That night again

"We're headed to the top of the hour, men. Get your weapons ready." Baldric said in a cool tone. Just then a cadet came running up.
"Sir," he was out of breath, stopped saluted and continued speaking, "permission to speak, sir." Baldric just nodded, "I just heard from base. They want us to abort mission, sir."
"abort? are you sure?" Baldric was confused, but knew there must be a very good reason for such a request.
"yes, sir. The Enlightened One has requested an audience with all the generals."
"Alright, men. You heard the man; abort mission and head back to base. Stand ready, but 'don't do anything until you get further word from me."
"Yes, sir." one of the cadets said, "what do you want me to do with the prisoners?"
He gave the boy a quizzical look then remembered Michael, "put them in the holding facility as always. I will decide what to do with them after my meeting."
"yes, sir. good luck, sir."
"thank you cadet, let's get pack up and get out of here."
With that, the soldiers boarded their helicopters and left as quickly and quietly as they had come.
The Rebel base was silent, as they were still anticipating attack.

Andra: back in the sky city (the next day)

I was restless. I hadn't had this kind of break in a long time. I didn't know how to be a house wife. Rosa seemed to have adapted to our new life quite well. I wondered how long I'd have to keep up this facade. I wanted to stay and support Baldric, but he was amicable to the enemy.

As Rosa and I were playing a riveting game of Go Fish,  a guard burst through the door pushing two teenagers towards me. "I was instructed to put these two in your care. If I catch them outside these quarters I can't be responsible for what happens to them." he grumbled.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Michael standing in front of me, "what happened?"

"There's no time for pleasantries, we've got to get out of here. I don't know who that man is, but he certainly isn't my father. My father would never fraternize with the enemy and blow up innocent people."

I could empathize with his anger, but couldn't let on that I too was contemplating escape, "We're safe here, for now. Let's just enjoy the lap of luxury while we can." I forced a smile.

"Oh, I see how it is." he said sarcastically, "they've gotten to you too. I'm not going to just sit around and wait for them to kill us, I'm getting out of here. Anyone is welcome to join me." he stormed out of the room.

Jade froze for a moment, then followed him into the other room.

I was lost in thought until Rosa slapped her cards down on the table, "I've beaten you again. you really should pay more attention. want to play again?"
I just smiled and nodded at her eager expression.

The Kidnapping

After Michael's mother disappeared, he became very anxious. Things at base got increasingly worse as the rumor of Taylor's death spread. Michael had two choices, become the new leader, or get the heck out of there. He chose the latter.

During the meeting, he managed to make his way to the door. They were debating on imposing a complete lock down (insuring the loss of their lives for sure) where no one would be allowed in or out until someone wins.

A few other kids followed him out, in hopes of avoiding their demise.

It was dark outside, so their chances of being seen by the guards were decreased. The guards were quickly approaching so the teens had to move quickly. Most of the kids managed to slip under the radar and found refuge in an abandoned mine. Michael and his girlfriend Jade were not so lucky.

They were hiding behind a bush when one of the guards found them. "this one's Baldric's" he said in a gruff voice as he tossed Michael to one of the other guards, "but this one. . ." he said in a sleezy tone.
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER!" Michael screamed.

The guys was starting to get fresh with Jade when Baldric appeared. "Let her go. I'll take her in for questioning." he said. "Our orders were to destroy those inside the fortress. We'll give them an hour to escape. Any foolish enough to remain inside are free game." he said heavily.

The soldiers moaned by hid in the brush surrounding the fortress. Baldric didn't want to stay and watch, but it was his duty. But he really did not want to subject these two children to the horror that lay ahead, so he ordered one of the privates to take them back to base for questioning. "No one speaks to them until I speak to them, understood?"

"yes sir!" the private saluted as he climbed into his vehicle.
Baldric almost felt relief as he watched his son fly to safety, but then he remembered the task at hand and his heart grew heavy.
"the hour is close at hand, get your weapons ready."

The Vault

Marcus jolted to consciousness, his body sore

"Calm down, It's just me." said a familiar voice. "I have some questions for you. You are the most-" Mr. Lee was no longer listening as he knew it was Taylor. 'Probably wants me to run a drill or some such nonsense' Marcus thought to himself, and he was content to continue to pretend to be a sleep till he got board and walked away. Then Taylor did something he hadn't done for a good long time, ask for help.

Mr. lee's head still spinning, not sure if it was the medication or the blow to the base of his skull, regardless Marcus tried to listen.

"Vault? That old thing, it was found ages ago and there had been rumors of others; but it doesn't matter. It was said that after Ms. Vagabond, the first finder of the vault had tricked the deserter of humanity. That he made sure that only a man worth his salt, a truly good man could ever open it." he looked at Taylor and stroked his chin as if wondering if Taylor was really a good man.

His attempt was futile, as all men have done so many bad things during the course of this ceaseless war. Marcuse could only concluded, that the only worthy one would be someone who wanted to stop the fight but not slaughter his opponent. Only a person of that stature could be allowed with in the vault of empowered Items.

"but that's all useless, if I Don't know ware it is!"

"Yes of course it's useless! you'd have a better chance of getting a defector from the sky city, a person who said I hate paradise, you know what, I think I'll go sleep in the mud. Give their codes to you and some how have an operative on the Sky city search their mainframe or better yet use their sensors to tell you ware it is. All, I have for you is this-"

Taylor

So it might not have been for nothing but it wasn't the vault.Taylor was searching his mind for answers. I need to get to the one man who can help me sort through this.

I was running through the night headed for a little barn where he most likely still lay. I'd have to go back to base later, I just hope they'll be able to fend off the attack without me. The vault was more important because without it they could just slowly wipe us out.

When I arrived at the barn, Katrina was beginning to stir. As sat her up against the side and walked to the fallen man and splashed some water on his face from a nearby puddle. He woke up suddenly and looked confused and maybe angry.

"Calm down Marcus," I said. "It's just me. I have some questions for you. You are the most well traveled person I know."

He shook his face and body, obviously trying to wake up. The drug would have worn off by now, assuming he hadn't overdosed, which if he had he would be dead not waking up.

"I don't have much time," I told him. "Most of the world thinks I'm dead and it needs to stay that way so I can freely look for the vault." I paused and continued, "It's not a legend it exists, I don't know how or why I know that I just do. What do you know of it's true location?"

I waited, hoping, pleading, needing the answer. It was all that currently drove me and I didn't know why.

In the Dark of the Night

*Outside the supposed location of the vault*

Taylor and his companion entered the area. It was vacant and empty, no one and no thing around to be seen. After searching for a few minutes Taylor slammed his fist into a wall.

"It's no good," He said clearly dismayed. "Another dead end, another fake."

He started out of the area, Katrina hesitated. Taylor looked back and watched her. She was walking, guided by unseen steps. After a few minutes of walking in a random fashion she moved to the center of the area and touched the ground.

A beam of light shot out of the ground and she let out a scream as she was thrown away from the light. She didn't get up off the floor. Taylor ran over and touched her skin, she was still alive.

He swore under his breath as he scooped her up and flicked on his chameleon belt. A few minutes later the area was swarming with soldiers searching for the source of the scream.

Taylor

Jared burst into my chamber and I turned and stared at him.

"Taylor I just discovered something. The vault, the vault in the old capitol," Jared was out of breath. "It was a fake, the real vault is somewhere in this city."

I jumped to my feet, "Do you know where?"

Jared nodded as he pulled out a map and flung it down onto the table, "Right here."

"I'm going," I told him. "Katrina and I will be there and back before morning."

"Good idea to take her with you," Jared agreed. "Some of the others have been talking about killing her now that you are gone."

I snorted, "Back to your studies Jared. I need to open the other door."

Only one of the three doors in this room could be open at a time. A safety measure to ensure this room wasn't used for quick access by the enemy to other parts of the base. Jared left and closed the door to the lab. I moved over and made sure my room was empty except for Katrina and it was. I turned on the chameleon cloak and opened the door.

