Revelation (M/F) (F/M) - A sequel to Devastation

[Caesar73]

The Chapter reveals Mia´s Plans. It is a sad story. Her goals are noble. She intends to sacrifice herself to offer the People of Pax a Chance to regain their Freedom. I do understand Kim´s frustration and sadness. And what will that News do to Nikita if she learns about it? But the the Game is not played yet - so far Prime´s Plans worked to Perfection. But there are - as a wise man said once - no perfect Plans, but perfect intentions only. Maybe there is a Chance for Mia to get in one piece out of this. This Arc has something of a Greek Tragedy.

Another excellent Chapter my Friend!

[wolfman]

So far Mia has planned everything to the letter, but is a surprise awaiting her as she brings her plan to conclusion.

There is an element of a greek tragedy about this, which was one of my ideas for this arc. A classic revenge tale, with the ultimate soldier, prepared to take the road not taken. Who knows what will happen in the end

[Caesar73]

There is an element of a greek tragedy about this, which was one of my ideas for this arc. A classic revenge tale, with the ultimate soldier, prepared to take the road not taken. Who knows what will happen in the end

Yes, this Arc has indeed something of a Greek Tragedy - I am very curious how this one play out.

[wolfman]

@Bandit666 @Caesar73 @GreyLord @slackywacky

15:00 hours, Royal conference room, Atlantean Royal Palace

“Angelique, would you please try to get hold of someone from the Pax Felix to explain this pogrom against Atlanteans in their territories?” Halpron asks, over the intercom, his voice tinged with barely controlled indignation.

“Of course, Your Majesty.” The Royal assistant says, curtly.

Halpron sits back in his seat and steeples his fingers. “Bloody mess.” He says, exhaling slowly, “It’s a good job, Kim’s people were able to act so quickly.”

“How did she know what was happening?” Cassius asks, stroking his chin.

“Apparently Mia tipped her off.” Nikita says, taking her fiancées hand.

“Why doesn’t she come in?” Cassius asks, thoughtfully.

“No idea. Maybe she feels she has unfinished business.” Nikita says, thinking about the little girl she left at the fire station all those months ago, “Maybe she thinks I have failed her once and she won’t give me a chance to do so again.”

“Hey, less of that.” Halpron assures her, pulling her in for a hug, “We will bring her home.”

“What if we can’t. The deeper she gets into this campaign, the further she pulls away. I am so scared for her.” Nikita says, fighting tears.

Cassius shifts in his chair, “If I have learned anything in life, it is that, the heart knows where it belongs and always finds a way to return.”

Halpron and Nikita look at him confused, before the King says, “You soppy sod, what have you done with my General.”

Cassius snorts, “Your General is now and ever shall be at your side, Your Majesty.”

Nikita smiles and reaches across the table to squeeze the General’s hand, with a heartfelt, “Thank you.”

The intercom chimes and Halpron responds, “Yes?”

“I have a Senator Dario of the Pax Felix, on the line for you.” Angelique says, calmly.

“Good. Put him through.” The King says, straightening in his seat, as Nikita and Cassius arrange themselves either side of him.



Halpron waits for the tired and nervous looking man’s image to resolve into view before he starts, “I have been trying for the last day to get hold of someone to explain why, my realms citizens are being rounded up like animals by your people and you had better have answers.” He pauses, calming himself, “If you cannot tell me, I want to speak to the Emperor.”

Dario mops his brow with a handkerchief and takes a sip of water, “I apologise on behalf of the Pax Felix regarding the treatment of your citizens. The round up is over.”

“That was a bit too easy.” Halpron whispers very softly, before speaking at his normal volume, “Thank you. I would still like to speak to the Emperor on this matter.”

“That will not be possible, Your Majesty.” The Senator says, nervously.

“Explain.” The King commands.

“They are all dead.” With a lost look in his eyes, Dario says meekly.

With a troubled expression Halpron looks to his companions before responding, “Who is?”

“I was off world. I couldn’t get back in time for the emergency session.” Dario says, wearily, with a sense of horror.

Halpron waits for the man to compose himself, fearing that pushing would tip him over the edge.

“Our military bases were attacked, by Prime. All of the weapons and equipment in our armouries, is radioactive and we effectively have no military. A closed door meeting of the senate was called by the Emperor. There was a problem with the air. I watched via conference call as they all died.” Dario explains on the verge of tears.

“Dear Gods.” Halpron whispers, waiting for the man to continue.

“The attack has effectively disarmed our entire military and those few units who are armed, cannot be coordinated after the loss of The Hub.” Dario explains, almost feeling a weight lifted.

Everyone sits in stunned silence for a moment, before Dario composes himself and straightens his tie, “Given the collapse of government and the military and as the only remaining member of the administration, I hereby request the support of Atlantis to maintain order in the realms of the Pax Felix.”

“I’m sorry, do you mind saying that again?” Halpron says sceptically.

“I formally request the assistance of the Atlantean military, to maintain order and once the nation is stable, overseeing free elections to establish a democratically appointed government.” Dario says, speaking from the heart.

Cassius and Halpron exchange a look before, Halpron nods, “We will need staging areas for forces and access to your broadcast network. We will be in contact within the hour to outline the support we can offer.”

Dario breaks down in tears, “I knew you were a good man, that is why I called. Please save the empire from destroying itself. Help us find a new beginning.”

Halpron nods, “You are a good man Dario. Thank you for coming to me with this. We will stand with you.”

In the aftermath of the call, Halpron rises from his seat and pours each of them a very large whisky and knocks his back before asking, “Did that really just happen?”




17:00 hours, Royal household apartments, Atlantean Royal Palace.

Kim shifts and collapses, wearing a tank top and shorts, in the living room of Sasha’s Palace apartment. Sasha rushes to her side seeing the tape marks, on her adopted daughters face and arms, “Jesus. What happened?” She asks, panicked. She visible shudders seeing the petechial haemorrhaging in the whites of her eyes.

“I had my ass handed to me and I have been tied up for about two hours.” Kim says, dressing with a flourish in a tracksuit bottoms and top.

“What happened?” Sasha asks breathlessly.

“I found Mia and she took me down, like I was an amateur. She has gone too far.” Kim says, gravely, whilst explaining everything that happened to Sasha in person and to her sisters over psi.

By the time she is done, her sisters have travelled to the apartment and they all sit around the living room area, while Sasha bounces Tommy on her knee.

