(updated 12-22-2020)

CHAPTER NINETEEN
Breaking News

"Preserved, as one of many memorial sites, is the Haydonite organic processing facility at Rockville, Maryland. Of the over 60,000 people taken into the facility, only 5,000 were still alive when Alliance forces stormed it. At the center of the facility in the barracks area, sits a sculpture which makes Rockville different from other memorial sites. The life-size sculpture, inspired by actual events, is a stunning example of Spherisian artisans using crystals from their homeworld. The memorial features a large female Karbarran wearing body armor. With a bloody paw print plastered on her chest armor, the Gunnery Sergeant is striking a defiant stance, baring her teeth with her face snarling in anger and defiance. She is cradling and aiming her assault rifle with one arm. Her free arm is reaching behind to make sure that two small human children, cowering on the ground, are behind her, placing her body between them and the unseen enemy. It is a perfect universal symbol of a mother protecting her children… the strong protecting the weak and innocence. In the waning light of sunset, the sun's rays strike the crystal and the memorial takes on a more lifelike quality. This memorial has become a place of pilgrimage for all newly commissioned Alliance Marine Corps officers and NCOs to visit…"

— excerpt from "A Galaxy at War: The Haydonite-Alliance War"

oOoOo

Emma Michaels found it hard to focus on her job, waiting to begin her live broadcast from the Arcadia's War Room. This was old hat to her by now… just another broadcast covering the liberation of a Haydonite-occupied planet. This time it was different. A world of emotions weighed on her, threatening to crush her under their weight.

When she left Earth on the Arcadia, she'd been an almost unknown TV reporter. She was grabbing the career opportunity of a lifetime to see and record things no human—at least no human from her world—had ever seen. It had been all that and more.

After several years of covering and broadcasting reports on the war against the Haydonites, she'd become a familiar and popular face to the races of the Alliance. She'd also helped to create a news broadcast service which reached every corner of Alliance space.

Yet, what weighed on her was more than any pre-show nerves or jitters about returning to Earth. It was the news of Admiral Coleiro's death that weighed on her. She realized everyone was struggling with his death, but for her it was a deeper and more personal loss.

She'd always known Paul loved Faith, but that never dissuaded or stopped her from falling in love with him. A part of her realized the reason she loved him was because he was this larger-than-life character—the classic hero fighting to save everyone.

Her attraction to him predated the Arcadia leaving Earth, and during those early days of the expedition, she had gone after him hard. Each time, he politely rebuffed her advances. They kept a formal cordial working relationship, but this did nothing but stoke her attraction for him, finding herself drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

Upon reaching Tirol and the war with the Haydonites starting, Emma found herself engulfed in more work and even greater opportunities and responsibilities. It soon became obvious that pursuing Paul was a lost cause, and it was time to move along with her life. She threw herself into her work, burying her unrequited feelings in her job.

Even though their paths still crossed, it wasn't until the establishment of the fledgling Alliance News Service that they found themselves working in close quarters.

Despite Emma's best efforts, her old feelings for Paul surfaced again. The time they spent working together only deepened her feelings and desire for him.

It hadn't been as if they planned for it to happen. The memories of that one weekend lingered and haunted her, being everything and more than she'd ever fantasied about. Even then, she realized Paul wasn't over Faith.

There was the temptation to become bitter and lash out with having glimpsed and touched something she'd always desired. Yet, Paul somehow read the situation, and they ended up becoming close friends.

Now having finally reconciled her feelings, Emma now looked forward to just spending time with Paul. Those times when their paths would cross, they would sit and have coffee, talking for hours. He started using her as a sounding board, getting her opinion on Alliance political issues or problems. He wanted an outsider's viewpoint on what was happening in the Alliance.

For Emma, she loved talking to Paul about her work and travels around the Alliance. He was an outlet for her to talk about her successes and frustrations. While she still harbored lingering desires for him, the war, her work and distance kept them in check.

Now he was dead, and she struggled to keep her emotions from overwhelming her. General Coulson was expecting her to do a live broadcast to Earth. She was aware of the twofold importance of this broadcast.

