Hawke was already on the streets when the explosions started going off, though it was purely by coincidence. After an early morning job he was headed back to his suite with the ever faithful Notch at his side. Then the restaurant across the street exploded. The unexpected blast threw Hawke of his feet and to the ground. Notch lay beside him utterly dazed. Hawke barely fared any better but he pulled himself over to the dog to check his condition. Dazed and confused, but beyond that the hound was fine. He was bred to be tough.

An instant later Hawke jumped to his feet. Around him people screamed in terror or pain. Briefly he considered running to Daowei's bookstore to check on the clerk but immediately decided against it. He couldn't imagine the bookstore being a target no matter what kind of illicit goods one might be able to get there. Besides, the Water Sector has his home, at least as of right now. People here needed his help.

By the time Hawke was on the move Notch was on his feet and following. He moved as fast as he could, helping those still trapped in burning buildings or beneath rubble while Notch searched for more. As he rushed towards more screams and explosions, a diner to his right exploded. Hawke felt himself be thrown through the air before slamming violently against a wall. The world around him spun. Then the pain of something broken, or maybe many somethings broken, screamed through his body. Blood trickled down his face and through his hair from a gash across his skull.

A sudden, intense pressure on his shoulder caused him to cry out before a soft whine told him it was Notch. The massive hound bit down on his shoulder, dragging him away from the building and away from more danger. When he finally let go he barked and howled madly, desperate to get anyone's attention. Meanwhile Hawke just tried to stay conscious.