Henry got down to see that all was not well. He wasn't sure if his orders made a difference but he saw the Lone Wanderer holding Sarah in his hands with someone standing in front of him. It took a moment to realize that he was- an enemy! Henry raised his rifle and fired at him. only when he dropped to the ground did he realize that he probably wasn't hostile. There were a lot of bullets flying and Henry hoped that he wasn't the one who killed him but if he did, then he hoped that he wasn't in trouble.

double post sorry

Andrew looked at the proceedings and said, "Disregard what I said just now." By this time, IF soldiers were starting to get too close to his current spot, so he had to go to a new position. Once he reached his new position, he looked through his scope and saw an IF soldier dragging the body of the man from before back towards his lines. Andrew decided to let them go, it would've been dishonorable to do otherwise. With that, he went back to covering his teamates.

I heard my heart beating and I awoke on Nate's shoulder, I could only say one thing, "Stop." I felt the momentum stop, and I fell off his shoulder. I groaned with pain, feeling my lungs almost like they were flooded... With blood. I moved to a standing position, I moved backwards, through the gunfire and hell, to my gun, I crouched, I picked it up and found that the round was still there... Andy was back on the battlefield, shooting and killing everyone that moved that wasn't on his side.

I turned and saw Nate watching me, I limped my way back to him, the gunfire had decreased and I heard yells of victory from one of the sides. I scowled and I quickly moved up to Nate, "Out of here, now, I don't give a [censored] who's done what, this is a failure of a mission, out, now." I limped my way through the gaping hole and on to the Wastes. The group looked bloodied and shot up, I didn't care anymore. I kept my steady limp until I made it to a building that seemed sturdy, and very close.

I looked at the others, still in their positions, "Hurry up, over here, now, we won't make it back to base tonight..." I opened the doors and made my way through. I scowled and moved to a chair that was just inside, I fell into it, I started cursing as I realised I was well and truly injured.

OOC: I'm sorry, its just so hard to take Aussie Made seriously with that avatar of his..... I just makes me laugh! Its brilliant!


Dakayev looked into the field. He could see that men were charging, bashing eachother with bayonets and rifles. He saw that his rifle was on the ground, clinging on to him under his arm. He grasped it and pulled it closer.

" Mama always said I would die in the most horrible way............"

Dakayev then pulled out a stimpack and injected it into his legs. He only had six left.


" Medic! If I don't see Ashley here right now! I am going to beat the Kracynaya out of her in hell!"


Dakayev then began to sing again

"Yesli na atchiznu nagryanyet bieda, pozaviot soldata truba. Armiya may?, ty na strazhe vsiegda! Ty - may? lyubov i sudyba!

Chorus:

Obyknaviennaya, sudba niliogkaya vayennaya.
Lyubov surovaya, no vyernaya. Gatovy my na ratnyi trud.
My vse, my vse ispytany ni raz, ni dva bayami-marshami.
My at soldata i da marshala - adna simya!

Nash oktyabr s nami v pakhodnom strayu!
S nami pyesni krasnykh baytsov, perbyi dyen, vayny, i pabyednyi salyut, I sudba pogibshikh atsov...

Chorus.

Mchatsya nashi gody, No zhizn moloda!
I pay?t kak prezhde truba.
Armiya may?, ty na strazhe vsy?gda!
Ty - may? lyubov i sudba!"

He looked as several BOS soldiers looked at him, thinking he was insane.He chuckled as he jumped up and kept on running to where the troops were retreating.

Still singing the entire way.

Nate watched the captain walk away. He watched him limp into a building. Nate stared off into the distance, he completely zoned out, until he felt something hit him in the back. Nate toppled to the ground and coughed as he turned over, seeing a Brotherhood troop draqed over him, raising his hand, ready to punch Nate square in the face.

Oh [censored]...

The metal glove of the soldier made contact with Nate's exposed cheek, sending Nate's head jerking to the right, smacking onto the blood drenched soil of the wastes. Nate looked up once again and saw the soldier's fist mid-thrust, once again, cracking into Nate's jaw.

He let out a cry of agony, as blood dripped out of his mouth.

Mother [censored]...

Nate ignored his pain, and lunged upwards towards the troop. He performed a reversal and had the metal-clad soldier pinned against the ground. Nate pulled the helmet of the soldier off of his head, and rammed it into his nose, sending blood pouring out of his nostrils. Nate tossed the helmet to his side, hearing it clank against the ground and rolling away.

"You're dead you bastard." Nate muttered angrily, as he sent his fist soaring into the mouth of the soldier.

