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[img]https://i.imgur.com/ztoxvcr.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/wQkky98.png[/img]

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[img]https://i.imgur.com/6O5jDdz.jpg[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/rkqNAGN.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/bruEr7l.jpg[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/7JkxMnE.jpg[/img]
[h2][i]The Final Hour[/i][/h2]
[color=ed1c24][b]Supreme Commander Cesaro Zepeta - "Tyrannus"[/b][/color]
[color=f7941d][b]Executive General Aquila Macario - "Sandman"[/b][/color]
[color=ed1c24][b]Lieutenant Vanessa Rodriguez - "Amp"[/b][/color]
[color=0054a6][b]Manuelo Castellanos - "Goliath"[/b][/color]

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[img]https://i.imgur.com/TQ1BTP0.jpg?1[/img]
Ghost Suburbs - Bogota, Colombia
[i]1 Week Ago[/i]
[sub][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8kdtxPvCCE]Theme[/url][/sub][/center]


	One month has passed since the turn of the tide. Ever since metahumans threw their hat into the ring, it became clearer that Zepeta's days were numbered. While FARC was destroyed with ease, with right-wing militias fighting under Zepeta's banner, events had been swaying the tyrant's way for some time. However, with news of the abuse of human rights by metahuman brigands wearing the flag of Zepeta's regime, it was only natural that Colombia got international attention. With the help of the Union of South American Nations, the Loyalists and International Freedom Battalion had received lots of informal support from various member nations of USAN. It wasn't long before USAN themselves, headed by the Brazilian Military, intervened and assisted both groups in overthrowing Zepeta. Soon enough, all three groups were formed together under USANs banner, and with the help of omniglot metahumans and communication teams, clear communication was established between various groups and they were able to systematically take back ground for the Democratic Loyalists that once ruled Colombia before Zepeta's Regime. 

	A month of tactical and systematic elimination of strategic Regime assets left Zepeta's goons disorganized and often captured or outright routed. Fights in the forests proved dismal against USAN's chamelion-like soldiers courtesy of Brazil, and fights in the mountains made it very difficult to control against USAN metahumans that caused a variety of avalanches to bury bases and destroy outposts. The Freedom Brigades often excelled in urban warfare, using the ghost cities and abandoned industrial complexes to lay traps for Regime troops, who often didn't stand a chance against well-concealed bombs and metahumans. Zepeta's grounded Air Force was captured by the Loyalists in droves, and his tanks often landed into the hands of telekinetic squads who captured them for USAN. Zepeta's own citizens, after years of oppression and living in denial, cheer in the streets as USAN forces march from the South, heading North towards Bogota, the capital city. The Regime was nearly finished, and they had no way of turning back. With all Colombian coasts blockaded by USAN Navy Vessels and the water-controlling metahumans that remained onboard them, with air superiority established by Loyalist and USAN fighter jets, the Regime had nowhere left to run. With the Colombian Loyalists marching up from the South with USAN troops and the International Freedom Battalion storming in from the North with USAN aerial support, Zepeta was fighting a war on two fronts at this point, and many draftees of both human and metahuman varieties have surrendered to their brothers and sisters bearing the USAN banner. It wasn't long before all that remained of Zepeta's goons were the handful of humans and metahumans that lived and died by Zepeta's word, and died they did, falling at the hands of a steadily advancing military force, stopping at nothing until they see the tinpot tyrant hung in the International Criminal Courts. 

	The streets of Bogota were nearly sparse. Almost all civilians had evacated to either bomb shelters fashioned during the war, or had run to various civilian protection zones set up by USAN. It was high noon, and the clouds had made the city quite dim. Makeshift walls set up by various vehicles as well as some parts of buildings, blocked many of the streets, forming a defensive line towards the south, where USAN forces are expected to march. Men and women, wearing regime colors and carrying old M16s, remained behind the vehicles, wearing their red berets and red armbands to signify their undying loyalty to Zepeta, the father of Modern Colombia.

