Chapter 11: The Lost City of the Mannzaquta
The mercs slept through the night, calm about the sentries protecting them. As morning crept upon the camp, Medic had woken up to the sound of a loud chirping.
Medic: Archimedes, Kannst du ruhig sein? (Can you be quiet?)
Archimedes cooed at his master's response, opening his eyes to see Archimedes not making the sound. Looking outside, he saw Scientist with his new bird friend. Medic got up and walked out of the tent, wanting to see the bird bird Scientist had.
Medic: *yawn* Guten Morgen, Scientist. Is zhis your bird?
Scientist: Yeah, she won't leave me alone. She seems to like me.
Medic: Oh, have you ever seen my bird by any chance?
Scientist: Uh.. No actually.
Medic turned to his tent an made a kissing sound, calling out Medic's dove as he flew from his tent.
Medic: Zhis is Archimedes. Say hello Archimedes.
Archimedes cooed happily.
Scientist: Well this is, uh... Snowy. Cute little bird, Snowy.
Scientist lightly petted Snowy on the head, followed by a happy chirp. Everyone was starting to wake up, getting ready to head out. After a breakfast of fruits and eggs, they all piled into the jeeps and headed out to where the map was directing them towards.
The mercs had just ditched the jeeps after a few hours of driving and were currently wandering through the jungle. It looked to be late morning through the canopy. They continued to walk for a few minutes, while Engi tried to make sense of the map.
Engineer: Damn damn damn dammit! This damn map says we should be be able to see the city by now, but I can't see anything through this brush.
Pyro happily laughed as she got her Backburner pointed it to the brush, ready to burn the jungle. Engie had to stop her, not wanting to not get attention from the previous group.
Scout: I don't know guys. Maybe were on some wild goose chase or somthin'.
Decoy: Why would we be sent all the way out here if there is no city?
Scout: Don't ask me, I'm not some nerdy, brainy smart guy.
Scientist: Yeah, you would just run away from the trouble and not think it through.
Scout: You wanna say that again, Dr. Dumbass!?
Scientist: Bring it! I got New Yorker blood in me, you homunculus! I can take you out!
Scout: I don't know what that means, but I'll take it as a threat!
Scientist pushed Scout, wanting to start a fight. Scout proceeded to fall down on a medium size rock. As Scout put his weight on the rock, the rock clicked and lowered to the ground, causing Scout to slip off onto the jungle floor. Out of nowhere, a goblet rose from the ground, startling everyone. The mercs gathered around it, curious about the goblet. Engi stepped forward to the goblet, investigating it.
Engineer: Well now, would ya look at this. It seems to have wood and fuel inside this large cup, like it has to be lit. Pyro?
Pyro happily giggled and clapped, stepping forward. She got her Backburner and sprayed it at the goblet. The goblet fuel caught fire, which started to sound clicks. After the final click, a hatch lifted up from a giant nearby tree. The mercs looked at each other, amazed by the secret entrance. They began to walk to the door, entering into a dark mine shaft. After a while, they saw a light at the end of the mine. Exiting, they were amazed to see what awaited them. A massive underground city stood before them, lit by the fire Pyro lit above.
Engineer: Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the Lost City of Mannzaquta.
The mercs continued to walk down the streets of the large city. The houses appeared to be made of a yellow stone, varying in size and shape. At the center of the city looked to be a temple or palace of sorts.
Engineer: Incredible, these people must have been advanced enough to make an entire city out of sandstone underground.
Soldier: Yes, but these maggots couldn't handle the power of an American!
The twelve walked through the city until they stopped at what looked like a plaza.
Demo: So, what now, lads?
Decoy: We find this treasure and leave before those men find this place too.
Scientist: I say let's split up to cover more ground. Divide and Conquer and all.
Everyone agreed and split up, looking into every building to search for any treasure.
*2 Hours Later*
They all met up again in front of the temple/palace. By the looks of it, most came out empty handed. All they could find was a few whole pots and tablets.
Pyro: Mmph im pmmphs!
Engineer: I agree, we've only found artifacts and I don't think the client wanted these old pots and scripts.
Strategist: We only have one more area to go. We'll search the temple and be on our way.
Spy: Hopefully there is treasure in here.
The mercs entered the temple, greeted by tall columns picturing various activities of the people of Mannzaquta. The walls were decorated with vibrant colors and gold trims. The mercs continued to walk forward, passing picture after picture, until they were met by a big set of stone doors. Heavy stepped forward and pushed the heavy doors, opening them to reveal a long hallway to a new set of doors.
Scout: Well, come on, time's a wastin'.
Scout stepped forward, stepping on a tile that sunk into the ground. Suddenly, a dart launched out of the wall inches from Scout's face. This caused Scout to jump up and dodge out of the way. Soldier stepped forward to challenge the trap.
