Fortress of Death
Chapter 02 - Long road ahead
Comment: Oh my goodness, gunfights. I have written loads of fighting scenes in the past but they all were either with element or Chaos powers (which I both could basically shove into the magic category) or melee weapons, but never anything with firearms. Also most of the books that I own aren't too helpful since about all the fights in there can be put into the magic or melee categories as well. So I'm writing those scenes without any examples and hope I won't royally screw up.
Songs from the original challenge for this chapter: "Fireheart" by Two Steps From Hell (for the short fighting scene in the beginning), "Long long way to go" by Phil Collins (for some later scenes)
Sniper let out his breath with a curse. He raised his rifle to his shoulder and fired a blast at the first creature that showed its face – a wakeup call for the other mercenaries - then he drew his kukri, jumped off the roof and ran towards the van. For this amount of enemies the rifle reloaded just way too slow.
Two more corpses were already down, the blood emitting from their skulls speckled the ground.
"Some of them are terribly fast", Engineer called from his spot on top of the van. "And they are coming from all sides."
A rocket hit the ground a few metres away, blasting away the zombies which had just come out of the tall grass and a few of those who had still been in hiding. The shockwave caused the van to rock.
"Hey, watch out! I haven't repaired it to be destroyed by one of our own."
Demo had learned from Soldier's mistake and rushed towards the field with drawn Eyelander.
Heavy defended the other side of the area, firing round after round into the assailing masses.
"Doctor, cover my back!" he called over his shoulder.
A zombie leapt off a low barn roof behind him. A quick movement and its head was rolling over the floor - decapitated mid-air by the uber saw.
"Covered", Medic replied.
Since Scout and Spy were already fighting at the westward side of the property Sniper rushed to the unprotected east side, mowing down a wave of zombies that had already reached the buildings. He could just dodge the fire blast coming from the side, roaring over their heads, in time.
"Goddammit, stop that! The grass is way too dry!"
For a second Pyro stared at him but then he put the flamethrower on his back, unbuckled the axe from his belt and stormed forward again.
The west side was probably the most protected one with a few lower buildings and high fences that marked former grazing grounds. The first few zombies who tried to climb over the fence in plain view were shot before they even reached the top. Some others however came over the buildings. Spy shot one off the roof then spun around but it was already too late - the next creature rammed into him and dragged him to the ground. But before the zombie could lunge out for another attack its head exploded and a crimson spray rained down. Scout standing on top of a roof just opened his mouth for a comment when a bullet whipped past his ear and killed the zombie right behind him.
"No need to thank me, mon ami", Spy said, a snarky grin on his blood smeared face. "Now we are quits."
The wave was over as fast as it had started and the night sank back into silence. Only the many corpses stayed as a reminder of the battle.
"Yuck", Scout commented the scenery and gave the nearest head a kick.
"If it was closer I would jump into the Hale River immediately", Spy said and wrinkled his nose.
"We will get there soon, so feel free to do so. No one will stop you. But leave some clean water for the rest of us", Sniper said. "Where did those bloody mongrels even come from?" he added. "I thought we were far away from the next towns."
"From the mountains I would say. Some of them looked awfully familiar", Spy commented. "Don't look at me like that. You would know someone too if you had been balancing above their heads several times. Looks like they had either noticed me after all or spotted the van and then about half of the camp followed us. No wonder we drew so much attention. We are the only living food here after all. Given the running speed of some of them and the - I must say crawling speed of our vehicle it might not have been hard to catch up with us soon."
"How is the van?" Sniper asked.
"Well, it can continue crawling if that's what you wanna hear", Engineer replied. "Should only drive fast in the case of emergency though and not with all of us aboard. Also it runs low on gas. If we follow the river and get to some gas stations we might be able to stock up. At least it's still saver inside the old gal than out on the streets."
"Well, since we already decided to run like little girlies", Soldier said, "this is exactly what we should do."
Thud!
Another time the baseball forcefully connected with the wall and bounced off again. And another time Scout caught it mid-air. He put so much force into his throws as if he wanted to let all of his anger out on the ball. From his lookout position on top of the van Sniper watched him for a few seconds before he returned his attention to the surrounding at the other side of the fence. He could clearly understand the boy's frustration. For days they had been on the run, smaller attacks wasted their ammo and the medigun's energy and repeatedly forced them to keep moving or change their routes and take the long way round. Barely enough time to do the much needed repairs on their vehicle or even to sleep. The gas stations were looted - gas was rare, food even rarer. For now they had at least found a safe place to stay and rest - it was surrounded by a fence - but just a lack of attacks wouldn't save them from starving to death sooner or later. Feeling so helpless, it was terrible. Also fear had become a loyal companion over time. Fighting at the gravel pit and getting shot several times or shredded into pieces wasn't pleasurable, neither was the process of respawning but at least they still could respawn at that time and never ran the risk of actually dying. Now death followed them anytime and everywhere and so did the fear - fear of dying, but also of the death of a friend.
