Uniform Stealing Board

Part 7

“And that's the last one...” Klenia commented.

She finished tying up the hands of the young woman behind her back, using white plastic zip-ties. The girl, a poor brown-haired conscript from Karst, was so scared that Klenia feared she was going to faint. She gently patted her shoulder.

“Don't worry. For you, the war is over.”

The girl couldn't answer, as she was securely cleave-gagged. A precaution to prevent her from calling for help.

Klenia made her sit next to the two dozens of other defeated young women, who were guarded by Aaria and 'Kora'. The prisoners were similarly zip-tied and gagged. They were all wearing the dark-grey uniform of the conscripts.

“I have to say, I wish all hostages would be as helpful as you...” Klenia then said to the young woman standing behind her.

“Told you it would be a good idea to hire me.” Zia commented with a little smile.

After her capture, the conscript had wasted no time switching sides. She actually gave them valuable intel about the strategies used by the Olympian army, especially about the conscripted troops.

“It was even worth the millstones we got along with you...” Klenia added.

Zia chuckled, with an apologetic smile. “Eiko is still complaining about going back home?”

“Yep. And Estzer still wants to play the part of the 'defiant captive'. I'm seriously considering binding them together again to teach them some manners.”

“I know they can be a handful, but they have a good heart deep down inside.” She paused, then added: “Very well-buried.”

Klenia smiled. “Well... At least your three other friends are making themselves useful. Especially Sigyn.”

“Conscripting people always seemed counter-productive to me, at least on the long run.” Zia answered. “I mean, having troops that resent you for forcing them to fight for your cause? Isn't that just begging for them to betray you later?”

“Not everyone is the rebellious type like you.” Klenia said. “And the Olympus army is structured to keep conscripts in line and prevent desertions.”

Then she pointed at the captured squad. A few conscripts were mewling in their gags, but most were keeping quiet.

“Though, to change the topic, I think it's weird that they sent such a small troop..." Klenia added. "Now that the central parts of Korê are ours, they will need to bring the big guns if they want to repel us... What were the Olympians thinking, sending a bunch of inexperienced girls?”

“I don't think they expected them to make it out alive...” Aaria suddenly commented while checking their captives' bonds. “Sending such inexperimented troops, all of them being young women, with almost no support... They were probably hoping that they would be killed, to turn them into martyrs.”

Klenia could hear the disgust in the older woman's voice, a sentiment she was sharing. “Too bad for Olympus, we're not like them...” she commented.

“Cérès isn't wasteful. Olympus also uses the conscripts as hostages, to keep their families in line. I'm sure that if we return them their girls unharmed, some will be grateful enough to join our cause.” 'Kora' answered.

While she had been sent to help them, Cérès' agent still refused to tell her real name.

“Clever...” Aaria simply commented.

She was always using this cordial but cold tone when talking with Cérès or her agents. Years ago, Cérès herself was among the people in cahoots with her family, and Aaria ended up paying a high price because of them. Her husband. And her daughter. She didn't forget.

Dressed in a conscript uniform, Shayna arrived while they were talking. She was escorting a cute young black-haired woman, who was clad in the army's dull grey socks, panties and t-shirt bra. Her hands were tied behind her back and ropes were securing her upper torso. Her mouth was filled with a few pieces of clothing, kept in place by a cleave-gag.

“Ah! I see that your donor has woken up.” Aaria said.

“Which is a good thing. I wouldn't have wanted to have to drag her.” Shayna answered jokingly. “Like poor Mikani...”

She pointed the latter, who was following behind. Also dressed as a conscript, Mikani was dragging an unconscious underwear-clad woman by the underarms. Her unfortunate victim was bound and gagged similarly to Shayna's, except that her legs were still tied with rope. Klenia noticed that the stripped conscript had rather nice curves and her shoulder-long dark-blond hair were highlighting her heart-shaped face. She was wearing underwear that were definitively not authorized by the rules: a bright red lacy full-cup bra, and black panties with red trimmings and a red little bow at the center.

She probably was planning something tonight...

Well, too bad for him – or her... I saw them first! Klenia thought. She then chuckled to herself. I shouldn't be paying attention to that anymore... I'm in a relationship now.

She turned towards Shayna. “Good job with your infiltration by the way, hon'. They never knew what hit them...”

Shayna's smile widened. “Thanks...”

“Now, let's bring all these little kitties to Cérès.” Klenia concluded.

“I just hope Aster will have more informations about this new mission Cérès is planning...”

**************

“I thought we agreed that I wouldn't have to go on a mission with her anymore...” Aster angrily exclaimed, while pointing out Emery with her chin. The assassin was silently standing in a corner of the room used by Cérès as her headquarters. They were in the city hall of Centralis, one of the newly liberated towns of central Korê. “Especially if it involved one of her little assassinations!” Aster added.

She was furious.

“Circumstances are different now.” Cérès calmly retorted.

“In what regards?”

“The mission will take place in Wheat Junction. We need your knowledge of the town.”

General Hadrien Xanten, the Olympian army's number two, had been sent by the capital city to lead the Olympian forces trying to take back Korê; while First Strategos Honorius Basileus, the supreme chief of the army, was leading the troops protecting the province of Smog. Cérès wanted Hadrien Xanten to be 'removed' from the picture.

Aster shook her head. “Why do you even need to do this? I thought our main army was trying to take the Province of Smog!”

“Yes. That's the problem.”

Aster calmed frowned. “I don't understand...”

“Smog is our main objective. If we take this Province, we will have a direct road to Olympus. This will force the Government to negociate. Or, if they don't negociate, this will allow us to invade the capital city. However, to have a chance to win in Smog, we had to deploy a lot of resources and men; especially most of the weapons given to us by our allies in the foreign Nations. This leaves our front in Korê weakened. If Olympus manages to mount a well-organized assault, they will break through our lines. And they will have an open road to reclaim all of Korê and most of Lakeland. We need Smog to win but, if we lose Korê, we will lose the war.”

“Hence why we need to get rid of the man leading the army in Korê and his staff...” Emery added. “But why him and not Honorius?”

“That's because the number two always tends to be less well-protected than the number one.” Cérès answered. “But Xanten's still almost as important. If he's dead, the army will be disorganized and we will be able to take the rest of Korê with less casualties.”

Aster deeply inhaled and rubbed her forehead to calm herself. She was going to accept. She knew herself well-enough to know that she was going to accept.

And Cérès knew as well. Just as she knew the right arguments to use. “We received Morgan Shark's latest report. Naïad is ablaze. If we don't win the war quickly, there won't be anything left to save here...”

“You don't need to overdo. I will do it.” Aster coldly replied.

She then saluted, before moving to leave the room.

“Also, Aster...” Cérès interrupted her.

“What?”

“Be careful. Olympus is catching up with us. Two of my teams of infiltrators had been captured. I think they have created some kind of special force, specifically tasked with countering our infiltrators... And they are busting them one by one.”

“This means bad news. Do we know anything about these guys?”

“Not a thing. We don't even know who leads them.”

**************

Sao held back a scornful snarl.

The woman had the black hair and dark skin commonly found in Korê. She was wearing the typical uniform worn by chambermaids, and was doing her best to look as innocuous as possible.

She probably was thinking that she was smart...

Dressed as one of the security guards of the hotel, Sao had been watching that woman for a while now, and the latter hadn't noticed it yet.

The 'chambermaid' was a disguised Rebel, one of the infiltrators working for Cérès. Sadly, she wasn't part of Aster's team. Still, catching her would be satisfactory.

Max's informants had learned about the Rebellion's plan to bug a conference between some high-ranked officials that was supposed to take place in this hotel resort, allowing Sao to prepare a trap with the team assigned to her by Arcadius Zeno.

The false chambermaid continued to walk the corridor, pretending to mind her own business. Sao was following her from afar.

Then, the Rebel came across a woman dressed as a security guard. Leaning against a closet's door, she was slacking off, playing a game on her phone. A perfect opportunity to acquire a better disguise. Or so it seemed...

In reality, the 'security guard' was a member of Sao's team, a former Olympian soldier called Amara.

Now, it was the moment of truth. Was the Rebel going to take the bait?

From the corner of the wall, Sao saw the fake chambermaid prepare herself. She was going to lunge at Amara.

Not today...

The moment the woman was about to attack, certain to secure an easy victory, Sao grabbed her and applied a vicious sleeper-hold. Amara came to her help, grabbing the woman's legs to immobilize her.

The Rebel tried to fight back, but she couldn't do anything and, soon, she lost consciousness.

Sao dropped her without further ado.

“Good work.” she said to her subordinate.

Amara smiled and nodded. “What do we do with her?”

“Secure her and take her into custody, but make sure she doesn't try to kill herself. We need her in good shape if we want to interrogate her.”

“Understood.”

“Also, tell Reka to come here.”

Amara nodded, then left.

The former soldier was quick and Sao only had to wait one minute before her orders were relayed to everyone.

Reka, who was also dressed as a security guard, arrived just as the unconscious Rebel was taken away.

“You rang?” she asked.

“How are doing our own donors?”

She was mentioning the original security guards of the hotel resort, whose outfits were currently worn by her and her team.

“They're still waiting in the changing room. They're not very happy with their predicament, but they know their place. And Zoë had her bodyguards bring them coffee, and some blankets to protect their modesty. I have to say, some of them made bold choices with their underwear...” Reka answered. “Altough, all joking aside, I'll admit that it's strange to have our new disguises given to us willingly. Or to let their original wearers free to roam for that matter.”

“You'll just have to live with it.” Sao dryly joked. “What about my other orders?” she added.

“We checked the floor. Just as you thought, we found a woman in a cleaner's cupboard. She was in her bra and knickers, blindfolded and gagged with tape, and trussed up like she was ready for the oven. She's one of the hotel's chambermaids. The girl's still hysterical, but when she's calm enough to talk, she'll confirm for us, I've no doubt, that she was grabbed from behind and robbed of her clothes.”

“Nothing else?”

“No. Our girls disguised as the cleaning crew confirm that there are no other intruders.” Reka answered.

Sao remained silent. Her victory wasn't bringing her any joy.

Reka hesitated, before adding. “So, I guess this is another success? Our third in a row.”

“Yes, but none of them were Aster's team.”

Reka grimaced. “You know, after all this time, I don't think that Calypso...”

“Don't finish your sentence if you value your health.” Sao warned without raising her voice. But the threat was clear.

“Sorry. I know that this revenge means a lot to you.”

“We'll get them. Cérès is wasting all her assets. Soon, she'll be forced to send Aster and her team. And then...” Sao made a crushing gesture with her hand.

She inhaled deeply, before adding: “Give my thanks to Max and his informants. We wouldn't have been able to go this far without them. Also, congratulate the girls for me. They did an excellent job, as always.”

**************

While they were on their way to meet with the rest of the team, Emery's face didn't betray any emotion, but Aster could easily understand that the assassin was rejoicing.

“Stop looking so smug, Emery. You're getting on my nerves.”

“I'm simply wondering if you expressed objections for this mission out of your usual misplaced sentimentalism... or out of cowardice. Though I must confess that I find each possibility just as repulsive.” the assassin coldly retorted.

“I will ask you to not lecture me. We both know who is the more repulsive here.”

“I don't try to delude myself into thinking that I'm better than I really am, that's all.” Emery calmly answered.

“You...”

“What would happen the day you come across someone who's asthmatic?” Emery interrupted her. “You gag her, she has a fit, and she suffocates to death. If you leave her outside in the rain or in the night, she may die from hypothermia.”

“I'm trying to avoid that. Until now, I succeeded. At least, I think I did.”

Emery shook her head. “So many efforts. And all so poor little Aster can sleep with a clear conscience. All so she can forget the traumatic events of that fateful night. The night of her first mission..."

"Don't you dare talk about that..." Aster warned.

She tried to grab her, but Emery easily pushed back her hand.

