'The Pit: Hell Frozen Over' - Arc 3, Chapter 3: 'The One Truth' (Closed, Started)

[Fappy]

Kusanagi couldn't help but think back to the stories her patients in New Troy--the soldiers fighting to defend the city-- had told her about lying in wait for days at a time. Maybe it was because she hadn't received any formal training, but she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of anxiety. She was never very patient to begin with and lying in the dirt, waiting for the enemy to make it's move was torture. Her blood was boiling. She was ready for the hunt to begin.

And then there was Nikolai. She couldn't quite see him from her position, but she knew where he was. Though she'd told herself she wouldn't worry too much, she couldn't help but think of the Dog and her friend, Acolyte. She'd already lost enough friends and she'd never forgive herself if she let another fall in battle... especially for a cause she didn't believe in.

No, they would never forgive you if you made a bad call on their behalf and got yourself killed. Focus on your orders. That's what soldiers do. That's what soldier do.

Kusanagi wasn't a soldier, but she'd play the part if it meant they'd make it out of this alive. Listening to orders... now that was something she'd never been good at. She was stubborn if nothing else.

"Convoy approaching."

Kusanagi's eyes widened, suddenly more alter than ever. It was too late to think now. Too late for any regrets. Things were about to happen and there was no turning back.

She never had the chance to talk things over with Nikolai. He probably hated her at this point.

Fuck, no! You can't think like that! You can't bring that kind of baggage into battle!

What if one of them died today? They couldn't just end things the way they were now! Kusanagi bit her lip, nervously and closed her eyes in an attempt to sneak a quick meditation in before the battle.

Just focus on the fight. Just focus on the fight. Just focus on the fight.

 

[The Funslinger]

Korovitch jogged quickly down the corridor towards the perimeter of the base, with all ten members of Iron Squad fanned out behind him. All of them carried assault rifles, except for Wickers, who had the designated marksman's rifle. Shifting his rifle to hold it one handed by the grip, Korovitch pulled the radio from his belt. He was told Lieutenant Clementia had charge of the perimeter. He needed to get there and relieve her.

"Lieutenant. Come in, Lieutenant. Report on your position, immediately. Over."

==================================================================

Riley was sat against a tree with a whetstone. He'd sharpened both of his machetes, and was now sharpening the broad headed arrows he'd packed into his quiver. Their Kevlar would be all but useless against these.... He looked up at a flash of yellow eyes off in the shadows. Odin was circling the perimeter of their camp. Riley was keeping the wolf at the camp to harry anyone who fled. He wanted him away from the worst of the action, where bullets would be flying everywhere. With his arrows sharpened to the keenest edge, he turned to his .45, checking its slide and load, as well as his additional clips.

Acolyte gently placed a hand on Lucia's shoulder. Her distress was clear as she bit her lip hard. "We'll be okay. Tao wills as Tao wills, but we make our own destinies."

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"Attention all units. We are under attack from hostile ground and artillery forces. This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. RACDI-Alpha is now in immediate and indefinite lock-down..." Lee called out over the radio system that covered the entirety of the facility; Abigail was in her room, getting ready for sleep when the announcement came through. She instantly remembered the words that Lee spoke the other day, remembering the important details.

"Auxiliary Warden Nyte, I am entrusting my rear guard to you... Should it come to that, you will not be a hostile combatant to enemy forces... However, this secret you will guard, with your life if needs be. When necessary, you will use this tunnel to smuggle in, and out, any personnel or equipment that can be used to hamper the efforts of those who hold The Pit... It is imperative that this back door is kept open the lives of every living soul down there, at the very least, depends on it... I have told you to, you will do it because they need you to."

"Time it seems, for me to go to work. Guess I should go visit Lee, and see what needs doing." Abigail remarked in a rather sombre tone as she quietly changed out of her night clothes, and back into her work uniform; she even strapped on a holster and armed herself with a pistol in case she encountered a breach, with these artillery attacks, something may have gotten through.

Unlike others who were either panicking or rushing about to man the defenses, Abigail calmly made her way towards the Command Center of the facility, as that would have been the likely place where Lee would be at the moment. She rushed towards a elevator though, and took it up a few floors, and then carried on walking. Eventually she made it to the Command Center, but was stopped by two guards that were posted outside.

"Sorry Miss, but I'm afraid no one aside from authorized personnel are permitted entry."

"But I need to speak with the Warden-In-Chief now, it is relevant to our current situation." Viola said in a loud voice, hopefully it was enough that Lee or someone else in there might overhear.

 

[ProtoChimp]

At the time of the alert Clementina promptly got prepared, readying her rifle and pistol as she headed off to defend the atrium. She was a bit drunk, however in the few hours since the alert she had rather sobered up. She heard the crackle of her radio and the voice of Captain Luka Korovitch.

