F.E.A.R. Chapter One: The Mission

[Inbred Chocobo]

You find yourselves in a room that seems simple enough. You all have a chair, and you remember sitting in here last night, mostly learning about ATC and Origin in general. A man walks up beside the screen up front, and in a voice you all recognize as the leader, he goes "Well it seems that the shit has hit the fan as we slept. While at first the CEO of ATC was working with us originally, he has stopped all communications. We have been trying to get into contact with anyone there, but we have had no luck. We have considered our options, and have decided to send you guys in."

Fredrick uses a remote he was holding and clicks a button. On the screen, the image of a building appears. The building is quite a modern marvel, standing impressive compared to everything else in the area. "You guys will be infiltrating the building here. This is actually ATC's main office building, where the CEO does his work. We have tried doing it peacefully, but no progress since communications have been cut off. So we have decided to go with an aerial drop."

Fredrick hits another button, and this time 4 images pop up. Suddenly, the images start moving, giving away that this is camera feed. All the images have a couple things in common. All the lights are out, leaving the place quite dark. Along with no activity. "For some reason no one has entered the building this morning. Hopefully this means you will not encounter any resistance as you make your way in. If you look at the top right image, you notice a door at the end of that hallway." Fredrick hits a button to extend the camera forward, closing up on the door. Something you didn't notice before now becomes apparent. The door happens to have 3 bullet holes in it. "This is the door to the CEO's office."

Fredrick takes a breather as the camera resets into its position. "What you guys will be doing is two-fold. First, you will be looking for the CEO." Fredrick then tosses a file onto the table in the middle of the room. "Thats some basic info on him, if anyone wants to read up. You will also be searching for what they have been doing with Origin. So far they have told us that they were simply going over past research, but not doing anything. See if that is true or not."

"While we expect no resistance, there is really no telling whats going on. We have tried getting into other security cameras, but they either were damaged, or what they brought up was completly black. I wouldn't expect much long range combat if you do encounter resistance. It will probably be a heavy mix of short and medium range combat, since you may encounter enemies down hallways or in small offices."

Fredrick takes another breather to let all the information to process, then goes. "Any questions?"

[Mintaro]

Johnny listened to the entire breifing intently. When Fredrick had finished he leaned back and scratched his chin in thought. He seemed to be mulling over scenerios and then slowly raised his hand. "What is the liklihood of encountering civilian personel? And in the event we do how should we respond?"

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria thought about what might be needed considering the information that was provided. Close to medium range. Hallways and offices. Fragmentation grenades would be extremely useful. Shotguns and assault rifles. Traps were possible. All kinds of cover. Night vision goggles would be a necessity. Or at least a flashlight. But what about...
"Also, if we have information on what kinds of security measures that we might encounter, those would be extremely helpful. Numerical keypads, retinal scan locks, voice locks, heavy steel or lazer barricades, automated turrets or gas chambers...hell, maybe even suppression robots. With a building that looks like that, I'd expect some pretty insane security."

[Darth SS]

Mic was sitting back all the way up, still army style. However, in his hands he was sharpening his katana. Sitting in front of him on the table was his handgun, some speed loaders, and a box of bullets. Being the rookie he was, he'd slept in. When they got the call to ready their stuff to be good to go in 24 hours, he'd shown up late. As such, he hadn't loaded his handgun. Thankfully, he was pretty religious about loading his other gun. Spotting a potential problem, he raised his hand.

"About how deep inside are we going, and how thick are the walls?"

He asked this given that his man-pack could only penetrate so much concrete. Even as he was asking this, he inventoried what he'd need to bring with him. It was a long list.

[TheBlindMime]

"Suppression robots, shit, you been reading too many comic books 'Fletch'. The best thats out there is that crappy robot armor and that makes you so damn heavy its not even worth it. I saw this video on the net a while back and the guy bent a steel girder but then his friends pushed him over." Roy chuckled for a minute as the images ran through his mind, he quickly straightened up and flexed for Sandria. "Real muscle is where it's at for power."

Roy picked up the folder then leaned back in his seat so he could lay his massive feet on the table, thumbing through it quickly he sighed and tossed it back on the table. "Basic info indeed, I didn't even see any classified info in there, mark my words this mission isn't going to amount to more then a damaged power grids and a coupl'a embarrased techs who fired a few rounds here or there in a panic over the dark."

[Inbred Chocobo]

"Luckily for us, the building should only be occupied by overnight personel. Which basically means security and a few night crunchers. Likelihood of encountering civilians therefore should be quite low. Though incase you do, get what info you can of the current situation. If they seem friend after that, send them to the roof. If they are hostile, attempt to capture."

"We have already hacked into the security of the building, and can most likely take down most of what might hinder you. You may encounter some locked doors that are off the system, but I am sure you can find a way around. As for turrets and other automated defense systems of the like, we have detected none, but you never know."

"The outer walls are made of thick concrete, so I doubt your weapons will be getting through to anything outside. Judging from the schematics, most of the main rooms are seperated by concrete as well. Though its no where near as thick as it is on the outside, don't expect to be punching through it. It is also likely that they have set up smaller rooms or desks with something flimsy. That stuff should be easy enough to go through."

"Yeah, remember though, that video has been out for years now. And ATC is good at being ahead of its time. I really can't tell you if they do have something like that. For all we know they could have a damn good cloaking devices to hide all the security.

After answering the questions, Fredrick took a second for a breather. "Alright ladies, you know your mission, now go suit up and meet in the hanger, we are leaving within the hour." With that, Fredrick walked out, leaving the group to discuss the mission and exchange any weapons they wanted too for others.

[Akamaz]

"Robots? what's next? sharks with laser beams?" Archie muttered as he went through his medkit's inventory. Sedatives? check, Stimulants? Check, synthetic adrenaline? Chem analyser, crashbox? check.. damnitt, out of all the hi tech med gear, they forgot the frickin bandaids... oh well, I hope folks don't mind Duct tape.

