Chapter 9 - Gunfight at the Abydos High School!
"Abydos punks, get down here and let's finish this!"
The brash words echoed through the air, uttered by a high-ranking member of the helmet gang. Her voice carried a defiant edge as she addressed the seemingly deserted school before them. With a forceful gesture, she pointed an accusatory finger at the imposing structure, her stance radiating a confrontational energy. Sure that the place is not as empty at the first glance.
Behind her, a formidable force had gathered – a large gang pouring forth from the entrance, their numbers increasing. They fanned out, forming a formation around the entrance, a warning; and they have the armaments to back their words.
But there was also an uneasy murmur rippled through the ranks as the realization of the school's apparent emptiness sank in.
"I don't think they're at school" one voice ventured, the words laced with a hint of uncertainty.
"What the?" another retorted, their tone incredulous. "It's a school day, of course they're inside."
A third voice chimed in, offering a tentative suggestion, "Maybe they've stayed at home?"
The high-ranking member whirled around, her piercing gaze sweeping across the assembled gang. "You're expecting me to believe they all just collectively decided not to go to school today?" Her words dripped with skepticism, challenging the very notion.
Yet, the voice that had proposed the idea remained undeterred. Not even afraid to look her superior straight in the eye, and plainly say. "Well, yeah… I mean, they're not really a lot of them left. It's still a possibility."
A thoughtful hum escaped the high-ranking member's lips as she considered the argument. "Ooh… Now that makes sense"
Drawing herself to her full height, she commanded the attention of her subordinates with a booming shout. "Everyone, shut up! If those Abydos kids aren't there, then why don't you stroll inside the school then? Scout ahead if you believe they stayed at home."
A wave of trepidation rippled through the ranks as the one who had initially suggested the idea shook their head profusely. "What? No way. I mean, what if they didn't go home?" They protested, their voice tinged with apprehension. "What if there are traps left behind?"
The unspoken fear of entering the enemy's territory hung in the air, a palpable tension that threatened to undermine the gang's bravado.
"I could be working my part-time job right now" The high-ranking helmet gang member expressed her annoyance by rolling her eyes and muttering through her helmet.
Out of nowhere, a round object was suddenly thrown from one of the many windows. It landed a considerable distance away from the Helmet gang, who stood and watched in anticipation. As they waited, the tension mounted, until finally, a deafening explosion erupted as the grenade's fuse burned down to its last moments.
In the aftermath of the explosion, silence enveloped the entire Helmet gang. They allowed the scene to speak for itself, each member keeping their thoughts to themselves. Well, almost all of them. Amidst the stillness, one member couldn't contain her fear and let out a piercing scream as she quickly took cover just before detonation.
"Are… Did we get you?" A voice spoke from somewhere inside the school.
The helmet gang stood in stunned silence, their collective expressions a mix of bewilderment and disbelief. That was it? That was their retaliation? The thought seemed to ripple through their ranks as they processed what just happened..
One member, emboldened by the perceived lack of threat, responded with a dismissive scoff. "No, not even close. It was too far from us." Pointing out the sheer distance of the grenade that was thrown towards them.
The instant the words left her lips, a resounding whack echoed through the air, the sound of metal colliding with metal as the blow landed squarely on the back of her helmet. She staggered, surprised by the sudden reprimand.
"Idiot. You wanna have tea with them next?" The words dripped with scathing sarcasm, a sharp rebuke from one of her superior.
Soon, she turns back to the school, primarily the ones hiding inside. "So you are inside!"
"No, we aren't." The voices coming from the school spoke back.
"Oh, alrighty then." One summarily agreed back.
"Could you close the gate behind you when you leave?" The voice that came from the school spoke.
"Oh sure, no problem." Just as the Helmet gang member replied and turn around to walk off, only for the collar of her jacked to hold her in place by another member.
Every one of the Helmet gang looked at one another questioningly. The superior, meanwhile, her patience was wearing thin, let out a tired bark of an order that reverberated with authority enough for them to follow. "Just… Get inside there."
….
"Oh, well. We tried." Sighed from someone inside.
Now the stage was set for an encore.
Soon the tension finally broke, and in its collapse, a large fight broke out. A few against many did the Countermeasure committee have once again found themselves in another defensive fight for their school.
"You'd think they'd get the message by now…" Hoshino stated as she began to empty the chamber of her shotgun before she took back down for cover.
Well, all except for Shiroko, who leapt from a few floors above and started making fighting her way across the open area. Serika noted how eerily similar it was to Sensei's own when she mentioned about the news report from a couple of days back.
With her shotgun fed and primed, Hoshino sprang back into action, her movements fueled by a relentless determination. Iron Horus, her stalwart shield, materialized before her, a bulwark against the impending onslaught.
Zipping forward with a burst of speed, Hoshino charged headlong into the fray, her lithe form propelled by a sheer force of will. The surrounding air crackled with the clanking rhythm of incoming gunfire, as the Helmet Gang unleashed a torrent of lead in her direction.
Yet, undeterred, she pressed on, her shield absorbing the brunt of the assault. The metallic pings and ricochets echoed like a symphony of defiance, each impact a testament to the unyielding fortitude that drove her.
With every stride, she closed the distance, her gaze locked onto her nearest target – a helmeted figure amidst the chaotic maelstrom. Her grip on the shotgun tightened, her finger poised upon the trigger as she awaited the perfect moment to strike.
