mandalus :: the city of fates.

[ It is early, at 6:00AM, and every phone connected to the Mandalus Network turns itself on automatically. Once again, the reporter for the Mandalus Morning News has breaking news. He is sat at a desk in a studio, a serious look on his face. ]

Good morning, Mandalus. This is Gerald Corben with Mandalus Morning News. If you recall, on July 8th, we had an emergency announcement about the deaths of three victims whose bodies were displayed in an act of terror by The Serpent Cult. This morning, there are new developments to the situation.

This morning, citizens awoke to the discovery of three new bodies hung in various places around the city. All three of the victims have been identified as Honored Guests. Be warned, the images you're about to see are highly disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised. [ Behind him, on a large screen, it shows the image of the Mandalus Police Department, surrounded but several of its best and brightest. Tied to the building by rope is the body of Gene Hunt, a picture of him with his name under it is inset. ] The first body discovered was that of Police Chief Gene Hunt. Detective Hunt was found hanging from the police station when a fellow officer was leaving after a night shift. Gene Hunt is believed to be in his late forties to early fifties and, again, is an Honored Guest.

[ The scene flicks to a specific park, particularly to a lamppost just outside the park. The body of Meg Masters hangs from it, again brutally murdered. There is no picture inset of her, only a blank face marker with three question marks under it. ] The second victim found was a woman, presumed to be in her mid-to-late twenties, blonde, around five foot three inches, and was found hanging from a lamppost outside a park believed to have been brought here along with an Honored Guest. Police currently have no identification for this woman. If you have any information, please come forward and inform the police.

[ The screen changes once more to show a picture of The Mandalay between the Business District and the Starport. This time, the body of Ben Braeden is hanging from the framework of the Mandalay. The boy's body is as mutilated as the previous two. Inset is a picture of Ben with his name below. ] The final body was discovered by commuters using the Mandalay in the early hours of the morning. The victim has been identified by Acting Captain Nyota Uhura as fourteen-year-old Benjamin Braeden. Braeden was last seen leaving the Starport early Sunday morning before being found dead this morning. [ Finally, the images on the screen return to the Mandalus Morning News logo and Gerald Corben frowns deeply. ]

Police are certain this is again the work of The Serpent Cult. Citizens are advised to stay indoors and to travel in no less than groups of two or three. If anyone has any information regarding the situation, please ensure you contact our dedicated police force.

[ Once again, the live feed continues for several hours, covering the story repeatedly. ]

[When the video starts up, Dean is loading a shotgun. Across his chest is a bandolier, holding as many bullets as it can carry. He slots bullets into the shotgun one by one, a severe frown on his face.]

Whoever the Hell thought they were gonna get away with this crap, they're kidding themselves. They killed and strung up innocent people. Three people I gave a crap about. [Although his feelings towards Meg were debatable, he'd decided long ago he didn't want her dead unless he or Sam were the ones who killed her. Not some asshole cult on an alien planet. Add on Gene and he was already spitting nails. With Ben involved, he was positively murderous. More so than usual.]

I'm not gonna sit on my ass and wait for more to happen. This... Mes'Klou asshole is gonna keep coming at us, and we don't know for how long, or how to gank him, so what we can do is take the fight to the Cult.

[He pumps the shotgun to get it ready and sets it down, grabbing a handgun to start loading that up.]

Anyone who wants to join me is welcome. I'm not waiting around, though. Sam? Cas? You comin', or what? [Once the handgun is fully loaded, he tucks it in the back of his jeans. With that done, he cuts the feed.]

[There are several videos going at once, as Charming's troops pool around him. Their voices are soft with horror and shock, as they watch their Commanding officer cradle his wife's broken body to his chest.]

[All you can hear is Charming's grief stricken sobs as he held his wife to him, before he finally whispers, stroking her blood soaked hair.] Don't worry love ... I'll be with you soon ... I'll find you. I'll always find you.

[Around him, the troops mutter uneasily, and finally one of them speaks.] Ah ... General Charming?

[Charming sucks in a breath, before his voice takes on the sharp edge of command.] Captains - I want more troops on the walls of the city, and around the barrier. The Serpent might use this attack to test our defenses. I also want additional troops patrolling the underground entrances - assisting the police in keeping these areas safe for civilians. If you find a Cult member, the orders are to capture, not kill. I want to question them for the motive behind these attacks.

[He gently lay Snow back down.] I need to speak to my assistant, Donna Noble, as soon as possible. For ... funeral arrangements. And I also need to speak to my fellow Generals as soon as possible. Someone please send a messenger to the Queen, telling her I request an audience.

[Blood smeared his black armor, and all the soldiers stood silent for a moment, before he looked around and said firmly.] Dismissed.

[His own phone turned on then, and his angry and distressed expression, smeared with dirt, blood and tears filled the screen.] You think this will stop me? You think this will keep me from doing what I must? You just made the worst mistake you possibly could have, Serpent. Because I won't stop now.

I. Won't. Ever. Stop.

[Then he clicks off the feed.]

Are you somewhere safe?