4. Going Up

Nick had arrived just in time to find that the General and his men had stormed the US Bank Tower and quickly took everyone inside hostage.What will happen? Read on and find out.

Nick arrived at the crime scene. There, some police officers, including George and the idiot Johnson, were engaging in a gunfight with the militants. Nick found Rosie and Masterson hiding behind a police cruiser, and quickly joined them.

"What the hell's going on?" Nick asked.

"A squad of what we believe to be East Asian commandos have taken over the bank." Masterson was the first to reply. "They're demanding $500 million!"

"They just clipped Ivan at the hangar." Nick answered, referring to the masscare at the Russian hangar. "What's this bank gotta do with any of it?"

"All Cyprus Holdings deposits were transferred here yesterday, that's what!" Rosie replied.

As she finished, a stream of bullets struck the cruiser that all 3 of them were hiding behind. Apparently, the commandos spotted Nick, and were trying to waste him. All 3 cowered, but luckily none were hurt.

"The General is obviously getting desperate, but I've got him where I want him." Masterson said. "The SWAT team is on its way!"

Nick wasn't pleased with the decision. "You gonna start a war out here? Aren't there people inside?"

Nick got his answer in the form of gunfire and the cry of a hostage inside. Looks like they've begun executing the hostages.

"You just stay out of this, Kang! I'll handle it my way, got it?" Masterson warned.

"Forget it, man! I'm going in!" He runs out, and joins the gunfight, while Masterson stood up to "preach" at Kang again.

"Kang, you're disobeying ... ouch ... a direct order ... ouch ... damnit!" Masterson was shot twice in the finger, and falls over, while Nick went on and starts firing at the commandos.

He turned around, and shoots the 3 commandos that have managed to get near the police cruisers. Before he could head further, a snpier fired a shot that barely misses Nick's neck. Nick opened and shot the sniper in retaliation. Then he went on and fired at the guards, and shot yet another sniper who was hoping to stop him. Near the entrance, 3 commandoes stormed out of the building. The only difference: 1 of them was holding a woman hostage. Nick had to be careful, or he would kill the hostage too. He shot the first 2 commandos, and quickly aimed and shot the hostage taker in the arm, releasing his grip on the hostage, and fell down. The hostage quickly ran away to safety while Nick entered the building lobby.

Inside the lobby, Nick rolls in and takes cover behind a nearby bench. Nick saw several hostages hiding in the corner. The commandos on guard didn't see Nick, but quickly loaded their guns to warn anybody on trying to escape.

"All right, come to Neo ... " Nick whispered, and swiftly shot 1 of the guards. The other commandos saw Nick, and quickly fired back.

Nick went berserk and shot each and every commando inside the building. Luckily, he did not shoot any of the hostages. The initial guards were defeated, but another commando was hurling incendiary ammunition at him. Cowardly guy, hiding behind the bank counter. Nick quickly shot open one of the holes, and wasted the commando inside.

Just then, more commandos stormed the building. Nick quickly shot them and their reinforcements, and as soon as the last one fell, Nick said to himself. "Damn shame." Then, turning to the hostages, who were slightly frightened with Nick's fury, and said, "Get out of here! NOW!" The hostages did exactly as they were told. Nick then went to take a nearby elevator. The General is obviously on the top floor.

The lift stops, but not at the top floor. Nick exits, and enters another hallway.

"Hmmm ... way too quiet in here" he said to himself. He walks further down, and was "greeted" by 2 commandos. Nick made quick work of them ,and went inside to find a main office. He walked further, and saw a commando holding yet another person hostage. The hostage taker fired warning shots at Nick, who backed away for a while. Then, Nick aimed his gun at the commando's hand, and shot. The commando fell, while the hostage escaped. Then, Nick headed left to find anymore hostage takers or commandos. There were 3 of them, and none were hostage takers, so Nick just wasted them. He heads forward, only to see another hostage taker. Nick aimed carefully, and shot the commando. Luckily, he didn't kill the hostage. He quickly rushed out of the office into another hallway.

Inside, 2 commandos rushed out, and were shot once again. Nick quickly headed forward to see another office. Two more guards sprang out, and Nick just added two more commandos to his kill list. He head forward, and was again faced with a hostage encounter. Same procedure, he neutralized the commando. Then, he went forward. Again, another hostage taker. Nick fired, but accidently killed the hostage, along with the commando.

"Didn't mean to do it. Scout's honor." Nick said to the body of the fallen hostage.

There was no time to waste, and he head forward closer to the lift to the VIP office. There were 3 more commandos, 1 holding a hostage. Nick shot all 3 of them, and also freed the hostage. As he headed forward, 5 commandos stormed the hallway, and all fell to Nick Kang's pistols. Nick went forward, to find the lift to the VIP lift, guarded by 3 commandos, 1 with another hostage. Nick aimed, and shot all 3 with precision aim. Then, he rushed to the lift, and took the lift up.

A/N: The showdown against the General, NEXT!