Gerard Lorrette's Story

It was supposed to be a fun night. A night for Alisia to get a bit wild and free for once. She didn't exactly get out much and socialise; everything was professional and work work work with her. The young female hadn't exactly "dressed the part" for the alive night club.
As she sat silently on a stool, she was beginning to ask herself why she thought it was a good idea to go to the night club in the first place. "What do I do now?" She questioned herself as she studied those whom seemed younger than her and one with the night club. Everyone was either drinking, grinding their bodies against each other and calling it 'dancing' or doing some other kind of shady or dirty business. None of it she seemed to feel like getting herself involved with.
Letting out an annoyed sigh, she would lean her elbow on the hard wooden counter then rest the side of her face in the palm of her hand. Then a sudden loud noise went ringing through her ears and for a moment everything seemed slightly muted as everyone began rushing around her and out of the main exit. Then reality hit her and everything was much more clearer and hasty. Her heart began pounding furiously in her chest and she felt panicked.
Quickly getting out of her seat and moving like the rest of the crowd, her eye caught two men going in a different direction to the crowd. Her eyes followed their lead before she realised the bright exit sign ahead of them they were headed to. Alisia hurried after them and remained on their smart trail until out of fear and determination she managed to fasten her finger on the back of one of the male's shirts to make sure she would not lose them among the terrorised people. Alisia swiftly managed to avoid being slammed in the head by the door on the way out mainly because of all the adrenaline that filled her body.

Once she was finally out of the crazy night club gone even more wrong, she unhooked her finger from the male's shirt and panted, halting to finally catch her breath. "Jesus Christ..." She managed to say through her deep and fast breaths.

"Ahhhhh, burn them all," Gerard cursed, turned, and jerked back from the door to face the female who had followed them out. Braxton had his hand on his weapon still. They were in a side alley, nicer than most and lit alright. Sounds of rioting in the distance began to fill the area.

"You know what's goin' on?" Neither of the boys did, but Gerard figured this girl might. Anyone might, according to the off duty officer. Braxton was leaning against the wall, weapon idling in his little fingers. He wasn't an Aschen policing agent official, and wasn't suspicious of everyone and everything.

"She's uninvolved," He said passively while scrolling through his cell phone, but Gerard took a step closer to the girl just in case. Rolling his eyes Braxton continued to type on his phone, glancing sidelong down the alley every now and again. He sent a message | Where r u_

"I have....no bloody..idea" Alisia said between long breaths before finally calming herself and standing upright, having a better view of the two she had followed. "Don't you think if I knew I wouldn't have followed you? All I know is that some crazy idiot fired a gun." Alisia really didn't want something as crazy as shootings to go on tonight. She just wanted to do something different. The one time she didn't bring a weapon for protection, it had to be tonight, she felt really stupid for that. At least she still had her highly skilled self defense. Alisia had no idea what these people were like and for all she knew they could be as crazy as those who fired the gun, she doubted it though, but just in case she was on guard.

The female's eyes shifted for a moment as a second voice was heard. "She's uninvolved," he said, not involved with what? She wondered, had something aside from the gun fire happen? Or was he talking about being involved with the gun fire? As the male took a step closer, Alisia took a step back, she'd be taking very serious precautions from here on.

After a long pause, it was clear she wasn't involved. He glared for a moment or two longer, taking her in. Gerard eased off step or two. He had her memorized, and had her number so to speak. The sounds of rioting in the distance began to grow louder and more chaotic. Whoever is involved will burn, Gerard thought.

"Crazy idiot's right," Braxton muttered under his breath, receiving a taxed look from Gerard, to which he shrugged and looked off towards the street. Something was up. "Got your radio?" Braxton asked Gerard on a whim. Why he would bring it to a nightclub...Well, it was worth an ask.

Gerard shook his head. "It's back at the crib. We could pick it up or-" A fiery blast just outside the mouth of the alley cut him off, and sent him reeling for the girl in the alley with him. Braxton braced himself against a wall.

I should have just stayed at home Alisia thought as things seemed to be growing louder and more chaotic somewhere in the distance. This worried her, were they shifting closer to their current location or was it just getting more violent? She looked in the direction the noise seemed to be coming from and a worried expression filled her face. Sure she could protect herself but she wasn't freaking superwoman; there was no way she could deal with a riot of sorts that she could hear and she hadn't dealt with one before in her entire life either.
Her attention changed back to the two males who were now talking about a radio until something so suddenly happened that her heart almost jumped out of her chest. Everything was happening too fast for her liking tonight, she didn't even have time to breathe or take in what had previously happened. The force of fiery blast most certainly hit her rather violently, although it didn't quite hurt as much as she would have expected, she could still most certainly feel its heat and anger. Thankfully, the male she had been talking to made it less of such a great impact.
She was so shocked she couldn't even scream or yell. Once she had taken in what happened properly again, she coughed as the smell of smoke filled her lungs. "What the actual hell!?" Alisia exclaimed, her eyes wide open and a hit of adrenaline filling her body.

