To Stand Beside the Hammers (MT/PMT; Semi-Closed)

[Rethan]

Reikskommand - Hive One - Rethan
"With all due respect, Reikslord, are you sure this is a wise idea?"

"I know the dangers of dealing with them better than you do Strazynski. I trust we will be able to reach an amicable agreement, and I hope you will support the Reik in this action."

"My loyalty is to the Reik, as always. But we still haven't fully solidified our hold on Capital One, and we still have three legions to re-equip."

"Trust in me, my friend. Dragomyr will resolve the Capital One situation in due time. In the meantime we must accelerate our plans. Prepare the communique."

With a heavy heart, Nochtmarshal Strazynski left the chamber, closing the heavy steel doors behind him and beginning the long ascent back to the surface. He did not like this, few in the Reik or the Military command did. But Lazarevik and Nihilus had made their decision and the servants of the twelve pointed star would see it through to the end.

The elevator ride up through the many levels of the city's spire gave Strazynski far too long to think about the situation, and no matter what he did he couldn't calm his mind. Rethan had never experienced anything other than dictatorship, and it's people knew nothing more than what they were told. They were loyal, they were strong, but they were making a deal with a beast well feared for its ferocity and raw military strength. As Strazynski stepped from the elevator into the diplomatic centre, he nodded at the Foreign Affairs minister, his eyes betraying the worry in his heart.

"This will not end well..."

---

From the Desk of Astien Herak
Foreign Affairs Minister for the Grand Imperial Reik of Rethan
Encryption Level: Ultima

The world is a dangerous place. Everywhere one looks, nations with such pure intentions and such unity such as ours are beset by the self-titled "Champions of Freedom". Strength of arms are what protect a nation, not force of words, a fact that we of the Rethast have held close to our hearts and minds for many generations. Only those who see the world as we do, who see the duty of a nation as we do could understand and be a powerful ally. Your nation has caught our eye.

On behalf of Reikslord Istavar Nihilus, it is my great pleasure and honour to invite delegates from the Imperial Wehrmacht Forces of the Kraven Corporation to Rethan for diplomatic negotiations. We hope you will attend, and we have accommodation prepared in the Spire of Hive One. We look forward to your arrival.

[Rethan]

Hive One Airfield
Strazysnki watched from the main terminal as the Kraven jet moved across the runway. Already a crew of airfield personnel were readying to receive the plane. Beside Strazynski was a live and open feed to the Reiklord's chambers in the First Spire.

"Efficient to say the least. I've only just received the telegram confirming their attendance."

Strazynski didn't glance at the screen, merely continued to watch the jet as it slowed to a stop and the carpet was rolled out to greet the guests. Initiates from the Legio Primus had lined the carpet and stood watching over every inch of the terminal, runway and airport as a whole. Their black armour and the black cloth which covered their face giving them the appearances of shadows. They stood unflinching in the bitter winds of the area just outside the Hive.

"I do not understand why we could not host them in Hive Twelve. It is, after all, the Hive specially equipped for diplomatic events. How long has it even been since the First Port was used to receive flights?"

"Your concern is noted Strazynksi. I hope it won't interfere with your abilities to watch over our?"

"Of course not, Reikslord."

Outside, the leader of the present Legionnaires stood perfectly still, waiting to greet the Kraven delegates and take them to the monorail and onwards to the Spire. Hidden amongst the regular soldiers were the elite Nochtkorp, each watching carefully for any sign of unexpected guests. Legionnaires were skilled soldiers, both unarmed and with their XM8 rifles, but the Nochtkorp were a whole different league of skilled. Normally it would be the Stormkorp attending this event, but after the recent purges, it had been decided that a group more trustworthy was needed for this event.

As the cold wind died down, the jet pulled to a stop and the Legionnaires stood to attention, rifles at their shoulders and their arms extended in a straight-arm salute. In dread silence, the commander waited for the Kraven delegates to introduce themselves.

[Rethan]

The Kraven soldiers were unnerving in the extreme, and some of the Rethast legionnaires shifted slightly on their feet, some glanced down avoiding the cold gaze of the Capitol Police. Only the Nochtkorp stayed rigid, all understanding of fear stripped away by their brutal training. But even they could not fault the perfection of the Capitol Police troopers.

Strazynski was already regretting having volunteered for this, but his training kept his face bland and emotionless, his own gaze matching that of the Kraven delegate before him. Calmly and carefully, Strazynski spoke his piece.