"I hope it comes to nothing more than a few scared suits, supply hasn't gotten that pancor I ordered approved yet.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria didn't retort when Deckard and Harris made their cracks about her imagination. Back in her quarters, she suited up. "There are so going to be robots. Phooey."
Then, at the supply depot, she signed out the gear she thought would be suitable. The brunette with the ponytail and glasses looked over the list. "So I guess this means we won't go out drinkin' like we planned tomorrow night?"
"'Fraid not." Sandria shrugged. "Orders from Bolsmer, y'know."
The girl looked over the list, then handed it to a youthful male near her. "Assemble the supplies on this list for McFletcher here, please."
The boy nodded and moved quickly, leaving Sandria and the supply girl to talk. "So you can't talk about it, huh?"
"Even though I'm sure none of it was classified, you know I don't talk about stuff like that outside of where and when Bolsmer speaks it."
The girl leaned on her hands. "How long do you think you'll be gone?"
"I'll try to make it quick."
A tray was pushed up to the desk, loaded with the items Sandria requested. The procurer got to work removing the items from the tray and sliding them under the safety screen for Sandria to retrieve.
"That's one Vollmer VK-12 Combat Shotgun 12g with 8 shells in the gun and 24 shells in the belt-mounted ammunition pouch. Next, one Rakow G2A2 Assault Rifle with a 45-round clip already inserted and four additional clips in the ammunition pouch, for a happy-go-killjoy total of 225 rounds. Next, here's the flashlight attachment for that rifle. You can do that yourself, right? It's not rocket science. Next, here's your box of five N6A3 Fragmentation Grenades. Finally, here is your NV Goggles and a single first aid kit. That completes your list, McFletcher. Please sign on the line here and you owe me free drinks the next time we go out."
"Yeah, yeah." Sandria groaned, signing her name on the line that came with the list and then putting the stuff on her. Rifle in her right hand, shotgun in the shoulder holster, ammunition pouches and grenades on the belt, first aid kit on her left leg. NV Goggles sitting on her forehead. Sandria checked to make sure she had everything and turned to leave.
"McFletcher."
"Yeah?"
"Make them regret ruining our same day off."
Sandria saluted with two fingers. "I swear by your pet iguana."

[Darth SS]

Mic was sitting down with his radio, and talking to the controllers and other computer geeks.

"Okay, so those are our five frequencies?"

There was muttered agreement all amongst them. A few people entered that frequency into their computers.

"And we all agree on the encryption?"

More muttering.

"Okay, now this last frequency is going to be used with my high-power penetration waves. Remember that those are bad for our health. If I send a message on that frequency, the shit has hit the fan and you are under no circumstances to refuse any request."

They muttered some more, so Mic took that to be a positive sign. Following this, he headed over to the gear room. He retrieved his 416, and eight mags. They double-stacked in his vest, reducing room. Following this, he got his handgun and ammo for it, then headed over to suit up.

He got into his camo, then his armor, then his first line then his second-line. The radio hooked onto his back, his butt-pack was filled with batteries and such. He stopped after putting his glasses on, and hooked his helmet to his vest. Quickly, he put his NVGs onto their little slider on his helmet. Then he tested the draw on his katana. Nice and smooth. Excellent. Just for stretching, he ran through some katas, and then sheathed the blade. With that done, he turned his attention back to his guns. He snapped the slide back on his pistol, then put that into his drop-leg holster, but made sure that it was pulled nice and tight. None of this "getting snagged entering a vent" crap like he'd had during his qualification test. He then turned his attention to his 416. Since it was going to be dark, he stuck a torch-lamp onto the side, and made sure it worked.

As per his ritual, he saved the radio gear for last. His headphones wrapped around the back of his head, and had a piece sticking out down to his mouth. Okay, he was ready to rock now. Dramatically, he tried to exit the room and proclaim that he was ready for deployment. What happened was that he'd forgotten to replace his really long antenna with a short thick one, and it got caught on the doorway. This dropped him flat on his ass, with his helmet jamming painfully into his ass.

"Oh sweet jesus I think I broke my ass."

[Mintaro]

Johnny stood up swiftly and saluted Fredricks back quickly. The blinked and lowered his hand, Shrugging at his old habbit.

"Robots? what's next? sharks with laser beams?"

He heard come from behind him. The ends of his mouth turned up in a smile. It was a funny thought. He walked out the door rather then responding to anyone.

*** *** ***

Johnny zipped up his urban cammo and checked his gear over. Hitting the lights he activated his night vision. The familiar whir and high pitched humm filled his ears as the room came into focus in a green contrast. Switching the night vision off he turned the lights back on. Strapping on his gear he went through all the familiar motions letting his mind wander. He began thinking about a place he had played as a child. A ranch his uncle had owned. He rememberd playing by a stream that ran through it. That lead to another memory of a stream. This one not as pleasent. A flash of light and then a bloody corpse went through his mind. The sound of gunfire echoed lightly in his memories. He blinked and shook his head, clearing it.

"Well then enough fun." Johnny said softly to himself. He placed a few feild rations into a pocket on his chest. Strapping his combat knife onto his hip he tested its position. Giving it a couple quick draws he placed it back into its sheath. Wiggling it to make sure it wouldn't bind up later. He rechecked his ammo counting off clips, And checked his grenades. Everything seemed in order. He picked up some black rope and slung it onto his backpack, then fastened the velcro ties. Throwing that over his shoulders he clasped it. Then left for the hanger.

Taking up a seat on a pile of who knew what he leaned back, took out his knife and a sharpener and set to work. The knife didn't need it, but it helped focus his mind.

[TheBlindMime]

A loud gaffaw echoed down the hallway, it was overtaken by the idiotic ramblings of its owner. "Oh maaaan Longshanks that was awesome! I totally wish I'd been filming that. But you looked... so dumb. It was great."

Roy stopped to take a better look at the scene for a moment, "Yeah, I'd just about bet that you didn't think that was gonna happen... that is unless you like breaking your ass." Roy eyed Mic's man-pack for a moment and the thought that it was too heavy for him to get back up on his own, and that Mic may infact like having his ass broken ran through his mind at the same time.

