The snow has now fallen
and my sun's not so bright
I struggle to hold on
with the last of my might

In my den of inequity
viciousness and subtlety
struggle to ease the pain
struggle to find the same

Ignorance surrounding me
I¹ver never been so filled with fear
All my life's been drained from me
The end is drawing near...

From Innocence by: Dream Theater/Mike Portnoy

It was a day that would never be forgotten. Burned into memory of those who survived to tell the tale. London had once been a proud city, steeped in tradition and history. With a love for their roots and a promising look to the future, Britons made sure it had been one of the last to fall to the Empire. Now it continued to be one of the leading resistance areas in the twisted world. No one had a hint of the fate that awaited the once powerful British Isles.

It had begun like all days. People rose from their beds, gathered their families and made their way to the ration lines for food and then to report to their labors as assigned by the ruling party. Conscripts marched to their stations as groups of Cobra regulars maintained order and obedience throughout the city.

They had no warning, aside from the howl as the missile streaked overhead. Mothers hugged children close out of habit and men raised their fists in defiance. A moment later they were vaporized along with every living thing.

And the once proud city was razed…

One…two…one…two…the simple rhythm of her breathing and feet as she jogged through the caverns was calming to her. She was often found out running in one spot or another, as it was one way for her to settle her thoughts when they turned to the memories of the past. She looked over her shoulder and smiled as Shane was having trouble keeping up again. She slowed her pace slightly and allowed him to reach her side before slowing to a walk.

"Are you ever gonna let me win?" He asked as he wiped his brow with a rag.

She smiled at him and signed. "What's the fun in that?"

He snorted and tossed the rag on her head. She winked at him and wiped the sweat from her face. He regarded the woman before him and as he often did found himself wondering how she had managed to worm her way into his heart. Her resemblance to her mother was uncanny, with her shoulder length brown hair and her chestnut brown eyes. He also remembered her father well and could see the stubbornness that had been so much a part of Flint.

He knew that despite her sixteen years that deep inside the terrified child that had been scarred by the war was still there. The nightmares proved that over and over again. He had on more than one occasion rocked her to sleep when the dreams became too much for her psyche to handle. Yet she willingly did the same for him when his dreams haunted him. She was as much an anchor to him as he was to her.

"What are you thinking?" She asked, her head cocked slightly as she looked up at his face.

"I'm thinking it's time for breakfast."

"Why am I not surprised? " She rolled her eyes.

He laughed. "Hey, I'm a growing boy."

She shook her head and reached up to caress his muscular arm. "I'd say you're more than a boy." Their eyes met for a moment before her face lit up in a look he knew far too well. "Race you." She was off before he even had a chance to accept the challenge. He chuckled to himself and at a more moderate pace, set off after Asia.

Rissa LeBeau rolled over and stretched her sleep-stiffened muscles before tossing the covers back and getting out of bed. Beside her, an arm reached out from beneath the blankets, searching for the warmth that had abandoned him. She smiled and leaned in, giving him a quick kiss on the lips. "Time to get up love," she whispered. "It's past sunrise."

A grumbled reply was his response. The arm snaked around her waist and pulled her back into the bed "Still too damn early," his voice tickled her ear.

"I have a patrol to get to." She half-heartedly tried to wiggle out of his arms, not really wanting to leave either. "MacBride, I really need to…" She gasped as his lips found her neck. "Med…"

"You were saying?" He growled in her ear as his hands caressed her body beneath her nightie.

"Well, maybe just a few more minutes..." she conceded, allowing herself to relent to his ministrations.

"Knock, knock y'all."

"Merd." Rissa cursed when Cammy's voice came from the curtain that covered the entrance to their quarters.

"Ignore her." Mac whispered, kissing her.

She giggled. "Remember what happened last time I ignored her?"

"Hmmmm…point." He rolled back to his side of the bed. "To be continued." He pulled the thin blankets back up to go back to sleep.

Rissa quirked an eyebrow at him. "No way MacBride…" She yanked the covers away. "Up."

He sighed and pulled himself out of the bed, his hands following the rough stone wall until he found the trunk that held their clothing. "Better let her in before she does it on her own again."

