Here is chapter 7, where the past is explained. It’ll be in two parts! Just to give a heads up on this fic, right now I have up to chapter 9 written. I already have a basic plan for everything else that needs to happen and how it’ll end. So I’m aiming for the fic to be around 20 chapters if I can conclude around there

Please be patient with me and stick with this story till the end!
Replies:Shinoki: Lol thanks

& perhaps the atmosphere is a bit out of order!
sakura_drop_: (Wow long reply from me!) Lol writers block can’t be helped. I have it a lot and actually stopped writing my own story I was working on. Fiction is kind of my break so sometimes I can write it easier but I still have my moments of being lost! Sometimes you just have to step back and wait till it comes back to you
Wow, you’re spot on with all the characters! And them in real life too!!! I did want to try to allow most of the characters to be close to the real life versions. As for Minami, you’re right, I think it can be strength to rely on no one, but it’s also a weakness. That’s why I threw the two Minami’s into these situations. The OW Minami is thrown into a world she knows nothing about, so she has no choice but to trust the members and seek their help, which isn’t a bad thing. As for Jane, she’s been isolated for awhile, so she has to be reminded she can’t do everything on her own, so the AKB idols can hopefully assist with that

And yes, I honestly do believe Atsuko is perceptive. She’s dorky, serious, fun, but can also be wise. She is a great friend and very understanding. I also respect and appreciate her relationship with Yuko, Minami and the others. & I’m happy for your perception of Yuko. Both of them are indeed caring and think of the group. With their Minami (Jane) gone, they had to step it up more to looking out for the group, especially Yuko and Atsuko. We will find out what most answers in this chapter and part two of it. Thanks for looking forward to my fic
kenjoy12: Sasshi will need the luck :p & indeed Minami being kind hearted is what we love about her!
X_Last-Cross_X: lol I’m sure Minami would appreciate your feelings but sadly her fate rests in the hand of everyone in the alternate world
Chichay12: Thank you! & wow...100. There are ways for me to extend this fic but ending it sooner will be better

I’ll try to aim around 20 chapters and see if I can conclude everything there or not

Thanks for showing interest!
bunny_rabbit: Lol glad you found the chapter entertaining

And yeah, Sasshi is a very interesting and awesome idiot
den_takacchan: Sorry about the cliffhanger again! It’s becoming a bad habit! Here is the next chapter though
cisda83: Thanks for your questions and comments! Most of them will be answered in this and the next chapter!
Haruko: A bossy Atsuko is a necessity, someone has to keep Minami in line

As for a kiss...well there is one in this chapter so read to find out who is kissing who
HOPE YOU ENJOY THE CHAPTER EVERYONE! ------------------------------------------------------------------
“Alright everyone, so we’re sticking to the plan. Over that bridge in the shed is where the hostages are being held. Myao and Oya went ahead to scout and see how many government soldiers are present. We wait for their signal before advancing” I instructed to the members present with me.
We were all taking cover behind some broken buildings and trees, fully armed. I had a team of twelve, handpicked by me for this mission. Travelling in too big of groups was dangerous, and I needed most members to stay back at the base to keep watch and protect the civilians in that area. I also had other teams spread across conducting their own missions. Usually I liked having Atsuko and Yuko on my team, since they were the most skilled besides myself, but it was for that reason that I ordered them to each lead their own team on other important missions.
“Takamina san, I think my gun is jammed” Paruru panicked as she kept trying to fix her gun. I knew she was nervous since she rarely ever loses her composure. I smiled and gestured for her to bring her gun over.
“It’s okay, it happens. Key is to always double check before battle so good thing you caught this.” I pulled out small knife and unsheathed it. “It’s really easy to fix actually, here watch.” I dug the tip of my blade beside the trigger until I heard a click. Sheathing the knife back, I tested the trigger after locking the firing mechanism. “There we go, well as new”
She smiled thankfully at me, “thank you. I’m sorry for causing trouble already.”
I patted her shoulder, “don’t worry about it. Here, take this,” I handed her over the knife I’d used to fix her gun. “Keep this with you”
“Th...Thank you” she said as she accepted the weapon.
