The Return (IC/OPEN)

[Vaxon]

Cymitia only nodded to Hunter's directions as they made their way back into the corridors they had originally come from. She hadn't gotten a good look at the map while Hunter had been studying it, but she imagined that now he knew where he was going well enough, and these hallways were at least new, indicating they were going in a better direction than backtracking. When a light was switched on to reveal a lone man against the wall of the hallway, they both stopped dead in their tracks and raised their weapons. "And I would advise you to stop making such requests, we could easily shoot you and continue our flight without any hesitation." she spat, before the man had even finished speaking.

Zachary chuckled. He looked around.
"So, you're all alone? Interesting. Drop your weapons, slide 'em over. Get to it.", he said, taking his pistol off safety, aiming at both of them.
He began reaching for his second Luger, while still watching them.

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

George looked out over London, from the command tower of General Matthews. It was a mixed sight: the city was ablaze in night lights. Oh, it’s alright, when the lights of the city shine so bright. But he knew he had to help destroy part of it. The GEE knew he was a former Humanity First member, so, he knew where valuable targets were. After that, a native Londoner would make a good political asset when the city was conquered. Letting a native govern was, after all, a good way to ensure people remained happy. Or that they aimed their general unhappiness at that person, not the Empire. But that was all far away. Now, George had to decide what buildings had to be destroyed. He pointed to the general the Humanity First HQ’s, as well as HGV headquarters and strategical positions, armouries, and high concentrations of soldiers. His finger, armed with a sharpie, flung across the map, encircling every possible site that would be worth bombing the shit out of. At one spot, his finger hold back. He paused. He didn’t even know why. That particular building, it felt wrong to destroy. Not for any reason whatsoever, he just held back. Confused by his own doubt, he finally circled the position of the last HGV HQ. Somehow, he felt bad for that particular bombing. Unknown to him, of course, there was a rebel action busy at that particular time. But he didn’t know.

And so, he handed over the map to Matthews, who thanked him for it. George left the command tower, and watched how the guns of the Paladins aimed skywards, preparing for their actions. George didn’t really care. As any dude, he loved a big explosion, but watching his city being shelled to ashes really didn’t appeal to him. He went outside, to the cold dampness of the English night. With his hand buried deeply into his pockets, George walked past the forest besides the battery, wondering both why the city had to be shelled first, and why they used Paladin cannons. He would have loved to see a fire rain from a Russian Katushya. This thought struck him as strange, for he didn’t want to see his city destroyed. But still… After walking there for about half an hour, he saw a figure running past the treeline. It was dark, so it was just a faded image he could see, but it worried him. In these times, black figments running past forest were not to be trusted. With a slight tick, he cocked the hammer of his revolver, which he held in his pocket, before slowly pulling it out. He aimed it at the running man, who obviously didn’t try to be stealthy. Partially gripped with fear, George yelled the first part of the agreed password. “Thunder!” To his relief, the black figure immediately yelled the second part, indicating he was a friendly. “Flash!”

The man was a soldier, a spotter for the 3rd artillery corps. He had to report his findings to George, to scan for any abnormalities. George knew this part, it was mostly boring. He had to read about movement, troops placement, usage of the building, to check if those were really the buildings he meant. There were only some minor mistakes, but he spotted every one of them. For example, the children’s hospital was no cover, but his hand had slipped during the crossing. He meant the building next to it. These people, always hard on details. At the last building to check, George stopped to read the entire report. Nothing strange, but there had been an extraordinary level of alarms, and some people had been seen through windows and Infrared scans. They had even included some coloured pictures. Really, the 3rd corps never spared expenses. George looked at the pictures, and somehow, he recognised the two shapes running through the lower levels. Their infrared prints were colder, like those of Nevidians. Of course, living deep underground, their body temperatures had diminished somewhat over time. The way these people ran, and the way they held hands, left no doubt over their identity. “Private” George said, looking at the man while handing over the report. “Give me half an hour, a heli, and a bunch of trained soldiers. Those people who drop onto roofs and such.”

Within five minutes, George was strapped into a helicopter. Euro copter Stealth, the same machine that took him out of the city now brought him in. With him was Ranger Squad Delta, some people dressed in black. George didn’t get exactly what they were good at, but they looked cool. And they could rope onto a roof, which was a prerequisite. So, George and his men flew over the capitol, unspotted by men on the ground. They went straight for their target, the building were George had seen the strange infrared marks. The soldiers were decked out, armed with grenades, pistols, AUG’s, all the cool soldier gear, and of course, a helicopter, armed to the teeth. The assault was going to go well. If they could get there within half an hour. After that, the 3rd corps would start shelling the shit out of everything it could reach. The helicopter went into its descent, heading for the building.

