Chapter 4: Outrider
I was on a rooftop in Rio. I had my Sparrow in my hands with an arrow notched. I was watching the night sky. I was getting impatient. I had been on this rooftop for nearly an hour just waiting. Then I saw it. Or rather, I heard it. Helicopter rotors. I could see the black chopper flying through the night sky about a mile from me, and it was getting closer. I smiled. I waited for it to get within three-hundred yards. Once it was I pulled back my bowstring. I pointed the arrow upwards towards the helicopter. I aimed just a little bit above the chopper and waited for the perfect moment. It wasn't long. I released the bowstring, loosing the arrow. It sailed through the night sky and I saw a small spark when it hit the chopper. A second later, it detonated. The chopper itself didn't explode but it did start to spin out of control. I could hear people on the streets below screaming and shouting. The chopper started spinning right towards me.
"Oh shit," I mumbled. I stood straight and started sprinting towards the next rooftop. I leapt over the alley between the buildings and rolled onto the next roof. I glanced back over my shoulder. The chopper crashed right into the side of the building I had been on previously. It exploded in an amazing fireball and the screaming in the streets escalated. I stood and smiled. I started running, leaping from rooftop to rooftop. Eventually I reached the one I called home. I slid down the tin roof onto the balcony below. I landed softly and turned around, walking into the room. I tossed myself on the bed and lay on my back. I closed my eyes and relaxed.
"Outider," said a male voice said in my ear. "I'm watching the news. Apparently a chopper was mysteriously shot down just minutes ago." I opened my eyes and smiled.
"I wonder how that happened," I said. I heard him laugh.
"Good work tonight Les," he said. "I'd love to say you're off but I've got another job for you." I sighed.
"Okay," I said, sitting up. "What is it?"
"HVT. Name's Steinbeck. He's in Berlin. There's a plane waiting for you at the airport. Runway three."
"Got it," I said. "But you're buying me a drink when I get home."
"Of course. See ya then." I stood from my bed and walked out onto the patio. I climbed up onto the roof and started running towards the airport.
Upon reaching the airport I climbed down a service ladder to the street below. I knew they wouldn't just let in a fully armed rebel. So I snuck in through the maintenance room outside the main building. One of the janitors spotted me. I quickly leapt forward and drove my fist into his temple, knocking him out. I hid the unconscious body in the broom closet and went on my way. I peeked out the door to the airport loading bay. There were civilians everywhere. I closed the door and took a look around. I spotted a vent that was easily in reach. I smiled and pulled an arrow out of my hip quiver, using like a crowbar to pry off the vent cover. Once off I climbed into the vent, crawling silently. It was easy to find the out take vent that lead to the runways. I turned and rammed my foot into the vent cover, it flew off down onto the runway. I climbed out and used my thrusters to soften my landing. I knew there would be guards out here so I drew my Sparrow just in case. I sprinted towards runway three, eyes peeled for anyone in a security uniform. Once I reached the correct runway I saw a small two man jet. Its engines were running and the pilot waved at me.
"You Outrider?" he yelled.
"Si! That's me!"
"Okay! Get in the back and I'll fly you to Berlin!" I ran towards the open cockpit and climbed into the back seat. The pilot hopped into the front and hit the button to close the cockpit. I flipped down my hood and put on the head set. "All set back there?"
"Yeah! Let's go!" He started taxying down the runway and lifting up. Soon we were in the air and on our way to Germany.