I turned and realized most of the younger girls looked nervous. In my team of twelve, I’d chosen six of the younger and newer members and another six of the more experienced. For most of them this was either their first mission or their first big mission. Honestly I wouldn’t want to take them out on missions; however, they needed the experience. There was no point in coddling them and keeping them safe at the base doing nothing but scouting or patrol missions. They needed to get used to the harder missions so they can one day be confident and skilled enough to lead if anything were to happen to us.
“Hey girls, you have to relax. You can’t be all stiff once we charge in there. I need your heads in the game.” I told them as they nodded. “You’ll be alright, I promise. You can all do this. I picked you all for a reason; I wouldn’t have if I didn’t think you were up for this.” I assured them as they all nodded again, more confidently this time.
After a few more minutes of waiting, my watch began to glow and I pushed the side button. An image of Oya and Myao appeared in front of me. “Minami, the shed is guarded by 2 soldiers at the door, there are four others around the parameters and each one has a mutant mutt with them. We confirmed the hostages are indeed inside, it seems they’re waiting for a vehicle to come pick up the prisoners.”
“Alright, thanks. Stand by until I give you orders.”
“Roger” the both said and cut off the call.
I clicked another display on my watch and then Sasshi appeared on screen. “Sasshi, I need you to patch through to Sayanee, tell her to gather a team and intercept a government vehicle that’s headed to my location. And tell Yui to prepare us a ride in case we need a getaway, and to bring a few members who’d been through the medical training as well”
“Sure thing Takamina san” Sasshi said as she faded out.
I turned back to my team. “Alright, so there are six soldiers in total and six mutts. I don’t want anyone going in alone so we’ll split into teams of 3 and handle the enemies. Team 1 will be me, Paruru and Karen, team 2 will be Kumi, Yuria, and Jurina as team leader, team 3 will be Tomu, Murashige and Miichan as team leader, lastly team 4 will be Juri, Anna and Akicha will be the team leader. Teams 3 and 4 will handle the 2 soldiers and mutts guarding the doors; try to draw their attention away from that area first so Myao and Oya can perform the rescue. Team 1 and 2 will handle the others surrounding the parameters. Stick together, listen to your team leaders, anything goes wrong, Yui should be waiting for us down the hill across the other bridge, retreat there. Understood?”
“Yes!” They all shouted and moved out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I led team 1 and 2 stealthily through the forest, each of us carried our respective guns in our hands as well as other weapons tied down to our belts. We stopped about 20 meters from the four soldiers who were chatting with each other, their mutts eating away at a deer they hunted.
“Our advantage right now is that they’re not on guard. We can take them by surprise. Jurina, I’ll take my team and we’ll draw all the mutts away from the soldiers, think you and your team can handle the four guards?”
Jurina smirked. “No sweat Takamina san” She turned and spoke to her group and I turned to mine.
“I know this will be your first time to face the mutts, and I won’t lie, they’re dangerous...but they’re stupid. The scent of blood attracts, and that’s where they begin their hunt. We’ll cross the other side and then I’ll get the mutts attention. I need you two on opposite ends waiting ahead of me with your guns ready. As soon as I run past you, you’ll know the mutts are coming. They won’t bother to notice you at first, so be sure you each take out one that passes, I’ll handle the one chasing me and try to hold off the second, but I may need your help. Are we clear?”
The two nervously nodded. I looked to Jurina and her team all nodded. “Okay then, head out!”
I took my team to the other side while Jurina’s waited where we split up. I told Paruru and Karen to hide behind the two trees opposite each other a bit further down from where I was standing. “Wait there, I’ll get the mutts attention and come your way” They nodded and left. Once I saw they were prepared, I walked closer to where the mutts were ripping the deer apart.
I better be quick or that could end up being me. I doubled checked to make sure the soldiers were still engaged in their own conversations which they were. I moved closer in the mutt’s line of site and bent down a bit. I took out a small knife from my boot and cut my left palm slightly, letting the blood drip. Instantly all four mutts looked up, their eyes blood thirsty. An animal was great, but the blood of a human excited them more. As soon as I had their attention, I made a run for it.
