[b]The New Orleans Museum of Art - Aoife/Cody/Sylar/Hex[/b]

The New Orleans Museum of Art had been made into a stronghold that valued luxury over security. The gang living within its walls were a disciplined sort, participating in drills and exercises at seemingly all hours of the day. It was a regiment that put Reggie's own to shame, though it was one made for turning the gang into an elite attack force rather than for their own personal safety. With the catacombs gang out of commission, it seemed that the art museum group had believed they were safe from attack.

With a week of seeking out Samantha's killer and dodging constant suspicion behind him, Reggie was out for blood. The men behind Ben's death would pay for their lives, no matter their strength or number. With the addition of the newer scouts and Sylar's group, Reggie's force was looking capable enough to take down just about anyone.

That's what Reggie wanted to believe, at least.

The museum was not lacking in entrances, but Reggie believed an assault on the enemy's front door would be ultimately advantageous for the scouts. With Sylar's info, they knew when the gang would be sending out their own scouting force, leaving the museum ripe for an attack. Their initial assault would be akin to punching a hole right through the gang and would establish a foothold on the inside for the scouts. With a pair of small groups sent to secure the other entrances, the assault would be complete.

With Sylar's words a week ago echoing in his head, Reggie chose to keep Thomas close to his side, in case the man decided to do something strange. It was decided then that his friends would be put into the smaller groups. Accompanying Reggie as well would be his most loyal members, Simon and Phon. As Sylar had been in charge of watching the museum for a week, he was also to join Reggie in the frontal assault, though he would lead the sharpshooter group that was to cover their assault from a distance until the fighting moved inside. Many of the newer members were put into this group, including both Cody and Hex. The rest were stuck with Reggie.

Sent out first were Rudy and Jerry's teams, who would lie in wait until Reggie started the attack. The initial fighting would allow them to infiltrate the other entrances without much resistance. Perfect for the female scouts, so Reggie believed. Aoife was sent with Rudy while Amanda was sent with Jerry.

There was little to discuss before the plan went underway. The newer scouts had been initially excited for the operation, but fear had settled into them and they could think of little more to do than hang off of Reggie's every word and command. They followed obediently, letting Reggie lead them unwaveringly in the battle ahead. Although some of them worried about the home they had left behind, they were all ready to lay down their lives for Outpost.

***

Marcus Booker was eating in one of the exhibition halls when he heard the gunshots. He began choking on his bread, coughing and sputtering as shouting erupted from somewhere within the museum. A pair of boys rushed into the room, but Marcus raised his hand in the air to stop them. He pointed outside, silently ordering them to assist in whatever was happening. They turned around and left, leaving Marcus to finish swallowing down his food.

"Barker!" he yelled, pushing himself out of his seat. "The hell is happening?! Barker?!"

The man named Barker entered from the next room, already armed and ready to go. He was a tall lanky man with a pointed beard that made him look older than he actually was. Despite being quite younger than Marcus, Barker was the one in charge around the museum. He gave Marcus a pointed look and nodded toward the hallway.

"We'll deal with it," was all he said before leaving. Marcus shook his head followed after him.

***

As expected, the gang hadn't been expecting them, although that did little to help the gunfire flying over Reggie's head. The men guarding the entrance had been killed before they even knew what was happening. The gunfire brought some of the gang outside, but the scouts had been more than ready for them. It would be a stand-off for a precious few minutes, but Reggie knew that the sheer force of his scouts would overwhelm the enemy eventually.

Reggie screamed in order to be heard. "Phon! Watch the entrance! Take them out if they appear!"

There were members of the gang outside already firing off shots behind the cover the stairwell to the entrance provided. The gang had set up vehicles and sandbags further from the entrance for their own defences, but the scouts were able to make use of the cover instead. It was up to the sharp shooters now to assist them in getting inside the building. "Fucking hell!" someone yelled, probably Simon. Shots were flying constantly and it was hard to get a read on the situation. When Reggie began to fear for his plan, the sharpshooters managed to come through and take out a couple of men at the entrance. Reggie's group roared with confidence as they proceeded to roll through the remaining men.

All that was left was to rush inside.

---

[b]Lauren - Haywood - Rob[/b]

She was too upset to listen. Too angry to even give Daniel's words a chance. She had stayed silent while Daniel spoke with her, telling her all kinds of what she thought of as bullshit. He assured her that he was one of the [i]good guys[/i] and that he had her best interest at heart. How could any of that be true when they had locked up Bull? His death was on their hands, no matter who did the slaying. Haywood hadn't been content with just slaying the kidnapped women, they had to slay her man as well. Not only that, but also slay themselves in the process. Any group that could gouge themselves so thoroughly was surely no good place for Katie or herself to be.

But Lauren was spared having to listen to more of the man's drivel when he left suddenly, leaving her alone with Rob. Lauren would have rather gone out to look for Katie, but it wasn't possible in her condition. She was forced to listen as Rob continued where Daniel left off. When she couldn't stand it any longer, she finally spoke up. "You all blame that man, but where did that man come from? There must be something in the water, because I see nothing good coming out of Haywood. Your previous leader was selling off your women. When you came to save them, all you did was end up slaughtering them!"

She'd said more than she wanted to. She wouldn't be surprised if she ended up dead before the night was over and she would never get Katie to safety then. She needed to control her anger and stop being so foolish. "... But I'm alive thanks to all of you. There's that, at least. Please, just give me some time."