The Last Battle

Ruslan, Gaile and Alex had exited the Iron Hand building through the back door, which led to a dirty alleyway filled with pools of stagnant water. Alex watched the street from the corner of the alley, while Gaile helped Ruslan, who was beginning to suffer the effects of his wounds and blood loss.

- We have to get a car, you won't be able to go on foot - Gaile told him.

- I can do it, - Ruslan said with difficulty.

- Yes, I can see that, - Gaile replied mockingly, and leaned him against the wall of the alley. - Wait here for a moment, I'm going to take a look at the street.

Gaile approached Alexandra, who was still keeping watch. The police had turned out in force in response to the shooting Ruslan had provoked. The curious crowd crowded the sidewalks around the police cordon, attracted by the sight of the corpses adorning the steps of the cartel headquarters, while the police barely kept them from approaching.

- How's the outlook? - Gaile asked, putting a hand on Alexandra's shoulder.

- It's swarming with police and onlookers, - Alex answered, turning to look at the staggering Ruslan. - We won't be able to get out this way without attracting attention.

- I have an idea, - Gaile said. - But I'll need your help.

Alexandra turned to her, looking at her decisively and nodding her head quietly.

- Okay, I need you to reach a phone, we're going to call for backup - Gaile said, and went on to explain his plan.

Meanwhile at Drake Industries, the raiders under Gawaine's command were busy gathering information on William Drake's prototypes and his AutoLimb design team. They forced William to provide them with all the plans and designs for the new military prosthetics, including those for Ruslan's arm, as well as his eye.

- Impressive designs, no doubt, - Gawaine said excitedly, as he enjoyed his apparent victory.

- What do you intend to do with them? - William asked.

- We will make a better world, - Gawaine explained.

- A world to your liking, you mean - William replied.

- Not that it makes any difference, - the nobleman laughed.

- You will never achieve your ambitions - William said sternly. - There will always be those who oppose you.

- Don't worry about that, Drake, - Gawaine glared at him. - Anyone who opposes us will be annihilated. We will create the perfect society, as it always should have been. Too much power has been given to you commoners. However useful your talents may be, you still have no noble blood in your veins.

- Are you going to tell me that all those who follow you are descended from nobles?

- Of course not, - Gawaine said in annoyance. - But as good commoners, they know how to be useful tools.

William looked into Gawaine's eyes and saw only madness. The man was a megalomaniac.

At the same time in the administration area of the clinic, Cathe and her mother Marion were helping a battered Gregory Mackintosh, bruised from the blows of Malcom Oliver. Catherine was caressing his hair as he rested his bruised head in her lap.

- Do you think we'll get out of this? - Cathe asked ominously.

- I don't know, Cathe, - Gregory answered with difficulty.

- You must never doubt that, - Marion consoled them. - Your siblings are still out there, and they won't stop until they save us.

- But how will they know about our situation? - Cathe asked in despair. - Besides, they could have been hurt... or worse.

Marion approached her daughter and, holding her face in her hands, forced her to look her in the eyes.

- Catherine, everything is going to be all right, - the Drake matriarch said vehemently. - Your brother will come. There is no doubt about it. And Gaile is just as stubborn as he is.

- Your mother is right, Cathe, - Greg said.

Jack Drake had been forced to lead two of Gawaine's goons through the clinic to check that no one else was hiding in the facility. As they entered the post-op room, they saw Connie resting on a stretcher, still unconscious after the life-and-death operation for the gunshot wounds she received at the orphanage. One of the thugs put the barrel of his rifle in Jack's back.

- So, there was no one else, huh? - he said threateningly. - Do you think we're idiots?

- She's unconscious, and it'll take her a while to wake up, - Jack replied, trying to stay calm.

The second thug approached the stretcher to check if Jack's statement was true and turned to look at his partner.

- It's true, she's K.O. - he said evenly.

The first assailant looked away from Connie and back at Jack.

- There better not be any more surprises, - the thug said. - For your own good.

He barely had time to turn around when he heard his partner's muffled gurgle. Connie had snatched the knife from his belt and slit his throat from ear to ear. The thug began to raise his rifle to aim at the ex-military woman too late, Constance threw the knife at him, hitting him in the throat. Both assailants fell to the ground with a thud and a stertorous gurgle. Jack looked up in surprise at Connie, who leaned back on the stretcher, looking exhausted.