She spun around as the wind came rushing out. Seeing nothing she cautiously entered the room, there was talking from the other side of the curtain. I pushed her further into the room and closed the door. It snapped shut just in time to look like she had simply disappeared. She backed away from me but couldn't quite locate where I was.

I turned off the device and waited for her reaction. She gulped, almost thinking it was a deception but after a moments consideration jumped forward and embraced me. It was good to be held by someone who might honestly care, I didn't see how she could, it didn't make sense it was...Genetic memory.

The thought flashed through my mind and I nearly fell over, her grip is all that stopped me.

"You were a genetic experiment weren't you?" I asked.

She nodded hesitantly, "How did you know that?"

I motioned all around me, "I've been studying everything I can about it from The Enlightened One's studies and theories."

"Why do you call him that but you call us the betrayers?" She wondered.

"Because he was enlightened but the army is and always has been full of murderers and butchers," I answered. "But enough of that we have to go. There is something of unbelievable importance we must discover."

"Very well," She said. "But how do we get out?"

I smirked as I tossed her a chameleon belt, "The one you had on you when we were fighting."

"I thought I lost it when the firefight started," She scratched her head. "You really are good at acquiring things."

"Come on lets get moving," I told her as we turned on our belts and opened the doors to the lab.

Jared glanced over but didn't react. We walked out of the secret chamber and closed the door. The invisibility started to flicker.

"They are trying to pinpoint a signal jammer on this location," I said. "Jared let them know to expect company I think they finally found us."

"You are still going?" He asked. "When we need you most?"

"I can fight a few agents at a time but I can't fight an army." We walked out and hurried outside the range of the jammer before the signal was blocked completely. "Alright Katrina, lets get there. It's several miles into the harshest territory of control but you know the patrols and routes so lets go."

We ran off into the setting sun to find the vault and hopefully an answer to our dire situation. We were outnumbered, outgunned, less trained and less organized, we needed a miracle if we were to survive and we needed to survive if earth was to ever be free.

The Meetings

*In a spacious and well lit chamber with several important looking people sitting around a large table*

A hologram appeared from the center of the table as one man stood and began to speak.

"As you can see we have mapped out a good portion of the rebel base via sonic waves on ultrasonic frequencies so that the rebels have no idea that it has been mapped," He said. "We will be attacking their base tonight to destroy whatever hope they have left in the midst of their leader and only real hope's death. The order are not easy but it must be done, every man, woman and child must die."

A tear came from one of the men in the room and the man who was standing turned to him and asked, "Is their a problem Baldric?"

"My son is in that complex," Baldric said. "He was lied to, he doesn't know any better."

"The attack is tonight that means you have until then to get him back," The man replied heartlessly. "If he is there when the soldiers arrive he will be killed."

"I understand," Baldric said straightening in his chair.

The man sat back down, "Unless there are any questions, the schematics have already been handed out to squad leaders we are just waiting on final approval from you general."

"Consider it approved," The general grunted. "As many of you know we have arrested and are currently deriving information out of Colonel Mandrake, who has been giving information and technology to the enemy for years. Baldric, you've proven yourself many times over. Unless you fail to exterminate the rebels consider yourself Colonel Baldric. Dismissed."

*In a sewer below the city, there was no table to gather around just a large room that had been emptied out with a large crowd. Almost everyone was in tears.*

A man stepped up onto a small pedestal, it was really just a box, so he could speak to everyone easier.

"Taylor saved most of our lives at least once and some of us several times," He looked away, tears coming to his face. "He saved my wife and children during the first great purge. He will be missed but we must have courage. We can't let all he worked for to go to waste."

"But without him we don't even know what to do," Someone said, there were nods of agreement from the crowd.

"We fight," He said back. "We fight as he did, until victory or death."

The speech continued for several minutes as the man attempted to rouse their morale as many had previously been talking about simply giving up.

Andra

After laying there for some time the pain was gone and my body went numb. The tiny window finally went dark. As I drifted in and out of consciousness I realized someone was unlocking the chains that bound me. I was relieved and frightened at the same time. The person who unlocked the chains scooped me up in his strong arms and carefully began to carry me away. He seemed very tall. His scent was familiar. I gave in to my body's urging and fell asleep.
When I came to it was morning. I was in the most comfortable bed imaginable, wrapped in silk sheets and a downy blanket. It felt good waking up and not hurting everywhere. I slowly sat up and looked around. The room was elegantly decorated, in a way I might have done if I had all the money in the world.
My feet were greeted by a plush white rug. I made my way over to the cherry vanity to see how horrible I looked after the ordeal I had just been through. Whoever saved me must be very important. I thought to myself. There was a note on the vanity that said, "pick out something nice from the dresser and meet me in the next room."
The "chicken scratch" was unforgettable, it belonged to Baldric.
I rummaged through  the dresser, I was somewhat dismayed (and pleased) to find that the drawers were filled with pink frills and foofy clothes. I had been wearing military clothes for so long I had forgotten just how much I loved being a girl.
I picked out a pale pink blouse with little roses around the collar, and some dark blue jeans. I fussed with my hair a little, then took a deep breath as I pushed open the gold handled double door.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw soft blond curls peeking over the back of a red suede wing back chair. I quietly approached, but he heard me and turned to look at me. He smiled warmly as he asked, "did you sleep well?"
"considering I was chained to a bed all day, yeah. I slept fine." I said bitterly.
"I know, that wasn't my fault. My superiors thought you should be chained. After a long debate I finally convinced them to remove the chains. I did, however, have to sneak in to get you out."
"So, what made them decide I could go free?" I asked skeptical.
"Not free. You must remain here. That's one of the conditions. You did bring them Taylor, but they decided he was useless and dropped him."
"dropped him?"
"Oh, I forgot, you were unconscious. We're living in the clouds, quite literally. Taylor. . ." He couldn't get the words out, it was too terrible.
"You're telling me he fell from the sky?" I couldn't believe someone could be that heartless.
"believe me, I tried to talk them down to something more humane, despite my hatred for him."
I couldn't breathe, I was now a prisoner in a place that would drop you from the sky if you disagreed with them. "what do I have to do?" I said finally, not wanting to hear the answer.
"right now you just need to be my wife and mother to our child."
another door opened and Rosa came running in, "mommy you're awake!"
I hugged her and looked at Baldric in confusion.
"Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it."
"but what about Michael? he's still with the rebellion." I asked.
"we'll just have to kidnap him again. we're not as evil as Taylor has led you to believe. once you've had some time to recover I will fill you in on all the details and you'll understand."
"how can everything Taylor told me be a lie?" I was hesitant to trust him, after all this was the first contact he'd made in two years.

Taylor

I shook my head and watched as the jabbering crazy man handed me a satchel. I carefully accepted the gift and looked inside. It was a book, the crazy man looked really excited and started chanting.

"Three forty seven!" Over and over again.

I opened to that page and would have fallen over if I hadn't already been on the ground. Then another fact hit me.

"Marcus? Is that you?" I asked. "You took your medicine and didn't go to sleep again didn't you?"

I got to my feet, "I've got to get this back to Jared." I put the book back in the satchel and strapped it to my belt. "Sorry friend but I've got to remain dead for now."

I turned on my chameleon belt and disappeared from his sight. He began to panic and I couldn't let him run around all day like that so I knocked him cold.

"Sorry again but you need to sleep," I whispered as I carefully set him down. "Even if it is restlessly."

I began to run and after a few minutes made it back into the base and, as I normally did, entered without anyone noticing. I made my way to my room and found Katrina still sleeping inside. How long was I gone? I grabbed the case and continued on.

I passed many people and nearly ran into someone else who was running through the complex. I quickly found the lab. I put my thumb on the scanner and the door slid open a moment later.