Nate's fist pounded into the troop's mouth, before he brought his other fist down onto the soldier's head once again. He profusely rained down a flurry of punches into the enemy's skull, each time hearing the crunch of bones. Once Nate had stopped, his knuckles were dripping with blood, and the face of the Brotherhood soldier was bruised and bloodied. He was dead. Nate rose to his feet and kicked the bloody corpse in the side of the head, it moved lifelessly, before returning to it's original position.

Nate slid his aviators off his head and looked into the lenses. They were broken, the glass of the lenses had been completely shattered by the punches of the deceased soldier.

"You bastard..." Nate sputtered as he tossed his shades to ground, and drew his rifle, before he walked back in the direction of the captain.

I looked at myself, checking my injuries, the thing was, I was sure that something vital had been hit because I couldn't feel anything... Just coldness. I found I had a broken leg, the other leg was pretty fine except for the foot, there seemed to be a piece of metal sticking out of it. My arms looked useless, my right arm had blood flowing out of multiple gunshot wounds. My left arm was twisted in a way it shouldn't be. My chest was... Covered in blood, with the opening on my right side, it seemed to have missed my lung at least.

But there was muscle and skin hanging uselessly around the wound, I bared my teeth and wondered what my face looked like... I looked up and saw Nate walk in, he looked like he'd just been completely smashed by someone, or something... I tried to say something but I couldn't find enough strength, I just sat there, watching him walk in. I didn't know if anyone else had come in, but I was seriously starting to care. I think I'd need some help from Ashley very soon, otherwise I'd probably be a very dead man very soon...

I spat on the ground, more blood coming out then spit, I scowled and tried to stand, but I couldn't find the energy for that either. I felt tears start coming out of my ears, I couldn't find the strength to move my arms to wipe the tears away either. I sat there, feeling useless as a leader, here we were, stuck in a building close to the enemy, with a broken and battered team. I laughed hoarsely as I fell to the side of the chair, I stopped as I realised that I didn't think I could make it more than another couple of minutes.

Nate trudged to the building that the captain had walked into, and spit some blood out of his mouth. The gunfire never ceased. There was never a silent moment. Nate walked into the filthy building that Captain Harris had stumbled into.

"Captain, how many times were you shot, and were you shot in any vital areas?" Nate asked worriedly.

((OOC: Sorry for the uber-short post, I just needed to ask this first before I went on to what i'm doing next.))

I put all my strength into talking, managing a short sentence, "Well, Nate, I, can't, move, get, help, please?" I had a gap between every word, after I finished I just closed my eyes and decided it was a very bad idea, but I couldn't find a way to open my eyes again. I went back into the past, thinking of my teacher...

"Excellent shot Ryan! That's yet another patrol that won't be making it up to our lands!"
I smiled as I looked at Demetri, he was the best teacher I could have, always making jokes, we'd become such great friends in such a short time...
"Well, sir, I think that we should get back to our base before..."
I was cut off as a shot sounded across the mountains, it sounded so loud, I heard an impact and I looked at Demetri. His blood was crimson on the snow... He only said one word to me...

"Run."

(OOC: Sorry about not posting! Had to go to airport to pick up relatives. Never agree to do that. *Grumble grumble*)

Ashley had been knocked unconcious shortly after her escape from death from the sniper. She had fought, expending her ammo in her revolver and picking up another soldiers weapon. She had taken careful shots, making sure to strike true rather than let people die slowly. She had that much mercy at least. She had watched the Captain and the Lone Wanderer. When she saw the Captain go down, that's when the grenade went off infront of her. The power hand thrown her into the air and she landed on her back, knocking all air from her lungs. As she lay gasping for breath, darkness shrouded her and she passed out.

Not long after the air returned, she woke up. She looked around and saw the retreat and groaned, rolling onto her belly then pushing herself up. Her armour was a mess, broken shoulder pads, loose straps and when she moves she felt a stab of pain. There was a piece of debris embedded in her stomach, thanks to the Combat Armour it had only deepened into her flesh about two inches. Otherwise it would have gone straight through her.

With a groan she started following the retreat, half running as she was doubled over and clutching her side. She saw Nate and the Captain through the chaos and headed for that building.

Nate looked into the drifting eyes of Captain Harris.

"Do not, close your eyes. You have to stay awake, or you will die. I'm going to get help, promise you'll hold out." Nate said sternly looking into the eyes of the captain.

