Chapter 105: The race to Neptune's challenge
Note: Readers please listen to NFS Most Wanted Pursuit Soundtrack 1 while reading this:
We are still in this nightmare and nothing much has changed since the end of the previous chapter, as we're still in the van and we're just about to drive out of this miserable bleak place. It is a shame that the fact that we need to get out of here means that we have no time for now to read the newspaper we've taken, because then we can just read it and head for the location that it says. Then again if we were to head over there with a pursuit we could just end up playing into their hands, at least if we just evade them, we can head over to the location without being pursued.
Ram soon gets the van going though it doesn't have particularly good acceleration; hmmm not ideal considering we need the speed, though perhaps it's better to simply kill all of the pursuers than to simply evade them.
"OK guys, these pursuers will come in thick and fast, so Blanc you fire as soon as you see them, while the rest of us 5 split into two groups and we take it in turns to fire our magazines at the enemy, that way we'll always be firing at the enemy, which is important considering that we have no cover. Let us know if you need to reload, as well as when you've finished.
And furthermore, I want those that need to reload to retreat to the back of the van and try your best to reload as quick as you can, go prone and this is the same for those firing the enemy.
OK everyone, let's do this!" I say to them in preparation, hoping that my strategy will work against them.
It's a pity the only heavy fire power we have is Blanc's LMG, it's annoying how there are no grenade launchers attached to the AK47s even though I remember them being in the level I played, oh well at least if they're pursuing us via the same trucks as before, then hopefully their mounted machine guns will only work at their rear, and they'll only be able to defeat us with foot soldiers. But even so I'm still concerned that we'll be facing choppers, and I know that they'll be a nightmare to deal with, not to mention I have a feeling that the 4 moronic makers will return to try and take us down.
And so the first of the battle begins in which the van rams through a roadblock of trucks that are in the way, and with this act we aim our weapons at the enemy, who was hiding behind the roadblock in hopes of taking us down, they either attempt to shoot us down only for us to take them out first, or they try and board their trucks and attempt to give chase, though by the time they're even able to effectively drive their vehicles, Ram has managed to pick up some significant speed.
I'm pleased that we have driven through the roadblock because I was concerned that we'd be pinned and be forced to turn back, and perhaps have no choice but to drive on the railway tracks, which is completely reckless and suicidal, as I'm certain there'd be fast trains driving on them in this nightmare of ours. The thing is though; this nice feeling soon fades as I see plenty of trucks in pursuit of our van, driving as quickly as possible, while their assistants with their AK47s try to shoot us down.
We open fire though already I'm stressed due to how exposed we all are to enemy fire, and how just one bullet is all that it takes for us to die. We've even experienced a few close shaves, Ram notices this and I'm pleased that she has decided to sway the van such that it won't be easy for them to get any of us, tragically this results in it being more difficult for us, but at least I like to think that we'll be able to fire more accurately than them, and so slowly but surely we miraculously manage to shoot the enemy soldiers who try and shoot at us, but not the drivers who hide such that they're protected by the engine in front. At least they can't shoot at us but I have a feeling that they'll be ramming us soon or worse, ambush us where we least expect it.
Blanc is the only one who tries to shoot at the trucks being as how she has a machine gun with more than 3 times the ammunition in her clip that we have, but even with that the trucks refuse to be destroyed, and all we can do while Ram does her best to drive so that we can get away, is to keep our guns firmly in our hands, our trigger fingers on the triggers, and to shoot when an enemy reveals themselves to us. I am certain that there are more people on these trucks than just the drivers, who merely desire to pursue us and ram us, and I'm certain that they'll ambush us at the right moment; just when they think that we'll least expect it.
"Come on cowardly soldiers of Neptune, what are you waiting for we're getting away, I thought it's your job to catch us. You'll never catch us at this rate, come on you have us on the run, just one shot and we're finished!" I say to them loudly hoping to provoke the enemy into springing their ambush.
I will admit that I'm waving a red flag here, but I need them to make their move so that we can finally defeat them, and be rid of these persistent pursuers. Just as I expected, a couple of them try to aim their weapons at us and peak out, but before they can even fire their weapons, they get shot down by our allies. Great, but I have a feeling that they won't be doing that again, and instead will resort back to using their trucks themselves as weapons with which to ram us off the road.
