Just want to firstly disclaim my use for the works 'The Gamer'. It is a manhwa written by Author : Sung Sang-Young. I hold no owner ship of 'The Gamer' and am not making any money from this work of fiction. I'd like to also disclaim the works of Dying light.
Before heading to the tower, I decided to get something to eat. This way I can get the well fed buff that gives bonus EXP. I want to see if the allotted eight thousand EXP awarded from the end of the quest will receive the bonus fifteen percent. If it is the case then I'll have to eat frequently before quests. If not then no biggy.
I was there not even a minute after going full pelt with my powers. There were a few zombies milling about the outside of the entry way to the uncompleted tower that were quickly dispatched. I want to get rid of all zombies on the first couple of floors before I decide where to plant the explosives. That way I can get in and out.
It was the fourth floor where I encountered a room chock full of resting volatiles and a nest. There were fleshy cocoons everywhere, even hanging from the walls and ceiling. They moved to attack me but I quickly ran back down stairs into the sunlight. They backed of, watching me for a few seconds before making their way back up stairs. It was like walking into a Xenomorph nest. There goes the idea to explore the tower for treasure. If its that bad on the upper floors, then I wonder what its like in the underground floors and the car park.
I pick a support beam to tie the detonator to before placing a few bundles on the floor. This way when I set them off they will create a chain reaction. Just in case the remote explosives aren't enough. I found a few crates but they didn't have much in them. The detonators were armed and ready for the signal. I make my way back to the radio tower to watch the fire works.
I get a nice view of the tower before pulling out three phones. I set them down before readying the speed dials on the three. I then press all three at the same time. The third press was with T.K. The fuse are cut at the same length as well, so there is only a three second delay.
The explosion was barley audible but the chain reaction it caused was deafening. The building collapsed on itself like a Jenga tower. I felt a shock wave from the explosion from where I was sitting when the tower was near collapsed. The amount of dust and smoke bellowing from the explosion was quickly spreading. Blanketing a lot of the surroundings like an avalanche.
15392 EXP.
I gapped at the sudden pop up. It was a nest of volatiles so there was bound to be alot. Even so, this is more then what the quest is giving me.
"Wooooooohooooo!" I holler as loud as I can to the site of not only the explosion but the sudden EXP spike.
Ding!
Side Quest Complete!
Volatile Explosion
Reward:
9200Exp!
I couldn't help but cheer at that. The explosion was the best I had ever seen within real life. Not only that but the amount of EXP I gained. That is at least three or four levels worth in one go. Speaking of levels.
"Status."
Status
Nick Walker
Title: Gamer
Title: Gamer Lv 16
PA: 1125/1125
HP: 1340/1340
PSI:2415/2415
STA: 900/900
STR: (0) + 23 =23
VIT: (0) +27 + 27%= 34.29
DEX: (0) +29+ 27% [+4]= 40.83
AGI: (1) +26 + 27% [+11 ] =44.02
INT: (22) +34 +(16% -30%) =45
WIS: (0) +36 + (16%- 30%) =36.4
CHA: (13) 0+ (-13)= 0
LCK: (8) 7= 15
3212/8200 EXP
Allocation points : 72
I recall that I was at level eight. I basically doubled my level from the last time I checked it. Then again I did clear out Rias's compound, grinded more zombies and blew up the tower. I have been ignoring allocating my level points since the infected no longer pose a threat. Its like the Christmas present I never got. You know since I was thrown here before I ever got to celebrate it.
I place twenty five into LCK and five in CHA before dumping the rest into INT.
Are you sure you wish to allocate your points?
I click yes then observe the results.
Status
Nick Walker
Title: Gamer
Title: Gamer Lv 16
PA:3225/3225
HP: 1340/1340
PSI:4515/4515
STA: 900/900
STR: (0) + 23= 23
VIT: (0) +27 + 27% =34.29
DEX: (0) +29+ 27% [+4]= 40.83
AGI: (1) +26 + 27% [+11 ]= 44.02
INT: (64) +34 +(16% -30%)= 79.5
WIS: (0) +36 + (16%- 30%)= 36.4
CHA: (18) 0+ (-13) = 5
LCK: (33) 7 = 40
10532/12900 EXP
Allocation points : 0
I give a manic cackle at the results. My PSI level and PSI armor pretty much sky rocketed. Not only that but its strength is affected by my INT. I wonder how well it will hold up now.
