They Called Him Sniper
Chapter 3
Allen was up at the crack of dawn. Faded sirens were blaring eerily outside. He jumped out of bed, seeing that it was 5:30 in the morning. The fighting started as soon as the sun rose above the horizon, which would be in about an hour. He put on his uniform, strapping his kukri to his side, putting the SMG in its holster, and slinging the sniper rifle over his shoulder. He would try to find an ideal spot for sniping without giving away his position. He knew that sniping where he slept would just be a dead giveaway, so he had to look around for a better spot. He took a quick scan of the battlefield. The enemy Sniper wasn't in his bunk. Or, at least, he wasn't looking out his window. This made Allen a little uneasy, but he knew that today was his chance to show his team just what he could do. No bushman was as quick a shot as he was, even if his aim was lacking. He knew he'd have plenty of time to polish that skill, however.
A muffled tap tap tap met his ears. He looked to the trap door, pushing his suitcase off of it and unlocking it. He took a step back, just in case it was Soldier again.
"Monsieur?"
Allen smiled. It was Spy, and despite his first impression, he had come to respect the guy, and enjoyed having his company this morning.
"Good mornin'. What brings you up here?"
"I was sent to check on you. Soldier wanted to make sure zhat you were awake."
"Oh, heh, yeah. I am."
Spy must have sensed his unease toward the start of the new day. He started to climb into the bunk.
"May I?"
"Go ahead."
Allen wasn't quite ready to admit to himself that he wanted the company, but in the back of his mind, he knew he needed it. Spy shut the hatch and stood up. Allen finally realized just how tall the man was, and though Allen was still taller, it was only by an inch or so. Spy seemed a little taller than most of the team, which made Allen question just how he could fit into small places or sneak around as efficiently as the BLU Spy, who was much shorter than him.
"Are you okay, monsieur Sniper?"
Allen snapped back to reality.
"Uh…yeah, yeah, I'm okay."
He sighed and looked out the window.
"I've never been so jumpy before a job…must be because I'm not used to being in such a place as this," he said. "Working alone and working with a team are two different things. I was never much of a team player…a'course, I was never at risk of being stabbed in the back while working."
The Spy nodded, cigarette in hand.
"Mmm, I was zhe same way. You eventually come to rely on your teammates to make zhings easier for you later on down zhe road, much zhe same way zhey rely on us to watch zheir backs. Zhey don't like to admit zhat zhey need us, but zhey know it."
Allen nodded, rubbing the back of his neck.
"It would seem that way, eh? I've noticed how you don't stick around them for long before disappearing."
"Many of zhem don't like me. I 'freak zhem out', as zhey say. Demoman and Medic seem to be zhe only ones who tolerate me."
"I tolerate ya."
Spy chuckled.
"Zhat is good to know."
Allen smiled, glad to have made at least one friend.
"Hey uh, you think you could…do that cloakin' thing again?"
Spy smirked.
"You want to get an edge on zhe competition, hmm?"
Allen shrugged.
"The more ya' know, right?"
Spy gave him a knowing smile before disappearing. Allen swept his hand over the Spy's shoulder, watching how a matrix of red appeared when he brushed against it. He grabbed hold of the man's shoulder and listened as the cloak hissed when powering down.
"Blimey…"
"Is intriguing, no?" Spy said. "Stealth technology at its finest."
"Yeah…"
Allen let go of the Spy, giving him a nod of thanks.
"I think I know what to listen for, now."
"Just remember, mon ami, zhat a Spy never decloaks until 'e is about to strike. Zhe watch prevents us from having a full range of movement while cloaked, allowing only for zhe smallest of movements before draining zhe charge."
"I'll…keep that in mind," Allen said, nervously clenching his fists.
"You would do well to do just zhat," Spy said, taking a drag off his cigarette. "Now, I 'ave to get back down to zhe ozhers. I suggest you get somezhing to eat. We do not 'ave lunch breaks."
