Through Fire and Flames

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The group headed through the violently shaking sewer system as a massive bombing raid took place on the streets above. Axel yelled over the explosions, “As much as I love the idea of crawling through a sewer, with weak structuring and a massive bombing assault going on over our heads... ARE YOU SURE THIS IS A GOOD SLAGGING IDEA?!?” Zero gave him a gentle kick and muttered, “You're more than welcome to go topside if you want.” Noticing that this time Rock wasn't trying to defend him this time, he uttered, “Jerk.” and continued behind the group.

They continued their trek only a little while longer before they came across a section of the sewer that had caved in. “End of the road,” Rock stated. “We'll have to go topside from here.”
“During a bombing run?” Axel stammered. “Are you functioning properly?” Zero sighed and mumbled, “This coming from the guy who was just complaining about crawling through the sewer a minute ago.”
“Grow up!” Ciel snapped. “Or the Mavericks are going to be the least  of your problems!!”

Remembering their earlier beating, the duo hastily became silent. Rock climbed the ladder that lead to the streets. Pushing the cover aside, he peered into the streets to see how heavy the enemy forces were at their location. It looked like the massive assault had successfully thinned out the Maverick presence in the city. They were all too busy taking on the resistance units to properly secure the entire city. He motioned to Ciel for her rifle. Once he had it, he took careful aim and sniped the only two machines that were in the immediate area.

“Okay,” Rock declared. “We get out of the sewer and make a break for the building at three. I take point, Axel goes, then Ciel. Zero, you come up the rear.” The swordsman sighed. “Why do I always stay in the back?”
“Because Axel is the one with the guns,” Rock muttered in reply. We might need cover fire, so a sword just won't cut it... No offense.” Zero sighed. “None taken. Now let's do this.” Rock ran into the streets, then motioned for Axel to follow. The youth stepped out and made a hand series of hand signs. After a moment of awkward glaring from the leader, he got swatted in the back of the head. “Cover the left scout and regroup??? Learn the slagging signs!” With that, he made his way to the structure.

Ciel stepped out of the sewer and followed, then Zero. Axel began to make his way to the building when he was fired upon, losing an arm in the process. Picking it up, he ran for cover. “You okay?” rock yelled. Reattaching his arm, the youth replied, “Don't worry about me! Finish the mission!” He stood up and opened fire on the Mavericks who had appeared. Ciel looked at the others and stammered, “You're not just going to leave him, are you?” Zero put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, replying, “He's been in tighter spots than this. He'll be fine. We still have a job to do.”

Despite her desire to protest, she knew that the warrior knew what he was talking about. The only thing she could do was pray for his safety, and not let his sacrifice be for nothing. The three remaining members made their way through the partially collapsed building and through a hole in the wall on the other side. Carefully scouting the area, Zero said quietly, “Rock, Ciel. Head out and go left. Stay to the shadows.” Confused, Ciel asked, “What's going on?”

“A general,” Rock replied. “Sure you can take him, Zero?” The swordsman shook his head. “No. I'm not. But the fact is, you have a job to do, and that takes precedence over everything else. I'll stall him while the two of you go after Bass.” Ciel was about to object when Rock cut her off. “Understood. Good luck.” Drawing his Z-Saber, he replied, “Luck has nothing to do with this war.” He handed his teammate a crystal, saying, “Take this Buster Sword program. You might need it. Bass was designed for both weapon and melee attacks. You have my programming, so you should be able to give him a fight with this ability.”

The Reploid nodded and installed the program into his neural network. Then turning to Ciel, he said, “Let's get moving. We're not going to want to be around when things get ugly.” The two of them ducked into the shadows and Ciel took one last look at the blonde Reploid. 'Whoever it is you pray to, Zero”, she thought, 'I hope they're watching over you now.' With that, she went after Rock in hopes that whoever the general was, it had not already noticed them.

They continued their trek towards the palace when they came across an all out assault between the human resistance and the Maverick Oppressors. Rock readied his rifle and said, “Looks like the easy run ends here. We'll have to break through the forces. No way around it.” Ciel picked up a nearby Buster Pistol and said, “Well, Blue? What are we waiting for?” With that, the two of them charged into the battle.

Axel finished gunning down the enemy machines and sighed. “That the best you guys got?” he bragged. “I could have done that with my eyes closed!” Looking around with a rather nervous expression, he said to himself, “Something's not right. I really COULD have done that without looking. Something's up.” At that moment, he started running to another fortified area as razor sharp discs bombarded the area he was just standing. “Slag!!!” the youth yelled. Yelling over the rubble he now hid behind, he said, “Thank you, but I'll pass on the haircut!”

A voice replied, “I have to insist, Hunter. I assure you, it's only going to be a little off the top.”
“Great,” The youth muttered. “I got stuck with Metalman, And he's more annoying than that scissor shooting psychopath he calls his counterpart.” Taking a deep breath, he sighed, “Never a baseball sized rock around when you need one.”

 Zero looked around carefully. The General was close. He could sense it. 'Why,' thought the swordsman, 'why does it feel like there's more than one of him?' Suddenly, the warrior was hit from behind and sent flying into the streets. Before he landed, he got his again, then again and again. When he finally hit the ground, He struggled to his feet, saying, “No way anyone other than Quickman moves like that.” He looked up and saw a Cobalt colored Maverick standing there.

“Quite true,” the machine stated. An identical voice behind him added, “But we do have our ways.” The second voice came into view revealing a teal Maverick identical to the first. A stunned look on his face, he realized who the enemy he faced was. This particular Maverick was thought only to be a rumor. “Gemini-man,” Zero stated in shock. The two Mavericks burst into laughter. This faded when he added, “You have to be kidding me.”