Assassination attempt(Saber)

[Mani4c]

Jäger stumbled to their feet, still none the worse for wear, though their synthetic flesh would need to be fixed when the mission was done. Jäger walked over to Reggie, wrenching the gun from his hands as he fumbled with the gun while trying to reload with an injured shoulder, the cyborg assassin snapped the gun in half over their knee and grabbed Reggie by the neck. "Why are you so dead set on saving them? You know that they can't kill me, what made you think that you'd fare any better?" Reggie just laughed, "Heh, I didn't. I just wanted to get you back for pegging me, that and I'm not just going to sit by and let you hurt my friends." Jäger let out a huff of amusement and smacked Reggie in the head with their pistol, knocking him out. The assassin dropped the unconscious bartender and started to leave, but stopped and let out a sigh. "You'd better be grateful, if I didn't admire your nerve you'd be dead right now." Jäger reached under the bar and hit the emergency response button, an ambulance would be on the scene in under 5 minutes. They then walked out the back door, walking with a fast stride, not really worried about Kate getting away. Even if she left the country, she couldn't escape the Big 4's sight.



Mary dragged Kate into her car, starting the vehicle and roaring out of the parking lot like a bat out of hell. "Totenkopf, patch me in to Erika and put her on speaker, NOW." There was a burst of Static from the car stereo, and then Erika's voice filled the car. "Mary, what's going on!? You go out for drinks with Kate, and now Baretta's telling me about a shooting!?" "We're fine, Kate's with me and we're on the way there now, we got jumped by some kind of Cyborg killer. Looked military, or maybe Special Ops." A banging sound could be heard, most likely Erika slamming her fist into a workbench. "Kuso! You know what this means right?" Mary nodded grimly, "Yeah, the Big 4's on the hunt, which means that we'll need the big guns. Tell Everyone else who knows about our little corporate baddies to get to our place now, and open up my collection, all of it." There was a tense silence, when Erika finally spoke, her voice was filled with dread. "ALL of it? You mean?" "I mean everything. Ammo, guns, and vests. Everything." "H-Hai, get here safely, please..." The connection cut off, Mary noticed that Erika had started speaking more Japanese, that was a telltale sign of nervousness.



Jäger made it to the parking lot in time to see Mary and Kate tear off into the night, They walked over to an empty car and smashed out the window to unlock the door, setting off the alarm. The assassin just ignored the alarm, opening the car door and getting into the car. They were about to rip open the dashboard to hot-wire the car, but stopped and lowered the sun visor, causing the keys to clatter onto the seat. "...Seriously? What an idiot." Jäger just shook their head and started the car and began to chase after the two escaping targets.



Mary and Kate arrived at Mary's house, The gunslinger quickly exited the car and pulled Kate out, wanting to get her into her home as soon as possible. "We should have kept this contained to the few of us that know about the Big 4, those grunts are going to get killed." Mary banged on the door to her house, "Erika! open up!" The sound of Latches being undone, and the door opened, revealing Erika holding a shotgun. "Mary!" Erika ran up and hugged Mary, "Thank god, the rest of the guys are inside, come on!" Mary and Kate followed Erika inside, with Mary locking the door behind them. The trio entered the garage, where Jake, Alexi and Frank were waiting. "What in the name of Damnation is going on!? What's this about a cyborg hitman?" Mary held up her hand, cutting Alexi off. "Wait here, I need to Take care of something." Mary started up the stairs and turned to Kate. "Kathryn. Fill them in, I'll call you guys up when I'm done with this." Alexi's face went slightly pale when Mary used Kate's full name, she never did that. He turned to Kate, "It's that bad isn't it?"

[Saber]

Kate wrenched her arm out of Mary's grip when she pulled her out of the car, and glaring at her "Will you stop that! I know we're in an emergency situation, but I'm not a fucking rag doll!" She waited for Erika and Mary to clear out of the way of the front door and let herself in, walking into the garage and leaning against the wall as Mary went into the house.

When Alexi turned pale and asked how bad things really were, she nodded "Yes. I've seen people with synthetics before, but I've never seen anything like this. And the weaponry that it had was certainly not civilian approved" Jake was cleaning the chamber of his .45 magnum while everyone was talking, pausing and looking up at Kate "Sounds like Chiron and SecuriRex's handiwork, are you telling me that the big 4 have basically made a 'problem solver' out of their own products?"

Kate crossed her arms and took a deep breath, thinking about the possibility of the megacorps "...I don't know about all four, but definitely Chiron and SecuriRex for sure...One thing's certain, it wasn't any coincidence that the assassin attacked the very same bar that we were in...It took a shotgun round center mass and still got up to aim its gun right at me, and I was looking right down the barrel."

