#mialore

[yuhi-is-my-volcano]

since english isn't my first language (wow you don't say) and there are not many chances so that i can speak so i am really curious about my own accent. if there is an accent that is?

i mean i grew up watching chan and felix, meaning i picked up their pronunciations and sometimes i do read in my head, the way they speak but idk

even when i speak english out loud i am a bit shy to do an accent? like as if i was supposed to not sound like that so i just go with the flow and speak like how it's pronounced only and put a bit of non-native speaker accent on it?

i think that has to do with the fact that i feel and am expected to not speak english out loud in a group of people? i know it sounds a bit crazy but yeah this is how i feel?

[meiakrp]

“Do you have the report?” MAYLIN’s voice echoes through the hall as her and JINX approach the head office. The moon shines through the large windows, illuminating their silhouettes. 

“Just sent it to your device.” JINX responds, a ding following moments later. 

“So, most of them took the offer?” MAYLIN hums, scrolling through her watch before sighing. “Are we doing the right thing?” 

“Not like you to doubt yourself out loud like this.” JINX replies. 

 The door to Maylin’s office opens easily, the two women stepping inside. JINX taps a panel on the wall and the privacy curtains are dropped. MAYLIN crosses over to the windows behind her desk. She stands, facing the outside with her hands clasped behind her back. JINX takes a seat in one of the chairs on the other side of the desk. 

“After losing half the agency to kaiser, learning of the destruction of GHA. I can’t help but wonder if what we are doing is futile.” MAYLIN says. Her back stays to JINX, observing the crumbling outside world. “We failed at the fall of Seaside, we failed again with this last mission. Our numbers drop more every day. Is this humanity strong enough to make it?” 

JINX doesn’t respond. Her eyes watch MAYLIN before she taps her wrist and pulls up her holographic desk. A swipe of her hand has agent profiles appearing before her. 

“Agent Jaguar, senior, killed defending team from an attack at the border of the agency gronds.” A photo of a smiling girl floats across the screen. JINX flicks her wrist and the profiles are circling wide around her. taking up a lot of the room as she stands in the middle of them. 

“Agent Mantis, junior, and Agent Rocket, Senior, both killed during a building collapsing on a scouting mission.” JINX throws two profiles of boys with similar features across the room. Their matching frowns almost seem to deepen as the float around the hologram. 

“Agent Spes, senior, killed by brother after turning and killing their sister.” Another profile joins the others. “Agent Mint, baby, Agent Clockwork, baby, Agent Birch, Junior, all three killed by Kaiser’s experiments.”

MAYLIN’s hands tense, white knuckled behind her back.

“Agent Candl--” 

“Alright, I get it.” 

“Do you?” JINX taps her screen and all the profiles flood the room like a blinding light show. The hover around the two head agents before she closes off her device. “Some of these agents died on missions we gave them, some of them died by other means. Regardless, though they are gone.” 

“What point are you trying to make, Jinx?” 

“Do we give up and let their deaths be in vain? Each of them fought to help humanity last even just one more day. They all wanted to be here, they all choose to lay their lives down for this.” JINX said, her tone firm. “Do we let their sacrifices be for nothing because you’re feeling a little hopeless? What about all the agents below us who have lost someone? Who are still fighting for a future their loved ones will never see?” 

“I never said....” MAYLIN sighs, and finally turns to face JINX. “You’re right. If I lose hope then what will everyone else do?”

“You’re not alone in this either. I’ve followed you this far, I plan to follow you to the end. If that end is the death of us all, then so be it. But I’ll be damned if I don’t go down fighting.” 

MAYLIN watches JINX for a moment then she smiles, dropping her head with a breathy laugh. “You’ve always been the more reckless of the two of us.” 

“Of course.” JINX smiles, a feral look as she drops back into her chair. “So, boss, what are your orders?” 

“Re-order the teams, begin preparation for travel.” 

JINX’s grin grows. 

