Chapter 9

Destins- He always was smart. He's no Doom Slayer or Space marine. He's more like a Mandalorian that's up against a Jedi. The Mandalorian will fight the Jedi, but he'll be smart and fight in a scenario that favors him if he knows what's good for him.

11/4/2019- Rewritten scene between Master Chief and Vereesa.

11/20/2019- Rewritten due to criticism.

Quel'Thalas

"Okay, just stay calm and remember what you have to say." Thought High Elf Archer as she waited for the Blood Elves' regent lord comes and speaks to her about Team Sigma's plan to rescue his people. Their primary plan depended on his cooperation. If they couldn't get his help, then they could only rescue a few dozen from Dalaran and they have to force them to stay in Torrington, something that High Elf and everyone else, aside from Ikit, would like.

Praying that she can convince the regent lord, she almost didn't see him when he came inside the room she was forced into.

He was quite a handsome elf, if High Elf Archer could be a judge. Aside from an eyepatch that barely covered a scar that went over his left eye, mostly because it was so long, he was quite a looker. With attractive green eyes and blond hair.

But she wasn't here to get a man, she was here to convince the man to help her team out.

The regent lord, Lor'themar Theron, walked up to her, flanked by two guards and another elf in mage armor.

One guard had the armor of a Blood elf ranger, but was more silvery than the others and more elaborate, likely signifying he was an important figure. The other guard wore a mage outfit, showing that he was skilled in magic. What magic it was, High Elf didn't know. The last elf was Aethas Sunreaver, the former council member for the Kirin Tor. The fact that he was here, made High Elf wonder if the Horde conducted a rescue mission for the Sunreavers. If they did, the plan of team Sigma was in jeopardy. Keeping calm, High Elf looked at Lor'themar as he examined her.

Eyeing the young elf with curiosity, Lor'themar spoke.

"I hear that you have a plan to save my people from the clutches of the Alliance." Said Lor'themar, suspicion in his voice. High Elf gulped before speaking.

"I do, but it requires your cooperation if it's going to succeed." Said High Elf, getting up from her seat and starring up at the tall elf before her. Lor'themar raised an eyebrow at that, intrigued, but also suspicious.

"And why would you help the Sin'dorei? Pardon my skepticism, but I have no knowledge on you or your intentions. For all I know this is a trap set by the Alliance to invade Quel'Thalas." Said Lor'themar. High Elf Archer bit her lip at that before speaking up.

"I want to help because I saw what happened in Dalaran. I saw how the Silver Covenant unjustly took your people to prison. Maybe some of them had something to do with whatever the Alliance accuses them of doing, but that doesn't justify rounding them all up and imprisoning them. I want to rectify that. And so, do my friends and allies. We want to fix the wrong done to your people." Said High Elf before looking up at Lor'themar, who was silently allowing her to continue. "But to do that, we need your help. We just don't have the numbers to get everyone safely out of Dalaran. So, the way I see it, you have a lot to gain by helping us."

Lor'themar raised an eyebrow at that.

"And I suppose you want something in return for this endeavor?" Asked Lor'themar, finding this deal too sweet for the Blood elves and not for this elf and her group.

"Yeah, but it's not something ridiculous or something that you won't agree too. Trust me. We're not stupid." Said High Elf Archer, looking at Lor'themar with a stoic glance. Respecting her stance and unwillingness to show emotions, Lor'themar looked at the elves he brought with him. Upon seeing them all nod, he looked at High Elf Archer.

"Give us a minute." Said Lor'themar before leaving the room with everyone else. Once they left, High Elf prayed that she managed to convince Lor'themar.

Her friends were in danger if she didn't.

Lor'themar

"Well, what do you three propose we do?" Asked Lor'themar as he looked at his assembled allies. Halduron, leader of the Blood elves Farstriders, simply shrugged.

"Take it. If the elf in there," He looked at the room where High Elf Archer was in. ", is lying we can easily dispatch what forces try to come through what portal they conjure up in Dalaran." Said Halduron.

"I would advise against it.' Said Rommath, the Grand Magister of Quel'Thalas. "If she truly is with the Alliance, then we're putting Quel'Thalas in danger by opening a portal to Dalaran. One portal is all the Alliance needs to send a weapon of mass destruction against us." Aethas Sunreaver looked at Rommath.

"With respect, Rommath, we must take the risk. If she isn't with the Alliance and what she says is true, then this is a golden opportunity for us to rescue the remaining Sunreavers from the Violet hold." Said Aethas, wanting to rescue their remaining people. "Besides, I casted a detection spell on her without her knowledge. She speaks the truth. The full truth. She truly wants to help us."

