Chapter 20

"Oh cool," said Leo, pointing one of the side stores, "What are those?"

"Tattoos," said Fred, then he looked at Leo in surprise, "You don't know what tattoos are? How long have you been alone?"

"Woah," said Leo, as he examined a large man inside squirm as a picture of some giant, ferocious rat was being sketched into his back.

"I wonder how they are doing it," said Fred, "Back home, we had a crew who did this, but they were expensive because they still used ink and the like."

"Hello!" said Iawn, waving at some of the German kids down the street, "I am not an American! I'm English, we're better by far. How are you?"

"Iawn, they don't speak English," said Fred, "Speaking slower doesn't help."

There was yelling around them, and some guards grasping ahold of there guns ran past them. Fred looked on nervously.

"Hey," said Kevin, running back, "They let me use a terminal. I got word out to my colony, told them what happened."

"Oh, well that's nice," said Fred, half-heartedly.

One very large guard approached another at a small, café-like eating area. Fred recognized the second as the 'head guard' from earlier, the one that got angry and stormed off. They were talking, angrily, back and forth, until the 'head guard' got up, and followed him away, taking the safety off his rifle.

Fred and Kevin watched the whole thing strangely, and the Germans began to look strangely at them now, and they backed away from them.

"What's… happening?" asked Fred, a chill going down his back.

"They're looking at us…" asked Leo, looking around.

"Oh, Father, Lord," said Kevin, "Whatever happens, please… don't send me to the same place the rest of them go."

"Whatever is happening, it isn't good for us," said Fred, "Come on, we need to find the others."

Charles was the first to run up to Seth, something drawn over his face and he held some flowers.

"Seth! Seth, something's happening," he said as he approached.

"What is that?" asked Seth, making a face of disgust at his face, then pointing to the flowers, "The hell is THAT, man? Get that stuff out of here, you're cramping my style.

"They're from the locals," said Charles, "They like us more then you Yanks. Just… don't mention football, ok? It's ruddy sour on both end."

"Uh-huh," said Seth, staring off into the distance.

"What?" asked Charles, trying to follow his eyes.

"That German Girl, over there. She's been trying to muscle me out for five mintues," said Seth, not indicating any certain girl in any direction, "I've been ignoring her to see what she does. These Germans have terrible pariffs, and I've been watchin' her for as long as she glared at me."

"Which one?" asked Charles, before he smiled, "You think her name is 'Helga'?"

Some guards ran through the square, heading out in the direction of the gate. Seth now turned, watching them curiously. Something caught his eye, though. A sly movement on the rooftops. When he looked, he noticed he didn't see anything. He scanned the skyline, checking it out.

"Something's going on," said Charles, "That's what I was going to say. The guards, they all got the shakes."

Andy now ran up, almost out of breath.

"Seth, something's wrong," He said, "There's something going on at the gate. The guards are swarming out of everywhere."

"Listen," said Seth, cutting them off.

The buzz of the square filled their ears, some talking and boots running, but otherwise nothing out of the ordinary. Some of the Germans who were closer even quieted down, noticing the Americans listening hard to something they did not know.

Then, almost unexpectedly, a small hum could be heard, building against the buzz. It built up, sounding like a far off storm.

"Rain?" asked Andy, "Maybe a monsoon? Do they get those here?"

"No," said Seth, "And it's not rain. I know that sound anywhere. That's a motor, several of them… lots of them."

They were quieter now, and Seth stood, unleashing the safety on his own gun, and looking around the square. The Germans who were observing them were now anxious, several of them stepping back and exclaiming something in German in fear. Even Charles and Andy stood back, not knowing what Seth was doing.

"There were six guards watching us, just us, here in the square," said Seth, not looking at Charles or Andy, "They were there, on the roofs. Now there are four… where did they go?"

"I… don't know," said Charles.

"Drop your flowers and find your gun," said Seth, "We got issues, let's find Flint and Shatner."

Nate walked out from the bathroom, clean shaven, now truly showing how his mustache has come in. He was smiling, throwing the razor from one hand to the next. He had even gotten the slight unabrow that was beginning to form.

Shatner, Pandora, and Kate all sat around a circle, Shatner and Pandora on a coach and Kate sitting on a wooden chair. They were all laughing, the attention definitely on Shatner.

"And so," said Shatner, almost crying in laughter, "And so now he's just breaking stuff, and getting really pissed. And he just looks at us and says, "This Dew thing, it ain't over'. And me and Pandora, we're just… completely shocked at all this."

"Well, I wasn't," said Pandora, smiling.

"Oh, there you are," said Kate, "I ahm glad to see you didn't come out with tiny squares on your face."

"Ah-ha, so funny," said Nate, sarcastically, "Story telling?"

"He's been catching me up on what I was missing," said Kate, "It sounds incredibly impossible."

