The moment Kiernan vanished down the tunnel with Talia, silence settled heavily over the squad. Matias turned sharply, ears twitching as a distant, muffled shout echoed from somewhere deeper within Roe's compound.
"What was that?" Garret muttered, gripping his rifle tightly.
Castin shook his head slowly. "Not sure. Keep your eyes open."
Castin moved closer to Matias, lowering his voice slightly. "You going to be alright? I need you focused."
Matias hesitated, his eyes flickering with worry before steeling himself. "I'll be fine," he muttered firmly.
Castin offered a reassuring squeeze on Matias's shoulder. "She'll be okay, Matias. Talia's tough. Kiernan will get her back safe."
Matias nodded once, exhaling slowly. "Yeah. I know."
Castin studied Matias for a moment longer, concern evident in his expression. "Seriously, Matias, if you need a minute—"
"No," Matias interrupted gently but firmly. "We don't have a minute. The sooner we get this done, the sooner I can see for myself that she's safe."
Castin paused, then nodded slowly, understanding settling in his gaze. "Alright. But don't be a hero, you hear me? If it gets bad, you lean on us."
Matias managed a faint, tired smile, a rare moment of vulnerability breaking through his controlled exterior. They moved forward cautiously, each step deliberate, ears alert for even the faintest sound. The quiet felt oppressive, unnatural, yet increasingly fractured by distant cries and sudden, sharp bursts of gunfire.
As they rounded a bend in the stone corridor, the eerie stillness was broken by the sight of a guard standing completely motionless, his eyes wide but vacant, staring blankly into nothingness.
Garret raised a paw, signaling the group to halt. He approached the guard slowly, rifle aimed steadily. "Hands in the air!"
No reaction.
Castin stepped closer, examining the guard's unfocused eyes, his limp posture. "Is he drugged, on that blue stuff?"
Lorne chimed in "Doesn't look like it, that blue shit is a sedative, knocks you out."
Vance frowned, uncertain. "Doesn't look like any drug I've ever seen."
They moved forward, passing more guards trapped in a similar stupor, like marionettes whose strings had been cut. Matias felt a chill run down his spine, unease building rapidly. Something was very wrong here, he almost recognized the state these men were in.
Further in, the unsettling quiet began to fray, replaced by the sudden burst of voices shouting, frantic, angry. Gunfire erupted, chaos echoing through the hallways.
"Sounds like they're fighting each other," Garret murmured in confusion, ears flattening as the chaos grew louder.
"Could be a mutiny, not like Roe wouldn't have it coming," Lorne suggested grimly. "Maybe someone decided his reign was over."
"Can't jump to conclusions, we don't have enough to go on," Castin interrupted. "We move carefully. Don't get caught in their crossfire."
As they made their way deeper into the compound, the group encountered a room lit dimly by flickering lanterns. Without warning, a guard stumbled from a side passage, rifle in hand. Before he could raise it, Garret slammed him roughly against the wall, weapon to his throat.
"Don't do anything stupid, speak quickly and quietly," Garret growled. "Just what in the fuck is going on here?"
The guard's eyes darted wildly between them, panicked. "It's gone crazy. Roe, someone got to him. Everyone's fighting to take his place. Nobody knows who's in charge anymore!"
Lorne snapped his fingers and pointed to Castin "Told ya, mutiny."
Castin waved him off before looking back to Garret and the thug.
Garret's grip tightened. "Who killed Roe?"
"I—I don't know!" the rat stammered desperately. "They just found him dead. Stabbed with his own dagger. His body's still warm in his room!"
Garret glanced at Castin, who gave a brief nod. Garret swiftly knocked the rat unconscious, binding him and leaving him safely tucked out of sight. "Lot of help he was, Someone beat us here," Garret muttered darkly. "Question is who."
"Let's move," Castin said firmly. "Double time, our answers are in here somewhere."
As they pushed ahead, the fighting intensified around them. Small pockets of Roe's former gang battled viciously, consumed by greed and fear. Castin's team navigated the chaos, using the confusion as cover, but resistance was unavoidable.