Rissa quickly pulled on her heavy trousers and a clean shirt and waited until she was sure Mac had some semblance of decency before she flung the curtain aside and found a cup of coffee shoved under her nose.

"I was about t'call out the marines on y'all."

"Oh chere, I have missed that smell." Rissa breathed deeply of the scent of fresh brewed coffee before taking the cup and bringing it to her lips. She took a sip, relishing the taste. Sighing she murmured, "Sweet caffeine."

Cammy grinned as she leaned against the wall. "Hey Mac," she greeted the man when he came into view.

The ex-sniper turned his head towards the sound and smiled. "Do I actually smell coffee?"

"Yup." Cammy took the second cup she held and placed it in his hand. "Daddy brought in some fresh supplies last night."

Rissa downed the last of her coffee and handed the cup back to the young woman. "Give me a minute Cammy and I'll be ready to head out." She said as she grabbed her pack and began stuffing supplies into it.

"No problem. I just thought y'all would like a taste of java 'fore everyone else got to it." She collected the now empty cup from Mac. "I'll be in the main cavern when you're ready."

"Thanks, Cammy." Mac called as she left. "Where is it this time?" He asked as he found a seat.

Rissa paused and looked up at him. "East side of the bad lands." She resumed her packing. "Patrols are picking up in the area for some reason."

"Why your team?"

She sighed. "We've been over this before, Cooper. I know that area better than anyone, including Spirit." She zipped up her pack and walked over to where Mac was sitting. " C'mon, what's really bothering you?"

"Guess I'm stir crazy." His hand found her cheek and caressed it. "Used to be me going out there, remember? Stone walls get a little boring after nine years, even if I can't really see them."

"I know Mac." She kissed him and stepped back. "When I get back I promise to get you out of here for a bit. Maybe we'll go visit Delta Compound and you can see Shane."

Mac snorted. "Kid wouldn't want to see me if I was the last man on Earth and his survival depended on me."

"Too bad," Rissa slung her pack over her shoulder. "I'll get the two of you to talk yet."

"Clarissa-" He paused as he stumbled over the words.

She stopped at the doorway. "I know Mac, I love you too."

The city expanded itself into the shadows above the creeping gloom as the man stood, his silver mask sparkling slightly in the dim moonlight. He surveyed the silent streets from the balcony as he sipped at his wine and regarded the woman beside him. He had little trust in her, but she would serve his purpose in the end. He smiled behind his glass.

"The city is very quiet tonight." The Baroness commented.

"It is rather pleasant I think." He waved his hand indicating the empty streets. "Order is being maintained."

"Yes, but at what cost? The masses are beginning to question the sanity of the Commander." She looked behind her at the red-clothed guards. "And so am I."

Destro simply smiled and took the last sip of his wine. "Then my dear, it is time to change certain things in the order of the Empire." He motioned McKay forward. "Lieutenant. It is time to deal with our beloved Commander."

"Yes my lord." The viper bowed, his eyes catching the Baroness' own as he turned to leave.

Suspicion colored her tone. "What are you doing Destro?"

The masked man laughed. "Why, can't you feel it my dear?"

"Stop your games Destro. I am no traitor." She turned on her heel to find Destro's personal guards blocking her way. She spun back to Destro and glared. "What is this?"

"A means to an end my dear." He walked up to her, taking her chin in his hand. "And you shall pull the trigger for me."

Lance Steinburg leaned back in his chair and watched as his wife bustled about the small cavern they called home in Alpha Camp. He had taken the assignment not long after the raid had forced the Joes to separate and locate themselves into smaller communities. He had never been one that had wanted the responsibility of command, but that was before he was thrust into this world and found something worth fighting for. He had also found himself drawn in to the family his predecessor had left behind after his death at the hands of Cobra.

For Bethany, it had been a long, hard road to even be able to look at him without breaking down into tears. Her youngest daughter Olivia, on the other hand, had Lance wrapped around her finger from day one. He had established an uneasy peace with Charlene, one that was stressed almost to breaking after he and Beth were officially married three years before. He knew she would never accept him as her father, but in time she had done so as friend. He shook his head at the amount of changes his life had gone through is so short a time, and knew that he wouldn't of gone back through the portal if given the chance again.

