BATTLE FOR BRISBANE

Finally, the next day, they were ready. Over fifty officers had gathered in the centre of Goodwill Bridge, which lead from Brisbane directly to the botanical gardens of Southbank. This was where they made their assault. "How are we doing?" Chloe asked as she and Nicola came up beside Andrew, who was staring at the quiet warzone across from them. "We've evacuated the area…but we can't evacuate the whole of Brisbane in time. We need to be fast," he murmured in reply. "Alright. We can't enter through this bridge. We need a different way," Darcy instructed, and Andrew closed his eyes, thinking quickly before snapping his eyes open and turning to Darcy. "We have a police boat to patrol the river. We could take you right up to the edge, but then its on you to climb the rocks and get to the Arise."

Darcy, Vivian, Vironica, Rachael, Sienna, Chloe, Nicola and Mikayla all nodded, and Andrew sighed before turning to the closest officer and murmuring something. The officer nodded and began hurrying away as Andrew turned back to them. "It's already in the water below. Hurry," he whispered, and the Family nodded before turning and running down the bridge. It was a lot further than they had imagined, but after reaching the dock beneath the Goodwill Bridge they were helped onto not a police boat, but a CAT FERRY. "Well, if we're getting there, it looks like it will be in style," Nicola said happily as she boarded the wooden plank and stepped onto the Ferry. The others followed quickly, and mere moments later the engines began thrumming and humming beneath them. "No going back now," Mikayla muttered as they began their approach to Southbank.

"It should take ten minutes," a female officer said, loading his rifle onto her back as the others nodded. Chloe no longer had her sword but had a rifle as well. So did the others, except for Sienna, who wielded a pistol in each hand. "What's your name?" asked Rachael to the officer who was around her age, and the officer turned, flustered. "Um…um…Amy," she stammered, and Rachael gave her a small smile. "Nervous?" Rachael asked lightly, and Amy nodded, "Very," she whispered back. "It'll be fine. We just need to stick together," Rachael said from behind them, sitting on one of the hard plastic seats as she waited for their arrival. The boat drew closer, and they sat in wait. The ten minutes passed as the edge of the Ferry bumped hard against the rocks.

As one, they stood, Amy included, and they leapt from the boat's side, scurrying up the rocks in the darkness like rats. Guns strapped to their backs, they reached the top, scrambling onto the damp grass and then withdrawing their weapons. No one was around. "Holster your guns. Only use them when we have to. We can't risk killing innocent civilians," Darcy whispered as they walked down the long walkway. They knew the general direction the Arise Australia was located. It wouldn't take long to find it. "I just hope Andrew has everything under control," Amy breathed.

***

Andrew stood at the head of the police force, all of them staring in the direction of Southbank. Movement came from the other side of the bridge, and Andrew subconsciously reached for the pistol attached to his belt, ready for anything. Figures came through the darkness ahead, many of them, all of them holding rifles. "Sir, I don't think they're the army," whispered a nearby officer, and Andrew groaned as the figures drew closer. "No…I don't think so either," Andrew murmured gravely, withdrawing his pistol and pointing at the many advancing figures. "We're all here for a reason...let them know we're not leaving!" Andrew shouted, then pointed at the many advancing figures. The first shot fired, but it was not from the police. The officer that had been standing next to Andrew dropped dead, a bullet wound in his forehead. Then the battle finally began.

***

"It sounds like the fun has finally begun," Vivian said loudly, glancing over her shoulder at the Goodwill Bridge, where flashes lit up the dark and bangs clapped like thunder. The war was at its breaking point. "Come on, we need to hurry," Darcy said, leading the way down the street. They kept to the shadows, staring up at the Arise Brisbane 1 as they crept forth. "Keep low," Rachael murmured as they walked, her rifle raised loosely in her hands, ready for a battle at all times. "Come on, we're almost there," Sienna whispered, urging the others on as they drew closer still. They were almost at the front door. Then…they came. Several men charged from out the front doors, rifles raised and already aimed in their direction. "Shit, they knew!" Nicola shouted, diving for cover as the bullets began soaring through the air.