“What do you make of it?” Kim asks, still unsure how to feel.

“She set you up.” Ali says, thoughtfully, “She could get in and out of the pumping Station without being seen. She came out and allowed herself to be spotted, knowing we would be looking.”

“And I fell for it.” Kim says, shaking her head.

“She counted on you scouting ahead, before raising the alarm.” Ali says, with a hint of anger.

“I can’t work out why.” Tara says thoughtfully.

Sasha hugs Liam to her shoulder and rubs his back, “She needed to confess. Make sure at least someone knows what she has done and what she is guilty of.”

Kim nods, “That kind of makes sense. Initially, she wouldn’t say, but after we talked a but she opened up.”

“She wants glory. See how great I am. I did all this and no one stopped me.” Anya snorts, decisively.

“I didn’t get that sense from her.” Kim chews her lips and remembers the conversation, “She sounded almost sad. She senses the end coming and wants to make peace with all she has done.”

“Question is though, is that true, or was it an act?” Sasha asks, rocking Liam as he starts fussing.

“I don’t know.” She says, shaking her head while she psis her sisters, “I know where she said she was going. We can bring her in.”

“Can she block all of our magic?” Ali psis cautiously.

“Assume that she can.” Tara psis, coldly, “Gear up before arrival. Have anything to hand that you need. If need be we perform a hard takedown, we need to be ready.”

“Steady on. She is family.” Anya psis.

“Yeah she is. Everyone keeps saying about how badly, she was treated and yes it was terrible. But the lesson here, is that she risked killing Kim, just so she could make a confession.” Tara psis.

“I am not sure about this. You said she seemed really strong, even by our standards and we wouldn’t be able to rely on magic. Just raw ability and skill.” Anya psis.

“Four of us with arresters and Sheaths. Each armed with weapons of choice. We might be able to do this.” Ali psis, weighing the odds.

Sasha coughs softly, drawing the attention of the girls, “I might not share your connection, but I know you are talking about going after Mia.”

Kim and her sisters, blush bright red at being caught out. Sasha sighs, “You are all accomplished in your own fields and very capable. However, from what you and Kate have said, it is clear that Mia is an exceptional and dangerous opponent. If cornered doubly so and if she is expecting it, she will be ready in ways, no one can predict.”

“We have to try. To be fair, I don’t think my life was ever in danger. She was at times playful, others reserved but I don’t think she wanted to hurt me.” Kim says, thoughtfully.

Hearing a soft beep from her pocket, she holds up a hand and passes Liam to Tara, who immediately starts cooing and playing with her younger brother.

Sasha pulls out her phone and the colour seems to drain from her face as she reads the message. She exhales slowly and speaks softly, trying to stay calm, “The shit has hit the fan. Atlantis is preparing to send peace keepers to Felix Prime and Felix Secundus. The Pax military is deserting en masse and the people are mobilising in the streets, attacking public buildings.” She runs her fingers through her hair, shaking out her locks, “Nikita is already on her way there. We are all going as back up.”

[Caesar73]

So the Enemy has to ask Atlantis for help - it seems that this Part of Mia´s Plan, to shut down Pax Felix´s Military worked out. As it seems right now? There is Chaos reigning now. That Nikita goes for Mia is only to understandable. That she wants to help her Daughter, to prevent worse things to happen is only too understandable. A Mother caring for her Child.

Most interesting the Conversation between Kim and the Others. That Sasha warns them to act too rash is good advice. If one thing is for sure: As Sasha says: Prime is unpredictable. We do not know about her Endgame yet.

[wolfman]

Mia is very capable and can stop Kim and her sisters using their magic. Kim and her sister have some trainingband experience as well as numbers. Mia is a honed weapon, stronger, tougher and faster than any foe they have faced. Sasha was right to warn them, or was she.

[Caesar73]

Mia is very capable and can stop Kim and her sisters using their magic. Kim and her sister have some trainingband experience as well as numbers. Mia is a honed weapon, stronger, tougher and faster than any foe they have faced. Sasha was right to warn them, or was she.

Yes, I dare say. Sasha has more experience - so yes,she is right.. But how this all play out? I m not sure,

[wolfman]

@Bandit666 @Caesar73 @GreyLord @slackywacky

It started small. Rumours of something happening to the Emperor. Betrayal by the Senate. The military scrambling back to bases.

People so long without a voice, sought answers and as always happens when this is the case, there is trouble.

The soldiers find themselves to be a force without adequate weapons or a government. Within an hour, most soldiers had left their posts.

Some returned to base, to await orders that weren’t coming due to the Hub’s destruction and collapse of the chain of command.

Others ran for the hills to escape the city and the barbarism of the military.

Others still, returned home to be with loved ones, to try to make sense of what will happen next.

In the end it was the people that defined the day. Those who once walked in fear, now stood tall, feeling the yolk of oppression lifted from their shoulders.

What did these people do? These downtrodden, poverty stricken and half broken people.

They sang. The offered their voices to God without fear and across the realm there was a sense of hope, that had been denied for so long.

When the first elements of the Atlantean King’s Guard and Saviour’s Guard arrive, they are greeted with music and dancing in the streets, as the locals display an outpouring of joy.

Peacekeepers across the realm see the same thing. People of all ages, celebrating with what meagre supplies they have.

General Cassius watches with a heavy heart. “At the rate people are consuming food, we will have a disaster on our hands, if Mia cracks open the grain repository.” He composes himself and swallows the bitterness he feels at the order he must give.

“Be on the lookout for Mia Green, other wise known as Special Operative Prime. She is to be considered armed and dangerous and to be kept under surveillance until a specialist unit can engage.” Cassius ends the message, hating the fact he had to send it.




The air is sweet and cool, in the secluded loft. The building was abandoned two years ago and the local government never did anything with it. Instead it stands, as a lonely testament to its former use as the main abattoir in the heart of the city. Harking back to a time, before imports made it cheaper to manage the operation nearer the docks.

Every so often the vague whiff of rotten meat, assails the nose of any visitors. The quiet halls sometimes echo in the breeze, the wind sounding like the cries of the slaughtered animals, who died in this place.

Motes of dust hang in the air and a fine layer coats most surfaces in this level, including the floor. Apart from several sets of footprints front the stairwell to the fifth floor windows on the east side of the building.

