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The sirens from earlier had died down as federal agents closed off the city blocks that ran from the cargo container holding yard up to the coastal harbor where the Arondight and the lone Ap50 stood out amongst four Kappa frame LTACs. Sam felt the humid blast of the hot, mid-December, Summer air rush around her as she made her descent down the ladder. Upon reaching the ground, she tugged her bag around to her front as she pulled out a towel to throw around her neck, wiping the sweat from around her ears in the process.

"This thing doesn't even have a single dent on it," Kerry thought aloud in awe, running her hand across the lower leg armor panel she walked past. In passing, she looked back up at the shield she walked under, and after getting a better view, she saw the scattered field of knicks and dings, all charred in appearance. "Well, except for there." She then noticed Sam walking up as she jogged over to meet her. "I know you're lying. Last time I saw you you couldn't do half of what you just did in this thing!"

Sam was unsure of how to answer her on the spot, hesitating to speak before she was cut off by Kerry hugging her again, which she was quick to return the embrace without such hesitation. She had been the one to be easily caught up in any moment to forsake the small things, but deep down the hurt from what she lost had started a change in that.

"I know it's just words, but thanks again. I didn't realize how lucky I was to be saved but that it was also by you." Kerry felt the weight of Sam's lack of response, letting the moment stay quiet as it did before letting go to give her a weight-easing pat on the shoulder. "But for real. That was clutch. I remember that machine from Manila, now. That girl was no joke."

Sam fought off a smile that tugged at the hurtful memories that came with what got her to where she stood. "Thanks, I logged I don't know how many days worth of training with it prior to." She then walked up to check over Kerry's face, remembering the knot on her forehead from earlier. It remained swollen, but the bleeding had long stopped after being pressed in by helmet padding. "Yeah. We might want to check on that just in case," she commented as she ran her fingers nearby, pushing some of her hair aside to get a better look.

"Thanks, but you know I'm not as concussion prone as you. I'll be alright," Kerry laughed it off with a smile, but it faded as quickly as she noticed Sam's right ear where a chunk remained missing. "Girl, your ear. How did- who did that to you?"

"I forget that even exists, unless I stop to look in a mirror," Sam replied with a hand subconsciously covering it as she tried to push away that night's memories that came with it. She then turned at the sound of an approaching hovercraft shuttle, taking a closer look at the federal markings as it got nearer. "Look, Argentine government officials. That's probably our cue to go in for questioning."

"Lead the way," Kerry answered as she walked with Sam shoulder to shoulder. "As things stand, I only know what I was told to do- oh, which by the way, you seem to have made some acquaintances along the way," she spoke with seemingly genuine curiosity in reference to the brief conversation between Sam and Eryx. "And when did you learn to shoot like that like you did earlier? Was that all because of what happened in Manila? And when did you learn to speak Spanish!?"

"I promise we'll have plenty of time to catch up," Sam laughed after the barrage of questions. "I had wondered how you were doing after everything, too."

But as Sam thought to add on, she stopped in her tracks the second she realized who was stepping out from the shuttle behind a handful of men in what seemed to be police uniform; Director Braun, whom she hadn't seen since her first outing in Bogota, fully outfitted with Infinity leadership gear, stopped in similar fashion as his eyes met hers. He gave a nod and a grin as he resumed his approach.

"Ms. Knight, that is you, correct?" one of the uniformed men who led the group spoke to her in their thick Argentine accent.

"Yes, sir," she quickly responded, noting the markings of federal police on his badging.

"This gentleman wishes to speak with you," he then spoke as he backed away to allow Director Braun to walk up as he extended a hand.

"Glad to see you alive and well, Knight," the Director greeted her with a hearty handshake. "I see we got ourselves a surprise star visitor as well," he then added with a nod towards Kerry to her surprise. "You've made quite the trip around the world as well, huh, Ms. Melancon."

Kerry nodded in return with added surprise she didn't have to correct her surname's pronunciation.

"Now, I need to speak with you inside if you don't mind. It's quite urgent," the Director spoke now with a stiffer tone, gesturing toward the shuttle.

Sam hesitated, pursing her lip. No, she didn't come all this way to…

"Sorry sir, not without my partner here," she firmly declined.

The Director thought it over for no more than a second before shrugging lightly. "I don't see why not."

Sam followed the Director inside, taking a seat across from him as she made sure Kerry had enough room to sit next to her.

"Thanks, I wasn't looking forward to being stuck out there alone," Kerry whispered to her as she took her seat.

"I'm definitely not leaving you out of anything ever again, I swear," Sam whispered back before turning her attention to the Director, who had already started up a holographic presentation that was cast between them. "Sir, I do want to ask first if I may. How did Hexa get Infinity access to here officially? What exactly just happened tonight?"

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"I was already about to say so before I get to my questions," the Director answered with a smile that faded as soon as it registered. "But I have to be quick since I have other things to attend but I did demand that they let me deliver this to you myself. So, anyway, please bear with me as this is where we stand as of less than an hour ago." His hand motioned from one corner photo to the next, connecting a map of Buenos Aires' Palermo District over to a set of photos of the aftermath at the SAU Assembly Hall vicinity. "As you know all too well, the attacks by the restored Tiger MBI are now out and officially linked to Bishop as a false flag op, and the jamming still has most airwaves shut down completely despite the pushback from the public- but that depends on who on the street you ask."

I read about that. I know the public is still pretty hard-split on who was right, and with all the internet interference it's hard to know everyone's real reactions.

