02/02/20

Two moments. Separated by twelve years. Converge.

(Adjective) Not governed by or obedient to laws; characterized by a lack of civic order.

Chapter Thirteen

Lawless

One morning at the Rhadamanthus Academy found Jaynix, now 21 years old, excitedly jogging down the halls towards her sister.

"Flame!"

Turning, Flame smiled and nodded her head as Jaynix came to a halt next to her.

"Are you as excited as I am?"

Flame shook her head.

"I don't think anyone could be as excited as you JayJay."

At that, Jaynix couldn't help but agree.

"Besides. The Devoted are primarily comprised of military staff. Some of them have proficiency in other fields but combat is their main focus...as great as it is that they're coming here to instruct a class, I don't think I'd get much out of it."

Jaynix crossed her arms.

"Yeah...I guess that's true. You've been doing pretty well in your combat classes though...are you sure you don't need the extra bump?"

Flame shook her head.

"I think I'm fine as is...but we all know you're never satisfied."

"Never! If I'm gonna live up to mom, I have to reach higher!"

At that, Flame smiled.

"I know you can...when I'm done with the work on my projects I'll make my way over to the training field."

Jaynix returned Flame's smile with an even wider one.

"With your support, there's nothing I can't do!"

Jaynix stepped closer and embraced her sister, Flame laughing.

"You don't need to do that every time."

"I know. I don't mean to baby you I just...I care. A lot."

Flame nodded.

"I know JayJay. I know...I'll catch up with you soon."

Jaynix gave her a thumbs up before the sisters split up and headed down different hallways.

The year was 2041.

Outside the Coalition HQ there was a quickly established staging area, it was there that Elma's Skelletons and Kumon's Reapers were gathered along with their Skells.

Elma walked down the row of her people, making eye contact with Irina, Gwin, Boris and Danny, all of which wore serious expressions knowing what was coming.

She then looked over to Kumon who was doing the same with the Reapers, minus Jaynix of course. Elma's eyes landed on the new addition, Steven Harper. She'd heard of the Archer of course, he was Kumon's right hand in the years before the man formed the Reapers. She had never been in an engagement with him however.

She crossed the field right towards the man who saw her coming and saluted.

"Colonel Elma."

"Steven Harper."

He smiled.

"Yes, that would be me...it's an honor to meet you Colonel, I've heard a lot about you."

"As have I."

Steven chuckled.

"I'm nothing these days. Though once upon a time I was Hideo's personal assistant."

Elma shook her head.

"I'm sure you're everything the stories say you are."

"One can hope."

Elma turned to leave only for Steven to take a step forward.

"Colonel."

She turned to face him as he stepped closer.

"There is something I have to ask."

"About?"

"The Corporal."

Elma nodded.

"Ah. Right. Nothing to worry about, she had to make a quick trip to the Cross. It's a very sensitive and personal matter is all."

Steven nodded but Elma could see that is not what he was going to ask.

"Are you two, close?"

At that Elma could only offer an affirmation. Jaynix was important to her, she felt that was clear to everyone but of course Steven wouldn't know.

"...have you ever seen what happened at the ECP complex? Have you ever seen her do that before?"

Elma thought back, slowly she shook her head.

"No...that was...that was new to me."

"...what do you think about it?"

Elma watched Steven's eyes, there was something deep inside, something pushing him to ask this question. She could only imagine there was one specific answer he wanted.

"I apologize, Steven...but I don't think it's right to discuss this behind Jaynix's back."

The expression in Steven's eyes vanished, replaced again by his tired smile.

"Of course. I apologize."

The man bowed his head to Elma before returning to his place next to the Blood Brothers. Elma's eyes moved from him to Kumon who was staring right at her. Anything the pair could think to discuss was forgotten as Nagi appeared.

"We're preparing several other regiments and an armored division to encircle the enemy base and keep them from escaping. It will take some more time but we have none. We've waited enough."

Elma nodded, returning to her place among the Skelletons as Nagi cleared his throat.

"I'm sure you're all aware how dangerous Lao and Torrez are...we have accounts of sixteen Lawless who have been killed by the Reapers as well as Elma out in the Sectors and here in our own home. While that is good news, we also have to be aware constantly that we are assaulting their base of operations. We have no idea what the numbers are like...I want all of you to watch the man to your left, the woman to your right...everyone."

The gathered soldiers looked to one another as Nagi continued.

"We'll deploy the Coalition's main forces at least one hour behind all of you, until then...the mission is simple. Infiltrate the Lawless' compound, rescue the hostage. Once they're secure, recon, get us as much intel about their operations and staff as you can so when the main army arrives, we can wipe them out…"

Kumon and Elma nodded to their teams, the members all climbing into their Skells.

"I don't recommend engaging the Lawless yourselves unless you have no other choice...just remember to keep yourselves hidden until the hostage is safe...and please, come back alive."

Kumon bowed his head, Elma doing the same before they got into their Skells.

As Elma looked over Firebird's controls, she opened the comms channel and requested that her team check in and give her all green.

While they sounded off their names, ranks and status, Elma familiarized herself with the Skell. Opening up the diagnostics and loadout information she narrowed her eyes, getting a better idea of what it was she had to use.

Moving the holo screens aside, Elma couldn't help but chuckle. She shouldn't be surprised by how Jaynix outfitted her Skell, the other woman told her as much but actually seeing the set up was much more eye opening.

The Skell was in the medium weight class, its primary weapon was a gigantic chain link blade slung across its back. It seemed that Jaynix went for this because with enough force in the swings, she could actually have the weapon carry her Skell, giving her new and unintended movement options.

In addition there were two slim blades on the Skell's legs should she need to swap for faster combat. Beyond that there were shoulder mounted cannons to deal with enemies at a distance, no doubt to keep them disoriented so she could close the distance and engage her primary arms.

"That's just like you."

Elma whispered before Kumon's voice came on, calling out to his Reapers.

The Major spoke first before the Strategist, Agent and Blood Brothers followed. Rounding up the group was The Archer who was piloting an armored walker having never received Skell certification. The walkers were some of the more advanced of the Coalition's armor, they were bulkier than Skells and they couldn't fly but they carried just as many weapons and the bulk made them harder to destroy for most other weapons, save the Skells of course.

The Skells and the Archer's walker all moved to the main gates of Noah's Cradle as the signal was given, the doors opening.

Given everything discussed in the war room and Nagi's truncated briefing, this operation should go off without a hitch. But Elma knew Lao, the man wasn't just a master sniper but a soldier with a long service record as well as an instructor at the Academy. He had a sound military mind, he'd have formed his own plans for any eventuality, even a surprise attack.

Elma finished checking over Firebird, all signs were green. She nodded to herself as Nagi gave the command and wished one last time for everyone to return alive. All the Skells moved in unison, the walker trailing behind as they left the safety of Noah's Cradle and ventured into the Lawless Sectors.

The Archer's walker lowered its legs to the ground, treads now making contact with the earth it began rumbling across the ground while all the Skells hovered into the air.

With their destination marked on all their HUDs, the group took off as fast as they could. Elma looked ahead, feeling that burning sensation deep within.

"This time...you won't be getting the drop on me, Lao."

Jaynix arrived at the Cross faster than she ever had, she observed the streets below her, not that many cars around the area she wanted to land but it was probably a bad idea to leave Elma's Skell in the middle of the street.

Redirecting, she landed in a park, hopping out of the Ares she tapped the armored hull and thanked the Skell before turning around. There weren't many people in the park but all of them were looking at the sight, curious.

"I'm not with the R&D I...just don't touch it!"

Jaynix yelled before turning and running down the road as fast as her legs would carry her. She knew they had to have deployed already but she had to do this.

Reaching her destination, a home, she came to a sudden halt. Taking a deep breath she thought over how she'd broach the subject. It wasn't something they sought to talk about, not anymore. But she had to say something. She had to tell her.

Nodding to herself, she knocked on the door and waited. It wasn't long before the door opened, a dark skinned woman with brown hair and red eyes looked at Jaynix, confused.

"Jay? Did you...did you call ahead and we missed it?"

Shaking her head, Jaynix offered a small wave.

"Hey Alexa. No, you didn't miss anything. This was kind of...impromptu."

Alexa nodded.

"Right, of course...well, as always, it's great to see you!"

Now smiling, the younger woman approached, the pair shared a quick hug as another voice, a male voice came from inside.

"Alexa! Who is it that dares to disturb our brainstorming? More importantly MY brainstorming. Make them go away!"

Alexa chuckled.

"Gee, I dunno. Why don't you come over here and see for yourself, foureyes."

There was an exasperated sigh as a man approached, he had short dark hair, green eyes, wore glasses as implied and he was also surprised to see Jaynix.

"Well I'll be. The Corporal herself. What brings you here today and without a word of warning?"

Jaynix rolled her eyes.

"Nice to see you too, Birtwhistle."

The man chuckled.

"You don't need to say my name with such distaste, Corporal. I assure you I've done nothing suspect since your last visit."

Jaynix gave Alexa a look, the other woman smiled.

"He's right. He's still as...H.B. as ever but nothing bad. Flame keeps him in line."

H.B. could only shrug.

"She's team leader. What am I supposed to do? Disobey her?"

"Actually. That's why I'm here. Is Flame in?"

Alexa and H.B. shared a look before the former shook her head.

"Nope. You know her, she's still at the facility. She had an idea and had to see it through. We stood with her for a meal, then came home to continue the other projects. Flame works best in silence y'know."

Jaynix couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah. She does...and yet she chose you two as her partners."

"I can be quiet."

Alexa stated, causing H.B. to laugh.

"Absolutely not."

Jaynix shook her head.

"As much as I'd love to continue this chat, I should get going, I have something urgent to discuss with Flame. It was good to see you two."

Alexa nodded.

"Same here, Jaynix! Don't be a stranger! I know you're busy but Flame misses you."

H.B. sighed.

"Alexa…"

The woman realized what she said.

"Right. That was something shared in private...sorry."

Jaynix shook her head.

"It's alright...I miss her too. We made the decision to split up and it was the right thing for what we wanted to do so we can't really complain but…"

Jaynix smiled.

"...anyway, Alexa. H.B. Thanks for being there for her when I can't."

Alexa nodded, H.B. crossing his arms, a gentle smile on his face.

"Think nothing of it, Corporal."

Bowing her head to them, Jaynix turned and ran down the street, she knew where she had to go, she didn't need the Ares for this.

"Torrez."

Turning, the toolmaker bowed his head to his commanding officer.

"Everything is ready, sir."

Lao smirked.

"You don't have any doubts on any part of the plan?"

"None. If there is one thing we can count on the Coalition for it's for reacting and behaving exactly as we instruct them to...by the time they realize that they were our target, it'll be too late."

Lao nodded his head as he approached the Lawless radar systems. Thanks to their new contact, the old technology was enhanced to have them track exactly what they needed to. The range left a lot to be desired but Lao simply accounted for that by training his soldiers to respond and obey, faster and faster. Their reaction time was almost immediate.

"No matter what the Coalition throws at us. We'll be ready."

Lao turned around to dozens of his soldiers.

"You all know what must be done. However, I urge you all to remember this...the Colonel is mine."

Lao watched the troops nod their heads.

"No matter what happens...I seek only to end this farce. When the time comes, she'll die...or we'll fail."

With a single motion, he dismissed his soldiers before turning his attention back to the radar.

Torrez cleared his throat.

"Sir. About the captive...wasn't the point to hand her over to our engineer when we no longer needed her?"

"She'll survive just as long as she needs to."

Torrez raised an eyebrow.

"If you're certain...I'll make sure our forward armaments are deployed correctly, sir."

With a bow, Torrez walked away. Lao's eyes remained fixed on the radars, waiting for that inevitable first ping.

"I am sorry, Professor. You had no stake in this fight that I could see...but for our very existence as a species, things must be sacrificed...even me."

Lao brought a hand up to his chest, closing his eyes he did his best to recall those two voices that meant so much to him. However, as with every time he tried, the voices were drowned out by the too familiar sounds and need for combat, gunfire and death.

"It's like you think they're here for you personally."

Lyla giggled as she observed Jaynix who was clearly unable to hold in her excitement.

"Obviously they are! My dossier was among the selected files! I'll be in their first class!"

Jaynix took a deep breath.

"I can't screw this up! This is when I make my mark!"

Lyla leaned into Jaynix.

"You already have Ms. Fiery Officer. Everyone has seen your passion these last three years. All the proctors, instructors and academy mates."

Jaynix looked over to Lyla, a warm smile on her face.

"And most importantly, you."

Lyla nodded, a slight blush formed on both their faces.

"And me."

Jaynix gave her a toothy grin as the door to the outside training hall opened and her mother appeared.

"I should've known you'd already be here my little spark."

"Where else would I be?"

"The technical wing maybe?"

Jaynix laughed.