- Were you conscious? - Jack asked, still in shock.

- What happened, Jack? - Connie asked in reply, breathing heavily.

- You were shot, and Ruslan brought you to the clinic half dead, - explained Jack, and went on to relate the events since she was knocked unconscious by Arlington's shots at the orphanage.

- So, are we under attack? - Connie asked, still a bit shaken.

- Yes, and they've taken multiple hostages.

- Alex! - Connie said startled, remembering what happened at the orphanage. - They have Alex!

- Don't worry, Ruslan is taking care of her rescue, - Jack reassured her, holding her by the shoulders with confidence.

- Let's get down to business, - Constance said, getting up from the stretcher. - We must rescue the others.

The young woman took a few steps but stumbled. Jack caught her before she fell and helped her walk. She was still too weak, they had to avoid being found.

- Connie, you are in no condition to fight - the young Drake stressed to his friend.

- Jack, take those guys' weapons - Connie told him, and leaned against the wall waiting for Jack to comply with her instructions. - And now let's find a position from which to support the counterattack.

- What counterattack, Connie? - Jack asked hopelessly.

- Your brother's, Jack - Connie said without a trace of doubt. - Ruslan will come, and he'll need support. You don't expect him to be able to do it alone?

- Do you really think Ruslan will come? - Jack Drake asked with a shadow of doubt in his eyes.

- Of course he will! - Constance Perry replied without hesitation. - Your brother will come. He always does.

Connie patted him on the shoulder to reassure him, to which Jack smiled and nodded. Then Jack helped Connie and they left the room looking for a place to hide and prepare for the counterattack.

Half an hour after Gaile sent Alex looking for a phone, Arthur Doyle appeared with a car in front of the alley, and gestured for them to get in. Gaile and Alexandra helped Ruslan walk, one under each arm of the giant. Ruslan was barely able to climb into the back seat of the vehicle, with Gaile at his side. Alex climbed into the passenger seat. Once all the doors were closed, Arthur started the engine and the vehicle drove away from the scene of the shooting.

- What the hell happened?! - the old sergeant asked, upset when he saw the state of his friend.

- It's a long story, - Gaile answered. - For now, we need a doctor.

- Stanley..., - Ruslan said in a whisper.

- Your butler? - Arthur inquired.

- Ruslan, are you sure? - Gaile asked, taking his bloodied face in her hands.

Ruslan nodded feebly, and fell unconscious in Gaile's arms, who held him gently.

- To Drake Manor, Arthur - Gaile ordered looking at Arthur through the reflection in the rear-view mirror and added with concern. - And hurry up.

It took them barely twenty minutes to arrive at the Drake estate. Alexandra got out of the vehicle and ran to the door of the mansion to announce their arrival. In the meantime, Gaile and Arthur managed to drag Ruslan's body out of the car and struggled to drag him to the entrance of the house.

Stanley Atkins came promptly to the knocker's sound at the entrance, opening the door to find young Alexandra.

- Mr. Atkins, thank goodness! - she said happily. - We need help with Ruslan!

The old butler looked past the young woman and saw Arthur and Gaile carrying Ruslan's unconscious body with great effort. Presto and swift, the valet opened both slats of the door and urged Alex to enter.

- Patrice!!! - Stanley called out.

The sturdy cook came running out of the kitchen at the strange spectacle of Stanley's shouting, who rarely lost his composure. The old woman watched as the butler came to help Abygaile and Doyle carry Ruslan inside. Noticing the blood covering young Drake's face, Patrice stifled a scream and put her hands to her face.

- Patrice, light the fire and put some water on to boil! - Stanley howled, snapping her out of her stupor. - Now!!!

Alexandra followed the cook to help her, while the other three carried Ruslan into the kitchen. They laid him down on the large table in the centre of the room, after removing his shredded coat. Stanley examined him with alacrity.

- But what kind of trouble has he got himself into this time?! - the butler asked, turning his eyes towards Gaile and Alexandra.

Gaile went on to tell him the facts, while the old valet prepared what was necessary to treat Ruslan's wounds.

- Damn fool, always acting on impulse! - Stanley reproached to the unconscious young man. - Patrice! Is the water hot?!

The cook brought a basin full of steaming water. Gaile and Arthur brought a side table over so Patrice could leave the water handy for Stanley, who left the room and returned with bandages and an old leather case. Opening the case revealed the contents, forceps, scalpels, several suture needles and surgical thread.