Frank frowned when Kate said she was looking down the barrel of a gun, not too pleased with the thought "If we're dealing with a cybernetic powerhouse, there's no way we can contain that in a jail cell. We're going to have to put it down permanently." "...I wouldn't outright destroy it if we can avoid that." All eyes were on Jake, as if he had lost his mind. Jake closed up the chamber on his gun and tested the slider before switching to his 9mm gun and working on that one now.

"...Think about it. If Kate's right, and they're sending one of their collaborative creations to target people who are on their trail; that's murderous intent, plain and simple. If we can find some way that they created this thing, then we've got them. We can bring at least two of them down, if not all of them."

[Mani4c]

Suddenly the sound of several objects clattering to the ground could be heard from upstairs. followed by a flurry of curses from Mary. "Damn it! Alexi, get up here and lend me some of that Slavic muscle will ya?" Alexi looked at Kate and nodded, "I'll be right back, holler if that killer gets here, I want a piece of them for myself." Alexi then headed up the stairs, "What in the world!?" "Yeah, yeah I know, I shouldn't legally own half of this s***. Bitch to me after the crazy cyborg hitman's taken care of alright?"

For about five minutes the sound of things being piled up, dragged and strapped down could be heard from the second floor, Erika kept a constant vigil at the front door while Mary was working. Finally, the sounds from upstairs ceased, followed by Mary making an announcement. "Wide load coming through, if you're on or near the stairs get the fuck outta the way!" What came next was an exercise in just how obsessed Mary was about military firearms and equipment, Alexi and Mary both held one end of a large storage plate, usually used to transport furniture. This storage plate was stacked high with at least nine large insulated crates, each stamped with a military insignia. 

The duo somehow managed to maneuver the cumbersome platform onto the workshop floor, gently setting it down. Mary sucked in a breath before unfastening several boxes that were strapped to the plate. "Line up kiddies, this is what I spend most of my money on, never thought I'd use this s***..." Mary slid each of the crates off of the plate, placing them in a line before crouching down to input a nine digit code into a keypad on each of the crates. She looked back at the officers with a stern glare, "If any of you complain about what I'm about to show you, I'll let you fend off the f***ing terminator with my set of Allen Wrenches, we've got bigger fish to fry at the moment." Mary popped the lid of the first crate, revealing a stack of military rifles, not unlike the kind used by Alexi and Erika during their SWAT days. They were in pristine condition, as well as highly illegal, due to the fact that they fired high-velocity ammunition and were fully-automatic. "The Sigint-97 fully-automatic assault rifle. Takes a thirty round mag and fires 7.62 millimeter rounds. It also accepts anti-synth rounds, which is really in our favor."

Mary walked over to the next crate and opened it, revealing more firearms, this time semi-automatic shotguns. "Excelsus Shotguns, didn't SWAT use these Alexi?" Alexi nodded, "Yeah, 12-gauge, took slugs, buckshot or beanbag rounds. But we had the civilian versions, they were Pump-Action instead of Semi-Auto. You realize the ATF should be knocking on your door for this right?" Mary smirked, "Hey, it's not my fault that my pops has connections, he got this shit from an old quartermaster buddy."

Mary Opened the next three crates, they each contained several tactical vests, along with helmets, ballistic goggles and other miscellaneous pieces of combat gear. "Excellent, seeing as we're soft targets, I'm betting that Mr. Hired gun isn't expecting us to be wearing vests. And now for the kicker." Mary opened the rest of the crates, revealing a huge stash of ammunition in various calibers and makes, including magnum rounds. "And this here is probably what would have gotten me the most jail time. Anti-armor/synthetic ammunition, a solid tungsten bullet that can pierce even the toughest of armored targets, even CNT can't handle this stuff. I've also got .45 Magnum rounds that I custom ordered from and old buddy, they'll fit your piece too Jake."

Mary walked over to the first crate and pulled out a rifle, "Alright boys and girls, we've got a hardened target with a serious love for killing police captains on our ass tonight, grab some clips from the ammo crate and start loading them with AP rounds, we're gonna need 'em." Mary then walked over to the ammo crate and grabbed a box of .45 magnum rounds and several 15-round universal magazines, she then walked over to a work bench and began loading the magazines with ammunition.

[Saber]

Kate approached the pile of illegal contraband and muttered irritably into Mary's ear "When we beat this thing, you and I are going to have a serious talk about this..." She picked up one of the shotguns and tossed it to Alexi "Gear up and brush up on your SWAT skills Petrovik, you and Jameson are handling close quarters. Mary and I will handle mid range. Derix, you and Erika will deal with the sniping, make sure you're both covering our asses if that thing can get a good bead on any of us. And stay out of sight!"