At least with the road not being wide and surrounded by similar looking old buildings from the prison, I can only see a few of them chasing us, but I know that there are more of them behind the ones that we see, there must about a dozen of them, and I worry that it's highly probable that they will set up roadblocks or incoming trucks to try and ram us off the road, and there isn't much that Ram can do considering the road is narrow, or Rom either with only an AK47 to use.
But in any case we know that we mustn't give up in our attempt to evade them, and it pleases me with how the CPU of Lowee is still determined, even though she's getting frustrated that her bullets do little to stop the pursuers. I can completely understand though I have a feeling that she has a new trick to try, as she finishes off reloading another clip for her machine gun. My gut tells me that she intends to shoot the tyres off the enemy trucks. It won't be easy but if she can shoot one of the tyres, then I'm confident that this will result in chaos among the enemy, or at least it will hinder them a great deal, but in any case it's much better than just shooting the bodies of the enemy trucks to no effect.
Come on Blanc you can do it, I know you can as I notice her look of determination to succeed for us, I hope she can succeed for us because I'm finding the situation to be tense and frustrating, with how there's no enemies for us to shoot despite the relentless trucks who refuse to give up pursuing us, and yet at any moment an enemy can show up from any of these trucks and fire a shot at us, and even though there's 6 of us in the back of the van, I know we can't afford to lose a single one of us, it would be absolutely horrible and unthinkable for such a thing to happen.
All we can do is to aim our rifles and to move them in a pattern so that we have more chance of shooting the enemy before they can shoot at us, suddenly though I hear the sound of a tyre being shot and I then see it's truck skidding as the driver tries to control it, but then it starts to bash into the trucks that are adjacent to them.
Initially it would look optimistic as this will mean the trucks will be bashing into each other and, eventually they'll no longer be able to drive, but instead the 3 wheeled truck just stops moving forcing those behind it to crash, allowing the other trucks to carry on, in other words at best there are 9 trucks after us, and at worst 11 trucks. Do not give in Blanc you have made progress.
Hmmm just as the Loweean CPU has a change of tactic in taking the enemy down, they have a change in tactic in trying to take us down, as it appears that the remaining enemies at the back of the trucks then try and peak out and engage us, forcing Blanc to try and attack the enemies instead, so that at least we can reduce the likelihood of them all taking us down.
The unfortunate thing is, is that they end up taking cover, it's so annoying how they have cover and we don't, it's even more annoying how they have bigger targets than us because of this, especially with how had it not been for Blanc's LMG, and Ram's driving that I'm certain we would have been dead.
At least Blanc's shooting would put them off from trying to attack us again, but nope some of them try and attack us again, though this time we manage to get a few of them. Good, at least its progress hopefully if we can keep this up, the rest of them will fall to us soon enough.
Sadly though, they prove to be incredibly frustrating to deal with because of how there are so many of them in different places, taking cover and then shooting at us and then taking cover some more, I'm astonished with how they have yet to even wound a single one of us, if only there could be a junction soon so that when they are forced to turn their vehicle, we can simply shoot them down at the back of the truck, but there doesn't appear to be any means of turning our truck to another direction, come on just something that will help us defeat these persistent morons.
At least on the plus side however, they're not shooting at us all at once, and we are able to split ourselves into groups such that we can each focus on a truck's occupants making it much easier, and with this Blanc is able to focus on the wheels again like before, at least this way it's only 11 more pursuing trucks to go before we evade this batch, though I am certain that there is more to go. No I must not think like this, they can throw as many batches, as many vehicles and as many troops as they want, but we won't fall to any of them.
The enemy just as I suspected then try and expose themselves and open fire against me, but I am much too quick for them and one by one they fall by me.
"Guys just get the enemies in the back of the trucks for now; if your gut says that they're all dead let me know. Meanwhile Blanc you just get the enemies for now." I say to them in such a volume that I'm loud enough for my allies to hear, but quiet enough so that the enemies don't hear.
They then obey and it's not long before the enemies are no longer attacking us, but just because that is the case does not mean that there are no more of them, but at the same time we can't just wait for more enemies to show up, it looks like it is for the best if we try and stop the pursuing trucks in their tracks, and so I give the order for our troops to fire at the wheels of the pursuing trucks, hoping that simultaneously the wheels of their trucks will all be destroyed, resulting in them all crashing into each other, and it will mean that the trucks can no longer pursue us.
