"Spetsnaz? Whooo we gots a serious baller right there. Alright, Troll. We gunna be right behind you up until we engage the unfriendlies. Loud n’ clear on on the break-up, mister. Once we get a better visual of their formation, I’ll let you know what me n’ Cal are up to."

The road was not exactly the best condition and any pothole or debris on the road would be seen last second if Aether kept in too close behind their blocker vehicle. And so she kept at least one car lengths between them. She took a breath tapped at her comm.

“Bunny, what’s your twenty, girl? And tell me, please just tell me you don’t have a hitch on your comandeer’d and I’mma just have a smoke and call it a day. Come in, blondie, over.”

“Bunny here, Aeth. 60 seconds from the bridge, by Thor’s estimations. And yes, ma’am, big A-firmative on that trailer hitch. Status, boss-lady?”

A laugh that was more of a scoff escaped Aether’s mouth upon being called ‘boss-lady.’ Then a real laugh escaped her, “You said you’d be 90 seconds. It’s already 351...! The hell you at, missy?! Let’s go!!”

Always fooling around, even in the heat of battle or in the face of death, Aether was such a character. CeCe could not help but laugh at Aethers impersonation of Salem, then she had a moment’s thought of the fallen Commander and let out a heartfelt sigh.

“Naw really though, we deep in the sheep dip, sista. Visuals on a convoy, 4 light, 1 big sucker with 'Prize' grade cargo. Don’t know what they up to, but as for you, sista, you gots no business up in this here fracas. I’mma give you some coordinates and you just get the ‘Junk’ and get your ass over there. Silverbacks gunna pick it up. You have a 10 minute window. Check that. 9. Confirm with Mista’ X.”

As soon as the coordinates were relayed, CeCe repeated them out loud to confirm. “No mistakes Bunny. Hitch up and get the hell out. Last Down, sista. See ya’ when I sees ya. Aether out.”

“Yeah. Go get ‘em, tiger…”

~~~

The silence loomed large in the cab. Then finally CeCe’s brother Chevy, had had enough.

“Tell me we are going to make use of that big gun, ChaChe…”

The big blonde woman stared at the clock on the dash. The thing even had the seconds counting away. Aether had said 9 minutes till pick up. 8 minutes 31 seconds to be exact.

“Channi, what’s the window to pickup zone?” asked the Captain from the shotgun seat.

Another moment of contemplation then: “We gots 8 minutes.”

“Chev? What’s the likelihood we make it?”

“You don’t even have to know the location to know the answer, ‘Lina,” Chevy shook his head then stared at his sister’s face in the rearview mirror. “It’s up to our driver now. So. What you want, ma soeur…?”

“Why you still talkin,’ couchon? I don’t see that gun mounted and ready to go…?”

A surprised smile turned into a satisfied smirk, “Hell. Yeah. Some assistance, Cap?”

“Hold up, Chev, I have an idea for a new operation…”

~~~

Xavier tapped Sato on the shoulder then both men turned to see the NO transport heading at them. Both reached for their pistols. One, one, two, two flashed the highbeams. Both men sighed and waved their arms in relief at the oncoming transport.

Upon arrival, Alina jumped out then helped Chev out of the cab. Sato and Xavier went over to the cargo hold and grabbed the gear specified that they take. Once readied, they all shook hands, hugged and only a few words were spent between them. CeCe took a breath and patted her brother’s shoulder. “This is it, couchon. Last Down. You protect this house. I’ll be back for you guys. Captain, take care of this big bebe for me please.”

Alina nodded and Chevy pulled his sister in close and pressed his forehead against hers, “We have no idea what we’re doin’ do we, couchon…? Hahahah… it’s okay. I never do. I’ll see ya when--”

“Non! Ne dis jamais ca!! Don’t say that! I hate when you Defenders say that, it’s so final. It’s soooo depressing!! It’s--”

“--It’s Last Down, little sister. It’s love. Now, go. Get out of here. A bientot, ChaChe…”

He kissed her forehead as she nodded. The pair released each other and went to their respective transports; Chevalier to the downed one with the trailer, Chantal to the one with the gun mounted on its cab.

Xavier got into the cab beside CeCe. She put the transport into gear and rocketed off.