His face displayed this quite openly, "Alright now I'll help you up but you better not say anything else about your butt while I'm around." Roy leaned over with a slight smirk and a knowing wink, "I don't need any nasty rumors ruining my chances with McFletcher."

[Darth SS]

Mic forced himself to stand up on his own, though promptly shifted his weight onto his other leg. It hurt to stand.

"Your chances? Sir, I'm sorry, but I have bad news. She totally digs the brand new guy with the adorable nerd-like charm."

He turned around.

"Could you unscrew that antenna put this one in? By chance?"

His hand stuck out behind him, clutching a thick black plastic one.

[TheBlindMime]

"Oh what?" It was the best Roy could come up with as a response as Mic informed him of his beloved's beloved. As Mic turned around and asked him to screw his antenna in for him Roy scoffed. "I told you no gay jokes." Roy promptly pressed two fingers into Mic's back and pushed.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria waited near the water cooler for the orders to mobilize their asses all the way to the waiting choppers to sit and wait even longer. She hated having to reschedule her day off to some other time when both she and her friend in supply would be off to go drinking.
"That damn CEO is going to pay if we're sending in a heavily armed team only to find that everything is okay and that he's been in the john all this time because someone slipped the bastard a bunch of laxatives."
The orders to get moving should come any minute. Sandria drained her third small paper cup of water and filled a fourth, waiting on the announcement.

[Darth SS]

The two finger push really did nothing to Longshanks. He wobbled a bit, but otherwise didn't really move.

"Not a gay joke. I'm actually serious. I need that antenna on my top left shoulder unscrewed and replaced with this antenna in my hand."

[Inbred Chocobo]

"Deckard, just screw Cannor already." Fredrick said as the two went on. By now thier fight had brought them into the hanger, where everyone else got an earfull of the conversation. "Alright ladies, board in." Fredrick said. At first, everyone was confused, but when the hanger doors start rising up, revealing a helicopter, it was pretty clear what he meant.

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

After the uneventful trip in a helicopter, the ATC building was in sight. "Alright listen up. The CEO's office is on the top floor, so it shouldn't be hard to find. Once we land on the roof, get off, head for the stairs. Go down a level, and go through the door. All you should have to do then is head down the hallway and to the end of the door. Though you guys are more than welcome to check other spots as well."

The chopper then set down on the roof, and Fredrick shouted. "You know the formations, now move!" And Fredrick motioned towards the twin doors that obviously lead to the stairs.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria took one of the point positions, rifle in hand. She tried the handle on the right door to find it unlocked. Mentally counting to three, she opened the door quickly and swept the rifle in the directions she needed to. No one in sight.
"No robots so far." Sandria said.
McFletcher motioned forward and moved quickly and quietly down the two small flights of stairs that lead to the door for the top floor. There, she would wait for everyone to catch up, trying to come up with a mental floor plan from what she was able to see while inside the chopper. It left pretty much jack to go on.
The quietness was a little eerie, but if she had a choice between eerie quiet and a bunch of civilians that would run around screaming when they saw a F.E.A.R. Team come onto their floor, Sandria would gladly had picked the quiet.

[Darth SS]

When Sandria opened the door, Mic slid in ahead of her, gun at the ready. Of course, it was a stairwell so you couldn't really clear it. Nevertheless, he got to the first turn, peeked his gun around the corner and waited for everyone to head on past him under his base of fire. Sandria headed on by and stopped at the next door.

"Flight one, clear!" whispered Mic through the communications line.

It was dark. Really dark. He took a moment to flick on his night vision. After catching up to Sandria, he stacked up on the door, behind her.

"Did someone bring a snake-cam to look under this door?"

[Mintaro]

Johnny followed quietly with the group. Running through the formations. This was a corporate building alright. The doors let almost no light through, sealed for sound and light.

"Flight one, clear!" came through his com line. Shortly after the voice rasped through the speaker again "Did someone bring a snake-cam to look under this door?"

"Dosn't matter, not enough light on the other side anyways." He rasped back. "Besides if there was going to be anyone in the hall; I'm sure the camera's would have seen someone moving by now. Roy take point through this door."

[TheBlindMime]

Roy had been moving in perfect formation, it was one of his strong suits after half a decade in military service. He was at the rear of the group as he was on clean-up, not that he minded with his vollmer. After all being rear-guard was much better then the alternative. He patted his vollmer confidently when-

"Doesn't matter, not enough light on the other side anyways." He rasped back. "Besides if there was going to be anyone in the hall; I'm sure the camera's would have seen someone moving by now. Roy take point through this door."

Roy nearly jumped out of his crouched position as he stood to retort, "OH, is that what you want? To have the mammoth mother f*cker of the group to go down the goddammed teeny-weenie hallway first you p*ssy motherf*cker. Let me get shot to shit while you just stand in the back wonderin' what the hell happened!" Roy cleary painted poetry with his words on a day-to-day basis.

[Mintaro]

Johnny turned around to look at the man, or rather look up at the man. He clicked his head to the side and listened to the verbal tirade for a second then Placed his pistol back in his holster. "Fine I'll go first." Johnny flicked on his night vision shuffled around his comrades at the door and grasped the handle turning it sharply and slowly pulling open the door moving halfway into the hall with his gun still put away.

[Inbred Chocobo]

The hallway was empty, and pretty straight forward as well. It went down a ways, then turns right 90 degrees. There were four doors that could be seen. Two looked like elevators judging by the arrows over them. The other doors had a little girl figure and a boy figure. The bathrooms were what they looked like.

The hallway itself looked designed more to its slick looks, with a slick metallic look on the walls, and the floor looking like carpet of some kind. The ceiling was that push tile crap though, so it was clear someone cut corners somewhere.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria moved ahead, passing the doors to secure the hall, going all the way to the corner and slowly peering around it. Nothing moving. She stayed near the corner of the hall, keeping her rifle trained further down the hallway and leaving the others to deal with the rooms and elevators.
From what she did see, the elevators seemed to be in operation, but weren't in use now. She didn't know what to make of the child figures in the two rooms, but felt somewhat discomforted just to see them.

