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."

usual, but Sunny

"I am sorry."

Winter smiled.

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 that you're young and

Master Jet laughed.

you insist, I'll have to give it a

All three had been fighting with very little rest in between combat shifts for the past few days, so this meeting was a bit of a reprieve,

Reaper sighed and glanced at

you on the current state of things. Most of the information has been sent to your communicators, so take a look at it later. The important stuff is... the wall is still holding, but just barely. Three

raised a

business. The priority targets... hey, two out of five are dealt with. Sunny killed the Terror, while the Brood Mommy

lingered for

the other hand, was supposed to show up yesterday. He has

in the underground office. Winter broke

Are you sure we can handle

lingered for

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

shifted in his

is she

hint a long look and thought before answering. Her

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 bite.

relief. He had been somewhat worried about Saint Tyris and Master Roan... it was

on the table

is that project of yours

at her for a

Have you gotten those

Jet winced.