The Director's hand gestures then brought up two more sets of pictures, one being a map diagram of incoming aid from various entities, and the other a photo collection of alliance leader meetings. "I just came back from the contract signing we had settled in the Federal District, and they want Hexa's cooperation, allowing Infinity involvement with… strings attached. That's where you come in- and you too, Ms. Melancon," he continued as he gestured towards the two. "Which reminds me I need to fast track you back into our ranks now that you've graced us with your swift return, but I digress." His hand pointed back towards the aid map as he added: "Again, we are here at a point where we have to watch our step. Beijing is at the forefront of partnering with the SAU, which is in direct conflict with the NAU and the EU who are trying to vie for the same position."

That, too. Seems like its what drives the Underground. Both sides want to rejoin the old Confederation Alliances- all what I kept getting clues about all this time.

"Our official position at Hexa and therefore Infinity, which will remain staunchly unchanged, is to ensure our contract holders are able to keep peace maintained until they resolve such legal matters on their own without any involvement from us. They have to choose between siding with Beijing, the NAU and EU, or by remaining independent for the time being, especially now that Buenos Aires is the new central command for the SAU after that disastrous power handoff."

Bishop's desire for power- which they took from Brazil- was to put this country in charge of choosing who or how. I never got wind of who they were pushing for, but it had to be here and not Brazil. Who was Brazil pushing for? That's what I need to find out next.

Last was a map of the metro area with several color-coded zones that he brought up with a pointing gesture. "Enrai operatives have been absolutely invaluable with the data they've provided us. You see here the stockpile of stolen A Frame units Bishop forces took that they have scattered across the north, and with the way the SAU is still in a torn state, Buenos Aires-aligned forces are paired with them. Over here in these parts across the D.F., Argentine Federal Police are still aligned with the national government who has yet to break from neutrality, making it a second force. They are the ones we have to watch out for as not to cause a massive rift in the way things are balanced at the moment. And then you have Enrai, which you should know has a small number of stations across the south extending past Punta Lara, meaning Infinity has guaranteed safe access to the Space Port there. They will be working with us unofficially- that is the key. As things stand, we officially follow orders from the Feds. But when we move, we move according to Enrai informants."

"But where do we come in?" Sam blurted out, growing impatient. "Apologies," she was quick to correct herself once she realized.

"No, it's the big question," he waved off passively as he looked at the two. "We need leadership extending to the field, and it has to be our strongest hand, too. Enrai can't be connected to us publicly, remember? You two pilot for Infinity, and you two are decorated members. We need to solidify peace and we need it done as soon as humanly possible, and it's going to require me to ask you to do something you'll be welcome to reject."

My brother, right? "And that would be?"

"Isaiah Knight-"

I knew it…

"-Has been tough to track, even with his public reveal. And due to his hiding, he has to be still fully involved with Bishop's operations. And we'll bring you up to full speed soon enough, but Bishop's moving their weapons pretty quickly and have already massed up a good number just north of the city, and we think your brother will be with them. We need you to lure him out for us before they make a move, but this is again where you are welcome to back away."

Sam instinctively looked toward Kerry, who was already looking back at her in similar fashion, biting down with a nod. "We have to," Sam firmly responded, looking back at the Director intently. "We didn't come all the way here for nothing."

"He's going to be the key to their movement's crumble but it has to be swiftly dealt," the Director added as he brought up one last image, which was the basic schematic to the Curtana, drawing a gulp from Sam. "We have no confirmation but we have all the reason to believe this has been delivered to him. You have the only thing that can potentially counter it with the Arondight, but you already knew that, I assume."

"I kind of did, deep down."

The Director then closed everything down as if to pack up to leave. "But with his Cloak partners Aliyev and David and his Tiger pilot Liotta all KIA, he's likely the most isolated he's ever been, hence our hurry," he finished as he took away his access key from the display interface. "Now, if you don't mind I do have to hurry along. I'll be in touch with you two tomorrow early in the morning once official word from above reaches us."

"Understood, but what do we do until then?" Sam asked as she looked at Kerry again.

"We have the area here… 'borrowed' for the next week. The men outside will lead you to the right personnel."

"Oh," Sam turned before leaving, putting a hand on Kerry's shoulder as if to speak on her behalf. "Last thing I promise. Does Enrai know anything about Kaylen Rodgers and what just happened?"

The Director could only smile in return, hesitating before eventually shaking his head with a dismissing hand gesture. "I will speak with you in the morning."

After Sam and Kerry dismissed themselves from the shuttle, several of the men from earlier reboarded and the remaining one led them away from the area before it departed.

"You seem too okay with this," Kerry uncomfortably spoke aside to Sam. "Wasn't that Rodgers chick that you just took down, like, your friend or something?"

"She never was a friend, nor anyone who ever actually thought anything of me in particular," Sam answered with a sigh. "And besides, I'm too used to all these surprise clusterfucks by now, and yeah, none of it's ever okay but it's how everything's been since Manila," she added somberly, turning to the remaining personnel in uniform.

[Follow me, I'll take you to where you'll be boarded for the night,] he calmly spoke to the two as he led them away from the harbor.

Sam concernedly turned to look over her shoulder, seeing the Arondight and Kerry's Ap50 being lowered into a container, likely for hiding until dispatch orders.

Kerry noticed it, shaking her head in similar concern. "I'm not sure if it's because you've really changed that much since then, or this is who you've really been all along. We got a lot of catching up to do, regardless."

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