[b]South-East Block: Roman Cassidy[/b]

Roman Cassidy stood silent, motionless, before the vacant street. He let the emptiness of it all fall into him, like a strong wind through a small tunnel. The days of sneaking up to raider camps in the wilderness were gone, replaced by open conflict in a concrete jungle that bore no fruit and housed only the type of life that breeds death. Roman breathed deeply, considering the words of Captain Derek, weighing the options. [b]"As I said to the South West squad, you can move in to try and get more men out, but I can't cover you and it's riskier that way despite the fact that you might surprise the enemy."[/b] Riskier with a chance of death and the saving of lives. But what was the alternative in a mission like this?

[i]The Black Viper and his apprentice kneeled behind a fallen log and watched the raiders of a nearby camp laughing as their leader beat a child. [b]"Fight back, ya little monsta!"[/b], he yelled, pushing the boy to the ground. Roman was simply waiting for the right time to move in for the attack, wondering whether it would be after the raider had finally beaten the boy to death or if they'd have to watch them mutilate and string up the body. He barely noticed the Viper getting up.

Roman pulled the old man down. [b]"Whatchu doin?"[/b], he whispered. [b]"They'll spot ya! We need to be more careful than that."[/b]

The Viper pushed him aside with a confused look. They were now companions, but had no sense of comfort or trust yet. The Viper and Roman didn't even really know each other. Maybe they never would. Almost silent, he whispered back [b]"I'm sure your own camp had hostages. Women, children, cripples and old men like me. What did you do to them after you killed your old raider friends in their sleep?"[/b]

Emotionlessly, Roman responded. [b]"Killed 'em, too. Didn't let any of 'em wake up. I saw what my father did to 'em, knew that they'd probably starve without captors anyway. Did 'em a kindness."[/b]

Obviously holding back anger, the Viper looked to the raiders so he wouldn't have to look at Roman. The boy was curled up in the fetal position, trying to just take the hits in the hopes that the raider would stop kicking him. [b]"Who do you think we are doing this for? Me? You? The Raiders? I hurt bad men so good people do not get hurt by them. Understand?[/b]" The Viper looked back at Roman, the eyes of a man wondering whether he'd made a mistake by taking a young raider as his apprentice. [b]"Understand."[/b] With that, he ran forward, shotgun in hand, directly into almost certain death. After a moment, Roman unholstered his pistol and ran in after him.[/i]

[b]"Or you can stay here and I can help cover you if you need it, but we'll lose more men that way..."[/b]

Roman breathed out. His decision, like many before it, had been made years ago by another. He turned on his radio. [b]"Cassidy here. Sergeant Morai can't be the only soldier still alive, but may become the sole survivor if we don't move now. I'm going to the alley by the fog. Come with me or cover the Sergeant."[/b] And with that, he ran along the side of the road towards the alley.