"Lieutenant. Come in, Lieutenant. Report on your position, immediately. Over."

"Captain Korovitch, I am outside the atrium ready to defend sir."

====================================
"C'mon c'mon wake up wake up. He's opening his eyes!"

Felix heard a voice as he saw a blur standing over him. As his eyes began to clear he saw that it was a warden. "You lucky ************ you have no idea how close you came to getting crushed." He grimaced.

"Wha... what happened?" He muttered.

"A shit ton of fucking rocks came down is what happened, you were near the exit when one knocked you the fuck out. We got you out just before you got crushed."

'The cave in. Of course!'

"What happened to the guard I dragged out? The prisoners who were left behind? Did they make it out?" He said, ragging at his uniform before the ringing came back to his headsplitting injury.

"Calm down man calm down you're hurt bad, the back of your head got cut the fuck open, it wasn't too bad but you were bleeding, like I said you're a lucky mother fucker." he replied, trying to calm Felix down and lying him back down on the floor.

"Yes but..." Felix took a moment to breathe. "But what of the guard and the other prisoners?"

The guard looked away and to the side. "They um... none of..."

Felix grimaced at the thought. He had failed miserably. "Is there to be some form of burial?"

The guard was speechless for a moment. "Can... Can you not hear whats going on? The entire pit is on lockdown"

"Lockdown? questioned Felix.

"We're under attack."
==================================
Travis was literally about to enter his cell when suddenly the door slammed shut in front of him. "What the fuck? The fuck is this shit?!" He grabbed the bars and attempted to shake them before turning around to see every single cell doing the same. "What the fuck is going on. God dammit where is that mother fucker when you need him." Unsure of the situation Travis headed up as high as he could go into the lower levels, however the entire wing he was in had been cordoned off with a skeleton crew of wardens working guard duty. A large crowd of prisoners gathered as they shouted as to what was happening.

"The fucks going on?"

"Lets us leave scumbags!"

"This shit ain't right!"

A guard stepped up and addressed the prisoners. "Everybody get back get back I know you can't go to your cells gathering here isn't gonna do anything, just get out of here and we'll tell you the situation as it unfolds."

"FUCK YOU PIG FUCKER!" Shouted a prisoner.

"YOU CAN'T TAKE US THERE AIN'T ANY O' YOU DOWN HERE!" yelled another.

"STEP THE FUCK BACK!" responded the guard as he readied his sub machine gun, "I HAVE ENOUGH BULLETS HERE TO PUT YOU ALL FUCKING DOWN AND THERE'S NO POINT! We're in lockdown, no one in, no one out there's nothing behind us anyway!"

The prisoners were getting angrier by the second. 'If we can kill those guards we can have lots of goddamn fun down here. Fuck who knows, lockdown means something fucked's happening so maybe-Holy shit maybe we can get out! FUCK ME ESCAPE!' The thought ran through his mind over and over and over. He could be out there, fighting and killing and raping once again... in the open air. It had been so long since he had felt a breeze on his skin other than scared breath, it would be a brilliant change of pace.

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

"I intend to plug it, and until I can ascertain that none of you are involved, I will be keeping you all in my sight."

Richard had almost forgot about how many enemies Venture Horizon had and the blaring alarm was a reminder of it. The executives were "ushered" into Lee's little war room where the news that the facility was under attack was confirmed. He went through an imaginary list in his head on who exactly could be attacking them but Richard kept his cool. He didn't exactly trust the Wardens but knew enough that they would offer protection.

"Whatever you say, Lee." Richard said. "It's your facility after all..."


---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey! What the hell is going on out there?!" Lewis shouted as Wardens ran past his room one after another. The alarms blared over and over again with Lee's familiar voice coursing through the corridors. The facility was being attacked, that much he knew but who would? He knew that this facility had a good amount of resources underneath but was it really worth a full-scale attack?

"Hey! Let me out! I can fight!" Lewis yelled out.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"It's your facility after all..."

"Good." Lee said tersely, before anyone else had time to object. "Follow me please."

As they left the command centre, with Commander Montoya and Falchion Squad in tow, they interrupted an altercation happening outside.

"But I need to speak with the Warden-In-Chief now, it is relevant to our current situation."

"Warden Nyte," Lee announced, unsurprised. "I want you to round up all non-combat personnel that you can find. Get everyone to convene in the Mess Hall. If necessary, there's a panic room below that you can use to take shelter."

===========================================================================================================================

The Talon watched the convoy round the corner, and draw closer to the ambush zone. Two LRV's, front and rear, with a recon tank and a large, articulated truck in the centre. Her eyes narrowed as she readied the jammer, waiting for the exact moment.

'Now!'

