[b]'Slim is an understatement, friend. But can you think of any other options?'[/b] Callous though it may have sounded, their best bet was to go every SeeD for themselves. A single SeeD was a powerhouse on the battlefield, more than a match for any one opponent they might face. But not even a full team could hope to fight an [i]army[/i] head on. Their only hope was to split up, hit the enemy on multiple fronts so at least someone could break through the gaps the others left. Somehow Duncan doubted it would be himself. One by the the others set off, Jericho leading the way. Duncan watched from the window for a moment, trying to pick the best path out of the area. [b]'... Kein. You're gonna watch my back, ok? We're bullrushing right down the middle. If I go down, GF up and fucking run. Understood?'[/b] The younger SeeD gave an audible gulp, but nodded firmly as he readied his naginata. [b]'You can count on me boss.'[/b] Duncan nodded slowly, turned to the Field Marshal. [b]'Father, just pretend we kept you hostage. That might save the staff too.'[/b] Constantine's eyebrows arched indignantly. He stepped forward, drawing an archaic sabre from his belt with a flourish. [b]'My boy,',[/b] he began in a tone full of arrogance confidence. [b]'Do you believe me incapable? Garden is not the only organisation to experiment with Guardian Forces. It will be your honour to fight alongside your father for the first and perhaps only time. Be grateful.'[/b] In a sudden dash of speed, Constantine darted out the front door and leapt into a group of soldiers, slashing elegantly before his feet even touched the ground. The two SeeDs stared for a moment, looked at each other and shrugged. [b]'... Our turn then.'[/b]

Kein went first, rolling out the window to impale an unfortunate soldier as Duncan charged past, rifle blazing. The two of them fought back to back as they pushed on toward the roadway, Kein handling anything that got close while Duncan put down anyone who looked their way with a quick double-tap. The way was made easier by the other's efforts, with soldiers staggering about confused and blind from Rachel's GF. Within minutes of SeeD joining the fray, the gardens had become a charnelhouse, littered with the mangled, frozen and burnt corpses of PSA lackeys and yet it hadn't made a dent in their numbers. [b]'Kein, hold them back for me!'[/b] Duncan dropped to one knee, deciding that they needed some extra power to push through to the centre. As he concentrated on summoning Artio, Kein danced around like an acrobatic axe murderer, dicing anyone who dared approach. His feet barely touched the ground as he leapt from one foe to the next and using the pommel of his weapon to propel himself upward. Meanwhile, Duncan slowly became covered in swirling tribal markings arcing across his slender frame, spinning, changing until they covered his entire body. He released control just before the markings overtook him and from his body burst a swirling mass of inky marks that rapidly coalesced into the form of a giant bear. Artio stood stock still for a heartbeat, before roaring in gleeful defiance of the ridiculous odds before them. Kein swept down to heave Duncan off the ground as the bear started tearing into the enemy, tossing men into the air like dolls. Alongside Hector's Shadow, they cleared a huge gap in the centre of the gardens, enough for the two SeeDs to punch through onto the street.

Unfortunately, the number of mechs behind the front lines was much higher. Across the road stood a soldier grinning maniacally as he directed a pair of massive crab-like bots to leap atop Artio's back. The pain of their tearing claws and searing lasers was too much for her to bear and the sensation boiled over into Duncan. The SeeD fell to the ground in agony, well behind Kein as he decapitated the former mech technician. Unable to move and with Artio fading into black, Duncan was overwhelmed by a mob of soldiers and civilians. Kein spun around, cracking a neck with the back of his weapon as he looked back to see the boss fall. [b]'Duncan!'[/b] All across the area, SeeDs were falling one by one. A stab of sheer terror pierced his heart as he realise that the enemy might not try to take them alive. He was out now, he could escape down a side alley and be away, but... Well, it really wasn't a difficult decision to make. Summoning all his strength, Kein threw his naginata at the nearest mech, slicing the contraption in half and buying him long enough to drop to one knee. Clasping his hands together, he squeezed his eyes shut and began to pray. Light suffused the area, the air cleared and a pair of ghostly, ephemeral wings began to sprout from his back. [i]For once, she actually answered...[/i] Sachiel burst forth from his body just before a soldier got close enough to put a boot into his jaw, floating high above the gardens. In a single, gentle movement she cast one hand before her before fading from sight. Whether the SeeDs knew it or not, her magic gently knitted their bodies together, closing wounds and setting bones. Even though he had also been captured, Kein knew that no-one would die just yet.

Across the way, Constantine saw his son overwhelmed in a blue mass. Battling conflicting feelings of paternal love and practicality, he sheathed his sabre and turned away. The last anyone saw of him, Field Marshal Constantine Lerwick was heading down into a sewer entrance.

[hr]

No-one knew how long it had been, how long they had kept here. Dark, dank and cold. A cell? A cage. They hadn't seen another living human in so long... and no matter what they did, their GFs would not answer. But now, a sound. Something new after endless painful monotony. A curious sound, as though gas was leaking... into... a cell...

The first thing Duncan became aware of was pain. Dull pain arcing across his body, as though he had been beaten over and over. Sharp pain in his wrists. Stretching, tearing pain in his arms. His eyes opened slowly, groggily, revealing a small circular room. Things hung from the walls, shapes, human figures... The others..? They survived? He tried to talk, but only managed a weak cough. When he finally focussed, Duncan recognised one of the figures chained up to the wall beside him. [b]'Zer... Ze. [i]Xerox...?[/i] Wake... up.'[/b]