6 August 2024

6:42 A.M EDT

Norfolk, Virginia, United States

Seconds pass, and a major explosion above the ground spreads the street. Concrete cannonballing into the water and popping noise in the immediate area. Buildings behind them wrecked beyond their belief. The comrades spaced from the projectile to avoid the immediate impact.

"Good thinking! Jara, Zeli."

"There's most likely a forty milimetre grenade launcher!"

Zelislav lifts above Jaraslav's head, face to face with a mounted cannon controlled by an individual with a face hidden by a helmet with a dark visor covering the eyes. Unconcealing his M9 as he aligns the iron sights dead at the barrel.

"You're gonna kill us!"

"Dvina! If we aren't gonna die, how are we gonna get past that vehicle and force it away?!"

"Jara, do you have an idea that might work?"

"Talk them out!"

Jaraslav backs away from Dvinaslav, Drahoslav, and Zelislav. Readying his voice to speak more towards the group of people. But instead of speaking seriously, he breaks into song.

"Hey hey hey, what's the-meaning of-this?"

"Whoa whoa whoa, why shoot-a-grenade?"

"We were just trying to relax. Before we go on our way elsewhere."

"Do you know, you're breaking-the-law."

"By by by, attacking us with bombs."

"You you you, should stop attacking us."

"And explain why you're doing this."

"It's not… We're following the law."

"This is called assault. We play to its flaw."

"Self defence clause, need for deadly force."

"We can use it now, I suggest you give up."

Inside, the driver opens the door, only in a conventional uniform for a defense company with no helmet. A holstered sidearm visible to the entourage. Speaking up in a squeaky male voice towards Drahoslav.

"A-Are you sure you won't hurt us..?"

"We have no right to harm, for whoever is being forced to break the law because their employer has a grudge with no justification to use force."

The driver comes closer to Drahoslav, forcing his head against the Slovak's chest, "Hans… What'll happen in the event he finds out I did this~"

A named individual Drahoslav was aware of, he'd blank out for a moment, before speaking, "Hans… What does he do here?"

"S-Security supervisor for the armory…"

Drahoslav sways his hands over the driver. Staring towards his shoes before closing his eyes.

"This has got a whole lot harder. I cannot gauge how skilled he is, but he must be intelligent or is acting under Gabriel's orders." he thought.

Dvinaslav caught wind of his words, "Draho, something's filling your mind?"

"About who might be behind this crap."

He'd look at Dvinaslav to address her concern. Afterward giving the driver a look again.

"W-What are you guys gonna do…"

"We have evidence that what Gabriel is doing as a whole is illegal, we have video footage and testimony of his crimes."

"T-The B-B-Boss? C-Committing crime?"

"Correct, now who told you to try and kill us with a grenade launcher?"

"Hans…"

Out of the blue, the main gunner jumps from the vehicle, scoring a decent landing on his feet. In the same uniform as the driver however with necessary additions for the job. Staring the two before wording the explained reason coherently and straightforwardly.

"A driver reported the spotting of five individuals and said they were nearby. So he sent us here and contacted CTO Miller."

"So that's why you guys are trying to kill us?"

"He ordered that those five to be killed. But, like Hamilton yonder," the gunner points to the driver, named Hamilton, "I don't believe that we should commit attempted murder, vandalism, or causing a ruse because our overseer and our boss tell us to."

Jaraslav walks towards then, his head leaning towards the sky.

"What can we do, Draho? How can we free these military contractors from the sin of having to kill others because their job is at stake pathetically?"

"It's rare to see you speak this seriously, Jara."

He lowers his head, as he stares at his eyes, "That man, he's beyond horrible. We can't be diplomatic about this, now that he's sending deadly individuals illegally to try and take us out."

Zelislav nods so do Dvinaslav and Stanislav. From his turn, he faces Jaraslav with his eyes and nods too.

"We have no choice, we have to fight," Drahoslav said as he turns towards Hamilton and the gunner, "Is Gabriel on his way? And what's your name?"

