It was strange that the boy could make her feel this way. Seeing him there, trembling, sweating, because he was afraid of her made her feel somewhat... guilty. Though she'd done nothing to warrant this reaction from him, she still pitied his current situation. Ulric was unbelievable. Sending a child in here to watch over a prisoner while he was nowhere to be seen. It was absurd.

"Am I really that terrifying?" Jay murmured, her eyes now downcast so as to give the kid a break. It made her think back, to when she'd first met Evan. She'd been a mess, just like this boy. But because of Evan's kindness, and the compassion he was capable of, she'd grown to love him. And now, she was being faced with the same situation. But it was different. Not just because she was now the older one, but because she was empty. Jay could provide him with no comfort. Her heart had frozen over long ago. To her, it had seemed like the only thing she could do in order to survive.

In an effort to soothe him, she glanced across at him in the least threatening way she could manage. "You can... call me Jay if you want, kid. But keep it to yourself." Shutting her eyes tightly before opening them wide again, she let out a sigh and slumped back in the chair. This place was beginning to tire her. She just wanted to get this over and done with so she could get on with her own life. If she was to have her own life after this anyway.

His words about the other children enticed a small smirk from her, and she tilted her head to the side gently. "They pick on you, right?" Judging from the look on his face, she was right. Jay frowned, "Doesn't Adrian or someone stick up for you? I mean, you're older than most of them... well, you look older... so they-"

The door suddenly swung open, and Jay immediately fell silent. Her normal cold expression swiftly returned. She might have been nice to the kid, if only because he seemed upset, but anyone else was a different story. They'd taken her prisoner and that was unacceptable.

She noted that this was the same woman who had accompanied Ulric. They were probably an item. Especially because she seemed to be some sort of second in command around here. Jay also remembered pointing a gun at her. It wasn't loaded at the time, but she hadn't known that.

"You shouldn't subject someone so young to something like this." Jay scolded, knowing how messy these situations could be. It was nothing for a child to witness, that was for sure.

Anel was asked a question by the prisoner woman. For a second or two, Anel started to ponder why this woman was trying to make him feel relaxed so much. That wouldn't benefit her in any way... or would it? He decided to answer it, fearing that the woman might take it the wrong way if he didn't.

"W-Well... You are a prisoner and uhh... I'm not really comfortable with c-captives..." replied Anel, still as shaky as he was when he had first entered the room.

He took one short glance of the woman's face and didn't see any form of displease in it. He breathed a little easier with that knowledge but took notice of the expression she was making. It was the same expression that Sabriyah did whenever she was comforting him when he was crying. Unfortunately though, he won't be able to see Briyah make that face again. The thought of her newly dead sister wrenched at his heart for a little while but he was quick to shoo it away. Like Ulric said, he had to be strong.

The woman never seems to run out of things that surprise young Anel. Now, she had introduced herself to him whilst she evaded every questions that Ulric had tossed at her. Why of all people, he was the one whom this woman will trust enough to tell her name. He nodded in response to her introduction and felt that he too needed to divulge his identity.

"I-I'm Anel..." replied the boy in an almost inaudible manner.

Another minute of silence befell the two of them before the woma-- err, Jay, spoke once again. It seems that his response to her insult pointed towards the other kids has humored her. She then started to console him about being picked by the other kids. Anel hung his head lower and kept his hands close to him. He hated discussing the topic. Guys in the church mock him for being so girly as to not stand for himself.

"It's okay... I'm used to it..." replied Anel.

Just then, Lady Milan had entered the interrogation room and more relief came to Anel's chest. At least he wasn't alone anymore with the captive. But then, the captive woman started to complain about him being put to watch her. He was confused and was searching for a reason to why she would raise that complain.

Milan paused, turning cold eyes towards the prisoner. She was scolding her? How brave, especially for someone at the total mercy of her captors. She took a deep, long and quiet breath, letting the vexation pass the way she had been taught. No one was in control of her emotions but herself. She would not let others dictate how she felt by using words or actions. She couldn’t afford to get angry or annoyed, hasty people made mistakes.

“Actually,” Milan replied, “Anel is technically an adult, due to the current and decisive death age. He is the future of the Disciples, and will be here even when I, and Ulric, are long gone.” She felt a flare of alarm at the very words that came out of her mouth. Life without Ulric was… too terrible to comprehend, so she shut down that train of thought at once.

“If he doesn’t learn how to be a soldier now, when will he? I myself was only one year older than him when I was out eliminating people for contracts. Life is fleeting.” She took a step closer, till she was within five feet of the woman. Scrutinizing her, she spoke again.

