Back at the safehouse the radio chatter was getting intense. Yoko paced up and down the briefing room frustrated by her own uselessness; Mr Lerwick had ordered her to remain behind, both to command the remaining SeeDs still at the base and to ensure continuity of command should anything happen to him... And it sounded like [i]something[/i] was happening, though the confused chatter on the airwaves gave no hint as to what. She eyed the remaining SeeDs within the bunker with a calculating gaze; the non-combat team couldn't be sent out, competent fighters though they were, and most of the remaining SeeD soldiers were all but unknown to her. Rapidly deciding that she needed more information to make her decision, Yoko approached them in their barrack room. [b]'You can probably hear the radio from here... things aren't going well.'[/b] An analytical gaze slid from one to another, taking note of their weapons and perceived attitudes; it didn't help much. [b]'I'd like so send a few more to support the assault team. Two volunteers please, ideally people with the restraint to [i]not[/i] kill the HVT.'[/b] Yoko's gaze lingered meaningfully on one older SeeD, who at least had the grace to look embarrassed.

[hr]

Laying prone on the other side of the complex, Duncan could barely see through the windows into the tight corridor where the team was fighting. Dialling his sights in a close as he could, he fired a few careful shots, scoring at least one hit; from what little he could see of Wiggs though, he doubted the soldier even felt it. As his radio crackled and Xerox's voice broke in, Duncan was already diving from the tower and heading for the entrance. [b]'Go, meet me at the front door. Leave the others to keep the engine hot.'[/b]

[hr]

Only two traitors had stepped forward to resist him; pathetic. The massive hulk dodged to and fro, flowing through a dozen flashing blades like water; for a man of his size, Wiggs was unnaturally graceful, with a fluid gait reminiscent of a striking viper. Nevertheless one strike got through, a line of bright red drawn across one arm; Wiggs smiled. The pain was good. Refreshing. He repaid the favour, launching the traitor off his feet with one fist. The traitor tried to taunt him, unaware of how little the Major cared for the men under his command; the only one he treasured was His Excellency. All others were expen- He was almost too late, sensing the attack from his rear just in time to shield himself from the icy blades and counter another wretched traitor. The two of them sparred for a time, trading blows and dodges like a hurricane, but Wiggs smiled once more. If this one had expected another to come to his aid, he was mistaken. The Major took a heavy step forward, flinging the shield toward the traitor like a spinning blade before kicking off toward two more who hadn't joined in yet, two filthy women traitors who were about to die like dogs. His gauntlets glowed bright orange and blue as he swung for the first of them, one wreathed in flame while the other crackled with electrical power.