Outside wasn't safe, it was clear. Rioting had reached the adjacent street. The detonation of the car was like a firing gun for a race. Citizens began streaming into the streets, adding to the chaos. Gerard swore under his breath as Braxton moved past him for the door of the nightclub. He wasn't sure where there was more danger, the street or in there, but he wasn't about to get swept up in a riot or blamed for the car bomb. Nope.

Gerard grabbed for the girl, meaning to drag her along back inside as he followed Braxton. Simultaneously his cell phone began to ring, and he cursed some more. Already inside, Braxton surveyed the immediate area by aiming his gun around. The music almost echoed through the emptied club, shafts of colored light illuminating him in turn as he crossed the dance floor. A single glass tumbling from the bar counter and shattering was cause for alarm.

"Hey!" Braxton aimed his gun directly at the noise, listening. "I got a gun," He warned whoever was over there before the glass clinked again, someone was moving back there.

"Show yourself or I'll shoot!" A shadow erupted from behind the counter, things breaking in it's wake as it pounded down a back hall. Braxton followed the form with his gun. Whoever it was didn't seem like they were coming back.

Instinctively, she would go along with the two male's actions without any questions. They seemed like they knew what they were doing and their weapons seemed less hostile and more of a weapon for protection and not revenge filled murder. The male grabbing her didn't even process in her mind, too much adrenalin rushed through her body that forced her to concentrate on the bigger picture.
Alisia's head darted left and right to every sharp sound she heard. The sight of a blaze in the distance and the sounds people going rampant distracted her before she finally decided to pay attention to her own life. As the male whom she had forgotten was practically saving her's phone began to ring, her footsteps slowed as she waited for him to check his phone? Or do something with it.
Her eyes shifted to the second male who had already entered the building. "Is he going to be okay in there by himself? Isn't that where the shooting started?" Alisia questioned; then again it seemed safer than outside in the riot, but still. Crazy people with guns could still be in there. "God dammit, out of all the times to not bring your gun..." She muttered softly to herself, still annoyed at the fact she was unable to protect herself and had to 'rely' on two strangers she hadn't met before.

Gerard pulled out his badge and flashed it at the girl before continuing. She should know, she had to know, that she was in safe hands. With someone who wouldn't shoot her up on the spot for her wallet, or pillage her body was the world ended. He didn't know what was going on here in Caprica City, but he was sure that it wasn't good at all. Jaw and mind set he looked into her eyes.

"Agent Lorette, here to serve and protect," Gerard's heart skipped a beat as more gunfire opened on the street over there. He rushed through the door, girl in one hand gun in the other.

"Clear?" Gerard shouted over the still blaring music at the form of Braxton, who stood in the middle of the dance floor aiming his gun around.

"Yeah," Braxton lowered the weapon as Gerard approached, eyeing the girl with a half smile. Good, he didn't think she was a terrorist. Gerard had that problem sometimes, being in the police and all. He was so suspicious sometimes! Well, given the state of things...

"So, did I hear you mention a gun outside?" Gerard suddenly said to the girl, and all eyes were on her. He had let go of her arm, but both men stayed in close quarters. Braxton's phone still hadn't received a response, which worried him, but he had to take advantage of the moment of peace. Pulling out his phone, he fiddled with it vigorously, up to something.

Well that most certainly was a relief. She studied the badge for a moment then nodded, hurrying along with the Agent until they entered the building. He released her arm and questioned her about the gun she had muttered about. Well, she wasn't exactly allowed to own the gun by 'law' but she usually always had one on her for protection.
"Ah. Yes, I usually have my gun on me for protection you see. But for some stupid reason, out of all the days, I forgot to bring it with me today." She was practically disappointed with herself for forgetting about her own safety. At least she still had her fists and her Krav Maga sort of fighting style.
Brushing her hair out of her face she let out a sigh; every loud and unnerving sound she heard made her jump and flinch, looking in all sorts of directions as to where it might becoming from. Because of all the adrenalin rushing through her, she felt as though if anyone were to randomly grab her, she might punch them in the face. A harsh reflex indeed.
Alisia's eyes shifted to the other male who seemed to be the Agent's partner, she'd assume so anyway. She felt lucky enough to have followed them instead of the rest of the crowd who were probably stuck in that horrible riot outside.

"I'm Alisia by the way." The female finally introduced herself rather informally, still looking around the room wearily. It was hard to keep full eye contact on the two even after they said it was clear. Anyway could randomly burst in through the doors and do something crazy and stupid.

"Damn it, I want these people off the streets," a woman's voice barked out over the din and commotion of the rioting mobs in the distance that still dotted the burning city.

