This part is dedicated to yet another loyal reader, cloverblossom ! Thank you so much for your awesome comments! -^^-

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The first battalion was successful in their engagement. The government soldiers took the bait and proceeded to fire back, costing the lives of several resistance fighters. The second battalion could only wait patiently for their queue.

For Atlas, everything felt surreal. He knew these battles were nothing new for him, but without his memories, it felt like a first. The adrenaline was the only thing keeping his knees from buckling. The tree he had selected to hide behind provided excellent support for his weakened body. His comrades seemed to be in no better shape as they watched the battle ahead with stricken faces.

Unable to pull his eyes away from the massacre, Atlas tried desperately to escape into his mind. He traveled back to earlier in the day. Colin had finally opened up about The Projects. Atlas had listened to the horrors that were transpiring behind those lab doors. Every test imaginable was being performed on the weaker sex; possible cures for diseases, human limitation tests, sanity assessments were a few projects among the unspeakable truth.

Atlas tugged at his dream-- memory where the scientist had sent him to 'Project 87'. He couldn't imagine what other horrors awaited him if he had completed the task. If he had managed to escape the cycle of rooms, would they have poked and prodded him further?

Would it even be possible to leave those rooms?

He had remembered the horrifyingly vast number of floors as he dangled from the metal box of death. His brain struggled to keep up with the numbers as he calculated how many rooms and how many victims occupied Project 87. How many people had failed to escape?

"The bill passed three months ago," Colin said as he had prepared him for the speech, "The first five years were hard enough with the mass murders and imprisonment of the males. Then the Purge Initiative became law."

"What's the Purge Initiative?" Atlas questioned, not sure if he wanted to know the answer.

Colin shook his head, tears shining in his eyes as he replied. "I was an assistant surgeon one day and the next I was less than dirt. The PI law eliminated the use for males entirely. Originally sperm was being sampled from those of us who were seen as 'worthy' after the strenuous screening. And those who weren't worthy... well let us just say they were less fortunate. After a breakthrough in surrogate science, the government didn't need our sperm, so we were deemed expendable. If it hadn't been for your mother, I wouldn't have survived." Colin choked as he spoke.

Suddenly more curious, Atlas interjected, "My mother?"

Colin nodded, "Yes. She was a heavy influencer at the time. She warned me and many more about the PI reform before it was officially passed. I lost my job, my family, and nearly my life." Sensing Atlas' push for more answers, Colin continued, "She was discovered as a resistance ally and captured the day it passed. We haven't seen her since..."

The words had been a shock to his system as he was pushed in front of those hopeless souls to give his speech shortly after. His body had shut down from the news. His mother was likely dead, and he knew that. The numb sensation encased his body as he tried to remember his mother's face. He didn't even know her name. The only thing he wanted was to find Adira. He had to save Hope's mother before it was too late.

Maybe it already is.

His thoughts were smashed as a body slammed against his tree. The drunkard from dinner had the woman pinned against the hard surface. A gun brandished between the two as they struggled. A vein was visible from the man's throat as they fought. Thinking quickly, Atlas drew his blade and reached around the thick trunk. He dragged the sharp steel across the guard's throat. Warmth flowed between his fingers as the sputtering female gargled and slid down the tree. The man nodded to Atlas to show his appreciation. He made sure to spit at the ground next to the woman before shouting and jumping right back into the action.

Moving to crouch by the woman, Atlas made it a point to stay out of sight. He clumsily pulled her body from the scene and began to disrobe. His leather jacket was the first to go as he traded it for the bulletproof vest, which had been originally issued to 'Agent #7489' according to the outer patch. The extra protection was reassuring until he felt the fresh blood encasing the collar. He tucked his old jacket into the bushes as he stripped the woman of her other combat gear and helmet. Curly blonde locks tumbled out of her headgear and fell in front of her now stony and empty eyes. The angry red slit was still sticky with oozing blood. Atlas sucked in a breath and shut his eyes, feeling sick. He reached under the body's arms and dumped the corpse into the underbrush.

Turning his attention back to the battle, he saw the rest of the first battalion moving backward. They were bringing the remaining units to their location for execution. Atlas was alarmed by the diminished numbers of the resistance. Before the 1st battalion reached their hiding spot, the third battalion let out a loud yell for the attack. The angry faces of women came racing up from the distance. Weapons in hand, the second battalion took the distraction to jump behind the guards, claiming one victim each.

Atlas watched his teamwork. He was impressed by the precision many of them displayed. His eyes were trained on Hope as she leaped from her position. Her weapon was fast and landed true as her dagger flew through the air and into the leg of one soldier. The force of the blow sent the woman towards the ground, and her helmet slung off her head. Hope's eyes were wide as the woman fell and screamed in desperation and agony.

Hope shook away the hesitation and rushed to finish the woman with her rifle. A clean shot to the head and Hope pulled her target away from the commotion. Atlas rushed to her side to help the struggling girl lift the limp body. Once they were behind the trees, Hope held out her shaky and red hands. Atlas could hear her rapid breathing as she attempted to retrieve the closes from her kill.

Atlas reached over to her hands as they fumbled with the shirt and stopped them. Holding long and steady eye contact, Hope pushed her hands down and scrambled back to the field, recovering the fallen helmet. Atlas made quick work of the corpse and disposed of the remains, giving Hope privacy to reclothe herself. He couldn't think straight as he examined his battalion. The second battalion had started with ten units, but only five remained.

At least Hope is alright.

He cursed himself for the selfish thought as he jumped back into the fight, pretending to fight his comrades. As soon as the others had completed their assassinations, he ran at the drunkard. Jumping at him, he swung his fists.

"Now," Atlas whispered in a low voice, causing the man to nod his curly locks.

"Retreat! There's too many!" he shouted as he shoved and scrambled away from Atlas.

The resistance was fleeing as Atlas, and the remaining 'guards' fired back at the puny forms escaping to the trees. Among the five resistance warriors stood ten or so lab guards. Atlas turned to Hope. He was relieved that the masks covered his tear ridden face. They had started to flow shortly after the adrenaline died down. He heard the call for the guards to "fall back" and slowly continued after the group of soldiers.

"You ready?" Hope whispered with a shaky voice. She sauntered beside him as they stepped up to the lab that had once imprisoned them both.

Atlas nodded, unable to speak after the horrors he had witnessed. His hands itched to grasp Hope's, but he forced his brain to resist the impulse. He couldn't compromise their cover and instead fell in behind his new 'leader,' Hope. They shuffled up to the massive gates, weapons in tow, and stared as the massive metal doors opened upon their arrival.

Adira, here we come.