Unmei Force: Solitary Legends: The Creed of Fate
Sequence 02: Gather The Gang
Part 1: Welcome to Boston
Boston, 1754:
As the group began to get off the ship, they soon were met by a man who seemed very eager in doing his job.
"Master Kenway! Master Edelsohn!" The man said, running up to the group.
"Good day sir, who might you-" Raditz began to say before he found his hand shook as did Haytham.
"Charles Lee, sirs and madams. I've been asked to get you all introduced to the city." Charles said, as he soon saw them getting ready to pick up their bags, as he stopped them. "Oh, no need! I've arranged for all your luggage to be delivered to the inn."
The group soon began to follow Charles Lee, as Haytham and the group soon began inquiring about Charles.
"Are you by chance John and Isabella's son?" Haytham would ask.
"One and the same." Charles answered.
"But… your commission is with Edward Braddock, is it not?" Selkie would ask.
"Aye. But he's yet to reach America and I figured I might… well… until he gets here, I thought I might…" Charles said, trying to get his words out properly to say them without putting off Kenway and the others.
"Well go on! Out with it." Aerith said.
"Forgive me, sirs and madams, I had… *sigh* I had hoped to study under you! If I am to serve the Order, I can see no better mentors other than yourselves." Charles said.
"Rather kind of you to say." Raditz said. "But I think you overestimate us."
"Impossible, sir!" Charles Lee said, before getting back to the current task he was doing. "This way." He said, leading them through the crowd.
As they walked, the group saw that Boston was rather lively, with a large manor of things going on, from people stealing belongings of others, to British Regulars suppressing unruly people, along with a variety of other things.
"Hm. Boston's quite a lively city." Selkie said to Charles.
"There's a wide manner of things here. Once you all get settled in, I encourage you all to walk the streets. Who knows what opportunities await you." Charles said.
"Hold a moment." Raditz said. "We'll need to fetch a few things before we get to work."
"I'll arrange for a horse while you all do so." Charles said.
As the group found the closest general store, they soon saw a man having some pages being robbed from a book he was holding, as the man was none other than Benjamin Franklin himself.
"Get back here you rogue!" Benjamin had yelled as the thief made off with his papers, leaving him in a troubled state. "Damned sprigs! This accursed city will be the death of me."
"Sir, are you alright?" Koyomi asked, approaching the man. "It seems that someone has filched papers from you… And it seems they are great importance to you."
"They are, young lady." Benjamin said. "While I've managed to restore what is mine, I fear it is ruined."
"The book, you mean?" Raditz asked.
"This is no ordinary book! It's an Almanac! First one I ever wrote." Benjamin said, before introducing himself. "Benjamin Franklin, pleased to meet you."
"Haytham Kenway. My party here consists of my good friend Riccard Edelsohn, and his platoon of trained women soldiers." Haytham introduced.
"You all must be new to Boston." Benjamin said.
"How could you tell?" Selkie asked.
"You still possessed a virtue. To stop and help an old lout like myself. I-I don't mean to impose, but… you all seem like spry fellows and ladies. Should you find my missing pages, I'll reward you." Benjamin said.
"Look, I'm not sure if we-" Raditz began to say before getting interrupted.
"It's alright, it's alright, if you find the time, hurrah! If not, no harm done, this thing is useless in its current state anyways. Should you find my missing pages, you can find me in the general store over there." Benjamin said, before making his way inside.
"Well, he's slightly off, but I doubt that his request is a hard one, nor one we have to truly focus on, until a more better time comes." Velouria remarked.
"I will have to agree. Well, that was interesting." Haytham said.
Since they now found the general store, rather, had it pointed out to them by Benjamin, they walked in and purchased proper swords and Flintlock Pistols, before exiting to get back on track, as Koyomi flexed the blade a little, as it was tailored for her smaller stature, but just as potent as well.
They soon found Charles, with horses for all of them at the ready, as they mounted them.
"We ride to the Green Dragon Tavern. The proprietors are… eccentric, but the rooms are spacious and they do not pry." Charles would explain.
"Have you been told why it is we've come to Boston?" Raditz would ask.
"No. Master Birch said I should only be fit to know what you were willing to share. He sent me a list of names, and bade me ensure you could find them all." Charles answered.
"And have you had luck with that?" Aerith would ask.
"Aye. William Johnson waits for us at the Green Dragon." Charles said.
"How well do you know him?" Haytham questioned.
"Not well. But when he saw the Order's mark, he did not hesitate to come." Charles explained.
"Prove yourself loyal, and you may yet know our plans as well." Haytham said.
"I would like nothing more, sir." Charles said, as they soon arrived at the Green Dragon.
Part 2: Johnson's Errand
They soon entered the Tavern, as they would witness an argument between the owners.
