I watch as Georg runs down the corridor leading to the warehouse main floor. Turning back to the two left in the room I am immediately punched in the gut, back peddling I find the Major approaching with outrage plastered across his face. Taking another swing he catches my jaw knocking me back onto the floor, "You dumb bastard! You brought the Militarists directly to our front door!"

Rubbing my jaw I look up to him, "We didn't exactly have a choice! I couldn't let that kid die!"

Balbean takes hold of my arm and lifts me up, "You have to help me protect the building whilst I work on getting the wounded out safetly. The Militarists will kill them once they find out they've had any connection with Royalist units."

"How will you get them out? I highly doubt many of them are in a condition to out run a military unit."

"There is a sewer connection underneath which leads to the dock. We have a few boats stashed there which will be able to extract the wounded, but we won't have enough room to fit the three of us along with the rest of your soldiers."

I walk to the door and glance back to the two Griffins, "We will get to that issue when it comes. You get started on moving the wounded and I will provide you with some time," -I raise my hand and point to Gaston- "You need to keep out of the fire , I need to get you back to the Prince in one piece."

I jog through the doorway as Balbean turns to Gaston, "The Prince?" Advancing down the corridor I watch as various doctors and civilians are rapidly packing up kit and preparing to evacuate the building, as soon as gunfire begins to sound from the main doors everyone seems to stare in horror and fear at the impending assault.

Dashing to the doorway I find the riflemen of my squad engaged in a firefight as the rest of the Section retreats into the warehouse. Crouching down I take up a firing position alongside Sunny and take aim at the advancing units.

PHAT PHAT PHAT

The first round impacts against the Griffins rifle shattering the wooden body before the next two slice through her breastplate.

PHAT PHAT

The rounds fail to connect as my target takes cover behind a low wall. He brings his rifle over and takes a quick shot at me, thankfully the bullet misses impacting the wall a few inches from my head. Holy shit that was too close!

I'm about to return fire but get beaten to the punch when his beak shatters from the impact of a bullet, to my side I can see the smoke rising from the barrel of Silver's rifle. Sunny fires off a shot alongside me which impacts against the leg bone of one of the advancing units, aiming down my scope I line up the shot to finish him off.

PHAT

The bullet pierces straight into the base of his skull liquefying the contents within. Lining up another shot I'm tapped on the shoulder gaining my attention, looking back I see Chaser, "They will have everyone at the ships in the next half an hour-"

"Half an hour!?" He nods, "Fucking shit! We need to hold this line until all the civilians are out! You, Blitz and Sky Mist strike from their flanks at close quarters! We will pick off anyone who decides to take a pop shot at you!" Chaser immediately takes to the air along with the other two and begins to loop around to attack the Griffins rear.

Sunny shouts over the firefight, "Do you think we will last that long?"

I aim towards another soldier but the weapon fails to fire, "Fuck... We will make it!" Pulling the bolt to the rear I eject the cartridge fixing the blockage.

"But what if we don't?" She fires off hitting the wing of an airborne unit sending him careering into the side of a building shattering his neck.

"Then we will come to that problem when we get to it!" I attempt to fire but once again the weapon fails to operate, "Fucking piece of wank!" I draw my pistol and point it to an enemy who doesn't seem to realise that a fence panel is not sufficient cover.

PHAT PHAT PHAT

He screams clutching at his back as his body falls from behind the wood. Collapsing in the open road I fire off another shot penetrating the armour and piercing his heart ending his existence. With the immediate threat eliminated I go to clear the blockage of my rifle, shaking the cartridge free I remove the magazine and fire off the action before reinserting the magazine and loading the round.

A round brings my attention back to the fight as it's stopped from hitting me thanks to the sandbags I'm using for cover. Another squad of ten are approaching from the main road all armed with rifles. We need to hold this line!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next thirty minutes are filled with a constant firefight as the Militarists receive regular reinforcements, I alone have gone through another two and a half magazines in the shootout leaving me with my last two full mags along with whatever is left in my rifle. We thankfully haven't taken any casualties apart from the militia who were acting as guards.

With the enemy holding their ground I take the opportunity to move back into the warehouse to check on the evacuation. Rounding the last corner to the main floor I am once again met with a pistol aimed directly between my eyes, Gaston presses the barrel against the bridge of my nose, "You really expect me to go out there? I'm not going out there to be pigs to the slaughter like all those who are foolishly sent to fight."