The first part was obvious, informing the people that the Arcadia had returned and Earth wasn't alone. The second part was to tell everyone that there was a new power in town and prepare the ground for Earth to join the Alliance.

General Coulson and Paul had briefed her on what was happening behind the scenes on Earth. It was difficult to grasp at first about The First Evil, demons, vampires and the threat from Vice-President—now President—Kinsey. Yet, the evidence they presented was more than enough to make her a convert.

Her cameraman spoke, interrupting her thoughts, "Five minutes, Emma," he said, eyeing her with concern.

It took her a moment to realize what he was talking about as she struggled with the pain and emptiness, "Huh? Yeah, right," she muttered.

The cameraman kept eyeing her, "You going to be able to do this?"

Emma stared at her cameraman, her mind racing, recalling her times with Paul. She took a deep breath, clearing her mind to focus on what she needed to do.

I need to do this for Paul…

"Yeah," she said, taking another deep breath, noting her cameraman's relieved expression.

"We patched in to the satellite uplinks planet-side?"

The cameraman nodded, "Yup, I talked to all the networks in New York myself to arrange it. It will go out on all feeds. The ship's communication staff has everything ready on their end. We're all set to go."

"I've would have loved to have seen their faces when you called them," Emma said, giving her cameraman a knowing smirk.

The cameraman laughed, recalling the responses from the network people down on the planet when he contacted them.

A worried thought struck Emma, "Are all the other reporting teams ready? They need to—"

"Emma… Relax… Everyone knows what to do. You trained them yourself. They'll do the job," the cameraman said, cutting her off before her worry distracted her.

Emma nodded, pushing her worries and feelings down. She needed to focus on her job.

I need to do this for Paul… for everyone!

Her cameraman gave her the signal they were about to begin the broadcast. She took another deep breath.

"We go live in… Five… Four…" he trailed off, switching to a hand signal countdown.

Emma saw the red light on the camera go on. For a second she froze as her emotions threatened to erupt. Her training and professionalism let her recover to push them down so she could continue. Her mind quickly refocused on what she would say to the planet.

"This is Emma Michaels… I'm reporting live from the cruiser Arcadia in orbit above the planet…"

oOoOo

Andrew flipped through the TV channels, desperately trying to find any news about what was happening in Texas and around the planet.

The multitude of extreme bright flashes in the daytime sky boded ominous signs that had him keeping a wary eye on the skies. A few vague reports from local news broadcasts provided little help other than reaffirming a major clash between US military forces and the aliens was occurring somewhere in Texas.

Andrew tried another channel, again only getting another news anchor droning on, trying to fill airtime with nothing new to report.

"There are unconfirmed reports that besides Texas, other military units across the country are moving to engage alien ground forces. All military bases in the local area are in lockdown condition. There are reports of a constant stream of transport aircraft flying in and out of Peterson Air Force Base. We have no information regarding the reports of bright flashes in the sky. Daylight conditions make it hard for observatory telescopes to see what is occurring. The Governor is asking all citizens to remain calm and to stay at home. He has stated the National Guard will be—"

The News Anchor suddenly paused, his face taking on a shocked expression, which didn't reassure Andrew.

"Y-You're kidding? Y-You sure about this?" the news anchor stammered, talking to someone off camera, suddenly forgetting he was still broadcasting live. It took a moment for the anchor to regain his composure.

"Uh, l-ladies and gentlemen… I've just received word that we have our satellite uplink back. We are getting reports of an important breaking news development. S-So I guess we're switching live to New York…"

A mix of anticipation and dread gripped Andrew. He didn't know what to expect as the TV signal distorted before coming into focus. The woman's face filling the TV screen caught him by surprise.

"This is Emma Michaels… I'm reporting live from the cruiser Arcadia in orbit above the planet…"

Andrew stared at the TV in disbelief, not hearing another word the woman was saying. Time froze while he tried figuring out if he was awake or dreaming. Time snapped back into focus, his heart racing as he found his voice.

"G-GILES! GET IN HERE, QUICK!"

oOoOo

Giles stood at the kitchen sink, staring out the window, sipping his drink. Even though he was currently staring at the trees swaying in the late afternoon breeze, his mind was a million miles away.