"Guess who?" A giggling voice whispered as his eyes were suddenly covered.

Lance smiled. "I don't know. The Easter Bunny?"

"Nope. Try again."

Beth looked up and shook her head. "When will you grow up?"

Lance snaked a hand behind him and tickled his adopted daughter in the ribs. "Just get in Libby?"

She jumped away, avoiding his second attack and plopped down in the only other chair in the room. "Yeah," She ran a hand through her dark hair. "And I am done for the next three weeks." She looked around. "Hey, where's the rugrat?"

"Ask and ye shall receive." Beth turned as her two-year-old son came toddling into the room and headed right for his sister. "He was napping."

Libby flashed an apologizing smile at her mom as she hefted up the toddler onto her lap. "Man, you're getting heavy Toby."

"No!" He grinned up at her.

"Well, I can see where he takes after his big sister." Beth sighed. "I best go relieve Stasha. She walked towards the doorway, stopping to kiss her daughter on the cheek. "Welcome home."

Libby watched her mother go and turned to the man she called Dad. "Spill it."

"What?" He looked up from the files he had gone back to.

"Something's up. Patrols are getting placed back into the badlands again." She set her wriggling brother onto the floor. "And don't tell me it's nothing."

Clutch sighed and leaned back into his chair. "Okay, how about 'I can't tell ya?'"

She nodded. "That's fair, but it still means something is up."

"You'll find out soon enough, Libby." His eyes followed his son as Toby wandered over and settled down to play with his toys. "We all will."

Time has no meaning for those trapped in the embrace of the past. They see what they wish, remember what they will, and forget all that they can. For some it comes slow…gradually sneaking up on them in age, like a cat on its prey. For others it happens in an instant, as if someone flips a switch and turns off reality. Nine years ago a man once stood tall and proud. He fought tirelessly to save those around him, but in the end, all seemed lost. In a single act of betrayal by one he had trusted with everything, he lost all hope in the future. For him, time had simply stopped.

He stared blankly ahead, responding to neither her verbal nor tactical stimulations. She sighed heavily and kneeled in front of him, waiting for a response as she softly spoke, attempting to coax him back into reality. "Conrad." She caressed his cheek, to get his attention. "I know it's hard, but please come back."

No response.

She waited another moment before lowering her eyes. Not all our causalities are dead. Her own words echoed in her mind as she felt the tears building in her eyes.

"Mom?"

She quickly wiped away the tears before turning to regard her daughters. There was never any mistaking who the twins were, with bright red hair and blue eyes they looked more like their mother every day. They had grown into two confident young adults, and at fifteen years old they both had seen more death and war than any child should have. "I didn't think you would be back till tomorrow, Kiara." She stood, brushing her hands on her pants.

"Made better time than Mercer thought we would." She set her pack on the floor and glanced behind Shana to her father then back to her mother. "How long?"

"Almost two days this time." She could feel the tears burning again. "It gets worse every time."

Audra brushed past her sister to gather her mother into an embrace. "He'll come back mom, he always does."

Shana clutched her daughter to her, accepting the strength she was offering. "It just kills me to see him like this."

"We know mom." Kiara came up and placed a hand on her mother's shoulder. "Let me go give my report to Dusty and I'll come back and sit for a while so you can get some sleep."

"No," Shana stepped away from the girls, looking at each in turn. "You both deserve sometime with your friends. " She rotated both girls towards the door and gently shoved them in that direction. "Go on, go be kids for awhile." She watched them leave and felt a pain constrict in her heart at the thought of the lost innocence in the children and at the slow steady loss of hope among the adults. She returned to kneeling in front of her husband taking his hand in hers. "It's all but over." She laid her head in his lap and allowed the tears to flow.

The city was uncommonly alive as she walked the streets. Her dingy clothing helped blend her into the crowds of people that went from one point to another. It had been nearly ten years since she had stepped into the shadows of these buildings and she could feel her heart thud painfully each time a Cobra trooper came into view. She knew he was behind her, she knew that this time she wasn't alone in this damned place. However, inside her mind she still fought the fear of discovery that meant returning to the hell that she had been rescued from.