Allen nodded as Spy descended the ladder. He followed close behind him, breaking away with a nod as Spy went one way, and he another. He hurried to the kitchen to find Engineer at the range, with the rest of the team enjoying their breakfasts.
"Mornin' Stretch," Engie said, taking note of who had walked in. "You're up late."
"I…uh…"
Allen rummaged around in his breast pocket for his aviators, sliding them on with one quick movement.
"I was just talkin' to Spy. Asked him to let me get familiar with that crazy cloaking contraption of his."
"Ah, yeah," Engie said. "Pop a squat, I'll get you some eggs and bacon. You want coffee?"
"I'll get it," Allen said, already having made his way to the cupboard. He took another bland mug down from the shelf, this one less greasy than the first one he had pulled out. He filled it with coffee, which was actually hot this morning, and sat down with it. Engie brought him his breakfast, setting the plate down in front of him. He sat down across from him with his own plate in tow.
"You ready for today?"
Allen looked up at Engie and nodded.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"Let's hope so. Wouldn't want anything' bad happenin' to you."
Allen nodded again. He picked at his breakfast, eventually finishing it.
"Thanks Engie."
The Engineer smiled and picked up his plate. Allen took his own to the sink. He gave it a rinse, sliding it in with the rest. He out of the kitchen alone, but a few of his fellow teammates were heading down one of the hallways that had ended in a dead end for him. He wondered why they were going there, and decided to follow. He discovered that the end of the hallway was no longer a dead end, and instead was opened up to a large room with a medical cabinet and what looked like a garage door.
"What is this place?" Allen asked. The Demoman turned and looked at him, his flak jacket laden with grenades.
"This be the respawn, boyo."
Allen looked around.
"So we just…come here when we die?"
"Aye, but th'less ye' come here, the better. Believe me, it ain't worth the dizziness after wakin' up on yer feet."
Allen gulped. He sat down on one of the benches by the walls. The Heavy, the Demoman and the Soldier were all in the same room, Soldier looking ready for battle as usual. Scout, Engie and Medic came in together. Pyro came running in with a massive flamethrower in hand, the end tipped with a painted dragon's head. A blue flame was flickering in its mouth, no doubt just a small candle flame compared to the torrent of hellfire that usually spewed from the dragon's mouth. Demoman lifted his hand and smiled. Pyro jumped up and smacked his hand, making what could only be described as an amused sound as it clapped its gloved hands.
"You ready t'get that spy?" Demoman asked.
"Huddah! Huh huddah hur!"
"I bet ye' will, lad! Damned Spook can't hide from ye' forever."
"Hurr!"
Allen looked back and forth between the Demoman and the Pyro. How in blazes the black, Scottish drunkard could understand the masked creature, he hadn't the slightest clue. Regardless, he felt the ghost of a hand on his shoulder and looked up, seeing nothing. He turned his attention away, not wanting to give away the fact that Spy was there.
"Be careful, mon ami," Spy whispered. "Zhe BLU Spy is none too happy with your encounter yesterday."
Allen nodded and looked down at the floor between his feet. The hand disappeared as quickly as it had arrived, leaving Allen feeling alone in the room full of mercenaries. Scout held his bat at the ready, cleats tapping eagerly on the tiled floor. The room was full of small sounds, ranging from the tapping and shuffling of feet, to the clinking of equipment. He stood up upon hearing a voice outside, echoing across the field.
"Mission begins in ten seconds."
Allen pulled his kukri from his belt and prepared himself the best he could. When the door opened, Soldier, Demoman, Heavy and Scout all charged forward, shouting threats at the enemy forces. Medic followed close behind Heavy as his chain gun whirred to life. Blasts echoed all around as Allen stepped out of the room, watching the chaos unfold. He ducked as a rocket came his way, but just before it hit him, it was repelled by a strong blast of air. The Pyro gave him a thumbs up before running off with the rest of the team. Allen hurried off, tipping his hat thankfully to the firebug before slinking into the shadows. He climbed up a flight of stairs heading up to the battlements, sweeping around the corners and keeping an eye for the blue uniforms of the enemy team. He spotted none on his way up, and decided to set up just in front of one of the many wide windows that looked down over the field. A wide expanse of dirt was separated by a pool of water, over which was a covered bridge. He peered down, looking over the train tracks that had brought him to this place, leading beyond gates that were shut tight.