Mia stands, in absolute stillness observing the grain repository across the street, listening to the sounds of the city.

“I expected it to be noisier. I am surprised that the streets are so quiet, given the Emperor and Senate are dead and the military hamstrung.” She muses. “Maybe the Atlantean peacekeepers have started their work already, or maybe the street parties are concentrated near the river.”

She retrieves her back pack from a dusty window sill, careful not to disturb the area too much.

Deft fingers pluck a coil of detonation cord from the bag and peel off the adhesive backing. With swift precision, the cord is placed around a window frame and connected to a detonator box. Around the abandoned floor, most other windows bear the same arrangement.

“Easy access to third floor balcony of the repository from here. There is a skeleton shift of five guards on so resistance will be minimal at best. Should be in and out in under ten minutes if all were to go well.” She thinks, to herself. “Even a relatively inexperienced operator, should be able to see that.”

She pulls on a light armour vest and holsters a heavy pistol under her left arm. With emotionless precision she straps a steel baton to her left hip and slips a stiletto into a sheath across the small of her back. The last weapon holstered at her right hip, is a machine pistol loaded with gel rounds.

Every movement is practiced and precise. There is no fumbling or hesitation, as magazines are stored in the vests built in webbing and grenades are tucked inside it.

She dons a helmet with a steel facemask, followed by a pair of heavy duty climbing gloves, with ridged rubber palms and finger tips for grip.

Mia checks her watch and bristles with indecision, thinking, “Where are they? I told Kim where I was going to be and either the Atlanteans or Felician forces should be here by now.”

She pulls out a compact set of field glasses and surveys the length of the street. “Nothing. No signs of life.”

Mia relaxes for a moment and breathes deeply as she unfocused her vision and stands still. She blinks and her eyes twitch to a movement in the repository.

“I see you, Guardsman.” She thinks with a smile. She watches the lower window and spots several Saviour’s guards crawling on the floor, where they would not be seen from the street.

“Either a tactical portal or Custodian aid has got them inside without me seeing. Clever.” She says with a hint of admiration.

An ice cold bead of sweat trickles down her neck, the moment she hears a voice behind her speak softly, “I am glad you approve.”



Mia turns slowly and removes her helmet, letting her take in the interloper, struggling to lift her gaze to meet theirs, “Mother?”

Nikita smiles gently, “Hello love.” She wears a custom Sheath, with short sleeves and legs that end above the knee.

“I-I. This is not.” Mia sputters, “I didn’t expect it to be you.”

“You are my daughter. There was no way that I was going to find out where you would be, after all this time and not be here.” Nikita says, softly.

Mia’s lips quiver slightly, before she composes herself, “I’m sorry about all this. I never meant for it to end this way.” Inside a chasm opens up, swallowing her confidence and poise as she thinks, “I was sure, I wound Kim up enough. I am not ready for this.”

“It isn’t over love. Come back with me. We can get you out of this.” Nikita says, looking pained, “I didn’t want this either. You were supposed to have a good and happy life. Not this. I am so sorry, I wasn’t there for you.”

Mia looks at her confused for a moment, “You are sorry you weren’t there for me? Really?” She shakes her head, “You have never, not been there. You have always been there. I have the memories of your life from birth, to the moment your eggs were removed. You have been guiding me all my life and without your strength, I could never have survived the training and conditioning they put me through.”

“I have no idea the horrors the put you through.” Nikita says, sadly, “I never wanted any of this for you.” She struggles to control her emotions, “You were supposed to be safe. My life was chaos and you deserved the chance to grow up and be your own woman.”

“You did what you thought was for the best. I can only love you for that.” Mia says, with tears pricking her eyes, subtly changing the position of her feet. “Did you ever think of me?”

“Every day.” Nikita confesses, heartfelt, “I would think of the day that I found you. That perfect little girl, so beautiful, when I held you in my arms. Your big blue eyes staring up at me and the world melted away, like it was just us in that moment.”

Mia smiles, “I remember it too and I remember you saying, that you were a monster and I would never be safe with you and that you were going to make sure no one ever found me so I could live free of the life you lived.”

Nikita looks stunned, “How did you understand me?”

“I had your memories and they taught me how to understand language.” Mia turns away, to hide the sadness on her face, “Despite all that was done to me, that is the most painful day of my life.”

Nikita feels the room start to spin as her mind races, “ I am sorry I left you. Can you ever forgive me?”

“There is nothing to forgive. You did what you thought was best and ultimately, that’s all any good mother can do.” Mia says, giving her mother a gentle smile.

“I don’t understand. Why was it so painful for you?” Nikita asks, confused.

“I had the knowledge to understand everything you said.” Mia pauses, feeling the weight of her confession, “The pain came when you said the words and I lacked the ability to tell you that nothing and no one that could feel the love I sensed in you, could be any kind of monster. I felt you in my soul and loved you with all of heart.” She pauses, swallowing her nerves, “I still feel the same, mum.”

Nikita closes her eyes to stop the tears that threaten to overwhelm her. “I was in a bad place emotionally. I thought you would be caught in the maelstrom of my life and that the best thing would be to keep you safe.”

“You gave me a lifetime of memories and a moment of pure love. You have nothing to apologise for.” Mia says sadly, “I am sorry, I haven’t become the person you wanted me to be.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about. I will always be proud of you. You are amazing.” Nikita says, warmly smiling. “I wish everything was different. I should have been there for you.”

“Your love of life, kept me going. Your strength and hope, became my strength and hope. Your courage, was my courage. I look back at my life and see my journey and know I could not have done it without you.” Mia pauses, her lip trembling, “ I have only love for you.”

“I love you too, darling.” Nikita says, taking cautiously steps forward, “Come home with me. We can keep you safe.”

Mia shakes her head sadly, “If I come back with you, it will be assumed that my actions were taken with the support of Atlantis. Which in turn lays the blame for the fall of the Pax on Atlantis.” She sighs, “There would be an outcry across the realms and the current peace would be shattered. Atlantis would be forced to withdraw and chaos would fill the void, without the stabilising influence of Atlantean forces.”

With all her heart, Nikita wants to argue against the point, but she knows her daughter is right, “So, we take you in and you face justice.”

“I would be put in a cell and then disappear. Taken to some lab like a rat and experimented on, dissected, tested, maybe copied. Parts of me excised and allowed to grow into another one of me. I cannot allow that.” Mia says sadly.

