She may just execute them anyway, Tyson said to Zoe as she slowly made her way out from cover. I hear your plan, I'll tell the others.
Zoe lowered the sound of her comm as Tyson started talking. She didn't need the distraction as she instructed Nix to start trying to predict her speech so she wouldn't stumble over the language. At least, not stumble too much.
She came to a halt in the middle of the area, rested her shield and opened the lower part of her helmet. A hush fell over the area. "My name is Zoe," she announced in German. "Release all your prisoners and you will be spared."
The woman facing her smirked. "Not going to happen. You surrender now, along with all of your team, then we decide what to do with you."
"You realise that we have not taken a single casualty and have you where we want you, right?" Zoe tilted her head questioning. "Where is Ivan? I want to talk to him, not you." Tyson?
Mads and I are in position, we have her and the gun wielder lined up.
The woman paused for a moment, frowning at Zoe. “None of your concern. You’ll speak with me. Surrender or we start executing.”
Zoe tried to project an air of confidence. “And what would stop us from just shooting you if you decide to execute them?” She began to charge her weapon hidden behind the shield.
“Even your group will find me hard to kill,” the woman said as she slowly drew her sword with her free hand before levelling it at the throat of the nearest prisoner. “You have ten seconds to comply.”
“Zoe, I’m giving the order to engage on your mark,” Tatyana said into the relative silence.
"Fire," she stated as she dropped her shield and raised her previously hidden weapons array. As she did, the woman flicked her blade around, deflecting the shot from Maddison, who started swearing as hostages and their captors started to drop from Zoe's stun bolts.
The woman retreated, her sword twitching as she dropped the megaphone and drew the other. Without breaking eye contact with Zoe, she lashed out, slitting the throat of a captive before backing into cover.
"How the flying fuck did she fucking do that?" Maddison said, swearing in the comms as their enemies opened fire on Zoe. "She's reacting faster that I can."
Zoe, grenades!
Nix slammed the helmet shut as the grenades arced out of the building. One bounced off her leg before a moment later they both exploded, sending a wave of shrapnel out. A scream of pain came from behind her as a piece caught one of the strike team in the arm.
"I'm jumping in," Anisha said.
"No!" Tatyana yelled. "Maddison, that woman is your target. What do you need to be able to take her?"
"Hell if I know," Maddison replied. "Her shadow didn't move till after I fired. She seems to be reacting stupidly fast."
Zoe rolled back and came up behind cover with her allies. Cory was bandaging the injured arm as Zoe moved beside him. "It's not severe," the man said. "Mostly just surprising."
"Marco, wait!" Anisha yelled as the gorilla leapt from an upper floor, landing and rolling to his feet on the roof of the building the woman had backed into. A pair of startled soldiers went to shoot at him as he cleared the edge and vanished from their view. Anisha, swearing through the comms at him, appeared in his shadow before the pair started searching for a door.
Tyson breathed out, wishing he had Boo nearby to help deal with the noise as he focussed and read the enemies intentions. Marco, Anisha, squad heading to the roof, far side. Zoe, I think a sniper rifle is being brought out.
Maddison sighted the door near Marco, firing as she saw the shadows shift and soldiers appear. The first two fell to her shots before she shifted her aim to avoid Marco, who barreled into the remaining enemies.
Zoe ducked behind cover a fraction of a second before a powerful shot rang out. "Nix confirms a sniper below," she stated. "Is there any way we can protect those hostages out in the open?"
The comms fell silent for a few moments, the only sounds coming through being that of gunfire and grunts of exertion. "I can get there," Zoe said, "but I can't provide much cover, even if I get my shield."
"Steff, how's your concentration with the arm injury?" Tatyana asked.
"I'm right," the man replied. "I'm not sure I can phase three others though."
"There's only two," Zoe replied somberly.
"Okay, I should be able to do two, but I won't be able to move them."
Nix displayed information for Zoe as they talked. "Steffan Corr. Talent: Phase. For as long as Steffan can hold his breath, he becomes insubstantial, being able to pass through most objects with minimal effort. His Talent can extend to a small amount of non-living material, approximately twenty kilograms, and up to twice his body weight, one hundred and sixty kilograms. Anyone phased with Steffan is unable to breath while phased."