Though it takes a bit of doing, one by one as opposed to instantaneously, the wheels of the trucks get destroyed and just as I hoped, they end up crashing into each other, and the trucks behind them crash into them. Excellent most excellent now we have lost them, or have we because I hear the sound of a helicopter coming our way, no doubt it'll have mini guns on it, which I'm certain will tear us into shreds and I'm certain that Nisa, Gust, Compa and IF will be somehow revived and will be on that chopper, eager to avenge their well-deserved humiliations.
But as we hear the sound of the chopper coming towards us, we all know that we cannot give in to those vile idiots, and so we put a fresh magazine into our weapons and ready ourselves for the chopper to be in sight, hoping that we can shoot it at an area where it will harm the helicopter, so that it will fall to the ground hopefully ensuring that the foursome won't return to fight us, in this dream.
Soon though just as I see the helicopter which is fairly large, in purple and has two mini guns, one on each side, I quickly come up with an idea, an idea that I'm certain will destroy the helicopter and take it down, or at least for us to be somewhere else where hopefully we'll be safer, but to pull it off will not be easy as there is a high chance that we'll just get destroyed.
"Villains of Neptune, if you think you have defeated us, think again as you will not escape the superheroine of justice and her 3 brave sidekicks." Nisa calls out on some megaphone via the helicopter.
Just as the super villain has finished off speaking in her annoying tone, the helicopter starts to fire it's double mini guns, but at the same time the van does a U turn and we then drive back where we came, waiting until we can fire at the rotor blade at the back, though even though we see the blade soon enough, just as we start to open fire at it, the helicopter then turns around and tries to open fire, forcing Rom to turn around. Nuts, we've only managed a few shots and even though I'm certain the rear part is its weakest, we have not been able to shoot at it enough for there to be enough damage.
"Typical villains, resorting to dirty tactics but you will not defeat justice." The super villain boasts through her megaphone.
"Dirty tactics huh? What about you trying to attack us in those nightmares of your leaders. If you believe in justice and fairness, why don't you ditch the chopper and use a truck instead if you're brave enough, or are you worried that you will lose twice as opposed to once in this nightmare." Blanc yells in retaliation.
The moronic makers then try and open fire on our van and although Rom quickly drives off and tries to steer away, I know that this van is not able to take much punishment from their mini guns, and while having the van facing the helicopter's mini guns is better than trying to run away from them, I doubt that even the engine of the van will provide much cover for our allies in front, and I worry about how they will soon perish at the hands of that evil super villain, who masquerades as a superheroine, but we have no choice and this is to be a battle of attrition as to who will be destroyed first, our van or their helicopter, still at least it's just this vehicle for now though I have a feeling that more will come.
"Don't give up guys we will beat those morons!" Blanc yells trying to rally us, even though our gut tells us that smoke is beginning to come from our engine.
It is then I have a different strategy in mind to taking out the helicopter, though again like with before, it is quite risky perhaps even more so than the previous tactic, but what other choice do I have?
I then notice in the distance purple doors on the buildings along this road that I could break through, and so while we shoot at the blade again as best as we could, at the right moment I along with Noire and Uni jump off the back so that we can head for the nearest one, and then hopefully we can break through it, though I can't help but feel that for some bizarre reason there'll be enemies in the building.
I'm hoping that we can get inside the building before the enemies in the chopper notice, because we'd be gunned down rather quickly if they do. If we can make it then that chopper is as good as dead along with the rest of those evil fools inside, I just hope that the rest of our brave allies in the van can survive the helicopter for just a bit longer, before we can finally destroy the tail, hopefully this can all happen before more reinforcements show up.
Nngh, hah I try and open the door but it's quite strong, I try again worried a lot with how the chopper will notice and shoot us down. Come on, come on, ah good we're through at last and we quickly rush in hoping that we don't barge into an area full of enemies, who will no doubt shoot us on sight.
In this place appears to be some stairs directly in front of us, that are incredibly steep and the wood with which the stairs are made of are rather mouldy making them incredibly uneven, there is no wallpaper here just bare plaster. To the left of us is a door and to the right of us is another door. I wonder if this place is meant to be accommodation for the people here, they're not great but then again I shouldn't really expect much being how this is Planeptune we're talking about.
