Death of innocents

Armstrong tries to punch Dan but is only successful in hitting the ground, sending shock waves and creating a miniature crater.

"I'll do well to avoid his hits, this guy is capable of flattening a city with a single punch if he desired it."

Dan mutters under his breath has he stands on his guard with his eyes peeled on his opponent.

Armstrong chuckles has he rises to his feet and immediately charges towards Dan; with quick fire jabs he attacks Dan, Dan finds it hard to dodge his attacks and resorts to blocking instead but this turns out to be a bad idea as the intensity of Armstrong's blows were not the kind to block but instead to dodge… Armstrong doesn't allow Dan any breathing space has he continues in his assault.

Dan decides to take a punch head on so he can be able to hit back but this proves ineffective has his punch had no effect on Armstrong and he is left hurting on the ground due to Armstrong's blow to his face

"weak!!.... You aren't worth my time, get up and fight, fool."

Armstrong remarks as he let's out a burly laugh has he then makes to kick Dan, which forces Dan out of the courtyard they were in, Armstrong follows him outside.

"Dan!!!"

Kina yells out has she struggles to get free but is unsuccessful.

"Silence!!"

one of Karan's guards shuts her up….. Dan struggles to his feet but still is unable to stand properly has he staggers.

"I can't feel much.. I can't see properly and my head is a mess, I need to save Hermit and his family but how??"

Armstrong sees his pathetic state and starts laughing again.

"Is this how you wanted to take down Cheng??... You weak pathetic fool, your plans and ambitions shall only result in your downfall."

Dan manages a run towards Armstrong and manages a blow to the face but it's of no use as Armstrong does not move and retaliates with a blow that takes the wind out of him and sends him to the floor gagging, Dan shakes off the hit and tries to swipe Armstrong but Armstrong evades this and steps aside.

Dan continues to attack Armstrong's legs but this doesn't help much either, Armstrong grows wary of Dan's incessant misses and tries to punch him but Dan rolls away leaving a crater behind him, Dan stands and engages in a fist fight with Armstrong in a last ditch attempt to take him down, Their clash begins to intensify has their blows begin to cause shockwaves that are felt by Karan and co, The speed of their attacks increases and they go at each other with intent, Armstrong has the upper hand and uses that to pummel Dan into submission, after which he finishes Dan off with an uppercut that knocks Dan out of his iron suit...

Dan is held down by Armstrong as Karan's guards drag Hermit and his family back into Ninos Homot and tie them down before setting to pour fuel all around the house.

"Stop this please, don't do this to us, please stop!!!"

Mikam cries out has her daughters beg for their lives while Hermit tries to get free, Dan struggles with Armstrong but is held down with no way of getting free.

"Hold him down."

Karan says as he lights up a cigarette and smokes it while watching his accomplices keep pouring fuel in every corner around the motel.

"Can you see boy…. The consequences of your actions affects those closest to you in the worst way."

Armstrong remarks as he holds Dan's face in direct view of the building.

"It's quite unfortunate you lost the bargain, I never did plan on killing any of you but what can I do??... You brought this on yourself now you'll watch them burn."

Karan casually says to Dan as he then flicks his burning cigar into Ninos Homot causing the motel to go up in flames.

"No please stop, it hurts….. It burns."

Kina screams as the flames engulf her and her family causing them to cry out in anguish.

"No, no, no, no, no, no….. Stop, they are gonna die."

Dan continues to struggle but Armstrong chokes him into an unconscious state, but before he loses consciousness, he can hear the screams of Hermit and his family has they are burnt alive...…

TIME : 7:00AM

LOCATION : NINOS HOMOT

...

"Dan save us, it burns…. Somebody help us!!!!"

....

Dan wakes up with Hermit and his family's pleas for help resonating in his head, he struggles to stand but is unable to, he looks up and sees the motel burnt with nothing left for the eyes to see but burned house materials and charred bodies… Dan crawls to the wreckage and sets his eyes on the burnt bodies of Hermit and his family, he let's out a loud scream as tears begin to fall out of his eyes….

Two police cars drive in and pack outside the motel grounds, four cops come out and head into the motel, they set eyes on a weeping Dan and immediately run towards him.

" Mr. Dan Ruso, we'd like you to come with us to the station for questioning."

One of the officers say as they all have their guns pointed at him, Dan doesn't take heed to them but instead tries to get up again but to no avail.

"Get him up, let's leave this place."

The officers cuff Dan after which they carry him off into their vehicle with Dan not putting up a fight and drive off….

TIME : 8:00AM

LOCATION : GOVERNMENT HOUSE, CALOS CITY

"is the work done, Karan??"

Cheng asks over his telephone receiver.

"Yes and as per your instructions, we have taken care of all of them."

Cheng has a devious smile on his face.

"That's good, anyways now that we are done with that we can start making preparations for the exchange, make sure nothing stops this from happening."

"Yeah sure, I'll take care of it."

Karan replies after which he cuts the call, Cheng drops the telephone and smiles to himself.

"that went well."

TIME : 10:07AM

LOCATION : CALOS CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Sai and Ilara sit in their cell sulking has they couldn't believe their current predicament.

"This has got to be the worst thing to happen to a law enforcer apart from being killed in combat that is."

Sai remarks with a tone that was bordering on amusement.

"Sai, this is really not a good time to be making jokes, right now we should be thinking on how we can escape this place and continue our investigation."

Ilara replies with a slight bit of frustration.

"I'm sorry babe, I'm just trying to not let recent events affect me, honestly I'm more worried what would happen if Cheng finds out where we kept Jace….. But there is one more thing that's bothering me."

Sai gestures with his palm, putting up one finger.

"What's that??"

Ilara asks with interest.

"Why would Gr'egor agree for our arrest when he knows those accusations are false But if he didn't sanction our arrest, who the hell did and why... one thing is for sure though, Cheng has a hand in our arrest and I'm gonna find out how."

Sai says, Ilara is about to reply before they hear a knock at their cell door.

"Ms. Kanamara, your parents are here to see you."

"Oh thank goodness, hopefully you can get out of here and then come get me."

Sai is quite relieved.

"What makes you think they won't bail out both of us??"

Ilara asks with a smile.

"C'mon babe you and I know they only came for you, anyways you should get going before they blame me for you coming late."

Sai replies with a chuckle.

"I'll be back."

Ilara says has she rises to her feet and heads to the door....