Chapter 18 Hunted

Cayce

July 21st, 2017

3:16 AM

Canyon County, Idaho

Caldwell Farmlands

After leaving the wounded man behind for pickup when Kristine healed him, it was time to move out on David's go. We still yet had a lot of ground to walk before reaching the church. No telling how much ConDef we'll be encountering. David led Kristine, Flint, Logos, and I down a hay field across the farmlands to stay on our window. I'm more concerned if Cage and the other half of Valor made it to the ground safely. We would radio contact them, but David suggested we'd listen for them first.

When coming across the field, a helicopter propeller was heard. Meaning enemy aircraft was inbound with a searchlight scanning the ground floor. We acted instantly on David's orders.

"Spotlight!" David warned. "Hit the deck!"

The five of us fall flat on the ground to play dead so the light wouldn't see us moving. The enemy search chopper hovered a hundred feet above us. Turning its light left and right in search of hostiles or stragglers. I'm always nervous playing dead when a helicopter wants you to be, but the trick still works all the same.

"Stay down," said David. "Stay – down."

The helicopter leaves us behind to move forward and search other areas for other Chrysalis teams or civilians roaming the county. The enemy chopper that flew by was the same one that flew over the enemy convoy driving over the bridge we hid earlier. Before running into the old man attacked by the ConDef patrol. If that chopper was looking for us, we knew we were being hunted.

"The heli's moving away," said David. "Let's go."

My team and I got out of the grass and continued marching forward. There was another small farmhouse on our twelve. The only way forward was through there and the only way inside was through a basement hatch locked tight with a padlock. On top of that, we were facing more ConDef on our six.

"Contact, six-o-clock!" I warned.

"Return fire!" David ordered.

I took cover behind a tractor with David and Kristine and fired away on the ConDef sentries as the fired back. Logos and Flint were in charge of the door and we covered them.

"Logos, Wheeler, we'll hold them off!" David spat. "Get that basement door open now!"

"We're on it!" Logos complied.

Meanwhile, as we released our bullets against the enemy infantry, the helicopter that just passed by returned with its searchlight still on and would soon be ready to fire on us to give the ConDef force air support. We had to get inside fast. The chopper was getting closer and the sentries were beginning to advance. Luckily, Flint and Logos were quick enough to break the padlock open so we could race ourselves inside the basement to safety.

"The door's open, sir!" Flint shouted.

"Get in the house!" David barked. "Go! Go!"

Logos and Flint hold the basement doors open for us and David, Kristine, and I run inside before the chopper and sentries could catch up to us. Then our two doormen shut the basement doors behind us as we can hear the bullets banging on the metal and we lock the doors behind us with a board to seal the doors shut. Leaving the ConDef forces in the dust. For now.

Little did we know that there were civilians still inside the house and hidden in the very basement we just entered. A man and women stood in front of us with our hands up startled that we might hurt them. A husband and wife perhaps. We withdrew our guns to let them know we mean no harm.

"Please don't hurt us!" The woman shrieked. "We want no trouble!"

"Hold on," said the man. "You're not-"

"We're not ConDef," assured David. "We're with Chrysalis. We come in peace."

"Oh, thank god," said the woman. "You're friendly."

"When we saw you coming into that basement," said the man. "We thought those ConDef had found us."

"Sorry for the intrusion, sir," I said. "We didn't figure someone was still in this house when busted our way in here."

"We heard the gunfire and a helicopter flying by," said the woman. "Figured someone was coming in, but not Chrysalis."

"You're safe now, ma'am," said Kristine. "With us. Hopefully, ConDef won't be able to find us here."

"Ever since the raids started," said the man. "ConDef have been out to get us. They're killing as many people they find."

"State your name, sir," said David. "And why is ConDef hunting you down?"

"I'm Ben," said the man. "This is my wife, Ida. No clue what ConDef is up to or why they're killing everyone."

"We didn't do anything," said the woman named Ida. "Pretty much every ConDef combatant in the farmlands want us dead."

"I think they have some interest about something at the church some miles from where we live," said Ben. "Of all the places ConDef could hit in this country, not sure why it had to be here. God knows how many of us they've already killed."

"They should be hitting places like D.C. or New York or whatever big city protected by Chrysalis in the U.S. Not us! Ever since the raids hit, they've been taking over the whole county."

"You said ConDef were moving into the church?" David asked.

"Right after the county was under curfew," said Ida. "Unsure why ConDef would want to go there. It's a misunderstanding."

"Not sure where they came from," said Ben. "Never seen many ConDef around before. Other than from what we've seen on the news. Sure seemed like they were ready for this."

"Only nobody thinks ConDef find this place vulnerable enough to hit. We're part of a church group that goes to the same church they're heading to now and it's inexcusably ridiculous ConDef of all people would find that a place of interest."

"You said ConDef was taking over the entire Canyon County?" I asked.

