The aircraft touched down, immediately spilling out eight individuals clothed in greys, greens, browns and blacks, each with a small pack and at least one visible weapon each. As the last stepped off the aircraft, its door closed and it rose rapidly into the night, immediately vanishing behind holograms.

The leader of the group waved and they started to jog, their forms becoming a blur in the night darkness and snowfall.

~

~ Intrusion alert, ~ Nix said to Zoe as she finished tucking her last gps tracker underneath the chassis of a car. Quickly moving back out of the Bloodless Pact base, she stood in the darkness of an entrance in an alleyway before getting Nix to show her the footage. Darkly clothed people moved through the building where her suit was stored and, as she watched, their leader sent a coded burst with authorization codes, linking the team into Zoe’s network there. ~ Authorization received. ~

Zoe sent a short text message to the leader, informing them that they were good to bring everything with them, thanking them in advance. A few moments later, she received an acknowledgement reply.

“Our backup is almost here,” Zoe said to Kally and Boo as she turned towards their closest camp area. “Did you find any holding areas Boo?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “Though, I’ve ruled out a fair few buildings. I think once we make it in and don’t have to worry too much about being unseen, we should be able to find them quickly.”

“We better go get some rest then,” Zoe replied, leading the way back.

~

“They’re here Zoe,” Tyson said from his place sprawled across an office couch, head resting on Boo’s legs, which were propped up under an office chair. Maddison slept on her back, arms under her head. Kally jumped up and went to Zoe’s side as they waited near the stairs.

The noise of the group pushing a door open in the stairwell was the only noise they made as they came up the stairs. Kally strained her already exceptional hearing, but heard nothing, not even footfalls or rustle of clothing. As the group came up to the final landing, she understood why. The group of eight had their sounds muffled by the presence of Moot, a small and wiry looking man. As they made their way onto the landing and into the temporary camp, the sounds around Moot dimmed to nearly nothing before he closed his eyes, breathing out heavily. As he did, the sounds around him returned to normal levels.

“That’s neat,” Maddison said as she woke up upon hearing the noises of equipment being placed down. “Glad you could join us.”

“Thank you for preparing the way for us,” their leader replied, taking off their helmet, shaking out her shoulder length brown hair.

“Hey Tatyana," Zoe said. "Happy to have you here."

"We got the message that there were prisoners," another said as he passed over Zoe's bundled up suit.

"Oh, thank you Rudra,” Zoe said, taking her armour from the Indian man. “You’re rear guard?”

“Yeah, I’m medic for these lot.”

“Glad there’s another medic here,” Boo called, waving from the couch. “Thankfully this bunch seem to be relatively good at keeping out of trouble. Your sister here?”

“Yeah, I’m here,” a voice said as a woman stepped out of the darkest area near Boo.

“Ah, good,” Boo said, holding up a hand. The woman stepped up, grasping Boo’s hand for a moment. “Hey Anisha.”

“Hey Boo.”

“Okay folks, let’s camp down,” Tatyana said loudly enough that everyone heard. “Cold meals tonight, make sure we’re not using anything that is remotely bright. Don’t want to give our position away.”

Most of Tatyana’s team made grumbling agreement sounds as bags and armour started being dumped on the ground. Food was handed out as everyone made themselves as comfortable as possible.

~

A fourth satellite icon changed from blue to green along the top of the display in the war room. Of the twenty one symbols, four were now green, two were blue and the rest remained red.

"Is that enough to provide support to the strike teams?" a tech asked from their laptop.

"Give me the payload," Elaine replied. "If it's consistent with the others, then yes."

A few heartbeats passed before schematics and data appeared on the main screen. Elaine took a couple of steps to the screen, nodding as she did.

"Bien, good, yes, that is a confirmed strike for Prague and Vienna. Let's see if we can take over a few more during the night. Once we have, then we get to sleep." Elaine ran a hand down her face. "I'll get the coffee and food."

