it before, but since the Empire has gotten us wifi…” He looked at his phone, and his smile disappeared in a second. He held it up above his head, twisting it round, and pulling it back down. “Since then, it’s being blocked by twenty feet of hard concrete. Great.” He looked at the Russian, reluctantly. “Now, cowboy. Take us somewhere.”

"First the bombing, now the grenades... again!" Hunter said, miffed. He dusted himself off from the dirt that had all but ruined his suit and no doubt Cymitia's dress. Maybe it was the level of the crisis happening that was making him short on words and high on temper and so far he had contained it. Until the grenades, in which he was thankful for George's speedy reaction but for the life of everyone, he was just put off by the close calls. "Somewhere where we're not shot at, grenade thrown at, or anything that requires us to be continually hiding like some rat," Hunter added toward the Russian.

[Altito Asmoro]

"The left will lead to a supposed enclave of Nevidians who hid themselves following the Return, so they are yet to see the sun. We found them here and care for them. The right, however, will lead to the place where the data is. Perhaps we should part off. You three should go evacuate yourself."

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

“Nice, Dmitri. You bring us down here, and then leave us to rot. That was not part of the deal.” George, who had just reloaded his gun, locked a new round into place, to give more power to his words. He aimed the gun from his hip, pointing the barrel at the ground before the Russian. “You either escort us all the way, or I’ll leave you here to rot. Just take us near the Nevidian Sanctuary, and we’ll be on our way. But if one of us gets as much as a paper cut…” George was genuinely pissed. The way the Russian acted. Without care and with force, he almost blinded his friends, and almost got them killed. Some violent tone, which George hadn’t felt for some weeks now, filled his bloodstream.

[Lancearc]

"Fine, if he wants to abandon us like this then who are we to stop him, we are more than capable of looking after ourselves." Cymitia finally spoke up with a frown. Frankly, she was tired of being pulled along like a mindless animal whether by crowds of people or this man, and the prospect of finally going her own way at her own pace was very appealing. The fact the man had thrown one of his light grenades while knowing that he had Nevidians nearby wasn't endearing her to him much.

With that, she stormed away, though the act of storming away on the uneven ground was difficult in heels. This wasn't quite the romantic date she'd expected, and now it seemed that her peaceful existence was to again be disturbed by a war, though she had no idea the extent to which herself and her companions currently with her and whom she had no idea she'd be meeting would change the outcome of this war.

---

7 Hours Later
English Countryside, 75 miles north of London

The past hours had been mass confusion for just about everyone, though the evacuation went more smoothly than they could have imagined initially. While some went to work clearing the streets of debris and bodies, the rest of the GEE forces were busy organizing the evacuation. Buses had been loaded, sent away from the fighting to various locations, most not very far away considering they were using the method that they were. The buses would unload at designated points and pass their human cargo along to another, until they reached their final destination.

Cymitia, Hunter and George found themselves crammed onto a bus with many others. They'd been discovered by GEE men inside London, though by request they were sent to the evacuation centers in Prince due to family reasons - of course, this was a lie, though Cymitia didn't want to leave behind Butters, Thelin and Mike. Butters lay at Cym's feet quietly, occasionally hissing when a strange pair of legs came to close. Cym and her two companions had also been fortunate enough to be sent on the same bus as Thelin and Mike, too. As the bus rolled along, the ride became rather quiet. No one knew just what to say really.

---

By chance, Connor and Anna were present on this bus as well.

The evacuation stations in London were obviously overflowing, as the GEE had expected. Some riders were sent to outlying towns near London to be evacuated, to speed along the process. It just so happened that they were chosen, along with all of the animals. While the animals had to be sent ahead to Camberidge, the first stop until Nottingham. Connor was similarly silent as the rest of the occupants, but kept close to Anna as the bus bumped along, glancing out the window occasionally.

[Cadia]

Mike looked up from his book, taking the stale, warm air into his lungs as he took a sharp breath. It appeared as if most of the people on the bus were asleep, or were trying to do so under the current atmosphere. He was given strange looks as he took the book out of his small backpack, Les Misérables being the name of the writing. Daring not to look at his watch, Mike guessed that it would've been rather early in the morning. Slouching further into the rather uncomfortable seat, he folded the corner of the page and began to stare outside of the window, wondering what might occur in the near future.

[Phoenix2012]

Jon finally relaxed on the bus, taking in the english countryside, glad that this mess was over...for now. He felt that his duty was done, having more or less kept them alive, but he didn't know what he would do in Liverpool, and where his life would go from there...Like they said, he would cross that bridge when he got to it...