"What the..." she heard the driver of the lead vehicle curse a second later, before turning to the comms officer set in the passenger seat. "Tell everyone to hold up. We've stalled and our batteries fried. I want a perimeter around us until we can get moving again."

"Phase two, go." She whispered over the radio.

As the Behemoth troops began to pile out of the truck, two wires were fired from a grapple gun over their heads, embedding in trees on the opposite side of the road. With the noise of the shock-troopers piling out onto the asphalt, nobody heard the sound. Not a moment later, two Songbirds, one from each tree, began to shimmy across the wires to the centre, hanging directly above the truck and the tank respectively. Two blowpipes fired with hardly a sound, and the gunners on top of each vehicle shuddered sightly, before slumping forward on their mounts. Those below them unaware, the two Songbirds dismounted gracefully, and began prepping their charges.

"Phase three."

Dozens of flash-bang grenades arced out into the middle of the road from both sides, landing in and around every vehicle, at the same moment as the two songbirds on the truck blew open the topside hatches, before dropping their own stun grenades inside. A second later, the detonations all popped in a staccato rhythm. Now, the behemoths were stumbling around, clumsy and blinded. Some were wrenching their massive helmets off, as if to let the pounding in their ears escape. Those were the first to die, dropped by crisp and precise head-shots. Before long the rest were falling, felled by high-velocity bullets and crossbow bolts aimed in the gaps between their heavy plates. With no-one returning fire, the Songbirds could take careful aim at their leisure.

The Talon made her way out into the road just as the last of the Behemoths were being picked off, and the science team, still dazed by the grenades, were being tumbled unceremoniously from the truck.

"Bring them to me." she commanded.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"Warden Nyte." Lee announced nonchalantly. "I want you to round up all non-combat personnel that you can find. Get everyone to convene in the Mess Hall. If necessary, there's a panic room below that you can use to take shelter." He then added.

"Yes, of course sir." Abigail said with a salute. "Apologies for the disturbance at such a crucial time, seems like some people weren't getting the message." She then added, referring to the two guards posted outside. Abigail then made a quick turn around and mostly headed back the way she came.

Descending back down the elevator, Abigail was stopped after a floor, the doors opened, and in front of her was Zachary. The man was about two years younger than Abigail, and arrived at the Pit just over a year after her. His usual shoulder length dark brown hair had been cut back to just below his ears, and he was dressed in a clean uniform.

"Zach, glad I bumped into you, and it's great to see that your up and about."

"Thank you kindly Abby, the Doctor declared me fit for duty just over an hour ago. Just what in hell is going on around here?"

"To put it straight and to the point Zach, RACDI-Alpha is under attack by an as of yet unknown enemy. I've just been ordered by the Lee himself to gather all non-combat personnel and lead them down to the Mess Hall. Now that your here, I'll need your help in completing this task. Once we get down another couple of floors, we'll split up into two, you take one side, I'll take the other, and we'll lead everyone we can down to the Mess Hall. Understand me?" Abigail asked in an authoritative tone.

"Yes ma'am." Zachary said, giving a salute after as he entered the lift and they descended down two more floors. They soon arrived at the floor that housed the medical wing and the storage rooms for all the upper floors of the prison. Zachary took the right path towards the Storage Area, Abigail went to the Medical Wing. Searching each room, she could hear the sound of someone banging on the door.

"Hey! Let me out! I can fight!" A man shouted out, getting closer, Abigail discovered it was Lewis. Pulling tightly on the door handle, it came open with a sudden hiss. Stepping inside the room, she could see it was just Lewis and a girl she didn't recognize, who appeared to be asleep.

"Lewis, haven't seen you in a while. Listen, I ain't got time to chat, I need you to take up your friend over there and follow me. We gotta every non-combatant down to the Mess Hall, Warden-In-Chief's orders."

 

[Fappy]

"We'll be okay. Tao wills as Tao wills, but we make our own destinies."

Before Kusanagi could reply the operation had already begun. She watched in awe as all the pieces fell into place. She was so distracted by the whole spectral she had almost missed her queue. Hers was the last flash-bang to arc overhead.

"Bring them to me."

Kusanagi wondered to herself what would happen to the scientists. They were non-combatants after all. Would they really just off them?

Of course they will.

Kusanagi didn't like it, but that was the reality of the situation. A reality she'd long since stopped combating. She simply sat and watched.

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************

Neil sat high-up on a small outcrop in the stone wall, overlooking a large section of the lower level's cells. Panic was already starting to set in. He could only imagine what was going on on the surface right now. He had spent the last hour salvaging everything he needed to stay alive. He had to travel light, yes, but he also had to make sure he had an excess of essentials in case he had to stay put in one spot for a prolonged period of time. Because of this, a lot of his gear had been spread out across the lower levels. Hidden in discreet locations that he hoped no one would find in the event that he needed them.