~

Hayden's alarm woke him. Grumbling at it, he slapped it off before getting up and quickly dressing. Making his way to the war room, he was greeted by sleepy faces, both those who had been up all night and those who had just woken up to take over. He got himself a coffee and some pastries before stepping into the middle area with Elaine, Gregori and a few others.

"Morning," he said around a mouthful of food.

"Matin," Elaine replied.

Hayden studied the display. Orbital views of both cities dominated the screen. The row of satellite symbols now had seven green and seven blue. "You've made good progress on the sats."

"Oui," Elaine replied as she tapped a few keys. The gps tags lit up, overlaid on the map screens. "Under un hour till launch," she said to the room in general."

"Teams confirmed as in place and ready for the strike," a comms operator stated from the back of the room. "Awaiting the all clear to proceed."

"Excellent," Gregori replied. "Can I have everyone's attention before people leave?"

Everyone paused in their tasks and conversations, turning to Gregori. "To everyone who worked through the night, thank you. You have earned your rest and for your efforts you will be compensated. For those just joining us now, we have a massive task ahead of us. Let's make this strike quick and decisive. Night shift, dismissed."

As Gregori finished, the conversation resumed as people swapped places, the night shift giving way to fresher faces. Elaine remained in the center of the room, standing sentinel over the room.

“You should sleep Elaine,” Gregori said, moving to her side. “But I know you wont till this is done.”

Elaine remained silent as she watched the screen, waiting for the time to launch their strike.

~

Zoe stretched before strapping a leg piece onto her lower leg. The group around here were already well into their preparations for the assault, their gear from the night packed away and various pieces of armour and weapons strapped on. Kally, finished with her prep, assisted Zoe with Nix, helping with the parts that were harder for just one person to do.

A low whistle came from Tatyana as Zoe finished putting on Nix. “It’s a full kinetic suit. Damn lucky to have found that.”

Smiling, Zoe patted the chest plate. “Yeah, I have no idea how many complete suits exist any more.”

“Have you combat tested it yet?”

“Only on the shooting range. This can take a sniper shell, get knocked over and get back up. I doubt I’ll have any major issues with enemies, so I’m happy to take point.”

“Roger,” Tatyana replied. She whistled sharply, getting everyone’s attention. “Zoe, Maddison, Tyson, Marco, Anisha, you have point. Boo, Rudra, hang back with me, keep in the comms, monitor us all. Everyone else, we have to find the prisoners and get them out.” Taking a quick glance at her watch, she scanned the faces watching her. “Thirty minutes till orbital. We hang back until we can confirm all impacts. Now, let’s go dismantle an empire.”

~

“T minus five minutes,” someone stated as the timer ticked down on the screen. “Satellites confirmed as ready to strike.”

Silence settled over the war room as everyone finished any tasks they had. The timer ticked down slowly, anticipation palpable in the air.

“T minus one minute.”

“Satellites warming up, strikes loading.”

“First targets locked. Confirmed four locks.”

“T minus thirty seconds.”

“All green from satellites over Vienna.”

“All green from Prague.”

“Assault teams confirmed in place.”

“T minus ten.”

~

“Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Satellites launching.”

“Confirmed launches from satellites seven, eight and twelve. No confirmation from fourteen.”

“Troubleshoot fourteen,” Elaine said, moving from the center of the room to a console, standing next to the tech.

“Confirmed second and third launches from all sats except fourteen.”

“I can’t figure it out boss,” the tech said up to Elaine. “It’s green, just not launching.”

“There must be damage to the satellite that is…” Elaine trailed off as the satellite status turned red. “We should have tested that one earlier.” She turned to the comms operator. “Inform Vienna team that they’re receiving half the strikes.”

“Aye.” The comms operator quickly opened a link while others rattled off important information.

~

Patching the comms through to all ear pieces, Zoe accepted the link. “You’ve got Alpha team.”

“You only have six confirmed launches, one of the satellites has come up red for launch.”

“Roger, thanks for the update.”

“Stay safe,” the comms operator replied before disconnecting.