In a seamless maneuver, Hoshino angled her shield sideways, transforming it into an impromptu stabilizer. She propped the shotgun's stock against the solid surface, her petite body pivoting to present a narrower profile, minimizing her exposure to the relentless barrage.
Time seemed to slow, the world around her fading into a blur of motion and sound. Her focus narrowed, zeroing in on her target with an unwavering intensity. With a measured exhalation, she squeezed the trigger, and the shotgun roared to life, unleashing its devastating payload.
The buckshot tore through the air, a concentrated volley of lethal projectiles that found their mark with unerring precision. The helmet offered scant protection as the pellets struck and sent the wearer to the ground, groaning.
Even as the target crumpled, Hoshino pressed forward, her momentum carrying her deeper into the fray. Iron Horus absorbed the retaliatory fire, shielding her from the onslaught as she sought her next target, her shotgun already cycling to chamber another round.
In that moment, she was a force of nature – a whirlwind of calculated violence, her every movement a masterclass in precision and lethality.
"Eh. Seems like this fight is getting fiery…" Nonomi stated as she as she load a fresh belt for her M134 Minigun with the same energy she had before the troublemakers arrived, still smiling. Beside her is Serika, providing cover fire for Shiroko, who attempts to imitate Sensei's strange fighting style as Serika could only watch and lay a cover for Shiroko as she takes an enemy down close quarters with her rifle before taking cover.
Soon as the sight of Shiroko is fine and in covered, Serika said as she lowered to cover, pulling out a fresh magazine from a box nearby. "I can't believe you still smile being in this situation."
"Serika-chan, you should expect that not all about repaying a debt is actually about working to repay it all the time. You see, half of it is trying to deal with the side-effects of being in debt." As-a-matter-factly, Nonomi answered. Being dealt against with gangs that try to settle in Abydos many times she could remember is second nature to her, especially since she is the second oldest enrolled in the school alongside Shiroko.
Ahh, what wonderful memories those days…
"Urgh… Where's Sensei when we need him…" Serika grumbled.
Suddenly, a ringing came from Nonomi's cardigan as she pulled out her phone.
"Hello? Hello? You sure this thing is on?"
"Sensei!" Both Nonomi and Serika said as the former put the phone on speaker to hear enough to the whizzing of bullets and gunfire.
"Yes, hello. I heard your message about Shiroko seeing the large gang heading towards your school and don't worry… I'm on my way."
"Could you come any faster?" Serika pestered.
"About that…"
Somewhere deep in Abydos's district…
The words slipped from my lips, an utterance that betrayed the growing sense of annoyance rippling through me. My gaze shifted towards the side-view mirror, and what I saw there sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through my veins.
"I'll be taking a bit longer…"
In the distance, a formidable gathering of figures emerged, their forms silhouetted against the scorching desert landscape. Astride powerful motorcycles, they carved through the arid terrain with reckless abandon, kicking up plumes of dust in their wake as they rapidly closed the gap between us.
"Son of a" The expletive escaped through gritted teeth, a reflexive response to the impending confrontation.
"Why? Sensei, are you in trouble?" Nonomi's voice cut through my thinking as I replied back. Worry stinging in her voice through the Shittim Chest's speakers.
My hand instinctively reached for the familiar tin of chewing tobacco. Going to need something to soothe the nerves, I placed a portion back into my mouth, the earthy flavor mingling with the metallic tang of adrenaline on my tongue.
The tin found its way back into the open glove box with a toss of my hand.
"Nothing you should worry about. Nothing at all. But thank you for the gesture." I muttered.
I could feel the weight of the situation bearing down upon me, the gravity of the choice that lay ahead. Time for a compromise. I steeled myself, recognizing the need for a delicate balance between aim and force. Once more, no critical shots. I only need to disable them…
Disable them…
"Just a heads up, I think I have the welcoming party on my tail."
"Welcoming party? But we've been dealing with them right now."
Huh… So, there's more… The ones behind must be the plus one…
"Then the ones behind me must be their plus one arriving late… Alright then, I'll keep you posted on how I'm dealing with my share of trouble."
The comforting heft of the revolvers settled perfectly in my hands as I deftly extracted them from their holsters. I opened a pouch and delicately placed each round into the cylinders, relishing the methodical clicks that resonated in the air.
The metallic scent of gun oil mingled with the faint aroma of leather, enveloping the truck.
Finally, I flicked the cylinder back, its motion accompanied by a satisfying crack of the hammer fueling my readiness.
I followed the same course of action with another revolver. A larger -bigger revolver for this plan to work. This was not the Mysterious .44 Magnum revolver, as I won't shoot the riders, and here I can't even trust myself to use it back then and especially now, but something to shoot with firepower close to that effect.
"Oh, fuck" The expletive slipped past my lips, a guttural utterance laced with apprehension. My gaze fell upon the imposing firearms cradled in my palms, their formidable presence a sobering reminder of the potential consequences that lay ahead. "Hope this won't have to make wear a splint after this"
The thought of sustaining an injury, of having my wrists shattered or shoulder dislocated by the sheer recoil of these behemoths not even meant to shoot these calibers at all, almost made me rethink my choices. With a rueful glance skyward, I muttered a half-hearted curse, "Fuck you, Jacky, if these shatters my wrist. I hope someone locks you in your basement with a Cazador."
