Hammerhead said:
"Yeah, okay, don't mind me," Ryan says, rolling his eyes as he walks over to Sami. "Look, with this most recent and depressing development, I think priorities have shifted. If James has been infected, then...we're screwed. He's teleporting around like a maniac, spreading disease like a Typhoid Mary on speed. Solutions, anyone?"
The commander, although he has no discernable markings that make him stand out from the rest replies, “It would be in your best interests to return to a UNJE facility and stay out of this matter. Besides we have no evidence besides her claims that James is teleporting anywhere, until we can verify for sure that he isn’t here no one should go anywhere. I suggest you stand down-”
There is a ruckus coming from the central buildings as gun-fire erupts inside the building, muzzle flash plainly visible through the boarded windows.
Inside the Central Structure
The moment Karen starts speaking the native fighters turn in shock, and before anyone can get a handle on the situation gunfire erupts. Bullets bounce off Karen with ease and end up hitting someone else, causing more chaos and more gunfire before there is a brief calm some seconds later.
Outside she hears a UNJE soldier shout in the native’s language with that unnerving electronically modulated voice. The words do little to ease the nerves of the insurgents, and several sit clutching injuries from the brief and almost comical firefight.
Back Outside the Central Building
“Bloody hell, who is shooting… we have specific rules of engagement,” he pauses, “I see, it seems Karen has gotten herself inside the structure… is this your idea of a precisely planned rescue mission? Or do you just do whatever you want because you think no one can stop you?”
Kiyana changes into her watery form, “If James is not here then he is safe from them, they can’t kill him if they can’t catch him.”
“Kill, what in the bloody hell is wrong with you idiots,” the commander retorts, “I suggest you all calm down before you make some very serious mistakes.”
Mark
Mark gets back up and zooms inside past several UNJE Field Agents who only have a chance to briefly turn as the teen zooms by only to find Paragon ripping a large chunk of the wall, revealing a hidden door. He speaks without turning easily forcing the door open, “You do realize I will have to fire you Mark?”
Cassie
Cassie is able to find some modest cover in the eerily silent chamber as the insurgents, baseline and elite alike prefer for a showdown with the UNJE forces. She can literally taste the fear and adrenalin in the air.
Gilden
Gilden follows Jun Min as she walks into Mrs. Obana’s office, “Just what is the UNJE thinking trying to kill James! Paragon would never do that, you can’t tell me he agreed to that course of action!”
Mrs. Obana sighs rubbing her temple, “You should take a deep breath, and I believe I was in error when I related the particulars of the mission objectives to the team. But it was the best intelligence I had at the time, Paragon as usual has flouted the wishes of the Oversight Committee. His cavalier style of leadership is out of touch with the needs of the baseline and elite communities at large. Although I express a sigh of relief that James would not be terminated, I have never agreed with draconian tactics but in this new world I understand their place.”
Jun Min blinks, “What are you saying?”
“Paragon never intended to kill anyone, I have the mission outline right here, his team was to break into the facility found by Sariyah, rescue James and transport him to a secure off-planet site for observation and rehabilitation. It seems this message came in approximately three minutes ago, I am just as shocked as you are. But,” the woman clucks, “that really does not matter now does it? Legacy has gone rogue, they have helped free a terrorist, who might I add should have been under a proper escort or perhaps locked up somewhere… but then again security practices have been quite lax.”
Tina growls, “You lied to us! You bitch!”
Jun Min whispers, “Quiet Tina,” and one look from the older elite silences Tina. She turns back to Mrs. Obana, “Why wasn’t Legacy informed of this change?”
“Once they decided to take the law into their own hands, my hands were tied. Besides they seemed overly eager to engage in their own style of vigilante justice at the UNJE’s expense. Simply put, Legacy is a liability. But then again given their instructors and the guidance and examples you have set for them it is a wonder they are not all sociopathic monsters at this point,” she replies.
“You bitch!” Jun Min replies.
“Case in point,” Mrs. Obana replies. She turns to Gilden, “We will have to find you another partner for your spell Gilden, sadly there are not many people on this planet who are qualified to assist you.”
