Somewhere in an inconspicuous alley.
I held an old pair of pliers and a round for a rifle in my calloused hands. After positioning the pliers around the very tip of the bullet, I began to exert pressure. I applied more effort until a sudden twist caused the casing to crack open. Finally, revealing the black powdery goodness inside I need.
But first, I turn to a certain white-haired someone. "Kerinow… Ki-ri-no…" Hmm… I think I pronounced that right… "Forgive me if I am mispronouncing your name. But I need to clear a few things…" My eyes signaled at her revolver.
"Are those actually real with the live rounds? Not some fancy toy-gun? YOU are bulletproof too; like they are from outside?" I asked. While I topped the once cram filled can now with the gunpowder I collected.
Kirino looked away from what I was doing and to me with a perplexed expression that made me feel like I just said some nonsense out of my mouth that it was absurd she even heard it. I didn't actually pass judgment on her. But then, just as quickly as she had given me that look, her expression began to soften.
I really looked and felt like an outsider compared to them - a disheveled man with rugged clothing and a tired look on his face wandering around this technological city with these strange mutants.
It took her a moment to answer, but she eventually relented despite her initial hesitation. She felt a push in her intuition to trust the man. "Y-yes. Yes, they are." A halo-less individual. An adult. Now this was the star of her morning. Seeing that at work was bizarre.
She sifted through the small pouch hanging by her belt. In her hand, she held up a .357 Magnum round. Her answer.
Then here I was staring at it like a kid, seeing a bottle of Nuka-cola for the first time.
I pointed out the logic, or lack thereof. "And you use them to shoot?" I asked further.
"We do. Is there anything else a bullet could be used for besides to be loaded in and shot? Sir, I'm not understanding on what you're getting here?"
I gave her an incredulous look. Did I seem like a total madman to her? You know what, I'm practically on the verge of becoming one.
Yeah, I admit I lost the plot. It slipped away when I watched the scene from the fighting outside. Taking shots from a rifle and not bleeding while wearing no armor. To my astonishment, there was not a drop of the red liquid spattering out of their body after that. Even when shot in the head. Not something I expected. It was nothing major to them, just a little graze like BBs.
They were almost invincible.
As if they're in power armor that was invisible to me.
It was nuts to witness another one of those kids stumbled back from sustained fire and drop their rifle. It made me wonder something.
I tried to check some of their vital signs, which showed as no physical harm but instead receiving fatigue damages on my pip-boy. Truly strange how the damages done looked to be merely on the concussive level.
Besides, a few more collapsing after receiving a hit critical hit gave no cause for concern as far as they just kept on fighting, apparently. A sentiment I held earlier would have ended on a far darker note, but after this…
Tis but a scratch. Alright, I've seen enough.
This was just insane.
The fact that a single bullet to the head only had the puzzling effect of knocking them out gave me a real whiplash. Who the hell could survive something like that? Not from where I'm around apparently, but here is different.
"Oh, you know, the usual things we question about everyday like… how are you all are able to be bulletproof? And exactly what are those things on your head? No pressure, of course, but I really would be grateful if you did." I finally asked, turning to face her Kirino once more. Even beyond the proof of the pip-boy and my eyes told me the answer. I needed something to reel me to the right answer. Someone to assure me I'm correct.
She glanced to the side briefly before letting out a sigh and relaxing.
The halo on top of their heads… that intrinsic purple circle following a sort of patterns glowing dimly with light. As Kirino delicately placed a white gloved finger near her shimmering purple halo as she prepared to explain.
"Please bear with me. We're on the clock and I'm not knowledgeable about these at all. Yes, these are halos. As you may have noticed, we as students possess them. They are what enable us to endure even the most devastating gunfire. Heal wounds, but we still require medical attention above all, if available. Some, given the strength of a gorilla."
What a strange and specific comparison…
I paid close attention. Tried to relate it to any radiation effects I knew from my time in Necropolis. However, I couldn't recall a lick of anything familiar calling back, besides the almost invulnerability to physical harm and increased strength. Nothing at all. It was closer to FEV, but without the bulging muscles and the known green skin the virus comes with.
Kivotos people are really something… worrying. If these are just criminals and the police, then what would constitute a typical trained soldier here be like?
