Payload Unexpectedly Compromised

    Down the corridor and through the gate Mansander crashed. He held the payload under one arm and pistol in the other, alert for any foes trying to surprise him. Three broke right through the wall up ahead, and a moment later they dropped dead. As Mansander leaped over them the bullets retreated from their targets' head wounds, back into the pistol magazine. This auto-retrieve magazine was one of the best investments he'd made.

    Mansander turned the corner, and according to his nav, the hatch to the rooftop should be at the end of this hallway. There it was. He leaped to the ladder and began climbing. He found the hatch locked tight when he reached the top, and the enemies had nearly reached him. Mansander stuck a timed explosive to the hatch, then dropped down and put the payload behind him as he prepared for the onslaught.

    Dozens of enemies appeared, and they all set their sights on him. In an instant they fired on him, and after the smoke cleared, instead of a dead intruder, they found Mansander prone, holding his pistol in the air. All the bullets entered the guns auto-retrieve proximity, and thus into the gun itself.

    Smiling, Mansander rose, and returned fire on them all. The explosive blew the hatch open, and after ensuring no enemies remained, he picked up the payload, climbed the ladder up through the hatch and to the roof, where an escape helicopter was waiting for him. Before he could make it to the helicopter, though, it exploded.

    Infernal Jack stood on the roof of the opposing building, smiling with a smoldering rocket launcher in his hands. Fortunately for Mansander, one of the emergency parachutes landed in front of him from the explosion. He put it on, then fashioned a makeshift sling out of extra paracord for the payload. He gently harnessed the payload to his chest, then leaped off the building, thus escaping the carnage he just faced.

    When he landed, he gently undid the sling, and quickly removed the parachute, stuffing it in the trash. He held the payload tight to his chest, ready to return home to the rest of his family. He missed his wife so much. He boarded the subway, and after a relatively quiet ride back to his neighborhood, he exited, eager to be home. Before he could leave the station, though, he heard a voice shouting from behind. "Mansander! Mansander is that you!"

    Oh no, not CJ. Mansander put his finger to his mouth saying "shhh" but CJ didn't get the message. He never did. CJ came up to Mansander and patted him obnoxiously on the back, asking just louder than was socially acceptable "Mansander, how's it going bud! It's been a long time!"

    At the rather annoying noise, the payload began to shuffle, and with the panic that every parent knows, Mansander's baby woke up. "Gah, hey CJ, now's not a good time. I'm trying to get Kidsander home, and the last thing we need right now is a cranky baby."

    "Oh right, sure sure, man, I get it. So where's your car, I'll walk with you there!"

    "It's really ok, I'll make my -- Shhh, it's ok baby, Daddy's got you -- I'll see you around, ok?"

    "Of course, man, great running into you. . . Let's grab lunch alright?"
    Mansander buckled in Kidsander, then closed his own door, and CJ continued on chatting. As Mansander drove away he could hear CJ's barely muffled voice rambling on about the chowder at Boston Billy's. Kidsander was screaming by this point, and Mansadner did his best to console the baby, but ultimately just affirmed that they'd be home with Mommy soon.