A/N: Ooh, it's all hitting the fan now! Hope you've enjoyed reading this, because I've certainly enjoyed writing it (even in spite of a couple of prolonged absences near the start). I was glad to bring everything back to the Shard because I think it's an awesome setting for the big finish, but I apologise if things are a little too familiar for some people. Hopefully I can still manage to surprise you. Anyway, on with the story! :-)


Chapter Eleven: This Is Our City

Pirandello sat in the small, empty office, glaring at the smooth white walls as he reflected upon his failure. How had he allowed that slimy bastard Kruger to gain the upper hand? Balling his hands tightly into fists, he took a heavy breath and turned to the door, seeing the two PK guards assigned to keep him under watch. They were standing either side of the open doorway, weapons held tightly across their chests with their backs to Pirandello.

They had always been his people, and he had been their benevolent leader, the man who elevated PK to higher standards and who forged a key alliance with Elaine Callaghan. Seeing them now, their former loyalty not even a memory, Pirandello was overcome by indignant rage. Rising quickly from the small office chair, the only item of furniture in the room aside from an empty filing cabinet, he stalked efficiently towards the door.

This would require decisive action, Pirandello thought as he readied to strike. No room for hesitation.

Stepping through the open doorway he delivered a fierce kick to the back of the right PK's knee, sending the man tumbling into a crouch. Wrenching the assault rifle from the fallen man's grip, Pirandello pumped three bullets into the left PK who slumped heavily against the wall. He then brought the butt of the weapon down on the remaining PK, connecting forcefully with the back of his head and knocking him out cold.

Gritting his teeth, Pirandello glowered at the traitors before looking up and down the hallway. There was no-one else around, which meant that his path to Kruger was clear. Assault rifle in hand, Pirandello broke into a vigorous jog with revenge the only thing on his mind.


Faith pushed away from the desk as Celeste moved in with a flying kick. The attack missed her head by inches and the blonde woman collided with the desk instead, tumbling backwards and barely managing to shift into a roll. Faith swung a punch that Celeste caught in a gloved hand before delivering a vicious headbutt, stars flashing across Faith's vision as she staggered backwards. Moving in quickly, Celeste swung a roundhouse kick that Faith ducked beneath. As she finished the kick her back was to Faith, who seized the opportunity to deliver a jumping kick of her own. The strike connected solidly with Celeste's masked head and the former Runner faltered, clearly dazed. Faith swept her legs out from beneath her and Celeste fell, landing on her front with Faith pouncing onto her back and pinning her down. Rolling the blonde woman over, Faith tried to tear off the mask, only for Celeste to bat her hands away before taking Faith's head in both of hers. She brought the younger woman's head down and delivered another fierce headbutt, stunning Faith completely and allowing her enough time to raise both legs and kick the Runner away.

As Faith struggled back to her feet Celeste was already charging towards her, swinging her arm forwards in a sharp punch. Faith deflected the blow with a forearm, countering with a rapid uppercut that struck the former Runner beneath the chin, where the protective mask was at its weakest. Grunting in pain, Celeste's head snapped backwards and she wobbled unsurely, before regaining her focus in time to catch another blow that Faith had prepared. Grabbing her former friend with both hands, Celeste slammed Faith against the wall, the force of impact expelling the air from Faith's lungs. Celeste drove forward with a jab, Faith dropping low just in time to evade it, and listening to the pained sound as her fist met the solid wall instead. Dust and mortar rained down on Faith as Celeste tried to pry her hand free, Faith using the opportunity to slip behind the white assassin and press a hand to the back of her head. With all the strength she could muster, Faith slammed Celeste's face into the wall, the impact leaving a crater as more rubble tumbled to the ground. Feeling as the other woman stopped resisting, Faith released her grip and watched as Celeste tumbled to the floor, her trapped hand pulling free as she fell.

Panting heavily and wincing in pain, Faith limped back towards the computer and prepared to upload the files.