“I don't understand you.” the assassin said. “You could be so much more. And yet, you choose to restrain yourself.” She looked her in the eyes, and Aster was surprised to see some genuine confusion behind the cold disgust in Emery's eyes. “I've seen people far more talented than you. The other 'special combattants'. I trained with them. I worked with them. They were stronger, faster, deadlier. And yet, they were killed. Out of all the special combattants of my year, I'm the only one left. They all died. While you're still alive. You, who should have died during your first infiltration because leaving your enemies alive and well is the stupidest thing I've ever seen... It's as if Life was making one huge joke at my expense. You say that I disgust you? Well, you disgust me just as much.”

“You know, you wouldn't be left alone at parties if you were a little more friendly.“ a male voice suddenly exclaimed. “And, dare I say, you would be a lot less gloomy if you had a special someone in your life.”

Emery's face darkened, but Aster felt her some of her cheerfulness returning.

“You should hang out with us more, Thorn...” she exclaimed. “You're the sunshine that brightens my day!”

“It's what I do.”

Thorn, Dimitri's former number two, was a giant. Tall and muscular, with dark skin and a shaved head. He was the one who, at the risk of his life, brought the hard drive containing the scandal that helped the Rebellion stir up the Provinces.

Aster didn't have much time to see him, even after he was recovered by the Rebellion. There was always another mission. She regretted it. Thorn had been hit hard by Dimitri's death, probably even harder than her.

He nimbly positioned himself between Emery and Aster, actually forcing Emery to take a step back.

“Your whole team has returned.” he said. “Another rousing success. They're all waiting for you.”

Aster couldn't help but smile sincerely. “Let's go then.”

Thorn led them in the corridors of the city hall, in which all Olympian symbols had been removed.

“So, how's working with the agent from Okéanis?”

“Eleo? He's a real jerk, much like everyone from his Province. But he kind of grew up on me. Like a wart or something. You could say that he's our jerk.”

“It sounds like you should pair him up with Emery...” Aster joked, ignoring the death glare the assassin shot at her.

“I don't think he would be interested.” Thorn answered, while royally ignoring the black-haired woman. “I heard that she's a biter...”

Aster chuckled.

Deep down inside, she wanted to talk about serious things with him. She wanted to talk about Dimitri. To learn more about how he died. To try to heal a wound that was still gaping.

But Emery was walking next to her so, instead, she continued to joke at her expense with Thorn.

**************

Everyone was waiting for them in one of the unused meeting rooms of the city hall. Aaria, Klenia, Mikani and Shayna. A few eyebrows were raised when they saw Emery walking with Thorn and her, but nobody commented on that.

“So, how was the reunion with the big boss?” Klenia asked with a huge smile.

There were a few chuckles.

Aster decided to not waste time beating around the bush.

“We're going after Hadrien Xanten.” she answered.

Everyone immediately became serious.

“That is one big mission.” Mikani simply commented.

“So now the next step is...” Shayna started.

“Wheat Junction. Yes.” Aster confirmed.

“We're going back home, uh?” Aaria thoughtfully said.

“Pretty much.”

The older woman pondered for a moment. “This will be our most dangerous mission.” she simply concluded.

“We'll just have to be extra careful. And to carefully plan ahead. They may be expecting us this time. We'll need to bring a few other people with us.”

Aaria sighed. “Another day, another mission. And to say I used to long for action a few months ago... Now, I regret my words. I wonder if this will ever end.”

“If we succeed, maybe this will be the last one.”

Aaria shook her head. “I know Cérès. She's always scheming. There will always be another one.” The older woman was looking tired, and a little exasperated. There was bitterness in her voice. “So... Who else do you want to bring along?”

**************

Sao watched the group of twelve women with barely disguised contempt. They were looking very proud of themselves in their bright white military uniforms, with golden buttons and shoulders. Their black boots were conscientiously polished, just as the little golden metal plate sewed on the chest of their jackets.

Though, if Sao had to be honest, these women truly were stunning beauties. However, they weren't supposed to be sent to fight. They were part of some kind of ceremonial squad. Their job was to stand in the background and look pretty, to emphasize the importance of the officer they were accompanying.

General Hadrien Xanten was on his way to Korê. The man had been sent to oversee the military operations in this Province. However, as Zoë explained to her, the sending of Xanten himself was as much a military move as an operation of propaganda. Olympus wanted to send a message to the rest of the country, and the rest of the world. We're still the strongest. Hence the importance of the decorum. Hence the importance of these brainless tarts.

Well, soon they will serve a better purpose... she told to herself.

Sao looked at the eleven women dressed in black clothes accompanying her. Zoë did a good job while recruiting them. They were all well-trained professionals. Soldiers, mercenaries, former policewomen, and even two pardoned criminals. It was with them that Sao captured three teams of infiltrators sent by the Rebels. Among them, Sao felt like she was back at the army. It's good to work with competent people... Reka was at her side. Zoë was standing a few steps further, talking with two bodyguards and a few secretaries of House Eudokia. The redhead had been tasked by Arcadius Zeno to oversee Sao's actions.

Sao and her team moved to stop the group of white-uniformed women, who were on their way to their bus for Wheat Junction. The leader, a gorgeous blonde with red strips of dye on her hair, frowned.

“Can we help you?”

Sao showed them the pretty badge Arcadius Zeno himself gave to her. The blonde's eyes widened when she recognized it. This little piece of plastic and paper was actually giving Sao almost unlimited powers to accomplish her mission, and only the highest-ranked officials of Olympus were allowed to overrule her. Giving such an amount of power to a non-Olympian citizen was unprecedented...

“National Security. There has been a change of plans.”

“Change of plans?”

“You won't be part of Hadrien Xanten's escort. We will take your place.” She paused, then added: “We will also need your uniforms.”

The blonde's jaw dropped.

“You will need... our uniforms?”

Sao mentally sighed. She didn't have the time, nor the patience, to deal with stupid questions. Some people tended to become very dense when they were forced out of their comfort zone.

“Yes.” she dryly answered.

“But...”

“You saw my accreditation, right? We're taking your place for an official mission. So, strip. Now.”

“This is an outrage!” the blonde shrieked. “My family will never let...”

Sao slapped her hard enough to make her totter.

“We can do it the easy way or the hard way. You strip, or I will do it. And I promise that I won't be gentle.” she growled.

The other members of her team deployed to surround the ceremonial soldiers.

Some of the women, clearly intimidated, started to comply, albeit reluctantly. Once the first had made the leap, the others started to follow suit. Soon, they were all standing in their undergarments, shivering because of the indignity of their predicament. Their leader was the last to comply, revealing to everyone pink frilly panties and a matching bra.

Reka and the other women of the team retrieved the discarded uniforms.

“We thank you for your cooperation.” Reka concluded with a huge smile.

While she was overseeing the operation, Sao felt someone grabbing her shoulder. It was Zoë.

“Can I ask you what you're doing exactly?” the redhead asked.

“Taking matters into my own hands.” Sao answered while freeing her shoulder.

Zoë rubbed her forehead.

“Some of these women are from prestigious families. You have no idea of the political repercussions this will have!”

“Don't care. You Olympians seem to forget that there is no time for politics when your enemy is at your doorstep. Will you still squabble between yourselves when they'll come for your heads?”

This time, Zoë couldn't find a retort.

“I thought so.” Sao concluded.

Zoë sighed and turned to face the underwear-clad unhappy former ceremonial soldiers.

“We will find a team to retrieve you, with fresh clothes. Please understand that this is a matter of National Security.”

“We move!” Sao commanded without letting her finish. “We will change in the bus.”

Max's informants had learned that something might be attempted against General Hadrien Xanten.

Sao was hoping that, for a mission as big as this one, the Rebels would send their best team.

Aster's team.

Perhaps it was only a false rumour... But still. It was worth the try.

**************

“We will use the smuggling underground tunnel system to sneak behind Olympus' lines during the night.” Aster explained. “Once we're at Wheat Junction, Thalès and his men will help us hide in the town and plan our operation. Time is of the essence. Hadrien Xanten will arrive soon. He'll probably settle his headquarters in Wheat Junction's city hall, to be as close from the front as he can. We'll have to find a way to infiltrate it before he can coordinate a massive assault in Korê. Any questions?”

Aster took advantage of the beat to have another look at the people she gathered for her mission.

Hieron and Thorn were whispering together in a corner of the room.
Klenia, Mikani, Aaria, and Shayna were sitting next to each other.
Hana and Zia were with them. Aster had requested their presence in the mission.
There was also 'Kora', who had been sent by Cérès to help them.
Emery, who was sitting away from the others, raised her hand.

Aster mentally groaned. And here we go...

“Why are you bringing them?” Emery asked while pointing Hana and Zia. “We don't need dead weights.”

Hana was remaining close to Mikani, as if to place herself under her protection.

“Improvisation will be a key to our success. We will need to be as versatile as we can.” Aster answered. “That's the reason why I'm bringing a hacker and someone who used to be in the army and knows how it works from the inside.” She looked at the others. “Other questions?” Nobody answered.

Emery scowled, but kept silent after seeing the gaze Hieron was giving her. However, Aster could see that the assassin hadn't forgotten about the conversation they had previously, before Thorn interrupted them. It was only a question of time before she would bring it up again.

Aster didn't have the time to deal with that for now though. The mission was the priority. All in good time.

“Perfect. Then let's get started.”

**************

The first step of the mission was to leave Centralis to go near the front, where they would wait until nightfall. Cérès had lended them a minibus.

Shayna had chosen to sit at the back. Seated next to her, Klenia was gently, albeit discreetly, caressing her hand. The feeling was nice.

“I hope you're not too worried about our upcoming mission...” her girlfriend whispered.

“With you by my side, not at all.” Shayna answered with a small smile.

“Good. Because I haven't forgotten about what we're going to do once Olympus is finally brought down. We'll find where your sister was sent. We'll travel the entire world if we have to.”

Shayna felt a diffuse warmth in her chest. “You know, Klenia... I know it may sound weird. But I'm happy to have met you. Really happy.”

Klenia chuckled. “Me too!” She kissed her on the cheek.

“Klenia! Not in front of everyone!” Shayna joked.

“I think they all have other things on their minds...” Klenia whispered while leaning a little closer.

Thorn was driving. Aaria was on the passenger seat and Aster was behind them. They were happily talking with each other. According to what Shayna knew, these three had known each other long before Mikani or even Klenia entered the picture. She also noted that, with her two friends – and now that she was away from Cérès –, Aaria was looking more happy than she ever did since they had joined forces with Cérès.

Hieron was sitting next to Emery, monologuing while making big gestures of the hand. The assassin was completely ignoring him, but he didn't seem to mind and regularly paused to chuckle at his own jokes.

Zia was sitting alone. She was looking a little uneasy, but it wasn't suprising, since Emery was glancing at her from time to time. And it wasn't friendly gazes.

'Kora', who still had refused to tell them her real name, was also sitting alone. She was bored.

On the seat just in front of Klenia, Hana was absent-mindedly looking through the window

Seated next to the former student, Mikani also noticed. “Are you okay?” she asked.

Hana flinched and adjusted her glasses. “Well... I...” she stammered.

“You had to leave Macha behind. It must be hard.”

Hana hesitated, then nodded. “I explained to her what I was going to do. Cérès promised amnesty for both of us if I help with this mission. But... She was worried about me. I just hope she won't do anything stupid...”

**************

In Centralis, it was raining hard.

While this was making work harder for the people patrolling the streets, this had the advantage of cleaning the streets from the last remnants of the fights that took place to liberate the town a few days ago.

The guards and the sentries were wearing baggy yellow raincoats, that were going down to their thighs, complete with hoods to protect them from the rain. The noise and lack of visibility were making their job hard, but they were trying to keep watch over the streets the best they could.

However, they didn't see the figure moving quickly, hiding herself from prying eyes behind the buildings and in the town's dark alleyways. She was wearing a small black raincot and a waterproof backpack, but the white pants and white apron covering her lower body clearly weren't meant to go outside in the rain. And yet, she was still going, completely ignoring the water that was pouring her shoes and socks.

