Chapter 4: Second Half
Ferguson's Sports Bar, Emerald, Freemantle. 12th July 1998. 16:57 GMT. 45 minutes 0 seconds.
"Now we're back to the second half, and as you can see it's now Tiger kicking off and are shooting from right to left."
Everyone in the bar cheered, wanting the second half to start and Freemantle to win.
"It seems that neither side has made a substitution," the Irish sounding commenter said.
Pride Leon II stadium, Africa, Lion. 12th July 1998. 20:58 GMT 4+. 46 minutes 5 seconds.
Two guards lay dead on the floor by the door to the boiler room; an obvious security breach that could endanger the heads of state. Luckily, another guard/policeman went out for a smoke and wasn't involved in the shooting. If he were, he would've been dead. As he was walking he was whistling to the tune of "Knocking on Heaven's Door", thinking he could have a quick cigarette and could go back on a dead boring guard.
As soon as he got back, he saw the bodies.
"Oh shit!" the guard yelled. Well, so much for a dead boring watch. And they said that cigarettes killed people. Looks like the one he just smoked saved his life. Good thing he didn't quit smoking yet. The guard got out his radio and pistol. "This is Sgt. Kwio! There are two men down in section EG1B." He went to the door and tried to open it. Locked. The terrorists must have locked it from the inside. "Door to the boiler room is locked." He backed up a tiny bit and was kicking the door where the handle was. It took three hard kicks to get into the room. Sgt. Kwio quickly scanned the room, quickly determining it was clear, but the air duct frame was left on the floor. "It seem that the murderers have gone into the ventilation system," he said. "Should I follow?"
"Negative," he commanding officer answered. "Just stay and watch for more officers."
"Are you going to tell the bodyguards of the Pride?"
"Of course. But sadly, we haven't got any way of monitoring the ducts."
Upstairs, on the eleventh floor of the stadium were the executive boxes. The Pride, King and President were in a box.
The head of security for the heads of state was the Pride's personal guard (a former military policeman and field agent). The King and President had their own bodyguards from their own countries, but more of the bodyguards were from Lion.
The head bodyguard received a call from the head of security.
"Quat, it's Afia," the head of security said. Quat pushed his eyepiece more into his ear. "We have a major breach from section EG1B. Two men are down. Unsure of target but possibly going for Heads."
"Shit!" Quat swore. "How did this happen?"
"It seems to be a professional job. Both shot in the head, but one was shot twice. However, the coroner will need to look at the bodies. They must have used silencers 'cause Sgt. Kwio didn't hear anything."
"Any clue on who it was?" Quat asked.
"No, but we are checking video footage and sending it to the security services," Afia said.
"Okay. Plan of action?"
"We plan to send four groups of three armed men to search for them; I'm not going to cancel the match. I'll leave it to you to decide what to do about the Heads."
"Thanks Afia," Quat said and the radio clicked off. He turned to the bodyguards. "I WANT SIX MEN IN THERE NOW!!" he shouted, pointing to the door.
Ferguson's Sports Bar, Emerald, Freemantle. 12th July 1998. 17:05 GMT. 53 minutes 12 seconds.
"It seems that we are having our first substitutions," the Irish sounding commenter said. "Rayer is coming on for McCarthy."
On screen, a label read "12 Ashley RAYER" on with a green arrow next to it and a red arrow with "15 Ant McCARTHY". The picture showed a black ant jogging off the pitch and a white tiger coming on it.
"You see, Rayer is a fine example of an
attacking midfield," Sonic was saying to his friend.
"You're only saying that because
he plays for Diamond United," Knuckles argued.
"And as a bit player as well," Stars added.
"It just shows how good of team Diamond Utd is."
"Bravo is going to take the throw in," the English sounding commenter said. "Throws it to Rayer. Rayer running with the ball. He has to pass to Sita. Does it with ease. Long ball to Laser."
"Laser crosses it. RIXXING!!!"
"Saved by Sovenson."
"That goalie is save pair of hands," the Irish sounding commenter said. "I'll be surprised if Sibera would have next season."
"Rayer also had a good start. Let's see if he can prove himself to Kenyon."
Kenyon was the manager of Diamond United. The Mobian version of Alex Ferguson, so one of the best football managers in the world.
Ferguson's Sports Bar, Emerald, Freemantle. 12th July 1998. 17:09 GMT. 57 minutes 26 seconds.
"It seem that's Tiger are going to do their first sub now," the English sounding commenter said. "Gubber off for Commson."
Gubber was an obvious substitution; he has played a poor game, even though Tiger was winning.