"Welcome to Rethan. We have a train waiting to take you to the Spire. The trip should only take moments. Follow me please."

Without waiting for a response, Strazynski turned and lead the way into the Terminal. The Monorail station lay on the other side of the starkly decorated building, the solid metal train sparsely decorated. Nihilus had doubted that the Kraven SS would be too caring of lavish decorations, a fact Strazynski could only agree with after seeing what he had. As he walked forward, the Legionnaires reformed, keeping their eyes on the Capitol Police. The Nochtkorp within their ranks broke their formation to follow their commander through the terminal, providing a non-stop escort for both Morax and Stranzyski.

---

Within the Spire's station, another honour guard of the Reikslord's private bodyguard formed up, ready to take the arrivals directly to the Reikslord's chambers. Of course, Nihilus himself would not be attending in person, but it paid to be absolutely sure of the security of their guests and so the Watchers had been prepared for the event.

All they needed now was for the train to arrive.

OOC: Feel free to just describe the journey yourself and get straight to the meeting. The windows are covered over, so don't worry about having to describe anything.

[Rethan]

The train coasted to a stop, the solid steel doors sliding open effortlessly and letting the passengers out onto the platform. Strazynski led the way wordlessly, following the single hallway to the elevator, the Nochtkorp soldiers trailing behind him and the Kraven SS. Lining the hall, the Watchers kept their silent vigil. The doors to the large elevator opened and allowed the delegation in. Seemingly without command, the doors slid shut again and the elevator rose up through the Spire. Strazysnki felt his ears pop as the pressure lessened, and it took them a moment to normalise again.

With a loud clank the elevator halted and opened its doors once again, revealing before those inside a great hall. Long banners bearing the 12 pointed star decorated the walls, their black shapes flickering in the light breeze from the air conditioning units. At the centre of the room stood a single table, long and thing, made of black, polished wood. At the head of this table stood Astien Herak, the man who would lead the negotiations here.

With a curt nod, Herak welcomed the Kraven SS officers and delegates.

"Herr ObergruppenFuhrer Morax, welcome to Rethan. Please have a seat."

As the delegates took their seat, the Nochkorp troopers joined the Watchers dotted along the walls of the room, while Strazynski himself entered the elevator, taking it all the way down to the Reikskamber below the surface of the earth.

"I trust your journey proved without hassle. Now onto business.

In the modern world, nations such as yours and ours are often called barbaric because of our practices. We are ostracised because we see that the comforts of the individual must be sacrificed for the good of all.

There is much we can offer the Imperial Wehrmacht Forces. While we lack food production capabilities, our industrial capacity is nigh-unmatched. Entire city populations work in our factories to produce the items needed for our nation. Weapons, vehicles. It is the belief of the Rethast Reik that by joining our power with that of the Corporation, we can forge a united power which none will dare insult."

Herak sat down at last, clasping his hands in front of him, and waited for Morax's response.

---

Hive One Airfield
The Legionnaires watched as the Capitol Police did what they did best. Confusion reigned. Legionnaires were well trained in war, but this was a diplomatic engagement, and were wholly unwilling to risk the anger of Nihilus by firing on the Kraven soldiers. So, instead, they played along. The entire airport was locked down, and the individual soldiers deluded themselves with the belief that it had been a joint decision by both the SS and the Reik's military commands.

Those who managed to avoid the clutches of the Capitol Police while trying to exit the terminal or the airport grounds were instead met with the barrel of an XM8 Assault Rifle and the faceless black-garbed soldiers of the Legio Primus. Aircrew were rounded up and placed inside the Terminal lobby, watched over by the soldiers that they had thought were there to stop exactly this sort of thing happening.

Fear and confusion will make even the best soldier act strangely.

[Rethan]

Oh shit....shit shit shit. I should have told Nihilus I wouldn't do this...fuck fuck fuck.

Herak's mind was racing. This was insane! It was a diplomatic meeting, and why the fuck hadn't the Nochtkorp checked the Kraven individuals for weapons?!

Scattered around the room, the Nochtkorp soldiers and Watcher looked ready to draw their own weapons in defence of the minister, and then suddenly stopped. Their hands fell to their sides again as their orders came through the earpieces they wore. Through the cameras he had installed in the room, Nihilus watched the spectacle unfold, Strazynski standing beside him. Nihilus had a look of mild amusement on his face, while Strazynski struggled to contain his anger. Nihilus was delivering the entire nation into damnation, and he could do nothing but just watch it happen.