“You’re going to run aren’t you.” Nikita says, resignedly.

“What choice do I have? Escape from Pax Felix and Atlantean forces. Evade capture and go to ground. Or face justice and become a test subject and cell donor.” Mia says nodding softly, with a hint of sadness. “It is better that I live as a fugitive in seclusion than jeopardise all that you and King Halpron have sought to build.”

“This place is surrounded, by the remnants of Pax Special Operations teams and Atlantean Saviours Guards. Even if you get away from me, they have orders to engage on sight.” Nikita whispers, “I can’t call them off, they are going to storm the building. I was allowed to enter, to try and bring you in peacefully.”

“I figured as much.” Mia says, stretching her neck and flexing her back, “I’m not going back and I will not come quietly.”

Nikita feels a tear run down her left cheek, “I know.” She wipes her eye, “You are my daughter and I will always love you with all my heart. I can’t let you throw your life away.”

“Whatever happens now. Never doubt how much I love you. All I do now is to protect you from the fallout of what will follow.” Mia says, steeling herself.

Time seems to stand still once again, as mother and daughter begin to slowly circle, knowing that neither of them wants this inevitable battle.

[Caesar73]

Reading this Chapter I have to think back, about what we talked about above: This Arc has all of a classic Greek Tragedy. All Parameters are men. An epic Duel is about to commence. Mother and Daughter about battling each other. And t is impossible to discern who will win. And even more impossible to say who should win. This is tragic in the trust sense of the Word.
Amasterpiece @wolfman

[wolfman]

Both are prepared to fight but neither is fully ready or willing.

Nikita is formidable in so many ways, between her healing, strength, shapeshifting and experience, plus the rest of the family is moving in. Mia is highly skilled, physically conditioned, motivated and disciplined.

One thing is for sure, anything can happen.

[wolfman]

@Bandit666 @Caesar73 @GreyLord @slackywacky

Dust motes hang motionless in the air. It seems the world is holding its breath, as mother and daughter circle. One fights to save her daughter, the other fights to save her mother and neither side will back down.

They move slowly, each a mirror of the other. Slow and precise moves, both fully aware of their surroundings.

“I won’t see you or our family dragged through the mud for helping me.” Prime says, calmly.

“I won’t see you spend your life in prison, in a lab or dead.” Nikita says, defiantly. “We will stand with you.”

“I won’t back down. You have been through too much, to throw it away for me. Be happy, be lucky, be blessed. I had no choice in the life I have had, however, at the point Kate saved my life, I had a chance to end the cycle. I have made my choices now and stand by every one of them.” Prime says, with compassion.

“My life would be hollow, if I abandoned you to your fate.” Nikita says, fighting tears.

Prime gives a gentle smile, “Your life is a symphony of greatest hits. You saved every country with an Atlantic Coast in La Palma with your sisters, fought drug Lords in Cambodia, fought an army of the dead on Snositi and dated a movie star for goodness sake, not to mention the thousands of people whose lives you saved while being an operator on earth. You have saved Atlantis and countless realms and are betrothed to their king and beloved by his people. The people love you and you inspire them. Your life is amazing. You are amazing. I can’t let you risk that.”

Nikita’s heart aches, knowing what she must do, “I’m sorry.” She whispers, lunging forward.

Prime claps, activating the detonator in her left palm. All of the windows on the floor, blow out and send a shockwave to the heart of the room.

Nikita stops in mid air, as her arrester negates the incoming force around her.

Prime leaps over Nikita and out of the window, without hesitation. She catches the lamppost outside and swings through a second floor window of the grain repository. Into a corridor full of King’s guardsmen.

She swings hard, her victim unable to match her speed. She stops her hand almost close enough for the arrester to engage and softly places it on his shoulder, then pops it with a squeeze.

One by one, she moves through the Guards, leaving a litany of dislocated shoulders, elbows, knees and ankles in her wake. At the end of the corridor, she turns seeing Nikita smash through the wall at the far end and she runs.

Prime takes the stairs three at a time, climbing fast. She draws a flashbang and pulls the pin, letting the hammer fly off. A second later she drops it into the stairwell.

Nikita emerges into the stairwell as the grenade detonates. The powerful blast reverberates off of the confined walls of the space and she is pinned by her arrester again, as Prime reaches the door to the roof.

The steel door flies off of its hinges, her shoulder cannoning into it. On all sides rooftop snipers, turn and fire.

Bullets ricochet all around her and slam into the door. Prime holds it close and charges towards the edge of the building.

Skilled as the snipers are, their weapons are built for longer range engagements and they struggle to draw a bead on the rapidly evading interloper in their midst.

Prime leaps over the edge of the building, twisting in mid air to put the door above her, while bullets slam into it.

Nikita explodes through the second floor wall, as Prime drops below it. The Saviour dives for her daughter. Prime kicks the door upwards as hard as she is able.

Nikita catches the door and hurls it down the alley behind her, seeing Prime slam spine first into the ground.



Prime opens her eyes and flips to her feet, instantly breaking into a sprint north on the narrow Street, “Well so far the high altitude drop conditioning and critical concussion-pressure conditioning have proven their worth.” She thinks dryly, knowing her mother is gaining on her.

Nikita sprouts tentacles and reaches up, grabbing walls and flinging herself forward. “Damn she is fast. However, I am faster.”

Prime feels Nikita sail over her head and takes a sharp left, into a narrow alley with fire escapes terminating both sides. She leaps kicking off of one wall then the other, bouncing down the alley, free from the debris below.

Nikita catches the wall and swings up, then rapidly climbs, “I have a better chance of catching her up here.” She thinks before keying her comms, “Prime heading west at pace through back alleys around my location. All units converge.”

She doesn’t wait for the order to be acknowledged, before sprouting wings and taking flight.

Hearing the flap of massive wings, Prime nods to herself, “OK mum is airborne, this is good. The alleys around here are too large for her to swoop down, I can move unchecked until I need to cross the streets.”



Prime sees the street opening out fifty yards ahead, with another alley the other side. She draws a brace of flashbangs and pulls the pins. When she hits the street, she releases first one then the other.

Nikita sees Prime break cover and dives, to intercept her. The first explosive detonates below and slightly behind her as she dives. The second just in front of her as he gets within touching distance of her daughter.