"Perhaps, but even then, we're at risk." Said Rommath. Although he too wanted to rescue their people, they must be cautious as a single mistake can demand immediate reprisal from the Alliance. "What if this operation fails? What if Jaina Proudmoore is waiting for us to create a portal from Dalaran to Quel'Thalas. All she needs to do with take over control of the portal and she'll be able to have a permanent way to Quel'Thalas."

"And so, you suggest we not do anything!?" Demanded Aethas. "Rommath, this is an opportunity of a lifetime you're suggesting we throw away! The more time our people stay in the Violet Hold, the more difficult it will be to free them!"

"I suggest no such thing!" Snapped Rommath, glaring at Aethas. Before the two could butt heads, Lor'themar spoke.

"Enough." Said Lor'themar, glaring at his two advisors. Rommath and Aethas always butted heads at each other, mostly because Rommath hated the Kirin Tor for their inaction when Garithos, a human commander during the 3rd war, had mistreated the Sin'dorei and even tried to have them all arrested and executed. The fact that Aethas used to be a member of the Kirin Tor, caused Rommath to extend that hatred to Aethas. Despite that though, he did plan a mission to rescue Aethas and the Sunreavers during the purge of Dalaran, so perhaps that hate wasn't as extensive as Rommath believes it to be.

Although they saved Aethas and a handful of other Sunreavers, hundreds were still in the Violet Hold. Something that was a sore subject to Aethas.

"While I understand your caution, Rommath, I have to agree with Halduron and Aethas. This is a golden opportunity to save our people from the Alliance's grasp." Said Lor'themar. "It will be a risky endeavor no doubt, one that could end disastrous for us, but if it means we can the remaining Sunreavers from the Alliance, then we must take it." Rommath sighed at that, but nonetheless agreed to Lor'themar's decision.

"Very well, I'll assemble the blood magi to the main portal chambers. I'll fortify our defenses on our side while you assign whatever forces you desire to handle with the evacuation of the Sunreavers." Said Rommath.

"I will volunteer for the rescue operation." Said Aethas. "The Sunreavers were my responsibility. I am their leader, its only right for me to assist in getting them out."

"Then we are in agreement." Said Lor'themar, satisfied. With that, they all went back inside where High Elf was casually examining a vase in the room. Upon seeing them, she stopped and looked at them.

"So…what's the answer?" Asked High Elf Archer, looking at Lor'themar.

"Well, it appears we are in agreement." Said Lor'themar. "My advisors and myself agree that we'll assist you in this endeavor to free my people from the Alliance. However, if this is indeed a trick, the reprisal will be severe." The growl from Lor'themar was all that High Elf needed to shiver. This was a man that took his people's safety seriously, something that both impressed and scared High Elf.

"Alright." Said High Elf Archer, happy that this was going well, at least on her end. "Then let's get ready to help my team with rescuing your people."

"Wait." Said Rommath. "You said team. How many are on this mission to save our people?" High Elf Archer nervously laughed at that.

"You wouldn't change your mind if I told you how many are actually involved in the mission in Dalaran?" Asked High Elf, knowing she can't lie with the mage with Lor'themar.

Dalaran

Vereesa Windrunner home

Ikit

"*hums* Finding secret-secret. Must find all secrets." Said Ikit as he rummaged through the room of Vereesa Windrunner and the now deceased Rhonin. When he arrived at the Silver Covenant's leaders' home, Ikit immediately went to the top floors of the house. To the Skaven, the most important people lived in high places, which they kept their most secret of secrets.

In his travels, Ikit seen the other races do this as well, though a few have their secrets in the bottom strangely enough. But after checking that there was not basement, Ikit went to the upper floors.

After going room to room, some of which confused the rat, such the case with a room with nothing but clothes and had so many weird contraptions in them, like a hose and a bowl with water in it, he eventually found the room of Vereesa Windrunner and Rhonin.

After finding it, he immediately went about ransacking the room for any valuables. He had only been here for ten minutes and he already found books with powerful spells in them and some documents with some juicy information in them.

Upon finding another spell book, he placed it in a sack that he brought with him when he learned that his role in the plan was to steal books of knowledge from Dalaran and to make big distraction, something that Ikit was very happy with. Once he was done acquiring what he wanted, he and Jack will be very big explosions that will get the Alliance's attention. Yes-yes.

After placing the spell book in the sack, he grabbed it, finding that he was done here. Now was the time to go to a library and get what he wanted from there.

Upon leaving the room, however, he heard a gasp. When he heard it, Ikit stopped and looked around.

When he found no one, he growled and let go of the sack. Sniffing around, Ikit cautiously went down the stairs of the house.

Sniffing again, Ikit smiled as he found the scent of an elf thing and a man thing nearby. Clenching his metal claws while holding his halberd in the other hand, Ikit went to the room where the smell was the strongest.