[Akamaz]

As he Crept along the right side of the hall, Archie adjusted the strap on his NVG's. Even with the fancy ones the FEAR team got issued, they still were uncomfortable.
"See anything??" he asked

[Armored Bishoujo]

"Nope." Sandria responded, keeping her rifle trained down where the hallway angled to the right. "No lights, no shell casings, no blood, no signs of struggle or any kind of a clue. Just what the hell happened here?"
She wanted to venture ahead, but they hadn't really checked the elevators for power or the rooms for clues yet.

[Darth SS]

Longshanks brought his gun up to his shoulder as the door was opened, and smoothly moved in. He scanned around the hall, but then dropped his gun out of the firing position. To be frank, it was eerie. An entire building now pitch-black, and empty. Nothing to show for it.

He glanced at the bathrooms. They could potentially hide targets. Swingy doors, undoubtedly small rooms.

"Should I go secure those?"

Before anyone could reply, he also popped in another thing.

"Also...why are you opening the doors then moving in yourselves? Aren't you supposed to open the door, then make entry after the first man?"

[Inbred Chocobo]

Of course, Sandria couldn't make out much of the hallway when it turned down the corner. Though it did look like another door on the right before it faded into black.

Suddenly, Fredrick's voice scrathed on the communicators. "Don't just stand around and talk all day, you are on a mission remember." Fredrick said. While the voice did echo in their ears, they knew that the communicator was designed so only those wearing them could hear the voice.

[Mintaro]

"While it is likley that any civilians still on this floor would be in the bathrooms. I think it is more likley anyone left in the building would have headed down. But that aside our main objective is the CEO. Lets head straight to his office and check out those bullet holes. Hopefully we'll find some clues there."

With that said Johnny started walking down the hall then stopped and scratched his head. "You know, I just realised we never got an internal map...." Looking around for a camera he spotted one. "Boss you got a visual on me? How about a little eye in the sky guidance?"

[Inbred Chocobo]

"That camera doesn't work." Fredrick replied on the communicator. While surprised at first, closer inspection revealed that a wire had been cut on the camera.

"Like I said, besides the four cameras I showed earlier, we either are getting no readings or black screens from the others." Fredrick went on. "Sorry but you will have to fly blind in this. Judging from the scematics, the hallway you guys should be in now though should take you all the way to the door. Though at both intersections take a right."

[Mintaro]

"I hate traps..." Johnny muttered darkly to himself. He drew his pistol and flicked off the safety."Well team shall we continue. Check door handles lightly as we pass them. Look for locked doors. If you see any signs of dammage, broken handles, torn frames. Make a note of them, we'll come back to investigate later." He motioned for Sandria to continue as point.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria rose, but only so much that she could see through the glass into the nearby rooms and walk at a decent pace. She proceeded down the hallway towards the darkness. "Right at both intersections."
She switched the safety off of her rifle and chambered the first round. Hallway intersections left plenty of chance for the enemy, if there was any enemies, to ambush the point man. Her mind was at work coming up with possible enemies.
Terrorists came first, but that sounded even more ridiculous than an executive uprising. Then there was the "they lost control of something they were working on" thought that freaked Sandria out a little. Armachan Technology Corporation was a big time defense contractor. Whatever they could lose control of would mean bad trouble for just about anyone who encountered it.

[TheBlindMime]

Roy was taking his sweet time moving up the rear, he'd slowly turn the door handles that had already been checked by others just to 'make sure' they were locked. As each minute passed he was growing more and more concerned that he was right.

"Like I said," Roy mumbled to no one in particular, "Ain't nothing to find here but empty cubicles." He peered into a few offices and then began eyeing a plant with some suspicion before raising his shotgun to it. "What happened here? Whats that you say? Nothing. Psssh!" Roy continued to lag behind as his patience for inaction grew thin.

[Inbred Chocobo]

The trip down the hallway was pretty straight forward. Taking the directions from Fredrick, you made a right at both intersections. Then you ended up coming up to a corner after both intersections. The door you guys have been looking for, the door to the CEO's room, was there. And all three bullet holes were on it. You notice on the corner one of the 4 cameras that still work.

As you get closer, you notice why the door was shot. One of the three bullets took out the lock on the door. Though a voice suddenly stops you guys in your tracks. It doesn't hear you luckily, but you hear it going on.

"...haven't found him yet. We have recorded and destroyed all the weapon designs that were recorded in his personal cabinet. We currently have squadrons 7-13 gathering the weapons at the recorded locations. The other squadrons are currently on patrol for anyone coming in. No sir, the helicopter from earlier has still not been determined."

The voice pauses for a few seconds, as if listening to someone on a phone or something. "Understood. Squadron 6 out." Footsteps are heard in the room, but they sound as if they are shuffling in the room, but not coming out.

[Mintaro]

"Commander." He whisperd very quietly, going so far as to hold a hand in front of his mouth and mic. "We have encounted military personel. It sounds like there are at least 13 squads inside the building. Likely 2 people in the room ahead. Should we engage?" Johnny carefully trained his handgun on the door watching intently for the slightest hint of threat.

[Armored Bishoujo]

"I don't think we have much of a choice," Sandria's voice purred across the comlinks. She got to her belt with her free hand and pulled out one of her grenades. "My guess is that if they haven't found anything, we certainly won't. Request permission to 'nade 'em, sir."
It seemed like the best strategy to her. In an enclosed space, nothing would hit them harder then quickly opening the door, lobbing a grenade inside, and then shutting it.

[Inbred Chocobo]

"Permission granted." Fredrick responded. "Be careful, it sounds like they are heavily armed." Fredrick was definitly worried, and now he was watching his crew threw the camera.

In the room, small sounds of clicks and rattles were now being heard. It was the familiar sound of loading guns and such.