“Which brings us to the reason why you are here. Let us begin. What is your name?” Milan stared the woman in the eyes, unflinching and unblinking as a stone statue. She had surprised herself. She hadn’t expected to slip so easily into the role of an interrogator. But, in hindsight, she had the ideal personality for it. Quiet, composed, aloof, each aspect served her quite usefully in keeping her apart from the situation. She felt pity for the woman, she felt vaguely ashamed that they had to tie someone up and lock them in a room. But this was the way things were done. The end would always justify the means. She would do anything to keep Ulric alive, even if it meant killing or torturing a few people along the way. The mindset disgusted her, even as she believed in it wholeheartedly.

I am a contrary creature. Milan thought, turning her attention once again to the dark haired woman. She wasn’t going to enjoy this if the woman decided to be defiant. Though she could kill with inhuman grace and ease, Milan had not taken pleasure from death since she had been in the academy of assassins. She had been so eager to please that she had thrown herself wholeheartedly into her work. When she had found herself starting to enjoy the way her targets gurgled as they died and examining the artful way the blood had splattered across the concrete with pride, she had locked herself away from the terrible, terrible place. And never returned.

Anel hung his head low at Milan's mention of his future duties to the Disciples. He was or rather might be the next one to lead the Disciples. But Anel found that foolish somehow. How could someone like him who was being constantly pushed around by his peers be the next leader of the Disciples? To be honest, he'd rather hand the job to someone who was much more capable than him. Sabriyah could've been that someone but she wasn't a candidate anymore due to the circumstances that befell her.

After the argument about him was tossed aside and the interrogation got on the way, Anel excused himself out of the room. From his knowledge, he had heard that interrogations were never a pretty sight especially if the one one being interrogated was being persistent in revealing what he or she knew. Anel had to admit that she sorta liked the prisoner woman and her nice treatment to him. He would never sit around to see her suffer.

Anel noticed that the children had already left the run-down playground at the back of the university. Anel took the chance to unwind, hopping onto the swing and immersing himself in thoughts once more. He slowly rocked the swing, strong enough so that it moved but not too strong as he was fearing that the rusty chains could snap. Anel started to think of Sabriyah once again. His mind searched for the possible culprits of her death. And then... a memory graced his mind.

The Loki's Kin? Who are those people?

Yeah... They're the gang who rules the South of this dump.

What about them?

Those bastards raided by favorite hangout downtown. Nobody crashes The Bronze and gets away with it.

What are you gonna do then Briyah?

I'm gonna teach those fags what it's like to mess with the North. Even if I have to take them out one at a time.

Anel remembered that Sabriyah had sworn vengeance to the South sometime ago, a month or two perhaps. Maybe she hadn't been careful enough and got herself killed in the process.

“You are in no condition to talk to any prisoner. Not like this.” Ulric almost rolled his eyes at Milan, feeling that she was being a tad bit too protective, or worried about him; how many times had he told her to drop it, to just forget about him... he loved her, of course, but it was only a matter of time anyway, so she needed to smarten up before it was too late. About to open his mouth, and tell her to not worry about it, she quickly interrupted him, most likely knowing Ulric all too well - oh of course she did. “I will see to the prisoner. You should rest.” Feeling his wifes sweet, damp lips against his almost caused him to sob a bit, not wanting her to leave at all. God, was Ulric a hypocrite.

Limply holding her arm, she slipped through his fingers, and made her way to the door. “Feel better, my love.” Watching her leave, Ulric rubbed the bridge of his nose and shut his eyes to shield his emotions. For a moment he laid there motionless, then finally he rolled over and clutched one of the pillows, thinking about Milan extensively like he always did.

He hated feeling useless, and unable to take care of Milan, unable to do his job. Ulric was her husband, he should be able to hold her, and nurture her, to sweep her off her feet and give her every little thing she wanted; unfortunately, Ulric couldn't, and if anything, she took care of him more than he did her. That is why Ulric didn't want her to worry about him, because it was his job to worry, it was his job to take care of the Disciples dirty-work, not hers. He didn't want her off doing what he should be doing, logically he was too weak to do so, but God help him, he would sure as hell try.

Ulric despised not being able to take care of himself, the truth being he really couldn't... but he didn't want Milan to know that, he didn't want her to babysit him forever. He needed her so much, but then again, how much did she really need him? What could he really do anymore to benefit Milan? "Just take me now..." He thought to himself, hoping that someone would hear him. It was going to happen eventually anyway, probably sooner rather than later, so why not now?

Eyes shut, and attempting to sleep off his problems like Milan instructed him to, didn't really work out, Ulric unable to just sit a round and be useless. "To hell if I'm just going to lay around here and let others feel bad for me. Interrogate that damn captive myself..." Ulric said aloud, reopening his eyes and throwing the sheet onto the ground. Still in the nude, he jumped out of bed, and out of his haste, he slipped, his head hitting the floor with a "thump".