Jared looked up and raised an eyebrow. He was an older man, in his eighties. He couldn't see me but I was the only one he knew who had a working chameleon belt, it was experimental even to the betrayers.

The room was full of gadgets and computers, most people had little idea what these were, yet we relied on them for everything we did here, including the reason they couldn't find us. There was a large work table in the center of the room and Jared stood on the opposite side from me.

"It's been all over the news casts that you have been killed," Jared said. "I guess the rumor isn't true."

"Unless..." He jumped back and held a gun in my general direction. "They took it from you."

I turned the device off as the door closed, "Relax doc. I have a present for you." I tossed him the satchel. "It has the information of the last piece we need."

"You got it then?" He smirked.

I put the case on the table and opened it, "It's more beautiful than I thought it would be."

He removed an object from the case and put it on the table, "What is this?" He pointed at the small device that still remained inside.

"This is in case of an emergency," I answered. "A contingency plan."

I walked over to one of the walls and pressed the hidden button. The wall slid open to reveal a library of great volume.

"I really don't know what I'd do without Marcus finding all these rare books for me," I stepped inside. "I need to get to my studies. If anyone asks, you never saw me."

"Not that I get out of this lab much, too many assassins out there for people like me," He laughed.

"People like us," I smirked. "I know a great deal thanks to you but I'm not that into physics. Genetics, now that fascinates me."

"Well the assassins can't kill you but I'm getting old Taylor," Jared said. "A few more years is all I have left now. I'm lucky you came for me four years ago you know."

"You had been my teacher for years and you've repaid that debt many times over old friend," I walked back over and slapped him gently on the back.

I walked back into my library and closed the door behind me. I walked to the other secret door and looked out the spy hole. She was still sleeping on my bed. Bother.

It was fine I had another bed in here, and it wasn't that she was on my bed at all, it was that she was asleep. I'll just study until she wakes up or I'm otherwise disturbed.

(I know no openings for anyone but improvise haha :P)

The sky god's present

Marcus was chanting and dancing around the present of the sky. It was a man partially covered in dirt as he had fallen threw a small barn, the chickens harmlessly clucked and pecked around his body.

The thing that had actually fallen from the sky was a unconscious man, but besides his bumps and bruises, looked no less for ware.

As for Mr. Lee, his hair was currently in a scrunchy, his face painted with mud and he had his military blanket for a cape. Besides that he had a few other odd formalities, like, talking to his left had plato, a slight case of polytheism, and moderate paranoia. All in all, Lee thought he was handling the situation rather well, considering the circumstances.

"Isn't that right Bishop Plato, we must protect the knife that will kill the enlightened! ... ?" His hand flittered in response. "No... can we? Wait I shouldn't," His hand in anger then gave Marcus a harsh slap. "Well fine, if it will save the universe." Marcus then mumbled something about the actual pronunciation of the plurality of universes.

Marcus went over and pulled the man out of a pile of lumber then proceeded to pat his cheeks. The limp man a only responded with a slow grunt as if he was waking up, after being drugged twice and thrown down a flight of stares.

Finally getting a good look at poor chap, Marcus yammered "Hey I know yo0U, your Tray lord!" Marcus then danced away over to his satchel and said in a sing-songy voice "I have something for you!"

Andra

I stared at the ceiling, confused by the emotions running through my mind. A tear managed to find it's way out of the corner of my eye. I really wished I could wipe it away, but I knew I couldn't, seeing as I was chained to the bed. Just then the door opened. Another wave of emotions went through my body as Baldric crossed the room and sat on the bed beside me.
"why are you doing this?" I said softly.
"you'll understand in time. they said you must be chained or you'll just run away again."
"can you blame me?"
He stroked my cheek, I wanted to cringe but it felt so good to feel his touch again, "I was just doing that for the guys, I don't want them to think I soft, I'm their lieutenant." I squeezed my eyes shut tight, trying to fight back the tears as he continued, "you know I'd never hurt you. But I did hear something about you and Taylor getting together. I was angry, to say the least. He's a child. What could you ever possibly see in him?"
My eyes shot open and I glared at him, "you disappeared! he was there to offer comfort."
His eyes were blazing, "comfort you?!" he huffed and had a hard time spitting out the next line, "just answer me this: did you sleep with him?"
"What? No!" I shouted, "he just held me while I cried, mourning over you. Now I can see I was wrong to miss you."
He got up angrily, and raised his hand to slap me, "No, you don't know what's going on here. I am fighting for a better cause. Your foolish rebellion will be wiped out without him. I was going to let you out to see our daughter, but I think I'll leave you here a few more days to think."
He stormed out. I heard him talking to another man, and then it was quiet. I heard the sound of paper sliding across the floor. I turned my head and saw a crumpled up piece of paper. Oh how I wished I could reach it, or even read what it said. I tried in vain to reach it, but eventually gave up because I knew it was useless.  

A Strange Meeting

*Outside the location where Baldric took Andra to*

"Lieutenant Baldric," A man said to the over confident other.

"Colonel Mandrake," Baldric sneered. "What an honor to see you."

"Yes well, that's not why I'm here," He answered. "General Fischer wishes to speak with you."

"Very well," Baldric said. "Thank you for the message, sir."

Baldric walked away. Mandrake slipped a note under the door for Andra, he knew she couldn't read but it would play a short audio message when she picked it up which would say.

"Taylor is fine now do not fear, he will return."

It would be in a computerized tone and the note would self destruct after playing once.

Taylor

I was barely coming to when I heard a man's voice saying, "I'll take him from here."

"We have orders to take him to detention ourselves and..."

The other voice cut him off, "Of course you do but my come straight from The Enlightened One." My eyes opened enough to see the man who was talking hand the guards who were dragging me some papers.

"These are authentic," The guard said. "Hand him over to the Colonel. Sorry sir but our orders had been from General Trent Fischer, you know how that is."

"Yes I do soldier you were doing your duty," The Colonel saluted the guards.

His men took the place of the guards and they took me to a nearby room. They gave me a shot of something and I began to wake up quickly, in a few minutes I would be back to full attentiveness.

"Welcome to Sky Castle One," He said smirking. "No we aren't going to introduce ourselves. Just know that we had your trial without you and the sentence was death."

The Colonel moved very close to my numb form and whispered, "Andra is here on this Sky Castle but now is not the time to save her, you must save yourself first."

"Andra, no," I said woozily, slipping from my chair.

He shoved something into me satchel, "That is a stabilizing agent for the genetic compound you acquired earlier."

I looked up at him and it hit me, The source is one of the betrayers?

His goons strapped something to my back as he stepped out of the room. The other guards soon followed. I heard a hissing sound and looked down. I gulped as I saw the floor parting, they really were trying to kill me because if this was a Sky Fortress than I was going to be dropped down onto earth from...well from really high.

I was right, my entire body tensed as I fell through the sky but for some reason i couldn't stay facing the ground, my back turned to the ground and I was forced to stare back the way I had come. Forced to stare off at Sky Fortress that was a prison for Andra. Yes she had betrayed me, but obviously they betrayed her in return unless...no I couldn't think that. She had been trying to get her daughter back I'm almost certain and until I asked her and learned whatever grim reality might more fully fit the truth I would stick with that and go after her.

At that moment I realized that I was still falling and in a few moments I would die. I laughed at my total defiance in the face of death. I landed on the ground and felt the light going from my eyes again, when I saw a man standing above me. I smiled and let the darkness take me.

(Fyi the thing on his back absorbed most of the impact but not all, so if you post yourself being the man Luke just keep that in mind.)

