The Return (IC/OPEN)

[Mincaldenteans]

Old Man

Grumbling, he looked at Cymitia, "You may as well leave 'im here, darling. He'll be out for a good day or two if they don't bug him, that is, or we don't get thrown some place else." Getting up, his knees popped and his back audibly creaked at the strain. He was tired and his grumbling only got louder at the sensation of it. "I could use a hand," he said to her and walked off to wherever his next patient was.

"Take me to the fella," he groused at his 'hosts' who merely gestured which way to go. Entering, his trained eye immediately found the squirming man with an unsightly protrusion out from his shoulder. "Quit fidgeting ya big girl, the doc's here to rescue that arm of yours." The old man rolled his eyes as he shoved his sleeves up and looked around for a large bucket to fill water in and some clean clothes.

"One of you dopes out there got some medical equipment?" He hollered back to Bradley and his goons.

While there was no answer from Bradley (who'd surely wandered off to see to more important tasks within his little group of outlaws) one of the men did confirm that their leader had thought to supply the lone doctor with proper medical equipment, though most of it was just simple first aid there was also anesthesia equipment - if whiskey and shot glasses could be considered as such. If it didn't knock them out it would at least dull the pain for long enough. There was also morphine, though in a much smaller quantity.

Cymitia had thought of nothing better to do than follow the old man who'd helped Hunter, also taking note to go visit Thelin soon to see how she was doing. "I hope I'm not being a bother but I never asked your name." she said, hoping she wouldn't annoy the doctor.

The old man stared warily at the woman, but shrugged after a moment, "No bother little lady, let's just help out this fellow right now." He gestured at the injured man. Making some haphazard gestures, "fetch some clean clothes, will ya, little lady? And while you're at it, poor us some shots... a double for this man," looking at the wound around the shoulder, the piece of metal protruded in the ugliest fashion not seen since his days in combat; though the doctor wasn't about to share those details to the pretty lady. He also had to refrain from actually touching it, lest the kid started crying some more, "Make that a triple for this fella, he's going to need it."

[Altito Asmoro]

"Another fine vigilante indeed. Sorry," as they lowered down their weapons.

"We're looking for a group of armed bandits here, they took many hostages. One of them is so important because she, is our target. And seeing your kind of job, will you want to work with us? It pays high, so high you can use it for anything. How's that?" said Ironplate, the captain of the 8-men team.

"Sure, why the hell not." Tevan says to them. Lowering his hands from his head.

"Great! Gentlemen! To the woods!" said Ironplate, as they moved to the woods for the bandits.

[Chedastan]

"Sure, why the hell not." Tevan says to them. Lowering his hands from his head.

"Great! Gentlemen! To the woods!" said Ironplate, as they moved to the woods for the bandits.

Tevan moves with them. Of course.

[Altito Asmoro]

"Great! Gentlemen! To the woods!" said Ironplate, as they moved to the woods for the bandits.

Tevan moves with them. Of course.

They went into the jeeps first, noticing the conversation between a lady and 3 of the other men. They checked to the first jeep, and opened its trunks, revealing a Dragunov sniper, 2 M16, and 4 Glock.

"Perhaps you must choose your loadout first. You know, weapons."

[Chedastan]

Tevan moves with them. Of course.

They went into the jeeps first, noticing the conversation between a lady and 3 of the other men. They checked to the first jeep, and opened its trunks, revealing a Dragunov sniper, 2 M16, and 4 Glock.

"Perhaps you must choose your loadout first. You know, weapons."

Tevan grabs an Glock and M-16. "So are we going to slaughter these bandits then?" Tevan asked. Loading a STANAG into his M-16.

[Altito Asmoro]

They went into the jeeps first, noticing the conversation between a lady and 3 of the other men. They checked to the first jeep, and opened its trunks, revealing a Dragunov sniper, 2 M16, and 4 Glock.

"Perhaps you must choose your loadout first. You know, weapons."

Tevan grabs an Glock and M-16. "So are we going to slaughter these bandits then?" Tevan asked. Loading a STANAG into his M-16.