The rebels patrolling the streets also didn't see the figure arrive near a covered parking, currently used to park a bunch of official cars and vans stolen from Olympus. One of the guards was using the roof as shelter from the rain. The woman was a brunette with hazel eyes and whose hair were tied into a strict bun, of average height but curvy, clad in the same yellow raincoat and blue jeans as the other guards. She was taking a (probably unauthorized) break.

The guards didn't see the figure approach the lone guard. Nor did they hear the noises of the vicious struggle that started afterwards. The two women fell on the ground, trying to overpower each other. The rain was covering the sounds of the fight, the grunts, and the muffled screams and insults. The rebels didn't see the guard lose the fight, as well as lose consciousness. Two pairs of shapely legs briefly protruded on the street, but quickly disappeared when the woman was dragged between two vans, hidden away from prying eyes by the vehicles and a nearby wall.

Macha laid the guard on the ground, panting heavily to catch her breath. Her red hair were a mess and her current clothes had been roughed up during the struggle. The rebel didn't go down without a fight!

That was a close call... she thought.

Trying to overpower the guard was a risky bet, but proved to be a rewarding one. The woman's clothes were her ticket to leave the town undetected.

The Rebels think they're the only ones who can use disguises. But two can play this game...

Macha put her backpack on the ground and started to undress the unconscious brunette. First, she took off the boots. She then unbuttoned the raincoat and took it off, before doing same with the black shirt underneath, only leaving the white cotton bra in place. She unbuckled the guard's jeans before pulling them off, revealing the woman's shapely legs and green boyshorts.

Macha then grabbed her backpack and pulled out medical gauze, a few strong nylon strings she found in a janitor's closet of the hospital and several rolls of white medical tape. She had to be quick. The sleeping drug she injected to the head nurse supposed to watch her wasn't going to wear off before several hours, but there still was the risk of someone finding the sleeping woman in the closet in which she was hidden.

The brunette was starting to groan and moan in her unconsciousness. I don't have much time before she comes to her senses...

While Macha only had limited experience in the whole mug-and-replace business, it was still enough to come up with decent – if plain – bonds. She filled the brunette's mouth with gauze and used a generous amount of tape to held the gag in place. She wound the remaining tape around the woman's hands to tie them behind her back, as well as around her ankles and thighs. Just to be sure, she used the strings to tie up the rebel's wrists and legs. One last string was used for a loose hogtie, connecting the strings tying the wrists and the strings tying her legs. With that, Macha was sure that she wouldn't free herself before a while.

Once the woman was secured, Macha hid her under one of the vans. There was enough space to host her. Hopefully, she wouldn't be found before the rain ended.

Macha changed into the guard's outfit, using the raincoat's hood to hide her face.

The redhead was feeling a strange mixture of fear, excitement and adrenaline. After spending all this time as a captive, she was finally taking action again. Her heart was racing. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself.

There was no going back now.

She clutched in her hand the thing that was making everything possible. Macha had found the map in the belongings of a wounded officer. The map was indicating the locations of every underground tunnels used by the smugglers. Underground tunnels that she could use to go behind Olympus' lines. The head nurse didn't know that such important papers were in the man's jacket, or else she never would have asked Macha to put it away. It was a complete stroke of luck.

But when she found the map, Macha knew she had an occasion.

She didn't trust the Rebels. And there was no way she was letting Hana go alone on a mission with them!

They're going to Wheat Junction...

Finding them would be hard, but Macha had some clues about where to look.

Her unfortunate victim was starting to wake up. However, just as Macha hoped, the noise of the rain was covering her muffled attempts to be heard.

I have to leave this town as fast as I can.

Maybe she could steal one of these cars...



**************

Author's note: To celebrate the end of Tirepanted's latest story, here is the next part. I hope it was worth the wait. The story is now nearing its end. Without counting the epilogue, there will probably be either two posts or one big post to tell the climax. (Although I don't know if it will be finished before the end of the year; it's still my goal but I don't know if I'll have the time. At the latest, I want the story to be finished in January.).

Glad you found my story to be cause for celebration.

Lots of setup in this part. Which is good, as it allows tension to build to the inevitable climax. I must say, even as the story has gotten more complex and expansive, it's the little moments that make it work. Interactions like the one between Aster and Emery highlight the characters and what's at stake in their mission.

Love Sao and her gang ambushing the ceremonial squad (government officials stealing uniforms is always fun). And that scene with Macha at the end was an excellent reminder of how far she's come as a character. Having a rebel get mugged for her uniform (by a good, moral person like Macha) is an intriguing change of pace.

Thanks for the feedback! I'm glad that you liked the scenes with Sao and Macha. I'll admit that I like writing the interactions between the characters just as much as writing the Uniform Stealing scenes. Though now the challenge is to balance interactions and action scenes in order to not break the pace of the story .

some thoughts about the moment of this story I was waiting for and ,well, coveting, at least a little

1) I want to admit that the action of Macha on the rebel girl was totally unexpected to me, though really enjoyable; a totally different direction

2) the scene with the twelve women of the white uniformed ceremonial squad is both delightful and unprecedented at our board, a little gem

3) I loved the detail of the previously captured female soldiers, Zia and Sigyn , now part of the rebel force. It was an entertaining, 'catchy' short episode, full of fun

4) let the rebel strip of the uniforms the 'reluctant' prisoners like Estzer and the other defying them, as mean of punishment ( and 'persuasion' to the good cause!)

5) I need some help to 'visualize' in my mind these uniforms... what fictionary 'universe' inspired you ?

6)finally, the part I was waiting for, what is related to the concept of 'defeated army'... the first scene with the two dozens of captured recruits...I still read and read it again from days.Wonderful..

May I suggest something? next time, let the rebels remove their boots ( maybe replacing them with slippers, or leaving the prisonerettes just with their socks on or barefoot walking to the captivity in the woods) boots and military footwear are the most useful and wanted item ( putting aside the captured weapons) for a rebel force dealing with defeated enemies ;and leave them not gagged but blindfolded, with hands zip-tied and their grey uniforms still on, but maybe unbuttoned ( because well searched)-

all these details are closer to what happened for real in some episodes of the partisan/resistence wars ... and as final touch ( too this one, a recurrent feature in guerrilla or partisan wars happened for real), add the 'walk of shame ' ( across "liberated" towns or villages) of these poor captured female conscripts with the intent both of persuading and make the people of the area reached by the rebellion,enthusing and wanting to support the cause of the rebellion, AND of healing the young soldierettes of the last remaining devotion to tyranny ... trust me, it works



Rufusluciusivan, don't fret, take all the time you need to 'explore' these scenario's ( the scenario's I adore) and PLEASE build up other scenes like this one. If necessary, keep writing the novel over the months to come; I repeat, don't fret

1) I guess her part in the story isn't over yet. This part was also noticed by Tirepanted and I forgot to mention it in my previous answer, so I take the opportunity to answer to both of you here. While they are mostly heroic, I wanted the Rebellion to be more complex than clean-cut good guys. (Emery's mere existence is a proof that they can, and do, use extreme methods to win their war; as well as the fact that her boss Cérès does good actions mostly out of pragmatism, in order to build good PR.) At least when Macha and Hana are concerned, the Rebels aren't clean-cut allies and Macha has some justifications for being distrustful towards them. Having her escape (while acquiring new clothes of course) was a way to add more complexity in the story; a wild card in everyone's plans if you will. (And to add a Uniform Stealing scene, of course.)

2) Thanks! I thought it would be interesting to add a scene where the uniforms are taken not by using force, but by using authority.

5) For the military uniforms, I don't have anything particular in mind. Just type grey camouflage uniform on Google Image. For the white uniforms of the ceremonial squad, I envisioned something I saw from a picture of Final Fantasy 8. Just imagine that the shoulders are entirely gold instead of gold, black and blue as in the picture. Warning though, the only picture available is with the (male) hero.

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/fin ... 1207151727

6) I'm glad you liked the scene. It was supposed to be an introduction of some sort: a way to introduce some of the new elements that happened during the time skip and what the current situation was. I didn't think someone would notice it that much, but it was a pleasant surprise. The final part of the story will take place in an urban environment though, so there won't be defeated armies here. But perhaps in the epilogue...

Though this story will reach its conclusion in the next few posts. As tempting as it is, I don't want it to last forever and I would like to finish this project.

As for the detail of looting the defeated soldiers... The story doesn't heavily mention it, because the battles happen elsewhere and talking about it in great details would be too time consuming (and hard to do for me in English). However, at this point of the story, the Rebels are doing as much real warfare as guerilla. They are backed up by other foreign nations that give them equipments and weapons (including artillery). Aster isn't exactly kept up to date with most of these transactions, hence why they are not often mentioned by the narration.

The next part is currently being written, and it will feature darker elements than usual in some parts. I don't know when it will be released, but I'll be curious to hear everyone's thoughts.

Part 8

“Ah... Janitor disguise... My favorite.” Hieron commented while brushing his green overalls.

Emery gave him a mean look. “You like wearing... this?” she commented, with a disgusted hand gesture.

“Keep in mind that the people who wear this are also the reason why you don't live in your own filfth. So show a little more respect.” Hieron retorted without losing his smile.

“I don't think she knows the meaning of the word...” Thorn intervened. “So... Shall we go? We have a meeting with Hadrien Xanten.”

The three Rebels were wearing similar-looking uniforms: green coveralls, white shirts, black work shoes and green caps. And the best part? They didn't even have to mug someone to acquire them. Through a myriad of front men, Thalès was the owner of – among other things – several cleaning agencies. Therefore, he gave them the uniforms and when the officials called one of his agencies to send a cleaning team, he appointed Thorn, Hieron and Emery. Quite legally.

“The little weasel surpassed himself this time.” Thorn commented.

“Well, I guess collecting informations or owning several companies is easier when you have the Olympian citizenship.”

Thorn stopped walking. “What?”

“Oh... He never told you?” Emery mockingly asked. “That's too bad...”

“He's half-Olympian. Mother from Korê, father from Olympus.” Hieron explained.

“You do realize that, even though they're a minority, there are Olympians that are sympathetic to our cause?” Emery added.

Thorn kept silent.

“Let's keep going.” Hieron said. “We're the first to arrive, so get in character.”

“The others don't have an easy way to acquire their uniforms, though.” Thorn commented. “I hope they got their disguises in time.”

“No worries! I'm sure they're doing fine.”

**************

Klenia adjusted her black cap, then smoothed her beige sleeveless jacket, dark grey long sleeve t-shirt and dark blue jeans.

“Remind me why I'm the camerawoman? I'm way more photogenic than anyone else in this team!” she joked.

Shayna knotted the purple scarf around her neck. Currently, she was wearing an elegant light grey suit, with a matching tailored skirt and black high-heels.

“Because you're the strongest, honey. I'm way too scrawny to carry this thing.” she answered while pointing the camera.

“A convenient excuse...” Klenia remarked.

“And need I have to remind you that I had to endure this horrible dye?”

Shayna had the blond hair, tanned skin, and blue eyes typical of the people from the Province of Naïad. However, no Olympian would even think of hiring a Naïad in their crew. (Not to mention that most of the Province was currently revolting against Olympus...) Therefore, they had to dye her hair brown in one of Thalès' hideouts and give her green contact lenses to pass her for someone from Okéanis.

“We all dyed our hair!” Klenia retorted.

“Also, I'll have to bring back the Mugging Hierarchy.” Shayna said.

“Come on! That happened months ago!”

“And yet it's still relevant.”

“Quit fighting and get in the van, you two.” Aster playfully ordered from their van's driver seat. “Or you'll be grounded!”

“Yes mom!” both answered, while getting in.

The vehicle was a white van adorned with the logo of one of Olympus' television channels.

“Did you take the smoke bombs?” Aster asked.

“They're here. Camouflaged as camera batteries.”

“Perfect.”

Dressed in a beige cardican, white t-shirt and brown pants, Aster turned her head the other way to face an other interlocutor.

“I trust you to take care of things here.”

“You know I will.”

Aaria was dressed in the yellow reflective jacket and thick dark green work pants worn by the agents working for the City Maintenance. She was also wearing black working shoes.

