1

"I said I wanted Miles!", Bass roared, throwing one of the ink wells from his desk. "I never said cross into Neutral Territory and start a damn war!". Jeremy raised his hands, cursing the fact that he had been picked to deliver the news.

"I know sir and why he decided to do so is unknown. Perhaps he just saw Miles and decided no matter what he would get him". Bass spun around, clearly still enraged by what he had been told.

"That's no excuse! We have a treaty with them for a reason Captain". He sighed, walking over to the window and stared out at the pouring rain, "General Jackson is one of the few people we can trust Captain. If she even thought for a second her people were under threat, the treaty would end and we'd be at war".

"A war that, even with the pendants and amplifiers, we'd loose", he rested his arm on the window frame and shook his head. "Get the fastest rider we have. I'll send a message to her. Jackson needs to know this wasn't an ordered attack". Jeremy nodded and prepared to leave the room, pausing just as he opened the door.

"Are they really that formidable an opponent sir?". Bass closed his eyes, recalling just one of the many training sessions he'd had with Ivy.

"You were taught by her Jeremy, what do you think?".

2

"I will not take sides Miles", Ivy sighed, pulling her wrap tighter around her to stave off the chill outside. She took a deep breath in, allowing the cold air to re-freshen her senses. "I told you that when I left and it is something that has not changed". Miles leaned against the railing, locking his eyes on Ivy.

"You do understand what he wants to do, don't you? He's going to use the pendants to control all power so he can take over the country".

To his surprise Ivy began to laugh and Miles was unsure what she found so amusing.

"Miles, Bass will not take over because Randall will not allow him to do so. He will use him to gain whatever it is he wants, then he will kill him". Her smile faded and she turned to face Miles, "That Miles, is the only reason I would interfere. Randall is a madman, driven to the brink by the death of his son".

Miles felt her small hand on his, "I need to think Miles. I will have your answer in the morning".

3

How long had it been since he had seen her? Those beautiful, dark curls. Those feminine curves and brilliant green eyes. How he longed to be close to her again, to smell her fragrance and touch that soft skin. How he hated having to hide himself away, especially given how incredibly close he was now. The temptation to run out and take her away was too great, but he knew this was not the time. Soon, he would act. Then, finally, Ivy would be his.

4

Sitting alone in the middle of one of the most historic battlefields in Americas history, may have seemed unusual to some people. For Ivy, this was where she did her best thinking. Here in the quiet, only the echoes of that ancient war around her, she was able to gather her thoughts. And right now, those thoughts were all over the place. Yes, her friendship with Bass and Miles was important to her. Even now, after everything she had seen and how long it had been since she had seen them, that had not changed. They had saved her life. They had been there on the darkest days of her life. That was something she could never forget.

Now though, the threat of Randall seizing control had changed all of that. If he achieved his goal, she and her people would be in danger. Even those as far away as the California Commonwealth would be in danger and that was something Ivy would not allow to happen, no matter the consequences. She had not fought hard for the last 5 years to see the Neutrals destroyed, or all they believed in and protected snatched away. Ivy would die to protect them all.

5

4 years after the blackout

The blood on Ivys hands may not have been visible to others, but she could see it. No, she hadn't dealt the blows that had killed those people, but it was her who had trained the soldiers that killed them and that made her just as responsible for their deaths. After seeing the aftermath of the slaughter, Ivy had ridden back to Miles and Bass, angered by their brutality. Now, standing before her two closest friends, she knew what had to be done.

"I am leaving!", she spat, throwing her small green jacket to the floor. "I will not be a part of a group that thinks genocide is acceptable". Miles stared at her, a look of confusion in his eyes, "What are you talking about?". He turned to Bass, who was clearly under no illusion as to what Ivy was talking about.

"They were part of the resistance and needed dealing with", he replied coolly, bending down to pick up her jacket. "It's just another part of war".

"War?", Ivy sighed, fighting back her tears, "You butchered them! They were unarmed!". She paused, taking a deep breath, "And of all places to do it. Bass. Gettysburg. I just". Bass moved forward, extending the jacket out to Ivy.

"If you allow just the smallest bit of resistance to survive, it will spread. I couldn't take that risk". Miles leaned back on the desk, his legs almost giving way as he realised what had happened. "Bass, I thought we'd agreed to talk to them first and go from there".

"You know as well as I do that would never have worked", Bass retorted, moving closer to Ivy. "Ivy, please, it had to be done", he whispered, "We're soldiers, it's what we do".

"No", Ivy sighed, gently placing her hand on his face, "No it is not. We are meant to protect. We are meant to prevent pain and war. I thought you knew that". Her eyes narrowed and Ivy pulled away, pushing the jacket back towards Bass, "I never thought I would say this to you two but". Ivy moved towards the door, those green eyes taking in the two men before her, "Goodbye".