The BLU Pyro has me cornered. How? I don't know. The only thing I can think of right now is my inevitable death. It was always chasing me wherever I went. Preying, stalking until it finally found me. And it has, after all this time, caught me. There is nothing that can help me out of this situation. My revolver, my knife and even my dead ringer are gone. I wanted so badly to figure out why but to no avail. Fear was my top priority for some strange reason. My body solidified but my knees gave out from absolute horror as the creature approached me, clicking its flamethrower on revealing a tiny bud of fire at the weapon's tip.
Slowly it lifted up its mask, my spine ran hot and then cold as it continued. I couldn't stop myself from screaming when I saw the scorched, deformed face of the creature. It reacted to my shriek, perhaps a response to it, and doused me in a storm of flames. I felt the fire begin to melt my flesh until something sharp started to stab my back.
"Evadez-vous de moi!" I hollered and struck my arm out at the force impaling me. I blinked in realization as it turned out to be nothing. I then observed that I was in bed. Thank heavens it was just a nightmare. I jumped with as start as my digital alarm clock started to buzz. I rubbed my eyes shakily, still remembering that terrifying dream and technically punched the alarm button to 'off' on the gadget.
After getting dressed I recovered from my cowardly phase. It's ridiculous of me to fear such a cretin. As scary as it is there's no possible way I'll ever let it corner me. Never. I scoffed at the idea and readjusted my tie, heading out the door. When I reached the hallway that connected all the classes' rooms together I saw Engineer exit his quarters as well. He noticed my presence and waved to me as he approached. "Howdy, Spyress." Engineer greeted me with a smile. I didn't notice at first but he held what looked like blue-prints for something in his left arm.
"Salutations, Engineer." I returned the notion. I tugged on my dress shirt and stood confidently.
"Follow me as we gab, a'right?" Engineer motioned to me and I nodded, letting him take the lead in front of me as we strolled. "Now listen, I've been up all night workin' on a secret project the administrator herself gave to RED. When everyone's havin' breakfast I'm gunna spill the beans about it." His expression broadened to a grin, chuckling mischievously.
"And?" I replied, interested in the project. Not only of the project though, but in the administrator. I don't trust her at all even if she is the head honcho of what goes on around here. She's not to be taken lightly.
Engineer used his empty hand to scratch underneath his helmet. "Well I dun want to bore ya to death with technical drabble…"
"Au contrair." I lit up my first cigarette of the day, continuing while looking sideways at the mechanic. "Explain every detail eef you like. I'm listening."
We passed the infirmary and kept trotting. The grin of RED's Engie was from ear to ear after hearing that. He must feel so lonely if not misunderstood by him being so jolly over my interest in mechanics. The whole way to the dining room, Engineer explained the thorough details of machinery in general. I admit I was lost in my own train of thought as he spoke. It's been a couple days since Scout showed up. So far he's been the same as he came: Naïve but nice. Nothing important or extravagant has been going on these past few days but according to the Engineer, that's rather invalid.
"…But let me get to the point." My attention darted towards the Engineer, spooked out of my unfocused state. He didn't seem to notice me spacing out so he continued casually, leaving much relief for me. "This past week you may have noticed me locked up in mah room. Seein' the papers I'm holding must have given ya a hint of what I've been cooking up."
"All I know iz what 'ou've told me, monsieur." Exhaling smoke, I openly leaned forward to look at the blueprints in Engineer's grasp. "I am not aware of anything else 'ou 'ave been doing." I responded with a positive demeanor.
"I'm just gonna say this: Cheatin' death." He finalized with a badly restrained laugh. The only thing I could think of was the dead ringer but it's already been invented. I chose not to interrogate the man any further and decided to wait until I could hear the news along with my other comrades. We came upon the dining room; everyone was already seated and staring at us when we entered. "Take a seat, little lady, and I'll get started." Engineer chimed.
I hummed in acknowledgment and took a seat next to Sniper and Medic. Engineer was the center of attention but since I tagged along with him I was receiving some glances too. The technician of the team was busy setting up his plans in front of the room when suddenly Medic tapped my shoulder. I leaned in as he began to whisper. "Vhat's going on, here?"