"Doesn't it?" said Shatner, "How can so much happen to just one person."

"People," corrected Pandora, "I've been with you guys since the beginning!"

"I'm glad you made it out of that hell-hole alive, though," said Kate, "The Ruhrgebiet is full of crazies and warring idiots. The Handzels, the Gretels, and the Witches. You see, they differ based on views, and like children, they decided to fight. The Witches are the worst, though. Like their names suggest, they are Kannibalen, eating of human flesh, and they are BAD. And you toppled the city? Let's hope you took most of those weirdoes with it!"

"Well, from what I understand… it's Shatner's fault," said Nate, pointing at him.

"Well, at least this place is nicer," said Shatner, "And we found you. That's a nice change."

"Except that big guy," said Pandora, "Boy was he PISSED!"

"Oh, do not worry about Bruno," said Kate, smiling, "He's a hothead, nothing more. He wants to run this one day, and he is Captain of the Guard to boot. But at long as there's this form of a council, he doesn't have a chance."

"Yeah, smooth," said Nate, taking a seat next to Shatner and Pandora, making Shatner scoot over uncomfortably.

"Well, I think it is because he likes me," continued Kate, "But that pig doesn't have a chance in HELL as long as I breath."

"I hope not," said Shatner.

"So," said Nate, "I'm not sure what we're doing next but… maybe we should think about our next plan of action, yeah? The others might be waiting."

"Oh, I do wish you would have brought them too," said Kate, "The little ones, they are SO CUTE!"

"Yeah, well, if they came in then we'd overstay our welcome," said Shatner, "Nate's right on a few things, we really should be preparing to leave. Trust me, it's only a matter of time before Nate breaks something here as well."

"Hey," said Nate, hurt.

"That's a GREAT idea," said Kate, smiling and standing, "I'll get my things."

"Woah, woah, ha, wait… right there," said Nate, jumping up, "Get your things? For what? You mean maps for us or something?"

"No, my pack and supplies and a gun," said Kate, "I am coming with you!"

"What?" said Nate, almost retaliating in pain, "No, no you are not."

"What?" answered Kate, getting angry, "Says who?"

"Yeah, what's wrong with you, man," said Shatner, "Of course she can come. We could use an extra pair of eyes on the road, and she knows Germany well. We can make it to the coast in no time."

"I vote yes," said Pandora, raising is hand.

"No, no VOTING," said Nate, "She is not…" he stopped, getting closer to Shatner and leaning in, "She is NOT coming. It's not a good idea. She's a GIRL. Do you know what that might do to the group?"

"Oh, come on, Nate," said Shatner, "It would do NOTHING. Unless you like traveling thousands of miles alone with a mass group of men?"

"Oh, screw you," said Nate, shoving Shatner, "I mean… the danger. You know? What if something happens."

"What IF something happens?" said Shatner, "And this coming from you? What about the others? You were fine with the others."

"And look where that got us," said Nate, "Three Brits who we didn't want, Kevin is stuck with us, and now so is Fred, Andy, and that Seth kid. You know, I've been thinking. Maybe this is a good place to dump 'em, you know?"

"Are you insane?" said Shatner, "What has gotten into you?"

"Look… I just… don't feel comfortable continuing this whole… fool's trip and dragging down all these people. What if it's not THERE?"

"What are you talking about?" asked Shatner, "This was your idea. You aren't doubting it now, are you?"

"No, no I'm not, that's not what I am saying," said Nate, "What I am saying is I think our group is getting a little big. And… the risks are going up."

"Look, if she wants to come, she's coming with us," said Shatner, "And that's MY say. We need the guide, and we could use some civil company. Who better then Eon? She's nice, she's funny, she's smart..."

"Look, your say means nothing," said Nate, "Now if you want to pull rank I can-"

The sound of a bolt being pulled back and a round entering a chamber. Nate and Shatner both looked to the direction of the sound, finding Kate holding some sort of an Assault Rifle at them, one of her counters in the back flipped up to reveal an assortment of old pistols and small, single-barreled shotguns. Nate and Shatner looked at each other, then back at Kate.

"I am going with you, so… do either of YOU have anything to say to me about dat?"

Nate and Shatner both shook their heads, careful as to not make jerky movements. A Gunshot rang out, a window behind Nate blowing out. Nate and Shatner both ducked, the Nate rose, pulling his pistol, aiming it at Kate.

"Now, now, let's not do anything stupid, hun," said Nate, "You made your point, no need to start shooting."

"That was not me," said Kate, looking around, a slight bit of surprise in her features and face.

Nate and Shatner looked at each other, confusion on their faces, and Nate listened. He noticed the sound of gunshots outside, almost like a little battle taking place.

"Damnit," said Shatner, "Now why are people shooting at us again!"

"It's not you," started Kate, but more bullets came through the walls and windows.

