Adian Priest was glad when UNSC Troopers apart of the Army arrived. Checking his watch it was 1443 hours. A Vulture flew over head letting loose with a barrage of fire. Hornets fired on unseen enemy troops. Then came a familiar rumble of military vehicles. UNSC had arrived as forward teams drove on to engage enemy forces. Tanks rolled past firing down range. Several Warthogs drove up with gunners eyeing the street or sky. Troopers disembarked to assist those in need. They secured the street allowing for Civilians to get to the Evac zone. His Team finally was able to crawl out of the clothing store. Ramerez was able to meet them on firm ground after coming down from her perch up top. As they walked over to the other Police officers an Army Captain maneuvered over to them past personnel or civilians with a two man escort. "I am Captain White" He shook Adians hand." We got Pelicans taking wounded to aid stations. Also we have more inbound to get the women and children out of here. They will be back to get the rest of the civilians." "I am Sergeant Priest." Adian giving a firm nod." Have you heard anything about New Athens Police Department?" White shook his head no. A woman tapped his shoulder. Karen Priest looked like a different woman at first. A nurse in her scrubs. They both did not say a word embracing each other. Adian was hugging his wife. Rebels pulled up in a stolen van loading up something metallic in the back of the van. No one was sure what was going on. Adian did not see it. His team was unable to see the van past Warthogs or personnel. They would have drove off but one of the hostages was able to get loose. Breaking free from her captor. The white coated doctor ran towards them. It all slowed down as his wife fell limp in his arms. A bullet had hit her spine. She went limp gasping. His eye welled up with tears. One rebel tried to gun down the doctor. Troopers dove aside returning fire. The van speed off when the gunman entered the passenger side. He was smeared with blood. His wife's body was slowly laid to the ground. His team had weapons out but were not able to get into position in time. Adian had seen friends die. Yet his wife died in his arms. He rocked her saying" Its going to be OK." Captain White put a hand on his shoulder." Sergeant she is dead. Who was she ?" Adian stood up looking for the shooter seeing the fleeing van."My Wife. She was my--wife." Troopers had the woman who ran. They escorted her over to them. Adian stood up as his wife was being looked at by a medic. This was happening to some one else. He felt detached. Yet it was him with no one to share his feelings with. He had no heart left. It was as if some one riped it out from his chest. All he could do was hope but the Medic shook his head sadly" I am sorry there is nothing i can do she is dead." Adian pushed aside the Medic to get her wedding ring she carried it on a chain while working most of the time. He placed it in a pocket. Adian walked away needing some alone time to collect his thoughts. Yet he would not let this injustice go. He would find his wife's killer and bring him to justice. His anger seemed to grow then he began to rip apart the clothing store he was trapped in for most of the day. Frustrated at how life can land such a cruel blow he stood up. Allot of good people died today he had to save the ones now. His team needed him. Making his way over to his team he pushed aside his emotions for now. " Lets talk to the Captain. Perhaps we can find out what these Rebels want. This Doctor has to know something." His team fallowed him. Captain White was speaking to his forward units in his helmet mic. " India 2-4 Pull back we are almost done here." Adian was covered with his wife's blood but the Captain waited on what they would say. " We would like to be on the interrogation of the hostage." Captain White looked down." Look you need time to get it together. You all have been through allot. I am sorry about your wife getting killed but it will not bring her back if you find who did it." " We were here to stop these guys." Adians voice was raised." Most of the officers here were killed when this attack happened. Did any one see anything ?" White shook his head yes" Some of my boys seen them put some kind of metal coffin like object into that van. We will know more once we talk to the Doctor. So yes i will allow you to talk to her but i want to be present." Adian could understand the Captains interest but how he said it was a red flag. A pelican landed while the other pelicans were departed. The captain with a some wounded soldiers were loaded up. Adians team with the remaining officers boarded also. This day ended as it began with a pelican rising into the air like an angry insect. [Edited on 08.24.2012 8:49 AM PDT]