[Mincaldenteans]

Cymitia only nodded to Hunter's directions as they made their way back into the corridors they had originally come from. She hadn't gotten a good look at the map while Hunter had been studying it, but she imagined that now he knew where he was going well enough, and these hallways were at least new, indicating they were going in a better direction than backtracking. When a light was switched on to reveal a lone man against the wall of the hallway, they both stopped dead in their tracks and raised their weapons. "And I would advise you to stop making such requests, we could easily shoot you and continue our flight without any hesitation." she spat, before the man had even finished speaking.

Zachary chuckled. He looked around.
"So, you're all alone? Interesting. Drop your weapons, slide 'em over. Get to it.", he said, taking his pistol off safety, aiming at both of them.
He began reaching for his second Luger, while still watching them.

Hunter took a shot right at his feet and aimed up higher, "Next one won't miss I guarantee you that. Back off."

[Vaxon]

Zachary chuckled. He looked around.
"So, you're all alone? Interesting. Drop your weapons, slide 'em over. Get to it.", he said, taking his pistol off safety, aiming at both of them.
He began reaching for his second Luger, while still watching them.

Hunter took a shot right at his feet and aimed up higher, "Next one won't miss I guarantee you that. Back off."

Zachary wasn't even phased. He had dealt with resistance and threats such as this before.
"Too bad. I was hoping I wasn't going to have to do this.", he said with a slight chuckle.
He shot at Hunter's hand, instead hitting his gun. The force damaged his gun and knocked it from his hand.
"Next shot, I won't miss EITHER.", he said sadistically.
He has his second Luger trained in Cymitia.

[Lancearc]

Hunter took a shot right at his feet and aimed up higher, "Next one won't miss I guarantee you that. Back off."

Zachary wasn't even phased. He had dealt with resistance and threats such as this before.
"Too bad. I was hoping I wasn't going to have to do this.", he said with a slight chuckle.
He shot at Hunter's hand, instead hitting his gun. The force damaged his gun and knocked it from his hand.
"Next shot, I won't miss EITHER.", he said sadistically.
He has his second Luger trained in Cymitia.

Cymitia was about to fire her own shot when a loud explosion was heard just down the hall. The wall at the end of the corridor the standoff was occurring in had been completely blown open, revealing a team of rebel fighters pouring in through the new makeshift door. The rebels numbered what looked to be around 15, though it was difficult to tell through the smoke. Regardless, Cymitia took the initiative to send her boot into this man's knee and simultaneously send her pistol across his face before taking off down the corridor and dragging Hunter along with her, turning the nearest corner in their bolting from the scene, the plan being to let the insurgents deal with the other man.

---

Outside, the sound of the chopper landing atop one of the buildings of the compound was drawing the attention of many. The gunfire never stopped, but many looked up briefly to spot the rotor-blade aircraft coming in. There were no visible markings on the chopper, though the HGV had every reason to believe it wasn't exactly here to help them in the fight.

[Vaxon]

Zachary wasn't even phased. He had dealt with resistance and threats such as this before.
"Too bad. I was hoping I wasn't going to have to do this.", he said with a slight chuckle.
He shot at Hunter's hand, instead hitting his gun. The force damaged his gun and knocked it from his hand.
"Next shot, I won't miss EITHER.", he said sadistically.
He has his second Luger trained in Cymitia.

Cymitia was about to fire her own shot when a loud explosion was heard just down the hall. The wall at the end of the corridor the standoff was occurring in had been completely blown open, revealing a team of rebel fighters pouring in through the new makeshift door. The rebels numbered what looked to be around 15, though it was difficult to tell through the smoke. Regardless, Cymitia took the initiative to send her boot into this man's knee and simultaneously send her pistol across his face before taking off down the corridor and dragging Hunter along with her, turning the nearest corner in their bolting from the scene, the plan being to let the insurgents deal with the other man.

---

Outside, the sound of the chopper landing atop one of the buildings of the compound was drawing the attention of many. The gunfire never stopped, but many looked up briefly to spot the rotor-blade aircraft coming in. There were no visible markings on the chopper, though the HGV had every reason to believe it wasn't exactly here to help them in the fight.

Zach fell to the ground, dropping one pistol. He began slowly getting up.
Three of his squad members came to his aid after hearing the blast. They began leading him to the exit. He was headed for his escape van.
He exited the building and escaped to his truck. His men got him on the truck, then got on it themselves. It drove away.


OOC:
Zachary probably has important information.
Someone should chase him and kidnapz him. Preferably, with no injuries. C:

[Lancearc]

The rebels escorting them through London had managed to get them to the nearest hospital safely, though Connor couldn't exactly comprehend how long it had taken or even which hospital he'd been taken to. As their little group entered the hospital several medical staff rushed to the severely injured Connor, rolling the mobile bed they brought along with them to him and hefting him on to it with groans of pain being Connor's protest to the sudden action that caused a fresh wave of pain to shoot throughout his body. All of this was a painful blur to Connor, and he got the feeling he was losing consciousness at a rapid rate now, being wheeled through the pristine halls of the hospital. The escorts were alongside him with Anna, one of the rebels' radios sparking to life. "HGV men have been spotted moving towards the hospital, be prepared to defend, reinforcements mobilized." the man on the other side of the radio spoke, Anna and Connor's escort not even bothering to reply to the information.