In the background I could hear the soldiers shouting, and then yelling,
probably Jurina’s team making their move. I increased my pace in order to get a bit ahead and saw the location I was supposed to pass though for the ambush. As I ran, I took out my katana that was sheathed on my back, and as soon as I ran between Paruru and Karen, I shouted, “Now!” and kept running, knowing there’d still be two more behind me. Gunshots went off, and I swiftly brought myself down and slid across the dirt holding my sword in both hands, I kept sliding as I knew one of the mutts had tried to jump me, but ended up jumping over me. Just as he passed over my head, I stuck my sword right through him and cut him across until my sword came out. Without taking a breath, I rolled to the right to face the final...
...I was a bit taken aback to see two mutts instead of one.
Damn. One of them missed their shots. They all jumped me the same time and I dived underneath them and managed to cut one from behind, sending it sprawling to the floor. I took out my pistol and held it in my right hand as I switched my sword over to the left. The one charged and I used its back to vault myself over behind him and fired my gun. The bullet went straight through him. However, I didn’t realize the second mutt I cut down had risen and charged regardless of its wounds. I didn’t have time to dodge as the mutt raised its claws and cut me across my right shoulder. “Ah!” I fell backwards and it pounced on me and pinned me down. The mutt bared its teeth and tried to bite my neck, but I raised both my hands and kept it at a distance while it kept snapping its mouth. Just as I began to lose in the struggle, a bullet was sent flying right through the mutts head and it collapsed on me. “Ugh!” I grunted as I pushed it off and stood.
“Takamina san” I saw Karen and Paruru running to me.
“I’m so sorry Takamina san! I missed my target” Paruru said.
“It wasn’t Haruka’s fault! I ended up missing and grazed the dog, so Haruka shot mine for me but wasn’t able to catch hers. I’m sorry!”
They both bowed and I sighed. “It’s fine. Casualties always happen, it’s my mistake for not calculating that. You both handled the situation well and managed to fix it. Thanks for saving my butt” I smirked as they raised their heads and lightly smiled.
“Go check on Jurina’s team, they’re probably aiding Oya, Myao and the other two teams to escorting the hostages out. Help the injured over to where Yui is waiting with the vehicle. I’ll catch up” They both nodded and left.
I pulled out my pistol and shot all the mutts that were down to assure they were dead. As I walked forward I put my left hand on my right shoulder. I was wearing a black jacket so the blood wasn’t visible, but it seeped though the fabric and stained my left hand. That’ll need stitches. I cursed as I made my way over to meet the others.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, what occurred with Jurina’s teamJurina’s POV As soon as Takamina san and her team headed up, I prepped my team on the attack. “Okay guys, let’s not let Takamina san down. We’ll do this swiftly and cleanly, making sure we don’t get hurt!” I whispered.
Kumi and Yuria both nodded. “So how do we want to do this?” Kumi asked.
“We’ll have to be careful since there are four of them and three of us” Yuria said.
Kumi raised her hand up excitedly, “oh, oh, call dibs on taking on two!”
Both Yuria and I shoved her. “There are no dibs! You have the smoke bomb on you right? We’ll throw that in between them. Make sure to wear your special goggles that allow us to see through the smoke. Once it goes off, you and me will charge in there and go for the kill, make sure you’re armed with close combat weapons. Yuria, you’ll be up in that tree there for aerial support. I need your snipping skills to come in handy and back us up.”
We quickly geared up and set the plan in motion. Kumi took out the smoke bomb, pressed a button then rolled it to where the guards stood. As soon as it went off, we heard the guards panicking.
“Hey! What the hell!”
“We’re under attack!”
“Hurry shoot!”
“Shoot where! I can’t see a dammed thing! It’s probably those damn rebels”
I gestured for Kumi and me to charge. I was armed with two knuckle daggers and had a handgun strapped to my waist. Kumi’s preferred weapons where her fists. On each hand she had a knuckle duster that had small spikes protruding on each end. I feel bad for whoever will be hit by those. We charged in. I ran to the closest guard I saw, he heard me approach and tried to swing and hit with his gun but I ducked him and cut his leg with my right dagger. He fell to his knees, crying out in anger, that moment I brought my left dagger and in an upper cut swift motion I cut him along his neck. He went down.
I heard a gunshot and saw a guard fall over who was right behind me. Looking up, I saw Yuria holding the sniper and she gave me a piece sign. Smiling, I turned and saw Kumi was about to take down her guard with her boxing like moves. She struck him left and right then finished him off with an uppercut towards his chin. He fell and was motionless.
That left only one...Except we couldn’t see him. ”Eh! Where did he go?” I said panicked.