“GHA will not have been crushed, but they will need aid. It’s about time we paid our sister agency a visit.” MAYLIN takes a seat at her desk, tapping the glass panel on the top of it and bringing up a map. “If it’s a war that Kaiser wants, then it’s a war we will give him.” 

“Sounds like Lerissa will get to use her bazooka after all.” JINX’s laugh echoes around the room. 

[miasaturnring]

UNLOCKING FILES........ KAISER........ 

They say a wolf in sheep's clothing will always reveal itself in due time. The wolf lies in weight until the most opportune moment and then–only then–will it strike. Sinking sharp fangs into the tender flesh of a poor unsuspecting sheep. A warm meal after long hours of hard work.

Seaside was the sheep to Kaiser's wolf.

He was young when Seaside agents brought him into the agency, found in the ruins of an old family home within the cities. A child who had set up traps around the home so well that even the senior agents had a hard time getting in. He had promise, even at a young age. So bright and eager to learn.

No one knows when he started to change. When the bright smiling boy turned into the teen with the charming smile, then the agent with the calming voice. He was a mystery from the day he was found and he died a mystery.

Anyone who worked with Kaiser remembered the smooth way he would speak as if his tongue was laced with silver and their language was made to leave his lips. His eyes would never hold any warmth but it wasn’t noticed past his charming smile. the one that formed dimples in his cheeks and made anyone around smile along.

At seventeen he joined the ranks, at 19 he became the first special case to become a junior agent in the science field. At 22 he was a senior. A top tech agent who specializes in working with the serums that MEIA still uses to this day. He created the memory serums, he tweaked the health serums, and he fixed the anti demon serum.

“A visionary“ They used to call him.

Little did they know, he did have a vison. 

When did it change? When did he go from the idol of the tech wing to the ghost of the labs? Someone whispered about in the hallways only for the gossipers to scatter like bugs when he rounds the corner. Kaiser became a myth in the agency. Rumors of his secret labs, and his late night activities began to surface. People began to avoid him in other areas of the agency until he was no longer seen in those parts. The handsome face was lost to the workrooms of the labs.

Some say he had issues with the head agent of the science department. Some say he had problems with his marriage. Others believed he was experimenting on himself and it was affecting his mind. Nothing was concrete.

Until the uprising.

Agents who worked in the labs had developed a bond with the cryptic agent. His calm words, and clear explanations had softened them to him. His goals had reached their hearts. He had them all under his spell, and they fought for him. They died for him. They never truly understood who he was. What he did in the cover of the night. For he was always too untrusting to let anyone that close.

To this day no one has any idea where his secret labs are. Only that they exist.

To this day, the rumors exist.

The myth of the evil tech agent sneaking through the halls to snatch unsuspecting agents and use them in his labs for experiments. 

The image of the handsome, smooth talking agent has been lost to his fall into madness. 

or was he always mad. 

[meiakrp]

HELLO…. I AM CALLED M E R C Y.

YOU WISH TO ACCESS INFORMATION ABOUT . . . . . 

GRAND HEIGHTS AGENCY?

VERY WELL…. ACCESSING…… HISTORY

GRAND HEIGHTS AGENCY otherwise known as GHA is a sister agency to MEIA that resides in the next largest city of Insidia called Tacetel. This city, before the demon war, was the military base of operations for the whole island. It also held the largest port of the entire island, and thus was a beacon for citizens trying to flee from Insidia.

Thanks to the military power of the city, they managed to do much like Seaside had done, and created a safe zone. Soon, an agency was also built and began operations in Tacetel to save as much of the city as they could.

Unlike Seaside Agency, GHA never experienced a fall that took them under. Instead they had inner house issues that were taken care of under the belt. Change in leadership, change in rank positions, all happened without large fusses or battles.

GHA is known for being hard on its agents, especially the enhanced and demon agents. They do not give second chances as much as MEIA does. GRANDSIRr, the current head of GHA often looks down upon Maylin for her softer tactics. Blaming her methods for the reason that humanity has yet to make a comeback. Despite their misgivings–and being half a week's walk from Invicta to Tacetel –the two agents do their best to assist each other.