Connor reached out blindly to find Anna's hand, eventually able to grip it after a few missed tries. "You should....you should g-go get treated..." Connor insisted with a cough, indicating Anna's wounds.

[Jessjohnesik]

"I'm fine. They're not serious at all." Anna replied, tightly gripping Connor's hand. She knew the HGV would come knocking on the hospital doors any time now. What she didn't know was how they would escape and what would happen if the rebels that saved them would get killed. Her wounds were stinging but she didn't want to leave Connor.

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

George’s helicopter strafed past the building. There, he could affirm the abnormal levels of activity. The most clear evidence was the fact that the HGV had opened fire upon the helicopter. The soldiers, trained for this kind of danger, immediately returned fire. While the HGV didn’t hit much, they weren’t trained for shooting at helicopters, the soldiers put down some very effective fire. George fired too, among his kills were a 2011 Lamborghini, a street lamp and a dustbin. The pilot of the craft, together with the commander, got the attention of George. They yelled at him, to overcome the noise of the helicopter.

“Mister Chambers! The Roof is too hot! Are we authorised to clear the way by force?”

George didn’t know much about what the man had said, but it seemed logical. Some terms he had heard in action movies. So, he just put up his thumb. Immediately, the helicopter began to hover, aiming itself at the roof and the upper floor of the building. It hovered there for a few seconds, before ‘clearing the way’. The craft began to spew bullets from its mounted machine gun, forcing the HGV to take cover behind objects and cover. After all the militia had hidden themselves, the machine gun turned from constant fire to burst fire, keeping the HGV occupied. The pilot turned towards George again.

“Mister Chambers, are we clear to use our secondary?”

George, still dumbfounded by all the jargon, but happy by the result, believed these people knew what they were doing. So, hoping for another good result, he stabbed his thumb into the air again. The pilot turned around again, and removed a safety latch, revealing a red button. George had a bad feeling about that, knowing that safety latches and red buttons meant business. The pilot’s thumb pushed the button, and immediately, George began to regret not reading the military manual. A missile shot from under the small wing, and slammed into the upper floor of the building. The explosion rocked the craft, and threw concrete all over the site. It left a gaping hole in the top two levels, and shattered many windows. George, already a bit scared, was absolutely terrified when he heard the discussion in the cockpit.

“We have a miss. Only two kills. Prepare Fox 2”

“Yes, commander. Firing Fox 2.”

Much to the horror of George, another missile shot out screaming, this time hitting a barricade were HGV were hiding. They were disintegrated, as was the roof, leaving another large hole. The soldiers were overjoyed, and celebrated by shouting huzzah a couple of times. George was appalled, and signalled the pilot to land at the earliest opportunity, and if he could leave a building left to land on. The pilot affirmed, and the helicopter came in to land. Not the rope-dropping George had hoped for, but it sufficed. When the chopper landed on the roof, George went up front, with the rangers following him. A strong Scot bashed in the door to the roof stairs, which George ran down as soon as possible. The soldiers, who had strict orders to prevent anything from happening to Chambers, went in after him, trying to keep up. Luckily, he knew exactly where to look. The evidence showed they had been stationary for a little while, before running off. They were constantly fed information by radio, as the complex was being watched by scanners. George ran through doors, corridors, letting the soldiers shoot down everything in their path. It wasn’t easy, but George didn’t intend on waiting for Cym and Hunter to die.

After a minute or so, the building shook again. The soldiers were slightly worried by the sound of another explosion, not knowing what it was. It wasn’t mentioned during the briefing, anyway. But they had no time to worry. George had arrived at a wall, and pointed at it. “Behind this one. Do your thing.” A soldier took a white package from his backpack, which looked like a mail order, but white. He stuck it to the wall, and the soldiers pulled back behind the cover of corners. The man twisted a button on a small box, and the package of C4 blew sky-high. After most of the rubble had fallen down, George and his men stormed into the hole it had left. George went up front, looking for his friends. Meanwhile, he discharged his revolver at the group of HGV, and this time, his kills were a window and a Ficus plant. He noticed the two lovers in the corner, and grabbed Cym by the wrist. “Come with me” He said, in the deepest, most epic way he could say it. He had prepared that sentence since the helicopter had taken off, and he found it to be properly executed.

[Lancearc]

Cymitia had been following Hunter throughout the building, now being assured by him that they were on the right track towards their prisoners and being confident in the fact that he knew precisely were he was going. Everything seemed to be going well, save for the still present threat of being run down and captured by the HGV men. Most of the HGV's troops seemed to be assigned to the fighting outside though, making the job much easier than if the distraction hadn't been started. Ahead, shouts could be heard. "We have them! We have them!" a Nevidian woman's voice began. It was the same woman that had given Hunter the explosives, and began the distraction on the surface while they were emerging from the sewers. Behind her and her companions were four men, the four strategists they had been sent to secure. "Looks like we beat you to it, better luck next time. Come on, we can get out of here now!" she encouraged, rushing off down the corridor in the opposite direction.