"We are not immortal. Not even close to what you think." She delicately traced the outline of her halo with her fingers. Itself seemed to glow with a soft light. "They are what you can consider representing our… consciousness."
There it was. Where it dawned on me that these halos of theirs were both a blessing and a curse. A double-edged sword. Kirino never really admitted it straight up, but hell, when exhibited obvious hesitation when she brought up the topic of what the halo represents to them.
I get it now. Like a power-armor, it gives them the strength and resilience to keep fighting longer in a shootout. To be able to tank numerous rounds with ease.
And like power-armor, their vulnerability out in the open that exposes them as well. Far easier to take target this time.
The Micro-fusion packs or fusion cores mounted on the back of the power-armors for one. Still somewhat protected, but under the right circumstances of overheating with continuous lasers, plasmas or explosions on the back could turn the entire suit into a ticking miniature nuclear time bomb. Or just trap the bastard inside, since the hydraulics won't ever open until a new power source fitted in or is forced open.
Then there are these halos… Practically eye-candy to be shot at.
When focusing fire on the source of the power, however, brace yourself to see them go through pain so excruciating that it feels like they're entering through the gates of hell. It's a peculiar way of life, your own weakness on display for others to see.
Now I've seen it all - still not sure which of the two is far worse off. Halos, that was your Achilles' heel or a metallic suit powered by a nuclear energy that could go off if overheated. Both could be taken advantage of if executed properly.
It brought to mind the halo of the Atomic-valence tri-radii-oscillator which I found in Big Mountain. Only more potent in its effect and a heavy drawback to counter.
Onto her response to my question about the variation of halos was that it could have something to do with the personality or the mental state of its wearer, or so to speak. They're practically born with it as far as she knows.
Kirino's conversation with me came to an end. I felt I have a grasp on the puzzle that is their halos. "I'm sorry, but that is all I can tell." What you know or what you can tell me? Well, there's something at least.
"Thanks, that was enough. Help clear out a lot." So, I could still shoot them. Perhaps anywhere else but their halo and maybe not something like the caliber of a .50 BMG. Probably shouldn't push my luck.
Yet, if needed. My eyes settled on a worn leather holster that cradled to the strange .44 magnum revolver.
Only If when that time comes.
I can only hope that it won't.
I resumed my attention back to my work. Now carefully I poured the last remaining black powder into the tin can, watching as it filled up, creating a soft, dark mound filled with tiny chunks of steel from the can of soda near. Alas, it ain't Nuka-cola. I then next reached for the rope and I measured out a short length I needed. As I cut it, the fibers frayed and left with a small length as a fuse.
"Is that…" Murmured Kirino as I felt her eyes stare at my work.
Next, I took the primer and placed it on top of the black powder. I softly pressed it down, now acting as my blasting cap with the rope squeezed on top, and slid the lid back on and tied it with more rope to hold the components tight in place.
My masterpiece.
"Explosives. We might be able to blind our driver, but this will have to make the ride take a permanent pit stop. It won't be enough to crack a tough nut like with armor like that - only at the hands of someone untrained." Like I'd use waste my hand-grenades. They're not easy to come by cheap and reliable these days. Most are duds and some are too rusted to even go off.
In the back of my mind, I really wish I took the Barrett with me. If I had, taking out that tank would have been much faster. However, my mistake was that I didn't like to draw any unnecessary attention to myself by lumbering the large rifle on my back. It turned out that everyone in that place had a welcoming policy of carrying firearms as they wanted. Like I could just carry things without a bag or nothing and it just disappears and reappears when I need 'em. But that's plain stupid.
Plan is easy - I just need the tank to be surrounded by the smoke and, in the confusion, they try to get out to see what's happening. In the confusion, I try to plant the explosives and would have by then already knocked the threads right off. They got nowhere to move and had to get out. Enough for me to commandeer the thing.
For now, I'll have to make do with what I have.
Time to end this.
As I was about to stand up and leave, Kirino's hand suddenly grabbed my arm. "Before you go… Please, we are not immortal, as you think. Once we're on the ground… I may not have any sway to you, but please… Stop… when they're on the ground." She begged. Her grip on my arm was firm, but I could feel the tremble in her fingers. The plea in her voice was genuine, and I could sense the fear and worry in her eyes.
