This is now my third attempt at a story post. Hopefully I won't lose this one.
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You choose the MP5. Steve tells you that he'll unload it from his case along with 4x 30 round magazines once you're in the forest. You can see it getting larger and larger as you drive closer to its outskirts. Ahead on the road you can see a cluster of low buildings - this must be the checkpoint. Steve parks the truck in front of the barriers as several armed men dressed in olive drab tank-tops, tracksuits and red bandanas emerge from the buildings.
"I don't like this" says Steve. "They look like anti-government rebels. But - that doesn't mean that we're going to have trouble necessarily. Let me do the talking."
You sit in your seat trying to look relaxed as Steve leans casually out of the cab window, one hand on the FN pistol. The leader of the armed men comes forward and challenges Steve. Steve shrugs his shoulders and looks apologetic, then engages the man in conversation. You can make out a few of the words - "government", "weapons", "temple", "treasure", "mercenaries", "America" - and you notice the conversation becomes friendly.
Steve tells you to wait in the cab while he shows the rebels to the back of the truck. You hear the sound of boots tramping around in the cargo compartment, crates being opened and eager voices. Steve returns, grinning. He is supporting Jess on one arm and Sandra on the other.
Sandra greets you groggily. "Hi Tom. I guess I'm not dead then."
"I know right? Steve - what did you do?"
Steve looks as though he just passed some very satisfying gas.
"I offered them the crates of weapons in the back and a share of the spoils from the mercenary camp at the temple. I told a bit of a white lie - said the guys there are in league with the government. I mean, I guess they are in a way so I'm sure the rebels won't mind. At least they're getting a load of loot. Anyway - they've decided to join us in the assault on the temple compound."
"How far away is that?"
"Another hour along the forest road. We'll stop a way away from there and go on by foot."
"Will you two be up to this?" you ask Sandra and Jess doubtfully. They don't too good.
"Of course we will!" says Sandra. "Steve said we should feel fine in another half hour."
You can't help but notice that the cab is going to be very cramped with four of you sharing three seats. Jess surprises you by asking if you don't mind if she sits in your lap.
"No, I'll sit in YOUR lap!" you blurt out, unable to help yourself.
"Oh for goodness sake, Tom!" Sandra shakes her head and Steve laughs.
The barrier raises, Steve guns the engine and the four of you plus five rebel soldiers drive off into the gloomy rainforest...
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To be continued.
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Meanwhile...
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A small helicopter lands in the square behind the burned-out wreck of a townhouse in San Fernando. Undeterred by the clouds of dust thrown up by the rotor downwash, a woman in dark combat fatigues steps out and examines the carnage with the detachment of a forensic investigator. Taking off her reflective aviators, she bends down to look at the tire tracks leading from the site of the explosion. One truck and one motorcycle, she concludes, and the motorcycle was abandoned for a while before taking off in the same direction as the truck.
She steps through the wreckage, stopping to look at items of interest. Finally she comes to the broken and charred remains of a bed, a blackened and rotten corpse still partially chained to the frame. Noting what seems to be the absence of a heart, she takes out a small radio and speaks into it before putting it away again.
There is a sudden movement among the rubble. With lightning speed she draws her suppressed pistol from its holster and points it at the man who emerges from behind jagged section of wall. His clothes are a little dirtied but otherwise he appears to be fine. It's the shaven-headed guy from the hotel reception.
"You're the agent HOD sent?" he asks.
The woman nods and inclines her head towards the helicopter. A symbol of an eagle surrounded by lightning, and the words "HOD Corporation", are emblazoned on the side.
"So, what are you going to do now?"
A look flashes across the woman's eyes. Maybe pity, or compassion.
"You're Jason, aren't you?" she asks. "The one who blew the whistle on Sean."
"Yes."
"I've seen enough. Using the powers invested in me by the Council I have decided to carry out the liquidation of our project in Ebianova."
She fires one shot from the pistol. It enters Jason's forehead and blows out through the back of his head. He bears a fixed look of resignation on his face as he collapses in a pool of blood.
The helicopter takes off and heads north, towards the rainforest.
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Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Mar 21 2011, 7:57 am by CaptainWill.
None.