Upon entering, Ikit sniffed again. This time his nose pointed to a door nearby. Smiling a sadistic smile, Ikit walked right up to the door and opened it. He was about to open fire with his warpfire projector when he saw who was inside.

To his utmost surprise, he saw two little elf things huddled together in a small room. They had red hair and blue eyes, an odd combination for elves.

Despite being elf things, however, Ikit smelled a bit of man thing as well with these elf things, meaning they were some strange abominations that would be of great interest of Clan Moulder, the Skaven clan that specialized in genetic engineering.

Growling at the boys, keeping them scared, Ikit wondered on what to do.

Before they went on this mission, Chief had specifically ordered Ikit to not kill any children on the mission to Dalaran. Any violation will result in him losing his privileges, including his research time. Anyone else was free game so long as they were fighters.

While Ikit didn't know what qualified as a child to other races, he did know these elves were far too small to be adults. Adult elves were very tall. These two barely reached Ikit in height, even when he hunched his back.

That meant that these two were not to be touched, which complicated matters for Ikit. Not only was he not allowed to kill or harm children, he also had to prevent people from seeing him. So, he was left with a conundrum.

Should he kill the children and hope that Chief doesn't know? Or take them with him and hope they stay quiet? After calculating the odds, Ikit made his decision.

Grabbing the two kids by the scruffs of their necks, Ikit dragged them with him as he made his way to his sack. Despite their attempts to punch him, the two elves were unable to free themselves from Ikit's tight grip. After placing them in the sack and tying it up, Ikit wrapped the sack behind his backpack and went to get his halberd. Once he acquired it, he'll leave to find a library of which he'll try to get some books of knowledge from it.

As the Skaven walked, the two elf kids he took were praying for their mother to rescue them.

Vereesa

Violet Hold

"This never gets easier." Thought Vereesa as she looked at the assembled crowd before her and the Violet Hold. She was honestly surprised with how many people there were.

Even from the perch she had on the protesters, Vereesa still couldn't see the end of the crowd. There must have been at least a few hundred people out there. There were so many, in fact, that Vereesa was certain that the only reason a riot didn't break out was because of the powerful mages the Silver Covenant had at its disposal.

Taking a deep breath, she addressed the crowd.

"Citizens of Dalaran." Said Vereesa, getting everyone's attention. "I know why you're all here. And I'm here to assure you that the Sunreavers are not being mistreated during their time in the Violet Hold. All those that remain there are those that surrendered peacefully. As a result, they're being treated humanely."

"What about the ones that didn't?" Protested one Dwarf mage. "Those were thrown off the side of Dalaran, turning them into a thick paste! I would know! I saw it with me own eyes!" That caused the crowd to go into even bigger roar. Wincing at the thought of that happening, Vereesa tried to explain that.

"If this was done to the dead bodies, then I will make sure that they receive the justice they're obligated to receive." Said Vereesa, though she found the sentence to be distasteful in her mouth. Regardless of her personal feelings, this needed to be addressed. Much as she disliked the Blood elves, throwing dead bodies off the cliffs of Dalaran will not be tolerated under her watch. Basic decency was needed to maintain the image that the Alliance was morally just and good.

"Why should we believe you? You had the Silver Covenant mobilized against the Sunreaver with you at the helm." Said a high elf. To Vereesa's shock, he wore the clothing of a Silver Covenant ranger.

Squashing down the feeling of anger at seeing one of her rangers disobeying her and joining this protest, Vereesa spoke again.

"I know my feelings against the Blood elves aren't the friendliest, although I have justifiable reasons to hate them, I refuse to treat them as rapid beasts. They're still people. And as a result, they're people that should be treated as humanely as possible." She then sighed. "If none of you believe me, then I'll personally escort a handful of you to the Violet hold to see the Sunreavers. To see that they're being treated fairly as much as we're allowed to. Once you see them, its up to you to decide to continue this protest or not."

"This protest isn't just against the treatment of the Sunreavers!" Protested a human. "Its also to have them released." A lot of the crowd yelled out in agreement. Sighing again, Vereesa tried her very best to convince the people to stop this protest.

Meanwhile

Chief

"We're not going to say this again." Said Courier as he held a Silver Covenant ranger, holding him in place, as Chief was interrogating him. "Either give us the location of the Sunreavers or we'll start breaking bones."

Spitting on the floor, the ranger glared at Chief. They managed to ambush this ranger patrolling alone and have been trying to interrogate him to no avail. He simply refused to give the location of the Sunreavers.

"Do so. I refuse to do anything for those traitors and those conspiring with them." Said the ranger. Sighing, Courier looked at Chief, who nodded. Ripping a piece of the man's outfit, Chief stuffed the piece of cloth in his mouth before grabbing an arm.

