<br/>The Chief looked back at Sarah his face a mask of nerves, anger, and regret. He didn't say anything, to her all he did was shake his head. Even as he did this several of the emergency vehicles were packing up and preparing to leave the area. The police officers who had previously been their to escort them were already gone. "We've got a state of emergency on our hands" the chief told her and the other firefighters who had previously been in the building and not present for what ever briefing he'd just finished giving the others. "The riots are raging out of hand and the boys in blue aren't able to even slow the mobs down. I've been in contact with the mayor and the chief of police. The decision has been made to abandon all areas of Rockford that are South of City hall and West of the Circular River. That includes the fire station, we'll be setting up provisional command center in city hall along with the police department in order to be able to respond with better co-ordination to any situations that arise." His tone of voice as all business as he said this, it was obvious that these decisions had been hard on him but he intended to follow through with them. "I know we've already lost some good people...and we will probably lose more before the end of the day...but our city and it's people need us now and we have a duty to do. So get to your vehicles and move out, dispatch will inform you of your assignments!"<br/><br/><hr/><br/>With the exception of the RCN station, Rockford's civilian radio broadcasters were going crazy to say the least. Most of them had no real link to information and as such reports varied. Some stations stated that the rioters were eating their victims while others that they were armed with Ak-47's. These reports continued until several minutes after the emergency siren wailed its warning. The decision to use the city's emergency broadcast system had finally been made. Anyone watching a TV or listening to a radio in Rockford was greeted by the same message, from Mayor James Marcus (http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100704212429/residentevil/images/0/08/JamesMarcusConcept.png), Marcus had been a politician for many years, and was very skilled at presenting just the image he wanted to. Right now he wanted to project a feeling of calm that he didn't really have. "After a moment of waiting to make sure that every station was connected. He then began to read his hastily prepared speech.  "My fellow citizens it grieves me to have to address you all under these circumstances. As I'm sure you all know our fair city is currently beset by rather large riots. In response to this fact, and to the violent nature of the rioters behavior I have decided to declare a state of emergency throughout the city.  As of this moment all police, fire, and other civil service personnel are required to report for duty. I would like to ask that all citizens help to maintain order and bring this situation to a close by following these instructions.  If there is no rioting in your area please remain in your house, lock your doors and windows, and pay close attention to reputable news sources. If there is activity in your area please vacate your are immediately . Do not attempt to protect private property or other wise 'hold out.' If you choose to stay in the effected areas we cannot guarantee your safety. Temporary aid stations are being erected at he following areas. Rockford General Hospital,The Rockford Police Station, and the area of Mission street from the corner of Good St to the corner of Ivy street, these areas are to be considered safe havens for those forced to evacuate from other areas of the city. If you are majorly injured we request that you proceed to Rockford General Hospital, if you are uninjured or only have minor injuries please proceed to Mission street, if you are unable to reach either of these areas please make your way to the Rockford Police Station. Please do not approach the police station unless it is your only option. The last thing needed at this time is a swamping of the police force....I am confidant that this situation will be resolved soon. That is all, thank you for your time."<br/><br/>At the end of his speech the emergency broadcast system cut out, returning each station back to its broadcasters.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>As soon as the broadcast had finished one of the students in the class room, a large roughly 20 years of age stood up. His eyes were wide with fear, but his body language suggested that he was doing his best to keep a grip on himself. He looked over at Lasair, his face set in a look of determination. "I'm sorry professor" he said "and if this were any other time I wouldn't be so rude. But given the circumstances I'm going to have to ask that you give me and my friends a ride to the shelters on Mission Street.....As a matter of fact....I'm going to have to insist" As he said this one of the other students, a young woman who was most likely the boy's significant other. Stood up as well "Tom's right" she said "You're our teachers and we need your help." The other three students remained seated but it was not hard to see them all tensing up as well. The precipice had been reached as the group of students were given a chance at 'safety' that to them seemed easily reachable......without even talking to one another they seemed to sense that this was quickly spiraling into an 'us vs them' situation.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Both of the southernmost bridges across the Circular River were clogged with people and cars waiting their turn to get across the river. At the bridge where coach Winters and his students found themselves attempting to cross, two police cars had parked at the other end and the officers had already finished constructing a barricade on the west side of the bridge, they were directing citizens vehicles through the gap in the center of the barricade designed to allow passage when opened. Each officer was wearing full body armor and carrying shot guns. Their orders were quick and firm, it was obvious that anyone who appeared to be resisting would not be dealt with lightly. The cars were let through one by one, as each was quickly checked by what appeared to be a doctor....One officer was standing on top of his patrol car with a megaphone.<strong>"The bridge will be closed soon!"</strong>he called out<strong>"We ask that any remaining vehicular traffic proceed north along River Avenue to either the Mission Street shelters or the Hospital, River Avenue has been set aside for civilian traffic, all lanes on River Avenue are now Northbound ones. Thank you for your co-operation"</strong>As soon as he finished saying this the police began to wave away cars, directing them to turn north rather than stop at the barricade. Coach Winters' car was one of those who was unable to cross before the barricade was closed.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>As Sue drove along Darios Street she and those in her care were witness to an unusual sight. Both Ennerdale and Washington Streets, the only opportunities to turn left onto Warren from Darios, were clogged with emergency vehicles. It was not a massive traffic jam, but an ordered operation, city fire officials, along with what appeared to be meter maids were busy loading up every vehicle with supplies from the fire station. It was as if the entire building was being stripped of anything that might be useful. Fire trucks, ambulances, and support trucks would pull into one end of the station only to leave the other a few minutes later. Their sirens blaring as they whizzed down the street to where ever their destinations might be.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>The door's loud bang echoed throughout Jimbo's shop. A moment later what sounded like a gurgling moan could be heard from deeper in the shop. Most of the lights were off, Jimbo had always been a cheep skate and usually had his workers working in less than optimal lighting to save money on the bill. Footsteps could be heard approaching Eddie's position. And again the soft gurgling moan. The acoustics of the room making it seem as if the steps were coming from all around slowly growing louder....louder....until suddenly Jimbo (http://www.hernimag.cz/data/2009-05_clanek-289/doom-3-b.jpg) stepped into the light. His eyes vacant and his arms reaching forward for Eddie as he lunged forward his movements stiff and uncoordinated a loud moan issuing from his mouth as he moved to attack Eddie.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>The buses had stopped running leaving many students stuck at the college. Those with no dorm room to go to and no way off campus were herded into the school's library where several large televisions had been set up to keep the students appraised of the situation. At the mayor's announcement the murmur of conversation rose up from the soft whispers of young men and women who's minds still told them to be quite and calm in the library to the harsh din of unsure people discussing their options with one another. Some people began to make their way to the doors while others stood and talked. At least in the library the panic had been quelled. One student bumped right into Cal "ohh shit" he said as he nearly ran Cal over "I'm sorry about that man...can you believe all this?" he asked "And to think that before now my biggest worry was the fact that I'd fallen asleep in the library and missed a bio test." he shook his head "I'm Paul  (http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs46/f/2009/177/9/b/Alex_Mercer_by_yamiyugi.jpg)by the way" his hand was held out to shake Cal's "What about you?"<br/>