Darius Pov:
Damn it all.
" Are they still on our asses?"
The boy standing next to me, Ryan, peeped back in, lowering his binoculars and closing the hatch. " Yes, sir. We lost one but we still have two mobile workers following."
Unfortunately, we ran into a checkpoint further in the city with three mobile suits standing post. Luckily, they weren't attacking. Shooting at us within an urban area still filled with civilians is probably a war crime, so thank god for that.
Not only were we outnumbered, our stripped vehicles meant we were likely out-teched, too. The only advantage was that we were a little faster because we were lighter and had a head start.
This was still bad. If we couldn't lose these guys, they could call for reinforcements and box us in. Sighing, I tapped my datapad in thought, staring at the planned routes. Unfortunately, there's a curfew, making it both easier and harder to lose these guys. Still, there's a reason we make backup plans for such scenarios.
" Turn left at the next street." I announced on the walkie-talkie.
Without a word, David who was driving the armoured vehicle ahead of us turned, followed by the vehicle carrying the VIPs. We took a series of streets till the roads began to narrow, and they were still on our asses. It actually got worse, two more workers having joined the original two.
There were only two possibilities I could see. Head to an easily defensible base and bunker down or split up. Examining the map again, I scrolled ahead of where we were going, examining what I could for any other idea.
As I examined the streets, I saw a few alleys ahead and an idea hit. It was a bit risky but with Gjallahorn not attacking and the good distance we've made, it's one I'm willing to make. I grabbed a talkie as I readied myself. " David, you'll have to lead the VIPs to safety. "
" What? What's your plan?"
" I just need you to listen and act. There will be an opening a few hundred meters to the right. It's an alley, drive into it. I'll be blocking the opening. You take the VIPs to a safe place. You have a datapad with the possible bases to head to."
The comms went silent for a moment before I heard a huff. " I see. Don't die on me, Kingston."
When the next turn came, I ordered the Samus, the pilot of the mobile worker to stop right at the alley mouth.
As we arrived, I was pleased to find that the mobile worker was just big enough to fit snugly, ensuring no one could enter.
" Uh, bossman, what's the plan now?" Samus asked as we watched the armoured vehicles drive off.
" Unless they plan to shoot at us, they won't be able to penetrate the worker and by the time they go the long way round, the others will be long gone. Let's just hope they don't run into any more trouble."
" Sure, but like, what about us?"
"Just wait. While they may miss the others, I'm sure at least one enemy worker will still try to block our escape from the front. After a few minutes or once you get a clear line of sight, shoot 'em. We haven't taken a single shot at them this entire chase; they might not expect us to, thinking we're following the rules of war or something. These guys likely don't know the lengths we went to get in here, them being further in during the attack, so it should work."
Samus and Ryan, who were silently listening, nodded.
" Worst case scenario, we make a run for it on foot."
That earned horrified looks, earning a chuckle from me.
Waiting two or three minutes, I was more than a little surprised when the worker violently jolted. " What the hell was that?"
" Boss, an enemy worker shot at us!" Samus shouted, going over what looked to be the damage. " Our back wheel is fucked, but luckily most of what was hit was our armour and areas where we stripped."
" Seems they tossed the rulebook out. Hit the gas!"
Samus did as commanded, speeding the worker forward. Just as we were at the opposite end of the alleyway, I only got a second to see it. Right on the left of the alley mouth, an enemy worker was there, already moving right for us and a-
BANG!
My vision was a blur for and for a brief moment, it felt like gravity didn't exist. The moment passed quickly, and that second of calm came crashing down. My body ragdolled, rocketing right then left a couple of times, then finally settled on my right side.
My head throbbed from all the hits and I swear I broke something, but my wits came back fast, the pain as horrible as it was, aiding in clearing any fog covering my brain. Taking a look around, I was relieved to see that my two companions were still alive and conscious.
No fatal wounds from what I could tell. Taking another look around, I quickly found my rifle and attempted to get up. " Oi, nap time is over, get up and ready, we need to make a run for it."
I got a few groans, but the two did as said. " Samus, I have no doubt that we're being surrounded. See if you can still launch the smoke grenades. Ryan, gather what we can. This is gonna be a long night, and we need as much as we can get. "
I got nods, and they immediately executed my orders.
" Bossman, the smoke dischargers are still working. On your mark."
While they were doing that, I found my datapad and it luckily still worked. Examining the GPS, I formulated two possible escape plans, depending on how well things went once we crawled out. It felt a bit lacking, considering it really relied on luck and enemy movement, but there wasn't much I could do. Taking a look at Ryan, he already had a large bag strapped to his back and gave me a ready nod.