Allen peered out over the battlefield, watching in wonder as the Soldiers haphazardly blasted at each other with rockets, as if death wasn't even a concept that crossed their muddled minds. Allen would probably never understand them, nor the Demomen setting up spiky bombs that stuck to the walls of the building, exploding when an enemy came too near. He winced as the RED Scout blew apart into tiny, bloody bits, only to see him run right out of the respawn room shouting about how it was just good timing. Allen rubbed his throat, feeling sick. He was not willing to go through death to begin with, and he would rather not experience it on more than one occasion.
He heard a hiss behind him, and spun around with his gun, smacking into the BLU Spy. The Frenchman sneered after having been thwacked in the face by a metal gun barrel. Allen stood up and kicked at the man with his long legs. The Spy stepped aside, swiping at Allen with his knife. Allen dropped his rifle and pulled out his SMG, which the Spy frowned at.
"Oh, now zhat is just unfair…"
Allen smirked and fired away, filling the man with lead. The Spy fell over, dead, before his body disappeared and went through respawn. He saw the Spy coming out, looking a little disoriented. He took off his hat and waved at him from his perch, the Spy frowning and disappearing. Allen chuckled before noticing a blue dot quickly coming to rest between his eyes. He ducked just as the shot of a sniper rifle could be heard echoing across the battlefield. Allen saw a puff of dust where the bullet landed in the wood wall behind him. He fanned himself with his hat and breathed a heavy sigh before adjusting his glasses and peering out over the edge of the open-air window. He could see the enemy Sniper looking for him, and decided it was best that he move elsewhere.
He managed to find a small, secluded spot higher up, ducking behind another open window and looking out over the field. Everyone was still going at it, the Scouts locked in a one-on-one battle of the bats. He looked for the enemy Sniper, who was in turn, looking for him. He steadied his aim, took a breath and pulled the trigger.
Everything above the BLU's shoulders became a fine red mist. Allen let out his held breath and ducked back behind the cover of the wall. He peered out after a brief moment and watched as a Heavy came out of respawn, guns blazing. He popped a shot at him, but hit him in the shoulder, which didn't seem to phase him much. Before he could go for a headshot, he hear the whistle of a bullet as it grazed his cheek. He ducked down, hissing as the left side of his face burned where the bullet had sliced across his cheek bone and the top of his left ear. He grumbled and looked down a smug-looking BLU Spy before he disappeared again.
Oh for the love of…
Allen leaped up and started moving. He knew that staying in one place would not be good for his health, especially with that Spy hanging about. He ran down the hallway, ducking around corners whenever he heard footsteps. He ran down to the intel room, finding that Engineer was stationed there with a huge sentry gun and a strange box-shaped contraption.
"Stretch?"
Allen panted and sat down for a moment.
"Jus' give me…a sec…Engie."
"You come on over here," Engie said, patting the machine that seemed full to the brim with bullets. "Let mah dispenser take care of that bullet wound."
Allen walked over and sat next to the dispenser, a small healing ray ghosting off of it, similar to Medic's medigun. He started to breathe a little easier, his weariness fading away and his skin healing what was damaged.
"Thanks."
"No problem. Now get out of here, before that Spy tries comin' 'round here again."
Allen nodded and made his way back out to the battlements. He nearly lost his head as soon as he emerged, the BLU Sniper taking a shot at him. Out of reflex, he lifted his rifle and stepped to the side just as the bloke took another shot. He planted another bullet between the enemy's eyes, but found himself with a knife in the back just as quickly as he had taken the shot. His vision faded as he fell over onto the ground.
"You got blood on my suit," came a dissatisfied voice behind him. It was the last thing he heard before everything faded to black.
