●　● Palermo District, Buenos Aires, Argentina, SAU

Footsteps could be heard emerging from a stairwell that led up to a rooftop terrace at an older apartment high-rise that provided just enough of a view of the massive demonstrations that had been gathering around the SAU Assembly Hall in an audible uproar. Much of the damage that had been done from the Tiger incident was cleaned up as far as the debris was concerned, but tarp-covered segments of the building along with barricaded construction zones created partially empty pockets amidst the sea of protesters. And as the smoke from tear gas and fired rounds wafted like a haze around the area, the slowly decreasing sunlight gave way to spotlights that began to illuminate from within the haze.

Two men emerged from the stairwell, taking a look around both near and away from the immediate rooftop area, then looked back toward the doorway. [All clear.]

Kaylen then emerged, taking her time, seemingly in pain with each step. Her left arm was in a sling, and as the breeze blew at her unbuttoned windbreaker, it revealed her back brace as well, all injuries sustained from her fall the other night. Pulling the hair from her face also revealed bruising from the helmet impact, and perhaps her ego might have been just as bruised. [Signal check.]

One of the two men checked a device he held up to his watch, then looked over to Kaylen who had just neared the balcony rail. [Should be good to go. Weak, but connected.]

She turned to the other man who had just offered her his viewfinder, taking a moment to scan the Hall area demonstration herself. Police hovercraft remained distant, giving room to the military gunboat hovering around fifty meters over the crowd, barrels extended straight below. "Sickening…" She didn't assume its role just yet, but given the small arms gunfire she heard earlier, she could tell what role it might soon serve. And then she zoomed in to see details she didn't predict happening yet. "What the…"

It wasn't police. It was riot control-equipped alliance military soldiers in lines combatting waves of frenzied rioters. Upon closer inspection, some of the protestors were seen stumbling over bodies – alive or not – while proceeding to be beaten backwards and some down the stairs that met with the front gathering area.

"This is escalating way too quickly." She then clicked her headset button, looking down at her watch. [Enrai, this is Emilia. Was my request sent? There may not be much time left.]

[We did. We can only hope he received the message.]

[Thank you.]

[Stay safe and far away. We are about to intervene, and it may not be pretty.]

[Understood. Hopefully our new hope and her little friend can do something about it from here on as well,] she replied, disconnecting her headset and then set it to her watch. Navigating her way through the haptic holographic menu she brought up, she switched the projection to a local news broadcast, trying to keep herself aware of the public's view as additional information to what the Underground provided.

[-As we await further information regarding the casualties,] a news anchor spoke over the backdrop of a much closer location to the Hall. [The only information we have is that multiple warnings had been issued to those attempting entry into the Assembly Hall, but there is no answer to who gave the order to open fire and no information as to why stun munitions were not used.]

[Troops continue to violently push protestors out and away from the lobby entrance,] another anchor added, [which has been aided by the attempt to clear out the dead and injured from that very area. There is also no update to the presence of any bombs supposedly brought into the area nor if it made it inside the Hall lobby itself. The President continues to pressure the SAU Chairman to hold off on its presence, maintaining the Distrito Federal had the capacity to manage its own security before being overridden, but the Chairman has stated it will continue to enforce maximum security given the recent events, stating no intent to sit by and risk worse events unfolding.]

"Another slick power grab on the way," Kaylen muttered to herself, looking back out into the distant crowds that filled the streets for blocks. [A-7's on the way, huh? Does the public not deserve to know that?] She then added on as she switched languages. [I wonder if little Knight has the guts.]

[Well, isn't your old boss the one who buddied up with the President the other day?] one of the two men spoke up from close by. [They're stockpiling their LTAC presence at the harbor. Why are they just sitting back with what is about to be a coup? Are they afraid yet again to get their hands bloodied?]

Kaylen frowned deeply at the mention of Vincent Vrey. [Exactly. Because Vrey is a pure and total coward. I'm sure he's very afraid he'll ruin his image if he gets labeled as a terrorist like these others. He's also afraid of the SAU. No other reason he'd be sitting back like this,] she added with a spiteful, nasal chuckle. [Useless, back-stabbing son of a bitch.]

[Damn. That could really be you out headed out there,] the man spoke in reference to the Galatine she was supposed to have come back with.

[Don't even mention it,] Kaylen huffed with a deeper frown. A buzz from her watch broke the mood, however, looking to see it was from Enrai.

[Change of plans,] Enrai started, matching the expectations from Kaylen judging by the timing of the call. [Rex's men are pulling back, likely in response to the breach in our non-aggression pact with them.]

Kaylen heard some of the slight chaos that happened near Monserrat, but only heard it as potential ambushes being avoided. [A breach? But… by who?]

[As you spoke, our new hope and her little friend. They've killed several of Rex's men, and Eryx's crew took part in it as well.]

[Huh!?] Her frown returned with greater ferocity, having not only heard it was by Sam but also that her own former partner was also dragged into what had to have been Sam's wrongdoing.

[Emilia, your team is to monitor any Rex-side activity in response to our intervention there nearby. Understood? We can no longer trust our shaky alliance, it seems.]