Pride Leon II stadium, Africa, Lion. 12th July 1998. 21:11 GMT 4+. 59 minutes 38 seconds.
"See Sima," the King of Freemantle said to the President of Tiger. "My boys are back in it now. Good youngster Rayer."
"But my nation's teams has a tough defence to crack," the President answered. "Freemantle will be lucky to get another goal. What do you think, Leon?" he asked the Pride.
"I am totally neutral in this affair," Pride Leon II answered. "I'm just here to watch the match and present the trophies. Anyway, enjoying the champagne?"
"Very nice, thank you," King Maxmillian IV answered.
"Good. Michelle, fill their glasses," the Pride ordered. A young Lioness waitress did what the Pride requested, and both the King and the President gave her their thanks. "Do you want a drink?" the Pride asked a bodyguard.
"Can't drink on duty sir," the bodyguard answered.
"See how professional they are?" the Pride asked, taking pride in his security detail.
"We know," the King said. "So are ours, aren't you?" He asked, addressing the rest of the security detail
All the Freemantlish and Tiger bodyguards nodded at the same time.
"This is Capt. Lerennso," a member of the S.W.A.T whispered. "We have targets in site. Should we take the shot?"
"Negative!" the head of security yelled. "Just follow them for now."
"Yes sir."
"Did you hear something?" one of the young assassins asked.
"Shit," Capt. Lerennso muttered under his breath.
"Check it out," the head assassin ordered.
"You two go back now and contact the others," the captain whispered. "I'll deal with this bastard."
The two other S.W.A.T team dropped down the shaft and crawled back to the boiler room, whilst radioing the other teams.
Capt. Lerennso looked into his scope and waited for the assassin to come into range. The assassin came holding his black pistol with silencer on it. Once in his sights, Capt. Lerennso opened fire on him, the sound of bullets ricocheting off of metal cutting off the silence
"OH CRAP!!!!" the young assassin shouted and started to fire his pistol.
Both men couldn't hit each other with their opening shots. Capt. Lerennso kept his finger on the trigger, but then he gun jammed. 'What the?!' The S.W.A.T team captain thought. He cocked the gun; didn't work. He tried it again, and again, and again.
*BANG!*
"AHHH!!!!!!!!!" the captain screamed. The assassin had scored a shot in the shoulder.
The assassin sidled towards Capt. Lerennso.
"Tell me your name," he demanded to Capt. Lerennso.
"What?" Capt. Lerennso asked in shock.
"Tell me your name." The assassin repeated
"Captain Michael Lerennso, yours?"
"Hart Wassaw."
"And what are you planning to do?"
"Do you think I'm stupid Captain?"
"Well it's not like I'm going to live to tell," Capt. Lerennso answered.
"May as well. We are here to kill the heads of state," Hart said.
Lerennso looked shocked.
"Oh don't be so surprised," Hart said. "It's so obvious. When that bastard Pride Leon II dies, no one is left to take the crown, except Prince Black: the power hungry uncle of our young Pride. Prince Black would destroy parliament and anger the people. A revolution will be in sight and since fascism is faulted and democracy is filled with crooks, what better to fill the void but communism?
"Oh I can see it now, our country a socialist paradise," he said with his voice cracking and tears in his eyes.
"But why the President and King as well?" Capt. Lerennso.
"Just an added bonus," Hart answered. "Well, I love to stay and chat; but I got a job to do. Bye," he said whiles pulling Capt. Lerennso.
"This is Capt. Lerennso," he said picking up his radio. "The targets are the Heads. Assassin is in a group, got at least two members but I favour there are more. Assassin I spoke to is communist, possibly a Red Lion; they are the most professional. My gun jammed, but I'll give a full statement later.
"I was shot in the shoulder and in need of medical attention. I'm in section E2-eleven. Sorry, no S.W.A.T team can follow because my body is in the way."
"Don't worry Michael, you did well," the head of security said. "I'll send a fire crew and medical team now. I can inform the Pride's bodyguards and the security services."
Ferguson's Sports Bar, Emerald, Freemantle. 12th July 1998. 17:15 GMT. 63 minutes, 49 seconds.
"Cole holding the ball. Chips it to Laser. Laser passes by Stave. Laser turns. Passes it to Rayer. Passes it back."
"LASER'S RUNNING WITH THE BALL!!! ONLY NEEDS TO PASS TO PETTEARA!!!" the Irish sounding commenter shouted.
"OHHHH!!!!!!!" the English sounding commenter shouted.
The crowd in the bar were outraged! Petteara did a dangerous two-legged challenge and hit Jack Laser in his right knee.
Everyone in the bar was yelling 'OFF OFF OFF!!!!!!"