"Then we have a two minute window to do this," Tatyana said. "Zoe, get your shield, body block Steff. Everyone else, suppressing fire, we'll make a push as soon as Steff is phased."
"Roger," came the chorus of replies as Zoe darted forward, low to the ground. A shot rang out, hitting her in the shoulder. Nix compensated for the impact, keeping Zoe on her course as she flipped up the edge of her shield and ducked under it. Another shot rang out, piercing the shield a few fingers from her face. Picking it up, she moved back to cover, another shot piercing the shield near her shoulder.
"Ready?" she asked Steff. The man nodded in reply. "On my mark."
Her teammates took the few seconds she waited to reload and, after getting nods from those nearby, Zoe shifted her shield and steeled herself. "Mark."
Bursts of gunfire rang out as she strolled out, Steff on her heels, already phased out to avoid taking unnecessary hits. As Zoe got to the fallen captives, she rammed her shield into the ground and dragged them behind it while Steffan took a few deep breaths to prepare him for what he was about to do.
A roar echoed through from inside the building as Zoe stepped out from cover, both weapons firing constantly, shots guided by Nix.
She felt the impact of a sniper shot to her chest, forcing her to stumble back a step.
"Leave her alone!" Maddison yelled as she dropped from the roof, her rifle falling beside her, rolling to her feet and firing a pistol into the building. A cry of pain rang out as Maddison rolled and came up behind Zoe, grinning viciously at her armoured friend.
"That was reckless, Maddison," Tatyana admonished her through the comms.
"But it worked," Maddison replied as the pair strode forward, Maddison shifting constantly behind the suit. As they entered the building and into the darkness, she blinked, getting her eyes to adjust to the darkness inside, away from the spotlights as she drew her swords.
"Anisha, status," Tatyana called.
"She found us," Anisha replied as she used the cover of her gorilla friend and the shadows to her advantage. "Marco is blocking the hall and can't land a hit on her, she keeps jumping back, but all she's managed to do is a few scratches on us. I've tried flanking her, but she's better than I am. Shiva take her," she spat.
"On my way," Maddison said as the pair finished with the guard with them. Tyson calmly walked in, shouldering Maddison's rifle and taking her pistol from her.
A location ping came to them all as Anisha sent it out. Cricking her neck, Maddison strolled forward, Tyson and Zoe following.
~
Lauchlan was, as always, glad the Vladorff siblings were on his side. After sneaking into the first of the buildings, they had walked out with ten of their former enemies in their thrall and what little resistance was left after the orbital strike, was brushed aside with the soldiers bolstering their forces.
The strike team had also moved in and it hadn't taken them long to get to the centre of operations for the enemy.
Several hostages were taken, including one identified as the head of this area, one called "Ivan". Lauchlan's team reported to headquarters, finding out that they had finished their mission while their friends were still battling away.
~
Kally nodded to Cory before they darted to Steff. The area had fallen eerily quiet and no gunfire spat at them as they dropped to their knees beside the captives.
Steff took a deep breath in, phasing back to reality. "The woman is fine, the man has a few shrapnel hits from that grenade."
The rest of the backup team spread around the area, a pair entering into the building the other five had entered, the others taking vigil in doorways.
"Tatyana, eta on our backup?" Cory asked as he started helping the injured man.
"Thirty-eight minutes," she replied. "They're on track, two craft inbound." Tatyana paused as she read over a message. "Prague team mission success, they have Ivan and a few other leaders."
"Good news," Cory replied. He was thankful the injuries he was tending to didn't look severe.
~
Marco bellowed into the woman's face again, only for the smirk she wore to widen a little. He had many shallow cuts on his arms and was missing a finger. He wasn't worried, they would grow back when he shifted back to human form, he would just lose a little body mass while doing so. What did worry him was her speed. He had come within a hair of getting her numerous times, but had never landed a blow or caught onto anything to catch her. Even Anisha, who was able to step out of her shadow, couldn't get her.