The woman's uniform marked her as an Aschen marine, the staple of the Aschen ground forces, and while Shannon Bennet wasn't a particularly imposing woman on a physical level, nor an overly seasoned officer, what she lacked in size and years she made up for in the authoritative tone of her voice. She had a commanding air about her that when she spoke, it was plain to see that she expected to be listened to. While the Aschen High Space Command was mobilizing to address the threat of the unknown ship that had appeared within the planetary atmosphere, the marines were mobilizing to prepare in quelling ground disturbances.

"Give me that," she instructed as she took a comm device from one of her men. Flipping it on, her voice echoed up and down the neighboring streets as her voice was broadcasted through emergency channels.

"Attention citizens of Caprica City," she began. "This is Master Sergeant Shannon Bennet. You are instructed to clear the streets and to take shelter within the available bunkers. Standby for evacuation information. I repeat, you are instructed to clear the streets and to take shelter within the available bunkers. This is a harrowing time for the Aschen Empire, but you have not been abandoned. May his merciful shadow fall upon you."

Flipping the comm device off she scowled. The military, the CPF and the local law enforcement were mobilizing to try and restore order to the city, but the rioting continued unabated. With foreign ships present in Aschen space, it was looking more and more likely that the city would soon become a war zone.

"Get as many men as you can spare to assist the CPF and local law enforcement in getting these streets cleared," she told the man as she returned the comm device. "If this city is about to turn into a war zone, we don't want civilians running amok in the line of fire. Get them to shelter."

The Military response was swift once the initial explosion rocked the city. In the blink of an eye, hundreds of thousands of lives were suddenly extinguished. The City was suddenly rocked to it's foundation as the explosion blasted out buildings and flattened skyscrapers near the epicenter.

McKenna and the others near the Police station would be privy to the explosion. The dull thundering in the distance before the CPF Officer screamed. "Get down!" Before he grabbed the group and threw them to the floor as the shock-wave blew through windows and threw debris and papers all through the Police station.

It wasn't long before a second crack echoed through the city. But this one was different. In an automatic response, Van Graff Missile Base had responded to the sudden attack, diverting it's Anti-Orbital Magnetic Acceleration Cannon perched on a mountaintop it had locked onto the strange ship and it had opened fire, hurling a single high-caliber slug of ferric-tungsten towards the vessel. The speed was astonishing, and approaching light speeds, the projectile left a contrail of superheated plasma in it's wake, cutting slap through most shields and armor, and reducing the ship to slag in mere seconds.

The Sheer Kinetic energy of the projectile would enable it not only to cripple the ship, but punch a hole clean through the center. Afterall stopping a projectile with this much kinetic energy required near infinite energy and the thermodynamic energy released would vaporize the ship, and half the planet.

The Military of course watched and waited to see if the dust cleared and they would need to fire another shot.

Inviere watched the interference on the DRADIS, before she opened a Channel to Admiral Harkin. "Maintain approach, hopefully this did the trick."

Shortly after the initial blast, fires began to dot the city, and the wail of sirens echoed in the distance as First Responders mobilized to mitigate the damage.

---

Shortly after the attack, Televisions across the Aschen Empire were tuned into the Minister of Defense, Helene Chaska as she delivered her address to the Quorum, and the Aschen People;

Good evening.

Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very society came under attack in a deliberate and deadly terrorist act.

The victims were in the streets, or in their offices -- secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers. Moms and dads. Friends and neighbors.

Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.

The pictures of alien starships dropping bombs, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger.

These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.

Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of This Empire. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of Aschen resolve.

The United Aschen Empire was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for order, prosperity and opportunity in the galaxy. And no one will keep that light from shining.

Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of the Empire, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.

Immediately following the attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in Caprica City and Delphi, to help with local rescue efforts.

Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the galaxy from further attacks.

The functions of our government continue without interruption. Imperial agencies in Caprica which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow.

Our financial institutions remain strong, and the Aschen economy will be open for business as well.

The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've directed the full resources for our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.

I appreciate so very much the members of Quorum who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the Aschen people, I thank the many galactic leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.

The Aschen Empire and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the galaxy and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.

Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us spoken through the ages in Zeus; 21:3: "Even though I walk through the valley of the impending doom, verily, i shall fear no evil, for You are with me."

This is a day when all Aschen from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. The Aschen have stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time.

None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Thank you. Good night and may his Merciful shadow, fall upon you.

Another text. Braxton ripped the phone from his pocket and stared at it.

_Graystone Indst. u safe?

Roana. He holstered his gun and replied quickly, stern expression on his face.

4now. U?_

The phone stayed in his hand. He would wait for a reply. In the meantime, he noticed the woman had named herself and figured he should to. Gerard was looking to him, so he obviously had. Introductions at a time like this? Looking around, Braxton cleared the area once more for surprise attack. He held out a hand to be silent, Gerard froze in place. The phone in his hand began to erupt again.