Chloe was the only one who didn't leap to safety. She ran straight toward the five men, who seemed taken aback by her sudden charge. Chloe raised her rifle as the bullets screamed past her, and she pulled the trigger. One dropped to the ground, quickly followed by a second as Chloe threw her rifle. It missed the last three, but the sudden distraction allowed her to reach them in time. She punched forward, striking one of the men in the faces and then elbowing to the right, catching the second in the stomach before gripping his arm tightly and flipping him over her shoulder. The third turned and raised his rifle, aimed at Chloe's face, and an ear-splitting BANG rang around the street. The first and third men crumpled, shot dead by Nicola, who slowly approached whilst reloading her rifle.

"Told you that you needed me," Nicola said, a smirk on her face as Chloe chuckled and nodded. "You two lovebirds can have as much time as you need later. We have a job to do," Sienna said, leading the group into the lobby of the Arise Brisbane 1. They had reached their destination. "Guys, I just did a thermal scan of the building. Every floor has several guys on it," Andrew said through Darcy's radio, gunfire evident in the background as he spoke hurriedly. "We can take care of them. Keep tight and take out the bastards you're fighting," Darcy replied quickly, pocketing the Radio and then pointing at the closest elevator. "Sienna, Vironica, Vivian, Rachael and I will take this one. Chloe, Nicola, Amy and Mikayla, take the other one." They all nodded and assembled at their assigned elevators. "Better pray Andrew's doing a good job keeping them off our asses," Nicola grumbled.

***

Andrew ducked as bullets soared over his head, keeping down on one knee and firing his pistol thrice. Two bullets hit their target, and another man fell, only to replace by two more, who were aiming for Andrew. Andrew rolled away as the bullets hacked away at the concrete where he had been moments before, rose from his crouch and fired again, another man dropping in a splash of blood. "Fall back!" Andrew shouted as several more officers fell. Their numbers were declining rapidly. "Sir, what do we –" a cop began shouting, but he was cut off as a bullet whizzed into his throat. He was dead in an instant. Andrew kept low to the ground, keeping his pistol raised and firing, praying to God his bullets were finding their marks. The pistol clicked, and Andrew threw it aside, realising it was jammed. "Stupid piece of fucking shit," he growled.

He reached for a rifle, raised it and fired, watching as three men dropped instantly. The rifle bucked in his grip, and he fought to keep it level as his finger squeezed the trigger. The gun burst off bullets for another ten seconds before clicking loudly. It was empty. Finding a magazine on the ground, Andrew unclipped and threw aside the empty one before slapping the full magazine back into the rifle. He reloaded it, turned back to the battle and began firing again. They had lost thirty officers already, their numbers now limited to twenty including Andrew. "Everybody look alive!" Andrew shouted after catching the depressing glances from several of his cops, and they nodded before turning their rifles and pistols to the enemy. They began firing again, more of the men dropping as the cops drew back, looking for cover.

"Commander, I don't think we can last much longer!" an officer shouted from behind Andrew, and seconds later he too hit the ground, a gaping hole in his eye socket. "Hold your positions!" Andrew shouted as more of them drew back, and the officers remained in place, sweating and firing their weapons. Every bullet counted from now. "This isn't a fight! We're just getting slaughtered!" another cop yelled desperately, keeping his finger glued to the trigger and only reloading when necessary. More men were ascending the bridge. There were more than a hundred, that was for certain. Not a thousand, but enough to keep Andrew stressed about their chances. "And here I was thinking I wouldn't need to come save your ass," came a voice from behind, and Andrew glanced over his shoulder. He grinned.

***

Darcy stepped into the corridor, his rifle blazing as more men fell. His rifle clicked empty, and Sienna leapt out in front of him, gripping her gun tightly as she mowed down several more men. "You're getting good at that," Mikayla panted, sweat dripping from her brow as she ducked, bullets zipping past her head. Bangs came from behind, and two man dropped ahead as Rachael came into view. The others came from their elevator, but to their surprise found themselves still ten floors beneath the top. "Come on, we will get to him if we keep pushing!" Chloe shouted encouragingly, turning to the door nearby that lead to the staircase. She opened it almost excitedly, to find two men with their guns raised at her face. Instinctively, Chloe dropped to the ground as the bullets shot through the air, quickly rolling out of sight before she could be hit.

