Isaiah could now clearly see that while one of the descending LTAC’s had already passed the group up overhead, the other was sailing right for him. So, both of them were equipped with aerial drives, yet this lady is taking her sweet time with her approach? Interesting. It’s like she knows me somehow. He stood there, baiting the first move from the still quite distant Ap50 on the steady approach, no longer firing upon him as if it knew he was in the ideal defensive stance. Of course, those weren’t hybrid rounds just now. They were smart, avoiding using such dreadful things in the middle of town. The sounds of bystanders gathering around each side of the street from him, all recording devices aimed at him, had him even more at ease. Well now, Ms. Norris, what are you going to do?

The approaching Ap50 remained attached to its aerial drive set which consisted of a large booster engine with its own separate reserve in addition to pairs of long horizontal and vertical wing extensions to keep it stable under high travel speeds. Rather than electing to land and engage directly, it instead picked up speed and broke off from its approach, looking to circle around.

Isaiah couldn’t tell what it was up to, but he knew he was still the target as the IR sensor tracking steadily provided its warning sounds. He rotated to match angles with it, preventing it from ever getting an open shot before his thrusters cooled. No more than thirty seconds passed before the targeting alarms silenced, and the circling Ap50 began to dive in, almost as if it was waiting for the challenge.

The Cloak was no longer visible from within the visor’s view of the area below from the viewpoint of the Ap50 as it rapidly closed in on that intersection where it was last seen. Still, it pulled up from its dive as it decelerated quickly, making a smooth landing on the still-emptied street below as a sudden flash of jeers rained in from the surrounding alleys and buildings. The aerial drives remained attached, added weight perhaps not being a concern as its standard-issue rifle (conventional round-equipped) was shouldered once more.

Isaiah was already on the other side of the block, however, approaching the Ap50 from a parallel-running street. It took care in its strides to keep the meta-material covering his shield’s face as it rolled gently and quietly across the pavement, sword in hand, un-ignited. The moment he reached the edge of the intersection he was already prepared to engage as he rotated his angle to face directly at the Ap50. Something says this is too easy… no… he fought off doubts, knowing he had to make the first move. His feet didn’t even have the chance to apply the slightest amount of pressure before shots rang out, ripping across his meta-material covered shield, causing him to jump back in shocked surprise. Isaiah had not been ambushed nor had the jump on, much less twice in one minute. Damn, this girl’s good.

He then heard the signature roar of Hexa’s jump-boost initiation, knowing too well it would be an attack from directly above. He jumped up instinctively, sword ignited and thrust forward to the only location the Ap50 could approach from. The second he reached a height equal to the five-story condominium building, shots rang out from over fifty meters away from his backward-retreating target. He uncharacteristically misread his opponent, and it hurt as he dropped back to the pavement with an uncomfortable thud, racing to collect himself. She’s studied my every move somehow before they ever got here. Absolutely brilliant- I never thought they would be this invested to the point of risking so much over one single target. Shame on me... and to think she hasn’t even landed a stray bullet anywhere.

.

Revenant and Requiem continued their bee-line for the concrete wall that separated the precinct they were in from old Tejgaon, wary of the approach of the Hexa carrier craft not too far ahead but much higher in the sky above.

“Jump point approaching,” Revenant advised from the back. “Front units, keep pace and make your jump. Head straight for those landing carriers, opening fire the moment they enter firing distance.” He continued surveying the sky just above the wall, waiting for a signal of sorts. “Airfield, hold position and use cover, stay together until the carrier approaches firing range. Avoid, repeat, avoid all further engagement with the enemy.”

Just as he finished his last word, he felt the slightest hiccup-like sensation from somewhere behind him. Immediately after, a warning signal “Error Code 35: Nitrolysis Chamber #1” appeared at the top of his screen. “Damn it,” he muttered as he started to back off his approach speed.

“Rev, what’s going on?!” Requiem called back to him, unsure whether or not to slow down as well.

“Bitch hit one of the stabilizer feeds. Gotta back off or I’ll overheat,” he answered dejectedly as he slowed to a more modest pace. “I can still pull off one quick jump if I cool down. Go ahead and back up the others! I’ll just be behind a minute or two.”

“But I’ll miss you!” Requiem jokingly returned, feeling relieved it wasn’t more serious. Finishing off the chuckle he made to himself, he straightened back up to watch the team in front hit their jump-boosters. “Alright, man, catch you on the other side!”

Revenant continued his slow approach, eyes once more to the sky as to hopefully be of some help until he could cross through. He noticed the stray Ap50 was now starting to circle back but for the back end of the walled-in precinct. “Hey, heads up, I think that’s Norris’ buddy over there diving in.” He then switched to the broad area channel to warn those on the other side. “This is Revenant, suspected enemy spec-op unit is headed your way! Move in on the city now while we back you up from the other side!”

