Chapter 19: Another Ceasefire Day
The mercs were gone for several weeks in the tropical areas of South America, fighting in Brazil, pushing payloads in Banana Bay and the Enclosure, falling at Mossrock and exploring Lazarus. From their ventures in the jungle, the mercs obtained new weapons skins and cosmetic items for future use. Engie even got a banjo and jackhammer to use for his own amusement, but now, the teams were back in the Badlands and were battling it out. Today's battle was on Doomsday, trying to deliver a case of australium to the rocket to blast Poopy Joe into orbit. Yeah, the teams were hired by Mann Co.'s space division to do this, as much of a mess it already is.
The teams had been at it for hours, getting the cases and then getting killed trying to get it to the rocket, but it was just no use, both sides were relentless. RED Strategist was directing Heavy on defending the case so BLU doesn't get it back, when Scout came up with a look that everyone else had, tired.
Scout: Uuuuugh, this stupid battle's taking forever!
Heavy: Da. Heavy and Sasha are getting tired.
RED Strategist: How does a gun… you know what, never mind.
Scout: At least tomorrow is a ceasefire day. I can actually catch up on my comics and running.
Administrator: Hurry! The enemy is on the lift!
RED Strategist: Ah bugger!
As BLU Scout was nearing the top of the rocket, when a gunshot rang out and the runner's body fell over the side with the australium, landing in front of the three.
Sniper: Gotcha, ya spastic little gremlin!
*The next day*
Ceasefire days, the only days in the week that the teams could rest and recharge from the constant battles in the heat, cold, windy and wet environments of the Badlands. Each merc went off to do their own things after their daily screaming alarm clock went off. Scientist went to his laboratory after BLU Soldier's wake up call and started his personal experiments and productions of the day. The power core for the Multi-Gun couldn't sustain itself at times, but Scientist is working on fixinging that. After an hour or two in his lab, Scientist was testing a possible new weapon and personal treat, when there was a knock at his door.
Scientist: What in the…?
Scientist got up and walked to the screen next to the door, turning it on to see BLU Scout standing right into the camera. Scientist spoke to him through the intercom next to the screen
Scientist: What do you need, Scout?
BLU Scout: Um, hi to you too, doc. I just wanted to know what yer doing, since this science thing is so cool and all….
Scientist: You were bugging everyone and I'm your last resort to cure you're bored, right?
BLU Scout: ...Yeah.
Scientist saw that the runner was slouched in defeat on how he was found out. The mad doctor groaned and lifted his finger from the security laser button and opened the door for the runner.
Scientist: I'm gonna regret this, aren't I?
BLU Scout: Ya won't, I promise!
Scientist: Fine. Just don't just touch anything unless I tell you.
Scientist went back to the machine he was working on for the new weapon, leaving BLU Scout to look at in boredom. They spent five minutes like this before BLU Scout opened his mouth.
BLU Scout: Soooooooooo, whatcha doin'?
Scientist: Well, I'm making a new weapon to have myself be more supportive in battle. I'm almost done with it, so you can be my test monkey for it.
BLU Scout: Whoa whoa whoa. Test monkey?
Scientist: Yeah. I have a ranking system for helpers in my lab. Currently, Medic is assistant doctor, Pyro is a lab assistant and you're a test monkey right now. If this goes well, you'll get promoted to executive test monkey.
BLU Scout: C'mon doc. I'm smarter than you think I am.
Scientist: Really? Read this.
Scientist slid an open book in front of BLU Scout to read, but he couldn't read what it said.
BLU Scout: Uuuhh. P-pot ta… something something…
Scientist: "Pat the bunny went to the store." Just wait a second, mac.
Scientist tightened a few more screws and connected a few more wires before turning on the machine. It was a backpack like box with dials, switches, a monitor screen similar to the Rescue Ranger's and an empty tank on the side with a hose connected to the top.
Scientist: There we go. Scout…
BLU Scout: Yo.
Scientist: Sit tight, I'mma pour the compound into it.