He finally noticed his empty glass, breaking his staring long enough to reach for the bottle of scotch next to the sink. He briefly toyed with just skipping the glass and drinking straight from the bottle, but he knew he wasn't to that point yet.

Maybe later, he thought, pouring himself another drink, and then taking a long gulp.

The warmth of the alcohol hit and he took some momentary comfort from it. That comfort faded quickly. He knew all the scotch in existence wouldn't get rid of the ache and worry weighing on him.

When the first reports of fighting in Texas came in, his usual calm British demeanor was in place. That facade took a beating as more hours passed with no news or contact from Buffy, Riley or Faith.

With the limited news reports, which were no better than rumors and supposition, the more his frustration and helplessness grew. He found himself second guessing his decisions, wishing he'd gone with them.

His thoughts turned to Buffy, regretting he hadn't told her more often of how proud he was of her, and how important she was to him. Andrew's yelling from the living room interrupted his melancholy musings.

Giles sighed, deciding to ignore him. He took another swig of his drink, resuming his staring vigil.

"GILES! YOU HAVE TO COME SEE THIS!"

"No, I bloody don't…" Giles muttered, taking another sip to finish his drink. As he refilled his glass, he tried to remember if he had another bottle around the house.

I think there's one in—

"RUPERT! GET YOUR LIMEY ASS IN HERE NOW!"

Giles blinked in surprise at Andrew's tone and words. Another sigh escaped him, realizing that Andrew wouldn't leave him alone. Giles shuffled back to the living room, dreading what news awaited him.

Giles's expectations and reality were in stark contrast as upon entering the living room, Andrew was immediately in his face. The young man was babbling so fast that Giles—in his slightly alcohol-induced state—couldn't make out a word he was saying.

Before he could react, Andrew was dragging him towards the TV. A woman was talking on the screen, but Giles thought nothing about at first… then it clicked.

The first thing he noticed was the strange outfit she was wearing. Then he noted what was happening in the background and a sense of familiarity grabbed at him. Andrew was still shouting that he barely make out a word she was saying. It was clear to Giles that Andrew had lost all leave of his senses as the younger man bounced around the room cheering wildly. Whatever the woman was saying, it was important. Besides giving him a headache, he needed to hear what the woman was saying.

"Andrew, please!"

Andrew ignored him, continuing his mad dance and jumping around the room. Giles strained to listen to what the woman was saying.

"General Coulson just informed me the first wave of assault ships carrying the 1st Brigade of the Alliance's 6th Marine Division has landed! Lead elements have landed at Andrews Air Force base outside of Washington. The second wave of assault dropships has begun their re-entry to take their landing zone in Europe…"

Giles stared at the TV in shock at the mention of General Coulson's name. His mind raced, trying to grasp what he was hearing.

T-That m-means… T-They've come back?

"I-It's t-them… It's really them!" Giles muttered, still shaking off his disbelief.

Andrew didn't hold back his feelings, coming up and wrapping his arms tightly around the Watcher in an enormous hug. The younger man was swinging Giles around in his grasp while he screamed and whooped.

"IT'S THE ARCADIA! THEY CAME BACK!"

Giles was numb with shock, ignoring Andrew as he broke the younger man's grasp. He moved back to the TV, turning up the volume.

"General Coulson and General McLean have asked all local military forces to provide aid and assistance in the liberation of Earth from the Haydonites. I can also now notify all our viewers that two more Marine divisions along with fleet and ground support units are on route from Tirol to reinforce us…"

Giles was happy yet confused. He didn't know what this 'Alliance' was. From what he remembered, there was no way the Arcadia's expedition had the ships and personnel to wage this size of attack. Almost as if on cue, the woman continued.

"I know some of you are wondering what the Alliance is. It is a grouping of different species the Arcadia Expedition has helped free from Haydonite control. We have joined together and have been waging a long war against them," the woman paused, trying to compose herself before continuing.

"I've just received word that one of our crews attached to the 1st Brigade is reporting in. We'll be switching over live to our reporter at Andrews Air Force base… Selu, can you hear me?"

