The old man pointed to Sunny. "Doesn't he know his place," he continued.
"Advent City at it’s finest," Ethan uttered, shaking his head.
"Yeah, so what about it! And as far as I'm concerned, that man right there is a defective soldier.
"Look," Sonny contested. "You're alive aren't you."
"Goes without saying, can't say the same for her. Just look at her... the people of Central District, huh. If you want to call them people."
Ethan grabbed the guy by his collar.
"Enough, you bigoted trash."
The young girl coughed. Ethan turned towards her. She exhaled a cloud of dust and her face was pale.
"Water," Ethan demanded. "She needs water!"
"Well there isn't any," sneered the old man. "I've looked everywhere."
Sonny lifted up the girl's head. "Easy there," he uttered.
"Let her go!" cried a pubescent female.
The three men looked up. On the top of a pile of rubble, a petite silhouette emerged. Wearing a white mask and dark clothes, a teenage girl climbed down a concrete slab holding a metal flask.
“You there...” demanded the old man, “...bring that water here!”
Breaking free from Ethan's grasp, the old man ran towards the masked girl. Nearby bystanders gathered around as the old man knocked the young girl down.
"You see that," the old man cheered, holding the flask above his head. "Advent prevails!”
The man dropped the flask to his lips, chugging desperately.
Ethan stormed towards the fat man. He snatched the container from his lips. As he punched the old man, he knocked him down flat on the ground.
"You've got some real fucking balls," Ethan hollered.
"Survival of the fittest," the old man wheezed. "You're either the wolf... or you're the sheep."
Ethan pulled out his gun.
"Just so happens today I'm the wolf."
The old man raised his hands up. Slowly he rose to his feet. He glanced over at Sunny. "You're going to let him do this to me."
Sonny looked at Ethan. He ignored the old man and reached out his hand. Ethan tossed him the flask.
“Useless!” the old man growled.
Ethan stepped towards the old man and pressed his gun against the fat man’s ribs. "Get out of this city," Ethan growled.
The old man glanced at the soldier. He nodded his head then scurried off. Ethan walked over to Sonny and the little girl.
"He didn't leave much," uttered Sonny, shaking the flask.
"Don't worry about it," Ethan replied.
He walked towards his pod. He pulled the driver’s seat forward.
"Give this to the girl," he uttered, passing a bottle of Kindle to Sonny. Ethan pushed back the seat.
"Thank you..." Sonny uttered. Taking a pause, he continued, "...Ethan."
Ethan glanced back at him.
"I know who you are...” Sonny continued. “I know that you’re wanted.”
Sonny paused.
"None of that matters anymore... There is no Apex... there is no Hunter."
Sonny picked up the young girl’s head. Holding the bottle of Kindle to her lips, he spilled some water as she reluctantly drank. As the last drop of Kindle fell into the girl's mouth, Sonny dropped his hand.
Without hesitation, the masked girl ran towards him. She violently shook his shoulders before putting her head on his chest. She reached towards his face and closed his eyes. She picked up the young girl and carried her. She stumbled towards Ethan and lifted up her mask.
"Thank you," she uttered. "You've saved my sister."
Ethan nodded his head.
"Well..." she uttered. "...if you need anything, just find me at Black Angel."
Ethan started the ignition in the vehicle.
"Hop in the pod," he directed.
The teenage girl stared at him.
"Cashing in that on that favor so soon?" she replied.
"You're taking me to Black Angel."
Off in the distance, a crowd was heard gathering near. The old fat man led the charge as he returned with a mob. Wearing torn and tattered Advent City attire, the mob frantically approached Ethan carrying various makeshift weapons and torches.
"You're not the only badass,” the old man hollered. “Advent City has rules."
The teenager grabbed a bottle of Kindle from behind Ethan’s chair. She took aim at the center of the mob. As she threw the bottle, a sly grin traveled across her face. The mob went mad as they fought one another for the one bottle of water.
Ethan turned towards the masked girl. He smiled at her, slightly impressed.
"Hey, old man..." she hollered. “There's wolves and then there's sheep."