Maddison found the woman as she stepped inside Marco's reach, slashed across his chest, ducked and fell back. The gorilla roared again in frustration as his grasp came back empty handed again. Stepping back, the woman half turned, glancing over her shoulder at Maddison. "Oh, good," the woman purred. "More prey."
"How did you deflect my shot?" Maddison demanded.
"Anisha, Marco, fall back," Zoe said through the comms as the woman turned towards Maddison as Tyson came around the corner behind his sister and into view.
"Oh, don't send the big boy away," the woman said in English, hearing Zoe's command from around the corner. "I was having fun with him."
"You can have fun with me," Maddison stated as she quickly walked forward, bringing both blades to the fore.
Weapons clashed in a blur moments later before the two women broke apart a few breaths later.
"You have a Talent," Maddison stated, barely breathing harder.
"My Taint has been useful. People find it very hard to land a hit on me," she replied. "Now, enough talk." The woman stepped forward and was met by the swords of Maddison.
"Anisha, Marco, break off, find the captives," Zoe ordered.
"Drones coming inside," Tatyana said through the comms. "Hang on, we have a map coming in."
Data came across Zoe's visor, showing the layout of the building. Nix corrected where they knew and plotted paths for Zoe and the others.
We'll have her down shortly, Tyson projected to those nearby from where he stood, eyes closed, focussed on Maddison and the woman. She has patterns we're figuring out.
"As long as you're sure," Zoe whispered.
Yes.
Zoe patted his shoulder once and followed Nix's path towards her goal.
~
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Sofia huddled in the far corner of her cell, her hands still bound in cloth and shackles, bolted to the floor. It didn't matter anyway, there was nothing kept anywhere nearby for her to manipulate, it was just the cruelty of her captors keeping her hunched over and chained to the floor.
The sounds of battle had dimmed and with the fading noise, her hope sank again. Nothing would change, she would never return to her father Leon.
A shout followed by a buzzing noise reached her ears as the cells lit up with a few quick bursts of blue-white light. The sound of a pair of bodies hitting the ground greeted her moments before a suited figure stepped into view. Sofia whimpered as the figure reached out, gripped the bars near the lock and shoved hard. The lock snapped with a loud 'ping' as the door flew open.
The helmet retracted, revealing a young looking woman, hair slightly disheveled and a look of worry and concern on her face. "Sofia?" she asked quietly.
The girl's eyes widened as the woman crouched near her hands, snapping the metal with ease. "Who are you?"
The woman smiled faintly. "I'm Zoe. I'm here to help," she replied in an oddly accepted German. "Your father told us you were here."
"Dad?" Tears welled up around the corner of Sofia's eyes. As soon as she was free, she leapt up, hugging Zoe as tightly as she could.
"I have you," Zoe whispered as she wrapped an arm around the girl, holding the back of her head gently. "Let's get you home, okay?"
Sofia nodded into the armour of the stranger as hope flooded through her.
~
"Fuck, you're annoying," Maddison spat at the woman, stepping back from their battle. Both women had minute cuts on arms, sweat pouring down their faces and backs.
"You are similar to me," the woman said as the pair wiped their foreheads.
"Nah, I'm better than you," Maddison said confidently. "You've got less than thirty seconds before I take your neck."
The woman snorted and stepped forward again, moving through a now familiar attack pattern.
Chaos time, Tyson projected to Maddison as he drew his own swords, eyes still closed. A grin tugged at the side of his mouth as he swapped his focus from aiding his sister to distracting their opponent. Hey, guess who's able to read your thoughts? Tyson whispered in her mind. Nah, not her, she can just see the future. You've become our puppet, little one. Parry, strike, strike, step left, back, strike. Yeah, she wasn't lying, she wants your neck.
The woman faltered a little, trying to step back and break the pattern, but Maddison kept up her assault. Taking an opening Maddison left, the woman forced Maddison’s sword too high. Grinning, Maddison let go of the weapon, another replacing it instantly as Tyson stepped up behind her.
Her eyes flashed in horror as the replacement sword swept past her guard, cutting deeply into the side of her neck before a kick to her stomach sent her sprawling backwards. Using the two swords she held, Maddison picked up her discarded blade and flicked it backwards to her brother.