"Trying to," said Ben. "ConDef don't go down easy. The raids have increased by the hour and we've been stuck down here in our own basement hiding from those monsters for over eight hours with no sleep. Chrysalis is getting pushed back. The deeper you go into the county, the more ConDef you'll see. Unless they see you first."

"Are you absolutely sure your church group isn't hiding anything ConDef might be interested in at all?" Kristine asked.

"Not at all," said Ben. "If you want all the answers, ask our local pastor. He might know something the rest of our group doesn't.

"As long as you pay your monthly protection fees," said Ida. "Everything else was cool. Rates were pretty reasonable. For Canyon and Caldwell, at least."

"Then this damn raid hit. Everyone was getting rounded up on the knees with their hands behind their hand and a bullet in the back of their heads. ConDef was going crazy and the whole country turned into a war zone."

"What else can you tell us about the raids?" David asked. "When did it start?"

"The first signs cropped up about nine hours ago," said Ben. "Nobody paid much attention until it started going down. The city and the county were under lockdown just a day ago and they told us all to lock our doors and shut our windows. Even after the assurance, ConDef still broke in. They're just as bad as the media describes."

"That's when everyone noticed ConDef was here," said Ida. "Then the lockdown was breached and everything went to hell."

"What did they do?" I asked.

"Not sure," said Ben. "They probably forced everyone out of their houses, lined them up to be shot down like rabid dogs, all those kinds of horrors. It's unspeakable how it'd all come down to where we live. By now it's clear that they gun victims down and burn the bodies in the grass. It's a shame not many of you Chrysalis folks are out here to help. People are dying by the dozens."

"Our mission is to get to the church," said David. "We need to find what ConDef is after before they do and gather as many civilians over there as we can for rescuing."

"You're people there for rescuing?" Ben asked. "We didn't know. Isn't that where ConDef is going now?"

"Chrysalis is taking all the refugees we can there for evac," said Kristine. "In the meantime, we have a mission of our own and we can send a rescue team to pick you up."

"Well I'm glad someone's taking in refugees now," said Ida. "Finally, some protection offered from ConDef."

"Sure," said Ben. "A bunch of military-grade war pigs helping people for free. On Canyon? Grow up."

"Sounds like you don't think much of Chrysalis, do ya?" I asked.

"I think we've seen a small Chrysalis force out there trying to muscle in earlier. They were all gunned down by a helicopter just like that. Pop, pop, pop. Didn't stand a chance."

"Then ConDef was getting curious on where everyone in the neighborhood could be," said Ida. "That could one other reason they're headed to the church at this moment. Any Chrysalis forces that were wanting to help us out earlier were probably all done away with by that helicopter with the spotlight. ConDef is cold and desperate. Taking extreme measure to do what they do."

"You can't stay trapped in this house," said David. "If you get to the church, you might at least survive until the lockdown ends."

"Are you nuts?!" Ida muttered. "We'd never make it. The farmlands are crawling with ConDef. We don't even have guns!"

"Besides," said Ben. "I'm not risking my life on a rumor that Chrysalis might offer me sanctuary."

"I know you're scared," said David. "But your only hope is to get to the church. We're going to be under fire from ConDef. So we can't take you with us. Like my lieutenant said, we'll send a rescue team after you. I will promise you this. We'll do what we can to leave you a safe for you and the team to follow us. It's risky, but I think it's your only chance."

"Okay, you're right," said Ben. "We'll never make it if we stay here. We have to try. We'll wait here for a while until your rescue team arrives and give you time to clear the way. Then we'll head for the church. If we're lucky, maybe we'll meet you there."

As soon as we left the civilians named Ben and Ida, David orders me to take point and look for an exit upstairs. David had radioed HQ for another pickup for civilians to the church as I did. I lead the team upstairs out of the basement and exit the front door of the house. Minutes ago, we just encountered sentries outside the house and a chopper willing to shoot us down and now there was no one and nothing to be seen. This was odd.

The team and I were walking into a small neighborhood with other farmhouses, gardens, and mills. It was too quiet and empty. We needed to keep our guard up for an ambush. I could sense one with my survival instincts tingling.

"It's too quiet," said Logos. "Where the hell did they go?"

"They're probably regrouping," I said. "Trying to cut us off somewhere up ahead."

"Stay sharp," said David.

Suddenly, we could hear the barking of dogs a few feet away. Then we see attack hounds racing towards us like wolves. Ready to show their bites worse than their barks. Our weapons were free and we shot the dogs down. Then more ConDef sentries appeared out of nowhere setting the ambush in motion. Just as I predicted. The next thing Valor Team and I did was run and gun through the neighborhood and shoot anything that moved.

ConDef soldiers were shooting from windows, fences, and wall corners. As predictable as they made themselves so, they were an easy target for me to shoot with my rifle. Everyone else thought the same. It's what they taught me in the academy to avoid an ambush like this anyways. After running through the small residential boundary, shooting ConDef soldiers and attack dogs down, we were no making another contact with the attack chopper for the third time. Overhearing the propellers on approach.

