X16: Loyalists

'Understood.' Kazuki pulled back his pistol's receiver and he placed it back into his holster, picking up the SMG that was lent to him for the mission. He tried to pull back its receiver, only to have it jam.

"Tch…" Kazuki glanced up at Claire, Project Heimfall's commander and foremost medical expert, even though she never went to med school. All of her knowledge was gained through extensive learning.

She leaned one of the expendable rocket launchers on the side of the half-wall. She took a single glance down at the streets below, before looking up at the dark, sparkle-lit Sub Level ceiling. It was just enough to illuminate the rooftops. Though a lot of light was blocked by the pillars, substituting the light for auras of warmth and light from houses embedded into the pillars, hanging from above and from the side.

People who live and die in the Sub Levels will only know the ceiling as the closest thing to the endless freedom that the stars offer. Moving up was everything to them, the prestige of living on the surface was something to die and kill for. And many do.

But no matter how hard they worked and bled, this 'meritocracy' was far from rewarding. Claire looked up at Kazuki. "Sorry, Arbiter. I haven't cleaned it in a while."

Kazuki grumbled as he disassembled and reassembled the SMG near-instantly. It was a standard issue, so he already knew its blueprints. But he knew that for many things. He shimmied over to the edge of the damp slum roof, interconnected with many buildings up and down, tall and wide.

"We're ready," said Riharia, placing her rifle's bipod on the half-wall before glancing down at the half-bustling street. "How long do we have to wait?"

"Just wait," said Kazuki.

Claire shot up. "Oh, wow, waiting, let me guess: a week? I brought some films if you guys wanna watch some." She rummaged through her flak-armour vest-plate, pulling out a few holo-film cartridges.

Riharia let out a gasp of surprise as if an elder sibling had brought back home a fuck-load of sweets that they got from stealing their parent's pocket money. Her armour's white stripes contrasted with Claire's red.

It was a force of primarily Deltastring. The logic was simple. Deltastring had more manpower; they'll take the brunt of the attack. But Claire had to stay close. She's the closest thing he has to a personal medic. Claire stuck a few injectors into Kazuki's hidden exospine, with only the nape being exposed.

She shifted his hair out of the way. "Fucking hell, at some point there won't be any injectors that can dampen its usage," Claire said, her voice aching with worry.

"I'm sorry for making you do this," said Kazuki. He glanced away, he's been getting more and more reliant on her.

Luckily, the AGENCY has a clear objective. Once the real convoy was located, the Loyalists wouldn't stand a chance. Lilly's a field commander, more useful in the skies of the Sub Level than being deployed on the roof level. Cold vapours filled the air as floating platforms, high-rise slums and run-down structures filled Kazuki's vision when he glanced upwards. Anagora, at last. No fluff, just reality.

Kazuki turned towards O'Hara, sealing his helm-mask on, before looking off to the other roofs. 'All forces, make your final preparations. Spotters, status report.'

Looking across the low-rise rooftops, Kazuki could see scattered pockets of AGENCY mercs on many of them. Most wielded rockets but a few were holding onto more conventional weapons.

'They'll be here in a minute or so, Arbiter.'

'Alright. Give an update when you see them." Kazuki glanced towards the T intersection at the end of the small road - then at the operatives on the buildings above it. Despite what was to come down, the streets were still beaming with life. 'Cassia team, we'll be hitting on your mark. Try to keep civilian casualties to an absolute minimum'

'Understood.' said Cassia Team's leader as he waved over to Kazuki across the building. The previous op required precision and coordinated force. But this op? He needed firepower. He sealed his mask as he ducked back down. He always wanted to ensure things were coordinated well, Kazuki thought, too well. There's a reason why he wasn't chosen as Heimfall's leader.

"I wish I could have brought along a few others…" Claire lamented.

Kazuki snapped back, "I only need you."

"Wow… I'm flattered," Claire said whilst rolling her eyes. "I just can't help but worry about them."

"They'll be fine. If the removal of one team leader destroys the entire unit, then it never deserved to exist," Kazuki coldly stated.

Claire sighed. "I guess you're right, they'll be alright, they have Amyé with them, after all."

"Save being a nosey elder sibling to later," said Kazuki, lightly tapping Claire across her vest-plate.

She let off a small chuckle. "Let me guess, you were the type of single child to ask your parents for a brother?"

"No and no," Kazuki replied to her joke with utmost professionalism. "Sister. I preferred being a single child."

Claire shrugged. "I'll drink to that when we get back, right?" Kazuki gave a slow nod. "But shouldn't the ENFORCERs be patrolling these streets?" asked Claire, peeking her head over. The streets below were still populated, though dimly lit and covered in soot and a metallic smell. "And why the hell didn't we evacuate the civvies?"

"We were all Clandestine once. If things suddenly get quiet, they'll expect trouble. Given Clandestine's track record, I'll take my bets; that risking civilians now will save dividends later."

"Tch, you think those Forcies will do anything to help us?" asked O'Hara, "Trust me. They're in it only for the money. Doesn't matter if we all stab each other as long as they can line their pockets."

"What about the Unicorns?" asked Riharia.

Kazuki replied, "They won't come. The SPTU Task Forces prefer to stay far away from the Sub-Levels. I understand them."

Fair assessment. ENFORCERs were always a pain in the back. And without Clandestine, it seems they've become more prevalent to fill in the power gap left behind. The chaos was foreseeable, Kazuki knew that. Everyone did. And still they chose it, because better chaos than Clandestine.

'Liz, just listen in, alright?' asked Kazuki, 'Don't worry. Harvest as much information and function as an auxiliary arm to Sato and Archius.'

'Ah, alright…' Eliza meekly trailed off. She will help the AGENCY, for now. He might as well teach her the basics of being an analyst - and a handler. With the recent chaos, he needs more of everything. And Eliza's capable, she's already solved some of the logi-team's problems.

Riharia was about to say something, before the spotters highlighted themselves on the uplink system. 'They're turning the corner, Arbiter.'

Kazuki immediately shot into position as Claire and O'Hara placed the launchers over their shoulders. If they want to cripple the Loyalists, hitting their supply lines should work. They might be dedicated hardliners, but even the deadliest of Loyalists is worthless without ammo and equipment. Afterlife… in the worst case scenario, he'd prefer to be prepared for that encounter.

'All forces, ready up. Cassia Team, fire when ready.'

'Underst—"

Something caught Kazuki's spine; a jab of pain into his mind. A headache roared up, he shot back towards the hover-vans rolling down the street. Smoke rose. A single rocket was set alight from the side door of the van - directly at the building Cassia Team was on.