This was bullshit. Complete and total bullshit. He couldn't blame Lee, however, Neil agreed that he was the best man for the job. Just his luck, too. He'd spent the last three months trying to bury something that he now needed in order to save... everyone. He couldn't imagine ever having this kind of responsibility... he never wanted this kind of responsibility. It was too much.

Then again... maybe they would repel the attack. Maybe Lee would survive and all would be well.

No... nothing ever goes right... not here.

After spending the majority of his career in this cesspool his outlook had grown far too pessimistic to believe such a fantasy. Something deep down inside told him that it would fall on him. That this was his punishment for the sins he'd committed under the command of Sticks. He would be made to watch people die. To watch innocents suffer... and he'd have the ability to stop it.

He'd have the ability to stop it with ease, but he would not be allowed to do so.

Knowing he could save them from their suffering.

That was the cruelest part.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Nikolai watched, his M60 propped up against his shoulder, as the scientists were marched in front of The Talon. There was a moment, at first, where she just looked at them, neither side moving or saying anything, and for the briefest second a look passed over her eyes that Nikolai could not explain. There was a cold, venomous rage there, but underneath that something else. It was a sort of melancholy tenderness, of which Nikolai could only imagine someone might feel when setting eyes on a close friend or family member who had been away for a long time. Nikolai could not make out what she said to them when they spoke, but afterwards the scientists obeyed her every command without appeal, resistance or even question. It was surreal.

First, the science team handed over their identity cards, which some other Songbirds than set about altering. They cut out the small, square photographs with exquisite attention to detail, and replaced them with the images of those Songbirds who would take their place. Next, they took copies of their fingerprints, which were then transferred to thin latex moulds, which the Songbirds smoothed down onto their own fingers. As all this was going on, others were stripping the dead Behemoths of their armour, and putting it on in their place. painted a dark, matte black as it were, these troops didn't even need to bother washing out the bloodstains.

Finally, after the space of only a few minutes, The Talon made the scientists remove all their clothes. Again, they obeyed without retort, handing their coats and all the rest to the Songbirds, while they stood naked and pathetic. When that was done, The Talon made them all kneel by the side of the road, facing the ditch, and shot them all in the back of the head, one by one. Not one of them even cried out when their turn came.

"Let's move." she said, when it was all done. "We've kept Venture waiting long enough."

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

All the pounding and screaming paid off as someone opened the door and it just happened to be Ms. Nyte. Lewis was happy that she responded but grew apprehensive as she gave him the orders.

"We gotta every non-combatant down to the Mess Hall, Warden-In-Chief's orders."

"I-uh... roger that." Lewis said before turning to an unconscious Aggie. She was just wheeled into his room after the doctors had stabilized her but no doubt the doctors were long gone as soon as they heard the sirens. He was careful with her and delicately placed his arms under her knees along with beneath her torso. He lifted her up the best he could and followed Ms. Nyte out of the room. Aggie was surprisingly light but considering how it was in the Pitt, the loss of body fat was anything but surprising. He hoped that she was okay. As Lewis walked through the hallways, he looked down at the unconscious Aggie, stealing a glance at his sister.

"Now I'm doing the protecting..." Lewis whispered to Aggie. He tailed Ms. Nyte as the facility endured the siege.

 

[Fappy]

Kusanagi watched in silent acceptance as the scientists were executed. Whether it was fair or not, they'd chosen their side. The world was at war. No matter who you were or where you came from you'd feel its effects in some way. If they hadn't been killed they would have likely been tortured, so in a way the Talon had shown them mercy.

The very idea made her sick to her stomach.

Was this what the world was truly like? Was this what humanity had been reduced to? Cold, calculated logic? As the others prepared to head out Kusanagi remained where she stood, staring at the remains of a dead scientist nearby. She was young. She couldn't have been much older than herself.

"We've kept Venture waiting long enough."

Indeed.

Whether it was correct or not, Kusanagi chose to believe this woman met her end at the hands of Venture Horizon. The same group that was responsible for her own suffering. She knew she had to put a face to a name. She needed something to symbolize her fury. Some image to insight her rage.

The passive, glazed look of the young woman's eyes would be that symbol. This dead innocent, a victim of the villainous Venture Horizon. They had to be stopped... once and for all.

As she followed after the other soldiers, rifle in hand, Orphan's words faded into the back of her mind. His warning would fall on deaf ears this day.

Kusanagi would have her revenge.

 

[The Funslinger]

"Captain Korovitch, I am outside the atrium ready to defend sir."

"We will be at your position within fifteen minutes, Lieutenant. You must hold out until then."