As Zoe returned her attention to the base a few blocks away from them, she saw, heard, then felt the impact of the first projectile, followed rapidly by five more impacts. As soon as the last one hit, she started moving, Tyson and Maddison on one side and Marco in his gorilla form on the other.

An explosion reached Zoe's suit sensors as she ran the last block, outpacing the three with her. Firing a spray of energy from her weapons array at the guard post, Zoe tucked her head down and slammed into the gate with her shoulder, blowing through the obstacle.

Marco leapt over a car wreck, launching himself at one of the guards. A massive gorilla fist impacted with the guard, dropping him instantly. Glancing at the other two, he saw them dropping with a single shot through each head.

“Marco, I’m coming in,” Anisha said through the earpiece pinned to his gorilla ear. He stretched up and felt a blast of air as Anisha, using her shadow jump, appeared behind him in his large shadow. “Thanks big guy,” she said before vanishing again, appearing ahead in deep shadow, inside the base.

The gorilla snorted before roaring a challenge to the base that lay in front of him.

~

“Confirmed entry of assault teams.”

“E.T.A. of backup teams is fifty eight minutes.”

“As planned,” Gregori muttered, nodding to the aide nearby. “Now we wait and watch.”

~

"Targets to your ten Ty," Tatyana called through the comms.

"My ten?" he asked.

"Forward left."

"I'm aware they're there. I can hear them."

"Is he always this frustrating?"

"Yes," Maddison, Boo and Zoe replied.

"Right, you're on your own then Ty. Marco, your left, up a story."

Tatyana, from her vantage point outside the base and up a few stories, controlled a few drones while she looked around. She watched as Marco jumped and slammed into the guard who was leveling a gun at him. A meaty fist pummeled the guard, throwing the person back out the window.

"I got his back," a voice added as Anisha vanished and reappeared behind Marco.

Drawing a sword, Anisha stalked along behind Marco as they made their way through the building. Stepping into a corridor, Anisha vanished, appearing behind their enemies, striking them down with her sword. Looking at Marco, she saw him slam another guard into a wall. Nodding to him, they continued searching.

Zoe felt bullets ping off her armour as her visor tagged her assailants. Aiming her whole arm, bursts of energy lanced out, catching her enemies, stunning them. "Heading for building three," she said as she ran to the building she was being fired at.

~

She hissed in frustration as she slipped her vest on over her warm clothing before throwing the belts of her swords over her shoulders. Retrieving her pistols from their spot next to her bed, she stormed out of her room.

"Where's Ivan?" she yelled at the first soldier she saw.

"Sorry sir, no idea."

"Useless grunt," she muttered to herself. "Where's the fight?"

"Western gate. They have Tainted with them."

An evil grin stretched across the woman's face as she began her hunt.

~

Tyson and Maddison ducked, spun on their heels and dove forward together, rolling to their feet and lashing out, each removing an enemy trying to kill them.

"Building two clear," Maddison said as they quickly wiped their swords on their enemies clothing. "Seems like just offices here."

"Building one is storage," Anisha added. "Heading to four."

"Second wave incoming," Tatyana said into the comms as the last of the strike team started to make their way into the base. "Any injuries yet?"

"Marco has a few small injuries, says he's fine."

"Good, keep up the pressure. I see heavy troop movement coming from the far side, around building six."

"Roger," came various replies.

"Moving to five," Maddison reported as her brother moved to open a door for her. Quickly sheathing her swords, she unshouldered her rifle and aimed. The door flew open and, upon seeing soldiers on the other side, she fired a handful of precise shots before throwing the rifle over her shoulder again.

Tyson, with Maddison piggybacking his Talent, silently ticked down the bullets in each rifle as he pointed his sister towards the nearest hostile. He did a quick scan of all nearby thoughts and felt one filled with hope. The twins both paused for a second as Tyson focussed. "Non hostiles in or near building six," he called.

"Second wave heading to building six," their leader reported.

"Ty, Mads, focus five, Ani, Marco, focus four, Zoe, support second wave. No one is to rush ahead." A chorus of agreement reached Tatyana as she ordered the drones to move ahead, wincing as one was taken out near the sixth target building.