	[url=https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FARC-001.jpg]Alessandra[/url], one of those soldiers, stood firmly with her M16 in hand behind an old APC. The APC itself belonged to the Republic that came before the regime, but was hastily repainted in Regime colors in red and green spray paint. Alessandra, standing amongst many other men and women, some metahumans, had her face colored in red and black to signify her undying loyalty to Zepeta. She remained there, rifle in hand, standing her ground, looking at the road ahead. Far ahead down the road was a tank unit, with several helicopters and many soldiers escorting it. The varely visible blue colors of the USAN flags revealed themselves as those who fought with the traitors. Under the command of a metahuman man who sat gunner position of an old tank, Alessandra turned to him for orders.

	[color=f7976a][b]"<Stand your ground, comrades!>"[/b][/color] The commander shouted in Spanish, looking ahead with a pair of binoculars. [b][color=f7976a]"<Wait upon my command to fire!>"[/color][/b] Thanks to their scarcity of supplies robbed of them from USAN's earlier tactical operations, the Regime couldn't afford suppressive fire or long-range attacks.

	Alessandra nodded and turned her attention back on the tank group. They slowly rolled closer and closer, until they were clearly visible. However, while the helicopters and tanks that made up the USAN's military might were clearly in range, they didn't fire a single shot. [color=f7976a][i]<What are these fools thinking?>[/i][/color] Alessandra thought to herself before raising her rifle, drawing a bead on a distant foot soldier. 

	[b][color=8493ca]"<Brothers and sisters of Zepeta's Regime! This is Colonel Cortez of the USAN-Colombian Task Force!>"[/color][/b] A loudspeaker shouted from the opposing force, catching the Regime soldiers off-guard. [color=8493ca][b]"<Zepeta's reign of terror is over! You are surrounded on all fronts and our advances have never been successfully stopped! If you value your lives, your loved ones and your nation, surrender immediately, and we will treat you humanely!>"[/b][/color] It became clearer that it wasn't a loudspeaker exactly, but a metahuman with sonic vocal abilities. [b][color=8493ca]"<You are all outnumbered and outgunned! Stand down, and no harm will come to you!>"[/color][/b]

	Alessandra had second thoughts at this point. It was indeed obvious that the glorious rule of Zepeta was over, and was clearly threatened by those USAN dogs, but it was clear that they had mercy for their opponents, even at the last legs in their life. But even then, she wasn't too sure about her own loved ones, they all retreated to USAN-territory. Traitorous scum, them. She swore an oath to protect Zepeta and his nation, and protect it she will, with every last breath she took.

	[color=f7976a][b]"<Fuck you, USAN dogs!>"[/b][/color] The commander shouted through his megaphone. [color=f7976a][b]"<Long live the Supreme Commander! All units, fire all weapons! Show them no quarter!>" [/b][/color]

	Alessandra immediately fired her rifle on full-auto, sending her bullets out into the screaming yonder towards the general direction of the enemy. The soldiers around her fired their rifles, machine guns and pistols, or what was left of the armory at the moment, towards the enemy, with the APCs and Tanks firing their machine guns and cannons occasionally. A few explosions hit directly in front of the enemy force, and did a few small dents in the tanks and helicopters, and a few of the USAN foot soldiers were injured, but it seems as if their attack had no effect at all. They continued firing their guns, Alessandra crying out in a burning rage as she unloaded her magazine at USAN. 

	Then a BOOM was heard. A muzzle flash from one of the tanks. The tank shell came towards them faster than Alessandra could blink, and before she knew it, she was deafened and tossed against a nearby wall, a burning explosion sending shrapnel through her lightly armored uniform, her face burning slightly from the hot dust that shot everywhere. Alessandra whimpered a little in pain, and she could feel a much sharper pain cut through her stomach. A large piece of shrapnel from the old tank had dug itself into her stomach. She blinked, clearing the dust from her eyes, moaning in pain as she witnessed the carnage around her. The tank was destroyed, with some blood and gore in several places. Body parts, as well as many wounded Regime comrades, littered the scene. One of her Regime brothers tried to stand up and bring his RPG to shoulder, but he was immediately torn in half from the devastating machine gun fire that one of the USAN helicopters spat at him. Alessandra watched as her comrades attempted to fight to the last breath, bringing up their weapons towards the enemy before they were promptly gunned down by either the helicopters or mounted machine guns on the enemy armor. All Alessandra could do was watch as the enemy advanced closer and closer. Before long, the helicopters flew overhead, and the tanks pushed past the rubble and corpses that made up the remains of the roadblock she manned. Soon enough, light infantry, powered armor, small mechs, combat robots and armored vehicles followed. Alessandra groaned, blinking. She could feel herself lose energy, she was losing lots of blood already.