She stopped and entered a small shop at the end of the street, allowing her eyes to adjust to the dim interior before moving further. She approached the counter, smiling at the attendant. "I heard y'all have fresh bread today."

The attendant simply quirked an eyebrow before nodding and placing a loaf of rather poor-looking bread on the counter. "You're lucky, this is the last loaf."

Sarah pulled a few bills from her pack and passed them to the man. "Must be m' lucky day then." She picked up the bread and put it in her pack. "Thank you." She nodded to the man and without a second glance left the shop, returning to the dirge of the city. She walked until she came to what was once been a park in the center of a neighborhood, not far from the shop. She caught sight of the dark figure stepping out from behind some the rubble of a statue and with a deep sigh of relief, headed towards him.

Did you get it? Snake Eyes signed once Sarah was next to him.

"Yeah," She patted her pack. "Let's get the hell outta here. I for one, am ready t' get back t' nice solid rock walls." The silent man nodded and Sarah felt a wave of relief wash over her as she again left the grim of the city behind.

"It isss a beautiful sssight is it not, Baronessss?" Cobra Commander motioned towards the monitor.

The Baroness cringed inside at the image on the screen. She had visited London numerous times over the years when it was in its prime and now she could feel the anger building. The sight of the destruction assaulted her vision. "I fail to see the beauty Commander."

The man waved her words away absently. "To think how sssimple it was to remove that sssmall thorn from my ssside. "

"Simple Commander, but costly as well." She motioned towards the screen to give herself a moment to gather her argument against such an act. "The number of troops, conscripts and slaves lost is immeasurable."

"That losssss isss nothing compared to the blow to the resistance in that area," he stated emphatically, glaring at her. "Not even the mighty Destro has managed to crush the ressssssssistance at this sscale."

"That is true Commander, but may I remind you that he is the one who did create the virus that nearly wiped out half the population…"

"Mind your tongue Baronessss!" The Commander slammed his fist onto the desk. "While I still allow you to have one."

She bowed her head in submission, although it galled her. "Forgive me Commander, I meant no offense"

He ignored the apology, his eyes glittering as her stared at the monitor screen. "Yessssssss, I think I shall consider using this method again." He smiled beneath his hood. "Yessss, a most beautiful sssight."

Unseen by the chortling commander, the Baroness silently left the office and leaned against the wall in the hallway. He's mad. She shivered at that thought and the thought of what he was capable of.

"Baroness."

She swung around, her body on edge. "McKay! What does your master want now?" She sneered the word 'master' and brushed past him to walk away.

The soldier calmly followed her. "I am to inform you that all is prepared for the night of the celebration."

"You can tell that—" She stopped speaking when she turned and the man was no longer following her. Her heart sank in fear as she realized: You're in too deep Alexia and there's no way out this time.

She forced a deep breath into her lungs as she opened her eyes and felt the walls constrict towards her. Come on AM, they aren't moving and you're not about to become a pancake. She could hear Blaine moving around the small cavern they occupied and took comfort in the fact that he was still a three dimensional being.

"Hey sleepyhead," Blaine's voice echoed off the stone walls. "Time to rise and shine, we've got a scheduled party today, remember?"

"Yeah I remember," she muttered as she tossed the blanket off. "I was just thinking."

Blaine regarded his wife for a moment. "You ok? You look a little pale." Her claustrophobia was not something they discussed.

"I'm fine." She grabbed some clean clothing and quickly dressed for the day. "Come on, I want to see if there's any coffee ration left."

"Ann." Blaine grabbed her arm, stopping her from brushing past the curtain that separated them from the main corridor. "How much longer are you going to pretend that nothing's wrong?"

"I don't pretend Blaine. I know all too well." She sighed then looked up at him. "I just need to do this myself."

"You'll remember I'm here when you're ready for some help?"

She touched his cheek. "Always." Feeling better, she flashed him a smile. "How could I forget you when you're such a good bed warmer?"

"Oh ha…ha…ha…come on, before they do run out of coffee."