"Give me a little credit Kate, my surrogate father was a marksman for the military. The old man taught me everything I know." Jake walked up and snatched a few of the magazines for his .45, slipping them into pockets on one of the vests and fastening the vest tight to his body. He didn't bother with the helmet, worrying more on his body than his head considering he would be picking at this assailant from a distance, the helmet might interfere with targeting accurately anyway. He did however, grab some special glare-resistant shades from the garage shelf "Any shady areas close to this house, or vantage points that I can use with plenty of cover?" Once he had his vest well stocked with magnum cartridges, he fitted his pistol with a clip of EMP rounds, just in case luck was on his side and the digital workings of the synthetic assassin could be shut down. If anything, the synthetics would at least get a jolt that might throw it off enough so the group could overwhelm it with a surprise attack.

Frank grabbed a vest and suited up, picking up an assault rifle and a shotgun, and holstering his sidearm, strapping the shotgun to his back and wrapping the gun's sling over his shoulder "Been a while since I've had to handle an automatic, I've only ever used one during target practice."

[Mani4c]

Mary shot a glare at Kate, not bothering to lower her voice, she was at risk of being killed as well and was not in the mood for Kate's lecturing. "I'm more qualified to handle this shit than most of the people in this room Katie, so back off, I had every intention of just letting this stuff be something I'd drag out and just look at now and again. It's your shitty luck that got us into this mess, and I'm not taking any of your crap about rules and regs when this "Illegal contraband" is what's saving your bony ass. but if you'd prefer to be tied to a street lamp and be used as bait, I'll grab some chains and-"

Alexi chose this moment to cut in, once again channeling his inner drill sergeant. "ENOUGH! Kathryn, seeing as Mary's being nice enough to offer her assistance, stow it with the rule book bullshit! This isn't a normal foe, rules are out the window on this, and I expect you to drop it. I've known about this stash for about a year, if I'd had any suspicions about Mary's ability to safeguard this type of equipment I'd have told you, so drop it! I don't give a rat's ass if your my commanding officer or not, I will not tolerate this hardliner bullshit anymore when we are effectively at WAR with a group of dedicated and driven psychopaths who have nearly limitless resources. The time for bowing to regulations is over, and if you can't handle that fact, than stay back let us do what needs to be done! And Mary, if you don't cool your jets I'll show you what a slap upside the head from a six foot four ticked off Russian feels like!"

Alexi grabbed several pieces of combat gear from one of the crates, including a helmet, Kevlar covers and a vest. He pulled the gear on and tightened it so it fit properly. "Mary, do these vests have trauma plates?" Mary nodded, "Yep, the whole vest has a layer of Ceramic armor with a sheet of steel sandwiched in between, just like the SWAT vests." Mani4c chimed in over Alexi's implant, keeping the conversation private. <You know that Kate's going to be pissed at you for talking to her like that right?> Alex just rolled his eyes as he checked loaded his shotgun, "I don't care Mani4c, I'm sick of this bickering, Mary has proven to me that she's trustworthy with this equipment." <How?> "Because she willingly showed it to me, and told me that she keeps it locked up tighter than a Nun's nethers, she's not just leaving this stuff around or toying with it. She understands how dangerous these things are and takes precautions. And with how much those two bicker over the stupidest things, it's getting to the point that Kate's arguments are just coming off as her bitching because she doesn't like or trust Mary's judgement." <And your sick of playing neutral party with them.> Alexi nodded, "Precisely, Frank's just as by the book as Kate, but he knows that there's a time and a place."

Erika was checking the chamber of her gun, trying to get a feel for it, she was wearing a similar setup to Alexi, but traded her helmet for the goggles. "Mary, not that I don't trust you, but where did you get most of this?" Mary didn't look up from the workbench, still loading ammo magazines, she had managed to top of 10 rifle mags and 20 pistol mags. "I bought most of it from flea markets and surplus sales if you'd believe it, most of the stuff is display, but when I told them that my dad was a lieutenant, they were willing to sell it to me. It helps that I'm technically qualified to handle these guns, I was helping the Quartermaster strip these things on base for an allowance when I was growing up. Hell, I'm probably better at field stripping these babies than putting on a bra."

Erika nodded, "Alright, and you said the ammo's from a friend, did you get the bullets after or before you became a consult." Mary smirked, "Right after, I figured that the Big 4 might sick drones on us, kinda wishing they did now. At least drones are dumber than a sack of hammers." Mary finished loading up the last rifle mag, she now had twenty for each gun. "Ten mags each, make 'em count! And eight extra mags for your pistol Jake, I'm at mid range and packing two pistols, so i need the extra reload." Mary tossed the magazines to Jake and Erika one at a time and then left to help Frank with his shotgun. Erika looked at Jake with a curious expression, "So, what's your take on all this? with Mary's little collection and all I mean, and this whole cluster-fuck in general I suppose."

[Saber]

Kate was about to say something when Alexi cut them both off, criticizing her for scolding Mary about her gun stash and telling her to drop it. She wasn't the only one to get criticism though, Mary was getting her fair share of being talked down to, and was even threatened to be slapped. Since she wasn't the only one called out on her bickering, she didn't tempt the fates by pushing the subject. She grabbed a vest and started strapping herself in with a vest and helmet, before loading up on ammo rounds.

