But Alicia was right, she had to be, Nadia had been in the same room with her for hours. It wasn't possible for any of them to have called in and requested an air strike. They had all been together.

“Who then?” Nadia asked, slowly moving her hand away from the weapon which remained holstered onto her hip.

“I'm not sure,” Alicia replied, nodding a bit to accept the fact that Nadia had indeed backed down from confrontation. “Someone in this town or nearby. Has to be.”

“More importantly, what the hell are we going to do about the Butchers?” Preacher asked.

“I'd say that's a mighty fine question,” Austin said, turning to the rest of the Resistance soldiers. “How much experience have you all had against these big fuckers?”

“None, other than what I've read in textbooks and reports.” Nadia replied, Austin quickly turning as if to give her a look of shame.

“We've had our fair share.” Alicia said, her words gaining the attention of the Sheriff as well as members of Nadia's group.

“You have?” Austin asked, though his question was universal among them.

Alicia nodded, then turning to Calypso, who raised his shirt to reveal a scar. It began at the inner of his shoulder blade and ran down below his navel.

“Had a Butcher lay me wide open during an early battle for Washington City,” Calypso said. “Next thing I knew, Alicia was there with guns blazing and before I had time to blink, the Butcher was dead and I was on an operating table. She saved my life.”

Though the compliment of battle hit her ears, Alicia remained focused on a small portion of the window, her back turned to the group.

“Wait,” Alicia said abruptly. “Wait, what is that?”

As the group rushed to the window, she saw it once more. A glimmer of light flashing, almost in code fashion to them.

“Not sure, but whoever it is,” G said. “They're wearing a United States Naval patch.” he added as his eye pressed firmly to the scope of his weapon.

G watched through the magnified glass as the stranger reflected the small glimmer of light into their direction.

“Austin, the Butchers are doing a sweep of the town. Go out and make an appearance, otherwise they will begin to suspect you.” Alicia said.

He wanted to refuse. Even as the sworn law of New Kinneston, he wanted to be as far away from the sight of Butchers as he possibly could. But the fact that Alicia had indeed killed the bastards before established her as the true leader of this group. At least in his eyes.

And he trusted her instinct, simply nodding and reluctantly walking back outside to appear normal to both the townspeople and the monsters left behind with orders to slaughter on sight.

“G, you're with me. The rest of you ease out to see if you can find the Ancient supply cache. They must have left one for their warriors.” Alicia said.

“Good idea.” Certes admitted, knowing Nadia would never admit it for herself.

It was well known among Resistance soldiers that any town or location the Ancients frequented, a supply cache could be found. It usually was hidden well, but contained everything they considered vital for their own survival. Weapons, mobile shelter and a communications device, among other things.

“Remember, ease out. The only thing we have on them right now is surprise, so let's keep it that way.” Alicia said, the group acknowledging her words as they turned to leave the building under a shroud of dark.

As Nadia made her way out, she turned for a moment to exchange glances with Alicia.

Their relationship had been complicated from the start, each having pulled a weapon on the other. Alicia had no desire for Germans in general, and certainly there was no love lost for a person who refused to air strike in such an obvious situation. Alicia had began to question how good of a solider Nadia was. While she respected Nadia's value of Human life, Alicia would have gladly sacrificed her own life for the chance to take out thousands of Ancients. She had known soldiers who had sacrificed theirs for much less.

Still, no matter how much she disliked Nadia as a person, her body longed for the touch of the German woman's lips. She didn't want to work beside her as a soldier, she just wanted to lay beside her as a lover. Just once.

Perhaps share their story of souls through the passion of lovemaking. But that was to be decided another day as Nadia left to locate the Ancient supply cache, her perfectly-sculpted ass only adding to the sexual desires of Alicia Lucard.

 

“Anything else?” she asked.

“Nothing. Nothing for the past couple of minutes now.” G replied, continuing his stare of concerned study through the scope of his weapon.

“Well, keep on it. Someone obviously knows we are here.” Alicia replied as the door creaked open once more.

“I thought I told you...” she said, her words cut short by the sight of a Butcher filling the opening of the doorway.