Live on, Fight on. (Ryel Flashback.)

The term "town" is used very loosely in the scope of the New York City area. Being in a group large enough to fend off monsters without aid of another is a good definition of a town. This town only took up half of an apartment complex, fenced off from outside forces. The people only filled up about a quarter of the space, but the rest had been gutted and used for various facilities. Farming, medicine, a garage to keep vehicles in repair, and an armory. The town was self sufficient all right, but no where near the scope of some of the larger towns.

At the front of the gate, stood two men with ARs leaned on their shoulder, looking down from the brick columns over any who would come up.

Kaz and his companions were brought back to the room that his original negotiations took place. That was the only point in the plan that Kaz wasn't sure about. The crew outside was watching for the light in the room to go out after the sun set. They would then take out the guys up top and draw some attention off of the Kaz's personal team. Inside the negotiation room were two men each with some sort of rifle, then the man Kaz would "Negotiate" with.

The hours ticked away slowly. It was all just Kaz casually making demands and the leader assuring that he'd "Never agree to them." Eventually Kazimierz eyed the window during a very final rant from the town's leader. "I'm sorry you feel that way sir," Kaz interjected. There was a short glance to Tyler to let him know now was the time. "your refusal was almost... admirable. Even if it was unwise."

Richardson charged one of the rifle toting men just to get one of the guns out of the equation. He was practiced enough to put his adversary in between him and the other gun as well as turn the rifle sideways. While that happened Kaz pulled a knife weighted for throwing and threw it into the area around the neck and collarbone of the other rifleman. That one fell, but probably wasn't dead yet. The plan was for Tyler to take the negotiator, but in practice he hesitated long enough for the man to pull a pistol and take aim at Kaz before he blew a hole in the town leader's forehead.

Kaz's face properly displayed his fury at his subordinate, but that had to wait. Richardson took the butt of the gun to his face so Kaz pulled his machete from its leather sheath and shoved it through the third man's abdomen. In through the belly, out just beneath the shoulderblade.

That left the wounded one. Kaz had tyler choke him out while he thought of a fitting punishment for hesitating.

--------

The group heard a blast from the roof as well, no doubt the one with the electric powers outside dealing with the rooftop guards

A few minutes later and the entire town was shut in their respective homes, sheltering their children and the men were all standing out with their weapons ready.

"Well well, looks like negotiations didn't go so well, eh?" Ryel stepped through the gate, his hands behind his back, looking at the armed enemies staring back at him. "I think I have some talks with the help to do."

He stepped into the tent where Kaz and his new affiliates were, crossing his arms and looking amused. "Cute, looks like you weren't able to come to a peaceful conclusion?"

He stepped over one rather mutilated body, taking a sniff of the air and grinning. "Just letting you know, if you step outside this tent, they are planning on lighting us all up. How do you plan on handling this?"

He was grinning now, enjoying watching the other take his command.

"Torch them."

Kaz was admittedly surprised by Ryel's decision to show. Sure, the fearless leader could handle himself but this was Kaz's chance to show his potential. That just made sense when it was put like that! Ryel wasn't here to help. He was here to observe!

Knowing his leader's eye was on him, Captain Kazimierz had to impress. But before that there was some insight into the situation he needed to know. "Believe me, I will," Kaz assured, "But the second team outside, What is their status? One of them can turn invisible, so if you didn't see them that is acceptable. Also..." the exit plan was on the complicated mind of Kaz as his brown eyes panned to Tyler.

"Due to his incompetence shown earlier I feel Tyler is in need of a trial by fire. I give the outside team five minutes to get in place -It is likely that the pair is alive, I've seen them work- before sending Tyler out to... Spark things." Tyler's misguided bravado would do nicely for his likely sacrifice and punishment. Another reason Kaz was certain that his Aces in the hole were still active was the lack of gunshots outside and The electic-fueled explosion he heard earlier. If the Invisible one did the logical thing and cloaked both of them while going to regroup things would be fine

Ryel stepped over to a chair in the corner, casually kicking the corpse that resided in it and taking his seat, smiling that damned smile he always seemed to have outside of the tunnels. It was all a great big show to him.