- Stanley, what exactly did you do before working for the Drakes? - Arthur asked when he saw the contents of the case.

- I was a surgeon's assistant in the Army Medical Corps, - Stanley said as he placed the instruments he was about to use in boiling water to sterilize them.

Everyone was surprised to hear the old butler's confession.

- We have no time for explanations now - the valet urged. - We must stop the bleeding and suture the wounds or, at this rate, he will bleed to death.

- He has multiple cuts and bruises, - Gaile explained. - But the worst are the wound on his left arm and the stab wound on his back.

- Help me, - Stanley said.

Together they turned Ruslan onto his side so that Stanley could examine the wound on his back which was bleeding profusely.

- It has not touched any major vessels, nor any organs - the butler said. - But it is deep. It will be difficult to stop the bleeding.

They put Ruslan back on the table and the old surgeon went on to examine the wound on his left arm.

- It is a wide wound, but shallow, - Stanley said. - It will be enough to suture it.

After the preliminary examination, the old valet prepared for the operation. After washing thoroughly, he began to prepare his instruments.

- Arthur, Patrice, I will need your help - he said while he was still busy preparing the surgical material and turning to Gaile and Alex he added. - You two, wait outside.

- But you might need help! - Gaile exclaimed.

- Young lady, if I need help, I'll let you know, - Stanley said firmly. - For now, wait outside.

As he spoke, he began to cut Ruslan's shirt and vest, both soaked with blood. Alex then understood the reason for Stanley asking them to leave and dragged Gaile out of the room. Stanley focused on the operation, he had to save young Drake.

At Drake Industries Gawaine and his men entered the engineering section of the factory, preceded by William Drake, who was forced to lead them at gunpoint. What they found there caused Malcolm Oliver to let out a whistle of admiration.

- I see you're not just in the prosthetics business, eh, Drake? - Gawain said, smiling machiavellianly.

A large humanoid hydraulic frame rested on the workstation in front of them.

- It's a prototype, - William said. - It was devised to assist dock workers in stevedoring for the movement of heavy loads.

- How short-sighted, - Gawaine replied scornfully. - Such a creation wasted on tasks for which the working plebeians are already employed.

- Imagine what a soldier could do with one of these, - Oliver said as he approached the machine.

- We don't create weapons! - William said with restrained fury.

Oliver and his men burst out laughing at William Drake's innocent view of the world.

- One man's tool is another man's weapon, Drake, - Gawaine said, and turning to Oliver added. - Oliver, proceed to arm it. We will use it in case there is trouble.

- Yes, sir, - Oliver replied and gesturing to his men, they started to work.

A few hours later at the Drake estate, Ruslan began to regain consciousness. His body felt stiff, and his mind was a little foggy due to the loss of blood. When he tried to sit up, he felt the pain of all his wounds, and he lay down again. Then, as he became clearer, he felt a breath to his left, and someone holding his hand. Turning, he saw Gaile, who was dozing, resting her head on her arms, folded on the table. The young woman must have perceived Ruslan's movement, because she began to wake up, slowly opening her eyes. Their gazes aligned.

- Welcome back - the young woman greeted with a smile.

- Hello - Ruslan returned the greeting somewhat troubled.

Ruslan had never seen her more beautiful. The rays of sunlight streaming through the windows made her red hair shine like a sea of flames, which contrasted with the blue of her eyes, as deep as the ocean. She squeezed his hand between hers affectionately.

- We thought you wouldn't get out of this one - the young Mackintosh said with a glazed look in her eyes.

- I have come out of worse situations – Ruslan replied confidently.

The giant tried to get up again, which forced him to stifle a groan. Gaile got up and forced him to desist by resting her left hand on Ruslan's chest.

- Don't move yet, - she said. - You'll pop your stitches.

- I have to get going, - he said, taking the opposite view. - We must help the others.

Gaile put all his weight on Ruslan to keep him from getting up.

- I told you not to move, - she insisted. - Do you want to die so badly?

Several tears rolled down the red-haired girl's cheeks, falling on Ruslan's face. When Ruslan saw Gaile crying, he felt that something was breaking inside him.

- Gaile, I..., - Ruslan tried to say, but was silenced when he saw the young girl's glassy look. - I'm sorry for worrying you.

- You idiot, - Gaile said in a whisper as he wiped the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand. - Don't ever do anything crazy like that again.