"You lying, cheating, no good sonofabitch!" The woman owner cursed at a man, no doubt probably her husband.
"Uhm…. Perhaps we came at a bad time?" Raditz asked as they all saw this, catching the attention of the woman, as her demeanor instantly shifted.
"Oh don't be foolish, dearies! What can I get ya? Something to eat? To drink? Or a bed, perhaps?" She would ask the group.
"We've already rented rooms." Charles explained.
"Ah! Yes! Of course. Masters Lee, Kenway, and Edelsohn, was it? I'll have your bags brought upstairs!" The Male owner said, before he and his wife shot a glare at one another, before she lifted their luggage to bring it upstairs.
"Anything else you require?" He would ask.
"Only privacy." Haytham said, as the man understood and went on his way.
"This way." Charles said, leading everyone upstairs as they saw a finely dressed gentlemen sitting at the table. "Sirs, madams, William Johnson."
William soon looked up at them all, and began shaking hands with them, even the women of the group, being the first time they had been given any sort of recognition outside of being in Riccard's platoon.
"A pleasure." He said, finished shaking all their hands, before glancing at Charles. "A good lad, if a bit earnest."
William, Haytham, and Raditz sat down to discuss business.
"I've heard you're all putting together an expedition." William said.
"We believe there's a precursor site here. We require your understanding of the people and this land to find it." Haytham said.
"Sadly, my research has been stolen. Without it, I am no use to you." William said.
"Then we'll find it." Aerith spoke up. "Do you have any leads?"
"My associate, Thomas Hickey, has been making the rounds. He is quite efficient at, let's just say, loosening tongues." Johnson explained.
"Well, tell us where he is, and perhaps we can speed up this process." Selkie said.
"You ladies haven't gotten proper recognition for your works, have you? Mostly just been associated with Riccard here? Perhaps this act right here, of returning my research to me, will help you all to become more recognised for your importance in all this." Johnson said. "We heard recently that a complex of bandits were going around to the southwest of here. You'll likely find him there. Probably get him to talk to you better since you're ladies."
"It would be unwise for all of us to go. The less we have, the better we can get the jump on them." Selkie said. "Mia, how about you and I handle this, and allow our colleagues to get to know Boston better?"
"May as well." Mai answered back, before she and Selkie left their seats. "We'll be back soon, hopefully with a new recruit."
"Charles, do come with us." Selkie said, as Charles nodded, and they were off.
They soon arrived at the destination, as Thomas Hickey was there, soon looking at Selkie and Mai and whistling.
"Well, what are a pair of lovelies like you doing out 'ere?" Thomas asked with a sly smirk.
"Quite the romantic, isn't he…?" Selkie whispered to Mai.
"He doesn't seem like he's doing much harm… for now." Mai whispered back, before facing Thomas. "We're here on business, specifically clearing that hideout you've been laying your eyes on."
"Well, you ladies are in luck. I found the men who done the theft." Thomas said, soon walking and pointing at three men guarding the door. "Just gotta figure out how to deal with those crooks."
"I have an idea." Selkie said.
"Let's 'ear it." Thomas said.
"I'll take out the lookout, while Mia and I take position behind the guards. When we fire off the signal, you take out the remainder of the guards at the gate. Half of them will drop before they know what's happened." Selkie said, as they soon went through the corn field, finding the lookout, as Selkie fired her pistol, killing the cliff-side lookout.
"Get into position. But only go on our signal." Selkie said, as she climbed up the cliff, Mai not far behind. They soon found some muskets in a spot perfect for taking out the front guards, as she and Mai shot in perfect unison, killing two, while Charles and Thomas killed the other two. Instead of reloading, Selkie and Mai grabbed two other muskets and fired shots towards the remaining guards on the top side. Unfortunately, this grabbed the attention of the other guards, as they rushed to battle.
"So much for the element of surprise." Thomas groaned, as Selkie and Mai rolled their eyes, before tossing their muskets and pulling out their blades, dropping in on the group below, air assassinating two of the enemy force they were fighting, surprising a lot of them, making for quick and easy kills, as what was left of them made way for a corridor in the base.
"Fall back! Fall back! We'll be safe inside!" They yelled, as the gate closed and sealed.
"Just great…" Selkie sighed as she saw this.
"'Ey, pay attention. You can blast that door open with that wagon of powder kegs." Thomas said, handing his musket to Mai. "Go ahead, shoot 'em."
"It's idiocy at its finest." Mai jested, before she then set off the barrels of gunpowder with a well-aimed shot, as the blast tore the reinforced gate doors to shreds, as well as the unsuspecting mercenaries behind it. "There, I doubt that there would be more inside… The only way they'll get their reinforcements is behind us."
