A/N: Heads up, everyone! I've got two spots left for potential OC candidates, so send them to me sometime within this week for their chance to be included!
NetherOrbit: What's funny is the conflict involved two Americans arguing about the Japanese dude's culture...who didn't even care to begin with.
Blazepanzer: Glad you liked all this, but do tell me how you feel about this chapter's length. I'm not planning on making chapters longer than this, there was simply a lot to put down.
Doctor: Besides, having an acid trip when writing this review's a great idea! Jokes aside, hope you enjoy!
Enjoy, remember to review!
Geiger watched as meter thick steel doors parted, their concrete shelters drawing them in with squeaking hydraulics and grease. Beyond this city of white and blue swayed another bustling environment, buildings replaced with tall trees. Rich with an almost glowing yellow-green bloom, it drew him and his companions in with the soft chirp of small avian. Broad leaves sheltered slow moving rivers, hills and trees forming barriers over an ever intrusive moss swarming the surrounding Earth. Brushing his blonde hair back, Geiger entered.
"Pretty," Niirox said softly, turning head as Haf and Haine cycled through their menus.
"You should see Japan during the summer," Haf said, "we've got forests like these to the south."
Niirox grinned, but only answered Haf with momentary eye contact.
I'd love to go there once I'm done with school. I already know plenty of their customs, and teaching English would be great. If only I wasn't so nervous, I need to practice my Japanese more!
"It's definitely warmer than home," Geiger said, "back home it's all pines and stuff."
"Where you from?" Haine asked.
"Wyoming. Praetor too."
"Oh wow," Haine nodded, "unlike you yetis, I live in Arizona. Cause what's rain, am I right?"
"True," Geiger smiled.
Seconds brought great change to both Haf and Haine's presence, their uniforms, suits and ties exchanged for nylon and green. The former's outfit turned loose, his equipment light and nimble. The latter, however, bulked substantially. While much had changed, it was Haine's flared helmet and conjoined face plate drawing Geiger's eye.
Thing's got two glass eye ports cupped in steel, keeping me from seeing what rested behind their yellow tinted surface. Wonder if the face mask's for cool points.
Weapons were drawn, Haf's close and compact compared to Haine's. Watching Haf cycle a magazine with a charging handles pull, Niirox asked "what gun is that?"
"This, is a custom [QBZ-95B] Chinese carbine. Had it chambered for three fifty seven magnum too."
"Ooo," Niirox smiled, "sounds big."
"Better at three hundred meters than the standard round," Haf said, "paid good money for that."
"I bet you did," Haine charged his [G36-V].
With both guns aimed skyward, Geiger too drew from his inventory. Forming a [Famas F1], his eyes lit with its reflective plastic frame, the tutorial instructing him to draw back its central charging handle. He turned, holding it to his side firmly.
Wow, this looks cool!
He then suddenly felt Haine slap it aside, its body slammed up and against Geiger's collarbone. Buckling under this show of force, Geiger stumbled back.
"Wow!" Geiger said as his body tensed, glaring as Haine persisted, "dude!"
Haine pointed at Geiger's weapon muzzle, bringing it back to display a 'one' hand position.
"Watch where you point."
"You could've said that!" Geiger said, "Jesus, dude."
Haf said nothing, watching from his position as Haine turned back towards them.
He treats them like they're holding real guns. Glad he's no goofball, but having a stick up his butt reminds me way too much of teachers back home.
Niirox looked away, sticking close to Haf as Haine stepped past them. Drawing her own weapon, she ensured her barrel pointed up and away. Her fingers fiddled with its grip, scratching at its smooth surface.
Not gonna lie, this feels a bit flimsy.
"Your uniforms won't help you much here," Haine said, "blue being what it is."
"So don't be surprised," Haf said with a half smile, "and know this. PvP is on out here."
"Thanks," Niirox said with a bow of her head.
Geiger shifted to Niirox as Haf ran ahead, taking position behind a tree past Haine.
"What's his problem? I just turned a little."
"Sh," Niirox whispered, "he's trying to teaching stuff."
Geiger obeyed with a tightened jaw, his breath forced to vent as distance grew between their two group halves. Racing up to join a leading Haf, Geiger left Niirox beside Haine towards the rear. Crossing shallow streams and treading shallow hills, their boots squished against slurry, moss providing a soft bounce to their step. Extending for miles, civilization vanished within minutes of exploration. Observing both of their group's senior men, Niirox noted a one foot distance between them and trees used for cover.
"Why not hug it?" she asked Haine.
"Mobility," Haine said before wiping sweat off his brow, "raising a weapon's tougher if you hug."
"Oh."
"Shrapnel's nice to avoid too," Haine chuckled, "learned that pretty quick."
Niirox bowed her head in thanks, a lowered eyebrow resulting from Haine as she passed by him.
The heck's she bowing to me for?
"So what're your roles, guys?" Haf asked, wading through steady waters, "whatever it is, I win."
Haine smiled behind his steel plate mask, a nasal sound indicating humor following.
Gotta like the attitude, would love to have him in infantry with me.
Niirox hesitated, letting Haine tread an untrustworthy overhang of moss. Exposed root compressed under his boots, Haf's question rattling in her mind.
I wonder how he can be that confident, it's so hot. He looks so good in all those jungle clothes too, like an action hero. Hm, what job. I don't know any, but as long as it allows me to venture around, scout, something like that.
"Is sniping a thing, here?" Geiger asked.
"Why would you wanna be a Mandy-Camper?"
"What?" Geiger asked, pressing himself firmly against trees to try copying.
"Nothing."
Haine looked up to Geiger as they marched over an eastern hill.
"That what you usually play?"
Geiger refused to look back, let alone answer.
This guy's such a jerk. Why did Daniel bring him in?
"It's a great class," Haine said, "if the guy's smart enough. Can teach you how."
"And how would you know that?" Haf asked with a grin.
"Cause I've scalped the stupid ones."
"Bull," Haf laughed before turning, "I challenge you right now to spot a sniper."