As the roar of the approaching motorcycles grew louder, the air seemed to crackle with anticipation. The desert, once a vast expanse of solitude, now bristled with the promise of confrontation, a crucible in which lives could be forever altered.
I inhaled deeply, savoring the arid air that filled my lungs, and steeled my resolve.
Fuck it.
I already got more of the ammunition that I dream of, even more with that Crafting Chamber than after raiding Dreamland's underground vault armories. Why not use it?
"Nonomi."
"Still here, Sensei."
"I got a plan, but I need you to trust me."
"I'm listening."
"Good, I want you to… If you're fighting right now, then pull back. Try to go out and go around the school wall's exterior and wait for me by the entrance outside. You have more company and I'm going to separate the pack for easier picking. Can't shake them off, so might as well lead them to their destination. Need you to wait for them with your mini-gun."
"Understood!"
Time for some Frontier Justice.
"Nonomi-senpai, where are you going?!" Serika's voice betrayed a mixture of disbelief and alarm as she watched her classmate pull back from cover, her movements directly running away from the raging battle unfolding before them.
Nonomi's figure retreated, disappearing back into the depths of the school in a blur of motion. Serika could scarcely believe her eyes, her mind racing to make sense of the unexpected maneuver. She must be out of ammunition. The thought flickered through her mind, a logical conclusion that did little to quell her mounting concern. An ally retreating in the heat of battle was never a good sign, especially for someone like Nonomi-senpai unannounced.
The sudden vibration from one of her coat pockets drew her attention, her hand instinctively reaching for the source. As she pulled out her phone, the familiar name on the display elicited a surge of relief: "Sensei?"
"Hello, is this Serika?" The voice on the other end was unmistakable, a lifeline amidst the chaos.
"It's me, Sensei. Where are you!" Serika's words tumbled forth, laced with a sense of urgency.
"Yeah, that's the pyramid scheme girl with ears on top" Sensei's tone carried a hint of amusement, a momentary reprieve from the gravity of their situation.
"It was an honest idea, don't blame me for not knowing!" Serika retorted, her cheeks flushing with indignation at the playful jab. She felt it was cheap and unnecessary with the situation they're in to prod at her.
"Yeah, too bad the idea itself ain't honest to a lick. You also have a bad judge of character to fall for it from someone if you didn't know any better to trust people you should likely don't ."
Sensei's words hung in the air, their meaning momentarily lost on Serika. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?!" she echoed, her brow furrowing as she mentally dissected the unfamiliar phrase. To a lick, she mouthed silently, her mind grappling with the unfamiliar idiom. What does that actually mean?
Before she could dwell further on the off-sounding word, Sensei's voice cut through the line, commanding her attention. "Alright, quit playin' around and listen, I am coming back there, but I need you to do as I say. I can't get in contact with Shiroko and the pink one. I need you to rustle two of your classmates to help you try to lure the helmet gang deeper into the school grounds."
Serika's eyes widened, her jaw slackening in disbelief. "Let them get close to the school, are you insane?!" she exclaimed, the mere suggestion sending a shudder down her spine. Let them try to get a few good hits at the building itself. Why doesn't he?! her mind reeled at the sheer audacity of the request.
Amidst her internal protests, the sound of gunshots crackled through the line, punctuated by grunts of exertion from Sensei and a short yelp that sent a chill down her spine – the unmistakable cry of someone decidedly not an adult.
"Sensei, what's going on there, are you" The words caught in her throat as the realization dawned upon her. The plus one. Reinforcements.
"Listen, don't trouble yourself with me," Sensei's voice cut through her mounting panic, his tone firm and resolute. "Focus on yourselves over there. Now, I'll give you the signal, and once you see it, you shoot for the skies and I'll deal with the reinforcements and make sure they won't get inside the school and rally themselves into a larger force. Kid? You still following me?"
Serika's mind raced, struggling to process the rapid-fire instructions. "Round them deeper inside. Wait for you to arrive and hold our ground -Wait!" Her voice trailed off, the weight of the situation bearing down upon her. "What is the signal?"
"You'll know it when you see it," Sensei's reply was cryptic, yet laced with a hint of reassurance. "Hint: Its red and its going to fall from the sky. Shoot it to high hell with everything you've got and close your eyes. It's going to be real bright."
The line fell silent, leaving Serika to contemplate the gravity of the task before her. Her grip on the phone tightened, her knuckles whitening as she steeled herself. The Abydos student returned her grip to her rifle. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she would face them head-on, guided by Sensei's instructions and fueled by an unwavering determination to see this plan of his through.
No matter how left in the dark they are.
"Shiroko-senpai!" Serika shouted as she ran from the next cover closer with quick shots to dissuade any attacks to take the shot at her while out in the open. "Shiroko-senpai!"
Only a mere few inches above her head, a bullet sliced through the air with a piercing whine before continuing its trajectory. She ducked down instinctively. The deafening gunfire echoed relentlessly across the school grounds, drowning out any efforts from her.
Despite her shouts, Shiroko-senpai remained unresponsive, seemingly oblivious to the chaos that had erupted around them to start punching and swinging her rifle around like a baseball bat at a small group of Helmet gangs. That brought a wave of anger surged through her veins as she gritted her teeth into a sour scowl, her jaw clenched tightly.