Andra

I felt guilty, leading him down the dark corridors. Knowing he would be caught completely off guard and likely would never trust me again. But I had to save Rosa.
Once inside, it was easy. He was completely at my mercy. Guilt pierced my heart and I plunged the needle into his arm. His face was filled with disbelief and confusion. I swallowed my tears as he dropped helplessly to the floor and two guards picked him up, taking him into the darkness.
"I'm impressed, Andra. Didn't think you had it in you." a strangely familiar voice came from the darkness.
"Just give me my child like you promised, and I will leave this country and never bother you again."
A ruthless hand grabbed my neck tight, then pulled my hands behind my back. The source of the voice came out from the darkness and continued to speak, "I mean honestly, turning in your lover like that. And the way you did it, bravo."
My eyes flitted back and forth across his face in disbelief, "Baldric?"
"Oh, so you do remember me. All this time I thought you'd forsaken me for this. . .this. . .well, I'll let you finish that. Charles. . ."
There was sudden sharp stabbing pain in my back. "But. . .why? What. . ." I gasped for air as my consciousness began to slip.
"She's my daughter too, you know."
"No. . .she's. . ." I collapsed to the floor where Taylor had previously laid.

Realization

The medication was starting to swirl around Marcus's head , he quietly whispered to himself, "No more demons." as his eye's got heavy. It became harder and harder to stay awake.
Mr. Lee strive'd just for a little longer as he had fallen upon a most interesting read. It was an old patent book from 500 years ago about a young man and his work in quantum force antennas. he describes 'a chemical compound that acts like a fractal antenna, in a sense pretend to be a magnetic coil for different quantum forces. Allowing for a new branch of physics to be started, his career looks to be bright-blah blah blah-

Though Marcus could read he couldn't do the math of the era, though he did find it funny that English letters were thrown into an odd heap and some how that made sense to his ancestors.

blah blah blah-he also is dabbling around with hard light.'

"Hard light!?!" Marcus sputtered, his beans spilling onto the side of his cheek. Hastily flipping threw the pages, he found it he really found it! the stupid "enlightened" army's prototypes. It was a miracle.

Stumbling to his feet Marcus, grabbed for as many documents in that section as he could and stowed it away in his satchel. "We can kill the Empire!" he yelled as a rainbow began to blur his vision. "Oh crap not good." evidently if one try's to stay awake after taking sleeping pills bad things happen.

Only two things went threw his mind as reality seemed to make perfect sense, one that he had to save the documents no matter the cost, and two that Plato the sock puppet was his friend.

Taylor

She stormed off and I just stared after her. Katrina walked inside my room. She snapped to get my attention. I glanced over at her and raised an eyebrow.

"I'm going to go to sleep," She said. "Can you stay outside and make sure your goons don't kill me while I sleep?"

I looked back down the hall and replied, "Yeah sure." I stepped outside and closed the curtain.

I sat outside for a few hours thinking about my past and my hate and how it had all changed when she had cried. I realized she was just as much a soldier as I was. A group of my men approached and did not look particularly pleased.

"We heard you got a betrayer sleeping in your bed," One of them spat on the ground. "We all talked about it and we want a piece of her. Show her a taste of what the betrayers did to my sister."

"No," I answered. "If we have an enemy the worst we do is kill them. Rape is never an option, but she is one of us now."

"Taylor man, buddy," A different one said. "She killed some of my friends. That girl in there. She did it and didn't flinch, she's got inside your head man. She'll turn on you when you least expect it. And it'll hurt us all, not just you."

"You all follow my orders still right?" I stood up and looked into their eyes. They nodded and I said, "Good, no one is to harm her at this time. There might be a place for a trial in the future but right now no one here would be unbiased towards her and it wouldn't be fair. Go, let everyone know that."

They grumbled as they walked away but I heard someone else approach from behind. I turned and saw Andra, to my surprise.

"I need to explain to you what ha..." She put her fingers to my lips.

"Shh," She whispered softly in my ear. "I was upset because you were right but I changed my mind about it. Do you want to get out of here?" Her voice was so, so right.

I turned to one of my more trusted men, "Keep an eye on this door. Ensure she remains safe."

I turned back to Andra, "Where did you have in mind?"

She smiled, "I know the perfect place."

She led me into an unused part of the maze of tunnels we had made to ensure our safety. We were finally alone. She pushed me up against a wall and the emotions began to swirl in my mind. I didn't even see the needle as she plunged it into my arm and filled my body with some kind of toxin.

Muscle memory turned on in self defense and I flicked my hand down and activated my shields. I wasn't even aware that the chameleon shield hadn't worked as my mind and body became drowsy.

I saw men trying to surround me and I felt my slowness as I tried to fight them off, I felt normal, for the first time in my life I felt as if my reaction speed was normal. My strength also felt normal, What did she give me?

The last thing I remember before I hit knocked unconscious by a blow from behind was a man saying, "You gave him enough sedative to have knocked out any other man. He just looked ticked off."

Andra

It was just like Taylor to be gone for long periods of time without telling anyone when/if he'd return, but still it was irritating. When he finally returned I was surprised to see him without his trench coat. His bulging muscles, and flat stomach. No wonder he was the leader. My nostalgia was cut short "We've been over this." he scoffed impatiently.
Enraged I jumped to my feet. "That's not why I'm here!" Then I noticed the half dressed girl behind him, "Oh, I see how it is. Let me know when you're done." I angrily pushed past him.
He grabbed hold of my arm, "where is your daughter?"
"What do you care? You obviously have more important things to do right now."
I jerked away from his arm. This time he let me go. I don't know why it made me so angry, but it did. I was no looker, but this chick was stunning. Her radiant red hair and piercing eyes would make any guy putty in her hands. Then it clicked, she's an enemy. He's fraternization with the enemy?!
Some of the other people in the base gave me strange looks as I stormed past to my humble quarters. I grabbed Michael on my way. He protested slightly because he was in the middle of flirting with some girl "forget it, it's not worth it." I said coldly. He was stunned to silence and reluctantly came with me.
"So what was that all about?"
"Well, we've got to find a way to trick Taylor into getting caught. I was going to ask for his advise on the situation, but clearly he's in no place to help us right now."
"Because of that girl?" he asked innocently, though letting on that he understood more than I thought he did about relationships.
"Yes. She is one of them."
He nodded, he understood what that meant, "so how are we going to do it?"
"I don't know. He's smart. Real smart. We've got to outsmart him somehow."
"But how?" he asked again.
"I don't know. We'll think of something."
"We're running out of time, mom. Think of Rosie. And dad."
"I am. It may be too late for dad, but there's still hope for Rosie. I can't imagine they're so heartless to hurt a little girl."
He got a sickened look on his face, and looked at me as if to say "we have no idea what kind of monsters they are"
"We have to separate them, but how?"
After a few minutes of silence, he said finally. "you seduce him."
I looked at him, shocked, "I do what?"
"Look, I'm not stupid. I've seen the way that pig looks at you. Just because he's got some floozy doesn't mean he's not thinking about you. I don't get it, he's like 10 years younger than you. Dad's been gone a long time, he wants you to move on. So let him think you have. It will work."
"that's a nice thought but I doubt it will work. thanks anyway."
I hugged him, I was so proud of the man he was becoming.
"Uh, mom, let go. This is weird. Can I go back to my friends now?"
"Yes." I kissed him on the head. He scowled, rubbed his head and scurried out the door.
I sighed, and just sat on my bed a few minutes to gather my thoughts.

to sleep, perhaps to drea-

Marcus had left the diagrams of the incoming troops and bases of the surrounding area, next to Taylor's bunk, and took his medication from underneath the Chester drawers, (the usual place).

"Another month I see..." Mr. lee commented to himself as he palmed the medical container in his hands. He hadn't been able to have a good nights ever since the occurrence in Washington, ever since he lost everything.

Standing up off of Taylor's bed, shook the tormenting sleep form his eyes. As he had stayed up all last night, and wasn't willing to buckle into nightmares now. Marcus had to find a place that was safe for 8 hours, that didn't have the chance of being over run at any moment.

Unfortunately, Marcus didn't believe that these rebels on there current trajectory would survive much longer, seeing as how the "enlightened" were ruthlessly and preemptively slaying any possible dissenter. It was a war of Indian's vs. the Empire.