Ding!
Select a perk
3 Perk points
I put my thoughts of unlimited power aside so that I may select my perks.
The first thing I selected was Well Educated. I could only place one point in it how ever seeing as the next level requires fifty WIS. Next time I'll make sure to check what my perk requirements are before I spend my level allocation points.
Well Educated 3/5 Lv 15 [ 6 bonus Allocation points Per Lv]
2 Perk points
Well Educated 4/5 Lv 15 (INT 50+ WIS 50)
Cheap skate:
+10% Sales
-10% Buying prices
Insomniac:
Decrease the need for sleep by 30 %
Comprehension 1/5 Lv 2 (WIS 10)
You earn a 25% increase in EXP when training skills or learning skill books
Swift Learner 1/5 Lv2 (INT 10)
You earn 15% extra EXP when ever experience is earned.
Pyromaniac. 1/3 Unlock Pyrokinesis.
Fire attacks cause 15% bonus damage. Kills with fire earn 15% more EXP.'
Demolitionist (Quest Perk Unlocked)
Increases the damage and AOE of explosions and explosive attacks by 33%.
25% bonus EXP from explosive attacks and devices.
There were several more perks on the list but the ones that stood out where Pyromaniac and Demolitionist. Pyromaniac because I have PK fire based attacks and Demo seeing as it was unlocked from my quest. Guess any perk that I gain from things like quests and events have to be unlocked with a point instead of just gaining them. A means to nerf my gamer powers I surmise.
But I think I know away to get around it. My PK fireball is a fire based attack that explodes on impact. If I was to combine the two perks together, would I be able to grind even more EXP? Only one way to find out I suppose.
I select Pyromaniac and Demolitionist before closing my stat window. The way I go about testing this skill out will be in three steps. First I go to the ground and kill a ordinary zombie by punching it to death. I don't want the head shot or decapitation bonus to interfere.
13 EXP.
Now I grab the attention of another zombie before shooting it with a PK ember. The zombie is the same as the other one and will give the same amount of base EXP.
14 EXP
Fifteen percent bonus on thirteen EXP is not much of a difference but is still noticeable. Now I separate a zombie from a group before killing it with a PK fireball.
18 EXP
I blink at the result. I wasn't really expecting my hypothesis to be correct but I had proven myself wrong. It does indeed work. The explosion was a hell of alot more powerful as well. Before it was like a grenade but now it was like a large bundle of dynamite .
By thinking things through and concluding a correct hypothesis, you gain 1 WIS.
The explosion from the tower had attracted a lot of virals to the location. I could hear a deafening cry of the virals that had gathered to the site of the tower heading to my location. Virals give twice to three times more EXP then that of a normal zombie and with the approaching horde... Well I can tell you now that I am a happy man.
The Tower was in a state of panic. The people were outside of Breckens door asking him what that giant explosion was and should they be worried. There was too much chatter over the comms to get any answer as to what had occurred. Rahim was not helping much in that regard seeing as he wasn't helping the guards hold back the crowed but instead seems to be antagonising them.
He saw Kyle and Jade push through the crowed to get to him. The chatter calmed down at that. Likely trying to listen in for what they had to say.
"Kyle! Jade!" He cried in relief of the quick respite. "What happened out there?"
"It was Kovac." Jade had answered for him. When she answered him the room went dead quiet.
Kovac has made a name for himself at The Tower. There are a lot of people who owe their lives of themselves and loved ones due to his charity. Not much is known besides that he has a stash of Antizen that he is willing to share with every one.
"Is he alright?" Brecken asked in worry.
"We are not sure yet." She responded apologetically. "The explosion was his doing however."
"What happened?" Rahim asked his sister. Kyle decided to answer for her seeing as she was at a loss right now.
"Kovac said that he knew where to find a stash of explosives last we saw him. He told us he was using Alfie's lessons to rig a remote detonator to blow up the volatile tower."
"REALLY!" Rahim shouted in excitement. He was a little disappointed how ever since he wanted to do it.
"Have a look for yourself" Kyle told him. Rahim ran back into Breckens room to check outside the balcony. "No way!" He shouted " He really did it!"
There was a cheer from the people gathered in the hall. Not only is there nothing to worry about but he just took out the next big threat by himself next to Rias. Brecken was relieved at the situation before every one left to inform the rest of The Tower.
