Coldness

The conspirators let the elevator take them down to the bunker below. Their plans had gone wayward, but they hoped they'd still make it out of the tower. The ride was silent, with the Daggers realizing they'd left about half of the men they'd brought, and it was all for nothing. Ismak and Heren both thought about how they'd get out of Seranis without attracting attention from the authorities. The attack had likely gotten the attention of the military by this point, and they would already be scrambling to get things together.

The doors open to a firing squad. Before a single commando could raise their weapon, gunfire rained down the elevator, automatic fire swept through the men. Heren pressed herself against the wall as blood splattered across her face. She frantically tapped on her wrist-mounted computer, hoping to find a way back into the tower they had been fleeing.

The gunfire suddenly stopped so Ismak peered out, carbine at the ready. He saw an armor-clad soldier step into the hallway with an Xarium Flamethrower in hand. Ismak stroked the trigger of his carbine right as blue flame burnt him and any remaining survivors to a crisp. The screams were short-lived as the blue flame swiftly fried the occupants.

"This is Blizzard 4. All hostiles were neutralized. Sector Clear." The soldier stated, before stepping away.

"This is Hailstorm to Blizzard. Maintain your position. We're waiting for the network to be overridden before proceeding to the VIPs."

"Copy that. We're holding our position until further orders. Over and out."

"Hailstorm to Icicle, what's your SITREP?"

"This is Icicle 1, we're landing now. Icicle 4 is in position."

The helicopter landed on the penthouse of Tarak Wri. Altan's brother was rushed by his personal security detail, who intended to get the noble to safety. Instead, they led him into the crosshairs of Icicle 4's scoped rifle. A single round flew through the air before striking Tarak in the forehead. The man slumped down as his guards dragged his dead body towards the helicopter.

"This is Icicle 4 to Snow. Target is down."

Garren smiled as he watched the feed of Icicle 1's helmet. The Royal Family was in shambles. He turned his view to Hailstorm 1's feed, which was that of the King's body. After a sip of vodka, he said to himself "And down goes the monarchy."

"Snow, this is Rime. An emergency pod launch has been logged into the systems. Are all royals accounted for?"

"This is Hailstorm 2. We only have the King and Queen confirmed DOA."

"This is Snow. If the Princess is still alive, it is of little issue. The days of the Wri Empire are over."