"I doubt any are around here," Haine said, "too few battlefields to camp out of. Seriously though, Geig. You wanna be a sniper?"
Gieger again said nothing, though his gaze softened. Sensing this through explicit silence, Haine dropped subject.
There's nothing as damaging to an opponent's mental fortitude than a sniper's bullet. Not from what it may shatter, but who, where, and when. Anything that causes chaos is good in my book.
A larger hill's crest was soon tread with Haf's brown boots, his form fitting helmet turning as he observed what rested below its gentle slope. With him and Geiger quicker to ascend its shallow summit, it left Niirox watchful of Haine in front of her.
Am I doing any of this right? I've followed their advice, but I still feel clueless.
Her green eyes trailed towards bright green canopies, to fallen logs long hollowed by insect and rot. Slow in her climb and tightly gripping her rifle, a tense posture went unnoticed to all as she hung back. Further in she could hear animals call out, sounds indicative of geese squabbling above. As gentle as these sounds were, it would ultimately escape her. All without warning, a crack was heard as the tree beside her chipped. Something whistled past her arm, hot air following an unseen mass.
"Wow," Haine said excitedly.
Shrieking in fright Niirox dove for cover, her back pressing against the thickest tree in reach. Haine whirled around while sliding to a crouched position, more bullets zipping by before deflecting off leaves. With weapon shouldered, Haine ducked behind brush, firing in bursts the opposing direction as rounds skipped over.
"Where's my money, huh!?"
This voice drew Niirox's mind to panic as Geiger shouted off in alarm, Haf rushing around and between trees far from her. A familiar set of blue stood behind them at the foot of their hill, arms flashing as his weapon blasted away, aiming primarily at Niirox. A round hit her tree, its surface responding with a stiff thump.
"I'll draw," Haine said to her before looking to Geiger, "Dude, keep his head down!"
Geiger pulled hard, body shaking as the gun rattled away against his shoulder. Haine rose to a crouch, rising and advancing downhill at inconsistent speeds, firing in short bursts to force his opponent to cover. As he fired back, another round skipped by, scoring a glancing hit on Niirox's cover. This unfortunately sent hot wooden splinters flying, catching her on the side with a hefty graze.
[HP: 95%]
[Your padded uniform blocked shrapnel, this time]
"Ow!" Niirox said instinctively, hosing the aggressor from atop her perch without restraint.
The disgruntled beggar's weapon emptied, forcing him to reload as both Haf and Haine flanked from cover. While Haf aimed for his head, Haine drew down, a bullet from his rifle digging through his target's leg. Haf's bullet whizzed over, missing only from his target's fall.
The shooter cursed as he crawled for the rocks, left whipping as an additional two rounds struck center of mass from a frustrated Haf.
"Hold fire!" Haine waved to Haf, who raised hands in confusion, "you two! Come here!"
Niirox and Geiger followed as directed, both of whom were groaning from having missed shots. Joining Haine, they waited for a response, any movement from a cornered shooter. Nothing would sound off from what rocks the beggar hid behind. With neither groans, machinery, or rustling for minutes on, Haf motioned Haine to advance.
Haine nodded to both, firmly shouldering his rifle before examining the site. Geiger shook in excitement, eyes lit as he followed closely, Niirox remaining withdrawn as they neared him, wincing as Haine arrived.
He's gonna get hit!
Haine waved, his gun aimed at an incapacitated player laying in a pool of red. Geiger jumped softly between feet, looking with wonder.
"We got him," Geiger said, "well uh, who got him?"
"Haf," Haine said, "well...if you let him."
Geiger turned his head to Haine, who pointed at the gasping soldier.
"You two," Haine directed a finger, "shoot him."
"He's wounded though," Niirox said, "that's-"
Geiger opened up, dumping every bullet in his freshly loaded magazine towards this aggressor, the target wriggling from raw energy depositing through his broken frame. Breathing ceased, his body limp and lifeless on darkened moss. Haine raised a hand to high five, Geiger accepting it with a firm clap. Haf approached eagerly, handling the deceased with scrutiny.
"Next lesson," Haine said with a nod to both Geiger and Niirox, "trigger control."
He pointed over the body before saying, "even from point blank, half your rounds missed him. Practice by pulling the trigger for only a moment, or half."
Niirox looked to her status as Haine spoke to Geiger, her health not replenishing with these moments of peace.
Shouldn't ask for help, that'd slow everyone down.
"We should get to Praetor," Geiger said anxiously, "he's still back there!"
"True," Haine said with a nod, "Haf?"
"Hey," Haf said with a raised coin in his fingers, "got thirty."
"Really?" Haine laughed, "he didn't save that?"
"Nope," Haf smiled, "gotta love game sales. Brings all the scrubs."
Geiger froze, looking at his starting five hundred Marques before following his departing squad. All returned to a brisk pace through a broad leafed rainforest, Earth squishing and sticking to their previously dry footwear. With Haf leading the way, Geiger kept close by as he asked; "Couldn't you take his stuff?"
"Only the money," Haf said, "ten percent too per ragdoll."
"Oh god," Geiger sighed, "I thought all of it was open."
"You really think I'd work hard for stuff that'd get stolen?"
"No, no," Geiger looked down, "was just wondering."
"And I'm just joking."
Niirox on the other hand had moved ahead of Haine, keeping herself between both Geiger and their rear guard with a steadily frustrated glare.
I thought I blocked him, how come he found me?
"So who owed him?" Haine asked jokingly, "huh, no names? Sheesh, I haven't even asked for those, have I?"
"Haf," their furthest teammate said, "you always this good at timing?"
"Only when it's funny."
"It's Geiger," Geiger said gently, "yours?"
"Haine."
"Niirox," she said, "he was...after me."
"Why would he?" Geiger asked quickly, "you didn't do anything."
Haine smirked behind his mask, rolling eyes as he marched behind everyone.
So quick to presume her innocence, someone's thirsty.
"I don't know," Niirox said with a sigh, "he asked for some money at the market, I gave him some."
