It took them what seemed like hours to search all of the crates, making sure there weren't any other soldiers hiding among them. They found several squads but quickly took care of them, taking some as prisoners so they could gain information.

By the time they were done the sky was beginning to lighten, grey clouds hiding the sun from view.

When the work was done they all gathered in the first warehouse they took, standing around the table with the map of Hyperion spread before them.

"There are roughly 2,000 men with us here in the West, and there are 2,000 men to the East. We have taken this storage unit and the one next to it. The men down towards the Northern part of the city have the businesses and houses under control, civilians have been evacuated safely.

"The men in the East have taken the destroyed part of the city and are setting up there. The buildings close to them are taken for now. So far we've experienced little resistance, but I doubt that will last for long." He said.

Mirage paused, looking up at the men surrounding him, leaving time for any questions. So far no one had any.

"Our final target is the Necron headquarters, Reclaimer's home base," he said, pointing to it.

"Our forces will come from either side, joining together to make one force. That's where most of Reclaimer's men will be, where most of his power is located. As long as he has control over that he has control over his men."

"When do you estimate we will be able to take the base?" Asked one of the Captains.

"I don't know exactly how long it will take," Mirage said.

"My estimate is a week at least. Then we have to take it and hold it until we can force Reclaimer to either surrender, capture him or kill him."

"It will take days to get this city back under control," said Mirage, "it will be a long, bloody battle, but you all knew what you were getting into when you chose to fight." Said Mirage.

They all nodded, agreeing with him.

"For now you need to get what rest you can. Our next target is the houses and businesses beyond this area."

When Mirage had finished speaking they dispersed, several men going outside to take guard duty while the others got the rest they needed.

She took off her helmet, setting it bext to where her sniper and assault rifle leaned against the wall. Oracle then sat with her back against the warehouse's metal wall, leaning her head against it.

She listened to the sound of rain hitting the concrete, the sound of armor softly clinking lulling her into a light doze.

She was woken by a hand on her shoulder and her hand immediately went to her sidearm, her heart pounding.

"Whoa, it's just me." Said Mirage.

Oracle glared at him, releasing the breath she had taken in.

"Don't scare me like that," she said, standing.

"I could have shot you."

Mirage smirked, a bit of humor returning to his grey eyes.

"What did you wake me up for?" She asked.

"You're moving with your sniper squad. My team is going with you, I'm staying here with our 350 or so men to keep this point under Rogue control. You have eight hundred men accompanying you, your mission is to secure the buildings out ahead of this storage unit."

Oracle nodded, putting on her helmet.

"When do we leave?" She asked.

"As soon as possible." He said, turning away from her.

Oracle grabbed her sniper and assault rifle, slipping on her helmet. She waited as the systems booted up and then attached her sniper to her back.

Her squad was waiting in the dim grey light of the afternoon, a light cool breeze blowing as they waited for their orders to move out.

Light rain fell, the wet concrete glistening in the soft light. She looked at the soldiers gathered around her, saw her brothers and sisters in arms. She looked at those who chose to fight against Reclaimer, a man set in attaining power.

A man set on silencing them.

But they wouldn't be silenced. This was their fight, this was their time. They brought the fight to him, now they had to finish it.

We're coming for you. Oracle thought.

Make sure you're ready.

**    **     **

Reclaimer stood by the window as he often did, the distant sound of gunshots ringing through the air.

"Sir," said one of his Captains in his helmet.

"They're here."

"Good," he said, turning his gaze to the East.

"Let them come."

There was silence over the radio until the Captain spoke again.

"Sir?"

"Your heard me Captain," He said, his voice cold "let them come, give them hope. The time will come when we will bring them to their knees."

"Yes, sir." The Captain answered.

Reclaimer smiled cruelly, his eyes as cold as the steel they mirrored.

They thought they had a chance, but he had an entire planet dangling from strings he controlled. He was the puppet master, they were his puppets, following his every command.

Reclaimer smirked, clasping his hands behind his back. The Rogues were only four thousand strong while he had double that number.

In Maklava he had the lawless groups of the Underground as his pawns in this chess game. In Hyperion it was his loyal Bounty Hunters.

Everything they did he could counter, but for now he would let them believe they could win. For now they would be victorious.

For now he would continue to toy with them, for now he would continue to feed their fantasy of victory. Then he would crush their insurrection once and for all.

You chose to play this game Mirage, let's see how long you last.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another late update, but at least I managed to get a chapter out. The battle is just getting started, it seems as though it's anyone's game right now. As always I hope you enjoyed!

~~Nightfury107