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Prologue
In my dreams I hear again the crash of guns, the rattle of musketry, the strange, mournful mutter of the battlefield.
- Douglas MacArthur
**H**
Alternate Universe
March 18, 19XX
London, England
London was burning brightly against the cold night sky when Luisa arrived at the entrance of the fallen city. From the safety of the car she was in, she watched numbly as the brilliant flames slowly devoured the helpless city. When the buildings began to collapse violently into the eager tendrils of the fire, the young girl started to tremble uncontrollable, tears falling against her pale cheeks. Her poor mind couldn't even fathom the horrific noises that erupted from the hellish scene before her. Never before in her short existence had she ever witness such destruction and death. A soft pressure on her shaking shoulder reminded Luisa that she was not the only person in the car. Reluctant to turn away from the implausible sight in front of her, she focused her attention to the sorrowful man sitting in the driver seat next to her.
Giving her shoulder a gently squeeze, her companion removed his hand and return it to the pocket of his wool jacket. Luisa could feel her already damaged spirit weaken even more as she realized she was not the only being grieving for the fallen city. She had known the man since her childhood and she had never seen the proud man's blue eyes glisten with tears before. Taking out an elegant handkerchief from the pocket of her dress, Luisa offered it to the man. The man stared at the piece of cloth that lay limply in her hands for a few minutes before he took it from her and wiped his face.
"Thank you," the man said gruffly as he gave back the handkerchief to her. Dabbing at the tears on her own face, Luisa went back to watching the death throes of the ancient city.
"He's gone, isn't he?" She heard the man asked.
Not looking at her companion, she laid a trembling hand to her chest. "I can still feel his presence, sir, yet it does not feel the same," Luisa answered in a whisper–like voice. "He is not dead, but he has been conquered."
The man swore out loud, slamming his hand hard against the steering wheel. "He might as well be dead," the man snarled, causing the girl to flinch.
Noticing Luisa reaction at his outburst, the man let out a sad sigh. "Luisa, I am sorry for-" he began before the back window exploded, sending large shards of glasses towards them. The man grabbed Luisa's arm and harshly pulled her to the floor of the car. As glass rained down on them and the sound of guns firing deafen them, the man shielded the crying girl with his broad body, whispering soothing nonsense in attempt to calm her. When the gunfire halted and silence surrounded the assaulted vehicle, the man cautiously lifted himself off of the terrified girl.
"It appears that Pangea has decided that England no longer has use for a prime minister or a colony, however, they are about to learn that an old bulldog will protect his friends till the end," the man calmly said, cracking a humorless smile. The man reached into his brown jacket and pulled out a book that Luisa instantly recognized. He studied her for a few seconds before handing her the book.
"The reaper is quickly approaching for me, but you still have much to give to the future of the world, Luisa. I will distract them to give you time to escape," he informed her.
"No, I won't leave without you, sir!" Luisa cried out, clutching the book to her heaving chest.
Paying no mind to Luisa, the man opened his door. "Be ready to flee once I exit the car. They will hunt you down once they have killed me. Goodbye, Luisa."
Luisa desperately grasped for the man, but he slipped out of the car before she could stop him. Once again the thundering of bullets disturbed the silence of the night.
A/N: Thanks for taking the time to check out my story. Reviews are much appreciated.
Preview of Chapter One:Turning off the walkie-talkie with a quick, thoughtless turn of the knob, Eleutheria added the portable radio to her messenger bag. She stared at the stained wall in front of her, hugging her bag to her chest as she allowed her mind to reflect on her mission. Eleutheria grudgingly admitted to herself that she was terrified of being caught by General Balin and his troops. She wasn't frighten of what the bloody coward would do to her once he had her in his control, but of the fate of the rebellion if she should fall. Eleutheria knew if the Pangean Empire absorbed Enrique, Uzuri, or herself, the other two countries along with the GRU would quickly crumble without much of a fight. They have fought for their independents for decades, yet with each painstaking defeat and the loss of countless friends, Eleutheria could feel the sickening desire to give in poisoning her faith and determination and she was sure Enrique and Uzuri had the same emotion about the whole affair.