by Tom Cain
The group knew the plan to take Swiss towers, but Marko had a different idea.
"Ok listen while I have everyone here. And John I am sorry for springing this on you but, what do you guys think of me heading a team over to Zone Five and taking out Three and getting back those hostages?" Marko asked pitcher in hand.
They were at a big table so most had to shout. Hatcher picked up his beer and prepared to speak by taking a large swig and wiping his mouth with his sleeve. Two shadowy figures listened intently from a darkened corner.
"That Marko, sounds like a great idea. Only, Three is a nut job. And who is he holding?". John asked surprised at Markos decision.
"They are holding civilians in some building up north. Also he has a piece of that device, or so I have heard" Masie chipped into the conversation, drinking something blue.
"What are going to be doing with Swiss towers? Won't we need the man power?" Harmen asked taking a long pull on his cigarette.
John looked up from having been staring at the floor in contemplation.
"Marko, it's a good idea, but the attack on the towers can't be front on if we split up, we ain't got the guns" said John.
Mia pulled out a knife from her boot and placed it sharp end down on the wooden table.
"Then we go in quiet, sneak in through the carpark and make our way up the fire escape stairs".
The skinny blond man appeared again and looked at Mia and then the knife, then back at Mia and then the knife again.
"Ah ok, shit", Mia handed over the knife and looked annoyed.
"It's a good idea though, I know a lot of you would want to go in loud, but this way is the best way to do what we gotta do" she continued.
"I don't mind that idea at all" Hatcher said.
A shadowy figure listened carefully from the corner of the bar.
The group pondered and plotted and planned for some time about how to enter the tower, which direction to follow and how many it would take to finally retrieve the DMER part. They knew where it was located, and how many guards they would need to get through. After a few more drinks, a few laughs and deep discussion, John and Marko decided to take the group in two different directions. Marko would take seven of the group, traveling up north to Zone Five. It would be a long journey and a hard decision.
CHAPTER TWELVE
BREAK AND GRIND
John and Marko woke up early, before the others, who had all had a good drink the previous night. Sitting at a small round wooden table with splinters, they drink a brew and share a parting conversation.
"We have already been through a lot John, but at least we can get this done twice as fast this way, two parts, two places. Destroy them both, quick fire" Marko said.
"Yeah that's one way to think about it" John replied.
"So have you got your seven then? It hasn't changed since last night?" John asked staring blankly at some sediment at the bottom of his glasses and swirling them around.
"Yeah it's the same as last night. No changes, I don't know what we are going to find up there though". Marko replied.
"Hopefully one of The Eight and a machine part and then you can come on down and join us" John replied swigging the sediment laced brew. John slammed down his tankard to look at Marko,
"Good luck my friend, not that you are gonna need it yellow bellying your way up to Zone five" John grumbled. Marko stood up, as did John.
"Ha ha ha, yeah right John. I reckon you will be more than done at that point, but I love you too brother" Marko grabbed John's hand and brought him in for a hug.
"See you in a bit brother" John held Markos shoulder briefly, gave him a gruff, proud, accepting look, nodded a couple of times and then walked away. Marko grinned.
The board had been set, the plans made, Markos team gathered their things and had congregated outside Station thirteen near an old broken bus shelter. John and his team were still in the bar discussing the final tactic for the stealth attack on the tower.
Marko made sure his team where all present for the long haul up North.
"Alright who have we got? Hatcher, Grip, Mia, Chrissie, Tuck, Masie, Arthur and Forrester right?" he says scanning around their faces.
"Have I missed anyone?". Asked Marko.
Most of them shook their heads. The rest of the group hugged and shook hands with the rest of the breaking group. Some said some heartfelt goodbyes, others tapped each others shoulders for good luck. Lisa, Masie and Kairi had a hug and a tear. On the other hand, Sweet and Arthur did not even touch, just a knowing nod.
"Alright let's get moving then". The team grabbed their gear and set off.
"So which way we going boss?" Arthur said catching up with a striding Marko.
"We are going to get to the tracks and catch the tram all the way to Station Eight, didn't you listen last night?" Marko snapped.
"Oh yeah, yeah of course, of course, I was just making sure that's all. I know how plans can change". Arthur replied timidly.
“You were pretty hammered last night big man” Forrester said giggling.
The team decided to make their way up to the south side of the tracks a few miles from Station thirteen. It was a long wait but eventually the tram came rushing through. The tram would have to go passed one way and hit the end Station reverse barricade at fourteen before being sent back so they could jump on. The green power rages under the tram as it charged passed the group and through Station thirteens platforms. The team started to ready themselves up for the jump. Luckily for them on this time there weren't any unexpected passengers on the vehicle. It was thirty minutes before they heard the tram making it way back, oddly slower than usual.
"Ok guys, let's get this right first time, don't want to leave anyone walking their ass to Zone Five" Marko shouted as the electric sound got closer.
When the tram was within twenty feet the team started to run in the opposite direction gearing up for the jump, Marko leaped and landed with a heavy thud on the front, climbing in through a gap in the bars of the windshield. The rest of the team grabbed the sides and rear, getting inside as quickly as possible as to avoid any unwanted attention. They would be on the tram for around two and a half hour at their current speed, the tram was known to fluctuate with its pace so it could be quicker or slower. The team loaded their weapons and pointed them out in all directions, knowing that at any place and any station greeners could jump on and cause some trouble. Mia was positioned at the front keeping a beady eye out for issues on the tracks; Hatcher joined her with a shotgun and a cigarette.