"There's your first mistake," Haf said, "they make thousands doing that. Rather than play the game and compete, they sit there and leech."
"But what if they really need it?"
"This isn't real life, they had the money to afford VR in the first place."
Geiger listened closely, hugging trees as he followed Haf.
"Maybe I should try that," Haine said, "just gotta dump all this self respect."
Niirox's temper simmered, though her stance also slumped.
Will have to be more watchful of who I help. Ugh, why'd I even do that? I didn't know them.
"So how far is Praetor?" Haine asked, "gonna order take out after this."
Haf stopped dead in his tracks, looking back at Haine as Geiger checked his map.
"Says a kilometer?" Geiger said.
"No," Haf said strongly, "no you're not getting take out."
"Pf, why not?" Haine smiled.
"It's garbage!" Haf glanced between trees before directing attention.
"BBQ wings are garbage?"
"No," Geiger winced, "please. Don't do me like this."
"And?" Haf asked louder.
"Wings and bacon dipped fries?"
Niirox's eyes narrowed as she looked away, saying nothing as Haf rushed Haine.
This guy's doing everything he can to get a reaction. Not even my stomach's safe from him!
"I guarantee you right now," Haf stepped up to Haine's armored face, "I can serve you better for the same price. Maybe cheaper."
"Really?" Haine leaned forward, hunching shoulders, "like what?"
"Tempura," Haf squared up to Haine, "battered seafood, meat, and vegetables all in a single serving. Sukiyaki too if none of that's enough."
Haine looked to Geiger and Niirox, swinging arms in confusion at Haf's last food item.
"Oh," Niirox smiled, "Sukiyaki's a famous dish. Made of beef, green onions, tofu, shrooms, and noodles."
Haine looked directly at her, eyes shielded by his face plate.
"Weeb, please." she said, turning away.
"Bro," Geiger laughed, "burned."
"So?" Haf asked Haine again, "I'm waiting."
Geiger watched in anticipation, the eye contact between both heating up.
Are they gonna fight? Not gonna lie, I wanna watch...when Dan's safe!
"Can this wait?" Geiger asked, "we still gotta help!"
What Geiger and Haf couldn't see behind plates of hardened steel, was a bright smile on Haine's face.
Mmm, never tried that before.
"I'll keep you to that," Haine said, "if you can ship it."
"Come to Japan and you'll see real cuisine!" Haf said, turning to continue leading, "you'll forget your fast food junk like that!"
"Thank you," Geiger said under his breath.
Proceeding forward, Geiger shuddered as his blue uniform was stained with mud, loose clumps of fern and lichen sticking to clothing. Slogging through foliage, however, he saw Haf raise a fist, stopping in place.
"Guns off," Haf said softly, "clan camp."
"Friendly?" Geiger asked.
"No, this is a voluntary surrender."
"I hope you're joking," Haine growled.
"He is," Niirox said.
With weapons holstered, a clearing was uncovered. Sandbag walls two bags thick covered non-paved passages, guarded by players of various camouflage patterns, but identical shoulder patches. Guns were raised, shouting to the group for identification.
"He's a sec," Haine pointed to Haf, "rest of us are passing through."
"Don't get closer!"
"I'm really sorry for this." Geiger said, "I was just wondering if you saw a guy pass by here? He's six foot something, brown haired? Doesn't listen to anyone?"
"Six foot runner? Yeah," a guard pointed a few degrees south, "was looking for secs. Now piss off!"
One guard, however, caught sight of Niirox. He glanced between his team, nudging them to direct gazes as Haf led them around their camp. Geiger's wandering eyes caught long barrels sticking out from the center of this encampment, with tents erected alongside them.
"Artillery," Haf said, "Mandy-campers."
"What's the Mandy part about?"
"Slang for commander. They get cleared by him to fire in a battle. Gets kills, sits there."
"Hey, hot stuff? Our guns're open!"
Niirox ignored this, though they were pointing towards their set of planted siege weapons. Haine, however, turned head.
"Hey, they're not meaning those."
"Huh?" she asked.
"They mean an actual gun. See that barrel? That's a freaking one o five millimeter!"
Her green eyes made out the square muzzle brake, lighting up in response.
"Come on!" one guard whined, "at least one?"
She looked to Haf, who promptly said "not enough time."
A slight frown was evident, eyes glancing to a cannon the size of a small tree.
"I wanna," she muttered.
"Go for it," Haine said, his voice softened drastically.
"Haf's right though."
"Artillery gun."
"She might not be a she," a guard grumbled.
"Haf's right," Niirox said with a bow of her head to the guards, "sorry guys! Maybe I will on the return trip!"
"She is a she!" one cheered, "Hey, wanna join our clan?"
"Ugh," Haine said, ushering Niirox to a brisker pace.
"Hey, don't push her around!" one hissed at Haine, "let her make a choice!"
"She has," Haine said sternly, "don't twist your panties."
"What's the hold up?" Haf asked loudly, "those Mandy camping virgins talking big?"
"You wanna start, pal?" a guard raised his weapon.
By this point, Haine pushed along faster with a blank expression behind steel.
What the hell is happening?
A dozen guns were raised on Haf, who drew his in return, smiling as they held behind cover. Haine kept back, readying to draw with Niirox behind him. Geiger took cover, ready to fire with shaking hands. Niirox, however, stepped forward.
"Guys?" Niirox asked, "if I come back to try, will you not shoot my friends?"
"He's tossing shade," one said with a smirk, "best we correct him."
"Dude," another guard said, "she promised to come around. Don't screw this for us."
Weapons lowered, Niirox's words calming them back to stand by as Haf turned with a grin.
"Thanks guys!" Niirox waved, turning away nervously before exhaling with a mutter, "shoot."
Geiger breathed, putting away his weapon before continuing with the others. Haine, however, looked to Niirox.
Thank god she disarmed that. Freaking Haf nearly got us killed just to get his dig.
"She's not coming back, is she?"
"Nope. Good game, man."
Thunderous cracks were heard behind the party, the camp launching a volley of fire consecutively. Their shells whistled as they trailed high, air roaring as they made a steady descent.