"You can call me Rex," He said, nodding his head in respect, then looking again to his phone. Roana had replied!

_Waiting 4 clearance. LOOK UP.

Look...up? What could that mean? He looked to the others, and around the building. Nothing inside, surely. Gunfire outside advised him against going out there, but he had ordered his vehicle to arrive on the double. Still, it would take a bit for it to arrive from the outskirts...Especially with all the rioting. Gerard's phone began to erupt, not moments after Braxton was looking around. He pulled it from his pocket, saw it flashing orange. Which could only mean one thing.

"COVER. NOW!" Gerard was off, grabbing the girl's arm and running towards the most secure place he could think of. As they ran through the lights and furniture, the screams of the city quaked the walls themselves. Braxton yelled to move faster as he damned the furniture and all the crap in their way. He could hear his heartbeat in his ears as far away a strange boom sounded, and ahead of him Gerard dove behind a bar and rolled under the sinks. Braxton managed to dive, but was caught mid leap by the blast. It cleared the glass and sent a ripple through the nightclub, usurping furniture and slamming Braxton into the wall of alcohol behind them. He screamed, arcing on the ground in pain as shock from the impact crippled him. He wheezed, unable to suck in air as the blast had taken his wind.

"BRAXTON!" Gerard yelled, as everything turned to darkness.

The door of the nightclub swung open with a mild creak. A mysterious figure cloaked in shadow stood in the doorway. He was clad in a suit of full body armor that was as black as the deepest reaches of space. A black sealed metallic helmet concealed his face. With machine-like precision he scanned the room from beneath the concealing darkness of the visor. After a short and silent moment he began a slow yet deliberate trek to a darkened booth. His metallic boots crunched softly against the rubble that decorated the floor, followed by a low hiss from his helmet. Lord Barlek passed between the shattered furniture and drunken refugees without notice.

The sound of boots crunching on the ground came through Gerard's explosion-shocked ears first. He scrambled up, grabbing at the counter and recoiling as his palm was sliced by glass. Keeping low, Gerard slid his gun from where it was and trained it on the newcomer in black.

Gerard licked away a trail of blood coming from his mouth somewhere. For now, he watched the stranger. He seemed to know where he was going, was he looking for something. A quick look around proved Braxton was on the ground still, breathing slow and steady. With a frown, he looked back to the man in black, clearing his throat.

The doors to the Nightclub were thrown open and four individuals in full black combat gear stormed into the Nightclub. Their helmets concealed their faces, but the insignia on their helmets made it all too clear who they were. The insignia was a circle of yellow, and centered in circle was a bold green triangle with the white letters 'CD' in the center of the triangle.

"Civil Defense everyone to the basement now!" They ordered while they threw tables and chairs into the doors and windows.

"Stay away from the doors and the windows! Move move move!"

The Sith turned his head at the sudden shuffling on the other side of the room and instinctively reached for the short cylindrical object at his belt. His cybernetic eyes narrowed on the Aschen at his feet. Minor injuries. In shock. Alive. Afraid.

Yes. Afraid.

Lord Barlek could feel the man's terror from being exposed to the horrors of war. From the earth-wrenching thunder of orbital weaponry to the ionized air of a blaster, it took either a heart of ice or a decade of experience to get used to the carnage.

The man had drawn a weapon, and the Sith merely smirked beneath his helmet. With a twitch of his forefinger the gun would be ripped from his grip and tossed across the room like a toy.

"I am not here to kill." Xalgan said in his heavily modulated voice. "At least... Not right now."

It didn't take long for Civil Defence to arrive. Gerard nearly melted into jelly on the spot from relief, but something in him stayed solid. Perhaps it was his unconcious friend and newly acquired hot lady friend, but he didn't have time to think about that shit. They were telling them to hustle.

"Good t'hear," Gerard remarked to Xalgan, gesturing for him to move with them to the basement. He dropped to Braxton's side, who moaned pitifully. Gerard grimaced, yanking his friend's arm over his shoulder, pulling them both to a stand. He then looked to the girl, she said her name had been Alisia? The had to get to the basement, and fast!

"Quick!"

Civil Defense moved quickly to clear the nightclub of people and debris. "Move it!" They called out, ushering everyone out of the club and into the nearest bunker entrance. Though by now much of the lingering chaos had died down, the risk of fires and collapsing buildings were still evident, and so Civil Defense moved to usher everyone to safety.

Gerard and Braxton collapsed in a pile once they cleared through the bunker. Sitting up, Gerard struggled to catch his breath while Braxton lulled into full consciousness. He stared at the ceiling as it blurred in and out of focus. Where were they?

Clinging to a wall Gerard rose. He pushed off and began searching through the small crowd for the girl. Over on the floor Braxton's memory began to return. His heart fluttered. Where was his phone?