"I asked, but Flame says her projects today aren't anything super crazy. She can handle it...besides, dad is there with her for the tech support. Not much I can do but cheer her on, you know that stuff is way over my head."

Sonja crossed her arms.

"One day you're going to have to get a better grasp on technology."

"I have a good enough grasp as it is!"

The mother and daughter shared a laugh as a man approached.

"Corporal Copeland."

Her eyes moved from Jaynix to the man.

"Ah. Jaynix, this is the Commander of the Devoted, Lao Huang."

Jaynix turned from Sonja to the man behind her, a much older, hardened military veteran. Clean shaven face, long hair and a tired but easy smile.

"Commander Lao. It's uh...it's an honor!"

"You must be the Corporal's Daughter."

Jaynix nodded.

"Yes sir, Officer Copeland, B-Squad."

He crossed his arms.

"Right. Right. High marks along all forms of combat. You were one of the easiest picks for our instruction."

Jaynix's smile grew wider, her eyes bright.

"I expect the best."

With that the man walked past her and through the doors.

"I'm gonna knock his socks off!"

"Blow them all away."

Lyla stated with a smile. Jaynix took one of her hands in her own.

"Count on it!"

Jaynix came to a stop, the massive Skell R&D facility before her. She couldn't help but smile, recalling the first day Flame came to work here, her excitement and the countless plans she had. The facility was led by the Koo family, genius engineers in the field of Skell Development. Without them leading their team on their efforts, the mechanical allies the humans had would never have been completed, or at least, not as quickly as they have been. Above all, they definitely would not have been able to fly.

Walking inside, Jaynix followed the route as she had countless times before eventually reaching the specific lab she knew Flame, H.B. and Alexa spent many many hours together in.

She stopped at the door, seeing the name on it brought a smile to her face. F. Copeland. It never failed to fill her with joy and pride.

Opening the door, she stepped in, someone was welding something together farther in, the sparks were flying as the torch did its work.

Jaynix crossed her arms and stepped closer. The person put the tool down, examining their work and muttering something to themselves.

The welding mask was soon pulled off, revealing the long orange hair that fell down the woman's back. With one particularly stubborn bit on top refusing to get smoothed down.

Adjusting her glasses, the woman tilted her head. Turning slowly, her bright green eyes met Jaynix's warm gaze. The surprise was evident as she whispered.

"JayJay?"

With a smile, Jaynix nodded.

"Hey Flame. How ya been, sis?"

Standing up slowly, Flame continued to watch her.

"Did I-"

"Miss a call? No. Don't worry about that, I know you're busy."

Flame took off her welding gloves, leaving them on the table.

"Um. I don't mean to...I just...hi. What brings you here? You always call ahead unless…"

Jaynix closed the distance, embracing Flame, holding her as tightly as she could.

"I missed you."

Flame returned the hug, closing her eyes, she whispered back.

"Me too…"

The pair stood there for a good while before Jaynix pulled away, wiping her face with her arm. Flame could only smile, too everyone else, Jaynix was tough, strong and so sure of herself in everything.

But Flame always got to see how soft her sister could be.

"What happened, JayJay?"

Flame led Jaynix to a few chairs, once they were seated Jaynix began.

"They're back...after twelve years…"

Flame shook her head.

"You mean...the Lawless?"

Jaynix nodded as Flame leaned back in her seat.

"I heard rumors. Something was happening in Noah's Cradle but the specifics haven't reached us yet. All I know is an ECP complex was attacked by insurgents. A quick Coalition response resulted in all their deaths but all the other details are...well, we're not privy to them."

Jaynix sighed.

"It was Elma's complex. She and I were helping someone. The Lawless figured it out and came to take her. Elma and I fought them off but...we lost our...ally and the Coalition is organizing a strike force to hunt down the Lawless. I'm pretty sure they've deployed by now…"

Flame shook her head.

"Then...why are you here?"

"Because I had to tell you...this is...all of this is a part of us. Our family. I can't just deal with it on my own and tell you after it's over. You have to know. For Mom. For Dad."

Flame looked down, sadness in her eyes. Jaynix reached over and placed a hand on her cheek. Flame's eyes slowly moved back up to meet Jaynix's.

"I'm glad you're here for this...JayJay."

"Me too."

Jaynix slowly took her hand away from Flame's face.

"This last thing should go without saying but...he was at the complex..."

Jaynix could see that Flame knew who she meant. Standing up, Jaynix turned around and pulled up her shirt to reveal her bare back to Flame, her eyes went right to the newly scarred and stitched together skin as a result of the sniper shot.

The injury caused Flame's words to die in her throat as Jaynix sat back down.

"Yeah. He shot me...granted he was going for Elma...I kinda got in his way…"

"In the back…"

Jaynix let out an empty laugh.

"Right? What are the odds."

"And you're...okay?"

Jaynix's eye found Flame's. They searched each other before Jaynix shook her head.

"According to the doctor...no...before I left I was given one warning about the surgery…"

Jaynix took a deep breath.

"It's not something that will ever fully heal and...any strong impact to that part of my back will...it just...it's not good."

"Can it...cripple you?"

Jaynix shook her head.

"I don't think so...but it really depends on what the impact is and where. Though I won't lie, if I ever get shot in the back again…"

Flame placed one of her hands on Jaynix's leg.

"You won't."

Flame whispered those words again, Jaynix sighing.

"I'll do my best not to, Flame. They did allow me to continue active service but their warnings were pretty strict so...yeah, I'll be operating with an Achilles heel of sorts for the foreseeable future."

Closing her eye, Jaynix shook her head.

"I'm not gonna let this be the end of my service, Flame. I refuse. I'm going to face him, and I'm going to make him pay. For all of it."

This time, it was Flame who leaned closer, placing her hand on Jaynix's face.

"Please. Don't lose yourself, JayJay. He's not worth it."

Jaynix brought her hand up, placing it over Flame's.

"We've lost enough to him...we…"

"I'm going to win, Flame. Then...I'm coming back here and letting my genius baby sister tell me all about her latest creations. I'm going to see you smile and I'm going to make sure you keep smiling...for as long as I can. I promise."

Flame couldn't help but shed a tear.

"I'm not little anymore…"

"I know...but I'll always be your big sister and I'm always, always going to do everything in my power. For you."

Seeing a smile form on Flame's face, brought one to Jaynix.

"I love you, Flame."

"I love you too, JayJay…"

The Skelletons and Reapers drew ever closer to the Lawless base of operations, Elma gave the order for the back up troop to slow down.

"As discussed, it's going to be a small team that goes in. Four of us, get the hostage, get out. The rest will draw them out, distract them."

Several voices came on over the comms affirming Elma's orders.

"Irina, with me."

The Lieutenant took a deep breath.

"Yes Colonel."

Kumon came on after that.

"Agent. On me."

"Yes sir."

The four Skells shot off high into the sky over the enemy base while the remaining troops spread out as far as they could while encircling the target.

Steven kept his eyes on the four above as they began descending.

"We'll all open fire when they get closer. Draw the Lawless to us."

His eyes then returned to the enemy base as something was discharged from the top of the facility, several orbs of electrical energy arced up into the air then descended on the line of Skells, the energy burst, tendrils reaching out across several of the machines.

Gwin watched as his controls went haywire before shutting off.

"Uh guys, my Skell...it's been fried!"

Boris and Sagis who were stationed next to Gwin said the same thing as the enemy weapons fired off again.

Eren got on the comms and ordered everyone to move. She then looked to the field before them as several enemy contacts began to decloak. The once empty field was now occupied by a dozen or so heavily armed walkers just like the Archer's.

The Lawless machines opened fire, missiles raining down on the Skells who immediately began to scatter into the air save for the three disabled by the electrical pulse weaponry.

Gwin flinched as his Skell took a barrage of missiles and fell over.

"Crap, hey! We need cover!"

"We need to eject!"

Boris called out.

"We're sitting ducks here!"

Sagis slammed his controls and cursed.

"Like running across the wasteland would be any safer!"

"Hang tight boys, we'll clear the field!"

Eren called down, with her thoughts gathered she opened up an array of screens and began tracing lines and writing down commands before sending the battle plans to all available Skells.

"Everyone! Engage!"

Eren, Alto, Tai, Danny and the dozen or so allied Skells shot down from the skies. The enemy walkers opened fire, another barrage of missiles tearing through the air. Several of which exploded mid flight, the force of the blasts knocking some of the Skells off their flight paths and into the firing range of the other missiles.

The Archer changed his walker back into combat mode and it took off across the wasteland. Entering a few commands, it began firing off its own arsenal, a barrage of bullets and heavy cannon fire damaging one of the enemy walkers and throwing it over.

Tai's Skell hit the ground first, drawing his massive hook, the Skell spun about, weapon catching one of the walkers and tossing it across the field.

Alto and Danny followed shortly after, their Skells massive gatling guns unloading on three walkers in range, riddling them with explosive rounds until they were charred waste.

More allied Skells hit the ground and engaged the walkers while Eren headed for the concealed pulse weapons. As she drew near, several more walkers began to uncloak and opened fire on her.

Cursing she pulled away, her eyes moving to see that the advance team had landed on the roof successfully. Her mind began running through dozens of possibilities. If they had this ambush waiting, why didn't they target the advance team?

"Elma! Come in! This is Strategist! Do not advance with our plan! It's a trap! Elma!"

Several missiles struck Eren's Skell, cursing she flew farther away and out of reach, she attempted to send another message to Elma but received no response. They had to be jamming them which meant the advance team was on their own.

Switching channels she spoke to the team currently engaging the enemy walkers.

"We have to clean this up quickly! Get to it!"

The pulse weapons fired off again, Eren dodged the attacks in midair and watched as they hit the battlefield, disabling more Skells and Walkers alike.

Her eyes then moved to the roof of the enemy base, there were soldiers lined along the top of it with shoulder mounted missile launchers.

"Shit. Alto! Everyone, gather around Blood Two!"

The closest Skells did just that as Alto pulled the two halves of a massive shield along the back of his Skell, the missiles from the roof fired towards the gathered Skells.

Alto slammed the devices down, producing an energy barrier that encircled him and his allies, the missiles exploding against it harmlessly.

"Alright everyone! Get back out there!"

He yelled, their allies reengaging the Lawless.

"Archer! They're focus is on us! Get back there!"

"On it!"

He called out, his Walker switching to tread mode and shooting across the wasteland toward the enemy base. The ruined grounds around him were littered with explosions from the fierce combat as he directed his vehicle towards one of the pulse weapons.

Locking the Walker in its forward motion he opened the hatch and leapt out. He rolled across the ground as his vehicle slammed into the enemy weaponry, throwing it to the floor and disabling it.

The enemy Walkers on watch directed their arms at him as he drew his bow and fired two arrows. They struck both targets and exploded, the discharge disabled the Walkers forcing the Lawless inside to leap out and engage him on the ground.

Running towards them he fired another arrow, this one struck one of the enemy's rifles, disabling it. The second contact opened fire on him causing him to dive aside.

"If someone else can take care of the other pulse weapon while I'm occupied, that'd be great!"

"Busy out here!"

Tai called out, swinging his hook around to destroy another enemy contact.

Steven fired off another arrow, embedding itself in the ground between both Lawless soldiers before exploding, throwing both of them to the floor.

Steven closed the distance immediately, drawing another arrow and jamming it in one of the fallen men's throats. The other stood and drew a pistol as he tore the arrow out, notched it and fired, the projectile piercing the second man's helmet.

As he fell dead, Steven nodded to himself and returned to his Walker, reactivating it he turned and shot off across the wasteland to his next destination.

Approaching the top of the enemy base, Elma, Irina, Kumon and Lyla saw the battle break out. Moments later several walkers decloaked on top of the building and began firing on them.

Kumon shot off first, flares trailing behind his Skell, the enemy missiles were pulled off course in response as Irina, Lyla and Elma hit the roof and engaged the walkers.

Lyla drew the guns from her Skell's legs and fired, the furious assault denting and breaking the walker's armor.

Next to her, Irina struck the walker with the full force of her Skell, throwing it over. Drawing one of her Skell's short swords she buried it into the walker, disabling it. The pilot hatch popped open in response but no one came out.

Irina turned as Lyla's explosive round decimated the other walker.

Finally, Elma shot down from above, Firebird pulling out the massive blade along its back. The chain links detached as the blade swung, its range extending out further before cleaving through the last of the walkers.

Kumon hit the ground shortly after, scanning the rest of the roof but not picking up any signals.

"I've got nothing."

Irina crossed her arms.

"You'd think there'd be more security...and in case you guys didn't notice, these Walkers were automated. No pilots."

The group left their Skells, Kumon continuing to scan their surroundings while Lyla and Irina looked back out over the battle.

Elma knew they most likely wanted to join the fight and help their allies, but their mission was too important.

Kumon brought a hand to his chin as Lyla spoke.

"They're openly attacking our allies and they had walkers on stand by just for us. If they planned that far then they have to know we're here."