Back in the room, Herak thought quickly, running through responses in his head.

"Uh...we...we can offer the Corporation the use of our industrial facilities. Already several cities have been devoted to in...in...industrial output. With our abilities combined with your own....we...uh...we can bring unity and prosperity to the uh....world."

He paused to catch his breath, sweat glistening across his brow. Licking his lips, Astien remembered what the Kravenite had said. What did he have to sacrifice....

Nothing in particular came to mind.

Slowly, and very, very carefully, Herak raised his hands in the air.

"If you will...I can just....just sign the sheet, and we can begin....please..."

[Third Spanish States]

Somewhere in Hive One

There was a man, he was a loving father, with a single daughter and a wife he treated with utmost love. An exemplary father and husband, living with someone he truly loved, working hard amidst the cramped city to pay for their privilege of living in a somewhat better place than most in the city. He was a neutral man, who cared only about his business, never meddling into politics. He was not fanatically loyal, but neither a suicidal fool in a hopeless struggle for political freedom. He was, for all accounts, a man who sought a position of neutrality in such matters. As long as the water was running, the electricity coming, his family happy and the wage for his job paid in day, he would easily overlook what happened elsewhere.

Strangely, it was exactly his neutrality that ensured him a job in government amidst one of the government institutions of Rethan. Of course, for his family, he was a "sales representative." Like Doctor Jekyll, he preferred to keep his Mister Hyde as a skeleton in his closet. Nobody would ever imagine that a so friendly and helpful man to his neighbors, who treated his family so well and was apparently so peaceful and altruistic, was also one of the most efficient interrogators for the secret police that operated across the nation.

They have called him to come, for again his services were needed. Peter Korenchkin hugged his daughter and his wife in the tight but comfy apartment where they lived, as he bade them farewell, going to another "business travel".

"Will you take too long daddy?" his daughter asked.

"Saturday, Nadia!" he smiled, "I promise I will come back Saturday and bring you a gift," and gave one last big hug to his daughter, and one last kiss to his wife, before making his departure.

Travelling through the hive city, he finally arrived at the place. It was ironically, beneath the facade he stared at, the facade of a toy store for children, fruit of a very strong sense of irony perhaps, what lied beneath such an innocent store. The clerk nodded to him, aware of who he was, as he entered in the back door of the store, and navigating through its inner corridors and employee only areas, came to the same depot where, hidden beneath a pile of cardboard boxes, the trapdoor lied.

It was not the only entrance to the place, for obviously it was not very adequate to bring prisoners through the front door of a toy store, but most who worked there preferred to, for some reason. The place was ominous, looking like an underground bunker with asseptic corridors, through which Peter made his way, greeting others along his way. He was quite friendly and helpful to his work colleagues, and after enough time, most tended to overcome the first impressions about him because of what he did there. There was a cold, almost machine-like professionalism to him, it seemed that another persona suddenly possessed his body, a potential evidence of such man having a split personality, but one that he seemed to have under control, for it would depart as soon as he was over with another prisoner.

When he finally met his superior, he immediately saluted him, asking:

"Greetings sir. What do we have today?"

He was still completely unaware of the greater events happening elsewhere, but that could change soon.

[Rethan]

"Tell me... What do you see in my soul?"

Somewhat calmer now that things seemed to be stabilising again, Herak looked at Morax, trying not to allow himself to be distracted by the radio operation at the other end of the table. Again, he paused for a moment, wiping the sweat from his brow before responding.

"I see.... A stoic nature and...uh... a lack of emotion..."

Wincing momentarily at what could be construed as an insult, Herak backtracked furiously.

"N-n-n-not that that's a bad thing. In Rethan w-w-w-we find emotion as a weakness... Military leaders are driven to p-p-p-purge their emotions. Strength....strength is what I see."

Herak smiled weakly as the Nochtkorp and Watchers looked on curiously, hands ever ready on their sidearms in case the order was given to respond to obvious intimidation with force. Deep in their hearts, everyone knew what that radio call meant.

The end was nigh.

OOC: Sorry about the short post. Rushing it at a late night Internet café. Sorry for the wait.

[Rethan]

Diplomatic Chamber - Reikstower – Hive One – Rethan
Oh my god....what have I done?!

Herak could do nothing but stare out the window at the approaching Kravenite aircraft, his eyes not even drawn to the bloody corpse which lay slumped across the table behind him. He tried to stand up again but all strength failed him. He had signed the document. He had doomed his country.