They reached a wide corridor and quickly ducked inside what upon first ispection appeared to be an abandoned supply room. Vance exhaled roughly, leaning against the wall to catch his breath. "Man this place is a shit show, make sure you check your supplies before—"
Suddenly, a nearby supply closet door burst open. Before anyone could react, a rather large human man lunged out his eyes wide, pistol raised in frantic panic. A shot echoed harshly in the cramped space, and Vance stumbled backward, hissing sharply in pain as blood soaked his sleeve.
Garret fired instantly, dropping the attacker to the floor, but the damage was done.
"Dammit, son of a bitch got me." Vance hissed, teeth clenched tight, clutching his wounded shoulder.
Castin was beside him immediately. "Can you still move your arm?"
"Yeah," Vance grunted stubbornly. "Won't slow you down, promise."
Garret handed him his sidearm without a word, slinging Vance's rifle across his back. "Just don't get yourself killed, you still owe me a beer."
They regrouped quickly, tension mounting as they drew near the heart of the compound. The shouts became clearer now, distinct commands barked by a familiar voice.
Castin and Matias looked at each other before Matias said what Castin was thinking "Rixis, that son of a bitch."
Castin signaled silence as they approached the heavy wooden doors of Roe's throne room. They cracked open the doors just enough to peer inside.
In the center of the room stood Rixis, now wearing a bloodied and ragged jacket clearly stolen from Roe's chambers. He brandished a pistol wildly, shouting orders at a handful of desperate-looking rats.
"Roe's dead, and I'm in charge now!" Rixis snarled. "Anyone got a problem, speak up quick and join him!"
Matias checked his rifle. "Oh man, I am gunna enjoy this."
Castin nodded. "Everyone ready? Take them quick and clean."
Castin put up his hand and gestured a countdown.
3...2...1
Without hesitation, the group burst into the room, weapons raised. Taken by surprise some of the thugs attempted to fire wildly towards the group, gunshots echoing deafeningly off stone walls. Matias quickly took cover behind a toppled as Garret moved swiftly for his size, laying down suppressive fire to force gang members into exposed positions. Matias' eyes narrowed in concentration as he raised his rifle, lining up a clean shot before firing a burst that sent two of Rixis's men sprawling to the ground. To his left, Castin moved swiftly, ducking low beneath the incoming fire and sliding smoothly behind a large stone pillar. He exhaled slowly, calmly bringing his rifle to his shoulder, sighting his targets through the haze and dust.
"Lorne, flank right!" Castin ordered sharply, voice firm above the chaos. "Push them toward Matias!"
Lorne nodded tightly, pivoting out from his cover and sprinting low and fast, bullets whizzing past him as he moved. He slammed his shoulder into a table, knocking it onto its side, instantly transforming it into makeshift cover. Bracing his rifle atop it, he provided suppressive fire, forcing Rixis's remaining men to scramble desperately to find cover of their own.
On the opposite side of the room, Garret's burly frame moved with practiced precision, rifle roaring as he delivered short, controlled bursts. His eyes darted rapidly from enemy to enemy, tracking movements and positions with unyielding efficiency.
"Vance, stay low and pick your targets carefully," Garret shouted, glancing quickly at the wounded rat beside him. Vance nodded through gritted teeth, raising Garret's sidearm and firing steadily, each shot calculated despite the pain radiating from his shoulder.
Across the chaotic battlefield of the throne room, Matias and Castin locked eyes briefly, wordlessly coordinating their next move. Castin raised a hand, signaling quickly: he would advance while Matias provided cover.
"Go!" Matias barked sharply, leaning out from behind his position, unleashing a storm of suppressive fire that forced several of Rixis's men back into cover. Castin launched forward, sprinting through the open space with adrenaline-fueled precision. Bullets zipped past him, inches away, but he kept his eyes fixed firmly on his goal, a raised stone dais near Rixis's throne.
Sliding into cover beside it, Castin quickly shifted positions, raising his weapon and neutralizing another guard who had unwisely peeked out from behind a shattered chair.
"Matias, advance!" Castin shouted, his voice clear and steady. "I've got you covered!"
Matias bolted forward, rifle tight against his chest, breath sharp and controlled. Two gang members emerged from behind Rixis, charging recklessly, rifles raised. Matias dropped to one knee mid-stride, swiftly dispatching one before smoothly pivoting and firing again, taking down the other.