Nate crouched, Shatner pulling Pandora down with him. Kate dived to the ground as well, landing between Nate and Shatner. Bullets continued to ring out, and Nate sighed.

"Really?" Nate yelled, "We can't rest for five minutes? Five… minutes!"

"We need to get out of here," said Shatner, "What's happening?"

"Stay down, follow me," said Nate, kicking the door open.

Outside, hell had broken loose. Civilians ran around, yelling, screaming for each other, crying over lost ones. The guards seemed to be in a deep fight with… someone else. Nate couldn't tell the difference between friend or foe, or the two fighting factions. Everyone was just, shooting at someone else, there was not a clear distinction of sides or factions.

Nate got up, and quickly skirted down the steps and onto the street, Shatner and the rest right behind him. Kate put her hands to her mouth, and gasped. She looked around at the chaos of her home.

"What's going on!" she asked, almost yelling.

"Come on," yelled Nate, "We need to leave, let's move it."

Nate ran down the street, back the way they had come. Bullets flew past, even some explosions happened. A group of ruff looking people came around the corner, firing at the civilians and yelling in some strange language. Nate shot them, not caring what side they were one.

They ran through the streets until they reached the city square, and they looked around. Many of the stalls had been moved away, and now several rough bunkers had been set up. Although the bunkers had been set up, a battle raged all around them.

Nate's eyes darted from one spot to another, being carefully not to draw attention to themselves.

"Damn Germans," said Nate, "Always fighting somebody. Why are you fighting each other?"

"I… I do not think that this is German on German," said Kate, "I saw a lot of that in my time."

"Look," said Shatner, pointing.

Seth could be seen popping in and out of a building, taking pop shots off at the roofs of the buildings. Nate nodded, patting Shatner on the back.

"Alright, look, we're getting out the way we came. So, you stay here and watch Eon and I'll go collect our fools, yeah?"

"Uh, well… you know it's kinda," started Shatner, but a bullet over Kate's head, she let out a surprised scream, before scowling and lifting up her assault rifle, firing back at her unseen foes.

"You know what, yeah, I'll keep an eye on her," said Shatner, smiling.

Nate nodded, before turning and sprinting through the square. He dodged bullets and people alike, trying his best to just stay alive. He reached the house, and dived inside, almost bowling over Seth in his entrance.

"Watch it, buddy," said Seth, "I would have shot you if it wasn't for that funny hat of yours."

"Thanks," said Nate, standing up and looking around the room.

Nate spotted Seth, standing by the door with a hunting rifle and his usual weapons slung to his side. Kevin was not far off, a shotgun in his hands. Behind him, Fred, Andy, and Charles sat around a table, a scared German family huddled behind them. Nate slightly waved to them, the German family thinking he was waving at them, and they waved back.

"Alright, let's get back to Shatner and Pandora. Come on, get up, and shoot what isn't wearing those guard jackets when we came in. In fact, don't shoot what's not shooting at you. Move-it!"

As Nate and the others began running back, Kate and Pandora began covering them, shooting at enemies shooting at them, or about to fire at them.

"Is Comedian always this stupid?" yelled Kate.

"Oh, don't worry," said Shatner, smiling, "He's become quite a pro at running through warzones. His luck will run out someday, but not this day."

As Shatner finished, the group made it back, Nate gasping for air, Shatner checking everyone over, doing a headcount.

"We… need to… head down… street," gasped Nate.

"Wow," said Kate, "You must be really out of shape, that wasn't that long of a run."

"Shut… up," gasped Nate again, "We… move… NOW!"

With that, they began to head back down the road, and the group tried to keep together for as much as they could. They didn't run into anyone else, but the sounds of war still erupted from all around them. Shatner still counted heads as they ran, getting worried himself.

"What are we missing?" said Shatner, "WHO are we missing? Iawn? Leonard? Where are they? Kevin?"

"I'm here," yelled Kevin, "Oh, and by the way. My father is going to kick your arse if he ever sees you again, Flint."

"Tell him to sue me," said Nate, "And I'll GET HIM ANOTHER BOAT! God…"

The group continued down the road, breaking off a side street and booking it down it.

"We need to get out of here," said Shatner, "So, we should get out the way we came, and book it as fast as we can."

"No, there is another way," said Kate, sprinting ahead to lead the way, "Follow me."

"We're still missing blokes," yelled Charles, "We can't leave yet!"

"They're finally serving their purpose," said Nate, "They'll be fine."

"You're real cold, Comedian," yelled Fred from the back.

"You ever do something you regretted?" asked Nate, "For example, NOT leaving someone somewhere when you had a clear escape?"

Someone jumped out of an alleyway, grabbing Kate and putting his Sub Machine Gun to her head. He began yelling something out, slowly backing up from the group. Nate barely had time to raise his rifle before a gunshot to his right exploded in his ears, and the man fell to the ground, Kate standing there, looking around.