" Now!"
From what I could see over the still working cracked screens, as soon as the entire perimeter was covered in smoke, I opened the hatch and jumped out, rifle raised. I couldn't see anything, but I had a general sense of where to go.
" Stay close." I muttered as I led the way to a footpath that was inbetween to of the closest buildings. There was a lot of shouting and a few lights beaming in the smoke, but no one caught us.
Running forward, we unfortunately came in contact with three hostiles standing near the alley entrance. My weapon was already up and pointed at one. With two quick shots, took two out easily.
Suddenly, an explosion rang out behind us. Right where our mobile suit stood. The explosion sent us tumbling forward. Luckily, no shrapnel hit me, and from the fact that I couldn't hear any of my allies screaming or cursing, none hit them. Or they're dead.
Damn, if we hadn't moved, they would have killed us.
As soon as my head came up from the ground, the first thing I saw was a pair of boots. My body reacted on its own, my right hand shooting up as my body leaned to the left. My hand grabbed onto what felt like a barrel end, and I immediately pushed it to the right.
My ears rang, and my hand felt the gun's recoil and heat as a few shots rang out. My left hand shot up and right between my opponent's legs, combat blade practically teleporting into my hand, ready to drink blood.
I heard an anguished scream as I stabbed into something soft and squishy. I didn't stop, stabbing a few more times till I felt the hold on the gun weaken. I tugged and threw the gun out of reach as the man fell over.
I blew on my right hand. I had gloves on, so it wasn't too bad, but it still hurt.
Getting up, I picked my rifle up and took aim, ready to end the poor sap screaming on the floor.
A shot rang out to my left, and my rifle violently jerked to the side, falling from my grasp. Turning to who shot at me, my hands reaching for my trusty pistol on my waist, I was relieved to find the soldier slumping to the floor as three shots rang out.
Looking back, I saw Ryan still aiming at the downed man. I sent him a nod of thanks, then ended the man screaming bloody murder with my pistol. He's acting like he got stabbed in the balls or something. A glance at my rifle told me I shouldn't take my chances with it, so I went to loot the new corpse's rifle and comms. With that, we continued down the alley.
The further down the alley we went, the clearer it became, and the faster I sped-walked, till I began jogging, then running, making sure to look back every so often to see if the two were following.
We continued running around, taking twists and turns till I finally felt safe enough to take a short break. Hiding behind what looked to be a hardware store, I took the chance to examine the map. It took a few moments to find where we were and unfortunately, it was a ways away from the nearest base.
We're also, from what I can tell, far from any abandoned buildings we can hide in. Guess we need to go on a great trek.
" Get up, we're not done yet, boys. "
I got a few grumbles but they did as said told with slothful enthusiasm. Allowing another minute to drink some water and centre ourselves, we began walking. After a few minutes, Samus was the first to break the silence.
" So, what do you think will happen if they catch us?"
" I'm betting they'll torture us for info, then kill us. " Ryan speculated with a smirk. " I'll be the first to squeak if they bring out the ball tenderisers."
That earned a snort from me and a chuckle from Samus. Judging by the fact that they attacked us in the city means it's not unlikely either.
" You think the others got to a base safely?"
I shrugged. " We did all we could. If they didn't get there, I'm sure David will sort it out, and if they got caught, we'll need to break them out."
" You make it sound simple." Ryan snorted out.
"It's not like it's complicated, just hard."
We continued small talk for the next twenty minutes, occasionally needing to hide in an alley, tree, or occasional bush, basically anything that ensured the patrolling Gjallahorn vehicles passed us by.
Thankfully, the comms gave us an idea of their patrol routes so it was easy to avoid them. We also ran into a few checkpoints, but we simply backtracked and took longer routes till we arrived at one of the possible bases.
A shabby, abandoned warehouse.
Taking a seat on the dust-covered floor, I finally allowed myself to relax. " Ryan, talkie."
The boy nodded, taking his bag off and handing me the talkie he packed. With us being in the safehouse, we could finally contact homebase. They should have turned that contraption off by now.
Shit, what's the confirmation number again? " Uh, 67142."
I had to wait for a moment but the crackle of the talkie sent a wave of relief through me as the voice of Orga came through. "Darius, is that you?"
"Yep."
I then told him the events that played out as I lay down, resting my weary bones.
" Alright. Just buckle down now. David contacted me fifteen minutes ago. They are safe and sound."
" Roger that. "
With that, the comms went quiet. Now comes the hardest part of all. Sleeping on a cold, dusty floor and hoping I don't wake up feeling ten broken bones.