The Interception ((Event Recap/Story))

((this is a recap of the interception of the weapons codes enacted a couple of nights ago in game. It is partially fictionalised and is Zampano's perspective of the events. If I've misquoted or put words you wouldn't say let me know and I'll happily change it. Also, add your own version of events or storys to it))

"I have the word, the attack takes place in one hour" Gami said to the large group assemled at the secret location.
"Tonight?" an uncertain voice spoke up from the crowd
"Yes, Tonight" Gami answered calmly before gazing around the room.  The tension between Zion and Machine only barely noticeable but still present.

"I will lead the zionites with teams Alpha and Beta. We will be the advance strike team" he said trying to instil confidence in the troops gathered.  He looked uncertain as he gazed over to the mechs
"Beachhead was to lead your group, though I'm not sure if he is going to make it" He said slowly

Zampano could sense the unease of his fellow machinists, they were leaderless and none of them appeared to want to take the role.  Zamp waited for a moment, hoping that someone would step forward, but no-one did.  He sighed quietly to himself and stood forward from the group
"If there is no one else" he paused for a moment "I will lead the machines"

He could sense a collective sigh of relief among his allies that someone, anyone, had taken the lead.  Two voices spoke up
"I agree, Zampano should lead the mechs" Cind3r nodded
"Seconded" Starschwar and d3athblad3 said simutaneously to Zampano's amusement.
"Then It is agreed" Gami bowed his head at Zampano "Zampano, you will lead the machines. Please designate your teams"

Zampano wasn't nervous, he had commanded before during the war, but then, that was a long time ago.  He stood silently for a moment, thinking back to those darker times, where attacks of this scale had been common.  But nothing like this had been attempted since the truce began.  It was the turn of the tide, a new era for machine and zion alike. Perhaps.

"Mechs, over to the other side of the room if you'd please" Zampano said as Gami began issuing orders to his lieutenants.  The Group of mechs followed over; representives of some of the most notable factions: Tetragrammaton, Watchmen, Subnova, Novus Tempus and, of course, the venerable crew of the onesimus.  Zampano smiled as he realised the strength, the potential, before him

Zampano began as his mind filled with the tactical possibilities. His studies had taught him many things, the art of war was one that was backed with real experience.  Soon the teams were assembled and briefed, primed for the onslaught ahead.  Their task was to provide a rear guard, a solid wall of mechs to allow the zionites to recover the codes and escape before the mervs could enact their full retaliation.  The codes, after all, had to be destroyed. If the merovingian got hold of them then his power would increase, something that neither machine or zion could live with.  The machines had long been seeking a way to deliver a serious blow to the merovingian, this was one chance that they could not ignore.  Zampano could see the confidence of his men growing with every passing second, soon adrenaline would fill their veins, push them into battle and to their very best.

The teams dispersed to their locations in Tabor, leaving Zampano alone for a few minutes.  He slowly took a cigarette from the packet and lit it.  His mind could not help but think back to the last time he commanded a force like this. It was a long time ago, and not within the matrix but upon the deserts of the real that his last command had been tested.  Success, of course, but at what cost.  Zampano hoped the cost of todays efforts would not be as dramatic as those of the past.  He put his hand inside his coat and pulled out one of his Silver magnums, the silencer gleaming in the sunlight from the window, and placed it on the desk before him.  He removed the second gun and lay it next to the other.  This battle was going to be tough, he needed to compose himself before heading in.  He stubbed the cigarette out in the ashtray and removed his coat, laying it over the chair.  Slowly he moved to the centre of the room and closed his eyes, his breathing slowing, his senses becoming more acute than ever.  Slowly his arms moved in Martial poses. the ancient art of Tai Chi, a deadly weapon but an equally relaxing form of mediatation.  For some time he practised the postures and positions, focusing all his mind into the forthcoming conflict.  Suddenly his phone rang. He relaxed oncemore, standing up straight and pulled the phone from his pocket.

"15 minutes Zamp, relay that to your teams" Gami said on the other end of the phone. Zampano closed the phone and grabbed his coat. he took each pistol and checked the clips, ensuring they were both fully loaded, before placing them back inside his trenchcoat.  He walked calmy towards the door and began the walk to the target location.

* * *

"Go! Go! Go!" the call came over the comms.
The time was now, Zampano pulled out his pistols and began running towards the building. Beachhead, a late arrival, alongside him. he tapped his earpice as he ran "Delta, Foxtrot, Advance team is a go. Hold positions"
They reached the front entrance and stopped, pressed against the wall. With a split second of thought Zampano kicked the door open, guns readied before him for any guard.  The lobby was clear.  The sound of gunfire reverberated through the walls and ceiling.  Quickly they made it to the elevator and began the ascent.  As the doors slid open Zampano could sense an overwhelming force of merovingians ahead.   He swept down the corridor, guns firing at the exile guards that blocked the path, before diving into the main room.  As he knelt at the entrance he tapped the comms again
"Delta, Foxtrot, get in here now." He shouted over the noise.
The scene was confused and bloody. The merovingians had the zionites outnumbered and outgunned, the machines couldn't wait for them to grab the codes alone, they needed support now.  Bullets were fllying in every direction, but Zampano could sense their movement in the air and quickly dodged them.  Suddenly the window at the end of the room shattered inward, sending splinters of glass flying into the room, followed by two machine operatives, submachine guns blazing.  Now the fight had been evened up a little. Zampano moved into the midst of battle, kicks flying in every direction. Soon he had eliminated three of the guards, for little injury.  He turned as he reached the side of the room, but as he did was hit by a paralysing hack. "**bleep**" he thought as he tried to move.  A call came over the comms

"Zamp, I'm down, get the codes, you got to get the codes" the comms crackled with static, but Zampano recognised Gami's voice. Zampano was being bombarded with hacks, soon he knew his RSI would collapse.
"D3ath, get the codes man, Gami is down and I'm not far behind" Zampano shouted into the comms, hoping that d3ath could hear him through the static.  As he uttered his last words he fell down to the floor, concious but paralysed by the continuos hacks that had been placed on him.

As Adicia revived him he heard a call over the comms "We have the codes, everyone pull out" the shout came, and was repeated a few seconds later. Zampano could sense that many of his mechs had fallen, but those that where left would protect the rear
"Mechs, pull out and protect the rear" he shouted down the comms as bullets whizzed past his head. A yound merovingian operative attempted to grab him as he spoke, but Zampano easily dodged.  His reflexes were far superior.  With one swift kick to the merovingian operatives ribs, he dispatched him.  As the last of the zionites ran, the mechs bagan their withdrawal.  The mission had been a success it seemed, but at what cost.