“Yuria! Did you see where the 4th guard went?” Kumi asked Yuria who was scoping the area.
“No!” She answered.
“Damn” I cursed.
I heard Yuria then scream and saw her fall to the ground. We ran up to her. “Are you okay!?”
She sorely got up. “Yeah, next to the aching pain I’m fine. A dagger struck the branch I was on so I fell from my position.”
We all started to look around.
Darn it! What a rookie mistake! I let one of them leave our line of site. “Ahhhhh!!!!!” We turned in surprise to see the final guard charging. No time to react, he came straight at me and tackled me from my torso. He lifted me up as he did so and kept running until he slammed me to a tree”
“Ugh!” I cried out. He grabbed me by my shirt and threw me to the ground. I saw him quickly raising his dagger about to bring it down to my head.
I closed my eyes.
....Nothing happened. I slowly opened my eyes and saw that the guard had three metal claws sticking out of his chest. He held a shocked expression. Looking past him, I saw Matsui Rena.
She took out her claws and the guard fell to the ground. Dead. Rena was great with guns, but her choices of weapons for close combat were hand claws with a knuckle guard.
She put her weapon away and reached out a hand to help me up.
“What are you doing here?” I asked surprised.
“Apparently saving you” she smiled. “What? No thanks?”
I blushed and glared. “I was handling things just fine”
She raised an eyebrow but then smiled. “Sorry, I just couldn’t help but worry, so since I was free I figured I’d come to offer support if needed.”
I sighed. Rena was a very talented fighter. She and I are pretty much on par. She’s very responsible so Takamina san and the others rely on her a lot. That’s why Takamina san gives leeway for Rena to make her own decision on things. Like coming here.
“Are you alight?” she asked with concern.
“Yes. Thanks for coming” I admitted and smiled to her.
“Oi! Glad you both okay, but if you’re done staring at each other can we go see if Oya and Myao need help with the hostages” Kumi said with Yuria beside her.
“Huh! Oh right.” I looked to Rena again.
“You’re the team leader right? Lead away” she encouraged. I nodded and we were off.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back to Minami’s POV When I arrived at the vehicle awaiting us, I saw it was worse than I thought. My members were helping the hostages into the back where 3 medic members were. All the hostages looked pretty injured and there were about 13. Damn the soldiers. Getting a kick out of hurting innocent people. I also didn’t think there were that many hostages, the report only said 5. I knew the vehicle wasn’t big enough to transport all of them and us.
“Okay, all the team leaders with me...” I saw Rena was also here but didn’t bother to question it. “Rena, stay with us too please. We wait for another vehicle to pick us up. The other members however are to get on.” They all nodded and split up. “Take care of them Yui” she nodded and then drove off.
As soon as the vehicle was out of site, I dropped to my knees.
“Takamina! Are you alright?” Miichan asked.
“You’re bleeding!” Akicha noticed.
“I’m fine, just a scratch. I need one of you to tie the wound to stop the bleeding for now. I already called for a backup car to come get us. I would have suggested hiking it back but I think I may faint on you guys halfway” I let out a bitter smile
“You should’ve gone with the others” Rena said worriedly.
“The hostages were in worse shape than me, they needed the emergency care. Besides, the younger members did great, but they seemed pretty shaken up.” I explained as Rena tied a cloth around my shoulder for the moment.
We heard the sound of a motorcycle approaching from behind and instinctively we each hid. However as they cycle got closer, we saw it was Atsuko.
“Acchan!” Miichan shouted. “Back from your mission?”
“Yes. Yuko’s team also finished, they’re actually your ride back, and they should be here soon to pick you up.”
Atsuko turned and saw me, then frowned. I gave her a sheepish smile and waved. “Welcome back”
“You did something stupid didn’t you?”
I sighed. “Stop assuming I did something stupid every time I get hurt.” I pouted. She sighed and then walked over to me and helped me up.
“Come on, I’ll take you back to get treated.” Atsuko turned to the others. “Yuko will be here soon so stay put”
Atsuko helped me on the motorcycle and sat behind me, close enough so she could reach the handles and drive. “Try not to fall off” she warned.
“Wouldn’t dream of it”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I came out of the infirmary after being stitched up, I spotted Atsuko waiting by one of the windows. “Hey” I casually said as I sat across her. She didn’t respond. “Come on, you can’t seriously be mad at me” She turned her head and glared.