Scientist went to his chemistry table and grabbed a beaker filled with a glowing liquid that shifted colors every few minutes.
BLU Scout: Uh, doc. Is that safe?
Scientist: As a certified doctor of science, the only answer I have is…. meh.
Scientist poured the liquid into the machine, which started to make a series of hissing and pounding noises.
BLU Scout: This isn't gonna explode, is it?
Scientist's bird, Snowy, flew from her cage and landed on the machine, peking at the dials.
Scientist: Oh, don't whine. Snowy's near it and she's fine.
The machine dinged after a minute, having it dispense a spherical object that was orange with green stripes. Scientist took the object and gave it to BLU Scout, who looked at it confused.
BLU Scout: The hell am I supposed ta do with this?
Scientist: Eat it.
BLU Scout: Excuse me?
Scientist: Eat the candy, crazy legs.
BLU Scout: This is candy?!
Scientist: Don't worry, it won't kill you… most likely.
BLU Scout: Very reassuring, doc.
BLU Scout regrettably tossed the candy into his mouth, but his look of disgust quickly changed into a look of surprise.
Scientist: How do ya feel, mac?
BLU Scout: Not bad. Candy tastes like a chocolate ball with melted marshmallow inside.
Suddenly, BLU Scout jumped up from his seat and ran around the lab at least ten times in 2 minutes. He stopped after that, surprised by the sudden action.
BLU Scout: Whoa. What did I just do?
Scientist: You look normal so far. For your question, that was my newest weapon. I call them Super Sweets. Over the battle, the machine will make an assortment of candies that give various abilities for a short time. Speed boosts, resistances, and other things.
BLU Scout: Cool, I can be ultra fast.
Scientist: Although, I did calculate that it possibly could cause you to be more vulnerable to damage.
BLU Scout: Way ta bring down the mood, doc.
Scientist: So, since that seems to be in order, would like to help me with other experiments, executive test monkey?
BLU Scout: Sure. This science thing isn't all that bad actually.
Scientist lead BLU Scout over to his chemistry table, where a flask of neon green liquid was on the table, labeled with a level 9 potential hazard warning.
Strategist spent her ceasefire days either in her room studying maps or playing a chess game with BLU Heavy and a nice cup of tea. Fortunately for her, her chess partner was able to play, so the two were currently sitting in the rec room over their second game of chess.
BLU Heavy: Check.
Strategist looked at the board, trying to figure out her next move, until she saw the best move for her, moving her Bishop, she was able to surround BLU Heavy's King with her other pieces.
Strategist: Checkmate.
BLU Heavy nodded his head in an approving motion.
BLU Heavy: You win. Little woman is good at chess.
Strategist: Oh, don't be so modest. You won the last game, love. You wanna play again?
BLU Heavy: Da.
Strategist reset the pieces and started the game again. They were a little while into it when Strategist spoke up.
Strategist: Do you know you speak out loud when you write letters to your family, love?
BLU Heavy: Da. Helps me think.
Strategist: Who… is your family anyways?
BLU Heavy looked up at Strategist in a blank stare. Apparently, this struck a little bit of a nerve.
BLU Heavy: *Sigh* Even though I am not original Heavy, I remember what Heavy's family is.
BLU Heavy paused for a moment before starting his story.
BLU Heavy: Heavy was born into Soviet Russia, still under the rule of Stalin. My father was against Stalin, fighting in potential revolution against him. Higher ups found out, sent family, including Heavy, to gulag, while father was killed. Heavy was 20 at time. After months of torture, Heavy had enough. Heavy burst out of barrack in middle of night and attacked guards, torture was now on them. Heavy released prisoners and set fire to gulag, escaping with mother and three sisters. Heavy's family hid in Siberian wilderness. Heavy loves family… and will protect family.
When BLU Heavy was finished with his story, Strategist just looked on in amazement. She had no idea the her large friend went through so much. BLU Heavy sighed in a frustrated manner. Strategist got up from her chair and gave BLU Heavy a hug, barely wrapping her arms around the giant. BLU Heavy looked at Strategist and gave a small smile.