Jake was looking through the stash before unearthing what looked like a mix between a shotgun and a tommy gun "Well, this is a rare one. Hey, Mary, I think I found our problem solver. Looks like it has a 20 shell barrel on it. Your mechanical arms might be enough to keep it steady on full auto" He passed the shotgun to Mary, before walking over and grabbing one of the ranged rifles. When Erika asked him about his view on everything; the stash, the situation with the assassin, pretty much everything.

"Why do you think I'm in Net Ops? I'm not too fond of having to follow strict rules when it comes to putting criminals in jail. As for Mary, she wasn't stocking up for war, so I don't really have anything bad to think about it. But lets worry about opinions when everyone's not in danger."

Frank looked at Kate after Jake finished, loading and readying his ammo for his guns "He's right captain, we should get ready before we don't have any time to prepare an offensive." Kate nodded and looked over to Mary, "Get Jake and Erika into sniping positions, the rest of us will find a good location for an ambush."

[Mani4c]

Mary looked at the automatic shotgun. "I forgot that I had this out, I was going to stow it but got side-tracked by a restoration job." Mary checked the gun over, making sure that the barrel, magazine, and receiver were in proper shape. "Hm, still in good shape. Alexi, this is all yours, I'll get to filling the clips. Erika, take Jake up to the upper level of the Garage, the lift's are good cover and provide a raised vantage point as well." Erika nodded, "You got it, come on Jake, I'll help you up." Erika and Jake left to get to the second floor.

Alexi took the gun and raised it, getting a feel for it. "An AA-12 huh? For an over 200 year old gun it looks pretty damn good." Mani4c spoke out loud over the speaker on Alexi's terminal. <That looks awesome! I gotta get one of those for a secondary weapon!> Alexi rolled his eyes. "The last thing we need is you running around with a fully automatic buckshot dispenser." <Aww, Please!> "Mani4c." the Viral avatar let out a forlorn sigh, <You're no fun.> Alexi just chuckled, "I'm Russian, killing fun is genetic." Mary smiled, "He's certainly enthusiastic." "Tch, he's trying to lighten the mood, pity that it's not working." Mary finished loading the two extra magazines that she had for the AA-12. "40 more rounds, make it count." Alexi nodded, "Just don't get shot alright? I don't think Erika could take it if something happened." Mary swallowed nervously and nodded.

Alexi walked over to Frank and jerked his head towards the Crates. "I'd say that we've got about 5 minutes left if we're lucky, help me get these crates out of sight, we don't need that lunatic getting access to our weapons." Alexi quickly sealed the crates and stacked them onto the plate before securing the crates. "That's 30 seconds gone, let's move people! Kate, Mary, there's more cover in the auto shop where Erika and Jake are stationed, plenty of equipment and heavy objects to hide behind." Mary nodded. "There should be some plasma torches in there too, I usually use 'em to cut bumpers and plate steel, but they should be able to damage CNT armor as well. Just hope there's enough for all of us." Mary stowed her pistols and grabbed a rifle and 5 extra clips. "Come on Kate, I'll show you."

[Saber]

After all of the preparations have been made, everyone was in place in the garage. Jake had stacked some boxes on the upper level of the garage, giving him plenty of cover and a good stand to steady his rifle. Kate was hiding near the lift, and Frank was hiding behind a few barrels close to the garage entrance. Jake had his scope trained on the door, waiting for it to get forced open by whatever was after Kate. The tension in the air was so thick you could have cut it with a knife.

"Erika, when it walks into the garage, shoot at the left knee, I'll aim for the right. If we can cripple it, the ground troops will have a better time fighting."

[Mani4c]

Erika nodded and gave a silent thumbs up, her face looked like it could have been chiseled from stone. Alexi was behind a stripped engine block across from Frank, hoping the the large chunk of steel would be strong enough to block the cyborg's rounds. The former SWAT officer gripped the barrel of his AA-12 tight, feeling more than a tad on edge. Mary was hiding behind a stripped car chassis, both pistols drawn. She whispered to Kate. "Kate, same deal as in the Diner, I'll go center mass and drop them to the floor, and you go for the arms."

Jäger pulled up to Erika and Mary's home and got out of the car, The assassin walked towards the front door but stopped, "No, they wouldn't hide there..." Jäger looked around and noticed a large garage door. "The garage, small, easily accessible, and more than likely full of cover and hiding spots." Jäger walked over to the door and bent down, using their enhanced strength to force the door up with a wailing screech.  But before the could even step inside, two bullets struck Jäger in the legs, one dead center in their right kneecap, and the other a bit higher and to the left, ripping a chunk of CNT muscle fiber and fake flesh out of the assassin's leg with a spray of artificial blood. "What!? Impossible!" Over their radio, Jäger's handler barked orders into the assassin's ear. "They have access to Anti-Armor!? Get to cover Jäger!"