Both young people looked at each other for a moment that seemed eternal. The young woman slowly brought her face closer to Ruslan's, still with her hand on his chest, feeling his heart beating. Ruslan could not take his eyes off the young woman's freckled face.

At that moment Patrice walked into the kitchen, which startled Gaile and Ruslan, causing Gaile to quickly turn away from the young Drake

- Well, well, looks like you're both better - the old cook said, and turning to the door she added mischievously. - Sorry for the interruption.

Patrice came out of the kitchen. Gaile's face was flushed with embarrassment, and Ruslan looked toward the window to calm his racing heartbeat. When their gazes met again, they both began to laugh with glee, amused by the situation.

Outside the room, the elder Patrice smiled on the other side of the door, and went to alert Stanley, who was treating Alex's bruises, that his patient had awakened.

As Stanley entered the kitchen, following Patrice, he saw Gaile, self-consciously looking out the window. While Ruslan was putting on the clean clothes that had been left for him on a chair next to the makeshift "operating table". Every movement forced the giant Drake to let out a grunt of pain.

- Where do you think you're going?! - Stanley Atkins burst out.

- We must go to Drake Industries, - Ruslan explained as he buttoned his shirt, - They're in danger.

- In your condition you won't be able to do anything..., - Stanley began. - It would be better to call the police.

- The police are part of the problem, Stanley, - Ruslan said with exasperation.

- What do you mean?

- It was a police inspector, Ernest Arlington, who set this trap for us, - Gaile interjected, turning to them from the window.

The expression on Patrice's and Stanley's faces changed from astonishment to fear.

- So, who can we turn to? - Patrice asked.

Arthur and Alex entered the kitchen at that very moment. The sergeant approached and put a reassuring hand on the old cook's shoulder.

- Don't worry - the old military man interjected. - We can ask the military police for help.

- There were also army commanders involved, Arthur, - Ruslan interrupted. - I don't know if that's a good idea.

- I assure you that McGregor is not one of them, - Arthur said with conviction. - I would trust him with my life.

Ruslan looked the old NCO in the eyes and saw no trace of hesitation. He turned to Gaile, who nodded in an affirmative gesture.

- Well, Arth, if you think he can be trusted, go ahead, - Ruslan said, turning to Doyle. - I trust you.

- Good, then I'll go to the barracks, I don't trust the phones, they could be tapped," replied Doyle.

Ruslan nodded, and Arthur hurried out into the street to call for backup. Gaile walked over and stood next to Ruslan.

- What do we do? - he asked, although she already knew the answer.

- We will be the advance party, - Ruslan answered, as he advanced towards the door.

- Your wounds will open up again - Stanley Atkins tried to stop him.

- Stanley, I cannot stand idly by - Ruslan said vehemently.

The old butler looked at the young man and saw a fierce spark of determination in his left eye. Understanding that he could not prevent him from going into battle again, Stanley stepped aside. Ruslan smiled at them with a nod and left the kitchen.

- Don't worry - Gaile told them. - I'll make sure he comes back in one piece.

Gaile's smile calmed the chagrin in Patrice and Stanley's hearts, as the young redhead walked out of the kitchen following Ruslan. Alex, who had been quiet the whole time, looked up confidently and followed them.

Ruslan was grabbing ammunition and his shotgun from a chest at the entrance of the mansion. While Gaile was checking to make sure his rifle was loaded. Ruslan passed him several combs of ammunition.

- Do you think the two of us will be enough? - Gaile asked.

- It will have to be enough, - answered Ruslan.

Gaile nodded and closed the chamber of his rifle decisively. Ruslan put on his hat and opened the door. As they were about to leave the mansion Ruslan saw that Alex was following them.

- Where are you going? - the Drake asked.

- I'm going with you, - the young answered caretaker.

- Alex, you will be safer if you wait in the mansion - Gaile tried to reason with her.

- My children and the woman I love are in danger. I will go with you - she affirmed without discussion.

- Do you know how to use a gun? - Ruslan asked.

- No, but I'm a fast learner - Alexandra replied.

Gaile handed her a revolver and several extra bullets and explained how to use the gun. Alex unloaded and loaded the gun with ease after a couple of tries. She looked at Ruslan and nodded quietly. The giant left the house, they had a rescue to execute.