"How could we fall so quickly, especially to these technological lynchers!" Marcus held a crumpled picture, then looked around to make sure no one had heard him. Then tucked it back into his shirt pocket.

Walking briskly he silently walked out one of the side entrances. The hard light hitting his face, with a cool cross breeze from the south, he walked even faster to his destination. It was 3.5 miles away, in a small public library. Hardly touched since the slew of marshal law, civil-wars and illiteracy rate had skyrocketed.

In his native land his grandfather taught him to read, but was warned never to tell anyone do to the danger that would befall him or his family. This in part was the reason Marcus never would stay too long in one place, but if he ever had to choose it would be the library he was heading to now. It was overlooking a small playground with a small stream to the south. huge curved walls with terraces to the east, it was a heaven, and there he could rest.

Soon he noticed Andra's boy was following, and Marcus couldn't have him follow along, fist things first he would yammer till 3 then complain about his stomach and then Mr. Lee would need to find Andra. Nice lady, but her brisket could kill yah and a temper to match her chili. So it was best not to be around her when she was getting trained/around Mr. Taylor.

Marcus, quickly got the boy lost and hoped that he would just wander back to the base like he usually did.

Eventually coming to the library, Mr. Lee found the janitors closet hitched up his belongings set up his sleeping bag. Had his beans, took his medication and picked out a book from the chared stacks, to nights readings, Chemis-ry

Taylor

I woke up and felt a warm body next to mine I had my boxers on and the trench coat, which I had tossed to the side before going into the water, on top of me. I guess I should say on top of us, not me. She was lying against me, her soft skin pushing into mine. The rain had stopped and the water was gone, it was dry but still cold in here and she only had her underwear on.

I wrapped my arms around her and felt her twitch at my touch, she was awake. I saw my clothes trying to dry out a few feet away, my belongings were scattered near them. Her clothes had been searched for anything useful then discarded. As I slid a hand down her side I found the site of one of the bullets. She had managed to use her clothes to make a bandage of sorts. As both bullet wounds, the only good thing about hard light bullets was the bullet itself disappeared after the energy was dispersed. No need to dig around in the muscles and bones to find them.

"You okay?" I asked her. She turned to face me and I saw she was tired.

"I couldn't let myself sleep until you woke up. They will be looking for us," She complained.

"No," I smiled. "They'll be looking for me. But I have a chameleon belt, that should help hide me."

"So what do we do now?" She asked as I caressed her beautiful body.

I stopped as I realized what was happening and stood up, "I need to get back to base. You're coming with me."

"The rebels will kill me on sight. I'm on some of the bounty posters for killing your people," She exclaimed as she pulled the trench coat around her body. "As I recall it said 'dead, if brought in alive we'll kill both of you'."

"That is irrelevant," I comforted her as I was pulling on my clothes and then strapping my gear on. "My word is law among my people. I created that bounty poster and I can revoke it. You have more than proved yourself to me."

She walked over to me, she had a limp. I moved over and put one arm around her and carried the case with another. She looked surprised but relieved.

"You are so much different than they told me you were," She sighed.

"And what did they say about me?" We were walking back the way we had come, progress was slow.

"They said you were an evil man who would kill at a glance," Katrina answered. "Who would never hesitate, yet you not only hesitated you now think I can be redeemed."

"So you made a mistake," I shrugged. "I forgive you. You saved my life and I feel something else, but I can't feel it because..." I trailed off.

"Because of why?" She asked for me to continue.

"If I feel it then I betray everything I have come to be," I said. "Yet I don't want to fight it, but how can I betray everything and everyone that I know and love."

I looked deep into her eyes, "It's like we know each other from a distant past and just haven't met lately. I feel I know you."

"That's not possible," She answered. "But let's keep moving."

A few hours later we made it back to the encampment, more of the tunnels were intact than I thought would be and we hadn't had to leave the sewers.

"Hold it right there," A stern voice said from up ahead. "Let's see your identification."

I let go of her and approached the man, "What are you talking about? You don't need to see my identification." He looked confused and I continued, "Are you new? I'm the leader of the rebellion you moron and she's hurt. Let us pass."

"I'm sorry but without the proper identification I can't let you through," He quivered where he stood.

"Taylor," I heard from behind him. "Is that really you Taylor? Man you look like hell."

"I walked through it I guess I should," I smirked. "You gonna let me pass now or do I have to break your legs?"

The guard gulped and moved to the side. The other man raised an eyebrow as he saw the woman behind me.

"Taylor, you know who she is, don't you?" He asked.

"Yeah, I do," I answered. "She's the woman who helped me escape."

The man grunted, "I see. Some of the men won't like this. She killed the family of some of those here."

"I know that," I spat back. "But my rule is still law. If I revoke the kill order then it is revoked. She is one of us now, she took two bullets from their weapons."

"They shot one of their own?" The man frowned. We were walking down some of the corridors to where I stayed. "Those animals."

"For now she should be fine in my quarters," I said as I pulled the curtain aside. We had done a lot of digging, making room as our ranks were growing faster than we sometimes knew what to do about it. My room was one of the first we had dug out, the men had thought I deserved a place to rest my head where I didn't have to smell everyone else. I hadn't argued the point.

I was surprised when I saw Andra sitting on my bed, evidently waiting for me. Katrina was a few steps behind me and I motioned for her to wait.

"I thought we'd been through this Andra," I walked inside and closed the curtain. "You and I can't..." The look in her eyes was different then I thought it had been. I asked, "Where is your daughter?"

Andra

He knew I wasn't going to respect his wishes, and he knew I knew he knew. As soon as he left, and put someone else in charge (which was never a good idea because no one was as competent as he was) I devised a plan.
It was very likely that Marcus wouldn't agree to take Michael with him, but Michael's curiosity would tell him to follow him anyway. I decided I would follow a few paces behind to make sure Michael didn't get himself into any more trouble.
Seeing as I was now demoted (being unable to prove myself worthy to be in the ranks with Taylor) I didn't see any reason to remain with the pack. My only objectives now: save my family, and stay alive.
Despite my arrogance, I felt a little weary of going out on my own again. I trained under Taylor for so long, I was sure I was ready, but I also felt as though I was betraying a dear friend.
I pushed back my emotions and stuffed them deep into the pit of my stomach as I had done so many times before. I had to be strong, emotionless, I couldn't balk now. Everyone expected me to be cold and fierce, even though deep inside I knew I was a frightened little girl who just wanted someone to tell me everything was alright.
As soon as the fortress was opened for the day, Marcus left (not wanting to remain in this dump we call home). Michael secretly followed him with very few supplies (foolish boy, I thought I'd taught him better. luckily I anticipated that I brought extra supplies). As soon as the man in charge took his eyes off me, I slipped out the door behind them. Stealth was one of my best strategies, but was proving difficult with my current distraction.
We passed through the now deserted town. It was silent, and gave me the chills. I felt as though the ghosts of all those innocent people still remained. It wasn't long before Marcus had managed to lose Michael. In one part of the town he spotted something that made him stop.
It was as if time froze in Michael's world. He stooped down to pick something up and completely lost all touch with reality. It wasn't until I reached him that I realized what was going on.
"It's hers." he said silently, not even surprised to see me. I need to work on my stealth, apparently.
I carefully took the small doll from his hands, remembering all the love I had put into it when I had learned that I was going to have a baby girl. We both fought back the tears as we thought of the horror our sweet Rosa was likely experiencing. I embraced Michael hard, and looked him in the eyes, and said sternly, "now they've crossed the line. This means war!"
He nodded through his tears, and I felt the anger boiling up in my heart. He wiped his tears and got a fierce look in his eyes, "let's go get them." He growled.
"They want Taylor, we'll bring him to them. But they'll wish they'd never asked."
(you can delete this next part if you feel the need)
Baldric had been missing for over nearly two years now and I was starting to lose hope. But in my heart I knew I had to keep fighting, hoping he was alive. In his absence, I had gone to Taylor for comfort (him being my oldest and dearest friend). As time went on, I began to hate him. I hated him because he made me feel like he wanted me to give up on Baldric. I hated him because secretly I loved him.
There had been one incidence where I had allowed myself to feel something, and almost convinced myself that we were more than just friends. But I fought those feelings, even thought it hurt to do so. If Baldric was still alive, I needed to stay faithful to him.
There were times when I wished circumstances had been different, but I couldn't change reality. I couldn't go back in time. I wished I could, some days, when I really felt lonely and needed comfort. I wished I could go back to when we were young and tell him how I felt. But then I realize by changing my past I would change my present. I might not have the wonderful children I have or any confidence.
It was a hard decision to make, but I had to make Taylor dislike me. I felt it was the only way to rid myself of the feelings we shared. I didn't want to hurt him, but somehow thought that by making him hate me it would soften the blow.