His mind was suddenly awash with sensation, and he gasped as he realized he was standing in the respawn room. It felt like he had awakened from a bad dream, his head spinning and his stomach churning. He sat down for a brief moment to let his stomach settle before getting up and running back out again. Despite his legs being a little wobbly, he felt that he'd be fine. He just needed to avoid doing that again at all costs.
The day wore on. Allen managed to stay out of trouble for the most part. However, as the day came to a close, the enemy Pyro suddenly had a newfound interest in him, and was chasing him around the base.
"Will you leave me alone?!" Allen shouted. All he received in response was a hellish giggle and a burst of flame toward his backside. He ran faster and let the Pyro chase him down into the intel room, where it was immediately blown apart by the rocket launcher on the sentry gun.
"Whoa!"
Engie held his hardhat on as the blast was reflected in his welding goggles.
Allen laid on his back on the floor, panting.
"Again, thanks for the help Engie."
Engineer laughed and slapped his knee.
"Boy, for a moment there, I thought you may have been the BLU Spy, but when that Pyro ran in after ya', it caught me by surprise!"
Allen laughed and rolled over, pushing himself up onto his feet.
"You'd best be getting' along while we still have time."
Allen nodded and hurried along his way, only to come face to face with the enemy Pyro again.
"…Fuck."
He fled, his clothes ablaze. He ran for a while before finally dropping to the ground and rolling out the fire. He panted, his skin burning where the uniform had caught fire. He stood up and looked around, spotting Medic coming out of respawn.
"Medic! Hey!"
He waved his hat at the man, who turned and looked at him. He quickly ran over, not even needing Allen to explain before turning the healing ray of the medigun on him. Allen sighed as his body patched itself up.
"Thanks doc."
Medic nodded and hurried off to stand behind the Pyro, who was having trouble taking down an enemy sentry. Allen, on the other hand, ran into the shadows, hoping to get a few kills before the day ended.
He managed to take down that heavy and his Medic in one shot, the bullet passing through both of their heads. The sirens started going off on the RED side almost immediately afterward.
"The enemy has taken the intelligence!"
Allen spotted the BLU Scout making a mad dash for the opposite side of the field. He raised his rifle and took the shot. He missed, however, and the Scout disappeared into his base. Not long after, the sirens went off again.
"The enemy has captured the intelligence."
Allen cursed, then heard a hiss behind him. He didn't even hesitate to grab his kukri and jab it backwards, landing in the gut of the BLU Spy. He heard the man gargle before falling over, dead. Allen pulled his knife from the man's corpse and gave the weapon a quick flick of his wrist, blood spattering across the ground. He scowled across the field before slipping back into the shadows. He made his way back up to his previous point, taking aim at the Scout that had captured their intel. He took the shot, and managed to hit him this time.
The day ended with RED losing the battle. The enemy had captured the intel, and their team had been unable to recapture it or bring the BLU intel back to the base.
Allen got a sour taste in his mouth, and he spat on the ground at his feet. He walked back inside, his team mates around him. They all felt a bit dejected, but they knew that tomorrow would bring a new day, and another chance to win the next battle.
Allen felt his stomach grumble painfully, and remembered that they didn't have lunch breaks, so he had gone since breakfast without any sort of nourishment. He'd have to remember to grab a few granola bars or something for tomorrow.
He walked into the showers, bringing a fresh uniform with him. He washed away the dirt and grime of the day, sighing as he let the water run over his tired muscles. He finally managed to relax when a sudden pang between his shoulder blades made him wince. He reached around, but felt nothing. It was just the phantom feeling of the BLU Spy's dagger from earlier that day. He rested his head against the tiled wall and grumbled to himself. He let the pang ebb away, the warm water smoothing away the tension of his muscles once again. When he finally got out of the shower, he put on his uniform, clasped his belt, and slid his kukri into its sheath. He wanted nothing more than to eat and go to bed. For him, it felt like this entire day had gone on far too long.