[Armored Bishoujo]

"All right, here goes. Team, back to the intersection for cover and to watch our backs. I hope none of the other squads here this."
Sandria set her rifle down, popped the pin, and opened the door just wide enough to slip a grenade through. She heard a surprised "what the fuck?!" before quickly closing the door and dashing back, rifle in tow. She didn't go for cover, though. When the loud sound of the explosion and pressure wave smashed into the walls, Sandria flattened herself on the floor, training her rifle on the hall next to the door and waiting for the enemy to come out, if any were alive.

[Inbred Chocobo]

When the grenade went in, it sounded as if chaos was in the room, as tables and cabinets and such where thrown down as used as cover as the grenade went off.

"Man down, repeat man down." Shouted someone in the room. Two solid thuds were heard right next to the door, then suddenly it bursted open. "Show em how its done." One of the voices said, then a grenade went back, stopping just a little ways at the corner.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria rose up and quickly backed off, shielding her eyes from any possible incoming shrapnel. "They sure don't spook easy."
She wanted to slug the bastard who insulted her, but splattering the wall behind him with his own blood sounded more convenient. She dropped to the ground and aimed her rifle again. "I'll show that fucker how it's really done. Just step in my sights."

[Mintaro]

Johnny was crouched in the middle of the hallway, as was his style. The grenade skittered across the ground straight at him. Dropping his left hand down he smoothly picked the Frager up and lobbed it back through the open door. He gave the men a puzzled look which they doubtless missed and dashed to the side smashing into a door in an effort to gain some cover.

[Darth SS]

Mic had never stacked on the door, so he was already a good distance away, and already had his gun trained on the door. After Johnny lobbed the grenade in, Mic decided to take a risk. It was smokey, but Mic was taking cover on an angle, letting him shoot into the deep part of the room

He fired off two rounds, then pulled back behind cover. With any luck, those would have hit the men inside as they went for cover.

[Inbred Chocobo]

The second grenade went off, and at first there was no response. After Mic took a couple shots, still there was nothing. In fact, there was complete silence. As you guys listened, nothing came out of the room, and as the smoke cleared, you could see no movement from your position.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria was quiet for a short moment. "I always fucking hate this part. All right, I'm going in."
Sandria rose, ready to blast anything that so much as sneezed at her, and slowly moved towards the door.

[Mintaro]

Johnny stood up from where he had hit the ground in front of the door. The door hadn't moved, much to Johnny's pain. Guess these doors are sturdier then expected. Johnny thought to himself. He rolled his shoulder then took aim at the door. Moving slowly a little ways behind Sandria.

[Akamaz]

Keeping his ears open for the sound of incoming troops, Archie checked the squads readings on his comp. Aside from some elevated heartrates and BP increases, everything was in the green

"Hey Johnny, your suits moisture sensors just overloaded, did you spill something?"he said with a slight chuckle

[Inbred Chocobo]

The silence made the slow movement almost unbearable. Slowly Sandria approached the door, and without hearing anything inside, slowly crept in.

Inside was 5 dead bodies. Two were right next to the door, judging from the position running from the second grenade. The other bodies looked like they were diving for cover from the first. Quite a few cabinets were opened, and paper ripped to shreds littered the floot next to them. The computer that sat on the desk near the other side of the room was in the floor, filled with bulletholes and damaged by the grenades. Somehow though the phone remained untouched, with a blinking red light showing it had one message.

A quick glance showed a couple of Sumak RPL Sub-Machinegun 9mm with extra clips sitting on the floor. There was also some body armor to accompany it. There also sat a new type of chemical medkit in the corner, which looked like it was blown off the wall by a grenade, but remained incredibly intact.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria studied the bodies carefully.
"Room looks clear. Got five targets dropped. Good work with that grenade, Johnny."
She ignored the answering machine to try and check for pulses on the perpetrators, but no luck. "I wonder who the hell these guys are."

[Inbred Chocobo]

The dead men are in full battle suits. They have helmets tucked down over there faces with visors that shield their faces from being seen. Its urban camo that they were, with body armor in all the right spots. The men resemble that of a special force military team. 4 of them have Sumak RPL Sub-Machinegun 9mm and the last one has a Vollmer VK-12 Combat Shotgun 12g. One of them still has a grenade on him.

[TheBlindMime]

Roy examined the room with a little bit of disdain, he'd been to far back to even fire a shot, his eyes caught a man leaning against the wall. He had been about to pull the pin on another grenade, but now he just sat their, lifeless, incapable of even spiting his killers. Good. Roy just clicked his teeth disapprovingly before picking up the grenade and tossing it too Sandria. "Heads," he declared as he somberly walked out of the room. "Waste not, want not."

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria caught it with a grin. "Hey, Roy. Think these bastards look familiar?"
McFletcher attached the grenade to the vacant slot on her belt and kneeled before the one that looked the least messed up. "The stuff we were told about Armachan and Origin. The psychic commander Paxton Fettel and his elite and highly trained Replica battalion. Hopefully I'm wrong, but don't these bodies look like Replica soldiers?"

She stood up and went over to the answering machine and saw the light. "Let's see what we got here." She breathed and pressed the button.

[Akamaz]

"I dunno, there's a pretty simple test you can do to see wether they are Reps or not" Archie said with a grimace as he stepped over what was left of a face. After clearing the worst of the carnage, he kneeled down to check out the chem medkit

[Darth SS]

Mic was standing there in the carnage and took a few moments to absord it all. He'd never encountered so much blood at once. Ever. Calmly, he forced his stomach to hold in it's contents. Unfortunately, he was also a bit lacking in this knowledge about clones and such. He kept his mouth shut, and grimly walked to the doorway to cover the hall.

[TheBlindMime]

"You actually think after all the trouble they went through the last time they tried replica soldiers again." Roy looked down at the bodies disaprovingly, "The armor back then isn't half bad now even against our standards, they're probably just reissuing old replicant armor to new regular soldiers. Y'know, different army, same shit."

Roy paused for a half step as he moved out the door while turning off his communicator for just a second to whisper to Mic, "Keep it together rookie, you'll make the rest of look bad in front of the corpses." Flicking the communicator back on as he began making his way back down the hallway he happily started to whistle 'Oh Susanna'.