Aster smiled. “I know you will, indeed. Good luck.”

“Good luck to you. You'll be in more danger.”

Aster chuckled. “Thanks for reminding me that!” she joked. Then, she started the engine and, soon, she was driving away, along with Klenia and Shayna.

Aaria watched them disappear at the corner of the street. Then, she went to her own van, adorned with Wheat Junction's coat of arms. The woman took the time to check her surroundings. Wheat Junction was supposedly under martial law, but even the army couldn't watch every part of the town 24 hours a day. Once she was satisfied, she slightly opened the vehicle's backdoor.

The inside of the van was currently rather crowded, as four women were lying on the metallic floor. They were all peacefully asleep, and would continue to sleep at least three more hours thanks to the drug Aster injected them with.

The first woman was rather tall and burly, with a square jaw and strong shoulders. There were grey srtips in her short black hair. Currently, she was only clad in a grey tank top and white cotton control briefs. Aaria had ambushed the woman a little while ago, while she was working in a deserted alleyway, to acquire both her uniform and her van. She had been extra careful when binding this clearly muscular woman, to make sure she wouldn't escape. She used plastic zip-ties for the ankles and wrists, before completely wrapping her upper-torso and her legs with the strongest tape she could find. Gauze was filling the worker's mouth, while more tape was wrapped around her lower face to gag her. Another strip of tape was used as a blindfold.

The other three sleeping women were the news reporter, camerawoman and driver who used to own the van Aster was currently driving. They were supposed to attend to a press conference held by Hadrien Xanten. However, unluckily for them, Aster had other plans.

The driver had curly chestnut hair. The few strands of hair dyed in beige showed she was part of the Phocas Faction. She was rather young, probably an intern. However, as most Olympians tended to be, she was taller than the average person, allowing Aster to put on her clothes without too much trouble. Therefore, she was now only clad in her beige moulded bra and white tanga.

The camerawoman was slightly older, with auburn hair tied into a ponytail. Her head was softly resting on the driver's chest. She had black tatoos representing a small swarm of butterflies on her right arm and her bellybutton was pierced. Now that Klenia had acquired her clothes, she was left in her white push up bra and orange bikini panties.

Finally, the news reporter herself was a stunning blond-haired beauty, with long smooth hair, perfect skin, a gorgeous face, and a well-endowed body. Aaria could easily imagine the ratings going up every time she was on screen. Currently though, she was only wearing her satin dark blue tap pants and a matching bustier.

All three women were similarly bound and gagged. Strong silver tape was wrapped around their hands, wrists, feet and ankles. White nylon ropes had been used to tie their thighs and upper-arms. Their mouths had been filled with their respective socks, then sealed shut by copious amounts of tape.

Everything was in order.

With a smile, Aaria closed the door. Then, happily whistling, she took place behind the steering wheel. Everyone was doing their part. The mission was about to begin. All she had to do was to find a place to hide their unfortunate donors, then regroup with the others.

**************

“Did I... Did I really need to disguise myself too?”

“Better safe than sorry.”

“I guess. But... I still feel... weird.”

“Yet, this isn't the first time you wear the clothes of someone else...”

“Not by choice.” Hana suddenly stopped and lowered her eyes. “Sorry. I didn't mean to sound... ungrateful.”

“I don't take offense. You're just being honest.” Mikani answered. “You should assert yourself more.”

Hana silently nodded, but continued to look down.

Mikani sighed, then looked at her black pants, white shirt and red waistcoat. The uniform of a caterer. “At least it's not pink...” she commented.

Zia lightly chuckled. “You seem to live an interesting life.” she commented. The former conscript, as well as Hana and 'Kora' (who was carrying boxes of drinks outside), were wearing the same clothes.

“You have no idea.” Mikani answered.

The press conference held by Hadrien Xanten was supposed to be an austere moment. However, they still had hired a few caterers to bring some refreshments to the numerous journalists. With the help of Thalès' agents that were still infiltrated in the town, finding the identity of the company hired by the Olympians, and ambushing the caterers before they left the building in which their agency was working, was easy. Fifteen minutes later, the four underwear-clad women were left bound and gagged in a walk-in closet, while Mikani and her team were leaving for the city hall in their victims' van.

Someone knocked on the van's metallic backdoor.

“Boxes have been unloaded.” 'Kora' said. “I'm waiting for you.”

“We're coming.” Mikani answered. Then she turned towards Hana and gave her a cellphone. “You'll be our mission control. We keep in touch. Use the laptop and the jammer Thalès gave you to hack into the surveillance system. Thalès said that you should be able to see what their cameras are seeing. Emery's team will need it to make their move. I'll call you in fifteen minutes.”

Hana was looking pale, but she firmly nodded. “Got it.”

Mikania smiled, briefly squeezed the student's shoulder to encourage her, then exited the vehicle along with Zia.

Unbeknowst to them, they were being watched.

**************

“Is everything in order?” Sao asked.

“Everyone is at their post.” Reka answered. She positioned herself next to her boss. “Do you think they will come?”

“Maybe.” Sao was observing the main hall of the city hall, where Hadrien Xanten was going to make his big speech in front of the journalists. Being a ceremonial soldier had one advantage. Since everyone was regarding them as glorified flowerpots, nobody was paying much attention to them. Which allowed her and her team to quietly watch the surroundings.

“Tell the girls to watch carefully any new entrants, especially the journalists or any people who weren't scheduled. Be sure that they don't trust the gate guards' judgement. If they see someone suspect, they have to discreetly bring them into a quiet room for interrogation and inform me.”

“Got it.”

Reka left her alone to relay her orders.

**************

Wheat Junction's city hall was a luxurious place and, even though the speech hadn't begun yet, it was swarming with activity.

There were journalists everywhere, along with their crews. Ceremonial soldiers dressed in bright white uniforms were scattered across the room. Aster could also see a good number of security guards.

Aster turned towards Shayna and Klenia. “Since I'm only the driver... I will leave you here and go for a walk. Remember. We're here to serve as a distraction for Emery, Hieron and Thorn. You know what to do.”

“Of course.”

Aster disappeared into the crowd.

Klenia checked her wristwatch.

“We're right on schedule. Perhaps you should go to the restroom, while I 'install' the camera. And its 'battery'.”

Shayna nodded. “Got it.”

**************

Acquiring the caterers' uniforms was Mikani's team's ticket to enter the building, but they weren't supposed to keep these uniforms for long. The city hall's west wing had been chosen to be their escape route. Therefore, Mikani's team was tasked with temporarily removing from the picture any pesky security guard they would come across.

Mikani looked at the five bound-and-gagged security guards. Then she closed the supply closet's door.

“I can't believe we fit five people in there...” she commented.

“I don't think they could believe it either!” 'Kora' commented.

“And why did we take two of their uniforms?” Zia asked while pointing the dark blue security guard uniform she was now wearing.

“To better blend in.” Mikani answered. “People tend to pay more attention to the uniform than to the face of the person wearing it.”

“It's just too bad that we couldn't find your size.” 'Kora', also fully-uniformed, commented.

The guards they mugged were either too tall or too burly.

Mikani shrugged. “It doesn't matter. We're only here to remove a few guards to secure the others' escape route. They should almost be done now.”

“But wait.” 'Kora' suddenly said. “Another one is coming, and I think she's close enough to your size.” she told Mikani. “Get ready!”

**************

“I got it!” Thorn whispered while looking at a tablet. “Hana has succeeded. We can see what the cameras are seeing.”

“I knew she had it in her!” Hieron moved a little closer to watch over his shoulder. Not an easy feat, considering the fact that the janitor closet in which they were currently hidden was rather small. “Did you put the bomb?” he then asked Emery.

“Of course.” the black-haired woman retorted. “It's behind the green plant. The one that's in the camera's blind spot.”

“Now, all we have to do is to wait for Xanten and his officers to leave the boardroom to go to the press conference. The moment we see them...” Hieron caressed the remote he was holding. “We light this baby up...”

“By the time it happens, Aster's team will have planted the smoke bombs to create enough chaos to allow us to flee and Mikani's team will have secured our escape route...” Thorn added.

He was interrupted by some muffled mewlings.

“It's no use.” Hieron told to the figure lying on the floor. “You can't free yourself and you can't call anyone for help. And even if you did, we would have to kill you. Therefore, the best course of action for you is to keep quiet and wait until we leave.”

There was a muffled sob, then the young brown-haired woman fell quiet. Only clad in a green tank top and t-shirt bra, matching panties and white socks, she was bound and gagged with tape.

The girl was a janitor working at the city hall. When the three members of the so-called cleaning crew arrived with the right accreditations, she led them to the janitor closet, not knowing what they had in store for her. Emery needed her uniform, as the city hall's janitors were allowed in parts which would be forbidden to outside agents.

“I'd say that we shouldn't let her...” Emery started.

“Restrain yourself.” Hieron ordered. “I'm not going to hurt her.”

“If you don't know what to do, why don't you go watch the corridor outside?” Thorn added. “Just pretend to be cleaning the ground and stop pestering us.”

Emery made a rude gesture of the hand, but then complied.

**************

“The speech should begin in a few minutes. Hadrien Xanten will leave the boardroom any moment now.” Sao commented. “Did you notice something unusual?”

“There are three journalists who have strange accreditations. Not false, but a little strange-looking.”

“Better safe than sorry. Have you had them arrested?”

“I sent some of our girls. They should catch them before Xanten enters the main hall.”

“Good. Anything else?”

“There were also some brief disturbances in the west wing, where the catering crew was discarding the food for the kitchen workers. But according to the security guards, everything is okay.”

“Did you do the necessary?”

“Amara is already there to investigate.”

“Perfect.”

Reka nodded, before adding: “Maxie and Zoë have checked the guests. No impostor among them. Also, a cleaning crew has entered the place an hour ago, but they matched the descriptions given by their employer. And there are two men among them anyway. Their boss is some guy called Thalès Agoras. He's an Olympian citizen. Pindare Faction. Also, there have been reports of a shady woman prowling near the city hall. I sent Karin to deal with that.”

**************

The security guard, a petite newbie with short curly auburn hair and a few feckles on her cheeks, went down with a few well-aimed punches followed by a brief sleeper-hold. She barely had the time the make a peep.

Stripping her was a routine work at this point. The shoes, dark blue pants, brown belt, blue uniform jacket and white t-shirt were quickly taken off. The auburn-haired young woman was left in her red bra and panties with black polka dots. Ladybug-themed lingerie? Well, to each their own... There were plastic zip-ties strapped on her discarded belt, which were put to good use to tie her wrists and ankles. She was gagged with duct tape and her own socks. Mikani put on her uniform while Zia and 'Kora' carried the unconscious girl to a nearby supply closet and stashed her inside.

“At least she's lucky enough to have the whole closet for herself...” Zia commented.

Mikani chuckled.

“Let's not lose focus. Things are about to become exciting. Let's just check the surroundings to see if there are more security guards.” she then added.

The three women started to walk.

Around a corner, they suddenly came face to face with a woman with short black hair, dressed in the white uniform of the ceremonial squad. There were strips of red dye in her hair.

Before Mikani, Zia or 'Kora' could say or do anything, the guard had already taken a step back and drawn a handgun.

“Freeze!” she ordered, pointing her weapon at them.

**************

Shayna finished installing the smoke bomb in one of the toilet stall, hidden behind the bowl. They had brought several of these plastic canisters, camouflaged as camera batteries. Once activated by Aster's remote, they would release tremendous amounts of smoke, creating enough turmoil among the guests to cover their escape.

Once she was satisfied, Shayna flushed the toilet just in case someone saw her entering here and left the stall.

Suddenly, she found herself face to face with two women dressed in the bright white uniforms of the ceremonial soldiers. From that close, she could see that they were a lot more muscular than the walking flowerpots they were supposed to be.

“Uhh...”

“You will have to follow us.” the first guard said.

Shayna tried to move. One soldier grabbed her arm and immobilized her with a painful hold.

“That wasn't a request.” the other woman said.

“I would like to say that what's coming next won't hurt, but then I'd be lying.” the first woman added.