"Last chance." Warned Chief as he prepared to bend the arm. Despite the fear in the elf's eyes, he refused to speak. Respecting the man's stubbornness, Chief, nonetheless, began to slowly bend the arm, causing the man to scream as Chief bent the arm so hard that it was starting to give resistance to his efforts. Eventually, Chief pushed the arm so hard that the ranger's elbow bone jutted out of the skin, sending skin and blood all over the floor.

Ignoring the screams, Chief went to a leg and starting to bend it as well. This was an inhuman way to treat a captive, but Chief and Courier didn't have the time to be humane. Not like they could even be humane with their past actions.

As Chief bent the leg in a way it wasn't suppose to, Courier looked at the elf as he held his mouth to prevent him from screaming.

"Listen." Said Courier. "This can stop if you give us the location of the Sunreavers. Save us the troubles of breaking every single limb you have and we'll let you go. We'll make you unconscious, but at least you'll have the rest of your limbs intact." He didn't get an answer as Chief broke his leg, bone showing up in the man's broken skin. He was about to work on the other leg when the elf raised his remaining unbroken arm. Seeing this, Courier took out the cloth, allowing the man to speak.

"Okay. Okay. They're being held two floors above you. All of them. The entire floor is dedicated to keeping them imprisoned." Said the elf.

"Where's the nearest portal room." Said Chief, knowing that they needed it. Not wanting more pain, the elf told them the location of all the portal rooms nearby to the Sunreavers. With that done, Courier snapped the elve's neck and dragged the body somewhere hidden. With that done, Courier followed Chief as he made his way to the Sunreavers.

"You know, Vereesa will want our heads after this, right?" Asked Courier.

"Along with Jaina and the rest of the Silver Covenant." Said Chief. "I hope you and everyone else is willing to accept the consequences of this. If it were up to me, we wouldn't be doing this at all."

"We know." Said Courier, knowing the Chief was going against his nature for this. It was appreciated by all of them. "Being the morally good person is hard work." Chief then pointed to the direction of their recently interrogated elf. "Okay…somewhat morally good. But the point is, its hard work that seems pointless when there's a seemingly easier way to do things. But no matter how easy the alternative is, I'll still try to do the morally right way in doing things, because its what keeps me human. And I think you should try it too, Chief." Chief just looked slightly at Courier's direction.

"It my duty to preserve humanity, whatever the cost. Even if it's the cost of my life or my own humanity. I'm only doing this is because you guys will mutiny if I said we'll leave the Sunreavers alone." Said Chief as they made their way to the Violet Hold. Courier was about to protest when the two spotted some Silver Covenant agents coming their way. Hiding, the two readied their weapons in case a fight broke out. Fortunately for them, a fight didn't happen, as the Silver Covenant warriors passed them without spotting them.

Once they were gone, the two resumed their walk to the Sunreavers.

As they walked, Courier tried to talk with Chief, but the man refused. Sighing in frustration, Courier wondered how he was going to get to Chief. Or if he's the right person to get him to open up.

Few minutes later

"God damn." Whispered Courier as he saw the various cages the Sunreavers were in. They seemed to be separated in groups. Women and children were together and males alone in their cages, all of which were made from magic. "Maybe we should have asked how to disable these cages."

"I have an idea how to." Said Chief as he eyed on one of the cages. While most of it was made out of magic energy, the top and bottom portions were made from metal. He guessed if they take out a small portion of the top, they could get the people out. The only problem was the guards. If they missed one, they could sound the alarm and their job will get even more complicated.

"We'll need to take out all the guards though." Said Chief as he readied his battle rifle.

"I guess the no kill rule is thrown out the window." Said Courier as he readied his silenced 12.7 mm smg.

"There was never a no kill rule." Said Chief before he began to tell Courier the plan.

A few minutes later, the two split up and began the time consuming task of taking out all the guards.

Jack

"Alright, last explosive placed in the barracks." Said Jack as he placed the last of his explosives in the Silver Covenant's barracks. Since they were a militant organization, Jack didn't feel nearly as bad as he would with a civilian target as he knew that, the moment you become a soldier, you drop some of the privileges that civilians gain when up against an enemy combatant that was following the rules of engagements.

With that explosive placed, Jack left the Silver Covenant district, sneaking past all the guards, despite their enhanced hearing and all their fancy magic. As he got out of the district, he radioed Ikit, needed to meet up with him so they could help out Chief and Courier with freeing the Sunreavers.

"Ikit, I'm done with planting the explosives. Where are you?" Asked Jack as he walked through the empty streets of Dalaran.

"Place of knowledge!" Yelled Ikit as he dropped another book into his sack, not caring if it hit one of the elf things in it. "Track me with this tiny box in my ear. You find-track my location."