Sitting up and wincing, the room began to spin, and as Ulric reached back to rub his head, he could already feel a small bump. Growling and regrettably standing up, he wobbled as he walked towards the door, putting on his clothes along the way. By the time his hand reached the knob, he was dressed, and ready to go - although his hair was messy, clothes wrinkled... he still looked like a complete mess. Such a good example, the leader of the Disciples roaming around and looking like a hobo.

Slowly walking down the hall, with his hands trailing along the wall, he stopped and looked around at everyone who stared. "What? What's so interesting about me that you all just have to stare?! Don't you all have something better to do?! If not, someone, anyone feel free to blow my fucking brains out right now... ! No one? Then get up, and fuck off." He roared, snoring and fixing his posture before marching further down the hall towards the interrogation room.

Angrily opening the door to the small room, he slammed it behind him and narrowed his eyes. "I am here... and if anyone says a damn thing about my hair, or my clothes... I swear to god I'll put my foot so far up your as-." Looking over to Milan, then the captive, he groaned and shook his head, having forgotten that there were only two people in the room with him.

So this was what the world had come too. Was ADV such a threat that even now children were being deprived of the innocence they deserved? Anel should be free of thoughts of conflict and violence and death, but there was no escape from it, even at his tender age. The poor child would never be able to reflect back on his youth, because even from birth he was forced straight into adulthood.

Jay held the woman's gaze easily, the contempt in her own eyes much more prominent than usual. The decision was a difficult one to make. She could either be her usual stubborn self, or she could do as she was asked to do. Her character had allowed her to survive thus far, but perhaps change was in order. She had no desire to die here, especially not at the hands of the North.

There was a long pause, and suddenly the prisoner rose from her seat, standing tall and defiant in front of her captor. She blinked slowly, and after glancing over at the door Anel had just exited from she exhaled. Jay returned the woman's scrutinizing stare and smirked seeing how tense she was. Ready to spring... she thought to herself.

"My name... is Alyssandra Jay Ashford. It will mean nothing to you, nor anyone else here." That wasn't just an assumption, she knew it to be true. Never had she journeyed anywhere near the North gang before, or any of the gangs for that matter. And her companions had only ever known her as Jay. For once something was working in her favor.

Narrowing her gaze, she took a small step forward before continuing. Her tone this time was much lower, accusing even. "Now I have something to ask of you. Seeing as you took me away from my home and the land I was familiar with, I have absolutely no idea where I am. We've been on two trips so far, and that means I could be basically anywhere. I highly doubt you'd wish to take me all the way back, or even remember where you found me. But if you want to get anything more out of me, anything truthful that is... I want protection. You will let me remain with you until I am ready to move on."

It was a risky thing to ask, and Jay could have just dug her own grave, but if the information they thought she had was as vital to them as she thought, then they would have to oblige. For good measure she added carefully, "You must swear it - that I will not be harmed."

Jay decided to disengage, and so she returned to her seat, giving off the impression that she was being obedient. She was itching to get out of these cuffs and go for a walk outside to clear her head. Asking for some fresh air would be quite a stupid thing - there was no fresh air anymore - but anything was better than being cooped up in this damned room.

The door was swung open, and it's hinges creaked from the strain. A grimace distorted her features when she saw him, as pathetic as ever. But a wave of realization hit her. The reason for his absence, his appearance at the moment, the weakness that seemed to come and go. She crossed her arms and smiled smugly, "The Adenovirus, huh? You're older than you look, Ulric. No wonder you went down so easily."

Panting slightly now, Church surveyed the battle which did not rage quite so hard as before, his fingers clenching his pistol tighter. The barrel of his shotgun smoked for a moment longer, the young man breaking it open and depositing his empty shells into a coat pocket. His pistol still possessed a few more shots, though his shotgun was out and he had no more in his pocket or at home. He would have to remember to try and scavenge for more shells later.

His leg ached ever more, but he didn’t show it. He had done exactly as the woman had told him to do, waiting for the burning to stop. When it had, he had pulled the bullet free of his leg and tucked it into his pocket. He figured he would keep it as a souvenir of his injury from the hectic battle. Now, though, the battle had slowed and it was less interesting for him than it had been. Before, in the chaos, he had enjoyed himself despite the death.

Getting back to the HumV had been a pain, his leg throbbing as he’d come to rest himself behind the truck with the rest again. Though he had fought on his own many times, he preferred, when the option arose, to fight with a team. Now he would have to really rely on them, too, with the damage to his leg. It wasn’t life threatening, but the wound was enough to slow him down. He’d need to depend more on Trys when they had to head back to join Ezra and Jonah.


Elsewhere, Ezra pulled himself up in a ball as Jonah pulled himself away, tucking a thumb into his mouth. Though he was sleeping well, he was already getting fitful, a sign that he was waking. He tossed and turned a bit, making quiet whining sounds. Had Church been there to hear them, he would have chuckled and smiled…the younger boy knew those sounds well. He had, after all, spent enough time with Ezra to know when he was waking and when he was tired.