Understandably, I gave her a nod to reassure her. "Believe me, the last thing on my mind is shooting any of you. Let alone shelling from a tank." Bullseye.
She eventually let go of my arm, and I could see the relief in her expression. It was clear that this was something that had been weighing heavily on her mind. She needed something of a relief straight from the horse's mouth. From me.
While I'm already on the same boat as hers, I'm going to admit me running across the enemy line with only the firepower used to not kill isn't easy. For rational reasons, I am not comfortable shooting kids, even though they may be able to have [Endurance] better than I can.
As what I'm about to do.
…
At the other end, the Kivotos police, alongside the academies' representative sent to assist, stood to continue holding their ground against endless waves of delinquents rushing from the streets. The tank slowly but surely made its way towards their position, crushing or blowing barricades stood in its path.
They're getting swamped, to put it simply. Every time they got rid of one of those delinquents, two more would arrive to take their place and be forced to continue to use up the already scarce ammo or, in the worst case, knocked one of their own out-of-action.
One of Trinity's Vigilante corp representative, Suzumi, was really lucky to have avoided getting hit. She had been crouched behind the sandbags, with the bullet whizzing past her head. She had quickly changed her empty magazine and had prepared to retaliate with gunfire.
It didn't matter either way. Dealing with the lesser villains meant a dwindle to their supplies. One of her fellow representatives fired piercing rounds at the tank with some success. However, it became evident that their efforts were in vain if they were already losing ground.
"How long can Yuuka hold her shield?"
Suzumi shifted her attention to Hasumi, the representative of the Trinity's Justice Taskforce. With impressive accuracy and a composed demeanor, Hasumi swiftly loaded her rifle with her aimed precisely on the head, and pulled the trigger, firing shots. Accurate hit as multiple sukebans fell. Before ducking back down for another fresh clip to reload.
"Twenty-five seconds at most."
"How long could she make it last, at the very least?" Suzumi asked further.
"… Fifteen seconds. By her calculations." Hasumi responded, repeating Yuuka's words back to her earlier.
Suzumi furrowed her brows and squinted, feeling frustrated at their small window for success.
Alright. No, that is not okay! Even if Seminar's representative managed to distract the tank without being hindered by the other troublemakers, they wouldn't be able to fight back at full effectively if they had already used up their ammunition.
Suzumi took a moment to process the situation. The plan they initially agreed on had made itself more of a nuisance. It had been too late for them to trash it since they were already committed.
"Everyone, be vigilant! Hold your ground until reinforcements arrive. The situation is getting dire. Hasumi-san, I must ask we try to go over our defenses and follow Yuuka-san's charge. Maybe use the alleys for a flank and… PLEASE REFAIN FROM BUYING DONUTS."
One person drew Suzumi's attention to notice for not seeming as concerned. Instead, they decided to get themselves a treat in the midst of defending against a full-blown assault irked her the wrong way.
Crouching behind the sandbags, a delivery woman held a box that read "Master Donuts" filled with the fried pastries in one hand and her phone in the other as she read out loud.
"One box combo of two classic sprinkled strawberry glaze, three strawberry Pon-de-rings, and a classic Boston kaffe glaze for Nemugaki Fubuki. That'll be… One thousand and five, including delivery costs."
Only in Kivotos she seemed unfazed, nor care of the tank encroaching. All that mattered was that she got paid and had enough saved up for the next Momofriends banner.
"Hrkg! Is there a discount for police officers? Can't I be entitled at least for serving the community and everything?"
A great joke that would make someone living on minimum wage crack laughing. It's so funny that one may even struggle to keep a straight face. Case in point for the delivery-woman.
"Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny, miss. That'll be one thousand and five. Would you also like to use a membership card?"
On the opposite side, a group of Kivotos P.D were engaged in conversation with each other while also taking a few shots at the sukebans.
"Hey, is it just me or did Gahenna just flaked out on us? I swore I'm not the only one who hadn't seen any representative from them."
"I still think the Disciplinary Committee would send people for these types of things better."
"You mean the Prefect team? You said it, we could really use their help…"
A small group of Valkyrie pupils elsewhere flocked to each other behind the sandbags, whispering and groaning.
"Urgh, I knew I should have called in sick this morning… I could have been farming for resources before the next banner arrives."
"Oh, don't be like that. It's not every day we get to actually to our job without constraint."