I shrugged my shoulders with a smirk and took a puff from my cigarette. "I'll give 'ou a hint." I replied in a teasing whisper. "Cheating death." Medic sat back in his chair and made a face at me. I ignored this and glanced back at the Engineer who was dusting his hands off, finally done setting up.
"Boys," I lifted a brow at him. He cleared his throat in embarrassment. "and erm, lady… I have grand news to tell." He presented an easel with a picture of a tiny microchip with a bunch of technical notes on the side. "This here is a data chip-"
"Like in the space movies!" Scout interrupted Engie whilst standing up in his chair. After everyone glared at him he shrunk back in his seat, twiddling his thumbs innocently.
"…Where was I?" Engineer cleared his throat as he flipped a page over, revealing a machine of some kind. I clicked my tongue with interest when the man continued. "Oh yes, so I implant that data chip into ya'll and-"
"WHAT?" Soldier basically rocketed out of his chair towards Engineer as he bellowed. "ARE YOU SOME KIND OF MAD NAZI SCIENTIST BENT ON DESTROYING THIS ENTIRE UNIT?"
"Er… no." The Engineer back up against the easel, scared out of his wits. I heard the Medic clear his throat angrily beside me. I have a feeling Soldier and him don't get along.
"Oh." Soldier simply stated as he mechanically returned to the table. I twirled my hair with a finger as I slowly returned my gaze back to Engineer. Leave it to a hallucinating war maniac to make things awkward in a conversation.
"S-so like I was saying." Engineer compiled himself again as he pointed at the drawing of the machine. "After implanting the chip inside ya this here machine will pick up yer genetic code and revive, not clone, you. I've built nine of them so not to overwork the machines. It takes 'bout twenty to five seconds fer you to 'respawn'" The mechanic's face suddenly turned grim, pointing a finger at us all. "But 'member… The machines turn off after war-time to cool down. If anyone dies during cease-fire then you're gone forever. Understand?"
I was appalled to hear the last part. What if someone from BLU tries to assassinate us after war-time? Just like with Scout… I jumped when I heard the room grunt with replies hence the Engineer's warning. I quickly followed with a curt nod as I inhaled the nicotine from my drag.
"Good. I put the machines in the infirmary since I couldn't find anywhere else to put 'em." The Engineer chirped with a smile. He clapped his hands in sudden realization. "Oh, and BLU somehow got their grubby hands on these plans so I'm sure they've already built their 'respawn' too."
How suspicious… I thought the administrator strictly gave the plans to RED… Something is definitely wrong here but I'll have to investigate some other time. Right now I must focus on our new toy. I suppose now the infirmary is also the 'respawn room'. As if faking death was not amusing enough, now we can go against all logic of the afterlife.
"Oi, Engineer." Sniper called out to the man as he put his setup away. "That must mean we blokes get to live through our five year contract, roight?" He assumed with a sheepish grin, legs kicked up on the tabletop with his hands behind his head.
Engineer scratched under his helmet, clearly troubled. "About that… I'm supposed to tell ya'll that yer contracts have been extended from five years to ten…"
"WHAT?" Soldier cried out along with the Demoman who spit up his booze. Pyro looked down at its folded hands with a sigh as the Sniper frowned in disdain. A string of German curses flew from the Medic's mouth with Scout simply pouting from across him. Heavy? He was eating his sandwich. I myself groaned with agitation and moved the cigarette in my mouth from side to side using my tongue.
"Sorry fellas." Engineer chuckled nervously with a shrug. "But at least we won't have as many casualties, am I right?"
Mumbles of reluctant agreements swarmed around the table. I simply stretched my back out drowsily and supported my head with a hand. Ten years isn't so bad, I guess. At least I don't have to be so uptight on survival now. It doesn't mean we should be carefree though. Assassination during cease-fire will always be a hazard in the back of my head. Somehow, we've made war-time is safer. How ironic...
Engineer finished putting his presentation away along with implanting the microchips in the back of our necks and took a seat next to Scout. Being peppy and optimistic as usual, the young man assaulted Engineer with infinite questions. "When does this thing turn on? Can we use it today? What if it malfunctions? Would my arm grow out of my head like some freakish unicorn? Could I poke you with it if-"
"Scout!" Engineer shouted, which was rare because this man was usually soft-spoken. "…Yes it's gonna work today. And no, it won't malfunction. Does that help with yer concerns?" The Scout nodded slightly. "Good." Engineer smiled as he got up and went into the kitchen to fetch some coffee.