"Don't do it," a voice wheezed from behind her, Faith turning back to see Celeste pushing herself up on shaking arms. "Damn it, Faith! You always were so damn naive."

"Don't lecture me, Celeste. Not after everything you've done." Faith's tone was brutal and uncompromising, and she promptly turned back to the screen.

"PK rule this city, Faith," Celeste asserted, using a nearby desk for balance. "You upload those files and you'll destroy them. The City will fall apart, and we'll have the November Riots all over again. How many more family members do you want to lose?"

In a flash, Faith's head snapped back towards her former friend, eyes wide in fury and nostrils flaring.

"Don't you dare..." she said in a fierce whisper, wanting nothing more than to charge across the room and beat the crap out of Celeste. But that would be playing into the other woman's hands, so Faith willed herself to relax before returning her attention to the screen, intent on completing the mission.

Selecting all the files- video, audio and text documents alike- she clicked UPLOAD. The progress bar filled in less than a second and a green message flashed across the screen.

Files uploaded.

It was done. Lips curling up into a smile, Faith stepped away from the computer and addressed her struggling counterpart.

"It's over, Celeste," she declared.

"Damn it, Faith!" Celeste rasped, still leaning heavily against the desk. "You have no idea what you've done."

"I know exactly what I've done," Faith assured her. "The world needs to see PK for who they truly are."

"But they rule this city," Celeste spat. "You take down PK and we lose all semblance of public order. Is that really what you want?"

She struggled to look up, watering eyes glaring at Faith with uncontrolled resentment. Whatever friendship they may have had was gone now, and Faith felt a twinge of sadness before steeling herself.

"We need the system to break down if we're going to fix this," Faith replied from across the room, her tone confident. "It took public chaos to start this mess, and it'll take the same to end it."

"I don't get it, Faith," Celeste pleaded. "Why couldn't you just accept things the way they are? Why couldn't you just accept this world and choose to live, rather than merely survive?"

Faith gave a casual shrug at the remark before responding. "I'd still be running away, Cel. I'd just have a fat City paycheck to help me forget."

She turned to leave the room but Celeste called her back once more.

"So you can honestly say you're okay with everything that's going to happen? Riots in the streets, Faith. Just like the last time."

Faith paused a moment, staring up towards the ceiling before turning her attention back to Celeste and answering.

"If that's what it takes to shatter the illusion then yeah, I'm okay with it." There was a thoughtful pause before she spoke again.

"Oh, one more thing. If you believe that PK are truly the saviours of this city, then maybe you should take a look at some of the files."

With that she turned on her heel and calmly walked from the room, not bothering to look back again.


"Are you ready?" Amos enquired as he checked his disguise in the mirror.

"Yeah," Kate replied as she emerged from the bathroom wearing her oversized sunglasses.

"We just need to stay calm and walk out the way we came in, okay?"

"Right," Kate nodded with conviction, and the pair observed each other in silence a moment. Slowly they moved into an affectionate hug, uncle and niece reunited after so many tumultuous years, before Amos pulled away.

"Let's go," he said, before leading the way to the door. Opening it, the pair were startled to find some very unwelcome visitors. An overweight man in a tight black suit blocked their path, flanked by two PKs with light machine guns.

"Kruger," Amos managed, trembling slightly.

"I was just about to knock," Kruger said in a mocking tone. "It's good to finally meet you, Amos Connors."

Swallowing thickly, Amos willed himself to stay calm and hold his ground.

"How can I help you, Mr Kruger?" he asked blankly.

"Well," Kruger chuckled, itching his flabby neck. "You can explain what you and your niece were doing accessing the mainframe." He stood with a passive expression, awaiting the nervous Amos's response.

"A case of mistaken identity, perhaps?" Amos offered, as innocently as he could manage.

Kruger laughed at the remark, before shaking his head in disapproval.