"Yes. Yes we do. Or we can just burn the entire woods."

They moved into the woods for the investigation, with the 2 of them are waiting for strike now.

[Lancearc]

The WSC agents had been being followed for quite some time (obviously unbeknownst to them), the thickly forested area and the overcast conditions making it difficult to see, especially with night's rapid onset. They didn't yet know it, but they were in fact quite heavily outnumber if not outgunned - approximately 30 of Bradley's outlaws were keeping a close eye on these men as they made their way through the forest, on each flank, from the rear and even up in the trees, creating a rather deadly crossfire should these PMCs make the wrong move.

---

Cymitia was disappointed he'd not given up his name, though when he asked her to pour the shots she'd gotten to it rather quickly. It wasn't something she'd done for quite some time but she'd gotten it done rather quickly, considering past experience.

[Phoenix2012]

Jon found Thelin and Mike after the dramatic incident. He saw that this situation could easily get out of hand, and end in a massacre, which he didn’t want to happen. He didn’t survive the French only to be killed by bandits, and the leader of the band was stark mad and could do anything. He found Thelin and gave her a condescending look.
“Look, Thelin, I know you’re strong willed and all, but it wasn't wise on your part to react the way you did. My goal right now is to keep you guys alive and well to the best of my ability, but it can be really difficult if you keep reacting in such a manner. I know that you don’t like the situation we’re in, but none of us do. Just try and keep calm, like Mike over there. I know that you’re stressed, and we all are, but do your best to stay calm and avoid escalating the circumstances. ‘k?” He said softly, hoping she didn't feel like he was chewing her out, but intending to give friendly advise...

[Mincaldenteans]

Seeing the shots poured, the old man took one for himself and mumbled something that sounded like a salutary before downing it. Then looking at the man, "take the three now boy, you don't have much choice and the longer that thing is in your shoulder, well... I doubt you'd catch any pretty lass with that thing stuck in there," he smirked.

"Names Jim, by the way," he said, glancing over at Cymitia. "Whose that boy to you in the other area?"

---

Thelin shrugged of Jon's words. They weren't helping her, or so she kept telling herself. First the HGV, then the French, and of all people now it had to be a bandit led by a psychotic megalomaniac. It was like the cosmos had a sick joke at their expense and they were playing into it spectacularly. "I wasn't escalating anything, but if I didn't point out that Hunter was hurt, do you think that whack job out there would've noticed? Or the others? I think he'd sooner see them dead and think it normal than actually doing something about it. He's not hospitable, he's disturbed and deranged. Sooner put a bullet between his eyes than see him again."

She rubbed her cheeks instinctively, the swelling was still there, a burning reminder of her defiance. Thelin wasn't looking for an argument but she was tired, and her instinct was like that of a caged Vorshaj.

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

“Thank you, doc. I appreciate it.” George turned towards Cym. “Could you get me two of those? One might not be sufficient.” He bit down on a piece of soft wood he’d found on the forest floor, and he gripped his upper legs tight with both hands. Whatever was going to happen now, it was going to be hurtful. Although using his left arm hurt a lot, due to the metal pipe, he had to grip something, lest he would punch the doctor back in time.

“I do not trust you one bit…” Daniél was scared, as she didn’t know what to do. With her shotgun resting firmly against her shoulder, she could just get rid of them, and continue on her own, to be sure… The thought crossed her head, and she pulled the trigger a bit, but not enough to make the gun go off. She aimed the gun at the chest of the closest man, the canister would shatter his ribcage like a stack of matches. But she lowered it. She couldn’t get herself to do such an act, not even to rescue her brother. She didn’t even know if he’d changed or not. She just couldn’t. Instead, she spoke. “I’m just looking for someone. Can you point me in the direction they were taken to?”

[Mincaldenteans]

"Alright, here goes," Jim said gruffly, putting down the shot glass and wiping his hands on a clean piece of cloth. "This is gonna hurt immensely. Do you best to stay put once it's out. We have to make sure there's no bits left or if infection has settled. God knows how long this damn thing has been in there," he grumbled on for a few more moments before clasping one hand on George's shoulder, the other on the pipe.

