Path of the Hunters [PART 4] (NSFW)

Damien nodded and sat back down in the pelican. Waiting for them settle who's going with who before taking off again...

Aurélie smiled slightly. "Agreed. There is little time to waste." Blades spinning, she strode towards the diner. "We will go under in there."

"Cool."

*

Trip hugged her close. "You don't hafta talk about it."

Briggs shrugged. "Whatever floats. C'mon. The place is pretty much empty." He led the group back around front.

"All right," Cross said as he watched them. "They're on their way. Let's move out."

*

"No, it's okay. I feel comfortable around you."

Damien nodded as the hatch shut and the ship lifted off the ground and to a safe distance above it all.

"So where too now, Cross?"

Aurélie and Sunny followed, the latter grinning widely. "Man, this shit is gonna rock!"

*

He smiled shyly. "'Kay."

"Take us to the target," Cross said. "Drop us on the roof, and we'll take care of the rest."

Briggs led them to the back of the diner, to an empty area where a booth should be. "This should do it."

*

Her expression softened. "It was like a month before my last birthday. Mama was crying about something. She was thinking about when her and Papa were kids."

"Got it."

With that the ship was off. It didn't take long for the craft arrive at their destination and open the hatch several feet above the roof. The pilots weren't taking any chances that the backwash from the engines could alert the enemy. Damien pulled down a gattling gun from one of the overhead racks.

"Just in case."

"Works for me." Grinning, Sunny rubbed her hands together and they were all suddenly underground. A tunnel began to lead ahead. "I'mma stop it a couple yards away from the building. I need to be closer to get the full layout. Don't wanna drill right into a basement, y'know?"

*

Trip nuzzled her softly, wishing now that he hadn't picked the baby up. He wanted to hug Yue... Hugs always made him feel better.

Cross nodded. "Ready to make some noise?"

"Oh, yeah!" Nova said, grinning. "Let's crack the knuckles, and hit the crystals!"

"Stop watching Con Air, Nova," Sol said.

"Whatever." He turned to Crescent. "You ready for this?"

Blades flashed in her hands. "Let's do this."

*

"Yeah." Mani pulled out a flashlight, clicked it on. "Let's get moving."

*

"Here," Elesis said. "I'll take 'em from here." She eased Dart out of Yue's arms, set him in the crib, then did the same for Aurora. She sat by the crib, watching them with gentle eyes.

"Well," Yue continued. "At the time, they had recently became friends. They didn't live in the best neighborhood, or have the best parents, so basically, all they had was each other."

"I'll be watching from up here along with directing my forces, and if necessary, providing fire support. Good luck."

Sunny and Aurélie started off, both prepared for anything.

*

Trip thought it over for a moment, then did what his mom usually did for him at his worst moment. He lifted Yue - she was surprisingly light - and settled the girl in his lap.

He nodded, and the crew stepped out, weapons ready... It was surprisingly quiet on the roof. "Quiet... Guards up; this could get hairy."

Sol flipped through the scope's different modes. "...Looks like the stronghold's on the fourth floor, farthest from both entries."

"So we've got three floors of shit to go through," Nova said. "I'm point!" Nova walked over to the door, wrenched it open, then broke the neck of the hunter on the other side.

*

Mani and Briggs followed behind, Kane taking the rear. "So," Briggs said. "What'd I miss while I was away."

*

She blushed slightly. He was so strong... "...Well, each other wasn't enough. They ran into some very bad men, who tried to sell Mama for... entertainment. Papa was the only one who stood up for her... so they took him, too. Their parents didn't care; they needed the money."

"Crescent got a little sick," Sunny blurted before Aurélie could stop her.

*

His heart started to beat a little faster. Entertainment...

"Huh," Briggs said nonchalantly. "Must be the military food."

"Also," Mani said. "Aurélie had the children. Twins: a boy and a girl."

"Congrats."

*

"...It was the longest year, or more, of their lives. Almost every day, they were forced into those... horrible acts. I was surprised Mama was even able to have me..."

Aurélie smiled. "Merci. Though I suppose the new that I 'ad the children is not a surprise." She gestured to her much-flatter belly.

*

Trip rocked her softly, saying nothing. How had Yue's parents gone through all that and still be so nice?

"So, did Nova faint on sight?"

"No, he took it pretty well. Of course, Sol's taunting helped keep him going strong."

*

"It was horrible. Ever since I've heard the story, I've had nightmares about it, as if it was all happening to me..." She broke into soft sobs into Trip's chest.

"They 'ad a fight during contractions," Aurélie mused, smiling.

"Shit, that would've been funny as hell to see."

*

"It won't ever happen to you," Trip murmured, holding her close. "I won't let it."

"It definitely was," Mani said, smirking. "Sol's numerous expressions were priceless. I wish I had brought my camera."

"That funny, huh? Shame. I would've loved to see that."

*

"Please don't... I don't wanna be forced into that..."

"Meanwhile, I was melting bones, stuck to the floor." Sunny shook her head. "They are so getting paid back."

*

"No," he whispered, trembling. "You don't."

"Oh, yeah. He did mention paying for the celebration vacation, once this is all over."

"You mean there's more to just rescuing Star?"

"Unfortunately. Nova and Aurélie's abandoned families are hunting them down, and using whatever resources they can to get to them."

"Namely, us. Well, shit."

*

She sniffled softly, noticing Trip's trembling. "...Why are you shaking?"

"Which is the reason why Star is currently with them," Aurélie pointed out.

"She won't be there for long... Cross told me they were about to rape Elesis when they showed. If a single thing's out of place with Star, you won't have to worry about any more family members. Ever."

*

"'Cause... 'cause..." He shut his eyes and held her closer. "You don't need any more nightmares," he whispered.

"Stand in line, Sunny," Mani said, a bit darkly. "I have a bone to pick with them, personally."

Briggs raised an eyebrow. "What's up with you, all of a sudden?"

"After some research, I found out that those bastards, namely the Baudoins, were behind the sex ring Sol and I got wrapped up in, when we were kids."

"Wait, you mean the ring Nova and I shut down, a couple years back?"

"The very same."

*

She looked up at him. "It's okay, Trip. You can trust me."

"Baudoin pigs," the dog muttered, then sighed. "Zut..."

*

He shook his head. "I just want to forget it..."

"That is funny," Kane said. "Considering the one about to rape Elesis was a Laroche."

Briggs raised an eyebrow. "The plot thickens..."

Mani shook her head. "I know there was more to it, but I didn't get that deep, yet."

"Like it matters. They're all gonna get their heads handed to them, or something similar to it."

*

"So do I, but it felt worse holding it in."

Aurélie lifted a brow. "This is true... You 'ave me there..." She shook her head. "There are twisted people in both families..."

"Dude. Obvious, much?"

*

He sighed, mumbled something.