"That is the good news how ever." Jade said after the people left and the commotion died down. "We need to talk. Kyle has something he needs to tell you." Kyle nodded at this.
Brecken ushered them into the room. Rahim was still inside and asked them what the plan is now that the biggest threats are gone and they now have a steady income of Antizen.
"That's what I wanted to talk about."Kyle had answered for him. " You might want to sit down for this."
I had gotten great deal of EXP from the incoming horde. I simply sat on top of a building and spammed P.K Fireballs. The resounding explosions from the fireballs only drew in more virals and normal undead to my location so I was at it for quite some time.
It had taken around twenty minutes before the horde died down to a trickle. I then chose that moment to collect the item drops before heading back to the tower. I had almost forgotten about the time frame I have to work with before the city gets bombed. I am not sure what I can possibly do at the moment so I hope they came up with an idea while I was away.
I made sure to make my way around the tower to the other side where there were no people before I opened up my inventory and dumped out the crates of supplies and Antizen. There are seventeen crates of Antizen accounted for. Two are the ones I fetched. Among those are some crates of guns, ammunition, some food and water along with the crate that had flares and DIY grenades. I remembered I had two blue prints of the stuff. I used one before stashing the other. Alfie is sure to appreciate this little gift. Its the least I could do after he put up with me.
The crates are all stacked up nicely against the wall. After going through my inventory one more time to pull out the loose vials of Antizen before pocketing five for myself in case I do get infected. I then make my way to the inside of the tower only for a guard at the front to stop me.
"Kovac." He greeted me with a hand shake and a shoulder pat. "Brecken wants to see you . He says its urgent." Wonder if Kyle has made leeway on the situation yet.
"Before you do though." I stop him as he was about to lead me to the elevator. "The are a stack of crates to the side over there." I tell him while pointing to the direction of the crates. "You will want to gather some people to bring them in. There is Antizen among other supplies you will want to sort out."
"Kovac you really are a life saver. You remember which floor it was?" He questioned me.
"Yeah. I'll head up now." I inform him. He goes about gathering any one and every one on the floor to collect the crates before I head to the elevator. There was two dings when I selected the floor before the elevator closed. Huh?
Ding!
Quest Complete!
Cause and Effect!
Reward:
11500 EXP
1 Skill book
That explains the second ding. I had forgotten about the quest. I can't even remember what the reward was going to be. I think I might have dismissed the screen by accident. They keep getting in the way while I'm in a situation that doesn't call for it. Wonder what else I dismissed. The EXP reward is about another levels worth and I levelled up once or twice grinding the onslaught of zombies. Not sure how many though since all I can see is the Level Up arrow in the upper right corner of my vision. I'll check after I finish another quest.
The elevator creaked to a stop before opening. As I made my way to Brecken's office a lot of people on the way waved, high fived or patted me on the shoulder as I passed them. Wonder what that's about?
The guards open the door and ushered me into the room. I walk in to see every one sitting around. There appears to be an air of depression hanging in the air. I break the silence with a simple "Hey guys."
They looked up at that. Kyle and Brecken hop of the couch and a new guy perks up at that with a grin. Jade looks up then away from me. Not sure what that is about but Kyle and Brecken walk up to me. Brecken seems checking me for injuries while Kyle seems to pause, thinking of what to say.
"It's good to see you among the living still Kovac." He says in surprise.
"What's that suppose to mean?" I ask him indignant. "Nothing."He responded with a head shake.
The new guy got up before standing before me. "It's nice to finally meet you Kovac. I'm Rahim." he says while offering a hand. I shake his offered hand giving him a simple how do you do.
"So what's happening guys? You seem oddly quiet." I turn ask the group. Rahim seems to lose his cheer at the question and the room goes quiet once more. Just as I was about to say something Kyle broke the silence.
"That would be my doing." He tells me before pausing. "I informed them of our current situation and things are not looking good." I give a gesture for him to continue but Brecken answered next.
"He told us about working for the GRE and how they plan to bomb the city within the week." He tells me in a whisper. The door is still open so I close it before he continued. "We were hoping that you might have a plan of action." He says looking at me.
"I was hoping you guys came up with something while I was out taking care of the volatile tower and the mass horde of zombies that gathered around the remains." I tell them with a shrug.
"Mass horde?" Questioned Rahim.
"Yeah." I responded while leaning against the wall.