LAST KNOWN CORRESPONDENCE . . . . ACCESSING

GHA sent a distress signal two weeks ago. My systems are picking up that something blocked its travel so it has only reached us now. Would you like to respond?

Very well, response sent.

CONTINUE . . . . . . . ?

[meiakrp]

LOADING   .     .     .

An old projector flickers to life in the back of the storage room. It brightens the corner of the room, shining a grey image onto the wall before it. The image glitches in and out of frame before settling. It slowly zooms in on an image of a battlefield. The fight happens in slow motion and appears to be moving backwards. The video speeds up, the people on screen slowly vanishing and being replaced with people farming, and dancing.  A voice, deep and scratchy, fills the small space around the boxes.

Long ago before this Island was inhabited by the explorers of other countries there once lived a village of people. They were a peaceful people, taking from the land only what they need and always making sure to give back. They worked together to survive, and though their numbers were small they had a long history.

The video moves forward, showing a cave and two teenagers peeking into the entrance of it.

One day, twins from the village had gone exploring to a part of the island they were forbidden to approach. A cave that sat on the side of the mountain had caught their interest. It’s darkness was inviting.

The twin on the left begins to step into the cave, they turn to wave at their sibling. The other twin seems to hesitate before following, taking the hand of the other. They enter into the darkness.

A dark magic was unlocked this day. It seeped into the very ground of the island and stretched its way from the cave to every shore line. The twins were never seen again, though the village searched and searched for the missing teens they had no knowledge of where they had explored.

The magic they unlocked laid dormant in the ground, waiting for a spark to latch onto. Oh it tried, of course.

The video flickers between scenes. A young couple arguing before storming off. A little kid throwing a scene and breaking something. A man punching at a tree then screaming. All of them shrouded in a thin veil of darkness that vanishes into the ground.

The villagers did not understand why they were being haunted. They did not know what could be tormenting them, until the village wise woman stepped forward. “A curse on the land” she spoke.

With a wave of her hand the ground before her trembled and black smoke rose before escaping back into the earth.

“A great evil has been awakened and angered.” The wise women warned. This caused the villagers much stress, first they lost the village leaders twins and now the a curse has been cast on the land. They vowed to do something to fix this curse before it grew to be too strong.

The video moves across the village and over to the shoreline where large ships can be seen coming into view.

They would never get the chance to.

[meiakrp]

“BRING IT AROUND!”

Gunfire echoes through the sky, louder than the voices of the agents using them. The noise is gaining in volume with every moment. With every demon that appears from the broken down houses on the edge of the city. The troop is speeding down the street. and it is only the straps keeping the agents on the cars as they move.

“Don’t let them jump on any of the vehicles!” Alistair yells, shooting out the driver side window as he keeps demons off the trailer he is hauling. Lerissa, still focused on keeping Geon alive, can do nothing but call out approaching demons. A junior agent jumped to sit in the trailer to help out.

“Once we get over this pass we’ll be in the clear!” Celest announces through the coms.

The road ahead narrows into a bridge crossing over a dry stream. Spikes line one side of the stream, covered in bodies of demons. Maylin’s enhancement was used to raise the gate, her car pulled over with jinx and the agents covering her as all the other cars pull through. She’ll let it shut only once everyone is through.

“I’ll bring the town down on them once everyone is past.” Maylin replies. Jinx, who is crouched beside her with a sniper, eyes her for a moment.

A minivan and two jeeps are the last to pull through. Their tires screech on the pavement. Agent Seb jumps from the truck he was in that stopped near the entrance of the gate.

“Get moving! I’ll cover you!” Seb calls to Maylin and Jinx as he grabs the semi automatic off the side of the truck. The weapon is heavy in his hand but he holds it with ease. Agent Moon is leaning out the back truck window watching with an obviously awe’d expression.