“Lapin, you sure about this? I’m not a good shot. You should have kept your bro with you. He’s a Defend--”

“Sure is, X. But he’s needed there. I need you here.”

“But I’m just a suit… I couldn't protect Daemon!!”

“Naw, it's not your fault, bruh. And he ain't gunna die in vain; none of us are. Listen, it’s like I said before; You do important, X, you do. And like I said, I need you here.” A sideways glance she gave him. A smirk pulled up at the corner of her lips. “Ain’t never seen nobody kick a live grenade like it was nothin’...”

Xavier’s green eyes popped open in shock when he saw the blonde give up a slow and respectful nod in his direction.

“Yeah. I do important, right…? Right.” he looked off into the dust clouds kicking up in the distance and nodded several times, “Aaaannnnddddd… I gots your back, La-- Bunny. I gots your back, Bunny.”

“I know, X. Thanks.”

“Yeah. Now then. What’s the plan again?”

“Shoot everything that is not Aether or Calibre.”

The redhead just nodded and headed on up to the gun-mounted hatch.

“Aether. This is Bunny. We got lost on the way to the Silverbacks. Sorry, boss-lady. But listen up, since we’re here now this is what I’m thinking...”

~~~

“Troll! Breaking off now. Get your charming boyfriend there to veer right to give us some cover…! Cal! Rock that first light armour. NOW!!!”

Aether leaned left and swerved away from their blocker vehicle and into the open. Gunfire errupted from behind her as Calibre lay several volleys out at the lead NO vehicle.

“Alright then… hey, driver! Charming boyfriend! Yeah you! Do not engage the lead! Repeat do not engage. Let them come for us. We will draw fire. You just create havoc up in there. My blondie is on her way. Just do what you can and she’ll clean house here with you.”

Heavy gun fire was aimed at Troll’s vehicle; it seemed like they had little to no interest in Aether’s bike.

“Dammit. Cal, I’m movin in to draw their fire. Toss a smoke n' get our newfish some time to get in there.”

Cal patted Aether’s shoulder and readied a smoke grenade. As soon as they drew in closer, Cal put away the grenade and switched back to the assault rifle. He fired several times at the incoming vehicle. They fired back.

“Cal! The hell is wrong with you mister! I said--” Aeth glanced over at their companion vehicle. They were going after the big transport, head on, full throttle, zero intent on slowing up. “Hey Troll. Charming. You guys are heroes. See ya when I see--”

The sound of the crash was nightmare fuel. A split second later a double explosion rocked the undersides of the transport. Two of the lighter vehicles braked hard and began to swerve back towards the direction of the immense crash.

That left the other two going after Aeth and Cal.

“Alright boys… you know Aether loves to dance. Come and get us… Cal, smooth patch! Dance moves, boi!!”

Cal expertly swtiched his position to go back to back with Aether, clinging on to the bike with leg muscles alone. He opened fire upon the transport each time a gunman leaned out the window to fire at them. They were 60 seconds from the downed transport with the ‘Junk’ trailered to it.

“Cal. We’re at the bend, bruh. Drop them smokes on my mark. 3. 2. 1. Eat our ass, bitches!!”

One smoke bomb dropped and as soon as it exploded and the cloud fully formed, Cal dropped the other.

“Awwww hell yeah!! Home stretch. We gunna--AAUUUGH!!”

The bike swerved, teetered and tottered as Aether fought to keep control of the bike. A stray NO bullet caught her left leg. She managed to fight off the wobbling and stabilized once more and picked up speed. But by then it was too late.

“Shit! Shit! SHIIIIIITTT!!! Listen up Cal, you hold tight. I am so sorry, bruh. I’m comin’ back for you. I’mma come get you, I swear!!

“Bunny!! Come in! I lost Cal at the bend! He fell off the bike. I gots two unfriendlies on my six and I got nobody to do suppressing fire for me. Whatever the ops you gots planned in that blonde head of yours you better do it now, missy!!”

~~~

“There she goes!” screamed out Xavier as Aether rocketed past them.

“Hold tight, X. Steady bruh. Hold fire. Just let it happen…”

The two NO pursuit vehicles roared past them and after the woman on the bike.