After a time, Ezra finally snorted and twitched, sitting up in bed with a start, clutching the blanket. His eyes darted about as he tried to process where he was. Though he’d gotten up to use the toilet earlier, he had forgotten he was in Church’s house as he woke. After a bit, though, he calmed and looked over to Jonah, resting the blanket on his hips, but not pulling it down. He didn’t want to reveal his underpants to the boy, unsure if he’d seen them already, speaking quietly.

“Well good morning, sunshine. Did you sleep good? I did…you looked cute in the chair. But…you kinda looked uncomfortable, too. I hope you didn’t mind me moving you.”

Toby looked out cautiously from his piece of cover, at the battleground. He saw one rogue crawling away, his leg shot and his weapon dragging behind him. Toby looked out over the landscape and saw the only survivors, his allies. He dragged himself out from behind the tire and held his collarbone, leaking blood and burning in pain.

He stood slowly, and walked over to the raider limping away, and he kicked the pistol he was dragging behind him away. Toby looked at the raider, who, at 18, had a look of no surrender on and glared daggers at him. Toby holstered his own pistol, and drew his chainblade. Unflinchingly, he revved it and stabbed it down into the raiders chest, making a mess of it all and spraying himself with blood and gore. He withdrew it, and let the bladed teeth spin a bit, cleaning the blade, before sheathing it. He opened the driver's side door of the Humvee, and checked the engine. It still coughed to life, and as soon as it did, he turned it off again.

"Hey, Knights, do us a favor and we'll do one for you. Help change the busted tire on this thing, and we'll patch you up back at our base. And get that girl in here, we need to get her back fast. You...random guy. Help the girl, and Terra, keep her stable. And let's take Meg back, she deserves a ceremony. I'm... I'm gonna sleep now." Toby said all of this as he staggered back to the group, and fell forwards as he finished, the loss of blood and pain finally catching up with him.

'Well, maybe this day wasn't a total waste...'

Post carnage report, No Man's Land, Capitol Wasteland.

*It was over, the battle had been won. Blood slicked Tessa's right shoulder, and more covered her leg, with brain tissue and skull bits adding flavor. She walked back to the main group, putting away her rifle and releasing her helmet with a twist and a hiss. She bent down and smiled:*

"It's over, we're safe now. How's the girl doing?"

*It was then that she heard Toby's call, and headed over to him, running over as her fell. She was too late to catch him, but she lifted him up and turned him over, genuine concern in her eyes and voice.*

"Brother Toby! Hey, come on, snap out of it! Medic!"

Elder Hall, Citadel, Capitol Wasteland

*A small group of Elders was assembled in the room, all sitting in comfortable chairs, dining on meat that had been 'purchased' from a local settlement. There was much talk, and the tone was a somber one:*

"It is a just action..."
"It is Heresy!"
"It must happen!"
"It will, Sister, it will..."

The entire ordeal was extremely tiring for Terra, being locked up in a lab most of her life she hardly ever got to exercising, so even a seemingly weightless person like Addie was a strain on her strength, only persistence and hardcore mental persuasion kept her going.

When she set Addie down she immediately rushed towards Toby, halting a little, she hadn’t noticed the sprain in her ankle until now. Toby lying on the ground blanched Terra’s face; it was like a splash of cold water embraced in the scorching sun in a very unpleasant way.

"That should hold for now, but we need to get them back and looked at." Terra heard Damien say. Terra grabbed her bag and ripped her satchel open, removing both the medic’s kit and a yellow coloured bottle. Toby was already patched up pretty good, she took the tweezers that lay next to him and put it in the satchel, gripping the bottle a bit too hard, Terra looked down at her palm and noticed that she was perspiring a lot.

She was wondering why she was feeling this sense of urgency when Toby was in good hands, Addie looked like she would make it and Church wasn’t that badly injured. Then something hit her, an invisible punch to the gut that left Terra breathless. The sun darkened and it seemed as everything went still, the sound of Trys addressing Church droned out, it was completely silent. Terra felt nauseous as she tumbled over, something wasn’t right, even in this unorthodox situation there was something that was off, she quickly counted the people that were present, taking in their injuries and level of consciousness. Terra turned her head slowly to look up at Tessa.

“Whe… Where is Meg?” Fear and urgency was in her voice as her eyes darted from person to person and from corpse to corpse. The atmosphere escalated by tenfold, chaotic madness took over her fragile state of mind.

“Meg? MEG?!” Silence took over, she finally remembered what had happened during the battle.
The brittle silence shattered when the bottle she was holding seconds ago was suddenly scattered across the barren grounds, Terra’s hand was rested on a rock, yellow and red liquid pouring down into the sand.