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●　● Monserrat District, Buenos Aires, Argentina, SAU

Sam only thought for a second to object to Eryx's return to the open plaza they had fled not long ago. She figured no field group moving in secrecy would ever return to use a compromised location, and with how much landing room they needed, any open harbor plot would seem the more ideal. It was a risk to take, but she held no reservations with Eryx's intuition.

I still can't believe Enrai is willing to push forward without Rex's backup. And with me being the cause of such a mess once again, I really can't afford to let them down after how far they've brought me… This is likely the closest I'll get to where I need to be…

Suited up as of a moment prior, Sam and Kerry both now onlooked the approach of the Arondight and the Ap50 from the relative safety of their positioning between the truck and a small visitor's building. And whatever quiet they utilized to make their return under the radar, it would be shattered in an instant as the automated delivery program loudly executed its ECM cloud dispersal upon descent to prevent weapons targeting from anything nearby. Three loud, spaced-out pops and crackles later, the two LTACs made a safe touchdown on the open grass lots.

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Knowing they had the skylines watched, they jogged up to the opening hatches and their descending ladders. Sam quickly noted, however, a hefty surprise bonus that traveled with the Arondight, gripped tightly in its right hand.

Wait. That's… the Galatine's micro railgun. I wonder who cleared that one… She then remembered how much damage it did from what she surveyed after the last Manila incident. It was the same weapon that shredded her brother's last Cloak frame with ease. But only seconds into her wishful thinking did reality kick back in. That slug would also take far more than a handful of innocent lives if I'm not careful. What the hell were they thinking with this?

"Sam?" Kerry back-trotted after seeing her stop, lost in thought. Worryingly, she asked: "You good? We need to hurry."

This was their idea, wasn't it. They put the biggest weapon in the hand of a machine that shouldn't miss… right? But if it's up to me… I'd need to consider…

Sam felt the weight of the assignment now more than ever, despite having what should have been the biggest push of confidence she's ever had, equipment-wise. And forming an even greater weight was someone who stuck with her when it mattered most. She walked up to Kerry, hugging her in a tight embrace with a deep, fearful breath.

Kerry wasn't used to being on the receiving end from Sam, once again thinking for a second what must have pushed her this far. Returning the embrace, she calmed her voice to respond to the notion: "You know I got your back. You just do your thing and I'll be right there."

"Even if it's going along with some insane ideas that have been going through my head?" Sam pitifully responded, afraid to drag Kerry's trust through another horror.

"We've been through this a few days in a row, Sam," Kerry curtly but kindly reminded her as she stepped back, both hands on Sam's shoulders. "We have to keep trusting each other. We're all we got for now."

"I know… I just…" Sam wanted to properly thank her, even though no matter what she could say, it may never be enough.

"Sam," Kerry caught Sam's attention more directly with a slight shake.

Sam finally looked Kerry in the eyes, feeling some of her confidence come back.

"Go dumb."

Sam almost laughed, flashing a big grin with a look that spoke of gratitude. "Pray for me."

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[You may lose communication between communication hubs,] Eryx's voice spoke to the two as they finished buckling in, helmets and visors in the ready. [Just keep your speed up and stick to the wide roadways. The president's shelter order went live earlier and you should have less traffic to worry about.]

"That's supposed to be a relief, but shit…" Sam thought aloud, gripping her controls, placing her toes lightly over the pedals. "How long do we have?"

[Our intervention forces are on the move now. Just hurry. I'll keep you updated.]

"Alright Kerry, I'll explain the plan once we get nearer. Gotta see what the hell we're really looking at before I get it settled."

"Right behind you. Weapons on safe," Kerry replied, squeezing her eyes shut a few times as if under some specific sort of stress.

Sam checked through her systems one last time before angling her main thrusters upward for a quick burst, rolling off into a jump that would set her down on the main street. "I got my eyes open for NOX traces. Keep yours open for explosives."

"Sucks being only two like this, but then again, this is what we got ourselves ready for. Everything shows clear, just watching out for traffic for now."

The sounds of gunfire and a thud from an explosion were picked up by the system's audio detection system, amplifying it to well-audible levels with calculated distances appearing on-screen. Something's begun. Hope it isn't a slaughter-fest.

"So, any big changes in our plan?" Kerry spoke up as she took off right behind.

"I guarantee something is going to, but not sure just yet." Sam wanted to add more as she stayed half-distracted by the micro rail gun the Arondight tightly held onto, but elected to keep it to herself until she was sure of what they were about to face. This time it's to spare both of us any unnecessary calculations. Keep this one quiet for now…

But as time passed by from the start of their estimated thirty-block distance to travel, incoming updates had their tensions increasing with each. [SAU Gunboat is down, lost one frame. Three engaged with SAU armor.]

"What's the police involvement?" Sam asked, keeping her calculations constant and actively adapting.

[Crowd control. They're trying to force evacuate the entire area. Watch out for stray civilians on the run as you approach.]

Good, the only ones that are up to no good are Bishop's cronies.