Elma nodded, kneeling down she examined a hatch and began picking the lock. Kumon moved his hand to his ear and waited.

"I'm not picking up any messages from the team out there. The Lawless cut off our communications."

Irina sighed.

"Of course they did. Not that it's gonna help them."

Elma stood up, opening the hatch, she glanced over to the rest of the team.

"We may have jumped from recon to full on engagement but our mission is still the same. We've got two tasks. One, secure the hostage. Two, pinpoint the Lawless commanders."

Kumon nodded.

"I imagine you'll want to track down Lao."

Elma could only nod as Lyla spoke up.

"Whoever finds Kriss, we've got Irina and I for emergency medical assistance so however it goes, we'll be able to secure her."

Irina looked down into the hatch.

"We all gotta keep our eyes peeled for Lao and Torrez. The last thing we want is for them to get the drop on us."

Kumon sighed.

"It'd be a lot easier if not for the fact they can cloak themselves."

Elma took a deep breath.

"They have something planned. All we can do is be careful...let's get going."

Kumon nodded as Elma dropped into the enemy base, Irina and Lyla following her while Kumon gave one last look to the battlefield before jumping in.

The four found themselves on a walkway high above a wide warehouse. Below them were several stationary walkers and Lawless engineers working on them. Elma quickly picked out several heavily armed individuals at the doors.

Looking to the team, she brought a finger to her lips. The group all nodded and began moving as quietly as they could across the walkway, easy enough with all the construction below them masking any noise they made.

Stepping through a door the group now found a staircase descending to the lower levels.

"Lyla and I will go down."

"Be careful, General."

Irina whispered to which he nodded.

"And you two stay safe."

Lyla said with a smile before following the General down the staircase. Walking around it, Elma and Irina proceeded through another doorway to find another system of walkways high above a weapons facility. She could make out all sorts of armaments below them.

Irina pulled out her scope and looked down at the various workstations.

"Those weapons...they match up pretty well with the files the Reapers gave us. Y'know the untraceable munitions they found in the hands of a random cell."

Elma nodded, she remembered those files as well. Everything points back to Lao and his people as expected. Elma and Irina moved along quietly before spotting Kumon and Lyla emerging from behind a large stack of weapons. Several workers hung around nearby, as did their security detail.

The four dropped to the ground as an intercom system screeched on, a voice came on.

"Attention all available units. Those Coalition bootlickers have been putting up quite the fight. We're going to need to advance the next squads of reinforcements. If the Walkers aren't all done, it doesn't matter. Get whatever is complete out there and blow something up. Stick to the plan. We're ready for this."

Once the voice cut out, the activity below them increased, several of the workers taking completed weapons and departing. Elma stood up slowly, Kumon seeing her as she made several motions with her hands.

Nodding, Kumon and Lyla advanced, staying out of sigh as the soldiers and workers ran to and fro.

As the room continued to empty, Kumon and Lyla made it to the door at the far end and vanished through it.

Elma and Irina proceeded along the walkways above the next room to find several of them were incomplete. No doubt damaged long ago.

The pair noticed a sealed off room ahead, through the windows they could make out countless screens and monitors.

"That must be the surveillance room. If we can get eyes on the rest of the facility, finding our targets will be far easier."

Irina stated as she moved forward, Elma following closely and keeping her eyes behind them.

Beneath the pair, Kumon and Lyla noted that the room they were in was barren, no doubt whoever was occupying moved outside to engage the rest of their team.

Lyla tapped Kumon's shoulder and pointed towards the other side of the room. Kumon spotted a staircase that led up to a short railway. It seemed like someone could stand there to give orders to troops. The more interesting thing was there was a person lying on it, all alone.

Kumon looked to Lyla and nodded before looking up and finding Elma and Irina, he made several hand signals and advanced quickly.

It didn't take long for him to reach the person, he recognized the woman from the files given to a very small amount of people in the war room and from the fact that he was looking into her last year.

"Professor Fowler."

He whispered while trying to shake her conscious, the bloodstains on her person and on the railing beneath her made it clear she'd been bleeding out for a while. Lyla joined him, the pair shared a look before she got to work.

Standing up, Kumon looked above for Elma and Irina. Just as he began to signal them he heard something, like a footstep.

Turning quickly he drew his blade as something struck his chest with immense force, throwing him over the railing and onto the ground.

Lyla turned to see someone appear right next to her, armed with silver gauntlets that had sparks running along the surface, it was a man she recognized from the briefing.

"Rueben Torrez."

His eyes moved to her and he smiled.

"Agent Lyla Copeland. A pleasure."

"Torrez!"

He took a few steps forward to better see the General stand back up.

"Of course you and Lao are nothing but cowards, relying on such devious tactics. What a waste those years of academy training became for the two of you. Disrespectful."

Torrez laughed.

"I won't argue that we are nothing like we were then...but that's how we survive...and that's how you will die."

Torrez snapped his fingers and six guards appeared around Kumon with their weapons trained on him. The General looked to each one before giving a quick glance at Elma and Irina.

"Well then General. How do you want to die?"

Reaching into his vest, Kumon threw something down hard, the object exploded into a thick smoke. The guards immediately opened fire, only for the sound of steel slicing through the air to silence one after the other.

Torrez rolled his eyes before leaping over the railing and cracking his knuckles.

Kumon shot out of the smoke right at him, his blade met with one of the man's gauntlets, a loud clash ringing out.

"Was that the best you could do, Torrez?"

"We'll see. Won't we?"

Torrez swung with his other fist, an electrical charge was released, arcing across the room and striking the wall behind Kumon as he disengaged and moved away.

Torrez slammed his fists togethers and yelled.

"Come on General!"

Charging forward, Torrez began swinging, every strike releasing energy that kept Kumon at a distance as he worked to evade the attacks. Narrowing his eyes, Kumon shot back in, right under the arcing energy and swung his blade.

One of Torrez's gauntlets seemed to magnetize to the weapon, catching it immediately. Before Kumon could react, Torrez slammed his other fist into his chest. There was an electrical burst as the General was thrown across the room.

Torrez laughed again and advanced while above them, Elma and Irina continued to watch the battle.

"We should get down there and cover him."

Irina stated, Elma glancing over to the surveillance room. As much as part of her wanted to find Lao, securing Kriss was their first task.

"Let's find a way down."

As she and Irina prepared to move there was a screech from the intercom.

"Colonel."

The pair froze in place, Elma looking around as the voice continued.

"Yes. I can see you. I knew exactly what you all would do. I wanted you here."

Elma stood up, anger evident in her eyes.

"Lao."

"We aren't here to talk, so help me bring this to an end."

The intercom system shut off as several Lawless soldiers decloaked all over the railing. Irina cursed and stood up, switching to her assault rifle's underbarrel she fired off a grenade that destroyed a section of the railing, causing three soldiers to fall to the battlefield below.

The others opened fire on the pair, Elma grabbing and pulling Irina back behind the doorway they came through not long ago.

Below them, Kumon stood again and drew his revolver, Torrez continuing to laugh.

"Sword or gun, it won't make a difference to me. You've met your match."

"I've survived too much to die by your hand Torrez."

Torrez slammed his fists into the ground, electrical energy arcing across the floor towards Kumon who leapt aside and rolled across the ground before firing off his revolver.

A surge of electricity covered Torrez's body as the bullet neared him before getting incinerated by the charge.

"It's not just the gauntlets dear, General."

Torrez struck his chest, Kumon noticed the peculiar design of his vest.

"The perfect offense and defense. What will you do?"

Narrowing his eyes, Kumon charged towards Torrez as he slammed his fists into the ground again.

On the railing with Kriss, Lyla watched as Kumon leapt aside again, continuing to fire on Torrez and keep the pressure on.

Her eyes then moved to the men who had fallen as a result of Irina's attack. They were standing slowly. Looking to Kriss she whispered.

"Hang tight."

Drawing her sniper rifle she stood and began to pick them off one by one, all the while electricity crackled and shot across the room, Kumon continuing his evasive maneuvers, his focus squarely on Torrez.

Jaynix stood amongst her peers as several members of the Devoted began instructing them, Lao overseeing all the activity on the training field.

One of them watched as Jaynix began sparring with her comrades, taking several notes as she defeated her opponents one after the other.

As the activities continued, Jaynix turned to see the people watching, among them she could easily make out several higher ups including Kumon's trusted comrade Steven Harper and not too far from him, her mother. There was admiration in her eyes and it made Jaynix fight harder.

Lao called for the rest of the Devoted and the Academy officers to line up again.

"Your dossiers did not disappoint. Officers, I trust you all understand that this is only the beginning. Things will only become more intense as the week continues."

"Yes sir!"

Lao smiled as another man stepped onto the podium next to him and spoke to him in a hushed tone. Jaynix recognized him as Rueben Torrez, the Devoted's hand to hand expert.

Lao nodded before giving out more instructions, directing half of the gathered soldiers and officers to one of the training rooms inside the Academy.

"We'll continue hand to hand training inside. Out here we're switching to weapons training, maintenance and the like. The groups will swap in an hour. Get to work. Continue to impress!"

The officers all bowed as they split up into groups, Jaynix heading inside, giving a look to her mother and a thumbs up to which Sonja smiled.

Inside the Academy training room, the Devoted soldiers now engaged the officers in one on one combat. Jaynix held her fists up as the ready as her opponent advanced.

Fists were flying, grunts and impacts were heard. As Jaynix expected her opponent was no slouch.

As many strikes as Jaynix landed, they were always ready for a counter. One particularly savage blow to Jaynix's chest pushed her away.

Catching her breath she looked back at her opponent who gestured for her to approach and try again. Jaynix noticed the doors open and spotted Flame and her father step inside, Flame giving Jaynix a small wave.

Smiling, Jaynix charged forward, her spirits lifted she found her next strikes hitting their marks with more force than ever, causing her opponent to go on the defensive.

With a powerful sweep, Jaynix took their legs out from under them. As they fell to the floor, Jaynix was right there to pin them, the Devoted soldier laughing.

"Impressive Officer Copeland."

"Thanks! You're not so bad yourself!"

Jaynix helped the soldier up and thanked them for the spar before excusing herself and moving towards Flame and Maxwell.

"JayJay! That was great!"

Jaynix smiled at Flame as Maxwell spoke up.

"No doubt in our minds you'd come out on top. You refuse to lose."

"I don't know the meaning of the word!"

Jaynix crossed her arms.

"So! How did Flame's latest project go? Stellar all around I imagine?"

Maxwell nodded.

"Indeed, her instructors are always talking about how intelligent she is."

Flame shook her head.

"Dad. It's not that impressive."

Maxwell laughed.

"You memorized all the tools in the lab immediately, you never waste any materials, you're planning phases are intricate and exact. This isn't just me saying this."

Flame covered her face.

"You can stop now."

Jaynix put her arm around Flame and pulled her close.

"You better get used to it Flame! I'm gonna be the strongest and you're gonna be the smartest. Nothing but compliments for us!"

Flame smiled before looking out over the room.

"Are you gonna spar again? I know how excited you were to get these lessons."

Jaynix looked out over the room.

"Yeah. I'll…"

Flame watched Jaynix as confusion appeared in her expression.

"JayJay?"

Clearing her throat, Jaynix called out.

"Hey! Mark!"

The officer turned towards her.

"What is it Copeland?"

Jaynix gestured around the room.

"Where are our Devoted instructors? Did we break for lunch?"

Mark shrugged.

"Probably got called up by Nagi for a mission or something. Having them in Noah's Cradle again is too good of an opportunity to pass up."

Jaynix scoffed.

"In the middle of our lesson?"

Maxwell approached.

"That is strange...isn't there another group outside doing weapons training?"

Jaynix nodded.

"I guess I can see if they have room for one more. You two wanna watch?"

Flame stepped away from Jaynix and led the way to the doors.

"That's why we're here. Right dad?"

"Right."

He chuckled as he walked over to Flame, Jaynix taking one last look around the room, still confused before shrugging and approaching her family.

As soon as Maxwell placed his hand on the door handle, there was an explosion, a sound louder than anything Jaynix had ever heard before.

Looking over her shoulder she saw the walls of the facility collapse, Mark and her comrades vanished as a wall of fire and debris headed right for her, Flame and Maxwell.

Eyes widening she turned back to Flame, fear in her younger sister's eyes and did what she always swore to do.

Lunging forward she covered Flame with her body as best she could, in response Maxwell embraced both of them, the three falling to the floor as the destruction reached them and everything went black.

Outside of the Lawless' facility, the Coalition Skells continue to rain down upon the seemingly endless horde of Lawless reinforcements.

A few Skells landed near the disabled ones, allowing Gwin, Sagis and Boris to dismount and begin advancing along the ground towards the enemy contacts.

Eren continued to command the assault from above, countless reports coming in about the enemy divisions and their weapons. She watched as a large vehicle roared out of the Lawless facility.