"Are academics the only thing you think about every day?"
"You say that like it's a bad to keep up with our grades. Besides, we rarely even get action all the time. The academies handle of their own districts. We're only responsible for reporting it. It's unfair that we're police only by name, for formality's sake."
"… You know it's much easier if you just say yes. Just shutting up is also better."
Out of nowhere, one of the Valkyrie students who slowly raised their head from the sandbags as she tried to shift her awkward sitting position, unbeknownst to their companion. The only thing they witnessed was her blue cap flying off by a gunshot, leaving the other students to see the events went wide-eyed and shocked.
They turned to the rookie, who was equally surprised. "Ooh, lucky…"
"Just like that, your [Luck] has blessed you today by the RNGod. Don't forget, it won't come back until some time."
That was until she never actually tried to lower herself down for the sniper to take the second try to this time with a hit. "Kya!" Collapsing onto the ground, she unsteadily lifted her hands. "o-owie."
"Aaand there it goes… Medic!"
"Everyone, look over there!"
….
Two canisters of tear gas. Should work.
"Hey, don't look at me like that. You said "endure even the most devastating gunfire."." Kirino appeared somewhat shaken as I continued with a shrug.
I needed something to say without making a commitment.
"Don't worry. Hold on until I have their attention."
Stepping outside, I retrieved a handgun from my rucksack.
Designed with a sizable helical magazine placed horizontally on the top of the frame, rather than being inserted. Its unusual design of the mag compensates for it with its impressive capacity of one-fifty hundred rounds of 9mm. The unconventional construction makes up to accommodate the weight of the mag and reduce recoil.
It's a 9mm that's been fine-tuned to shoot .45 ACP, the [Calico Liberty 100].
Something strong enough to knock 'em over, but not too strong to leave any serious damage.
It'll do enough for the job.
Once I fired my gun towards the group of gang members. Same as before, I focused my aim for their weapons. Then, I hurled some of the tear gases behind the tank, capitalizing on the element of surprise before I took steps to cross the plaza, while everyone else was still either shocked or reeling from my first attack.
Cutting off the back-line reinforcement's visuals will buy us some time to deal with the tank.
I kept the momentum going and charged at the gangsters, my firearm slung on my back for now for what's about to go down.
As I approached them, I could see their eyes darting around, scanning the area for any signs of danger. I began my strike with swift and precise jabs, while simultaneously disarming them away from their weapons with grapples and ending with sweeping kicks and open palm strikes to the jaw one-by-one. The acrid smell of chemical from the smoke eventually makes its way to fill my nostrils, making it difficult to breathe, but it also helped to conceal my presence.
After dealing past the group, I swiftly dodged the barrage of bullets whizzing past in the thick smoke as I pushed forward.
Just then, I stopped and leaned myself back after I caught sight of a shadow from a machine gun with its literal barrel slicing through the dense smoke, as one of them finally comprehended what was going on. I came in time to strike back from her attack.
A swift whack of the butt of my [Liberty 100] I retaliated with her falling to the ground.
She made an attempt, and now it rewarded her being on the ground. "Tough one, huh?" I mumbled as I delivered a swift kick towards them with my boot before continuing.
I ran through the smokescreen until I made it out and hid behind a concrete roadblock to catch my breath. I needed a moment after breathing in that damn gas.
There, I felt the numerous gunshots reverberating behind as I leaned back. Then all there was for Kirino to do her part, but time seemed to slow down as the seconds ticked by. The tension was palpable, like a thick fog that refused to lift.
Ah, forget it. As I kneeled there, my eyes scanned the surroundings. I still hoped Kirino would hold her part as I kept searching for any sign of the smoke to rain down and disperse the rest of the incoming gang charging at me or to support their tank. It never appeared.
The fraction of the window we had left soon closed. It was like waiting for a punchline that never came. Never realizing I was one.
Suddenly, a spark of inspiration ignited within me, and my mind raced with a sudden idea. Obvious as it was, that this was a bad idea in every aspect, but in the continued absence of any good one, and Kirino's failure to follow through with her part forced my hand.
I felt myself now back on my feet as I began to carry myself sprinting towards the colossal tank.
I could feel the heat radiating from its battered surface as I approached, my muscles tensing in anticipation. The sound of my rapid footsteps echoed through the raging battlefield, evading gunfire narrowly.
