Chapter 11: Deadlands (Part 3)

Location: The Deadlands, en route to Anvil Gate, on the planet Sera Timeline: 16 A.E.

After going through the side gate, we made it to another gate and Marcus began, "This must lead into the main compound."

Then Marcus turned to me and said, "Come here, Edward. Open this gate, will you."

I nodded and I opened the gate and let the others go on through. After that, I slowly closed the gate without making a sound and followed them. Then as we exited the tunnel, we heard the horn erupting, sounding the alarm.

Baird shouted, "Ah, crap! Ah, at least we didn't walk into a hail of instant death!"

Dom replied, "Yeah. If we don't take out those gun turrets, that comes next."

As we got on top of the overhead, I spotted a gun turret with a gunner on top of a tower, looking forward towards the front entrance.

I pulled out a Frag Grenade and shouted, "Frag out!" and threw it at the gun turret.

It made a bigger explosion than I thought it would, because the tower itself, which was made of not just wood, but also metal and stone, was now completely in pieces.

Dom shouted, "Yeah, that's more like it!"

Ruby complemented, "Nice throw, Edward!"

"Thank you!" I replied.

After we killed off the stragglers, Marcus shouted as he pointed, "Enemy reinforcements!"

It was two Digger Locusts and I immediately charge in at them and stab one in the face with the bayonet of the Retro Lancer. Then I turned to the other and shot it in the head.

We continued onward and we saw another gun turret with a gunner and got all of us pinned down, except for me. I then pulled out another Frag grenade and threw it, destroying the turret and killed the gunner.

Then after we finished off the stragglers, Marcus pulled the switch and opened a gate.

Baird began, "Well... that was character forming."

I responded, "It sure was."

Ruby replied, "I like to have other ways for character forming, but yeah, I agree."

Cole responded, "Heh, gotta hand it to them grubs-they build to last!"

Then Dom asked, "So, any idea where we are now?"

Baird answered, "Um... in the shit. Up to here." as he put his hand above his hand.

Then we continued to travel on through the tunnels.

As we traveled on through the tunnels, Marcus began to ask me and Ruby questions.

Marcus began, "So, Edward and Ruby. When was the last time your worlds were at war?"

I began, "Well, on the planet, Remnant, the last war ended 80 years ago. On Earth, however, was 2 centuries and 5 years ago, well more with the major wars. Earth is a desolate wasteland now. Dead, barren, and very dangerous. We destroyed ourselves with our own weapons-of-mass-destruction, known as the Atomic Warheads, that even one alone, can wipe out a metropolis and the surrounding area miles out, as I said times before. For Remnant, however, there will be war soon."

Ruby replied, "Yeah, and we need to figure things out before a war can even start."

Marcus replied, "I see."

Then we were all silent and finally reached the end of the tunnel and Baird began, "Why did Hoffman have to move to the other end of the frickin' world?"

Dom responded, "I just hope the old man's still alive. How long since we last had radio contact with Anvil Gate?"

Baird answered, "Just over a year."

Marcus said, "If he's dead, Bernie would hang on to the disc."

Then as we continued through the trenches, we then heard a Locust Barge flying overhead.

Marcus told us, "Heads up, there's a barge over there. Let's see where it lands."

Then as we continued through the trenches, right after we jumped over a sandbag wall, the Locust Barge noticed us.

Then Cole began, "Uh, I don't think they're landin'!"

Then the barge started to fire missiles at us and Baird yelled, "Incoming!"

Dom shouted, "Shit-get inside!"

Marcus yelled, "Take cover!"

To be Continued...

(I know this is a very short chapter, but hey, it is a chapter. After all, this is a 3-part chapter, cut into 3 parts, of course. In any case, I hope you enjoy!)