Shadow Slave

The Fall of Falcon Scott (42)

The second week of the siege was over.

A few days ago, the Devouring Cloud had been eliminated. The Terror of L049 had been slain on the same day, as well. More people had been evacuated. More people were being evacuated, still.

The siege capital still stood, firmly in human hands and mostly unbroken.

Sunny was in a familiar office in the underground government complex — the same one where he had met the rest of the Irregular officers before the siege started. The office was much the same, with only the image projected on the false window changed.

It was still showing the view of the city, only now, there were fewer people on the streets. The blizzard was picking up again, too, so the visibility wasn't great.

There was also one more vacant chair.

There were currently only three people inside — Sunny, Jet, and Winter. The three of them were not enough for the large room, so it felt painfully empty.

Winter's eyes were hidden behind her sunglasses. This was the first time Sunny saw her after the day of the battle with the Devouring Cloud... he hesitated for a while, then forced himself to say:

"Dale, he was... a good man."

She turned her head slightly and stared at him for a while. Probably. Sunny could not really see where she was looking.

Eventually, Winter sighed and briefly touched her forearm, where an edge of a tattoo could be seen peeking out from beneath the rolled sleeve of her bodysuit.

"It's alright. I knew that the fool was going to get himself killed, eventually. There were six of us at the start, you know?"

She grew quiet for a bit, then shook her head.

"Back at the Academy. Then, there were only two of us left after the Second Nightmare, and now there's just me. I'll probably be dead soon, too. No regrets, though, as long as it's for a good cause."

as usual, but Sunny could sense a bit of

"I am sorry."

Winter smiled.

sorry, Little Devil, make sure to stay alive. You're too young and elite to die. Reaper, you too... I mean, you too try to stay alive. Not

Master Jet laughed.

insist, I'll have to give it a try. Might be a

relaxed atmosphere. All three had been fighting with very little rest in

and glanced at

a look at it later. The important stuff is... the wall is still holding, but just barely. Three breaches have turned into five, as you must know. Army Command expects that we won't lose control of the defensive barrier unless something catastrophic

a hand, interrupting

Terror, while

Jet lingered

thing... won't reach Falcon Scott before we retreat. Goliath, on the

silence settled in the underground office. Winter broke it by

something catastrophic happening, huh? Are

Reaper lingered

we need him. He's not as powerful on land, but a Transcendent is a Transcendent. Overall... it seems like the situation is not entirely hopeless. The First Army has suffered heavy casualties in the past two weeks, true, but no more than Army Command

in his

is she

Jet gave hint a long look and thought before answering.

Cloud, but her husband and immediate family survived... Roan will be out of commission for a couple more weeks, sadly. Coincidentally, the House of Night lost many Awakened on the same day, as well. The forces of the great clans here are diminished. but they still pack a

somewhat worried about Saint Tyris and Master Roan... it was good to

yawned, then put her datapad on the table and gave

to Goliath, though. How is that project of yours

stared at her for

depends. Have you gotten those

Jet winced.