"One.. two.." he didn't wait for three, pulling the pipe out with an obscene amount of flesh and blood noises that Jim had heard a thousand times, and each time it was just as sickening. "You there, little lady, help me out here!" Blood was pouring out and Jim's old hands were fighting to keep the man from rolling over.

[Lancearc]

"Alright, here goes," Jim said gruffly, putting down the shot glass and wiping his hands on a clean piece of cloth. "This is gonna hurt immensely. Do you best to stay put once it's out. We have to make sure there's no bits left or if infection has settled. God knows how long this damn thing has been in there," he grumbled on for a few more moments before clasping one hand on George's shoulder, the other on the pipe.

"One.. two.." he didn't wait for three, pulling the pipe out with an obscene amount of flesh and blood noises that Jim had heard a thousand times, and each time it was just as sickening. "You there, little lady, help me out here!" Blood was pouring out and Jim's old hands were fighting to keep the man from rolling over.

Cymitia's already naturally pale complexion got paler at the sight of the old man's methods of removing the metal from George's shoulder, and fighting off a wave of intense wooziness she managed to bring herself to George's side, removing her long coat and using it to attempt to stop the bleeding for the time being. This reminded her that she still needed to find some better clothing aside from a dress and high heels to outfit herself with, as it was becoming increasingly uncomfortable in the environment she'd been thrust into. While she was at his side she also did her best to keep George under control and stop him from writhing too much.

[Jessjohnesik]

Anna searched for Connor, before finally sighting him. While Sun was injured and was als busy tending to her mother, who was also injured, Anna had just enough time to get to know another survivor- Dahl. Dahl was a blonde, well-built woman of nordic descent who apparently helped both the army and police. "Connor!" Anna exclaimed, running up to him. "We have to get out of here. That man, the leader, is fucking deranged and I think that it's not too long before he starts killing us one by one because we didn't look at him right or something," Anna breathed in, awaiting a reply from Connor.

[Lancearc]

Anna searched for Connor, before finally sighting him. While Sun was injured and was als busy tending to her mother, who was also injured, Anna had just enough time to get to know another survivor- Dahl. Dahl was a blonde, well-built woman of nordic descent who apparently helped both the army and police. "Connor!" Anna exclaimed, running up to him. "We have to get out of here. That man, the leader, is fucking deranged and I think that it's not too long before he starts killing us one by one because we didn't look at him right or something," Anna breathed in, awaiting a reply from Connor.

"I know." Connor answered simply, relieved to see she was among the living still. "Though we should at least feel lucky that he didn't decide to have us all killed." he continued, lowering his voice a bit as some of Bradley's men were wandering nearby. "It might be a little premature to begin plotting an escape though, we should bide our time for now I think." Connor said with a self-agreeing nod at his own suggestions.

[Phoenix2012]

Jon walked away from the group, closer to the edge of the clearing, and sat on a log. Knowing that a guard was watching his every move, he dared not reach into the depths of his pocket for his pocketknife. He was still following his instructor's advise, and had half a dozen plans on escaping, only problem was, he couldn't do it alone, and he didn't know how to spread the plan without getting shot. He could sense that many of the 'prisoners' weren't content living under the rule of the maniac of an outlaw, but the bandits were too heavily armed, and wouldn't be easily defeated, especially if they didn't have an organized plan. And even if they sucessfully rebelled, it wouldn't end without casualties, and quite a few, considering the weaponry of the bandits. He had studied their patterns, and discovered that they weren't your average outlaws, they were too disciplined to be. Other than the maniac in charge, they almost had a military attitude about them. They had organized patrols, and were alert, unlike most outlaws. He didn't see any hole in their patrols large enough to act. Another problem was that he didn't know most of the prisoners, only Thelin and Mike, as many of the volunteers were on another bus. This and the fact that they weren't armed were the biggest problems he saw, so he kept his ideas to himself, waiting for a better time. Perhaps the bandits would start slacking off in a few days...

