“So wait, what was up with Marko’s Dad, he said something about you two on the couch?” This is what I came down the stairs hearing as I woke up. Evidently everyone let me sleep in, and that's why I liked these guys, they let me sleep in when I needed it.

Colonel was in a pair of pants of my pants and an old white T-shirt, Duke was in an undershirt and boxers, Duchess was nowhere in sight. I heard a shower running and assumed it was her. Shadow was dressed in her usual tattered jeans and buttoned up shirt, Thrasher wasn’t wearing a shirt but he had a pair of pajama pants and that was enough.

“What are you guys talking about?” I asked

Shadow looked embarrassed, “Um well, you see.”

“The story of me and Colonel on the couch right?”

“Umm...” he trailed off.

“Look, how about this, I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

“Tell what tomorrow?” Duchess asked as she walked in.

“Nothing Duchess, how we doing for ammo supplies?”

“I looked this morning.” Shadow said, “We got lost of 223, some 30-06, enough 12 guage. Some 9mm, plenty of 45, and some 357, not much 10mm or 556. There was more ammo, but those were the most common calibers.”

“Okay, look those military grade automatics? We’ll use those for last resort weapons, everyone take a rifle and a pistol.”

And so we did, I picked an M1 grand and my Python, Colonel took an AR-15 and a Citadel M1911a1, Thrasher took my father’s old 45 Glock 21 and an old Remmington shotgun, Shadow took a Mini 14 and a Browning Hi-Power, Duke took a Mosin Nagant and a Beretta 92, Duchess took an M1 Carbine and a Smith and Wesson model 10.

“I hope we don’t have to use these, but we may just have to. Hey we don’t have any food do we?” We looked around and realized that we had no food, “Okay I have an idea, how old would you say that picture on the news was Duke?”

“Like, spring. When I broke my nose!” He exclaimed, “It doesn't look like me, plus I had long hair. Look, I’ll go into town and pick up some food. The car got gas?”

“Should. Hey where is the money?”

“Shit, did we leave it on the table?” Shadow asked, “Yah here it is, okay so take like 50 and get some bread, some meat, and like, soup or something. While you’re out how about we think of a way to make money, sound good to everyone?”

“Sure thing sis,” Thrasher said, “after all, that money aint gonna last forever.”

So we basically sat and talked for an hour until Duke cane back with food, and we had some breakfast. “What was that?” Shadow asked as we all heard a knock at the door.

“Hold on, Duke were you followed?” Thrasher asked as he took up his Remmington.

“Hey man, I’m sure of it.”

“Guys look,” I said as another knock echoed into the house. I picked up my Python from the table and checked to make sure it was loaded, it was. “Im going to see who it is.” I walked over to the door and looked through the peephole to see a man standing on the porch. He was dressed in a black suit and dark sunglasses.

His voice was a dry monotone, “Saint, I know you’re in there. And I an ready to stande here all damn day if I have to. Put the guns down, and let us talk. You are in danger and we can help.”

I opened the door a crack and peered out at the man, “What do you want?” I asked as I raised my gun.

“Now think of this, I have a team of my own, well trained assassins. You fire on me, and they will rip you apart. Do we have an understanding?”

“Show me your team than!” I demanded of him.

“Fine, have it your way.” He spoke into his shirt collar, “Conor, breach and clear, but do not kill, Rosa, Parker, back me up.” He pulled a pistol as I saw two people rush from the front. I heard a door get kicked open and a shout. I looked back and saw 3 people in the kitchen holding guns on my friends, three hybrids, one with black fur, one with grey fur, and a bird hybrid. I looked in front and saw the man standing with a woman and a man, all holding guns on me.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“Just to talk,” I heard come from behind me, “Sit down, and let us explain.”

“Stand down guys, lets here what they have to say.”

“Saint,” Duchess said, “You sure this is a good idea.”

“We have no choice.” I walked over to the table and sat down, “Well sir, you want to talk, so talk!” I yelled at him.

“My my my, so much anger. Terra stand down.” And they did, each taking a spot near a wall, hands close to their rifles. “My name is Agent Gold of the CIA, that was the Terra unit. One of the best in the business. I represent a special group in the Central Intelligence Agency know as The Claw project. The group they work for is known as The Nine Claws, and we are looking to recruit you six. You can fight, that much is evident.”

“What, that shit back home?”

“Precisely. You held out against a full on hit squad sent by The Hand of God, and you have made The List. I’m shocked that you are still alive.” He took off his glasses, “Now look, they are sending another squad after you, if you come with us, we can take you to a safehouse where they can’t hurt you.”

“What do you think guys, sound good to you?” They took a vote, 4-5 we go. Duchess didn’t seem so willing to trust them. “Well the motion passes, we’ll go with you. Okay Agent Gold, lets go.”

We plied into an SUV driven by one of the humans and we drove on for about three hours, I’m not sure really, I fell asleep. But I do know we were in a small town Gold called Silver River Connecticut, a town he said they “owned”.

“Well, here we are.” The driver said as we pulled up in front of an old two story house. “The Hand wouldn’t attack us, the cops don’t look the other way for them here.”

We exited the car and entered the house carrying our guns and clothes. The house was closer to a fort, concrete reinforcement was visible in places as well as gun lockers and ammo cases scattered around. each window was fitted with a belt fed machinegun. “Okay so what do you want from us Gold?” I demanded of him.

“For years a war has been fought between our assassins and these terrorists from the Hand Of God. The Plymouth county sheriff is one of their agents and as such decided to eliminate you six with a hit squad and his kid. You eliminated most of them and he’s pissed, so now with they have hit squads after you. Now we have people in this place, and they don’t so they can’t touch you here.”

“But what does this have to do with us?” Colonel said.

“You six have shown skill, and we need skill. We are offering you a chance to begin anew. Join us, fight for us, and see where it takes you.”

Just than we heard static as the radio came to life, “All agents listening, this is Agent Blue. Half an hour ago we lost the Zeda team, they were taking out the HOG silos. They were eliminated, and we have word now that they are launching. All major population centers are being evacuated, get to a safehouse, but do not come to a sanctuary. Mine was invaded and most of us are dead, this is a desperate call, DO NOT RETURN HOME! What the fuc-” gunshots sounded. “Shit, its over. We’ve lo-” a thud. Silence.

“What the fuck was that all about?” Shadow said.

“All I've done,” the grey one began, “and it was for nothing, they’ve won.” He just slumped to the ground. “Its over, the U.S is over. And they are going to hunt us down and kill us all.” He snapped his fingers, “Like that. Bam, finished, over, dead.”

The female assassin walked over, “Evan, don’t worry, were going to be fine,” but he didn’t even hear her, “hey Gold, whats going to happen to us and the agency?”

“in such a state, I guess we are obligated to protect these people. Evan’s right, the U.S is over. And now, anarchy. The only thing we can do is try to stay alive.” He turned to me, “Saint, if you and your people would like, you can leave. Take some equipment and one of the trucks.”

“Thanks Gold. Comon guys lets go.” and so we left, we toom some of the military grade automatics from a locker, some M4s and MP7s mostly. We did take an M249 SAW and a red pickup truck they outfitted to be fast and strong. “So guys, where are we going anyways?”

“Home.” they said almost in unison. And that's how we ended up back in Halifax, and its there that things go from bad, to worse. Just like Gold said it would.