Her burning frustration began enveloped around her like a blazing blue fire.
Suddenly, the enemies Shiroko was engaging at close quarters came under a relentless barrage of gunfire.
Not a second passed, Shiroko stood surprise for a moment before a hand swiftly pulled her behind cover. "Now I finally have your attention." Shiroko blinked to see Serika, her usual angry look as well. Can't forget about that.
"I was fine handling them on my own." Shiroko finally took the moment to swap to a fresh mag as she spoke.
"Oh that's good for you. Now, how about you stop playing baseball and help me get Hoshino-senpai's attention."
"Nn..." Shiroko peeked above cover to see Hoshino-senpai still slowly walking towards another concentration of Helmet Gang members, solely focused on them alone with her shield and shotgun ready, before coming to a conclusion. "That'll be impossible."
"I know… That's why I chose to get to you first maybe you know something to get her to stop and retreat."
"… Why?"
"-Sensei said he has a plan and-"
"I'll do it." Seems like that was enough for Shiroko to agree with a simple thumbs up from her.
"Huh?" Serika looked nothing short of taken aback. "Wait I-"
Shiroko, however, remained unfazed and absolute. "I'll do it. Easy." she reiterated, her tone leaving no room for argument or doubt.
Just before Shiroko was about to run back to the fray, Serika stopped her once more, held her by her arm. "Wait, the reason Sensei needed us three is for us to lead the Helmet gang away from the entrance and more towards us."
"Nn." Unconvinced, Shiroko raised a brow.
"I know it's stupid and I am with you, but I need you to use your drone make sure the entrance is blocked off. Let me get their attention and you can go to Shiroko-senpai and circle around and start your drone."
While the duo nodded in agreement, their plans now set in motion outside the school walls, Nonomi could be seen skipping along the pathway, her weapon hugged tightly against her chest like a cherished toy. As she approached the corner adjacent to the entrance, she slowed her pace, taking a cautious peek around the edge of the building.
Her eyes scanned the area. Save for only a few motorcycles parked neatly in a row beside one-another there're only a few left that stayed by the entrance nursing to the injured across the academy. The majority of the Helmet gang joined the fight, although not everyone.
Oh! By the distance, Nonomi's sights set on a truck incoming… and… the Plus one.
Back to me, I swiftly switching the revolver to my left hand, I took aim out the window and squeezed the trigger.
That's the last round spent on the cylinder.
My shot whistled through the air before finding its mark, puncturing the motorcycle's front tires with a resounding pop. The entire vehicle immediately lost control, flipping violently over.
The two helmet-clad raiders who had been relentlessly firing at my truck were abruptly thrown from their seats, their bodies tumbling before slamming face-first in to a sand buffet.
No sooner had the dust settled than I heard the unmistakable click of my passenger door being wrenched open. Another raider scrambled inside.
I knew there I won't be able to reload soon, and in an instant; ma and my uninvited passenger were locked in a struggle – fists flying as my focus divided between maintaining control of the steering wheel while fending off the onslaught of blows and returning them.
The truck swerved wildly, but through sheer force of not to turn us both into a crash victim on the news later, I managed to keep the wheels planted firmly on the ground, though the violent rocking made the task of defending myself nearly impossible.
The raider got a solid hit across my jaw. Good on her.
A solid punch connected squarely across my face, causing my vision to blur momentarily as a flurry of subsequent strikes rained down upon me. Gritting my teeth, I jerked the steering wheel sharply to one side, using the abrupt swerve of the truck to momentarily disrupt the raider's assault. Seizing the fleeting opportunity, I whipped my head around to face my attacker, who was trying to balance herself.
The last thing the raider's friends outside witnessed was a limp body being violently ejected from the passenger door, tumbling down the road.
Soon, I returned to the main road and drove toward a nearby incline, the uphill terrain gradually slowing the speed of my truck. With one hand firmly gripping the steering wheel, I pulled out my Calico submachine gun with the other and unleashed a torrent of indiscriminate burst fire through the side-window, sweeping the muzzle across anything that even remotely resembled a hostile target in an attempt to slow their pursuit. Aiming was a luxury right now that I couldn't afford with the stupid high rate of fire.
My reckless driving combined with the barrage of suppressive gunfire seemed to do the trick, causing the enemy's attack to falter just long enough for me to spot my goal – a ruined building, leaning precariously against the ground, its dilapidated wall forming an impromptu ramp.
No choice…
"Alright, time to pull out." I muttered through gritted teeth, reaching for a small box filled with metallic discs with red tape all around – mines. Steeling my resolve, I prepared for the desperate maneuver that lay ahead, knowing full well I'm at a disadvantage against them.
Time for a change of plans.
Believe me, this part wasn't on my plan, but considering the army behind me and time not in my favor for the Abydos kids, I pressed the pedal as my foot can and sped towards the building.
While Thirteen braces for eventual lift-off. The situation at Abydos remained precarious, the tension thick in the air, but the meticulously laid plans were unfolding with calculated precision.
At the heart of the chaos, a certain sports club member from Abydos reveled in her pivotal role. Her lips rarely curled into a mischievous grin.