Before Cymitia and Hunter could join them, an explosion that was just a little too close rang out, causing Cymitia's ears to ring and making it difficult for her to get oriented once again. She felt her wrist being gripped by someone, and before she could raise her handgun she realized it was George, followed by several black uniformed men who sported the GEE flag on their shoulders in the form of a patch. "George, who are...?" Cymitia began, but there wasn't any time for questions now, as George seemed to have some kind of plan for her and Hunter.

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

George smiled at her, with the kindest smile he could conjure. He shot his gun towards the HGV again, now hitting one. And a vase. He tightened his grip around her arm, and pulled her up, together with Hunter. “Follow me” he said, as he began to drag them towards the roof-bound staircase. He picked up his radio, and told the pilot that “The package has been secured. Whatever that means. I’m on my way now.” He whistled, signalling the Rangers to fall back. Shooting at the HGV, they fell back towards the hole they just created.

[Lancearc]

As the party departed towards the stairs, Cymitia stopped to retrieve the weapon which she'd dropped, leaving her as the last one in the long line of men they now had headed towards the roof. George had spoken over the radio to someone, more GEE men she imagined, and she followed without question, Hunter just in front of her. The rush up the stairs with HGV men hot on their tails was likely one of the most nerve racking things Cymitia could think of, but it seemed as though they had a good lead on the red clad soldiers. They had gotten up onto the roof and she could see the helicopter waiting for them before she heard a vicious barking racing up the stairs, and then another, from a different creature this time.

The building below their feet trembled, causing Cymitia to lose her balance for just a split second before she began the final stretch to the helicopter awaiting them. It seemed as though they would make it until Cymitia felt a stinging pain at her ankle.

She glanced down quickly, a cry erupting from her as the dog's teeth tore at her right ankle. Still in a running motion she tripped here, attempting to kick off and fight the dog away from her. She managed to kick the canine away but it only jumped at her again, this time biting around her forearm with crushing force from its jaws. These dogs were not trained to tear at their foes though, only hold them in place, which was fortunate for Cymitia. The second dog had caught up to the first, and this one took over biting at Cymitia's leg, causing more screams to fill the air as the pain from these large German Shepherds clamping down on her limps was intense.

Anyone who was running back to assist her would be discouraged by a squad of HGV men rushing up, twenty in all now, having been dispatched to follow the escaped prisoners and being reassigned to take down the chopper. The men opened fire immediately, and Cymitia glanced forward to see her would-be saviors falling back, away from the gunfire. Her stunning blue orbs searched for Hunter in particular, wanting to confirm that he was on the chopper. It had only begun to sink in now that it was either she get left behind or everyone else died with her, but she still didn't want to accept the fact that this could be it for her, and most likely would be. She struggled even more against the large dogs that had caught her like some kind of rabbit, though this only made the pain more intense as their teeth sunk in further. "Hunter!" she shouted desperately, hoping that he would come to her rescue. "HUNTER!" she cried again, but it was no use this time, the chopper was lifting away and a few of the HGV men had moved over to call of their hounds and apprehend their new prisoner...

[Altito Asmoro]

While Gilang and his men returned outside to consolidate with the GEE men that are in the London right now, the other seven men finally arrived at the sewers, and now waiting for the rebels to acknowledge them and take them to the sewers.

[Vaxon]

As the party departed towards the stairs, Cymitia stopped to retrieve the weapon which she'd dropped, leaving her as the last one in the long line of men they now had headed towards the roof. George had spoken over the radio to someone, more GEE men she imagined, and she followed without question, Hunter just in front of her. The rush up the stairs with HGV men hot on their tails was likely one of the most nerve racking things Cymitia could think of, but it seemed as though they had a good lead on the red clad soldiers. They had gotten up onto the roof and she could see the helicopter waiting for them before she heard a vicious barking racing up the stairs, and then another, from a different creature this time.

The building below their feet trembled, causing Cymitia to lose her balance for just a split second before she began the final stretch to the helicopter awaiting them. It seemed as though they would make it until Cymitia felt a stinging pain at her ankle.

She glanced down quickly, a cry erupting from her as the dog's teeth tore at her right ankle. Still in a running motion she tripped here, attempting to kick off and fight the dog away from her. She managed to kick the canine away but it only jumped at her again, this time biting around her forearm with crushing force from its jaws. These dogs were not trained to tear at their foes though, only hold them in place, which was fortunate for Cymitia. The second dog had caught up to the first, and this one took over biting at Cymitia's leg, causing more screams to fill the air as the pain from these large German Shepherds clamping down on her limps was intense.