"I don't think they're very happy with us," she grumbled as Mikayla leapt into the doorway, her rifle blazing powerfully. In seconds, both men were dead, and now Mikayla was leading them up the staircase slowly, keeping her rifle aimed ahead of her. They began making their way past the door that lead onto the next floor, but then that too sprung open. There he was. The gasmask was missing, his torn lips grinning at them as the Family froze. "So glad you could finally make it," he breathed, then stepping forward and kicking as hard as he could. The boot hit Mikayla in the chest, and she toppled over the railing over the staircase. At the last second she reached out and caught herself, dangling over the large drop, struggling to pull herself up. Philip took out his phone, his face illuminated by its brightness as he tapped a button.

Darcy aimed his rifle and squeezed the trigger, yet nothing happened. Philip cackled and tossed his phone aside, grinning madly as the others pulled the triggers as well, but it had the same result. "You didn't think I would come prepared?" he asked, grinning evilly as the Family dropped their weapons. "So you've finally decided to pull your head out your ass and take us seriously," Rachael growled, and Philip snapped his eyes toward her, his expression considerate. "This is really your last chance…last chance…give me Rachael, or die," Philip hissed, the anger infecting his voice like a parasite. Protectively, Amy stepped in front of Rachael, staring down the killer fiercely. Rachael's eyes widened in surprise. "So, I take it that is a no?" Philip whispered, and then Chloe stepped forward as Mikayla pulled herself over the railing. "Go to hell!" Chloe shouted, and then she tackled her father around the middle and charged into the room behind him.

Philip snarled, brought his elbow down onto Chloe's back and then tossed her aside easily. He stripped his heavy fur coat from around his shoulders and tossed it to the other side of the room, where it thudded loudly from the weight of the knives that were concealed inside. Philip raised his fists as the Family slowly entered the room. Rachael helped Chloe to her feet, and the two turned to the killer, who grinned. "Well, this is just what I wanted," he whispered. "All of you…against me. Your final fight. My final victory." Darcy took the lead, stepping ahead of the Family to face down Philip, both of them glaring at one another. "You know once I trusted you and believed in you. Now I realise that it was all a mistake…and today we destroy that mistake." Philip laughed again, shaking his head as he stared Darcy down.

Darcy ran forward, the rest of the Family behind him, and Philip ran to greet them, laughing manically as he did so. He ducked a swing from Darcy and jammed his elbow into Darcy's side, forcing him to stumble aside as Philip kicked forward, striking Vironica in the stomach and sending her flying back onto the ground. He turned, blocked a kick from Sienna and quickly backhanded her across the face, not bothering to watch as she spun to the ground. Philip bounced on the balls of his feet, readying himself as Rachael jumped into the air, her foot streaking toward his face. He moved aside, spun and kicked hard, striking Rachael in the side and smashing her to the ground. Nicola landed a kick to Philip's back, and when she went to punch he ducked beneath her arm, uppercut her in the ribs and threw her aside.

Chloe stared in disbelief as Vivian missed a punch, and Philip retaliated with several punches to her stomach before striking her in the face and sending her staggering away. He was just one man…one insane man…and he was beating them single-handed. It should not be possible…but it was happening right in front of her eyes. Amy slammed her fist against Philip's jaw, quickly stepping back, jumping up and kicking through the air. Philip blocked it easily and, whilst Amy was temporarily off balance, he kicked her straight in the chest. She flew back and slammed against the floor, panting and winded as Philip turned to stare at Chloe. "You want to end up like them?" he hissed as Chloe raised her fists. "Better than ending up like you," Chloe replied, glaring at her father hatefully. "Then I guess I need to teach my daughter one…last…lesson," Philip growled slowly and menacingly.

Chloe readied herself as Philip snarled, then he charged forward. Chloe ran to greet him. She leaned back, narrowly avoiding her father's fist as it swung mightily through the air. Philip grunted, and Chloe instinctively kicked forward, smashing her foot into Philip's thigh and sending him stumbling back in surprise. "You little bitch," he whispered, rage poisoning his words as Choe ran forward again. She blocked another punch, parried a second swipe and then returned a punch to Philip's jaw. Philip screamed in pure hatred, finally managing to block another punch, knee her in the side and then slam his elbow into her throat. Chloe tripped and fell on her ass, coughing and spluttering as Philip towered over her, his eyes burning with madness. It was shocking for Chloe to witness. "I will not ask again. Help me with my mission, or die with your pathetic friends," Philip breathed.