"Told you," Maddison said as the woman dropped a sword and pressed a hand against the wound. "You're going to bleed out shortly. Any regrets or last words?"
Opening her mouth, the woman gurgled as blood came welling out of her mouth. She collapsed, blood pooling on the floor where she lay.
"Too bad," Maddison said, moving to stand over the woman. "We could have been unstoppable if we had been on the same side."
"Eh, she seemed like a snob," Tyson said as he scooped up her swords. "Zoe has freed the captives."
Maddison joined her brother in staring at the body between them on the ground. The woman's eyes were open in horror. Bending down, Maddison gently closed them. "There will one day be someone who will best us. It's best that we never get overconfident."
~
The aircraft touched down in the yard, now vacated of all people. The craft cleared the buildings around it by barely a meter on each side.
Tatyana greeted the lone passenger, leading them to the injured. Boo and Rudra knelt between the few injured lying on the ground, tending to wounds as the man approached, shifting a large medical bag from his shoulder.
“Hey Tony,” Boo greeted, waving at him. “We’ve stabilized everyone here. All injuries were either fatal or non life threatening or Marco.”
Tony chuckled at Boo. “I presume he just needs some extra protein then,” he replied as he placed the bag down. “Where are the previously held people?”
“With Zoe and Kally. I gave them a once over, they mostly seem fine, other than marks from bindings. Take care, some of them are like frightened animals and they may react dangerously.”
Taking a tub of salve out of the bag, he went where directed, approaching Zoe and Kally, the pair sitting with several captives. Zoe, with one arm underneath the girl held her to her side, the girl with her arms around Zoe’s neck.
Zoe smiled faintly, wearily, at Tony. “Hey. This is Sofia. Sofia, this is my friend Tony. He’s very gentle and nice and just wants to look you over to make sure that you’re not badly hurt.”
“I even have something to make your wrists feel better,” he added, smearing a little over his hands. “My sister made this especially for sore skin. It feels good.” He held his hands up, showing the salve on his hands.
Sofia slowly held out an arm, flinching as the cool salve touched her skin and Tony gently rubbed it in. “There we go,” he said warmly. Zoe, can you turn please so I can get her other wrist?” Following the direction, Tony was able to rub Sofia’s other wrist. “I’m sure that feels better already, doesn’t it?” Receiving wide eyes and a shy nod, Tony nodded softly. “Good. I’m a doctor and that means I help people not feel bad. If you feel bad anywhere, you tell me and I’ll help you, okay?” He got another shy nod. “Excellent. Can you help me with the others please Sofia?”
“Okay,” she muttered, detaching herself from Zoe and taking Tony’s outstretched hand, leading him to the others who had been previously held captive.
~
“Dad!” Sofia yelled as she collided with her father hours later back in Stuttgart. Tears of joy ran down Leon’s face as he hugged her close.
Leon looked to Zoe and others nearby. “You have my support. If the Bloodless are gone as you say, you will have the support of everyone here.”
“We have.” Zoe stepped forward. “We’re going to explore more, we have a couple of things to look into before we’re done here and our construction crews come through.”
“You will have all assistance from my group. Thank you for the aid too.”
"No strings attached," Boo replied, smiling faintly. "Even if you don't join us, we will still provide basic needs for as long as we can. I realise I misspoke before, I didn't mean to imply that if you didn't join us we wouldn't help."
Leon nodded. "The generosity of your Community is easy to see. We have eaten and slept well since the delivery and greatly appreciate the supplies."
"Do you know of a Klien?" Zoe asked.
Snorting, Leon nodded. "He usually keeps to himself, though he tries to raid our stuff from time to time. He's an annoying old man who sets traps and makes it well known that he has no interest in a mutual relationship. Probably sees us as pests."
"Noted, thank you. Are the other leaders willing to meet?"
"Yes, and I'll send word that you're true to your word and have returned my Sofia to me."
"Is there a big, clear area we can use for a meeting near the city centre?"
"The University grounds are central and no one cares for those old buildings. When do you want the meeting?"
"Tomorrow, midday." Zoe smiled lopsidedly. "We'll provide lunch too."
