Jacob watched them for hours. Keeping his distance and hand close too Priss's gun. He felt i'm comfortable doing this but he had too. He waited and waited for what seemed to be a life time. He kept his vigilance however and waited occasionally ducking into an alleyway to avoid being seen. He was careful too keep a low profile as he trailed the two girls from across the street. He knew he must've looked like a creep from anyone else. Grabbing his hat he threw it off into a nearby alley. It sure as hell wasn't gonna do him any good when facing the boomer assassin. This is gonna be rough. He mused to himself as he continued onwards.
Linna passing a shop saw the reflection across from the street and saw something which made her raise an eyebrow. Jacob in a trench coat and tailing them from a short distance. She didn't lock but just excepted his presence. Clearly he had something in mind. Her mind again drifting back to earlier today when Irene accused Brian Mason of murder. Of course he would try to silence her. Linna realized bitterly. It wasn't even that hard to come to the conclusion. Mason had something in mind and Jacob wanted to prevent it. He was willing to alter the timeline just to save her. Her death mustn't be too important in the grand scram of the universe. Linna figured as Irene and her reached an intersection.
"Well I'd better be getting home" Irene said. "See you tomorrow" She added before crossing the street.
Linna immediately went for the nearest payphone. Waving she reached it and dialed. A car engine started suddenly and headlights engulfed the the phone booth. Linna looked to see a car barreling right at her!.
"Shit!!" She yelled out driving away from the booth as the car ran through it destroyed the phone.
The whole booth shattered and crumpled into a mess as the car swerved around and down the street Linna was headed. Jacob quickly drew the pistol from the trench coat and fired once in to the driver side. The bullet impacted the boomer skull ripping synthetic flesh as it ignored the shot. Jacob lined his weapon up again but this time at the gas tank. Where he thought it was going to be.
"Smile you son of a bitch!" He said squeezing the trigger.
Irene heard two shots and then a sudden explosion. She jumped and ran back to the corner to only gasp. The flaming wreckage of a car ran its way into a building as Jacob held a pistol while wearing a trench coat. She couldn't believe what she saw. Linna was joining him as he held the gun firm within his hand. It was as if he was frozen. Linna took the gun as she looked at the flaming wreckage. Fire began to catch within the building which triggered the alarms.
"Was that a boomer?" Linna asked him.
He nodded. Irene drew closer and the two noticed her. Linna put it all together. Her heart sank as she saw Irene.
"Irene we can explain..." Linna said before a loud creaking noise caught their attention.
Jacob's eyes went wide as he gasped in horror. It's synthetic flash was slowly melting away as it stepped from the wreckage. It's slim female figure began limping towards them. Jacob's sense of dread peaked as his heart began racing.
"Irene run its after you!" Jacob warned.
He wrenched the gun from Linna's hand and lowered it on the boomers head once more. Irene was grabbed by Linna who began running. The boomer charged Jacob and he quickly sidestepped it. He feathered the trigger twice sending a bullet right into its optic. It howled and reeled from the hit as Jacob fire shot after shot after shot the gun was empty. The trigger clicked several times before he ran after the girls. Catching up with them he sheepishly grinned despite the situation.
"Well it's really pissed now!" He said as they continued running.
"Next time use a hardsuit!" Linna told him.
"With pleasure" He replied.
Irene was now dead confused as she was pulled along down into an alleyway.
Leon was diving in the area when a voice pinged on the radio. It caught his attention almost immediately.
"Shots fired I repeat shots fired in the west district" The control computer said with no emotion in its programming.
Leon missed the human touch more than anything. Swinging his car around he gunned off towards the west end. He had a feeling about this one. Just something kept nagging at him to check it out.
"This is Leon I'm moving to investigate" He said over the radio.
Shifting into second gear he raced off into the night towards the incident. Let's see if Genom's behind this shall we. He thought shifting into third gear. His car howled as he raced on up the street.
Irene was pushed into a wall as Jacob quickly closed a large metal door. They had fled into a small work shop on private property which was Jacob's idea. His gasping was ragged as he removed his trench coat. Tossing it aside he looked to Irene with exhausted eyes.
"Linna get her outta here, I've got something in mind for it" Jacob said.
"Jacob are you mad?!" Linna said as he began flipping switches on the nearby control panel.
Jacob looked at Linna and Irene who was still confused too all hell. Poor girl. He thought before responding.
"Of course my dear Watson, now go and get outta here for the damn Boomer catches up!" He told them.
Linna begrudgingly agreed and grabbed Irene and began to run. Jacob watched them leave as a pounding we heard at the door. Machines began whirling to life as Instruments began to buzz. Robotic arms with tools began working as sparks sprayed across the long floor. Jacob grinned. The small factory was coming to life. Jacob quickly ducked outta sight and hoped this would pay off.
Leon grimaced upon seeing the burning building which fire fighters fought to put out. He saw the car which had crashed its way right through a store front. He also found a few bullet casings on the opposite side of the street and a small puddle of orange fluid. He recognized it on the spot and noticed it had formed a trail luckily for him.
"Like I got anything else too do" He muttered as he began to follow the trail on foot.
Leon had a strange feeling about this one. Something about it felt strange and wrong, as if someone had messed with something along the line.
The large door fell with a loud crash as Jacob watched with a welding torch in one hand and a wrench in the other. He watched from the darkness as the Boomer entered, It's exo-skeleton limping with each step. Did more damage than expected. He thought seeing the one optic flicker in and out. Jacob still didn't feel confident but he felt he stood a bit more of a chance against the machine. Kylie Reese got nothing on this. Jacob mused as he waited.
The boomer moved onwards scanning the room with its Visual and audio receptors. On the hud flashed a warning sign. The boomer mimicked the human sigh as it now was practically blind. It's audio receptors were blinded by the intense noise of the machinery. It moved down the middle of the factory floor looking to both sides, with one optic it meant it had to move its head from side to side just to get it all.
Jacob slinked from above on an elevated platform as he waited for the monster. It drew closer as Jacob clenched both weapons. Sweat began dripping down his forehead as he looked at the metallic creature. Come on you son of a bitch just a bit closer. Jacob looked on intensely. He only had one shot but at least he was gonna try it. It finally reached the spot and Jacob leapt down striking a boomer on the head. Loud clanking sound it has its body staggered backwards. Jacob powered the welder on quickly shoved it into its remaining optic causing it to explode into shards. The thing how old and swiped away the weapon from Jacob's hand. Jacob quickie retaliated wacking it against the head with the wrench once more. Sparks flew from the hit and Jacob repeated it five more times sending the Boomer staggering back in the electrical panel. The Boomer suddenly jolted and went still as the current of electricity shot though its frame. It wretched itself free and Jacob Quickly hit it head on setting up flying back in the electrical panel. All the boomers fuses shattered at once and it's lights dimmed out. It's body slumped over dead and Jacob looked in shock.
"Holy shit...I did it, I beat it!" He exclaimed in surprise. "Man Linna's gonna be surprised to see me" He added dropping the wrench and running towards the back door.
End of chapter