**************

Klenia noticed the two guards trying to reach her early enough to react accordingly. The fact that they were dressed in the white uniforms of the ceremonial squad didn't matter. Leaving behind the camera, and the smoke bomb hidden inside, Klenia nonchalantly walked across the room. Just as she planned, the two guards followed her without checking the equipment.

If they suspect us, we'll have to play a close game... Let's just hope that they didn't notice Thorn's team and that we can evade them long enough... Only a few minutes are left...

Klenia left the main hall and, as soon as she was out of sight, she dashed through a nearby emergency exit. She quickly went down the stairs.

She could hear the emergency door being slammed open by her pursuers.

“Where did she go?”

**************

Found them... Finally...

On the outside, the van of the catering crew was looking innocuous. But when you knew where and what you needed to look at, the search was a lot easier.

She should be alone... Perfect...

She quickly approached the vehicle.

**************

Hana was typing on her keyboard. She was feeling a little ecstatic. She had succeded! She had managed to hack into the surveillance system.

It was a little strange, being delighted at her success during a mission for the Rebellion. Perhaps Mikani was having an influence on her after all... Hana was feeling stronger, more confident.

At least it was for a good cause. And this would buy her and Macha's freedom.

Then she heard a noise outside, near the van. Before she even had the time to register what was happening, the backdoor of the van was opened.

Hana jumped with fright.

A blond-haired woman dressed in a white uniform was staring at her with her cold blue piercing eyes. She smiled when she noticed the laptop.

It wasn't a friendly smile.

“Well, hello there little kitty... Did you lose your way?”

**************

Aster understood that something was wrong when she noticed Klenia abruptly leave the room, followed by two women from the ceremonial squad.

She felt her heartbeat going faster. It wasn't the first time they were spotted during a mission, but it never happened so soon... She looked around the room.

Then she noticed her.

She was wearing the white uniform of the ceremonial squad, but Aster would recognize her anywhere.

Sao.

Cérès said that the Olympians had mounted a team to counter their infiltrators. They probably recruited Sao.

We need to get out... I have to warn the others!

Maybe Sao felt that she was being watched. Or maybe it was just bad luck. Whatever the case, the former bodyguard turned her head in Aster's direction.

Aster quickly disappeared into the crowd. But she wasn't sure that she hadn't been spotted...

**************

Mikani gazed at the barrel of the gun. Something was wrong.

Ceremonial soldiers were supposed to just stand still and look pretty. But this woman was behaving like a veteran soldier. By the way she was holding her handgun, Mikani could tell that she had a lot of practice.

“They give guns to the ceremonial squad now, Miss...?” Mikani commented, trying to buy time and make her opponent lose her concentration.

“Amara.” the other woman answered. “Let's just say that I'm part of a special unit. And I don't recognize your faces.”

“So much for 'people look at uniforms first'...” Zia commented.

“Now, I suggest you shut up if you don't want a bullet between the eyes.” Amara ordered. “I only need one of you alive for questioning.”

She moved her hand to grab the walkie-talkie strapped on her belt.

Even though she wasn't showing it, Mikani got ready, waiting for an opening. She was carefully watching the woman's face, watching out for a sign of distraction. No human being could do several things at the same time and remain focused on all of them. During her training, Mikani had learned to notice these brief moments of inattention. She was close enough to hit the guard, but because of the handgun, she had to wait for the right opportunity.

Amara grabbed her walkie-talkie. She took a brief, almost undetectable, glance to locate the 'on' button of her device. This was the moment Mikani was waiting for.

Aster's and Klenia's training had paid off. In one swift movement, she kicked the gun out of the guard's hand. She followed with a quick punch. But Amara was a professional. She blocked the attack and hit her in the side. Mikani took the blow and immediately tried to punch the woman in the face. The guard grabbed her wrist to block the attack. Mikani saw the woman take a breath to scream for help.

Think quick...

She violently raised her knee to hit Amara in the stomach. The wind knocked out of her, the guard opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

However, her move left Mikani unbalanced and Amara managed to propel her into Zia with a shoulder bump. 'Kora' managed to dodge the two falling women.

The soldier tried to run away, but 'Kora' was on her before she could. The Rebel feinted on the right and her opponent blocked that hit, but was taken off guard by Kora's left hook. The liver shot made Amara fall on her knees. 'Kora' swiftly moved behind the guard then strung her arm around her throat, and tightened.

"So I guess you're part of the reception committee Cérès warned us about..." she said.

"I was in the army..." Amara spat. "You can't make me talk."

"We'll see about that..." 'Kora' retorted while tightening her hold slightly.

"We won't need to." Mikani intervened while getting up. She was catching her breath. That was a close call... "Her uniform tells us everything we need to know. We can assume that all the other members of the ceremonial squads are like her."

Amara kept silent, but her grimace was the proof they needed.

"You... You won't escape..." she barked. "We'll get you!"

"I tire of your threats..." 'Kora' punched the soldier several times in the liver, making her wince in pain, then tightened the sleeper-hold. "Just take a nap now..."

A few minutes later, an unconscious Amara was stashed into the supply closet alongside the auburn-haired security guard, gagged with tape and securely bound with the zipties formerly strapped on her belt. Her face was buried in the security guard's chest.

"If there are more like this guard, the others must be in trouble..." Zia commented. "What do we do?"

'Kora' and Mikani exchanged a look. They didn't know.

**************

The two guards had brought Shayna to an empty office room of the city hall. They crossed a lot of people on their way: many journalists, a few servants and a janitress, but nobody bothered to help her or even question things.

Shayna had been left bound to a chair, her wrists tied to the armrests with rope. She had been blindfolded, so all she could do was listen to the women's conversation.

She was scared.

“She does look like one of the members of this Aster woman's team. Same face shape. The hair don't match, but it's dye and she's wearing contact lenses.”

“We'll check with the boss. If she's a Rebel, I don't think it will be hard to make her spill her guts. She doesn't look very tough.”

“I bet she won't last 10 minutes in your hands...”

There was a wicked chuckle. “I take pride in my work... Now, you go warn Sao that we may have caught one. I'll prepare the tools. I think I'm going to enjoy this...”

One of the women left the room.

Shayna flinched when she felt a hand stroke her cheek. She heard the wicked chuckle again. “Oh yes! I'm really going to enjoy this... Please don't try to resist. It would be a shame to damage your pretty face, and I might find a use for you later...”

Some footsteps. The guard went to an other room on the right.

Shayna was shaking. She tried to loosen her bonds, but the knots were too tight. It was no use. The former thief was starting to panick. Not being able to see what was going on was a nightmare. What do I do? Where are the others? Have they been caught? She couldn't think straight and was starting to lose track of time. I hope Klenia's safe...

Shayna heard the door open and close again, then some footsteps.

“You're back already?” the guard asked from the other room.

Suddenly, Shayna started to hear unidentified noises in the other room. Was it the sound of a struggle? And gurgling sounds?

What's going on?!

The noises ended abruptly.

Shayna shrieked in terror when she felt hands touching her skin. A hand suddenly grabbed her jaw, squeezing her cheeks.

“Shut up!” a female voice harshly ordered her.

I know that voice...

“Emery?” she said, her voice muffled by a cold palm.

The bonds immobilizing her were unknotted. Shayna took off her blindfold.

Dressed as a janitress, Emery was coldly staring at her. The janitress we passed by earlier... Shayna understood. She must have followed us, and waited for the right occasion to rescue me...

“Worthless amateur.” the assassin spat.

“Emery... You... You saved me!”

Emery's right eye twitched. “You should hurry up.”

Shayna quickly rose up from the chair.

“Follow me.” Emery ordered.

Shayna complied, though she couldn't help but take a quick glance on her right. She could see a pair of legs lying motionless on the other room. She felt a little nauseous.

“Did you...?”

“Kill her? Of course. Why do you care? She was going to torture you, you know?”

“But Aster said...”

“Aster isn't here. There's only you, and me.”

“And the other guard?”

“I took care of her too. The body is hidden in the corridor's closet. Now, follow me.”

They exited the office.

“What now?” Shayna asked.

“Did you at least plant the smoke bombs?”

“I did. And I think Klenia did too.”

“Then we get ready to flee.”

“What about the others?”

“They'll have to fend for themselves.”

**************

Klenia was already almost at the end of the stairs, near the emergency door on the ground floor, when she heard one of the guards say: “We'll split up. I go up. Coral, you go down.”

“Got it!”

Klenia's mind was racing. She didn't have much time.

But maybe she had a solution...

She opened the emergency door. It was leading to a deserted alleyway behind the building. Perfect... Instead of leaving the building however, she opened the door wide before quickly returning inside. She hid under the emergency stairs. That way, her pursuer would see or hear the emergency door close and assume that she fled outside.

Klenia heard the footsteps of her pursuer rushing down the stairs. Coral arrived just in time to see the door close. Klenia got ready, swiftly and discreetly leaving her hiding spot while the brown-haired woman's back was turned.

“Shit!”

Coral quickly grabbed her walkie-talkie. “Helen! She went outside! I'll go after her! Come quickly!” The soldier then moved to reach the door, but Klenia didn't give her the opportunity to open it.

This time, no right to make mistakes... Just like in training...

She locked Coral's head in a chokehold, simultaneously blocking both the left and right carotid arteries. The brown-haired soldier was fit and strong but, as she had been taken completely by surprise, she couldn't do anything. In a few seconds, she was unconscious. Klenia immediately released her grip and dragged the woman by the underarms under the stairs, where her unconscious form would be hidden.

Quick...

Klenia saw a few plastic zipties strapped on Coral's belt. She took two and used them to bind the woman's ankles and wrists. She could already hear Helen rushing down the stairs. In a few seconds, she would be here.

Don't panic. You've already taken down well-trained adversaries before. she told herself. Just don't think of the others for now. Concentrate on getting yourself out of this situation, then go looking for them.

The gun already in her hand, Helen arrived in front of the emergency door but, instead of opening it, she suddenly stopped running. She had noticed something on the ground.

Coral's handgun.

Klenia mentally cursed herself. In her hurry, she had completely unnoticed this crucial detail.

“Coral?”

Helen turned around the moment Klenia was arriving on her. She couldn't avoid the hit on the hand that made her drop her gun, but she dodged the uppercut supposed to bring her down. She then counterattacked with several rapid punches that put Klenia on the defensive. The last one nearly hitting her jaw.

She's good...

At this rate, she was going to lose. She needed to fight dirty.

Klenia moved back several times to avoid being overwhelmed. At this rate, she's going to corner me against the wall...

Helen increased her pressure. Klenia dodged two more punches before seeing an opening. Too focused on her assault, her opponent had left her left knee unprotected.

Gotcha!

Helen aimed a violent punch at her jaw. Klenia barely managed to avoid it by moving back her head at the last second.

Damn! Stay focused!

When Helen aimed her next punch, she was ready. Klenia moved forward, warded off the soldier's arm, and kicked her hard in the knee. Helen let out a cry of pain and fell on her knee.

Klenia immediately jumped on her, bringing her down to the ground. She dealt Helen several forearm blows on the forehead that left her dazed. One last punch, then her world went dark.

Klenia barely took the time to catch her breath or celebrate her victory. Helen wasn't going to stay out of commission for long and Coral was already starting to regain consciousness. The Rebel dragged the soldier under the stairs, next to her partner. She used Helen's own zipties to bind her. Then, she took off the two women's boots and removed their black socks. This would make a fine gag... But I need a little more to fill these big mouths... She used her pocketknife to cut part of the sleeves and pant legs of the two fallen women's uniforms. Then, she filled Helen's and Coral's mouths with their socks, before adding as much shreds of uniform as she could do. She only stopped when she was sure the two women couldn't make a peep. Finally, to prevent her victims from spitting the ball of rolled clothes filling their mouths, she used another pair of zipties, tightening it around their lower face to keep the gag in place.

Once the two women were secured, Klenia took a few seconds to catch her breath. She inhaled deeply to keep a cool head.

Now, I have to find the others...