Oddly enough, though again I should have expected this, there are troops on the stairs armed with pistols though before they notice our presence, we shoot them down with a few bullets, oh jeez just what we need, to have to deal with enemy infantry and having to clear out the buildings, I was hoping they'd be deserted though I like to think there shouldn't be too much resistance in here, though I don't really want to be bogged down not with the helicopter present along with the likelihood of more vehicles showing up.
Though I really don't like to go up these stairs, I know we have no choice and just as I think of a plan, I notice a couple more enemies at the top of the stairs, coming from two doors on either side at the top, both of whom are armed with pistols though they quickly get shot down by me, causing them to thunder down the stairs as they fall hard on them.
"OK, I propose that Noire you guard the stairs, Uni you defend the ground floor, meanwhile I'll wait for the chopper and take it out and cover your flanks, there's bound to be more enemies coming to attack us from the buildings across the street." I order them calmly and politely.
They agree and praise my thinking before they get in position, ready to fight the enemy. I meanwhile crouch and with my rifle in hand and aiming with it, I wait for the chopper's tail to be seen as well as for any potential enemies who desire to oppose us from the other side of the street. I hope we don't get pinned down again like at the train station, though something tells me that even after destroying the helicopter we'll still have to deal with those 4 makers who are driving it now, trying so hard to destroy the van, and I have a feeling that they've almost finished in doing so, come on if it can just come here, I know it will die by just one clip of my AK47, I know it will, come on.
I hear the sound of gun fire coming from Noire and Uni, this pleases me as it means that they are able to keep them at bay, this relieves me no end as I can just focus on what's in front of me. I finally see a few enemies armed with pistols opening a door to a building opposite me, and I shoot them down quickly.
I still hear the sound of the chopper's mini guns and though it worries me to know just how close the allies in there must be to getting destroyed, at least they're not dead yet and they won't be if I can just shoot the tail of the chopper when it comes.
Come on chopper it's time for you to meet your end, time for your destruction. Ah good, excellent I finally see the chopper arriving at where I am, though instead of the tail I see the front. Initially I thought to myself why don't I just shoot the pilot but then I realise that they can just replace them, and they may even change tactic such that defeating them will be much more difficult if not impossible, and so instead I wait for the helicopter to turn around so I can get it at its weak spot.
Come on, just a simple turn around and it'll be it, but soon I remember that I cannot simply focus on the helicopter because if I do, then who's to say that an enemy won't come and kill me while I'm distracted. I also need to use my ears to indicate whether Noire and Uni are still there as they're engaging enemies in a position, which they have no choice but to be in being as how they're exposed to enemy fire.
OK the tail is finally within my sight, and since there's no other enemies here, I guess here goes nothing and so I fire as many bullets as I can at the tail. OK there's some smoke coming from the tail, a bit more, some more, nuts I'm out of ammunition and the chopper is moving away, no I'm not gonna give in I will shoot it down now, just need to reload, come on Black, come on, come on come on. Just get the clip in, get in, yes now just to cock it and boom I've reloaded.
Even though it's a bit of a distance away, I open fire against it once again hoping that it just needs a few more bullets, come on unless that chopper gets shot down, then it will shoot the van and kill the occupants inside, our allies no they can't die, they mustn't die under any circumstances, I need them, I need their strength.
Finally after a few desperate shots, there is a small explosion at the end of the tail, causing the chopper to spin out of control. Alright now I like to think that they'll be busy trying to keep the chopper under control, rather than trying to ensure that our van is destroyed, oddly enough it turns around and returns to where we are, only for it to be badly damaged and full of smoke. I have a feeling that it's going to explode at any moment, and I just hope that our friends can get out of the van before in fact it does; it's tragic though because we need to get out of here yet we have no ride but plenty of enemies to deal with.
Thankfully, at least we're together again as Blanc, Rom, Ram, White and Stealth make it to our location, just after the van has exploded loudly and has caused massive flames to rise above the engine, as it's nothing but scrap metal now. Even after all this time though the helicopter is still constantly spinning without its tail, but eventually it crashes onto the floor with a loud bang, the helicopter is now as dead as the van which is fairly close to it.