	One of the female soldiers from USAN turned to her after she groaned, and raised her weapon, a few more turning towards her as well. [color=8493ca][b]"<Sister...>"[/b][/color] The soldier called out. Even though they clearly weren't related, the USAN soldier was calling Alessandra in an attempt to make the Regime soldier snap out of whatever fervor had her fighting for a tyrant. [color=8493ca][b]"<... I can help you.>"[/b][/color]

	Alessandra weakly looked to her left arm, seeing that it was missing. She then turned to her right arm, which could barely move. She used her right hand to reach up a little, and with a groan, she picked up a nearby pistol weakly, and raised it towards the soldier opposite her. [color=f7976a][b]"<...Long... live... Zepeta...>"[/b][/color] Alessandra weakly attempted to pull the trigger, but one of the soldiers raised his rifles at her. She felt a pain shoot into her heart, her heart painfully pumping before it stopped. Alessandra only had moments to remember her life before she faded away, her weak arm dropping the handgun. She slowly closed her eyes and faded away, her head leaning to the side, with her last thoughts being that of Zepeta and his glorious empire. 


[hr]


[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Vuxw0dS.jpg?1[/img]
Presidential Palace - Bogota, Colombia
[i]30 Minutes Later[/i][/center]


	Marcario frantically packed his valuables. Family photos, medals, money, passports, some clothes, and some classified intelligence documents, putting it all in one suitcase. He panted a little as he took what he could from his room, hearing distant explosions and gunfire from outside his closed windows. He looked around his own suite within the Presidential Palace, knowing that this is going to be the last look he will ever take of what was his home for years. He turned to Vanessa, one of the Palace Guards that he secretly had a relationship with for a long time, and spoke to her. [color=f7941d][b]"<Vanessa, find Cesaro's wife and son, and bring them to me. We must escape quickly before he finds us.>"[/b][/color]

	Vanessa hesitated, taking off her red beret and holding it in between two of her gloved hands. [color=ed1c24][b]"<Wouldn't we want to get Zepeta to safety too?>"[/b][/color]

	[color=f7941d][b]"<Love, Cesaro has gone mad years ago, and he will only be worse at this point. We must get to safety before the whole administration implodes with us in it.>"[/b][/color] Marcario said, taking out a 4" .357 revolver from one of the endstands. [color=f7941d][b]"<USAN will arrive here in force in less than an a half an hour, we don't have a lot of time before they rush in and capture the building.>"[/b][/color] Marcario looked around before looking back to Vanessa. 

	Vanessa nodded and immediately ran out the door. Marcario sighed before checking to see if there was anything else he had left behind. Before long, Vanessa returned with Damita and Antonio in tow. [color=ed1c24][b]"<Sir, we must hurry.>"[/b][/color] Vanessa said.

	[color=f7976a][b]"<What is going on? Where is Cesaro?>"[/b][/color] Damita asked, looking to Marcario.

	[color=f7941d][b]"<I don't know, but we're running out of time.>"[/b][/color] Marcario said quickly, taking his suitcase and holstering his handgun underneath his jacket. [color=f7941d][b]"<USAN will be here any minute, we must leave before we die with the others.>"[/b][/color]

	[color=f7976a][b]"<Well I'm not leaving without my father!>"[/b][/color] Antonio shouted before leaving. 

	Marcario reached for him and grabbed Antonio by his sweater. [color=f7941d][b]"<Listen. Right now the only thing that's keeping you alive here is me. Your father has repeatedly asked all of his staff to act as human shields as a last-ditch effort to protect himself against the enemy, and if this keeps up, you'll be the next. Got it?"[/b][/color]

	Antonio gulped and nodded gingerly. 