She ignored the almost inaudible moans of the two women slowly coming to their senses and quickly climbed the stairs.

**************

The blond soldier was looking at her with a mixture of threat and vicious joy.

Hana was paralyzed with fear, like a deer in headlights.

“Care to tell me what you're doing here? With this brand new laptop and cellphone?” the blond soldier asked.

“I... I...” Hana stammered. Think fast! “I'm... playing some... videogames?” she tried.

“How cute...” The woman grabbed the cross of the handgun in the holster strapped on her belt. “But I think you'll have to come with me...”

“B... But...”

Not like this... Not like this...

“Such a shrinking violet... Well, if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't worry. But if you do... Let's just say that it's going to be painful.”

Suddenly, there was some movement behind the blond-haired guard. A woman appeared and grabbed the guard's head, then slammed it on the metallic frame of the backdoor.

Stunned, the blonde fell face first on the van's floor, her legs protuding from the vehicle.

Hana looked at her saviour and couldn't hold back a surprised shriek.

“Macha?!” she exclaimed.

The redhead inhaled deeply to catch her breath. “Just in time...”

“Macha... But how? And what happened to your clothes?”

Her friend was indeed wearing a surprising patchwork of clothes which didn't go together at all: pink sneakers, brown pants, a bright red sweater, a lime green scarf, and a blue cap to hide her hair.

“Long story. Don't have the time to tell. Help me put her inside the van before someone sees her.” She grabbed the guard's legs.

Hana decided that the questions could wait until after they were safe. She grabbed the blonde's shoulders and pulled her inside. Macha climbed after her. She closed the backdoor behind them.

The blond guard groaned and stirred.

“Macha! She's still conscious!”

“Son of a!”

The van rocked back and forth violently during a few seconds. Then the guard was rendered truly unconscious.

“Help me undress her.” Macha then added.

“What?”

“A soldier uniform might come in handy later, even if it's a ceremonial uniform...”

Between the two of them, removing the white uniform jacket, pants and black boots was easy. All their victim could do was feebly mumble in her unconsciousness. Soon, the blond guard was left in her white undershirt and matching white boyshorts.

“Do you have something to bind her?”

Mikani left behind some spare ropes and rolls of tape, the leftovers of what they used to tie up the caterers. Hana gave them to her friend.

“This should do.”

Macha took the time to thoroughly bind the unconscious soldier's limbs. She completely mummified her feet and hands with tape, carefully entrapping the blonde's fingers in the process. Once the woman's wrists were tied behind her back with ropes, she wrapped several layers of tape and a few more rope arounder her upper-torso to immobilize her arms. Then, the thighs, knees and legs were tied as well. With some leftover gauze from Mikani's previous mugging, she filled the woman's mouth, before using the last remaining tape to gag her. Finally, to prevent her from banging for help with her bound feet, she hogtied her. Once she was done, it became clear the guard wouldn't go anywhere any time soon.

“Macha... I didn't know you were so skilled...” Hana commented.

“I had to learn on the job. And after being tied up so many times, I at least learned a few tricks...”

Macha then turned to face her. She felt silent for a brief moment. Then, she hugged her.

“I was scared I wouldn't find you.” she simply said.

Hana blushed a little. “M... Macha... How did you find me?”

“Well, you told me what your mission was... The most difficult part was to find a way to arrive here in time. I managed to get my hand on one of the maps of the smuggling tunnels to pass under Olympus' lines. Then, I had to steal a few cars on my way here. I was forced to leave the last one in the outer town to escape the police. But I found you... Just in time...”

Near them, the guard was starting to wake up. Hana could hear her grunt in her gag.

“Now come with me. We must leave this place as quickly as possible!” Macha added.

“But... But the others...”

Macha stopped and grimaced. “You're truly on their side, aren't you?” She was sounding hurt.

“I'm against Olympus. Not you?”

“I'm on our side. I don't care about their politics anymore. I just want us to be safe, you and I. We'll take this van, ditch this guard somewhere, go to the edge of the town and steal a car. Then we'll drive to Ares. We'll go to my village. My family will hide us.”

Hana shook her head. “I can't... Mikani and the others will need this vehicle to flee...” She resisted the urge of lowering her eyes. She had to be strong! “I don't want them to be hurt, Macha.” she explained. “They're not bad people.”

“Except Emery.”

“Most of them aren't bad people. They have treated me fairly.” Hana insisted. “And you too.”

“It's just... I...” Macha looked down. “I assaulted two Rebels when I escaped Centralis. I don't think it's a good idea for me to fall into their hands again.”

“You... killed them?”

“No! Of course not. I...” Macha's cheeks reddened a little. “I mugged them. First my head nurse, then a guard to steal her clothes.”

She seemed so embarassed by the whole thing that Hana would have laughed if the situation wasn't so dire. The former student hesitated. She wanted Macha to be safe. But if they left with the van, it would put Mikani and the others in danger.

She needed to find a solution...

The silence fell.

The only sounds were the muffled growls of their prisoner.

Then, suddenly, they heard a deafening sound.

“What was that?!”

**************

Aster knew that Sao was following her. The former bodyguard probably wasn't completely sure of her identity, hence why she didn't raise the alarm yet. But she knew Aster's face well-enough to recognize her, even from a distance.

Aster was walking as fast as she could without looking suspicious in the corridors of the west wing. Her heart was racing. She needed to get rid of Sao, but how? Perhaps, if she met with Mikani's team, she could ambush her...

Thorn and Hieron were going to activate the bomb any moment now. The engine wasn't very strong. The explosion would be just big enough to engulf Hadrien Xanten and his officers. And then Aster could activate the smoke bombs... This way, they would avoid collateral damages... At least as much as they could.

She then heard Sao's voice.

“Hey you!”

The woman didn't add anything. She was interrupted by a deafening sound.

The sound of the explosion.

Hieron's bomb wasn't very powerful, but she had been designed to be very noisy.

Well, exit Hadrien Xanten...

Aster pressed the button of her remote.

In the main hall, Klenia's camera and backpack were now belching a copious amount of odorous and thick black smoke; and so was the smoke bomb Shayna planted in the women restroom. Aster could hear cries of panic in the distance. In all the building, people were starting to shout. The fire alarm was pulled.

They now had between five to ten minutes before the police would crop up. And Sao was still after her...

Aster started to run.

**************

Sao briefly halted when she heard the noise.

An explosion?

She then realized what it probably meant.

No... Hadrien Xanten has been...?! But how...

Nobody had access to Xanten's floor. Except her team, the security, the bodyguards, and...

Sao's eyes widened.

… and the janitress. A scrawny young woman who probably was tasked with helping the external cleaning crew that was, coincidentally, scheduled to come the exact same day as Xanten. Two men and one woman strong enough to overpower her without any fuss.

Sao realized her mistake.

Until now, all the infiltrators sent by the Rebels had been women. Because of that, unconsciously, Sao had become used to deal with female-only crews. She completely overlooked the fact that, one day, they could send men.

She shouldn't have overlooked the cleaning crew...

Suddenly, Sao saw the woman that was looking like Aster start to run.

If there was an attack, it means that there were Rebels...

It's her!

It was too late for Xanten. But it wasn't too late for revenge...

Sao ran after her target.

Reka was talking to her through her walkie-talkie. ”Sao! I lost Zoë and Maxie in the crowd. I tried to contact the others. Katarina is blocked by the crowd in the main hall. Coral, Helen and Amara aren't answering, nor are Theodora and Flavia. Karin hasn't called me since I sent her to check things outside. Nobody from the security in the west wing is answering either.”

Sao cursed. Half of her team had already been neutralized, and a good chunk of the security guards. These Rebels were good...

“Send everyone in the west wing! That's where they are! I'm chasing after Aster!” she answered

”Got it!”

“She won't escape... Not this time...”

**************

Aaria seated the blonde news reporter against the wall of a remote shed of the waste reception center. Her head sofly fell on the side and ended peacefully resting on the shoulder of her auburn-haired camerawoman, whose head was already resting on the shoulder of the chestnut-haired intern, who was herself leaning on the worker. They were all still sleeping. Aaria smiled, then moved a bunch of discarded cardboards and wooden palettes to hide the four underwear-clad bound-and-gagged women.

“Perfect... Now, on to meet up with the others...”

She exited the waste reception center.

Then she saw police cars driving in the street, their flashing lights on.

“Things are going to get ugly...”

**************

Mikani cursed.

The soldier was a member of Amara's squad. And she didn't take any gloves. The second she realized that they weren't part of the security, she drew her gun and opened fire.

'Kora' had been wounded before they could take cover behind the corner of the wall. Three bullets. Two in the stomach, one above. A bad wound.

Mikani was using Amara's gun to keep her enemy at bay, shooting when she was trying to leave her cover.

For the time being, there was a temporary lull in the gunfire.

Zia took this moment to say: “We won't be able to carry 'Kora'... It might kill her...”

'Kora' was seated against the wall. She was breathing with difficulty, and her face was pale. A puddle of blood was getting bigger in front of her in spite of Zia's improvised bandage.

“If we stay here too long, all she will have to do is take another corridor to attack us from behind." Mikani retorted. "We can't...”

Another gunshot. Mikani riposted by shooting two times.

“We can't stay here!”

“Just leave me behind...” 'Kora' intervened. “The bomb has exploded. Mission is a success. That's all that matters.”

“But...” Mikani was interrupted by the noise of a struggle where the soldier was supposedly hidden, as if someone had been attacked from behind. Apparently, the fight was brutal.

Then she heard a voice calling them.

“Guys? Is that you?”

“Klenia?!” Mikani exclaimed.

Her friend quickly arrived, carrying the soldier's handgun.

“Two of these girls followed me, but I managed to overpower them. I knew you'd be somewhere in the west wing so I went there...” Klenia explained.

She then grimaced when seeing 'Kora'.

“Goodness...”

“It's just a flesh wound... I've had worst...” the other weakly joked.

Klenia looked at the others. “I'm the strongest. I'll carry her. Zia will help me and Mikani can...”

“No way!” 'Kora' interrupted her. “I forbid it! You will leave me behind and save your skins!”

“But...”

“Better one casualty than four, right?”

“But...”

“It's an order!”

“But...”

'Kora' lost patience. “Why do you care?! We don't know each other! And, trust me, I'm no angel either. Now, you three leave! But I swear, if you take me with you, I will make everything in my power to make sure you die with me!”

Klenia clenched her fist. She was feeling so... powerless.

“Now, GO!” 'Kora' screamed. “The others won't wait for you...”

Klenia looked at her two friends. They gloomily nodded. The three women moved to leave.

“Klenia...” 'Kora' muttered, just loud enough for her to hear.

Klenia stopped. “Yes?” She was hoping that 'Kora' had changed her mind.

“Give me your gun.”

“What?”

“I don't want to give them the chance to catch me alive. Give me your gun. Please.”

“I...”

“I've seen how they torture people. How they can break someone until there's nothing left in them. Don't let them do that to me. Please.”

Without a word, Klenia handed her the gun.

“Thanks...” 'Kora' grabbed the handgun. “By the way. My true name is Kora.”

Klenia's eyes widened. “So you mean that all this time you were using your real name while pretending it was a false name?!”

“I know, I'm a troll.” Kora joked. Blood was running on her mouth.

“You... You...” Klenia held back her tears. “I'm sorry...”

“Don't be. Just turn your back and leave. I don't want anyone to see it.”

Klenia ran to catch up with the others. She flinched when she heard a single gunshot, but she continued withtout looking back.

**************

Aster owed her life to some intuition, her reflexes, and a stroke of luck. She was thinking that she managed to lose Sao but, when arriving at an intersection in the west wing, she took a brief glance at her left.

She barely had the time to jump behind the corner of the wall. The bullet skimmed past her. Sao had tried to take her from the rear by using another corridor.

“You can't escape me!” the former bodyguard yelled. “This time, I'll get you!”

If she was in a movie, this would have been the time Aster'd have retorted a clever one-liner. But her life was on the line and she didn't waste any time. She ran for her life.

She arrived at another corner just in time to hide from another bullet.