Anyone who was running back to assist her would be discouraged by a squad of HGV men rushing up, twenty in all now, having been dispatched to follow the escaped prisoners and being reassigned to take down the chopper. The men opened fire immediately, and Cymitia glanced forward to see her would-be saviors falling back, away from the gunfire. Her stunning blue orbs searched for Hunter in particular, wanting to confirm that he was on the chopper. It had only begun to sink in now that it was either she get left behind or everyone else died with her, but she still didn't want to accept the fact that this could be it for her, and most likely would be. She struggled even more against the large dogs that had caught her like some kind of rabbit, though this only made the pain more intense as their teeth sunk in further. "Hunter!" she shouted desperately, hoping that he would come to her rescue. "HUNTER!" she cried again, but it was no use this time, the chopper was lifting away and a few of the HGV men had moved over to call of their hounds and apprehend their new prisoner...

Upon hearing of the female Nevidian captured at the compound, he ordered his squad, or what was left of it in the compound to take her.
The other HGVs let the Executioner's men take her, as they slightly feared the man. She had a sac put on her head to make her blind.
When it was removed, she was in a bright room, with the very man she punched earlier in front of her. She was strapped down to what looked like an experimentation table.

[Mincaldenteans]

"We have to go back! We can't leave her there!" Hunter shouted at the man who hauled him into the chopper.

"No can do! We have what we came for, she knew the risk!" Shouted the guy.

This couldn't be it. A pressure in his head threaten to burst through and Hunter, in a fury he never before had launched himself at the man, slamming the soldering against the wall of the chopper with a forearm pressing against his throat. "Turn this thing around, now or so help me I'll throw each and every one of you over board and take my chances!"

"Get him off me!"

Before he realized what happened, he felt a dull hit against the back of his head and his lolled back while he collapsed onto the floor. He saw George, and wondered why he didn't say anything. He had to go back, instead darkness took him.

[The Keystone Federation]

Kylia Melne
London, England

The smell of hash was evidently floating about the small apartment building. The building was old and wore down in some areas. There was graffiti in the stairwells, the walls were torn apart, some even left holes from apartment to apartment. Inside one of these apartments a mattress sat in an open floor, a woman, seeming to be in her low 20's or high teens lay on her back, eyes closed. Smoke rolled off of a joint from the night before, and the morning light glinted through the shades of the only window in the entire room. A pair of wore and tore pants sat next to the mattress, a sweatshirt slung over the only end table. Kylia slowly opened her eyes, rubbing them with her left hand to wake herself up. She took a deep breath in and yawned, rolling over and pushing herself to her feet.

Hungover, and slightly drugged Kylia made her way to the fridge, which was accompanied by a few torn up counter spaces. She opened it to reveal a few beers, she pulled it out and took a quick swig. Closing the fridge she noticed a sticky note attached to the door that read:

"Thanks for the night, left some beer in the fridge and the stuff is in the pocket of your sweatshirt. Oh and I left you something else in the end table's drawer, I figured you'd need it seeing as how bad things are getting out there, good luck." - D

She didn't make any significant expression but to look back at her sweatshirt, dropping the note, her hand again went and grabbed the beer, taking another swig before sitting it back on the counter. She back over to the smaller room with the mattress, her clothes, and the end table. She slipped on her worn jeans leg by leg and then checked the pocket of her sweatshirt to find a saran-wrapped bar of hash, she could resell it, or she could light up and use it to get her addiction calmed. She gritted her teeth and stuck it back in her sweatshirt, which she then slipped her arms through and over her head.

After fixing her hair, pulling it out of her sweatshirt to be specific, she yawned once more, before opening up the drawer to the end table. One hand scratching the back of her head and one frozen in midair, she paused to the sight of an older-styled handgun (1911) laying with two magazines next to it in the drawer. She'd shot a gun before, but it had been so long she couldn't remember when exactly. Nevertheless she continued and placed the gun securely in the back of her pants, the receiver sticking up in the small of her back.

Later that night

In quite the distance, the regular fighting could be heard between those of the GEE and the HGV, though it seemed not to phase anyone on the streets, for it had been going on for some time. A hooded woman, her hands in her pockets and her head facing the ground. Kylia walked down the back streets of London, on her way to an apartment building somewhere in the slums. She wreaked of hash and alcohol, though she was certain not anybody cared at this point- neither did she. Being a woman, walking the backstreets of London at this hour and at this point in time in general was not the smartest of ideas, but she was confident that being armed she could fend off any assholes who wanted to volunteer to get in the way.

She'd dealt with a lot of those type of people. Men trying to force themselves onto her, drunks- the list goes on and on, but she never let anyone or anything get in her way physically or mentally. Though, that didn't mean she had her life sorted by any means, in fact, her life was a mess. No family, no friends, the only people she knew were the ones she saw when going to apartment buildings like the one she was going to now. These parties were happening a lot of the time, mostly just a bunch of people, sometimes teenagers getting together for drugs, alcohol, and sex. Occasionally she'd meet somebody she saw before, but she didn't pay much mind to it. She had no self-respect- all of these thoughts began to cloud her mind, and it became very evident that she was walking down the dark back streets of London with no clear understanding of her surroundings.