============================================================

Riley buttoned up the shirt taken from one of the scientists, and shrugged the white lab coat on over the top. Getting his bow and quiver into the compound without drawing attention had been an issue, but in the end he had settled on placing them into an attache briefcase. With his stolen clothes on, he took out a small plastic case, and opened it. Inside was a pair of tinted contact lenses, that he put in delicately. Turning to Talon, he grinned. "How do I look?" The contacts concealed his vibrant yellow pupils, making them look a bland, ordinary hazel.

Acolyte had put on the armour of one of the Behemoths. It was as heavy as it looked, but built in such a way that the plates would slide with movements. He took a few experimental steps, and moved his arms. Satisfied, he picked up the soldier's hefty assault rifle.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"I-uh... roger that." Spoke Lewis as he turned round to pick up the sleeping girl, which Abigail thought to be at least a little bit sweet. The three of them were soon out of the room and carried on down the hallway. As they passed each individual room, Abigail would check to see if anyone was in there.

Most of the rooms were empty, but there were a few more to add to the convoy; mainly a doctor and another patient. After they were given a quick rundown of the situation from Abigail, the doctor fetched a wheelchair from the room for Lewis's lady friend, which Abigail thought she could hear him quietly talk to her earlier.

"Wonder what the deal is with those two. Lovers? Unlikely, but it could be possible. Brother and Sister perhaps? More likely, they do share some similarities. I'll ask him later." Abigail looked out across the way and saw the small group that was following Zachary.

"Let's just hope there is enough room on the elevator."

Sirens were still going off, and full time Wardens were making their way to defensive positions or up topside to hold back the attackers.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"How do I look?"

"Appropriately bland." The Talon replied, smiling. "Remember, you are not to do anything to arouse suspicion until you have located and are in possession of the rest of the Phantom samples. When you've done that, you can kill anyone who stands in your way, though it's likely everyone will be too busy repelling our attack to challenge you."

The Talon allowed herself one last look inside the truck. The Phantom samples were there, her troops were confirming its validity now. it would be so easy to just make off with what they already possessed. No, their plan require the whole stock, and to get to the rest of it they needed to hand over this batch to Venture first.

"Get moving." She told them all, stepping back onto the tarmac. "The rest of us will be at the perimeter in 10."

===========================================================================================================================

"May I ask where exactly we're headed?" Selina panted, trying to keep up with Lee's quick stride in her heels.

"Server Room C." Lee answered pointedly. "When we updated RACDI-Alpha's defences, must of our focus went on deflecting electronic attack. Even with state of the art technology, whoever is attacking us now would not be able to dupe our systems without inside help."

Then Lee switched the conversation over to his ear-piece.

"Major Mbutu." he barked "Have you narrowed down the source yet... Have Gold Squad reached B... Alright, tell them too double time, we're almost at..."

"I don't think that's necessary, Colonel." Selina interrupted, pointing down the corridor they'd just turned into, where two Wardens lay slumped outside the door to the server room.

 

[The Funslinger]

Bowing theatrically, Riley turned and followed his men back into the transport truck. "Beep beep, mother fuckers. Let's get moving."

The vehicle moved off, towards the compound. Their actions had been hidden by the treeline, and the gate guards would be none the wiser. The vehicle came to a stop at the checkpoint, and Riley passed over his newly doctored identification card. "This seems to check out. That said, we heard some bangs. Like gunfire. Everything okay?" It was a loaded question.

Riley shrugged. "A little engine trouble. Damn thing came to a stop, and backfired when we started it up again. But we're here now. Best let us through before the piece of shit cops out again." With that, they were off. Everyone began to climb down from the trucks. "Alright, guys. Store houses are on the eastern side of the compound. Let's go." Checking the clip holster was well concealed under his heavy lab coat, Riley started walking.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

By the time the rest of the Songbirds made it to their positions in sight of the compound, Riley's party were already inside. That, however, was only the beginning of their journey. The consignment of Phantom had to pass through processing over a kilometre's worth of sub-levels below, and Team One's progress would be next to glacial that whole way. The Talon did not want to start the attack until all samples were in Team One's reach. After that, Venture had no more reason to keep them at the base other than some customary administration work. Easily overlooked in the event of a sudden and massive security breach. She wouldn't even need to bother overriding the lock-down for them. Everything was going according to plan, and The Talon was sure, although she was currently in no position to make contact, that the other pieces were falling into place as well.

It was almost twenty minutes before Riley's tracking beacon pulsed to show his destination had been reached. The moment of truth was upon them. In rapid fire The Talon sent off status reports to all the different elements. They came back ready on all counts. Licking her lips a little in anticipation, she clicked her radio to broadcast on all the channels, and whispered.

"Phase one."