"My kind of orchestra," Haine said, "too bad they better move."
"Why?" Geiger asked, "Haf said they can just sit there."
"Cause there's nothing that an artilleryman likes to hear more...than enemy artillery."
Hopping over a fallen log, Geiger drew his gun, jerking it upward before looking behind him.
"Gotta say," he said, "this gun's wicked."
"Oh boy," Haf laughed, "if you think that piece o' junk's good."
"it isn't?"
"It's starter gun stuff. Every faction's starter sucks."
"Vilmont's nice," Haine said, "mostly in close quarters, one v one type scenarios."
"When's the last time you found yourself in CQC?" Haf asked.
"One bat ago, had to secure a Republic captured facility before they could reinforce with armor."
"How'd that turn out?"
Haine shrugged before saying, "got routed. Turns out rushed strategy doesn't work with wimpy cowards. Don't mind Haf though, your [FAMAS]'s got its strengths."
"Plastic bod," Haf snickered.
"You can get it made in metal," Haine said, "get it made, like a good heist check."
"Screw you," Haf said, "that's cheap."
"So's your sis."
"I'd shoot you right now," Haf gripped his gun.
"And I'd getcha a drink," Haine laughed, "I kid."
Geiger noted this conversation, as did Niirox. Looking at his held weapon, he fiddled with a switch.
[Burst Engaged]
"Hm,"
"Dammit," Haine said quickly, "be right back, guys."
His hand shot up, hitting a [Quick D/C] at the top of his menu. Left without a player to control his avatar, Haine's NPC laid among the thicket. Both Geiger and Niirox paused, looking down at their lobotomized teammate.
"We'll be fine," Haf said, "he's a f k."
"Right," Geiger said, "but do we leave him there?"
"Pretty much, AFK bots are meant to lay low until their timer ends."
"Can't we get him to follow us?" Niirox asked, "would feel bad leaving him there."
"With how smart bots are, you'll get him killed more likely than not. He'll be fine, let's finish this."
Niirox and Geiger closed in with Haf, the increasing volume of rifle fire drawing them in. Haf quickened his pace, veering for an angle around its source. Entering its immediate proximity, however, Geiger spotted a familiar face hiding behind boulders.
"Praetor." Geiger said cautiously.
Bullets sprayed all around a very wide eyed Praetor, his eyes glancing for new cover as rock cracked under constant stress. Niirox followed after Haf, spotting more individuals in cover with him. While both were males of Japanese origin, their physiological profiles couldn't be seen the same.
"Guess he made some friends," Haf said, "too bad I'm not shooting."
"Why not?" Niirox asked, stopping as she looked past themselves.
Several units were dug in among the trees, their uniforms ragged and random in their high numbers. Counting at least twenty on site would have set Niirox back, but with them also were a pair of pickup trucks. Equipped with belt-fed automatics on their decks, Niirox inched back in recognition.
"Someone's making a move," Haf said, "RTS player to be exact. Best we leave."
"We can't leave him there," Geiger said.
"Technically we could," Haf reached down his vest, "didn't plan on stopping a strike force."
Niirox watched carefully, noting their opponents refusal to step within seventy feet of Praetor's small team. More importantly, she saw Praetor's newest companion. Drawing grenades from a bulky vest, the tanned and muscular one took his time tossing at any readily moving flanker.
"Hey," Niirox pointed, "he's got grenades."
"Great," Haf said, "real convincing. Do you have any idea what forces could be behind this one? Strike forces don't gather all in the same place! They're phased!"
"Is there any way we can get to them?" Geiger asked.
Checking his [Tac-vest-tory], Haf groaned upon inspection. Holding two of his last smoke grenades, he kept looking between these and the current field of engagement.
Getting killed isn't gonna help me repay dues. This is such a bad risk, no reward in any of this insanity. Maybe I'll let him roll on heroism, but keep her primed for my sake.
"Ah screw it," he turned to his team, "okay, one of you's gonna have to run in and let them know I'm lobbing smoke. I can't silence the vehicle guns without giving us away though, but I can cover whoever runs in case one tries. Any volunteers?"
Niirox hesitated, tongue drawing to the back of her jaw.
jumping in like that's suicide, no thanks.
Geiger stepped forward, though shaking.
"I'm getting him out. What do I tell him?"
"Run where that artie camp was," Haf said, "give em' one of these," he passed one grenade, "I'll have Niirox toss hers before we fall back to that base."
"Where is it though?" Niirox asked, "it's hard to track anything in this jungle!"
"Then here's my lesson," Haf said with a raised finger, "track compass directions. Our rendezvous's west along the road beside us." He passed his second grenade to Niirox, "toss this down five seconds after he gets there."
"Uh," Niirox gripped the grenade, "how?"
Haf nodded to Geiger, focusing on teaching Niirox. Geiger shivered, tightly holding his grenade while staring downhill. His focus, however, remained absolute. Haf's order count sent him racing down, sprinting as far as his legs could push him. He moved so fast in fact his boot snagged among surfaced roots, forcing Geiger to roll outside control.
Niirox and Haf froze as he crashed against a tree, knocking air out of him with a solid thump with its trunk against his ribs.
"Brilliant," Haf said with a grumble, "maybe I should do it."
Geiger groaned before forcing himself forward, gasping for air as he kicked up dirt beneath boots. By this time, the opposing force's gun truck caught sight of Geiger, opening up with a quick turn and burst of its machine gun. Its belt fed bullets sailed through air and jacket with ease, sending the runner rolling on his stomach as two struck him center of mass.
[HP: 43%]
[Major vessel rupture!]
[You bleed heavily, -2% HP/sec]
Geiger's body fell within meager feet of Praetor's defensive line, Praetor himself looking with raised eyebrows at his friend's surprise visit.
"Bro, where were you hiding?"
"Dude," Geiger groaned, "take the grenade."
"Hang on!"
Praetor leaped forward, grabbing and yanking his friend to safety, albeit with struggle.
