We had no idea who they were, why they were here or what that wanted from us. Eventually, we captured a few of them alive and began interrogation. The smartest minds on Earth required months to begin pulling their language together, and even then it was broken at best.

We dubbed them 'Ancients' after finding out they had been here before. Earth was just one of many planets that they harvested resources from, having left our ancestors here millions of years ago. Giving us time to fill our continents with the most valuable resource. Humans. We still don't know where their homeworld is located, or if they even have one. We just know that they are organized enough to disagree more times than not, especially when it comes to the fate of Humanity.

The only thing that has allowed us to survive is the fact that the Ancients use a strange system of organization, almost as if they have countries within their own race. Some of them harvest Humans for food, and those poor survivors of the Stalingrad Massacre know this all too well firsthand.

Others view us as cattle with the unique ability to lead other cattle, even going so far as to “reward” sympathizers in the Middle East by swearing them in as officers. Humans arresting Humans so that Ancients may not be hindered in doing so.

Lastly, as is the case with the group of Ancients in North and South America, Humans are considered slaves. Allowed to live out the remainder of their lives under two conditions. Humans do their labor and do not retaliate against them.

The fact that these demons do not always see eye to eye, often leads to war within their own race. And those few Humans who have pulled the courage to join the Resistance and fight back, have become wise to the Ancients and their inner squabbles. Many times, attacking in Ancient war machines marked with the logo of another faction.

Every battle has been important. Invasion Day, the Stalingrad Massacre, Tokyo City, the Butchering in Baghdad and even a rare victory in Washington City, at least what's left of it. But no battle has been nearly as important as the one taking place this very day and across the world. The battle among Ancients.

And the entire group of Resistance fighters held this information close as they escaped the alley and swiftly traveled down sidewalks in order to reach the building they had dashed for.

 

“I feel guilty for finding such peace in a time of war.” Jackson said in a subtle voice, his arms wrapped around Alicia as they sat on the roof's edge, looking up into the starry sky above.

Rather than reply, Alicia simply allowed her body to fall even deeper into the strong arms of Jackson. She too felt peace, noticing for the first time in a long time, the poetic canvas that the stars lay against on this night; the chilled air deflected, for the most part, by his capable hold of passion.

Jackson's grip loosened quickly, pulling his sidearm and turning as the roof's wooden door splintered from its hinges. Certes was first, holding a snub-nosed shotgun in his pasty gray hands.

“No!” Alicia yelled, pushing the pistol hand of Jackson as the first shot rang out, narrowly missing Certes. “He's with us.” she added.

“What?” Jackson asked loudly, wondering how such a Human woman could be traveling with a sky Demon.

“You dare fire your weapon at me!” Certes said angrily, his tone changing to one that was rarely heard by anyone who knew him.

“Halt.” Alicia demanded, her body still protecting Jackson as she turned to aim her own weapon at the Resistance sworn demon.

“What is the meaning of this?” Nadia asked, entering as Preacher followed behind her.

“You too. Both of you,” Alicia said, her pistol pointed into the direction of the entire group. “Calypso, take their weapons.”

“What?” Nadia asked loudly as Calypso hesitated for a moment, eventually carrying out Alicia's wishes.

“No, you put your gun down.” Austin said, the last to enter through the doorway as his pistol remained on the figure of such a beautiful Alicia Lucard.

Stepping from behind Alicia, Jackson held his own pistol at the ready, prepared to shoot anyone who threatened the young lady who had once again brought him sanity.

“Just tell me who to shoot first, and in which order you want the rest of them dead.” Jackson said, his sarcasm only picked up on by Alicia.

“Well, looks like a standoff,” Nadia said, shifting her head slightly as the blonde of her hair bounced a bit. “Your call.” she added.

“The mission to Lackland Air Force Base is a setup.” Alicia said, her intentions to inform the rest of the group, as much as they were to read their faces. Alicia had a knack for reading people very well, and she had read truth in the words of Jackson Ayers. Now it was time to see if anyone was covering their own lies.

Not that she would need to read anything other than a classified set of documents Jackson had shared with her only moments before.

“Nadia Jacobson,” Alicia said, her eyes locking onto those of the German soldier. “Or should I say Ancient Sympathizer number one thirty seven?” she asked.

“What madness are you speaking of?” Nadia demanded of the brunette soldier.

“Seems my hero had a set of classified documents with him. A list of military personnel which are sympathetic to the Ancients. Not to mention several classified photos, one of which puts you at a meeting on an Ancient ship.” Alicia said.

“What?” Nadia asked, changing her tone significantly.

“It's time to come clean. Confess, and perhaps I may spare your life,” Alicia said. “But choose your next words with caution, because I have no more use for lies.