Chapter 16: Hat Trick
Dante complains as he readjusts himself in the backseat attempting to put some space between him and Freida "Couldn't you have found a bigger car?"
"And here I was enjoying your company." Freida replies, causing the short man to blush.
Both Law and Iris roll their eyes in unison. Iris swerves, causing the pair in the back to crash into each other.
"HEY!" they both yell, triggering laughter out of Law.
"That's what y'all get for being annoying. Now, we are about ten minutes away from the greatest heist the wasteland has ever seen. I think now might be a good time for a refresher. What do you say, captain?" Iris calls out, ending by glancing over to Law
Law nods and sits up, turning around to face the back.
"Alright, this is the moment we have been waiting for, people. It's been a journey, let's not mess it up at the finish line."
"Either way this will be the end" Freida chipped in
"Morbid but yes, this will not be an easy mission, but we will succeed." Law continued.
"Or die." Dante chided
Law rubbed his temples, "Please stop interrupting. Now the plan is quite simple. We drive in, with our driver hopefully skilled enough to avoid all if not most of the fire from the mounted sentry turrets."
"Please, I have been driving since I was seven. Granted, it was a tractor, but still." Iris replies, not taking her eyes away from the wheel.
"We'll pull into a warehouse adjacent to the central building, break in, and secure the weapon from the weapons lab. Dante, you'll use your EMP to disable the bots and work with Freida to ensure our exit. Iris, you'll navigate us through the base and provide support to me. According to the schematics, there's an admin office in the weapons lab that might have the capability to shut off the robots. If that's the case, Dante, you'll try to access the computers and search for other valuables to loot. If not, we'll stick to the plan. Any questions?" Law looks around, watching his companions transform into their professional personas.
"Got it." The three replied in sync.
Iris stomped down hard on the gas pedal, causing the engine to roar to life and the jeep to lurch forward. The rush of wind through the open windows grew stronger and stronger, tugging at their hair and clothes. The wheels kicked up dirt and rocks as they careened into the dense forest, the towering trees whizzing by in a dizzying blur of green and brown.
The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, and the sound of rustling leaves and snapping branches filled their ears. As they picked up speed, the jeep bounced and jolted over the uneven terrain, the suspension creaking and groaning with each impact.
Iris expertly navigated the twisting, turning path, her eyes scanning ahead for any obstacles or hazards. The rush of adrenaline pumping through her veins was exhilarating, and her heart pounded in her chest as she pushed the jeep to its limits.
The forest canopy overhead grew thicker and darker, casting dappled shadows across their faces as they sped deeper into the wilderness. The blur of the trees became almost hypnotic, the only sound the roar of the engine and the rush of wind in their ears.
"Law, ten seconds!" Iris screamed, lowering her head forward and focusing on the path ahead.
"Heads down and don't get shot!" Law called out as he reached down and retrieved his rifle, praying that this would work.
The car jolted violently over the uneven terrain of the forest floor, bouncing and swaying as it tore through the thick foliage. As they approached a metallic fence, the car accelerated even more, hurtling towards it with terrifying speed. The fence bent and buckled as the car crashed through, metal screeching and clanging against metal.
Iris, her knuckles white on the steering wheel, expertly swerved to avoid the twisted wreckage of the fence. But as soon as they entered the compound, the air was filled with the sound of gunfire. Turrets sprouted from the rooftop, their barrels trained on the car.
Bright red laser blasts sliced through the air, hitting the side of the vehicle with a deafening bang. The car shuddered under the impact, and the smell of burning metal filled the air. It was a fight for survival, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
"Jesus!" Law screamed
"Why does it always have to be life and death?" Dante murmured
"Iris, doesn't this remind you of-" Freida shuts up as a bullet flies over their head.
Iris's voice sliced through the tense silence inside the car. "Will you all please shut the hell up?" Her words were sharp, leaving no room for argument. "Law, any day now."
Law obeys, he leans back against Iris, feeling the rumble of the jeep's engine beneath them. With his rifle in hand, he takes aim at the menacing turrets looming ahead. The wind whips through his hair as he braces himself against the jolting of the vehicle, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Without hesitation, he pulls the trigger, unleashing a torrent of rounds. The sharp cracks of gunfire mix with the whizzing sound of the bullets as they soar towards their targets.
The turrets react quickly, unleashing a barrage of laser blasts in return. The air is filled with the acrid smell of burnt metal and ozone, as the blasts sear through the air. But Law's aim is true, and the bullets strike the turrets with a burst of sparks. Some ricochet off harmlessly, while others punch through the metal casings, sending showers of sparks and smoke flying in every direction. Law manages to take down three of the turrets, each successive hit reducing the volume of fire raining down on them.
