Yoozel kicked some of the rubble as he walked through the destroyed "Welcome" thread. "How did we let this happen again?" He picked up some ash and then crushed his hand around it, "How can one man outsmart all of us?" "Yoozel!" Ash called. "I just got word from Senor Leche...Corbec's dead." Yoozel groaned, "Great." Achronos stared at Yoozel for a moment and then said quietly, "Perhaps it is time for us to take drastic measures to catch these men." Yoozel turned slowly, "What do you mean?" "We have to draw Halifax out. Make him fight on our terms, not his." "How?" "Find the thing he loves most and use it against him." ---------------------- Pyrojoe watched warily as Recon approached him. "What do you want?" He asked when the Mod drew closer. "I want to help." Recon replied confidently. "Help?" Recon nodded, "I know you have taken the services of Butane and the Bungie Jumpers. You're going after Banshee." "How do you know I'm not going after Halifax, or you guys!" "Because Corbec went after Halifax...and he's dead." Pyro winced when he heard that but Recon continued, "And the Bungie Jumpers would never attack the Mods. You're going after Banshee. And if you're not, then I'll just kill you now." Pyrojoe nodded slowly, "Alright, so how are you supposed to help?" "Because I know where Banshee is." He watched as Pyro's eyes widened and then said, "And I'm willing to take you to him." "But--" "Don't ask me anymore questions. You just need to go to Banshee, and if he gives you any trouble, lure him outside. I'll take care of the rest." Pyro looked at him for a moment and then nodded, "Alright. Take me to him." --------------------- Obbi was walking back from the supermarket, his eyes glancing at the bloodstain on the ground before he opened the door to his car. He hadn't been able to talk to Halifax yet, but he would make sure that the man paid for the damage to his car. Not long after driving, Obbi pulled the car to a halt. A woman was kneeling down on the pavement, clutching her side and coughing. That wasn't what stopped Obbi, however. He knew that woman. --------------------- Halifax had slept fitfully that night, his dreams filled with visions of Mods torturing him, and then worse yet, torturing Obbi and Dragon. He jerked upright, Dragon's screams still ringing in his ears. With a shake of his head, Halifax jerked off the covers and left the room. He walked down the hall of the apartment building and opened the door to Dragon's room. "Who's there?" Dragon asked. "It's me." Halifax said. "Sorry, I should have knocked." "It's okay, I'm just eating breakfast right now." Halifax nodded and walked into the room. He smiled when he saw Dragon eating a bowl of Ghandios. "I didn't think you liked brand cereal." Dragon shrugged, "Ghandi's kind of cute. And besides, if you put enough sugar on it, it doesn't taste all that bland." Halifax laughed and sat down across from her, "Well, I'm just glad to see you eating." "I didn't think I'd be able to. Aft erwhat I just did." She looked up from her cereal and stared intently at Halifax, "I don't mind killing Mods. That's why I joined Banshee's group. That's why I helped you when you were in trouble. I know that what they are doing is wrong. But I thought Corbec was just misguided...I mean, when you hit him and then tried to leave, I figured that would be it. But then he got up and tried to kill you...It just...it made me angry to think that there are people who were willing to kill just because they didn't like someone." "Is that why you went with me? Instead of staying with Banshee." Dragon shook her head. "That's what I keep thinking about. When I was with Banshee and Kritz, I felt like I should be killing Mods...and I kept thinking that up until last night, when I saw what that kind of hate...that kind of blind violence did to you. The only reason I came with you is because I wanted to be with Kritz...but now I see that both he and Banshee were wrong. Killing isn't what brings change." She reached out and touched his hand, "It's people who care. People like you." Halifax looked down and pulled his hand away, "I've killed too." "But not because you wanted to." She gazed at him fiercely, "I've heard you blame yourself and argue with yourself about whether you are right. About whether or not you should be fighting Banshee. Halifax, don't ever wonder again. You are doing the right thing for the right reasons." Suddenly, the door slammed open and Obbi came in, carrying a limp form in his arms. "Quick." He said sharply. "Clear off the bed." Halifax complied immediately and asked, "Who is that?" Obbi looked at him for a moment and then laid her on the bed. "See for yourself. I think you know her." Halifax peered closely at the face and then his eyes widened, "Fiurha? But