"Unn… Got your helmets," Shiroko taunted, her voice laced with mocking amusement as she tightened her grip on Ayane's wildly maneuvering drone. Slung over her shoulder was a rope, its frayed ends securely tied to a cluster of pilfered bike helmets that dangled tantalizingly beneath the hovering machine while her free hand started laying gunfire down to their pursuers.
Ayane's drone bobbed and weaved through the air, narrowly evading the hail of gunfire as it boldly ventured deeper into the Abydos schoolyard, undeterred by the maelstrom of violence that raged around it.
Several of the now de-helmeted gang members cried out in outrage, their faces fumed red with fury as they raised their weapons and desperately tried to shoot down Shiroko or the drone carrying their prized headgear. "Give it back!" they bellowed, their voices tinged with unbridled rage echoing across the embattled campus.
Shiroko's response was a taunting smirk, her eyes alight with defiant mischief. "You'll have to take it from me," she challenged, her tone dripping with confident bravado.
"Erm… Shiroko-senpai, shouldn't you try not to make them any angrier?" Ayane's voice crackled through the drone's speaker, laced with palpable concern, barely audible above the deafening cacophony of gunfire and explosions.
"Nn… It's alright. I have faith in you." Shiroko replied, her tone remarkably calm and assured, betraying none of the chaos that swirled around her.
Ayane's exasperated sigh cut through the din, her exasperation palpable even amidst the battle. "I don't think bullets care for faith when it comes to where they go," she countered..
All the while, on the opposite side of the embattled school grounds, Shiroko's own drone unleashed a relentless barrage of mini-rockets upon the gang members, who remained undeterred by the loss of their helmets.
The helmet gang that remained returned fire with desperate abandon from their original position or scrambled in turn for better cover, their movements frantic as they sought refuge from the unrelenting onslaught of explosives raining down upon them.
Serika and Hoshino, engaging the divided enemy forces, of which they found their task significantly easier now with the criminal gang's numbers split, methodically kept from rallying together as one with calculated efficiency to force them to cover.
"Serika-chan, you're easily improving your aim!" Hoshino's voice rang out across the battlefield, a note of pride lacing her tone.
"You're not bad yourself, Hoshino-senpai!" Serika called back, a teasing smirk briefly tugging at the corners of her mouth as she deftly neutralized another target.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
While the duo traded playful banter, their words a stark contrast to the chaos swirling around them, the entire scene ground to a sudden halt as a deafening horn blared – not from any discernible source on the ground, but from above. Serika's gaze snapped upward, her brow furrowing as she noticed a looming shadow cast upon the earth, growing larger by the second.
Sensei!?
Her eyes widened as she made out a solitary figure in the driver's seat of the descending vehicle, their arms extended, weapons blazing as they traded fire with the pursuing motorcycles that swarmed through the air for him like he poked a nest of angry hornets.
Then, without warning, the vehicle released its deadly payload from the passenger seat door pushed open – a veritable shower of disc-shaped objects cascading toward the ground. Serika's breath caught in her throat as she realized it's the signal.
"Everyone, the red discs! Shoot them and close your eyes!" she screamed into her earpiece, her voice urgent and laced with urgency as she relayed the critical order to her classmates scattered across the battlefield.
Weapons were raised skyward, their muzzles trained on the falling discs as the Countermeasure crew unleashed a torrent of gunfire, expending every round in their magazines. The staccato roar of automatic weapons fire thundered across the battlefield, bullets streaking through the air in a desperate attempt to neutralize the deadly payload raining down upon them. Only when the telltale click of empty chambers sounded did they finally duck for cover, bodies huddled tightly behind whatever meager shelter they could find.
All the while, the helmet gang looked on in bewildered confusion, their eyes straining against the glare of the afternoon sun as they watched the strange disc-shaped objects fall from the heavens. For a fleeting moment, their expressions betrayed a sense of uncertainty, their grips tightening around their weapons.
Then, without warning, a blinding flash of searing light engulfed the sky, as if the gates of heaven came down and revealed their brilliance, their domain bathed in the radiant glow for the briefest of instants before the light winked out.
Curtesy from Suzumi.
Flashbang… Real smart, Sensei, a thought from Hoshino, and the rest of the Countermeasure crew peeked out from their cover and Ayane dove her drone close as Shiroko along with Serika fired, while Hoshino herself ran up close to finish the others.
"This is useless!" A member of the helmet gang let out a scream as she turned around and started running, only to see that a truck had tipped over to its side and it was now blocking the school's entrance.
Over on the other side of the battlefield, the situation fared no better as agonized screams rent the air – screams she realized with a sinking feeling belonged to her friends, their voices raised in cries of anguish as they were ruthlessly gunned down by someone unseen.
The fight had taken a devastating turn; like some irony, the tide shifting so violently that the entire army the helmet gang had sent to kick out four mere students from their stupid school now found themselves divided and hunted like wounded predators. The hunters had become the hunted.
Soon, amidst the chaos, the unmistakable sound of a heavy vehicle door groaning openly drew her attention. Her gaze snapped towards the source of the noise, and what emerged from the truck's interior and climbed to its roof caused her breath to catch in her throat.
It was not just a man – no, this figure exuded an aura of authority; danger in its most raw form.
The billowing coat flapped dramatically behind his form, complemented by a wide-brimmed hat that seemed like it was stolen straight from the costume set of a cheesy western movie.