~

"They have a fucking suit!" a soldier yelled from his cover under a window.

The woman watched the battle for a few moments as the suited figure paused out in the open. "Don't waste your bullets on the suit," she ordered. "Only sniper or tank shells will take that out." Giving the order for heavier munitions to be used, a few soldiers scrambled away to find bigger guns as she watched the suited figure.

~

"They've stopped shooting me," Zoe said as she moved back a little, taking a few shots at any enemies she could see.

"Take it as a warning Zoe, they may be getting bigger guns," Tatyana said.

"Roger," she replied as she backed away from the building further, moving behind the edge of another building, one that had been hit in the orbital strike.

"We're almost up to you Zoe," the second wave reported.

Looking around, Zoe found a car that had been hit by the blast and went to work, removing its roof with a few quick strikes and twists. Gripping the beam in the middle after poking finger holds, she hefted her makeshift shield as the second team came up to her position.

"Good idea," the leader said as the team took cover with Zoe. "Let me take a look."

"Be careful Cory," another said, stepping next to their leader and wrapping an arm around his waist.

Cory slumped against his team member. Zoe quickly pulled up his file on her visor. "Third party viewing. Cory's Talent allows him to view the world through other people's eyes only. This leaves his body vulnerable. Those with psychic abilities may sense or block his Talent. Talent range seems to be limited to approximately fifty meters." Zoe looked over the man, thankful that he was on her side. While they waited, she tapped into the drone network, viewing what she could.

"Shit," Cory groaned as he came back to his body. "They're armed to the teeth and have grenades and a sniper." He tapped his comm link open. "Ani, can you jump with a sniper rifle?"

"Probably. Where is it?"

"In enemy hands, building six."

"Right. Tatyana, permission to engage?"

"Denied. There are too many bodies in there." Tatyana clicked her tongue a few times. "Shit. Right, Zoe, you've got the best chance to get in there. Cory, how many grenades did you see?"

"At least three," he replied.

"Gets trickier by the moment. Zoe, this is on you now. Can the suit take the grenades and sniper fire?"

"Sniper yes, it was tested against .50 cal shells. Grenades, no idea."

"Jesus. Okay, you need to get close in so they can't use the grenades. Ty, Mad, status?"

"Almost cleared five, will flank six shortly," Tyson replied.

"Right, Zoe, hold for now. Mad, can you track a grenade arch?" Tatyana asked.

"Easy."

"Sending a coordinate ping, get there, direct Zoe."

"On it."

Using her car shield, Zoe stepped out, angling the shield away from the team behind her and started firing at any targets she could see. Even with Nix assisting her aim, most of her shots didn't connect as people ducked when she pointed at them. Her visor lit up, targeting a grenade as it was lobbed through the air. Guiding her, Nix told her where to step and when to swing her makeshift shield, batting the grenade just far enough away that she wasn't hit by the blast. Her shield gained a few more holes and her teeth rattled, but she remained unscathed as she ducked back behind cover.

~

"Sir, reports coming in indicate Tainted amongst the attackers. Confirmed a gorilla and someone who jumps between shadows attacking third barracks."

The woman hissed with disgust, glaring out as the suited figure retreated behind cover again. "Bring three of the prisoners to me."

The soldier grabbed a few others and ran off deeper into the building.

~

"They're up to something," Tyson said into the comms as he and Maddison climbed onto the roof where they could get a decent view. Rolling over the edge ahead of Tyson, Maddison came out of her roll and lashed out with her swords, dealing with the soldiers on the roof as Tyson joined her. "We're in position though."

Floodlights flicked on, blinding most for a moment, lighting up most of the main areas between buildings. The main entrance swung open and three disheveled and dirty people were walked out, one with a gun to the back of their head, the other two with knives to their throats.

The dangerous looking woman stepped out and walked past the group, megaphone in one hand, other hand resting on a sword hilt. “Send your leader out,” she said in German, through the megaphone. “We will execute these people if you do not comply.”