Any trace of Wolf paraphernalia that had allowed Nikolai and his Free Men to get so far without incident had now been dispensed with. They were battling their way through a full on war-zone now, and to declare themselves for one side of the other through their clothing would only serve to draw unwanted attention from the everyone else. Not that it seemed to matter anyway, as most seemed to have little idea who they were supposed to be fighting, and anyone who got in Nikolai's way died, regardless of affiliation.
They were near Sharptooth's base of operations now, working their way through the gas mines where anyone who Shaptooth didn't want to use for personal business was sent to work. Making his way over a rickety bridge that spanned a fall into darkness, Nikolai's hammer left a trail of bodies in it's wake. Moving quickly, nobody recognised them through the noise and the darkness, and any who paid attention to them at all were cut down. Rounding some stairs, he almost ran right into Kusanagi, who in turn almost pulled the trigger of the pistol she was holding, a pistol he recognised from its previous owner, before she exhaled, and lowered it. One look at her face told Nikolai that he was too late for Sharptooth. The corners of his mouth twitched and he nodded his approval. Her brother looked ready to wet himself at the sight of Nikolai, a reaction that surprised him not one bit. It half-occurred to him to bend down and address the boy directly, in an attempt to calm him, but he dismissed it. Now was not the time. Besides, Nikolai was acutely away of how intimidating his appearance was at the best of times. To give the boy a better look at his grizzled, unsmiling face, which was right now smeared with somebody's blood, was unlikely to have any positive impact.
"It is all done, Kusanagi. We leave now, yes, before it is too late?"
"THE GAS!" Alexei yelled in warning, at the top of the stairs.
The Free-Men scrambled for cover. With no time for pleasantries, Nikolai scooped up Kusanagi and her brother effortlessly, vaulted over the side of the stairs, slid underneath into the corner, shielding them both with his massive hulk.
A split-second later, the whole world ignited. The explosion tore through most of the structure, hungry orange flames leaping from wall to wall. All the air was sucked out of the alcove where Nikolai hid, and he felt the searing heat on his back. The only sensation that could still cause him pain.
As quickly as it had come, the blaze passed. Kusanagi and her brother wriggled free from his grip, where they stumbled around, coughing and spluttering. Nikolai tried to get up, but found that he wasn't able to move. He was petrified. Huddling in the corner like a feral and frightened child. The ringing in his ears became the familiar screams inside his head, louder than ever, and he couldn't make them stop.
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"Initial reports suggest that at least 40% of targets are already eliminated Colonel." Montoya informed him. "Target Alpha is believed to be one of them, and there is now heavy fighting all over the Northern Quarter."
"What is Iron Squad's condition?"
"Korovich has engaged Target Sierra. Encountering resistance, but still advancing. Now ready to breach the Chapel."
"Good. The rest of the Warden's have retreated and regrouped. As soon as Sierra is confirmed dead. We send them in in force. By then most if not all objectives will be accomplished, and our focus shifts to damage control, and preventing a mass breakout."
'Damn them!' he cursed inwardly Damn them all! Venture, Azrael, Sticks. It shouldn't have had to have come to this!