It was the Sensei from Schale.
One of the cowardly helmet gang members, a soul who had attempted to flee the carnage, bore witness to the imposing figure's arrival. Their throat constricted as they gulped hard, the sound almost drowned out by the deafening cacophony of gunfire that raged around them.
Through the haze of smoke and chaos, a single thought pierced their mind: what was he doing here?
"Ain't this a party," the man spoke, his deep voice cutting through the chaos as the frenetic fighting slowly died down around them. A hush fell over the battlefield, murmurs rippling through the ranks of the helmet gang as they exchanged glances with one another.
One by one, their movements became animated, trembling, as the realization of the situation they now found themselves. They began to back away slowly.
"It's… Sensei!" The words were uttered in two distinct tones – one laced with dread from a helmet gang member, the other tinged with relief from Ayane's lips – as the imposing figure worked to adjust the wide brim of his hat with a lift of his finger, tilting it back to better survey the scene before him.
A ghost of a smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth, his expression one of bemusement. "A bit sad you kids didn't even much as send me an invite." he chided, his voice carrying a hint of mock reproach, a taunt to the gravity of the situation they now found themselves in.
"Uhe… You sure took you time."
"Well, what can I say, I do like making an entrance."
"And what a way for an entrance I gotta say."
Either way, explosive entrance or not, better than not showing at all.
I scooped up my Calico submachine gun in my hands. Without hesitation, I unleashed a torrent of suppressive fire, sweeping the muzzle in a wide arc as I alternated between targeting the enemies outside the school courtyard and those positioned along the roadside. Targets are them weapons, arms and hands, just as always. The thunderous cacophony of gunfire echoed all around, spent casings raining down in a metallic cascade.
Once I had exhausted the magazine, I dropped into a low crouch to get down from the truck and began fighting my way through each of the helmet raiders, using any available cover as I can. Now holding a 1911 Colt in hand.
Amidst the fight, I noticed Shiroko dropping down beside me, her back pressed against. We moved in seamless synchronicity, our weapons barking in tandem as we cut down any hostile.
We switched back and forth with one another, turning in unison to cover the other's exposed flank, providing a constant, withering stream of suppressive fire as we advanced through the chaos. The air was thick with the acrid tang of gunpowder and the metallic whine of ricocheting bullets, but we pressed onward, undeterred.
Even as our magazines ran dry, our exchange never stopped. I casually tossed Shiroko a spare handgun, the weapon arcing through the air before landing securely in her waiting grasp. She reciprocated the gesture without missing a beat.
What the? My brow furrowed as a sudden movement overhead caught my eye. Glancing skyward, I watched as Ayane's nimble drone hovered into view, and to my astonishment, it began raining down a veritable arsenal of weapons on us. Rifles and sidearms clattered to the ground, replenishing our depleted stockpile and negating the need for us to pause and reload.
The kid, Shiroko, is a fast learner. Don't reload, just grab, shoot, drop and do it again.
Soon enough, the tide finally calmed.
"Woohoo!"
"We won!"
"Uhehe…They didn't even gotten a chance to run."
"Okay, okay, I surrender! Gyah!" The last raider's panicked cries were abruptly silenced by a deafening sound of gunfire. I whirled around to find Shiroko, her rifle leveled squarely at the downed raider's face as they cowered before her.
Without a shred of mercy, Shiroko squeezed the trigger, shell after shell slammed into the raider's helmet. The barrage was relentless, the impacts so brutal that hairline fractures began to spider-web across the battered helmet.
The fight was practically over, but Shiroko showed no signs of stopping, even as the helmet raiders were practically now on the ground. I hurried towards her, seizing her by the shoulders and giving her a firm shake.
"That's enough," I barked, my voice cutting through the din of battle like a knife. She froze, her gaze locked on mine. "You already showed her. No need to show it to her friends." The raider was roughed up enough to understand the grave mistake they had made by ever stepping foot on to the school.
No need for her friends to witness as well.
Shiroko held my stare for a tense moment, her chest heaving with exertion, before finally lowering her weapon. Though clearly still hesitant, she relented, turning on her heel and stalking away from the broken form of her would-be assailant.
Talk about an easy job behind the desk… Helping students… Yeah, right. I stood amidst the carnage, my gaze sweeping over the downed raiders strewn about the schoolyard, their bodies defeated and tired. I as well for the latter, to be honest.
No emotions flickered across my face as I surveyed the aftermath of the fight. Drive off the side of ruined buildings and fly across the air… Break a couple of bones on my leg. The memory of the desperate maneuver replayed in my mind's eye, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins.
"Didn't expect this to go over well for their leader," Serika noted, her voice cutting through my reverie as she approached, stepping gingerly around the fallen combatants.
"They didn't expect me," I replied, my tone even and matter-of-fact. A silent acknowledgment of the reputation that preceded me.
"That was amazing Sensei! And… and thank you." Serika's words carried a weight of gratitude as she turned to face me directly, her expression earnest.
"It's my job. Sure… Sure… Because I won't do it again soon. I hope." I dismissed with a weary sigh, raising a hand to wipe away the beads of sweat that had collected on my brow. I'd really like to a breather by now - but there's something else I'd need to do first.
"Now…" Serika stopped for a moment… "What were you teaching Shiroko-senpai about!?"
"Hm?"