"Hold on," I said. "The helicopter's back."

Luckily, the helicopter was a bit further away for us to worry about this time. We could only see it and hear farther out in front of us with its searchlight still lighting the ground. It would seem they were no longer aware of our presence. Since it flying in the opposite direction from us.

"It looks like they don't know where we are," said David. "Let's keep it that way. Alright, let's press on. Move."

The five of us press on into water stream in a ditch that would take us under another bridge. Where a convoy of ConDef vehicles was present too.

"Hold up," ordered David. "Sentries on the bridge up ahead."

Of course, the enemy helicopter had to return closer to us and fly above the convoy. The searchlight was now skimming into the ditch and we all hid in some bushes on the side to avoid it.

"Stay out of the spotlight," said David.

We see the light skim across the stream. We remain undetected and the helicopter leaves. It was time for us to leave too.

"Let's move," said David. "But stay low."

While moving and staying low, we walk into another hayfield in the middle of another homestead in the residential farmlands. Only this time, ConDef soldiers were posted patrolling the field with lights on. We stayed hidden behind some hay rolls to avoid detection. Our guns weren't silenced and it was going to be impossible to keep a low profile. On David's command, we freed our weapons on the patrols and shot as many as we could until the ones standing fired back.

"Return fire and head for the far end of the field!" David ordered. "Move!"

As the team and our enemies fired back at one another, the helicopter reappeared again and was prepared to open fire. We weren't going to get much cover out in the open from enemy air support. We were going to need shelter fast. There was greenhouse next to the field that could give us the advantage and the five of us make a break for it while we still could.

"Watch out for the helicopter!" David warned. "Get inside the greenhouse! Now!"

Even when the team and I having a roof for cover when entering the greenhouse, we still had company outside on the ground floor. Sentries coming out of sheds and another greenhouse. The helicopter was still on us. Shining its light on us and spraying heavy bullets on us. Through the roof and hitting the dirt. We manage to hold off the ground tangos, but we couldn't stay inside for long. When the enemy chopper held fire, that's when we run out.

When we're out in the open again, the helicopter only ceased fire to target us at another angle. We were sitting ducks out here and running out of shelter. I'm proud we didn't take the civilians with us. Because if we did, they wouldn't get more than five miles out here with us before they could get mowed down in the crossfire. They'll thank us later assuming we can cleanse this mess for them once they're picked up by the SOS team we sent for them.

"That helicopter's making another pass!" David warned. "Find some overhead cover!"

The obvious place to take overhead cover was the barn in the vicinity. What would a homestead be without a barn? My team and I run inside the barn to keep our heads and skins intact as soon as the helicopter fired on our angle. We had nowhere to run. Bullets were chipping through the wood of the barn and we needed a plan to get the chopper out of commission ASAP. Then Kristine spotted a weapon that could be used to shoot it down.

"Commander Madsen," she said. "We got a stinger in the barn!"

"Cayce, grab the stinger and take out that chopper!" David ordered. "Move!"

I snatch the stinger launcher out of the barn and run outside to blow the chopper sky high. The heavy weapon was pretty heavy to hold with my hands, arms, and over my shoulder, but this chopper was going down whatever it takes. The stinger weapon was a lock-on weapon. I aim down my sights at the chopper. The targeting alarm started ringing until I hear the locking noise and fire away. Only for the missile to redirect itself to a flare the helicopter releases to avoid my fire.

"Que carajo!" Logos snapped. "He's popping flare! This won't be easy!"

"Cayce, grab another stinger and fire again!" David barked. "Let's put him to the test!"

There was one last stinger with one last missile lying around in the barn. I pick the stinger up, aim for the helicopter, lock on my target, and fire away. This time with no flares released. Instead, I hit him with my best shot and the missile explodes on impact. Sending the chopper spinning out of control with a flaming mark from my direct hit and eventually the chopper hits the grass and blasts away. Destroying and totaling it once and for all.

"Fucking nice shooting there, Cayce," commented Logos.

"Good work, Cayce," said David. "Everyone on me. Let's move out."

"Who the hell keeps a stinger in their own barn?" Flint asked.

"It's probably not theirs, Flint," said Kristine. "It was ConDef's as soon as they were posted here."

"Yeah, I knew that."

Note: So I've just seen the new Life is Strange 2 trailer and it's gameplay at Gamescom. I'm sure you all have as well if you're reading this. Looks promising with Max and Chloe out of the scene and with the new characters Sean and Daniel created for the LISU. To let you all know, my writing schedule may be getting slower again do to my junior year in art school happening in two weeks and more relaxing and busy things to do in my life. Such as work and gaming. Whatever it'd be.

Until next time, stay tuned and golden!