They headed for the garage attached to the mansion estate. Ruslan opened the heavy gate, revealing an old convertible car. The matt silver bodywork was not a speck of dust; indicating that someone had maintained the vehicle on a regular basis. Gaile whistled in admiration.

- Well, I didn't expect this, - the young said woman.

- Jack's hobby, - Ruslan explained with a shrug.

Ruslan tossed her a set of keys that she caught on the fly.

- You drive, - he informed.

Gaile smiled eagerly and jumped behind the wheel of the vehicle. Ruslan took the passenger seat next to her, while Alex settled into the back seat. Gaile turned the key in the ignition and the engine roared to life. The vehicle sped out of the parking lot, skidding toward Drake Industries, while Ruslan held onto his hat to avoid losing it. Gaile's smile was so wide that it barely fit on her face. Alex held on tight to avoid being thrown. The manoeuvre elicited an angry protest from several drivers who began to honk their horns in exasperation as the silver car sped away.

Thanks to Gaile's driving skills, it took only fifteen minutes to reach her destination. Gaile drove the vehicle toward the security gate at the entrance, ramming it at full speed. The gate jumped off its hinges, falling heavily on either side of the garden. The vehicle skidded on the gravel of the road, finally coming to a stop in front of the door of the AutoLimb clinic. The two guards guarding the entrance to the clinic did not believe what they had just seen. Ruslan shot them from the car before they came out of their stupor. He then jumped out of the vehicle and leaned against the wall of the building, in the right corner of the door. Gaile jumped after him and took the left corner of the door, while Alex positioned herself behind Gaile. Ruslan counted on his hand to three, at which point they stormed the building. Two other guards waited for them inside and fired at them. A bullet knocked Gaile down as it hit her bulletproof coat, momentarily taking her breath away. Ruslan shot down the man who had shot Gaile, then immediately pointed his gun at the other bully, who shot him. The bullet hit his right shoulder, ricocheting off his AutoLimb arm. Ruslan shot his attacker in the chest, knocking him against the far wall, several feet away, leaving a great river of blood in his wake. Alex helped Gaile up, while she caught her breath.

- Gaile, are you okay?! - Ruslan asked, as he hurriedly approached the young woman.

- Yes, calm down - she answered with her breath still somewhat ragged. - It just took my breath away from the impact, but the coat has held.

Ruslan placed his left hand on Gaile's face gently, and she reassured him with a smile.

- My son, - Marion Drake's voice made Ruslan turn to his mother.

- Mother, are you all okay? - Ruslan asked his mother.

- Yes, but Gregory is a bit bruised, - she replied.

- Greg! - Gaile jumped towards her brother, who was still resting, hugged by Catherine Drake.

- Easy sister, - Greg said with an effort. - It's just a few hits.

- When I find the bastard who did this to you, I'm going to kill him! - Gaile exploded furious.

- It was a certain Malcolm Oliver, - Catherine explained without letting go of Gregory. - He hit him for no reason.

The young Drake heiress helped Gregory up.

- Apparently they haven't executed him, - Gregory said. - That implies that there is high command of the army involved in this plot.

- Shit! Arthur has gone to ask McGregor for help, - Gaile said. - Do you think he could be one of them?

- No, the colonel can be trusted, - her brother reassured her. - But of the rest of the military police, I can't say that much.

Gaile looked up into Ruslan's eyes with concern.

- Easy, Arth knows how to take care of himself, - Ruslan said in response to the young woman's silent question.

Ruslan scanned the room, counting those present.

- Where are Jack and father? - Ruslan asked.

- They have taken them, - his mother said. - Your father was forced to go to the machinery factory at gunpoint.

- I'll go get him - Ruslan reloaded his shotgun and advanced towards the door.

- I'm going with you, - Gaile exclaimed, getting up quickly.

- Where are the children? And Connie? - Alex asked. - Are they fine?

- The children are locked in the administration building, but no guards have been placed on them, - Catherine said. - They were expecting Ruslan to show up. They must have set you up.

Ruslan nodded at her sister, reassuring her. Gaile went back to her brother and handed him a revolver.

- Just in case, - she said.

- Thanks, now go, and good hunting, - Greg replied.

Gaile gave her brother a hug and followed Ruslan toward the factory. Alex got up.

- I should go after the little ones, - she said.

- The administration building is on the other side of the garden, by the entrance, - Marion explained. - Stay there and wait for Arthur to arrive.