"This is looking serious," the Irish sounding commenter said.
On the screen Laser was holding his knee and obvious in pain. The Freemantlish physio was looking at him. The ref went up to Petteara and showed him the red card. On the screen show a round red card and said 2 Unia PETTEARA next to it. Petteara threw the captain armband onto the ground.
"It looks like Freemantlish are going to sub Laser off," the English commenter said.
"What a sad end to two fantastic world cup performances."
On the screen it said 17 Chris BECK with a green next to it and a red arrow next to 7 Jack LASER.
Laser was carried off the pitch. He possibly had his knee twisted by the tackle.
65 minutes, 15 seconds.
"There seems to be some debate between Rayer and Rixxing to take the free kick," the Irish sounding commenter said.
"It looks like it's going to be Rixxing."
"Rixxing kicks it into the box."
"BECK HEADER'S IT!!!"
"GOALLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!" the Irish sounding commenter sounded.
Chris Beck scored a goal by a wonderfully set piece.
"THE 17-YEAR-OLD SUBSTITUTE STRIKER IS NOW THE HERO AND GOT FREEMANTLE BACK INTO THE MATCH!!!!!!"
On the screen showed the 17-year-old badge hugging Rixxing the rest of the team jumping on top of them.
In the bar everyone was overjoyed and hoots and hollers of celebration filled the air.
67 minutes, 2 seconds.
"Tiger is going to do another substitution," the English sounding commenter said. "It looks like it's number six; Anthony Sita for number ten; Kay Blie."
Pride Leon II Stadium, Africa, Lion. 12th July 1998. 21:22 GMT 4+. 70 minutes, 9 seconds.
"Did you hear something?" one of the bodyguards asked.
"Where?" another asked.
"Up in the air ducts," he said, pointing to the air duct in the box.
"Shit!" the head assassin yelled.
"What should we do?" a bodyguard asked his senior bodyguard.
The senior bodyguard pulled his earpiece deeper into his ear and started talking: "Do you have any men in the air ducts above executive box 3?"
"None whatsoever," the head of security answered.
"Good," the senior bodyguard answered. "Start tapping the duct to see if you get any responses."
Two bodyguards started to tap the air duct. Nefaser was in force of all the assassins and started to lose his nerve. He shot a bullet randomly at the bodyguards from the netting.
"CHRIST ALMIGHTY!!!" one of the bodyguards shouted.
"GET DOWN!!!!" the senior bodyguard yelled and the three bodyguards got the Pride, the King and the President to lie down on the floor. The young waitress Michelle also lied down on the floor.
The bodyguards started to shoot at the air duct, only aiming at one section.
They were hitting Nefaser. He screamed in pain, and died from multiple wounds momentarily. The metal gave way and his body fell to the floor.
The bodyguards starting guard outside the box ran inside. Only two guards stood guard outside.
One of the bodyguards took a look at Nefaser's body. The head assassin who was behind Nefaser was lining up a shot. He fired. The bodyguard was shot in the head and died immediately.
The head assassin jumped out the duct into the box. The put his right arm up to cover his face and when he landed, he rolled to towards the body of the dead bodyguard. He grabbed the body, stood up and used it as a shield. The head assassin shot his pistol at one of the bodyguards, shootim him in the shoulder and forced him to drop his gun. Another bodyguard tried to shot the assassin. He just held up the body and used it to block the bullets.
"DAMN IT!!!!!!!!!" the Freemantlish (a hyena) yelled.
Another bodyguard (one for the Tiger President) was trying to get behind the assassin. The second-in-command (the assassin in the white vest), saw the bodyguard and jumped out the duct and landed on the bodyguard. He started punching him in the face. He then grabbed his jacket, picked him up and rammed him in the wall and punched him in the gut. The bodyguard punched the assassin in the head then in the gut and face.
The other two assassins jumped out the air duct, thinking they can only fight in the open of the box. Both of them started to shoot wildly at bodyguards.
Another two bodyguards went to attack the head assassin; both trying to outflank him. He shot the one coming to his right. He died straight away. Hart shot the other in the back of the head.
"WE NEED ASSISTANCE!!!" The head bodyguard who rushed in shouted into him radio.
The gun battle continued and so did the fistfight for three minutes before the police arrived.
After the police kicked the door down, the first thing the team leader saw was the back of the head assassin shooting at the bodyguards. He shot his machine gun at the assassins, killing them in a spray. The remaining three assassins lost the will to fight, dropped their guns and held up their hands. The police cuffed them and were going to take them to a police van outside the stadium.
"We have seven men dead," the head bodyguard said to the head of security. "Five guards and two assassins. Send the forensics team immediately please."
