Suffer Not The Radiant

Chapter 32: Distress

The conflagration swept through the metropolis like a tidal wave of flame, engulfing shops, households, and towering edifices alike. The once vibrant streets were now shrouded in acrid smoke, the scent of burning books and furniture assaulting the senses of any who dared to venture out into the inferno.

At the heart of the city, the skies were obscured by the swirling maelstrom of ash and cinders, a roiling tempest that seemed to herald the end of days itself. Flames leapt and danced from rooftop to rooftop, devouring everything in their path with a ravenous hunger.

The crackling of timber and the hiss of water could be heard amidst the cacophony of destruction, as brave firefighters battled valiantly to stem the tide of devastation. But it was a battle they seemed destined to lose, as the fires continued to spread with a malevolent persistence, laying waste to all in their path. Along with the looters themselves who harassed the responders.

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Manila Police District

The agents had arrived ahead of schedule, anticipating a warm reception from the police chief. However, to their dismay, the commanding officer was conspicuously absent, with no one on site able to make contact. As a result, the remaining law enforcement officers took it upon themselves to rally the evacuation of civilians, and deter any opportunistic looters and agitators who may emerge.

—

Reyna gazed out of the window in disbelief at the sight before him. What was supposed to be a peaceful protest had spiraled out of control, and the once serene skyline was now marred by thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky. He couldn't help but wonder what could have caused such chaos.

Meanwhile, Neon was deep in conversation with the high-ranking officers, trying to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to this mayhem. It was evident that the situation called for more than the expertise of the enforcers and SWAT teams present. The city was on the brink of total anarchy, and it was only a matter of time before things spiraled further out of control.

Suddenly, Ranesk's voice boomed through the vox, jolting everyone in the room. All conversations ceased as the commanding officer spoke with an air of authority that brooked no opposition.

"This cannot be solved without bloodshed," he said, his voice rumbling with a gravitas that sent shivers down everyone's spine. The agents and enforcers stood to attention, listening to his every word.

Ranesk's piercing gaze scanned the room, sizing up the agents and the enforcers before him. He knew that this situation would require more than just brute force; it would need a masterful strategist, someone who could lead a battalion of the best-trained men and women in the force.

Ranesk's gaze flickered over the assortment of posters plastered across the walls, each one depicting a heavily-armed SWAT operative ready for action. With a steely determination in his eyes, he turned back to the assembly of men standing before him, their faces grim and resolute.

"I require full command over a battalion of these... SWAT teams," he declared, his voice commanding attention and respect in equal measure. His unwavering gaze locked onto the agents and enforcers before him, as if daring them to deny his request. Normally, such a number of personnel were impossible to be deployed, as usually, numbers never reached close to that. But SWAT operatives from other cities also came to help.

The room fell silent as everyone contemplated the weight of his words. It was clear that Ranesk was not one to mince his words or make idle threats. He knew what needed to be done to quell the unrest and bring order back to the city. He had dealt with worse, afterall.