"Don't play dumb, I saw her fighting like a caveman with a stick." Oh, that…
"That… Well, what was I going to do? Not teach someone self defense."
"Self-defense?! That was anything but defense."
"Alright, everyone! Start taking their wallets. We owe it to ourselves to find something good out of this mess!" I raised my voice towards the Countermeasure crew. Even I went to a nearby Helmet raider unconscious as I patted around her to unzip her red jacket to find her wallet.
Jackpot. Let's see what today's reward will be…
"Nn… Way ahead of you." Shiroko passed by with a sack already in hand, waiting to be filled.
"We're not done here!" Of course, Serika was still yelling in my ear.
It wasn't until I flipped open the bifold that the true gravity of my actions hit me. There, nestled among the sparse contents, was a student identification card – a name, date of birth, age, all with a picture of her staring back at me with an almost accusatory air. In that moment, the wallet's significance shifted, its value becoming far more than mere spoils for me to loot.
What was I doing? The question echoed through my mind, a sobering rebuke that cut through the all the yelling around my ears.
How low did I have to sink, to stoop, to steal from a kid in the pursuit of… what, exactly? Victory? Spoils? Just another day, another fight? To help kids by robbing other kids? The justifications rang hollow, a bitter taste in my mouth.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I saw it. Over by the distance, my eyes catch a figure. The figure wasn't Shiroko nor the others, but someone in a blue and yellow clothes, tattered, was walking along the bodies. Pilfering was anything it could get its hands on. Limping and stumbling its way around. The moment I close my eyes and looked back, it was gone.
While Serika and I were in our one-sided argument, her voices rising in heated tones, from the corner of my eye, I noticed her form darting from one motionless raider to the next, deftly pilfering their possessions with practiced ease.
"Hey! Shiroko!" I called out.
A large sack, already half-filled with the spoils, dangled from her grasp. She paused mid-stride, turning to face us with a look of feigned expressionless facade plastered across her face.
"Stop that. Give 'em their wallets back." I ordered sternly, leaving no room for debate. I returned the wallet back to its pocket.
Shiroko's response was a noncommittal "Nn…" as she defiantly clutched the sack closer to her body.
I fixed her with a stern glare, my jaw set. "But we take their firearms, explosives and ammunition. Everything else, give it back."
Another dismissive "Nn…" fell from her lips, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly in a silent challenge.
Exasperation washed over me, and I pinched the bridge of my nose, willing myself to remain calm. "That'll be the last time I say it again," I warned, my tone brooking no argument.
The air hung thick with tension as we locked gazes, her defiance palpable. For a quiet moment, it seemed she might refuse outright, but ultimately, she relented with a barely perceptible nod, her shoulders slumping ever so slightly in resignation.
"…"
Shiroko finally relented, but that wasn't going to show she liked it. Walking back to shove the wallets, she took back.
I wasn't comfortable robbing from children… Nor be an accomplice to it.
"Now where were we?" I turned back to Serika, smiling. Of course, I couldn't forget about I and Serika's friendly conversation.
Over in the distance, Ayane strolled alongside Hoshino, her gaze fixed on the heated exchange between Sensei and Serika. "Hoshino-senpai, what are Sensei and Serika arguing about?" she inquired, her brow furrowed in bewilderment.
Hoshino hummed thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing as she observed the pair's animated gestures and expressions. "Hmm…"
Serika's arms flailed wildly, her mouth moving rapidly as she unleashed a torrent of words, punctuated by the occasional "Nya nya nya meow meow!" Her voice carried across over from where she was, the feline sound effects only adding to the peculiarity of the scene.
"Huh?" Sensei's expression was one of complete bewilderment, his jaw wide open as he also seemed to struggle to make sense of Serika's impassioned tirade.
Hoshino chuckled, amused by the two of them. "Hm… Oh! Something about cats… Or something," she concluded with a snap of her finger, as if the lightbulb had finally flickered on.
Ayane could only shake her head in disbelief, her gaze bouncing between the bickering duo and her Senpai's nonchalant demeanor.
It seemed that in the aftermath of the intense battle, Serika had developed a peculiar fascination with Sensei, at least from Ayane's observation. The girl's demeanor exuded an air of casual absurdity as she engaged in their heated exchange, her words and gestures rendered even more bizarre. It left not only Ayane but Nonomi as well, equally perplexed yet undeniably entertained by the spectacle unfolding before them.
"What kind of Sensei does that to a student? What kind are you?" Serika demanded, her voice carrying a hint of indignation as she fixed Sensei with an accusatory glare.
Sensei, for his part, remained unfazed by her confrontational tone, meeting her gaze with a weary resignation.
"A teacher… who don't know what he's doing half of the time. I'm new to the job, can't you blame me?" he admitted with a rueful shrug, his words laced with a self-deprecating humor that seemed to deflate the tension ever so slightly. "Mind you, I at least tried."
"Still, don't teach anything strange to your students…"
"What; strange?" I voiced that, carried a hint of bewilderment as we both turned our attention to Shiroko, who appeared utterly engrossed in her own world. She swung her rifle back and forth with a fluid, almost dance-like motion, seemingly oblivious to our staring eyes.
"I see your point, but look how happy she is," I countered with a smile, gesturing towards Shiroko's impassive expression – a barren, poker-faced visage that belied any outward semblance of neither in the spectrum of joy or anger.
