There was no sudden change on the crowd, no one moment that could be called the beginning of a riot, but nevertheless Kein could tell that it had started. People started jostling against one another, here and there someone screamed and slowly the atmosphere was turning ugly. On the other side of the road, voices began to call for order before someone finally broke the tension with a burst of gunfire. The other assault team, most likely. Within seconds chaos erupted all around the float, as those under the influence of magic or the drugs began attacking everyone in sight. Others joined in, swept up by the hysteria that gripped the area. But Kein didn't have time to look at the big picture; a pair of enraged women threw themselves at him and Syrus, leaving them seconds to batter the unfortunate civilians to the ground. [b]'Hold the line!',[/b] he yelled to the other soldiers, some on the verge of panic. [b]'Keep 'em away from the President!'[/b] More gunfire, followed by a flash of magic. Judging that it was time for the push on Deling, he grabbed Syrus and began to make his way back toward the float while feigning injury. Just up ahead stood Duncan's father, doing a pretty good job of organising the defenders in such a way as to give SeeD their chance.

From his position above the gatehouse, Duncan took potshots here and there, taking out officers to keep the soldiery disorganised; the for all its faults, the Galbadian Army was good at putting down civil unrest. Left unchecked, the small number of troops guarding the parade would crush the riot before the assault teams could do their job. He glanced down at his watch. Time for the next phase. [b]'Kingpin, give the order.'[/b] ... He sighed. If his father hadn't [i]insisted[/i] on that damn callsign...

Down on the ground, Constantine Lerwick smirked imperceptibly as Duncan's communique came in. Issuing a flurry or orders, he sent all the real soldiers back out to push the rioters back, leaving him with only those from the assault teams that had pushed into the centre. [b]'You lot!',[/b] he called to them, staying in character for the cameras. [b]'Get the President out of here! Back up the road!'[/b] They hadn't discussed where to take Deling before finishing him, but the SeeDs could handle that part themselves. His task was now to escape without being torn apart by the mob...

[hr]

[b]'Team Seven hasn't reported in. Their implants report heightened blood pressure and erratic brain activity.'[/b] 

[b]'We expected to take some collateral. If they don't survive, detonate their implants.'[/b]

Deep below the streets of Deling City, nestled away in the sewer system lay the headquarters of the Presidential Security Agency. The main control room was a hundred feet across, its walls studded with monitors and telephone connections. All eyes were on the riot upstairs as the PSA tried to track each SeeD; not an easy task. Despite positive IDs on half of them, many of the mercs had given them the slip. [i]No matter. We will find them.[/i] In the centre of the room was a luxurious chair, surrounded by monitors and holographic interfaces. A willowy woman sat with an air of boredom as she watched the action on-screen, every so often pointing out another SeeD with a lazy flick of a hand. Her every movement was watched with rapt attention by her subordinates, the smallest whim sending them scrambling off to do as she bid. One agent knelt beside the chair, gazing longingly upward. Her attention was rewarded by a gentle stroke across the brow and soothing, maternal reassurance.

[b]'Not long now, my children. Not long.'[/b]