Giles and Andrew were both caught up in the news report as the screen turned black for a moment. When it came back, there was a human-looking man wearing body armor. A hive of activity buzzed behind the reporter while spacecraft, coming into land, filled the sky.

"Yes, Emma, I can hear you. I want to confirm the 1st Marine Brigade has landed. With the help of local military forces, they are working to secure the landing zone… Can we get a picture of that?"

The camera turned and panned, showing viewers more of the activity taking place on the tarmac. Strange looking vehicles were unloading from large spaceships. While a stunned Giles watched, 'alien' troops disembarked from transports, forming up into their units.

The entire scene looked as if it was an alien invasion from a science-fiction movie. There were huge bear-like creatures, mixed with fox-like ones. At least there was a large mix of people that looked human. He noted that some of the women looked bigger and stronger, and some of the humans—like the male reporter—appeared slightly "different".

All the creatures were heavily armed and wearing body armor. He noted the US military personnel eagerly helping with operations as the camera swung back to the reporter.

"Emma, I've been told that lead elements, composed of armored infantry, Hovertanks and Destroids are moving forward to engage Haydonite forces. I received a quick briefing from General McLean when we landed. He informed me there is a major Haydonite installation on the outskirts of Washington. His plan is to neutralize that base and I quote 'remove those Haydonite bastards from existence' end quote…"

"Selu, have you encountered any resistance from Haydonite forces?"

"Not when we landed, Emma. There were tense moments with the local military not knowing what to make of us. As you can see, everyone is now working to make sure all dropships and transports are unloaded and we establish a defensive perimeter. From previous experience, we know we should expect—"

Screaming sirens cut-off the reporter as soldiers ran past him. The microphone caught voices shouting.

"INCOMING! INCOMING FIGHTERS!"

Giles watched the unfolding scene with dread. The picture became shaky with the cameraman swinging his camera quickly to catch the far distance, with a large swarm of dark objects filling the horizon.

The sky around the swarm lit up as intense beams of energy lanced out towards the incoming swarm. Explosions dotted the sky as more energy beams lashed out.

The camera swung to where the beams were coming from. Giles and Andrew watched in awe as the camera panned, showing pairs of huge bipedal robots, firing multi-barrel weapons from their arms at the attacking enemy fighters.

"Raider air defense Destroids are engaging the fighters. Wait, a second… Yes! Here they come! Quick, get a shot of this! This is beautiful!"

The camera swung to another part of the sky filled with another swarm… a much larger swarm of approaching aircraft. The camera zoomed in, causing Giles and Andrew to gasp at the mix of Veritechs and huge nightmarish crab-like craft, racing to intercept the enemy fighters. More explosions filled the sky as the mix of human and Invid craft opened fire, adding to the fire of the air defense units.

"We have fighters from the Grim Reapers and Skull squadrons along with Invid Shock Troopers engaging the enemy… They're tearing them to pieces!"

Those watching witnessed fighters and Shock Troopers ripping into the enemy fighters. Veritechs switched to Guardian and Battloid modes, unleashing a merciless barrage of energy weapons and attack missiles. The Invid ships closed, using their armored claws to rip through enemy ships, exploding them in mid-air or sending them plummeting in death spirals to the ground.

The announcer's microphone caught shouts and cheers from nearby soldiers adding to the air of incredibility hanging over the spectacle everyone was watching.

Giles was speechless, watching the enemy force annihilated on live TV. The camera then swung to show a large formation of huge, heavily armed robots moving in a convoy of armored vehicles heading away from the camera.

"As you can see Emma, more Destroids, Hovertanks and APCs are heading out to engage enemy forces. I would like to tell all our viewers they should remain inside and avoid traveling. General McLean is working to co-ordinate with local officials to keep everyone informed on this rapidly changing situation. Alliance forces will do everything in their power to avoid fighting in civilian areas, but the Haydonites have no fear or hesitation about killing civilians. If there is fighting in your area, seek shelter. Let the marines clear out the area and you can come out when they give the all-clear. Emma, I'm going to be heading out with the next column. I will give you updates as we go…"

"Thank you, Selu, for that on the scene report! Watch yourself out there!"