"Right you are. On with the show then." Thomas said as they went inside, finding the chest, only for a shot to be fired at them, nearly hitting Charles as the bandits smirked at them.
"Lay down your weapons and we'll let you live." The bandit said.
"I make you the same offer." Selkie said. "We've no quarrel here. We're simply looking to return this chest to its rightful owner."
"Nothing right about Mister Johnson." Said the bandit as the other was reloading, prompting Mai and Selkie to whip out their pistols.
"We won't ask again." Selkie said.
"Agreed." The bandit said, as both sides were ready to fire…
But Selkie and Mai were quicker on the draw and fire, killing both bandits as reinforcements ran in to protect the chest, but were quickly dispatched.
They soon grabbed the chest to make their way out.
"Alright, back to the Green Dragon then. I need a drink." Thomas said as Charles picked up the box.
Main Objective: Defend Charles and Thomas
Optional Objectives:
1: Don't let Charles or Thomas's health go below half
2: Kill 10 enemies with firearms: 4 / 10
As they began making their way out, it wasn't long before reinforcements arrived.
"Shit! Don't let go of that box, Charles!" Selkie yelled, as she and Mai began to deal with the enemies, as Thomas began to help them.
Two enemies managed to get lucky, and catch Selkie and Mai off guard with musket slashes, cutting both open slightly, but they managed to kill them before they suffered too much damage.
"Shit… you alright, Mia?" Selkie would ask.
"I'm fine, this is nothing serious." Mai answered back, before she then swivelled her pistol towards one of the rushing mercenaries, and ending his life with a head-shot. "Check on Charles and Thomas, they're the ones in most danger, with their hands occupied."
"They appear to be just fine." Selkie said. "Let's keep moving. The sooner we get out of here, the better."
Kill enemies with firearms: 5 / 10
They continued on their way, as more mercenaries came to stop them, with some being perched on rooftops to fire at them from a safe distance. However, Selkie and Mai, after killing some enemies, took their muskets and killed those perched on the rooftops, quickly filling up their optional objective goal.
Kill enemies with firearms: 10/10 (Complete)
It was quick work dealing with all the other enemies, as Selkie and Mai convened with Hickey and Charles at the wagon they would ride in to get back.
"Oi, Mister Johnson's gonna need to double my pay after this if he wants me to keep at his side!" Thomas said.
The group soon returned, as they saw the others sitting around the table, either drinking or chatting, when they saw them all return.
"Ah, there you are." William said as everyone rose, as Charles handed him the chest, as William looked towards Haytham. "Now, tell me what it is you need."
Haytham gestured Charles to leave them, as he pulled out the necklace. "The markings on this amulet. Are they familiar to you?"
"They appear Kanien'keha:ka in origin." William explained.
"Can you track it to a specific location?" Haytham would ask.
"With my research returned I can certainly try. Let me see what I can do." William said.
With that mission out of the way, the group was free to explore around Boston for a little bit, or to approach Charles for the next mission. The group decided to make for the latter option, knowing that it would be best to get the work done quicker.
Part 3: The Surgeon
Approaching the table, the group would see William Johnson at his work, while Thomas was rather drunk.
"Evening, gentlemen." Raditz greeted, as Thomas burped from his drink.
"Charming." Charles sarcastically said.
"Oh come now, Charles, he'll grow on you." Haytham said in a joking manner.
"Oi, Catherine you fussock! Git back 'ere! Daddy needs a drink!" Yelled a drunk Thomas, making the ladies roll their eyes.
"Any progress with your search?" Selkie would ask.
"Maths and maps are not cutting it." William bluntly stated.
"What of your local contacts?" Aerith ask as Catherine brought Thomas his drink.
"We'll need to earn their trust before they share anything." William said.
"I got an idea on how we be doing that." Thomas drunkenly said as he lifted Catherine into his arms. "There's a man who's in the business of enslavin' natives. Free them from the man and they'll owe us." He added, before beginning to kiss Catherine.
"...Any idea where they're held?" Raditz would ask.
"'Fraid not." Thomas said, getting back to his pleasure.
"But Benjamin Church will. He's a finder and a fixer. He's also on your list." Charles spoke up.
"And here I thought I would be wondering who to solicit next. Well done." Haytham said. "Victoria, Aerith, Komi, you three can take this one. Charles will escort you to your destination."
"As you wish." Velouria answered back, before she then slung an arm around Koyomi. "Come on, we'll likely need your help to keep us incognito. Surely, your innocent appearance will steer away from us the eyes of the nosy, no?"
"I can do much more, you know…" Koyomi pouted gently. "But for now, I suppose that helping in this kind of way is most suited for me."
"Let us be off then." Aerith said.
They soon arrived at Benjamin Church's home, as Aerith would knock on the door, but no one answered it. She then tried the door. It was locked.