The old man leaped towards the center of the crowd. He out stretched his arms as he held up the Kindle bottle. The mob pushed and pulled at him as he struggled to break himself free. His eyes widen suddenly as a woman behind him stabbed him in the back with a shiv. He hunched forward and clenched his gut as a machete slice ripped across his stomach. He bellowed out a horrid scream. The crowd continued their assault as they trampled him. He refused to release the Kindle.
Ethan hoisted the girls in the vehicle. They sat in the seat behind him. He fired up the engine and pushed the pod into gear. Their next destination was Black Angel.
Breach of Peace
Upon locating an abandoned alleyway in the seventh district, Ethan slowed down his vehicle. He glanced over his shoulder. He noticed the two girls sleeping. He disengaged the throttle and turned the ignition switch off.
The seventh district (surprisingly somewhat intact) had three of its four globe pillars still holding. Scavengers scaled the supported structures, eager to get their fill of what lied ahead for them in Advent. A man fell ninety-two stories from the pillar. Ethan showed little interest.
He prepared his gear, cautious not to make a sound as the girls slept. Upon opening the hatch door, the older sister stirred in the seat. Ethan closed the hatch door and proceeded down the alleyway.
"Hey..." the big sister spoke, opening the door to the transport. "What are you doing?”
Ethan kept walking.
"Hey!" she called out again.
Ethan didn’t respond as he reached the back wall of the alley. He paused.
“You said I would find Black Angel here!”
He looked around the area. Over-flowed trashcan lined the building walls.
“Is this a game?” he continued.
The girl rose from her seat and propped herself up. Careful not disturb her sister, she exited the pod.
“Staring at trash won’t get you inside, dummy!” she mocked in a whisper.
Her younger sister looked at them both.
“Nice!” the teenage girl uttered.
She ran back to the pod and helped the young girl out of the transport. She turned back around and looked at Ethan.
"The entrance to the club is just beyond there."
Ethan placed his hands on the brick wall ahead of him. The shape of a five-point star was inlayed on the surface. As he pushed against the wall, it felt solid.
"Behind this wall here?"
The two girls hobbled down the alleyway towards Ethan.
"Yeah...” the teenager replied. “But first we need the key."
She reached in her back pocket after handing her sister to Ethan then pulled out a screwdriver.
"Key, huh?" Ethan replied.
The girl pointed towards the middle of the alleyway at a vent shaft.
"It's for the key," she replied.
"Kind of a hassle really.”
The girl walked towards the middle of the alleyway. She unscrewed the vent cover and climbed in the opening. She located a star-shaped cog before crawling back out the shaft.
"Here," she replied tossing the cog to Ethan.
He pushed the star-shaped key into the center of the inlay and turned. As promised, a door slid open.
***
Trash piled high along the w
alls of the dark passage. Broken pipes and tangled wires scattered the floor as Ethan and the two girls walked into the secret entryway.
"Seems like this place got hit hard pretty bad," Ethan uttered.
"Nothing has changed," the girl replied.
They approached an entryway. A sign hung above it read: Black Angel.
Ethan opened the double doors. A makeshift casino was presented. He looked around the room while the oldest of the two girls directed her sister to rest. He approached the young girl as her breathing became labored.
"How is she doing?" he asked. "Didn’t she take the water I gave her?"
“She's anxious...” the big sister responded. “She’s still just a kid... But we are in a safe place... She will be fine.”
Ethan nodded his head. "So where can I find Leo?"
"Who's asking?" a boisterous voice boomed, as it entered the casino floor. The man was followed by five other Chaos members.
"Leo is unavailable at the moment, but I'm here... and I'm all free."
"Cut the shit, Pete!" the older girl barked. "This guy is with us... He saved Yessenia."
"Isn’t he from Apex?" Pete asked looking at Ethan's gun. “You know the rules, Alex... No badges allowed.”
"I scavenge..." Ethan replied, gripping the handle of the pistol. "...just like everyone else."
"Save it! I was talking to the girl."
Alex glanced up at Ethan. Ethan looked back at her.