Captain Harris nodded, and motioned for Nate to go, and find help. Nate spun around and ran out of the building. He burst through the doors and immediately saw Ashley off in the distance, she was holding her side, as if she'd been wounded. He started sprinting towards her and saw an enemy troop approaching her from behind. She didn't see him. Nate's rifle wasn't made for long range shots, so there was no hope in shooting. Nate ran towards the soldier, and yelled out to Ashley,

"Ashley watch out!"

The troop immediately turned around and saw Nate running towards him. The soldier opened fire on Nate, Nate managed to dodge the shots, and lunged onto the soldier. Just as Nate was about to fire his weapon, the sound laser rifle firing could be heard, and a glowing beam of red light raged out of Nate's side.

Nate's eyes widened, and he fell over onto the ground, his blood spilled out over the battlefield. He looked up towards the soldier, who had apparently forgotten about Ashley, and he tried to say something, but his voice just cracked, and he couldn't manage words.

I heard Nate run off, and I opened my eyes again, I heard him yell, "Ashley watch out!" Somehow, I found strength in my limbs again and I stood, I heard yelling outside, I scowled as I picked up my rifle, I still had that one shot in the chamber... I limped to the doors, I smashed through them and I leant against the wall just outside. I saw what had happened, there was a Brotherhood Soldier standing over Nate, his blood was pouring onto the Battlefield.

I gasped, he was going to kill Nate. I felt a rage build up in me as I brought up the rifle, I looked through the scope, the man was about to shoot him again, I muttered to myself, "Go [censored] yourself mother [censored]," as I pulled the trigger. His head knocked back as the neck was torn through, his helmet flew off with his head still inside it. He flew backwards with the force and landed on the ground. I grinned and said, "Now, I think, I'm totally, screwed."

I took a shaky step towards Nate and Ashley, I think Ashley noticed me, but I couldn't really tell, my vision went red, then white, then I fell to the ground for the second time in 10 minutes, this time, I closed my eyes.

Ashley had thrown her self to the ground as soon as Nate had yelled. She yelled, landing on the piece of debris and driving it deeper into her stomach. Ash heard a laser shot and rolled onto her side. She saw Nate keel over then the Brotherhood soldier being thrown backwards, decapitated. The pain in her stomach was immense but she ignored it, pushing herself up and stumbling towards Nate. "Nate!" Looking up and saw the Captain keel over aswell. "[censored]!" She cursed loudly and grabbed hold of Nate's collar and pulled. "This is the only time I'm glad you don't wear armor Nathan." She grunted in pain as she dragged Nate. "Although saying that, we wouldn't be in this mess if you wore armor." Her vision was becoming more unfocused as her stomach pumped blood.

Ash gasped in pain as she reached the building, dragging Nate inside and then pulling the Captain in. Her knees gave way with exhaustion and with a kick, the doors closed. For a moment she lay panting and groaning. She rolled again and got to her knees, shuffling over to Nate and Harris. "I'm sorry... This will keep you alive longer but you'll feel the pain." She muttered, even though she wasn't sure either of them could hear her. The two shots of adrenaline were jabbed into the two men and plunged down. She quickly began work with bandages and tools. Creating tourniquets to stop the bleeding on the Captain's arms and legs. The torso's were a different matter. She bandaged and tightened the skin as much as she could, sticking Stimpacks into their bloodstream to quicken the healing.

(OOC: Back in about 2 hours x)

Just as George heard Nate yell, a blast from a nearby grenade knocked him out. Fortunately, he waan't killed while knocked out. He began to get back up when three Brotherhood of Steel soldiers approached him.

"Rejoice my brothers, for I am your salvation!". George aimed "The Light" at one of the soldiers, and spoke again.

"You shall recieve the light from the almighty one!". George fired the pistol which released three shots of plasma, and penetrated through the mans power armor, and melted his vital organs, killing him.

The other two began to curse, and fired shots at George. His thoughts turned into instinct, as he believed his body was under control by a spirit. George ran and dodged the shots from the mens assault rifles, and pulled out "The Voice", activating the ripper.

"I am your savior! I shall free you from your miserable lives!". George took a swing at the men with the ripper, causing the soldiers lose their limbs, as George slowly but painfully killed the two men.

((Don't want to get to graphic. Think of the next part as a continuation from the fade to black. Something like that. ))

Following the killing, George saw some fellow squadmates nearby a building. He approached the building and saw Nate, Ryan, and Ashley all wounded, with Ryan appearing to suffered the most. Upon entering, George was covered in blood, with some dripping from his clothes. He carried the head of one of the soldiers, hanging onto it for a trophy.

"What the hell happened to you guys?"