A few seconds later, the low roar of of an engine being revved to its limits encroached behind her, undercut by the crackle of gravel beneath rubber as the jeep careered up the road. A scant second more after that, and the soldiers on the gate heard it too, and began to assume their formation for receiving unscheduled guests. The noise grew louder, and now the troops who were patrolling just inside the perimeter began to take notice. As all eyes began to focus on the road ahead, not one of them noticed as the snipers, machine-gunners and rocketeers posted in the watchtowers above began to drop, lances of blood spurting from their throats and skulls as shots fired from over half a mile away silently found their targets. Not a man on the ground saw, as the truck was on them now. It bore their colours, but was not answering their hails, and seemed to have little intention of stopping as it sped towards the gate. Their were shouts, and the assembled soldiers all raised their rifles and took aim.

"Phase two."

An almighty barrage of hell-fire fell upon the compound, all at once out of the stillness of the second before. Mortar bombs whistled before detonating on their descent, aimed at pillar boxes and other entrenched positions. Plumes of dust and smoke, accompanied by teeth-rattling bangs were forced up into the sky in every direction. More infantry fell to another salvo of sniper fire, and at the same time rockets screeched in from every direction, leaving white streamers in their wake. Many were intercepted by the mobile countermeasures around the base, but the Songbirds had compensated, and vehicles, machine-gun nests, and the two helicopter gunships that had been parked near the airstrip, all were hit and burst into flame. This sudden bombardment cost the troops on the gate a few seconds of bewilderment that they could not afford, and by the time they had recovered their senses, the jeep was moments crashing headlong into the re-enforced concrete. It never quite got that far however, as all the plastic explosive that had been secured inside detonated, reducing the entire gate structure to rubble, and the men manning it to red mist and fragments, in one enormous conflagration.

"Phase three!" The Talon shouted, and all around her the Songbirds fired at will, beginning their advance in a hail of bullets that criss-crossed the compound, cutting down any Venture soldiers who hadn't already hit the deck. It was only now that the alarm sounded.

 

[ProtoChimp]

Things were getting more volatile by the minute in the lower levels of the pit. With every wing cut off many were halted from going to their cells and from their personal food stash, and even if they could the cell doors were shut. A few men next to Travis were becoming rowdier by the second and were beginning to aggravate the Dragon.

"Mu'fucka I'mma starve out here!" Yelled an ex Crip. Travis actually recognised him. Oddly enough the crip was grouped with a Yakuza and a Snake head who instead of taking their anger out on each other were focusing on the guards.

'If these niggers and slit eyes don't shut the fuck up soon I'm gonna end up giving the Reaper reason to kill my ass.'

It only took one slight nudge and everything had kicked off.

A Neo Nazi had pushed past between the snake head and crip, causing the pair to curse at him. "Yeah yeah, calm down boys let the human's handle this."

Then it was over. The Crip, Snake head and Yakuza immediately began punching the Aryan in the back of the head. Even in the confined space they managed to bring him down and stomp on him. As he went down he fell into someone in front who turned around and leaped at the three men. Travis stepped aside as a brawl began to ensure. Around him everyone had lost it at the sight of a punch being thrown, and the simple act of a slight push was enough to incite a hellish rage and want of murder. Everyone was beating the shit out of each other. Travis was unsure if he should contain himself for the sake of his survival or let loose and finally let the dragon fly. His answer came as a man pulled him by his hair and let loose a fury of fists upon his face. Travis elbowed him but the man was large and tough, he had the flank and the element of surprise. What he didn't have however was a large, warden issued knife. Dropping to his knee to escape the punches for a moment Travis pulled out his knife and stabbed the men hard in the groin. The man screeched in pain as Travis brought the knife up his abdomen and gutted him. Swiftly he pushed the man at another who began punching the dead body, thinking it was still alive.

'Euphoria... Euphoria... EUPHORIA!'

The first murder Travis had committed in months and god damn it felt better than sex. Travis made his way towards the back of the crowd attempting to escape in case one of the wardens had seen him, but they had their own problems to deal with right now. From the fight starting the prisoners at the front line thought it would be a good idea to rush the guards. They were cut down like nothing-and anarchy had begun.

Many scattered at the sound of gunfire, many kept fighting other prisoners and many others attempted to attack the guards. Bullet flew along with blood, fists and teeth. The Dragon thought it good to scatter along with everyone else as he sheathed his blade... but his appetite for murder just couldn't be satisfied. He begged, BEGGED for someone to try and attack him. Someone, anyone.

Unfortunately for him few people thought it a good idea to fight someone covered in the blood of another.
==============================================================

Meanwhile in a separate wing of the lower levels Felix was resting up, a handful of wardens by his side. They were there simply to keep the prisoners in check, the rest attending to the mass accumulating at the entrances to various other wings. Felix sat up and clutched his head in agony as it rang out.

"Come in, come in. We can't send backup everywhere is in lock down. I'm sorry you're on your own." A warden said through his communicator.

"Whats... ugh..." Felix's head was in a lot of pain and he fought the urge to vomit. "What's happening?"