"Your not going anywhere without me. I have my orders."

"HA! Orders?! So you are the new cannon fodder expected to die for the sake of which one individual has the right to rule? The system is broken, there will be no peace with a monarchy or military government. Both must be el-"

"GASTON!" Balbean shouts out from the basement stairs, "That's enough! There will be peace again, we must make it back or it will never happen."

These guys are up to something. I step back from the weapon, "You've fucking lost it! This war has gotten to you!"

Gaston's eyes snap back to me, "Has it!? No... If anything it has made me see things more clearly! There must be change!"

Balbean slowly walks towards us as the pistol is alternated between him and myself, "Gaston old friend, you're not thinking clearly-"

Whilst Balbean has him distracted I grab the pistol and pull the Major towards me, as he loses his position and moves closer I bring my head back before forcing it forward. My head and helmet collides with his face immediately knocking him out, he slumps back from the blow immediately falling to his back leaving his pistol in my hand. I hold my free hand up towards the door, "Shall we? I'd rather leave before our ride gets bored of waiting."

"A bit unorthodox, but I suppose it will suffice to get him to safety intact. Who do you expect to carry him?"

I throw the pistol up in the air towards Balbean, he catches it with ease and places it into his belt as he watches me. Grabbing hold of Gaston's arm I hook it over my shoulder as I lift him off the floor, adjusting the position I have my rifle slung around my waist with Gaston slumped on top of my shoulder around my neck in a firemans lift, "Head to the doors, everyone is ready to make a push as soon as you are. We need to head out of town where we have a boat ready to take up back to Wingston."

Balbean reaches for the gauntlet strapped around his waist belt, slipping it on he examines it more closely before running towards the doors. I try to keep up with him but due to the weight of this Griffin that's easier said than done. Christ he weighs a bloody ton. Reaching the exit I find the others searching through the bodies of the fallen for additional ammunition. Balbean looks over the various wounds inflicted by the rifles, "These new weapons certainly seem effective. One clean hit can damage any vital organ rendering the target incapacitated, remarkable."

I grunt as I shift the weight on my back, "No offence, but how about we discuss this at a later time."

"Yes. Yes. Of course," He pushes ahead of the rest of us making his way towards the main street along the harbour. As soon as he reaches the corner he is immediately attacked by an enemy, he lunges the bayonet of his rifle towards Balbean's sternum. However Balbean easily grabs the body of the rifle stopping the momentum of the strike, he brings his gauntlet in an upward motion slicing through the muscle of the right arm earning a pained yelp as the soldier releases his rifle. Balbean drops it to the floor as he throws a solid punch with his gauntlet to the rear of the arm creating a resounding crunch, with a final slash the blades are dragged across the soldier's throat rapidly draining all the blood from his body as he collapses.

I move closer and look down to the lifeless form as Balbean adjusts his harness, "Well you certainly don't fuck around do you?"

He raises an eyebrow, "Fuck? Is that the Human equivalent of buck?

"Well it's the English equivalent of it," I turn to the others as they all close in, "We need to move out. Arrowhead formation, I will carry Gaston as we move so I need you all to cover me."

We begin to advance through the main street, we only meet the odd resistance as we make our way towards the outskirts of town. The odd engagement is easily handled by the Sections riflemen, Sunny now seems to at least be able to initially cope with combat when she engages with a firearm compared to when she was forced to fight with melee weapons, I think our talk may have helped her come to terms with what must be done in war.

We had a major firefight which took its toll on us mentally. Militarists used residential housing as firing positions, as the civilians tried to flee they were mowed down in the cross fire. This sight seemed to effect everyone as the very people they were fighting to protect were killed before them. It particularly got to Blaze and Blitz. Blaze seemed to break down, she just froze and collapsed to the floor in a cowering mess as the fight resumed around her, thankfully the enemy ignored her in this state as they proceeded to engage us. Blitz however was not so fortunate, he let the anger of the sight take control of him, in his rage he just charged the enemy and was rewarded with a bullet to the head wiping his presence from the face of the Earth. Following the firefight Chaser then had to carry Blaze as she was frozen in a state of shock, I wish we could have retrieved Blitz's body but we were unable to bring him with us.