Along its back was a massive railgun that aimed into the sky and fired, Eren dodged the surging strike and watched as it tore into another allied Skell. The readings on Eren's HUD went red as the Skell went into freefall, slamming into the ground.

"Anti-Skell weaponry? How did-"

Hearing another discharge, Eren moved aside and instructed the Skells to avoid engagement.

"Attention all ground forces, if you can, head for that railgun and destroy it! It's picking off our Skells!"

Gwin, Sagis and Boris looked to one another and nodded before charging across the ruined landscape, their Skell escort hovering above them as the Archer's Walker rolled up next to them.

The three drew their assault rifles and roared as they advanced. More Lawless appeared and opened fire on them, the Archer stepping in front to take the rounds before moving ahead to engage the Walkers.

Gwin rolled aside, and fired off a grenade from his rifle, the explosion throwing several Lawless to the ground. One more appeared in the smoke and fired. Sagis covered Gwin, his armor taking the brunt of the rounds as Boris moved in from the side and fired, the Lawless soldier turning his attention towards the Skelleton.

Boris threw his rifle to the ground and reached behind, drawing out his hammer he roared and swung, striking the side of the Lawless. Bones shattered as the man was thrown to the ground and fell limp.

The other enemy contacts stood up, Gwin drawing his blade and Sagis swapping to his pulse rifle. The pair engaged as Boris used his hammer for defense.

The Archer continued to destroy Walker after Walker, noting that his own was taking too much damage due to the sustained assault. Looking up in the air, he watched as another blast from the railgun arced through the sky and destroyed another Skell.

"We're not going to be able to keep up the pressure!"

Eren cursed and landed farther away.

"Cover me!"

Pulling out her Skell's cannon she began to charge it to full power, Tai landing near her, his Skells' hook swinging wide to keep enemy Walkers away.

Eren aimed right at the enemy railgun, everytime a Walker got in the way, Tai was there to hook it and pull it away or Alto would drop in from above and slam into it, wrecking the vehicle.

"Now!"

Letting loose the stream of energy, Eren's Skell was pushed back by the recoil, her beam tearing through the wasteland. As it approached the railgun, an energy field covered the vehicle, her attack slamming against it before being dispelled.

"No way…"

"Everyone! Give me clearance! Beginning bombing run!"

Eren looked down at her HUD as another contact flew in range. A smile formed on her face as she repeated the order from the newcomer, everyone pulling back as the Ares shot through the sky.

Explosives rained down from behind the Skell, ripping the landscape apart and destroying several pulse weapons and enemy walkers.

The shield still held around the railgun as Jaynix turned the Ares around to face it. Entering commands, she whispered to herself.

The railgun fired, Jaynix drawing the Ares' blade and slicing through the beam. Yelling she shot out of the sky, her blade making contact with the shield.

She continued to up the Ares' thruster and directed more energy into the blade which began to glow. Finally the shield gave in, the Ares' blade slicing through the railgun. Jaynix returned to the sky as the vehicle exploded.

"How long till Coalition reinforcements?"

Eren flipped through several screens on her HUD.

"No word on them yet. We're not doing too well, they've got a whole line of anti-Skell weaponry. We've got forces on the ground now too but they'll be overwhelmed by the enemy presence."

Jaynix continued checking the Ares' functions.

"I'm here now, they're gonna wish I wasn't."

Tai chuckled.

"I think they already do."

Before Jaynix could respond, another beam lanced through the air and struck the Ares, the force knocking her out of the sky.

Crashing on the ground she looked up to see several more railguns roll out of the facility.

"Oh fuck me."

Eren gave an order for Skells to move back and stick to long range weaponry.

"We're gonna keep their attention on us, Jaynix! You get in there and wipe them out."

Jaynix took a deep breath.

"Leave it to me!"

Inside the facility, Kumon continued his battle with Torrez, evading the man's electrical attacks while firing his revolver. He knew all the shots were rendered ineffective by Torrez's armor but he continued the assault, keeping the man's attention on him all the while searching for a weakness.

Torrez roared as he slammed his fists into the ground again, a surge of electricity tearing through the floor in all directions. Kumon ran towards a wall and kicked off it, high above the electrified floor he headed right for Torrez.

Extending one of his legs he yelled as his kick connected with the side of Torrez's face, the man stumbling from the impact. Holding tightly onto his revolver, Kumon swung back around, the weapon striking Torrez's face again.

Cursing Torrez raised his arms to fight back, fists flying, Kumon dodged and weaved between the strikes as sparks built up in the gauntlets again.

Clenching his teeth, Kumon grabbed Torrez's arm and pulled the man along, spinning and delivering a savage kick to his back. Torrez stumbled away before swinging back around, electricity crackling all around his form.

Kumon took several steps back before dropping into his stance and smiling.

"You think you figured me out, General?"

"I do. If you aren't convinced, just try again Torrez."

Kumon spun his revolver's chambers as Torrez raised his fists and sent out more energy, electrical arcs lighting up the space all around the General.

Above them, a squad of Lawless opened fire on the doorway Elma and Irina had retreated back into. Irina held her rifle out over the opening and proceeded to blind fire towards the enemies as much as she could.

"Shit! Colonel!"

Irina pulled her weapon back and reloaded as Elma peered through the doorway, her eyes going to the sealed surveillance room. Lao had to be in there, waiting and watching.

"Alright. Irina, I'll cover us...I'm heading for the door, you take care of the Lawless. Can you do that, Lieutenant?"

Irina looked to her, doubt disappearing as she nodded.

"Yes, Colonel."

"Sync."

"Sync."

The pair nodded to each other, Elma focusing, mimeosome functions sparking to life. Standing up she gave the signal and advanced.

The Lawless watched as several copies of Elma emerged and began firing, one of the Lawless called out to avoid panic and focus fire on all of the copies.

Irina moved in sync with one of the clones as they reached the center of the walkway. Smirking she leapt out from the clone, shocking the Lawless as she opened fire.

The three near her took cover around corners and behind boxes of stray munitions. Irina sprang to her feet and fired off another grenade. More railings collapsing and taking Lawless with them to the ground below where Lyla could easily pick them off.

Spinning around she fired on a soldier as he emerged, her rounds clipped his armor but did little to deter him from firing back.

Irina cursed and retreated behind cover, her eyes moved over to watch Elma reach the door and draw her blades, carving clean through it as the rest of her copies began to fade away.

Irina pulled out her knife and focused, the Lawless emerged from cover and began firing on her as her knife sparked to life. Once he hit the reload she sprang up and threw the knife. The man knocked it away only for it to release an electrical flash, blinding and stunning him.

Irina leapt over cover and closed the distance, wrenching his weapon away from him, followed by a knee to the torso before flipping him over the railing. She watched the hostile fall to the ground below, neck snapping on impact.

With all the Elma copies gone, the remaining targets focused their fire on her, dropping behind cover again she cursed.

"Irina!"

Looking down, the Lieutenant spotted Lyla now aiming her sniper rifle up into the walkways and firing at the targets from below.

With their attention divided, Irina emerged from cover and opened fire.

Meanwhile, Elma stepped into the office to find Lao seated at the controls. The pair's eyes locked.

Pushing any feelings she had away, Elma raised her pistols and opened fire, Lao leapt out of his seat and behind the surveillance monitors, each screen being destroyed by Elma's assault.

He chuckled as he drew out one of his weapons. Leaping from behind cover he launched his javelin right at Elma. Quickly she dove aside, the weapon embedding itself into the ground behind her.

Lao closed the distance, tackling Elma through the window and out of the office, the Lawless calling out to each other as they moved away from the pair, Lao's orders to leave the Colonel to him rang loud.

Lao's hands gripped Elma's throat, she pressed her guns to his sides and fired only to find him unaffected. Clenching her teeth she rammed her knee into his torso until she could free herself from his grasp. Standing she moved away from him and fired again. He covered his face with his arms, the bullets bouncing off him.

"You think you're the only one with access to someone like Professor Fowler?"

"I'm not here to talk to a traitor."

Elma sheathed her guns and drew her blades, charging Lao the weapons whistled through the air, cutting through the space Lao occupied as he leapt away again.

Holding his hand out, she watched as some device attached to his wrist began to glow.

Turning she was struck by his javelin as it flew through the air and returned to his grip.

"Come on Colonel! Come on!"

Roaring he charged her again and slammed into her, the pair went over the railing and fell into the crates of stockpiled weapons below.

Nearby, Kumon was thrown aside by an explosion of electrical energy. Rolling to his feet, the General continued to evade Torrez as best he could though the electrical burns were starting to build in count and wear him down.

Torrez laughed as he raised his arms, energy building within his gauntlets. Kumon retrieved his blade from where it had fallen as well as his sheath. Covering the weapon he held it in front of him as Torrez unleashed a furious electrical wave.

The energy crashed against Kumon's weapon, tendrils of electricity shooting out in all directions, the General clenching his teeth.

Torrez's laughter was cut off by a very peculiar click. Stopping his assault he spun around as Lyla flew at him from above. Roaring she struck, her knives burying themselves in his body.

Torrez groaned in pain as he moved away from her, the woman tearing the knives out of his shoulders. Kumon took that chance to advance, pulling his blade from his sheath he swung, the end of his weapon grazing Torrez's chest.

The man continued to retreat, Lyla pursuing him, spinning her knives and throwing them towards the second in command. Slamming his fists together, a field of electricity burst from his body and knocked the weapons from their trajectory.

Lyla pulled out her sniper rifle and fired upon Torrez who dove for cover once again. Taking that time, she moved back to Kumon.

"Kriss-"

"I'm done with the emergency treatment. We need to get a call out for someone to come pick her up."

"Right...Torrez's suit and weapons only store up so much electricity. Once he expends it, he's vulnerable."

Lyla nodded.

"Right…it's just a matter of being close enough when the charge dries up."

"And being far enough away when the charge returns…"

Torrez emerged from cover, energy once again covering his body.

"Two on one? Maybe it'll be fair this time."

With that he charged forward, Kumon falling back while Lyla dodged around him to maintain a close presence.

Torrez laughed as he unleashed more of the electricity in all directions, Kumon was far enough away to avoid it effectively. The attack struck Lyla and disabled her long enough for Torrez to deliver a savage punch to her torso and throw her to the ground.

There was a roar not too far from them as Lao was thrown out of the destroyed crates. Elma followed him shortly after, blades held up high she buried them into the ground as Lao rolled away and to his feet.

Swinging his javelin he yelled back, bladed weapons clashing with each other, sparks flying, grunts, roars and hate filled both man and woman as they sought to kill the other.

Back outside, the allied Skells continued to evade enemy fire to the best of their abilities. Eren constantly updating their battle strategies for every Skell that was shot out of the sky but she couldn't keep up.

"We're in shit here Jaynix!"

"I'm only one gal!"

Jaynix yelled back as she once again tried to breach a shield only for enemy walkers to fire on her Ares, pushing her away. A railgun discharged, the shot smashing into the Ares, several warning sounds going off.

"Fuck. I gotta pull back."

Jaynix did so and watched as the enemy immediately refocused on the rest of her allies.

Everyone currently engaged in ground combat was using the ruined Skells as cover. Jaynix watched as the Archer sent his Walker towards the railguns and leapt out of the vehicle. The Walker self destructed, the massive blast shredded nearby enemy walkers, the concussive force taking out ground based enemies but the railguns were unaffected, shields maintaining protection as they continued to rain hell on the allied skells.

"Hey! Corporal!"

"What is it Strategist?"

"You're using Elma's Skell right? You've read the reports, it's capable of...who knows what."

Jaynix looked down at the controls as Eren stated once more.

"Do something!"

Taking a deep breath, Jaynix began tapping several commands.

"Alright Ares. I've got command again so I'll just ask you since I don't understand half the stuff Elma has here...what's the most destructive thing you can do?"

A series of beeps rang out.

"Tandem locked? What do you mean?"

After another line of beeps, Jaynix shook her head.

"Look just...those railguns? The shields? Can you disable them? Destroy them? Something?"

There was one more line of beeps. Jaynix sighed.

"I know I'm not in a Mimeosome and of course I'm not Watcher, that's Elma. What's wrong with you? Look just do it! We've got to!"

The Ares began to charge up, two pods on its back flew out and expanded into some sort of cannon.

Jaynix felt a sudden lightheadedness. Shaking it away she engaged.

"Aghasura Cannon! Fire!"

Two beams of energy shot from the Ares' cannons, the railgun shields tried to hold back the assault but seconds later they were disable. The beams ripped through the railguns, explosions riddled the enemy lines as their weapons were reduced to scrap.

The attack ceased, Jaynix letting out a long breath as Tai addressed her.

"Why didn't you open with that?"

"Shut up, Captain Hook. Keep them engaged!"

The Ares shot out towards the enemy facility, Steven watched it go from below. He narrowed his eyes as a man stood up from the ruins behind him. Without turning he drew back on his bow and fired, arrow piercing the man's skull.