"That will make the situation potentially dangerous," Leon warned.
"We'll be fine," Boo assured him, patting him on the shoulder. "Send your runners, tomorrow, midday, food provided, no more than twenty per group."
"Most gangs aren't bigger than that and there's about fourteen gangs, six major ones, mine included. The other smaller ones are allied to the bigger ones and follow our leads."
"That's fine," Boo replied. "Just send the messages."
~
"I'd like to request Alianora and a small group for security, along with enough food to feed about two hundred and fifty."
Hayden laughed at Zoe. "Yeah, I'll put it through for you, one sec. I presume you're going to have a big meeting and feed them all?"
"Why not? Smother them with kindness. We can afford the food drop and I'm sure the people here will appreciate it all."
"It'll also make it easier to integrate them into our family," Hayden replied. "Passing the request on for you." Looking into the camera, he smiled at Zoe's face. "You're amazing mon amor."
Zoe smiled back lopsidedly. "You're not half bad yourself, moya lyubov'. Everything settled down there?"
"Yeah. I've read over the battle reports, you have glowing recommendations from Tatyana and Cory. So have the twins."
"They were the exact pair we needed for that fight." Zoe stretched and leant back into the chair. "I'm going to sleep. Can you send Avi to me please?"
"Sure. I'll get the food loaded into its trailer and send it tonight. Sleep well love."
Zoe blew Hayden a kiss before disconnecting the link and putting the tablet aside. Making herself comfortable in Moritz's home, she relaxed and fell asleep quickly, her body drained from the exertion of the day.
~
Zoe woke to find a couple of children curled up together at her side, extra blankets covering the little pile. Smiling faintly, she gently patted their heads and slowly got up, making sure to not disturb them as she put on her suit gloves and a heavy jacket. Entering the large common room, she found only a couple of adults awake, the boards still covering the windows. The temperature had remained cold enough that the snow hadn't melted, but the skies had cleared and it was supposed to stay that way for a few days.
Making her way through the barrier, she climbed up the external ladder, her suit gloves protecting her hands from the cold and giving her better grip. As she came to the top, a slender hand reached out to help her, gripping her arm, giving her a steady perch on the edge of the building before she stepped onto the roof itself.
"You're up early Zoe," Kally said through her balaclava as she tucked her hands into her jacket pockets.
"Just woke early is all," Zoe replied as they walked slowly back to where Kally had been keeping watch under a small, rickety shelter. "Don't you ever sleep?"
"I do, just not as long as everyone else. Maddison was up here when I came up a few hours ago, so she's also probably not sleeping enough."
Zoe chuckled to herself. "Seems to be going around." She stretched, her hands brushing the underside of the shelter. "You happy for the company?"
"Always."
~
Alianora stepped out of Avi as a wave of children came out of the building, swarming her and the vehicle. She laughed brightly, hugging all who requested. Moritz, also laughing, approached, shooing the children off.
"They're harmless," she said to him, shaking his offered hand before pulling him into a hug. "I'm Ali," she said as she released him. "You'd be Moritz?" She waved past him to Ellis.
"Indeed I am," Moritz replied warmly. "I see why Ellis liked you. You are a matron to all."
"Comes with being the head chef. Either you're an impossible task master or you're me."
Moritz belly laughed. "Well, thank you for coming out here. We are expecting great things from this meeting today."
"Then I will need to get cooking straight away. If someone could guide me, that would be appreciated."
"I'll guide," Ellis said, moving past Moritz and stepping up to Ali's side. Looking at the small convoy, he was happy with the six dangerous looking people sitting on two ATV's and Avi. "They will be sufficient for security?"
"Of course they will be, that's why I brought them," Ali replied. "Now, let's go get cooking."
~
Happy laughter of playing children gave the air of the meeting a much less serious feel as people filled their bellies with freshly cooked meats and platters of fruit and vegetables. Nearly everyone who had arrived had been given a new, warm jacket before being told to see Alianora. Even the security had relaxed, though kept their eyes on the tougher looking gang members.