"The explosion seemed to draw in pretty much the entire population of the undead to the base of the tower. I used more explosives to take out the entire horde. Of course that drew more to my location and so on. I barley came across any on my way here. It will be a hell of a lot easier to get around now."
Unlike in the game, the enemies don't re-spawn once they are cleared out. Now there is a drastic drop in undead within the slums. "That's good to hear at least." Says Brecken. "Now we just need to come up with something to keep the city from getting bombed."
"Hey Kovac." Kyle called for my attention. "Do you think you can get the Undersiders to help us out?" He requested. I pause at that. Seems I need to clear up some air before shit gets worse.
"Yeah..." I say while rubbing the back of my head. " I need to come clean with you guys." That seems to get every ones attention. "There are no Undersiders. I made that up."
"Your kidding." Said Brecken in a deadpan. Like he can't believe it but isn't surprised at this point.
"Yeah..." I responded in embarrassment.
The room goes quiet at my admission. Kyle broke the silence with a question. "So that hole story about the Undersiders starting a coupe with Rias's men..." He trailed off.
"That hole thing was my doing." I finish for him. "I simply stormed the place and stole all their shit on my lonesome." The group gapes at me. Brecken just shakes his head before grabbing a bottle of whisky and pours himself a glass. Then another. "The Antizen downstairs is being sorted through by some of your men" I tell Brecken in amusement.
The silence was broken by the radio on Brecken coming to life. "Brecken, you there?" It was coming from the guard I talked to earlier "Kovac has sent us a stock pile of Antizen." Brecken picked up the radio before responding.
"Kovac has just informed me in person about the Antizen he has delivered."
"That's the thing though. There are seventeen crates full of the stuff. Lena and Dr Zere have confirmed that they are all legitimate." Brecken forgoes the shot glass and downs the entire bottle after hearing that. The others just kinda stare at me with vacant looks of shock.
"That's not counting all the other crates of supplies that is here. There's food, water, grenades, weapons ammo. There is so much of the stuff here were basically set for an entire year." He tells Brecken in absolute astonishment. I'm glad its loud enough for the entire room to hear because the reactions are fucking worth it.
"Thank you for informing me." Brecken responds in a shaken voice before hanging up. He looks at me once before shaking his head. "I'm going to bed." He simply says before walking off.
I was holding my gut laughing. Jade chose to speak up after Brecken left the room. "Just... How? You said there are no Undersiders so how is it you managed to do any of the things you did?" She asked me in exasperation.
I had to hold myself at her exclamation before I run out of oxygen. I was bent over holding my aching stomach trying to calm down. I place one hand up and give a one minute gesture before getting myself under control. After the chuckle subsided I simply said one thing.
"With a great amount of difficulty." Was my simple response. "Just don't question your good fortune. I learnt that the hard way. Jokes aside we should really be focusing on the problem at hand."
"Kovac is right." Agreed Kyle with a sigh. "We can grill him for answers when we have the time. For now we need to come up with a way to keep the GRE from bombing the city. I was hoping the Undersiders could help in that regard but since there not real I have no clue what we could do now." He lamented.
"So you finally saw what was on the drive then?" I asked him. He gave a simple nod. "Do you plan to give them the drive."
"No." He responds vehemently. I simply raise my hands up in surrender at his hostility.
"Can't blame you." I say trying to re assure him. "Just needed to know where you were on this." He calms down at this. "Since you don't plan to give them the data, then how do you plan to keep them from blowing up the city?"
"I'm not sure." He tells me in defeat.
"How about a cure?" I simply say. "Dr Zere is likely close to a break through." I remind him.
"He actually called us not long before you came. They have a formula for a vaccine. But Docter Cammden is the only one with the equipment to synthesis it." He informed me. "The only problem is he needs vials of Antizen to create the vaccine."
"Something we have ample supply of but have no way to get it to him." I finish for him. "That still wont work however." I tell him.
"Why is that?" Asked Jade. Almost forgot she was here. She has been unusually quiet. Rahim is sitting outside on the balcony watching the smoke billow in the distance.
"They plan to simply cover this up by blowing up any evidence in their involvement." I tell her. "If the information was to get out however..." I trail off.
"Then they will need the cure." Exclaimed Kyle. I simply nod at that. Jade asked for an explanation. I spoke up at this point.
"They can't blow up the city if there are survivors here. The city is under close watch by the entire world. No one would agree to bombing the city while there are people still here. The thing is though we are cut off from the outside world. They could make up a story saying that they evacuated the last of the survivors and the only way to stop the virus from spreading would be to bomb it off the face of the earth."