“Are you insane?!” the voice quickly chided in response. “No one mentioned their level of organization AND they’re shooting to kill! We did NOT sign up for this bullshit!”

“Move your ass or lose your ass,” Revenant shot back, unmoved by the attitude or the gall of the insubordination. “And Reaper is on his way. Who are we cleaning up? You decide.”

.

.

(Some minutes prior)

Sebastian’s heart was beating so hard he could feel it in his throat. The sounds of crumbling concrete and cracking support beams finally ceased as the long seconds passed by, waiting for his Ap50 to stop sinking into the building. By that point, he had estimated falling three stories before his descent came to a rest. He only knew because of experience, having fallen through a roof once when he faced the A-7 months back trying to get a better shot on it, and the experience wasn’t too far off from the parking garage that toppled on him the month prior. By this point in time, he was sick of crumbling concrete structures but was glad to still survive another episode.

“Shit, now what do we do?!” he heard Kerry over the radio, unable to hear any other shouting amongst the crashing noises earlier.

“Keep with the plan!” Sebastian shouted back over the channel, pulling his visor up after it failed to come back on.

“What about you?!” he heard Sam’s voice this time.

He continued unbuckling his helmet and started to pull off his harnesses. “I will get out of here somehow! Squad B! Your turn!” he shouted back resolutely, realizing his suppressed fear wasn’t about surviving the fall but about getting out alive.

“You heard him, boys!” he heard Andre shout as he reached under his seat, pulling out his survival sling pouch and PDW. He then proceeded to attempt to open the cockpit doors, relieved to find out there was not much in the way of fallen debris on top waiting to drop in and land on him. He quickly reached over to his earpiece to silence the audio-in function before extending the stock to his PDW, shouldering it as he slowly leaned forward to stand up, peering over the corners of his open cockpit, checking the area before grabbing and slinging his survival pouch, starting his quiet, careful descent to the floor below. Working his way past the loose chunks of concrete, holding onto solid alloy frame parts until his feet reached solid flooring, he remained fully focused on what his ears might be able to pick up. Nothing but echoes of the fire fight outside. He stepped gingerly over the loose debris until he could reach the first doorway he could get to, seeing it led to the main connecting hallway of that floor.

Almost pitch black without proper lighting, he paused to ensure no one was approaching before grabbing his flashlight and bandage rolling to affix the flashlight to the foregrip of the PDW. Clicking the button a few times with his thumb while maintaining proper hold of the newly rigged foregrip, he was now feeling prepared to make his exit attempt. Weapon shouldered, taking in a deep but quiet breath, he clicked the light back on and made a slow, silent move for the stairwell, wherever it was. It would be a long, slow, dreadful tip-toe all the way there, feeling like he had been moving forever just to see he had only progressed past a few doors.

“Nanti, tunggulah orang lain!” he heard someone trying to fuss quietly from the floor below, causing his heart to once again start to race.

[What language is that?! Is that Bengali? Locals?!] he thought to himself, having long been frustrated at brought-in foreign manpower but thought what to do if it were another trap, inviting more fuel for the media. It was the first time he thought not to shoot to kill, but would it be the right decision was another mental snag he couldn’t shake. [Shit, and they’re getting closer!] His eyes raced back and forth between the end of the hallway and the open doorway just to his right as he hugged the wall. The others weren’t moving. If he moved first, what would he be giving away?

[Ah damn it, I should’ve muted the channel and left my in-ear translation running. That was likely something crucial I missed.]

.

.

More than several minutes passed that he remained where he stood, hands quivering from nervousness, deathly afraid to make a sound. Even breathing at the hushed level that he had maintained thus far became more than a chore, struggling to maintain composure.

PATA-TA-TA-TAH!

He heard the popping of caseless, small caliber ammunition echoing from the stairwell, causing him to duck in reaction, still with feet motionless.

[That was from the other side of the building!]

He then heard someone shout something indistinguishable from the stairwell but with much less echo, revealing to him the shots fired were from quite the distance if not from the opposite side of the building at a lower level. This allowed him to straighten up and make his move forward carefully, masked by the remaining echoes masking the muffled tap each footstep.

"Ketepi! Jangan kasi diorang lari!" the shouts came as the sound of dashing feet clapped in quickly fading intensity, clearing Sebastian a fortunate turn of events. He picked up the pace, flashlight up and aimed at the stairwell entrance.

BDA-DA-DAHH!!!

BDA-DA-DAHH!!!