"Don't piss me off, Connors. I've dug up everything there is to know on you, and it's enough to ruin your life, and hers." He nodded towards Kate who was stood defensively behind her uncle.

Before Amos could respond a pair of gunshots rang out and the two PKs slumped heavily to the floor, unmoving. Kruger slowly registered what had happened before looking around in frantic alarm. Staggering back from the door and almost tripping over his fallen officers, his eyes rapidly scanned his surroundings for any sign of the shooter.

And they quickly settled upon a very familiar face.

Arthur Pirandello was stalking along the hallway with an assault rifle in his grip, luxuriant blonde hair in disarray and face set in a heavy scowl.

"Arthur!" Kruger managed, flashing Amos a pleading glance before stumbling back away from his vengeful business partner.

Pirandello covered the distance between them in a matter of seconds, towering over Kruger and freezing the overweight man in his tracks. Paralysed with fear, Kruger could only watch wide-eyed as Pirandello levelled the rifle at his head.

"You shouldn't have turned them against me," he snarled, before pulling the trigger. Kate muffled a scream as the back of Kruger's head exploded in a shower of blood and he collapsed to the floor.

Watching the body impassively for a moment, Pirandello slowly turned to Amos and raised his weapon again.

"Who the hell are you?" he demanded, but before Amos could reply Pirandello's eyes flashed with recognition.

"Wait a minute..." he furrowed his brow, deep in thought. "You're Amos Connors," he stated slowly, and Amos took a wary step back.

"I've been keeping an eye on you for a while, Connors," Pirandello explained, holding the weapon steady. "Ever since I realised who was in your family."

"So I guess... this isn't necessary anymore?" Amos said, slowly removing the flu mask disguise and addressing Pirandello stoically.

Chuckling, the security enforcer leaned slightly closer to the pair, the barrel of his weapon now inches from Amos's face.

"I left you alone, Connors, because I couldn't find anything to tie you to that Runner, and besides, you were a good employee. But to see you here with Kruger, well, that changes things."

"It isn't what you think, Pirandello," Amos pleaded, holding up his hands defensively.

"It never is," Pirandello quickly retorted, readying the weapon. "You're one of Kruger's co-conspirators, so no-one will bat an eyelid if I shoot you right now. And then I'll be sure to take care of your two dear nieces."

Amos's eyes bulged in their sockets and without thinking he rushed forward, batting the rifle aside and landing a vicious punch on the side of Pirandello's face. The tall man staggered and dropped the gun, Amos seizing him in a fierce tackle and ramming him against the far wall, which crumbled under the impact.

Pirandello collapsed in a daze and Amos marched towards a nearby fire extinguisher, picking it up and preparing to deliver a finishing blow. But Pirandello rolled over and hooked a foot around Amos's leg, the elder Connors falling painfully onto his back and dropping the fire extinguisher with a clang of metal. Pirandello rose and readied a kick to Amos's ribs as Kate rammed into him shoulder-first. Pirandello staggered back a step before punching Kate in the face and sending her to the floor. As she clutched her face in pain he grabbed her leg with both hands, picking her up and swinging her around, before releasing his grip and letting her crash into the far wall.

Amos was back on his feet by this point, rushing forward to land a punch, and then another, before raising his forearm to block one of Pirandello's attacks.

Ducking beneath another of the blonde man's swings, he threw a punch that connected with Pirandello's gut, the contractor doubling over as the air was forced from his lungs. Grabbing his attacker's head with both hands, Amos rammed a knee into Pirandello's face, feeling his nose break under the impact.

With a roar of pain and fury, Pirandello swung out and hit Amos's face with a back-handed slap so powerful it sent him flying through the open door of the bedroom. Amos landed on the floor and looked up to see Pirandello stalking towards him, managing to roll over just in time to avoid a boot to the face. He raised a leg and managed to kick the other man in the groin, Pirandello recoiling as his face contorted in pain. Rolling over backwards, Amos came up in a stand and took a defensive posture as Pirandello tackled him, rushing across the room and slamming him against the bay window. Glass fractured behind Amos, the window barely holding in place. As Pirandello stepped back from the tackle Amos was ready, delivering an almighty uppercut that sent the big man's head rocking backwards.