(of course, she'll go back to base and realized he's gone MIA and probably go looking for him, or wait until he comes back. you decide. Taylor and Andra have a love/hate relationship.)

In a dark alley

*In a different part of the city at the same time that Taylor and Katrina were fighting for their lives*

A dark hooded man approached a young girl, "Hi there darling are you alright? You shouldn't be out alone this late at night who knows who might find you."

The little girl gulped, "My mommy told me not to talk to men like you."

The man laughed, "Well I guess your mommy doesn't know people like me very well." He grabbed the girl by the arm. Taking the doll from her arms. He attached a note to it and dropped it on the ground.

The note was addressed to Andra and read:

Give us Taylor Johnson or you'll never see your daughter again.

(Text or call me after the next one is posted please, thanks)

Taylor

This was ridiculous, she should know that if she just agrees to stay here I can go look for her daughter safely. That man arrived but he wasn't one of us, just did us favors every now and again for favors in return. In this case it was the acquisition of his special sleeping medication that was strictly illegal.

I wore black clothes, as I always did and my black trench coat that covered everything I didn't want people to know I had. Guns, knives, shield generators, my satchel and anything else I carried at that moment.

I had left a few of my people keeping an eye on her and trying to get her to calm down enough to fall asleep, but I knew she'd only stay inside until curfew ended in a few hours. I was hoping that my agents on the outside would find and return her daughter by then. She'd truly despise me if anything had happened to her.

I was in a seedy part of the city that even the guards knew better than to go into. I was the rebellion that they worried about but these men were mafia, a scourge that would never go away. Even I knew better than to mess with these guys, at least on their turf.

My contact, Jack, I assumed a fake name, approached.

"What'll it be today Mr Johnson?" He asked.

The alleyway was dark and I could pick out at least four guns on me. I snorted, "Don't trust me these days hm?"

"Just making sure you really are you," He smirked slightly. "A betrayer came through here yesterday asking for my source. Said he was done dealing with me and wanted my source directly. He looked just like you."

"You know I would never ask for your source," I replied. "I don't want to know in case I get captured. They already know your name and know they can't touch you without murdering millions more than they already have."

"True enough but we never can be too careful," He nodded at one of the men. The man approached and patted me down. He took the satchel and tossed it to his boss. He patted the chameleon light belt and started to take if off.

I moved quickly and had a knife to his throat in an instant. Jack smiled, "Good boy. Stand down Dave. This is the real Taylor, the fake yesterday let us take his belt and you would never give it up unless you were dead. Plus you moved like I've only ever seen you move."

Jack opened the satchel and dropped the contents onto a desk behind him. I let his henchmen have his neck back and pushed him roughly back into the shadows he had come from. I walked closer.

"Five undamaged hard light shields," I informed him. "Just like you asked for last time I was here. Do you have what I need?"

He smiled and motioned a man over who had a briefcase cuffed to his arm. Jack pulled out a key and unlocked the cuffs and the man left. He then motioned for the others to leave. It was always best if his people did not know what he gave me.

He opened the briefcase and showed me the contents. I smiled broadly.

"Thank you Jack," I closed the briefcase. "Enjoy the shields. Oh did you have that other item I needed?"

He nodded and tossed me a pill bottle. He then frowned as he began to back away towards an alleyway, "I'm sorry my friend, but they are finally getting serious about dealing with us."

"I know, do not fear Jack," I smirked. "You still gave me what I wanted and it's more important than you letting them know about this meeting. Just stay under the radar better for the next meeting."

"I did lie about the time, that should give you a few minutes to get out of here," Jack laughed slightly before he began running and disappeared into the back alleys.

I pushed the button on the chameleon belt but it didn't activate, "Jammers."

I swore under my breath as I pulled out my modified hard light gun. The betrayers possessed the ability to jam the shield technology over an area. Hard light shields were the only type of shield not affected. I grabbed the briefcase and started making my way deeper into mafia territory, the only direction they wouldn't yet be.

The fighting had already started, I heard mafia and betrayers in gun battles nearby. The noise was somewhat comforting as this was where I was most at home. There was a single sewer entrance in this part of the town that hadn't been closed off yet. I had to make it there and get underground before they found me.

The hard light gun, probably the cruelest piece of technology they had brought back with them. Even if the shot itself was nonlethal the dispersion of heat and energy into the body often was, I'd never seen a human survive more than one shot before they completely crumpled and died from overheating. It was a terrible dirty death. My brother had died that way.

I pushed the tears back as I thought about that fateful day. The day they had returned, my brother had just returned from his training in the army. He had a couple of weeks before he had to go back. I had tried to convince him not to do it but he had insisted he had to do his part to save our country.

His dying breath had been making me swear to protect this country and, if it were necessary, give my life for it. Through the tears of losing my twin, the only family I had ever known, I did. I swore to never give up until the betrayers would all dead or left.

The firefights all around me had died down, which meant one of three things. I had out run it, the mafia had won or the most likely, the mafia had been fighting a retreating battle the entire time, moving back to their fortresses. The mafia didn't use the hard light shields to create personal shield generators like one might imagine. They used them to protect structures from attack. The amount of force that would be needed to break their shields would be enough to destroy the entire city.

This city held nearly fifty million when the war started, no one knew how many it had now. The betrayers were not willing to become villains to the entire world.

The roads here were all dirt and had limbs and leaves everywhere. I heard the snap of a twig to my left. I turned and tried to bring my gun around to face my attacker but I wasn't fast enough. A betrayer closed and kicked the weapon to the side. I let go of the briefcase, knowing I'd need both hands to fight in close combat.

I deflected the next kick. My assailant was startled by my speed and strength. I took this opportunity to pull my knife from its hiding place and attack, slashing down from the right. The other was nearly as fast as I and managed to deflect it most of the way and dodged the rest.

"You are good," I smirked. "But I hope you realize that you are already dead. None of your assassins have managed to ever lay a hand on me. Don't think this will be different."

The attackers pulled out a hard light blade and connected it with my next blow. That's odd, why didn't she use that the first time.

My blade shattered at the impact and the attacker struck out again. I moved close and caught the arm. The attackers swung the other arm to hit my head. I caught that one as well and began forced the hard light blade towards my enemies chest. I got the attackers hands close enough to hold them both with one arm, wishing to look in the eyes of the betrayer before finishing this.

I took off the mask and her long flowing red hair spilled out from beneath.

"A woman?" I spit at the ground. "I hate it when they send women after me. Sending anyone on a suicide mission pisses me off but sending..."

She cut me off, "What! Are you trying to say that I didn't have a chance because I'm a woman, you pig."

I laughed, "Well who is the one at my mercy? Who is the one who lost? It's not because your a woman that you lost." I moved in close and whispered, "It's because your people have taken from me what I hold most dear. Something a woman should understand that better than a man."

"We saved you from killing yourselves," She rebutted. "You would all have been dead in twenty more years."