"Pole, help him!" one of Praetor's friends pointed.
"Uh, right!" one by the name of Polestar approached, digging his twin pistols away before trying to assist. Unfortunately for him, a skipping round caught his ear, sending him sprawling out of balance, taking a knee. His short white hair and pale skin stained with mud, his black eyes watering as he scrambled forward to drag Geiger in.
[HP: 93%]
[Your ear rings with pain - Unstable I ]
"Of course!" Pole cried out, "it had to happen now!"
Geiger's colored vision faded, scenery turning monochromatic as health drained. Within reaching twenty five percent HP, his status blared [Incapacitated]. His rifle was no longer usable, his heads up display indicating only handguns as useful in this state. Dragged in with desperation, Praetor looked back.
"Please tell me you medic."
"He does, sort of!" Polestar said as he stumbled, drawing weapons again. "Leon, please!"
"Don't panic," Leon said with calm resolve, drawing a red bag. "Saw's empty, but I've got a couple o' nades left!"
Niirox seeing this unfold shook violently, Haf's fire drawing that same gun truck's fire within seconds of its engagement with Gieger. Unlike previous rounds fired their direction, the PKM's dug into trees, sending clouds of dust and hot chunks scattering as both laid low in its wake. Niirox curled up and shivered, eyes wet as they shut tight.
Should I go?! Oh god, this is insane!
"Gotta play smart." Haf shook his head, "what're you doing, Haf?"
"What?!" Niirox asked.
"Five seconds, you toss!"
"But what if I miss?"
"How can you miss?"
The opposing force's second technical forced Praetor's defense into hunkering down, their medical unit too busy working on Geiger to keep perimeter.
"Someone take my nades?" Leon growled, "they're getting too close!"
Praetor reached out for three, speedily tossing them up and over their cover without restraint. Geiger's vision darkened, HP reaching eleven percentas Praetor's first sailed northward, its detonation near no one.
"Bleeding's stopped," Leon mumbled, "first sign."
"Dude," Geiger called to Praetor, raising his smoke grenade, "we gotta...fall back."
"Hang on!" Praetor tossed his second fragmentation device angrily.
He ducked after tossing his second, but this time heard it ping against metal.
"Grenade!" Praetor overheard.
A detonation was followed by a screech of steel, air bags firing off as chunks of heated metal flew out like flies. Praetor's face turned a bright red, cocking a fist in exuberance before using up his last grenade.
I just fragged their truck, yes!
A dull thump and loud crunch was followed by a plume of smoke, the previously deafening fire ebbing slightly. Healing steadily from Leon's medical kit, color restored in Geiger's sight. In moments, his eyebrows furrowed upon seeing Leon's face, whose eyes contradicted chromatically.
Why's his left eye blue?
"He's good," Leon stroked back his long brown hair, "too bad that's my last kit."
"Praetor!" Geiger said louder, "Toss it!"
Praetor glanced down, reaching for Haf's loaned smoke grenade. Uphill and away from them, Haf and Niirox laid under heavy fire, their opposing vehicle refusing to back down.
"Toss that way, dammit!" Haf nodded northeast, "we can't wait any longer!"
Niirox sadly had long engorged in the fight's chaos, her mind locking down as she focused on a single factor, self preservation. Barely hearing Haf, no grenade was tossed.
"What're you doing?! I'm not dying here for your-"
A set of three bullets burst through thin soil, their angle steep as they dug through Haf's torso with ease.
[HP: 29%]
[Spinal Fracture]
[Paralyzed!]
Haf's body laid there, unable to move as Niirox yelled in retreat.
"You serious?" Haf asked with a groan, "F that."
He drew his side arm, a pistol with a frontally placed magazine, firing it in the general direction towards the truck. He glared at Niirox.
"You better loot me!"
By this point, however, Niirox had drowned in panic. Entrenching herself in moss and mud, a shaky hand clutched the smoke grenade.
This is so scary, I can't move anywhere! I got Haf shot! I'm so terrible!
By this time, a group of six infantry had taken preparatory flank positions against Praetor's team, Praetor swiftly lobbing Geiger's smoke grenade in desperation. With this toss, however, fell his aim. In aerial rotation, it met a tree branch's mass, tumbling back down with gas bursting.
"Oh crap," Praetor leaned back.
Geiger rose again, Leon's red bag vanishing after its use. While his health percentage was slow to restore, his feet were quick to flee. Grabbing Praetor, he called the others to run, blue colored smoke clouding their position as opposing forces advanced around their corner.
Rounds flew by, but Haf's evasive tool enabled them obscurity, running across and up his and Niirox's hill with great haste. Their enemy's second technical, however, was still active, swerving to spray down Praetor's team across their backs. A round fired, but was followed by a sharp hiss, its user cursing as he cleared his weapon, finding it [Jammed].
Gathering around, Geiger found Haf's limp body. His handgun was silenced, fingers rigid and cold. Mouth agape, he looked to Niirox who still held her grenade.
"Come on!" he grabbed Niirox, helping her up.
"I actually scrapped a vehicle!" Praetor said, "one grenade!"
"No time for cheering!" Pole stammered, "Retreat!"
"Wait!" Niirox scrambled for Haf's pockets, "I have to!"
Infantry poured fire on position, forcing the others into retreat further downhill. Taking seven Marque and fifty, Niirox followed shortly after. Opposing forces were quick to ascend their abandoned hill, weapons raised in anticipation. Thick treeline and dramatic shifts in elevation, however, forced them to march through in search. Outnumbering Geiger's party by a minimum of two to one, all that stood between themselves and perforation was nature itself.
Without guidance, however, their party scattered different directions, sight of each other quickly lost as the jungle consumed each and every one.
"Guys, slow down!" Niirox pleaded, "I can't see you."
Shouting from differing sides brought a glint in Niirox's eye, though this mixed terribly with her lowered face. Minutes passed as she fled aimlessly through thick foliage, stamina drained as sweat poured. While her pursuers couldn't be heard, neither were her friends. Slowing to a stop, she searched around wildly.
