Chapter Text
“Bad news,” Patia ran down from the stairs, hopping down next to Amiya and Doctor. “The routes been cut off. They got rid of the jump.”
“What!”
“Franka, shush.”
“Reunion must have got there after I came to get you,” Patia took a walkie-talkie, fiddling with its buttons and antenna.
“What now then? We’re kinda pinned-”
“I’m working on that, give me a minute,” the walkie-talkie fizzled to life, static bursting through.
“Serrenissima? Serrenissima are you there?”
…
“... KZZT do you have to use that codename KZZT.”
“Yes, you remember what Emperor said- look, that’s not important now, I need help. I’ve got a group with me and we’re pinned. Hang on,” Patia riddled off a number of coordinates.
“KZZT I’m nearby. I can be there in five KZZT.”
“You’re a lifesaver, thank you!”
…
“KZZT I know KZZT.”
Patia sighed, slumping against the wall as she used her jacket to wipe her face. “That was close.”
The Doctor and the operators exchanged confused glances, with Amiya the first to speak. “Um… what now?”
“We wait. Don’t worry, you’ll feel when it starts. Oh, and I’d keep away from the windows if I were you.”
With nothing else, the group hunkered down, Liskarm and Franka watching downstairs whilst the group tried to rest. Until they were disturbed by voices outside.
“Hey, what’s that-”
“In the sky, the sky it’s coming down-”
“Scatter-”
Then, the entire building shook, shrapnel screaming through the air as thunder itself seemed to slam into the walls and ground outside. The operators were speechless as the screams of Reunion were drowned out by the cacophony until, eventually, everything fell silent.
…
“What… was that?”
“Backup,” Patia stretched and stood, grinning. Come on, I don't wanna keep her waiting. She’ll just get more angry at me.”
Gingerly, the group made their way out of the high rise into the carnage blow. The road was torn to pieces, rubble scattered across the street. Reunion was nowhere to be seen.
“Wow, you’re friend was… really thorough, huh…”
“Yep! That’s our whole guarantee, ensuring customer-”
A reunion soldier was within feet of them, charging.
“-safety.”
“Die, Rhodes Island scu-”
Suddenly, from behind a car, a red-haired Liberi lept out, slamming into the grunt and sending him stumbling. Readying what looked like a gun, she fired three shots, each slamming a grenade into his stomach. Just as suddenly as she’d appeared, her hair began to glow as she pulled her arm back and punched, sending a chute of fire slamming into the grunt and launching them through the building.
Rhodes Island couldn't see the explosion that rocked the building.
Patia chuckled after a moment's silence, wiping her forehead with her sleeve. “Fotuo- oh my, you saved my skin, Fia-”
“Tace! Impudice, matula! How many times do I have to tell you to wait until I tell you everything is clear!?”
“Hey, hey I’m sorry! I-” The red-haired Liberi stomped up to Patia, a wave of hands as she yelled.
“Propudium! Why couldn't you have just called Texas? None of these lot needed my firepower, so why bother?”
“Well, maybe I just wanted to see you?”
The red Liberi raised her brow.
“...and we also still have problems. Further ahead.”
“Of course. I knew it,” the red Liberi shook her head, pinching her brow. “Rhodes Island, correct?”
“Um, yes-”
“I’m Fiammetta. I will now be your escort, so please delegate any grievances or issues to me. Patia, Texas is already scouting up ahead, so you keep an eye on the rear, okay?”
“You got it.” Patia immediately rushed off, leaving Fiammetta to sigh in her wake.
“Okay, now then,” Fiammetta turned to Amiya and the Doctor, fixing the black parka she was wearing as she did. “Where do you need escorting to?”