"Things are going to shit all around us, a riot is breaking out the next wing over. Where's your cell man? You won't be able to get in but it might be a good idea to get some food together or something." The warden replied.

"Um... its on the border of the mid and lower levels... far far away." Felix said humbly.

The Warden sighed. "Why the fuck were you down here then?" He would be angry if it wasn't for him attempting to save his friend, so he cut the Spaniard some slack.

"I wanted to learn my way around this place. I've only been here a couple days and I know how dangerous it can be to not know my bearings in case... well... something like this should happen."

"Christ... I get that but its a million times smarter to just stay in your own section. You've fucked yourself being this far away from your own cell. How are you gonna get food?"

"I didn't have any to begin with." Felix said weakly.

The guard sighed again and nodded. "Okay, its still stupid but I ain't gonna give you more shit, you tried to save my buddy. Just... just take it easy man."

"Thanks," said the Prisoner as he leaned against the ice cold wall.

 

[Fappy]

Kusanagi didn't have another chance to speak to Acolyte before their paths split. Though she'd pushed it to the back of her mind she prayed he'd be safe. She followed behind Talon as they got into position. A short time passed before she began coordinating the attack once more.

Like before, the Talon came across as more of a conductor of a symphony than a commander of an army. Everything had it's part to play among the chaos she'd created with every new destructive step she took. Though she spoke in a military, stern tone, Kusanagi could taste the joy on the Talon's lips. Every bullet fired on her behalf was vengeance against those that had wronged her. Their pain was her sustenance. Catharsis overtook Kusanagi as she watched the Talon, living vicariously through her as she brought vengeance down on her enemies.

For a second she had recognized the dangerous waters she was treading, but the moment passed just as soon as it had come. She was lost in the battle before her now and was patiently waiting for her turn. Kusanagi checked her gear one last time and gripped her rifle.

All Talon needed to do was give the order.

*****************************************************************************************************************************************************

From his position high above the chaos, Neil spotted the signs of a riot long before it erupted. It wouldn't be contained within this pocket alone, either. Just like it had three months, this place would turn into a bloodbath. After scanning the crowd with his binoculars he sighed and rubbed his eyes in frustration.

What the fuck am I supposed to do?

Neil couldn't be the Reaper anymore. He couldn't. That was a fact. Intervening now would only compromise the mission he was given. Lee.... the people needed Conrad, not the Reaper, and Conrad was nothing if not professional. He would follow orders and he would like it. Neil watched the carnage unfold, helplessly.

Hopefully the wardens would be able to contain it... hopefully.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"Phase three!"

Nikolai got to his feet, shouldered his M60, and fired indiscriminately into the midst of the chaos. All around him the others did the same. The world became a maelstrom of staccato cracks and muzzle flashes as rifles blared. Mortar bombs continued to fall, supplemented by the blasts from rockets and grenades tossed into the compound. Amidst it all Nikolai was still and calm, his finger still squeezing the trigger, and the belt of ammunition slithering over his shoulders as the gun ate into it steadily. Wherever he turned dust flew up from the well-trodden soil, or from the walls of concrete bunkers. Time seemed to slow, and he was faintly aware of an alarm blaring and voices screaming. The sounds were distant however, unlike the screaming from his dreams.

His leg clunked against the earth, the hydraulics hissing, as he took his first steps forward, firing all the while. The Talon had explained it clearly. They couldn't be content to just sit in their trenches taking pot-shots while the soldiers regrouped. They had to keep pushing forward. Make like they meant to take the base until the other team was away and safe. Only then could they fall back. Nikolai ceased firing as his first steps broke into a charge, and behind his the noise seemed thunderous as the others all followed. He had thought to be at the head of the assault, until he saw The Talon out-stripping him. She moved fast, blisteringly fast. Running headlong through the smoking remains of the gate with seemingly no regard for anything that was not right in front of her. Nikolai was not easily cowed, and yet even he was given cause to stop at what happened next. Ahead of them, soldiers that had survived the surprise attack were emerging out of trenches, or from out of the concrete buildings, or else just taking up position on the open ground. They raised their weapons and took aim, as The Talon drew her side-arm with her one good hand. They were many, she was one. They had armour, she did not. They carried rifles, she a pistol; and they stood still while she continued running at full pelt. They should have cut her down instantly, yet they stood and died, one by one, as all her shots found their marks without The Talon taking so much as a second to aim. Nikolai had grown up surrounded by cold-blooded killers, whether they be prisoners or the men who guarded them, and he had never before seen anyone shoot like that.

He was snapped out of his hypnosis when a bullet whistled past his head, almost taking off his ear. He wheeled and sent a hail of lead in reply, and two Venture soldiers who had been moving between cover convulsed and fell, red clouds spouting from their bodies as the bullets punched through their vests.