Shaking his head, Jack traced the location of Ikit's radio and found the location. After a few minutes, he entered the library that Ikit was in. When he entered, he found the rat dragging a giant sack of stuff with him.

"What the hell man?" Asked Jack, incredulously. "Did you loot all the books in this place?"

"Yes-yes. All books had magic power in them." Said Ikit as he dragged the sack with him. "Also took elf things with me when they discovered me." Jack raised an eyebrow at that.

"Elf things? What elf things?" Asked Jack, knowing that he wouldn't like the answer. Instead of answering, Ikit opened his sack, rummaging in it before bringing out two kids, who flayed around as they tried to get out of the strong grip of Ikit. Upon seeing them, Jack grasped his head in shock and frustration.

"What the fuck, man?!" Said Jack, furious. "Why the hell are you kidnapping kids?"

"They found-find me while I was ransacking elf leader's home. You-you prevented me from killing elf children but also want me to prevent people from knowing about us-us. So, I took them with me. Take them hostage!" Said Ikit, trying to justify his actions.

"Dude, you couldn't have knocked them out?" Asked Jack as he walked up to Ikit.

"Knock out?" Asked Ikit as he tilted his head. "Like…kill-kill with blunt weapon?"

"No." Said Jack before sighing, wondering how Ikit was an engineer of anything. Taking a deep breath, he looked at the kids. "Hey, little ones. Did my friend hurt you or anything?" Upon hearing the question, one kid glared at him while the other fearfully kept quiet.

"You're in big trouble when our mom finds out about this!" Threatened the boy as he tried to kick Jack or Ikit. "She'll pump you full of arrows that you won't be recognized by your friends!"

"I believe that." Said Jack, knowing that danger of provoking a mother that cared for her children. "*Sighs* Look, I'm sorry about what happened to you. My friend isn't exactly the most…nicest of people."

"And proud-proud of that fact." Said Ikit with a grin.

"But I guarantee that the rest of my group are bad." Said Jack, ignoring what Ikit said. "To show that, I'm going to let you both go." Upon hearing that, Ikit tried to protest, but Jack wasn't having any of it. After some arguing, Ikit reluctantly let both kids go and pushed them away.

While one looked at Jack in appreciation, the other glared at Jack and Ikit, obviously hating them for what they did, something that Jack could completely understand. They did kidnap them, after all.

"Go on." Said Jack, shooing them away. "Go and warn the adults what we're doing here. We won't stop you." With a word, though, the braver of the two charged at Jack and began to punch and kick Jack's shin.

"You think that letting us go after all you've done and what your doing will make us forgive you! You raided our dead dad's room and took his belongings!" Yelled the boy as he continued to punch and kick. Jack, not wanting to do anything, just let the boy take his frustration out. "All what you Horde did and what you're doing now! Haven't you taken enough from us!" Eventually the boy spotted something hanging from Jack's calf. Without a warning, he took the thing, causing Jack to yell out.

Backing a bit from Jack, the boy pointed the object he took from Jack. A wingman heavy pistol, known for its heavy stopping power. Just one shot was enough to pierce the body armor that either Ikit or Jack was wearing.

"Take it easy, kid." Said Jack as he raised his hands in surrender. "You don't want to fire that."

"Why can't I?" Demanded the boy as he glared at them while pointing the gun at them. His brother, meanwhile, was staring at his brother in fear, scared on what his brother was doing right now. "You…you Horde killed my dad, made my mom upset, and made auntie Jaina sad! Why can't you people stop ruining the lives of all we care about?"

It hurt Jack that this kid was thinking this way. This little kid, who was supposed to be free from hard ship and tragedy, was now hating random people for their affiliation with the Horde. Although in team Sigma's case, the kid has every right to be angry with them.

Still, Jack needed to disarm him and to do it without hurting the boy.

"Kid, I know your hurting." Said Jack as he neared the boy, who pointed the gun at him. "You have every right to be at me, the Horde, and my friend. But please, put the gun down. Before you hurt yourself or do something that you'll regret."

Ikit's fur, or what's left of it, then went up in alarm. Instinct then took cover as Ikit threw his halberd as a javelin, aiming right for the pistol the little boy was holding at Jack. Right in time too as the boy was about to pull the trigger.

The halberd rammed itself into the clip that was holding all the bullets. The power emitting from and halberd along with the force of Ikit's throw was enough to cause the bullets to explode, sending shrapnel all over. Some of which at the kid's face.

"Kid!" Yelled Jack as he ran over to inspect him while the other little boy screamed in fright and horror. "God damnit, Ikit! Why the hell did you do that!?"

"To save-save you!" Yelled Ikit as he saw Jack checking the boy's face to see if he can be saved. "He about to fire gun-weapon! You should be thanking me!"