"Stop that bloody noise or I'll beat the crap outta ya!"
That sudden scream caused Sniper to spin around again. For days they all had been on edge, some of them however could deal with stress better than others. The Demoman definitely belonged to the others. Due to the lack of alcohol his mind was as clear as it hadn't been for years. Unfortunately that mainly made him realize how much he hated everything. Right now he threateningly towered in front of Scout.
"Hell, sorry man, but I rather want to do something than repeatedly being reminded how much I'm starving", Scout retorted, seemingly annoyed but not willing to start a fight.
"Leave the boy alone. He's right. Better get involved in some training than being permanently remembered of the body's weakness. But hell, we could need a lot of distraction with such lousy food distribution."
Sniper let out a deep sigh and covered his face with his palm. It was good that Soldier wanted to end a fight but why did he always have to do that by choosing one of the sides and then starting an argumentation on his own?
"If you haven't noticed, lad", Demo snarled, I am responsible for food. Do you want to tell me how to do my job?"
"I just said the distribution was lousy because not everyone got something even when we still had enough for everyone. But yes, maybe it is better if someone else did the job."
"And maybe I was trying to set rations so we wouldn't use up everything immediately but fine, do it, if you think you can do better." He gestured at the others who had slowly appeared to see what the ruckus was about. "It appears to be lunch time so let's see how you can feed nine hungry people with that. And this time it's really the last we have."
The things he shoved into Soldier's hands looked like two cookies, half of an apple and a beef jerky. Unbelieving Soldier stared at the four items, then into the others expectant faces.
"Well", he slowly started. "At the war food was given to those most important to the team, to the women and to the weak. I doubt someone has hidden a woman somewhere here so..."
He paused again but the decision was taken off his shoulders when Heavy said, "Medic is important to team. Without we would have died long ago."
Medic hesitated but when no one objected to Heavy's suggestion he took the offered cookie.
"Without the Engineer we might not have been here either. At least not that fast and without the protection maybe not all of us", Sniper said.
Engineer was honestly surprised to be one of the chosen but he gladly took his ration.
"Scout", Spy said. "He already was scrawny before but the way he looks now I get the feeling he will be our first starving victim."
Scout might not have liked it that he was chosen because he was seen weak and not as a credit to the team but the apple made up for it.
"And the beef jerky is for the one who becomes a jerk when he is hungry", Soldier said and offered Demo the last piece of food.
At first Demo glared at him but then he saw that Soldier didn't want to insult him but rather make up for their stupid fight before with a joke and a friendly offer. "Come on, take it. Do you think I haven't noticed how less you have taken the past few days?"
"Thank you", Demo silently said. "And I hope you have seen it's not always easy for me to choose who is allowed to eat or not. But as if it would matter any longer, now that everything is gone."
"We are just here for a day or so. Let's look around if we maybe can find abandoned houses no one else has found before", Soldier suggested.
"I can go hunting", Sniper said.
"You trying to snipe a squirrel with that rifle", Scout said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Now that's something I wanna see."
"I prefer bow and arrow for that unless I want to scare the wildlife away after one loud bang but you can come anyways."
"You bet!"
Soldier and Demo had been following the street for a while before they wandered towards the river and through high reed. A house hadn't been in sight but maybe they were able to find small animals closer to the water. Besides it protected them a bit from the sun and the heat. As if hunger alone wasn't awful enough already.
"Hey, look at this", Soldier whispered and bent down the reed a bit further. The high grass in that area was trampled down, backpacks and sleeping bags were scattered all over it. But whoever had been living here was now gone.
Carefully Soldier stepped out of their hiding place and into the camp. He picked up one of the backpacks then stopped in his actions to look around. Still nothing to be seen or heard.
"This is a freaking paradise", he laughed out loud and waved the Demoman to come over. "They have food here. And even some ammo. Well, I doubt we could feed a minigun with that but it could fit into a pistol."
Demo however didn't seem to share his enthusiasm.
"This already belongs to someone. How can we know if they won't come back any minute just to find their belongings robbed?"
"Don't be silly. If they were still somewhere around do you really think they would have left their goods unattended?"
"Maybe they didn't expect other looters around here..."
"No, I would say they either left in a hurry because they were attacked and then they surely won't come back or they are already dead. And besides, those things left over at some of the gas stations also once belonged to someone else."
"That's not the same."
"So what? Do you want us all to starve just because of some unknown strangers who will probably never come back to their camp anyways? Nine more zombies to be added to the crowd?"
