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[indent][color=darkgray][b]LINCOLN TUNNEL // HUDSON YARDS[/b][/color][/indent][indent][indent][indent]Bates paused for a moment to reflect what Badger said and sighed. There was a point to be made given the current situation. With everything that happened only a few minutes ago, he had nearly forgotten about the post office. But, the sight of police officers gunning down citizens was wrong, and he had to do something. He turned towards his partner and whispered back, [color=feadbe]"I know what has to be done. I... wasn't exactly expecting rogue police officers right away."[/color]

[color=39b54a]"Whatever. Shit happens. Let's just keep our eyes on the job from now on."[/color] and - as far as Agent Hayes was concerned - that was that. 

Both of them made their way farther away from the scene, hoping that nobody spotted them fleeing. The trash and waste helped somewhat disguised their presence. And once they were in the clear, Bates pulled out the map to see their current location. The attack on 40th Street brought a lot of attention, meaning they had to find another way to the post office. After a minute of figuring out a way, Bates had a plan to avoid getting noticed. [color=feadbe]"Okay, we are going to keep taking the alleyways until 38th Street. That's when we follow it until we get near the luxury apartments and then taking every possible shortcut. And once we get to 34th, we should be in the clear to the objective. Understand?"[/color]

[color=39b54a]"Right."[/color] Badger replied once Bates announced his plan, again flicking the select-fire of his rifle. [color=39b54a]"I'd just be on the lookout for more little friends along the way. I doubt those boys in blue were the only local outfits looking for trouble; got to be ready to change course right away."[/color]

[color=feadbe]"Sounds good."[/color] Firefly nodded. Then, both agents began moving to the objective location, hoping for no more trouble. 

For now.[/indent][/indent][/indent]
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[center][color=FF6D10][b]“Stat rosa pristina nomine, nomina nuda tenemos.”[/b] — Umberto Eco, [i]The Name of the Rose[/i].[/color][/center]
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[indent][color=darkgray][b]PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA // JAMES FARLEY POST OFFICE[/b][/color][/indent][indent][indent][indent]Ever since leaving the tunnel, Bates was immediately uneased with the quiet streets and empty sidewalks. New York City was supposed to be the city that never sleeps, but it seemed that it finally took an eternal slumber. Yet, there were hints of life struggling to survive. A young couple was playing some cards on the balcony of the luxury apartments. One of them watched Bates and his partner passing below before telling the other to rush inside. It was brief, but the sight of citizens gave him hope for the first time in a while.

Of course, that moment was shortlived by sudden loud bursts of gunshots. Firefly got the rifle ready for a fight and started moving faster. Then, he heard police sirens and instantly hid behind a delivery truck. He questioned if it was the officers from earlier, hoping it wasn't them. Instead, he watched as three police cars and an armored vehicle drove past them, heading in the direction of the post office. It was when Firefly had an idea of what was happening. And it was terrible. 

[color=feadbe]"We need to move [b]now[/b]."[/color] Firefly turned his partner and started sprinting towards the objective. While making his way, he managed to patch into the local JTF radio channels. And when he was in view, he saw NYPD officers setting siege to the post office while its occupants fought back defensively. With the arrival of additional officers, the JTF soldiers were outnumbered and surrounded. Even with the odds against them, they kept on fighting for as long as possible.

[color=4F7942]"Additional officers have arrived along with... an ESU team!? Shit!"[/color]

[color=bfa6d9]"We have to retreat! Get any citizens to safety while we hold the ground inside. Hopefully, we can at least take a f-argh fuck!"[/color]

[color=4F7942]"Romero has been hit!"[/color]

[color=bfa6d9]"I-I am fine! Get inside and prepare to fight!"[/color] Nearly the entire JTF force retreated inside while a few stayed behind to stall the threat. Firefly, without hesitation, opened fire upon the officers and dropped a seeker mine. The mine detected a nearby squad of hostiles that spotted the agent and rolled towards them. When it was close enough, the mine detonated and released chaff into the air. Before the officers had time to respond, the chaffs caught on fire and began burning them alive. 

Firefly rushed towards one of the police cars and used it as cover. He hoped that stunt provided relief to the JTF soldiers and attracted attention. But to make sure, he pressed his earpiece to get in contact with Badger. [color=feadbe]"We have to make sure that the officers don't have a chance of entering the post office. Do whatever to get their attention!"[/color][/indent][/indent][/indent]
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