"Two minutes fourteen seconds!" Mei called out as she strapped on her holster. It was hard to hear over the radios and the helicopter blades of the four choppers there. Two of which were news choppers.

Bryan just nodded staring at the bank doors as he noticed a suspect heading for it.

"Hay! Contact! Suspect movement! Side one, level one! Front doors!" The radios called out from a scout on top of one of the buildings.

"Hay, Dean… is that a-"

"Holy shit…" Dean muttered, taking the binoculars from a nearby table.

"Guys, we've got an RPG!"

"Funny, Dean, for a second there I could have sworn you just called out RPG."
"I'm not joking Tommy! They've got an RP-fucking-G!"

"Fuck!"

Bryan could almost see the smirk through the suspects mask as he aimed for the sky.

One of the chopper pilots called out over the radio.

"He's aiming at us! Evade, evade!"

"Dispatch to all Arial Units, you are to be grounded until further notice."

"No argument from Chopper 4."

"Same for 8."

The police choppers landed after calling over the CB radio for the news choppers to clear out, or be shot down.

Seeing that he wouldn't be able to shoot down a helicopter, the suspect began to look amongst the police units.

"Any time someone with a sniper rifle wants to jump in, by all means!"

"Tommy here, the fifty is dry, HQ had no ammo. Someone forgot to order it again!"

"So what do we got?" Bryan called back over the radio.

"Carbines and two-two-threes."

"Use it."

"Sorry chief, sniper rifles are my thing. You're the team automatic sharp shooter." Tommy came back. Bryan sighed in aggravation. He could probably get a head shot with the carbine if he had enough to time steady his aim and lock on his target.

Bryan was brought back to reality when he heard someone yelling at him.

"Get out of there!" It was Mei, calling his name. Bryan turned to see the RPG wielding suspect looking right at him.

"Oh, shit!"

The grenade was launched into the air, right towards his unit. It hit it with an explosion that was enough to send him flying back and set off some of the ammo reserves. Bullets rattled the area for a moment, hitting one civilian in the leg.

"Guys! Clear your cars of any ammo you can't keep in the fire box." Dean called out.

"I copy!"

Meanwhile, Bryan's hearing came back just in time for him to hear Mei. "Oh, no they didn't." She was saying, looking at the now destroyed DCTU unit.

Now Bryan was beyond furious, he had had that thing since he joined the agency.

"Someone get me a fucking carbine… now!"

Meanwhile a few feet away Mei was getting back to her feet. Seeing Bill getting up now more than two feet away, she reached her hand out.

"What the hell are you doing? Now is not that time for that!" Bill yelled over his shoulder, not taking his eyes off the robber. "Good luck, remember?" Mei called back, flipping the switch on her carbine to single shot.

"Come on, you'll need to cover me." She said, pacing backwards towards one of the taller buildings.

Mean while Bryan had finished loading his own M4, flipping the switch as well to single shot. "Dispatch to all units. Confirm that suspects have heavy artillery."

"Dean here, confirmed. They've got an RPG launcher, and I see lots of RPGs."

"Dispatch to all units. I copy, Military dispatched with heavy armor. City wide TAC alert raised to BCC on TAC 6. Stay safe."

"Copy."

Bryan had managed to sneak around to the side. The suspect was facing the opposite direction of him, popping off shots with his automatic. The RPG launcher laid in the ground not far from his feet.

"He's toying with us! Son of a bitch! That damn body armor will take anything we throw at it." Falco's voice came over the radio.

"Calm down, Falco, we'll thing of something. Anyone got a blaster on them? Doubt that thing can take a plasma shot."

"Bill here, I've got one. But I've only got one shot and I doubt I can take it while taking heavy fire."

"That thing got a scope?" Bryan asked into his radio.

"Not a great one. But yah."

"Where are you?"

"That doctor's office. Fourth floor, Mei is here to."

"Have Mei take the shot."

"I copy."