The blast triggers Nikita’s arrester slamming her to a stop, while Prime rides the shockwave forward into the alley.

With a powerful beat of her wings, Nikita is back above the building and moving forward. “This is not working.” She thinks removing the arrester with a flourish.

Conflicted, she feels relief that an ambush is set at the next exit of the alley and anguish that Prime will be cut down by them.



Prime powers forward, springing from one wall to another. She senses the soldiers waiting for her, a split second before she hears a weapon being charged.

“Ah shit. This is going to sting.” She thinks emerging from the alley as the unfamiliar bzzzzzzzt of coil guns erupt around her.

She feels the several rounds slam into her body, leaving no part of her torso or limbs unscathed. “At least the vest held.” she think ruefully, unable to stop herself plummeting to the ground.

The gathered soldiers, close in on her prone body, continuing to fire. Unknown to them, before they take two steps, she is fully healed from the first barrage and her skin has adapted, becoming strong as steel.

The first soldier barely has time to gasp, before she reaches out, placing a hand on his shin and crushing the bone.

The other King’s Guard scramble to fire, but find their comrades in the way at every turn while she moves through them, shattering limbs, as Nikita banks and dives towards the melee.

Prime snatches a discarded coil gun and rolls on her back opening fire and shredding her mother’s left wing, sending her plunging towards the ground. Prime she takes to her feet and continues running, as she wills the skin adaptation to fade.



“God damn it.” Nikita thinks, seeing her daughter sprint away while she repairs the damaged limbs of those left behind.

Nikita keys her comms, “Roadblock evaded by suspect, casualties have been treated, but suspect remains at large and is considered to be extremely dangerous.”

She leaps into the air and sprouts wings again thinking, “She is dangerous, but going out of her way not to kill anyone.”

With a powerful beat of her wings, she soars above the rooftops and looks out over the city, “Where is she going?”

Seeing the gleaming silver band of the river glinting in the sun, she nods to herself, “If she gets to the water, she would be able to head out to sea or up river to the mountains. It is deep enough that she would be concealed from visual searches and on top of that, we lack water based assets that we can deploy here.”

She keys her comms and speaks thoughtfully, “Captain Tirreli. Get to the port of Cicelia. Get a couple of fishing trawlers that can be brought up river. She might be heading for the river and we could catch her there.”

Nikita doesn’t wait for the response, instead diving down and looking for her daughter.



Prime senses the patrol ahead and draws the machine pistol. Without hesitation, she leaps over the chain-link fence at the end of the alley and rolls the other side.

The four man Pax Felix fire team take cover behind parked cars the opposite side of the street, either side of the alleyway.

One fires under his vehicle, trying to take Prime’s legs from under her. She dives and somersaults high, as two of the others pop their heads up and open fire.

Hot spears of pain lance her body at the stomach and chest. She bites down on the pain and puts a burst into the chests of each of the men.

Gel rounds are exactly as they sound, a thick gel encased in a thin ceramic shell. Upon impact the shell disintegrates and the gel splats against skin. The result is full energy transfer but no puncture damage.

The men that have just been shot realise this as, they feel the concussive force of the rounds, shatter their ribs, leaving them other wise unscathed.

Prime lands with her back to the wall on the opposite side of the street to where she emerged and tags the last two, before ducking into the alleyway behind her.



Nikita lands and takes a moment to heal the men before heading into the alley to pursue her daughter on foot, “She could have killed those men with ease, but again, spared them.”

Nikita drops to all fours and runs like a cheetah deciding that now is the time to close the gap and keep Mia under pressure.

Prime hears the rapid approach of the steps and redoubles her pace, skirting the edge of a steel processing plant. Thankful in that moment, that it has been shut down for the parade and period of mourning.

Seeing inspiration, she ducks inside and smiles seeing the forge shut down and literal tons of fabricated metal all around her.

Nikita spots her ducking into the building and wonders, “What is your game?”

Prime feels a pang of regret, hearing her mother enter the echoing space. She turns sharply, knocking over a pile of stored metal pipes and running past a fully stacked rack of girders.

Nikita keys in on the sound and leaps across the room to the spot Mia just left.

Prime turns elegantly and flings the metal baton with all the force she can muster. Nikita moves her head slightly to the side and doesn’t take her eyes off of her daughter. “Close.” She says, raising an eyebrow.

“Thank you for moving.” Prime says, as the baton strikes a retaining pin shattering it. “I am so sorry.”

The wall of metal girders lurches into life, like an avalanche of steel in a cacophony of deafening clangs and clatters. Nikita reflexively armours up and drops to the ground, allowing the steel to pin her in place.

She shakes her head and chuckles, “Like a pissing newbie.” She tries to pull an arm free, but stops feeling the weight above her shift.

“Well, shit. If I move this comes crashing down, it won’t kill me but will be a bugger to get off. I am strong but this is a very unstable structure. If I try to shift into insects, the steel will come down and crush the bugs taking out most of my biomass in a stroke.” Nikita sighs to herself, “Little sod, got me good.”

Nikita keys her comms and calls in, “Operative down. I am in steel mill on Figueroa. Prime ambushed me and left me under a pile of steel. I will not be able to get myself out easily. Requesting assistance over.”



Prime whispers a prayer under her breath as she runs through the plant, vaulting over machinery and ducking under a shelf of fabricated equipment.

She hears the distant whump of Pax Felix helicopters and feels a heaviness in her soul, “The net is closing in.”

Prime flips forward and launches herself up off of the roof of a market stall, swings on a lamppost and lands on a low rooftop. She pauses for a moment, defocussing her gaze and taking a breath.

She blinks as a route presents itself and she takes off at a sprint, leaping across the alley and running up the wall to the next rooftop, unable to avoid the weighted net that wraps around her. Mia trips, her legs tangled in the net, able to catch herself with her hands.

Mia feels a sharp point press between her shoulder blades, even through the armour and takes a breath for a moment.

Sasha calmly presses the central point of the trident, between her niece’s shoulder blades and softly speaks, “Easy. Don’t do anything daft.”

Mia hooks her feet into the net and spins, striking Sasha above the ankles with the weights on the net. Sasha, twists slightly, letting the weight hit her calf muscle, instead of her shin and cartwheels left.

Mia pulls herself into a handstand and spins, letting the net untangle from her legs. She senses Sasha’s approach and opens her legs while spinning on her hands like a helicopter.