As the jeep barrels forward, Iris seizes the opportunity to maneuver around the remaining turrets, evading their deadly blasts. With her eyes fixed on the road ahead, she deftly swerves and weaves, her heart pounding in her chest. Meanwhile, Law keeps a watchful eye on their surroundings, ready to take down any remaining threats.
"Nice shooting! Now hold on!" Iris yelled over the sound of the laser fire. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the steering wheel, her eyes fixed on the turrets ahead. The laser fire intensified, painting the air with bright streaks of light, but she expertly maneuvered the car through the hail of blasts and Law annihilated turret after turret. The vehicle shook violently as the tires hit rough patches of ground, sending Law and the others bouncing in their seats. Iris remained unperturbed as the goal was within sight, she slammed down on the gas pedal and allowed everything to disappear in her mind except the warehouse doors which were mere meters away.
"Phase one complete." She whispers as finally they burst through the warehouse door, the sudden darkness a relief after the blinding light outside. Yet the terror was not over as the warehouse wall was coming ever closer.
Iris struggled to bring it to a stop. She slammed on the brakes and yanked on the emergency brake, the wheels screeching as the car slid across the pavement. It came to a stop just a few feet from the wall, the sound of metal scraping against concrete filling the air.
"Well, that couldn't have gone better." Law comments while getting out of the car and inspecting it for damage.
"That's not a thank you." Iris called as she exited and looked at the wall in front of them.
"Thank you." Dante and Freida respond in unison as they exit as well, grabbing and unpacking their gear.
"How we looking?" Iris asks
"Still usable. Though we might need one shield on our way out to ensure we survive an exit." Law calls out, walking to the front and staring at the wall. He turns toward Dante and Freida. "Any damages that I should know about?"
"Nah, the lead plates took the brunt of the damage. The gear is all good." Dante calls out, sliding his bag over his shoulder and walking forward, handing Law a bag.
"Perfect." He looks down, inspecting his gear, and nods once. He turns and looks at his companions, people who he had bonded with over the course of the past few weeks, he suppresses the hope that they will all come out unscathed. He knew that on this mission there was no need for that optimism.
"Why don't we just take that door?" Freida asks, pointing to a connecting door in the corner of the building.
Iris responds, pointing to the opposing wall, "This warehouse connects to an entirely different facility, we need to go through there."
"Gotcha, well let's get a move on." Freida cranks their arms as adrenaline begins to pump.
"Hold it. Are y'all ready? Once we enter, there is no turning back. Expect nonstop action from here." Law looks at them and without saying a word they look at him with determination.
"I think crashing into the base was the path of no return." Freida comments
"Fair." Law shrugs before turning around. He reaches into his bag and pulls out plastic bombs, sticking them onto the wall. "Stand clear!"
They all rush back, taking cover behind the vehicle.
BOOM!
Powdered concrete and plaster burst outward from the blast site, engulfing them in a thick cloud of smoke. Silence descends before a sudden burst of chaos erupts. An ominous red light blares from inside the building, casting an eerie glow over everything, while a loud and foreboding alarm fills the air with its wailing howl.
"Showtime Baby!" Freida screams as they take point, entering the building first and activating their shield.
"Follow after them." Law calls as they fall into order. Freida is leading, followed by Dante, Iris, and Law protecting the rear.
The hallway stretched out before them like a never-ending maze of stark, white metal and concrete walls, seemingly devoid of any life, except the withering skeletons. Each door they passed was windowless, leaving the contents of the rooms a mystery. The air was thick with dust, choking the crew as they made their way forward. They pulled makeshift cloths over their mouths to filter the air and ease their breathing.
Dante leaned in close to the wall, his eyes scanning the faded paint that once marked various locations within the building. Now, the markings were nothing more than smudges, barely visible in the dimly lit hallway.
The group's hearts race as the sound of rolling wheels and clanging metal echoes through the hallway, sending shivers down their noise grows louder and louder until it becomes clear that it's coming from the Robotrons, the feared security robots of the base.
"We got contact." Freida calls out as Robotrons turn the corner and begin opening fire.
Suddenly, a group of Robotrons turned the corner, their mechanical limbs whirring as they aimed their laser guns at the crew. The once-shiny exterior of the robots was now tarnished with rust and dents, evidence of their years of use. But their laser fire remained as lethal as ever, sending sparks flying as the shots impacted the walls and floor.