"You could have killed this kid!" Yelled Jack as he inspected the kid's face. With relief, though some of the wounds looked troubling, none of the pistol parts or shrapnel went too deep or hit his eyes. He'll live, but they needed to get him to Torrington for medical treatment. Growling at this turn of events, Jack was about to bring out the med kit he always had when he heard the door to the library open.

"What is going on…" The Silver covenant ranger that opened the door widened their eyes at what they saw. Upon seeing the ranger, Ikit fired his warpfire projector at them. The stream of warpfire hit the elf in the chest, which began to melt as the elf tumbled outside, melting as the warpfire did its work.

"God damnit!" Yelled Jack as he brought out his med kit before bringing out a shot of morphine and injecting it into the wounded boy. "Things are going to hell quick!" He then turned to Ikit. "Since you got us into this mess by kidnaping these boys, you're helping me carry them to the Violet Hold, where we can extract with the others." With the boy treated for now, Jack went to the other. "Carry him and I'll deal with the other one."

Ikit growled at the order, but nonetheless went to the wounded boy, who was now unconscious, and placed him over his right shoulder.

As Ikit went to gather his loot and halberd, Jack went to the last unwounded boy, who was starring at Jack in fear.

"Look, if you want to see your brother again, safe and sound, you have to come with me." Said Jack as he held his hand. "I know that I shouldn't be asking this from you, but your brother needs you right now. He needs someone he can trust to see him through what we need to do to save his life. I know it'll leave you mother extremely worried for you and your brother but trust me." Jack then went down to his knees and took off his helmet, revealing his face. "I promise you; I'll protect you and your brother until its time for you to come back to your mother, safe and healthy. I'll even risk my own life to tell her that you two are fine." Jack then let out his hand. "Trust me."

The little elf looked between Ikit holding his brother as securely as he could with both the big bag he had of stolen goods and his halberd. He then looked at the strange man, holding out his hand. Upon seeing the pleading look on his face, the kid took his hand and held it tightly.

"You better make my brother better. Otherwise, I'll never forgive you." Whispered the boy, trying to be firm in his voice, but couldn't keep out his fear of them.

Nodding at that, Jack put his helmet back on before grabbing the boy and placing him on his back.

"Hold on tight." Said Jack, looking over his shoulder to see the boy wrapping his hands over his neck. Upon seeing the boy's nod, Jack put two fingers on the side of his helmet to radio Chief of the situation.

"Chief we have a situation." Said Jack as he and Ikit made their way out of the library as stealthily as they could.

Chief

"Chief, we have a situation." Said Jack via the radio as Chief killed two rangers with his silenced pistol. While their cohorts were shocked at the sudden kill, Chief pounced on them.

Grabbing one, he snapped their neck by twisting so hard that their head was now backwards before stabbing one in the forehead with his combat knife. The last one scrambled to bring out his knife while Chief placed a bullet in his head, killing him.

"What is it?" Asked Chief as he finished his last kill. That should be the last Silver Covenant agent on this floor. Checking his ammo supply, Chief was somewhat impressed with how much ammo he saved up. He only used up half a clip of his battle rifle and two clips of his magnum. All of which were used to kill a Silver Covenant agent. There were a hundred or so soldiers on the floor, including mages, but through stealth and luck, Chief and Courier managed to kill them all without them raising an alarm.

This group of five was the last remaining Silver Covenant soldiers in the floor, leaving them free rein to free the Sunreavers, which Courier was doing with a Covenant energy sword. Last he checked, Courier was working with several Sunreavers in freeing everyone. They should be, or at the very least nearly done, with freeing all the Sunreavers from their captivity.

"We got spotted, sir. We managed to take them out, but its only a matter of time before they find the puddle of goo the poor sod is now." Said Jack. "We're making our way back to you now. Hold for us."

Chief cursed under his breath at hearing that. Of course, something like that will happen.

"We'll hold for you." Said Chief before cutting comms with Jack. He then radioed Courier, who was on the other side of the floor, securing the portal room in this floor. "Courier, our time window just shortened. Did you create a portal to Quel'Thalas yet?"

"We're working on it." Said Courier as he watched several Sunreaver mages work hard to create a portal to Quel'Thalas. To his frustration, the Silver Covenant managed to put up several wards to prevent one from teleporting in this floor. Powerful ones at that. It was taking the combined might of the remaining Sunreaver mages to bypass the wards and to create a portal. "We should have it in a minute."

"Alright." Said Chief. "I'll round up the remaining Sunreaver and meet you there."

"Understood. I'll mark the location of the remaining Sunreaver cages in your HUD. I had to escort the mages to the portal room in this floor." Said Courier before cutting comms. With that, he walked up to a mage currently in the process of doing…whatever the heck mages do.