[Saber]

"I'm using the rifle with the clip, Mary, you'll have more accuracy with your pistols. I'll handle center mass, you aim for the arms."

Jake was dead on with his first shot, firing a round directly into Jager's right knee. Before it was even able to respond to the orders to fall back, Kate gave the signal "Open fire!" Kate and Frank emerged from cover, Frank taking quick shots with his shotgun while Kate was peppering Jager's midsection with rife rounds.

[Mani4c]

Mary followed Kate's lead, peppering Jäger's legs with bullets as Alexi popped up and laid into Jäger's midsection with the AA-12. "Eat this you walking toaster-oven!" Erika adjusted her aim and assisted Mary in peppering Jäger's limbs, trying to cripple their left arm.



Jäger threw themselves to the ground, quickly crawling behind the wall of the garage, the assassin felt several more bullets tear into their midsection as they dove for cover. "Damn it...Right knee servo's operating at 20% efficiency. Left leg's functioning at 45%...Gall Bladder, right Kidney and pancreas are either destroyed or damaged. Left arm muscular structure is also moderately damaged. Advise." Jäger's handler let out an irritated sigh, this series of events was most certainly unexpected. "Eliminate them, ALL of them. But if you suffer too much damage you're to bug out immediately, we can't have them having evidence of our hand in this." Jäger nodded, "Understood."


The cyborg assassin unlimbered their assault rifle and stumbled to their feet. Jäger popped up out of cover, spraying bullets over the officer's heads. As they did, they scanned the room, looking for a target. 'That shotgun toting officer looks like a good candidate.' Jäger ran forward as fast as their legs would allow and grabbed Frank by the throat, holding him in front of them. "Let's even the odds a bit..." Jäger backed out of the garage before tossing Frank onto the snowy ground.

The assassin knelt down and picked up Frank's shotgun, snapping it over their knee like it was a piece of rotten driftwood. "Now then officer, let's settle this the old fashioned way."

[Saber]

Frank kept unloading shells on the cyborg assassin, until finally being grabbed by the throat and being tossed out of the garage like a rag doll. He got up slowly, but noticed a hissing sound coming from his body. After some checking, it turned out that the fuel tank for the torch that mary gave him had been cracked. He looked at Jager as it snapped the shotgun he had been using, wanting to fight him hand to hand of all things.

"The old fashioned way, huh?" He pulled the hose as far from the crack in the tank as he could, opened the valve, and ignited the torch. After circling around to keep from risking anyone else getting hurt, he gave Jager a smug grin, and said "Sorry, but old fashioned isn't my style. ALEXI! KEEP EVERYONE INSIDE!" With that, he ran up to Jager, tank in one hand and the torch in the other, keeping them distanced until he was near enough to the injured assassin to do some real damage. He turned the open flame toward the crack in the tank, and put the tank directly between himself and Jager.

What came next, came in a flash. The fuel in the tank caught fire, and a huge explosion came from the compressed fuel inside, an explosion that send both Jager and Frank flying, metal shards scattering everywhere and damaging vehicles, buildings, and trees. Kate was only able to watch as Alexi was keeping everyone from going outside, where the risk of injury was too great, but she saw everything "FRANK!"

Once the explosion had passed, Kate ran over to Frank, keeping her eyes on Jager until she was sure that it wasn't getting up from where it landed, or wasn't in sight anymore. Jake and the others were soon to follow after Kate, while she was frantically calling for an emergency pick up "Officer down! I repeat! Officer down!-" "Kate..." "- Frank Jameson is critically wounded! I need an emergency medical team at my location now!" "KATE!"

Jake looked over at Kate, his finger against Frank's neck and checking his pulse "...They won't make it Kate...His pulse has already stopped..." Kate's eyes started tearing up, covering her mouth as she started to break down, bit by bit. Jake looked away from Frank's body, easing his eyes closed before getting up and walking back toward the garage. It wasn't until just now that he noticed the assassin had fled "...Well, so much for the chance at convicting the megacorps...I need a drink..."

[Mani4c]

Alexi held everyone back as Frank sacrificed himself to stop Jäger. "FRANK!!!" Mary ran over to Frank's body as Jake declared him dead. "Frank...no, no, NO!" Mary started pounding on Frank's chest. Screaming and cursing. "YOU STUPID f***! WHY!? WHY DIDN'T YOU RUN!? YOU DUMB f***ING BASTARD!" Alexi stumbled over and pulled Mary off of Frank's body. Holding her back as her screams gave way to sobs, her legs buckled underneath her as she wailed in misery. "WHY WASN'T IT ME!?" Mary slammed her fist into the snow.

Alexi walked over and checked Frank's Terminal. The screen was cracked, and the casing was singed horribly, but by some miracle it still seemed to work. "Mani4c...I'm overriding the firewall on Frank's terminal. Get Rotor to the NPD and have him backed up." <But, Alexi...> Alexi cut Mani4c off, his voice audibly cracked. "No buts! Just...do it. I'm not losing another friend today."