"Considering what been's said, possibly. And it's Roosevelt."

"Alright, can two of you protect Stanislav and sacrifice your weapons so we may use them?"

"You four m-may..."

After the words, Hamilton signals the other people inside the vehicle to emerge. Holding in their hands HK33 assault rifles. Eventually handing them over to the comrades. Intercepted when Drahoslav signals his hand. Several magazines for the guns within a sandy black satchel.

"Give Dvina, Jara, and Zeli the rifles," he points to the longer-haired male and his accomplice on his left and the yellow-haired girl on his right.

As he instructed, the larger guns were passed to Dvinaslav and Jaraslav. Their hands gripping on the weaponry like trained soldiers. Meanwhile, Drahoslav bypasses the jeep through opening the doors and entering. Pulling the dual M9's he had to his hands, joined by his three able comrades by his side after he got out.

Zelislav unhitches the safety to his weapon, looking towards his two.

"Expect heavy resistance. A recommended action would be to locate the truck and steal weapons from it."

Jaraslav stares and smirks at his buddy. His long hair tailing across the wind in the shape of a jet flame. Two-story buildings stretch his vision on approach for the armory within the city. Slowly opening the direction.

Dvinaslav sprinted in front of the other three as her legs slant, ducking her torso close to the ground. Releasing the tension in her metal grinding kick. Busting the conventional lock restricting access to civilian nonessential vehicles.

Insight past the checkpoint, an open gray compound with a barbed fence and concrete walls, adjacent to an administrative building. People with guns, familiar to the jeep crew however in sturdier armor fit for contractors and security details.

"Fifty metres left! Let's give them bullets!"

"Truck trailer is twelve metres at the intake block."

"I'm with you, Jara!"

"Dvina, Zeli, provide covering fire. Jara, come with me to the trailer."

Drahoslav ran harder while he made his pace against a sturdy barrier. Chips of the concrete broken off due to whistling tracer rounds missing their mark. More volleys of precise firepower following shortly. Another round of shots set for his head about to come until a part of his shoe sacrificed it's attachment, shielding Drahoslav from certain death.

Following the incapacitation of the guard targeting him, the shoe the only one to see hardship, Drahoslav and Jaraslav continued their advance. Pointing his right gun sideways while he pressed the trigger, flattening one of the truck's tires. Followed shortly with another flash of his left M9, aimed upright this time, and a man spewed blood, confirmation of a hit or death.

Drahoslav's one-two firing quickly sets off Jaraslav heading for the truck's partially extracted armory directly. Eyeing the blue ropey flames surrounding one end of the trailer and flinging Drahoslav onto the top. Hollering to the purpled and black-haired comrade.

"Draho, what shit do you want!"

"Two SMG's, and hand over some incendiaries!"

"Can you ask Dvina and Zeli to come over after?!"

"I can do that! But in exchange, give the wall some hell?"

"DEFINITELY!" Jaraslav replied with a grin easily mistaken for a psychopath, "Two SMG's comin' up!"

Jaraslav, as much of a madman he shows himself to be, was still a comrade. And for good reason, he'd quickly investigate smaller shelves for SMGs, and coming by the largest light machine gun in the room. However, seeing two sets of Brügger and Thomet MP9 submachine guns made him smirk. Picking the two up and throwing them into the air.

"DRAHO! I GOT YOUR GUNS!"

Drahoslav followed the wonky trajectory of the weaponry. Smiling, his hands let go of the M9's as he jumped into the air and held both of the new MP9's. Staring at Jaraslav from above.

"One more thing, Draho."

"What is it?"

"I need Dvina's help to give hell."

"Alrighty, if that's the case, stay put and ready to go. We're going to regroup and discuss our plans to getting through to the compound."

Jaraslav nods, sitting inside the trailer to stay cool. Watching Drahoslav drop feet first on the ramp, large screeching followed.

