[spoiler]Let's try this again, shall we?[/spoiler] I looked through the scope of my rifle, towards the old wreaked ship. As I did, I saw a swarm of small, red objects flow from the ketch, dispersing across the city - Shanks. Beside me, my second-in-command, Zavak, snorted. "Well, that didn't take very long. Was kind of hoping he wouldn't notice us, and we'd be able to get enough supplies and go." I looked to him - or, rather, where I knew he was - as I smirked beneath my mask. "And when has fate ever been kind to us, my friend? Or, better yet, since when have we cared?" At that, he shrugged, my only indicator being a sound like ever so softly shifting sand, a smile no doubt forming on his face as well. "Eh, was worth a shot." "True," I said, standing quietly, Zavak doing the same. "There's nothing wrong with wishing for a simple mission." With one last glance over the flooded city, I turned away. "Let's get back to camp. We attack at dawn." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~time skip~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Silently, myself and the members of my squad traversed the city, moving toward the hulking crash. We made sure to avoid any patrols or scavenging groups, as well as the sharks which observed them. Not a word was spoken among the group, as each knew the role he was to play. Once we were in position, we waited for the signal from the other group. Soon enough, an explosion bloomed halfway across the city, the heads of those Devils who were visible turning to that direction, their excited cries just barely reaching us. They stayed in position, though, looking to the Captain among them. For his part, he seemed to remain remarkably calm, speaking into a communicator on his wrist. After a few seconds, he nodded, as though receiving orders, and shouted to those around him. Their cries of war were loud and clear as they clambered on pikes and into a pair of skiffs. They took off, and both ground and air units disappeared behind buildings, heading towards the site of the explosion, which was being followed by more of the same. Turning back to where I knew my men to be, I whispered, "You boys know the drill. Quick, quiet, and clean. Lethal force as necessary." I turned back towards the side of the building we were atop and began my decent, knowing they would follow without question. When we came upon a hole in the ketch, we stacked up on either side, waiting for a few seconds to listen for movement. Hearing nothing, we breached the opening, which lead into a deserted hallway. When we were sure it was clear, we continued to the throne room, knowing that was were our target lie. We encountered no resistance as we traveled down the many hallways, traveling in two ghostly lines of five. As we went, I became more and more wary, until, when we turned the final corner- The door was open. We stopped, and Zavak taped an all-too familiar code on my shoulder. [i]Trap.[/i] I took a moment to gather my thoughts, before responding. [i]Stay the course.[/i] I let that travel down the lines, until I felt the affirmative from behind. Then, we kept on. The door was unguarded, and spread out, quietly scaling the walls. Once everyone was in position, we struck. With a number of [i]pfft[/i]s, any guards or attendants fell. Leaving only Rathiks upon his throne. Then, I spoke, throwing my voice so as to not alert him of my position. "Don't even think about moving a muscle, Devil, or you'll be seeing your ancestors soon enough."