“Bring it home, Aeth. Going after the big sucker now. Picking up Calibre en route.”

“Roger that. Eyes on the 'Prize,' sista… Troll and the driver Charming just took it out. Kamikaze. Respect right there…” Aether paused, cleared her throat before continuing, “Thor! Heeeeyy-hey buddy! I’m coming for dinner and I’m bringing guests...!”

CeCe put the transport into gear and pulled out from behind the cover of the fallen giant advert billboard sign. Once upon a time it held up high for all to see, trying to sway onlookers to buy High Octanage Energy Drinks!! One last glance into her rearview mirror then she sped away back towards the crash.

~~~

“Chev. Here she comes. She’s been hit, but she’s about to enter the spot… ready…?”

“Yeah…”

“Sato…? Get into position. Here we go…”

Aether roared past them with the NO vehicles in hot pursuit.

“Let ‘em know, Chev… Let ‘em KNOW!!!”

From out of the downed transport cab, Chev popped up, screeching in pain due to his injured lower half, but still he managed to get his hands onto the heavy submachine gun and plowed away at the cab of the first NO transport, then at the second. The windshields were non-existant after the onslaught… and so too were the heads and upper torsos of the NO soldiers in the cabs.

Out the back of each NO transport, two soldiers each jumped. Sato opened fire on the first pair. Alina took out the remaining pair.

For several heartbeats the trio stood there, breathing heavily, frozen in position and guns still trained at the vehicles.

“Ughss… you guys just gunna stand there or you gunna help a sista out? I been hit and now my bike is on top of me. Oh and Bunny? You read me? Looks like Operation: Gotcha was a complete success. Amazing work, peeps. Simply amazing…”

~~~

“You okay, Cal?” asked Xavier as he pat the sniper on the shoulder.

A few hand signals he gave back to the redhead.

“What’s he sayin?”

“He says it’s killtime, X.”

“Hell yeah, Cal. Let’s do this.”

From the hatch, Xavier spied at the wreckage through the binoculars.

“Holy shit, guys. Bunny, that is some serious pile up there…”

"MISTER X. C’mon bruh. Focus. Status…?”

“Okay, okay… right. Big truck immobile. Two little ones… 7 baddies-- check that 9. Two of them are coming out of the wreckage. Holy shit! Damn… What the hell is that on their flatbed? Is that supposed to be a tank?!”

“Relax, X… relax. It’s not operational. Yet. Okay listen up, guys.

"Troll? Charming? This is Bunny. I’m the ‘blondie’ Aether told you about. If you read me, we are coming in. We are the vehicle with the mounted submachine gun. Flash: One, one, two, two. That's us.

"Now, they don’t know that our big gun is defunct. And for all they know we are NO issue. We gunna roll on up to them and hopefully they still checking the wreckage. We gunna come in blasting. Most likely they gunna take cover because they see our big gun.

So if you alive, and you copy this, we will lay suppressing fire for you to keep cover or get to us. Again, flash: one, one, two, two and you are a friendly. But if you can’t hear me, you still gots our respect so rest easy, Troll and Charming.”

CeCe took one last gut check breath. “All right, fellas. Let’s do this. X. Cal. Last Down, bruhs. Aeth. Cap. Sate. Thor…? This is Bunny. We’re going in for the ‘Prize.’ Hell. Yeah. Bunny out.”

Hazy darkness and a splitting head ache. Romans radio crackled to life but everything in it was garbled and muted. A dull ringing permeated his hearing for more than a few seconds. His personal self-contained breathing apparatus kicked in once his breathing was hampered by the shock foam. His mask slowly came to life with night vision but all he could still see was the foam. However through the ringing he could hear subtle gunshots in the distance and muffled voices and coughs from outside.

As if suddenly remembering where he was Troll quickly performed a self-check by flexing and moving his muscles. Nothing seemed broken or damaged, more than likely thanks to the plasteel in his bones. However, the Russian could definitely feel some slight internal bleeding somewhere in his abdomen. He couldn’t hear anything from his fearless driver and instead focused on freeing himself from the seat belt and getting ready to strike.

