Chapter 10: Mon Kapitan

"I appreciate you coming along, Rock," Balalaika said as their car moved at a steady pace through the streets of Roanapur. "Though I'm not entirely certain of your intentions." When she had told them that she would be investigating one of Kane's possible hideouts, Rock had elected to come along. He was not even sure himself why he wanted to accompany Hotel Moscow. He was here now, making his way into a possible warzone. There was no backing out now. A part of him just wanted to be there, to see the extent of Kane's power. To see the effect he had had on the city. Rock had spent so long trying to make a difference by helping people. He had clung to hope that Roanapur could get better. Now, he was far more apathetic. It interested him to look upon the impact one individual could have on an entire city just by rallying others to his cause. Though the Black Marchers were mercenaries, they surely must have held the same beliefs as their leader. Otherwise, they would not be so willing to risk their lives just for some cash. Their numbers were being cut down more and more by the day by Roanapur's protectors.

"Curiosity," Rock answered as he squirmed in his seat. "I want to see what's become of our home, what our enemies have done to it. I need to see." He could almost feel the silent intrigue emanating from Balalaika as she smiled at that comment.

"You become more like us with each passing day," she told him. "The criminals you once tried so hard to change, to save." There was no denying that. They were both silent for a few minutes. Rock peered through the tinted window at the chaos that was currently taking place outside. Crime was running rampant, more brazenly and openly than it had before. There were fights, murders and shootouts taking place in plain sight. The presence and influence of the Black Marchers was causing the city to tear itself apart. If Kane truly wanted to watch the city burn, he was already halfway there. He didn't have to do much before Roanapur's residents tore their home apart themselves. "We're at war," Balalaika piped up upon noticing Rock's silence as he surveyed the carnage around him. "Nobody wants to admit it but Roanapur is now our battlefield and Kane is the terrorist threat we must quell. I fear the city will see far more destruction than it already has before this is over." The thought was chilling, considering the constantly degrading state of what passed for society here. Each day, news of several unwarranted deaths or the explosion of an apartment block reached their ears. Graffiti, too, now marked the walls everywhere they went. Several instances of 'THE BIG BAD WOLF' were scrawled across buildings since Lagoon's last job had ended five months ago. Now, 'BEWARE THE MARCHERS' and 'THE HUNT HAS BEGUN' could be spotted more commonly than Rock would have liked. People were scared. The entire city was essentially under attack. The only way that would change was if they could find Kane and kill him. Without their leader to direct their attacks, the Black Marchers would either be wiped out by Hotel Moscow and the Triad or they would flee Roanapur altogether. Both options appealed to Rock, who wanted nothing more than for this mess to end once and for all.

"What happens when we get to this place?" Rock asked. They were close, now, to the apartment block Kane was rumoured to be staying in. The entire building had been abandoned for months but recent reports suggested there had been lights on in the penthouse just two days ago.

"We blow the building," Balalaika said callously. "And we make sure nobody survived." From her expression, it seemed as though she expected Rock to argue. She was so used to dealing with his caring, moral dilemmas. She was in for a surprise.

"Good," he replied simply, taking her aback. "That makes sense. You can't afford to leave any of them alive. There's no telling what they might do to make sure we don't get away with this." There was no denying that Rock's words were true. It was just frightening to think they came from his mouth. Even Boris, who drove the car in silence unless he was spoken to, appeared to look concerned at the Japanese man's ruthless philosophy. Balalaika remained silent. It was unclear whether she was worried or simply did not care to respond to Rock. Regardless, they had arrived at their destination. The two trucks in front of them were packed with Balalaika's soldiers. They immediately entered the apartment block to plant the explosives and kill any who tried to stop them. What happened next, however, shocked Rock to his very core. Mere seconds after the soldiers had entered the building, it collapsed in a miasma of fire and debris.

"What in the world?!" Balalaika exclaimed with uncharacteristic fear and hysteria. "Sergeant, get us out of here!" As Boris attempted to leave, one of Kane's trucks came barrelling towards them from the adjoining street. It planted itself into the side of the car. Rock slammed his head, causing his vision to become blurry. He was incredibly disoriented when the undamaged door of the car flung open and Balalaika was taken. Firm hands grasped Rock's ankles and dragged him from the car. Once he had composed himself, he spotted five armed soldiers who now held Balalaika, Boris and Rock at gunpoint. None of the soldier's faces were familiar, though Rock had never actually seen Kane.

"Hotel Moscow," the apparent leader of the squad deduced as he stepped forward. "I thought that was your convoy heading for the apartment block."

"Do you have any idea what you have just done?!" Balalaika asked him, her voice deathly quiet. Rock had not seen her angry often. However, when she did lose her temper she was terrifying to behold. There were few in Roanapur who would trifle with her.

"I just took out a sizeable chunk of your forces," the man said cheekily, taking a Dragunov sniper rifle in his hands. The sight of the weapon seemed to entrance Balalaika for a moment. "Kane thought you might be willing to cooperate. Shame that he's ordered us to take you out if you came anywhere near one of our safehouses. Well, he sends his regards." Rock openly feared for his life. This was it, they had been caught. And judging from the Marcher's words, they were to be killed. He deeply regretted coming along now, though even if he hadn't Hotel Moscow likely would have been wiped out. The situation could not possibly get any worse.

Smack!

Without any warning, Balalaika's heeled foot shot into the man's stomach, knocking him to the ground. Next were the two closest soldiers, who did not stand a chance against the combat prowess of Hotel Moscow's leader. Boris snatched up one of the soldier's guns and took out the remaining two Marchers. Still in utter disbelief of what had just happened, Rock made a noise that could only be described as a startled grunt. Balalaika retrieved the man's Dragunov and held it as though she had been using it for years. They were not safe here. If anything, more of Kane's men would be along to finish the job once they heard the gunfire.

"Stay close," Balalaika ordered Rock. "We need to get indoors."