Nate looked to the side, Shatner pulled the bolt on his rifle, making sure to put another round in. He smiled, and turned to Nate, a smirk on his face.

"There," he said, "Now I've fired my gun. You happy?"

"Happy, no," said Nate, "Impressed, a little bit."

"I could have taken him," said Kate, turning and continuing down the road.

"Whatever, lady," said Nate, running.

They were approaching another road, civilians running up a slight hill, gunfire could be heard.

"Hey, that guy… he was not speaking German," yelled Kate from behind her.

"No, I recognized it," said Shatner as they turned the corner, "I think it was-"

He was cut off as they rounded the corner, and they looked face-to-face with a group farther down the street, walking up. They looked like a biker gang, in contrast to the attempted uniforms of the Germans. Nate recognized them straight off, and the one leading recognized him. It was like a light bulb going off, the man's face was an image of surprise before twisting into sheer rage. He raised his finger and pointed in anger.

"Amedicans!" yelled Juan LeVuke, his group stopping to take aim at the group.

"You again," said Nate, trying to bring his rifle up to bear.

The sound of twisting metal and screeching came from above, and one of the large burning satellite dishes began to crash down from above, landing between the two groups. The rubble and fire began to pile up around it, and LeVuke was lost from sight, as well as Flint from his. After the wreckage had fallen, Nate looked it over, completely blocking the road. Nate ran towards it, about to climb it, before Seth and Kevin held him back.

"Damn… FRENCHY!" yelled Nate as he was pulled back, "Let me go, we're ending this. God… DAMNED Frenchy!"

"Let it go, dude," said Seth.

"Come on, this way," said Kate, running up the street.

The group turned and began a startling dash up the street. Yelling and gunfire could still be heard, but mostly Nate's cursing rang in everyone's ears. Soon, a muttering rose up from Fred, which turned into yelling and cursing of his own.

"This… is all your FAULT," he said, pointing at Nate, "I knew this would happen, I KNEW it. Now they are chasing us… NOW they are CHASING us. Oh my GOD!"

"Yeah, no shit," said Nate, "Damn, I should've left you in Paris."

"He destroyed Paris," spat Fred, pulling on Kate's shoulder, "And that's why this gang is here. They're chasing us, HUNTING us."

"He destroyed Paris?" asked Kate, "He is just one man."

"You'd be surprised," said Shatner, "I know I always am."

"Yeah, it was AWSOME," chimed in Charles, "The tower thing, it FELL!"

"Oh, congratulations," said Kate, smiling, "The last time the Germans were in Paris, all we did was take photos by it."

"Hey, Nazi joke," chuckled Shatner, "Awsome."

"It was an accident," said Nate, who was pissed still, "I can't BELIEVE I missed him back there. I could've sworn he died."

"Don't vorry," said Kate, continuing down the street, "We won't let them vin."

"No we will NOT," yelled Nate, "Where is a way around? Can we get through these buildings? I need to GET to him!"

"Leave it, Flint," yelled Shatner, continuing to run, "We have bigger fish to fry."

"I don't," yelled Nate.

"This is all your fault," yelled Fred.

"Can it, Fred," said Seth, "Look out!"

A side door burst open, a group of biker-clad men with rifles ran out, different goods and food cans in their hands. The group raised their weapons towards them, and the bikers stopped, and began yelling and exclaiming in French. Before anyone could do anything, though, gunshots rang out, Nate fired off his rifle at the sound, but the others ducked down, trying to avoid the onslaught. It didn't take long for them to notice that no bullets hit them.

The bikers shook and sputtered blood as their bodies were riddled with bullets. They dropped what they had as they fell to the ground, their bodies now leaking masses of blood. Nate looked around, trying to find who had done the shooting.

On a rooftop stood Von Steiner, on either side of him stood a guard, sub machine guns in hand. Von Steiner held an old German Luger in his hand, a very small SMG, a Scorpion, in his other hand, pointed towards the sky. He yelled something in German, one which Kate responded back.

Kate turned to the rest of the group, "Alright, we're good. They are Germans."

"Let's move, my American counterparts," said Von Seiner, "Ve are set up in diss direction. Come, now. Hurry."

The group looked at each other, nodded, and then followed Kate further down the street. On the rooftops above, Von Steiner and his guards raced ahead, towards an unknown point.

"So, what's happening?" asked Pandora, continuing to run.

"Our failsafe," said Kate, "We're viping the city. We're establishing control, and pushing our enemies back."

"Sounds good," said Nate.

They turned another corner, and came fast to face with an entire machine gun position. Four guards sat their, their guns trained on the group as they came to a halt. Nate raised his gun, unsure if they would fire or not. Kate's hands were raised in an instant, and began yelling in German at the guards. They didn't shoot, so Shatner and Nate hoped that this was a good sign, for now.