[Lancearc]

Cymitia glanced about the room as the sack was removed from her head, the sudden bright light hurting her eyes somewhat, being Nevidian. The only other person in the room that she could spot was the man whom she'd knocked to the floor not so long ago, and she'd forgotten has name by then. She only smirked inwardly to herself, already preparing an arsenal of smart comments, though she remained silent for the time being.

[The Keystone Federation]

Kylia Melne
London, England

The apartment was just as torn apart as the others, a corner of the building was actually missing a few bricks and some of the windows were smashed out- like a fire hazard waiting to happen. But something struck Kylia kind of odd as she entered, no music could be heard coming down the stairwell, nor could she smell any freshly smoked hash or any alcohol that might be laying out. As if she arrived at the wrong apartment- she checked the address again, but it was correct. Nevertheless, she made her way up the stair well and found apartment D3. Now, she began to worry, as she came to the door, complete silence, not a single sound from the other side- she thought she heard something of a hushed whisper, but she shoved it off, as she was still suffering from a slight hangover.

She turned the knob, and opened the door, the lights were off, she squinted to see and put her hand on the wall trying to find a light switch. She found it- but just as a fist struck her across the face. She fell back outside of the room and in her daze, immediately scrambled for her gun. Luckily, she pulled it out before her assailant could come out the door to drag her back in and just as he attempted to grab her by her feet, she pulled the trigger, sending a .45 caliber piece of lead straight through the man's eye. A very high pitched ringing was the only thing that filled Kylia's ears, the area smelt of gunpowder. Blood dripped from her nose as she got up, "Fuck you." She said, spitting on the man's body, she didn't know the man, but now she knew that someone was looking for her, and that was never a good thing.

Putting the gun behind her back again, she wiped her nose and quickly scrambled down the steps, sliding down the last railing. An older woman came out from her apartment to the sound and found the man lying on his back, his head disintegrated, and blood spilling out onto the floor.

Now back out on the streets, she took a back alley and got onto the street back to avoid attention. Her nose was still dripping of blood and she took her sleeve to wipe it away. It seemed tonight would be another night spent roaming the streets. She put her hood back up to cover her beaten face, a small ring forming around her eye, and put her hands back in her pockets, walking down the back streets of London, watching her feet as she walked. Her eyes barely staying open from another rough day.

[Dalria]

Tipper awoke startled by the artillery, as he ran to the window of the sky rise building he could see the dust filled the air and the wall collapse. "Mother fucker" he yelled as his Nevidian wife and child awoke to him yelling. He ran to the phone picked it up and dialed the number of the GEE military camp he had got a call from before. He dialed the number and awaited a word with the general.

Shanty district, South London

The pub was live with activity in the night. Many humans and even Nevedian roamed in for the parties Stahl's gang would always host. It was a pit of douche bags, scum ranging from thieves to murderers roamed around the bar room floor. Leo stood on the balcony watching it all sipping his normal brew, he peered at a group of young Nevidians with hatred as they gambled against his men in a gang of dice. He remembered before when his wife and him ran this pub and it was such a lively place before the Nevidian migration happened and messed up his whole world. As he descended to the pub floor, shoving through the locals, he stopped at a table where one of lieutenants grabbed him on the shoulder.

"Leo, that man over there wants to challenge you to a drinking contest" the drunken lieutenant let out a laugh, "put him to shame". Leo walked over to the table and nodded at the large man sitting before him. He sat down as a sluggish whore came before them, "listen boys" her raspy voice attracted a crowd, "one liter of whiskey" she poured the whiskey into two large mugs sliding them on both sides. "3..2..1.." the two men guzzled the mugs. The bigger man was almost two chugs above Leo until he hit a large bubbled which spilled the beer all over him. Leo slammed the mug on the table breaking the bottom as he stood victorious. The crowd cheered as the man in front of him fell over unconscious. Leo stormed off to his room as his lieutenant followed him, "Eh boss, where ya heading" he mumbled out. "James your coming with me were going looting" Leo exclaimed grabbing a 9 mm pistol cocking it back. The man jumped excitedly holding a large Bowie knife swiping in the air like he was fighting another man.

The two drunken men took to the streets with large Duffle bags thrown around their backs. As they walked through the darkness most avoided them knowing they would kill if anyone got in their way. "Boss, what about there" James pointed to an old rundown coffee shop. "No, there" Leo pointed far down the street where laid a co-op ran by a local Nevidian activist. "Fuck that Neidian, he doesn't let locals get food there only his dirty kind" James yelled lighting a joint and taking a hit. Leo nodded staring at the store, grabbing the joint and taking a hit before stopping it out. "Boss that was still good" James yelled. Leo started walking towards the store, James right on his tale as made it to the front entrance. At first he tried the door but it was locked which made James say, "lets go around back maybe its open" as he said that Leo busted the glass door with a pistol whip. The two stepped over the broken glass walking in they immediately got to scavenging.