Roman knew he hadn’t been out for too long and that the smoke and dust was more than likely still there. With a nudge of his chin he flicked his vision to infrared and worked enough room in the foam to grab his heavy blades. Sharp, heavy, and well taken care of. The man was very proficient in their use. When he was training in mixed martial arts, he was told to learn how to use a melee weapon. Knives were out of the question as they would all be trained in their use. So Roman opted for swords and machetes and with time proved to be deadly with them.

He was trying his best not to crack the foam on the outside, he had no idea how many enemies where outside, what their training was like, or what equipment they had. Positioning himself in his hollowed out little hole in the foam Roman broke through the foam and out into the world. The smoke and dust were still abundant in the area. However, the enemy that had gotten out of their vehicle to attack them seemed to be quite surprised at the man dual wielding large blades, jumping out at them. Cutting the men down with ease and brutality Roman was quick to roll through the concealment and continue his onslaught of blood and gore. If one could see under his mask, they would see a smile.

The heavy blades cut and tore through flesh, muscle, and bone. Caught in the chaos of an up close and personal fighter. In the confusion, the N.O. thugs opened fire on each other as they were slowly picked apart. Roman ducked, dodged, dipped, dived, and dodged. Staying low and making long slashes up torsos, across their backs, and occasionally full on decapitating them. The strong swings and heavy metal of the swords bit into flesh and bone. These cuts were not clean but where jagged and made these men scream and bleed.

The dense smoke eventually gave way to a brutal sight. Multiple N.O. enforcers lay dead on the ground most of them in pieces. Blood dripped off his blades and soaked into his jacket. The heavy breathing of his SCBA filled the immediate area. But within this show of force all the Russian could do was laugh. It had been far too long since he has used these swords in this fashion and still he laughed. A deep laugh that held just the slightest twinges of insanity.

But this battle was not won just yet. He had no idea if there was anyone on the other side of the trucks and there was still a few other vehicles unaccounted for. Picking up a black M4 with a few mags Roman was quick to clear the rest of the crash site but was unable to find anyone else that didn’t die in the crash. Putting one bullet in their heads to make sure he wouldn’t encounter anymore surprises. Suddenly remembering his friend, the Russian quickly went back to the car and started to break apart the foam on the driver’s side.

Eventually He was able to make it to Steve, and he looked alright until he cleared the foam around his abdomen. Steve had been impaled by some metal from the other truck and had been shot a few times. The man wasn’t moving or breathing. Roman didn’t have the supplies or the equipment to save the young man. “Such a waste… you did good kid, you did good.” This sentiment was all he could think to say. The young man would have made a good soldier quite possibly a hell of a pilot too.

The sentiment didn’t last long there was more trucks heading his way. Roman was quick to get the rest of his things and try to make it into the tank before the trucks arrived. But just before he got in the vehicle he saw their lights flash. One one, two two. "Must be those people who called out the distress call". Roman thought feeling a little relaxed now sat down on top of the tank. His pack resting over his shoulders, his clothes soaked in blood, with a rifle in his hand as he began to try to fix the radio in his ear.

There was no movement save for the fella looking gain entry to 'the Prize.' Oh hell no. CeCe was not having any of that. They had flashed their 'friendly' sequence twice with no response. And now this guy was looking to fire up that 'tank' and walk away with what they had come back for? Two newfish had lost their lives for 'the Prize' and no way they would let this slip between their fingers.

"X, 'member what I said about the plan?" barked out CeCe as she readied her assault rifle.

"Shoot anyone that's not Last Down."

"Excecute the plan, mister."

"Big A-firmative, Bunny--"

Cal leapt in front of the both of them and hand-signalled like crazy.

"What's he sayin'?"

"'Stand down. One of us. T-R-O-L-L-I-E-D-O-L-L-I-E.' Trolley? Dollie? The actual eff, Cal?! What doll?! OH! Ohhhhhh! Hold fire, X, that's Troll...! He made it...! Hell yeah! Aeth, come in. Movin' in to secure 'the Prize--"

"Trollie-Dollie? Is that some kinda' joke?" asked Xavier as he lowered his side-arm.

Calibre just shrugged.