Henry let out a wild yell, they had won! They had a few troops pursuing the stragglers but for the most part the Invisible faction's attack had been defeated. However with a hole in the Citadel's walls and many knights dead and injured the brotherhood had no time to spare. I made it out of the battle alive! So far so good. Henry walked over to a group of initiates who didn't have anything better to do and told them to start cleaning up the citadel of debris and burying the dead. The large gaping hole in the wall served as a painful reminder of the Invisible Faction's strength and shook the brotherhood's morale. For long the citadel was a symbol of safety, but now people was starting to realize that not even the Citadel was safe. Walking over to the rally point in the courtyard Henry awaited the other members of the team to arrive.

I was ruthless and without emotion as I went through killing enemy after enemy. It all seemed like one big blur as I killed one soldier after another. I moved from cover to cover, getting closer and closer to the people who had tried to kill me. Kill, move, kill, move was my pattern. I managed to get to the wall, or what was left of it, at the back of the citadel. I spotted the bloodied and injured Ryan, he was calling for their troops to retreat, I wasn't done yet. I began to put down any soldier I saw as they retreated, I didn't care what they were doing, they were dead.

After they had retreated I began to put down their injured soldiers. I would walk up to them and put one shot through their head. Some begged, others were silent, either way they were all dead. It wasn't until one of the Brotherhood members put their hand on my soldier, only then did I stop. I walked back over to Henry and spoke to him.

"Knight Henry, I need you to tell the men to help the wounded and bury the dead. You did well today soldier, you should be proud of yourself." I put my hand on his shoulder and nodded.

The day was ours but at what cost? I walked up to a sentry tower and surveyed the area. Most of our casualties had come from the surprise attack at the back of the citadel. Their main force had been smashed, probably due to the rush tactic we employed early in the battle. Although I suspected this was of no where near the full strength of this army, this was but a taste of what was to come. I would have to wait for the reports before I knew the damages to the Brotherhood. Although any loss of Brotherhood life was a tragedy in itself. I hoped to see the rest of my team and congratulate them on the excellent job they did.

OOC: Whoa, what on earth happened? Is the battle over already? Jeez... And I can't even type a make up post as I'm on a PSP from work. Ah, what a pain. Anyway, you can control my character Francois. I really hate being left behind so you can at least put him to good use doing... Something.

Sorry Ambrose but I wouldn't worry too much there are still more battles to come.

I thought of my moments in Russia... Trying to figure out where it all went wrong, was it the harsh training? Was it the death of Demetri? I couldn't tell anymore, I didn't care anymore... I didn't feel alive, although I knew that Ashley had probably done something to help me. I started yelling at myself, I didn't know whether I was doing it in my sleep or not, I couldn't tell... All I knew was that I was in pain, I wondered if I would make it through the night... I remembered a moment in my life that I'd forgotten for years.

Demetri stood there, watching as my expression changed from my normal deathly stare to one of joy as I heard the news.
I wondered if he was actually telling the truth, but as I looked into his eyes I knew he was, how could he not?
After training for so many years, finally, I could go back, and see her... I smiled at the thought.
Even now, so far forward in time, I could still remember her name...

Ellie.

I woke up suddenly, I couldn't see anything, I started mumbling, "Why, why... Oh my god, that's why..." I trailed off, I didn't know who was near me, I didn't care anymore. I couldn't move any more than I already had, but I couldn't go back to sleep, I couldn't do it... I couldn't see the next part of my memory.

Ashley lay back slowly, a lot of her medical supplies were already spent trying to save the Corporal and the Captain. She knew Sergeant Dakayev was injured aswell so she kept some available for him. She could hardly spare any more though. She looked up wearily as George came in. She was exhausted and felt weak. "Hard to explain..." She mumbled. Ash gritted her teeth as she decided she couldn't ignore it any longer... The piece of metal was still deep into her stomach. Grabbing hold of it gingerly, she started to pull. That's when the Captain started mumbling.

Ashley grunted as she moved to her knees once again to check on her patient. "Ryan?" Ignoring the formalities she looked over the Captain. Ash reached into her back and took out a small flashlight and opened one of Ryan's eyes wider with one hand, shining the light onto his eye with the other hand. "Ryan, can you hear me?" Another wave of pain struck and her hand shook a little but she tried to ignore it again. The patients were more important.

I heard Ashley start talking, I couldn't hear her though, but I managed to get one word, "Ryan." I started mumbling again, "Ryan? Who's Ryan? I don't know any Ryan..." I trailed off, trying to think who she could be talking about, then I realised. I started mumbling again, "I'm not Ryan anymore... No, no, I'm not who you think I am... I changed everything about myself that day, even my name... Oh my god, why am I even still alive? You idiot, you idiot..."

