Hers earned, not through political propaganda, but through respect. She knew of her own following, a large group of soldiers who had seen her do the impossible against such a superior race.

 

“What's going on?” Jackson asked, standing quickly to his feet as Alicia approached the steps once more.

“Berlin has fallen into the hands of Ancients.” Alicia replied.

“Huh?” Jackson asked, stunned. “What do they plan to do?” he asked of the officials in Washington City.

Alicia turned back for a moment, forcefully staring into the direction of the once mighty monument turned military staging building, before turning back to Jackson.

“Nothing,” she said with disgust. “Sit on their damn hands and do nothing. Isn't that what politicians are famous for?”

“You can say that again.” Jackson replied.

“We need to find Preacher, Certes and their group. They are expecting a huge American force to accompany them at dawn. Instead, they are going to get a political smack on the ass.” Alicia said.

“So a political smack on the ass, it goes something like...” Jackson began to ask, reaching for the vixen soldier's backside.

“Don't even think about it.” she replied with a grin.

 

“I don't understand?” Preacher asked, sitting in a chair to the rear of the slimy-casual pool hall. Alicia and her group frequented the place, an escape from both Ancient slayers and political scheming.

“I'm sorry, I just received the news myself.” Alicia replied.

“It's a lie! It has to be.” Preacher replied loudly, Certes and the German soldiers standing near their conversation, as well as Jackson, Calypso and eight of Alicia's closest military friends.

“They have fallen back to a town called Wernigerode, are you familiar?” Alicia asked.

“You mean what few Germans remain?” Preacher replied, the hardened sniper's eyes filled with the fluidity of tear. “Yes,” he added, doing his best to control emotion. “I know where it is. It's near enough to Berlin.”

“I'm not sure the survivor count, but it is safe to assume there is, at least, some military surviving. The last transmission was broadcast with a German Resistance identification number.” Calypso added, the large soldier feeling the grief throughout a room of those dreaming of payback.

“And Washington is going to do nothing for us?” Preacher asked, his tears turning from the thought of such a loss of life in what was sure to become a harvesting ground to the betrayal by a so-called ally.

“No. I fear there is too much political influence at the top.” Alicia replied.

“This would never happen in Germany!” Preacher yelled. “Ours is a military first society. Political positioning died a long time ago.”

“I'm glad to hear it, because when I abandon my people in order to go and help, I'll have to call Germany my home as well.” Alicia replied.

“What?” Jackson asked suddenly, his own question also painted to the faces of the Americans in the room.

“I took an oath to protect Humans when I joined the Resistance,” she replied softly, turning to her people. “There was no mention of American or German. Just Humanity. The citizens of Germany are as much our brothers and sisters as the very people of this city. I cannot in good conscience leave them to fight, even die, knowing I could have helped.”

“But Alicia, you need to think this through. Not just decide in the the moment. Not a decision like this.” Calypso added.

“Every Washington City soldier in this room has been loyal on the battlefield, and was chosen for this very meeting because they have no family. Nothing to tie them down here. They live only for the oath they have taken to protect Human life,” Alicia said, the luster of her hair bringing a bit of peace to Jackson's heart. “We can continue to live here in fear, continue to wait for the Ancients to show up at our doorstep,” she added sternly. “Or we can start taking the fight to them for a change.”

The entire room grew silent as every man considered his own future. They knew the risk, and for some it was too great. Others, however, knew heroes were born because of such courage in the moment.

“I need to know who is with me, and if you are not, I only ask that you remain silent about this meeting until we depart at sunrise.” Alicia said.

“I'm with you.” Jackson said, stepping across the room to join Alicia and the Berlin group, slowly placing his arm around her hips.

“I can't do it,” Calypso said regretfully. “I'm sorry Alicia. I'd travel into the pit of hell with you slinging bullets, but I can't do it knowing if somehow I survived I couldn't return home,” he added, approaching her a bit. “It's no disrespect to you or anyone here, I just can't leave a city I've always called home.