Erika was frozen, simply staring at Frank's body, she'd seen a friend suffer like this before. After a solid minute of utter shock, she dropped to her knees, muttering to herself constantly. "Notagainnotagainnotagainnotagain." Onimaru was trying to reach her, but it was hopeless, Erika was stuck in a flashback to when Alexi was injured. Blown up like Frank. 'Because of me.' "No...no, nonono! It's happening again! why, why does this keep happening!?"

Jäger's eyes opened, their vision filled with static. and the sound of their handler barking orders filled their ears. "-acuate! Jäger, evacuate now! your too injured to finish them off!" Jäger started to drag themselves towards and alleyway nearby, managing to escape undetected in the aftermath of Frank's death. 'Why didn't he run? why sacrifice himself for one woman? Was he an idiot?' The assassin felt a pang of pain shoot through their head, followed by a hazy image. and image of a man staring defiantly down the barrel of a gun. "I won't let you take her! I'll die first!" 


Jäger struggled to their feet and shook their head, trying to get rid of the nonsensical image. they activated their radio as they staggered through the night. "This is Jäger, I'm en-route to the Slums, I'll be back to base within the hour..." Their handler responded with a mixture of annoyance and confusion. "What were you doing!? You just charged in there without a second thought!" Jäger suppressed a growl of anger. "I...lost my cool sir. I'd never been injured by a target before, I got mad, and as a result I got sloppy." The handler could be faintly heard on the other end of the line, speaking to someone. "Well, luckily there's an upgrade that we just received that'll fix that...unfortunately it'll have to wait until the equipment is assembled and programmed. Just get back here so you can be repaired." "Roger."

[Saber]

Kate was in tears at this point, struggling and fighting with everything she had not to start bursting out crying. She covered her face, quiet sobs escaping her as she repeated again and again. "...It should have been me...It should have been me...God dammit Frank, it should have been me..." Her whole body was hunched over beside Frank's lifeless body, as an ambulance was speeding towards them. As the medics inspected the scene, they knew exactly what had happened during their route to the incident. They were too late to save Frank, so now they were preparing for transporting his body to the hospital, carrying out a stretcher, and a cloth that they would drape over his body when they finally placed him in the back of the ambulance.

Jake was silent, looking down at the ground while leaned against Mary's home as the ambulance parked near Kate and Frank's location and while they handled loading him up for transport. Saber was the first to speak up at this point <Jake? Are you going to be alright?> "...I'll be fine, Saber...Just struggling with some old memories from the past that Frank's sacrifice are bringing back..." <...The subway incident with your parents?...> "......Yeah......"

[Mani4c]

Alexi looked at Kate and Made a decision. "Mary...are you-" Mary nodded, standing up and wiping her tears. "I'll deal, I...I gotta go help Erika." Alexi nodded, "Alright." Alexi walked over to Kate and gave her a hug. "I apologize for my boldness Kate. But you looked like you needed one of these." He gave her a pat on the back. "I'm so sorry Kathryn. He was a good man, I'd trade places with him in a heartbeat if I could."

Several police vehicles pulled up to the scene at that point. Including a SWAT van, and army of kevlar sporting officers burst out from the back, aiming rifles at every rooftop and alleyway. a large man with a sergeant's rank insignia was giving orders, bellowing out in a rage.  "SPREAD OUT AND FIND THIS MOTHER FUCKER! They killed one of our own, and I say we repay them in kind!" He walked over to Alexi and removed his mask and helmet. "Alexi...I'd say that it's good to see you again, but given the circumstances..." the SWAT team leader was Alexander Caldwell, a former team member of Alexi's and his successor. "I'd say the same Alex, and I'm sorry to say that I wish you'd shown up sooner." Alex nodded, "Don't be, I'm fucking ashamed."

The sound of a car door slamming, followed by the sound of a man yelling grabbed their attention. the man in question had olive colored skin, black hair that he kept pulled back into a ponytail, and was wearing a trenchcoat over his uniform that had an Internal Affairs Badge pinned to the front of it. "Deluca..." Alexi's voice was filled with venom, he grabbed Alex and pulled him over to Kate. "Keep hugging her, and don't let go until I say." Alex nodded as Alexi walked over to Deluca.

"Petrovik! What the fuck happened!? I hear that Jameson is dead, that gunshots are ringing out of Richard's garage, and that you were incapable of taking down one goddamn perp! What that fuck's the matter with you!?" Alexi tightened his fist. "Sir, the perpetrator was enhanced with cybernetics that we couldn't combat with conventional weapons. Officer Jameson gave his life trying to stop the perpetrator from killing Captain Bale by detonating the fuel cell one of Mary Richard's plasma torches. The perpetrator was forced to retreat as a result."