	Damita turned to Marcario. [color=f7976a][b]"<Where exactly are we going?>" [/b][/color]

	[color=f7941d][b]"<We're taking a helicopter out, and we'll be flying to Mexico. I have contacts there that will keep us safe for the time being.>"[/b][/color] Marcario said. [color=f7941d][b]"<The defenses to the North will help secure us a route.>"[/b][/color] Marcario said, leaving the others out of his room and into the hallway. As he left, he looked around with paranoia. He saw various staff members, whether they be generals, soldiers or secretaries, running around in a panicked fright. Records were being destroyed, and everyone was trying to board up the palace for the eventual arrival of the USAN forces. Marcario continued leading the three down the hall, until he stopped dead in his tracks.

	[color=ed1c24][b]"<Leaving so soon?>"[/b][/color] A maniacal chuckle echoed through the hallway. Standing in front of Macario was none other than the Supreme Leader himself, clad in his most glorious military uniform to date. All of his medals, all of his golden tack, his dress whites, his cap, and his insignia. He stood proudly with his hands behind his back, a young male and female soldier on either side of him, with red berets and old M16s. [color=ed1c24][b]"<It's a shame, my dear Aquila, that you're willing to abandon me and our nation so quickly.>"[/b][/color] All four of the escapees stood tensely. [color=ed1c24][b]"<A very thoughful gesture, protecting my family from me. So where are you headed off to?>" [/b][/color]

	[color=f7941d][b]"<We're going to Mexico, Supreme Commander.>"[/b][/color] Marcario said, standing protectively in front of his lover, as well as Zepeta's two only living relatives. [color=f7941d][b]"<We must leave while we have the chance. Our dream of our Colombia is dead, Cesaro, and I don't plan on dying with it.>" [/b][/color]

	Zepeta sighed. [color=ed1c24][b]"<I see.>"[/b][/color] He said softly. [color=ed1c24][b]"<But you don't need to lie, my dear Aquila. We both know you're not heading to Mexico. We've intercepted your transmissions to USAN, offering intelligence in the exchange for amnesty for you and my family.>"[/b][/color]

	[color=f7976a][b]"<What!?>"[/b][/color] Antonio turned to Macario in surprise.

	[color=f7941d][b]"<There was no other options.>"[/b][/color] Macario said. [color=f7941d][b]"<We would've been shot down on the way to Mexico.>"[/b][/color]

	[color=ed1c24][b]"<That is indeed correct.>"[/b][/color] Zepeta nodded. [color=ed1c24][b]"<However, isn't it much more noble to remain here with what is left of our Empire? I simply would love to have one last drink with you, friend.>"[/b][/color]

	[color=f7941d][b]"<You've gone mad.>"[/b][/color] Macario sneered. [color=f7941d][b]"<Our nation is done for. We must surrender.>"[/b][/color]

	[color=ed1c24][b]"<Enough!>"[/b][/color] Zepeta shouted. [color=ed1c24][b]"<Even if we did surrender, what do you think they will do to us? They'll have me hung in an instant, tried in front of nothing but scum, and hung for saving my country. But apparently the people never liked it when I did some dirty work, so they decided to kill me and tear my work down instead. So, even then, I think staying with what's left of my... dream is a much better idea than waiting to be hung by a bunch of politicians, don't you think?>"[/b][/color]

	[color=f7941d][b]"<Maybe for you.>"[/b][/color] Marcario said simply. [color=f7941d][b]"<But I prefer to make sure I stay alive. Even if I have to live a life behind bars, I'll do so gladly knowing that I have saved those who I cared about.>" [/b][/color]

	[color=ed1c24][b]"<And apparently I'm not one of them?>"[/b][/color] Zepeta asked. [color=ed1c24][b]"<Just a second ago, I would've gladly called you my best friend. Even go as far as calling you brother.>"[/b][/color]

	[color=f7941d][b]"<Oh, you're one of them.>"[/b][/color] Marcario nodded. [color=f7941d][b]"<But you've gone too far. You've gone crazy, started believing in your own lies and started slaughtering innocents. The lies you sold to the people are also the ones you sold to yourself. You don't know the extent of your powers, and clearly they have fucked you up. They have brought out the worst in humanity, and brought nothing to our country but misery and bloodshed!>" [/b][/color]

	[color=ed1c24][b]"<I have brought this country into greatness! I have destroyed many evils that lurked within the darkness here! And the people are ungrateful! I've done everything I could for them, and this is how [i]they [/i]treat me, how [i]you [/i]treat me?!>"[/b][/color] Zepeta shouted.