They spent five minutes before having the bags full, "what luck we'll be eating good tonight" Leo exclaimed laughing. Yet James had an uneasy feeling, "I heard something boss" he muttered. "Maybe its a ghost" Leo laughed yet the creak of a door made the uneasy feeling turn into a fear. The Nevidian owner came out of the back room with a shotgun, "put my food down and leave and i'll let you live" he screamed, "now". Leo put his hands up, "calm down buddy" before quickly unholstering his gun and firing at the man. The bullet zoomed by and missed as the store owner pulled the trigger on his shotgun. James life slowed for a second, it was like movies he had watched before he got into the gang life, his memories flashed before him. His mother and her scrambled eggs she made every morning, his father playing catch with him in the yard, his house with the white picket fence, all of it gone. The spread of the bullet hit him from the neck to the chest as he fell back on the cold ground. Leo dove behind a shelf when another bullet rang out cutting through the backboard of the shelf. He peered over to see James laying on the ground, "James get the fuck out i'll hold him back" Leo was still drunk and could not see the blood in the light. He dove out to help James as the Nevidian let out another shot clipping Leo in the leg. Leo emptied his clip into the Nevidians body and grabbed James, "wake up its alright man just wake up" he slapped James's cold face numerous times. He fell back gazing at the roof realizing one of his childhood friends died because his drunken urge for the rush of looting. He tied a piece of the Nevidians shirt around his leg to stop the bleeding before limping out of the store.

He took to the streets barely conscious, "baby what are we going to name our child" he was in a state of delusion believing his wife was standing next to him. As he stared at her the image faded bring him back to reality. As he gave up walking he fell back to the wall behind him and lit a cigarette, a women walked back looking as bad as he did, blood running from her nose. "I guess were all having a rough night aye" he exclaimed, "wanna drag you look like you need it" he smiled raising the cigarette.

[Lancearc]

The soldier's phone rang in the pouch of his Kevlar vest, and he took it out with something of a surprised expression. Cell phone reception from the empire usually didn't reach this far out, but when he took a glance at the number he was able to easily discern it was no one that he knew. He did recall the general using his cell phone before though to call inside of London, so he figured it best to take the phone to General Matthews with all possible haste. The general was in his tent as always, and was a bit angered at the young soldier bursting in, but upon explanation the general's anger turned to curiosity as he took the phone and answered it.

"Yes, this is General Matthews." he greeted.

[The Keystone Federation]

Kylia Melne
London, England

Another yet unsurprising chain of gunshots rang out in the slums, Kylia ignored them, her head only turning slightly in the direction of the gunfire. She kept walking, her head still hung low, and her bloody nose starting up again, dripping as she walked. She wiped it with her sleeve as she heard someone say something about naming a child along a wall in front of her, she ignored it, thinking it just to be another poor asshole along the side of the street looking to get lucky. But she slowed to a halt as the voice continued,

"I guess were all having a rough night aye..wanna drag? You look like you need it." the voice said.

It was a man, sitting with his back against the wall, his leg looked beaten up, and he was offering her a cigarette. She turned slowly and looked at the man, "I'm good," she said, her voice hushed, and her tone cynical. She didn't feel like getting into any further trouble tonight, but if she could find a mattress to sleep on, preferably by herself for once, it was worth the risk. She stepped forward into a street light, "What happened to your leg?" she said, her voice still drained and her tone still cynical as ever, but this time with a slight hint of interest, attempting to start a conversation.

[Dalria]

The soldier's phone rang in the pouch of his Kevlar vest, and he took it out with something of a surprised expression. Cell phone reception from the empire usually didn't reach this far out, but when he took a glance at the number he was able to easily discern it was no one that he knew. He did recall the general using his cell phone before though to call inside of London, so he figured it best to take the phone to General Matthews with all possible haste. The general was in his tent as always, and was a bit angered at the young soldier bursting in, but upon explanation the general's anger turned to curiosity as he took the phone and answered it.

"Yes, this is General Matthews." he greeted.

"What the f..." Tipper instantly calmed himself down to not piss off the General. "You probably killed some innocent civilians General some of which probably worked for me what were you thinking" Tipper was furious. "Later tonight we are having an emergency parliament meeting I will probably have a seat, we can stop this war save lives if you just wait a little longer Matthews don't pull a political stunt for the sake of the GEE" Tipper tried to stall this war for just a little while longer.

Another yet unsurprising chain of gunshots rang out in the slums, Kylia ignored them, her head only turning slightly in the direction of the gunfire. She kept walking, her head still hung low, and her bloody nose starting up again, dripping as she walked. She wiped it with her sleeve as she heard someone say something about naming a child along a wall in front of her, she ignored it, thinking it just to be another poor asshole along the side of the street looking to get lucky. But she slowed to a halt as the voice continued,

"I guess were all having a rough night aye..wanna drag? You look like you need it." the voice said.