With the Major unconscious over my back I'm unable to assist in any of the engagements, if it came to it I would at most be able to draw my pistol however I would have difficulty at aiming it rendering me only able to sufficiently engage enemies at close range. He did wake up at one point but in his state he nearly got himself killed so I was forced to knock him out once again. I just had to keep moving as the others continued to fight those who dared to challenge us. Balbean doesn't fight like someone who is trying to tear you apart like a regular soldier, He fights with precision, like a man who aims to incapacitate the enemy by breaking bones, and damaging muscles.

Once we exit the town we are introduced with a new problem, with the early morning sun just beginning to replace the night we now have to run across flat fields for over a mile in conditions which would leave us highly exposed to attacks. Dark clouds with the occasional opening had moved in on the area as we made our way through the town, it was only now that they decided to finally deliver their payload as rain began to cascade from the sky. I look back to everyone before we exit the road to travel across the fields, everyone looks to be tired from the multiple skirmishes we have been forced to engage with, my back is absolutely killing me from having carried Gaston this entire way.

"Alright, final push guys. We can make it, just keep moving and don't stop," Slowly climbing the wall I begin to make my way across the field with everyone in tow, a quick glance behind us reveals a number of hostile riflemen in pursuit. As we push on they fire the odd shot off at us but at this range they have difficulty hitting their marks.

BOOM

Shrapnel and dirt rains down from in front of me, a new crater in the once clear ground indicates the presence of heavy ordinance. I keep running as I try to scan for the artillery, sure enough on a hill to the right there is an artillery position set up with two field guns. I'm guessing that a nearby artillery unit received a message from one of the original units garrisoned in the town.

"KEEP MOVING!" I try my hardest to increase my pace as we continue down the fields, the fishing boat is now in sight as I watch the crew prepare the boat to set sail. Artillery shells and small arms fire is now regularly being fired towards us as we move, it should only take us a minute to reach the boat but with the amount of fire we are receiving I don't know if we will be able to escape once we reach the ship.

Sky Mist takes to the air darting straight towards the clouds, I momentarily loose sight of her before I can see her coming down above the ship pushing a bundle of clouds. As we approach she is creating a screen of fog around the ship in an attempt to provide us with cover, we are quickly able to enter it as she remains in the air to keep the screen up. Stopping at the ship I offload the Major to one of the crew as I take hold of my rifle and fire towards the pursuing enemy whilst the rest make it to the ship.

Everyone else is quick to reach me and climb into the ship as I switch magazines, they begin to return fire as I shout up to Sky Mist, "SKY! COME ON LET'S GO!" She breaks off and attempts to loop around to reach us, as she closes in however she is hit in the wing and fails to keep control. I can do nothing but watch as she crashes against to floor screaming in agony, "FUCK! EVERYONE COVER ME!" Without thinking I sprint across the field towards her and the advancing enemy, kneeling down alongside her I grab the back of her armour and drag her back towards the ship as I fire blindly towards the enemy. Slowly I'm able to reach the ship where Chaser and Colbalt climb over and take her back onto the ship. We won't be able to escape, they'll sink us with their guns before we get out of range.

Sunny shouts to me, "John! Come on we have to go!"

I shake my head, "No, you have to go without me!"

"What are you talking about?!"

"They'll keep chasing the boat, I need to draw their attention!"

"NO! You'll die if you stay out here!" I can see her eyes tear slightly as she looks to me.

"This isn't a choice! Get this ship moving!" Without waiting for a response I begin to sprint along the coastline towards the field guns.

"JOHN! DON'T!" She calls after me as I move but I'm soon unable to hear her on account of the cannon and gunfire. Moving further up I take the odd pop shot towards the infantry earning a few lucky hits. I continue to close the distance as the field guns adjust their aim from the ship towards me, I'm forced to dive before both guns fire. From my new prone position I line up the shots towards the gun crews.

PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT

The single shots take out the crews with relative ease making the guns useless against me. Before I'm even able to catch my breath a round impacts the dirt alongside me, this near miss forces me to my feet as I continue to run towards the field guns. I still have a group of around twenty soldiers chasing after me on foot, if I can keep them occupied on me then the others should be safe. I successfully make it to the field guns where I take up a firing position on the advancing units, the Griffins who once manned the guns are either all dead or severely wounded.

I continue suppressive fire on the chasing units to keep them at bay from myself and from changing their focus on the ship, they clearly aren't familiar with automatic weaponry as they immediately begin the abandon their formations in an attempt to out manoeuvre the incoming fire.

PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT *CLICK

Tilting the rifle I find the cocking handle locked to the rear, quickly I remove the magazine and open the pouches on my armour to find a replacement. They're all empty. FUCK! My pistol won't have much effect until they get closer, even then I only have the two magazines. What can I do? There has to be some way to fight them off? Seeing that I am no longer firing they seize the opportunity and once again begin an assault on my position.

Another round is fired towards me yet once again misses, it creates a resounding ping as it impacts with something metal. Turning my head I look on towards the field gun and its small stockpile of ammunition. Jackpot! I scramble over the weapons frame as I try to use it as cover, looking on at the small collection of cranks and gears I try to determine which ones are used to adjust the firing position. Finding the correct one I rotate it with all my might lining up the shot directly in the centre of the advancing firing line, happy with the positioning I grab the firing cord and yank it.

BOOM

The round impacts right on target blowing open the earth as it throws debris over the soldiers, all apart from a few were thrown to the ground wounded or killed. This slows them down as I realise one major issue, "How the hell do I load these things?" I mumble to nobody in particular.

Naw, What's the matter? Is the ATO stumped?

Turning I see Williams relaxing casually against the other field gun, "I've got no time for you!" I run over to the field gun and begin to adjust the firing angle as he saunters from the weapons barrel to stand alongside me.

Why are you doing this? Trying to play the hero? Is this somehow going to make up for all those you've gotten killed?

Pushing on the crank I rotate the gun to face the correct direction, "Fuck off! You are nothing!"

Nothing? HA! Then you must look like a nutter talking to thin air.

"I am turning nuts speaking to you! I shouldn't even be seeing you, yet here you are!" Turning the last wheel on the gun I lower its elevation before pulling the firing cord.

BOOM

The round once again impacts against the final firing line killing the mass majority of the squad. Stepping back from the field gun I step to the side and look out over the ocean. In the distance I watch as the fishing boat sails along the coastline back towards the north in the direction of Wingston.

You're not going to catch up with them, so don't even bother running. They're better off without you, you'd just get them all killed anyways. Finally having enough I draw my pistol and aim it to his chest.

PHAT PHAT PHAT

He just glances down to his torso as the rounds pass through the figment of my imagination hitting nothing but dirt. Raising his eyes he just looks to me with an expression which just screams 'you're a dumbass'.

Really? That didn't achieve a thing apart from wasting your crudely made ammo.

"That means fuck off."

Yeah I got that.

Wielding my sword I move behind one of the field guns using it as cover as I hear the remaining attackers gather on the other side of the hill ready to assault my position. I have no idea how many are left but I'm going to take these bastards out. A pair soon run up top with their swords drawn, not wanting to give them the opportunity to strike I raise my pistol in the one hand and fire.

PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT

The rounds fail to kill them but manage to take them out of the fight, walking up to them I impale the blade of the sword directly into the ones eye killing him. Kneeling down I push the pistol against second ones head, "How many of you are left?"

"F-four."

"Good boy."

PHAT

His brains are sent flying from the rear of his skull. Standing I pivot on the spot waiting for the next attack but it fails to come, I start to wave my sword around as I wait for them, "Come on then! Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough!"

Williams just shakes his head in what comes off as embarrassment. You sound like a nob.

"Oh fuck off, Williams!"

PHAT

As I'm too busy shouting at a figment of my imagination I failed to notice the aerial Griffin who fired off at me. The round impacts with my left forearm causing me to drop the pistol, looking up the Griffin is now diving towards me with his bayonet. I successfully roll to the side as he comes down, his blade impales into the ground where I once stood. Releasing his rifle he draws his sword and lunges towards me, I'm able to block his initial strike but his second slices along my right leg causing me to drop to my knee. With a solid thrust of my sword I'm lucky enough to pierce through an exposed part of his armour covering his stomach, with my new advantage I push off from the floor and apply my whole weight on him bringing him down on the floor on his back with the blade fully embedded.

Rolling from his body I start to crawl towards my pistol as another two aim their rifles towards me.

PHAT PHAT

Somehow the one round misses me completely, the second round luckily hits the armour of my vest which manages to stop the bullet, it still stings like a bitch but its better then having a bullet lodged in my gut. I manage to push off from the floor and shakily stand with the sword in hand as they both attempt to reload their rifles, "Come on then! Fight me like a fucking man!" One of them grins as he drops his rifle in favour of his sword, he strikes for me which I am easily able to parry. I back step as he continues to strike, seeing an opportunity I slice the blade along his hand causing him to drop the blade. Looking up I see the other Griffin has reloaded his rifle and is now preparing to fire, acting quickly I reach forward and grab hold of his ally.