“You’re a fool!” Jinx yells as she pushes the younger agents first.

Seb laughs, holding the semi automatic to face the demons rushing towards them. “Fool or not, we need you and I'm not letting you die.” His finger hits the trigger and bullets spray from the weapon rapidly. Downing demon after demon as the agents beyond the gate finally rush in.

Maylin drops the gate, and it slams into the ground with a loud thud. Demons slamming into it and reaching though the bars to try and reach them.

“Nice try, suckers!” Agent Moon yells from the truck, earning a look from Agent Seb.

“Let’s move further from here. Only a few more hours to the safe zone.” Maylin says as she approaches the jeep. Jinx already in the driver seat. The other agents who had stepped out pile back into their cars.

“Move out!”

MEANWHILE : CARGOBOB GROUP

The land before them is mostly unknown. Agent Helios took part in a mission or two in this zone, but it’s rare any agent comes this far out of the main city. Even Sol, with his vast experience, has never truly explored here.

“Keep your eyes peeled for any movement. Try to keep your steps quiet. We don’t want to attract what might be out there.” Sol says, hoisting a dirty bag over his shoulders. Since they lost most everything in the explosion, scavenging was their only hope.

“If we move with haste we should make it to the edge of the city before night falls.” The head agent takes in the four agents with him. A broken wrist, busted knee, sore ankles, bruises, and covered in dust–this team looks rough for wear but they have no choice but to press forward.

Without saying anything, Sol steps up to Agent Harlequin and hoists the junior up and over to his back. Ignoring the scandalized ‘hey’ He got from the younger agent. “Let's get moving.”

The three seniors nodded, all presenting different emotions but now was not the time to process those. The senior agent, Agent Butter, takes the lead. His enhancement would be useful to defend against anything running at them.

Sol took to the middle, wanting to keep the junior agent out of harm's way the best he could. After all, it was his fault the younger one was even involved in this.

Agent Epsilon and Agent Helios took up the back. Helios gravitating to his brother, concern etched on his face. Obviously able to tell something has happened and it’s not just the cargbob exploding. He doesn’t say anything, knowing now is not the time. And Epsilon doesn’t start a conversation either.

Agent Helios walks with a limp, barely noticeable but enough so that Epsilon closes the distance between them and supports the older agent. Helios looks surprised but stays quiet, accepting the help.

They all walk for what feels like a decade, guided by Agent Mist, and Agent Luna.

BACK WITH THE MAIN TROOP

It is twilight when the troop arrives at a rundown inn. Not a soul in sight, which also means no demons in sight. Each vehicle pulls up to the inn, some agents getting out while others stay in the safety of the cars. Unsure of their surroundings.

Maylin crosses the dirt lot towards the front entrance of the inn. confidence in her steps.

“Watch it!” Jinx calls when a red dot appears on Maylin’s arm. The head agent does not seem bothered though and instead raises a hand.

“Surprised to see you here.”

Everyone who got out of the cars watches in surprised confusion, unsure who the agency leader could be speaking too.

Until a figure only familiar to a few drops from the roof of the inn.

“What took you guys so long?”  

TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW.

[meiakrp]

DAY ONE : PART TWO 

The screeching siren of an incoming missile has everyone in the cargobob on full alert. Maylin’s voice comes through the coms before any connection to the outside is cut off. 

“Hold on! This is going to be rough!” Sol shouts into the headset as he jerks the control of the cargobob. It doesn’t turn quickly, but he does get it to drop in height. 

Time seems to slow as the missile is seen from the front windows. Sol throws off his headset, and belt keeping him in his seat. The co-pilot copying him. 

They both dive to the back. Sol points to Harlequin and Helios and the senior agent nods. Their shield enhancement would allow them to keep someone else safe. It would be a challenge to get two safe but in moments like this enhancements need to be tested. 

Sol drops next to Epsilon and Khiana. 

The missile hits its target. 

