There were a couple of problems with impersonating a policeman. While other ex-cops would be unable to verify his identity without databases, he had no idea whether they still used their badges or whatever their equivalent was. He had found no sign of anything like that back on the men in Tevatron, but those were leaving the city undercover. More importantly, he had no insider knowledge of local police culture, his cover would be blown at the first sign of questions. Despite what the man he just spoke to said, Michael was fairly certain that each barricade would have at least one person capable of identifying incoming and outgoing traffic.

In the end, the solution was simple. If posing as a police officer was impossible, or at the very least dangerous, he would become a volunteer, just like the sentries at the barricade. Trying to pass as a volunteer from inside of the cordoned area was almost as dangerous as his original idea. They could be using any number or types of identifications he was not privy to, any of which would reveal him at the slightest inspection.

But that's what the beauty and simplicity of his plan rested upon. Those acting on police business, such as volunteers, must have been recruited from all over the city. It was very unlikely that the departments within the inner city had much of a contact with each other ever since this whole thing happened. He could easily pose as a volunteer bringing a message from Austin department's captain to the police chief.

The plan was still fairly dangerous, with any number of things that could go wrong. For instance, he didn't even know the name of Austin police captain, much less any of its other officers. Well, that was not true, he knew of Carl and Bernie, but those names were better not used. A bigger issue was the fact Austin's department was missing, and chances were, this was where they disappeared to.

If he got unlucky and got found out, there was still an option of making a run for it and trying again at a different barricade. If he could make a run for it.

Michael approached the next barricade, trying his best to look as confident and natural as possible. The barricade had a similar setup to the previous one, manned by a group of sentries who looked just as suspicious as the last.

"Hey, what's your business here?" One of the sentries asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

"I have a message for the police chief," Michael said, trying to sound confident. "I'm a volunteer from the Austin department, and I was sent to deliver it in person."

The sentry raised an eyebrow. "The Austin department, huh? Haven't heard much from them lately."

Michael feigned a smile. "Yeah, we've been pretty busy lately. Captain sent me to deliver an urgent message from him directly to the police chief."

The sentry looked at him for a moment before nodding. "Alright, what's the message?"

Michael took a deep breath, hoping his acting skills would be enough to convince the sentries. "I'm afraid I was ordered to tell it only to the police chief, it's of high priority and extremely urgent," he said, trying to sound as official as possible.

The sentries exchanged glances, their expressions growing more suspicious by the second. Michael could feel his heart pounding in his chest, wondering if he had made a mistake by attempting this risky plan. One of them turned to someone out of his sight, before turning back to face Michael.

After a few moments of tense silence, one of the sentries spoke up. "Alright, we'll let you through, but we'll be accompanying you. Just to make sure everything's on the up and up, you understand?"

Michael felt a knot in his stomach as the sentry spoke. This wasn't how he had planned it. If he was followed by a sentry after entering, he would be forced to go through with the rest of this charade. He considered the option of running away while he could, to make the same attempt at a different barricade.

If the word of him trying to fool his way in spread to other cordons his only way of getting in would be a bust. It was better to go through with the plan, even if it meant taking a bigger risk.

Michael nodded, trying his best to hide his unease. "That's understandable," he said, hoping to sound as cooperative as possible. "I would expect nothing less in these times."

As Michael climbed over the barricade, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He was completely exposed now, with no cover or protection from anyone who might suddenly become suspicious of him. He tried to push the thought out of his mind as he focused on the task at hand, making it over the barricade without making a fool of himself.

The sentry pointed out stable spots which could carry his weight, but it still felt like a precarious climb. Michael nodded in response, his heart pounding in his chest as he made the climb. He could feel the eyes of the other sentries on him, watching him closely as he made his way over the barricade.

Finally, he made it to the other side, feeling a sense of relief wash over him as he touched solid ground once more. The sentry clapped him on the back, apologizing for the difficult climb.

"Sorry about that, friend," the sentry said. "We weren't exactly considering ease of entry when we first put these together," he said, looking sheepish.

Michael nodded, trying not to let on how nervous he was feeling. "No problem, I understand the need for security," he said, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

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Michael's eyes darted around, taking in the surroundings. Tents were set up inside and people were milling around, some of them cooking over small fire, while others were gathered around makeshift tables playing cards or board games. A quick count put the number of sentries somewhere around twenty.

Michael was starting to feel uneasy as three other sentries surrounded him, one of whom carried the same dangerous air as the sentry from the previous barricade. He tried to maintain his calm demeanor, but he could feel his palms starting to get sweaty. He wondered if he had made a mistake by attempting this risky plan.

The sentry who had previously spoken stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "We'll be escorting you straight to the police chief, for your safety of course," he said, his voice laced with a hint of threat.

Michael nodded, trying to sound as cooperative as possible. "Of course, I understand the need for security in these times," he said, hoping his voice didn't betray his fear.

