Chapter 8 is finally here. Apologies for the delay. I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas. R & R much appreciated!

Upon arriving at the scene, Greg was lucky if he remembered his own name. The one half in fear, whilst others scrambled blindly unsure of what to do next. Per routine, Wordy and Spike man the van, operating blue prints and visuals of the inside entirely virtual. Jules and Sam split off to the West end, Ed and Greg moving more towards the front. Listening intently for any sounds of gunfire, yet to see the actual perpetrators.

"I'm Sargent Parker with the SRU. Everyone stay calm"

He addressed the hysterical masses. Ed remained vigilant of any disturbances or irregularities. They couldn't afford a repeat of the mall incident. With Parker's baby now further along, a blow to the stomach this time could spell disaster for her. He suddenly gets a patch through his ear piece from Spike.

"Boss, I'm pickin' up erratic movement inside the voting area. Might be worth checkin' out"

Parker then signals over to Ed. Given he was on strict orders to only direct and not actually be at the forefront, they had to find a mutual ground where they were both at least somewhat satisfied. On the other side of the coin, he didn't want to leave Parker alone and a surefire target for their radical, anti-government plebs. Surely Spike and Wordy would have an eye out for him, but there was always that uncertainty looming over.

"K, listen. I'll go in 'an suss out the situation 'an report back to you. You're okay where you're at, right?"

Parker couldn't help but roll his eyes. It seemed like everyone and their brother were mother-henning him to death. Perhaps because it was in combination of his age and the delicacy of the pregnancy. But the fact this was his very first child.

"Yeah, yeah, got it. Stayin' here"

His voice growing more agitated each time the sniper gave "suggestions". Normally, he wouldn't listen to any orders regardless of which member of his team were giving them. Parker was highest ranking of the entire unit, he was the one to give orders. But he understood as well, they were simply looking out for the well-being of his baby girl. Whom currently was shifting sides and causing Greg's stomach to comically go lopsided for several seconds.

Lane ascended the short concrete stairway of the massive front entrance, just as other emergency crews arrived. Observing silently in the background. Given the Hall's seemingly infinite towers, the shooters could actually be anywhere. The two agents kept a watchful eye over the van's monitors, including outside surveillance of Parker. It was a slow-moving assignment, but they had to evacuate the building. Ed continued weaving himself in and out of the rushing frantic mob.

"Nothin' yet, Boss. Keepin' my eyes peeled"

"Copy that"

Parker subsequently responded into his two-way. There was something off about this, he could feel it in his bones. Greg still made a vital effort to monitor the activity outside the sprawling building. Virtual visuals would only aid them so far. About 20 minutes had passed, he then heard an odd crackling suddenly over his radio.

"Ed?"

There was only the sound of unsettling heavy breathing for a moment or so. Followed by a voice that certainly did not belong to the sniper. An instant chill ran down the Sargent's spine. It was almost as though it were distorted.

"Let this be a lesson to you, Sargent Parker. Do NOT interfere with us"

With that, the sound every SRU agent dreaded. A gunshot, only this time. It wasn't the sniper's rifle firing.