Garret and Lorne swiftly repositioned to tighten their formation, steadily eliminating remaining threats with lethal accuracy. Garret's rifle barked twice, each round cleanly finding its target. He took a brief moment to glance at Vance, whose shooting had grown more erratic as the pain intensified.
"Keep your shit together, Vance," Garret growled, his voice rough but protective.
"Doing my best here," Vance shot back through clenched teeth, his pistol wavering slightly. Garret sighed inwardly, raising his rifle again, ensuring nothing slipped through their defensive perimeter.
The air grew thick with smoke, dust, and the sharp scent of gunpowder. Rixis stood at the center of the chaos, eyes wild, his posture increasingly desperate as he saw his makeshift army fall around him.
"Don't let them get close!" Rixis shouted frantically, firing wildly into the haze.
Castin exchanged another swift glance with Matias and gave a sharp nod. Together, they advanced simultaneously, perfectly coordinated. Bullets cut through the space between them and Rixis, who was now visibly panicking, his movements sloppy and frantic.
Rixis's pistol clicked empty, his eyes widening with terror. He fumbled desperately, trying to reload, but the magazine slipped from trembling fingers, clattering uselessly onto the ground.
Castin moved smoothly toward him, rifle aimed steadily. "Stand down, Rixis," he commanded firmly. "It's over."
But Rixis snarled furiously, abandoning his pistol and lunging toward a fallen rifle. Castin was faster, sending a bullet neatly through Rixis's thigh, dropping him instantly to the stone floor. Rixis howled in pain, clutching the wound and glaring hatefully up at Castin.
Matias stepped forward, his rifle trained on the fallen rat, voice cold with disdain. "I told you before, Rixis, you'd get yours."
Rixis spat blood, glaring defiantly, but said nothing. Matias nodded grimly, turning toward Garret. "Secure him, we might have questions later."
Garret swiftly stepped forward, efficiently binding Rixis's wrists, ensuring the rat couldn't cause further trouble. Rixis seethed, muttering curses under his breath, but the fight had drained from him.
Castin scanned the ruined room, taking in the fallen gang members, the damaged walls, the shattered remains of Roe's reign. He exhaled slowly, adrenaline fading, replaced by grim satisfaction.
"Clear," Castin announced firmly. "Secure the doors, nobody else gets in or out."
Lorne and Vance moved quickly, dragging debris to barricade the entrances. Matias lowered his rifle, breathing heavily, his mind momentarily drifting to Talia. Garret placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Focus," Garret reminded gently. "Almost done."
Matias nodded, taking a breath to steady himself before he moved forward, joining Castin and Garret as they approached Roe's makeshift throne, now toppled and broken, symbolic of the chaos unleashed.
Garret nudged Roe's discarded dagger on the ground, glancing at Castin. "He was stabbed with this?"
"Sure as hell looks like it, twice at least" Castin muttered, gaze shifting to Roe's body slumped behind his desk, lifeless eyes staring at nothing. The reality of what happened was starting to settle, piecing together the puzzle.
Matias approached Roe's corpse, studying the scene carefully. "Naomi must have freed herself. This wasn't just an escape; she fought him and she won."
Castin exchanged a long, thoughtful look with Matias, determination settling heavily in his expression.
Matias walked off allowing Garret to kneel beside Roe's body, eyes narrowed in thought.
"Got something here," Lorne called out suddenly, holding up a strange metallic collar, the faint glow of blue liquid catching the dim lantern light. "What the hell is this?"
Rixis, propped against the throne, grinned wickedly, a hint of blood still trickling from the corner of his mouth. "That, my friends, was Roe's little insurance policy."
Matias turned sharply, his voice dangerously cold. "Explain. Now."
Rixis chuckled darkly, shifting against his restraints with casual arrogance. "The collar sedated and controlled that girl, Naomi. Roe was real proud of it, kept bragging about how it stopped her from fighting back. Made her do whatever he wanted."
Matias's fists tightened, a furious tremor running through his hands as he struggled to maintain control. "You sick son of a bitch."
Castin approached slowly, eyes fixed on Rixis with quiet contempt. "What else do you know?"