MISSION BEGINS IN TEN MINUTES
"Have fun fellas!" Engineer raised the mug filled with caffeine. He downed the beverage in two loud gulps and threw the mug into the sink. "The machines are up and running, rearin' to go!" He called out behind him as he left the room.
I could tell everyone in the room was anxious about the new respawn by the silence they all portrayed when standing up from their chairs and leaving for battle. I stayed seated and nonchalantly exhaled a cloud of smoke. I was already ready for battle. My weapons aren't exactly heavy so I could take them anywhere with me. Today I'm going to be using the dead ringer. Quite a nifty device. Surely it will confuse the BLUs today, expecting me to come back later instead of ten seconds afterwards. I giggled softly at the thought of my artful plot. Ah but I must be off, nonetheless. I got up from my seat and strolled out of the dining room. Perhaps I can catch up on my reading before the brawl begins.
A flicker of excitement sparked within my chest as I successfully infiltrated BLU's sewers once again. I can get back at that Sniper as many times as I want now. Hmm…BLU always seems to fail guarding down here. Honestly, I expected their Engineer to be a bit brighter. Oh well, their loss not mine. All of a sudden I heard splashes caused by footsteps and the electronic sound of a cloaking device. I sighed patiently and lit up a new cigarette, disowning the one that has been between my lips all morning. The splashes from the sewer water got louder and soon faded into the sound of dress shoes against concrete. I twirled my butterfly knife open and sharply twirled around, striking the disguised BLU Spy.
To my surprise I sliced open his throat causing him to drop his disguise as RED's Medic and fall to the floor. He gripped his bleeding neck, gasping for air. "Relax, Monsieur." I smiled diabolically. "Respawn will bring 'ou back to get back at me later, non?" Of course he'd never get me back. I'm way too crafty for this little amateur.
"No… Respawn." BLU gargled, gripping his neck frantically with eyes wide with fear. "Tomorrow… activation…" He sputtered blood from his mouth and coughed up even more of it soon after.
I did not show shock because I just killed the BLU Spy for good, but because I'll have to deal with an even better Spy compared to him later. I gritted my teeth at the thought. I wish I knew ahead of time before I finally decided to attack this poor excuse for espionage.
I groaned, shook my head and looked down at the dying BLU. He was going to be suffering for hours if I don't rid of him now. I got behind the Spy and hefted him up, dragging him over towards the wall. His pale brown eyes began to fade and his breathing slowed when I backed away from him.
He was sitting up now, gripping his neck with two hands looking pitiful and harmless. I feel… bad for the BLU Spy. Though it is against Spy code to show true feelings or intentions, I'm going to do what's best for him. Hesitantly I switched to my revolver, his expression revealing pain and horror. I tried my best to remain emotionless as I pointed the barrel of the gun towards his head. He's so young and careless, like Scout… "You know," I glanced down at him with unwavering poise. "even though 'ou failed to take me or anyone else down on RED, 'ou were quite determined. I rezpect zhat."
As the crack from the gun echoed throughout the sewers I heard shouts and hurried footsteps from above. BLU's Spy was dead. It was a little hard to believe I finally killed him after all this time. Whisking towards the exit of the basement I couldn't help but feel almost disappointed. It would have been more dignified to have him die in face-to-face combat. My cigarette fell from my mouth and all thought abruptly left me as a rubber mask barraged me upon recently exiting BLU's waterways. I shrieked as my nightmare became a reality and sprinted back into the sewers. I heard the muffled cry of the enemy Pyro lurking behind me. I could have sworn I was jogging as fast as Scout when I reached the enemy stairs, taking my dead ringer out just in time to have a rocket collide with my face.
My fake body exploded into pieces of gibs while the real me panted heavily as the enemy Soldier marched away feeling proud of himself. Oh god… That was close. I peered down to see the dead ringer's energy deplete. Hastily, I disguised as the Soldier and dared to return back into the sewer. Because I was so shaken up I forgot to decloak before encountering the Pyro which resulted in him catching onto my ruse and chasing me into the opposite corner of the dead Spy. What an unprofessional move!