"Hey, I know this is something beyond my expertise, but can you hurry this up? Silver Covenant soldiers may arrive soon, and I don't think we can hold them off for long." Said Courier to the mage, a female one at that.

"We're trying, but the wards they put up are strong. They must really hate us if they put up such strong wards." Said the mage. "It'll take time to…"

"I know that." Interrupted Courier. "Just hurry. I want to get your people out of here." Though annoyed that she was interrupted, the mage let out a smile at the Courier's genuine want to get her people out of here.

"Thank you for your concern. I didn't think we had any human allies left. At least ones that are this crazy to pull a stunt like this." Courier laughed a bit at that.

"Yeah well, my group is fairly crazy, but that's what makes us…us." Said Courier before getting ready to defend this portal room from impossible odds.

Quel'Thalas

"Okay, everything is ready." Thought High Elf Archer as she eyed all the able-bodied rangers, mages, and soldiers Lor'themar managed to round up without compromising Quel'Thalas's defenses. He also brought healers as well, in case a few Sunreavers were in need of medical assistance.

As soon as the portal connecting to Dalaran to Quel'Thalas was open, the blood elf forces would go through and ensure that they're people will make it through safely. All of them.

That is, of course, if the portal hadn't been hijacked by the Dalaran forces. If it was, then High Elf was at risk at being killed by a pissed off Lor'themar, who was suspicious of her enough already. When she told him just how many people were involved in this operation on her side, he starred at her incredulously. It took all her diplomatic skills, which were slim to none, and a lot of begging for him to go along with this plan.

Ultimately, his desire to save his people, caused Lor'themar to cave in and reluctantly allow this plan to happen. Though he did promise High Elf that, if any of his forces were hurt or killed in this little suicide mission, then he'll make her pay dearly for each of his people that were hurt or slain, something that frightened the little elf.

It was clear to her that Lor'themar cared deeply for his people. So much so, that he was willing to partake in such a high-risk operation to get them home safely. An admirable quality, but one that can make him quite a fearsome foe to those that hurt his people or get them killed by accident.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at Lor'themar, who had decided to take part in this operation, much to the dismay of Rommath.

"You ready?" Asked High Elf, wanting to start a conversation in order to break the stiff silence that was happening in the portal chamber. Lor'themar just tilted his head towards her.

"The question you should be asking is are you prepared to suffer. Because you'll be subjected to unimaginable tortures if this becomes a disaster." Said Lor'themar. Despite willing to partake in this mission, Lor'themar was worried that will end badly for them all. What if the Silver Covenant captured the small force that was sent to rescue his people and they found out what was going on? What if, upon finding out, used the new portal connecting Dalaran to Quel'Thalas as a means to attack his city?

So many risks were involved in this operation, and Lor'themar hoped that this rescue operation didn't become a disaster for his people.

Frowning at that, High Elf glared at Lor'themar.

"I have faith in my teammates and friends. They'll get it done. Trust me." Said High Elf Archer. Before Lor'themar could argue that he didn't know their capabilities, a portal suddenly opened.

Upon seeing the portal open, all the blood elf soldiers readied themselves in case it were Silver Covenant rangers that came through the portal and not there people.

A few seconds later, a Sunreaver and, to High Elf's relief, Courier came out.

Upon seeing the Sunreaver, Aethas rushed toward them.

"By the Sunwell!" Yelled Aethas as he went over to the female Sunreaver. "Nueana! You're unharmed." The Sunreaver mage smiled at Aethas.

"Yes, Aethas, I'm unharmed and so are most of our people." Said Nueana as she looked at her leader. "But we must hurry, the Silver Covenant may be on to us."

"Then we don't have much time." Said Lor'themar as he walked up to the two Sunreavers and Courier along with High Elf. He then looked at the assembled blood elf taskforce. "Rangers! Today we have a rare opportunity to free our people from the clutches of the Alliance! Go through the portal and set up a defense line so that the Sunreavers can escape safely back into our city! We will not stop until every single Sunreaver is free from the clutches of the treacherous Alliance!"

With that speech, the Blood elves quickly went through the portal. As his people went through the portal, Lor'themar looked at Courier and High Elf.

"It seems that you fulfilled your bargain." Said Lor'themar. "I apologize for doubting your friend's abilities, little elf." Puffing her cheeks at being called little elf, High Elf was about to yell at Lor'themar when Courier spoke.

"Don't apologize, sir." Said Courier. "Its alright to doubt that such few numbers can rescue so many from a high security prison. I also have to say that we haven't fulfilled our side of the bargain just yet. There are still hundreds left of your people that still need rescuing, sir. Thank us after we saved them all." Lor'themar raised an eyebrow at that. Surprised at this man's care of his people, based on how he voiced his concern for his people. Normally humans, at least he thought this man was human, based on his height, though his armor did well to hide what species he truly was. Nonetheless, Lor'themar was willing to indulge the man.