As I reached the tank, I searched for my way. My eyes settled on a small hatch at the top. Without hesitation, I grabbed onto its sides to the top that led to the hatch and climbed up. Not exactly my greatest of plan, but at this point. The ones that aren't planned are usually the most intriguing.
Finally, I reached the top and over by the hatch; I went to pull the handle bar, to no avail.
"Locked. Of course." Then began to stomping on it vigorously, my boots pounding against the unyielding metal. "Open up!" I shouted, hoping to be heard by whoever was inside. "I swear I'll won't bite unless you do as I say!"
…
Just a little more!… Returning to Kirino, the poor girl for strange unperceivable reason struggled to remove the safety-pin while clenching her teeth in determination. Why right now are they so tight! Although she eventually succeeded, the canister slipped from her grasp and landed at her feet.
The can began to spew out a tail of smoke. "Oh no, oh no! Err…" she yelled, her tension rising as she looked around frantically. Finally, she decided to cut her losses and kicked the thing away.
…
Alright, not gonna open up. No worries. I have my ways.
I carefully positioned the explosives inside the tin can, making sure they were close to the hatch. As I paused for a moment, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a cigarette and my trusty Zippo lighter. The metallic click of the lighter echoed as I flicked the flame to life.
The scent of tobacco filled my nostrils as I inhaled the first puff. After a moment, I placed the cigarette between my lips before parting to use the flame from my cig to light the fuse, sounding off a hissing sound.
I looked around, trying to make sure no one was watching, before quickly putting away the lighter and drawing more puff from the cigarette. A few steps back I made a distance, watching as the fuse burned closer and closer to the explosives.
Coming out through the thick wall of smoke behind the tank, I saw more gang-members appear. I was about to draw my [Liberty 100].
However, before I could take action, a barrage of gunfire cut them down. I saw a bunch of figures sprinting my way. The tank rumbled and quaked fiercely as it prepared to unleash a powerful shell at reprisal. Suddenly, the tank shuddered violently as it fired off the explosive shell, sending shockwaves rippling through the ground.
I would've held my ground well.
I'm telling you. If I hadn't taken a hit on the head.
That, combined with the actual ground I'm standing on shaking, caused me to lose my footing and tumble down to the ground.
Of course, I just happen to fall in front of the tank.
Yet.
"Thirteen! Get up! Get! up!"
It was hard to breathe. In the midst of my struggle to breathe, I saw it through the haze and confusion. The pain left. Glimmers akin to glass emerged and caught my eye.
"Roy, signal for the nearest mine for support. Hell, call the brotherhood! Tell them we're surrounded here! Blackjack, get Thirteen out of there. Something must be wrong with his mask. He's moving but not responding!"
The snow was thick, coating almost my body, and the stiff wind bit at my skin. Above me, the sky was a menacing shade of gray, with ominous clouds looming overhead.
As I lay across the snow, my body sinking deep into the powdery drifts, I could hear the shooting and explosion of each step second in the winter hellscape. The air was filled with the scent of pine and wood smoke, a sharp contrast to the biting cold that made my cheeks feel numb. I couldn't move. My body was is a slumber in contrast to my conscious barely awake.
Looking around, I could see nothing but white against the dark backdrop of the ruined city around that stood like sentinels against the snow. The clouds above seemed to be closing in, threatening to suffocate the entire world beneath their heavy weight.
Then I could hear it.
The sounds of flapping from wings lifted my eyes up to see a swarm of those damn abominations circling above me. Their sharp beaks and talons glinted in the dim light opposing their dark tall figures circling the sky.
Their piercing screeches imposing on top of one another into a cacophony of terror for their sole audience.
As I lay, I could see their shadows looming over me.
Yet despite that threat couldn't amount much, for as I gazed upon the desolate cityscape. The empty streets were littered with debris and the once towering buildings now stood as nothing but hollow shells if its once pre-war greatness.
But it didn't last long. A more horrible metallic groan echoed through the air. It sent chills down my spine well enough. That damn groan. The sound was so powerful that I could feel it echoing through every fiber of my body. There's not a chance I can't ever forget it. That's what caused me to dread the most.
