District Union Arena

Arena Floor

Sarah

The normally spacious basketball court is strewn with CERA supply crates, piles of clothing likely belonging to the Hyenas, and other materials likely intended to turn this place into a field hospital. The few survivors of the drug lab fight appear to have retreated here, if the streaks of blood in the hallway and on the floor are any indication. Along the way, small skirmishes broke out, likely a tactic to lead us here.

"Division!" Someone in the cavernous room shouts. I exchange glances with Jay. "Welcome to the playhouse! Make yourselves at home, and enjoy the pleasurable company we have to offer!" Dozens of Hyenas charge in from all sides. Some on the scaffolding around us, some on top of the crates, but most arrive on the same level as us.

"Put on a show for me boys!" The same voice rings out again."Just don't kill them too quickly like last time!"

An avalanche of chaos descends as the Hyenas attack what little cover we have.

"Well this is fuckin' super!" Kelly says as she and Dima return fire. Jay huddles close to me and blindfires her ACR while I lift my SAW, resting it on the pile of exercise mats in front of us and squeezing off a long burst.

"Just kill them, you idiots!" The voice from earlier rings out after several attackers have been killed. "It's five soldiers! Just shoot them!"

A second wave of Hyenas arrive as we ready our weapons. Faye retreats to the scaffolding behind us after being given Jay's MK14 rifle. Kelly stays with Dima on the right, Jay and I go left, and we funnel the Hyena Rushers and gunners into a 'Corridor of Death' of sorts.

"Aaargh! You killed all of 'em!" The voice, whom ISAC has finally identified as 'Dime' roars at us. "I guess if you want something done right, you do it yourself, eh?" The man himself eventually appears, flanked by more of his goons and carrying a large shield similar to Rebound's.

"Ah… Dime." My partner says, SAW at the ready. "I'd wondered why all the birds had suddenly stopped singing." He stops and looks directly at her, appearing confused.

"But if you're here…" Sarah continues. "Who's guarding Hades?" She demands pointedly. The Hyena at Dime's side shakes his head and opens fire at Sarah, who quickly drops to the ground.

"See, Babe?" I say with an annoyed tone, "That's what people want to do to you when you make those stupid jokes."

"These guys are so uncultured!" She replies, lifting her machine gun again. She unloads into the small pack surrounding Dime, taking out a Thrower and a few Assaults.

"Everyone out of my way!" A Rusher shouts, taking a dose of Spice and charging towards Dima, laughing and screaming maniacally all the way. As the Hyena is cut down by Faye, Kelly lifts her RPG and, with some help from Dima, loads a rocket and aims it at Dime. The man himself stands defiantly on top of a set of scaffolding on the far side of the arena, appearing to not be concerned with what the young Guardsman is up to. During a lapse in the gunfire, Kelly fires, the blast deafening all of us for a moment. Dime simply watches in despair as the rocket flies towards him, blasting away the ground from under his feet. The Hyena leader falls, followed by the twisted metal heap of the scaffolding he was on. After several seconds of loud crashing, the arena falls silent.

Sarah takes the lead, shotgun at the ready. I follow her close behind, and after a few moments, we find Dime in the middle of the debris pile.

"Good shot, Kelly." I say, receiving a small warm smile from her.

Sarah reaches the Hyena leader first. He's impaled on a metal rod and reaching for his Tec-9 that he dropped in the fall. My partner steps towards the gun and slides it closer to him with her boot, only to stomp on his wrist when he grabs the pistol grip. Dime frantically tries to pull his hand free, but stops when Sarah hits the rod he is stuck on with her shotgun butt.

"What are you doing, Sarah?" Kelly asks. She doesn't respond, instead kneeling down and leaning in very close to Dime.

"Is this where you saw yourself two years ago, pal?" My partner asks casually, given her subject's state. "In charge of a pack of wild animals who kill whoever they want ant take whatever they want?"

"Beautiful, aren't they?" He replies. "Not...hrr….perfect by any means. My Hyenas are free. As long as they don't fuck with the other Packs… They do what they want to."

"Your people." Faye says angrily, stepping towards our unofficial POW. "Your 'people' aren't people. They're jackals, thugs, drug addled fiends and mindless killers who prey on the few survivors of this city."

"Call...hngh...call them whatever you want. Do whatever you want to me. But I will be remembered, and my glorious creation...the Hyenas...will continue on."

Sarah sighs, shrugs, then pulls her pistol from it's holster, aiming it at Dime's head.

"Have it your way then, bud."

*BANG*

She looks around at us and stows her 1911.

"Let's go. I fear we may have overstayed our welcome."

A/N Apologies for the late upload. There have been some service interruptions with my internet provider, but it should be up again soon. (I'm writing this from the library.) It's a bit short, I know. Writers Block is a bitch. The real story will pick up soon, just have to get through some story missions first. Thanks for sticking around, everyone. And thanks for reading!