"I will Emma, thanks!"

The screen switched back to the woman, "As you can see the Alliance comprises many species. We have all come together not only to fight the Haydonites, but we are working to forge something better for all of us!"

Giles had so many unanswered questions as Emma continued speaking, describing what the Alliance was and the different member species. It was information overload as he tried digesting the magnitude of what he and Andrew, along with the rest of the world, were witnessing.

"My God! Is that?" Andrew breathed in disbelief.

While Emma continued talking, her camera man panned around the War Room, pausing at the main command table. Giles blinked in disbelief, seeing the woman with red hair standing next to a creature he recognized as an Invid.

"W-Willow…" he muttered while staring at the screen as if watching a ghost.

Andrew went wild again, bouncing around the room, "Willow's alive! She did it! Somehow she found them!"

Giles watched in shock, trying to figure out what could happen next. A long dormant feeling flared inside him. He pushed it down, not wanting to get his hopes dashed.

As always, the universe showed its sense of timing. The camera again panned, catching a young woman entering the War Room. The attractive brunette cut a sharp figure in her tight-fitting uniform. When the young woman stopped to talk with Willow, Giles blinked, cursing himself for not having immediately recognized Dawn.

Suddenly, Giles found it hard to stand. Along with his shaky legs, it became difficult to see the TV as his eyes became blurry and burned. He stumbled to a chair, no longer able to trust his body or control his emotions.

Amid all this, Andrew had run out the front door, screaming and cheering like a madman, leaving Giles alone with the TV.

As he listened to Emma continue her reporting, Giles caught the sounds of people shouting and cheering, along with cars honking through the open front door. For a long moment, he sat there before noticing another sound drifting in through the open door.

Please God, if this is a dream… please don't wake me up, he prayed silently, hearing church bells ringing.

His attention returned to the TV. Emma's face disappeared from the screen, now replaced showing the vast armada of ships in orbit around Earth… with countless ships entering the atmosphere. Emma's voiceover, expressing a myriad of emotions, caught the moment.

"We've been away for a long time, but not for one moment did we ever forget or abandon you. People of Earth, your sons and daughters have returned… and we have brought help."

oOoOo

In the White House Situation Room, like everyone else, a transfixed President Kinsey watched the unfolding scene on television.

While smiles and relief filled the faces of his cabinet and advisors, Kinsey's face barely contained the shock and panic gripping him. An icy knot twisted in his gut, and it took all his self-control to keep from screaming and throwing something at the screen.

The first reports of an unidentified fleet engaging the Haydonite fleet caught Kinsey by surprise. The numbers of ships reported in this unknown force only added worry to his surprise. Ever the calculating survivor, Kinsey began weighing his options, and how he could approach these unknown aliens to offer his services.

An awful premonition gripped Kinsey even before the reports came in from the space surveillance sites, telling them that ships in the unknown fleet matched known REF ship profiles. The surveillance report only confirmed his worse fears about the Haydonites hiding the truth about the Arcadia Expedition, but this was beyond what he'd been expecting.

While the Situation Room buzzed with anticipation as the battle raged, Kinsey was silently cheering for the Haydonites to win. While his advisors and members of his cabinet discussed their options about what action they should take, Kinsey just nodded, expressing his concern over the whole situation.

With utter calm, betraying no hint of his inner turmoil, Kinsey directed US military forces not to intervene or assist. He explained over the shock and objections that he didn't want to antagonize the Haydonites, risking reprisals, especially with their forces appearing to have the upper hand.

He used the reports out of Texas as further justification for his decision. Besides, he explained, they had no idea of the intentions of this unknown force. They could be worse than the Haydonites.

The President's reasons seemed to calm any misgivings… for now. The situation flipped again when reports came in of thousands of more ships appearing around Earth. Any semblance of hope that Kinsey had for the Haydonites prevailing faded as this new fleet launched a blizzard—with estimates of over a million—of smaller attack craft.

Stunned shock gripped everyone in the Situation Room as this enormous fleet overwhelmed and annihilated the Haydonite fleet. A sense of foreboding gripped everyone as the unknown ships closed on the planet.