No, no… It can't be…
My breath hitched as I looked at the source. I saw the enormous robot approaches. Its massive frame towered over the crumbling husks of the buildings, its rusted metal body gleaming menacingly in the dim light.
As I stood frozen in fear, the ground began to shake beneath my feet. The sound of metal grinding against metal filled my ears, drowning out all other noise.
Slowly, I turned to face the source of the noise and saw an enormous robot approaching. Its massive frame towered over the crumbling husks of the buildings, casting a dark shadow over everything in its path. The metal body gleamed menacingly in the dim light, causing my heart to race with terror.
With each heavy step, the robot caused dust and debris to rain down around me, filling my nostrils with the smell of decay and ashes. I could feel the dread rising in me as it drew closer, making me sweat despite the cold evening air. Suddenly, its main optical sensors flashed a bright blue spotlight in my direction. A star to its show.
Then, as quickly as it had come, the light turned red, and the robot let out a loud metallic groan.
Even far north from Arizona, parts of Argos still caught up. There was no end to these things following me…
However, in my weakest, an angel in white and purple came.
As she leaped in front of me, I noticed her tightly gripping onto something in her hand that she pressed with. In an instant, a brilliant blue light illuminated us both, causing me to squint and shield my eyes.
A deafening explosion immediately followed, making my ears ring. As I watched, the shockwave reverberated through my body and the ground crumbled beneath me.
After the smoke cleared, I saw someone trying to tug at my arm and take me away. It was her. She spoke to me, something I couldn't hear. The blue light that once covered her was fading away.
Unlike the force field, the tank remained, its main weapon pointed at us once again. The sound of metal creaking and groaning filled the air as it prepared to fire another shell. What a way to delay the inevitable.
As the chaos unfolded, my heart raced with adrenaline. But out of nowhere, perhaps like a satisfying click, as the pendulum of my [Luck] swung back in my favor.
Lady luck herself paid the favor in the form of my APOLLO laser handgun, somehow escaping its holster and fell to the ground, coming to a stop right in front of me. I grabbed hold of it, the weight of the weapon familiar in my hand as I aimed the gun at the tank.
With a flick of the selector to semi.
I could hear the faint hum of the laser charging up as I held back the trigger. A bright red glow radiated from the end of the barrel.
Heaviness weighed down my aim as I steadied my pistol. Figures emerged from the tank's roof and leaped out, as much as my blurred vision could tell.
As I released the trigger, a massive laser beam was unleashed, aimed straight into the tank's primary weapon barrel. In a split second, we both reacted by bracing ourselves from the imminent blast.
In its form of a deafening roar abruptly blasted on the inside of the armored tank. The tank's roof was left completely devastated by the explosion, leaving a jumbled mass of metal that resembled something far beyond recognition.
…
Somewhere in the distance, a pair of curious eyes observe the scene unfolding before them. The intricate mask conceals the figure's expression. How interesting… Yet there is no doubt that they are intently watching the explosion with interest.
Soon, without a word, they turn away and begin to walk away.
…
"How in the-…"
Yuuka could only watch as the remains of the tank burn to the fire spreading. Laser… That was a weaponized laser in hand-held form! Not even the engineering club could come close to a stationary turret and the blast… It was far larger than what Utaha could implement. It was just a moment before she caught the sound of the violent coughing fit behind her as she turned to face the person responsible. Seeing him laying face down on the ground, she cautiously lifts the person over to his back to see for any damages.
While checking for injuries, she decides to take a closer look and finds out something far unexpected.
She leans in for a close look as the man groaned. "Urgh…"
"An adult?" Her own voice echoed to her curiousity.
The sight of the disheveled man's beard etched on his face made her shudder. She could feel the rough texture of his skin even under her gloves, and the raspy sound of his breath as he exhaled filled the air with a pungent odor that made her uneasy. The smell of cigarettes and stale alcohol lingered in his breath. It mixed with the scent of sweat and dirt gives her unease. Then the metallic smell coming off from him. The sound of his voice was low and gravelly when he breathes.
Then there's the lack of halo.
As much as she wants to just step away, Yuuka was basically looking at before an enigma. Questions swirled inside her head. Who was he? Where in Kivotos could he come from? Someone like him should have alerted the GSC long by now. An adult.