- But we can't leave you all here, - Alex exclaimed.

- She's right, - Greg said turning to Marion. - We'd better all go with her and take refuge there until the military police come.

- Okay, - Marion agreed.

All the employees prepared to change locations. Frannie helped Marion, who was still somewhat weak. While Óscar picked up the slim Gegory without problems, since Oliver's thugs had destroyed his chair. Catherine did not leave the side of the young Mackintosh. Together they proceeded to leave the clinic and head to the nearby administration building. MacBride put Greg on the floor and broke down the front door, which was locked. The frightened screams of the children came from within. Alex went in first to calm them down.

- Are you all okay?!- the young woman asked.

- Alex!!! - the children shouted in chorus.

The little ones ran to the young woman and hugged her. The other employees waiting outside began to enter. Oscar left Greg in an office chair, facing the door, with Cathe beside him. They proceeded to block the door again with several desks, to wait for it to be over. Marion gave a thought to the safety of her children and her husband.

Ruslan and Gaile ran toward the factory, covering themselves with the walls of the adjacent buildings. When they were at the door, they both checked their weapons.

- I'm going ahead, - Ruslan said. - You cover me.

- Nothing about that, - Gaile argued. - Let's go together.

- Gaile, it's dangerous, - Ruslan tried to reason with her.

- I remind you that here the wounded one is you - Gaile stamped him stubbornly. - I go with you.

- Okay, - Ruslan finally gave in, lowering his shoulders. - But be careful, before my heart almost stopped when they shot you.

The young woman smiled a little flushed at him, punched him in a friendly way on the left arm and nodded firmly. Ruslan opened the door and walked in, Gaile at his side.

Inside the building, the machinery made a hellish noise, and generated a lot of heat. Ruslan and Gaile walked up the raised walkway that crossed the warehouse from end to end, watching for any anomalies. Suddenly, the supports of the walkway exploded, knocking her down. Ruslan grabbed Gaile against his chest and protected her from the fall by turning his back against the ground. The impact took his breath away and his vision blurred with black spots. Gaile leaned up against him, cupping his face in her hands.

- Ruslan! - she called him. - Ruslan, are you okay?!

Suddenly a mechanical rumble caught her attention at the north end of the building. A gigantic humanoid machine over ten feet tall emerged from behind a warehouse, armed with a heavy machine gun. Several well-armed men appeared behind the gigantic exoskeleton.

- Welcome, lovebirds! - Exclaimed the pilot of the frame, which was none other than Malcolm Oliver.

- Ruslan get up! - Gaile urged young Drake.

Ruslan scrambled to his feet, down on one knee. The young woman was pointing her rifle in the direction of their adversaries. Ruslan picked up his shotgun and moved the slide, inserting a round into the chamber.

- Kill them! - Oliver yelled, raising the barrel of the machine gun and pulling the trigger.

Oliver's men also took aim and fired at them. Ruslan and Gaile each ran to the opposite end of the building, taking cover behind pieces of machinery, from enemy fire. The bullets ricocheted off the floor, walls, and pieces of equipment. Soon Oliver's men had to reload, at which point Ruslan and Gaile took the opportunity to strike back. The shooting that was unleashed outweighed the noise produced by the factory's machines. Ruslan soon ran out of cartridges for his shotgun, so he went on to shoot with his pistols. Gaile sharpened her aim and managed to take down several enemies with her rifle, until Oliver focused his attention and his machine gun fire on her, forcing her to take cover.

- You're both going to die here today! - Oliver yelled.

Ruslan slipped the last two remaining clips into his pistols. There were still at least ten enemies left, including the gigantic hulk Oliver piloted. Ruslan sharpened his aim and took down two more. Oliver turned the barrel of his machine gun on him, sweeping his position with lead. Ruslan barely could cover himself behind the tank that served as a parapet. Gaile took the opportunity to stick out the barrel of her rifle and shoot down two more of Oliver's men. Then yet another adversary emerged from behind another tank, holding a grenade launcher rifle, which he aimed at Gaile and fired. When the young woman saw him, she left her parapet and ran towards Ruslan, who proceeded to give her covering fire by emptying his pistol magazines. The blast knocked Gaile to the ground just three feet away from Ruslan, who grabbed her hand and threw her behind the parapet of the depot, taking cover himself too, though not fast enough. A bullet went through his left thigh, knocking him to the ground. Ruslan crawled to the parapet, leaving a trail of blood. Oliver grinned wickedly and motioned for his men to advance.