Somehow even though the helicopter is down, I doubt that is the case for the occupants inside, yet I have a feeling that they won't just simply escape, and I'm certain how they'll try and organise the troops in the buildings to take us on.
Even so, with us together we'll be able to defeat them easily especially with how I can't see them coming in any more than just a few at a time, and from what I've seen I'm guessing they'll be armed with little more than pistols, which will be no match for our rifles. Now with just what I like to think will be a few dozen soldiers as well as the matter of finishing off those moronic makers for good, I'm more optimistic about the situation, and yet I have a sneaky feeling that this isn't the last batch of enemies. It's been such a battlefield lasting for a couple of chapters so far, and we haven't even encountered the nasty nitwit Neptune yet, though we have seen her loyal brainless makers.
"Guys, I propose that we head right and clear the ground floor of enemies until we can reach the chopper, Lastation guys will cover the flank as well as the stairs, while the Loweeans advance to the helicopter, when we get there I'll let you guys have the foursome this time, while the Lastation's provide covering fire. Let's make this quick we need to defeat the enemies while we have the advantage in our hands." I order calmly to my allies.
And with this suggestion it is a unanimous agreement that we all do it, and so while the Loweeans head in the room to mop up the few soldiers left in there, as well as to defend it against the enemies coming from the next lobby, myself and Noire watch the door while Uni watches the stairs and Stealth watches the room to the left, which still has a few soldiers in there who have yet to fall by our hands.
Unlike earlier however where there are plenty of enemies for us to shoot, there isn't many at all now and I would have expected there to be many considering the circumstances. It's strange, it's bizarre, and perhaps it's a case of waiting for enemy reinforcements. I suppose it shows that I dislike both situations, I dislike having to deal with lots of hostile minions because of concerns about dying, and I dislike having to deal with a lack of enemies because it makes me suspicious as to where are they, or what is Neptune playing at.
Maybe it's for the best that there aren't many troops now because although I know my good friends and allies will fight to the death, their body language tells me how exhausted there are from the stress, though I don't blame them at all and they have all fought very well under very different circumstances. They have much to be proud of and it is such a pleasure to be fighting with such good fighters who are not only amazing in skill, but amazing in intellect and values.
It's not long at all before they clear the first room and when we enter it, I notice how there is just dirt, no floors whatsoever, there isn't any furniture, just blankets and bags that are old and tatty in purple and pink, the ceiling also has large holes as well.
It's so tragic how Neptune expects her soldiers to serve her and yet in what I'm assuming is Planeptune, there isn't a floor for them to sleep on, no seats or tables, and they have to sleep in a place that has leaks, and no doubt rats and damp as well, I can hardly imagine them having anything decent to eat.
I feel bad for those guys being forced to do this in such terrible atrocious conditions, and yet we're slaughtering them, I guess at least it's a dream and when we do get to do this when we're awake we'll be able to revive them, convince them to join us and give them what they truly deserve, warm food that's plentiful, clothes that are clean and warm, water that's fresh and nourishing, electricity which is useful and plentiful, medicine that works and works quickly, as well as enough money for them to have a prosperous life as well as the means to earn money.
I suppose all we can do is to just defeat them, get to the chopper, wipe out those foul fiends who support the vile cruel Neptune, and then get out of here ASAP.
The four of us Lastations take cover around the door leading to where we once were, waiting for any enemies to come though somehow I'd be pleasantly surprised if even a couple of them show up. Behind me I can hear plenty of gunfire indicating that there are still numerous enemies in here, though I'm certain it won't be for long.
Oddly enough, a few enemies head over to where we are but as soon as they head there, they get shot down, and perhaps they were trying to ambush our allies.
"OK guys the 2nd room is clear." Blanc yells.
Upon hearing this we then head to the 2nd room only to see that it's in exactly the same condition as the first, urgh how can the soldiers tolerate such miserable conditions, my only answer is that they have no choice in the matter. After having to take in how awful and tragic the conditions are, we get into position so that the Loweeans can secure the area directly outside the chopper, while the rest of us cover their flank.