6:55 A.M EDT

Glowgen Armory Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia

Administrative Building

A standard office space, with a generally usable desk with computer, USB charger for phone, photos, seats, and the centerpiece that attracted the attention of most individuals who enter, a dual pointed techno spear, white and red across its body with elaborate zigzags trims at the heads.

An individual, a male, with shaggy hair covering his eyes and typing keys hard on his laptop, helmet right beside and in uniform, continued work. Regardless of the situation and gunpowder entering the window cracked a tad. The corner of his eye discovering a worker within security arriving inside.

"Security head Hans, we have an escalating situation."

Hans cracks his fingers, looking from his computer, "What is it? The breach?"

"It's gotten worse, the intruders have created a choke point surrounding the mobile armory shipment."

"I thought CTO Miller is now directly under control through his location."

"CTO Representative Fuku has transmitted an order. Until mister Miller arrives, the chief of security of the armory in Norfolk is the overall commander of resources and personnel."

Hans stood up, walking across his limited office.

"What's our casualty numbers so far?"

"Twelve dead, twenty injured. All contained with the security detail."

"That's about seventy-five percent of our security out of commission."

"Would you like to issue any orders, sir?"

Hans sat at one of two visitor seats within his office, "Have a seat, we have things I'd wish to discuss, Arnold."

"Very well," Arnold sat in the corresponding seat parallel to Hans'. Tilting it around per his.

"I would like a brief rundown on what occurred so far."

"At O-six-four-two, two minutes after mister Miller was alerted of five individuals within their mid to late teens in the vicinity of the armory, a light recon vehicle was sent to eliminate them. No word has been spoken. However, the detail assumes it was unsuccessful. As the outer checkpoint was breached at o-six-four-four. Another report arrives several seconds later as a shootout began. The perpetrators utilized tactics similar to those used in proper military, indicating they have some knowledge or training."

"Current situation?"

"Right now, the entirety of the security detail has been mobilized and was split into two groups. and due to the emergence of the chokehold near the trailer, we've been unable to make an advance without endangering our new equipment or risking losing our entire detail."

"Could they just rain a bullet hell upon them?"

"A sniper is present. Also, a machine gun is in use. And due to the trailer's angle, the effective use of guard tower snipers is mitigated and forces our boots on the field into one direction that's easily defendable on their side. Even when we hold chances, their tactics were irregular."

"Why didn't we eliminate them earlier?"

"As said, irregular tactics and utilization of knowledge advanced for their age."

Hans sighed and looked down, his thumb coming over his forehead, "These are my two present orders, all combat-capable personnel in the administrative arm of the armory is to suit up, get armed, and gather within the compound and take defensive positions, in the event they breach the interior wall and/or checkpoint and reach into the compound. Also, give CTO Miller a call and notify him about the situation."

6:58 A.M EDT

Glowgen Armory Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia

Exterior Zone

Retreated into the trailer, Drahoslav, Dvinaslav, and Zelislav held behind Jaraslav, prone and hand on the trigger of a Kord machine gun. Right beside him, Dvinaslav keeps tabs on the ammunition belts it required to work the gun efficiently. Zelislav in possession of an M2010 sniper rifle, on a foot and a knee at the back and looking through. Drahoslav maintained his distance, but his eye out for spread Glowgen security guards.

"They've cornered us, we don't have time, we can't sustain a siege. We have to do something. Any ideas?"

Jaraslav looked away, certain Dvinaslav would watch his back.

"It'll make us vulnerable and opens a weak point if we exit unconventionally."

The mess of gun smoke fills the nostrils of Zelislav's nose, keeping overwatch until he notices a guard tower pointing a rifle. Met with a countershot that collapses a section of the specific tower.

"We've almost got ourselves sniped."

Dvinaslav looks to Drahoslav, as Jaraslav looked away.

"They have the advantage, they could flood us with bullets by now or earlier."

"It's difficult to say, but there's a high possibility that we could be in for a nasty surprise when we make a move. So we have to be careful and plan this carefully."

"Agreed, but we have access to several weapon shelves without exposing ourselves into the open."