	[color=f7941d][b]"<You're delusional.>"[/b][/color] Marcario said softly. 

	[color=ed1c24][b]"<Rather novel words coming from you, never once have you said anything like that to me. And to think that we called each other brothers.>"[/b][/color] 

	[color=f7941d][b]"<The man that I called my brother... well... he died years ago. A man who went by the name of Supreme Commander took his place, and turned everything into a living hell.>"[/b][/color] Marcario said.

	[color=ed1c24][b]"<Well then, if you thought that, why didn't you stop me?>"[/b][/color]

	[color=f7941d][b]"<I didn't know the extent of your powers. I was afraid that you were going to erase my mind and turned me into a hate-filled monster, and do the same to your family.>"[/b][/color] Marcario said. [color=f7941d][b]"<I cared about you, Cesaro. I loved you. But... your powers, they made you messed up. You used to be a man, but now you're a monster. I only joined this game to kill those damned terrorists and destroy those fucking cartels, but you took it way too far, and brought the war to our own poeple. Metahumans and humans alike.>"[/b][/color] Marcario said. [color=f7941d][b]"<Ever since Maria died you went off the deep end.>"[/b][/color] Marcario sighed. [color=f7941d][b]"<We've talked enough, we must move before USAN storms the building.>" [/b][/color]

	Just as Marcario turned to leave and bring the other three with him, the two teenage guards on either side of Zepeta immediately took aim at them with their rifles, forcing Marcario to stop once again. Marcario drew his revolver, and Vanessa's right hand crackled with electricity, creating a standoff between the both of them. Damita clearly wanted to stay with Marcario, but Antonio looked quite conflicted about the situation. Marcario kept his handgun trained on Zepeta, while Vanessa's gloved hand continued to display bright arcs of electricity in between her fingers. They remained that way, still, for at least ten seconds.

	[color=f7941d][b]"<Let us go.>"[/b][/color] Marcario said. [color=f7941d][b]"<You can die with your dream for all I care. All that matters to me is their safety.>"[/b][/color] Marcario said, pausing for a moment before speaking again. [color=f7941d][b]"<I've done enough for you already.>"[/b][/color]

	Zepeta remained quiet, and stared daggers into Marcario's eyes. They remained there for several seconds, before someone from the bottom floor shouted.

	[color=f7976a][b]"<They're here! The USAN dogs are here! Fire! Fire!>"[/b][/color] Loud sounds of automatic gunfire erupted from the lower floors, and glass shattered. Screams and shouts from soldiers started to fill the hall below them, with distant explosions starting to fill the cacophony of battle. 

	Zepeta remained still before speaking. [color=ed1c24][b]"<Join the others in the defense.>"[/b][/color] He said to the two guards, who then stood down and immediately ran towards the stairs. He turned to Zepeta. [color=ed1c24][b]"<Leave. Before I shoot you myself.>"[/b][/color]

	Marcario immediately tapped Vanessa, who promptly ran with the other two towards the back entrance. As Marcario looked behind, running with the others, he shared one last look with Zepeta. Zepeta was hiding sadness and defeat in his eyes, but with a blink and a slight turn, Zepeta looked determined once again. Marcario continued running with Vanessa, Damita and Antonio, hurrying out through the various hallways that made up the Presidential Palace to the back entrance. 

	Running out through the back entrance, he saw a helicopter getting ready for takeoff on the helipad. Only two red berets, both teenagers, stood guard by the helipad, saluting Marcario as he ran towards them with others. Marcario looked at them sadly as he approached the helicopter. [color=f7941d][b]"<Stand down when they arrive, don't throw your lives away.>"[/b][/color]

	[color=f7976a][b]"<Sir!>"[/b][/color] The female soldier called out, saluting Marcario.