"*sigh* Wonderful…" Aerith grumbled, as she and the ladies wondered what to do next…
When Charles rushed up to the door and kicked it open, surprising them as they turned to see this.
"Charles!" Aerith called in shock.
"Madams?" Charles asked, turning around.
Velouria merely shrugged, before she then walked inside, followed by the rest of the group, as they saw that the area was in shambles. "Someone's been here. And by the looks of it, they've been looking around for our friend as well." She remarked.
"Dammit! What do we do now!?" Charles asked in frustration, while Aerith walked up to a painting of Church.
"We find him." Aerith said, taking the painting down, as she soon took a knife and cut his face out of the painting, and handing it to Charles. "Come, I'll show you how."
With that, the group made way for some of Church's neighbors, as Aerith saw a couple of them talking.
"Victoria, Komi, go eavesdrop on those two. Should they try and suspect you, act like you two are on your way to that local market as mother and daughter. Should allow you enough of an ear to listen in to them." Aerith said.
"Fair enough." Velouria remarked, before she then wrapped an arm around Koyomi, before they moved closer to the conversation in progress, as they inched near one of the food stalls, as they turned their backs towards the neighbours, while fumbling through the stalls, as if checking the products.
"Should we write his family, do you think?" The female neighbour told her conversation partner, a male.
"Not our business to meddle. Even if we've the best of intentions." The male responded.
"But if you could have seen it! They were surely drunk, carrying on like that. And during the day, no less!" The female neighbour remarked with outrage, before she then looked around, as her eyes passed over Koyomi and Velouria, who didn't attract her attention, before her partner continued the conversation.
"Such scandalous behaviour from one who aims to be a surgeon? Not likely if he keeps up such carousing..." The male grunted.
"A truly shameful display. Benjamin's parents would be mortified." The female neighbour shook her head.
"Perhaps I should send someone to retrieve him, before he damages his reputation beyond repair." The male neighbour suggested.
"They stumbled off the northeast - no doubt in search of a tavern or some other place of ill repute." The female neighbour snorted, before the two of them moved to other topics.
"Went northeast, eh…" Velouria remarked. "Doesn't narrow the route down much. We need to find more information… But first, we need to know this place well."
"...If I were to look above from there, will that help?" Koyomi suggested, pointing at the steeple of a tall church.
"Sure would, just don't fall, you'll attract attention that way." Velouria responded back. "I'll be there to catch you, in case you really do fall."
Koyomi and Velouria wandered towards the church, before Koyomi prepared herself, before she then climbed her way up the church's roof, before she then slowly rose on top of the steeple, as she looked around slowly, taking it slowly to view every street and every building she saw.
Viewpoint Synchronised
Koyomi then looked down, as she swallowed her fear of heights, before she then leapt down, as Velouria saw her plunge into a nearby stack of straw, with a firm rustling sound. She then parted the straw open, finding that Koyomi was laying in there, with a smile on her face.
"That… actually felt exhilarating…" Koyomi remarked.
"Yeah, no doubt." Velouria sighed, before she helped Koyomi out of the pile of straw. "Let's split up and do our eavesdropping ourselves. We'd be able to tell if either of us is in trouble, either way, considering how busy the streets are."
They went around, listening from the citizens and the guards, allowing them to piece together information about Benjamin's location, as well the danger he was in, before they both headed back where Charles and Aerith were waiting.
"Funny that, the Church is at a church. Tounge-twister there. Good thing I know which one it is." Velouria chuckled. "But what's not so funny is that he's been taken captive, and blood's going to spill from him, soon."
"The guards said something about the Cutter, saying that whatever he does, he makes the victims scream in agony." Koyomi added.
"Then we best get a move on." Aerith said.
"If I may, madams… where did you learn to do all this?" Charles would ask.
"We learnt it." Velouria answered back. "That's why we're chosen to help Haytham with all of this. You should have figured that out, when Komi was able to do many things that a child can't do."
"I attribute that to… unique education." Koyomi remarked, as Velouria led the group towards the church. "What's interesting, is that perception can change how you know the world around you. You use it to fight, and you use it to understand the world around you. Perception is important for most things, and this is just one that uses it heavily."
"Incredible…" Charles said to himself at hearing this, as they approached the heavily guarded area Church was in.
"Well, this isn't going to be easy for sure." Aerith said. "We should try and use all nearby areas of cover and move around. If a guard sees us, we'll deploy our Komi distraction."
"Her… to distract the guards?" Charles asked, looking towards Koyomi, who pulled out a wooden car from her pocket, before he then realised what she meant.
"We should get moving, who knows when they'll open up on Church, the person, of course." Velouria suggested.
The group took two methods to get to the warehouse behind the church. Koyomi and Velouria stayed on the ground, and Charles followed them. Aerith, in the meantime, took to the rooftops, and began to jump from roof to roof to reach the warehouse.