"What do ya think?" Steeler asked, as he lowered his binoculars.

"They really need to update their uniforms, I mean those masks went out years ago…"

"Kat." He rolled his eyes.

The girl grinned at him, her brown eyes sparkling with humor. "You're no fun today." She turned back to the unit they were surveying. "Okay, I think they've been sitting on food supplies long enough and it's time we did something about it."

"Agreed. " He slowly wiggled back from his look out spot. "Let's get everyone rounded up and go kick some snake ass."

"You really know how to make a girl's day." She whispered as she slithered back to join him below the pile of rocks and dirt. "So what's the plan?"

Steeler motioned her to follow as he pulled the cover off a manhole and allowed her to drop to the dark depth below, then joined her. "First, we need back up." He grunted slightly as he pulled the cover back into place. "Second, a way to move those supplies."

Kat nodded and clicked on her flashlight, sending a small beam of light off into the darkness. "Back-up's easy. Clair and Mark's group is in this sector."

"Good. Send Ethan out to offer an invite to them, RSVP of course." He paused at a sealed off tunnel, knocking on the pipes once… pausing… then twice. "As for transport, I think TJ and his cronies can hotwire a few trucks for us." He nodded to the sentry that pulled the false wall open and allowed them entry into where they called home. Steeler glanced around at the squalor and again wondered how he had come to be the leader for the rag-tag band of what had been nothing more than a gang of orphans, runaways and 'script jumpers just trying to survive. It had been nearly two years since his first run in with the group when they had tried to help themselves to some food supplies at one of the Joe's safe points. They were an undisciplined, unorganized, ungrateful, and mouthy bunch of street scavenging kids when he first took them under his wings, now…well they were still mouthy… but he had to admit they knew their jobs and were damn good at it.

"Hey Gramps!" Sissy smiled as she took his pack and weapon from him. "Your timing's perfect- they're at it again."

Steeler shook his head and groaned inwardly. "What's the problem this time?"

"Oh ya know, the usual. One thinks he has more testosterone than the other." She rolled her eyes. "Maybe ya should just let them duke it out and get it over with at last."

"Don't tempt me." He tossed his jacket to Kat. "Find Ethan and send him out. I've gotta go hose down some kids."

Kat looked over at Sissy who shrugged. "Men!" They both sighed with exasperation before turning and heading off in separate directions.

Steeler could hear the commotion before he saw it. It was something that was becoming a familiar sight to him as he rounded the corner and found a group of his kids formed in a circle around two in the center. He sighed and shook his head as he reached for a bucket of what had been water used earlier to clean clothing. He moved his way through the crowd, which parted once they realized who was trying to get through. He paused at the edge watching the two as they circled each other "What started it this time?" He asked one of the kids watching the action.

"Ben hit on Maggie." The boy, Seth answered absently. "Again."

"And they wonder why I get headaches." Steeler muttered to himself. He brushed past Seth and entered the circle. He shook his head again at the kids and with a quick motion doused both boys with the dirty water from the bucket.

"Hey!" Ben spun round ready to slug away and stopped mid motion. "Aww… shit."

"What's the idea?" TJ wiped the water from his face with a dirty hand, succeeding in just smearing more dirt. "Whoever did that is askin' for…"

"What am I asking for?" Steeler stood, legs braced, bucket in hand. "Alright, everyone but the two soaking wet idiots move out." He stood, locking both boys in his blue eyes as the group slowly filtered away. "I seem to remember having a conversation about fighting what was, it two days ago?" Both boys looked at the wet ground. "And I distinctly remember having it with two kids that looked a lot like you two."

"He started it—" Ben began.

TJ narrowed his eyes, clenching his fists. "You're the one who hit on Maggie—"

"Do I have to douse you two again?" Steeler interrupted, adding menace to his voice. Both shook their heads. "Maggie is able to take care of herself TJ…" he held up a hand, to stop the coming response. "I know you're her brother, but back off." He turned to Ben. "And if I bust you nagging her again, I'll personally kick your ass myself. Am I clear?"

"Yes sir!" Both boys replied, albeit grudgingly.