Terra was on her knees, sobbing by Meg’s body, a stinging pain was in the palm of her hand, but she ignored it. She didn’t know how she got there, completely blinded by the horror she had blocked out the fatigue, blocked out the noise and blocked out the responsibility that laid on her shoulders, to take care of the people that needed it most.
Her only friend, however sad that may be, was gone.

*Tessa left Toby as the others came to his aid. As she stood and surveyed the area, Terra's voice caught her attention, and she followed her over to where the dead body lay. She hadn't known who the person that died on her HUD was, but now that she could see it was Meg, it was a somewhat sad moment. She put her massive steel hand on Terra's shoulder and spoke calm and collected:*

"I am sorry for the loss of your comrade, she seemed like a good person. She will be missed."

*Tessa never was one for inspirational words, but it was the thought, right? She left Terra to grieve over her friend and looked around for anything she could do to help the wastelanders. Finding very little that they couldn't do themselves, she replaced her helmet and tuned into the Citadel Communications Network. She was greeted by static and a dial tone, with a low beat along side it. Her signal had been intercepted and was being jammed...how was that possible?*

Yes... It was them... I just know it was them!

With the finality of his thoughts, Anel kicked off of the swing and headed back inside the university to convene his thoughts to someone who may find something out of it, namely Ulric or Milan. As the child traversed the winding halls of the university, the sound of children running about came to his ears. Anel didn't want to pass by the other kids, mainly because he has had enough stress to deal with already. Unfortunately for him though, there was no other way back to Ulric's room other than the hallway in front of him. Taking a deep breath he began walking towards the group of kids. Adrian was trying his best to pacify the buzzing children but was not doing such a great job apparently.

"Hi guys..." greeted Anel to the kids, adding a small smile to the greeting.

The cheerful noises suddenly stopped when Anel's voice was heard. All the kids started to glare at him as if he was a leper walking into a white dress ball. Anel's smile sank and his head was once again facing the floor.

"Oh come on now guys! Don't be like that to Anel." scolded Adrian.

"But he yells at us!" frowned a girl whom Anel recognized as Melinda.

Why wouldn't he yell at them? If they haven't decided on using 3 days worth of food as their plaything then he wouldn't have yelled at them. Ulric reminded him time and time again to discipline the children, but it was a double-edged sword to be honest.

"It's alright... I'll just be going..." uttered the child before quickly walking past the group.

"Jerk..." uttered a boy from the group.

Anel made haste for Ulric's room as quickly as he could. Unfortunately for him, the room seems to be recently vacated. Well, there was only one other place he could be in. Anel made several paces towards the interrogation room where the wo-- Jay, was being questioned by Milan. As much as he hated seeing how much damage Milan had already inflicted on the woman (who to be honest was the nicest person he has ever met in two years), but the information was too important to be delayed.

He reached the doorway to the interrogation room and he could hear voices inside, not just Jay's and Milan's but another one, presumably Ulric. The boy swallowed his throat, knocked on the door twice, and pushed past the door. The pair seems to be carrying on with questioning Jay. Anel waited for Jay to finish before approaching Ulric. Anel tugged on the end of Ulric's loose jacket to get his attention.

"U-Ulric... I... I think I've got some information on who killed Sabriyah..." told Anel.

This seems to have captivated the man's attention as his eyes diverted from Jay and focused into him.

"I... I think that The Loki's Kin killed her. She was raiding their outpost recklessly. I wanted to tell you but she said that I should keep it a secret..." continued Anel. "I'm sorry..." he uttered in a shaky manner, afraid that Ulric might snap at him for keeping quiet on his sister's misadventures.

"The Adenovirus, huh? You're older than you look, Ulric. No wonder you went down so easily." Ulric's eyes widening, he held back a scowl as he clutched his shirt with a frown. "Hold your tongue! I've kept the virus well sheltered from the rest of the Disciples thus far, I don't need them knowing that their leader is dying, especially during such a time as now." Biting his lower lip, and pulling his hand away from his shirt, he raised it in the air, thinking about just slapping the woman across her face due to her cockiness. "I swear, if Milan wasn't here, I'd slap that smi-." Glancing at Milan, Ulric embarrassingly blushed, "But of course I wouldn't hit a girl, Milan here or not."

"Well, that sure didn't keep you from slamming a gun across my head at my home, in where you barged in unwelcomed." Ulric's lips twisting, and warping, he instantly made a wry expression of pure frustration as he dragged a chair over from the corner of the room and placed it in front of the girl. Taking a seat, and rubbing his nose, he leaned his head back and glanced at Milan who had walked up behind him and worriedly placed a warm hand on his shoulder. "Ulric, maybe you should go back to the room and lie down. You're in no state to be questioning this girl... I told you I would take your place."