[Inbred Chocobo]

The answering machine seemed to blare out, tearing up what little silence there was. It was more than loud enough for everyone to hear.

"You have 1 new message."

"Gravenhour, I got some bad news. You remember that physic booster we developed a while back? It has went missing from storage. We haven't determined who took it or why, but its gone. Look, just call me back when you get this message okay?"

"End of messages."

Fredrick's voice popped in your ears seconds after the message wrapped up. "No time to sit around and talk, a squad was just spotted on camera 3. From what I can tell, that camera is on floor 17, a floor mostly dedicated to tech development. Get down there and see if you can secure what they are after. Also watch it, they are probably hunting you guys now. I'll see what I can do for backup, but don't count on it." Fredrick's voice gone just as soon as it popped up, leaving the team to do what they need to do.

[Mintaro]

"OK guys, no elevators. Lets head back to the stair well. No sense bothering trying to clean up this mess, these boys will be missed no matter what." Reaching over he pressed the delete messages button on the machine. "I doubt they wanted that info but if they did they sure can't get it now." That said Johnny strode out and nudged his way between the two. "Lets get a move on ladies, this isn't a place for siteseeing."

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria began backtracking towards the stairwell. "Yeah, let's get out of here. Once these boys fail to check in, reinforcements will be on the way. Think there's a storage room on the seventeenth floor?"
She moved back to the stairwell and checked to see which number floor this was, though they could probably just descend to where the door marked with the number seventeen.
Then came her best impression of Elmer Fudd, which was decent. "Also, be vewy vewy quiet. We'we huntin' Weplicas. Huh-huh-huh-huh-huh-huh." She seemed definitely set on the belief that Armachan apparently didn't learn the lesson of fifty years ago that cost them many lives, both civilian and security, and god-knew how much money in probably damage to this building as well as the completely FUBAR'd Origin Facility in Auburn when it went up in a blaze of glory that was most likely visible from space. Now F.E.A.R. seemed to be dealing with another psychic commander and his Replica soldier battalion, and while McFletcher would admit to being afraid, she actually was kinda psyched. The enemies she faced when serving in the Army weren't up to her caliber. But these were Replica. Highly trained, elite clone soldiers that lacked the ability to think for themselves and followed orders like machines. This was a mission that Sandria started thinking she might not actually walk away from.

[Akamaz]

"Yeah, let's get out of here. Once these boys fail to check in, reinforcements will be on the way." Sandria said as she backed out of the room.

"Yeah, not like the explosions would alert them or anything..." Archie muttered as he scooped up the chemkit. As they moved along he did a quick inventory and was amazed to discover that this kit actually had a Roto-rooter cam in it.

"I guess you never can tell when you'll need to take a look up a keister" he thought as he checked out the controller for the miniature snake cam.

"Before you go bursting through the ladderwell, lemme take a look around, they probably have either men or a trap waiting for us."

[Armored Bishoujo]

"Well, okay." Sandria said. "But why would they have traps? They're not expecting us or anything...are they?"

[Akamaz]

"Well, they might be, after all, 2 fraggers just went off up here, and no one has figured out a way to rig a silencer for those... besides, what can it hurt to be cautious? an ounce of prevention and all that. he replied as he waggles the probe-o-matic

[Armored Bishoujo]

"Well, we'd better get to it. The sooner we get there and take 'em out, the less we'll have to deal with overall."
She aimed her rifle down the stairwell and started descending for the seventeenth floor, watching for wire bombs, mines, and especially Replica soldiers.

[Inbred Chocobo]

The stairs themselves weren't trapped, but just as you all start down them, a ding comes from the elevator. When you look at it, you see up top the numbr 17 change to 18, signalling something is taking the elevator from the 17th floor, and looks like it is still rising.

Then you hear the faint sound of footsteps below you on the stairs. You can't see anyone yet, but it sounds like they are getting closer as well.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria held up a fist. "Here they come."
She sought cover and steadied herself near the top of the current flight of stairs they were on, aiming for where the enemy would first come into view.
"Make sure you know what you're shooting at. There IS a chance they may be civilians seeking shelter."

[TheBlindMime]

Just as Roy was reaching the stairway he heard that all to familiar 'ding'. He turned to the elevator a mix of surprise and aprehension on his face. "They're already moving to flank us." They were already up to 18? It then occured to Roy he still wasn't quite sure what floor he was on, he couldn't remember anyone saying which it was.

Disregarding that he rushed to the elevator doors, he knew he still had a few moments left for dramatic effect. Dropping his vollmer just to the right he slipped out his kabar and drove it straight through the slit of door, wrenching the blade to the left the doors tweaked open just a bit, barely enough for Roy's fingers but it had to do. He held one hand in the gap to give him time to put his knife away before he pressed his other meaty hand into the opening. Wrenching the two doors apart he realized he'd prepared for this moment with all those chest building machines at the gym.

That and he could have saved money on a gym membership by using elevator doors. By bending his knee and jamming it imbetween the two doors he left himself a far larger and far more precious opening. He readied his pistol and a grenade, he wasn't sure where the elevator was in reference to his current posistion and he had heard at least a single ding from the elevator as he opened the door. If they were far enough down he'd fire a few warning shots into the elevator to see if they were friendly's, if they returned fire he'd drop the grenade and fall back. Literally.

[Inbred Chocobo]

As Roy opened up the doors, he noticed a number on the other side of the shaft. 24 the number read, meaning that they were on the 24th floor. Then he heard another ding as the number above turned to 19.

When Roy looked down, he could see the elevator slowly moving up. When he fired his warning shot, it looked like the elevator rocked with activity, but there was no returning fire.

The sound of footsteps was still off on the stairs, but it was coming closer.

[TheBlindMime]

"Shit!" That couldn't have gone any worse, if he dropped the grenade on some friendly's now he'd never hear the end of it. Roy needed to make a choice and soon about this. If they were an enemy unit he'd have saved the team from being outgunned, if they weren't he would be the murderer of escaping civilians.