"Wellll, I think it's funny..." giggled Aether over comms, "Okay, Trollie-Dollie? Ya gots your ears on, mista? Good. We gunna get you free from that flatbed. My people: Cal, my blondie and X are gunna secure the perimetre, unstrap you and let's try to get that firepower back here near the bridge, right? Alright.

"Troll-Doll, we gunna' let you in on some intel. We gots some big mutha' F5 helo on its way. I managed to convince the SliverBacks to do a pickup in the open at our twenty. No time to hitch up 'the Junk.' All or nothin' people.

"So stop playing your name games and get yer asses on over here, ya reads me? Helos in the open are nice big flying targets for the NO to go after. So yeah, needs all the cavalry we can get. And what I mean by that is: I hope, SOMEONE over there knows how to fire up that walking home-wrecker and knows how to make it hail some big-calibre-kinda' fire.

"Oh, don't forget to cannibalize and collect. And if you gots jerry cans, take that fuel. We need all we can get. Once the Silvers and their F5 Helicopter take 'the Junk,' we on our own time to get back to HQ and transports here are pretty much black.

"Alright, ain't nuttin' to do but to do it. Get movin' and play nice with each other, babies. Aether out..."



The three began to move out to secure the location, Cal and CeCe went over the wreckage, confirming kills, looking for hidden baddies and assessing stock and salvageables. Xavier stood on top of their vehicle and played lookout.

"Goddam, Cal..." said CeCe quietly to her silent companion as she rolled the corpse back to its facedown pose, "this guy is legit. Look at the wound points and breaks. Small, powerful, efficient. How may times you think this Troll got hit...?"

Cal hand-signalled a response and CeCe chuckled softly.

"Yeah, bruh. Me too. Here's hoping he's gunna stay on our side..."

They moved on to inspect the wreck and Cal shook his head as he patted the dead man's shoulder.

"Aeth. Looks like we got confirmation on Charming. GSWs and killed in the crash, boss-lady--"

"Cal! Bunny! Movement at your... 2 o'-- no 10? Wait, he's at--"

Two shots rang out as Cal eliminated the lone survivor while X stammered.

"Clear." said CeCe. She looked up at the ex-Spetsnaz Operative and waved. She then proceeded to climb the flatbed trailer and inspect the tie-downs. CeCe then motioned for Cal to hop aboard too.

"Give him your eyes and some iron, Cal," she patted the man beside her then looked upward. A tight salute she gave and hollered up to Troll, " I'm Bunny. That's Calibre. Nice to meetcha' Mr. Troll. Sorry about your partner; Charming, but still good to see a friendly out here. Now, catch!"

Cal gave up a friendly wave before lobbing up his binoculars. After Troll caught them, he lobbed up his assault rifle.

"Alright, Mr. Troll. We gunna get you on guard duty while we untie your 'walker..." she motioned over at X, "hey, bruh, let's go. Cut those tiedowns, me n' Cal will take care of the chains."

X nodded and hustled his frame on over. CeCe could not help but smile like some kind of proud mama. This guy went from sweaty, babbling, cry-baby-suit civillian to sweaty, badass redheaded soldier in less than a day.

"Daaaaaamn... did you kill all these guys? Ugh. That guys head's not on right. Soooo.... What are you...? Like some kinda' black-ops, martial arts, master ninja, Troll? Daaaaammmmnnn... what a mess...!"

Well, maybe they needed to help him turn up the 'badass' a bit more.

"Okay... what I think you meant to say was: 'Hello, my name is Xavier, but you can call me X. Nice to meetcha...'"

X gave up a sheepish couple of nods. CeCe patted X's shoulder and shook her head as she smiled. Cal just shrugged.

"Yeah. Hey, Troll. I'm X. And I kick grenades..."

CeCe burst out laughing while Calibre's shoulders rumbled up and down in his strange 'whispery-exhaling' laughter.

"You like moonlit strolls on the beach too? Hey, you know I can hear you guys, right...?! So still gunna flirt with Troll, X? Or like you guys gunna' actually get to work over there...? It's not like we have a mission to complete or anything... C'mon now! Un-ass and unload! Hear me? Ughs... babies..."

"Wah, boss-lady. 5-by-5. We're on it..."



As they worked on cutting the walking tank loose, a small, silvery, metal flying object hurtled towards them from the direction of the town.