He walked into the kitchen, made himself a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and disappeared to his bunk. He didn't bother with shoving his suitcase over the hatch after locking it. He ate his sandwich alone, in the darkness that came after sunset. He looked out over the field, dust and dirt clouds still drifting lazily in the air. Allen looked at the lonely clock on his wall, ticking away every passing second. It sounded so loud against the silence pressing against his ears. He ran his hand through his hair and took off his sunglasses, setting them on the floor beside his bed. He set his hat over them, frowning at the silence. He thought that this peacefulness would be a welcome change to the ruckus that had passed, but in a way, it felt more like torture. He knew that out there, somewhere, was a BLU Spy, slinking around and waiting in the silence, a predator in the night. Allen shuddered and held his head in his hands, closing his eyes and trying the quiet his thoughts. He looked out his window, pulling back the makeshift curtains to look out at the starry night.
It was odd. It was the same sky as he'd always seen. Every night, over the vast expanse that surrounded his home, he would lay out and look at the stars. He couldn't do that here, and though it was only his third night away from home, he was feeling homesick. He felt so silly for being homesick, but his home was the only place he had to call his own. Now he shares a building with eight other mercenaries from all over the world.
He laid down in his bed, thinking to himself. He'd really like to sit outside, but knowing his luck, he'd find a knife in his back when he turned around, and he wouldn't respawn. But, for once, he really felt the risk would be worth it. Regardless, he stayed in bed, staring up at his ceiling. He laid there for who knew how long. He felt tired, but uneasy. He finally decided to go out into the open air.
He checked his window before opening it and stepping out onto the tip rooftop, climbing up to a high vantage point. He disappeared over the top and onto the flat backside over the main portion of the building. He found a solid spot to lay down and looked up at the dark sky, breathing a heavy sigh. This still wasn't home, but it was as close as he would get for now.
The stars twinkled above him, and he put his hands behind his head to cushion it against the hard metal beneath him. Everything just seemed better, with the open sky and the sound of laughter coming from somewhere in the base, echoing through the ventilation that came up to the rooftop. Just that little bit of noise breaking the silence made him smile. He was used to the sound of dingoes barking or bugs chattering at night, but here, there was none of that. Just the sound of the men in the base, goofing off or being otherwise in good spirits, despite having lost the battle that day. Allen knew he'd get used to it eventually, and if he had to lay out on the roof from now on, well, it would be better than laying awake for hours in his quiet bunk. Maybe when the weekend came, he would join the fellas for drinks. For now, though, he was just glad to have the freedom to lay out where no body could bother him. That is, unless they discovered his window open and climbed up to the roof to investigate. Such as the RED Spy.
"I can hear you, you know," Allen said, having heard the tapping of shoes on the roof behind him. He heard no cloak, however, and looked back to see the Spy looking down at him with a smile.
"I know. I was not trying to be sneaky."
"That's a surprise."
Allen chuckled along with Spy, who sat down next to him. He was, for once, not smoking his cigarettes. Instead, he just looked up at the sky with him, providing the company that Allen had been longing for. As much as he didn't like to admit it, it actually enjoyed the Spy's company, seeming as he was the first guy to actually sit and have a conversation with him. It was a nice change.
"You miss it, do you not?"
Allen nodded.
"Yeah. I'm not used to such…quiet. That lady, Miss Pauling, said I would get used to it. I don't think I ever could. It just makes me feel so uneasy."
Spy smirked.
"You seem to be quite jumpy."
Allen laughed.
"Jumpy? Nah, just untrusting, I suppose. I don't trust the silence. It just makes it feel like something is wrong."
"Mmm…"
Allen sat up, trying to think of what to say. He didn't want to go back inside, quite yet, but he didn't know how to really start a conversation. After all, when you live by yourself with only the wilderness to keep you company, you don't really get many chances to talk with anyone. Spy, however, seemed fine with being quiet. Allen found some solace in this, and came to the conclusion that you didn't have to talk to someone to enjoy their company.