As soon as our allies open the door, I immediately hear gunfire afterwards concerning me that perhaps they have been ambushed by the enemy, I hope not but I know that we need to keep watch of their flank, and perhaps it's best to wait until the fire fight has finished. The thing is the fire fight goes on for quite a while, and it looks to be like the Loweeans will be quite a while, I have a feeling that they are buying time for reinforcements which I'm certain won't be as easy to defeat, not to mention the enemy makers in the helicopter who I'm sure are still alive in there. I'm concerned they'll be able to retreat and bring in some other means of taking us out.
At least Blanc's flank is covered as we aim our weapons and are ready to shoot at any enemy who comes our way, but there aren't any. My only guess is that they're there to keep the Loweeans busy. Eventually after who knows how long, probably too long, Blanc informs me that it's all clear and when we meet them, it pleases me to know that despite the enemy ambush and the intense firefight, they're all in one piece and they're not even wounded.
OK now it's just ensuring that the enemy dies in the chopper, and then it's just a simple matter of getting transport and getting out of this place, though it's most likely from enemy reinforcements. We agree to have Blanc and her Loweean allies deal with the remaining enemies in the helicopter, while I watch over to see if there are any more enemies outside, while Stealth guards the stairs behind me, and Noire deals with the room on my left, and Uni deals with the room on my right.
"Super justice headshots from Akimbo pistols!" Nisa yells in her annoying tone as she stands up brave despite her appearance clearly suggesting how much pain she must be from the crash, as she's covered in dirt and cuts and bruises.
The thing is that before Nisa can fire, White Heart calmly shoots the super villain in the chest down causing her to scream in agonising pain before falling backwards, Gust then tries to avenge her by yelling in anger and firing at Blanc, but her shots are nowhere near CPU of Lowee and the Loweean CPU just mows her down with about a dozen bullets or so. The Loweean leader then fires a few more shots into the cockpit to see if there are a few more of them hiding there, and oddly enough the shots fired causes Compa to scream in serious pain before dying.
This leaves IF and she makes a last stand and tries to shoot at Blanc, but Blanc is too quick and the cynical maker suffers the same fate of dying a painful death.
It's nice to see the makers fall and this time it's even quicker than before, and unlike last time where I had a feeling they'll be back for more in this nightmare, this time I have a feeling that we'll be seeing them again in either another nightmare, or when we're awake whichever comes first. What makes this nicer is how Noire got to shoot all 4 of them down and Blanc did as well, 1 each though I would like to see them get owned more and more and more, until I'm happy that they have paid for what they have done, and that will be a long time considering what they have done I can assure you readers.
It feels bittersweet because right now the makers have gone for now and no one is trying to kill us, however we have no vehicle anymore for now and I have no idea of where we can get one, no doubt we'll have to shoot through some more enemies before we can even board a vehicle so we can head for the destination on the newspaper, I sigh oh well as this nightmare will continue for a while yet, even though so far we have won, so far we haven't lost a single person, but the sad thing is, is how long can we can keep this up for, I mean we've had quite a few close calls and I feel like it's going to get harder and harder to pass it.
Still it's nice to see the Loweeans turn back and smile in satisfaction of how they have defeated the makers, and they place the business end of their weapons on their shoulders and look badass the lot of them.
Suddenly as if on cue however, we all hear the sound of trucks and vans heading our way, in fact I have a feeling that they're coming from both directions, well at least we'll get transport but that is assuming it's not a case of dropping off their troops and driving off, which I have a sneaky feeling will be the case, I can only hope that we can shoot the drivers down such that we'll have a vehicle once we get through these enemies, that is assuming we can get through them because something tells me that there are loads of them, and I'm pretty sure that they'll be reinforced by any remaining enemies in these awful buildings.
Blanc, White and Rom and Ram open fire against the drivers coming our way and Blanc also turns and as best as she can, she fires above the wrecked helicopter against enemy drivers from the other side, but I have a feeling that her shooting will be the be all and end all with regards whether there'll be transportation at the end of this or not, but either way it is frustrating to know how long this is taking just to get through this, and my gut tells me that my allies must be feeling exactly the same way.
Even if there are loads of enemies though, even if it's taking a long time and even if our luck could run out considering how just one bullet will kill us, we must keep going no matter how much time it takes, no matter how many chapters it takes, we must keep going not just for ourselves but for our people and our nations. People of Lastation and Lowee we will not give up on you, and we will continue to fight for you so that you may know peace, prosperity and progress once more.