As the blizzard howled outside, Twilight looked over at Thomas Morgan, who was now awake and telling Nick how he got into New York.

"I mean, LaRae had kind of a soft spot for me when I got into Rikers." he said.

"What did you get in for?" Nick asked.

"DUI." he said. "I had just gotten in when the Green Poison hit. I thought Rikers before the outbreak was a hellhole. Then, the Green Poison comes around, and everything goes to seventh-degree hell. Since I was a minor offender, LaRae was my "Buddy" in a Prison book club. Even though I didn't really trust her, she liked me a bit. I guess when she got my sorry ass back into New York, she thought I owed her. So, I kinda became her errand boy, since I wasn't exactly the guy who could kill, you know?"

"I know. What happened after that?" Logan said.

"Eventually, LaRae gets her ass killed, and she was the only person keeping me away from the streets. This big shot named Darelco picks me up and gives me a gun, and says "You stay with me, I'll keep you safe." Had no choice but to say yes. So, one day I was running a message to a friend of his in Queens, and I run into some cops hiding behind a dumpster. I recognized them as the supervisors for my cell block. They weren't your typical prison guards. These two guys were known as the nicest guards in Rikers. And I noticed they were all scared, and one of them was hurt real bad. I told em to go, and they recognized me. They scampered out of there like a cat after a mouse, and then, well, some LMB mooks show up and start shooting at me. I get hit, and I find this here garage to pass out in. Then, your buddy here shows up and patches me up."

Nick shifted in his seat.

"You got a family, kid?" he said.

"Yeah. Wife and two kids. I dunno if they're safe, though." he said. "Last I saw them was they were heading out of the city towards Philadelphia. I can't say if they made it out."

Nick sighed.

"When we get back to the Post Office, I'll look into that for you." Nick said

"Why? You're JTF. Why are you giving a shit about me? I'm a Riker, remember?" Thomas said.

"Just because you're a Riker doesn't mean you're human." Nick said. "I know that we're all trying to survive. You included. When we take you back into the post office, we'll make sure that you can stay there. By the way, what was the message that Darelco sent?"

"Basically an arms deal." Thomas said. "They were gonna exchange some stolen LMB guns and gear. I was giving Darelco's "yes" to a guy known as Shank."

"Did it go through?" Harper asked.

"Don't think so. Even though we're all Rikers, we still belong to the old prison gangs as well. That includes the rivalries and all that." Thomas said.

"I get it." Dimitri said. "ISAC, how's the blizzard?"

"Blizzard has passed. Weather conditions favorable for helicopter extraction." ISAC said.

"There's a parking garage not too far from here." Thomas said.

"Let's get going, then." Nick said. As Dimitri handed Thomas a pistol and a few magazines, Twilight pulled up her map of New York.

"Looks like it's only a few blocks. We should be able to make it there soon." Twilight said.

"Let's go." Nick said, pulling Thomas up. As the agents entered the street, Nick sighed.

"Can you shoot, Thomas?"

"Darelco taught me the basics. Just aim and shoot, and hit the head." Thomas said. "Though, I did have an AK47, though."

"That pistol enough?" Nick said.

"Yeah."

"Then use it." Nick said, and the squad advanced. After a fifteen minute walk through snowdrifts and avoiding patrolling hostiles, they arrived at the garage. Reaching the top, Nick fired off a flare, while Logan radioed the Post Office.

"Glad to hear from you, Agents." Lau said.

"We miss anything?" Twilight asked.

"Nothing important." Benitez said. "The LMB are pulling out of the hotel, based on Drone footage. Meaning…"

"We don't have much time before they hit the depository." Nick said.

"Helicopter incoming." Twilight said. As the agents boarded, the pilots waved at them.

"Thought we'd lost you guys in the blizzard!" a JTF soldier said.

"We're good." Nick said. "Post office, pronto."

"You got it!"

As the helicopter flew through the snow-covered skyline, Twilight looked over at several buildings that had fires burning in several locations.

"Residents probably trying to warm up." Dimitri said.

"Probably." Twilight said. "Or the cleaners."

"Cleaners, maybe." Nick said. "They don't usually stray this far east. They prefer north-west Manhattan, the Rikers get the south, the LMB the east. Controlling factions are mixed in a few places, but that's the general standpoint."

Twilight nodded and looked over at Thomas, who was looking ready to throw up.

"You okay?" She asked.

"Just...urp...very...very sick." Thomas said.

"Hold it in, Thomas." Harper said. "We'll be there soon."

"Vomit bags are below the seats on the left!" A pilot yelled. "I don't want puke in my chopper!"

As the agents chuckled, Twilight handed Thomas a bag. Pretty soon, there was a loud wretch, and Thomas leaned back in exhaustion.

"Got that one In the bag, I guess." he joked.

As the agents laughed while the helicopter set down, Lau came out ot greet them from the snow-covered Post Office.

"Good to have you all back. Mr. Morgan?"

"Right here." Thomas said uneasily.

"Head on in and get yourself some better clothes. Welcome to the post office."

As the agents headed inside, Twilight was greeted by her friends, who were sitting by a drum fire. Nick and Thomas watched as Twilight talked with her friends.

"You okay?" Nick asked, seeing Thomas's longing expression.

"She reminds me of my little girl, Emily." Thomas said. "I wonder if I'll see her again."

"You will." Nick said. As the agents walked upstairs, Thomas sighed upon seeing his bunk.

"You look like you've never seen a proper bed." Logan said.

Thomas chuckled.

"You could say I haven't. At least for a while."

As the agents left, Thomas smiled before falling asleep.

"Thanks...all of you.I won't let you down, I promise."

Author's Note

Update!

And no, Thomas will NOT be betraying the JTF at any point. He's a good guy. Good guys don't do that sort of thing.