(Libertatem 1, 59 / 5:45AM)

(Luke) Can’t believe we made it.

In front of Luke, Jack, Hope, Fred, Johnny, and Elizabethwas a bomb, a water bomb to be precise.

The bomb was tinted with a metal coating exterior that surrounded the deeply pressurized liquid. Along its corners, the sharp edges of the circular throwing ball that was in the palms of Fred’s hands soon began to reflect the rays of the top lights above.

Smoldering it with his right hand, Fred held his little bundle of joy with his left arm, as the rest of the group analyzed the metal and design of the bomb. As most of them put their hands underneath their chins, Luke in particular rubbed his fingers against his jawline.

(Luke) I just hope Gwen’s doing fine.

(Fred) I just hope that bomb works. I mean, Gwen could probably take that thing head-on even without the needed boost.

(Luke) She said she didn’t want to take any chances.

(Luke’s thoughts) But why though? Isn’t she the person to take the least amount of precaution?

Fred stood up with the football-sized metal bomb that cuddled against his left arm, carrying it as if it were practically a baby.

Looking toward Luke, he let out a sly smile as his eyes closed up, placing his right hand on the back of his head.

(Fred) So… are we going to carry this thing? To the Zirardge building?

(Luke) Yeah. That way when we arrive on top, she’ll be the one to deliver it straight toward her core. I hope Luna, Miles, or even Diego try to find any weaknesses during their stall.

(Jack) So … I guess everyone is pulling their weight on this.

(Luke) Pretty much.

All six of them looked over to the wall that was broken by Mia. Seeing that the early morning was still blackened by the red clouds up high above them, Luke then pinned his head onto the exit where they all came out.

Straightening his back, Luke cleared his throat while he began to look at the rest of his friends and acquaintances.

(Luke) We did what we originally came here to do, so I would call this task a success… ish?

(Jack) It’s weird seeing you as a sort of leader. Imagine if Gwen becomes ill one day and you need to take charge of one mission.

(Luke) Well, I’m not even good at even giving speeches…

(Johnny) From where I was at, you seemed fine though. Everyone thought you did great.

His neck plastered with sweat, Luke placed his right hand onto the helm of his white shirt that was underneath his unzipped leather jacket. Having two of his fingers nudging the collar, he did it repeatedly as he then pushed his feet forward, allowing the metal to blister his soles yet again.

Walking toward the exit, Luke continued to fan his collar up and down as the rest of the group worried for the light-haired young man.

(Luke) Let’s get to the van. At the same time, while we’re going to the tower, we could check up on everyone else too.

______________________________________________________________________________

(Libertatem 1, 59 / 5:55AM)

(Jack) Good thing that the tower is only several minutes from the water pump facility.

A brown moving van plowed through the downtown streets of the debris-ridden Lagefor, driving along the poorly cleaned asphalt.

The van went through rubble and stones that riddled the clean asphalt, causing the wheels and the entirety of the moving vehicle to nudge erratically but not that heavily. Along with many of the building’s windows being shattered, it left many glass shards littering the sidewalks, as well as the little fires that sprouted out on the edge of the street and sidewalk.

Inside the moving van, Luke and Jack were in the front, while Hope, Fred, Johnny, and Elizabeth were in the back.

(Johnny’s thoughts) So this is the last push.

Johnny’s left cheek prickled with heat as he then turned his head toward the shining window on the left of him. As the rays of light caused his cheeks to sunburn, he opened his eyes wide, taking the sight of the monster being covered head to toe with flames and magma.

As the burning fires reflected against his eyes, Johnny remained staring at the beast as he had his hands placed on his knees.

(Johnny) Looks like she's having fun rampaging the outskirts of downtown…

(Luke) Shoot … What time will that thing reach the water pump facility?

(Fred) From there to the water pump facility, and the speed that she’s traveling, I’d say 30 minutes.

Stolen novel; please report.

Clasping both of his hands, Luke started to tap his heel on the floor of the van.

(Luke) I hope that we’re the last group to reach the top of the tower.

Jack looked at Luke, straightening his back.

Hope soon stood in the middle of the van, placing her head near the little hole that allowed her to see the anxious Luke.

(Jack) Let’s just check the channels first.

In the middle of both Jack and Luke was the radio box that was laid across the middle seat of the van.

Luke used his left to hold the radio box as he used his fingers to grasp the black stainless steel. Along with his right, he turned the white knob that emitted a scornful static that assaulted everyone’s ears from inside the van. Fortunately for the group, the static was only for a couple of seconds as a transmission was then received.

(Lieutenant on Radio) Come in! This is the Lieutenant! Come in!

(Luke) We hear you sir, loud and clear.

(Lieutenant on Radio) What’s the status of that water bomb?!

(Luke) Fred successfully made it, sir. We’re on our way to the Zirardge tower now.

(Lieutenant on Radio) Roger. Me and my platoon are guarding the front entrance of the tower. That bitch is drawing near to the water pump facility as we know it.

Luke and the others looked outward as they saw the flames of the beast using the buildings as if it was a sandbox. Tightening his grip on the metal box, Luke fastened his tapping on the floor of the van. Perking his ears up, Jack glanced at the sweatied Luke who let out a sigh.

Hope began to pop her head out from the middle of the hole that was located in between Luke and Jack, as she turned her head toward the nervous Luke.