Fire fills the sky as the cargobob and everything it was carrying is destroyed–or so it is assumed. Amidst the chaos and destruction a few figures are shot down into the city. 

GROUP ONE

A crater rests in the center of a parking structure. Makeshift stairs are built along the side of the crater via rocks, boxes, and other debris from the bottom. 

“Careful–the stone on top is wobbly.” Khiana says to Epsilon as the other agent clears the top of the crater. The medic shoots her an annoyed look then pushes himself up. 

“Thanks, I never noticed.” The sarcasm is thick Epsilon's voice which makes Khiana chuckle. 

Sol is the last to push up from the crater. He’s covered in small scraps and cuts and looks a little on the wobbly side but he stands nevertheless. 

“Status?” He questions. Neither agent with him appears to be injured and they both respond confirming that. Of course he knows they might not be telling the truth. Senior agents are bad about hiding injuries especially in the field. 

But for now he would let it slide. No time to scold when they are exposed like this. 

“My coms are down, do either of you have a connection?” Sol continues, guiding them out from the open and into a more closed off space. At least they can’t be spotted from above.

“Negative, mine’s been fried.” Khiana responds, crouching just at the entrance of their new hideout. 

“Epsilon?”

“I have a signal but it’s not very clear.” Epsilon responds. 

“ come in  - - - lips- - -  requ—- nates— - - come i - - “ The faint transmission comes from a familiar voice but none of them are able to pick up what is being said. 

“Let me see, I learned a thing or two from Alistair.” Sol says, and tinkers with Epsilon’s coms device for a moment. The transmission gets a bit more clear and they are able to tell its from agent Helios. 

“uH…” Khiana’s voice draws their attention. She’s looking out the entryway which causes Epsilon to shift over to her side. “We might have a problem.” 

The crash, to no one’s surprise, drew demons from the surrounding area to investigate the noise. The number of demons is far more than the three of them could handle–even with a head agent here. 

“If we don’t act soon our way out is going to be a path to death.” She continues, not taking her eyes off the growing number of demons. It’s only a matter of time before they spot the group. 

“There’s a way back here, I don't know what the other side looks like but it’s our best bet right now.” Sol says, handing back Epsilon’s coms device. 

“Helios?” Epsilon calls into the device as the trio begins to make their way through the crumbling building. “Helios, do you copy?” 

The coms on the other end is crackling with noise but no one has been responding yet. He can tell they are connected but the lack of response is worrisome. There is no telling what is happening where they ended up. 

“Seoyun–” The medic’s attention snaps forward at Khiana’s voice. She’s right in front of him, worry pinching her brows together. “You good? We will find them.” She says quietly. 

“Shut up, I know we will.” He pushes past her, angry, embarrassed and worried at all once. but he can’t show that. His normal expression falls onto his face as he focuses on their current situation. The coms device is still humming in one ear. 

“You never change.” Khiana’s amused voice sounds right behind him but Seoyun doesn’t respond. 

The building they are in seems to be an old pharmacy. A counter with glass around it sits to the right of them, and mostly empty shelves sit to the right. Seoyun pauses to grab some of the still closed gauze and bandages. Sterile and good size. 

Khiana snickers, earning a side eye from Seoyun. 

“Can you take anything seriously?” 

“Can you ever have fun?” She fires back then smirks. 

Sol, who had been watching them, shakes his head and steps ahead. 

“Come on you both, we need to get to the other side and hopefully we can find the other three.” He says, pushing the door to the main area of the pharmacy and making his way through the store. 

Seoyun is quick to follow, not making sure Khiana is behind him. He picks up the sound of footsteps which let him know she is. 

The sound of cracking glass makes the trio pause, eyes flying in the direction of the noise. Seoyun crouches and leans forward to see around the shelf he’s by.

“Oh…” Khiana lets out a surprised breath, but before Seoyun can see what she has seen, the girl is crouching in front of him. 

“Hey.”

“...?” He eyes her as she greets him as if they were passing in the cafeteria. 