Sighing, Ulric laid a hand over Milan's, "No, I am fine. Wouldn't want to miss th-." Interrupted by a few small knocks on the door, he waited until he heard the door open and close before going on with what he was saying. "No matter, what do you know of Jonothan, what exactly did he leak out?" Ulric's eyes narrowing, his expression grew serious as he waited for an answer. "Why don't you just save your breath because I know nothing." Growling, Ulric was about to further press the matter before a few small tugs on his shirt lead his eyes expectedly to Anel's.

"U-Ulric... I... I think I've got some information on who killed Sabriyah..." Ulric was almost laughing inside as he heard the young boy speak; Anel was surely smart, and was probably going to be the future leader of the Disciples, but how could Anel, a 13 year old boy find out such information on his lonesome. No, maybe Ulric was just jumping to conclusions, maybe Anel had help? Hell, maybe Anel was just thinking too much, it was his sister after all. Although, what if Anel really was onto something... ? Best listen to him. Ulric snapping back into it, he tuned back into Anel.

"I... I think that The Loki's Kin killed her. She was raiding their outpost recklessly. I wanted to tell you but she said that I should keep it a secret..." Reviewing what he had just heard, and other current situations, he began slowly fitting his problems together to form a simple conclusion. North and South had always been natural born enemies, and even the current time period posed no difference. Jonothan, an ex Disciple, was said to have leaked information/equipment and goods; a rumor, and partial fact concluded by watching Jonothan closely after a few small disappearances took place – and an odd depletion of items. Who did he leak information to? None other than The Loki's Kin.

"I'm sorry..." Blinking after temporarily spacing out, Ulric satisfyingly smiled as he lifted Anel up and placed him on his lap. "Anel! You are indeed the answer to my problems!" Ulric commented, rubbing his chin as he further drifted off into his thoughts. South was weakening, their forces little more than none. With them dead, Ulric would no longer have to worry about the whereabouts of what Jonothan leaked out, nor would he have to worry about South in general. One gang down, two to go. The South's purpose was to completely destroy the key anyhow, with them dead, Ulric would no longer have to worry about hope being permanently lost.

Besides those key points, Ulric was also simply avenging a fallen ally. "Milan, why not go rally up some troops if you would. I want everyone outside in the courtyard at once. Anel, how about you just wait outside.. I would like to talk to our prisoner alone." Milan muffling a small cough, she cut in. "Alyssandra, I think she would prefer Alyssandra." Ulric grimacing, he waved his hand, signaling them to take their leave. Once Milan and Anel left, and shut the door behind him, Ulric turned to face "Alyssandra".

Tapping his fingers across the table in front of him, "For one I'm not going to give you an apology, but I have decided to forget you, and this interrogation because all these little problems can be avoided if I focus on the bigger picture at hand. You have a choice: You can either stay with the Disciples, or take your leave. Try anything though, and I promise you your life will not be given mercy to any degree." Smugly grinning, Ulric stood stood up and turned his back to her. Softly chuckling, "Alyssandra..." Ulric said as means of a goodbye.

Opening the door, Ulric briefly faced Anel. "Anel, please show our, guest, to a room, and then if she wishes, the courtyard. I also wish for you to personally be her escort for the remainder of the day, I'm sure she could use the company just as you could." Placing his fingers under the boys chin and raising it up, Ulric smiled. "And thank you for bringing that information to me... It was quite enlightening." Bringing his arms back to his sides, he started making his way outside.

"Hey! What about my... cuffs." Jay sighed, rolling her eyes to the ceiling in annoyance. Though her sour mood was not really necessary now. As astounding as it was, things were fine, and she hadn't even said a meaningful word to Ulric about anything, especially not Jonothan. There was not a scratch on her, nor a bruise, and she'd still managed to retain her pride. A smug little smile soon grew into a triumphant grin, she'd won this round.

Remembering what Ulric had called her she stuck out her tongue, making a face behind his back before he disappeared from sight. She immediately cast an accusing glance across at Anel, "Don't even think of calling me 'Alyssandra', got it? It's not pretty, it's not nice, it's absolutely disgusting." So that she didn't intimidate him too much, she brought back the smile from before, "Got keys by any chance, kid?"

Within a few moments she was finally released from the handcuffs. Never before had she felt such a feeling of relief. She hadn't received an apology from Ulric, but that wasn't surprising. In all honesty she was glad of it. They could continue to loathe each other without guilt, both having their reasons for such feelings. At least now she knew she'd outlive him, and soon he'd be as weak as a kitten. There wasn't much he could do to threaten her.

Jay was in the middle of stretching her limbs when she spoke to Anel again, this time her tone was serious. "I'm glad I've got the all clear, I can be out of here by nightfall." Straightening herself out, she rested a hand on her hip and looked down at him. Something about the boy had a calming effect on her. The more time she spent with him, the more serene she felt. And, seeing the look on his face when she mentioned her departure, she just couldn't bring herself to carry through with it.