“Of course I’m mad; you put yourself in danger again”
I sighed. “Atsuko, everything we do is dangerous. No job is easier than the other. I played bait not because I think I’m expendable, but because I knew I could handle it. It may not sound like it, but you have to work your way up pretty high in order to be skilled enough to play bait” I smirked.
“You shouldn’t have taken the younger girls out there”
“...Maybe...Maybe not. We certainly can’t keep them sheltered here where they can’t put their training to use. You know that. We went through the same thing as rookies, remember.”
Atsuko smiled lightly, “yes, but we were both rookies and our own leaders. We had no one to take us by the hand and train us”
“I know. But since we’re here now, we have to let the younger girls learn from us, it’s our responsibility to teach them. In this world, you don’t live forever. They have to be ready when we’re gone.”
“...You idiot” she said as she reached over and grabbed my collar, gently bringing me closer to her. She planted her lips on mine and tenderly kissed me as I began to respond. I brought my left hand to her cheek and deepened the kiss. We both pulled apart at the same time and she rested her forehead against mine. “I won’t let you go so easily” she lovingly said as she flashed her brilliant smile and dived in for another sweet kiss.
“Get a room!” We both casually turned and saw Yuko and Haruna walk over.
I playfully narrowed my eyes at Yuko, “at least we keep it rated pG unlike you and Haruna. I swear the next time I catch you two in a make out session or anything more in public again, I’ll have members follow you around everywhere to make sure you two keep things clean”
“Boo! You’re just jealous since you and Atsuko haven’t gotten to the next stage” Yuko smirked as I blushed. Atsuko and I had been together for a long time, and we both agreed we were okay with how things were and wouldn’t rush anything until we felt ready. Therefore Yuko’s comment didn’t actually bother me at all but I decided to play along.
“Okay Yuko, you asked for it”
She smirked, and both of us drew out our guns at the same time.
“You look pretty confident there Yuko”
“Right back at yah leader”
I heard Atsuko and Haruna both sigh.
“I will never understand the ways you two play with one another” Haruna pointed out.
Yuko and I still held our guns to each other, but then Atsuko walked in-between us and disarmed us both.
“Hey!” We both shouted.
She turned to glare at me, “you just got your stitches in” then turned to Yuko, “and you were supposed to debrief to Mariko and write your report on today’s mission”
“Oh crap! I forgot!” Yuko grabbed Haruna’s hand and dragged her as she ran.
“Eh! Why do I have to help~” I heard Haruna complain as they left.
“Come on, I’ll help you write up your report back in our room” Atsuko said as I nodded gratefully and followed her.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
My stitches came off after 2 weeks, and the government was quiet with their activates. Therefore, most of our time was spent on patrolling, training, and scouting for food. I was at the refugee camp not too far from us. It was where most civilians took up residence. We offered them protection and they offered as much aid as possible. I’d been checking up on the hostages we saved, and they were all doing much better and thanked us.
I kept walking through the camp to make sure everything was alright. I stopped when I heard shuffling above me. I sighed then took a step to the right just as a figure jumped down from a tree. “Got yah!” she said as she fell onto nothing. I smirked, caught her by the shoulder and gently brought her down to the ground.
“Actually, I got you” I said as I helped Sekai up. “Keep trying squirt, maybe if you can take me down I’ll finally let you join our rebel group.
She stuck out her tongue at me, “I’ll get you, just you wait” she then ran off as I smiled. “She’s got potential that one, but still too early.”
“Takahashi san” I turned to see Rin calling to me. He’d been at the refugee camp for a long time and always aided us by brining important information whenever he could. He was around Haruna’s age.
“Hey Rin. Please tell me you have good news”
He grinned and showed me thumbs up, “just who do you think you’re talking to. I always deliver” I laughed at his confidence. “I know where running low on food supplies, so I found out that that the government had ordered in some pretty big shipments of food to be delivered to them. Probably food they stole, those bastards. Anyways, they have the supply very poorly guarded.”
That was great news actually. We definitely need more food. “How are they travelling, can we make it in time before the cross the border into their territory?”