She's too close... I won't be able to escape her and if she reaches me in a straight line, I'm done... And she only had a few minutes left...

“You can run, but you will never run fast enough!” Sao was getting closer.

I'll have to ambush her...

When Sao arrived at the corner, Aster kicked the hand that was holding the handgun. Sao's weapon flew across the corridor and fell out of her reach.

Sao reacted by taking two steps back, drawing a combat knife.

“To think that I fell for the same trick a second time...” she growled to herself.

“You shouldn't let your anger blind you.” Aster warned.

Sao simply smiled. “Thank you for your advice.” she mockingly answered. “I'm glad that we can meet again. That's the only reason I accepted Zeno's job. It's payback time.” She slashed the air with her knife. The blade was long and thick. “In a sense, I like it better that way. Now, I will see you die. But first, I'll make you scream.”

“I let you live, back in the warehouse...”

“A stupid move. Allow me to explain you why.”

Sao lunged.

Aster dodged, but not fast enough. A slash appeared on her left cheek.

Sao attacked again.

Aster moved back. For each of Sao's assaults, she had to take a step back. She tried several times to disarm her enemy, but Sao countered all her attempts. A second slash appeared on Aster's left arm, drawing blood, then a third on her right shoulder. She was losing.

“You're slow and weak!” Sao taunted. “I'm almost tempted to let you live and see you be tortured like your friends when we caught them! Flavia and Theodora are very good at their craft...”

Aster didn't answer. She couldn't afford to lose her concentration.

Sao lunged again.

Aster took another step back, and realized in horror that she was cornered against a wall.

“Gotcha!”

“I don't think so!” a female voice screamed.

“What?” Sao exclaimed.

“Shayna!”

Her friend was arriving from the corridor. Her scream had briefly surprised Sao, and Aster took this opportunity to get out of the situation, dodge another slash, and run towards Shayna.

Another woman was following the former thief. Aster recognized Emery. The assassin was furious and slapped Shayna with the back of her hand.

“Idiot! You ruined my surprise attack!”

“Emery!” Aster warned her. She grabbed Shayna by the shoulder to take her away from the furious killer. "Don't you dare!"

The assassin ignored them and took a step forward to face Sao, who was running toward them.

Sao stopped. Her smile disappeared and she tightened her hold on her knife. She had recognized Emery.

“History repeats itself. But this time you won't surprise me like a coward.”

Emery kept silent, a look of intense concentration on the face.

Sao attacked.

Almost unwillingly, Aster couldn't take her eyes off the fight. After a few instants, Emery and Sao had already exchanged numerous blows. They were strong. Better than her. Emery was faster and better-trained, but Sao had more physical strength, and her knife which was giving her a better range.

“First you, then your leader! This is my lucky day!” Sao said in the middle of the fight.

Emery kept silent. She wasn't deigning to answer to her. Where Sao was brutal and flamboyant, she was cold and efficient, as always.

“My other teammates are on the way!” Sao exclaimed while trying to stab her.

Emery swiftly moved her body on the right to dodge. She kept silent.

“They will shoot you the moment they see you!”

Emery blocked Sao's arm. She kept silent.

“You can't win!”

Emery forced Sao to move back with a roundhouse kick. She kept silent.

“Will you just say something?!”

Sao tried a particularly vicious attack.

Emery took a step back to avoid a fatal blow. This one was close! Sao's knife had actually teared her clothes and drawn blood.

Then, suddenly Emery started to talk.

“Why are you even bothering to do this? You know that your boss is dead, don't you?”

“What?”

“Cérès hadn't forgotten what the Cartel did to the people of Lakeland and Korê when it tried to expand there. The women kidnapped and sold oversea. She thinks that human traffickers are the worst kind of scum. So, when she got her hands on Calypso... Let's just say that Morgan Shark's recommendations didn't amount to hill of beans...”

“You...”

“I didn't take part in it. Cérès thought I was too quick in my job, and she wanted to make it slow.”

“I'll kill you!”

Blinded by rage, Sao charged her.

That was a mistake. She was letting her anger disrupt her concentration.

Emery swiftly dodged, grabbed Sao's wrist, and stabbed her in the lung with her own knife.

Sao fell on her knees. Her eyes went teary, but Aster couldn't say if it was because of the pain. Or because of something else.

“Calypso... I'm...” she started.

Emery used Sao's knife to slit her throat. It was over in a few seconds.

The fight barely lasted one minute, two minutes top.

“We move!” Emery ordered without giving even a glance at the body.

Aster blocked her. “Is it true? What you said?”

Emery looked her in the eyes. “Does it matter?”

Ultimately, not much. “You fight dirty.” Aster commented.

“Is there any other way?”

Emery then clutched Sao's knife. Its blade was covered with blood.

“Now, do you want us to continue our last conversation here? It would be a good opportunity to end it once and for all.”

Aster immediately sensed the danger. Emery had that look in her eyes. She moved to shield Shayna with her body.

“We don't have time. We'll deal with that later.” She took a step back to be out of range. “You go in front.”

Emery smiled, then took the lead.

Suddenly, they heard gunshots. All three women turned their heads towards the noises.

Hieron and Thorn were running in their direction.

“Run away!” yelled Hieron. “Some of these white-uniformed vixens are after us!”

**************

Reka was leading the small team chasing after the Rebels. With Katarina blocked in the main hall, only Lucina, Kjelle and Selena were left.

Reka was furious. She had seen Sao's body and, even if it was from a distance, she could see that her friend was dead.

“Shoot to kill!” She ordered. “Don't let them escape!”

The two men had managed to get their hands on some guns and were using them to keep her and her team at bay.

But there was no way she was going to let them get away!

Suddenly, Reka saw an opening.

The black-haired woman, the one holding the bloodied knife. She was running at a distance of the others.

It doesn't matter how good they are... They bleed like anyone else when you shoot them...

Reka opened fire.

The black-haired woman fell on the ground.

She was hit!

Reka let out a trimphant scream.

“Boss! Be careful!” Selena yelled.

The two Rebels had opened fire. Selena jumped on Reka to pin her to the ground, saving her from the bullets. But, in the process, she was hit by one of them. Lucina and Kjelle tried to take cover as well, but only Lucina was fast enough. Kjelle was hit as well.

Reka cursed. She could see one of the men grab the black-haired woman and throw her over his shoulder. The Rebels resumed their escape.

“What do we do?” Lucina asked.

Reka hesitated. She looked at Kjelle, and Selena who put her life in danger to save her. Both were in need of medical attention. The Rebels had already disappeared behind a corner.

She sighed.

Sorry Sao...

“Call the emergency medical services. Then help me tend to these two's wounds.”

**************

During a crazy second, Aster thought she was dreaming.

She had always seen Emery as invincible. Not the kind of person who could be brought down easily. When picturing her demise, she always imagined the assassin taking down dozens of people with her. And still, in spite of all her training, a mere stray bullet was enough to bring her to her knees.

It was... anticlimactic. Almost disappointing.

Hieron didn't waste time asking questions. He grabbed the woman, threw her over his shoulder while ignoring her shouts and threats, then resumed his run.

Aster didn't know if the wound was lethal. Emery had been hit in the lower-torso and the right thigh, but no artery seemed to have been hit.

They arrived near the rear exit.

“We'll split up!” Thorn said. “Hieron and I take Thalès' van! You'll take the caterers'!”

Aster nodded.

“Shayna! Follow me!”

When they exited the building, Aster was relieved to see that no police cars had arrived yet. People were running to leave the building. The caterers' van was still parked. Hieron and Thorn ran towards their own vehicle.

We left in time... How long lasted their escape? Five minutes? Ten? She had the impression that hours had passed.

Aster arrived behind the caterer's van and opened the backdoor.

Inside, she saw Zia who was sitting behind the wheel, Klenia, Mikani and Hana. There was also a bound-and-gagged underwear-clad blond woman and Macha who was wearing a surprising patchwork of ugly clothes.

Apparently, Macha, Hana, Klenia and Mikani were in the middle of an intense discussion.

“Aster... I...” Hana started.

“I don't care!” Aster answered while helping Shayna climb inside. She closed the door. “Zia! Drive!”

**************

“A disaster! This is a disaster!”

Zoë had been shouting and complaining nonstop for five minutes, and Reka was already finding her annoying.

Max was helping Lucina and the medical team tend Kjelle's and Selena's wound.

“Arcadius will have our heads for this! Hadrien Xanten is dead! All his officers are dead! The entire army stationed in Korê is paralyzed!”

Reka decided that enough was enough. She grabbed the woman by the collar.

“Will you just shut up now!”

“But... But the political repercussions!”

“Sao is dead!” Reka screamed. “Flavia and Theodora are dead too! Katarina almost got crushed by the panicking crowd, Selena and Kjelle are wounded, and Karin has gone missing! I don't f*cking care about Olympus, or the army, or the war, or politics right now!”

“S... Sorry...” the redhead answered.

Reka let her go. Zoë carefull took several steps back.

“She's right about one thing though.” Max intervened.

He was whispering to be sure that Reka was the only one to hear him.

“What?”

“Olympus will look for someone to blame for this whole fiasco.”

Reka paled. She was the last high-ranking officer of Sao's team. She would be the ideal scapegoat.

“Then I guess we'll have to find a way to leave before they can shift the blame on us.” Reka answered.

Max nodded.

Reka quickly glanced at the wounded Kjelle and Selena. “I just want to find a way to bring the other girls with us.”

“That can be arranged...”

“Lucina is still in good shape; and Helen, Amara and Coral had only been roughed up a little. They will help us.” Reka added.

**************

Now that they had left the city hall, they were finally safe. Or so they were led to believe.

The illusion lasted three minutes.

Then police cars started to chase after them before they could arrive at Thalès' hideout.

“Of course... It would have been too easy otherwise...” Aster bitterly grumbled.

Luckily, Zia was a skilled driver. For now, she had been able to stay ahead. Still, if they couldn't lose them, they were done for.

Suddenly, Aster's phone rang.

“What the?!”

She almost fell on the floor, just like everyone else in the back of the van.

The phone rang agan. Aster grabbed it and activated its loudspeaker.

”Aster?!” the person on the other side of the line said. “Hieron called me!”

Aster recognized the voice. “Aaria! Please tell me that you have a solution!”

”Tell me where you are.”

“Kenton Street.”

A brief pause.

“Go to your left, then drive to Trepidante Street. I may have a solution.”

Aster sighed while feeling a new hope rising. “What would I do if I didn't have you...”

“Well... I'm your mission control, am I not?”

“As always.” Aster raised her head. “Zia! You heard the lady?”

“Already on it! Just give me the directions!”

Aster heard the others whisper excitedly between them. We can still do this!

**************

Aaria briefly put the phone away from her mouth and sighed. She didn't want Aster to hear her.

She had done it. She had made her decision. Now, there was no turning back.

The older woman closed her eyes.

She saw the memory of a man, with a square jaw and a shaved head. He was smiling and, in her mind, he was looking radiant. Sycone. He was holding a baby, a one-year-old little girl, who had her father's eyes and Aaria's hair. Her parents had called her Calyx.

This was the way they looked like. The way Aaria wanted to remember them. Not the charred remains they found in the farm. Just them. Together. Happy.

She loved them. All these years were meaningless. She loved them as if it was the first day.

I miss you...

Aaria opened her eyes, grabbed the wheel with one hand and the phone with the other.

Now... I better get ready...

**************

Trepidante Street was one of Wheet Junction's longest avenues. A long, large straight line. The police cars hadn't given up. Their sirens were making a lot of noise.

”Keep following Trepidante Street. No matter what happens.”

“At least tell me that you're safe, Aaria...” Aster answered.

”Don't worry about me. I stashed my four companions in the waste reception center of Tyron Street. I'm alone in my van.“

“They're still after us. Do you have a miracle in store?”

”Maybe.” There was a strange intonation in her voice.

“What do you mean, maybe?”

”Hey, Aster. I wanted to tell you. I've never regretted any of the days I've spent with Thorn, Dimitri and you. Ever.”

