As Olivia saw Caleb drive off, she climbed down from The Wall and made her way back to the resistance hideout. She met with Sarrazin and the messenger boy who were already formulating their strategies.
"You're preparing already?" She asked.
"Ah, Miss Olivia." Sarrazin said. "We are as a matter of fact."
"And what makes you think North Paris will strike anytime soon."
"Before he showed you around, Caleb came to us." The messenger boy said. "He said a bounty had been placed on him and once he sets foot outside the city, there's no telling if he'll make it back."
"So he knows he's putting himself in danger by finding Kurnip and the North Paris defectors?"
"Exactly." Sarrazin said. "With Caleb in the hands of the regime, they won't feel threatened."
"So he's risking sacrificing himself just to bring the army out of hiding."
"Pyrrhic victory." The messenger boy said. "The loss of the greatest fighter means a victory for the greater good."
"Well, have you seen Lucky around?" She asked. "I wanted to tell him something."
"He's back at the inn preparing for the Arrival." Sarrazin said. "If I were you, I would join him."
"I'll do that, thanks." Olivia said.
Olivia walked away and left them to their planning. After a short walk, she reached the inn where Lucky was at the bar, wiping clean with the dirty glasses left for him.
"Cleaning up for the day, I see." Olivia said.
"Why not?" Lucky said morosely. "This may be our last."
"You don't have much faith in Caleb, do you?"
"Drawing Will and his army out of hiding doesn't guarantee any victory." He said. "It'll only show that they're willing to take us down."
"Perhaps." Olivia said. "Or maybe it'll show that this city, so rich in it's culture, is willing to die fighting for what it stands for. Whether or not it feels like it can. And once that sun rises and sets again and if we still stand, it'll show that power lies not within one's technological or militaristic advances, but through the drive and devotion of a unified people."
"Indeed."
"You know, as much as it goes against his plans, I really don't want Caleb to be in any danger." Olivia said.
"Neither do we." Lucky said. "But if he feels that it may help, so be it."
"But I love him." Olivia said. "And even though all I want is the best for him and the people he has fought for, I can't live with the guilt should he die."
"Now what's this about guilt?" Lucky said. Olivia just sighed.
"There are no North Paris defectors." Olivia admitted. "I set Caleb up the whole thing. Once he reaches his destination, Kurnip and Will will spring an ambush and capture him."
"Then both sides will get what they want." Lucky said.
"But I never wanted to be involved, especially if it meant going against the man I love. He'll die if Will gets his hands on him, or worse. Even if his capture is instrumental, that doesn't mean his torture will be." Olivia said. "All I want is to make things right."
"Then do it." Lucky said.
"What?" Olivia said.
"If you love him so much, you'll do what you can to save him." Lucky said. "That's what true love is."
"But if I defy Will…" Olivia said. "…He'll kill my sister and trap me with my horrible father."
"Then find the lesser of two evils." Lucky said. "Every problem has a solution. Even if it comes at too great a cost to yourself or those you love."
"So what? I should just let my sister die and let my father keep abusing me?" Olivia asked. "I won't allow it!"
"Then it seems that your choice is clear." Lucky said.
Olivia just turned around and walked out, but not before pausing at the doorway and turning back.
"No." Olivia said. "I won't let Will get away with any of this. I'll make sure he won't touch my sister. And at the same time, I'll make sure Caleb will be safe. Isaac's right. This is my next chance to stand up to Will and stop his plans. And I'll make sure he doesn't harm either of the people he's threatened!"
Olivia then ran off, on her way to accomplish her goal.
"Be wary, my friend." Lucky said. "The regime always finds a way."
In North Paris, a car pulled up in front of Zanbato Tower. Out of the car stepped none other than Hannibal Dunbar. He walked over to the main entrance and into the foyer. Expecting a big welcome, he was surprised that almost nobody seemed to pay him any notice. Wanting an explanation, he walked over to the nearest guard.
"Excuse me." Hannibal said. "Mind telling me where Will Dunbar is?"
"Do you have an appointment sir?" He asked.
"You know me." Hannibal said. "I'm his uncle; a member of the inner circle."
"Sir, the inner circle no longer exists."
"What?" Hannibal exclaimed.
"Will Dunbar V disbanded the circle in favor of the Grand Army and hidden provinces." The guard said. "Now do you have an appointment?"