Kinsey's hopes turned to dust in front of his eyes, watching in disbelief as that ditzy blonde reporter he'd sent off with the Arcadia broadcasted live from that accursed ship. At first, he refused to believe the truth, but reality soon sank in. It had taken all of his self-control not to scream in frustration at the mention of General Coulson's name.

While he stewed, gripped by disbelief and growing panic, those bolder advisors and members of his cabinet urged him to order US military forces to assist. Again, Kinsey hesitated. But this time his focus was more on self-preservation rather than securing his position.

Kinsey finally responded, again stating that the US would not get involved in the fighting. This seemed to fly in exact contrast to what everyone was watching taking place on live television.

Despite the pronounced ripple of discontent going through the room and what was occurring in the real world, Kinsey hadn't survived this long by rushing headlong into decisions. He needed to see what Coulson would do before making his move. To Kinsey, the goal had never changed… him coming out on top.

I'm still President of the United States of America… no matter what Coulson or the others think, he thought, trying to calm growing inner doubts.

One of the communication techs entering the Situation Room cut short any further musings, "Sir, we're getting video communications from the Arcadia! General Coulson is asking to speak to you… personally!"

As panicked thoughts raced through his head, an unwanted sense of dread gripped Kinsey.

How did he know to ask for me? How does he know I'm President? What's going on here, and what's his play?

Kinsey scrambled, going over the few options available to him. He realized he had no choice but to take the call, yet he hesitated.

The earlier ripple of discontent grew as the people in the Situation Room stared at the President. Even some of his more sycophantic enablers were reading the changing winds and were suddenly making nervous glances towards the doors.

Kinsey dismissed their stares while contemplating his options, and how he would deal with the General. He finally decided he needed to regain some control over the situation, "Everyone… I want the room cleared! I need to speak to the General in private!"

Everyone in the room stared at Kinsey in disbelief. He realized he was taking a risk, but he needed to project an aura of control, and he couldn't afford any fools or doubters screwing this up.

Besides, by keeping the communications private, he could deny anything the General would say in public. Who were the people going to believe… him or some General missing for the last five years?

Even now a plan unfolded in Kinsey's thoughts, bringing a smirk to his face. If Coulson wasn't willing to accept him as President, he could claim the General and this 'Alliance' of aliens was actually trying to take over the planet.

With all the confusion and chaos, there was an opportunity to negotiate a deal to remain in power or make a 'peaceful transition' into retirement. Even if he "retired" from office, he could still pull the strings from behind the political curtains, giving him a chance to keep some power.

Yet, this entire plan hinged on his conversation with Coulson. But no one in the room was making a move to leave. Kinsey finally lost his self-control, taking it out on everyone in the room, "OUT! EVERYONE OUT NOW!" he demanded.

As everyone quickly vacated, Kinsey took a deep breath to calm his nerves to prepare for the General's call. After a moment, he pressed the intercom button on the conference table phone, "You can connect me to General Coulson now."

Kinsey took several more deep breaths as the main display screen in the room filled with the image of General Coulson.

A fake smile plastered Kinsey's face, hiding his true inner feelings, as he opened the conversation, "General Coulson, your return is an unexpected and happy surprise! We… the entire planet thought you and everyone with your expedition was dead. Is Captain Coleiro with you?"

Silence filled the room, and the hard, angry expression filling the General's face caused Kinsey's smile to fade.

"Admiral Coleiro is dead… he gave his life to save the planet!" Coulson spat out, not bothering to hide his anger and grief.

Thoughts raced through Kinsey's head trying to process this news, Admiral Coleiro…? Dead!

He fought the instinct to cheer at this news, "D-Dead? I'm sorry—"

Coulson angrily cut him off, "Enough of the charades! You couldn't give a shit about him!"

Kinsey took another deep breath to steady himself, "General, I can understand you being upset. But I would remind that you are still a serving officer in the US Army and the oath you have taken—"

Coulson didn't hold back his anger and contempt, "Screw you! My oath is to the constitution, not you!"