"He's fine...” she insisted. “Just leave it at that. If you don't mind now... I'm taking Yessenia some place to rest."
The members of Chaos stared at Ethan. They gathered around a card table then settled in for a game.
"When is Leo returning?" Ethan demanded.
"The hell do I know?" replied Pete. "He and that old witch left days ago."
"Great..."
"Easy there, buddy... Be grateful Alex vouched for you. Otherwise, you'd be a dead man."
Ethan reached for his gun. Suddenly, a rumble shook the casino's ceiling. The men reached for their weapons as they pulled back from the table.
"What the...!" Ethan exclaimed.
"You tell us," Pete hollered.
As a thud knocked against the double doors, Ethan turned towards it. Two more knocks pounded on the metal frame causing it to buckle and crease.
With a final blow, the heavy doors flung across the room. Three augmented black-armored soldiers stormed in the casino room. With red beams glowing from their eyes, the three soldiers scanned the area. They identified Ethan and the other men as threats. As card tables turned over, the Chaos men hid for cover with their weapons drawn and ready to fire.
Ethan ran to a nearby table. He lowered his head but peeked from the side as Dr. Belmont and Hunter entered the room.
"You," Ethan muttered as he pointed his gun at Hunter.
Hunter looked back at the gun in Ethan’s hand. He smirked.
"Thank you, McCall, we wouldn't have found this place without you." He glanced at Ethan and shook his head. "Kill em, boys... kill em, all!"
The three soldiers teleported around the room, leaving a trail of black smoke as they vanished. Pete and his men shot at the mercenaries while Ethan charged towards Hunter relentlessly. He fired his gun. Bullets ricocheted from Hunter’s armor and an augmented soldier appeared before Ethan. With a drop kick to the chest, Ethan fell backward and smashed through a card table.
Alex peered out of a doorway. With the gunfight ensuing she slammed the door shut.
Dr. Belmont noticed the girl. As he approached the main office, the sound of a deadbolt clicked on.
***
Ethan gritted his teeth. He struggled on the floor as he blocked the assault from the mercenary soldier. He locked in his arms and landed a punch, knocking the helmet off of the creature’s head.
"Gabe!" Ethan cried out. "What did he do?"
Hunter propelled himself and jumped in the air. Landing near Ethan’s head, he knocked Gabe back. Ethan rose to his feet.
Gabe lunged at Ethan.
"Don’t..." Ethan yelled while defending himself.
"Gabe is gone," Hunter announced. "He and the rest of the Alpha team are now my Sigma!"
Both Butch and Jameson removed their helmets before ripping the guts from two Chaos members. They ravaged the bodies while Pete and the other three men returned fire and fled.
"Get away..." Alex screamed. "HELP!"
Ethan turned towards the main office. He ran towards the door but was halted by a Chaos member with a gun aimed at his face.
"You brought this here," Pete replied.
Ethan slowly raised up his hands. Pete’s eye widened as he held his gun up to Ethan’s face. With an echoing shriek, Jameson appeared behind Ethan.
Pete hesitated and Ethan reached for his gun. He jammed it against the big guy’s nose then spun around and fired at Jameson. Jameson vanished in smoke.
Gabe gave chase to a Chaos member. They ran into the kitchen area and the man lost sight of the creature. He hid in a disposal container and remained silent. Gabe scanned the room eventually cornering the man. Ethan fired two shots at the creature. Gabriel teleported and let out a loud screech.
"Come on!" Ethan cried out.
The man in the container picked up a rifle and fired at Ethan.
Ethan ran for cover then leaped over the kitchen counter. Gabe attacked the man, pushing him into the disposal unit as his gun jammed. With an intense heat, Gabe’s eyes glowed red.
Ethan crawled towards the control panel for the disposal unit. He initiated startup and the door slid closed. Fire blew from the incinerator and both Gabe the masked man shrieked in agony. The container moved into a phase two and the ceiling of the disposal lowered to the floor, crushing the contents within.
***
Ethan kicked opened the main office door. Holding the girls in his arms, Dr. Belmont held his gun at their heads.