No...no. Nihilus had doomed Rethan. And Herak had just allowed it to happen. He tried to rationalise that there was nothing he could do. He had a gun to the back of his head for fuck's sake! But the truth was right in front of him. Hive One was being subjugated, and he knew full well that if Hive One fell to Kraven, the other Hive Cities would fall in line without question. Especially if Nihilus ordered it. And Herak knew Nihilus would command it....

---

Reikskamber – Beneath Hive One – Rethan
"Are you going to let this happen?!"

Nihilus glared at Strazynski. In the time since the secretary had been shot and the attack begun Strazynski had retreated to the far side of the room while Nihilus watched everything unfold on the monitors in front of him. He stood slowly and stared down Strazynski who was shaking with pure anger.

"You would be wise to not question my motives Strazynski. I've already had the Sturmkorp leaders executed. I would hate to weaken the Nochtkorp as well."

"You're insane! Look at what they're doing!"

Nihilus glanced back at the screens to watch as Capitol Police executed massive numbers of citizens in the streets of the Hive. For a brief moment, his stoic demeanour faltered before he recovered and turned to face Strazynski.

"I see nothing you haven't done yourself Strazynski."

"You know damn well that was different. This isn't maintaining order and perfection. This is invasion. This is enslavement!"

"This is progress."

Strazynski gaped, unable to respond. It took him a few precious seconds to recover, and with every passing heartbeat, more Rethast were thrown into the streets and executed by the Capitol Police.

"Fucking christ.... You actually....You actually believe this bullshit about strength through oppression, don't you?! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"

Strazynski grappled for his earpiece and screamed into it.

"All Nochtkorp, eliminate the Kravenite delegates! Shoot them in the fucki-"

Strazynski stopped and pulled out his own pistol as Nihilus lunged at him, but before he could get off a shot, a bullet tore through his jaw. He collapsed to the ground, cradling the bloody mess of his face as the towering figure of Valtiel walked over and calmly placed a bullet through his right eye, spewing gore across the room. As the body slumped, Valtiel looked over to Istavar and nodded. Nihilus straightened his coat and stood up straight.

"Get me on the Newscaster."

---

Diplomatic Chamber - Reikstower – Hive One – Rethan
The Nochtkorp all reached as one into their jackets, drawing out their M9 pistols in preparation of the coming violence. But the Watchers were faster. Before the Nochtkorp soldiers had even aimed their sights at Morax the Desert Eagles of the Watchers all around the room sounded out and before the Nochtkorp could even react they all fell dead to the floor, gaping wounds in their chests and heads as the Watchers calmly replaced their pistols in their holsters. Herak scrambled across the floor for one of the corpses, seeking to arm himself. He was too slow and took a bullet through his neck, almost severing his head from his shoulders.

As order was restored, one of the Watchers spoke to Morax directly.

"If you would like to take a seat or take in the view, the Reikslord is about to make an announcement."

---

The Streets – Hive One – Rethan
Panic reigned supreme, and the Military Police were unable to do anything about it. The approach of the Kraven VTOLs had thrown everyone into a panic. But the Legio Primus had been on active duty due to the arrival of the delegates and they set about calming down the populace. The black garbed legionnaires walked through the streets, forcing people back into their homes and executing those who disobeyed. Not all welcomed what was happening, but to the Legions of the Tirumvirate, orders were orders.

Across the city, police units set up blockades, trying to decide what to do as the command came through to leave the Capitol Police to their work. It was a well known fact that if Hive One submitted, it would be entirely unnecessary for the Kravenite soldiers to even look at the other Hives. But not all the policemen were willing to surrender, and a few garrissoned themselves across the city in buildings, setting up blockades.

On the northern side of the city, a single unit of loyalists came across a Capitol Police unit and promptly opened fire. Their rifles sang out as they scarpered for cover, ignoring the yells of their COs through the headsets in their ears.

"Goddamit! Cease fucking fire! NOW!"

"With all due respect, sir. Go fuck yourself."

On the other side of the city, an apartment block resisted the approach of the Capitol Police as best they could, a small unit of Police sharing their weapons with the civilians inside. Outside the door, a small sand bag perimeter had been established and the Rethast waited opened fire at the approaching VTOLs and soldiers. Then a dark shadow fell over the building as one of the blue and black attack helicopters of the Rethast Legions hovered in over the building. Cheers rang out but were silenced as bullets from the chopper tore through the window and walls. Children screamed and mothers cried while the lead police officer waved his arms frantically.