Khiana grins. 

“You really need to work on your people skills, hotshot.” 

“You–” 

“Shhhh.” Khiana covers his mouth with her hand, she glances around the shelf once more before looking at him again. “You need to get Sol out of here. Kaiser has a plan and this was part of it.” 

Seoyun’s expression gets angrier which makes Khiana’s smile turn a bit sad. She drops her hand and nods. “I was originally here to complete a mission for him. Not by choice–whatever your head medic did, it broke me from that.” 

“I knew there was something off about you.” 

Khiana laughs under her breath. “So you were suspicious of me.” 

“Explain.” 

“I wish I had the time for that…”

“What do you—” 

The sound of demon growling reaches their ears. Seoyun tenses, going for his gun but Khiana shakes her head. “There’s no point–just go with Sol. Getting out if priority, getting back to your brother.” 

Seoyun grabs her arm. “I’m not leaving you behind, I still need answers.” 

Khiana smiles. “Maybe you’ll find them in Tacetel.” 

The girl leans forward quickly, her lips pressing against Seoyun’s. It’s not a soft kiss, not one of affection. It’s hard, desperate, and full of regret. She feels his hand loosen on her arm in surprise and she takes the chance to push him at Sol who is just as surprised. Even a little confused. 

“Go!” She whispers urgently. Sol sees something in her eyes that makes the head agent nod. He doesn’t hesitate to grab hold of Seoyun and drag the senior out. 

Khiana watches them leave, her eyes on Seoyun. 

“I wonder… if we had met sooner.” 

The sound of demon growls makes her turn around. More than 20 are lumbering into the shop from a back room. The first few finally spot her and a roar echos through the building. 

The sound can be heard outside as Sol and Seoyun run. 

“Fucking idiot.” Seoyun says as he glances back one more time. There is no heat in his voice. 

GROUP TWO

Agent Helios releases his hold on Agent Harlequin as the dust around them settles. He checks the younger agent over for any injuries before turning to the other senior agent with them. The senior appears okay, just exhausted from using his enhancement.

“Do we have eyes on Sol, Epsilon, or Khiana?” He questions, falling into mission mode. 

Harlequin is stiff and it doesn’t take Helios long to find the problem. A sprained ankle and bruised up knee, probably from impact. 

“Try contacting Epsilon or Sol, okay?” Helios says as he kneels beside Harlequin and starts wrapping his ankle. 

The younger agent is quick to respond. He’s obviously shaken but Helios can tell he is trying to keep it together. A good agent. Helios works swiftly in tending to the younger. The coms device is barely getting through, so once he’s sure Harlequin will be alright, he starts calling on his own. 

“Come in Epsilon, Sol, this is agent Helios. Requesting your location. Come in.” He calls into the device. 

“Helios, I got through to Maylin.” Harlequin gets his attention.

“Good work, kid.” He replies, taking hold of Harlequin’s device and attempting to get a similar message through.

“This is agent helios, we are down but unharmed. Unable to contact Sol. Continue forward.” He catches the confused look on the younger agent's face. 

“Shouldn’t they come back for us?” 

“It’s too dangerous for that. The civilians would never make it.” He explains.

“Couldn’t they send a team?”

“An risk leaving the rest of them outnumbered?” 

Harlequin frowns but doesn’t continue questioning.

“Best we can do right now is find the rest of our group and move forward.” 

A voice does manage to get through to them–Helios specifically. 

Daesu please respond. Let me know youre alive.

Agent Luna and her ability to speak into minds reaches out for Helios who lets out a sigh. The newly married couple spend a moment talking to each other in their minds. Helios letting her know their current situation and plan. 

Once they break off he tries once more to contact Sol or Seoyun. Nothing. 

“We need to get higher ground.” 

On that command the three agents begin to slowly make their way through the area. They got lucky with very few demon sightings, and soon enough found their way to the higher level of a building. The wall surrounding the stairs had been broken down and allowed them to climb easily. 