"Enough!" Dr. Belmont uttered. He struggled to hold both girls. "I will not tolerate nonsense."
"Let them go!" Ethan replied.
"I can not do that son..."
The doctor took a step towards the corner of the room. "Not until I get what I need."
"What do you want?"
The two girls squirmed as Dr. Belmont held them. Yessenia breath shortened as she fought against his grasp.
"Stop moving," he ordered them. "I need to find Leo!" he continued.
Ethan didn’t move as the girls cried out to him. He lowered his weapon then held up his hands. He glanced at the makeshift bandage on Yessenia's leg. He noticed the tape was barely sticking together.
"I've put my weapon down... now let the girls go."
"I can't do that," Dr. Belmont replied. "This isn't about you."
"Is this about my mother?" Ethan blurted out.
Dr. Belmont slowly lowered his gun. Approaching the doctor, Ethan kept his hands up.
"I need to find Leo too," Ethan continued. "Together we can find him." Ethan paused as he drew near the girls. "I looked up to you once... All I'm asking in return is the truth."
“You want the truth?” the doctor replied raising his gun to Ethan.
Ethan looked at the barrel of the gun then stared at the doctor.
"Truth is, I took you in as a subject for the KLD serum. You were supposed to die after you cured Angela. I kept you alive though... I gave you that life. But you had to interfere. You destroyed my son's life... took away my legacy. Sarah is gone because of you... you and that damn Chaos."
The doctor pressed his gun against Yessenia. He cocked the hammer.
"Let the girls go," Ethan ordered.
Butch and Jameson entered the room carrying the bodies of two Chaos members. They laid the dead bodies on the ground. As Hunter walked in behind them, Dr. Belmont released the gun from Yessenia’s head. He released the girls and they ran towards Ethan.
"You think this is over?” the doctor insisted.
The two girl clung on to Ethan.
“You need to do
something,” Yessenia winced.
Ethan held on to her hand.
A gunshot went off.
Yessenia released her grip then she fell to the floor. Ethan’s eyes widen as he stared at the smoking gun. The young girl looked up at Ethan. Her eyes were glossed over. Alex fell to the floor and cried out.
"You maniac!" Ethan growled.
"I got your attention now, don’t I?"
Ethan gripped his fist as Dr. Belmont took aim at the other girl.
A beeping noise followed by a flashing light rang off on the wrist monitors of Jameson and Butch. Dr. Belmont fired his gun but a portal opened up as Ethan approached the him. Both men fell back as a wave of pulse energy rushed from out of the portal.
Leo held the orb as he emerged from the gateway.
"Hello, old friends," he uttered, walking pass Ethan towards Dr. Belmont. He snatched the doctor, lifting him off his feet. "Hope you weren't too busy without me!”
He looked at the two girl in the corner. Alex laid unconscious next to her sister. Leo glared at the doctor with distaste.
"You've been very bad man, Doc. Shooting defenseless little kids. Girls at that!"
Dr. Belmont struggled to free himself.
"Oh..." Leo continued. "...so you wanna be a tough guy now!"
He punched Dr. Belmont’s ribs, bending him over.
"Tell me where Neoma is!"
Dr. Belmont looked up at Leo in defiance. He picked up his gun. Leo bent his hand and aimed it right back at the doctor.
"Don’t kill him!" Ethan spoke. “I have... I have something for you... from Bernard.”
Leo looked at Ethan.
"If you're wasting my time you won't like what comes next fella."
Ethan took out the flash drive.
"This..." he replied. "It was given to me by your brother. Mentioned something about a project Neoma."
Leo punched Dr. Belmont in the face again. He approached Ethan.
Ethan put the flash drive back in his pocket. Leo stood still with his hands up.
"Are you sure you want to walk that road?" Leo uttered.
"I need him alive,” Ethan spoke. “I need the truth... THE WHOLE TRUTH!”
“You’re mother’s dead," Hunter interrupted. "So is Carlos and Damien."
Jameson and Butch rushed towards Leo and Ethan.
"Illustrant," Leo shouted, summoning the orb to activate.
Raising Sera- Lineage Page 14