They won't take long, this peace is temporary! What do I do? I'll die if they find me, or worse! All I've got's this stupid blue uniform!
An idea hatched as Niirox eyed a shallow stream. Putting her back to a tree, she worked fingers on the buttons of said blue apparel, loosing its thick layers.
Haine was right, this stuff's terrible camouflage...and it drags. Sure it protects me, but I doubt it'll stop their bullets, seeing what they did to Geiger...and Haf.
Left with a set of orange undershirt and training shorts, she dove for an overhang, finding a patch of flowers similar in color to her clothes laid out in a small clearing. There she would lay, the forest floor cold and wet against her stomach. Sighing in response, she laid still with eyes open.
This'll do, I think. This isn't gonna work, is it?
A good distance away, Praetor dived behind more trees further south, rounds skipping as he kept close to Geiger. Alongside them too, were Praetor's most recent assistants, Polestar blindly firing handguns behind him as Leon hauled his own belt fed machine gun with him.
"Wish we had another hill!" Geiger said, "who am I kidding, we won't get one now!"
"Love a good motivating speech!" Praetor smiled, "you're a real people person, you know that, boy?"
"Where're we going?" Pole asked weakly.
"Straight to town!" Geiger said, "this rescue's gone to crap!"
While they ventured west, Niirox waited. The shouts of angered infantry reached a her hidden ears, fingers digging in dirt as they drew closer. Shivering slightly, she checked her weapon before masking it beneath the shade of her accompanying overhang.
Mm, imagine if Haf came back to rescue me. Would be so romantic, if I hadn't screwed up. I'm scared, I just want something to go right!
A set of splashes left Niirox frozen, with multiple pairs of boots storming through. From behind ubiquitous treeline emerged at last her enemy, whose lack of proper uniform flagged their side. Their gear consisted of mostly civilian clothes, worn and dyed to match the environment, bright green mixed with brown. While many wore no helmet, one wore a chest fitted vest with a harnessed radio, along with a bright green sword for an emblem.
These five figures stopped, looking slowly around themselves, AK patterned rifles ready. They neared Niirox's spot, worsening her fearful shivers.
They're gonna find me!
"Alpha two, this is Alpha three. Contacts have not routed on coordinates..."
His radio buzzed off, eyes carefully surveying as he pressed again.
"This is Alpha two, requesting rally point."
"This is Bravo two six, we've been ordered to withdraw until further support arrives. Alpha two, your rendezvous is half a click back of quadrant nine-"
A stirring of brush left the insurgents spinning, one of them firing a quick burst into the green. In this ruckus, however, one of them shook with a sudden jerk. Niirox couldn't tell what had happened, but this insurgent fell a second later, his squadmates shouting in disbelief.
"He's gone!"
"Where?"
"Right in the ear," one pointed, "he's that way!"
They fired into the brush with unified force, each firing their burst at their partner's last round, creating a wall of lead towards north. Their fourth gunner kept watch, only to suffer similar consequence as their first. In their gunfire, another fell. By this time, all three had agreed to retreat, casualties stacking too high.
Just as they faced each other, however, their predator emerged. Rushing behind one, the formerly concealed Haine unloaded three rounds, his handgun's muzzle dug into his target's back.
Niirox stared as one went into shock, the remaining two bots panicking as Haine used their friend as a suppressor. Bullets punched through their unarmored torsos with ease, plummeting before Haine finished his shield with a cranial execution.
Silence, with all five insurgent bots gone. Niirox stared as he holstered his sidearm, marching straight up to her before stopping in a slightly shaking stance. His shoulders were covered in fern twigs, along with his helmet, with yellow glass lenses still sharp.
"Your camo sucks."
"Oh yeah?" Niirox rose steadily, "well your...manners suck."
"So I got a little stage fright," Haine said warmly, "should I say please first?"
Niirox smiled slightly, accepting his hand up.
"Thank you," Niirox said with a smile, "when'd you get back?"
"Roughly three minutes ago," Haine whispered, "how many did our friend piss off?"
"Uh, thirty? They had trucks with guns on them."
"Sheesh. Are you it? Didn't see Haf with you."
"I," Niirox crossed her arms, "don't know. Let's uh," she stopped, looking over the fallen insurgents. "Wait."
Haine drew his rifle, inspecting its clear plastic magazine for capacity as Niirox looked over the deceased. From cold hands and death tightened arms rested rifles of iron and wood, their more natural components varying in shade and color. Wrestling one free, her green eyes lit.
[AK-M - F-Class]
[Caliber: 7.62x39mm]
[Effective Range: 100m]
[Jam %: 35]
[Overpressure %: 10%]
Color faded from her face, smile easing.
"Were AK's always this bad? F tier?"
"That's not the true weapon tier," Haine said, "the letter indicates its current craftsmanship. All bot dropped weapons start there."
"Oh? Can I improve it?"
Haine nodded, glancing behind him momentarily before asking, "could you bring the rest? Praetor'll need them for quests."
"S-Sure," she bowed her head, retrieving each rifle.
"Speaking of which, did you get him out?"
"Yeah."
"Then it wasn't a total loss. Gonna have to ask Haf what happened."
Niirox's stomach twisted, following closely behind Haine as he marched west.
Haf's gonna kill me after all that! Why didn't I do anything?
Minutes in, however, both were stopped by an assertive voice in the woods.
"That's close enough, Haine."
Haine stopped, but his weapon remained against his chest. Niirox glanced quickly, watching as two men in bright green camouflage emerged, their rifles pointed towards him while parting slightly. A third emerged, a bright red rocket emblem embroidered on his patrol cap.
"So what I say does matter," Haine said, "could've picked a better time, Greg."
"Helps when you tossed shade," one of his guards said, "figured you smarter."
"I'll give 'em," Haine said with a hand pointed west, "but I need to clear something first."
"This won't stop you," Greg said.
"No, but it will slow me down."
"Oh would it? Should I be negotiating? Funny, cause it wasn't me calling certain people pussies today."