[Mincaldenteans]

Having wrapped George's shoulder tightly and with little resistance (along with three more shots downed in haste), the old man grumbled something about rest and leaving him to his weathered bones before plopping himself onto a chair that was lined with a few ragged blankets. He kicked off his boots and looked at the guards who did their best not to scowl at him. The doctor just smiled, though it wasn't a pleasant one, "Don't suppose ya'll can cook or got some food around here?"

"We've been instructed to provide you rations," one of them said vaguely.

The old man rolled his eyes, "Then make yourself useful and feed the patients."

"Look, you shriveled up-"

"Son, I don't have time to exchange insults with a desperate young idiot like yourself," he groused. "Just do it and if the Commandant has anything to say about it, tell him I asked you to do it. Cause hell knows, I can barely sit without passing out from fatigue right now."

The guard grumbled something, shoving his buddy away at attempted humor and walked off. The old man presumed it was to feed the survivors. Laying his head back, he decided maybe a few hours of shut eye would do him some good.

[Altito Asmoro]

The WSC agents had been being followed for quite some time (obviously unbeknownst to them), the thickly forested area and the overcast conditions making it difficult to see, especially with night's rapid onset. They didn't yet know it, but they were in fact quite heavily outnumber if not outgunned - approximately 30 of Bradley's outlaws were keeping a close eye on these men as they made their way through the forest, on each flank, from the rear and even up in the trees, creating a rather deadly crossfire should these PMCs make the wrong move.

---

Cymitia was disappointed he'd not given up his name, though when he asked her to pour the shots she'd gotten to it rather quickly. It wasn't something she'd done for quite some time but she'd gotten it done rather quickly, considering past experience.

"Shh..."

"They might have following us. Form a defensive formation for now. Circle formation."

The 5 man-team stated formed a defensive formation, weapons ready, ready for anything, but not a heavy firefight if that is what will happens. Meanwhile, a helicopter, WSC aerial helicopter, was sighted atop the woods. The WSC spared one of the civilian helicopter who had been turned into a scout military helicopter, armed with machine guns and with 2 snipers ready on each side. The helicopter was intended to looked for the survivors.

[Jessjohnesik]

Completely ignoring Connor's words, Anna goes on about her plan to escape. "We could sneak out when no one is near or watching us. Or we could distract their attention and then run off. This woman, Dahl, has got a bag of firecrackers with her." She paused to take a breath "We could set something on fire and while their busy extinguishing it, we could run off with a few other survivors." Anna stopped, waiting for Connor to reply.

[Lancearc]

Completely ignoring Connor's words, Anna goes on about her plan to escape. "We could sneak out when no one is near or watching us. Or we could distract their attention and then run off. This woman, Dahl, has got a bag of firecrackers with her." She paused to take a breath "We could set something on fire and while their busy extinguishing it, we could run off with a few other survivors." Anna stopped, waiting for Connor to reply.

"Do you think I don't know what I'm talking about?" Connor started before she'd even finished speaking, somewhat irritably. "I've run with these kinds of...groups before." he said, hesitating somewhat here. "If we try anything too soon they're going to be prepared for it. If we wait a while they'll think they've broken our will and wait for their ransom or whatever we're being held for - can you trust me when I say these things?" he asked, making sure none of Bradley's men were about to hear him speak.

---

Cymitia didn't quite know what to do after the old doctor drifted off, left feeling a bit vulnerable in fact. Unarmed and under the watchful eye of any number of bandit types at any given time, she felt like a caged animal although they were given a rather reasonable degree of freedom to roam about their new surroundings. She'd returned to Hunter's tent and sat beside him as he slept and hopefully returned to health, though she had since began wandering about the camp, deciding to head off in search of Thelin and Mike.

---

The helicopter would be spotted, though it faced a rather large problem at the moment - the highwaymen had been doing similar things for the past days, and a military shipment had been on the list of ambushed vehicles. It wasn't a high priority for the GEE's placement of personnel, and so had been an easy enough picking, but it had contained a number of Russian RPG-18 launchers (which were now quite easy to come by in most of the world). From the trees the chopper was being tracked, ready to be fired upon.