	[color=f7941d][b]"<At ease.>"[/b][/color] Marcario said before the soldier promptly walked to the helicopter and opened the door for him. Marcario climbed into the helicopter, Vanessa sitting right next to him. As Antonio and Damita sat across from them, Marcario and Vanessa's hands joined and they held on tight. The door closed behind them, and as the helicopter took off, both soldiers saluted them as they departed.

	[color=f7976a][b]"<Are they going to shoot us down?>"[/b][/color] Damita asked, concerned.

	[color=f7941d][b]"<No. USAN knows who we are. I'm carrying a friendly transmitter on me so their IFF won't target us.>"[/b][/color] Marcario said, sadly looking upon the presidential palace one last time, seeing it surrounded by tanks, robots, mechs, power armor and metahumans, all laying siege to it. [color=f7941d][b]"<Goodbye, old friend.>"[/b][/color]


[hr]


	Zepeta was all alone with two of his last palace guards, standing on either side of him. A man and a woman, with red berets and Tavors in hand. They stood guard with guns aimed at the door, making sure no one comes in, not even friendlies. Zepeta remained seated at a posh dining table, with paintings of himself decorating the walls, as well as statues of himself. Pouring himself some scotch, dated from 1903, Zepeta figured he'd drink the finest and most expensive alcohol in his personal collection before going down in flames. He smiled a little and took a sip.

	[color=ed1c24][b]"<Can you hear them, comrades? Can you hear the death of a dream?>"[/b][/color] Zepeta asked rhetorically, letting his silence be filled in from the gunfire and screaming outside the door. Both of his guards remained stoic with their guns aimed at the door, not batting an eye. [color=ed1c24][b]"<And here I thought it would outlive me. Such a shame, really.>"[/b][/color] He said softly, taking another sip. He remained there silently, squeezing a single tear from his eye. [color=ed1c24][b]"<How could one man handle losing everything? His family, his friend... his country...>"[/b][/color] He drank the whole glass. [color=ed1c24][b]"<What if Aquila is right... what if I did go to far? And I never knew.>"[/b][/color]

	Soon enough, the gunfire and screaming came to a slow halt. All that remained was some shouting and some footsteps. Some heavy footsteps approached the door, and in notime, the door had burst open, a single fist punching through the lock that kept it shut. Standing in the doorway was Manuelo Castellanos, the farmer from the North who led USAN to victory in countless of battles. The invincible man with the strength of the gods, here to bring justice to the tyrant who has ravaged his country.

	Immediately, the two guards opened fire upon him. Manuelo tiredly looked at them as the rifle rounds just simply stopped and crumbled against his body, sighing as he waited until they emptied their magazines upon him. Once they did, Manuelo simply marched inside, took the rifles from the stunned guards, bent them with ease, and tossed them towards the USAN soldiers that stood beyond the door. The male guard tried to pull a gun on him, but Manuelo simply grabbed the guard and tossed him out the door. The female guard gulped and pulled a knife, and Manuelo watched as she tried to slash him. Her knife bent against Manuelo's stomach, and the guard looked upon him in awe.

	[color=f7976a][b]"<No way...>"[/b][/color] The woman couldn't believe it.

	[color=0054a6][b]"<It's okay, I get that alot.>"[/b][/color] Manuelo said casually. He simply grabbed the woman by the neck and began to choke her unconscious, holding her up in the air as the woman wiggled in his grasp. Shortly, the red beret was knocked out, and Manuelo gently placed the woman down onto the ground.

	Zepeta looked upon Manuelo with a surprised grin. [color=ed1c24][b]"<So... that's the infamous Goliath that my soldiers have been telling me about. Despite your power, how come everyone who comes across you survive their encounters with you?>"[/b][/color]

	Manuelo looked at Zepeta with cold eyes. [color=0054a6][b]"<Because I am not you. The men and women brainwashed by your lies are still men and women all of the same, brothers and sisters, Colombians.>"[/b][/color] Manuelo said. [color=0054a6][b]"<I am a farmer, not a killer.>" [/b][/color]

	Zepeta chuckled. [color=ed1c24][b]"<Well said.>"[/b][/color] Zepeta grinned, pulling out a revolver of his own from his holster. This immediately drew the attention of the USAN soldiers outside the door, who aimed their weapons at him. 