"First Henderson, now me." Haine sighed, "starting to think you like your guys soft. Makes leading 'em easy, doesn't it?"
"Dude, don't make this difficult."
Niirox stayed back, but her eyes noted Greg's second guard's actions. His gaze constantly glanced back, towards north through otherwise unremarkable brush. Squinting softly this direction, she searched.
Huh, wonder what he's looking at.
"They're new guys," Greg opened palms, "you really expect them to reach your 'lofty' standards?"
"Eh, you have a point." Haine said with a sigh before opening his menu, "can I keep mine though? You were right about one thing. Thirty six V's a beautiful weapon."
"Oh gee, Haine." Greg leaned over him, "I wish I could say yes, but that's our standard issue...I'm sure a 'super-man' like you can get one."
"Not the point," Haine shook his head, "but okay."
"So hand it."
Niirox's eyes had been fixated north, searching for what Greg's guard had been seeking. In the lush green, a small tuft of light blue hair was spotted, a head and set of shoulders hidden behind ferns several meters away. Niirox's posture stiffened, there was someone laying there.
"Who's that?" Niirox asked while pointing.
Her question was answered with a resounding boom, but she would never hear it. Haine almost leaped back, watching her body detonate beside him in a showery display. Thrown back several feet, her HP hit zero without warning, a hole the size of a beach ball leaving her unquestionably dead.
"Jeez!" Haine said with mouth agape.
"Still up for arguing?" Greg asked.
Another detonation was heard, this time one of Greg's guards flying apart in its wake. Greg jerked back, hitting his shoulder rigged radio.
"Friendly fire!" he said, "the f's your problem?"
"he gave me away." a voice answered back, "get it done."
Haine's eyes widened, glancing between the two corpses left scattered along the woods. Hearing a cold, but unmistakably female voice from Greg's device, his shoulders lowered.
"Sinon..." Haine muttered before looking up, "how'd you afford that kind of help?"
"She was bored," Greg groaned, "I suggest you don't give her a reason to pull thrice."
Haine frowned behind his face plate, eyelids drooping as he looked down at his composite weapon.
With Sinon on his side, I'm as good as dead if he says so. Then again, what do I have to lose? Some money?
Nearly two dozen [G36-V] rifles were dropped before Greg, their dual optic prepped carry handle combination bulky as they stacked. Vests were dumped with them, albeit with a softer reception, piling almost neatly as Haine's officer collected, his remaining guard keeping aim.
"Your gu-" Greg said before stopping himself, putting a hand forward. "My mistake...my gun."
Haine's fingers gripped its polymer handle tightly, caressing its worn surface.
But I love her.
"Dude. Drop. It."
Feeling its soft rubber shoulder pad, Haine placed the rifle stock first to Earth. Leaning it forward, fingers would remain clutched to it while Greg reached.
"Give."
Digits uncoiled, Haine's right hand shooting for his holster. Drawing it from leather, a handgun's barrel would rise, only to fire at dirt. Before Haine could so much as point his weapon, a fifty caliber rifle round bore through his center of mass. Scattered like red leaves in the wind, his remains left Greg and his security nodding.
"This is why," Greg raised a finger to his guard, "you never cheap out on insurance."
"Cool story, bro." his guard looked to his fallen teammate, "I looked at Sinon, my court date's in five."
His boss laughed, digging through Niirox's pockets.
"Thirty five, not bad. And edge lord?" Greg checked Haine, "ten cents?! Are you serious?"
"Doesn't wanna get jacked," his guard shrugged.
"it's called wandering merchants, my dude." Greg said with a sigh, "alright, get your bud's money too. Wouldn't want a rando looting him."
"Already done."
"Good," Greg hit his radio, "Alright, head to town and collect your pay."
"About time," Sinon radioed back.
Geiger and Praetor slowed as they came in sight of sandbag bunkers, Nouveau's twenty four foot wall of white rallying them. They gathered around, a weary Haine and Niirox emerging from steel gates minutes later. Unfortunately for all of them, a foot tapping Haf was present with arms cross, looking straight at Niirox. Leon and Polestar saw his gaze, sliding aside as he approached his target.
"The hell was that?" Haf asked, "one job, you wouldn't do it."
"I'm sorry!" Niirox hid a little, "it was so intense, I just didn't know how to respond."
Haine looked to Niirox with a furrowed brow.
"What?"
"I told her to toss a smoke after five seconds," Haf said, "got me killed cause she wouldn't throw it."
Niirox's stepped back, faced with both veterans gazes.
I messed up, now Haf's gonna hate me.
"So what got you?" Haine asked.
"PKM."
"Oh," Haine frowned briefly, removing his helmet and face plate. "cause dude, you were the last guy I was expecting to go down."
"Mistakes were made," Haf eyed Niirox briefly, "doubt I even got insured."
"I got your money," Niirox shyly put forward.
"See?" Haine smiled slightly, "not all bad."
"Right," Haf groaned before taking it before seeing Praetor and Geiger. "Why're you two standing here?"
"Tried reminding them," Leon said for them, slipping up to Haf's view. "they were determined."
"It's called getting shot," Praetor said excitedly, "never ran that fast in my life!"
He looked to Haine, whose weapon had changed to an AK-M.
"New gun?"
"Old." Haine's lips pressed, "remember what I said about my boss getting pissed?"
"Ye?"
"Who was that by the way?" Niirox looked to Haine, "their gun killed me in one hit."
"Sinon," Haine said to Niirox before looking to Praetor, "was hoping it'd work out."
"How'd they hire her?" Haf looked incredulously, "she's special forces."
"A bit optimistic, don't you think?" Praetor asked, "it was a shake down."
"Nothing wrong with that," Geiger said, "I'm sorry you lost your gun, man."
"Thanks, Geig." Haine nodded, "plus side, Niirox? You learned-wait." He stopped, turning to her, "how did you spot her?"
"I don't know," Niirox retreated slightly.
"What did you see?" Haine persisted, "cause if I get mistook for a com-play..."
"Fun," Haf smiled wry.