Zoe, Moritz and Leon stood in a circle around a small round table, along with five others, with various others, Kally and Ellis included, standing within a step or two of their backs. Even though the general atmosphere was pleasant, the seriousness of the circle of people was evident, even from a distance.
They're all thinking rapidly, assessing and wary, but no overly aggressive emotions.
Zoe sent a mental thanks to Tyson as she chatted calmly to the woman next to her, Liv, about the various people in her group. Liv had made it very clear that she was all for the alliance, especially as two of the captives came from her group.
Zoe finished talking to Liv, stepped closer to the table and cleared her throat loudly. "Thank you all for coming," she said as clearly as she could in German. "You're all aware of our terms, we're happy for you to stay here, we'll help where we can if you do. If you help set up infrastructure and assist us, we will help in kind. We don't want issues with the Bloodless Pact any more than you do, so, with your assistance, we will have border patrols set up around the city. We will provide additional training and equipment to aid you all, and in return, you'll coordinate with us and follow our procedures for security." She paused and looked each leader in the eye, one by one. "You can all choose not to join us. We will still help with food, but we won't be able to guarantee your safety. In fact, if anyone does not assist, everyone's safety is decreased."
"I'm in," Liv said, Leon echoing her a moment later as they moved half a step forward.
Moritz, chuckling at the eager leaders, placed a gloved hand on Zoe's shoulder and squeezed gently. "Zoe's energy has a hard, yet flexible edge. She doesn't lie and has no need to embellish. In barely an hour, she has already forged a link with Liv, a woman she hadn't met till today. Leon's own daughter is alive and safe because of Zoe's actions. I cannot feel deception in her flow, unlike yours."
Of the other four leaders, two looked caught out and ashamed, one angry and the last amused at his statement. The amused one glanced at the others. "Oh, don't be angry Cain, you know his power perfectly well. Moritz also has no reason to lie and everyone stands to gain by joining." Taking a half step forward, he bowed his head to Zoe. "I'm in," he said, amused smirk still on his face.
Of the three remaining, Cain stayed still, arms crossed as the other two stepped forward, agreeing to join. Everyone turned to look at Cain.
"How's the tents in this cold?" Leon asked. "Or have you managed to find buildings not in someone else's territory to use? These people are proposing new housing, so you don't have to worry about tents."
"And heating and basically unlimited electricity use," Zoe added. "We would need your help building and the reward for your help would be the buildings. All we would ask is help with security and volunteers for other endeavors. You lose nothing by agreeing and gain more than you can realise if you agree."
Thoughtful calculations crossed Cain's face while the small group waited in silence. After what seemed like a small eternity, he nodded. "As long as I get to keep my territory."
"If no one else objects, then yes, you keep your lands." Zoe held out a hand over the table to Cain, who took a moment before stepping up and shaking it. The others took it in turn, everyone shaking hands with a beaming Zoe.
You're going to have to compare numbers, but I suspect that's more people than Llandilo and Asquith combined.
~
Zoe finally met Klien as the scrawny man with a long beard sat next to her, a pair of sandwiches, thin pieces of meat sticking out, clutched in his hands. She smiled warmly at him. "Enjoying the food?"
"It is nice to not have to cook for myself," he replied around a mouthful of food. "Leon sent me to you, I'm Klien."
"Zoe," she replied, offering her hand. "Heard your broadcast."
He chuckled in reply. "It's been a few years since anyone replied. I figured there would be more people out there in other cities, just never expected anyone to hear."
"Well, if you don't want to live in the high rise buildings anymore, we can give you housing and food."
"That would be nice," he replied. "I can show you around the city to the hidden gems these ruffians don't know about."
Zoe brightened up. "I would very much like that, thank you. I found a few things, but the more I learn, the better."
Klien smiled lopsidedly. “I like you already kid,” he said before turning to look over the gathered people. “I see why all these people are playing together nicely. Without you, I very much doubt that blood would not have been shed.”
“I’m not the only person in my group, it wasn’t just me.”
“No, not likely, but you are a linchpin, a catalyst. People look to you.”
“I guess they do.” Zoe took a sip from her drink as they lapsed into silence, sitting comfortably watching the gathering of gangs in what looked to be a massive, happy, family gathering.