They were going undetected so far… that is, until a guard saw Charles as he was catching up to Velouria and Koyomi.
"Hey! Stop there!" The guard yelled.
"Dammit. My apologies, madams…" Charles said.
Koyomi took this as the cue to set up her distraction, as she sheathed her sword close, before she then lowered down, and sent the wooden car into the guard's ankle hard enough to distract him, as he turned around to see Koyomi frantically clambering over.
"Ah! Sorry, sorry!" Koyomi spoke with a mock flustered tone, as she picked up the wooden car. "I tried to catch up to it, but it sped past me! Sorry, Mr Guard, I didn't mean to interfere with your work!"
"...Argh… Just leave. This is not the place for a girl like you. Now, off you go, shoo!" The guard shooed Koyomi, who left quickly, although she looped around to rejoin Velouria. When the guard turned back around, he noticed that Charles was gone. "Hm… Was I mistaken? I heard no sounds when catering to that child… Either way, I should keep a closer eye on things."
Koyomi did a hidden thumbs up to Aerith, who returned it.
"Oh that was brilliant." Charles said as they convened at the warehouse door. "Now then, on to getting to church."
"Right." Aerith said, going to open the door, cursing. "Dammit. It's locked."
"Well, then this is my chance. Be right back." Charles said, running off as he snuck up on a guard, and pickpocketed his key. "I have the key!"
"Impressive, Charles." Aerith said with a nod as he unlocked the way in.
"Master Kenway may have taught me this during our free time." Charles admitted with a small smirk.
The four of them immediately stuck to the walls, as they listened to the conversation inside, as they found a bloodied Church being held captive, by a slave trader, and his black-skiined subordinate, as well as some guards to watch over Church.
"Why must you always make these things so difficult, Benjamin?" The slave trader remarked, walking around the bounded Church. "Merely provide me with recompense and all shall be forgiven."
"I'll not pay for protection i don't need!" Church defiantly spat back.
"Clearly, you DO require protection, else we wouldn't be here." The slave trader remarked, walking over, grabbing Church's shoulder, as Church spat blood onto his pant leg. "How very gauche. Now, what shall we do about our guest?"
"Maybe I take 'is hands. Put an end to 'is surgerin' Maybe I take 'is tongue. Put an end to 'is wagglin' Or maybe I take 'is cock. Put an end to 'is fuckin' us!" The torturer remarked with a lisp, tapping his knife against Church's cheek, before seizing his throat with a firm hand.
"So many options. I can't possibly decide." The slave trader remarked. "Take all three."
"Rgh…" Aerith silently growled. She had a very… distinct hatred towards torturers.
"Now hold a moment. Perhaps I was hasty in refusing you earlier." Church pleaded.
"I'm so very sorry, Benjamin, but that door has closed." The slave trader answered back.
"Be reasonable, Silas!" Church begged again.
"I rather think I was. But you took advantage of my generosity." Silas declared, before he then seized Church by the throat himself. "I won't be made a fool a second time!"
Silas then let go of Church, before turning to leave. "I fear I lack the constitution to bear witness to such barbarism. Come find me when you're finished Cutter." He told his subordinate.
"Barbabism he says… bah." Velouria scowled.
"You'll regret this, Silas! Do you hear me!? I'll have your head!" Church swore, as the Cutter dug his knife into his left nostril.
"No, I rather think you won't." Silas answered back, before the Cutter flicked his knife outwards, cutting a part of Benjamin's nose, and eliciting a pained grunt from him. Silas then left out of the warehouse, unaware of the four waiting in the shadows.
The Cutter then turned his attention to Church, before slamming him down back onto the chair. "Maybe you'll get lucky and pass out." He stated, as the four decided to make their move, as they assassinated the guards from behind with such silence, that neither he or Church noticed anything.
"Cutter is mine." Aerith said to the group silently, as she walked up to Cutter and Church, before tapping Cutter on the shoulder.
"Eh, wha-" Cutter began to say, before Aerith slammed him into the wall, pinning him to the wall by his outfit with a knife.
"Now then…" Aerith said, drawing her sword. "What did you say about doing to him? Oh… yes. Off with the hands, so you can't torture anyone." Aerith mocked, before cutting off both Cutter's hands, spurting massive blood from the wounds as he yelled in pain.
"Off with the tongue, so you can't speak." Aerith said, before Velouria then wrenched his jaw open and Aerith cut off his tongue.
"Oh, and last but not least…" Aerith chuckled darkly, as she had her sword poised for his cock, as Cutter squirmed, before she stabbed the sword into his manhood. "Off with the cock."