I remembered that they did that in the game. They made a fake news cast where the only supposed survivor of the virus was rescued from the city. After the fake report they announced that they would bomb the city. When Kyle got a signal out telling people that there were survivors still in the city, the aircraft flyers in charge of bombing the city called off the strike and refused to continue.
"And how do you propose we do that?" Kyle asked sceptically.
"Your radio still has a connection to the out side world right?" I ask him.
"It does though I can only connect to the government" He replied confused.
"Yes but it still has a signal." I continue at his questioning look. "We just need to boost it." That got every ones attention. Even Rahim came back inside to hear my plan.
"I created a transceiver and attached it to a radio tower to receive and send mobile phone signals in range of the any towers located within the slums. It might be possible to create more of them and connect them up to more radio towers. I would need help however." I tell him.
The guys in sector zero used the same idea basically. Problem is we have no idea or way of contacting them. Rias was the reason they had gotten contact with them in the first place. So there has to be something else we can do. I don't have the skills required to pull this off nor the time to learn them. A were a few side quests that came to mind however.
"I remember hearing something about a politician being trapped within the city." I ponder aloud. Was it a politician? Someone important that much is for sure. Then there was that business owner guy who tried to escape with the mini sub.
"I actually heard rumours about that as well" Remarked Rahim, bringing me back to attention. " It was meant to be the new electoral mayor. He never made it out in time." I hummed at that.
"If he is still viable for evac it might be possible to get him to release the information about the virus's origin. He is a citizen of the city so he might be inclined to work with us if he was infected or lost any loved ones. Rahim you think you can dredge some information up about that?" I ask while looking to him.
He nods at me before standing up. "I'll ask around" He said before running out the door.
"What about your other plan? Inquired Kyle.
"Well I did say we needed help and its nice to have back up plans." I tell him with a shrug. "I also remember meeting a guy who claimed to be an important business tycoon. Something about owning an oil company.
"Hey yeah I remember that guy." Remarked Kyle. "He said he had a business proposition for me."
"That's good." I tell him with a nod. "Think you can get in touch with him?"
"He will have someone contact me when they are ready. Just hope it's some time soon."
"What about me?" Questioned Jade. She has been unusually quiet. She isn't even showing me any hostility any more.
"We still need to get a vaccine from Doctor Cammden. We need to get into the city and deliver him some Antizen. Think you can find a way to do that?"
"Sure." She simply responds before standing up from the couch and approaches me. I seem to tense a little at that but she doesn't look like she is going to attack me.
"Look Kovac..." She paused at that looking down at the ground before looking into my visor. "I just wanted to apologise for the way I acted earlier. I just wasn't sure I could trust you is all. I was afraid you might lord the Antizen over us and turn out to be another Rias." I blink at that. I really wasn't expecting an apology.
"Apology accepted." I tell her before offering my hand. She smiles at that before shaking my offered hand. I found her hostility annoying but justifiable. Can't really blame people for not trusting me in a miniature zombie apocalypse. They don't even actually know me but at least I have earned their trust.
They both ask me what I am going to do. The best I could tell them is that I plan to prepare for what is installed. Right now I'm just gonna go see Alfie for some more lessons. Jade went to talk to Brecken about possible ways of getting into the city while Kyle left in search of the guy who's name I can' t recall.
I had just bid them farewell when a notification popped up.
Ding!
New quest has been created.
Save Our Souls!
Find a way to contact the outside world and prevent the destruction of the city.
Reward:
15000 EXP
1 Skill book.
Failure:
Stranded in the city
Possible death
The quest is not very specific. Then again I have numerous plans just in case. A lot of those plans I don't even have all the information for. Which is likely why it is so vague. The reward caught my attention. I had forgotten about the skill book I received from the last quest. I pull out the skill book from the inventory to see what it is.
Ding!
Would you like to learn the ability: PSI Bolt.
There wasn't much explanation but it is a PSI ability. I click yes.
Ding!
New ability learnt. PSI Bolt- Active Lv 1
PSI Bolt is the ability to a bolt of PSI.
