ApneStreet by street, block by block, the Achkaerinese troops were taking control of Apne, from the stronghold they'd established in the town centre early on in their assault they were now pushing into the outskirts. Ezri was satisfied with their progress, but also wary they were facing far less resistance than they'd anticipated. She was presently fighting her way, with her squad, down one of the furthest out streets, the remnants of the Confederation troops were in full retreat from the town.
"We've got them on the run." Captain Sam Venables's voice came over the radio
"Looks like it." Ezri said, she waited a few moments and then looked down the street the Confederate troops were gone "Ok that's it they're gone, establish a perimeter, bury the dead respectfully, and let's get ready for what the next few days are bringing."
SepsiRhyth mentally punched the air when the message
We have Apne came over the radio, it was a big moment, the coalitions first big win but it came around the same time as news about the Confederation assault on Kispos. It certainly explained why taking the town had been easier than they'd expected, the enemy's focus had been elsewhere but that didn't devalue the significance of Apne being out of Confederation hands. She looked at the map of Clysperis and the rebel held areas, taking back Apne was a start but this was far from over they had to win the battles in the midlands and drive the Confederates back south, and now that the Achkaerinese armour had arrived that was just what she intended on doing.
ValtheimIt was the day before Life Day, which was on time of year the Cult of Namis version of Christmas, there were several similar traditions involved from decorating a tree to the giving of presents, a meal with family and so on. It was also tradition for the Achkaerinese royals to be out and about doing various things.
Crown Princess Serenity and her husband
Isaac Wesley along with their two daughters
Astrid and
Lisa had been visiting the Royal Valtheim Children's Hospital to spread festive cheer and distribute gifts to the patients, it was their tradition, that evening was going to see another tradition - it was Serenity's turn to perform at the Snowflake concert, a show that the Royal family put on every year at this time, it was sort of their present to the nation.
The four of them along with their entourage were walking out of the hospital heading for their car which would take them back to the Marble Palace. Astrid tripped and stumbled forwards, Serenity crouched down to look at the scrape her daughter had got, Isaac was a couple of paces ahead of them and turned around, Serenity looked up at him as a 'pop' shattered the silence. Isaac fell forwards to the snow covered pavement, his blood splattering over his wife
"Gun!" the word had been shouted by
Lydia Daniels, she got Serenity and Astrid behind the car, Lisa was pulled into cover by the other guest on the trip
Roslyn Williams, meanwhile the other security agent assigned to the trip
Kitty Hart took cover behind the car.
"You have got to be kidding me." Kitty said as she drew her pistol
"I wish." Lydia said she tapped her earpiece "This is Vixen, Absol under attack, Growlithe is down. Pikachu and Flareon accounted for. Code Red repeat Code Red"
"Whose idea was it to use Pokémon as the codenames?" Kitty asked as bullets continued to fly
"That's what you want to ask right now?" Lydia asked "You got eyes on the shooters?"
"Not yet." Kitty said "Cover me." Lydia nodded, Kitty sprinted from behind the car to behind a nearby stone monument, drawing gunfire "You get it?"
"Hotel opposite third floor sixth window from the left." Lydia said
"I'm on it." Kitty said "There's a side entrance I can get in at."
"Go." Lydia said
Kitty entered the hotel, got a master key from reception and made her way up to the third floor, she was letting the sound of the gunfire guide her now. She put the key in the slot, withdrew it and opened the door, she downed the first gunman before he could turn around, the second was half turned when she planted two rounds in his chest.
"Both gunmen down." Kitty said
"I'm going to get Serenity and the girls back to the palace, can you process the scene?" Lydia asked
"Yep." Kitty said "Isaac?"
"Negative." Lydia said, Kitty sighed that was the confirmation that Isaac was dead.
"Copy that." Kitty said
When she got back to the Marble Palace a bloodstained Serenity was greeted by her father, they just hugged each other.
"It's ok let it all out." Peter said, Serenity was so upset she couldn't even cry audibly but Peter could tell what her feelings were just by how tightly she was gripping him, he waited a few moments "Hot chocolate and then bed."
"No." Serenity said taking half a step back from her father "I've got a concert to do."
"Renee can do that." Peter said
"No I'm doing it." Serenity said "I'm not ignoring what's just happened but if I don't do this then whoever came after me today wins and I don't let terrorists win."
"All right." Peter said, he let Serenity walk past him and then turned to where Lydia stood
"Peter..." Lydia said
"Don't." Peter said "Don't tell me there's something you could have done that you didn't. Because you and me both know that you did your job and that you did everything you could. Get yourself cleaned up." as Lydia walked away Nettie and
Rion Ayanami came over.
"We've got an ID on our two gunmen - Chigaru Sarraf and Bassam Toma." Rion said showing Peter the pictures on an electronic tablet "Both members of the Clysperi army, served under Nekhtou when the Soviets occupied Clysperis."
"And now most likely were both on the Confederation side of the civil war." Nettie said "Wouldn't surprise me if this attack was on Nekhtou's orders."
"Wouldn't surprise me either." Peter said "Ok then. Rion do your thing if this was down to Nekhtou I want to know. Nettie tell Hannah we're reworking the Life Day Message a little."
"Understood." Nettie said
Peter walked into the Marble Palace's kitchen.
"How is she?"
Kumiko Arkwright asked from behind him
"Putting on a brave face but she's hurting." Peter said
"And you?" Kumiko asked
"Reminding myself that they'll be time to grieve later." Peter said "Remember what you said after I lost Iona?", the Emperor referenced his first wife.
"A support pillar can't buckle." Kumiko said "But even though I said that and even though you're doing a good job of being that support pillar don't hold it all in."
"I know." Peter said "We're going to have to deal with a lot in the next few days. I'm going to call Simon and then Evelyn. Then we'll issue a statement."