"No." Hannibal said. He then raised his cane and opened fire at the guard, killing him.
'Now to find Will.' He said to himself.
As he was looking around, he noticed the bookcase on one of the walls. For a minute, he thought he saw something out of place. He looked closer and saw his suspicions were proven correct: A thin crack, an inch from the right side of the bookcase, ran straight down from the length of the bookcase to the floor. Grasping onto the crack with his fingernails, he was surprised to find that the wall and bookcase slid away quite easily. He then found himself staring down into a dark room with only a large staircase.
Still curious, Hannibal made his way down the staircase. As he kept walking, the room kept getting dimmer and dimmer until it was nothing but pitch black. After walking for nearly a minute, he reached the bottom of the stairs (or at least that's what it felt like). Through the darkness, he could see a faint light straight ahead. Using the light as his guide, Hannibal walked straight ahead. As he walked, the light got bigger and brighter. Once he reached the end, he realized that the light was a doorway. He looked inside and found an enormous room with a large table. Seated near the head was Will with Mackie and Theo standing by his sides. Seated around the table were five other people that Hannibal couldn't recognize. Hannibal listened closely to what they were talking about.
"Gentlemen, have we received results of the terrorist's current status?" Will asked.
"A tracking beacon was placed on the suspects vehicle shortly prior to his departure to the city center." A man said. "The Luxembourgian Radars managed to pick up the signal and redirect it to the Artemis's radar systems. You should be able to track the vehicle on your computers."
"Thank you, Mr. Ethridge." Will said. "Mr. Salazar?"
"The Iberian Espionage has played their part." Another man said. "They're with Kurnip waiting for the terrorist as we speak."
"Excellent." Will said. "Now with the terrorist out of the way, we can get to the next order of business: Gentlemen as you all know, South Paris has been a vulnerable target for years since my father laid siege with the rest of this now-forsaken continent. Only now have I finally laid down the foundation of my new empire. With your support, we can obliterate the south city and begin anew."
"Your drawing plans for treason if you attempt such a feat." One man said.
"Spare me your sympathy, Mr. Gottlieb, it matters not here." Will said. "Mr. Dietrich?"
"The Germanic Federation will pledge support for the good of its ally." Another man said. "Our fleet will be yours for the taking, my liege."
"The Swiss Union will gladly fund your campaign, my liege." The last man said.
"Thank you, Mr. Erikson." Will said. "Now, let's take a final vote."
"If it's the will of the others, then the Belgian Province will offer a reluctant vote." Mr. Gottlieb said as the rest raised their hands.
"Excellent." Will said. "Mr. Jolivet and Zanbato Industries have already agreed to supply our weapons while I supply our soldiers."
He then turned to Mackie.
"Mackie, prepare the Artemis." Will said. He then turned back to the rest of the table.
"Now that we have each other's backing an with the terrorist soon in captivity, our plan will go unhindered." Will said. "We will stand. We will fight. We will rise from the ashes of our enemies and the rubble of the old world. Tomorrow, we will reign as one!"
Will then stood up.
"Long Live The Patriarch."
"Long Live the Patriarch." The rest said as they stood up in unison.
As the rest left the room, Will turned to the doorway where Hannibal was standing.
"Alright, Hannibal, it's safe to come out." Will said.
"You knew I was there the whole time?" Hannibal asked stepping out.
"As ruler of the free world, I have to know these things." Will said. "Now go to the turbine room and wait for my command."
"Very well." Hannibal said as he walked through the same door that the others went through.
Back above ground, Caleb had just arrived at his destination: The Tower Prime. As he stepped out, he heard the trunk pop open. He turned and saw his friend fall out and hit the ground.
"Isaac?" Caleb asked.
"I couldn't leave you to do this alone." Isaac said. "This can't turn out good."
"Now that's what I call a role reversal." Caleb said. "Now you're the one with doubts."
"Caleb, I'm serious." Isaac said. "For a man with such a high bounty on his head, don't you find this to be too easy?"
"It must be the North Paris resistance welcoming us." Caleb said. "Now let's go."
"Alright." Isaac said as they stepped inside.
Inside the building, they found only a glass elevator at the end of a short hall. Caleb and Isaac stepped inside and pressed the button for the top floor. The elevator rose above the roof of the floor and along the side of the building, giving them a clear view of the city. Caleb waited patiently for the elevator to reach his destination while Isaac was still fearful of what may and will come.
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