Sasha takes the trident in a two hands grip and lunges with the blunt end to try to sweep Mia’s left arm from under her.

Mia launches herself up and forward wrapping her legs around Sasha’s neck, forcing her to fall backwards, dropping the trident.

Sasha tenses her neck, to stop Mia squeezing it. However, instead of squeezing her aunt between her thighs, she locks her ankles together, between Sasha’s shoulder blades and pitches forward.

Between Mia’s grip, leverage and strength, Sasha finds herself unable to stop Mia rolling forward and flinging her across the rooftop, like a ragdoll.

Mia rolls into a low stance, smoothly drawing her knife and launching it towards Sasha, who easily plucks it from the air and flings it back.

With a grunt Mia staggers back, as the knife punches through her armour, striking her left shoulder. Sasha surges forward, reaching down to scoop up the net, then drape it over her right shoulder. “She has a strength and reach advantage and recovers quicker than me, however, I have the edge on speed.” She thinks, planning her next move.

Mia plucks the knife from her shoulder, feeling the burn of healing as soon as it comes free from her body. “No arrester. Must have heard from mum about the flashbang trick. Still in full Sheath. That is a problem. She is fast too. That is another problem.” Mia thinks.

Sasha flings up her right arm, launching the net, as she charges. Mia ducks under the net and drops the knife. In time for Sasha slam bodily into her.

They roll on the rooftop, trying to gain leverage on the other. Blows are traded and despite their protection, they each feel the power of the others blows.

It is not pretty. There is no finesse or grace. Just ugly body blows traded between two foes, forced by fate, into a fight neither wants. One wanting to run, the other wanting to talk. Neither gaining ground.

Sasha pins Mia under her, gripping Mia’s upper arms and pressing down with her body weight. “Please Mia, stop. It doesn’t have to be this way.”

Mia launches her upper body forward and slams her forehead into Sasha’s nose. Sasha reels for a moment, her eyes streaming. Taking the advantage, of the loosened hold, Mia manages to get her hands on Sasha’s waist and twist left, flinging her aunt off of her. Wearily she explains, “I can’t stop. There is too much at risk. If you help it will look like I am working under Atlantean influence and undermine everything that Halpron has achieved.”

“He wants you to come in. He is a good man.” Sasha says, unleashing a flurry of kicks.

Mia blocks much of the onslaught, with her forearms and shins, taking a hard crack to the jaw. “It is because of that, that I do this. Mum deserves happiness and he is a great and good man. Given all that has happened both to me and by my hand, my existence jeopardises her happiness and future with him.”

“We are all here for you and will fight for you, to allow you to be a part of that future.” Sasha pleads, leaping at her niece with a flying right hook.

Mia catches Sasha in mid air by the throat and arm and slams her back into the gravel. “I won’t let you drag yourselves down for my sake.” She backflips away, landing in a crouch to pick up the trident.

Sasha rolls away from Mia, drawing a baton, “We won’t let you throw away a chance at the life you deserve.”

Mia stands calm and ready, Sasha circles slowly, “The other will be here soon. Give this up. Let us help.”

Without warning, Mia hurls the trident. Sasha drops the knife and backflips, kicking the tip of the trident in mid and, making the weapon stop and spin in the air. She lands sure footed catching the weapon, but Mia is already on the move.

Mia sprints hard and leaps, crashing through a window of the building on the other side of the alleyway. She lands on her feet without breaking her stride. She crashes through the dividing wall between this room and the next in a crash of rubble and dust and forges on.

Sasha leaps without hesitation through the window and runs in a crouch through the holes, Mia makes in the wall, ignoring the dust.

Four rooms in, Mia sidesteps and waits, extending her iron hard arm as Sasha emerges. Sasha doesn’t see the arm until it is too late and slams neck first into it, sending her sprawling.

Mia turns heading back through the hole in the wall. Hearing Sasha scrambling and seeing her clawing at her throat, her eyes go wide, “Shit. I have folded her windpipe over.”

Sasha stares up at Mia with fearful tears in her eyes, “Shit, not like this. Niki is ten minutes away and I will be dead by the tine she gets here.”

Mia turns back and crouches next to Sasha running her hands down her body until she finds a knife.

Without hesitation, she rips open the collar of Sasha’s Sheath and draws her pistol. With burning lungs and fading awareness Sasha looks confused as Mia aims the gun at the corner of the room and empties the magazine.

Mia ejects the mag and strips the gun, ignoring the pain of the hot barrel, she pulls it from the weapon with her left hand and blows down the barrel, before snatching up the blade with her right and jabbing it into her aunt’s throat.

She pulls out the blade and jams the barrel into her aunt’s throat. Mia places a gentle hand on her chest, “Take it easy. The barrel is sterilised and the heat should have cauterized the wound.”

“I am so sorry. It wasn’t meant to ne like this. Just lay still help will come.” Mia says teary-eyed, before darting from the room, back the way she came.



The helicopters are still some way away, by the time she lands on the roof of the now defunct Senate building. Emotionally drained, she takes cover behind a small tower and sits for a moment to catch her breath.

She pulls a hose from inside her armour and takes a few gulps of water. Wearily, Mia gets to her feet and begins to cross the roof, to get to the side that backs on to the river.

The rooftop is modelled after the realm, with rises and dip reflecting the landscape of the main land mass. Traversing the rooftop like this is hard, as many of the ridges lift her into the eyeline of troops and the crowds below.

Keeping to the valleys, she comes to a halt, when a lone figure steps out in front of her and gently says, “Hello Mia, how have you been?”



Mia slumps to her knees and hangs her head, exhausted, “Just let me leave.” She says, just above a whisper.

Kate, dressed in an Atlantean Sheath, slowly walls over and places a hand on her shoulder, “We can’t let you do this. After all you have been through, you deserve better, than a life on the run.”

“I grew up trapped in an institution. I won’t go back.” Mia says, softly. “Step aside and let me walk away.”

“I have already signalled the others and they are on their way.” Kate says, gently, “We can help.”

Mia looks up with sadness, “I wish I could believe that.”

Kate crouches at her side and puts her arm around her. “We have your back, love. To be honest, half of the realm is hailing you as a hero, so you might not face the kind of charges you are expecting.”

“I am sure that is not the case. I have killed a lot of people, done some terrible things.” Her eyes go wide for a moment, “Oh God, is Sasha OK? How is mum?”