The heads of state stood up. The senior bodyguard turned to them.
"I think we should move to another box," he said.
"I think that is best," Pride Leon II answered.
Ferguson's Sports Bar, Emerald, Freemantle. 12th July 1998. 17:28 GMT. 76 minutes, 6 seconds.
"And corner to Tiger," the English sounding commenter said.
"It's going to be Singh to take it," the Irish sounding commenter said.
"Singh gets the ball into the near corners!"
"RAYMOND HEADERS!!!"
"AND WHAT A FANTASTIC SAVE BY GILL!!!!!!!"
"Kicked out by McFallon," the Irish sounding commenter said.
"Let's see that save again."
On the screen it showed Marcus Gill driving across the goal line. His left hand hooked round the ball and pushed it out. It was great save; one that should go down in football history.
"That's got to be the greatest save ever in a World Cup final."
The crowd in the bar were now shouting 'Marcus!'
79 minutes, 0 seconds.
"Both sides seem to be making a final substitution," the Irish sounding commenter said.
"It's going to be Sail for Zarmora for Freemantle," the Freemantlish sounding commenter said. "And Stave for Frank for Tiger."
Both sides were having a last throw of the dice to avoid the match going into extra time.
81 minutes, 26 seconds.
"Rayer lobs the ball to Beck," the English sounding commenter said. "Beck charges at Rang. Rang tackles. Beck passes to Rixxing. Rixxing shots!"
"Saved by Sovenson."
83 minutes, 13 seconds.
"Tiger's now on the attack," the Irish sounding commenter said.
"Singh dodges passed Cole, now has him and Silverman on his tail. Singh chips it to Blie. Blie takes a long shot!"
"Blocked by Hamson."
"And kicked out by Croft."
84 minutes, 29 seconds.
"Rayer on the wing," the English sounding commenter said.
"Passes past Gan," the Irish sounding commenter said.
"Crosses into the box!"
"BECK!!"
"BLOCKED BY SOVENSON!"
"BECK AGAIN!!!!"
"HELD BY SOVENSON!!!!!"
"That was tough luck for the young striker," the Irish sounding commenter said.
86 minutes, 44 seconds.
"Singh with the ball," the Irish sounding commenter said.
"Chips its to Blie," the English sounding commenter said.
"Hamson going for the tackle!"
"Passes its to Raymond," the English sounding commenter said. "SHOOTS!!!!"
"Well held by Gill."
88 minutes, 58 seconds.
"Raymond with the ball," the English sounding commenter. "Beats passed Bravo."
"Now Hamson has to face him."
"Raymond does a banana shot!!!"
"Save by Gill."
89 minutes, 30 seconds.
"The fourth official is indicating four minutes of extra time."
90 minutes, 15 minutes.
"Silverman to take the corner," the Irish sounding commenter said.
"Take it," the English sounding commenter said. "Going towards Rayer. HEADERS!!"
"Pushed out by Sovenson."
"HEADED BY RIXXING!!!!"
"Pushed out again."
"GOES TO BECK!!"
"Held by Sovenson."
93 minutes, 32 seconds.
"RAYMOND CHARGING AT THE LINE!!!!!" Irish sounding commenter shouted.
"McFALLON TACKLES!!!!!!!!!" the English sounding commenter shouted.
"Rayer gets the loose ball."
"Long ball to Beck," the English sounding commenter said. On the screen it showed Beck lifting his right leg high to control the ball. "He only has Poli Rang to pass. NUTMEG HIM!!! IT'S GOING TO BE ONE-ON-ONE!!!!"
In the bar everyone was shouting 'COME ON BECK!!!!!"
"SOVENSON IS RUSHING OUT!!!!!" the English commenter continued. "BECK LOBS HIM!!!!! GGGOOOAAALLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Everyone in the bar was now jumping up and down like crazy shouted 'YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!'
"REMEMBER HIS NAME: CHRIS BECK; THE MAN WHO WON FREEMANTLE THE WORLD CUP IN 1998!!!" the Irish commenter shouted.
On the screen it showed Chris Beck running like madman, he had pulled out his shirt and was waving it like a flag. The rest of the team was now jumping on top of him. Freemantle had won the cup, there was no way Tiger could comeback now.
93 minutes, 57 seconds.
"Tiger restart the match," the Irish sounding commenter said.
The referee blew his whistle and on the screen Tony Raymond pass the ball to Kay Blie. Straight after that, he blown it again and that was the end match.
On the screen the Freemantlish team just showed pure excitement. In the bar it was the same result.
After 32 years, Freemantle won the world cup.