To add even more mystique to the man that it already weighed her down on, her gaze fell upon the notice of the laser handgun. The very same then took down a tank with a single fire. Driven by a curious force making her give it a go, she tentatively reached for the firearm.
Only to have the man suddenly seize it and tuck it away in his holster. "Damn close one."
Yuuka backed away while the man slowly rose. Coughing. "Glad you came along when you did."
"N-no problem."
"That some fancy shield you got there." The man's comments as Yuuka notices his eyes on her latest model of Kasia scientific calculator. Which compelled her to hide in her pocket as a response.
The man notices her apprehensive manner and sighs. "Hm. Alright, one question. We only have so few time."
"I… We're you the one who took down the-"
"That's me. I had a plan, though, not always they go out the way you want them to. Some things are always like an unpredictable variable. You gamble on them being in your favor. Those masked gangs that came your way were taken out by me. Nothing serious, but they'll be waking up in bandages soon. Too bad I ran out of tear gas to handle the rest incoming." He casually smiled with his answer.
The rest? The rest… That's impossible. She calculated the time it'd take for the enemy reinforcement to arrive cross-referencing Veritas' and GSC's information. Approximate time would take for an entire battalion sized down the street.
All the while, the man was in his own world. "My hat… Where's my hat?" The man murmured quietly to himself while gently patting his head. He then turned around and stooped to retrieve his hat back to its rightful spot. "There you are."
Except for a handful of stragglers they fought on the way to reach the outpost, it seemed unlikely that the sukebans encountered on the journey to Valkyrie officers could have slowed their progress as much as the man had claimed.
"Yep, them. Of which should be here. If I'm counting the time it took us to take this first wave out." The man interrupted, motioned his fist to point his thumb at the dispersing smoke.
Lo-and-behold, the second wave of sukenbans stood. Far larger with numbers than they originally had been busy tackling. They emerged from every direction, brandishing their weapons menacingly. Sounds of metal clashing against metal with each rack of the charging handle or pump of the fore-stock as they prepared for battle.
Gah! How did he know!? Yuuka mentally yell.
"Hope you can turn that shield on. If not, our best chance is behind that tank." The man spoke, the once smile he had turned to something Yuuka could understand as… Tired.
She grips [Logic] and pulls out [Reasoning] with the man pulling out a strange firearm in his hand. Not the laser one, thankfully enough.
"Six seconds." Yuuka replied.
"Enough time by me." The man sighed.
…
Blah blah blah…
A mutated person possessing black wings somewhere on her back suddenly appeared from a lower rooftop of a shop and surprised the sukeban. She started saying something like.
"You seem to be mistaken, perhaps. Choices are something you are not entitled to hand. Lower your weapons. That's a threat, if you are wondering." After those gangs threatened me and this girl here to lower our weapon or else. I appreciate her support, even if it's not needed at all.
Then another girl with wings appeared from another side, coming out of the alley. Strange as I say this, she has a wing on the side of her head. Just a single one. What unfortunate luck she has is what I'm saying.
Never actually heard what she said, but it was something like punishment or something close.
Then out of the blue, the same tin can I had originally planned to use somehow landed in the middle of the masked gangs and detonated.
"So that's where you were… Took your damn time."
Following the explosive surprise, all hell broke loose as "four-eyes" wielded a brown satchel and was accompanied by her own groupies from the police force join in the fray, all unleashing a hail of bullets.
Also, am I seeing this right? During the shooting, I couldn't tell if the "four-eyes" has pointed ears or if I was seeing things again.
At this point, or earlier before, I couldn't care less.
—
A wild encounter: Underground metros and the trouble with shooting indoors: Tinnitus, the unending alarm. [WIP]
"I can't believe you!"
"Me either. I surprised myself by bothering to stay there for an hour. Any second and I would have lost it."
"That's not the problem here!"
"Alright, I'll admit we should have taken the helicopter. But I said I want to check out the district up close. Get a feel of the place, can't do that while above."
"Not what I meant. Why in the world did you jump off the train!?"
With her hands thrown up, Arona exclaimed in surprise. She swiftly turned around and faced an underground railway that was dimly lit by fluorescent lights on the walls.
"Protecting my hearing. Or what's left of it. How are you able to tolerate those music, anyway? All the loud sounds and wavy booms are blowing my ears and the lyrics are fast. If you wanna do that, then settle for southern blues with an electric guitar. Not say words as fast as you expect me to skim through a book."