Completely broken, the Cutter was reduced to whines and pitiful whimpers, as Church was left horrified at all he had seen, before Koyomi walked over to him with a warm smile, which unnerved him further.
"W-Who are you?" Church mustered the courage to speak. "Y-You're not after me, right?"
"We need you, but not in a bad way." Velouria answered back, freeing him of his binds.
"I apologise for you witnessing that." Aerith said. "I have a distinct hatred for torturers such as him. Silas is next on our hit list."
"W-What does that mean? Bloody hell, what you did…" Church answered back.
"Walk with us, let Komi talk for everyone here." Velouria assured Church, who then looked at Koyomi's vibrant expression, which managed to settle him down a little.
Eventually, the group escorted Church back to the Green Dragon Tavern with no interesting encounters.
Part 4: The Soldier
The group walked into the Green Dragon Tavern, after getting Church a bit of healing and help for what happened to him back in the warehouse. They would walk in to see him drinking some alcohol, as Haytham and Raditz sat down before him.
"Johnson's told me what you intend. As a matter of fact, the same man who held me is the one you seek. His name is Silas Thatcher." Church explained.
"That fancy lad is our slaver?" Charles asked.
"Don't let his velvet tongue fool you!" Church spat. "A crueler and more vicious creature I've never known!"."
"What can you tell of his operation?" Mai pressed the matter.
"He hosts at least a hundred men, more than half of whom are Redcoats." Church declared.
"All this for some slaves? Well, that's thorough work to you." Velouria answered back, as she downed a swig of alcohol herself.
"I wouldn't say that. The man's a commander in the King's Troop, in charge of the Southgate Fort." Church responded back.
"So we need a way in." Haytham remarked, before he then got up. "Hmm… Let me think on it. In the meantime, we should attend to our final recruit."
"John Pitcairn's our man. I'll take you and Riccard to him." Charles said, as Haytham and Raditz nodded, walking out with Charles, as they soon approached the Southgate Fort.
"State your business." the Redcoat guarding the entrance said.
"New recruit." Charles said.
"More kindling for the pyre, then?" The Redcoat said, before stepping out of the way.
"How did you-?" Raditz began to ask.
"Did you forget, sir? I was enlisted under General Braddock, before coming here." Charles said, as they made their way to Braddock and Pitcairn.
"Pitcairn, you fool! Your acts are treacherous." Braddock declared, pacing around Pitcairn like a shark. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you right now… were you planning to announce yourself? Or did you hope my men wouldn't notice you're a-"
"Sir, if you allow me to explain." Pitcairn calmly stated.
"Oh, by all means, I should like very much to hear this." Braddock chuckled dryly.
"I have not deserted, sir. I am here under Commander Amherst's orders." Pitcairn explained.
"Show me a letter bearing his seal and you might be spared the gallows." Braddock stated, raising a clenched fist in front of Pitcairn's face.
"I have no such thing… The nature of my work, sir… It's…" Pitcairn answered back.
"Not the sort of thing to be put on paper." Raditz said, as he, Haytham, and Charles approached.
"Riccard, Haytham." Braddock said in distaste.
"General Braddock." Raditz spat back.
"As I should have expected. Wolves often travel in packs." Braddock growled.
"Listen he-" Raditz said, about to go off on the self-righteous general when Haytham stopped him.
"Allow me." Haytham said, approaching closer to Braddock. "Master Pitcairn will only be here a few weeks. I will ensure he is returned to his proper post when he is finished."
"It's bad enough they told me you needed Charles, but they gave me no reason to hand over Pitcairn. You'll not have him." Braddock said.
"Braddock, listen to-" Haytham began, before Braddock looked to a guard.
"We're done here. See these men out." Braddock said, as they were soon escorted out of the fort area.
"Well, that didn't go as expected…" Charles said.
"And to think, I used to call that bastard a brother in arms." Raditz said, going off the implanted data the Animus had implanted.
"What now, Haytham? They'll chase us off if we try and return." Charles asked Haytham.
"We're done with this camp. And as luck would have it, so are they." Haytham answered back, gesturing at the group of guards, escorting Pitcairn and Braddock to the gallows. "Come along, Charles and Riccard."
"What are you planning?" Charles discreetly asked Haytham, as they silently followed after the group.
"To steal Master Pitcairn." Haytham answered back.
"Oh? Please share your plan with the class." Raditz dryly joked.
"One of you prepare to distract the group. Whatever means you use, attract their attention, and lure them to a dead-end." Haytham answered back. "Wait until I give my signal first, and then we can ambush the group and get Master Pitcairn out before he meets a untimely fate."
Charles and Raditz looked at each other, before Charles nodded his head, seeming like he would be the distraction, as they soon followed the patrol.
When they reached a certain intersection of the streets, Haytham gestured for Charles to make the move, as he moved forward, impeding the escort group.