The sound of clashing lasers echoes off the walls as Freida's shields deflect the powerful blasts of the Robotrons. They quickly maneuver to the side, allowing Dante to take position and open fire. The air is filled with the smell of burnt metal as their bullets collide with the Robotrons, causing sparks to fly and pieces of machinery to crumble to the ground. Dante and Freida work in perfect synchrony, their movements almost choreographed as they dodge and weave around the relentless onslaught of the Robotrons.
Law slaps Iris on the shoulder, causing her to jolt forward. "We got trouble on our six," he yells urgently, gesturing towards the sound of metal clanging and wheels rolling closer. Robotrons - metallic, menacing machines with red glowing eyes and lethal laser guns - begin to emerge from both ends of the hallway, effectively trapping them.
Thinking quickly, Law spots a door nearby and rushes towards it, slamming his rifle into the doorknob to break it open. With the door now providing cover, he crouches down behind it and begins firing at the incoming Robotrons, taking them down one-by-one.
Iris follows his lead and takes cover behind the door, and shouts, "Opening fire!"
"Already ahead of you on that." Law replies
The metallic clang of bullets striking metal echoes off the walls of the hallway. The air is thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder, and the sounds of whirring machinery fill their ears as the Robotrons advance. Sparks fly as bullets ricochet off metal, and the crew darts in and out of cover, trying to gain an advantage.
"Reloading." Freida calls, and steps back, allowing Dante to step forward.
Dante's finger tightens on the trigger of his weapon as he takes aim at an approaching Robotron. With a sharp crack, his bullet hits its mark, and the machine crumples to the ground.
"Nice shooting." Freida compliments, placing a hand on his shoulder. They step forward and reenter the action. Freida weaves between the robots, their shield flickering as it deflects incoming laser fire.
Law keeps a watchful eye on their surroundings, scanning for any signs of danger. His finger rests lightly on the trigger of his rifle as he fires upon the next wave of Robotrons.
"They aren't stopping." Iris calls, pressing herself against Dante's back, and firing into the crowd. "If they don't break, we will run out of ammo before we even come close to the weapon."
Law nods in agreement, regaining his position and firing his rifle. "Iris, are we far enough for the EMP?"
Iris shakes her head, "We need to be a little further, or it will damage the car."
Law clicks his teeth and presses himself back. "Freida, that means we need to make a push. Charge and turn on your shield."
"Roger that captain." Freida comments, unleashing a flurry of bullets before…
MOVE!
All at once, they pushed forward. Iris screams all the way.
NINE FEET!
EIGHT FEET!
SEVEN FEET!
SHIELD OFF!
THREE!
TWO!
Dante steps forward, and rings off a round into the chest of a robot. Before being grabbed by Freida and tossed behind them.
DO IT NOW!
Dante doesn't hesitate, reaching back he feels against his backpack for a lever, finding it he flicks it on before promptly switching it on.
"Please work. Please work. Please work." he chants to himself as he waits and then finally…
All at once. Darkness engulfed them.
"…"
Flashlights turn on as they stare at the non-functioning Robotrons.
"Well, I am glad that worked. Didn't have doubts, but still." Iris pats Dante on the shoulder.
"Alright, enough praise, how far did that affect?" Law comments pressing close to them.
Dante inspected the EMP and notes that the battery of the pulse generator has been burned out, and was being recharged by a secondary battery as expected. "I would estimate its range to be around twenty feet," he says. "Though, in the eyes of their security mapping program, this zone no longer exists, making us invisible for the time being."
He steps forward and shoots several of the machines with his shotgun. He then turns back to the group. "However, the Robotrons have a five-minute auto reset function so if you can… Kill them!" He yells, and the group resumes firing until the robots are all taken down.
Law sighs and looks at him. "Are we good?"
Dante nods.
Law turns to Iris, "Pull out the map and find out where we need to go."
"Aye, aye captain." Iris mocks and begins searching the wall for markings and certain color denotations.
Law looks back at Dante, "You and Freida both have charges, so we are on a timetable. Based on using the EMP charges back to back, how long do we have?"
Dante counts using his hands and responds, "Thirty minutes, plus the time in between while the EMP recharges."
Law turns to Freida, "How about for your shield?"
"Including this battery, should also be thirty minutes" They click on the power button only for it to flicker on and then immediately flicker off. "Make that twenty-five minutes."
Law takes a deep breath, "Alright guys, this is the part where we separate. Freida, Dante, please don't mess up."
Freida laughs, "I still believe you will end up dead before me. Speaking of which, Iris makes sure he doesn't."
Iris nods, "I'll try my best.
"Alright, thirty minutes on the clock, people. Let's get paid." Law spoke with pride and determination.