The situation was spinning away on Kinsey as he struggled to gain control, "General, despite your personal feelings. I am the President of the United States! You will afford me the proper respect that is due to my office when addressing me!"

"All I see is a murderer and a traitor!" Coulson sneered.

Panic alarm bells roared in Kinsey's head, "W-What are y-you talking about?"

Kinsey couldn't help noticing the small self-satisfying smile growing on the General's face. A cold, empty feeling gripped Kinsey as Coulson spoke.

"What I'm talking about is that I have enough evidence to nail your ass to the wall! Conspiracy and collusion with entities and powers against the United States!"

Kinsey's world was crumbling, "Y-You're b-bluffing?" he stammered, seeing Coulson showing his hand.

The smile on Coulson's face grew larger, "Before this call, I contacted my sources around the world. They've been watching and gathering evidence against you and your cronies for years! I've got evidence showing your complicity and involvement with the murders of President Hayes, Secretary of Defense Campbell and the rest of the cabinet! And that's just for starters!"

Bile rose in Kinsey's throat, and he fought to keep from vomiting. He couldn't believe Coulson had any evidence, but he belatedly realized the General wasn't a normal adversary.

"The only question is, will they give you the needle, electrocute you, hang you or shoot you after you're found guilty!" Coulson growled, still smiling.

Stunned shock gripped Kinsey. He sat there, staring down at his now shaking hands, unable to think or respond. He gazed up to see the General's face filling the screen. A surge of unbridled hate surged through him. He hated Coulson for threatening to strip away everything he'd worked and sacrificed so much for.

Kinsey desperately looked for an escape, stammering, "Y-You think you've won! You've won nothing! You are nothing, but helpless scum in my master's eyes! I still have access to the nuclear codes! I-I can turn the planet into a radioactive wasteland!"

Fear now had Kinsey firmly in its grasp, seeing Coulson not even blink an eye at his clumsy nuclear blackmail attempt.

"We thought you might try something like that… I've already been in contact with our nuclear forces and asked that they stand down. They were agreeable once I showed them the evidence," Coulson sneered, knowing he'd outmaneuvered Kinsey.

"B-Bastard!"

Coulson added, still smiling, "Don't even think of running. I have forces on route to you as we speak! You will surrender to them! They will take you into custody and held until your trial. I would suggest you not run or resist… My people are just looking for you to give them an excuse."

Kinsey swore at the screen as the General ended the call. He now sat alone in the Situation Room, staring at his trembling hands while his world crumbled.

oOoOo

Alone in the Oval Office, Kinsey stared at the symbols of his power. They were now just taunting reminders of his impending fall. The roar of aircraft, passing overhead, added to the sense of impending doom hanging over him.

The walk back from the Situation Room seemed to take forever, each footstep taking a supreme effort to continue forward. He was alone during his solitary journey. The White House's halls were empty. It seemed as if word of his impending fall had leaked out, and now everyone was avoiding him.

Like rats, they were all fleeing the sinking ship, desperate to cut a deal with Coulson's side. Even his Secret Service protection detail had deserted him, their allegiances to him evaporating into thin air.

Those traitorous rats… both human and non-human have deserted me! I hope they all burn for it!

A deep pain ached in his soul—or what passed for his soul now—while dark, hateful thoughts filled his head. He tried not to look at the antique grandfather clock standing against the wall. But it's constant ticking, now echoing through his silent office, kept drawing his eyes to it, reminding him that his time was winding down.

If Kinsey hadn't already sold his soul, he would have sold it on the spot to keep everything he had sacrificed and worked for. He desperately cried out for the First Evil to help him, but there was only silence… except for the ticking grandfather clock.

The roar of approaching engines caught his attention. Kinsey stood up tiredly from his desk and shuffled to the window. Through the trees, towards Pennsylvania Avenue, he caught sight of a group of armored troops switching their Cyclones into Battloid mode. He was too emotionally drained to show any shock or surprise, watching the soldiers easily jump the fences onto the South Lawn.

He watched with a detached sense of fascination while the soldiers, with weapons at the ready, spread out across the South Lawn and advanced on the White House.