Rixis shrugged, feigning boredom. "Not much else. Roe used it plenty. Kept her in that cage until he wanted something done. You know how he is, well, was." He let out a low chuckle. "Guess it didn't work out so well for him in the end."
Garret moved closer, his voice a deep growl. "Any other prisoners here? Anyone else we should be looking for?"
Rixis laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "Prisoners? Roe didn't take prisoners, except that girl. Everyone else, well…" He grinned maliciously, nodding toward a closed door at the side of the chamber. "Check the side room if you want to see how Roe handled guests."
Castin's eyes narrowed, unease tightening his chest. He exchanged a glance with Matias, who nodded grimly, understanding passing silently between them. Lorne stepped forward, rifle raised cautiously as he reached the door.
"Ready?" Lorne murmured quietly, waiting for Castin's confirming nod. He threw open the door swiftly, and Castin stepped through first.
Immediately, Castin reeled backward, gagging as the overwhelming stench of decay hit him with brutal force. He staggered away from the doorway, bile rising sharply in his throat as the image of piled, lifeless bodies seared itself painfully into his memory. He turned away sharply, pressing a trembling hand against the wall, fighting desperately to regain control over his stomach.
"Fuck," he rasped out, breathing raggedly. It wasn't as though he hadn't seen death before, hell, he'd seen plenty in the UNSC, and even here in Rat City. But nothing had prepared him for the sight of familiar faces in that macabre heap.
Behind him, Matias stepped quietly into the side room, his gaze scanning the grisly scene. His heart stilled painfully as recognition slammed into him like a bullet. Kneeling gently, he reached out with trembling fingers to confirm the grim truth, whispering softly, "Edgar… no. How am I possibly going to tell Elizabeth?"
From outside, Rixis's voice rang cruelly through the open doorway, his mocking laughter grating harshly against the heavy silence. "Someone you knew, huh? Guess they shouldn't have gotten all cozy with Roe."
Matias surged to his feet, white-hot fury blazing through him. His vision narrowed, his breath came in harsh, uneven gasps, and he stormed from the side room, eyes locked murderously onto Rixis.
"You motherfucker!" Matias roared, shouldering his rifle and aiming it squarely at Rixis's head. His hands shook violently, rage warring with anguish. "He was a good man!"
Rixis cackled again, relishing the pain he saw in Matias's face. "Not anymore, he's not!"
Matias's finger tightened on the trigger, every muscle tensed in readiness. Before he could fire, a firm hand gripped his arm tightly, pulling the rifle slightly off-center. Lorne's voice cut sharply through the haze of anger.
"Listen, I know you want this son of a bitch dead," Lorne said firmly, his eyes stern but understanding. "But it's not your call. Your king will decide his punishment, not you."
Matias glared fiercely at Lorne, tears burning hotly at the edges of his vision, his chest rising and falling sharply. Rixis noticed the glisten of tears, sneering cruelly. "Aw, Matty, are ya crying? That's just so—"
Garret's massive fist collided brutally with Rixis's jaw, snapping his head back and instantly silencing the rat's taunts. "God damn, that's enough out of you," Garret growled, eyes cold and disgusted.
Slowly, Castin managed to regain enough control to approach Matias again. His hand gently settled over the barrel of Matias's rifle, guiding it downward, his voice low and steady.
"You're not alone, buddy," Castin murmured, compassion clear in his gaze. "I hate him too, believe me. But Lorne's right, and you know it."
Matias stared hard at Castin, anger giving way to the heavy weight of grief. His shoulders sagged slightly, the fight leaving him as he finally lowered his rifle completely, stepping away from Rixis with a ragged exhale.
"Alright," Matias whispered hoarsely, eyes closed as tears slipped silently down his fur. "But God damn it… Edgar deserved better."
Castin nodded solemnly, gripping Matias's shoulder firmly. "He did. And we'll make sure Rixis pays. But we'll do it the right way."
Matias nodded, wiping roughly at his eyes, a shaky breath steadying him once more. Slowly, the group gathered themselves, steeling their resolve as they stood amidst the aftermath of Roe's brutality. The battle was won, but the painful cost was just beginning to reveal itself.