Behind the deposit, Ruslan dropped his pistols and pulled out a grenade. Tugging on the ring, he threw it hard, slowing the enemy's advance and taking three others ahead in the blast.

Ruslan leaned back against the parapet that protected them. Gaile walked over and examined his wound.

- It has broken through you but has not touched the artery - the young woman said.

- Wel, it is something, - Ruslan laughed sarcastically.

- I'm sorry, Ruslan, it was my fault, - she apologized as she made a tourniquet with her belt.

- Nonsense, the fault is of those bastards - he replied dismissing it.

Gaile tried to look out to see the enemy, but a hail of bullets stopped her.

- They have us cornered - she mumbled annoyed.

- So, come on, we won't sell our skins cheap, - Ruslan said, pulling out his Dullahan revolver.

Gaile took her own revolver from her waist and laid the empty rifle beside her. Oliver's men began to advance toward them again, firing to prevent another grenade from being thrown at them.

Suddenly one of the attackers fell dejected with a shot to the temple. They all turned to look around looking for the shooter. A new shot echoed from the raised gangway at the side of the building, taking down another of Oliver's men. Ruslan looked in the direction of the point where it had echoed the detonation. What he saw surprised him, but it also made him smile.

Constance was lying on the catwalk, armed with a rifle, with Jack lying next to her passing her ammunition. The former military woman maintained fire discipline on the enemy, to give Ruslan and Gaile time to counterattack.

Ruslan pulled out the last remaining grenade and tossed it. The blast sent the rest of Oliver's men flying. Oliver pointed his machine gun at Connie and Jack, but Ruslan and Gaile fired at him from their parapet. Bullets from Gaile's small-calibre revolver ricocheted off the armour plates of the exoskeleton, but the Dullahan's armour-piercing ammunition went through them and the machine gun, like a hot knife through butter, but it did not hit Oliver inside. He was launched at full speed against Ruslan dropping the machine gun, looking for the melee. Ruslan pushed Gaile away, shoving her hard out of danger. The frame fist struck Ruslan, throwing him several feet away, and forcing him to drop his revolver. Young Drake fell to the ground battered, the blow had broken at least a couple of ribs and had taken his breath away. Oliver approached step by step and tried to crush him with a kick of the exoskeleton to the floor, but Ruslan dodged it by rolling to the side. Rising to his feet, Ruslan counterattacked, striking the armoured exoskeleton with his steel fist. Ruslan's Autolimb fist plunged into the light brass cuirass of the working frame, warping several plates that were dislodged as Ruslan pulled the fist from the cavity he had made. The exoskeleton staggered from the impact. Oliver couldn't believe what he saw, Ruslan's strength was inordinate. Both engaged in an exchange of blows, like two gigantic fighters. Although the machine seemed to have an advantage since it did not have to dodge impacts to avoid major injuries, unlike Ruslan whose old wounds began to reopen with the effort, causing terrible pain and loss of blood.

The young Drake stumbled; a moment Oliver seized without hesitation. Locking his opponent, he forced his right arm off the mechanical joint. Ruslan howled in pain as he felt the artificial nerves in his arm cut. Oliver punched him towards a depot, splitting the metal surface. Ruslan fell to the ground, limp.

Oliver approached Ruslan with the battered frame, which had lost most of his armour, exposing him.

- How does it feel to get beaten up, eh, Drake?! - he yelled full of hatred.

- Get away from him! - Gaile exclaimed pointing her revolver at Malcom Oliver.

At that very moment, a man came out from behind Oliver, pointing a pistol at William Drake's head.

- You better drop the gun, young lady, or I'll kill him, - Patrick Gawaine threatened. - And those on the catwalk too, you'd better come down here.

Gaile lowered her gun and threw it away, Connie and Jack threw their rifles, and the younger of the Drake's siblings helped the ex-military with great difficulty down to the ground floor.

- On your knees, - Gawaine urged, reluctantly forcing them to obey at gunpoint. - That's better. Now Oliver, if you're so nice, lift that dead weight.

Malcolm Oliver grabbed Ruslan with the exoskeleton hand and lifted him up like a sack. The young Drake was badly battered, bleeding profusely, and the cables to his mechanical arm hung severed from the shattered metal joint in his right shoulder.