"Oi! You're thieves and scoundrels one and all!" Charles swore and insulted the group, before he then picked up a ball of horse dung and threw it right into Braddock's uniform. "Fie on you and your false war!"
This indeed infuriated Braddock, who looked down at the fecal stain, before growling and unsheathing his saber. "After him!" He bellowed, as Charles sprinted away, with the group following after him, and Haytham and Raditz close behind.
As planned, Charles lead the group right into a small yard connected by a single alleyway, just when Braddock seized him and banged him against the wooden fence, looking truly unpleased.
"Unhand him, Edward!" Haytham ordered, as Braddock turned around.
"You two again…" Braddock scowled.
"We've come for Pitcairn. Now I advise you to be wise here. You and I both know I was a better shot, and a better fighter than you." Raditz spat at Braddock.
"Hah! I will not have my authority challenged." Braddock sneered, before pointing his saber at Haytham and Raditz. "Put them all in chains."
The soldiers immediately moved to arrest the three of them, although their efforts met a grisly end, when they systematically killed the guards, and incapacitating Braddock onto the ground, as Raditz slew a snitch that tried to call for reinforcements, with a flint-lock shot through the throat.
Raditz now had Braddock pinned, knife at his throat, before he growled. "Be thankful that I have stayed my hand today, because you were once my brother… but should our paths cross once again, mark my words, all of that, will be tossed out the window." Raditz said, before taking the knife away and walking away.
"You're free now, John." Haytham assured Pitcairn, as the four of them left.
"Traitor! Go on then! Join them on their fool's errand! And when you find yourself lying in-" Braddock swore, before Raditz loaded another shot into the Flintlock and fired a shot that grazed his cheek and silenced him immediately, seeing Raditz glared at him with such animosity, before turning back around.
"I assume you've good reason for causing all this madness? What is it you require of me?" Pitcairn asked Haytham.
"Best we explain on the way." Raditz simply answered back.
They soon returned back to the Green Dragon Tavern, as the other members were handling themselves fine.
Part 5: Infiltrating Southgate
As those that were in the Tavern were drinking and eating, Haytham soon came in.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. I believe I found a solution. Or rather, Odysseus has." Haytham said.
"Ody who? 'E a new guy?" Thomas asked, before being smacked on top of his head by Velouria. "Ack! What the bloody 'ell was that for?"
"It's Odysseus, the Greek Hero." Velouria remarked. "So if I know it well enough, we're enacting a Trojan Horse on them, right?"
"Indeed. We enter Silas' fort under the pretense of kinship." Haytham explained. "Once inside, we spring our trap, free the captives, and kill the slaver."
"Dodgy dodgy, I like it." Thomas chuckled.
"I assume that we all need to play our part in this assault on the fort then?" Mai asked. "Catering to Thomas at these times has become fairly… dull recently."
"Indeed. Mia, Selda, you two will need to locate us a convoy. Once you do, we'll need to have Thomas, Victoria, and Komi spring for a distraction. The rest of us then will ambush." Haytham said.
"Right, let's get this started then." Koyomi remarked, flexing her arms, as the group made preparations.
The group immediately moved into their respective positions, as Mai and Selkie were on the rooftops, as they traced along one of the moving convoy of slaves, making hand gestures to the distraction team, allowing them to know which path to obstruct. When the path of the convoy was confirmed, Thomas and Velouria flipped a produce wagon over, as Koyomi scattered fruits and vegetables across the ground, making it seem like a massive mess. Meanwhile the ambush team were on the move already.
Eventually, the convoy and its escort moved around the bend, to be treated by the sight of Thomas trying to flip the produce wagon over, while Koyomi and Velouria were picking up produce.
"The hell is this?" One of the escort demanded.
"A thousand pardons, sirs - seems we've 'ad ourselves an unhappy little accident." Thomas spoke with a saccharine tone and an exaggerated bow, gesturing towards Velouria and Koyomi. "Surely, you wouldn't force these lasses out of the way for helping out, no?"
"Get it sorted and quickly." The escort declared, as the distraction team worked to keep the escort unaware of the ambush.
Eventually, the ambush was sprung, with the sound of a rifle crack, coming from Mai, as the ambush team leapt down from the roofs to engage with the escort guards, before the distraction team joined in the action, brandishing their flintlocks and swords, as the escort stood no chance against the combined force, falling easily.
Everyone soon took a change in uniform, wearing the clothes of the deceased escorts, while Koyomi had to tuck her clothes in, to make them fit on her, while Haytham eased the horses of the carriage to follow his command.
"Charles, Johnson, Church, Victoria, Aerith, Selda. You serve as Vanguard. Let no man reach us." Haytham said.
"Wot about me?" Thomas would ask.