Cost: 2 PSI Per use
Speed: 40 MPH
Obvious explanation is obvious. It sounds a lot like Magic Missile. It only travels at forty MPH, so it should be a good non lethal take down ability. Like casting fist. I test it out on a empty alcohol bottle. I watch my hand as bolt of PSI quickly travels to the bottle, shattering it with ease. The bottle did not take the entire brunt of the attack as there is now a fist sized dent within the wall. I should practice this outside some other time. I don't want to have to explain a bunch of new holes in the wall plus someone might investigate all the noise. For now I think I shall go see Alfie for more lessons.
It was while I was heading down the elevator that I remembered they have no means of contacting me. I face palm at that realisation. When the elevator reached the bottom floor I headed over to the quartermaster to see if he had a radio I could use to contact the others with. He hands me over a simple radio. I leave my details with him and ask him for the the others radio contact frequency before calling them and informing them of my new contact frequency.
I noticed that the crates I had outside seemed to be stored behind the quarter master. They managed to get them all inside and sorted pretty fast that's for sure. After I was finished talking to the quarter master I headed over to Alfie.
"Yo." I greeted him with a casual wave.
"Ah Kovac." He responded in kind. "Heard about your recent exploits." He said. "I was wondering where you went off to this morning. Come have a look see." He says while gesturing towards a blueprint he was working on.
"This is my latest project." He boasted in pride.
"Is that what I think it is?" I question him in excitement.
"That it is my boy." He responded before bringing out what looks like a working model. "This here is what I have been working on for the last couple of days. I want you to give it a test run." He says while handing the device over to me.
"Nice." I tell him while marvelling over the object. "Think you can teach me how to make these?"
"After every thing you have done for us, I think it is the least I could do for you." He says. "But first you will need to test the product for me to see how she handles."
"I need a quick run down on how it works first." I was excited to see how well this works.
The item he handed to me was a working wrist mounted grappling hook. I tested it out for a bit after he showed me how to put it on and work the device. I came back a few minutes later feeling incredibly giddy. Not just from the fun of zipping all around the place like in the game but the idea of learning how to craft and maybe even improve and create better designs. I had stopped him before we started though.
"Here." I say while presenting him the DIY grenade blueprint. "This is for you. I had a spare on me and already know how to make this so this is a small thank you gift for everything you have done." I then hand blueprint over for him to inspect.
He gives it a quick look over before looking to me with raised eyebrows. "Where did you get this?" He questioned.
"I got it from a supply drop. They had a case of grenades plus instructions how to make them yourself. I found two of them and that is a spare one." I say while pointing to the blueprint on the table in front of him.
"You really didn't have to do this boy." He says in appreciation. " It is I who should be thanking you. Here." He says before opening up a draw and pulling out some blueprints. "These are for you. I was planning on teaching you them any way so select what you want to learn and we can start."
I give him a nod before reading what he had to offer. "There was an item I have been missing that runners have on them that I have been meaning to get but I always forgot to get it." I say while pointing to a specific blueprint.
"The UV flash light." He says with a nod. "Vital for dealing with virals and volatiles."
"Wait virals?" I question.
"Virals are not weak to it like volatiles are but they are sensitive to the bright light. They can be used to blind and disorientate them when you shine it in their eyes. Works better in the dark."
"Yeah I would still like to learn how to make the Grappling hook first however." He gives a good hearted chuckle before loads up the table with equipment and starts to instruct me.
I had created my first working Grappling hook before I received the notification. I decided to make some more for the other guys after I had finished my own. They are going to need it more then I will. I was on my third one before the radio on my waist gave a quick buzz.
"Kovac you there? Its me Rahim."
"Kovac here." I reply over the comms.
" I found out the location of the mayor. Runners report that he is held up within a school. I'll meet you up front in a few minutes. I can take you there."
"Alright tell me when your here. I'm working on something with Alfie I bet your gonna love."
"Alright man. See you soon."
"Well that's all I have time for now Alfie. I'll be seeing you soon."
"Take care Kovac." He says waving me out of the office space.
Ding!
Save Our Souls!
Optional:
Accompany Rahim to see the Mayor!
I dismiss the box before I head outside the front to wait for Rahim. He showed up a couple of minutes later out of breathe.
"Hey." He greeted me while panting.
"Here" I simply respond while handing over the grappling hook I made for him.
"What's this?" He questioned.
"That my good man, is a wrist mounted grappling hook." I say in grandiose flare. I demonstrate by using my own hook to latch onto a ledge of the building before it stuck and reeled me up. I grabbed onto the ledge before grappling onto the ground and landed not to far from him.