"Mei here, looks like it's going to need to charge and-"

Mei was cut off when the suspect began to fire again towards the building. A moment later he picked up the launcher, aiming it at Mei position.

"Get out of there! They must be monitoring our radio! Mei, Bill, get out of there now!"

Bryan watched as the rocket flew up into the windows. A deafening explosion followed as glass blew out all of the windows and into the streets.

"Mei, Bill! Do you copy! Repeat, are you clear!"

The silence and static that came over the radio for the next four minutes scared many of the people on scene.

"Mei! Bill! Respond!"

"Mei here! Bill threw himself on me in the blast. We're both ok, but he's out cold and I think there is some bleeding. I'm pulling into an office space opposite of the strike zone. I'm going to treat his wounds."

"I copy."

Bryan sighed, ducking back behind a concrete wall. "Fuck! This is useless! We need a tank or something!"

"Five-Five David to dispatch! Where the fuck if that tank!"

"APC is en-route. ETA: Two minutes."

"We don't have two minutes! I've got two officers down already! And many more pinned by fire! Move your asses!"

Bryan ducked out from behind his cover and looked to where the suspect was. He was still looking in the other direction. He got into a prone position and aimed to the best of his current ability. "Come on, head shots always work." He mumbled, firing a single shot. It hit the suspect in the neck, dropping him immediately.

"I've got one HT down! Repeat, one hostile down!"

"We going to enter the bank?" Fox's voice came over the radio.

"Not a chance in hell! We still don't know what we're up against. I say we wait for the tank, use it to make an entry hole in the side of the bank."

"What do you think, chief?" Dean was asking Bryan.

"I'm not sure. This is an extremely high risk situation. It would be easy for any of them remaining HTs to come out and pick up that launcher. And who's to say they don't have anything else in store for us?"

"Commander! This is Lt. Bridge at the CP. We've got one of the HTs on the line. Asked just for you."

Bryan checked his ammo clip before responding. "Alright, patch it through."

A moment later a voice was broadcasted over every radio in the area. The voice itself sent a chill down Mei's spine as she hunkered down behind a tipped over desk, daring anyone to come her way.

"Hello out there. I trust my men are keeping you on your feet commander?"

"They're a simple kill."

"Ah good. I hope they don't scream into their deaths. That they die with honor."

"So, what are your demands? What, twenty mil and an armored truck?" Bryan countered. CNT was never his strong point.

"No, no. I've got all the money I need. And I have the perfect escape plan. As I sit here, I notice that I have at least forty pounds of syntax C4. That must be more than enough to kill everyone within a four mile radius. I have no demands, I merrily wish to send a message to the American people."

"You know, you nearly killed one of my officers. Along with the injury of another teammate, and good friend."

"Really? Oh, well. I've already killed one person close to you. I really must work on killing more."

"Come again?"

(In The Office Building, With Mei)

Mei sat back a little, tilting her head back against the desk. Every now and then she would touch a hand to Bill's neck to make sure his pulse had staid the same. She was worried about the blood loss more than the injuries themselves.

The conversation over the radio had been monotone until then.

"Come again?"

"Don't tell me you forgot about Nikki. My, she screamed when I entered the house."

Mei tilted her head to the side in a sign of pure anger and frustration. She knew where this was going.

"You… you're the one I've been looking for!" Bryan's voice came over the radio hard and fast. Not a breath was taken by anyone who was listening. This situation had just become more explosive than the C4 in the building.

"Yes. I must say, I took pleasure in that contract killing. Knowing that somehow I would break you."

"You didn't break me."

"We will see."

Mei sighed, turning her head back to Bill.

"Bust my ass about touching your ears all you want. But that good luck just saved your life. Few inches over or a few seconds later, you'd be dead." She said to the unconscious dog on the floor on his back.

"Listen here. If I get in there and I disarm you and still don't shoot you, I better get a fucking medal."

"Kiss my ass."

Mei grabbed hold of her radio.

"Hay! Calm down and don't do any thing rash. We still have hostages in the building."