Destination set, the Archer took off across the wasteland as Eren issued more orders. Gwin, Sagis and Boris' ground unit engaged with a squad of Lawless as another regiment of armed walkers emerged from the facility.

On top of the building, Jaynix landed the Ares near the advance team's Skells. Stumbling out of Elma's Skell she almost fell over, hands reaching out she caught herself as a wave of nausea filled her.

"Yeah...next time...Mimeosome…"

Shaking her head, she tried to regain her focus. There was always something odd about Elma's Skell. From its unique design to the ability to shift its body parts into hardened weapons.

Jaynix looked over to the Ares, she had many theories but she never brought them up to Elma. She was sure the other woman would just laugh them off.

Closing her eyes, Jaynix focused, catching her breath she stood back up, taking one clumsy step back before approaching the hatch the team had opened not long before.

"Alright…"

Pushing all her thoughts aside she focused on one thing and one thing only.

Lao.

There was no way to know how much time had passed when Jaynix finally came to. The first thing she could see was dirty, ashy, orange hair.

"Flame. Flame!"

Her sister could only groan in pain.

"Jaynix."

Hearing the voice, Jaynix looked to her father who was still holding them, blood trailing down his face.

"Is she okay? You?"

Jaynix nodded twice.

"We're fine dad...what about you?"

He smiled.

"I'm perfect."

Pulling himself away from them he fell against the rubble nearby, raspy breaths escaped him as Jaynix checked on Flame again. Finally her younger sister looked up at her.

"JayJay?"

"I'm here. We're both here."

"Flame. Jaynix. You need to get out of here. Find your mother…"

Jaynix looked back at their father, noting how pale he was.

"Dad? Dad!"

Standing up, Jaynix felt a sharp pain in her leg and almost fell over. Flame kept her upright, the pair shared a look before approaching their father, Jaynix bending down to help him up.

"No. There's not...you need to find your mother…she needs to know you're safe."

"Not without you."

Jaynix tried to pick him up again, Flame doing the same. They almost had him up when Flame noticed something.

"JayJay."

Jaynix followed Flame's gaze to see their father's horribly burned bare back as well as a large piece of metal embedded deep in his flesh. The last thing of note was something smaller sticking out of the back of his head, fresh blood continuing to pour.

"Dad…"

He placed a hand on Jaynix's arm, she slowly eased him back down.

"I can...barely see either of you…"

Flame moved closer to him.

"Dad. Please."

Jaynix shook her head as he slowly moved his arm to Flame's face and whispered. His eyes then found Jaynix, or at least, as best as he could.

"Go to your mother…"

Jaynix tried to say something, but she wasn't sure what to say.

"JayJay."

She met Flame's gaze.

"I'll stay with him...go...find mom…"

Jaynix focused on the look on Flame's face. The ashes, the cuts, the cracked lens but above all, the sadness, despair and fear in her eyes.

It was then, that an emotion Jaynix knew well, an emotion her mother taught her so much about, an emotion that required control...began to fill her body.

The rage. The hate.

She'd find whoever did this to them.

And she'd kill them.

Dropping to one knee she placed a hand on Flame's cheek.

"I love you, Flame."

"I love you too, JayJay."

She then looked to her father. Leaning in she placed one long and last kiss on his forehead.

"I love you dad."

"I love you too...our little spark…"

Standing, Jaynix flinched upon putting her weight on both legs. The pain began to fade as that rage took over. Turning from her father and sister she ran. She'd find the cause of all of this, and she'd tear them apart with her bare hands.

Irina dove behind cover again, a round cutting through her leg. Cursing she reloaded her weapon, it didn't seem to matter how many of the Lawless she took out, more were always in waiting.

"How many people did Lao shanghai into this bullshit."

Peering out from behind cover she watched in shock as a Lawless brought up a rocket launcher on their shoulder. Quickly emerging from cover she leapt through the ruined window and into the surveillance room as the rocket fired off and flew in behind her, obliterating the room.

Down below, Elma and Lao continued their fierce clash, blades flashing and weapons slicing at each other's flesh. Red blood and blue fluids began to dot the ground below them for each cut and graze that found its mark.

Elma struck the bladed edge of Lao's javelin with both blades, pushing it aside before leaping and kicking Lao in the face. The man stumbled away as she pursued, raising one of her blades she cut him across his back. The weapon barely cut through his armor but she heard him grunt. She'd take any scratch she could to slow the man down.

Spinning back around he swung his javelin wide, forcing Elma to move away from him. Reeling back he launched the weapon once again, Elma moved aside as Lao held his arm up, the Javelin redirected itself.

Elma cursing as she tried to adjust but not fast enough. It flew back and slammed into her, throwing her to the ground before returning to Lao's grip. Roaring he charged as she got up on her knees and brought both blades up to stop his attack.

Not too far away from them, Kumon tackled Lyla out of reach of Torrez's electrical waves. The man continued to laugh as his fists sent surge after surge in their direction.

The pair rolled away from each other, the strikes destroying the ground in between.

Lyla fired off her sniper rifle, the rounds were reduced to ashes as expected but it kept Torrez's attention on her if only for a moment.

Kumon used that time to run around to Torrez's backside. The man laughed and spun back around, a powerful surge striking Kumon's blade as he held it up to block the energy current.

"Come on General! Show me how you inspired the fools that follow you!"

Lyla leapt at Torrez, the man dropped one of his arms, the surge against Kumon weakening. Reaching back he took hold of Lyla's throat.

Electrical currents began surging in his grip, Lyla clenching her teeth and drawing one of her knives. With a cry, she stabbed Torrez in his arm, the electricity travelled through Torrez's gauntlet, and into Lyla then back through her arm and into the knife, back into Torrez's body.

The man gasped in shock and pulled away.

"You bitch!"

Kumon charged back in, arms securing themselves around Torrez's torso and lifting the man up and over before slamming him into the ground behind them.

Sparks came to life all over Torrez's body as he roared in anger.

Slamming his fists into the ground, a massive surge erupted all over the area.

"Agent!"

Lyla leapt over to Kumon as he connected his hands and held them out, the moment Lyla's foot made contact with his hands, he heaved her up and high. She kicked off the platform and up into the air as the energy current traveled up Kumon's body.

The General fell to the floor in pain as Lyla brought her sniper rifle to bear. The surge died down, Kumon falling to the ground and Torrez looked up at Lyla, surprised.

She fired, the man barely moving aside as the round cut through his shoulder.

Descending, Lyla slammed into Torrez, feet first, kicking him to the floor and sending him sprawling. Bringing her rifle up again she fired as Torrez raised his arm, the bullet bouncing off his gauntlet but leaving a notable crack.

Reloading Lyla fired again, the crack growing bigger as Torrez's armor sparked to life again. Seizing this opportunity she turned her gun elsewhere and fire, the round tore into the man's leg. She fired once more but this round was incinerated by the energy as Torrez stood again.

Holding his arms out he unleashed another wave that slammed into Lyla and threw her across the room and into a wall.

Kumon drew his revolver and fired, the round piercing Torrez's torso, much to his surprise. He realized he fired off his gathered energy too quickly and it dispersed. Cursing he turned to find cover as Kumon fired again, this round cutting through his back.

Now behind cover, Torrez laughed.

"I see, I see. You lot definitely earned your name."

Kumon stood up slowly, swapping back to his blade.

"You chose the wrong side Torrez."

The man licked his lips.

"This path was always meant to end in death. It's the message that's important. I'm sure you understand, General."

"Whatever propaganda Lao forced down your throat does not concern me. There will be no message. You'll die here and humanity will forget you. You won't even be buried!"

Torrez turned his head as anger took hold of the General.

"Once we rip the life from your body, we're going to throw you back out into the wastes and let you rot. Let the diseased flesh of your traitorous body be claimed by the world and then grind your bones to dust! There will be no legacy! No funeral! No remembrance!"

Torrez shook his head.

"Believe that if you wish, General. We'll make a name for ourselves one way or another!"

Fully charged, Torrez stood and unleashed his energy on the General.

Above them, three Lawless soldiers entered the destroyed surveillance room. Weapons at the ready they slowly advanced as someone slipped out from under a desk.

Grabbing the man in back she slit his throat with her knife. The other two turned quickly and fired on their comrade's corpse as she slid back behind cover.

Their weapons punched through the wall, bullets cut through Irina's side, causing her to move away again, the bullets trailing behind her.

One of the Lawless turned to face elsewhere.

"Hey! That-"

A flash of red shot into the room, a force slammed into the man and threw him to the ground. The other Lawless turned to face the newcomer. Recognizing the red hair and the burning eyes.

"T-the Bloodstained-"

Irina emerged and slit his throat just as she did the man before.

"Jaynix...about time…"

Jaynix walked past Irina and drew her pistol, the Lawless on the floor sat up and looked at Jaynix as she blew a hole in his head.

"Where is everyone else?"

"Right under us...are you sure you should be here?"

"I have to be."

Irina nodded before looking over as more Lawless appeared on the railways.

"Last I checked, the hostage is still beneath us. We have to get her out of here."

Jaynix turned, examining their surroundings before her eyes fell on the rocket launcher dropped by the last Lawless she killed.

"I have an idea."

Back at ground level, Elma and Lao continued their bout, Lao's javelin keeping Elma farther away than she'd like to be. Bouncing the weapon away with her blades was easy enough but it gained her no ground just as Lao lost none. If she wanted to make a notable move, she'd have to sacrifice something.

The weapons all collided with one another again, Lao trying to push past her guard.

"I'm surprised Colonel...here I thought you were honorable yet no words?"

Elma pushed back with all her might.

"You don't deserve any."

Lao tilted his head.

"Not even a goodbye?"

That's when it came to Elma. Pushing forward, she leaned closer and spoke the words.

"Doug told me to kill you."

That was all it took, there was shock in Lao's eyes. She felt the strength leave him. It was only a moment, but that moment was all she needed.

With one strike, the javelin was torn from Lao's hands. Her next blade tore through his torso, the end of the weapon protruding from his back.

Torrez turned from the worn out Kumon and Lyla to see this and roared, his gauntlets sparked to life and he held them out, a powerful surge shooting forward and into Elma's side, pushing her through the room and slamming her into a wall.

Torrez's attention was then pulled upwards as a rocket launcher went off, blasting a hole in the roof above them. Elma's Ares descended, all the Lawless attempted to fire on it to no avail.

Outside of his field of view, Irina had reached Kriss and picked her up, carrying her back up to the walkways and to the Ares.

Torrez's sustained assault on Elma finally came to an end as he drained the energy from his weapons. Hearing a click he cursed as he spun around. Lyla's sniper rifle fired off, shattering his right knee and forcing him to the floor as Kumon approached.

"I won't be forgotten...I-"

Kumon roared as he swung his blade. Like a guillotine the weapon ripped through Torrez's neck, beheading the man with finesse. As his head fell to the ground, Torrez's body jerked once and fell over.

Kumon looked up as Irina got into the Ares with Kriss, the Skell then shot off into the sky. Kriss was in safe hands, Torrez was dead, that left one more thing.

Kumon checked behind him to see Lyla kneeling on the ground, still exhausted, then he looked ahead to Elma who was struggling to move after the sustained electrical attack. Finally he focused on Lao who stood up, one hand covering his bloody wound.

"General."

Kumon prepared himself as Lao reached back to draw his sniper rifle, his motion was stopped when a voice ripped through the silence, screaming his name.

Lao's gaze moved slowly up to the ruined railings overhead until he locked eyes with her.

"Corporal Copeland."

There was an undeniable rage in her expression as she drew her blade. Lao measured the room, chuckling.

"Four on one. Am I that much of a threat?"

Kumon recalled Nagi asking that if they could, they should secure Lao and bring him back to Noah's Cradle. However, Jaynix was here now and he knew that it'd be impossible to stop her from trying to kill him.

With a roar, Jaynix leapt down from the railing as Lao moved one of his hands. Kumon's eyes widened as he tried to call out the Corporal's name.

An explosion, just like the ones twelve years ago ripped through the chamber, flames engulfing all five of them.

Jaynix emerged from the ruined Academy building to find more injured and dead on the training field. Spotting a staff member she approached them.

"Officer Copeland? Are you alright? We-"

She shook her head.

"My father! He's seriously injured! My sister is with him back in the building. Send someone, please."

The man nodded and got right to it as she approached a woman.

"Tell me! What happened!?"

"There was a terrorist attack...one explosion here and a second at the perimeter wall. The Devoted took off to find the source of the attack...Officer Copeland, we should-"

Jaynix moved closer, the women shrinking back.

"Which. Way."

The woman pointed and Jaynix took off immediately, ignoring everyone calling out for her attention. She was off Academy grounds moments later and looked up ahead to see smoke billowing in the distance.

Clenching her teeth she ran, faster than ever. She passed by all sorts of security and groups of Coalition officials no doubt trying to figure out what happened. Her mother was with the Devoted during the training, no doubt she went off with them too.