"But you know... I've been itching to own a gun that actually has bullets in it. Think fearless leader will let carry a firearm? It looks like here would be the only place for me to possibly attain one. So I guess, that means I'll stay. For now." With a mischievous smirk she continued, "'sides, your 'friends' don't know mine isn't loaded, I'm sure we could give them a bit of a fright, if you wanted." Jay wanted too, that was for sure. It'd give the kids something else to gawk at, other than her own appearance.

The woman now hovered at the doorway, her eyes scouring the corridor. "Ulric said courtyard, care to take me there? According to him I'm desperately lonely, and so are you. We can be miserable together, hm?"

Begrudgingly, Jay was looking forward to spending some time with the Disciples. Gang life had never appealed to her, and still didn't, but the outside world wasn't pretty, and it didn't look like things were going to be getting better anytime soon. If you wanted to survive, you needed to be willing to play the game. And if that meant choosing sides, then so be it.

Anel gasped a bit when he was lifted off the ground and into Ulric. He could feel his heart elevate to dizzying heights one again. Mustering enough courage or kicking himself mentally enough times to do so, he looked up at Ulric who was giving him an approving smile. He flustered a bit, just like any child would if his good work was praised. The young child should really be smiling right now but he didn't. He simply nodded in response to Ulric's praise before he was sent out once more. Apparently Ulric was not done speaking to Jay whom he refers to as Alyssandra.

Anel waited out in the hallway and watched Milan pass by him and ultimately disappear into the halls, off to fulfill Ulric's whim. The kids who were playing could not be heard anymore, Adrian possibly finding some success in taming the rampaging youths. Well, Anel didn't have any qualms with that. The aged metal door finally opened, Anel stepping back a bit to avoid getting hit. The first one to emerge was Ulric who looked at him once more. The man took hold of his chin and the boy faltered a bit. His eyes closed a bit but reopened when Ulric thanked him.

"It's... Nothing... " replied Anel. "I'm happy to be of help..." he added with a little more volume.

But as soon as Ulric started to walk away, Jay came running after him, demanding her cuffs removed. The woman glared at him and warned the timid child not to use the name that Ulric referred to her. Anel crammed his eye shut and shook his head briskly.

"No... No... I won't call you that." replied Anel as if Jay was going to beat him into a bloody mess if he didn't say it.

But the mood finally lightened when the woman asked him to unlock her bindings. He shook his head when asked if he had the key to it but went down the ground and picked up some bent wire on the floor and began fiddling with the keyhole on Jay's cuffs. Soon the lock clicked and her left hand was freed and Anel worked on her right. After that one was freed too, he took the cuffs and placed it on his pockets. Ulric will probably want it later.

"Let's go... Ulric wants everyone in the courtyard..." uttered Anel to Jay, surprisingly with a hint of emotions added to it this time. It was rare to add any actual tone change to his speech but he found himself doing so with this woman. As they made their way to the courtyard, Anel decided to give Jay a run-down of the rules and regulations of the gang. "So... You won't be staying here Miss Jay since it's already crammed in here. There's still some space left in 7th Bell Chapel though so that's where you'll probably be staying. I think you've been there right?" asked Anel.

The woman then began to express her joy of finally being freed of her captivity and that she'll be able to get out of Northern territory by dusk. Anel's neutral face suddenly sank once again after hearing this. He knew he shouldn't have expected too much. Then she went on about her desire of carrying a gun with actual bullets, complete opposite of what Anel thinks of the stuff.

"Ulric doesn't allow newcomers to carry guns... Not after the incident with Mark." replied Anel with a sigh. The man was a newcomer whom Ulric decided was a capable warrior and decided to arm him with a .45 magnum. He had accidentally shot two friendlies due to the hype brought by the gun.

But then, something Jay said made him brighten up. Somewhere in her statement, she said something bout staying for a while. With his back turned to the woman, he smiled a bit before reverting his face back to neutrality. She suggested giving the kids a small scare but he was quick to decline.

"Please don't... They'll be having nightmares again and I don't wanna go there anymore. I've already quite had enough of tending with them in the morning." said Anel.

The darkness of the corridor finally broke and the smell of the outside began filling Anel's nose. Jay reaffirmed of her stay in the North as well as an invitation.

"Okay..." he replied meekly. "I guess so..." he uttered.

Between the dull throb of his leg and his almost obsessive cleaning of his gun now that things were over, Church missed the words of one of the males he didn’t know. His eyes watched his fingers work, not having his tools to fully clean it, yet ceaselessly polishing the huge pistol. He was, however, grateful for the body armor he had, no matter how basic it may be. Something was always better than nothing, after all, even if it did end up being punched through by a shell.

