JTF Base of Operations

White House

The Oval Office

That evening…

Nearly the entire population of the White House stands before President Andrew Ellis, who looks over the group from his place on top of his desk. He is flanked by Division Coordinator Manny Ortega. The rest of the crowd includes Alani, Thomas and Roxwell, Faye, Dima, Kelly and her team, Jay and myself, with everyone else behind us. A celebration has been planned for our work in defeating the three factions that have terrorized D.C. for the last two years.

"The hardships of this city," Ellis begins. "and of this nation, are finally coming to an end. Earlier today, the Capitol Building was captured from the True Sons, the last of the hostile Strongholds to be liberated. This...is a turning point. Where our desperate hope, becomes bold conviction. We have overcome impossible odds, and thanks to all of you, the good people of this city are starting to feel safe again. And our enemies, or what's left of them, are running scared. We've made it clear to those who stand with us, and those who would stand against us, that we will not hesitate. We will not compromise. We will never surrender. We will bear any sacrifice, and secure victory, at any cost."

I stand silently on a balcony about an hour later, watching fireworks launch and detonate in the air above the South Lawn. Drinking in the view, and my second beer of the night, my thoughts drift around, like a ship at sea, eventually settling on my closest companion.

Jay.

"I still can't believe it took so long for all of...that...to happen. I believe even less that she felt the same way! And still does!"

I look down at the half-empty bottle in my hands, running my thumb over the paper label.

"The longer our relationship goes on, the less likely it seems to be a ruse. A practical joke that cruel? Not her style."

"I love her so much." I think to myself with a sigh. "I wonder if she knows just how much? Maybe when we get home, I'll show her."

My daydreaming about jewelry stores that might be open again is interrupted by Jay herself appearing at my side. She smiles warmly and pops the cap off her bottle, looking up at the fireworks in the sky.

"Quite the night, isn't it?" She asks as a blast of red bathes the Lawn below.

I nod in agreement. "New York wasn't nearly as grateful."

Jay frowns. "I'm sure they were. Maybe it was too cold for fireworks?"

"Maybe." I say with a giggle. I turn my full attention to her. "What now?"

My partner returns the look. "Now...I guess all we can do is wait. For word from Faye, or Manny, maybe even Ellis. They'll tell us to go home, to stay here and help clean up, or won't say anything at all."

"The Militia seems more than equipped to mop up any stragglers from all the factions." I point out. "They may want help with the Outcasts, though. Or with securing the Dark Zones."

"Ugh, don't remind me." Jay says with a cringe. "That's an order I hope to never hear from anyone.

"Then let's just pretend that it won't happen and look forward to going home."

"I like the way you think." Jay replies, holding her beer out and we clink our bottles together.

As I raise mine to my lips, something out of the corner of my eye catches my attention. I squint at it for a moment, setting my bottle down and taking Jay's MK14 rifle off of her back.

"What?" My companion asks. I look through the scope to see a group of people moving to the side of the South Lawn, obviously trying to stay out of sight.

"What do you see?" Jay persists, clearly confused as to why I took her rifle.

"Who the hell is that?" Is my only response.

"Where?"

"Bunch of guys in all black, 11 o'clock low." I say, passing the weapon back. "One of them looks like he's wearing a suit."

Jay looks through her scope for a moment, trying to find my target.

"Is that...President Ellis?" She asks. "I thought he was inside. At the party."

I look to my partner, but she's nowhere to be seen.

"Sarah?"

Looking at the Lawn again, I see her making a beeline for where we last saw the mysterious figures.

"Sarah!" I jump over the railing and chase after her, eventually catching up near a small building that's partially covered by foliage.

"What are you doing?!" I hiss at her, catching my breath. Sarah ignores me, instead looking for a way inside. The only door is passcode locked, and pushing on it has yielded no success.

"This is where they went." My companion says simply, activating her Pulse to scan the door. ISAC quickly creates a bypass and the door opens, revealing a simple elevator door. We exchange worried glances, and she presses the 'call' button. The car arrives a few moments later and we enter, taking a short ride down, where we are greeted by a large laboratory, dozens of chemical storage containers, and several people. Most are wearing all black and carrying a variety of weapons. The only one that isn't is none other than President Andrew Ellis.

"Agents! What a pleasant surprise." He says, seeming unfazed by our sudden arrival. His company, however, are less welcoming, as all of them raise their weapons at us.