Reaching the scene, Jaynix once again ignored everyone trying to order her to stand down and ran right through the gaping hole in the wall and out into the Uncontrolled Districts. Her body should be burning, her legs should be tired, her lungs worn out but all she wanted to do was find her mother and kill those responsible.

Rest didn't matter. It could wait. She had a duty to fulfill.

Anytime she thought she felt some semblance of wear, she saw her father. Anytime she felt the smallest hint of doubt, she saw her sister.

She was doing this for them.

Outside of the Lawless' facility the Skelletons and Reapers watched as a massive explosion tore through the center of the building.

Eren quickly flew her Skell higher up to get a better visual on the damage but the flames, smoke and ash prevented her from seeing through without getting closer.

"Strategist!"

Recognizing the voice, Eren turned her attention to another Skell farther off. It was the Ares.

"Lieutenant? Is that you? What happened?"

"I'm not sure, I just got out. I've got the target with me and I'm heading back to Noah's Cradle, they need medical attention. Where are we on the reinforcements?"

Eren redirected her attention to the battle below, despite the destruction of half of their headquarters, the Lawless continued to fight on with no regards for their own lives.

Eren couldn't understand it. What was the point? What was the message they were sending? Was there even one?

Another call came through at that moment, Eren directing her Skell farther away from the combat to safely receive.

"Strategist."

"Nagi? The reinforcements-"

"Are on their way, I am with them as well. We should be arriving at the location in under twenty minutes. What's the situation over there?"

There was another explosion, Eren turning her attention to the enemy base as a tower of flames shot out of it once again.

"Hard to explain. Lao convinced many more people than we anticipated to join his cause. He has battalions of heavily armored Walkers as well as a slew of anti-Skell weaponry. At this point, two thirds of our Skells have been disabled if not more and the ground forces have been pushed back. We've lost half our fighting force on foot and they're still pushing...no matter how many we take out there are more."

Nagi mulled this over as Steven cut in.

"I've been able to disable several of the Walkers with my arrows but there are too many. What has become clear however is that most of them are automated. Same for the heavy artillery and other such weapons."

Nagi's silence stretched on before he started whispering to himself.

"Stealth technology and automated heavy weapons...none of this should be possible...where did they get the resources? The knowledge? It's almost as if…"

Eren looked back out over the battlefield, seeing everything that the Lawless have deployed in full.

"It's almost as if they'd been funded and supplied...by us."

Nagi took a deep breath before addressing the allied forces.

"We'll figure this out when the battle is over, for now have everyone take cover and hold out until we get there. How is the progress on the rest of the advance team?"

Irina cut in at that point.

"I've got the hostage and am en rout to Noah's Cradle. I'll be flying over your forces soon Nagi."

"And the rest of the team?"

"I left the Colonel, Agent and the General to deal with Torrez and Lao...the Corporal is also there."

Eren's eyes moved to the structure covered in flames.

"And Lao seems to have blown up his own base…"

Nagi took all these reports in, nodding to himself.

"We'll get the full picture when we get there. Stay safe."

"Yes sir."

Inside the ruined and burning building, Jaynix slowly got to her feet. Flames licked across every surface she could see as her eyes adjusted to the smoke and bright embers.

Searching herself she found that she still had her sidearm, her pistol. However she'd lost the grip on her blade during the explosion.

Drawing the pistol she began moving, Kumon, Elma and her wife were somewhere in this burning hell. As was her target, Lao.

Her eye searched her surroundings, the burning structures were similar to what was previously above her, leading her to realize she had fallen into one of the sublevels of the structure. Looking up past the towering flames and billowing smoke she could barely see the skies above.

Hearing something she flipped around and had her gun at the ready. Debris had fallen over but there was no one in sight.

Then she heard it.

A footstep.

Enraged, Jaynix swung back around, her fist going wide but making no contact. She then felt a fist strike her chest, the stealth camouflage fading away to reveal Lao in front of her.

Hate filling her body she screamed and swung back again, this time her fist made contact with his face and pushed him away.

Aiming her gun she fired, Lao quickly leaping away and vanishing. Her eye went to the ground, watching the dirt and rocks knocked out of place by his movements.

"Coward!"

She continued to fire in his direction, watching and waiting until the disturbances in the dirt began returning to her range.

The reload was soon, Jaynix quickly holstered her gun and bent her knees, holding her arm forward she caught him as his camouflage deactivated again. His fist struck her arm while his other hand drew a knife and went for a stab that she caught with her free hand.

The pair locked eyes, Jaynix roaring as she pulled her head back and slammed it into Lao, the man stumbled away as she leapt and delivered a fierce kick to his chest, throwing him to the ground.

Drawing her gun she fired on him as he vanished again, she heard a grunt of pain and saw drops of his blood hit the ruined floor.

Spinning about again, she took a deep breath. Her heart was hammering in her chest, everything was red. As hard as she tried, her breathing was uneven, desperate.

This was it. This was the moment she'd waited for.

She heard another sound and spun back around in time to see Elma stumble into the clearing. It was in that moment that everything became clear again, Jaynix felt herself take an easy breath before hearing something else.

Spinning back around she narrowly avoided a swing of Lao's javelin as he once again appeared from nowhere.

Elma made a move to join the fight as Lao tore the gun away from Jaynix's hand.

Leaping into the air, it was Lao's turn to kick Jaynix. His foot made contact with her face, throwing her to the dirt as he aimed her gun and fired on Elma. Weary from the explosion and Torrez's electrical attack she put everything into throwing herself to the side and avoiding the bullets.

Lao realized that the clip was empty after only two shots and cursed.

Landing he dropped the weapon and vanished from sight again.

"Jaynix!"

The Corporal slowly got to her feet again.

"I'm alright. Are you?"

"Not really...have you seen Kumon or Lyla?"

Jaynix shook her head as she retrieved her gun.

"No...they're here somewhere but Lao found me first. I didn't get a chance to search for them…"

Elma spotted something in the flames and bent down to retrieve it as Lao attacked Jaynix again. Emerging from cover, his javelin flashed, the bladed end cutting through the air and narrowly missing Jaynix.

Just as she grabbed the weapon's pole, Lao once again drew his knife, this time succeeding in stabbing Jaynix with it. Cursing, she held onto his weapon with all her might and slammed her knee into his torso.

The man gasped in shock as she pulled him closer, tearing the javelin from his grip and ramming her fist into his face. He once again vanished from sight as Jaynix tore the knife out of her.

"Catch!"

Jaynix turned as Elma threw her blade at her, the Corporal caught it with ease as Lao reappeared, this time near Elma.

Both of them were unarmed, Lao opening with a spinning kick. Elma brought her arms up to block the blow, the force pushing her back as he advanced on her and delivered strike after strike to her arms.

Roaring, Jaynix closed the distance between them, her blade cutting through the space Lao was once in. The man jumping out of reach.

Lao couldn't help but chuckle.

"Twelve years later...and here we are…"

Jaynix put an arm in front of Elma, stepping in front of the Colonel.

"I am sorry to say, Corporal Copeland. After all this time, you aren't my target. I suggest you leave the Colonel and I to talk…"

"Not gonna happen. You've stolen enough from me. I won't let you take her too."

Lao shook his head.

"You act like you have a choice…"

Lao reached behind and took the sniper rifle from his back, he then aimed the weapon away from Elma and Jaynix. Turning slightly, Jaynix checked to see if Kumon or Lyla had appeared, but they were alone.

"Last chance Corporal."

Her eye returned to Lao, anger fueling her, she closed the distance between them as Lao fired on nothing. Jaynix then heard something strange, she turned in the direction of the shot to see sparks flying along the surface of the wall.

Then there was a gasp from Elma. Skidding to a halt, Jaynix turned around to see Elma falling over, fluids springing out of her side from the bullet Lao had ricocheted off the wall.

"No."

She turned back as Lao leapt into the air and delivered a savage kick to Jaynix's face, throwing her back to the ground.

"What did I say Corporal?"

Lao reeled back and kicked her side. He then slammed his foot on her hand, causing her to lose grip on her blade.

Stepping over her, he approached the fallen Elma who looked up at him with rage unlike Jaynix's.

"What is this all for, Lao?"

He could only laugh.

"Now you want to talk."

He aimed his rifle at her as a shot rang out and clipped his arm, turning he spotted Lyla and Kumon who ran past her, holding his revolver out he fired on Lao who vanished once again.

"Kill them."

Six Lawless soldiers appeared in the once empty ruined chamber, weapons drawn they fired on Kumon who leapt aside, bullets cutting through arm and leg as he hid behind fallen rubble. He peered out to see Lyla doing the same.

"Shit. Corporal!"

Jaynix could only groan before Kumon called out for the Colonel. Her reply was even weaker.

"We've got to-"

There was a loud shot followed by the bouncing of a bullet, the round found its way into Kumon's torso the man gagging in shock as he bled through his uniform.

Jaynix looked to him from her spot on the ground, eye widening, she then looked over to Lyla who continued to emerge from cover and fire on the Lawless but to no avail.

"Lyla! Move!"

There was another shot, ricochets, and then Lyla went down as well.

Jaynix's heart froze.

Tightening her grip on her blade she rolled over and to her feet as the Lawless trained their weapons on her. Jaynix didn't care if they shot her to death, she'd welcome it as long as they all died as well.

Screaming in rage, she charged, one of the Lawless was disturbed by the sheer cry but the others all opened fire. Jaynix swerved to the right, bullets clipping her arm as she reached the wall, kicking off it, she closed the rest of the distance, slamming into one of the Lawless and throwing him to the ground.

Quickly she drew the knife she took from Lao and threw it, the blade striking a Lawless soldier in the chest. The other four fired on her as she leapt into the air, dropping something she'd taken from the first man.

One Lawless soldier saw the grenade and yelled as it fired. The first Lawless' body was blasted apart by the explosion while the rest were thrown off balance.

Jaynix landed, her blade flashing and severing a man's arm before sinking into his chest. He stared right in Jaynix's rage filled eyes as he died.

Tearing the blade out she took a shot to her leg and torso, screaming she tackled another man to the ground, taking his weapon from him and firing on the other three, who took cover immediately.

Jaynix took the knife from the man's chest and used it to slit his throat before standing again, breathing hard she welcomed the pain and drew her blade as she approached the other three who emerged from cover.

Hearing a step she swung back around, her blade flashing as Lao ducked under it. Jaynix's other hand drew the knife and attempted a follow up, Lao held his hand out, letting the knife cut through his palm.

A shot rang out, one of the Lawless' heads snapping back as he fell dead. Jaynix spotted Elma on her knees with one of her pistols.

Jaynix tore the knife from Lao's hand and spun back around, tossing the weapon into another Lawless as the last one fired on her, she felt the shots connect and fell to the ground as Elma fired again, killing another Lawless as the sole survivor pulled the knife out of his chest and threw it to the ground.

Elma attempted another shot only for her gun to click, in its place there was a different shot from the other side of the room. The last Lawless fell dead, Elma finding Lyla on the ground with her sniper.

Lao turned, his eyes moving from one of them to the other before landing on Jaynix, worn out at his feet.

Lyla prepared to fire again, Lao was faster, his round blasting her rifle to pieces before the barrel of his gun returned to Jaynix.
His eyes then moved to Elma.

"What's it going to be? Colonel."

Elma slowly got to her feet, exhausted as she was, she focused on the anger within and kept her gaze on Lao.

"You? Or her?"

Jaynix stood atop a ruined cliff, peering out over the Uncontrolled Districts she searched desperately for any sight of the soldiers and officers that took off after the people who hurt her father, her sister, her academy mates.

This brazen attack would not stand, she'd make sure of it. Her eyes finally focused on a large group of people not far off, they had come to a stop and seemed to be conversing with each other. Jaynix could only wonder if they caught up to and took care of the insurgents, if not she had to join with them now.

Leaping down from the cliff she began running once again, almost tripping over her own feet. Cursing, she continued on. She'd come this far, she had no intention of letting her exhaustion get the better of her now.

She was able to make out the combat gear of her Devoted instructors as well as the uniforms of her fellow Officers. In the midst of the group she was able to make out two different figures.

First was her mother, recognizable from behind due to her red hair much like Jaynix's own. At her side was Kumon's shadow. The Archer. The pair seemed to be discussing something with Commander Lao and his closest subordinate, Rueben Torrez.

If they were all together, no one could stand before them. A smile appeared on Jaynix's face as she called out for her mother.

Sonja turned to see Jaynix approaching, something flashed in her mother's eyes. The Archer yelled something out, stepping in front of Sonja and catching Torrez's hand in which he held a knife, barely stopping it before it made contact with Sonja.

Lao stepped back and raised his arm, Jaynix watched as the Devoted raised their weapons, the Officers too shocked to respond in time.