Chloe struggled to her feet, raising her fists yet swaying slightly, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. "I could do this all day," she panted. Philip growled, and then Darcy slammed into him. Philip and Darcy struggled for several seconds, and then Philip gained the upper hand by smashing his fist against the side of Darcy's head, turn and shove him toward the tall windows overlooking the city of Brisbane nearby. Darcy bounced off the glass, which cracked against his weight, and finally Philip kicked at Darcy's thigh. Darcy's feet shot out behind him, smashing the glass he fell. He scrambled as he slipped back, only managing to grip onto the window frame tightly to prevent falling to his death. Philip cackled, looked over Darcy at something Darcy could not see, and whistled loudly. The sound of motors whirred loudly as something lowered behind him.

Chloe watched from behind as a large wooden platform lowered to the smashed window, several crates aboard it. "Time to get these gas canisters loaded. I have a city to destroy, after all, and once I destroy Brisbane…I will take out Southbank," the killer muttered, grinning as he said so. Darcy struggled to hold on as Philp laughed, but then Chloe dashed forward and tackled her father from the window, just as she had seen Jacob do many nights ago. She and her father crashed onto the wooden platform, which began swaying violently. Chloe glanced up, and suddenly it made sense. There was a crane on top of the Arise Brisbane 1. They had missed it while coming in. Chloe slowly got to her face and turned to face her father, who was panting and wore an expression of pure rage.

"You must realise…you. Are. Doomed," Philip whispered menacingly, rocking slightly on his feet as Chloe raised her fists. "Not yet," she panted in reply, and once again the two ran to greet one another. Choe moved aside as Philip kicked, the two now on opposite sides to where they started, fists raised and calculating their opponent's moves. They circled again as the Family watched, both of them feinting attacks, ready for the moment. Finally, Philip charged. He threw his left fist forward, forcing Chloe to block as he threw his right fist forward quickly. She parried the second blow, and Philip turned, quickly kicking out and aiming for the back of Chloe's legs. Chloe used the palm of her hand to block the kick, and Philip snarled, jumping forward with his knee outstretched. Again, Chloe blocked an attack, and Philip once again threw his left fist forward.

He's trying to tire me out, Chloe realised as she blocked and parried the attacks, and then an idea came to her hand as she parried Philip's right arm. The left fist was swinging toward her head from the side, and Chloe ducked beneath it, quickly rising, jumping up and kicking out. It hit Philip straight in the chest, and he rocked backward, skidding along the hard wooden floor before leaping to his feet, fists raised again. Philip made the first move again, running forward, spinning on the spot and kicking out. Chloe forced the foot down and then kicked out once with her left leg. Philip blocked the attack as though merely swatting his hand through the air lazily, and Chloe kicked again. Again, Philip blocked. Chloe switched legs and twisted her right leg through the air, forcing Philip to duck beneath it.

Philip was much faster in reflexes than Chloe, and he rose to his full height in a split second before raising his right leg and kicking down, hard. The foot smashed against Chloe's shoulder, and she hit the floor, groaning in pain as Philip panted above her. "You thought you could use the lessons I taught you to beat me?" he snarled; his teeth barred menacingly as Chloe struggled to her feet. "I've learnt things you never taught me," Chloe panted, the pain in her shoulder incredible as she swayed slightly, a wave of dizziness hitting her. "Like what? Weakness? Lack of courage?" Philip replied, his voice deadly as Chloe shook her head to clear the dizziness. "This," she mumbled, and then jumped high into the air, quickly twisting her body in mid-air and kicking out as she did so.

The foot collided with the side of Philip's face, and he staggered to the side, his foot slipping over the edge. He caught himself and pulled back, saving himself from the long drop as he turned back to his daughter. "Impressive, but not good enough," Philip groaned, wiping blood that dripped from his nose and grinning. "I taught you everything you know," Philip continued, cackling madly, "You can't beat me." Philip walked forwards slowly, as though each step was an indication of death coming for her. Chloe wiped blood and sweat from her eyes, and when she opened them, Philip's fist was directly in front of her face. It struck her, and she staggered back. Her feet slipped over the edge, and Chloe fell. Instinctively she snapped her hand out, her fingers entwining with the long rope that supported the platform to the crane's hook.