Soldier: You think some commie darts will stop me! You haven't seen a true soldier at work! CHARGE!
Soldier ran into the trap, some how dodging the darts that shot out of the wall. At the end, Soldier finally got shot, causing him to pass out on the ground.
Medic: Zhank goodness the poison from zhese darts have weakened with time.
Scout: I got this, guys. Don't worry.
Scout pulled out his Bonk! Atomic Punch and downed a sip. He became practically a blur, zooming past all of the darts and making it to the other side. Scout saw a rope tied to the ground and untied it, causing two long walls to fall from the ceiling and cover the darts. The others walked across and helped Soldier come to. Opening the doors, revealed another challenge, a room, with two doors next to each other.
Spy: Hmmmm… I say the left door.
Spy proceeded to open the left door, which shot out long spikes and stabbed Spy. The other yelled, terrified that they had lost a teammate to the temple. The team's screams were interrupted by the sound of a loud, electric whir that was heard behind them, causing the mercs to turn around. Behind them was Spy, a look of shock on his face, holding his Dead Ringer in his hand.
Spy: On second thought, I say the right door.
The next room was what looked like a throne room of sorts. The throne was a large stone chair, decorated with gold finishings and Mannzaquta art. On the throne was a skeleton, dressed in various robes and jewelry.
Scientist: So, What now?
Engineer: Everyone fan out. Maybe this room has a secret door.
The mercs started to search high and low, looking for any hidden switches or doors. After a while, Demo called out from the throne.
Demo: Oi, lads! I feel a breeze!
The others ran up to the throne to feel the breeze blowing from behind the throne. Demo pulled out his Scottish Resistance, launching a few sticky bombs on to the wall and throne. Everyone yelled out not to have him blow it up, but Demo ignored them, blowing the wall to pieces.
Demo: KAAABOOOOMM!
The mercs coughed at the dust that flew everywhere. As the dust settled, the mercs saw what they were after and couldn't believe it. An entire room lied behind the now destroyed throne, filled with piles upon piles of gold, silver, jewels and other treasures beyond what they could think of. Everyone walked in, looking over all of the treasure, amazed by the amount of treasure that was there.
Soldier: This is mine now! There are many like it but this is mine!
Heavy: Soldier please. How will we bring treasure to little cars?
Scientist: I got just the invention for that!
Scientist proceeded to pull out a blue cube, with metal edges and a few small buttons. He motioned for everyone to stand back, which they happily obeyed. Scientist pressed a few buttons on the cube and set it on the ground, going back with everyone else. Suddenly, the cube began to glow and float above the ground. The treasure began to float as well, going towards the cube. The treasure entered the cube, first slowly then getting faster and faster. The mercs had to cover their eyes from all of the dust flying it to the cube, while holding their ground from the force of the cube. After a while, the cube got the last of the treasure, falling to the ground after completing the job. Scientist walked over and picked up the cube, tossing it in his hands.
Scout: Dude...That was sick!
Strategist: Yes, that was remarkable.
Sniper: What kind of invention was that, doc?
Scientist: Oh it's just a pocket dimension cube I made. Was working on it before the mercenary job.
Engineer: As much as I want to talk about this, we need to see if there's anymore treasure in here.
The mercs continued to look around the temple, finding some treasure here and there, which Scientist put in his cube. After that, the mercs walked out of the temple to get back to jeeps.
Voice: SPREAD OUT AND GET THAT TREASURE!
The voice echoed throughout the cavern, surprising the mercs. From the temple, they could see a large group of soldiers searching the city below.
Soldier: We'll fight our way through!
Decoy: Too risky. We will sneak past them.
Much to Soldier's disagreement, the others agreed to go around the men. They made their way around the troops, careful not to draw attention. Once the made it to the mine shaft to the surface, Demo felt a bad feeling in his stomach.
Demo: Ah, mates…
Sniper: What is it, Demo?
Demo: I… fell… *BUUUUUURRRRRPPPPPP*
The others cringed at the loud burp that echoed in the cavern. This drew the attention of the man Spy saw last night.
Man: Hey! STOP!
Engineer: RUN!
The mercs made a mad dash up the shaft, shooting at the oncoming soldiers. Breaking out of the tree, Heavy forcefully closed the door, trapping the soldiers on the other side.
Sniper: QUICK, MATES! GET TO THE JEEPS!
The mercs ran towards the jeeps, hurryingly turning on the engines and drove off. Behind them, the soldiers broke through the tree, followed by the man. He signaled for some of his men to search the city for treasure, while he called his men at the airport, ready to delay theses people.
Tell me how the story is so far. It's driving me crazy not getting feedback.