He looked up only once, head cocking to one side, eyes raking over the small group. His eyes slipped back to the pistol, however, scanning over it. When he was satisfied with his work, he opened the large Bible at his side and once more tucked away the revolver. He reached a hand into his coat, starting to retrieve his shotgun, rather disappointed that he was out of shells for it now. He didn’t get a hand on it, however, twitching in surprise when Trys spoke to him. He hadn’t expected him to be so close. It was actually one of his first shows of any type of surprise aside from the surprise of having a bullet punch through his armor. He was just a strange one that way, though. He always seemed to slip off into his own little world after killing someone.

“I’m doing as good as I can be. And I can help if you want. It’ll get my mind off the dull ache in my leg.”

---

Ezra smiled just slightly as the boy nodded, smoothing a hand down his shirt to get the wrinkles mostly out. He frowned when the shirt stayed rumpled, then understood why. He lifted his rump off the bed, getting it off of the shirt and untwisting it from around his torso. He then sat back down and rested his hands in his lap, shaking his head just a bit at what the boy asked.

“No, it’s fine…Jonah, right? Sorry. I was tired last night and…I have a hard time remembering names. I would like something to drink, though, please. I get sick to my stomach if I eat too soon after waking.”

He nodded slowly, the pale young man surprisingly not sweating for once. Laying around in his underpants apparently had benefits. A smile crept across his lips as he watched the boy, slowly starting to play with the blanket in his lap out of habit. Ezra was, after all, a creature of habit, though most of the time he suffered for it, too. He cleared his throat once, then spoke again in that same quiet tone.

“If you wanted, you could lay back down. I won’t mind. Just relax, kiddo. You seem so high strung.”

*At the sound of the military vehicle’s engine starting, Tessa’s attention was turned back towards the group:*

“I’m sorry everyone, but I need to return to the Citadel. I can meet back up with you all in the West at a later date; I have a farily good idea of where your main headquarters is. However, if you would rather that I join you, I will.”

*As she waited for a response from the group, from anyone really, her thoughts returned to the Citadel. Although it probably wasn’t an emergency, it was very puzzling: who in the wasteland could jam their communications? Unless the jamming signal was coming from the Brotherhood itself, the odds were almost non-existent…*

Pushing his way through the wooden door to the outside and making his way through the crowd of people, he stood on top of the center fountain - which was full of murky water - so that he could elevate himself slightly and overlook the others. For a moment he just stood there in silence, speechless while staring at the ground, trying to collect his thoughts. Everyone else just stared at him patiently, going quiet, curiosity causing them to dwell in the thought of what their leader was about to say. By the looks of it, it had to be quiet important, so they had to be quite. They had to listen. They had to hear the first word no matter what.

Opening his mouth, everyone jolted a bit, tuning in only to gain Ulric simply clearing his throat followed by a quick chuckle in response to everyone’s reaction. Nervously scratching at the goosebumps along his arms, Ulric raised his head and faced everyone with a sigh. "Let’s do this..." He thought, biting his lower-lip as he contemplated his escape plan.

Ulric was unsure if everyone would go along with attacking the South, and the risk that could follow. Besides, he was just going on a hunch, nothing more than that. It all sounded right, sure, but was it right? No, it was, this was a time of war, a time of sacrifice. South's purpose was to destroy the 'Key', to destroy the last hope the world had of rising from the ashes of generations past mistakes. They had to die in order for the rest to have a bigger chance of surviving.

Nodding his head to himself after constant grumbling, he took one last deep breath before addressing his fellow Disciples.

"My fellow Disciples, we live in a time of war, and tribulation, a time in where generations past are to blame. But, instead of sitting here, cursing the damned and the deceased, it is our sole purpose to fix what they did! North, South, West, and East... Four who live for the same cause? WRONG! West and East are saints compared the savage South who wish to leave us suffering and destroy the 'Key'! There can only be one winner, but if South has their way, there will be none! Are we zero, or are we one?" Ulric roared with emotion, pacing a bit as he faced everyone, his eyes piercing sense into theirs.

"Fire and ice, light and dark, hell, ying and yang... Two forces that forever collide, but in the end both stand. North and South... What is the difference? Both will not stand, both will not be triumphant. South will fall, and there will be no more North and South. There will be just North... ! The Disciples... ! The future law-bringers to this planet engulfed in twilight, stuck between endless shadow, and the light at the other end of the tunnel. Will we sit around while South destroys us? Will we sit around while they reap off our endless secrets? Will we sit around as they slowly feed off our resources? NO! We will stand up, and bring an end to the abominations of nature. Let us find the light at the end of the tunnel rather than mingle endlessly in the middle. If there is a God, let us pray he is with us, lets pray that angels have our backs against these demons from hell!" Everyone cheering on Ulric's spiced up words, Ulric just stood there, a grin across his face, clearly satisfied with every last one of his words.

"First it was Jonothan, the scum who leaked North dry... Then Sabriyah whose death who will not go in vain. We will right the wrong! Us! No one else! Disciples, I now only have one question.... Are you with me?"