Rang out an unfamiliar pair of burst fire accompanied by what seemed to Sebastian a mechanical “clang” of sorts. The echoes came at much more distant intervals than the gunshots earlier, indicating there was a gunfire occurring what might even be ground floor in one of the stairwells or hallways. [Shit, that might be a rescue party for me! Have to hurry up!] His mind raced as he entered the stairwell, holding his aim low as the path lit in front of him allowed him to maneuver his way down, being careful not to stomp or cause commotion.

PATA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TAH!

Continued the small arms bursts and subsequent ricochets off concrete, increasing in intensity. [That sound! That’s our standard issued PDW fire! That’s one of my people! Fuck!] he realized as reached the first exit, cutting off the flashlight, readying himself to peer around the corner out into the hallway. He took two breaths in a manner to count himself down to facing the open hallway, hitting “three” as he swung around with flashlight on. Immediately he saw two figures with their backs turned to him, triggering his instincts to squeeze the trigger.

PATA-TA-TAH! PATA-TA-TAH!

He fired off two controlled bursts, deafened by the assault on his left exposed ear but keeping eyes down his sights. Keeping the light on, he watched one fall while the other spun around, putting a hand up in response to the light partially blinding him.

That pause would prove to be lethal.

PATAH!

…

And the other fell with a thud.

[Those were definitely not locals,] he thought as he realized after the fact that the uniforms weren’t even proper BDU’s or anything closely resembling official combat attire. He then raced down the hall to the other end where the assumed KIA’s laid limp on the floor, this time no care for the sounds he made with his feet. Only after a quick check confirming the bodies remained motionless, he turned off the light and leaned up against the stairwell, listening for any further information he could receive on the situation.

Footsteps.

[Those are headed my way,] he thought as he squeezed the handle and foregrip subconsciously, heart still racing as furiously as it had been since the start of the ruckus.

BDA-DAHH!!!

The rifle echoes were now much closer, and this time he knew the mechanical sounds he heard was not only the sound of roller locks in action, but he also could now hear the sound of brass hitting the floor. [That must be the Deimar models like the ones we took from the Rocha’s!]

BDA-DA-DA-DAHH!!!

More fire from the old-war style cased munitions rifle thundered from just around the other side of the stairwell wall from him, knocking him back over the body behind him. Avoiding a near trip and stumble, he quickly readjusted his footing and dashed for the entrance, knowing he would have to shoot first with his last opportunity knocking.

BDA-DAH!!!

This last thunderous bang was joined in with what had to be a girl’s reactionary scream stemming from that last shot. He quickly turned the corner and around the left, right in the direction where he was sure he heard the shot come from, light on and a vest-over-T-shirt filled his brightly lit vision.

*THWACK*

Went the sound of his stock over the base of the man’s head and neck as he took a tumble down the stairs, prompting him to continue down to keep his momentum up, reaching the turn-around as he too rotated and aimed over the rails to see-

[-PURPLE AND WHITE UNIFORM!] his mind shot off as he rapidly recognized the uniform that he now had clear vision of. The same person aimed their light right back at him-

PATA-TA-TAH!!!

[Agh! Fuck!] Sebastian fell against the wall leading with his left shoulder, not even sure if he was hit, but the light was still pouring around him. “It’s me!! Stop!!” he shouted through the pain of the impact with solid concrete.

“Sebastian!” Sam wailed as she hurried up to him, overcome with too many different emotions assaulting her at once to realize she had missed him. “Augh! I- Sebastian I- Shit!!” She was then grabbed by the shoulder and pulled back up the stairs and to the exit where he had just entered, pinning her against the wall. He then reached over to turn her flashlight off as he turned off his.

Once again, nearly pitch-black darkness and the sounds of approaching footsteps in the distance down below.

[She can’t hear very well, either, I bet.]

Sam couldn’t stop her near hyperventilating breath rate, feeling like her heart was about to explode, joined by hot tears streaming down her face. She couldn’t hold back anymore, breaking down as she slumped to the floor.

He removed his ear piece and whispered “shh” to her, placing both hands on her cheeks softly after letting his PDW fall to his side. “Sam, you have to calm down, they are still out there. Can you do that for me?”

She felt like she had something caught in her throat as all the nerves unwound in the most inconvenient of ways, only able to manage a trembling nod, forcefully holding her breath a bit to slow her panicking even for just a second. But just hearing him still calm in such a situation, and knowing he was alright and standing between her and whoever approached, had granted her just enough relief and energy to persist in controlling her breathing. She felt herself slide down the wall slowly, knees feeling as if they were about to give way. Clutching her PDW tightly, she let herself reach a balancing point with a squatted position as she continued focusing on-

PATAH!

Screamed Sebastian’s PDW the moment a bright glow from his flashlight shot out from the stairwell.