Michael cursed himself internally for not taking the opportunity to run when he had the chance. Now he was stuck, surrounded by four men, one of which looked like he could break him in half. He had to think of something fast, but his mind was racing too much to come up with a plan. With a wave of his hand, the man in front of him led him through their small camp, the other three man falling in behind Michael.

His immediate thought was to run as soon as they cleared the sentry camp, but if the three men behind him were any clue as to how much they actually trusted him, he was going to get grabbed before he could take more than two steps. Fighting was a certain suicide, that is unless he gave control over to Andrei. Revealing his abilities on top of losing another point in Volition was no something he would like to do. Besides, letting Andrei loose would mean these men's lives were likely forfeit.

The only remaining option was simply going through with this, and hoping the police chief would fall for whatever he managed to think up before they reached wherever he made his headquarters.

As they walked deeper into the barricaded area, Michael kept a close eye on his surroundings. He noticed that the tents seemed to be grouped together in a haphazard fashion, with no clear paths between them. He began to wonder if this was intentional, a way to disorient anyone who might try to navigate through the camp without a guide.

Michael tried to ease the tension by starting a conversation with the sentries, hoping to gain some information about the state of things in this part of the city. "So, how long have you guys been stationed here?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

The sentry in front of him turned and gave him a suspicious look. "Long enough to know not to trust strangers," he said tersely.

Michael nodded, understanding the sentiment. "I can imagine it's been hectic lately with all the chaos in the city," he continued, hoping to steer the conversation to a less touchy subject.

The sentry in front of him grunted in response, his hand still resting on his sword hilt. "You can say that again. The riots are getting worse by the day."

Michael tried to gauge his tone, wondering if he could push for more information. "It's tough all over the city, from what I've heard. How are you guys holding up against the riots?" he asked, trying to sound concerned.

"Food's rationed. Some have problem with that so they cause trouble, but it's for their own good." The man shrugged without turning to look at him. "I just wish we weren't eating fish all day every day," he added with a grumble.

Michael nodded sympathetically, hoping to earn a bit of trust from the sentry. "I hear you. Fish can only go so far before you start to crave something else," he said, trying to make light of the situation.

The sentry in front of him snorted. "You can say that again. But at least it's something to eat, right? I shouldn't be complaining," he said, relaxing a little bit.

Michael seized the opportunity to continue the conversation. "How long have these barricades been up?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

"About a week now," the sentry replied, glancing at Michael briefly. "The city's been in chaos since the food shortage started. We had to put them up to keep the riots from getting too out of hand."

Michael nodded, taking mental notes. "How much of the city is cordoned off?" he asked, trying to sound curious.

The sentry glanced back at him, suspicion clear in his eyes. "Why do you ask?"

Michael tried to look innocent. "Just trying to get a sense of the situation."

The man relaxed, turning his attention back to the cobbled street ahead of him. "Dozen districts, as far as I know," the sentry said with a shrug. "All along the lakeside."

Michael could feel the sentry watching him intently, but he knew he had to keep the conversation going if he wanted to gather more information. "Do you see people trying to force their way in or out of the barricades?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

The sentry gave him a considering look. "There's always an idiot or two who think they can break through our us, but they usually end up regretting it pretty quickly," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.

Michael frowned, wondering how bad the situation really was. "And who's in charge here? Do you have a long-term plan to deal with the riots?" he asked, hoping to get a sense of how much control they had over the situation.

The sentry sighed. "Police chief, mayor and the city council keep squabbling over these things. As far as I am concerned the chief is in charge, he's the only ones that actually keeps his hands full trying to keep things under control."

People turned to give the group curious looks as they made their way through the city. It wasn't every day that they got to see someone escorted by four armed men. Thirty minutes later, they have finally arrived at their destination.

Before them stood a large complex of two story stone buildings. Even in its reduced state, after the catastrophe of the Worm, and being turned into its medieval equivalent, it commanded respect and authority.

He had hoped for a more inconspicuous location for the police chief's headquarters, but this was anything but. He could feel the eyes of the surrounding crowds on him, and he knew that this could end very badly if things didn't go his way.

The sentries led him to the front gates, which were guarded by two more armed men. He tried to keep his cool as his weapons were confiscated. They had been his only lifeline in these tumultuous times, and now he was defenseless. Yet, they would have been useless here, surrounded by dozens of armed men. Michael could feel the tension in the air, as if they were entering a lion's den.

They finally reached a room at the end of the hallway, guarded by a burly man with sword at his side, giving off the same dangerous air as one of the men behind him. Michael could feel his heart pounding in his chest as they opened the door and the lead sentry entered, signalling Michael to wait here.

After what felt like an eternity, the door opened again and the sentry motioned him in with a neutral look. The room was filled with light from various candles. Documents laid in neat rows all along the shelves lining the back wall and the table at the center of it all. Behind the table sat a man in his mid forties, a stern expression on his face. A man Michael immediately recognized.

"So, about that message I supposedly sent to the police chief."