I could see nothing, even though I knew Ashley was testing my eye, I scowled, "Stop worrying about me Ashley, I'm tired of living... If I had the strength, I'd get to the top of this tower and jump out without painkillers this time. I'm not worth it, how did I even live past that day..." I felt tears come from my eyes as I slipped back to my memory state.

I stepped through the door, I was smiling, I was happy, how could this not be a great moment?
I saw her sitting there, she was smiling as well, I felt truly happy that day, one of my best memories... Until that moment.
I heard something outside, but I thought nothing of it, I still don't know how I could've been so stupid...
I moved forward, but I still heard the sound, I crouched from reflex and the man shot his gun...

Oh my god, I heard the impact and the scream getting cut off, I turned around and all I saw was blood...
I could remember lunging at the man, but god I didn't want to remember what I did to him...
I ran to her after I was done and she could only say three words to me...
"I love you."

I started sobbing as I came back, I just kept saying her name over and over, "Ellie, Ellie, Ellie, Ellie..."

Ashley frowned and sat back. She moved away from the Captain again and leaned against a wall, still frowning. The lack of gratitude angered her a little but the fact that he wanted to die angered her more. What would the Faction be like without the Captain?

Sighing she took hold of the debris again, breathing in and out slowly. Ash yanked hard, letting out a scream then gasping as she fell back against the wall. She coughed and groaned as fresh blood coated her clothing, hidden by her armour which she unbuckled gingerly and pushed off. She cleaned the wound whilst wincing in pain, then took a needle and thread, drawing it through her skin and back out again. After a while she completed stitching her wound and tossed her equipment to the side. She glanced at the Captain again then around the building.

Ashley stood up and walked over to the Captain, grabbing him under the arms and half carried, half dragged him through to another room. "Come on, sir... You don't want the lads to see you like this do you?" She said quietly as she placed him sat up against a wall.

I opened my eyes and looked at Ashley, "Have you ever lost the person you love?" I know that my question was outright and different, but I wasn't sure how else to say it. I looked down at the floor, "I lost the Woman I love, because I was stupid, after solid training for five years I was allowed to see her again... I went to see her and... I was stupid, I didn't even check the area, a man ambushed me, he... Was trying to kill me, but he... He shot her instead, I don't even want to know what I did to him anymore..."

I smiled lightly as I looked back up at Ashley again, "But, the worst thing is, you look exactly like her, you wouldn't believe how much that hurts me. The only difference between you both... Is that she didn't have anything to do with war, ever, and she died because of me... That's why I didn't want you to get hurt, do you understand now? Do you understand why I enjoy killing people for the fun of it? That was... Well..." I trailed off as I looked at the ground again.

I sighed and I closed my eyes, I started humming my song, wondering whether she would realise what I might be humming.

Ash sat down cross legged a little away from the Captain. She looked at him while he explained then looked at the floor. It was only four years ago that her family and friends had been killed. Her fianc? even. She looked away from the Captain and wiped her cheek. "I lost someone... I lost a lot of people... Friends, family, lover. All by the hands of the Faction..." She couldn't help but grimace in anger. "I wanted nothing else other to die after I realised they weren't coming back... But is that what they'd want? For me to give up? Although... I doubt they'd want me to have joined the people that killed them." She growled a little.

Ash looked up again for a moment and lay back, looking up at the ceiling. She listened to the Captain's humming for a while and started singing softly. "You left a hole where my heart should be, you gotta fight just to make it through..." She trailed off a little and just looked at the ceiling.

I continued humming, wondering what to say... I knew what I wanted to say, but saying it was harder than most people would believe, I smiled at the thought. I stopped humming suddenly and I said, "No, they wouldn't want you to give up... And they wouldn't want you to join the people who killed them... But neither choice is the one you need to take Ashley, I'm tired of this life... Killing, doing things for them..." I trailed off, I didn't know whether she'd know what I meant or not.

I started talking again, "Theirs one way to get out of here, one way to give it all up... Ashley, I want you to come with me, soon, I'm tired of this life, and I'm leaving, I'm giving up on all this, I'm fighting for the other side." I heard a small gasp, "I'm going to join the Brotherhood, although, I'm already part of it aren't I?" I laughed lightly, "The whole history of this Faction, it's stuffed up so much, changing in so many ways..." I stopped and I started sobbing.

I knew, that I would change my choice, depending on what Ashley wanted to do, I knew I just couldn't leave her... Because of who she reminded me of, I just couldn't do it.