[center][b][color=Mediumpurple][sup][h1]V O R T E X[/h1][/sup][/color][/b][/center]
[COLOR=Mediumpurple][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]BANGKOK, THAILAND[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][INDENT][sup][color=darkgray]January 1[sup]st[/sup], 2052  |  11:57  |  Rooftop[/color][/sup][/INDENT][/INDENT]

Chaos. Fire, smoke, echoing gunfire and screams. In a few words, Hell on Earth. To others, it was... well, it was still hell. But hell was a fucking [i]blast.[/i] At least, that's how the psychopath-of-the-day felt. Craig Winters let out a low whistle as he watched what he assumed was once a tank fly off from the ground and tumble off to god knows where... What was that, he thought. Meta? Or just good old-fashioned ordnance? What was the difference, really? He laughed darkly, at that moment pulping the Junta fighter's head he'd had his iron foot to. If this was hell, he wondered what was so great about heaven anyway? There was a crackling in his ear, and Argonaut's voice came in on comms. 

Vortex grimaced, rolling his eyes as he tapped to his ear, opening comms on his end. [b][color=Mediumpurple]"The city is ours."[/color][/b] He said in a mocking monotone, casually finishing off a civilian lying on the street with a burst from his pistol. [b][color=mediumpurple]"No shit, Goldilocks. Maybe put a little... Iunno, emotion into it? Or did daddy forget to buy you some of those?"[/color][/b] the jab was followed by a deep laugh, and the sound of his weapons. [b][color=mediumpurple]"So, is it gonna be open or closed casket today?"[/color][/b] He asked a moment later. Vortex was abrasive, and frankly insubordinate. But he always, always did the job. Better yet, to him the job [i]was[/i] the pay. [b][color=mediumpurple]"Oh, you know what? I'm feelin' generous, I'll have that fucker hogtied at your feet before it's time for porridge."[/color][/b] He said, switching off comms. 

He stepped over to the edge of the rooftop, idly scraping 'Craig was here' into the brickwork with a clawed finger as he looked off toward the safe-house, his HUD updating with all sorts of fancy-pants readouts and information. He smirked as all kinds of caution lights began to light up around various defenses. [b][color=Mediumpurple]"Oh, looks like I found the fun."[/color][/b] He said, idly tapping his fingers together, controlling something. [b][color=Mediumpurple]"Music, music... Something... [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owrt7a7a_ss]classical.[/url]"[/color][/b] He said, bobbing his head to a tune his augments played directly into his inner ear. He disappeared, a thrum sounding out in the middle of the chaos below as Vortex reappeared.

[b][color=mediumpurple]"The sound of gunfire, comes through the night!"[/color][/b] 	Two long bursts ring out from his pistols, crystalline darts 
[b][color=mediumpurple]"Killing and Hatred, is a terrible sight!"[/color][/b] 			seeking out and killing mercenary and Junta alike.
[b][color=mediumpurple]"Reports come in, of the heavy attack!"[/color][/b]			Junta forces turn their guns and rockets on him.
[b][color=mediumpurple]"Message is seen, we are moving back!"[/color][/b]			Gone, the gunfire and rockets obliterate another home.

[b][color=mediumpurple]"Preparations are made, for the journey back!"[/color][/b] 	Back, a barrel jammed against a neck, a head turned to dust.
[b][color=mediumpurple]"It is a survival, supplies are packed!"[/color][/b]			A scream from nearby, pins pulled from a vest of grenades.
[b][color=mediumpurple]"No more nights, in this eternal hell!"[/color][/b]			A body kicked to a crate of rockets, guns are drawn.
[b][color=mediumpurple]"Destination is simple, we move out."[/color][/b]			The ghost is gone, screams drowned in flame.

[b][color=mediumpurple]"Killing time! You left from the line!"[/color][/b]				Reappear in streets below, a civilian gunned down.
[b][color=mediumpurple]"Killing time! Your turn to kill!"[/color][/b]					A meta raises his fist, clad in flame.
[b][color=mediumpurple]"Killing time! What do you say?"[/color][/b]				Arms held out in challenge, and gone.

[b][color=mediumpurple]"[i]Killing time.[/i]"[/color][/b] Vortex said coldly as he reappeared, iron hands wrapping tightly around the poorly trained Meta's throat. The flames dissipated as he clutched at the cold vice, strangled gasps barely sounding out. [b][color=mediumpurple]"Tell you what... You kill that guy."[/color][/b] He said, nodding toward a wounded man on the ground, crying out for... well, it was hard to tell. [b][color=mediumpurple]"And I let you go. Good deal?"[/color][/b] He said, relaxing his grip just a tiny bit. The Meta wasted no time, the man screaming and flailing as he burned, Vortex clicked his tongue. [b][color=mediumpurple]"Beautiful. Just the right pitch."[/color][/b] He said with a dreamy sigh, snapping the Meta's neck with a swift twist. [b][color=mediumpurple]"Happy fuckin' new year."[/color][/b] He said as he combined his guns into the long-rifle mode, slinging it over his shoulder and marching toward the safe house, humming the tune to his song along the way. Hell wasn't so bad.