PATA-TA-TAH!

Continued the weapon as it was joined by the sounds of bodies tumbling and sliding down the stairs.

Sam tightly shut her eyes and reached for her ears once more, still unable to tell who was firing at who, too afraid to jump up and run to help him yet picturing him taking a bullet over her inability to do anything useful in situations like this. Why!? Why can’t I move?! Damn it! Sebastian, please come back!

Sebastian let out several long-winded breaths, no longer hearing the stomping of climbing footsteps, feeling that was the last of them. He left his light up and turned back to the top of the flight of stairs, knowing Sam was likely still on the other end waiting for him. He flicked the flash light on and off several times, hoping she would get the signal as he slowly trudged upward. After his third step, however, something caught his attention as he aimed his flashlight/foregrip down below him.

[He’s coming back…?]

A leg was moving as if to curl up or roll over. He stepped aside as the man he struck earlier continued to slowly move while softly groaning in pain, keeping his barrel aimed just in case he had any funny business planned. Meanwhile, he noticed the man’s rifle was nowhere near him, nothing in his hands or in reach.

[But that was quite a fall after the hit. Maybe I can get something from him.] Wasting no time, he stepped over him once more, crouching down to roll him onto his back and shoved the PDW’s flash hider firmly into his forehead so that the light would beam directly into his eyes. “Who are you?”

The man coughed for a moment, holding both hands up, unable to keep his eyes open for more than a split second. “Please, please stop. Stop, please,” he quietly pleaded through burdened English and labored breaths.

He wouldn’t have too much patience, however. “Who are you!? No games!”

“I already am paid, please… let me go home,” he begged in a manner Sebastian wasn’t exactly anticipating. “Don’t let me die here, please…”

Sebastian then reached down once more to grab his jacket with his open left hand, pushing him against the wall just inches away as he backed up, keeping the light over his face. “Sit up! Now!” [Though maybe he can’t… what am I thinking? What am I doing?] he thought in sudden, inexplicable guilt. Perhaps it was seeing the blood that had ran down and across his face that brought it out of him, perhaps feeling as if he faced almost certain death and was just simply glad to be breathing. He then watched the man slowly ease himself up, wincing in pain every few seconds, keeping his hands against the floor. Eventually, his back rose up enough against the wall that he could sit up somewhat. “Now, who are you? Last time I ask!”

“I… I am Aziz,” he finally answered, now with a hand over his face to shield away the light. “Please, I already am paid. I need to just go home, please let me go home,” he continued to beg pitifully.

[He keeps saying “paid” over and over again.] “Who!? Who paid you!?”

“It’s always, always Rex…” he said as he started another coughing fit. “Rex says, we help kill you all, all Hexa… no questions to ask, go straight to home.”

“Last question, and I promise to let you go.” [What am I saying?!] he thought in disbelief aimed at himself, not hearing Samantha slowly approaching the two from up and behind them, trying to get closer to hear what was going on. “How did you get this job? Tell me why you are here and how you got here!”

“Everyone wants the big money,” he said through a melancholy chuckle, unsure if his deathly fate was already sealed, allowing his hand to fall to his side, eyes closed. “We… we all come through Nanning. Everybody comes through Nanning… recruits… everybody.”

[The grenade round Sam picked up back home!] Sebastian thought in a flashback to the Asian symbols printed on the back of the round she brought back. [I have to research this… Nanning place!] He pulled his barrel away from his face, looking to see the rifle he had dropped just near his feet, kicking it behind him. “Sam!” he hollered as if he knew she was there the whole time. “Come stand over him while I check him!”

“Coming!” she responded through a much calmer heart rate, slowly and carefully making her way down to him, pointing her barrel up at the man who still had his eyes closed. She then, too, noticed the pain he was in, figuring whatever exchange just happened might have been sincere. He’s not even trying to make a move…

Sebastian finished patting him down carefully from both sides, finding only a knife at his ankle as he put it in his pouch, turning behind him to pick up his rifle. “Hold on, and stay right there-”

“-Wait!” she shouted, causing him to stop abruptly. “I forgot to tell you!” Oh- the time! “Shit!” she blurted out as she looked over to her watch. “We have one minute! Norris is outside! She’s helping seal off the landing site and we have to be out of here in less than a minute!”

“What?! You just now tell me this-”

“Now!” she pleaded as she motioned him to lead the way. “He’s too hurt to do anything!”

He shook his head with a sigh as he started forward. [She’s probably right-] “Wait! Director Norris?!”

“Just go, damn it!” she shouted in an impatient manner, appealing to her plead to move on. “And put your earpiece back in and turn it on so you don’t miss anything else!”