He nodded once and handed the bucket to Ben. "TJ, I got a mission for you. Go get cleaned up and find Kat, she'll fill ya in. Ben, you go give Sissy a hand in the mess." He watched as both boys moved off with glares at each other and again shook his head and silently wondered again… why?

Life had become an unending stream of loss for Courtney Rudat. First, her model looks by the scar that marred her face, then her daughter to the fever, and in the end, her chance to have another child. Cobra had taken far too much from her, and she swore that they would never have the chance again. She watched as Jessica played on the worn area rug and again silently thanked whatever fates had brought the girl to her. After failing to find the girl's parents among the survivors, both she and Dusty decided that it was best to take the girl in. It was with the child that she had again found the will to carry on and continue to fight. The girl, now at twelve-years old, was forever trapped in a child's mind and needing an adult's care and attention.

"Momma look." Jessica smiled proudly as she held up the small drawing she had been laboring over.

"It's beautiful." Courtney sat down on the floor and hugged the girl close. "It looks just like your brothers." She felt a stab of pain at the thought of both William and Ezra off on patrol somewhere in the badlands. She hadn't slept soundly since they had left three weeks earlier. "You'll have to give this to them when they get back."

Jessica smiled again and promptly went back to her drawing. "Momma, when will they be back?"

"Soon," she glanced again at the picture.

"Today?"

"No, not today." She looked over Jessica's head, smiling as Dusty entered. "But it'll be before you know it."

Dusty knelt beside them and kissed Jessica on the head. "Looks like someone's been busy today." He glanced over the floor, which was covered in drawings. He ruffled Jessie's hair when she looked up and smiled. "I'll need to try and get you more paper. Hey Jessie, how would you like to stay with Savannah for a while tonight?" His eyes met Courtney's as she shot him a startled look.

"Can I take Teddy?" She asked, referring to the stuffed bear Dusty had found not long after she came to live with them.

"Sure." He stood and helped his daughter up. "Go get Teddy and whatever else you want to take." He waited until she had disappeared behind the curtain in her corner.

"What's wrong?" Courtney asked as she made herself busy gathering up the drawings and placed them on the rickety table. "It's not…"

"No, the boy's are fine, should be on their way in by now." He quickly squelched the fear he knew she was building up.

"Then what?"

"We just got word they want a transmission tonight. Everyone attends. Anna's gonna mind the kids."

She smiled more in relief than anything as Jessica came back into the room, teddy bear clutched in her arms. "Do we know why?"

He shook his head. "All I know is that everyone who can come is supposed to." He leaned in close and whispered. "Something big is happening or has happened. No one knows what."

"We'll know soon enough." She sighed. "I just hope it's not as bad as we think it is."

Dusty nodded and gazed at both his wife and daughter, silently praying she was right.

The medical cavern was quiet, as it had been when Ed had left that morning to grab some sleep. He smiled to himself as he wandered through the sick room and noted the empty beds, and then the lack of fever victims among those that were occupied. With the introduction of Kay's vaccine nine years earlier, the mortality rate from the fever was in half in a matter of months. Now cases were few and far in-between, even among those in the city. Most of the people that were in the facility now were the wounded from skirmishes with Cobra patrols.

He quietly made his way to the back of the cavern pulling the curtain that separated Kay's meager lab from the rest of the medical ward. He leaned nonchalantly against the wall and watched as Kay stared through her archaic microscope. "I thought we agreed you would come take a nap at lunch?"

She startled, swinging around to face him. "Don't do that Ed!" She scolded, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning back against the wooden counter. "You just about gave me a heart attack. She brushed her dark hair back from her face before turning back to her work.

"Sorry." He pushed off the wall, coming over and wrapping his arms around her from behind, his hands finding the bulge just beginning to appear in her abdomen. "But you need your rest and we have that meeting in three hours."

"I'm almost done." She scribbled some notes on a sheet of paper. "This is the last sample to go over today."

Ed kissed the back of her neck. "You said you were almost done eight hours ago, Witch."

"Keep it up Eddie," she pulled the slide off the tray of the scope and placed it in a row with the others, "and I won't give you the good news."