“I’ll look south, Harlequin take west.” Helios says, each of them looking in a different direction for their comrades. 

The time passes slowly, but also quickly. Demons lumbering around, crumbling noises of buildings giving up–it’s a whole other world out here than the agency grounds. Soon enough Harlequin is calling out to the seniors. 

“There, just beyond the billboard.” 

Sure enough two figures can be seen ducking under the fallen billboard. They spot the MEIA symbol on the sleeve of Sol’s arm, bright and clear. Helios holds up an arm and waves them over. The trio began to descend the steps again to meet them halfway. 

“Good to see the three of you are alive.” Sol greets. There is something about his tone that is off, but Epsilon doesn’t react to it so Helios pushes it off as paranoia. 

“Sir, Epsilon, good to see you.” Helios glances around but before he can voice his question someone else speaks. 

“She stayed behind.” Epsilon says, voice tense. Angry, annoyed, frustrated. All things Helios has seen from the other before. He figures out what happened from those emotions alone. He nods, taking a moment to send his thanks to Khiana for protecting Helios. 

Sol once more leads the group to a more protected area. Nothing here is truly safe but less open air means easier to spot attacks. He pulls out his coms device and tells the others to get theirs out. Each device is laid out, and the senior agent reveals he was from the Tech team before leaving. They watch as he fiddles away with the devices. 

A few seconds pass, then they all ding in unison. 

“We’re getting a message.” The senior agent explains, and a holographic message appears. A video opening moments after.

“Hey guys!” A grinning Mist is seen through the screen. “I found you~ You know everyone is freaking out right now.” The five agents let out breaths when they get a proper connection. 

“Our devices were harmed in the fall and–” Sol starts but Mist interrupts him. 

“I know! I hacked in with Remy’s help and we managed to triangulate your devices with a few here. A couple of additions and twists.” She rambles in a tech voice that only one of them keeps up with for a moment. At the blank looks she stops. “Basically you’re running off of Maylin’s device.” 

Sol nods. “Does she have orders for our next action?” 

Mist nods. 

“I’m going to guide you through the city. She said we should reach out first destination in 5 hours and that she will give you two days to make it through the city and meet us there.” As Mist talks, a map appears before them. They see their position and they see the troops' position. A red line begins to form leading them forward. 

“Just follow this.” Mist continues. “There is no telling what the demonic activity is like but this should get you through stable ground.”

“Should?” Helios questions his cousin. 

“Will.” She affirms. “Don’t worry! You got me to guide you.”

Helios and Epsilon trade a look. 

“That’s reassuring.” Harlequin replies, making Mist laugh. 

“Better get moving!”

[meiakrp]

13 hours of travel: The beginning of South Gate

The travel through Invicta has proven to be hazardous. Not that it’s any surprise to anyone involved. The civilians are not taking to it well but the agent’s quick response to any issues has kept them more relaxed. 

Demons aside, the pathway itself barely allows for passage and it is only thanks to Maylin and the handful of other mind and strength enhanced agents that the pathway is cleared. The caravan of MEIA people cross the wall into South Gate, a B level zone. 

“Sol, how’s it looking up there?” 

Maylin’s voice echoes through the headsets on the cargobob. The aerial view was an immense help to watch for trouble. Sol, the pilot, would call out a change in direction or if the caravan needs to pause. Allowing any mind enhanced agents to rest and not overuse their abilities. 

“So far clear passage. It looks like there was a disturbance to the north that has drawn demonic attention that way.” 

“Keep us posted.” 

The road before them had been previously cleared and kept up with by people surviving in the city. Wennh and Tae work together at times to make sure they can get supplies through. This works in MEIA favor in their present state. 

Jinx and Maylin at the head of the troop guide everyone along this cleared road way. Agents are posted out a window on either side of every vehicle with guns just in case they need to get rid of advancing enemies. 

“We’re not making good time.” Jinx says quietly, her coms device set to only be heard by the other head agents. 