(Hope) We could do this Luke … just believe in Gwen…

(Luke) I know. She could do anything, but … for us … how can—

(Jack) Hey, since when did you become the pessimist one?

(Luke) What?

Jack rolled his eyes.

(Jack) It’s gonna be fine. Besides, we got the bomb ready, and Gwen is one of the toughest chicks to fight with besides Luna, so we got this.

Stopping the tapping of his heel, Luke loosened the grip on the radio box. Puckering up his quivered lips, he straightened his back as he then let out a simple nod.

As he then looked towards the ground, his face darkened with a hint of hesitation inside of his throat.

(Luke) Y-yeah … we got this…

(Lieutenant on Radio) I’m still here, soldier.

(Luke) S-Sorry sir…

(Lieutenant on Radio) It’s nothing soldier, just make sure you deal with that bitch by any means.

Johnny, Elizabeth, and Fred both stared into the radio box that they couldn’t see, as Hope hogged the entirety of the little headhole.

All three of them folded their arms, looking at the reddened sky that was filled with ash and flame. Despite being inside the van, they all smelled the scent of smoke and gunpowder through the car’s ventilation system.

(Luke) … P-Permission to speak sir…?

(Lieutenant on Radio) By all means.

(Luke) Who’s on top of the tower waiting for us?

(Lieutenant on Radio) Everyone who helped with the stalling of the monster. The ones that dealt with zompire cleanup and civilian evacuation are heading toward the military complex as you ordered. But we’re missing one.

(Luke) Who?

All six of the Dark Angels moved their heads close toward the radio box that was inbetween Luke and Jack.

All their ears heard the dreaded static that soon started to attack the transmission of the channel that they heard from.

All their eyes were pinned onto the black device that connected them to the outside world.

All their souls were locked in place as they couldn’t even budge a nerve or muscle onto their finger to toe.

As they all heard the words from the Lieutenant himself.

(Lieutenant on Radio) We’re missing someone. That one soldier who’s tall and has freckles.

______________________________________________________________________________

(Libertatem 1, 59 / 3:59AM)

(Gwen) Can I talk with you, Luke?

(Luke) Sure, what is it, Gwen?

Everyone else that was on the asphalt soon started to pile up inside of the trucks, their plan to set things straight soon starting to draw near.

With their assigned tasks, the only group that awaited Luke to come down was none other than Jack, Hope, Fred, and Johnny who patiently stood still as they looked up at him. As Hope stared at the man on top of the truck, her blue eyes gleamed despite there being no means to be seen.

Next to the man that she admired was none other than their commander, a tall woman with freckles who happened to place her right arm around his neck.

(Gwen) Didn’t know you had it in you. You know, when I retire soon, I’ll make you the next commander of The Dark Angels.

(Luke) Me? To be honest, I think Miles or Benn are more suited for that.

(Gwen) Hey, don’t think bad about yourself. Like I said, use that voice inside of you.

(Luke) Yeah …

Gwen continued to squint her slanted eyes onto him, her smile still shining in the dark of the early morning.

Loosening her left arm, she slowly pulled it back toward her body followed by pushing the corner of her right lip onto the height of her right ear. Her mouth let out a gentle chuckle, her breath reached onto Luke’s face and nose, the smell of mint and toothpaste still lingering around her teeth.

(Gwen) I think you forgot about someone important, hmm? Didn’t know you were that much of a gentleman.

(Luke) Wait … Oh shoot! I forgot about you!

(Gwen) Don’t worry. I think I know what to do.

(Luke) R-Really? Then what do you have in mind?

Gwen stretched both of her arms up high in the air, as she placed her right hand onto her left elbow, causing her left arm to rise even more. Her bones pinching the muscles that trapped her joints, she let out a long and relieved sigh from the depths of her lungs, her body soon pushing downward by gravity.

(Gwen) I plan on taking that big girl head-on!

(Luke) So … you’ll be the one carrying the water bomb?

(Gwen) I’m the only one who can do it unless you want to give it a shot.

(Luke) Yeah, you’ll be the one to do it. I’m lucky but not that lucky.

Scratching the back of his head, Luke looked over toward the fiery beast that was barely storming the outskirts of the industrial district of the city.

His eyes panning onto the deadly monster, Luke tightened his hair on the back of his head as his fingers gripped onto his scalp. His other hand enclosing into a fist, he laid it onto his side as he soon started to glare straight at the hellish sight that he saw.

(Luke’s thoughts) Then again, I promised myself that I’d never let this city become the same as Clastine…

Luke looked over toward Gwen.

Still having that glare plastered onto his face, he soon straightened his back as he let his encapsulated fingers free from the grip. Having both of his feet straight and tight-knit, he then let his left hand let go of his screaming scalp, his palm facing the direction of Gwen.

Enclosing his right hand into a fist again, he thumped the left side of his chest twice.

As he glided it over to the right side of his chest, making a Dark Angel salute.

(Luke) Don’t worry. Me and the others will not let you down.

(Gwen) I know you will.

Both the commander and her soldier looked at one another, their eyes glued to the reflections that showed upon their irises.

(Luke’s thoughts) Cause I want to be your best soldier.

(Gwen’s thoughts) So we could all go to Paradise together…