- Time to wake up, you bastard, - Oliver said, holding Ruslan by the frame as he stepped out of the command chair.

- Ruslan Drake, - Gawaine called slowly, but Ruslan didn't answer.

Gawaine approached the almost unconscious Ruslan, and taking his cavalry sabre from his scabbard, he stabbed it into one of the giant's open wounds, provoking a howl of pain from the young Drake and gazing at him with contained hatred.

- That's better, commoners always must listen when their superiors speak - the nobleman said pompously.

- Bastard…!

Gaile tried to jump at Gawaine, but Gawaine shot her in the left leg. The young woman fell to the ground clutching the wound that did not stop bleeding. William and Jack tried to help her, but Gawaine pointed his gun at them and shook his head.

- You must know how to keep the forms with your superiors - the noble said and added turning to Ruslan. - I see that now you do not give yourself as many airs as before, especially after losing the arm with which you hurt me twice.

Ruslan glared at the pompous nobleman.

- Wow, it seems you haven't gotten the message yet, - Gawaine said, turning to his subordinate. - Oliver, if you were so kind.

- My pleasure, - said the war criminal.

Oliver approached Ruslan and hit him several times. Just at that moment, an explosion shook the structure of the building, and the roar of gunfire was unleashed outside. Gaile took advantage of the two men's carelessness to crawl a few feet toward one of the depots, leaving a trail of blood. Something silver had caught her eye under the structure, falling to the ground from the gunshot.

- It seems someone is attacking our men, - Oliver informed Gawaine.

- Well, then let's finish quickly and leave, after all, we already have what we came looking for - the young nobleman said. - There's only one thing left to do.

Oliver smiled, showing a row of silver teeth, replacing the teeth Ruslan had beaten out of him in Galia. He approached the young Drake who was still hanging from the exoskeleton and taking his revolver, aimed it at his head. But he did not get to fire, because a great detonation suddenly rang out, and a large hole opened in Oliver's chest, almost splitting him in half. Gaile's howl of pain caused Gawaine to turn to the injured young woman, who dropped the Dullahan revolver she had just fired, causing her recoil to break the bones of her right wrist and forearm.

Gawaine fled. Running he went through the factory gate and joined his remaining men outside, who were in a shootout with the military police in the middle of the street. Gawaine re-entered the Drake Industries garden, desperately searching for an escape route.

Meanwhile, inside the factory, William Drake operated the controls of the frame, to free his son Ruslan, who fell heavily to the ground, and helped him up.

- We have to catch that bastard, - Ruslan said with an effort, leaning on his father's shoulder.

- We must take you to the clinic right now, - his father disagreed. - You are seriously injured.

- If he escapes, he will try again, - Ruslan said, looking his father in the eye.

William saw that nothing would stop his son, he was determined to stop the man who had attacked his loved ones.

- I'm going too, - Gaile said, holding her broken arm.

Ruslan nodded and using what little strength he had left he limped to the door. Gaile picked up one of the rifles Connie and Jack had thrown and followed, with the two remaining Drakes trailing behind her helping Connie.

Patrick Gawaine was heading to the back door of Drake Industries, which faced the docks, when he saw Ruslan and Gaile leaving the factory. The nobleman ran towards the exit to escape. Ruslan and Gaile barely followed in his footsteps, losing ground with every step.

They followed him to the dock, where Gawaine was already a good distance away, fleeing in the direction of nearby warehouses.

- Can you hit it from here? - Ruslan asked.

- I'll need a foothold, - Gaile said.

Ruslan dropped to one knee, and the young woman rested the barrel of the rifle on Ruslan's left shoulder. She loaded a bullet into the chamber and took careful aim.

- Don't breathe, - she urged Ruslan.

The shot echoed across the dock. The projectile was fired from the barrel of the rifle at high speed, traveling the distance that separated them from their target in a few seconds. The bullet struck the back of Patrick Gawaine's knee, piercing it, and shattering the joint. Gawaine fell to the ground like a wreck. Gaile dropped the rifle to the ground.

- That's it, - the young sniper said.

Ruslan tried to nod, but fell to the side, half unconscious. Gaile threw herself on him repeating his name. Ruslan saw Gaile's face blurry, as she turned back. In his dreamy vision appeared her father and her brother, and shortly after Arthur Doyle along with several men in uniform. He felt himself being lifted, and there was darkness.