"I suppose you are right." Said Lor'themar. "My soldiers will help your…let's say group in defending the portal until the remaining Sunreavers are safe. But as soon as the last Sunreaver is safe in Quel'Thalas, we're gone. Is that sufficient?"

"Fine." Said Courier. "We're leaving with you guys anyway." He then raised a finger. "One more thing. Well actually two things. Are you prepared to give these requests now?" Lor'themar raised an eyebrow at that.

"So long as they don't endanger the safety of my men or people." Said Lor'themar.

"Then you're in luck as both won't." Said Courier before giving out his requests.

Chief

Few minutes later

"Come on Jack, hurry up." Thought Chief as more Sunreavers went through the portal. There were now only a few dozen left. If Jack and Ikit didn't arrive soon, they'll be left behind. Not wanting to leave them behind, he looked at Lor'themar and Aethas, both of whom went through the portal to oversee the evacuation of the remaining Sunreavers. "Lor'themar, two of my men aren't back yet. Can you spare a mage to bring them back?" Asked Chief. Before Lor'themar could speak, Aethas spoke up.

"I'll do it so long as it doesn't take too much time." Said Aethas. These people were risking their lives by doing this, it was the least he could do to repay them. "Where are they?"

In response, Chief radioed Jack and asked where his location was. After a few seconds, he gave the location to Aethas.

"They're in a grassy park that can see the eastern part of the Violet Hold. It has a plaque that commemorates the battler of Theramor." Aethas sighed at that.

"I know the place." Said Aethas before teleporting out, albeit with some difficulty due to the wards stilled placed in the Violet Hold. With that done, Chief looked at Lor'themar, who sighed.

"Damn Aethas. Too damn good for your own good." Said Lor'themar before redirecting his efforts to getting his people out of Dalaran.

After a few more minutes, the last of the Sunreavers made it out of Dalaran and to the safety of Quel'thalas. With them gone, the Blood elf forces began to leave as well. As his forces were leaving, Lor'themar looked at Chief.

"Just so you know, if Aethas is captured again, I'm holding you responsible." Said Lor'themar.

"And if you try anything on us for that, I'll kill you before you could even act." Said Chief, looking at Lor'themar, who was unnerved with the emotionless expression that Chief's helmet gave him.

"You think you could beat an elf in agility and speed?" Asked Lor'themar, glaring at Chief with his one eye.

"Do you want to find out?" Asked Chief, not getting into a combat stance so as to give the message to Lor'themar that he doesn't want to fight now. Just before Lor'themar could give his answer, Aethas arrived with Ikit, Jack, and two kids.

"We're here." Said Aethas. "And we have some univited guests." Looking at the children, Chief looked at Jack.

"We'll explain later." Said Jack before going through the portal with one of the kids.

"A rat." Said Lor'themar, looking at Ikit, who growled at Lor'themar. "A walking rat. Now I've seen it all." Ikit growled again before leaving for the portal. Chief didn't respond, he just simply went through the portal. With them gone, Lor'themar looked at Aethas, who shrugged.

"We got our people out of here. It's the least I could do for them." Said Aethas before leaving for the portal, thus leaving Lor'themar alone. Sighing, Lor'themar went through the portal. Once he was through, the portal closed, thus cutting off the only entrance to Quel'Thalas from Dalaran.

Vereesa

Vereesa sighed as she went to her home.

"Note to self, inform Jaina that there are still citizens that disapprove from the imprisonment of the Sunreavers. And that they're ones that are willing to fight against us." Thought Vereesa as she recalled a few protestors ready to fight the Silver Covenant with just their fists. Fortunately, they managed to calm down when Vereesa brought in more Silver Covenant rangers. With more reinforcements, the protestors backed off, thus allowing Vereesa to leave and head to her home, where she wanted nothing more than to sleep on her bed and rest for the rest of the day tomorrow.

That or to spend the day with her kids, who missed her considerably the last time she saw them. And she as well.

Upon opening the door to her room, she immediately found something was amiss.

Looking around the living room, she saw the lights to her room was open. Considering that Giramar and Galadin won't enter her room without permission, Vereesa brought out a knife and cautiously walked to her room.

Upon entering, she was shocked to find her room ransacked. Books were stolen, clothes were all over the place, and drawers were all over the place. Upon seeing the messed up room, Vereesa immediately went to her two son's room, fearing for the worst.

Upon finding them not there, Vereesa immediately went into panic mode.

"Giramar! Galadin!" Yelled Vereesa as she searched everywhere for her children in her house. After searching every knock and cranny in the room, did she break down in tears. Her children were missing. Kidnapped. First her husband. And now her twin sons'.