Leon just nodded to the coroners when they looked up at
him. With a grunt they lifted the body onto the stretcher, sealing
it with a bodybag.
        "Who would have figured, Daley." Leon questions quietly
as the coroners exit the room.
        "Not me. Do you think she knew she was dying?" Daley
replies, not wishing to disturb the calm.
        "Yeah, I think she did. After last night, I'm surprised
she made it here." Leon shuddered.
        Last night had been the worst night that ADP had ever had,
within 4 hours 75 percent of the Tactical division was dead. For
the first time in 2 years, the SDF was called in to put down the
boomer rampages. Civilian deaths were in the tens of thousands.
"They fought bravely, they just got unlucky last night."
        "I confirmed the reports, they found the others. All
KIA." Daley whispers quietly, handing Leon a report.
        "Damn." Leon sniffs. "Something made her happy. The way
she was smiling, just sitting there, waiting to die."
        "Maybe she's going to bring down GENOM."
        "She's dead, Daley. Or is she?" Leon takes off his
glasses. "Damnit."
        Daley turns around from looking at the disassembled hardsuit 
and slowly walks towards the door. "Lets go and bury her." He 
comments as he steps though the door.
        "Yeah. Let's go." Leon bends down and picks up the
briefcase he brought in, just in case. With a shake of his head, he
sets it down in the middle of the room. With a final glance at the 
case, he exits her home and locks the door.
        He walks down the short steps and gets in the passenger
side of the waiting Road Chaser. "Leon, you okay?" Daley asks as
he closes the door.
        "Yeah," Leon wipes his eyes. The time for tears will come
later. "I'm okay. Let's go." People to see, friends to bury.

        With the flip of digits the radio turns itself on, intent on waking
the occupants of the dwelling.
        "GOOD MORNING MEGA-TOKYO! Today in the ne..."
        The radio is shut off as the firebomb ignites.

And the dead keep marching on, always.

--Andrew Carr
C&C is kindly wanted...
Official FFML Lurker #654. (Maybe not now...)