Kate smiles, laughing gently, “Yes love, Sasha is fine. It didn’t take long for Dani to dig Niki out and get her to Sasha, they are all en route with the others now.”

Mia gives a small smile, “I am glad she is OK.” She looks at Kate for a moment, “How did you find me?”

“Those not involved in the pursuit of you, spread out along the river, figuring that is where you were heading. I just got lucky.” Kate says smiling.

“Wherever I run, you will all be there won’t you?” Mia thinks, feeling a tiredness more emotional than physical.

“Yes love. We all care about you.” Kate says earnestly.

Mia looks up with child like eyes, “I am so scared.”

“I know love. We are all here for you. We will get through this.” Kate says, with a gentle smile.

Mia takes a deep breath taking a last look at the river, before standing up and turning her back on it, to face Kate fully, with a look of acceptance, “OK.” She says, just above a whisper, “What happens now?”

The modified depleted uranium shell, slams into Mia’s back. The heavy round, slices effortlessly through her armour and pierces her heart, before tearing through her last flashbang grenade. A split second later, the explosive compound in the grenade detonates.

Prime’s body armour, despite the damage, acts like a sandbag, tamping the blast and directing its force inwards, vaporising her chest and half of her lower torso.

Kate looks on in horror as Mia’s ruined body collapses in slow motion, while the sound of the gunshot echoes around. She screams and scrambles to catch the young woman.

Mia lays limp in Kate’s arms, her body ruined beyond repair, but her mind still working. Kate’s heart breaks, looking into the wide eyes of the young woman, as it dawns on her that her body is already dead and that her mind has only a few thoughts left.

Mia looks up at Kate, with a look of sadness and blinks slowly, knowing her time is limited. Kate watches helplessly, as Mia mouths the words, “Tell mum, I love her.” before she closes her eyes for the last time.

[Caesar73]

I have to say - I am at a loss for Words - this is a masterful chapter. And such a sad one. The End caught me totally by surprise. Mia is gone. What that must do to Niki? It is hard to imagine. But you made this Arc a great greec tragedy up to the End. No happy End.

[slackywacky]

This story is, and I have said it before, remarkable. Each chapter adds more to the story, whether good, or bad, as it did this time. But also in the size of the story. This must be one of the longest running stories on the site, even more so if we include the stories that led up to this one. Well done.

[wolfman]

I have to say - I am at a loss for Words - this is a masterful chapter. And such a sad one. The End caught me totally by surprise. Mia is gone. What that must do to Niki? It is hard to imagine. But you made this Arc a great greec tragedy up to the End. No happy End.

Alas in many ways there was only one way this arc could go. Many characters will blame themselves but ultimately, onlybone character is responsible.

This story is, and I have said it before, remarkable. Each chapter adds more to the story, whether good, or bad, as it did this time. But also in the size of the story. This must be one of the longest running stories on the site, even more so if we include the stories that led up to this one. Well done.

I have always tried to focus on the story side and tried to drive the story forward with each post.

I never thought when i started this tale that we would be four years and counting and still going.

Thank you to yourself and everyone who has stuck with me on this journey

[GreyLord]

I got way behind, @wolfman. I have just finished page 53 with your glorious introduction of the fabulous Prime. She is a wonderful character, indeed, as others have commented. I must finish catching up with your writing and then turn my attention to @Caesar73.

[wolfman]

I got way behind, @wolfman. I have just finished page 53 with your glorious introduction of the fabulous Prime. She is a wonderful character, indeed, as others have commented. I must finish catching up with your writing and then turn my attention to @Caesar73.

It is good to have you back with us.

Between this tale and Caesar73's you have quite a ride ahead of you. I look forward to your thoughts on this arc of my tale and how Prime develops.

[Caesar73]

It is good to have you back with us.

Between this tale and Caesar73's you have quite a ride ahead of you. I look forward to your thoughts on this arc of my tale and how Prime develops.

Indeed I agree completely @GreyLord: Good to have you back!

Yes, it will be a ride between my latest two Tales and @wolfman grandiose Arc. All in all it is really a Greek Tragedy. Powerfully written.

[GreyLord]

My thanks to both of you. @Caesar73, I've got to find where I left off reading your work. That is not as easy as it sounds, you being so prolific. @ Wolfman , about Prime or Mia, at this point, I can only say that she is a tantalizing part of your story.

[Caesar73]

Dear @GreyLord if Memory serves, you stopped commenting around Chapter 3 or 4 of Tying the Knot.

The Heidelberg Affair is now 10 Chapters long.

I hope that might help!

[wolfman]

@Caesar73 @Bandit666 @GreyLord @slackywacky

Kate takes a deep breath and pushes her emotions down, far below the surface and keys her comms, keeping her voice low and even, “Prime is down. Unknown assailant, far bank.”

She pulls a bead and crushes it between her thumb and forefinger activating the GPS transmitter, “Prime at marked location. Going after sniper.”

She lays Prime down and closes the girls eyes muttering a silent prayer, then she is on the move.

Using her Arrester she flies across the river in a straight line from Prime, replaying the impact in her mind. “Powerful weapon, accurate over range, in current conditions.”

She scans the bank and shakes her head, “Riverside properties lack elevation.” In her minds eye, she sees the path of the round, aided by her years of experience.

“There.” She whispers, focusing on a tower block rising in the distance. “That is easily a mile away from Prime. That is a hell of a shot.”

Kate approaches the tower at speed, ducking, weaving and zig zagging, to avoid any incoming fire. When none is launched, she sweeps the front of the building.

“Shot would be from a high elevation, minimum of twenty second floor.” She thinks, closely scrutinising, the rooms on the river side. Eliminating rooms as she goes.

“Kids playing, too distracting. Curtains drawn and light off, possible. Balcony, laid out for romantic dinner for two, table would block eyeline. Half the windows have rusted hinged that haven’t been opened in years.” Kate thinks, breathing slow, until, “Moss and grime covered window, rust on hinge scraped away recently from window being opened.”

She hovers outside of the window and notes scorch marks on the window sill, nodding to herself. “Muzzle flash.”

Kate pulls a suction pad from her kidney pack and presses it to the window, before plucking a glass cutter from the bag. A moment later, she pops the window inwards and lays the glass on the floor.