Cold sweat beaded my forehead as I pressed myself against the wall, trying to figure out a way to escape this monstrosity. But there is no way. My awful dream began to come to life more and more as the fire retardant monster approached me with his flamethrower in hand, the tip of the weapon creating a tiny flame. I fell to my knees in defeat and accepted my downfall. Had I not been so cocky or frightened I could have made it out alive… I squeezed my eyes shut and gripped the edge of my skort, waiting for the shower of fire. I felt life slip away from me as the fire covered me from head to toe. I screamed from the morbid pain but stayed alive somehow, burning as a sharp object finally ended my life by planting itself into my skull. The world went black and I sensed the feeling of heaviness before losing my grip on life entirely.
It felt like I woke up from a dream when I stumbled out of a pod of some kind. I tripped over my own two feet and stabilized myself against the infirmary's wall. Wait… I'm in the infirmary? I'm still in 2fort? I lazily looked over myself and realized with relief that I was not dead. I sighed with a slight chuckle and found my footing. I completely forgot about respawn. I'm so foolish… I laughed to myself once more and tapped a nicotine stick against the metal of my disguise kit. I took out my lighter, placed the drag between my lips and lit it up. I inhaled the warm smoke and exhaled it coolly. Letting it hang from my lips loosely I trekked my way back to the battlefield.
BLU TEAM WINS
My mouth fell agape, causing my cigarette to once again fall to the ground. How is that possible? I jumped with a start as one of the strange respawn pods behind me opened up to reveal Sniper clutching onto his head. I helped him steady himself by wrapping an arm around his back. "Sniper?" I crooned sweetly to get his attention.
He stared back at me half dazed, smiling like a fool. "Where'd the piker go…?" His speech slurred but I could tell he was recovering slowly from the aftereffects of respawn.
"When did 'ou die? Was eet in zhe morning?" I kept my cool as I asked him. I wish Engie told us of this drugged up side effect beforehand.
Sniper sobered up a little more, holding himself up now without my help. "Argh… I think it wos jus' this afternoon… Wait, it's still afternoon, ain't it?"
"BLU won today, Monsieur Sniper." I sighed with folded arms.
"Wot?" Sniper shouted in disbelief. "Engineer told us it took between twenty ta five seconds to respawn! I don't believe this…" He grumbled and leaned his back against the wall with a defiant air.
"Oui, oui. I know." I mused over the situation seriously. "Per'aps we can consult zhe Engineer 'imself about zhis?" I suggested.
"Darn roight we will." Sniper replied grumpily. He mumbled something incoherent, probably Australian slang as he backed off of the wall and left me behind in the 'respawn room'.
I frowned and followed him in pursuit. Snipers aren't known for rash behavior but you never know.
I found the two men in Engineer's workshop. I joined them and listened in on the conversation taking place. Sniper seemed to have calmed a bit but that just might be his skilled patience.
"Why didn't ya warn us, Engie?" Sniper stressed.
"I'm sorry, pardner. All I can do is apologize and fix the problem." The mechanic apologized sincerely since he basically caused today's defeat. "Trust me I've already had to discuss this with everyone else…"
Sniper saw the disappointment in Engineers expression and patted him on the back. "It's alroight, mate." Sniper comforted. "Look, I understand yer sad about the machines defects but at least you can fix it."
Engineer brightened up a little bit. "Yeah, yer right." He smiled. "Ya wanna go to the wreck room and play some pool? I'll let ya go first."
"Yeah, sure." Sniper turned towards me. "Ya wanna join us, Spoiress?"
"Non," I lied. "I need to get back to my room and mull over some things."
The two men shrugged and left the workshop together. I simply left after them and headed to the lounge. I seem to be carrying a dirty conscious from today's incident with the BLU Spy. Just because he was incompetent doesn't mean I should feel bad for him. A book will take my mind off things. I entered the dusty, book filled room and sat on one of four cushiony chairs. I plucked the book up from before off the end table and read the next chapter. The Raven, is what it's called written by Edgar Allen Poe, even his name is eerie. For the rest of the night I found my nose in the book. That is until the cuckoo clock on the wall struck twelve at midnight. I then retired to my room and passed out on my bed without removing my uniform. After today's events I am more than exhausted.