"No, that's not what I want", Demo sighed and with heavy heart he grabbed one of the backpacks too. "It's just... This isn't right."
Soldier slowly shook his head.
"This whole crap isn't right", he silently said. "But better taking the risk of something that might probably happen than of letting one of our friends starve for sure. Come, I still want to see what's further north. If we don't find anything in the next hour or so we will return with what we have."
"Man, it's good to get out of the crowd for a change", Scout said and breathed in so deeply one might have thought he hadn't even be allowed to properly breathe back in the camp.
Sniper chuckled. "And I thought you were a city boy. Shouldn't you be used to crowds?"
"Not to being close to the same eight people all the freaking time", Scout protested. "In the city I have an apartment to live in and don't need to be with all those people 24/7 and also in the gravel pit I had a lot more private space. But here I can't even be all by myself for five minutes without risking to get eaten alive. Do you even know what a lucky bastard you are being on guard duty most of the time and sitting on that camper van?"
"Not that lucky considering how often you are trying to sit in my spot."
"But that's the only place where I can get at least a bit of space. And it's not like you mind me up there, is it? You can be glad someone likes a camper like you for a change", Scout teased.
Sniper only responded with a weak grin. But yes, it was true - as annoying as Scout could be at times, Sniper never really minded to be with him. In a strange way his bubbling nature even gave him hope. A situation was never too bad as long as at least one of them could still laugh. And lately Scout had spent a lot of time with him, might it have been on the van or when they reconnoitred the closest area around a new resting place together. Maybe he liked being with him because Sniper was one of the only two people who had never shouted at Scout for being annoying. The other one was Engineer but the Texan preferred to stay down in the crowd and concentrated more on the condition of the van than on anything else around him.
"Hush now!" Sniper suddenly whispered and put a hand on Scout's shoulder to stop him and drag him down to hide in the tall grass. He nodded at the river. "Looks like we got our first prey for the day."
"That's a raccoon. Can you even eat that?" Scout silently asked
"We find out. Better than starvin' I'd say", Sniper whispered and drew his bow.
The arrow drove right through the small animal's torso killing it on the spot.
"Heh, not even a headshot? You must be the worst sniper I have ever seen", Scout mocked when they both got up.
"Nah, it wouldn't have been pretty. Also would have left an awful mess in your bag now."
"In MY bag? You want to say I have to carry that thing in my bag?" Scout stared at him in shock.
"Don't be such a weenie. I bet your bag has seen more disgusting things than a bleeding raccoon in the past few days."
"Not inside of it."
"So I shall carry it around like a strange purse?"
"That is your problem."
Sniper sighed. "Fine, we will hide it here for now - the smell of raccoon blood might frighten other animals away when we continue our hunt taking it with us - and when we return I will carry it back to the camp."
Further down the river they spotted a rabbit.
"Can I try it this time?" Scout asked.
With a shrug Sniper handed him the Huntsman and an arrow. He looked over his shoulder while the boy aimed, lightly corrected the position of his arms.
"And now keep it steady", he whispered close to Scout's ear.
The arrow hit the ground a good metre away from the rabbit. The animal made a jump into the air, turned tail and raced into the bushes.
"Guess we might have had more luck if we had let the Boston Bunny do a race against the rabbit", Sniper said with a hint of amusement. "Your hands shivered way too much. What was wrong? Afraid of a rabbit?"
"I ... uhm ... I ... uh ... hell, no!" Scout's cheeks had turned into a bright red. "Oh to hell with that rabbit! Don't you dare tell anyone that I royally screwed up!"
They were already on their way back when Sniper stopped Scout again but this time the boy wouldn't have needed the hand on his shoulder since he had already slowed down at the sight. Several persons were standing at the door of the fence - other survivors - and Medic was talking to them. Sniper gestured Scout to silently walk closer until they were in hearing range. Further down the road they saw two more well-known figures - Soldier and Demo had returned from their exploration trip as well and now followed the example of the others and stayed hidden.
"We really need someone's help", one of the strangers supporting another one said. "Our friend was hurt and we have nothing left to take care of his wounds."
"In Ordnung, I let you in, but only you and your friend. Zhe rest stays outside and waits", Medic replied and carefully opened the door.
That moment the injured seemed to have forgotten about his wounds; he charged at Medic and forced him to his knees. The other guy pushed a gun against the doctor's temple. The remaining mercs inside the camp were on their feet within a second but the man shouted, "Attack us and we scatter his brain all over the place! All we want is our supplies back then we will leave in peace but otherwise..."
He left the last sentence hanging in the air unfinished.
Heavy narrowed his eyes. "You hurt Medic and you are dead", he growled but he left his gun untouched.