"Twenty years of freedom is worth being free for," I retorted. "Now, can you at least die with dignity?"

She stopped fighting my grip and I released her hands, taking the blade, "Thanks, I hadn't ever been able to get my hands on one of these before. Do you wish do die fighting or execution style?"

I asked as I picked up the gun, she just stood there. Something I had said left her shaken.

I kicked her to her knees, "Execution it is. Your crimes? Enslaving the members on an entire planet, being a party to the murder of millions. Being a party to the squalor we have been reduced to. Most important, being a party to the murder of my brother."

"Hold it right there," I heard from above me. There were men on the roof tops all around me guns aimed at me. I grabbed her by the neck and pulled her in front of me as I backed into a corner.

"Let me go or I'll kill her," I told them.

One of the men jumped down and pulled off his mask, "Katrina. You failed, you weren't supposed to engage him."

I felt something wet on my hand. She was crying.

"Oh you thought you could beat him?" The man laughed. "We still don't know why but a single agent has never been able to best Mr Johnson here."

My hand had more tears on it. I was evaluating the situation.

"Mr Johnson," The man said. "Taylor, we'd much rather take you alive then dead but anyone except you would make a much easier leader to capture, so even as a martyr you do less damage than you do alive."

My eyes shot to the middle of the street, briefcase. My eyes shot a few feet to my left, some barrels to provide cover. My eyes scanned again, sewer grate one hundred feet down the street.

It began to rain. Perfect.

"I see your eyes looking for a way out, but there is nothing. Even if you managed to make it to the sewer entrance we'd just follow you to your rebellion and put it down once and for all," He announced. I looked into his eyes and he saw the defiance in them, "Fine, kill them both."

What? I flicked my hand down and quickly turned on the hard light belt on my waste. The first few shots before I moved behind the barrel bounced off. The rain would make it last for less time than normal and be weaker. It might take two more shots. I had pulled her down with me. She was still crying.

"Hey Katrina," I said, getting her attention. "We can make it out of this, but you have to help. Take this and cover me." I handed her one of my two guns. "This is your moment of choice, you can shoot me in the back and prove everything I've ever said about you and your people, or you can help me and prove that hope still exists in this world. The choice is yours."

I came out from behind the barrels at a full sprint, the rain would now be an advantage, it would make hard light guns far less accurate. I made my way to the briefcase and then let myself slide feet first into a man at the other side of the street from my starting starting position.

His shield had given out from the rain. Guess they hadn't checked the forecast. My shield had been modified by one of my scientists to be resistant to water damage and stronger in general. I came up and stabbed the hard light blade into his chest. He gave me an odd look as I smiled a moment before I turned it on. He screamed out in pain as I turned so he would absorb the next few shots. I turned the blade off and put it in my satchel.

As I dropped him and started to move I noticed a few shots coming from where she was hiding and heard a grunt above me. The man that had been talking to me had disappeared, coward. I pointed and yelled, "Get over there as soon as you can." I saw her nod before she had to duck for cover.

I got to the sewer hatch and started pulling it up. My shield took a hit and I swore silently. I got the cover off the rest of the way and used it as partial cover as I started giving her covering fire. I wasn't really aiming too much just getting heads to get down. I had never been good with a hard light gun and the rain made me terrible. She began running, my shield took another hit. I heard the generator wind down, recharging and swore, not so silently.

I dropped the briefcase into the hole started down the ladder. I saw her above me and then I saw her expression become one of horror as I knew she had been hit. She took a second hit and fell down on top of me and we both fell to the bottom. We needed to find a pool of water, quickly. Her body had already began convulsing, I had never been able to save someone who had taken two shots before.

I took a grenade off of my belt and handed her the briefcase and closed her hands around it.

"Leave me," She said. "You'll never make it out of this sector if you take me with you."

"You are one of us now," I told her softly. "And I never leave one of my own behind. You will live with my help or die in my arms." She was still able to speak, that was good. She was very strong.

She smiled at my words and closed her eyes, her grip on the briefcase was good. I picked her up and began carrying her out of there. I left the grenade on the ground. I saw one of the soldiers climbing down the ladder. He saw me and I smiled. I aimed my gun at the grenade and fired. The last entrance in this sector is closed. Something I'd been meaning to get around to anyways, glad I hadn't until now.

I went deeper into the sector, they would be conducting a purge of the sector soon, but they would start with the outskirts and would not make it to the middle before daylight and then we could just disappear into the crowds of the city.

First I had to find that pool of water. I heard running water ahead and rushed on. She had nearly lost consciousness which, in the case of this injury, ensured death.

"Stay with me just a little longer," I encouraged her.

"I'm burning up," She complained. "I'm so hot I can feel blood starting to boil."

She had minutes left, I'd been traveling for maybe two and she might have that number remaining before there was nothing I could do. I smiled when I saw it. I had made it to a storm drain and it was still raining.

I had no time to do this the nice way. I took the briefcase and looked into her eyes, "This is going to hurt, a lot."

I ripped the clothes from her body and carried her into the water and kept her head above the water. I was freezing, this water would kill me as surely as it was going to save her. I didn't care, I couldn't let the one I could save die.

I lost feeling in my limbs and lost consciousness to her carrying me out of the water.

(Sorry for the book I just got this, rush, and couldn't stop, still don't want to but I figure I'll continue this sub plot after someone else posts, in other words please don't have my character interact with another after he left for the mafia meeting. Just for now. :) Thanks)

Andra

I sat in the corner on a crate glaring at Taylor. How dare he put me on house arrest. I am a grown woman, and it's not my fault my kids. . . my thoughts were interrupted when a big burly guy burst through the door dragging Michael behind him. I was about to jump up, but hesitated, I had to make sure Taylor was no longer watching me so he wouldn't bark at me again.
"Thank you for bringing my son back! Where's Rosa?"
"Don't make me do it again. Your kids are not my responsibility. Next time I might not bring him back." 
I noticed Michael was starting to come to, so I immediately got in his face. "So, what happened? Where is your sister?"
"Uh. . ." his thoughts were disorganized, but then he realized that he was in trouble and attempted to crawl away on his back, "she. . .uh. . .we. . .there was this guy. . . and. . .please don't hurt me!" he covered his face with his arms when he decided he didn't have the strength to outrun me.
"I won't hurt you. But she was your responsibility, so you have to get her back."
"How?"
"You will go out with him next time he makes his rounds, of course."
"What?!" Marcus and Michael said in unison looking at each other as if they were road kill.
"I'm under house arrest after all, I blew the mission. No thanks to you." I grumbled at the boy. "Now get to bed, you're going to need your strength for tomorrow."
Michael jumped to his feet and tripped over them as he hurried away.
"You were just kidding about. . ." Marcus started, but abruptly stopped when I shot a piercing look in his direction.
Before either of us could say much more to each other I noticed Taylor watching us from across the room. I timidly made my way back to my crate. I felt as though I was waiting in detention to be punished for defacing public property.
This is so juvenile. A woman my age being treated like a 12 year old waiting to see their principal. 
I smirked at the thought, my kids didn't even know what a principal was.

a travel threw no man's land

Marcuse, frowned as the sun set, 'This'll only make my job harder' he thought, as he surveyed the land as the last beams of light faded from the tops of the tree's.

He was about a mile outside from the American City, were he was supposed to drop off his supplies. Though threw an old map and a injured whelp, Marcuse had made bad time.

"I never should have tried to saved you" Marcuse grumbled, as he picked up the boy, (who had a sprained ankle), and fumbled with his duffel. Balancing the weights Marcus Lee quietly slid down the hill and continued to follow the stream.

The young boy inquisitive and invigorated with the pestering of youth, would remark that Marcuse was going the wrong way, then the long way and that he(the boy) needed to find his sister and that he was in "so much trouble".