The killer stopped laughing and walked over to the edge, where Chloe grabbed onto the rope for dear life. "Why do you fight? You can't survive," Philip growled as Chloe hooked her fingers into the gaps between the wooden planks and hauled herself up. Philip made no attempt to stop her, he merely watched interestedly as Chloe finally managed to pull herself up and lie back-first on the hard wood. Philip chuckled and withdrew something from his belt. A knife. Chloe couldn't move as Philip laughed and crouched over her, the knife dangerously close to her throat. Chloe grabbed Philip's wrist with her left hand as Philip tried to angle the point down, aiming for the pulsing vein on her neck. Chloe tucked in her knees, placed both her feet on Philip's stomach, and rolled backward before kicking out as hard as she could.

Philip shouted out in pain as he flew over the edge and grabbed onto the ledge of the broken window, quickly pulling himself up and panting. Philip turned to glare at Rachael and the platform, but then a hand firmly grabbed him by the shoulder. Philip turned to find Vironica standing right behind him, something gripped tightly in her hand. "Go to hell you motherfucker," she whispered, then she stabbed the knife into Philip's side. Philip's adrenaline, however, was pumping throughout his systems. He didn't feel the wound, but reached out and struck Vironica across the face, watching as she dropped in pain. Vivian and Sienna both ran forward, each holding a knife from the killer's coat. Both knives found their ways into Philip's stomach, yet Philip kicked Vivian away and struck Sienna away. He advanced toward Mikayla, who leaned against the furthest wall but tossed her knife through the air, the tip striking into Philip's shoulder.

Philip couldn't feel the pain while he knocked Darcy to the ground after enduring another stab wound, took a hit from Nicola before striking her as well, and finally Rachael kicked him across the face and launched her knife into his chest. Philip staggered back, panting and spilling blood in buckets as the pain slowly began sinking in. Thinking quickly, Chloe rose to her feet and ran towards Philip, stopping at the very edge of the platform, running to the other side, and then repeating the process. It took several tries before the platform was finally swinging back and forth violently, each swing earning it a meter closer to where Philip stood on the edge of the window frame. "Hey, wanker!" Chloe bellowed, making Philip whirl around to face her, eyes wide as the platform rocked toward him. Chloe gripped onto the ropes supporting the platform as the Family dove away from Philip. The platform shot forward and smashed into the building.

Chloe was flung to the other side of the large wooden square, grabbing onto the rotting boards tightly to keep herself from plummeting. Slowly, she rose and stood on the shaking platform, but it was no longer moving. Philips arm was outstretched toward her, but the rest of his body appeared to be hidden beneath the platform. Chloe gripped the side of the wooden and swung herself underneath the platform with ease and turned to her father. There he was. He was alive, blood gushing from his body and his right arm pinned above his head and impaled with long rods. He was stuck to the side of the building. "Help…me," Philip mumbled with as much strength as he could muster. Chloe dragged herself back on top of the platform and spied an object in one of the closest crates, a grin coming to her as she grabbed it swung back underneath.

Carefully, she placed the blades of the object against Philips stomach, holding it there as Philip struggled to get away. "Eat this you cock sucking motherfucker," Chloe hissed, and then she tripped the machine. The chainsaw roared to life, and Philip screamed, writhing in agony as his stomach ripped open and guts fell out. As he struggled, his right arm ripped loudly, more blood bursting onto Chloe's face. As she watched, the arm snapped away completely, and Philip plummeted out of sight. Chloe held onto the platform with one hand and stared down, watching as Philip dropped before finally smashing onto the concrete below with a deafening THUD. Chloe pulled herself back up, grinning and panting as she turned back to the Family. But they were not watching her this time. They were looking at each other in confusion. "What is it?" asked Chloe loudly, and Rachael looked up at her. "Danny isn't here…he hasn't been here the whole time. He slipped away on the staircase."