	Manuelo shook his head. [color=0054a6][b]"<You know damn well that won't work on me.>"[/b][/color]

	Zepeta grinned. [color=ed1c24][b]"<Yes yes... I know that. But it works on me.>"[/b][/color] Zepeta turned to fire at the USAN soldiers outside, trying to shoot them. Wounding a soldier outside, the few promptly fired back at him and blood had splattered from his chest, some exiting his back. Zepeta fell immediately after being filled with lead, and after falling onto the ground on his back, he groaned softly, a pool of his own blood forming around him. [color=ed1c24][b]"<... Goodbye... Colom....>"[/b][/color] Zepeta couldn't finish before choking on his own blood, fading away from life within seconds.

	Manuelo looked upon the corpse of the tyrant. [color=0054a6][b]"<Colombia won't miss you.>"[/b][/color] Manuelo turned to the injured soldier outside. [color=0054a6][b]"<Are you okay, sir?>"[/b][/color]

	[color=8493ca][b]"<I'm fine.>"[/b][/color] The USAN soldier groaned before standing up, brushing himself off. [color=8493ca][b]"<That hurt like a bitch, and people say body armor's useless.>"[/b][/color]

	[color=0054a6][b]"<I'm glad you're okay.>"[/b][/color] Manuelo said before looking around. [color=0054a6][b]"<Colonel Cortez? Where are the others?>"[/b][/color]

	Colonel Cortez, one of the nearby USAN soldiers who happened to be passing by, stopped and saw the scene. [color=8493ca][b]"<Oh, shit...>"[/b][/color] The Colonel frowned, seeing Zepeta in the bloody mess he was in. [color=8493ca][b]"<And I was hoping to at least arrest this prick. Who did this?>"[/b][/color]

	One of the female USAN soldiers spoke up. [color=8493ca][b]"<Sir, he shot at us. We had to return fire.>" [/b][/color]

	Colonel Cortez nodded. [color=8493ca][b]"<Fair enough.>"[/b][/color] He sighed before turning to Manuelo. [color=8493ca][b]"<Are you asking for the Regime generals? They surrendered downstairs.>"[/b][/color]

	[color=0054a6][b]"<No no, I mean the Executive General... and the other Zepetas. Antonio and Damita.>" [/b][/color]

	[color=8493ca][b]"<Last I've heard, they are currently in the process of peacefully surrendering to USAN, with classified intel, in exchange for amnesty, or at least a lighter court sentence.>"[/b][/color] The USAN soldier replied. [color=8493ca][b]"<I know what you're thinking, but as far as we know, they aren't responsible for any war crimes->"[/b][/color]

	[color=0054a6][b]"<I know, I know... I just wanted to talk with them was all.>"[/b][/color] Manuelo said softly. 


[hr]


[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1bGdnmQ.jpg?1[/img]
Constanza Church - Bogota, Colombia
[i]Present Day[/i][/center]


	Manuelo lazily tugged a few-ton piece of rubble from the church, clearing it out from the building while the construction crews were in the process of trying to clear the site of rubble. Manuelo was more than happy to lend a hand in the reconstruction efforts of Colombia. After all, Zepeta's regime and the fight to wrestle Colombia from his grasp did take a huge toll on the nation's infrastructure. It's been months since the sound of gunfire, explosions and human suffering didn't fill the air, and Manuelo was much to happy to finally be rid of it. While the original democratic government of Colombia was in the process of being restored, with the exiled government coming back to do away with Zepeta's draconian way of life, Manuelo didn't feel that much of a difference with this government. While most of Colombia's flaws have been fixed by Zepeta, he had brought in new ones, which are in the process of being erased by this government. Manuelo was happy. FARC was destroyed, the right-wing militias have been disbanded, corrupt politicians before and during Zepeta were jailed, Zepeta and his regime was toppled, and all that was left to do was rebuild. 