A flash of things ripped through Roy's brain in the span of a single ding of the elevator, there was no screaming from the elevator as the shot was fired, the sound of gunfire from above in a shaft doesn't always mean you immediately respond with fire upwards, 6x-3=y is not a solvable equation but a formula for graphing a line, the only way they would know that they were under attack from the sound of gunfire is if their roof was pierced.

As the elevator reached 20 he took aim on the access panel, counting only on the hope of human nature being that people avoid standing under the access panel if they can. He fired three rounds into it.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria was tense as the sounds of stepping grew louder. Her trigger finger was getting itchy and she still couldn't tell who they were, which was slowly driving her up the wall. Now she was hoping it was the enemy, because that would mean she could take out her growing anger on something that bled and screamed.
"C'mon, babies. Momma wants to see you so she can send your ass to hell."

[Inbred Chocobo]

When the second shot cut through the access panel, an audible "Fuck!" rang out. Even if it was human nature to avoid it, someone was still close enough to get hit. However, whoever was in there deemed it no longer safe to be in, as the elevator suddenly stopped at 21, and rocked as it looked like people ran out.

The footsteps in the stairs started to slow down. Now it was sounding like they were being careful as they slowly came up the steps. The Sandria saw it, the tip of a gun pointing around the corner. Then something glinted on it. It was a freaking roto-rooter cam. The snake part of it was obviously curving around the corner. It was definitly sure they were being careful the farther they got up. But whatever, Sandria knew she was now spotted, and had about a split-second to do something before the gun opened fire.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Frustrated, Sandria backed out of sight, unlatching a grenade. "They wanna walk on eggshells with me? Well, I'm got an egg for 'em to try out."
She quickly set it to explode on impact, then aimed carefully for the stairs near the enemy. "Grenade out!" she called and flung the explosive with her fury.

[Inbred Chocobo]

There were two problems with the roto-rooter camera. One, it wasn't the best to aim with, so most of the shots were complete misses. Second, it made spotting that grenade hard. It was only when it cleared the wall they noticed, and by then it was too late. An "Oh shit!" rang out, which was a pretty clear sign they saw, and when it hit the opposite wall, boom went the grenade.

It wasn't even a second when movement started back. And it sounded like they were moving in fast. But since Sandria ducked out of sight, the only thing she could tell was a split second flash of someone taking the opposite side of the door.

[Armored Bishoujo]

The stairwell looked like it would survive the blast, and it was likely that the enemy backtracked a bit to hide, creating the kind of standoff that Sandria loathed greatly. She preferred out-and-out fighting and this kind of thing just wasn't her forte.
"The quickest way out of this mess would be to set a trap and back up so they can trip up and die when searching for us."
She wasn't about to walk into whatever trap they were setting up, she didn't have any ideas for a trap, and she wasn't backing off.

[Mintaro]

OOC: I'm going to be assuming this is more of a public stairwell then a fire escape stairwell. Which is to say with solid walls rather then railed steps. Mainly because if it were railed steps we could just rain grenades on them, and probably would have lol.



Johnny, who had been working bussily for the last little bit (which is why is actions were documented....*ahem*). Gave a little ta-da through his communicator. He had dragged a corpse down the hallway and hung it up in the stairwell using his rope. Making it look like a man holding a gun pointed down the stairwell. "As long as they're using NVG and not termal this should work alright." He said quietly. He wished that they had a flashbang but sadly they did not. "we should use the offices to set up an ambush." Pulling out a grenade he got ready to pull the pin and throw it. "When I say go everyone fall back to just past the first corner we'll set up behind doors. Roy tape a gernade to one elevator door and the pin to the other. If someone gets off on this floor we'll all know it." Johnny waited for a response from his team with grenade in hand.

[Darth SS]

Mic was stacked up right behind Sandria. As they were backing up, Mic grabbed his buttpack. He grabbed a roll of duct-tape and a loop of wiring. Quickly, he crouched and cut off a section about as long as the doorway. Thankfully, the door opened into the stairwell. He wound the wiring double thick, then duct-taped it across the doorway at about ankle height. Following this, he dropped back behind Sandira. It wouldn't be much, but if they rush, the first guy should trip. This would slow them down and open up some nice shooting lines for the good guys.

"We should fall back. Draw them out. I'll radio and let them now we're coming back with company."

Given that Sandria was his superior, Mic made sure to get his permission for this.

[TheBlindMime]

"While I like the cut of your jib Johnny I'd prefer to eliminate the elevator entirely." Roy pulled out a second and third grenade, "This is probably overkill, but I just hate doing a job halfway." Removing the pins and releasing the grenades from grip Roy watched them drift downward for only a second before stepping back from the elevator and letting it shut. Grabbing his Volmer up from the floor in a sweeping motion he tried his best to keep moving away from the elevator as he waited for that rewarding explosion.

[Inbred Chocobo]

All the talking was good for planning, true, but there was a problem. The enemy wasn't waiting around for them to make up their minds. As Roy pulled out his grenades to drop on the elevator, a click was heard from the stairs.

A grenade went bouncing down the hallway, and right behind it, the door to the stairs slammed shut. Which left the team to either scramble into the bathroom, down the elevator shaft, or around the hallway to avoid the grenade.

Though effectively the grenades Roy tossed where going on target, they would exploded just after the grenade in the hallway did.

[Armored Bishoujo]

"Back up, that way!" Sandria called out quickly, moving Mic into the restrooms with her so the grenade wouldn't get at them. "Man, Bolsmer sure dropped us into a nest of angry hornets. It's one of the things I like about him."

[Darth SS]

"Oh, I don't know. I tend to be adverse to people who continuously almost get me killed."


Mic got into the restroom and swore. It was small, and they had nowhere to hide from grenades.

[Inbred Chocobo]

If a grenade went into the bathroom, you guys definitly would've been fucked. But, luckily the grenade was outside, and so after everyone dove into the bathrooms, the grenade went off without taking anyone out. Of course, if you where standing right behind the door, then you mave have gotten a face full of door.