Sam had long assumed this was no different than what was pulled off by the Tiger incident, knowing that what worked before would likely work again, if not toppled by rogue actions of a single pilot. Bishop would likely act much smarter this time, and even though Enrai never officially pointed fingers at Bishop, their response spoke as if they were on the same accord.

"About to merge onto Avenida del Libertador," Sam announced minutes later, eyeing a major overpass right ahead. "Kerry, nothing ahead to our north west?"

"Nothing but empty skylines. This ain't Dhaka, after all."

"Or anywhere else we've rolled through, you got that right," Sam added, taking a few calming breaths before jumping off the overpass and firmly touching down on the wider west-bound thruway.

Ten blocks down as they picked up their pace, Eryx's voice popped in with much heightened tension: [They're already here! Hurry it up, damn it!]

Jumping in reaction, Sam quickly asked for clarification. "Who is!?"

[The sons of bitches just sent in A-7's! Three of them!]

"Huh!?!" Sam seethed in half-shock.

[The SAU called in three of them! Hurry!] Eryx repeated, yelling louder.

"A-7's!?!" Kerry shouted out in panic. "Full size mechs!?"

That's what this was for?! Sam immediately figured out the reason she carried the massive piece of equipment she was gifted with. It was for those?! Why didn't they tell me this kind of shit sooner?! "Kerry! This was what I was afraid might happen, and it sure as hell fucking did!" She forced herself to take in a few more slow, deep breaths, recalling one of the scenarios she went through in her head the past hour. "Kerry, listen! Here's that big change in plans!"

I got this. I got this.

Sam felt sickened at what she was about to say, but knew she hadn't come this far to bow down to expectations or any assumptions that she would come to regret later. But, ooh, everyone's going to be out for my head for sure! "I'm about to completely expose myself for a brief minute. I need for you to cover my backside until I jump back down!"

"Back down from where?! Aren't we too far out!?" Kerry asked, still seeing their target block was still eight blocks away.

"No, it's plenty close! Look!" She shouted, laser painting a thirty-odd story building with a relatively flat rooftop, seemingly taller than the rest around. It stood about a block away, and judging by the required jump to reach that height, Sam coasted to a stop, allowing herself a chance to wait for an opening between fleeing traffic. "Get ready!"

Kerry quickly found a public parking garage that looked easily climbed, and with her experience, she always felt they were the most solid structures for landing on. "Spotted a building nearby to get your back! Now, tell me what's going to happen!"

"Hold on!" Sam blasted off at the sight of an opening, then proceeded to jump under full boost, extending it long enough to let off and descend just until twenty meters out. And with a powerful reverse thrust, she tactfully landed on top of the building without adverse structural warping. She then turned her camera to see Kerry just below her a block away, facing the rear. Switching off her connection to Enrai, she then barked: "Now, turn off your network comms! Leave only line-of-sight on!"

"What?!"

"Just do it!" Sam pleaded, now taking aim for the Assembly Hall area, noting three A-7's standing ominously over the disarrayed crowd of remaining protestors, police, military troops, and smoldering piles of metal. With jamming too heavy, she had no idea who or what was lost on Enrai's side. "I can't let Enrai nor Infinity take blame for what I'm about to do! And same for you, this is something I have to take blame for!"

"Sam! Blame for what?! What the hell are you about to do?!"

Sam felt Antares guide her micro adjustments she made on her hat switch as she held the Galatine's cannon out, barrel aiming down towards the gathering. This is what I remember happening at Dhaka. If I don't stop this coup, we ALL become the bad guys no matter what. "Are we clear behind us!?"

"Yes, clear!" Seconds followed with no further spoken doubt from Kerry. Perhaps she simply gave up trying, but maybe it was because she felt she read what Sam was about to do.

And then Manila. They brought in the PLA as they watched us pull out. Now they bring in the SAU sooner because they THINK we won't do anything about it!

She saw the people starting to scatter farther away from the A-7's, naturally. But all three stood in front of the Assembly Hall's main structure, adding heavily to her nerves. And now that I think about it, THIS is what Sebastian described when he spoke of what the Colombian Dozen survived. Only now, I have what they didn't… what they weren't fortunate enough to have.

●　● Palermo District, Buenos Aires, Argentina, SAU

The SAU General that met with Isaiah the other day walked up to a large window that was at the center of a convention room on the tenth floor of the Assembly Hall building. He turned to see the three A-7s, still armed and only slightly battle scarred, looking down on the dispersing resistance. He was joined by a few others in uniform, standing beside him with radios in hand.

[Sir,] one of them spoke to him under his voice. [Our surveillance detected one small LTAC eight blocks away.]

[Call the President. Tell him to call off the police before the next wave arrives so we can avoid any further casualties,] the General flatly ordered, still looking outside. [We have control, now.]

[Charlie group is in position and can intercept, sir,] the officer pressed, only to be silenced by the General's raised hand.

[You see what I see,] the General spoke of the nearest A-7 which was separated from them by only ten meters, cockpit level with their eyes. [We… are in control.]

But before the officer could ultimately comply, glass shattered all around them as the three were knocked backwards, swallowed up by a compression blast of air and a deafening crack of sorts, one that hardened amor would make upon splitting in half.

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