A brief glimmer of hope filled Kinsey, seeing a small group of White House security personnel move to intercept the advancing soldiers. But that too faded when most of the security personnel joined the soldiers advancing on the White House.

Not much time left…

Kinsey debated whether he should hide, but Coulson's threat, that he had nowhere to run, haunted him. A desperate, grim inner voice echoed in his head as the soldiers approached.

Don't give them the satisfaction…

This inner voice galvanized him, causing him to rush back to his desk. He hurriedly tore apart his desk drawers, looking for anything he could use as a weapon. His only focus and goal was to deny Coulson and the others any pleasure or satisfaction they would get from a public trial. Yet, even now, fate denied him this last request.

"Not even a proper knife to do the job," he muttered in frustrated despair, staring at the ornate letter opener in his hands.

He realized the soldiers wouldn't shoot him, just waving the letter opener… there was only one option left for him. The pointy letter opener weighed heavily in his hands while he hesitantly stared at it, knowing what he had to do.

It's not supposed to end this way…! I didn't deserve this! At least that bastard Coleiro is dead! Maybe his bitch joined him! Kinsey thought, giving one last self-serving smirk.

A loud crash outside his office alerted him, telling him there was no more time. Panic seized him, and in one swift motion plunged the letter opener hard and deep into his neck, hoping to get the carotid artery.

oOoOo

Samantha led the charge into the White House and been the one to kick in the Oval Office door.

Since Coulson had given her this mission, she'd played out this scene in her head about what she was going to say when she confronted President Kinsey. Anticipation and eagerness gripped her to say the words, "Kinsey, you're under arrest for sedition and murder…"

The last thing she expected to find was Kinsey thrashing and gurgling on the floor in an expanding pool of blood with a letter opener embedded deep in his neck.

Out of instinct, she rushed forward, but memories of what this man had done came rushing back, and she stopped in her tracks. She stood there, staring at him as his life seeped away.

Kinsey was still conscious. His body thrashing while blood-soaked hands reached out towards her in desperation. His lips moved, but only a drowning gurgling sound escaped them.

Samantha could see the pleading and begging for help in his dying eyes. She made no moves to help him, only memories of all those who had died and suffered because of him filled her thoughts.

"No… you don't deserve it! That would be too merciful!" she whispered.

Finally, she moved closer to the dying man, kneeling down beside him and lifting her helmet visor, so he could see her face.

"Can you feel it? Can you feel your life draining away?" Samantha whispered to Kinsey. She noted the look of surprise wash across his face as he recognized her. The surprise faded quickly, again replaced by pleading. His hands thrashed out towards her, trying to grab her, but she was just out of his reach. There was no way she was going to end his suffering.

"I hope every last second feels like an eternity! Where you're going, you're going to burn!" Samantha whispered in a hate-filled voice.

She knelt there, keeping her vigil beside the dying man. Soldiers from the Special Forces unit gathered around the doorway, watched the scene play out, but none of them said anything or moved to help or intervene. After a few minutes, they all turned and quietly left, leaving Samantha as the lone witness to this event.

Kinsey's gurgling and thrashing finally stopped, leaving Samantha staring at his now still body. She eventually shook off the trance and stood up, her eyes still locked on Kinsey's body.

She realized General Coulson would be somewhat disappointed with Kinsey escaping the hangman's noose, but then his death was already a foregone conclusion.

With her mission completed, she turned to leave the room. As she stepped away, a wave of incompleteness and dissatisfaction washed over her. It all coalesced into an intense anger. Before she realized it, she was spinning around and drawing her Gallant sidearm.

"BURN IN HELL! YOU SONOFABITCH!" she screamed, pulling the weapon's trigger.

The plasma blast blew a hole through the chest of the corpse, adding to the gory scene. Samantha stood there, taking deep breaths to get under control, ignoring the smell of cooked and charred body parts, now filling the room. A sense of satisfaction now replaced the anger as she eyed her handiwork.

Momentarily sated, she didn't want to give the dead body any more of her time or consideration. As Samantha left the Oval Office, her thoughts shifted to what she was going to report to General Coulson, and what they needed to do next.