PHAT

Using the Griffin as a shield pays off as the round impacts his chest, it does however manage to fully pierce his body causing the bullet to impact with my armour knocking me to the floor with the body now on top of me. I try to shake free from my pinned position as the Griffin advances on me, hugging the body I roll bring me on top. Releasing him I step up with my sword in hand, this time I am the first one to strike. He somehow manages to grab the handle of the sword, with my attack halted he brings his head forward in an attempt to headbutt me. The stupid fucker somehow forgot I was wearing an oversized helmet, I tilted my head down so he ended up impacting his skull with the combat helmet knocking himself out.

Attempting to get my breath back I rotate on the spot in an attempt to locate the last Griffin, checking next to the field guns I find an officer brandishing his sword as he slowly advances, "You've killed a lot of my soldiers for that traitor."

I shuffle the sword in my hand as we both begin to circle one another, "I'd hardly call those cowards soldiers. What kind of sick fucker kills unarmed civilians?"

"Their weak ideology needs to be purged, thanks to you that will be achieved sooner rather than later."

My eyebrow raises, "The fuck are you talking about?"

"How do you really think Gaston escaped a military base by himself? We let him, he's going to go directly to the Prince and put a knife in his back. We easily could have intercepted his message, now we get rid of that weak excuse of an officer and the Prince in one easy move. You played your part wonderfully in getting him away from those unknowing drones and back to the Royalists. They will crumble without a leader where we will move in and eliminate them, then we will move on Equestria."

My eyes quickly dart to the ship which is now a small speck in the distance, turning my head back the officer is mid-swing as he goes to strike me. I raise my sword deflecting his blow before it impacted with the side of my neck, the blades run along one another until I swing a punch catching the side of his head. Stumbling to the side he releases a flurry of strikes, I find them difficult to block and even end up with the blade skimming across my left palm cutting the flesh over my scar. I duck my body low, using my hand to support me I sweep my leg knocking the officer off his feet into the mud. I jump on top of him and bring my blade down, he successfully blocks my strike, I try with all my might to push the two blades towards him but he is easily able to overpower me.

He pushes the blades and myself to the side sending me rolling through the mud, I run my hand down my thigh to try and reach my pistol... Shit, I fucking dropped it, didn't I? I quickly rise to my feet as my opponent does the same. I scan around to try and find my pistol, I notice it alongside the first two bodies which managed to reach the top of the hill. As the officer attempts to attack I parry his strikes as I continue to back peddle towards my weapon. Getting closer he swings his sword in a rapid strike towards my head, I manage to duck but the blade catches my helmet causing me to lose my balance to once again end up on the floor. I crawl backwards as quick as I can as he advances, I find my hand resting on top of my pistol as he presses his sword against my chest, "Did you really think you could beat me so easily?"

I grin to him, "Nah. I'm gonna cheat," Raising my pistol I point it directly towards his head.

PHAT

He slumps backwards as the side of his neck it torn from his body, falling into the mud he holds on frantically to his neck as his blood escapes. I stand as he continues to choke on his blood, I slowly step closer to him and look over him. Aiming my pistol to his head I ease my finger on the trigger, "Better luck next time."

PHAT

I find the covers for the field gun and use it to wipe the mud off of myself and all my weapons, holstering my sword and pistol I sling the empty rifle over my back. I start to search through the small creates nearby and thankfully find a basic first aid kit. leaning against the field gun I select a pair of medical tweezers. This is gonna suck, but I need to get the bullet out of my arm. I begin to dig around with the tool in my left arm in an attempt to reach the bullet, I bite down as hard as I can to prevent myself shouting in pain. After a pain filled minute I locate what I believe is the bullet and pull, sure enough in the blood smeared tweezers I find the foreign body.

I give my arm a few test movements to ensure I caused no damage, it hurts like a bastard but other than that everything seems fine. I continue to rummage through the first aid kit and find numerous bandages which I use to wrap around my cut leg, the gunshot wound on my left arm and the cut along my left palm. Taking the rest of the contents I throw the medical satchel over my shoulder, I also wrap the other cover for the field gun over my body to act as a rain poncho. With everything set I slowly hobble towards the North to try and get back to friendly lines, it won't be long before more hostile units come across this location.

If what he said is true then I need to get back immediately.