He smirked, “that’s the beauty of it. They’re travelling on foot lugging carts of food. They knew they’d have to cross close to your territory so they probably didn’t want to risk you guys picking up a signal from their vehicles like you usually do. If you start hiking soon, you could easily catch up. I suggest you take a good number of people though, even if the food supply isn’t heavily guarded, I’m not sure if they brought their mutts along to be honest, and also you’ll need a lot of hands to help you bring the food back.”
I nodded and clapped him on the shoulder, “thanks as always Rin. I’ll go get preparations set. Stay here and see if anyone in the civilian camp needs help.”
“Aye, aye captain”
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I decided to gather a team of 23, and brought more junior members along since it wasn’t a dangerous mission, but still important to get field experience. I told them what I’d found out through Rin and what the plan would be. The group armed themselves and then we set out.
Atsuko and I walked side by side talking, but still kept our guard up as we always trained.
“How’s the arm?” Atsuko asked.
I smiled at her concern and said, “Perfect, watch” Suddenly I turned and quickly drew out my pistol with my right hand, knowing Yuko was behind chatting with Sae and Haruna. She however was ready for me as she also drew out her gun about the same time.
“Tsk, tsk Minami, hope you didn’t think you could actually catch me by surprise”
“Nah, where is the fun in that” I swung my right leg in a quick motion trying to knock Yuko’s gun out of her hand, but she did a backward flip to dodge.
“Now you’re just showing off” I teased as she smiled and tackled me to the floor. We both rolled around on the ground trying to pin one another, laughing and instigating one another.
“Honestly, you two are setting a bad example to the younger members” Atsuko sighed.
“Don’t worry Maeda san, we became very used to their antics” Oba Mina said as everyone was getting a kick out of watching us scuffle, even cheering for one or the other.
“Alright you two, let’s call it a draw” Sayaka said as she grabbed me and Yuko by the collar and pulled us apart.
“Yah keep it moving you two, I’m starving and can’t wait till we get to that supply” Miichan said. We all agreed and kept moving forward.
I caught up to Atsuko. “See, told you I was alright” I smiled as she playfully shoved me.
“Sometimes I wonder” she joked as I lightly shoved her back.
I smiled and a spur of the moment, before I could lose my confidence, I reached to grab hold of her hand, and when she looked at me, I said, “I love you”
She was taken aback for a moment but then flashed her radiant smile. “What’s the occasion?”
I blushed and gripped her hand a bit tighter, “No reason, I just figured I want to say it more often to you”
She lightly laughed, “That’s fine by me, but don’t go becoming like Yuko who shouts it every five seconds to Haruna”
“There’s nothing wrong with me expressing my love to my Haruna!” Yuko protested from behind us and we all laughed.
“Well, I love you too. Always have, always will” Atsuko said as she brought her lips to mine to give me a chaste kiss. We heard whoops and quiet cheers around us.
“Alright, alright keep moving everyone.” I said as I tried to hide my blush.
After a few more hours of walking, we arrived close to the location Rin told me about. “Okay everyone, now we approach slowly and quietly, I can see one of the supply carts just up ahead.
We stepped closer and saw the four solders napping by the large carts.
“These guys are idiots” Yuki commented.
Mayu shrugged beside her, “at least they’re practically doing the work for us. Should be easier this way.”
“Keep your guard up, we’ll go for the kill” I said. Just as we stepped out into the pass, we heard someone loudly yell behind us all.
“Stop! Stop!” We turned and saw Rin frantically shouting and running over. Once he got closer for us to hear him, he shouted, “It’s a trap! I never reported to Takahashi san about anything! It’s a trick! RUN!”
What!? What the hell is he talking about? Everyone was thrown off and confused at what Rin was shouting, but we all heard noises behind us and turned around to see that the four soldiers stood up. Suddenly, soldiers emerged from under the covers of both carts, and more appeared from behind them from the rubble and trees. We were completely surround...and outnumbered.
One soldier stepped up who wore a red armband, most likely the captain. “Excellent job Takahashi, you didn’t let us down. You’ll be rewarded just as we promised for your cooperation.”
I stood there frozen, my mind not properly registering any of this. All the members were looking confused and scared by the amount of soldiers and what the captain and Rin said. I turned back to look at Rin and saw him smirk.
....
I’d been tricked. And now I was being framed. But the only thing that actually registered in my head was that I had possibly just led my members to their deaths.