Though this combined with the observation that the young boy would often get his landmarks wrong. Marcuse thought it best not to follow the advice of the young crippled boy, but as for the young boys yammering. Marcuse solved the problem by handing the boy a nice plump brownie that just so happened to have Marcuse's sleeping medication already inside. You see Marcuse had a wee bit of an insomnia problem and rather hated pills. And seeing that he would need to travel threw the night, thought it an opportune trade off.

Soon Marcuse was alone in the night, only lead by his wits and the dim night sky.

The occasional patrols beamed their torches past him scanning for rebels and anyone foolish enough to be out at night. Marcuse's only saving grace was a military surplus blanket that covered him and wading threw the ever deepening stream that lead to the cities sewers. There he would make his Ron-de-voo, below the crippled town, then get out of this forsaken country.

Andra

I began to protest, but realized there was nothing more I  could do. I could not save my children if I was captured as well. They had already captured my husband, which was why I joined the rebellion in the first place. As we walked in silence through the thick brush to the underground hiding place of the rebellion, I reminisced that fateful night.
"Baldric, do you think this war will ever end?"
"what do you mean, Andra? the war ended a while ago."
"No, they just want you to believe that. they're holding us in suspense so they can catch us off guard."
"you worry to much."
he kissed me tenderly on the forehead. everything after that was a blur. it all happened so quickly.
I tried not to think about it any longer. I forced my mind back to the present. now I was alone. I had more to fight for than ever before.
not only has the betrayer kidnapped (possibly killed) my beloved, now he has my children. he doesn't realize who he's messing with. the gloves are coming off, the mother bear is awake. 
I suddenly became self conscious as I realized my emotions were no longer hidden in my mind. Taylor looked at me with those kind eyes, and he placed a hand on my shoulder as if to say "it will be alright, you'll see them all soon enough. we will get our revenge."
I forced a smile as we headed inside the base.

Taylor Johnson

I always liked to keep an eye on my fellow rebels, this time was no different. I followed her from the shadows for a few minutes before I started to come closer. A shadow passed by me, fortunately I had acquired a chameleon light belt from the guards a few months back. It bent the light around my body and allowed me to move invisibly, but the illusion would fade if hit with a hard enough impact.

The man was obviously a guard. He moved in and pulled out his hard light gun. He quickly aimed it towards her as she began to run. I had to move fast as I attacked. So focused on his prey was he that I was able to dig my knife deep into the ribs, his shield being turned off. I moved quickly and detached his belt and took his undamaged hard light shield and shoved it into my satchel.

More guards would be coming soon. I hurried after the woman and caught her a few minutes later.

"Hey stop," I said as I grabbed her arm. "Don't worry it's me." I turned off the chameleon device and pulled down my hood, revealing deep blue eyes and crimson hair that everyone in the rebellion knew belonged to me, their leader. "Come on we have to get inside fast. There is an entrance just over here."

I hurried off in the direction I was talking about, anxious to get back underground.

Andra

It was dusk, the sun was sinking quickly. The smell of rotting flesh was strong in the market today. where are those two? I thought to myself impatiently. they were supposed to meet me here over and hour ago.
"Michael! Rosa!" I called out, desperately as I realized I may never see my babies again. Ok, so they weren't exactly babies, but once a mother always a mother. I grabbed an hunched old woman who crossed my path. "have you seen a boy about 15 with a little girl about 8? they both have brown hair like me, and fierce blue eyes like their father."
"sorry, hon, I haven't seen them. but you ought to be getting yourself back to the bunker if you don't want to get caught by the guards."
"yes, thank you."
I tried to fight back the tears, I knew she was right. but what could I do? the guards would be out looking for rebels any minute now. they could tell us from the others, the "civilians." it was like we were somehow marked. I decided to risk it, and continue looking for them. after all, what kind of mother would I be if I didn't go looking for them? for all I knew, and feared, the guards had already captured them. they were never very good at following directions. go in, get some berries and get out. how hard could that be? I thought, irritably to myself as I pushed aside some branches to follow an unmarked path. maybe they went back to base? I was hopeful for a minute. That is, until I heard a twig crack behind me. I froze, too afraid to look behind. maybe it's them, maybe they've come after all. I slowly, doubtfully turned around. oh crap, it's not them.
a dark figure of a man stood before me. I couldn't tell if he was friendly or not, he was holding what could have been a weapon or a walkie talkie.
"uh, I was, uh, could you excuse me for a minute?" I turned away and bolted. for someone my age, I was pretty agile, but I knew I couldn't keep him at bay for too long.

The Past Four Years

In the past four years The Enlightened, as the invading army called themselves, had given humans some basic technologies for the improvement of agriculture and power supply while safely guarding the use of it to ensure it isn't abused.

After having been here for six months most of the riots had ended and The Enlightened Army began offering incentives to join their ranks, one of the biggest and greatest incentives was that your family, defined as spouse and children if married and brothers and sisters at home and parents if between eighteen and twenty three and unmarried, would be ascended to one of the many sky metropolis' in the air above the planet and would enjoy much more technology and ease of living then those on the surface, including greater education.

Life for those on earth had returned somewhat to normal after four years since The Return but with the incentives option open more and more were signing up, but why and for how long? That was not entirely known...

History of The Enlightened One

About five hundred years ago a man later called the betrayer by Earth and "The Enlightened One" by his people had a knack for technology and advanced science further in his time than thought possible.
But he did not make weapons, knowing that earth's governments would use them to try and subjugate the world and the world would be destroyed.

So the UN tried to make him to comply by force, he responded by building a ship and left into space with several million people. His technology, so advanced was it from what now exists that no one but he could maintain because he took/destroyed all the knowledge of how with him, because he feared that someone would make weapons with it

But he left one thing behind

He left a vault, supposedly a vault containing all the knowledge he had uncovered, for two hundred years scientists tried to open the door leading inside but it was protected by a computer program so advanced that it had a conversation with the person wanting access and could see through deception the program displayed itself as a hologram in the same form as the enlightened one.

Three hundred more years passed of wars and devastation, so much so that technology had only advanced little compared to when the enlightened one left (advanced little as a whole it had gone up and down a lot but overall only slightly more advanced).

When a young woman found the vault quite by accident and through begging and pleading achieved access to the inside where she discovered that the hologram was never a hologram but the enlightened one himself.

He had been sending transmission to the vault and communicating with the people, she begged for him to return and stop the world from destroying itself, how it had nearly done several times before, he agreed
but it was a trap, she had been sent to lure him into a trap, the people thinking they could subdue him and take his technology for themselves but he saw through the lies and was prepared with a surprise.

But he returned and his ship received heavy damage, as they had more advanced technology then he thought they would, as they send the assault vessels to board his ship the rest of his fleet arrived.

All of Earth surrenders at the sight of it except one nation, the USA, the nation that had instigated his return and tried to force him to surrender.
After trying to reason with them he sends his soldiers to attack and occupy LA, after fierce fighting and even some losses he wins, but they don't give up.
Instead they kill the family of the young woman who told him of the trap (the same girl that opened the vault) and in retaliation he destroyed the entire city of Washington DC.
Awed by the power to destroy a city from orbit with no chance to retaliate the nation gives in.

It has been one year since that time. The Enlightened One has left and one of his generals and one of his armies remains. Earth's occupants have taken it well for the most part with incidents only occurring from radical groups. Now the invaders have posted up recruitment signs, inviting anyone who wishes permission to enlist and join The Enlightened Army.

(So I changed the idea slightly, basically you need to be a recruit for the army, this doesn't mean you have to know how to fight or even want to fight. You can make up reasons/benefits they are giving out to people who join them. FYI they haven't freely handed out the technology they possess as they do not yet trust those of earth and that can have something to do with your reason. Perhaps giving incentives to those recruited like curing their families of all disease and illnesses or stuff like that.

Go ahead and post before me a little about your character maybe even an intro to the training program if you get to it before I do.)