Jaynix screamed as they opened fire, the cries of the Officers filled the still air as they were executed by former allies. The Archer took that time to deliver a chop to Torrez's throat, the man choking as the knife was pried from his hands.

Sonja drew her blade and turned, Jaynix could see her mother as something new burned inside her eyes. At that moment, Jaynix lost sight of her mother only to find her far across the wasteland, her blade slicing through a Devoted soldier's torso.

The man screamed and fell to his as his intestines spilled out onto the ground. Sonja moved away from him, her blade a red flash as it cut through the limbs of anyone in its range. More terrified screams filled the air, arms and legs severed from their hosts, heads rolling across the ground.

At the same time the Archer made a move for Lao, the Commander avoiding his strikes as the Archer drew his bow and arrow, firing on Lao who continued to evade, widening the gap.

Jaynix knew that could only mean one thing. Sure enough, Lao was far enough away to draw his sniper rifle. The Archer saw this and began his retreat, Lao opening fire. The sound of his rounds cutting through the air and cutting through bodies.

More than half of the Officers were on the ground, dead or dying while the rest reached for fallen weapons and began fighting back.

Jaynix was close enough now, realizing in her rush she didn't take any weapons from the Academy, she could only curse. The fight was closer now, the Archer kept Lao's attention on him as Sonja carved through the traitors, all the while, Officer after Officer continued to drop dead.

Sliding along the ground, Jaynix picked up a fallen rifle and opened fire on the traitors from their blind spot.

The woman she shot through, screamed in pain and fell as her allies turned on Jaynix and opened fire.

Diving out of the way, Jaynix tried her best to find cover but aside from the pile of corpses, there was nowhere to hide.

Bullets pierced her, pain flooding her body, enraged she turned back around and continued to fire wildly. She didn't care what happened, she wanted them dead.

Another dropped from her assault before her gun was shot out of her hands.

Someone called out and got in front of her, firing only to get gunned down. The Officer fell back and on top of Jaynix as the Devoted returned their attention to the rest of their targets.

From beneath the body, Jaynix watched as her mother danced across the battlefield, terrifying and beautiful. Men and women screamed in pain, blood painting the ruined wastes as well as her mother.

That rage in Sonja's eyes, the gore that covered every inch of her. Jaynix never truly understood that namesake, but now, it was clear as day.

The Archer continued to fire on Lao, the master sniper shooting his arrows out of the air, one after the other with what seemed like little effort.

Cursing her fired one at the ground, the arrow exploding and sending, dirt, dust and debris into the air. Using it as cover, the Archer closed the distance between him and Lao, continuing his use of explosive arrows.

Jaynix pushed the body off of her and spotted a nearby blade. It wasn't as long as she would like but it would have to do. Grabbing it, she clipped it to her belt before reaching for several fallen pistols.

Standing again she opened fire, several Academy Officers gathering up near her.

Sonja turned from her massacre to see Jaynix standing among the Officers and fighting back. In that moment of clarity she wanted nothing more than to beg her to leave.

Hearing several reloads she resumed her motions, evading the enemies as they fired on her.

Lao raised his hand once again and the Archer watched, disturbed as laser sights appeared from far off, painting several of the Officers behind him.

He yelled for everyone to get down as shots rang out, heads bursting, Jaynix stepping back in shock as an Officer next to her was shot dead, brain matter and blood painting her face.

Another line of Devoted emerged and joined the battle, their numbers dwarfing the remaining few.

Sonja turned to the Archer and demanded he use a specific arrow. He seemed hesitant but went through with it, the arrow burst in the air high above and sent out a pulse.

Jaynix looked down to her guns as they locked up, the same happened to all the weapons on the battlefield. Realizing this, Jaynix dropped them and drew her blade, charging forward as a Devoted soldier tried to shoot her only to hear her gun click.

Jaynix ran her blade through the woman, pulling it out before following up with a slash to the throat. The Devoted drew their sabers and engaged.

The Archer turned his attention away from Lao and began focusing on picking off the snipers who were too far out of range of his pulse arrow.

Sonja took over and engaged Lao, her blade colliding with his sniper rifle, forcing the man back.

Jaynix screamed as she ripped through another traitor, then another and one more, blade cleaving their bodies open, leaving them to bleed out in the wilderness.

She turned to watch her fellow Officers, several holding their own but clearly outmatched by the Devoted's years of training.

Jaynix herself wasn't sure how many bullets she took, how many cuts made contact, she could feel nothing but the desire to kill. So she did.

The Archer took out one sniper after another, moving out of the way of their shots as best he could at the same time. Every round caused him to stagger, every shot wearing him down. But with Kumon absent, it was his duty to safeguard the Officers to the best of his ability.

Sonja pushed Lao far enough back until she leapt and kicked his rifle into his body, throwing him to the ground.

She stared down at him, anger in her eyes.

"This all...could've been avoided if you had just joined me…"

"You speak lies, Lao. I'd never be a party to that."

He chuckled.

"Lies. I had hoped you could see through the ones that cloud you and everyone else, Corporal Copeland."

"Even if what you said was the truth. I'd never turn on my brothers. My sisters. Humanity. Our job is to protect. To uphold. To guide. You swore that oath...you swore that oath on your very honor and the honor of your family."

Lao looked up to Sonja, his eyes reflecting a deep pain.

"My family…"

"Is this what Chairmane and Chenshi wanted for you? Lao?"

The man remained on the ground, silent. His eyes moved away from Sonja for a moment.

"You'd never understand."

There was a click before he aimed his rifle at her, a sonic wave fired off and threw her several feet away.

The woman coughed as she looked back at Lao, the man slowly getting to his feet.

"I prepared myself for the Archer's possible presence. His arrow didn't work on me."

Sonja got to her feet as Lao fired again, the blast throwing her farther across the wastes again.

"Don't you dare call on the names of my wife and daughter! You will never understand the depths of my pain! You will never feel this hollow loneliness!"

Sonja stood again after his third shot, breathing heavily as Lao turned his gaze away from Sonja once more.

"But maybe...you can…"

Fear gripped Sonja's heart, following Lao's gaze to Jaynix as he brought up his rifle. There was a click.

Her daughter. Her little spark.

She was too far from Lao to stop him.

So she ran, she called out her daughter's name.

Jaynix turned to see her mother approaching and the red light from Lao's rifle as a shot rang out.

The sound of a mechanical whirr began to fill the air. Elma felt the pain fade away as her body roared to life with new energy, a faint glow covering her from head to toe.

She saw in what seemed to be slow motion, Lao's finger begin to press the trigger.

Fueled by the power of Overdrive, Elma was almost instantly in front of Lao, her hand on his rifle, pulling it away from Jaynix as it fired, the shot missing completely.

There was realization in Lao's eyes as Elma wound her free hand back, balling it into a fist.

Enraged, she let loose a mighty cry and slammed her fist into Lao's chest. The man gagging in pain as his body was lifted off the ground and sailed through the air, slamming into the wall across the ruined chamber.

Elma knelt down, hand going to Jaynix's face. The woman looked up at her and smiled.

Standing, Elma extended her hand, Jaynix taking it, she helped her to her feet and spoke.

"Together."

The Corporal nodded.

"Together."

Lao stood, coughing before spitting blood onto the floor.

"The Overdrive prototype...you're desperate Colonel."

Elma took her blades out, handing one over to Jaynix, the pair shared a smile before she looked to Lao.

"Think what you will...for humanity, I'm prepared for anything."

"Don't preach to me about something you can't understand!"

Lao brought his sniper up and began firing in seemingly random directions. Elma watched closely, the rounds began to ricochet towards her and Jaynix, as well as into projected paths they'd take.

"Pardon me, Jaynix. Stay low."

Before Jaynix could question, Elma shoved her, Jaynix taken off guard by the power behind it. Following the Colonel's advice she rolled across the ground, shots striking all around her as she got up in a crouched position and ran towards Lao.

The man fired more shots towards Elma to keep her at bay, before placing his rifle along his back and moving out of the way of Jaynix's blade.

That same fury in her eyes from twelve years ago continued to burn. Lao reached for her arm, Jaynix stopping him with her free hand before delivering a slash along his torso, cutting through his suit and flesh with the tip of her blade.

Cursing he stepped closer and rammed his knee into her stomach before delivering a punch to the side of her head. Elma flashed in, her fist connecting with Lao's head and knocking him aside. With his back turned she leapt and kicked him to the ground.

As he rolled across the ruined floor he held his hand out, his javelin shooting across the chamber and returning to his grip. Elma charged him, her blade almost indiscernible. Lao fought back with his own bladed weapon, unlike before there were far less clashes. Lao's weapon missing almost all its marks while Elma's cut into him with relentless fury.

Among the many things Lao prepared for, he didn't imagine Elma using Overdrive at such a risky time, but on the off chance she did, there was only one thing he could do.

Lao went on the defensive and leapt back, looking to his side he saw Jaynix coming and had to make a call. Slamming his feet into the ground he skid to a halt and held his javelin up, catching Elma's strike as Jaynix cut through him once again.

Elma disengaged, allowing Lao to turn his attention back to Jaynix, blade and javelin striking in a deadly rhythm.

Lao struck Jaynix's blade with all the strength he could muster, knocking her off balance.

Any advantage he could take was gone the instant Elma reappeared in front of him, falling back he vanished into the air once more, Elma's blade narrowly missing him as he dove away.

Jaynix turned, keeping her eyes on the rest of the room, looking for any anomaly. Elma doing the same.

The pair heard a click and began to move as Lao started firing, his bullets bouncing off the walls and floors, headed for the Colonel and Corporal.

Elma was able to outmaneuver the strikes easily enough but Jaynix was thrown off balance and fell over. It was then that Lao realized what he could do and he felt foolish for not considering it immediately.

Elma watched Lao shift his focus exclusively to the fallen Jaynix and fired. Elma flashed over to her and swung her blade, slicing through every single one of his rounds before shooting forward. Lao narrowly avoided her blade, spinning out of range and vanishing.

Before he did, Elma grabbed the javelin off his person and threw it into the air, with a spin she cleaved the weapon in two. If she could destroy his rifle, there would be nothing he could do.

"Jaynix!"

Now standing she turned as Lao appeared, clenching her teeth she swung her blade, this time Lao caught her hand before delivering an open palm strike to her face. As she stumbled back he wrenched the blade from her hands and turned it on her.

Elma flew in and sliced her own weapon in two as well, Lao jutting the incomplete edge towards Jaynix, now lacking the range it didn't even scratch her as she stepped forward and slammed her fist into his chest.

Dropping the broken weapon, Lao brought his fists up and engaged Jaynix once again.

She caught his first strike, and in return he caught her follow up, the pair stood glaring at each other, each holding one of the other's fists in their grasp.

"I told you...you aren't my target."

"You seem awfully set on fighting me for that to be the case."

"Means to an end...you can still stand down."

Jaynix took a step forward, pushing Lao back with all her might.

"After what you did? The pain you inflicted on me? My mother? My father? My precious baby sister? You can't imagine the depths of the hate I hold for you."

Lao narrowed his eyes.

"I believe I do."

Jaynix roared as she pushed him back again, Elma charging in, her blade cutting through his flesh. Lao's strength left him, allowing Jaynix to free her hands and strike him in the face.

The man fell to the dirt before disappearing. Jaynix knew relying on her anger was the only thing keeping her standing, but she was getting more and more tired by the second.

She could see that Lao was relying on the same thing. It was a matter of time before they both went down and the battle was decided.

"Elma!"

The Colonel turned as Lao appeared once more and engaged her, much like Jaynix he grabbed her hand. Elma immediately dropped the blade to prevent Lao from using it, she went for his chest, Lao catching the fist but still feeling the force behind it.

"You can't win."

"I don't care."

Elma pulled Lao forward, the man stumbling away as she leapt into the air and kicked him in the back of the head. The power of Overdrive sending him sprawling to the ground.

As he rolled over she grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up. She'd never felt this way before and part of her knew the Overdrive was enhancing it, but she couldn't resist.

She rammed her fist into his face over and over before tossing him aside and striking his falling body, throwing it clear across the room and into a wall.

Elma was breathing heavily, the strain of the Overdrive making itself known. She glanced behind her to see Jaynix with her hands on her knees. Eyes returning to Lao she charged him again as he stood.

Man and woman struck, fists hitting each other's faces. The pair took one step back before following up the strikes again, hitting each other in the torso.

Lao went for another strike, fist grazing Elma's face as her arms secured themselves around his waist and lifted him up and over, throwing him to the ground behind her.

She wanted him to give up but at the same time, she wanted any excuse she could find to continue beating him down.

Now on top of him she raised her fist and struck his face, his head slamming into the ground. She raised her fist again as Lao drew a pistol.

Elma recognized it as one of her own that was strewn about the field, no doubt he picked it up while he was invisible. He aimed it, past Elma at Jaynix and fired.

"Jaynix!"