"Listen to the bitch. It will do you some good."

"Oh, fuck this." Mei called out to herself, switching the radio to a private channel.

"Tommy, find some ammo for the fucking rifle, get a infared-scope, and shoot the shit through the wall!"

"I'm working on it Mei. Army's bringing in some stuff for us. They just got here."

"Copy. Haul your ass, move!"

She switched it to Bryan's PI channel.

"Hay. Tommy got some ammo and a infa scope. We're going to set up shop and see what we can recon about this place. Just sit tight."

"Negative."

"What!"

"Negative. Do whatever you want, I've got something else in mind. Switch back to the public channel."

Mei did and caught the end of the sentence.

"…along with a mother and her kid. How's that for a body count?"

"Listen, I want to make a trade. If your trying to send a message then I've got what you need to do it. What better way to raise headlines then to catch a DCTU cop in the blast."

"Oh, and who do you want to take the place of?"

"The wife and kid. They don't need to be there. None of them do."

There was a moment of silence. Mei held back from shouting 'what the hell are you doing' over the radio.

"Alright. Strip down. No guns, no weapons, no radio. Got it? You try and get in here with anything, and I'll set off the bomb. Got it?"

"Copy. I'll be in center."

Mei banged her head on the desk. "This cannot be happening."

"Anyone talk to the medics and see about Krystal? Can't she do that thing she does to figure out how many suspects we are dealing with? Hell, maybe even disarm that bomb?" Dean's voice came over the radio.

"Not a bad idea. I'll give them a call." Tommy responded.

"If anyone can disarm that bomb from afar… it's her." Bill's voice was raspy, and it caught Mei by surprise.

"Hay, welcome back. Don't move, you've got some shards in your back. Deep."

"Yah. How did you pull out?"

"I'm fine… thank you." Mei whispered.

"Guess it could of been worse. Looks like that ear thing of yours really works."

"Yea."

"So, what did I miss?"

"Well… Bryan is about to be taken hostage."

"Oh boy."

"That's not the half of it. If we get a signal, we have to move out of here fast. But… I don't think we can move you without some serious injury. Maybe even paralysis."

"Why would we have to move out?"

"Cause of that bomb. That thing will take out this building and anything within a four mile radius of here."

"Sounds serious."

"Yes, but Bill… its just that… if we get the signal to move out. We… we wouldn't be able to move you in time and still get out of here. If they decide to start that count down… you won't be leaving here in one peace."

"Sounds fair. Listen, they start that countdown. My military ID is in my back pocket. Take it to Fox, alright?"

"No way! If you're going to die here because you protected me, then I'm staying behind and going with you. There's two people that have ever done what you did for me. Kasey is dead and Bryan might as well be if things go bad."

"Well… then lets hope for the best."

(Inside the Bank)

"Welcome! I never thought I would be able to take a cop hostage. My, this is such an achievement for me!"

There's only one guy holding all these people hostage!

He was the only on in the entire bank area.

"So, where's the other lackeys?"

"None. You killed the only one."

"So, you're alone?"

"Yes, but do not get any ideas. I am a master marksmen, and even if you get past that, I am a master at hand to hand combat."

Bryan looked around the room. All of the C4 was stacked in one corner. The hostages in the other.

"Alright well… now what?"

"Now? We wait."

Bryan nodded, taking a seat on one of the counters. Before he had come in he had stuck an ear piece into his ear. No one in the bank knew he had it.

"Hay, Bryan. It's Fox. We're trying to get Krystal here to disarm that bomb from the outside. She should be able to do it. As for the robber, you're on your own. Tommy says that a 50 cal won't go through the layer of vault. Maybe if you could get him away from the vault and near a wall we can get him."

Bryan sighed, sitting back.

Well, if I'm stuck here, might as well be comfortable. He looks like he has a dead man switch on him. Can't touch him till Krystal can disarm that bomb.

"So, how does it feel to be this close to our wife's killer, and not be able to kill him?"