=========================================================================================================================

Lee signalled one of his men to go forward and check their fallen comrades, drawing his side-arm fluidly as he did so.

"Ms. Hernandez, Dr. Lu, behind me please." he said calmly.

Two fingers to the neck. First one, then the other, before the man on point turned back to the rest of the group down the hall and shook his head. Lee and the rest of the squad moved forward to the door, stacking up in single file against the wall. The man on point took position on the opposite side, and looked to Lee for instruction.

"Careful." was all he said, nodding.

Gingerly, but keeping his hand steady, the point man raised his arm, and very, very slowly began to turn the handle on the door. Inch by inch, and then a minute click as the bolt slid free. The Warden paused, before even more slowly easing the door open just a crack. He looked up at Lee, and nodded.

Taking a knee beside him, Lee looked through the crack of the door-frame, and inspected the trap that was waiting for them. He had seen the opened satchel on the body of one of the dead guards, and concluded that whoever they were up against was clever, but also sloppy due to being in a hurry. Such would prove to have been correct, as he inspected the grenade taped to the wall just inside the door. The wire that connected the door handle to the ignition pin had just a little slack, allowing them to open the door just a touch. Now though, it was taut. Even a tiny jerk of his fellow Warden's hand on the door would pull the pin and blow it up in their face. Lee took his thumb and forefinger and pinched the wire. With his other hand, he slipped out a small, but deadly sharp combat knife. He positioned the knife under the wire, cutting towards him rather than away, and began to gently saw back and forth. The metal on nylon made only the whisper of a sound, and a few seconds later, the wire cut in two and fell slack.

Pocketing the knife and standing up again, Lee re-drew his gun and nodded to the man on point, who promptly stood up and kicked in the door.

Only one man was inside the room, garbed in civilian dress. He had his back to them, typing furiously at one of the consoles inside. At the sound of the intrusion, the man wheeled, snatching a silenced pistol off the surface beside him, cat-quick.

Lee however, was quicker, as the man raised his gun to fire, Lee's first shot took him through the upper arm, causing him to fumble the pistol and cry out in pain. The second shot took him in the belly, just below the ribcage. The man was propelled back into the console, before sliding down to the floor in a heap, his good hand clutching at the new red stain spreading across the front of his shirt. Behind him, Lee heard Selena gasp and exclaim "Le Saux!"

"Find out what he was doing and fix it!" Lee barked to his men as they piled into the room. He strode forward to the struggling, gasping figure, and put one foot on the pistol before it occurred to his opponent to reach for it again.

"You will bleed out inside of fifteen minutes." Lee informed the man, his voice cold but level, and his own pistol aimed straight at Le Saux's face. "Before that though, your stomach lining has been perforated, and acid is now leaking into your abdomen. When you die, it will be in agony, unless you tell me who you are and who you're working for, and then I'll end it quickly."

 

[The Funslinger]

Riley's group had been walking underground for quite a while when they finally reached the storage area, guarded by two behemoth soldiers.

"Identification, please."

Riley and his fellows who were dressed as scientists pulled out their doctored I.D. cards and showed them. "Purpose here?"

"Ah, we're here to perform a check up on the Phantom compound. We need to make sure it's properly contained, or else it could denature and be useless." Riley was no scientist, but neither were the soldiers, and he was willing to bet that it at least sounded convincing. The bet paid off as the door was opened. Filing through, he and the others set about bringing down the thick plated drums. "Be very careful, I don't need to tell you how dangerous this sh-- this compound is, gentlemen."

Finding a couple of dolly carts at the back of the room, he brought them out, and they loaded the canisters into them. Nodding to the door, Riley gestured to Acolyte, who set down his heavy rifle gently and moved. The suit was far too heavy and bulky for his usual fighting style, but he was still quick as he clapped hands to the helmeted head of one guard, knocking him unconscious. Even the suit didn't stop him from collapsing limply. Even in the armour, Acolyte was quick, moving to the other soldier as he raised his rifle, slamming a forearm into his throat, and pounding his knuckles at the large underarm gap of the armour. As the man's heartbeat was knocked out of pattern, the guard fell twitching. Acolyte sighed at that. Without medical attention, the man would die within minutes. But it was rendered moot as one songbird knelt down and slit their throats anyway. Shaking his head, Acolyte returned to pick up his rifle. No sooner had he touched it did a rumble then sound from above their heads.

"Phase two," said Riley softly.

=====================================================

Korovitch couldn't get his men to Clementia fast enough for his liking, particularly when enemy soldiers started turning up. The first couple fell to the synchronized flashes of his men's assault rifles. Another Korovitch hammered off his feet with the stock of his weapon. Shooting the prone figure, he moved on wordlessly. No time to waste...