For his part Vinzer Deling was more confused than frightened by this point. The soldiers had promised extraction, but had since led him to a secluded alleyway off the main avenue, an area with no road access for this supposed escape vehicle. The group soon stopped and began whispering to one another in a manner most suspicious. [b]'Where is this damn vehicle then? You boy, where are you going?'[/b] The fear began to creep back in and he jumped as one man took his shoulder reassuringly. [b]'There had better be a good explaina-'[/b] He never got to finish his complaint. The soldier's assault was so fast, so brutal that Deling barely felt any pain before unconsciousness claimed him. The last emotion to run through his mind was regret. Regret that hadn't hired more loyal soldiers.

[hr]

As the final blow snuffed out Deling's life, a smile crept across the mysterious woman's face. How she knew of the President's untimely demise was unclear, but for her adoring underlings her word was proof enough. [b]'It is time, children. Begin the takeover.'[/b] All across the city, the country, thousands of agents moved as one. Galbadian Army officers issued new orders to their confused soldiers, regional governors began to enact strange new legislation. Nothing overt, nothing out of the ordinary for the rogue state of Galbadia and yet... something new. In the heart of Deling City, the PSA agents watching the parade began to melt away into the crowds, leaving only a handful close enough to the SeeDs to keep track of them.

[b][i]'It is time.'[/i][/b]