"I am sorry but we don't have your supplies", Engineer said as calm as possible. "If we had some on our own we'd gladly share with y'all but that ain't gonna happen since we haven't found anything for days."
"Then who else should be stealing from us? Zombies? There's no one else around but you!" a woman screamed at him.
"Please, stay calm", Engineer tried to pacify her. "We can team up and then we're gonna find other supplies for y'all on the way."
"Other supplies?! You're one to talk! You just arrived here safely with your bloody van. You didn't have to go through the same we did. Do you know what it's like to gather supplies in completely infected towns? Did you have to shoot into the faces of turned friends? Do you know what it's like to see a son die with his face in the gutter or a loved one bleed out in a field somewhere?"
"I'm deeply sorry for all your losses", Engineer silently said. "But we still can't..."
"What are you even waiting for? Just get rid of these bastards! Just shoot that fucker!"
The guy's finger on the trigger twitched. Medic squeezed his eyes shut, shivering awaited death.
An arrow pierced through the guy's head. A shot rang out after all but it only hit the pack on the doctor's back. Another one of the survivors drew his gun at Medic instead but the bullet missed too when he was stabbed in the back by an invisible dagger. That was the command for the mercs to grab their weapons. The other survivors scattered, sought cover behind walls and rocks. Heavy rushed forward, dragged Medic back to his feet and out of the danger zone. The woman who previously had screamed at them used that chance to lean out of her cover and shoot at them but the fire of the unexperienced shooter only caused them graze wounds. In response her upper body was nearly shredded into pieces by the perma-fire of the minigun.
Three of the survivors now had detected the uncovered enemies in their backs and opened fire on them. The four mercs dodged down into the grass while the bullets whipped over their heads. Maybe they also would have hit if Pyro hadn't sent out a fire blast that forced them back into their covers and gave his friends the chance to swarm out. However, one of the survivors leaned out. He risked severe burns but he was able to deal a few hits. With a cry of pain Demo hit the ground. Soldier let out a loud curse and opened fire at the already wounded guy before the latter could drag himself back behind the rock then he helped up Demo and with Pyro's covering fire supported him until they reached the group of lonely trees where Scout and Sniper already had sought cover.
"Don't stare at me like that", Demo brought out between clenched teeth while he pressed his hands against his right leg to stop the bleeding. "It's just a flesh wound. Our Medic has healed worse than that."
"Yeah, now we only need to survive for the next few minutes", Scout said and dealt another few shots before quickly withdrawing. "I only wished he would do that more often", he commented after the Spy had suddenly appeared behind one of the survivors' cover again, shot him then quickly disappeared before the others could shoot at him too.
"He's just a show-off", Sniper said.
"Or maybe he just can't run as fast as the Scout and can't stay cloaked forever, patate", a voice said beside him and the Spy appeared between them. "All the other time he has to hide just like a normal human."
"Good that you mention you are human or else someone might have started thinking you were a psychotic god", Sniper coolly commented. He leaned past Scout to get a better aim and another arrow found its goal.
With a mocking salutation Spy vanished into thin air again.
As soon as the last survivor had fallen Soldier dragged up his wounded friend again and helped him back to the camp. He tried not to look at any of the bodies on his way.
'Civilians', it rang through his head. 'Those were all civilians who had somehow stumbled upon weapons and picked them up to defend themselves. We are the professionals here and we just murdered a group of civilians.'
Knowing who had stolen their supplies and thus started that battle - and thus also was indirectly responsible for his friend's injuries - only added to the nagging guilt he already felt.
Medic was kneeling on the ground, Heavy by his side, a hand on his shoulder but the doctor didn't seem to notice it, neither did he take note of Archimedes who had just returned from the safe place up at the roofs, landed on his shoulder and nestled to his cheek as if to comfort him as well. Both mercs still had the bloody scratches on their skins and when Soldier came closer he also saw the reason why. In the doctor's lap there was the pack that always had powered the medigun, perforated with bullet holes, blue liquid oozing from it.
"It's completely damaged", Medic silently said. "With zhat bit left I can possibly stop bleedings but it cannot heal anymore." He looked up when the other mercs approached, noticed the wounds on Demo's leg. "Bullets have to be removed", he said as if he was reading from an invisible sheet of paper. "Zhere is a first aid kit in zhe car but nothing is sterile. Bleeding can still be stopped afterwards with a few drops but zhere is still zhe risk of an infection. We could need more medication later. Heavy?"
Heavy understood the short nod and helped Demo to follow Medic over to the van. Soldier remained back; he knew he could barely do anything for his friend now.
"And after that, can we please leave this place?" he bleakly said. "It smells too much like death."