Serika arched an eyebrow, her gaze fixed on Shiroko's peculiar antics. I came to notice that as I pointed out. "You know, Serika… From where I'm standing and trying to understand, it looks like you're jealous of Shiroko for getting to do some acrobatics with her fists."
"Like hell I am!" Serika bristled, whipping her head around to fix me with an indignant glare, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and defiance.
I met her gaze with a sardonic smirk, wholly undeterred by her vehement denial. "Sure, suit yourself," I shrugged, feigning a tone of understanding that dripped with sarcasm. "Because once the magazine dries and you have none to spare, Shiroko will always be there to save you." My words carried a weight of finality, as if challenging Serika to refute the underlying truth.
"I mean, my teachings did help with her today," I continued, letting the implication hang in the air for a moment before delivering the coup de grâce. "So I see no reason for you to be worried for her."
A smile tugged at my lips. We both turn to one another again. "And you're welcome."
"Nn… aren't you getting close to Sensei." Snuck right behind Serika was Shiroko giving her a judgemental stare.
"Hyah!?"
Alright, what to do with my truck tipped over… And also never fan the hammer on anything with .700 Nitro Express… My shooting wrist feels like hell. Felt like I broke it or it's about to break. But hey, Ranger approved for Deathclaw Matriarchs. Just not guaranteed for your wrists.
Needing a moment of respite, I excused myself from the Abydos crew and walked a short distance away, putting some space between us. Once I was far enough to afford a semblance of privacy, I reached into one of the pouches on my harness and retrieved a Stimpak – a vital medical injector designed to deliver a potent cocktail of healing compounds to stimulate directly into the bloodstream to hasten any bodily healing process.
With practiced ease, I grasped the injector in my off-hand, and I quickly positioned the injector against the tender flesh of my wrist, taking care to aim for a vein.
Drawing in a steadying breath, I depressed the trigger, and the injector responded with a muted hiss as I push the needle's content deep. A brief flare of discomfort lanced through my arm as the Stimpak did its work, but the fleeting sensation didn't last long, quickly overshadowed by the soothing wave of relief that washed over me.
"Ahh…" The contented sigh escaped my lips unbidden as the healing compounds took effect, their restorative properties already working to mend the myriad cuts, bruises, and aches that had accumulated throughout. "That's hit the spot…"
"Sensei!"
"Nonomi."
"So, got anything to do after this?" she asked, her bubbly smile still remained intact after the battle. Which left me speechlessly impressed.
I turn to my tipped over truck, need something like a Hydraulic-Jack to lift it back up. "Ah, most likely. Of course, I'll stay a bit more to clean the mess and uh… Give a friend from Valkyrie a call to get them raiders behind bars. Hope they won't make any more headaches to you."
I turned my attention to one of the motionless raiders sprawled nearby, their body lying in an unceremonious heap amidst several bullet casings and rounds. Studying their battered form, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity. "For what it's worth to them, I suppose they learned their lesson about not return here." I noted, my voice carrying a hint of resignation.
"You could say that, but stubbornness is their strong suit. You could ask Hoshino, she's the longest here and she dealt with them as much as she stayed here." Nonomi chimed in, her tone matter-of-fact as she surveyed the fallen assailants strewn about the battlefield.
I nodded in solemn agreement, understanding the truth behind her words. "And that just makes it all the more troublesome." A weary sigh escaped my lips as I contemplated the implications – the likelihood that this wouldn't be the last time we'd have to contend with such brazen incursions.
"In any case, I'll check back here, of course, to see how you lot are holding up. If you ever need something else – help – I'm always free to try." I offered a reassuring smile, hoping to convey my commitment to their cause. "Just make sure I understand what's going on first, hehe." The lighthearted chuckle that left after my words was an attempt to inject a bit of levity into the somber atmosphere.
"Alright, let's bring out the ropes and make sure they won't wake up and run away – tell their boss what happened. I prefer they realize it too late." I continued, my tone shifting back to one of pragmatic determination. Turning to address the group, I raised my voice slightly to ensure everyone could hear. "Oh, I got something for us to eat and drink. I got sandwiches and drinks along with beans from the convenient store… They called it 'Natto'. I think… I don't know, the packaging looked flashy and it was expensive so it must be good."
A few disgusted faces, a two amused expressions I received back.
It's alright, I like beans, refried them and slathered on top with bread; and if Kivotos is anything to go by, being all high quality than anything the old country has to offer… Then I have high hopes the beans here are as good as the one I got from the Alamo.
Hm! Hold on, why is that feeling like I am missing someone… I shrugged and continue back to the rest of the Countermeasure crew.
Eh, if I forgot about them, then they're probably not important.
"Hello? Sensei, where are you? Where am I?" Cries of the hapless A.I.'s tiny voice crackled through the speakers of the Shittim Chest, laced with confusion and a hint of distress as she tried to look around but to no avail; and for reasons, she wore a maid dress and held in both in her hands a duster.
The lonely device she's inside laid, partially buried under by a mound of debris of junk and trinkets scattered throughout the cluttered interior of the truck. Dust particles danced in the dim light as the faint scent of rust lingered in the air.
"Sensei!"
Oh man, I posted this just before 5 minutes on a Midterm exam. I might update this to add Author's note lol.