She pops another bead and keys her comms, floating into the room, “Entering suspect location, on twenty fifth floor. Window lock shows scratches from being picked. Marks on the carpet show original location of table, that has been moved under the window and the bed that has been moved up to table.”

Kate floats over the bed and slowly looks around the room, “Indents in the bed show that someone lay on the bed for some time and then rolled over to take the shot. Very few signs of occupation in room. Full forensics sweep needed on apartment, I want everything bagged and tagged. Request tenant history for this apartment and all those on this floor and floors above and below going back at least three months.”

She pulls off her left glove and places her hand on the bed, “Still warm. Suspect could be in the building.” She whispers, thoughtfully.

Drawing her sidearm, she cautiously approaches the bedroom door noting it is ajar and gently opens it with a finger at the top.

“Light and extractor fan on in bathroom. Moving to investigate.” She pauses, in front of the door and kicks the door in, gun raised.

The smell hits her first and she coughs hard. Once the air clears a little and her eyes stop watering she re enters, noting the bath tub, “We have a boiler suit, gloves, boots and socks in tub, weighed down by a sniper rifle of Pax Felix design, that has been stripped. Looks like a Remus sniper rifle, which would match the shot profile. Presence of corrosive agent credible. Minimal chance of prints or DNA, but I want everything tested.”

Kate exits the bathroom and turns towards the kitchen, “Kitchen looks undisturbed. Dust on all surfaces. Window leading out to fire escape is unmolested. No surprise as, escape is river side.”

She turns and exits, inching her way towards front door. “Possible trail to or from front door. Maybe both. Dust on every surface, however appears disturbed by something or someone moving at speed.”

Kate cautiously open the front door and gains her bearings before continuing to retrace the shooter’s steps.



Fifteen minutes earlier, the apartment.

The Sniper opens their eyes and takes a slow breath, “It’s time.”

They roll over and let the sniper rifle’s butt, ease into their shoulder. Quick precise movements, round loaded, bolt engaged, safety off.

“Just a little, to the right” The Sniper, thinks, seeing the distant image of Prime talking to Kate.

A slow exhalation of breath, utter stillness. The Sniper wills their heart to stop, to further prevent any tiny movement. Alert. Waiting. Watching.

The perfect angle. The Sniper squeezes the trigger on instinct and rolls away from the rifle before the round has struck it’s mark, already knowing the outcome.

They restart their heart and rise. Closing the window before picking up the rifle. With purpose, they move. Removing the weapons barrel without missing a stride.

Weapon on the sink, clothing in the bath tub of hydrochloric acid, the rifle adding ballast.

The t-shirt and jeans, bland. Not scruffy. Not dirty. Just bland. The ankle boots, designed for walking, nothing flash, again bland.

Bandana covering lower face, sunglasses, wig and cap. Nondescript, the Sniper leaves the apartment and crosses the hall. The door no match for skill, picked without marks and opened silently.

Time almost stands still. The occupants of the room, watching the news. The father waving a glass, a small wave and droplets of wine, floating in the air. The mother almost frozen in place, mid cheer. The sons wrestling on the floor, mid fight. The TV showing an announcement that the Emperor and Senate are dead.

The Sniper walks without pausing, climbs out of the window, pushing it closed behind them, leaving the confused family questioning the blur in her wake.

Without a sound they drop straight down, landing comfortably behind a dumpster.

The Sniper steps out from behind the dumpster. They enter the melee of the carnival, that is by now in full swing, merging into the crowd.




For the first time since she left her at the fire station, Nikita cradles her daughter. Sasha, Dani, Kim and her sisters and Halpron stand around her, close enough to touch her, but a million miles away.

“I couldn’t detect her life pulse before, because it was hidden. But now, there is nothing.” Nikita weeps, rocking back and forth “After all this, she can’t be gone.”

The others surround all thinking that for all their powers and abilities, in this moment, they are powerless.

Numb they listen to Kate as she continues to report, all wanting to do something, but finding themselves paralysed.

Kim looks at her cousin, seeing a peace that Mia never displayed during the brief time she spent with her.

The King approaches and gently places his hands on her shoulders and Nikita hangs her head, numb. “Let’s take her home, love.” He says, gently.

Nikita doesn’t move and continues to stare at her daughter, “This is my fault.” She whispers, barely above the breeze, “I came to Atlantis to make a difference and the Pax saw what I was capable of and took her and now she is dead.”

Halpron crouches behind her and wraps his arms around her. “Hey, come on now. There was no way anyone could have predicted this. This is not your fault.”

Nikita stays quiet just staring at the lifeless face of her daughter. “There is no hiding place in all of the realms that will keep your killer safe from me.” She Pledges to her murdered daughter.

[GreyLord]

I'm keeping you informed of my progress, @wolfman. You wanted to know what I think about Prime. My friend, this masterpiece shows that you can teach Dumas lessons about revenge and Clancy lessons about action adventures Mia is wonderful, and you have placed her in a superb environment to showcase her capabilities. In short, I am in awe!

I have finished page 54.

[Caesar73]

This is so sad. Prime coldly murdered by an Assassin. Whoever he is - maybe it is a Woman - Nikita wont rest to bring the Killer to Justice. The is not as hot as the Mothers fury.

As sad as it is @wolfman you wrote yourself this Murder was probably the only logical outcome.

[wolfman]

I'm keeping you informed of my progress, @wolfman. You wanted to know what I think about Prime. My friend, this masterpiece shows that you can teach Dumas lessons about revenge and Clancy lessons about action adventures Mia is wonderful, and you have placed her in a superb environment to showcase her capabilities. In short, I am in awe!

I have finished page 54.

That is very high praise indeed and I appreciate the very kind words. I am not sure i am worthy of such praise, however, i really appreciate your support and kind words. As you continue to catch up I hope you continue to enjoy the ride.

[wolfman]

This is so sad. Prime coldly murdered by an Assassin. Whoever he is - maybe it is a Woman - Nikita wont rest to bring the Killer to Justice. The is not as hot as the Mothers fury.

As sad as it is @wolfman you wrote yourself this Murder was probably the only logical outcome.

There are many forces at work and many agendas in play. I knew how this arc would end as i was writing it and put a number of hints in place aa I was going, to lessen the shock.

[slackywacky]

I never thought when i started this tale that we would be four years and counting and still going.

Did you ever count how many chapters you wrote? How many words? With the way you are writing, that must be some serious numbers.