"You, Pitcairn, and Komi will go ahead. When I give the signal, take out the guards at the checkpoints. Riccard, Mia, you two stay at the flanks of our convoy, in case someone catches wind we stole it and tries to ambush us." Haytham said, before climbing into position next to an Indian woman. "We're here to help you - along with those held inside Southgate Fort."
"Free me." The woman stated.
"Not until we're inside the gate. I can't chance an inspection at the gate going wrong. I'll see you safe. You have my word." Haytham responded back.
"Right, let's get to position then." Velouria remarked, before Charles gestured for the vanguard group to get moving into position, in front of the convoy.
They soon made their way to the fort, as everyone did their job efficiently and properly heading up to the fort, as they soon reached the entrance.
"Hold!" Called out a Redcoat.
"Evening, Gentlemen." Raditz said as the Redcoat approached him.
"State your business." He said.
"Delivery for Silas." Raditz answered.
"Go on in." The Redcoat said, gesturing them all inside.
As soon as they were in, Haytham freed the Indian woman, and just as he was about to ask her to let him explain things, she fled towards the woods.
"Let her go." Haytham said, seeing his allies about to pursue her.
"But she'll give us away!" Charles said.
"No. She won't." Haytham said in confidence.
"So now wot?" Thomas would ask.
"Free the slaves and avoid detection." Haytham said.
"And Silas?" Church asked.
"He dies." Haytham replied.
"Right, let's get this done quickly." Velouria remarked, before everyone split up, as they went about the fortress, doing their best to leave no traces of the guards they killed, either by snapping their neck for the more physically powerful, or a hidden dagger through the heart otherwise. They managed to find the captive slaves, who were held in stocks, as they used either their fist or the butt of their flint-lock to break the locks, and allow the captives to flee.
When the group regrouped, they all signalled that all of the held slaves were freed, and preparing for an escape. Koyomi even noted that she killed one of the officers of the fort, who she deemed unfit to live, considering that she saw him beat a slave child, netting him with a series of stabs through the heart.
They then looked up, noticing that Silas was looking over the area, none too pleased about what happened.
"How!? How did this happen!? My precious merchandise set free!? It's unacceptable!" Sila roared with fury. "Rest assured I'll have the heads of those responsible! But first… first we clean up this mess! Seal the fort. Kill any who try to escape. I don't care if they be one of us or one of them. To approach the gate is to be made a corpse! Am I understood!? GO!"
"Well, looks like we cannot hide ourselves anymore. We need to enter the fray, if we wish to preserve the lives of the enslaved." Mai remarked, as she loaded the rifle on her back, taken from the soldier.
"Indeed." Selkie said, soon slashing up one of the redcoats, surprising the redcoats as now they knew who did it, and began to attack the group, but found themselves being overwhelmed with ease.
"Victoria! Komi! With me!" Haytham declared as he found a window to get to Silas, dashing for the area that the slaver was in.
Velouria then noticed a firing-line taking aim at them, as her attention then turned to a charging soldier near her. She immediately took advantage of the situation, gutting the soldier with her blade, and using him as a meat-shield.
"Behind me!" Velouria shouted, as Haytham and Koyomi quickly did so, as the firing line fired into the shielding soldier, killing him, while Velouria pulled out her flint-lock, killing half of them, as Haytham and Koyomi killed the others, rushing up to them before they could reload or change weapons.
They soon found Silas on top of the tower, surrounded by a measly group of escorting guards, as Church was already up there, taking out one of the guards with his blade.
"Benjamin! Glad to have you with us! We could use some help." Haytham remarked.
"They're the ones responsible! Kill them!" Silas ordered his guards, before they were easily dispatched. When Silas tried to run, Koyomi lined up a rifle shot, going through both of Silas's legs, rendering him immobile.
"I'll deal with this wretch." Church remarked, as he moved for his flintlock, as Silas looked up at the group standing over him.
"Who are you all?" Silas questioned them.
"Name's Haytham Kenway, and my companions Victoria Langsay and Komi Heraldsin." Haytham remarked. "You don't know us, but I believe the two of you are well acquainted."
"I made a promise to you, Silas - one I intend to keep." Church stated, cocking his flint-lock, and blowing Silas's head out with a head-shot.
Haytham then looked over the tower, seeing that the Indian woman he freed, was helping the captive slaves out, as she gave a brief glance towards Haytham, before turning away.
"So… think that you got something for her?" Velouria quipped, walking over to Haytham.
"...I'm not sure." Haytham admitted.
"What happens now?" Charles asked Haytham.
"We wait. Though, not for very long I suspect." Haytham shook his head.
Koyomi and Velouria then met up with the rest of the group, as the world began to change around them once more.
SEQUENCE 02 COMPLETE
FULL SYNCHRONIZATION