Similarly, the WSC infantry were being stalked by the large group of bandits ready to pounce.

[Chedastan]

---

The helicopter would be spotted, though it faced a rather large problem at the moment - the highwaymen had been doing similar things for the past days, and a military shipment had been on the list of ambushed vehicles. It wasn't a high priority for the GEE's placement of personnel, and so had been an easy enough picking, but it had contained a number of Russian RPG-18 launchers (which were now quite easy to come by in most of the world). From the trees the chopper was being tracked, ready to be fired upon.

Similarly, the WSC infantry were being stalked by the large group of bandits ready to pounce.

Tevan could sense something bad is going to happen not long from now. He moved with the WSC infantry. Being a sudden addition to them and such. He kept his rifle at the ready purely out of instinct. Given that Tevan has been in countless situations that has made him adapt, in a way, for his job of being a vigilant freelancer. Or simply a mercenary, if one wants to be brash in a way. Tevan decided to take good look around him. Seeing if anything looks to be out of place.

[Mincaldenteans]

Fluttering his eyes open, Hunter groaned at the palpable weight of weariness and fatigue that held his body. He looked paler than usual and barely managed a groan from his dry throat. Everything seemed blurry and there was a dull (though turning sharper by the second) ache on his left side that he didn’t remember having. As his vision cleared, so did his memory that came crashing back and pushing him into awareness. There was a crash, he was injured, there were armed men and then… black. Turning his head round slowly he saw Cymitia by his side in a tent that had seen better days from the looks of its dull blue hue.

“Hey,” he managed out with a dry rasp. “What’s going on?”

[Lancearc]

Cymitia glanced towards the opening of the tent before speaking. Night had begun to fall by then, but she could still see a dull glow outside the tent flap which was under vigilant watch by one of Bradley's thugs - tiki torches were planted in the ground, it wasn't exactly anything too fancy, but it kept everything lit reasonably well. The coming of night had sapped her a bit too, as well as the day's events thus far. "Don't worry about it right now, okay?" Cymitia replied quickly. "You should probably just get some rest." she added.

[Mincaldenteans]

"Think I've rested enough," he mumbled and winced when he fidgeted. "I remember us crashing... there were armed guards. Where exactly are we?" He turned his head as much as humanly possible to get a sense of anything. A tent, some makeshift equipment, ratty furniture. It looked like squalor and not much different before the GEE had liberated London. His fingers traced his side, feeling the ragged wound even through the bandage wrapped around. "How long have I been out?"

[Cadia]

Awhile after the fire, Mike found himself in one of the many tents containing prisoners. He sat on the bunk that was directed to him by one of the guards, holding the copy of Hunchback in his hands. I haven't seen Thelin since the leader hit her, he thought to himself, feeling pathetic that he had done almost nothing to attempt to speak with her since then, I hope she's okay...

He placed a small piece of paper between the pages and closed the book, hoping that a small walk could clear his mind. Getting up off of his bunk, he walked outside and began to wander the area, hopefully finding something to do as he did so.

[Lancearc]

"Essentially all day, if I recall...We're somewhere is all I could tell you after we were dragged off. As far as I know the nearest civilization is quite a distance." Cymitia answered, shifting in position as she realized just how drained she was from having been up all day and the general stress of the situation that they'd been placed in. "Luckily a doctor was here or I don't think you would have made it."

---

Further from the camp, the ambush seemed prepared to begin. Several flash grenades were tossed towards the WSC men, Bradley's bandits waiting for the grenades to burst before rushing forward towards the blinded men. It was quick and rather precise for a group of outlaws - those that offered any resistance or weren't blinded were killed, while the men focused on binding those that were captured without incident. Their sheer numbers allowed them to do this, flooding over the WSC men like flies to a carcass.

The helicopter would find itself in a similarly difficult situation. Each of the men - five of them - had been given the order to fire up at it simultaneously for maximum effectiveness. This meant the chopper's pilot had the rather difficult task of dodging five rockets at the same time, and with little time to react, as the trees hid the rockets from view until they broke the canopy and began streaking towards the aircraft.