Bryan kept his mouth shut.

"Come on, answer me."

"You know what they do at funerals for criminals like you? They play this song. It's completely in snare drums and trumpets. Sad thing is… you won't be able to hear it."

"You see cocky for someone in your position."

"You have not seen me in my prime. You think you are smart? Alright, I'll play your game. The best tactical breach here is through that wall, not the front or side door like you have wired. That vest you are wearing couldn't stop a round from a twenty-two. That AK in your hand isn't loaded properly and that C4 in the corner is only half primed. Meaning that you'll only get half the blast you'll need. And if I wanted to, I could drop you from this distance using a pen cap."

The suspect blinked a few times.

"Cocky little bastard, aren't you?"

"Hold tight, Krystal's here."

"Hay! Heard you got yourself into some trouble. Hang on, I'm trying to disarm that bomb from the SWAT truck. It'll take a few minutes."

"Yah well. You think you've got me beat. But… I didn't make head of DCTU cause of my good looks."

"That's good. Cause I would hate to see what the rest of you look like in that case."

"Keep talking asshole. You must love the sound of your own voice."

Bryan sighed sitting back. Until Krystal could disarm that bomb, he couldn't touch the suspect. When Bryan opened his eyes again, the suspect was right in front of him. Fist cocked back, ready to strike.

Shit! There was no time to wait for Krystal. Bryan ducked just as the fist hit the wall. Standing back up he brought his hand down on the attacker's arm, hearing the snapping of the bone Bryan had to suppress a smirk. Instead of smirking, he ducked back again, kicking the knee caps of the suspect, hearing that snap to he went to the other one.

That snap was drowned out by the suspect's screaming. Before he could completely hit the floor Bryan had managed to snag the sidearm from the suspect's holster.

But that damn smirk never went away.

"You think you've won!" The suspect asked, pulling a trigger from his vest. Bryan watched the light turn from red to green. "If I drop this, we all die."

The next five seconds were a life time to the DCTU agent.

"See you in hell!" The suspect called out, tossing the object down. The green light flashed twice before turning to red.

Bryan ducked behind a desk, expecting an explosion.

"Unit disabled. All clear!" Krystal's voice was sweet music to Bryan's ears.

"This is assault one! Moving in!"

"Go, go, go!"

Bryan sighed, dropping the gun onto the floor, putting his head against the desk.

"Holy shit." He panted out. Just as the SWAT team entered the room.

"So, how bout the medal?"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"You crazy son of a bitch!" Mei yelled as she pulled her vest off, tossing it into the back of her unit. The yell was towards Bryan. "Hey, I got them out, didn't I?"

"Yes, but you also almost got yourself killed!"

"But I'm fine. Mei, calm down. Everyone is ok. Sure… Bill took a hit, but it could of been worse."

Mei sighed as she watched the medics confused looks as they got into the driver seat of their rig.

"They still can't figure out what he is. Funny part is, they don't know if they should take him to the vet, or the emergency room." Mei sighed, sitting down on the cargo bay.

"Yah, and who are they going to bill for the treatment? Does Corneria even have a health care plan?" Bryan chuckled sitting down next to her.

"So, what are you going to drive now?"

"Dispatch is sending out an Impala. I'm going to hate it."

"I bet."

"Don't get my wrong, it's a good car. But it's not MY car."

"Well, look on the bright side. They're waiting for Bill to clear to release Jackie. She pulled through. And, we all made it out of the RPG wielding suspect scenario alive."

"More or less. Come on, lets get going. We need to get Team Star Fox to the hotel so we can figure out why they're really here."

"I hear that." Mei said, pulling the back door open and helping Krystal in.

"By the way. That's for disarming that bomb Krystal. Even with your bad leg."

"It was no problem. You guys would do the same for me if you could."

"Yah." Bryan chuckled as Fox got into the passenger side door, Mei sitting behind him. Her unit had taken a hit to the engine from an automatic weapon. Rendering the car useless.

"Lets go."