“You think we haven’t noticed?” Celest snarks back. 

“I’m just pointing out–”

“Maybe point out something useful then.” 

Lerissa cuts in before a fight can break out over coms. “Yeah Lerissa, everything’s fine Lerissa. You’re only using your enhancement constantly to keep an agent alive.”

The silence through the coms is loud. 

A sigh. “Look, we’re all tense. We can’t start fighting between ourselves. The agency is reliant on us.” Alistair says. 

“Sorry, Jinx. It’s been a long time since I’ve been out in the field.” Celest says. 

A bump in the road has the coms going quiet once more as the troop passes over. Maylin calls for a roll call to make sure everyone made it in. 

“As long as we can get out of South Gate before night time then we are making good time.” Maylin says, her tone final. 

The tension is high moving through the city. Most agents do not venture this far. The success rate is low, but for this mission everyone needs to believe it’s high. Once they are out of South Gate it’s open land, open road. The chance of surprise attack is low, and odds of demon encounters are practically zero. 

A disturbance from one of the bus’s has Maylin turning on her video coms to speak with Silk. The senior in charge of that bus. Before she can ask their status a voice in her head that is familiar is informing her of another disturbance. 

“Stop the jeep!” Maylin calls, causing Jinx to jerk in surprise and slam on the breaks. It’s only years of training that keep any of the other agents from hitting anyone. Maylin opens her door and stands on the step of the jeep. She eyes the northern buildings. 

“What the hell, Maylin??” Jinx questions, leaning over the seats to look up at the leader of the agency. 

“Agent Luna just informed me that Agent Artemis has detected something but is not sure what it is. Agent Silk also mentioned something with Agent Phantom.” 

The mention of the former SRA agent makes Jinx tense, her eyes following the direction that Maylin is looking. They both see the flag peek over the roof of a nearby building. 

“No…” Maylin raises her hand to her ear, almost yelling into the coms as a red object goes hurtling through the sky. 

“Sol! SOl, FLY!” The noise of the missile is loud.

Time seems to slow as they watch it go above them. Maylin holds a hand out, but the missile is too quick for her enhancement to lock onto it. It’s too high for Jinx to shoot it. The cargobob is it’s target and Maylin knows it’s going to hit. 

The explosion shakes the very foundation they are all on. Maylin barely managed to stay on the jeep. 

“Sol, do you copy?” She tries into the coms.

Jinx switches to local coms.

“Agent’s do you copy? Sol, Helios, Epsilon–”

“I’ve lost track of vitals for everyone in the cargobob, Maylin.” Celest’s voice comes through the coms. 

“Sol! DO you copy?” Jinx says again, her voice a touch desperate. Maylin drops back into her seat and drops a hand onto JInx’s shoulder. 

Jinx, tears in her eyes, looks to Maylin.

“He won’t respond–May, he won’t respond.” 

Maylin looks torn.

But they have too much at stake right now. Too many people rely on them. A tough decision has to be made and there is no time to wait. 

“Move out.” 

“Maylin–”

“I said, move out.” Maylin avoids looking at Jinx. 

There is a long pause before Jinx passes the message along. The jeep starts back up and pulls forward. She watches the cargobob dropping through the rearview mirror. 

“Sedate any agent who attempts to leave their vehicle. That’s an order.” Maylin passes through local coms. Only Jinx is there to see the leader of the agency. The headstrong Maylin. Drop her head into her hands. 

Jinx clenches the wheel tighter. 

“---frrr—” A scratchy sound comes through the head agent line. “---can’t—-no sign—-agent helios—- this is—-lios.” 

“Celest–” Maylin starts.

“Already on it.”

The scratchy sound begins to quiet, but not by much.

“this–Agent Helios—down—-Harlequin—-Epsilon—-Seeking shelter—--No—--Sol.” The feed cuts off as soon as it starts. Jinx and Maylin trade a look. The message was broken but at least they knew some of them had survived. 

“There is always room for hope, Jinx.”