"Awesome." He shouted in excitement. He tried putting it on himself but he was having trouble. "A little help?" He asked me. I went over to show him how it is put on, used and taken off.
I let him have a quick trial run to get used to it before he came back to me with a grin on his face. "Alright the electoral mayor is located within a school building. There is a quarantine zone set up near the site. It's this way." He tells me before running north.
"Try to keep up!" He yells back to me before using the grappling hook to traverse several buildings. He gives out whoops of excitement all the way. It was kinda like Spiderman's web slinging. Maybe I should try to use two grappling hooks. I quickly give chase before letting the same excitement take me.
It had taken us about ten minutes to reach the school he was talking about. There was a quarantine zone set right outside of the building. The thing that stood out the most was the helicopter currently on the roof. We both grappled to the top to see what was going on only for it to lift off before we even got there. They mush have rushed his retrieval with the knowledge of the city getting bombed.
"Fuck". I mutter. "Looks like we missed our chance." I tell Rahim. He was currently leaning over panting in exhaustion. The only response I got from him was a groan in frustration.
"The people on board that helicopter was not willing to let any one else on board besides the intended party." I hear a voice call behind us. "Nor were they willing to negotiate." I turn around to come face to face with someone I honestly thought was dead.
"I take it you tried?" I ask Karim. His Russian accent is easy to distinguish.
"Yes I have." He responded warily. " I used to be employed with them. So what about you then SWAT guy?"
"What's it to you?" Replied Rahim who was now standing next to me. Eyeing the guy with distrust.
"Your Karim right?" I ask him. "You used to work for Rias." I finish off.
"WHAT!" Exclaimed Rahim before he starts to glare at him. "If you know who he works for then why are you talking to him." He questioned me with a look.
"He used to work for him." I say while trying to reassure him. " There are a lot of people who were forced to work for the man. Just remember that." I tell him.
"That is correct." Retorted Karim. " I originally worked as a bodyguard for the mayor before the outbreak happened. He terminated my contract however."
"Why is that?" Probed Rahim.
"He was bitten on the leg before extraction had arrived." He informed him. "I was forced to amputate his leg to stop the infection. He how ever protested and wanted to wait for an Antizen DROP."
"But you went through with it any way and he fired you." I finish for him
"Yes." Karim affirmed with a sigh. "He had threatened to have me shot if I got any where near the helicopter. He holds resentment of me since the incident."
"Not surprising" I remark. "I'd be livid if someone cut off my leg. So what do you plan to do now?"
"I'm not really sure at the moment." He answered with a shrug.
"You could join us." I suggest. "There is a project we need help in and I think you could help us."
"You can't be serious Kovac." Protested Rahim.
"Just hear me out." I say. " The both of you." I give a pointed look at Karim. "Do you know what was on the drive Rais had?" I questioned Karim.
"Yes." Stated Karim. "I had helped set up the equipment to divulge the information should something happen. It was information regarding the GRE's involvement in the virus outbreak."He declared.
"With Rias dead they now plan to simply bomb the city." I inform him. "They believe there is no way for the information to be leaked so they are just going to cover it up."
"How long do we have?" Asked Karim.
"Less then a week." I reply. " Kyle Krane has a working connection to the outside world. We need help boosting the signal so we can leak the information."
"You mean Al Capone? I have met the guy. But why does he have a working signal?"
He is willing to listen at least. Not surprising now that he knows there is impending doom approaching. "He works for the GRE. He has a line with them." I tell him
"Excellent!" He declared. " I helped with the equipment and programming to use their line to leak information to the outside world."
"That's good to hear. So are you willing to help us?"
"If it means I have a safe Haven and a way to escape this place then sure. Why not." He confirmed.
"Easier said the done." Remarked Rahim. "You have to convince Brecken first."
"You have a point. But I think he is willing to agree. If they bomb the city then Karim dies too."
"Which is why I am more then willing to help." Karim pledged.
Ding!
Save Our Souls!
Enlist the help of Karim.
Inform Brecken of your current development.
I read and dismiss the box before clapping my hands to gain their attention. "Alright with that settled, we should head back to the tower and inform the group of our development."
We are now heading back to The Tower at a much slower pace now that we are escorting Karim. I just hope the others have made progress on their end.
Author's notes
Sorry about this being so late. I would have posted sooner but I have been pretty busy now that the holidays are coming to an end. That and my internet was on the fritz