It was a man, sitting with his back against the wall, his leg looked beaten up, and he was offering her a cigarette. She turned slowly and looked at the man, "I'm good," she said, her voice hushed, and her tone cynical. She didn't feel like getting into any further trouble tonight, but if she could find a mattress to sleep on, preferably by herself for once, it was worth the risk. She stepped forward into a street light, "What happened to your leg?" she said, her voice still drained and her tone still cynical as ever, but this time with a slight hint of interest, attempting to start a conversation.

"I guess you don't like Menthol" Leo snicker and let out a raspy cough. He put his arm slightly over his head to shade his eyes from some of the street light his head was killing him. "Damn Nevidian shot me as I was minded my own business" he paused, "if you can believe that" he winked. "My names Leo, Leo Stahl you might know me around here as the leader of the McCurthy Mob" his dirty worn out hand extended as a greeting.

[Lancearc]

The soldier's phone rang in the pouch of his Kevlar vest, and he took it out with something of a surprised expression. Cell phone reception from the empire usually didn't reach this far out, but when he took a glance at the number he was able to easily discern it was no one that he knew. He did recall the general using his cell phone before though to call inside of London, so he figured it best to take the phone to General Matthews with all possible haste. The general was in his tent as always, and was a bit angered at the young soldier bursting in, but upon explanation the general's anger turned to curiosity as he took the phone and answered it.

"Yes, this is General Matthews." he greeted.

"What the f..." Tipper instantly calmed himself down to not piss off the General. "You probably killed some innocent civilians General some of which probably worked for me what were you thinking" Tipper was furious. "Later tonight we are having an emergency parliament meeting I will probably have a seat, we can stop this war save lives if you just wait a little longer Matthews don't pull a political stunt for the sake of the GEE" Tipper tried to stall this war for just a little while longer.

"I can assure you, Malone, civilian casualties were outside of double digits if any were sustained at all. While it is unknown to you and your city, warfare is a matter of precision, and we operate on precision. Each of those targets was of military importance, and this war is now much closer to over than you may think. We already have men operating in the city as our spotters, and--I'm sure you didn't see--we are already launching raids cooperating with your rebels. If the parliament agrees to give a buffoon a seat you should let them know to prepare for our arrival, and that they should invest their troops in attacking the HGV while they are weakened by our guns, if they wish to remain in control of their own people." Matthews said firmly. "You should tell them as well to prepare for the arrival of the emperor, as that day is drawing near."

[The Keystone Federation]

"I guess you don't like Menthol" Leo snicker and let out a raspy cough. He put his arm slightly over his head to shade his eyes from some of the street light his head was killing him. "Damn Nevidian shot me as I was minded my own business" he paused, "if you can believe that" he winked. "My names Leo, Leo Stahl you might know me around here as the leader of the McCurthy Mob" his dirty worn out hand extended as a greeting.

Kylia assumed the shots she heard earlier were likely the cause of the man's wounds and she also was sure that he played his fair part in the incident. Nevertheless, she still needed a place to stay for the night and maybe this man could help her if she was polite enough. "You should get that cleaned up," she said, her hands still in her pockets. "I've heard of the Mob now and again. Name's Kylia Melne." Kylia extended her man to greet the man, her other hand was very loosely coming out of her other pocket in case he tried anything, she could easily reach for her pistol.

[Dalria]

"I can assure you, Malone, civilian casualties were outside of double digits if any were sustained at all. While it is unknown to you and your city, warfare is a matter of precision, and we operate on precision. Each of those targets was of military importance, and this war is now much closer to over than you may think. We already have men operating in the city as our spotters, and--I'm sure you didn't see--we are already launching raids cooperating with your rebels. If the parliament agrees to give a buffoon a seat you should let them know to prepare for our arrival, and that they should invest their troops in attacking the HGV while they are weakened by our guns, if they wish to remain in control of their own people." Matthews said firmly. "You should tell them as well to prepare for the arrival of the emperor, as that day is drawing near."

"Well you tell your emperor to stuff it. I am trying to help you but you are being a war mongering barbarian. If you should choose to fight through diplomatically like civilized people contact whenever but if you want to keep acting ignorant I shall fund the HGV so you better send someone to kill me off" Tipper hung up angry and anxiously awaited the call from the man at parliament.

Kylia assumed the shots she heard earlier were likely the cause of the man's wounds and she also was sure that he played his fair part in the incident. Nevertheless, she still needed a place to stay for the night and maybe this man could help her if she was polite enough. "You should get that cleaned up," she said, her hands still in her pockets. "I've heard of the Mob now and again. Name's Kylia Melne." Kylia extended her man to greet the man, her other hand was very loosely coming out of her other pocket in case he tried anything, she could easily reach for her pistol.

"Funny thing is, we ain't like the mob in the movies. We're just a group of outcast who have came together and do a little crime with another once and awhile. Nice to meet you Kylia its been a pleasure. Do you need a place to stay tonight? We are having a party tonight plenty of room open" he asked.