Deluca looked at Kate and began to storm over to her, but Alexi stepped in his path. "Sir, Captain Bale is emotionally compromised at the moment, it would be unwise to-." Deluca began to scream at Alexi, either unable or unwilling to notice the large Russian's temper beginning to visibly boil over. "I DON'T GIVE A SHIT SERGEANT! IF CAPTAIN BALE CAN'T STAY OFF THE RAG FOR FIVE MINUTES TO ASSIST IN A FUCKING INVESTIGATION, THEN SHE DOESN'T DESERVE TO-" Whatever Deluca was about to say would never be known, because Alexi smashed him in the face with his cybernetic limb and knocked Deluca out in one punch.

Alexi leaped onto Deluca's unconscious body and began to punch him repeatedly, screaming in Russian as he did.(For your convenience I'll post what he says in English, seeing as my Russian translator is not that good.) "SHUT YOUR FUCKING NOISE HOLE YOU SON OF A SHIPYARD WHORE! HOW DARE YOU SPEAK ABOUT KATHERYN THAT WAY!?" By this point, The commissioner of the NY-NPD had arrived, staring at the sight of Alexi beating Deluca into a carpet stain. "I'LL RIP OFF YOUR HEAD AND SEND IT TO YOUR WHORE MOTHER AND BASTARD FATHER IN A SHOE BOX YOU GREASBALL FUCK! NOW DIE! DIE! DIE!"

At this point half of the SWAT team had decided to peel Alexi off of Deluca before he beat him to death, the comatos IA commander was sporting several cuts to the face from Alexi's artificial limb. Alexi meanwhile, was now shouting in English. "LET ME GO! HE DESERVES WHAT HE'S GETTING!" The commissioner walked up to Alexi and slapped him in the face. "Alexi! Calm down!" Alexi's eyes seemed to come into focus, finally noticing the commissioner. she was wearing a large scarf that covered most of her face, except for her eyes, which were a piercing emerald green. "Sam?" The commissioner rolled her eyes. "That's Commissioner Samantha Burns to you Petrovik. Now, explain what's going on." Alexi nodded, "Frank...he's gone Commissioner." Sam nodded, "I know Alexi, I mean, why were you beating Deluca into a pulp? Not that I'm complaining mind you."

Alexi sucked in a breath, "He was getting ready to interrogate Kate without even letting her grieve. When I tried to stop him he insulted her, and I just...snapped." Sam nodded, "Normally I'd have your badge for this, but we've lost enough veteran officers tonight. You're suspended for a week without pay, Mani4c is allowed to come to the server, but is banned from any and all police work until you're re instated. Please hand in your badge." Alexi took out his badge and handed it to Sam. "Uh, no offence intended to either of you, but isn't that a little light?" Sam looked at the young SWAT officer who spoke and fixed him with a sharp glare. "Officer, considering the complaints that I've been getting about your entire division, specifically how your avatars have been harassing Viral and Lilith, you're in no place to question my decisions, AM I CLEAR!?" The officers all sprang to attention. "MA'AM YES MA'AM!" Sam nodded, "Than get to work securing this place, on the double!" As the SWAT team left, Sam and Alexi walked over to Kate. Sam put her hand on Kate's shoulder. "I'm willing to take over Net-Ops for you if you need time away, I'll make it a paid vacation too. Just say the word Kate."

[Saber]

Kate looked up as Alexi was confronting Deluca, and watched with little care for the pig's life as Alexi punched several cracks into his skull, not even fighting Alex's hold, which was apparently meant to keep her from trying to interfere. When the commissioner stepped in and stopped Alexi before he could actually do anything more severe than a beating, and suspended him for his actions, she felt nothing. She had great respect for the commissioner's command, as well as her understanding and generosity towards Kate's current situation. But when Sam offered to give her paid time off, her response was to remove her badge, and place it in Sam's hand.

"...Thank you...But I don't deserve a paid vacation for this...Had Deluca confronted me the same way that he did to Alexi...I would have done far worse to him...Actions that would strip me of my position..."

[Mani4c]

Sam looked at Kate's badge and shook her head, "If this is your way of saying that you're resigning Kate, then I'm afraid that I'm not letting you." Sam put Kate's badge back on her jacket. "What happened here was bad luck, plain and simple. You don't deserve to be punished for what happened, and Frank would say the same thing." Sam put her hand on Kate's shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze. "You're a good woman Kate, and a better law officer. We need you now more than ever."