Using the brief respite to grab a lamp from the adjacent table, Amos swung out, landing a heavy blow on the side of Pirandello's head and sending him tumbling to the ground. Rushing forward to deliver another blow, he saw that the other man's eyes were closed, his entire body slack. Slowly, and with great caution, Amos knelt down and pressed two fingers to the side of Pirandello's thick neck. A vague pulse confirmed he was still alive.

Rising to his feet, Amos tossed the bloody lampshade on the bed before hurrying out into the hallway where Kate was rising unsteadily.

"Kate, are you okay?" Amos cried as he helped his youngest niece to her feet.

"Yeah, yeah," she managed, bringing a shaking hand to the bloody wound on the side of her head. "I think Pirandello got the better of me," she added with a weary smile.

"Well, he damn near got the better of me as well," Amos offered. "And you're sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, just a little dizzy," Kate insisted, meeting his fretful gaze. "But I'm ready to get out of here."

"Well," Amos continued reluctantly. "It seems our disguises are meaningless now, so walking out the front door isn't an option. We need to head to the roof and catch up with Faith and the others."

Kate's eyes widened in alarm as Amos took her hand and began running along the hallway.

"I'm still wirelessly connected to the mainframe," he explained breathlessly as they came to the lift, before swiftly removing the hacking device from his jacket. "Which means we can get upstairs."

Typing rapidly, he soon managed to open the doors and the pair stepped inside, pacing nervously as the doors slid shut and the ascent began.

Soon they were gazing out over the City shrouded by night, before the lift began to slow and then come to a complete stop. They emerged into a scene of utter carnage, dead PKs lying everywhere, the room covered with spent bullet casings, and sparks and dark plumes of smoke erupting from the twisted remains of the server stacks. From behind one of the stacks two powerfully-built men appeared, weapons primed on Amos and Kate. A sharp flash of panic was soon replaced by recognition, as Amos realised who the men were.

"Miller!" he breathed, entire body sagging in relief.

"Amos, Kate, thank goodness you're okay!" Miller responded, holstering his weapon and rushing to join the new arrivals. Drake did the same, but kept a cautious eye on the lift behind them.

"What are you doing here?" Miller enquired, a relieved grin starting to spread across his face.

"Kruger figured out who I was," Amos explained curtly. "There was no way we could just exit through the front door, so we had no choice but to come up here."

"Well, I'm glad you both made it," Drake added with a light smile of his own. "But there'll be more PKs coming soon so we need to move."

"Alright," Kate said with a nod of affirmation.

Drake led the way amongst the carnage before ascending the stairs to the control rooms above. As the group rounded a corner they encountered Faith walking towards them, a determined expression on her face.

"Faith!" Kate cried, pushing to the front of the group and moving to give her sister a tight hug.

"Is it done?" Drake demanded abruptly.

"Yeah," Faith nodded, slowly pulling away from Kate's embrace. "PK are finished."

"Then let's get to the roof," Drake ordered, moving forward once more. The group navigated tight hallways and climbed rattling stairs before bursting through a doorway at the base of the helicopter pad. Up above Kreeg was circling in the CityEye copter, and when he saw his friends he brought it to land on the pad.

Rushing up towards him, the five people scrambled into the copter and Kreeg wasted no time in ascending once more. Above the powerful roar of the rotors Faith could suddenly hear gunshots, leaning out the side to see a group of PKs opening fire from the top of the stairs. But they were already too far away and the bullets passed by harmlessly. Continuing to watch until the gunshots stopped altogether, Faith slumped back in her seat with a grateful sigh. Turning to her sister, nervously gripping the arm-rests of the seat next to her, she gave a loving smile.

"We made it."