”Aaria?”

“You owe me one. Again.”

Suddenly, behind them, a van cropped up from one of the streets. Its metallic bodywork was adorned with Wheat Junction's coat of arms.

The van blocked the path of the first police car. The vehicle, driving at full speed, didn't have the time to brake or dodge. It violently crashed into the van, crushing the driver's side. The following cars crashed in a huge pileup. The noise was deafening.

“Aaria!” The scream escaped Aster's lips even before her mind could fully register what just happened. She felt tears clouding her vision. “She... She just...” This couldn't be. This was a nightmare. Aaria couldn't be dead. She was their mission control. She was the older member of the team, the one supposed to be reasonable for them.

Not the one who threw her car into a huge crash.

Klenia was biting her lips, suddenly very pale, Shayna was crying, and Mikani was looking like she was about to throw up.

Aster then noticed that they were almost on the sidewalk.

“Zia! The road!” Mikani shrieked.

Because of the shock, Zia had nearly left the road. She uttered a curse and turned the wheel.

“Where do I go? Where do I go?” The former conscript was starting to panick.

Aster rose up. Stay focused! Or else everyone else will die... She was the one who knew Wheet Junction the best. The others needed her. She didn't have the time to grieve. Not now. Later.

First, they needed to flee. To get to one of Thalès' hideouts and leave the town through one of the underground smuggling tunnels.

“Take the next one to your right! Quick!”

Later...

Goodbye Aaria... And thank you...

**************

Even though their pursuers had been momentarily foiled, Aster and her friends didn't take any risk. They barely took the time to throw the guard captured by Hana and Macha in front of some dumpster, then they drove as fast as they could to a rallying point that had been prepared in advance. There, they changed vehicles and went to one of the buildings used as a hideout by Thalès' network. They went down to the place's hidden cellar. This particular cellar was connected to a smuggling tunnel, which they would use to leave the town.

Hieron, Thorn and Emery were already there. They had been lucky enough to avoid the Olympian patrols.

“We should be safe here...” Aster commented.

Everyone plumped down. They were all exhausted, and still in shock because of what happened. Aster spared the others the difficult task to announce Aaria's and Kora's deaths to Hieron and Thorn. Everyone else didn't want to talk about it. At least not yet.

Both men took the news with solemnity. Thorn sighed and held Aster's shoulder sympathetically. They were now the only two left of their original group.

The others sat in small groups scattered across the cellar. Hieron was tending to Emery's wounds. Shayna was resting her head on Klenia's shoulder. The former thief had cried to evacuate the tension, and now she was dozing, completely exhausted. Clearly afraid of Emery, Thorn and Hieron, Macha was sitting half-hidden behind Hana and Mikani. The latter was talking with Zia.

Aster didn't want to remain inactive like the others. She would become mad if she thought of Aaria right now. She looked toward Hieron and Emery. The wounds of the assassin seemed serious, but not deadly.

“Maybe I can help...” Aster offered.

She needed anything to not think of Aaria right now...

Hieron hesitated.

Aster moved closer and tried to feel up the wound. Emery pushed her hand away.

“Don't you dare touch me! No one touches me! Not unless I say so...”

Aster felt burning anger replacing her numb sadness.

“Fine. Just bleed to death then.”

“I don't need the help of the likes of you.” Emery barked. It was amazing how much scorn could be contained in one small word. “You can't even preserve the lives of your partners.”

That does it... For the first time since a long time, Aster felt the urge to make someone suffer. To be cruel just for cruelty's sake.

“I wonder why I even care about saving your life. It's not like anyone is waiting for you. You're such a sad pathetic person. You hate everybody, and everybody hates you.” She looked her in the eyes. She wanted to see something, any emotion, in Emery's cold eyes. “How does it feel? To know that, once you're gone, nobody will miss you?”

There was a long pause. Everyone else was looking uncomfortable.

Emery blinked. Once. Twice. Three times.

Then she smiled.

Then she laughed. It was a wicked, empty sound.

Aster flinched. She had never seen Emery laugh before...

“Is that the big verbal assault supposed to break me?” Emery mocked. She shook her head in disgust. “Even after all this time, I'm still amazed by your capacity of spewing non-sense after non-sense with the same conviction.” Emery looked her in the eyes. “In Lakeland, they call me the 'Silent Butcher'. In Rift, it's the 'Deadly Whisper'. I will never die. I'm the kind of monster they make movies about.”

Aster made an exasperated gesture of the hand. “Forget it... Talking with you is like talking with a wall. In hindsight, I should pity you. You can't feel the joys of friendship, of companionship, of love. Life has broken you so much that you can't even function right. You're just some rabid animal. Fear and dominance are the only things you still understand. Putting you down would be mercy at this point.”

“You hate me because I'm you, but better." Emery retorted. "I'm you, without any weakness or restraint. I'm the person you could be; the person you secretly long to be, but can't because you stick to some stupide moral code. I would have pulled the trigger that day...”

“Stop it! Both of you!” Hieron ordered. “Stop making a spectacle of yourselves!”

Aster ignored him. “You're referring to my first mission, right? Well, I don't know how your learned about the details, but I'll let you know that I'm proud of what I did. And, if one day I become like you, I'd rather have someone shoot me in the head than follow your legacy!”

“Pathetic. You...”

“I'm done with you Emery.” Aster interrupted her. “We'll go back to Cérès, and I'll let her know that this was the last mission for her. Then, I hope that I'll never have the displeasure of meeting you again.”

She didn't wait for an answer. She turned her back on the assassin.

“Don't turn your back on me!” Emery barked. Hieron moved to force her to remain calm and seated. "This is not over, Aster. You'll see."

Aster ignored the assassin and went to sit on the other side of the cellar, near Klenia and Shayna. Mikani approached her. Klenia moved slightly to get closer, being careful to not wake up her girlfriend.

“Aster...” Mikani started.

"I never told you about my first mission, didn't I?" she asked her friends.

“Your first mission? Before everything, before even Aaria?” Klenia understood. “You don't have to tell us about that if you don't want...”

“Aaria knew. There's no reason for you to not know about it either.” Aster was staring into space. “She was an administrator. Some nameless pencil-pusher. But she was working for Olympus. It wasn't personal. It was for the symbol. The Olympians had just executed one member of the Rebellion. These were reprisals. We wanted someone, anyone, to pay.”

She took a deep breath.

“I broke into the house, I found her, got her where I wanted. Then, her children came from upstairs. They had heard the noise, and they didn't understand why I was attacking their mommy. I couldn't pull the trigger. Not in front of them." She shook her head. "Everyone bleeds the same. No matter if they have or don't have dye in their hair. Behind each nameless goon, there's always a family. I left the house without hurting her. That's the day I decided I wanted to show that we could be better than Olympus. That we didn't have to exterminate the other side in order to win.”

Aster sighed.

“At least that's what I say. But sometimes, it's hard to follow what you preach. When you mug someone, you're feeling superior. Stronger. It can easily go to your head. Like a drug. I know I like that feeling... And sometimes, you just want to make someone pay for the atrocities. Now that Aaria is...” Aster couldn't bring herself to say the word. “I don't know if I'll be able to resist the temptation now... I don't want to become like Emery. This will be my last mission. I pass the torch to Cérès, the Number One, and their armies. We've done our part.”

Mikani exchanged a look with Klenia.

“But Aster...” Klenia started.

“I'm not asking you to stop. But I'm saying that I will stop now. I don't want to take the risk of going too far. Because if I do, it'll already be too late.”

“We will respect your decision, of course.” Mikani added.

Klenia silently nodded.

"Thank you."

Aster then looked toward Hana and Macha. The red-headed former student was whispering to her friend, occasionally sending wary glances in the direction of Emery.

“Before we return to Cérès, I want to do something about these two...” Aster said. “We can't let Cérès get her hands on Macha after she ridiculed her by escaping.”

“I agree.” Mikani answered.

“Me too.” Klenia added. “Do you have an idea?”

**************

On Aster's request, Thorn organized everything. They were in Korê's countryside, on one of the secondary roads, hidden from prying eyes by fields of crop. Before they regrouped with Cérès, Aster had one last thing to do.

“So let me get this straight.” Macha said. “You're saying that we should take this car?” She pointed the vehicle parked nearby. She was clearly distrustful.

“We're not saying that.” Mikani answered. “We're saying that we prepared this car for us, and it would be a shame if you stole it to escape while we're distracted.” She smiled at Hana.

The black-haired former student smiled back. “Thank you.”

"Promise you'll be more assertive now?"

"It's a promise."

Klenia looked at the car, then at Macha. “I guess this is goodbye then?”

“More like good riddance.” the redhead answered. “I'm going home, and I don't intend on being roped into one of your shenanigans any time soon...”

“That's a good initiative.” Aster remarked.

Macha scratched the back of her head. She seemed a little embarassed. “Though... I know you guys are winning and everything, but... Be careful. And good luck.”

Then it was done. Hana and Mikani quickly embraced each other. Macha saluted them from afar. Then the two former students climbed aboard the car and left.

“Are you sure about what we just did?” Klenia asked. “Emery will certainly snitch and Cérès won't like it.”

“I don't care.” Aster answered.

“She'll probably have bigger fish to fry.” Mikani commented. “Now that Korê is basically ours, Smog will soon follow suit. It's time for our leaders to deal the final blow.”

“Olympus will give up. Their last allies are dropping them. Even Okéanis, Ares and Hera are getting cold feet.” Aster added.

She watched the car disappear into the distance.

“Well, no matter what happen, at least these two should be out of trouble now. Hopefully... All in all, life goes on.” Then Aster thought of Aaria and Dimitri. “The important is to continue to move on, but always remember the fallen.”

The three women waited a moment after the car disappeared. It was a nice day. Sunny and warm. A small breeze was blowing. They were simply enjoying the scenery.

“Let's go back. The others are waiting.” Aster finally said.



**************

Author's note: Had to post it in two posts. I hope you will like it. I'll be honest and say that I hesitated a lot before posting this part, as I hesitated between keeping the story (relatively) light-hearted just like the first parts of the series or if it should feature darker elements. I ultimately chose the latter because, after talking several times about how the characters were living in a harsh world, I also wanted to show it. I'm curious to hear your thoughts though. Now, all that remains is the epilogue to tie up the loose ends.

well, you got some points

1) as for Kora:

during 13 years since 2006 this unit, the " Uniform Stealing Broads", never lost a sister-in-arms in countless missions under our command... this is a worrying and sad news indeed

yes, we forgot so many uniforms donors , undies-clad girls in some locker or tied up in the thick part of the forests... but they are the enemy

2) I love the fast pace of the story

3)alas no 'defeated army' scenario's this time...

As always, the takedown/stealing scenes are top-notch. The scene with the four women in the van was particularly great, in part due to the diversity of the uniforms - maintenance worker, reporter, driver, and camerawoman. Lots of detail packed into a few paragraphs.

Also loved the scene where Macha rescues Hana, priving herself to be an assertive heroine on par with the other girls. Doesn't seem like they got to make use of the soldier's uniform, but at least they humiliated her pretty well.

I'm typically not a fan of killing characters, particularly since I try to avoid heavy drama in my stories. If a character does get killed off, I prefer it to be non-violent and more ambiguous (i.e. did she survive?). But I see what you were aiming for, and it does make sense within the context of the story.

Thanks! I tried to detail a few scenes, as this would be the last big takedown / stealing scenes of the story. Glad you enjoyed them.

I will admit that I hesitated a long time before being that explicit about the death scenes (originally, Kora's death was supposed to be only hinted for instance: there wasn't a description of the noise the gunshot). I even hesitated to kill off some characters! But it was needed for the story. Ultimately however, I don't know if I will venture into this kind of heavy drama again.

To esercito sconfitto: Kora will be missed, as well as Aaria and even Sao. I really liked these characters. I'm happy that you liked the pace of the story. I tried to multiply the points of view to create more suspense. My fear was that it would make the story harder to follow, but apparently it isn't the case. As for defeated armies... There's still the epilogue. Maybe.