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[color=FF6D10][sub]"When society falls, we rise."[/sub][/color][/center]
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[indent][color=darkgray][b]LINCOLN TUNNEL // HUDSON YARDS[/b][/color][/indent][indent][indent][indent]When it was announced that New York City was going to be under lockdown, thousands of people packed their belongings and tried to flee via the bridges and tunnels. One of the busiest tunnels was the Lincoln Tunnel, and it got bad enough that people ditched their cars to walk. The problem was that the tunnel was the primary supply line for food, medicines, and supplies from the outside world. So when the military had to turn away desperate people, a massive riot engulfed and overwhelmed the forces. It was one of the first cases where military personnel opened fire upon people, killing six.

Then, it became a frequent target for raids to obtain any remaining supplies. And once trade ceased for good, the Joint Task Force abandoned the checkpoint and retreated further into the city. Now, it was a reminder of their failure and of the past. 

A lone soul exited out of the dark tunnel and quickly embraced the clear skies with a long breath. He was dressed like a soldier ready for a fight, carrying around his SCAR-L. But, he wasn't a soldier. Instead, Nathan Bates was an agent of the newly formed Strategic Homeland Division (SHD), and he came to the Big Apple with orders: scout out the Lincoln Tunnel checkpoint and retake it. It was significant from the SHD to maintain it if the city was to survive another day. 

Unsurprisingly, there was no resistance or signs of anyone recently living in the area. Agent Bates felt relieved and disappointed that no one was in the area; but, the nearby building had one of its garage doors lifted slightly. He pulled out his pistol and a flashlight before carefully entering inside. There still was nothing to indicate trouble. And when he got in the empty office space, Bates put away the pistol and began his hunt for clues as to the whereabouts of the JTF. So far, it was picked clean; yet, there was a security camera above. It meant that ECHO could be able to provide valuable intel. 

Agent Bates activated the system, and it started to download the cloud data and then surveillance data before analyzing it. Reconstruction was done in a matter of seconds. Bates was still impressed with how much-advanced tech the SHD had in their arsenal. From the seekers to ECHO and ISAC, they were prepared for every single scenario imaginable. But, there wasn't time to wonder. Bates had to complete his objective, and he only needed to sit back and watch the holograms in action:

[color=FF6D10][indent]There were two JTF soldiers in the office space. One of them was sitting in front of a computer while the other was on their phone. They were keeping to themselves until an alarm went off, causing them to stop in place. Then, a JTF officer ran in and yelled out. [b]"Gather your things, we are leaving!"[/b]

[b]"Leaving?!"[/b] one of the soldiers stood up from the chair and looked at the officer. [b]"Where in the world are we going?"[/b]

[b]"Regrouping with the remaining JTF forces at the James A. Farley Building."[/b] the officer answered while gathering some papers on a desk. [b]"Destroy anything crucial to the JFT if it can't be taken. Another squad will come to help us with the generator in fifteen.[/b]

Once the officer left the room, both soldiers stopped what they were doing and made their way towards the barracks. But, one of the soldiers stopped in place, looked at the computer, and ran back towards it. The other soldier looked in disbelief and bluntly asked. [b]"What the hell are you doing?!"[/b]

The soldier quickly typed something, sent it, and turned off the computer. [b]"Saying goodbye."[/b][/indent]
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Bates finished writing down the name of the building onto a torn piece of paper and shoved it into his pocket. It was good to know that JTF was still fighting tooth and nail for this city. Hopefully, they were still around at the postal service building. He stood up and looked around for any other clues, but anything useful was either taken or destroyed. Like what the officer wanted. So with nothing else, it was time for Bates to get in contact with Overlord about his findings.

[color=feadbe]"Overload, this is Firefly. Standby for report. Over."[/color] Bates grabbed ahold of the radio from his holster. There was a moment of silence before Overload responded.

[color=7391fd]"Firefly, send your traffic. Over."[/color]

[color=feadbe]"JTF forces regrouped at the James A. Farley Building. Lincoln checkpoint was left abandoned with no signs of life. Do you copy?"[/color]

[color=7391fd]"Solid copy, Firefly."[/color] Overload answered before going silent for a moment. [color=7391fd]"Firefly, standby at current location. Badger is making their way towards you. Over."[/color]

[color=feadbe]"Copy, Overload. Standing by for Bader. Over."[/color] Bates responded and shoved the radio back into its holster. He took a seat on a nearby desk, facing towards the entrance. Now, he needed to only wait.[/indent][/indent][/indent]
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