He leaned back in his chair a few inches, letting his foot dangle a bit as he assessed his star new LT at work. Kaz had a shrewd mind, one that even paralleled his own, a trait that many in this day and age truly lacked. it was exciting to see what the young man had planned out to get all of the various situations that arose.

He set himself back down again, cocking his head at Kaz and giving a nod, "Carry on then."

Kaz nodded as a smirk grew on his lips. Ryel was just as much a teacher to him as he was a leader, and being the star pupil in the situation was something he wished to bask in. Alas, there were more important things to do now.

"Very well," Kaz said with a turn to face Tyler. "You are going, yes? Who knows, the other team might be perched out somewhere else just waiting for us to charge out. You will probably make it." After he said the words Kaz walked over to the table to remove the pistol from the oh-so successful negotiator's grasp. Ideally he would not need it, but in this situation it couldn't hurt to have.

"Screw that Kaz! You just want me dead!"

A sigh escaped the freshly appointed LT as he looked back to the defiant subordinate . "I would say that's a reason to go. If you do not follow orders your chances are... Not as bright." Kaz said as his eyes darted to the third troop. His face had seen better days, but at least he knew to stay out of this. "Besides. I'm sure you would rather die a hero than a traitor in any case."

The threat seemed to work. Tyler remained silent as he turned to exit, but before his blaze of glory plans changed.

A blast not too far away accompanied the lights flicking off. The other team seemed to know exactly how to make their Lieutenant happy. Must have gone to the generator. There was commotion outside the tent, and it sounded like four or five sets of footprints went scurrying to get the lights back on. No doubt they would be fried by the apparently far superior gifted squad. But the battle here was still tricky. Thirteen lives were needed to meet expectations, and Kaz felt they were probably all out there waiting.

"Ryel, I trust you will neither assist nor impede me? If that's the case, observe from a distance once we leave, sir." Kaz said. He was getting a sick sense of excitement from this situation. "Tyler you are in luck, come out through the front when I start things. Richardson, you too. You should probably trade up to that rifle that seems to like your face so much." Ah, the humor of Kazimierz. It was not particularly common and others seemed to catch on to it less. In fact usually others just wound up offended. Fortunately Richardson was not the brightest.

Kaz then freed the machete from its victim's innards and threw one last direction back at his men before fading down into the floor of the tent. "I expect you to wait no more than ten seconds."

The blacker than black smudge traveled around behind the throng of the soon-to-be-deceased, noting nine total men. Five had guns, three had sharp things that were no doubt meant to harm, and one was glowing. The choice was clear which one to take out first. with the looted pistol drawn Kaz took aim at the white realm gent.

Why are we waiting? They're like fishin a barr-

Kaz never claimed to be the best shot, so what was meant to put one between that one's eyes entered at a less than ideal angle. Make no mistake, the white realm gifted was down in moments, but there was just enough time to suffer. Before the group reacted Kaz put two in one armed target's chest and one in the gut of another before retreating to the shadows once more. Two, maybe three were down, but all eyes were on the shadow known as Kaz now.

There was a a zipping sound from the tent that let Kaz know his allies weren't entirely useless, and the sounds of fully automatic fire from the direction was a welcome sound, however muffled by Kaz's power it was.

((If you wanted to narrate a bit go ahead, if not I'll finish up this bit. Just lemme know))

Ryel was whistling a tune, stepping from the tent and looking at the men working. Kaz was on point this evening it would seem. Really bringing his A game. With his smile firmly planted, he leaned against a fence post, watching the action at a safe distance, whistling Old Lang Syne to himself, tapping on the post.

From across the field, something that Kaz could have never known was happening. Many of the men that had been slain, were standing back up, reaching and and gripping at the feet of Kaz's men, who panicked, shooting at the ground. A black realm dweller had stepped forward. A wraith manipulator by the look of it.

In a flash, two of Kaz's men were instantly pounced upon, their screams muffled by the wet slapping sound of the wraith fists.

Another of Kaz's men began shooting wildly, turning and running back toward the tunnels. Ryel slipped a pistol from his waist, splattering the fleeing man's brains as he flumped to the ground.

"Well it would seem we know why it is that they decided to fight us... They've made a deal with another devil. Find the black ribbon... I want it alive." He pointed to Kaz. "This is a gift too precious to lose. Oh... and don't let the zombie things kill you either."