"We're on your side! Stop firing dammit! We're on your fucking side! Shoot the goddamn Kraven bastards!"

His yelling was silenced as from the opposite side of the road to the approaching Kraven troops came the rumble of APCs and the march of soldiers. The Legio Primus was merciless and plowed through the resistance, catching the small garrison against the anvil of the Kraven troops.
The fighting was haphazard, with roughly half the Military Police fighting against the Kravenites, half fighting against the loyalists and the Initiates of the Legio Primus eliminating anyone who dared stand up to the Kraven soldiers. It was pure chaos, and fires sprang up all across the city.

And then came the announcement, broadcast across every Hive City and on the few screens and speakers still intact within Hive One.

---

"My people, today we celebrate a new strength. Today we stand under the flag of the twin hammers of The Kraven Corporation.

No doubt you have heard of the chaos within Hive One. Let it be known that this insolence will not be tolerated any further. The Legions have been given command over all police battalions in all Hives. Anyone who resists the SS officers and Capitol Police will be declared a heretic, a thought criminal and a traitor. Even now traitorous police units and civilians clash with our loyal legionnaires and security officers. Do not let our loyal defenders fighting be in vain.

I hereby order all military police in combat against the Capitol Police units in Hive One to stand down. All Initiates and loyalists are to fire upon these thought criminals if they do not surrender their arms. Already the Nochtmarshal has died fighting these traitors, and I have assumed command of the Nochtkorp.

This is not invasion, my people. This is unification. This is not civil war, it is the eradication of crime. Be proud.

We must purge the heretic, eliminate the though criminal and cast out the alien. We must unite! Heed my words, my people. Today marks a new beginning for our great nation.

Remember... the Reich protects.”

---

The citizens of Hive One could not believe it, but they had spent their whole live accepting the command of whichever dictator was in control, and they knew nothing else. While the few police units that still resisted continued their futile attempts, the citizens simply closed their blinds and went back to work, trying their best to ignore the sounds of gunfire and praying that they were not the next pulled from their homes.

Some, the older and less content with Nihilus, continued to resist, shouting obscenties against the twin hammers and the Corporation. They were dragged from their homes by Legionnaires and executed. The fighting was dying down, but the more stubborn sites of resistance still held out even as the Legio Primus tightened its grip on the Hive, working to further the efforts of the Capitol Police.

And in the other Hives? The people accepted Nihilus words. The flags of the 12 pointed star were torn down and the spaces left blank, awaiting the arrival of their new flags. They did not see the crimes perpetrated by the Legions and the SS units. All they knew was what Nihilus had told him. And they bought every word of it.

Rethan was Kraven now...

[Rethan]

Reikstower - Hive One - Rethan
As the elevator began its long and arduous ascent towards the Diplomatic Chamber, several hundred metres above the Reikskamber, Istavar Nihilus made sure he appeared perfect. His hair was slicked back, styled to appear as needle sharp spike as was typical of Rethast military officers. His eyes were grey and utterly devoid of emotion as was usual. Beside him dressed in full military gear was Valtiel Avithe, his personal bodyuard, his head bald and brutally scarred, and the lower half of his face covered by an armoured faceplate. His XM8 rifle was cradled in his arms, just as it was with the three bodyguards of Nihilus as they travelled up through the tower in utter silence.

At last the elevator stopped and Nihilus stepped out, Valtiel to his left and the three bodyguards standing in perfect formation behind him. The Watchers scattered about the room turned as one and gave the straight-arm salute of the Rethast military as he entered. He nodded and the Watchers dropped their arms, returning to their statuesque stance. Nihilus stepped forward, locking eyes with Morax, not even twitching as he noticed the total blackness of the Kravenite's eyes. Here was the test. They had reached the point of no return, and if Nihilus failed to impress Morax then his life would no doubt be forfeit. Morax would die should Nihilus be killed, but it wouldn't stop Kraven taking control of Rethan.

"Greetings, I am Reikslord Istavar Nihilus of Rethan, and this is Reiksvater Valtiel Avithe."

Nihilus bowed ever so slightly, while Valtiel stayed perfectly still, his eyes jumping from Kravenite to Kravenite. As the bodyguard retinue kept watch, Nihilus continued on.