He released her and quirked an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Yeah, I'm done and I'm starving." She filed her notes away in a box and wrapped an arm around Ed's waist leading him from the lab. "Oh, by the way, all the kids are clean."

He stopped, forcing her to stall her forward motion as well. "Clear?"

"Yes." She grinned up at him. "Clear, as in no sign of the virus, but they all have the antigens."

"Kay do you know what this means?" He scooped her up and swung her around the room in a tight embrace. "They're immune! It's over! You are the greatest, most wonderful Witch I have ever met!"

She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Well you're married to me so I would hope so." She pulled him in for a kiss. "And you're welcome."

"I love you Kaylee." His hands settled on her abdomen.

"I know."" She smiled her hand resting atop his. "Ed."

"Yeah?"

"Your wife is starving!"

With a laugh and the first flare of hope Ed Steen and felt in a long time he took her hand and together they walked to whatever the future held for them.

It was into controlled chaos that Sarah Hardy entered when she slipped into the massive building that was serving as the meeting point. She quickly caught sight of her husband's cowboy hat standing near the front and slowly made her way towards him. She greeted those who called their welcomes to her as she passed and breathed a sigh of relief when she reached Bill's side.

"Looks like the whole party's here." She had to shout to be heard above the din of voices. "Are they sure this is safe?"

Bill absently wrapped an arm around Sarah's shoulders drawing her close. "As safe as it can be. I don't like it, but I was out-voted on this one." He glanced at the other camp leaders and then at the crowd.

"Be a bad time for an attack." Sarah voiced his fears.

"Come on the others are headin' to the back." He led her with his arm and soon they were free of the crowd and in the silence of the backroom where Blaine and Ann-Marie had set up their gear. "Damn you two are getting' fast at this."

"Practice makes perfect." Ann-Marie smiled over her shoulder. "We can set up and tear down in less than 20 now."

"As for if the equipment works-" Blaine cursed and crawled back under his table to wiggle some wires. "-is another story. How's that, Babe?"

Ann glanced at his screen. "Well, you won't be getting Ever Quest graphics on that screen Hacker, but it'll work for now."

"Sorry we're late." Shana smiled tiredly as she helped Duke into the room. "But someone decided he wanted to come after all." Several cries of welcome went up in the room and Duke smiled at each of the people present. "Thanks," Shana said as she helped Duke settle into a chair.

"Link up in two gang." Ann-Marie's voice carried over the din of welcomes. "Feed is tied into the main hall."

"Here we go, Babe." Blaine smiled and hit the keys.

The screen cleared with a moment of static and suddenly Dial-Tone's grinning face appeared. "Signal is settling in good on my end Blaine."

"We're good here too, Jack."

"Copy. Stand by." Jack's face disappeared to be replaced by Beach-Head's.

"Hello, long time no see." The former drill sergeant saluted those present. "Good t' see the lot of yah still in one piece out there."

"Same goes for you." Mercer replied, taking the role of CO. "But this ain't a personal call is it?"

The smile disappeared from Wayne's face. "No it's not. We got some images from England; London to be precise and well, it's easier to just show yah." He nodded to someone off to the side. "These were taken about twelve hours ago."

The screen went black for a moment before the familiar landscape of London appeared before them. It looked as most of them had remembered it from before the commutation with the continent twelve years ago. They watched as a well-known smoke trail from a missile shot across the blue sky pictured in front of them. Then the roar as the mushroom cloud appeared and the city turned to ash before their eyes.

Outside in the main hall they could hear the cries of despair as the shock spread through the populace assembled there.

The screen remained on the bleak scene a moment longer before being replaced with Wayne's familiar profile. "We lost the satellite not long after that."

"My God," Sarah's whisper seemed like a shout in the silence.

"We've also had scattered reports of missiles going off over Moscow, Berlin, and Rome. "

"He's making the finial push." Mercer spoke, breaking the silence amongst the group. "With the fever under control his grip is failing."

"Agreed." Wayne stated grimly.

"But the question is," Bill's southern drawl echoed in the room. "What's he gonna do next?"

"No," Mercer countered. "The question is: how the hell do we stop him."

To be continued….