The Division-Lost Hope

As the Agents opened fire and cut down the assaulting Griffons, Nick moved forward and saw a runner see the scene and flee. Nick fired a few shots, killing the runner.

"Area Clear." Twilight said. "We shouldn't stay here. They'll have heard the shots."

"Roger that." Harper said.

"Squad, on me." Nick said. "Wait, armory. Let's see what they've got."

Nick opened the door, and was surprised. Inside were crates of human weapons, from Black Market to Custom Model. Nick sorted through them, and brushed off some dust on one crate.

"LMB." he said, noticing the logo. "I think I've got an idea as to how the virus got here."

"Rogues from the First Wave?" Logan asked.

"Or Keener." Kestrel said.

"We need backup to secure these weapons, keep them out of the claws of the hostiles." Nick said. "Twilight, see if you can communicate with the Base of Ops."

"Already on it." Twilight said.

"For now, let's move and get those hostages out of here." Nick said. As the squad advanced, Nick noticed a map in the back. Grabbing it, he stuffed it into his rucksack and followed. As the Agents advanced into the Great Hall, they were sickened to see a large, Scrap-armor clad Griffon slitting the throats of three hostages.

"Just tell me where the damn letter is, and we'll let you go!" he growled.

"We don't know what you're talking about!" A hostage cried. Giselle shuffled, as she couldn't speak due to her gag.

"Drop 'em!" Nick said. A flurry of gunfire erupted, and the Griffons were on the floor, dead. Kestrel and Anubis set to freeing the hostages, while Twilight sent up a message to the Base.

"We've got additional skimmers incoming." Twilight said. "Plus reinforcements to deal with these hostiles."

"Copy that." Nick said. "You all okay?"

The hostages nodded in fear.

"Good. You're safe now. We need to move, so get ready." Nick said. "Let's go. Stay behind us."

The Agents rushed out towards the courtyard, and to their shock, along with seven heavily armored Griffons, was a human clad in First Wave LMB gear.

"Nice try, JTF shitheads." the Agent said. "Kill them, boys."

As the Griffons drew war axes and charged, the hostages were ushered to cover by Twilight, while the other agents opened fire. Nick threw down a Turret, and as it began to fire, he shot an encroaching Griffon. Then, he heard the sound of Response Force Skimmers approaching. Taking his chance, he opened fire on the Agent, who dove to cover and responded with Shotgun fire. Nick took cover and drew a Sticky Bomb out. He fired it and stuck it to the Agent's chest, and hit the trigger. The BFB exploded, killing the agent. Nick rushed forward and hastily downloaded any available data from his SHD Watch and Tech.

"Agent is down!" Nick yelled.

"Copy that." Anubis said, opening fire with his First Wave Vector SMG. The Griffons decided to flee, and as Response force troops pursued, a friendly Griffon came up and saluted.

"We'll take it from here, Agents. Head on back on a Skimmer. We'll get the guns and hostages back to the base."

"Good soldier." Nick said. "Sierra-Kilo, let's move!"