"I have assurances from the generals of the Legions that the resistance is being suppressed in short order within Hive One and that we will have complete control within the next few hours at most. Furthermore, Valtiel and I are both well-acquainted with the under-passages of the Hives across Rethan, having used them ourselves. I can guarantee you noone will be more adept at rooting out cowardly thought criminals than Valtiel and I. We utilised the Rethast people against our weakling predecessor, we know how they could possibly be utilised against the Reich."

His brief piece done, Nihilus found himself wishing he'd had some speech prepared and waited for Morax's response.

---

Across Rethan
In all the Hive Cities across Rethan, the Rethast watched as the Kraven troopers landed. Most simply raised their eyebrows and went back to work. The last thing they wanted was their city being torn apart much like Hive One was, and as such few even paid attention, simply allowing the Capitol Police to go about their own business. A small minority cheered and welcomed the Kravenites, and even fewer glared at the troopers as they marched through the streets.

[Rethan]

Nihilus glanced at his new uniform, but declined to comment. Something about Morax's demeanour told him to simply accept what had happened. It was only here, at this very moment, that Nihilus realised that he had seriously misunderstood the intentions of the Corporation. But it was undoubtable, Rethan was no longer his to command. Not wholly and entirely as he had before at any rate.

His old days as a soldier clicked in and Nihilus clipped his heels together and saluted Morax, an action which garnered no reaction from Valtiel, but a slight look of surprise from the rest of the Rethast in the room.

"Nyet no questions. It shall be done, Herr Obergruppenfuhrer." responded Nihilus, being careful to address Morax as he had addressed his former superiors during his years in the army. Adding in, of course, the "Herr Obergruppenfuhrer" as opposed to calling Morax by his name. That was something different to the Rethast military conduct, and Nihilus would have to try not to make the mistake of mentioning Morax's name in the future.

As the words left his mouth, Nihilus signalled to the chest which was quickly picked up by two of his retinue and carried to the elevator. Valtiel and the third soldier waited beside Nihilus to see if there was any more commands forthcoming, and when Morax said nothing they all saluted their new commander and left the room. The whole meeting had been watched from the Reikskamber by the numerous military officers and commanders within, and as soon as Nihilus had saluted Morax the order had been given....

---

The Legionnaires had been told it was 'merging' with the Wehrmacht, and none were stupid enough to argue. Weapons were handed in at barracks' all across the country to be stored in the massive underground weapons vaults of each Hive. The process would take far longer than a few hours, but it would be done. Only the Legio Primus made no motion to hand in stand down en masse, occupied as they were with crushing resistance across Hive One. Only the units and vehicles which were not currently engaged in combat returned to their barracks and depots to stand down.

It was a dark day, and more than a few ex-Legionnaires and Nochtkorp units felt a deep resentment within their hearts. To don the uniform of a foreign nation went against everything Nihilus had promised when he had taken control all those years ago. But they obeyed their orders to the letter and piece by piece the Rethast war machine dismantled itself, to eventually be rebuilt under the flag of the twin hammers.

[Rethan]

OOC: Sorry about the slow and short reply. The net where I am is horrific.
Reikskommand - Hive One Spire - Rethan
"What the fuck?! They're shooting our legionnaires now?"

"That would be because you didn't obey the orders."

Nihilus entered the Reikskommand, Valtiel coming in behind him. The assembled generals and military staff turned to salute him as he entered. Well, most of them. Nihilus was now dressed in his new uniform of the Kraven Reich, a fact quite a few of the staff members showed immense displeasure about.

"Priority order to all Legionnaires. Everyone is to stand down and return to their barracks, effective immediately. There will be no debate."

---

The Legionnaires still fighting were caught in a hellstorm of flying shrapnel and bullets, and not all received the transmission to stand down. Those that kept fighting, trying desperately to overpower the Capitol Police, were butchered without mercy in short order. The vast majority, however, obeyed their orders, loading into Dropships and APCs to return to their barracks. Resentment ran deep, but all were trained well enough to keep it hidden, deluding themselves into believing that serving the Wehrmacht would offer a better lifestyle.

Piece by piece, the city fell silent save for the ongoing construction work. Civilians were butchered by the heavily armoured Capitol Police in massive numbers and the police units slowly fell in combat against the Kravenite army. Eventually all sounds of gunfire came to a stop and Hive One ceased to fight back against the Kraven Corporation. All desire to resist had been resoundly driven out of the populace, who now simply watched and weeped as their homes were destroyed to make way for the dreadful Extermination Camps....