	[b]"<Hey, I recognize you!>"[/b] A passerby commented while Manuelo dragged out some rubble. [b]"<You saved me from Zepeta's goons in San Agustin! How can I ever thank you?>"[/b]

	Manuelo smirked a little. [color=0054a6][b]"<You can lend us a hand, if you wouldn't mind.>" [/b][/color]


[hr]


[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/uYQmbia.jpg?1[/img]
International Criminal Court - The Hague, Netherlands
[i]Day Unknown[/i]
[sub][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MudRvzka7hw]Theme[/url][/sub][/center]

	After the end of the Colombian War, all parties involved with USAN were more than happy to hand all regime personnel to the International Criminal Court for war crime trials. While more local offenders (such as metahumans who committed murder under Zepeta's banner, or small ringleaders in Zepeta's operations) were tried and sentenced by the democratic Colombian government, the more high-profile folks are now under the custody of the International Criminal Court and their trials are commencing. However, while the end of the Colombian conflict and the war crime trials were worthy of the news in both of the Americas (as well as Europe), the attacks from the Hounds of Humanity gained international attention after two cities were obliterated, with another severely damaged. 

	Watching the news unfold was none other than Marcario himself, who was sitting in a holding cell with his lover Vanessa. While both of them sat together, hands held, Marcario looked as entire cities were obliterated within a blink of an eye. This news absolutely [i]horrified[/i] him, and he looked at the television in disbelief.

	[color=f7941d][b]"<By [i]God[/i]...>"[/b][/color] Aquila said in Spanish, blinking. [color=f7941d][b]"<And here I thought Zepeta has brought the worst in humanity... these... these Hounds have done far worse than what Zepeta could ever achieve!>"[/b][/color] He said in disbelief. [color=f7941d][b]"<I hope the restored government knows about this. I wish we could do [i]something.[/i]>"[/b][/color]

	Vanessa looked at Aquila and frowned. [color=ed1c24][b]"<What [i]can[/i] we do? We're about to get locked up. Even if we were free->"[/b][/color]

	[color=999999][b]"[i]When[/i] you are free."[/b][/color] An English voice said from the other side of the holding cell, having opened the door to it. A middle-aged man in a suit, with glowing lines along his neck and some glowing tech in his eyes, cleared his throat. [color=999999][b]"Executive General Aquila Marcario, I presume?"[/b][/color]

	[color=f7941d][b]"No longer."[/b][/color] Aquila said, speaking in fluent English, his Colombian accent revealing himself. [color=f7941d][b]"I stepped down from that position when the war ended, and I would rather not be called by that. I don't like to be associated with tyrants."[/b][/color]

	[color=999999][b]"I understand."[/b][/color] The man nodded curtly. 
	
	[color=ed1c24][b]"Who are you anyway? Are you ICC?"[/b][/color] Vanessa asked, her accent clear as day but her diction fluent.

	The man chuckled and shook his head. [color=999999][b]"No, but part of an organization far more powerful."[/b][/color] He put on his hat, making him look like an agent from the 60s.  [color=999999][b]"My name is Mr. Smith."[/b][/color] He said. [color=999999][b]"I work for a particular group of people that doesn't like to see talent thrown away, whether it would be in impoverished places or... places like this." [/b][/color]

	[color=f7941d][b]"Where are you getting at?"[/b][/color] Aquila asked.

	[color=999999][b]"I can get the both of you out of the gallows, Mr. Macario..."[/b][/color] Mr. Smith turned to Vanessa. [color=999999][b]"... Lieutenant."[/b][/color] He stepped forward. [color=999999][b]"Due to recent events such as that, we need all of the help we can get in order to defeat folks like this. The kind of work we'll be having you doing might not be exactly pretty or honest... but it keeps innocent folk and societies themselves out of harms way. If you agree to help us, well, I can make sure the both of you are acquitted of any crimes you may be sentenced to, and make sure you're both compensated fairly."[/b][/color]

	Aquila looked at him skeptically. [color=f7941d][b]"What about the Zepetas?" [/b][/color]

	[color=999999][b]"We're extending the offer to them too."[/b][/color] Mr. Smith nodded. [color=999999][b]"And don't worry, we know what happened, and why you did the things you did. We won't hold it against you."[/b][/color] He paused. [color=999999][b]"We have enough evidence to acquit you. Should you accept the offer, we will do so and make the process as smooth as possible. What say you?"[/b][/color]

	Aquila looked to Vanessa and looked back to Mr. Smith. [color=f7941d][b]"I'll think about it."[/b][/color]