BLU Heavy: You understand family, little woman. Heavy thanks you for affection and understanding. Now come, let us forget this and continue game.
Strategist and BLU Heavy proceeded to play their game of chess, BLU Heavy feeling a little better now that he told his story to someone he trusts.
Out in the desert behind RED base, there was a small mountain range that sprouted a large cave system. Decoy was one to go to these caves and set up a personal dojo for herself, training herself to be better in battle. Currently, Decoy was meditating on a mat, finding the inner peace she could achieve, when a small sound was heard at the entrance to the cave. Decoy opened her eyes and unsheathed her katana, holding it out to whatever or whoever was in the cave. To her surprise, it was the Spy, the original Spy that was on BLU.
Spy: Mademoiselle, you don't have to be so forward with me.
Decoy: As the Scout would say, in your dreams. What are you doing here, backstabber?
Spy put his hand on the katana that was close to his neck and lowered it before speaking.
Spy: Why, I have always seen these caves from either base, so today I thought I could look at the majesty that is nature. May I ask, why are you here, femme difficile?
Decoy sheathed her katana before returning to her meditative position.
Decoy: This is where I come… to train in body and soul.
Spy: Hmmmm. May I join you?
Decoy: You have no experience in the art of meditation. It requires years of practice of truly connect with…
Spy: Madam. I have traveled the world to be the best spy. I experienced meditation in the Himalayas with Tibetan monks, to master my emotions.
Spy proceeded to sit in a meditative position in front of Decoy, Decoy not batting an eyelash over it.
Decoy: Fine, backstabber. Just do not disturb me.
Both proceeded to go into a meditative state, going deep into meditation and balance of self. Time went by, both still deep within meditation, until Decoy felt a shock of emotion go through her. It felt like… dread. It went on for what felt like forever, when what seemed like a cloaked figure appeared from darkness, chanting something in japanese. Suddenly, someone cleared their throat, which caused her to open her eyes. She saw Spy standing at the cave entrance, checking his watch, with it appearing to be twilight outside the cave.
Spy: Miss Decoy, we must return to our teams before it gets more dark.
Decoy: … of course, backstabber.
Decoy got up to follow Spy down the mountain, but she still had the "vision" from her meditation in her mind. What could it mean?
The Faang leader was in a deep state of meditation when one of the guards of his home knocked on the door to his chambers.
Master Faang: お入りください。 (Come in.)
The guard came in to the room, pulling a man in by a rope tied at this wrists. The man wore a white suit and hat, his head hung down to hide his face. Master Faang opened his eyes and gazed at the man, unimpressed by the prisoner.
Master Faang: 離れる (Leave.)
The guard immediately left the room, leaving Master Faang and the prisoner. Master Faang got up and walked around the man, inspecting him.
Master Faang: Tell me. How did you find us?
The man just chuckled to himself, amused by his captor's question.
Man: My friend, no place is hidden for long.
Master Faang: I am not your friend, trespasser. Why did you come here?
Man: Hoho boy, I got some information for you. Your little prodigy you've been looking for isn't in the places you're looking in.
Master Faang knew who the man meant. He stopped circling right in front of the man, making dead on eye contact with him.
Master Faang: Where… is… she?!
Man: I could tell ya, but it'll cost you.
Master Faang: If gold is what you want I-
Man I don't want gold! I want…
The man lifted his head to reveal a tough, stubbled face with short, grey hair, and his right was white with a scar running through it.
Man: Revenge!
Master Faang gazed at his new ally, thinking over the proposal in his head.
Master Faang: What do they call you?
Man: Name's Ashack.
I'm baaaaaaccckkk. This isn't a very action filled chapter, but it's one none of the less. I've been working on important things for the last few months and those things are gonna go into the next two months as well, so chapters will still be scarce. Hope I didn't make anyone too mad at me.