"Guy was...looking this direction a lot," Niirox said, "saw something blue, thought it looked out of place."
"You serious? That open?"
"It was the rainforest," Geiger said, "we can't see through any of this stuff for more than a couple meters."
"No cloaking device," Haine muttered, "huh. Well good eye. Sorry you had to experience a fifty."
Leon's eyes flickered, listening as Polestar stuck by him quietly.
"It's fine," Niirox's eyes widened. "Wait, my money!"
Finding thirty five fewer Marques in storage, Niirox curled up.
"No..."
"Oh my god," Praetor grinned, "we outlived all of you!"
"Yeah, yeah," Haf waved off, "don't get cocky."
"Nope," Praetor said louder, "I'm hyped. I greased a vehicle!"
"You what?" Haine asked.
As they conversed, Leon looked to Polestar with eager eyes.
"What do you think?" Pole asked, "should we ask?"
"Leave that to me," Leon said with a grin as he brushed back brown hair, "they seem well matched. One's got good eyesight, two're experienced...I don't know."
Niirox drew her newest weapon, a nearly destroyed [AK-M] rifle with rich orange colored wood.
"Found this," she said to Haf.
"Yep," Haf nodded, "that's an AK. Anything else?"
Niirox shivered a little, but pursued nonetheless. Praetor, however, turned his sights on her newfound gain.
"Other AKs," Niirox said, "do they all come with different wood types?"
"Pretty much," Haf looked away, "some people put a lot of time into collecting every type. Waste of time if you ask me, cause who the hell's going to recognize a 'rare wood grip' on an AK? All everyone's gonna see is another AK, nothing more."
"If it makes them happy," Haine said with a shrug, "better to have some goal than no goal."
His eyes trailed over to Leon and Polestar, nodding to Praetor.
"Who're the metal heads?"
"They're bros!" Praetor smiled before stepping beside them with arms around shoulders, "Leon's machine gun and grenades kept me alive the whole time, and Pole's got this whole party buff thing and dual pistols."
"Oh god, he's an officer." Haine said, Haf stopping his conversation to look.
As differing as Haf and Haine were, both turned on Polestar without pause.
"He's not like the others," Leon stepped in, "he likes to help and plan, not lead."
"Y-Yea," Pole blinked shyly, his right arm curling awkwardly like a cat's.
Geiger looked to Pole, his gaze turning gentler.
Finally, someone I can relate to! These people freaking terrify me!
"I hope so," Haf said in a growl, "had enough role-jockey nonsense from officers."
"What he said," Haine nodded.
"Anyway," Praetor cleared his throat, "these guys did good. Really helped."
"Fair enough," Haine said as Haf returned focus on Niirox, "names?"
"Leon."
"Polestar."
Hands were shook, names exchanged as they stuck by Nouveau's gates. As dark clouds rolled in, Haf looked to everyone.
"So I was thinking, you guys wanna form a clan?"
"Wouldn't mind," Haine said, "course I'd wanna know everyone's roles first."
"Why?" Geiger asked.
"Cause depending on our skill makeup we'll wanna choose differing designations. Trust me, Gun Gale tracks that."
"I'm not sure to be honest," Praetor slumped, "there's so many good options."
"Take your time," Haine said, "just try to keep in mind what everyone else goes with. Last we need is a medical clan made up of only assault classes."
"We'll need a medic though," Leon said gently, "we're a fireteam in size, so..."
"I'm the medic," Haine said abruptly.
"You?" Praetor asked with a sharp blink, "I thought you're some commander class or something."
Haine shook his head, "just the medic."
"Assault," Haf said with a smile.
"Uh," Niirox quivered, "is scout a class?"
"Yeah," Leon said, "not a terribly popular pick, but they exist.
"Hold onto that," Haine said, looking to everyone else.
"Sniper?" Geiger asked.
"Alright, next?"
"Anything that involves a lot of free roam?" Praetor asked, "don't wanna be told what to do much."
Haf smiled at this, nodding to himself.
Gotta agree with this. Cough, Haine.
"You could pick assault," Haine said.
"Eh," Praetor rubbed his scalp, "I don't know."
"He seems really good with explosives," Leon said, "grenadier, maybe?"
Praetor looked away, blank in expression.
"Way I see it," Haf said to Haine, "we're looking like a recon unit."
"I can work with that," Haine nodded, "heck, an engineer would really make it shine too. Sabotage's such a beautiful word."
Geiger's stomach dropped as conversation evolved, looking down steadily as it furthered.
Shoot, what if I don't cut it? I didn't do well, I just made it. Heck, I don't know half of what they're talking about.
"So we could try phoning one." Haf said.
"Sabotage?" Praetor asked with a smile.
"Saboteurs are engineers that decide they wanna dismantle others infrastructures." Haine said, "no pressure, we're-
"I like the sound of that. When do I start?"
"Done," Haf smiled.
"He needs time," Haine looked to Haf, "making a choice shouldn't be rushed."
"It's called business smart." Haf nodded to Praetor, "He's motivated and focused, good for an employee."
"Exactly!" Praetor nodded before slowing, "wait...this is a job?"
"It's an example," Haf said with an eye roll.
"So we've got," Haine stepped back, "A support gunner, assaulter, medic, recon, sniper, engineer...officer."
Polestar grimaced slightly, inching towards Leon.
Haine's kind of a brute, like something I'd see from military films. Haf cool, Praetor looks fun, what about Geiger?
"I like it," Praetor smiled, "what should our name be?"
"We'll figure it out later." Haine rolled shoulders, "gonna need to send a mega out for potential recruits. Thinking we grab...two or three more guys? Got at least one friend who'll want in."
"Considering quest count," Haf said, "we'll wanna stick between fire-team and platoon sizes."
"Then three to five. I'll pay. Good, now to order food. Later guys."
"Gr," Haf furrowed his brow.
A/N: Alright guys, be sure to let me know whatcha think! Thank you so much for your patience, I know this was a particularly long read.
Reminder: Two OC spots are still open, be sure to send me your applications! See you all soon!