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

"Any ideas?"

"We'll need to employ a mix of deceiving our enemies into making a close-range attempt, overwhelming firepower, and demoralisation."

"There might be a few problems with that. They might bring in calvary. Let alone, they can call for reinforcements if they require."

"Jara, let's see that crazy head of yours go to work. What kind of plan would work at a time like this?"

"The illusion," Jaraslav lets go of the Kord and sways his hand across. Following up with his voice descending into psychosis, "Of more force than they expect. Carpet bombard them with grenades, RPG's setting their flesh on fire! Watch their guns melt and burst! Explosives lobbed from the dark!"

Drahoslav slows for a moment, dropping his MP9's while dragging a box full of explosives, "As insane as you put it and how loud and destructive that plan implies, I like the sound."

Dvinaslav interrupts, tapping her hand on his shoulder. Receiving his attention.

"What is it?"

"Why are we continuing?"

"Payback, for what Glowgen has done to that crew and to use directly. As well as their customers."

"If so, how are we going to break through this wall?"

"Break a big fucking hole in the wall."

"Explosives too?"

"And HMG bullets."

"What about throwing grenades over the wall?!"

"Hell yes!" Drahoslav, Dvinaslav, and Zelislav shout back.

"Time to spill blood?" asked from Zelislav.

"Yes."

A silence ensues. Nothing further being spoken from the four comrades, besides preparation for what's to happen in the near and long term. Drahoslav taking a moment, pulling his hand against his MP9's and handed on their handles.

"If you guys are thinking about the legal repercussions of our actions, I understand. But remember, we have gained at least two allies in the event we are sued or arrested. The information we stole, we've held proper reason to possess them, and we'll gather more evidence of wrongdoing by the courts. Our story might even get the President of the United States to pardon us if we're lucky."

Jaraslav returns to the Kord, lead locked, and loaded with Dvinaslav ready to assist when it was ready to go.

"So we don't worry about it?"

"Exactly, Jara. We might be arrested or a target of the system, however, if we can attack Glowgen in another sub-national entity of the United States, it'd become a federal issue. And we'd have a better chance of keeping our freedom and ability to justify our actions."

"Are you suggesting national attention?"

"In the way that you put it Dvina, no. There is a reason we need it. But now, get ready to throw gunpowder!"

"Hell yeah," Jaraslav said, using both hands to pick two grenades and their pins near his mouth.

7:04 A.M EDT

Glowgen Armory Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia

Outer Boundaries

Concurrent with the ongoing firefight and crises within the exterior zone of the complex and within the administrative building. Hamilton and Roosevelt stood beside Stanislav while his person slouches in his wheelchair with the blank expression in his dark blue eyes.

Hamilton looks over, "You're quiet…"

Roosevelt remains stoic, his arms crossed, while Stanislav doesn't respond much. Meanwhile, several explosions filled the air. Making a flinch from the crippled comrade, but nothing more.

"Those four are going hard as a train. Is this person in a wheelchair a part of this group?"

Stanislav made a mumble, "Mmh…"

Roosevelt looks at Stanislav again, "What was that?"

He looks back, nodding slightly. No extra words were spoken while he watched the ocean.

"How did you get in a wheelchair?"

"I prefer not to talk about it."

"U-Understandable, b-but you should talk more…" Hamilton backs away, catching Stanislav's deadpan gaze.

"Don't force it out of him. There is some things best-kept secret unless under specific circumstances."

Another explosion comes out, drawing Stanislav's attention away.

"But, he seems to act cognitively competent. He isn't completely soulless, he has opinions, I guess."

"Do you have stuff you want to keep as a secret?"

"Of course I do, Roosevelt. You do too. Such as the offensive jokes about Russian nukes and Azure Lane ships."

From Stanislav, he looks down, and snuffs, chuckling.

"Oh, he listened."

"Y-Yay…"

Stanislav becomes quiet yet again, his eyes became closed. Deciding to speak yet again, towards them.

"Why are you interested in talking to me?"