Bloodshot Eyes

Back with the Ghost, the Remnant Army of America had assembled, and they were on the move, ready for an all-out assault of the Four Cities.

"Child, this plan is good, but why are you leading the charge, you need to rest." stated Barbara."

"No, I'm fine, I must be at the front, this enemy will know my wrath, once and for all."

Chameleon C-2 helicopters transported the troops, and vehicles, while Pelican C-12's transported Liberty Bell and Constitution. They flew at break-neck speeds, slipping through Richardson's radar undetected. They were about 20-miles out when they crossed the wall, and the C-2's were disabled by emp.

"Hang on! Brace for impact!"

The C-2's slammed into the fields below, behind the enemy wall, and most of the Army had survived. The C-12's dropped the two automatons off and had begun their return to base.

"Troops, begin our advance, let's take this city down."

The Army of the Remnants of America pushed into enemy territory for about ten miles before they were spotted by Richardson's scouts.

"He's HERE?! Send out the troops, full battle ready, this isn't going to be easy."

Around mile eight the two armies engaged each other, but having two Automatons on their side, the Remnants of America pushed the soldiers back. At this time, sounds of the battle had echoed throughout the city, citizens looked eastward to see the two Automatons heading for their city.

"Attention, attention everyone, please go home and await the "all clear" from your Dominion Lord, that is all."

The citizens complied and went inside, tuning into their emergency broadcast channel, awaiting their message to return outside.

"Holy fuck...He brought both of them."

"I knew he'd come!"

Richardson smiled and stood up. "Zeke, ready the Defender of the Dominions, I will be the pilot."

"Yes, my lord."

As the Remnants of America entered the cities' outskirts, they were met by the Defender of the Dominions.

"Stand down Ghost, I'm only going to ask once."

"Give me back my friends."

"No dice, I need them and you here, by any means necessary."

Before the Ghost could give an order, the Defender not only hits constitution with a barrage of missiles, but it stomps her into the ground, critically damaging her, if not destroying her.

"Liberty! Take that bastard down!"

Liberty fires her heavy laser into the chest of the Defender, marching towards him, then once she was close enough, she deployed her hammer.

"Let freedom ring."

With a swing she knocks the mech over not letting her laser leave her target. The army dumps heavy rounds into the mech as well, keeping the mech pinned down.

"Shit...I didn't see this coming."

Richardson bails out of the mech before it explodes.

"Constitution talk to me."

"C-co-mmander G-ost, I di-e so that Fre-edom may live."

Her head loses power and is recovered by a few HA-50 users and taken back to the back of their defensive line.

"You're going to pay for that."

"I killed your automaton, and you killed my mech, we're even."

"Not even close."

Without warning the Ghost socks Richardson in the ribcage, then kicked him backwards.

"You kidnapped my friends, what the fuck did you think I was going to do? Come beg for their lives?"

"No, I knew you'd come, however, I didn't see you bringing your whole army, but that works perfectly."

"What the hell do you mean, and you'd better cut to the point." The Ghost said grabbing Richrdson by his throat. "I'm running very low on patience."

"I-I am Richard Richardson, a collector of special individuals who have something special to them. I assure you, your friends are fine, I've given them a place to live! They are safe now."

"Then why the under dark hit and run, and how the fuck did you find us?"

"I've been watching you all since you killed the former President of the United States, you all showed quite promising futures and I wanted to see just how far you'd all go, and I've spent too much time and money in getting you all to where you are now."

"The fuck does that mean."

"What's important is we don't have to fight! I have put Alpha Squad up at the Rock Island Arsenal, you know the one, they're fine."

The Ghost locks eyes with Richardson and stares into his soul.

"Take us to them, try anything and Liberty Bell will fill a pothole with your entrails. Got that?"

"Received loud and clear. If you'd follow me, I'll take you to them."

The city soldiers stand down as the Richardson leads them into town and to Arsenal Island. Once there, Alpha Team opens the gates and meets them on the bridge.

"Has he hurt you? Any of you?"

"No sir, he knows better than that."

"Good, now Richardson, fuck off, We'll be leaving now."

"I can't let you do that."

"Can't or Won't"

"Won't, if any of you try to leave, I shall drop ICBM's on Washington D.C, nobody even in your bunker will survive."

"You sick son of a.."

"Trust me, I don't want to, having been on the receiving end of your might, I have no intentions to harm any of you myself."

The Ghost stares him down, Richardson holding his ground.

"You can't keep us here."

"None of you will make it back before the nukes reach."

"Fine, but understand this, you so much as step foot on to this bridge, I will be the one you answer to got it?"

"I get it. I take my leave of you."

Richarson leaves and the Ghost enters the Arsenal, now both at odds with each other.