[8:12pm, Downtown Lungmen]
"Madam Ch'en is on the scene." An officer said into his comms.
"What exactly is the situation?" Ch'en asked.
"A small group of presumed infected are rioting in the area." The officer reported. "We have them surrounded but can't get close due to the risk of casualties."
"What about civilians?" Ch'en continued.
"The perpetrators don't seem to be intentionally hurting members of the public." The officer explained. "However, the longer this goes on the higher the criminal damage tax gets."
"Understood." Ch'en swiftly started walking to the scene with Hoshiguma following.
"What's your plan?" Hoshiguma asked.
"A work in progress." Ch'en replied. "It's tempting to brute force it, but then we run the risk of them turning on the civilians still in the area."
"So, we're sneaking it?" Hoshiguma suggested.
"I will lead a group of G.D officers and get as close as we can from their flank." Ch'en elucidated as she came to a stop at the perimeter.
"What about me?" Hoshiguma asked.
"Normally, you would come with me." Ch'en said. "But, you don't exactly have the 'toolkit' for remaining unseen. So remain here and, when you hear a commotion, lead these officers in to assist us."
"I understand." Hoshi nodded and took position.
Ch'en walked over to a group of conversing officers.
"Hey!" She said loudly, startling the crowd.
"M-Madam Ch'en." They replied while straightening themselves.
"All of you, follow me." She commanded.
"Roger." They replied and complied.
Ch'en led the troops to the opposite side of the perimeter, then stopped and started to scan the scenery for potential infiltration points.
"...Right." She began to speak. "This all depends on you staying hidden. Understand?"
"Yes, ma'am." The officers replied in unison.
"Good, now listen, only move when I move, do as I do." Ch'en said. "If you don't keep up, I'll leave you behind."
The group nodded.
"If you mess this up, I'll put 2 deep slashes in each one of you and do it myself." Ch'en sounded bitter. "Clear?!"
"Yes, ma'am!" They all saluted.
"Okay, follow my lead." She ordered before proceeding past the perimeter set up by the L.G.D.
[Zhang's Perspective]
Someone seems to be shining a light through the window into this room. I don't dare look in case it's not friendly. Suddenly, the light lands on me and I prepare for the worst.
Nothing happened. The light turns off and is then replaced with a much dimmer orange tinted light that moves in an circular formation creating sparks the whole way round.
The sparks and light stop where they started. Then the glass circle is quickly knocked onto the floor, shattering.
Someone swings in through the opening and lands with a skill role. they seem to be wearing full tactical gear.
"Sorry for the loud entrance." She says before reaching up and removing her helmet. "Phoo, that's stuffy."
She has long orange hair and flat horns. A Vouivre, I suppose.
"W-who are you?" I stutter out.
"Just someone from the North." She replies. "The country of Victoria, to be exact."
"Ummm..." I hum.
"Just call me Bagpipe." She smiles.
"Bag...pipe?" I question.
"Precisely." Bagpipe confirms. "Now, what's your full name?"
"Why do you need to know that?" I ask as she walks up to me.
"So I can return you to your parents once we get out of here." She explains.
"...Fine." I relent. "My name is Zhang Hui-Chiey."
"Wait..." She grips my shoulders. "You're... the son of ChenChen?"
"Huh?" I retort. "Who now?"
"Ah, I'm sorry." She releases me. "I mean, your mother is Chen Hui-Chiey, or Madam Ch'en, right?"
"Y-yes, but-"
"Oh my god!" She exclaims. "She is SO going to get an earful from me when I see her next."
Bagpipe turns back to me.
"Who's your father?" She asks.
"Uh, I don't know." I reply. "I never got to meet him."
"Oh, I'm sorry..." She says.
"No, it's fine." I assure her. "How did you know I was here?"
"Well, I saw you being taken in..." She starts.
"And it took you several hours to act?" I ask.
"I had to analyse the building for entry and exit points." She explains. "And I counted the amount of enemy personnel plus had to go and get this equipment."
"I see." I think over this information for a while. "...How do you know my mother and why did you call her 'ChenChen' of all things?"
"I'll tell you later." Bagpipe draws a weapon from her back. "Let's just focus on getting out for now."
She points the tip towards the lock on the door.
"What are you do-"
"Cover your ears, Zhang!" She shouts and I comply.
The weapon lets out a massive bang and a second later the door swings open with a huge hole in where the handle was.
Bagpipe grabs my wrist.
"Quickly, stay with me!" She orders before dragging me along.
[8:31pm, Downtown Lungmen]
Ch'en lifted Chi Xiao to just under the last survivor's chin.
"You know something about my son." She pressed the blade closer to his neck. "I can see it in those petrified eyes of yours."
"I-I-I don't k-know-"
"Don't bullshit me!" The tip of Chi Xiao was now touching his neck. "Tell me everything!"
The high ranking member shakily reached into a pocket and dropped some keys on the floor.
"T-t-they're f-for the r-room directly b-b-behind you..." He muttered.
"What is in there?" Ch'en asked aggressively.
"...M-more than I c-could ever t-t-tell you." The right hand man whispered.
Ch'en picked the keys up.
"Come here you!" She pulled him to a stand by his hair and then dragged him with her to the door before opening it.
In the room was a map of Lungmen with incredible detail, a connection network of the L.G.D and government including pictures of Ch'en herself, Hoshiguma and Wei Yenwu and finally, a cache of weapons like crossbows, longbows and guns.
"What the..." Ch'en trailed off, taking in all the sights. "...T-this doesn't help me find Zhang!"
She furiously turned back to the right hand man.
"Remove the tarp from the table..." He whispered.
Ch'en cautiously pulled the covering off to reveal an intricate plan of kidnap.
"H-how did they do this in less than 24 hours?" She muttered while scanning the contents.
The right hand man bolted out the door seeing that Ch'en was distracted.
"Where do you think you're going?" Hoshiguma caught him and threw him back into the room then entered herself.
"T-thanks Hoshiguma..." Ch'en said before she found what she was looking for. "There! Warehouse 17, the docks."
"Are you sure, Ch'en?" Hoshiguma asked.
"Look for yourself." Ch'en replied before returning to just in front of the right hand man. "Is there anything else you're hiding?"
"N-n-no!" He responded with urgency.
"Well, then..." Ch'en gripped Chi Xiao again. "This is for the officers who fell today."
"Wai-"
With a swift slash the right hand man's head was removed leaving only his bottom jaw attached to his body.
(Was that really necessary?) Hoshiguma whispered to herself before following Ch'en out the door.
[Zhang's Perspective]
Bagpipe has dragged me into a dark corner while we both catch our breath.
"Hey..." I say quietly. " Can you tell if I'm infected from that chunk of Originium?"
"Difficult to say." Bagpipe replies. "I guess there's about a 60% chance."
"Great..." I mutter bitterly. "What will Mum think?"
Bagpipe speaks up. "I'm sure she'll still love you."
Suddenly, there's a barrage of gunfire from downstairs, accompanied by a heavy bludgeoning sound.
"Did you bring anyone else?" I ask, slightly worried.
"N-no..." Bagpipe looks just as concerned as I feel. "We should move again, but be extra careful, okay?"
"Alright." I agree and start following Bagpipe again.