"Sensei, were there no other options that you could have taken other than to just force the door open and jump out?"
"In hindsight, yes. Really. But the ringing on my head did cloud my judgment at the time."
"Well, your judgement ended us down here..."
I sighed. "Alright, I apologize. Think you could pull up the map for the metro-line?"
"Hmph!" Except Arona just crossed her arms, pouting while she turned away from me.
"Alright, what do you want from me?"
"Limited edition strawberry milk? Alright, sure." Even though you are artificial intelligence without a physical body to envelop the remaining four senses. But why not? "Happy?"
With a satisfied grin on her face as her response she buzzed something to my wrist.
My pip-boy blinked to life as a picture has been added to the Data tab. Hm, looks like a one a spaghetti of various color lines.
…
However, we eventually chose to walk. During our stroll, we conversed about a variety of subjects. Occasionally, Arona would try to inquire about my previous life. I attempted to downplay them as much as possible. Shut them down entirely if necessary.
Hmm... a fork on the path. Two blocked and a single one.
Well, only a way to find out.
…
Just as the duo walked even deeper into the metro, a sign covered in dirt and rust slowly came to appear with a flickering light as it read in bold letters.
"красная зима"
"Arona, could you check our location again? Or did I ingest something with alcohol before we left… And I'm seeing bandits with Kalashnikovs aimed at us?"
A charging handle racks back.
"Because I'm pretty sure we're about to mugged by raiders."
A/N: Sorry for the long wait, midterm is closing and I gotta push this out while I review. Man, this is my first time actually writing a fighting scene and I had to rush parts of it. Even cut the original because of padding. Sorry if this chapter is bad. You can actually see which part became more rushed as you read down.
If the chapter is slow in pacing, sorry, this is just my way of making the prisoner rationalize what he's witnessing with the city, everyone and everything about it. Remember, he just got there with no idea where he is and still tired from his trip. Don't worry, it won't last long once he's acquainted with how his new life will be and how things work.
For the wild encounter on the last bit, just ignore it. It's just something I'm writing on the side. It's not important, just something stupid to add to the story. I just want to show it if you guys are okay with side stories that have no importance, only dumb fun.
Mnass: Thanks for recommending me, Arseny Kotov. I read while searching that he got into an incident at Egypt last year. Hope the guy is doing alright. It's wild seeing the pictures of the buildings during the soviet era be basically left looking abandoned, even more surprised at the night shots he took showed the windows still has lights in them. I'm especially drawn to his set on Vorkuta with apartment buildings filled with snow and ice. You could almost tell me that they're sets for an apocalyptic movie without context. I might just search up some books from your country to get a more idea of your version of the apocalypse.
Could you recommend me some books or series. I might try to buy a few on paperback to take my time. I have a paperback of Metro 2033.
questorimperialis102296: I mean, not really. Unless you already know the basic premise of Van Buren and at least played New Vegas. Then it's fine to feel off about some aspects of the wasteland different from what you remembered from FNV (Of which, I'm not heavily referencing on.) I'll have to explain the events that differ from FNV as the story goes on, don't worry.
naufalrakha0104: Thanks. I'm just doing my part in making content!
Prr6755: Thanks! I'll really need it! After reading into the design docs and finding out most of the content there contradict each other. Hope you stay for the ride.
Maksym1997obl: Well, I'm not sure about that theory.
If you like this story, then go check out Courier of Kivotos a look. You won't be disappointed.
Cookie discord: I'd agree that having an established character could help me no longer have to write up a background for them since their story and achievements are already basic to the reader's knowledge and that makes their choices in the story be logical and "in character" for them.
It's just a personal preference that I chose someone with little knowledge by fans would be the perfect way to introduce them to a new world. Through someone the readers are most likely new to. I just liked the idea of following a person with no history or too much meta-knowledge from fans. Makes it unpredictable from the rest of the other protagonist-based stories.
The blank slate suited the prisoner in the canceled Fallout game, where most likely only a few readers have a grasp on the basic plot and events. It's my chance to give detail and add more to his story without being chained down by characters with established lore like the lone wanderer or Mcready. Nate on the other hand, is a... A bit bland. He has his moments, but man, the guy is a pancake in his interactions.