Elma grabbed the gun immediately the bullet piercing her palm, Jaynix falling over, narrowly avoiding the shot. Lao clenched his fist and slammed the side of Elma's face. As her hand lost its grip on the gun, he swung the weapon, striking her along the other side of her face.

Enough to get her off of him and back to his feet, he aimed at Jaynix again, who stood up and drew Elma's other pistol. There was a click, Jaynix realizing her gun was empty as Lao fired.

Elma was in front of Jaynix immediately, taking the bullet to her chest she gasped in shock and fell to her knees. Jaynix screaming her name.

Eyes wide Jaynix watched as Sonja's hand reached forward and ran along her cheek, her mother whispering.

"My little flame. Burn brightly."

As her mother fell to the ground, there was a devastatingly loud silence that follow before it was pierced by a loud, heartbroken scream.

Jaynix picked up her mother's blade, fury in her eyes and charged straight at the Devoted, taken off guard by her ferocity as she leapt at one of them, tackling them to the floor before stabbing the blade through their eye socket.

The Devoted turned and fired on her as she continued her charge. Screams of pain and terror filled the air as the new Bloodstained Corporal ripped everyone in her sight apart.

The Archer watched, even he was shaken by the brutality of Jaynix's massacre. Eviscerating every single person she set her sights on.

With all the weapons still disabled, all the Devoted could do to protect themselves was rely on their blades, Sonja's blade however cut them in pieces and then proceeded to rip through bodies with fearsome ease.

However, horror soon filled the Archer's eyes as Jaynix approached a pair of Devoted and Academy Officers. Far too quickly for him to react, her blade cut them all down.

The man yelled in panic and charged forward as Jaynix continued, killing not just the traitor but also her fellow officers in blind, heartbroken fury.

Blood of the innocents now staining her a grisly red, her eyes showing a terror no one could possibly comprehend.

Lao himself took several steps back, those who swore to join his mission were being wiped out by the Corporal's daughter in unrelenting fury.

He began to move forward when Torrez appeared and put a hand on his shoulder. The pair locked eyes, an entire conversation spoken in silence before nodding. Torrez took off into the night, Lao watching the massacre for several more moments.

He brought his rifle out, aiming at Jaynix when he saw something else in the scope. The Coalition's forces. If they got to him now, this would all have been worthless.

Cursing he turned and disappeared from sight.

Jaynix continued the relentless murder, every body dropping before her in pieces before strong arms took hold of her shoulders, the Archer calling out to her. Nothing he said registered, he was merely an obstacle.

Tearing away from his grip she turned to him, her blade ripping through his lower torso, the man could barely react as she tore the blade out of his side.

Grasping the wound he fell back, her blade slicing one of his legs open. She raised it again, only to have her attention pulled to several traitors attempting to escape. Quickly she fell upon them like an apex predator and ripped them to pieces.

The Archer could only watch in horror as the massacre came to an end with only Jaynix standing among the bodies. Slowly she moved through the corpses and fell to her knees before her mother.

Her hand reached out, brushing through her mother's hair. The tears she shed that night formed image of a young woman crying blood.

Jaynix screamed in rage, standing she charged at Lao who fired again, bullet piercing Jaynix's leg and forcing her to her knees.

Lao approached her as she looked at him, wanting nothing more than to kill him, she tried to will herself to her feet once again.

"I'm not doing this with you anymore Corporal."

Lao stepped behind her as she slowly stood. Bringing his arm up, Elma watched as he rammed his elbow into Jaynix's lower back.

The Corporal's eye widened in shock, a scream caught in her throat, dying out due to the sudden and intense sharp pain that shot throughout her entire body.

She felt that bullet pierce her back all over again as she fell to the floor, struggling to breath. Lao looked down on her, his gaze moving over to Elma.

"Both of the Bloodstained Corporals...and for what? You tell me, Colonel."

"Why this, Lao?"

He could only laugh.

"Now you want to talk? Now that it's over? Now that I've won?"

"You'll never win. Lao. Never."

Jaynix tried to stand again, Lao shaking his head as he stepped on her back, the woman crying out in pain.

"Lao! Stop! Not her. Please."

"Not. Her."

He shook his head.

"Elma. Tell me. Do you remember D-021?"

Elma's eyes were on Jaynix as Lao repeated the question, putting more pressure on the Corporal's back.

"D-021. Nantucket?"

Lao smiled and nodded.

"All the other megacities were so devoted to the construction of the ark ships. D-021 was a little different. Yes, they had an ark ship but the city itself was a center for entertainment. Fun. In a world gripped by an encroaching terror...it was a welcome change of pace…"

Elma tried to stand, the injury from Lao's shot prevented it as did his foot on Jaynix's back. She read the reports. With enough pressure in the right place, he could sever her spine.

"Chenshi always wanted to go...after all the work I couldn't help but do, Charmaine was in the same boat. It all came down to me."

He chuckled, something Elma hated. The man was standing on her best friend and he was laughing.

"I got held up so I told them to go ahead without me...I'd catch up. Easy."

He focused his gaze on Elma.

"You know what happened next. Colonel."

"Lao-"

"There was...an explosion...half of Nantucket was wiped out...including my Charmaine...and my Chenshi...I was left alone. A fool so dedicated to his job I didn't even deserve to die with my family."

Lao took a deep breath.

"...I was there not long after the destruction...what a peculiar sight. It seemed as if a perfect hole was carved into the Earth and everything in its place was just...removed. No rubble...no debris...no corpses...nothing...the Coalition told us it was an accident. The ECP backed them up...but that never sat right with me."

"You searched the crater…"

"I did! The Ark ship was moved to a different megacity to continue construction, the remaining population also migrated...the Coalition set up a blockade. Hiding their dirty little secret...my name carries enough weight, most of the guards didn't even question my presence. I snuck deep into the crater to find...a lab...a pristine, new, ECP lab underneath Nantucket. Why would that be there? What were they doing?"

"Lao-"

"From what I gathered. They were researching something very special. Something we as a species have no understanding of. Something...we shouldn't even have. Yet they did. The ECP was studying Dark Matter beneath Nantucket."

Lao watched Elma, he could see it in her eyes.

"Of course you knew. You knew...everything...as expected, someone made a mistake, and their little experiments led to half the city being wiped out and the entire incident being covered up...no justice for the dead. No justice for my wife or child...so I sought to take that justice for myself…"

Elma shook her head.

"Lao...what happened was a tragedy...but I was against it from the beginning. The ECP-"

The man put more pressure on Jaynix's back, the woman crying out again.

"Enough lies Elma. I won't let you. You've already lied to all of humanity...tell me…"

Jaynix's breathing grew desperate as Lao pressed down on her again, seeing discomfort in Elma's eyes.

"Did you even lie to Jaynix? To your best friend?"

"Lao I-"

"Did you?"

Lao took his foot off of Jaynix's back and drew his rifle. As Elma stood up again.

"You want me, Lao? Fine. Just don't hurt her. You've taken enough from her. Please."

Elma held her arms out, she had no weapons on her. Lao nodded slowly.

"Part of me thinks that's fair...another part feels that you should experience the pain that I have been living with for the last twelve years...no...longer than that…"

He gestured around the room.

"I don't know if you noticed...but there are no women in my service...not this time...I couldn't do it…"

He brought the end of his rifle to the back of Jaynix's head.

"If your pain is anywhere near as deep as mine, Corporal Copeland. You'll appreciate the freedom I'm about to give you."

Elma could think of nothing to do, even Overdrive wouldn't be fast enough at that range but she had to do something. So she ran.

A shot rang out, Lao stepping aside, his eyes moving to Kumon, the man clutching his injury, holding his revolver out.

"Jaynix!"

Lao turned his gun on Elma, his eyes moved to the voice, Lyla as the woman threw half a blade towards him. His finger tightened on the rifle's trigger as Jaynix's hand shot up and took hold of the broken blade.

Screaming she ran it clean through Lao's arm. The man roared in pain as she pulled it out, his flesh splitting open and the rifle falling from his grasp.

Overdrive active again, Elma closed the gap, taking hold of Lao she lifted him up and over slamming him into the ground once again. She felt her body burning up and redirected all the Overdrive currents into her leg as she kicked the man in the side, she felt his ribs snap as he was thrown across the ground and into a massive ruined pillar where he lay still.

Overdrive, fading, Elma almost fell over. Hand reaching out she held herself up against fallen debris. Catching her breath she slid down to the floor before looking to the Corporal.

"Jaynix...are you alright?"

Jaynix looked to Lao who was finally out of it and nodded.

"Yeah…"

Her eye then found Kumon who slumped back down, giving Jaynix a weak nod. Finally her gaze landed on her wife, a tired smile on her face.

Elma looked at the three of them before picking up a stray pistol. Mustering whatever strength she had left, she stood and walked towards Lao.

"I'm sorry for what happened Lao...but your pain doesn't justify what you've done. It never will."

The man spoke quietly.

"Can you justify what you're doing?"

"Saving humanity? I can."

He shook his head.

"They'll learn the truth...and you'll be seen as just as much of a monster as the Ganglion or the Ghosts…"

Elma brought the pistol up, locking eyes with Lao. Nagi had asked to bring him in alive if possible. She had every chance now, his ribs were broken, he could barely breath and Jaynix had maimed his dominant arm. He was defeated.

But all the destruction he rained down on everyone, on her and the people she cared about. Could she let him live? Even if he was to be tried and executed, she couldn't stand the idea of letting him move on after all the death.

"You orphaned...two brilliant, beautiful young girls…Jaynix was 21...and her sister Flame was 19 when you took their parents away from them. How could you ever justify that?"

Lao's eyes moved to Jaynix briefly then back to Elma.

"I don't. Unlike you. I accept what I am...what I've become...I've known since I started my mission that this would be where it ended…"

"Was it worth it? Truly?"

Lao thought for a moment.

"Ask me after I've done it again…"

Elma lowered the pistol. Taking a deep breath she thought of what to say. Only to find that there were no words left. Only action.

She looked to the pistol in her hand then to Lao once more. He let out a weak chuckle.

"Elma...go ahead and shoot…"

She watched him as he brought a hand to his chest.

"What's it gonna be? The chest? Or-"

A shot rang out, Lao's brain matter painting the pillar behind him, blood staining the floor as he fell limp.

Elma swung around to find Jaynix standing, Elma's very own gun in her grip.

Jaynix let her hand fall to her side, dropping the gun to the floor before she let the exhaustion take her and collapsed.

"Archer. Who else is here? Who else survived?"

A weak chuckle escaped the injured man.

"Survived? There was no...surviving what happened...sir. Everyone is dead…"

Kumon shook his head as medics arrived and began looking over Archer.

"...but...sir...there is...one…"

Kumon quickly looked up.

"Where!? Archer, where?"

The man was fading in and out of consciousness as the medics raised him up onto a stretcher.

"Archer!"

"One…"

Kumon leaned in as Archer whispered.

"...she's the only one who survived...there is a monster inside her...be careful...sir…"

There was a small gesture from his hand, suggesting a direction before he lost consciousness.

The medics talked amongst each other, continuing their procedures as Kumon headed off where Steven had directed him.

Walking through the corpses and the remains, Kumon continued, a faint sense of desperation building inside until he saw her.

Despite being stained by blood and entrails, Kumon knew exactly who it was.

The General stood in place as several other rescue officers approached him. They saw the figure and began to move forward only for him to raise his arm. They all froze in place.

Kumon approached on his own, his team wary as he neared her.

Slowly he knelt down next to them and spoke as softly as he could.

"Jaynix. It's me. Hideo."

The lone figure turned to him, face also covered in blood, eyes hollow, devoid of emotion.

"Mom…"

Kumon felt his heart freeze. Tears falling as he forced himself to look down and see Sonja's body. He couldn't choke back the sob that forced its way out. Bringing a hand to his face he did his best to compose himself.

This one day had exacted too great of a toll. He wished nothing more than to trade places with Sonja and Maxwell.

Doing his best to exude the strength he knew Jaynix needed to see he stood up and held his hand out to her.

"Your sister needs you, Jaynix."

The young woman stared at his hand as he spoke the words.

"Flame is only safe...if you're there. Everyone will be safer with you there...Jaynix."

Her eyes moved to his face, the sadness and pain evident in his expression. Slowly she took hold of his hand, allowing him to help her to her feet.

She stood there, and he watched as the life returned to her eyes. The emotion.

One tear fell.

"My mom...she...protected me...my mom...she's-"

Kumon embraced her as she began crying, bloody tears rolled down her cheeks. The silence of the night broken by the wails of a young woman who'd just lost her parents. Her guiding lights.

Kumon felt himself began to weep, as hard as he tried to hold it back, the tears continued to fall. His knees as well were threatening to give out. The man wanted nothing more than to collapse and cry with her.

But he needed to be strong.

He had to be.

Closing his eyes he swore to Sonja. He swore to Maxwell. He swore to Jaynix, to Flame and to himself that he'd do everything in his power to protect them.

No matter the cost.