Not even a second after that grenade went off, another explosion was heard. That one sounded below you guys, and the sound of metal being twisted and bent accompanied it.

And then there was silence as both teams tried to figure out what to do next.

[Darth SS]

Mic moved back up the door, and stuck his gun out. He blind-fired in the approximate direction of the elevators, then moved back farther inside. Now he was upset. Someone had just tried to kill him. This made him angry. Very angry.

"Okay, these fuckers are done. Spare grenade, someone?"

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria handed Mic one of hers. "Put some bloody craters in 'em for me." She said with a wink.

[Darth SS]

Now, when in highschool, Mic had been a quarterback for the football team. Obviously, he hadn't continued into college. Nevertheless, he still had a good arm on him. Conveniently, he had enough of a corner to provide protection from the stairwell, but unfortunately allowing a shooting lane from the elevator. He went to the edge and said, "Someone sight to the elevator, please? I'd rather not get shot in the back."

Patience became the name of the game. First man from the stairwell would trip on that wire. That would buy him enough time to bullet the grenade in, then get back into cover.

[Inbred Chocobo]

After what seemed like forever, the door opened up. One of the men on the other side sprayed the hallway blindly in an attempt to get people to take cover.
Then someone came charging through the door, and the wire did its trick. The soldier went towards the floor with quite a thud. It looked like someone else dove back, thinking they were under fire.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria picked up on it and moved into the doorway of the restrooms, sighted on the dumbass who tripped, and fired. Then she intended to aim towards the other enemies at the door to the stairwell and pick them off as well.

[Darth SS]

On cue, Mic blasted the grenade into the stairwell, hitting some poor fucker in the head. He dropped back inside the bathroom, and brought his 416 back up.

"Grenade out!"

[Inbred Chocobo]

Of course, the poor fucker that got hit in the head was the same one that started to get up and was then shot by Sandria. But he did fall backwards into the hallway, causing an explosion and an audible "Oh shit!" To be heard as sounds of people diving down the stairs was heard.

[Armored Bishoujo]

"I'm moving up. Covering fire would be appreciated if possible."
Sandria didn't want to give the enemy the chance to get back on their feet. Checking her rifle quickly, she moved over to the doorway that lead to the stairwell and attempted to take down any of the enemies still alive.

[Darth SS]

Mic slipped his gun around the corner and dropped three rounds into the stairwell, hopefully keeping heads down so Sandria could move.

[Inbred Chocobo]

"Watch it" the voice said as Mic shot his rounds into the stairwell. The dust and such knocked around by the grenade made shooting at them a little difficult, but it was clear they weren't going down that easy as shots range back out. The first few bullets hit the open door, and started to cross the doorway which both Sandria and Mic stood next too.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria took hold of Mic and pulled him back with her. Sandria herself tripped on the side of the door and dropped, accidently pulling Mic on top of her.
"Oof! Tenacious cocksuckers!"
Sandria quickly freed her gun arm and rifle and aimed it to the door, the tense seconds building.

[Darth SS]

She unfortunatey grabbed him mid-return-shot to muzzle flashes. Mic rolled off of Sandria, making sure to halt a stupid grin. As he rolled over and brought his 416 around, he heard a familiar sound. A kind of scratching. Just for the heck of it, he pointed his gun across the hall and pull the trigger. Nothing. It was jammed. She must have wiggled the mag when she tackled him.

With no time to clear it, he safed it and tossed it aside, and pulled out his side-arm. There was a satisfying snap as he loaded the chamber.

[Inbred Chocobo]

The next shots that were fired seemed to magically missed as the walls slowly became holy. At the rate this was going, both sides where going to miss unless someone tried something else.

[Darth SS]

Basically, for someone to shoot at the bathroom like that, they had to able to see it. This meant that from the doorway angle, the good guys could shoot straight into the stairwell. Mic slid across the floor to the doorway. He ended on his side with just his head and gun peeking out and shot the first guy he saw twice, and the second another two times. Then he yanked himself back inside, and said, "If someone brought a smoker, now's the time to use it."

[Inbred Chocobo]

"Fuck!" The first one shouted as he fell down. The other one went down the stairs, but got both shots in the leg before he got cover. A third one that already got into cover fired back, but Mic just managed to get cover himself. The third man's gun had no penetration, so when the shots came running out this time, they made no holy wall.

An audible "We need backup, Now!" Came out as the bullets stopped firing when the third realized his shots were doing nothing. Then the familiar sound of reloading was heard.

[Darth SS]

Mic had been taught early that reloading was one of the best times to shoot someone. Instead of going low, where he was probably zeroed in, he stuck just right arm around the corner and shot at the man who was loading another three times. He also shot the first one he'd felled in the head as he pulled back into cover.

The annoying thing about loading is that when you realize that you're suddenly loading, you forget about the situation and focus entirely on getting that next mag in as fast as you can. Unfortunately, people tend to look down while doing this, and bend their heads over. This is exactly what happened, and by the time he was back in cover, Mic was 90% sure he'd just gotten a head shot.

Of course, it was now time for a reload. The mag slid out smoothly and Mic slipped in some fresh ammo.

[Inbred Chocobo]

Of course, the man that was reloading was smart enough to get into cover to reload, so while Mic did turn around and shoot at at two people, he was too focused in battle to realize he was shooting both the wounded foes.

Now that he was reloading, shots started ringing through the doorway. This time though, it was at a slower pace. And if that wasn't enough, a bullet wized by Mic's face, showing whatever was firing was strong enough to get some of its shots through a wall.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Sandria jumped back as gunfire lunged through the wall.
"Armor piercing? What do they think we are, robots?"
Crouching down before the enemy's line of gunfire, Sandria ejected her magazine and did a quick check. Seven rounds left in the clip. She decided not to reload just yet. From what the enemy had just reported, Sandria expected to only encounter one or two more enemies before they wiped out that particular squad. She would strike once the enemy stopped to reload.

[Inbred Chocobo]

Sure enough, the firing stopped. This time however, footsteps accompanied the reloading, showing the enemy was moving from his location.