Viral then spoke out over the speakers of Alexi's terminal. Not giving Kate a chance to reply to what Sam said. <If you're quitting because of this Kate, than consider me done with the NPD as of now.> Alexi looked at his terminal and glared. "Viral! this isn't the time or the place!" Viral's response was uncharacteristically rude, even by his standards. <Shut it you Slavic meat-sack, I'm talking to Kate, not you. Go back to punching the spray tan a**hole if you want something to occupy you time.> Sam's eyes widened, Viral had never been the most polite of avatars, but he had never spoken to Alexi that way. <You stood up to me, to Mani4c at his most unstable, you've kicked the sh** out of men twice your weight, and this is what brings you to your knees? WHAT THE F*** DO YOU THINK FRANK DIED FOR, HUH!? TO LET YOU WALLOW IN SELF-HATRED!?>

Viral forcibly took control of a nearby advertising holobot, more than likely frying half of it's programming due to overloading the built in firewall that it possessed. He stormed over to Kate, shoving Sam out of the way and grabbing Kate by the collar. "I'm not Deluca, so I'm not going to say that you shouldn't be sad, or have time to grieve. But if you think I'm going to let you quit, than you're out of your blasted mind! I'm not exactly happy that Frank's gone either, hell, out of all of you fleshy creatures I'd say he was my favorite. But I'm not going to stop, I'm going to find a way to take down those F***ers. I'm going to tear down everything they ever built, I'm going to torch every thing they own, and when I'm finished, I'll go after the men and women themselves. I will slaughter them like cattle, and use their mangled corpses to create monuments to the price of such insolence!" Despite Viral's ranting, his voice held none of the psychotic rage usually associated with his threats, he was speaking in the most sane tone of voice he had ever used. "And when all is said and done, the devastation the I shall wreak upon them will ensure that NO ONE, not Noxus, not Halberd and certainly no one in the physical world will ever F*** with us ever again!"

Viral pulled Kate closer getting nose to nose with the woman. "So Kathryn Bale, let me ask you. Will you give up, waste Frank's sacrifice and forfeit your right to delicious revenge, a right handed down by god himself? Or will you lead us into war, and stand atop the crumbled remains of your foes in defiance of their cruelty?" Viral let go of Kate's collar and threw his hands outward, "I am a monster, a beast who delights in tormenting those who stand in my way, and only two people hold my lead." In one hand Viral created a small crystal statue of Lilith in her released form. "One is the woman who holds the keys to my heart, the one who brings out the best in me. The one whom I would kill and die for at a moment's notice."

In Viral's other hand a statue of Baretta appeared. "The other is someone you know quite well. She is my confidant and sister, in both arms and relation as far as I'm concerned. She tries with all of her might to restrain my demons, never once wanting to use them for her own gain. But you know me far better Kathryn, you know what I am, you know what I can do..." Viral clenched his fists, crushing the statues into powder. "Baretta is your hand in the digital world, and as such you hold my lead as well, through her you can unleash hell onto the wretched fools who took Frank's life. So I shall ask you again...Captain Kathryn Bale of the NY-NPD, what would you have me do?"

[Saber]

Kate let Sam refuse her assumed resignation, letting the commissioner talk her up from her depressed state. But before she could say anything, Viral took the moment to impulsively start ranting because he jumped to conclusions about what she and Sam said. She let him say his piece, he had every right to, and she didn't want to bother interrupting him until he got it out of his system.

When he was finished, and he had her pinned nose to mechanical nose with the holo-bot, she placed her hands on the bot's arms "You can place those thoughts out of your mind, Viral...Frank's death has me shaken, but it's nowhere near enough to make me quit..." Her grip on the arms tightened, not that Viral would have physically noticed, but Kate's now closed eyes would have been a sign that she was trying to remain calm.

"...But as I am right now...I'm in no condition to maintain my duties as captain of the precinct...I need time to sort myself out..."

[Mani4c]

Viral was silent for a moment, trying to decide whether or not he should push the issue, ultimately he chose to let it go. Kate had been through enough. "Alright, I'll help Sam hold down the fort while your gone, and I'll keep you updated too." Sam gave Viral a nod. "I appreciate it Viral, and if anyone gives you or Lilith any crap, let me know." Viral nodded, "I've gotta go, I'm still more than a little angry right now, and I'm not going to be able to restrain myself much longer." Viral released his control over the Holo-bot which sparked for a moment before toppling into the snow.

Sam let out a sigh, "I'm gonna have to pay for the repairs on that Holo-bot...But that's going to wait until tomorrow." Sam looked at Kate and Alexi, "I'll give you guys a ride, along with a SWAT escort." She then looked for Jake to extend her offer to him as well, but noticed that he had left already. 'Hmm, I'll have to speak with him tomorrow.' "Let's roll out Sergeant." Alex nodded. "Yes ma'am. Men, I'm splitting you into two teams. Alpha Team, you're with me, we're escorting the commissioner and two VIP's home. The rest of you are to guard and assist Erika and Mary with anything they need. Understood!?" The SWAT members all gave a salute. "YES SIR!" Alex nodded, and looked to Sam, giving her a thumbs up. "We're a go Ma'am." "Alright, Let's go guys." She led Alexi and Kate to her car and left with an armored car in tow.

(End Thread)