"So here's the plan," Wallace told the group during the briefing for the rescue mission. "We infiltrate the prison in the eastern sector of the city. It ain't too heavily guarded, so there should be little difficulty getting in there and getting out with Kinneas' family. The only problem is that civillians don't have clearance to that sector of the city, so only Strife and Lockheart can get in there by using their soldier's licenses. This mission is up to the two of you."
"Don't worry boss, we can handle ourselves. Right Strife?" said Lockheart.
"You bet. Like you said, Wallace- It's lightly guarded, so we just need to take out the prison guards, get the cell key, and free Kinneas' wife and kid, Right?"
"Right, now be careful you two, we're all countin' on ya."
* * *
The pair had arrived at the clearance point, which consisted of a bubble-shaped wall of energy with a small computer terminal. As the two walked up to the wall, a cybernetic voice from the terminal asked them to identify themselves.
"Strife Loire, G-class soldier."
"Lockheart Vernia, I-class field medic."
"Identities confirmed. Please insert your military licenses," the computer voice asked as they slid their cards in the slot at the terminal. "Thank you. Please proceed."
Strife and Lockheart passed through the bubble, and collected their cards on the other side. Once they had reached the prison, they loaded their handguns and prepared to go in. "You ready?" Strife asked.
"Yeah, let's go."
Lockheart kicked open the door, and ran into the room with her gun in hand. "Alright! Which one of you has the keys to-" she stopped mid sentence as she saw not a few guards, but a room full of heavily-armed soldiers.
"Lockheart, what hap-" Strife came in to see why his friend had suddenly stopped, and froze beside her at the sight of the ambush. Then, out of the group of soldiers, came a hydra. "What the? But you're," Strife stammered.
"Not of this nation? Yes, why should I, a hydra- a mortal enemy of wyverns, be here in the heart of their city surrounded by wyvern soldiers?" he said. "There are a lot of things that many don't know about the true nature of the Dragon's war. But I'm getting ahead of myself. My name is Hitama Ren, and yours, I presume, are Lockheart Verina and Strife Loire." He gestured for the soldiers to grab them, and gave them orders. "Put the two vigilantes in seperate cells and keep a close eye on them. We'll interrogate them later."