I thought she left." "So did I." Obbi replied. "But there she was, lying on the pavement. I went out to help her and the minute I touched her, she dropped to the ground. I don't know where she's been, but she's pretty sick." Dragon limped over to the bed, hoping to get a better look at this girl she had never met. She froze when she saw Halifax tenderly stroking Fiurha's hair. "H-How do you know her?" She asked. "She and I were good friends." Halifax replied. "I didn't think I'd see her again...she was the only girl I--" He cut off and looked up at Dragon's face, "Dragon, are you okay?" Dragon was still staring at Fiurha, "I'm fine. Just fine." She looked at Halifax for a moment and then said quietly, "I think I've been in this apartment long enough. I'm going to go for a walk." "Here, I'll come help." Halifax said, standing up. "No!" Dragon replied sharply. "I'll be fine." "But your leg--" "I said I'll be fine." There was a note of finality in her voice and she shut the door without another word. Obbi grabbed Halifax before he could go after her, "Don't." "But why...I need to explain." "I think she gets it." Obbi replied. "But unless you are over Fiurha and willing to move on, don't go out and talk to her." Halifax looked at Obbi and then down at Fiurha's pale face. Finally, he sat down, staring glumly out the window and watched as Dragon walked down the street. --------------------- Un Gato watched as Banshee Barron and Caspian made plans for their next attack. He kept wondering if he had been right to separate from MC s Brother. They had been friends for so long. “Banshee!” Came a shout from outside. “The game’s up! You’re cornered with no place to run.” Banshee froze and looked up at the door. “You can either come out now or we can break through. And don’t try running. I’ve got Bungie Jumpers surrounding this building. Come out now and I’ll at least give you a chance to appeal before Achronos. But one way or another, I will have you.” “Who is that?” Un Gato asked, not recognizing the voice. “Pyrojoe.” Banshee muttered. “What do we do?” Caspian asked. “We fight.” Banshee said coldly. “But…the Bungie Jumpers?” Banshee smiled, “I know the Bungie Jumpers. If you kill the person paying them, they’ll stop fighting.” He glanced at the two men, “Stop Pyrojoe and you stop the Bungie Jumpers.” ------------------ MCs Brother walked down the street, on his way back to the apartment, when he saw Dragon limping his way. Her head was bowed and tears flowed freely down her cheeks. She didn't even see him until he grabbed her and said quietly, "Dragon, what's wrong?" "It's...nothing." She pulled away fiercely, "I'm fine." "No you're not." MCs Brother said and held her by the shoulders, "Is it about last night?" Dragon laughed and then sniffled, "No. It's not that." "Well then what is it?" "Why don't you mind your own business?" She retorted fiercely. MCs Brother nodded and held his hands wide, "I'm just trying to help." "I know." Dragon said with a sigh. "Listen, don't worry about me. I'll be fine." "Alright, but--" He was cut off when they heard gun shots in the distance. "Who's shooting? Isn't Halifax in the apartment." "I thought--" She froze, "We have to find out what's going on." MCs Brother nodded and the two of them hurried to the sound of gunfire. ----------------- "Barricade the door!" Banshee shouted as bullets blasted through the walls. Un Gato helped Banshee move a sofa in front of the door. "Are there any other entrances?" He asked. "There's one in the back." Banshee replied. "Go check it out." Un Gato nodded and headed back through the house. He stopped when he heard the door slam shut and footsteps started thumping through the house. Drawing his gun, Un Gato edged up to the wall. He heard the footsteps draw closer and waited patiently. When the men were almost on top of him, Un Gato spun around the corner and slammed the hilt of his gun down on the first man's head, dropping him to the ground. The second Jumper raised his gun but Un Gato kicked his foot out in a wide circle, knocking the gun aside. He slammed his gun against the man's forehead and quickly stripped the man's sub-machine gun from his hand, holding it in one hand while wielding his pistol in the other. "Un Gato!" Banshee shouted, "Are you alright?" "Ya!" Un Gato yelled back, "I'll keep watch back here in case anymore try to come through." Banshee saw one of the Bungie Jumpers through the window and his eyes widened when he saw the man lay down a small object. "I think I might need you over here!" He yelled just as the entire wall exploded, sending splintered would and shrapnel flying his way. Banshee quickly ducked behind an overturned table. "We might be in trouble." He muttered as Caspian crouched beside him. ---------------------