"How long we got on this bad boy anyways?", Hatcher asked taking a slow drag.
"A couple of hours at this speed I think." She replied.
“Ah well, let's hope the green picks up a ways down and we get there a mite quicker” Hatcher said positively.
“So what do you reckon Hatcher? How do you think this is going to go down?” asked Mia staring out at the tracks.
“I hope quickly and quietly. Seen enough slaughter in my life already. In and out, that’s how I want it. The other group have the harder job attacking that tower. Been stopped there plenty of times” Hatcher replied.
“Yeah I don’t envy them, but we have a fair old job to do ourselves” said Mia.
“That building probably aint going to be easy to get into you know.” Said Hatcher.
“Well not only that but if it’s really Three thats hold up in there then we may have a fight on our hands. So maybe your quick in and out won’t cut it. I hope i’m wrong.” Said Mia.
“So do I mia, So do I.” Replied Hatcher taking a long pull on his cigarette.
There was no chance for them to sleep off their hangovers, not only was the tram loud but gangs, raiders, greeners, creatures or any number of things could slow the groups progress. They had to pass through a few highly populated areas and a few darker more quiet places. The team were on edge, shifty eyed, twitchy fingered and wired but ready.
"We got anything coming up Mia? What can you see up there?" Marko shouted f
rom the driver's seat.
Mia had found her way safely on top of the tram to get a better view. She had positioned herself behind a one foot tram light situated on the roof centre. This light would shine to indicate the Tram was in motion. It had since stopped working, but provided a small amount of frontal cover for Mia as she crouched behind it.
"We haven't got anything up front, nothing that I can make out", Mia used a set of night and heat vision glasses she brought from Little London. The glass was a compact set of FADE tech lenses which slid inside of Mia's goggles. She had set it to heat.
"What about behind?". Asked Marko.
Mia looked behind and scanned the horizon which was slowly disappearing.
"Nope we got nothing there either" she replied.
Darkened buildings crept up on them, towering derelict shadows of brick and stone. Looming figures peer out at the group as they trundle by on the tide of green energy.
"You see anything Tuck? I swear I have seen about five different things move out there" said Grip.
"Yeah, I am pretty sure there are people out in those buildings, and I am certain they are following us somehow".
"What do you mean?" Grip asked in a hushed voice.
The tram was the only sound they could hear whilst running through the buildings. Either side of the track lay several blocks of abandoned businesses, houses and office blocks. Some were being used by the surviving locals, some by gangs. Many eyes watched the tram pass as you could never tell what was riding on it. A female voice screamed from the rubble on the right.
"You stayin or you goin?" the voice echoed through the dark.
Hatcher piped up. "We are just passing through lady, no trouble here, you mind your own".
A single gunshot was heard from the right side and the bullet ricocheted off one of the window bars, most of the crew ducked. The grouped all came to the right hand side of the tram and pointed their guns, Forrester let off a few rounds into the the buildings.
"Mia! What have we got here?" Marko shouted up.
"I can't see her" Mia replied as a big clunk shocked the group from the left hand side of the tram. A grappling hook had been fired and struck the side of the vehicle. The wire tightened and suddenly from the darkened windows of an empty building came a skinny, vicious looking man zipping up the line towards the tram.
"I got this one". Mia took out her revolver, closed one eye, her tongue came out of her mouth as she took aim. A tricky target. She let off one round with a large thud.
The man took the impact to the chest, fell, floppy, still attached to the wire and in turn to the tram. Now being dragged along by the momentum. Massie took out a small hatchet from her jacket and went to work on cutting through the wire.
"Oh shit, you killed Clam!" The female voice said now a distance behind the tram. Sounds of two engines starting in the distance hit the group's ears. Soon after two further thuds and clanks two more grappling hooks smashed into the sides of the tram, followed by some incoming gun fire. Grip with a shotgun took aim and let a few round go as the assailants flew towards the tram. Hatcher managed to release one of the hooks before the raider could get close.
“Mia, get back inside!” shouted Marko.
"Marko, that looks like the lot of them, I can't see anymore. The two bikes have stopped" Mia shouted from the roof.
"Ok, seems like a small raiding party just trying their luck" Marko said with authority.
Another distant engine was heard catching up to the tram with speed, a wailing woman a top a motorbike. The group moved to the back of the tram to see the froffing white haired greener catching up with them.
“You took ma boys, you took ma boys” she screamed wielding an automatic pistol in her left hand while accelerating with the right.
Mia took aim with her revolver again, and fired off a shot, the bullet impacted the crazed woman's shoulder but did not slow her down. Mia let off another shot and missed. This time the women fired back letting of a stream of bullets in Mias direction, forcing Mia to lay flat on the top of the cold tram roof. The group returned fire, a few hitting the women directly but not slowing her down either.
After the whole clip had been emptied in the groups direction, the women threw the gun away and pulled out a grappling hook and gun from a bag behind her seat. She aimed and fired, smashing through a mesh grate and holding between two of the window bars. The chain the hook was attached to was strong. Masie got to work trying to loosen the hold but the spring mechanisms that had snapped out to fasten the lock were rusty and tough.
“Arthur” Masie shouted. “give me a hand here”
“You got it” replied Arthur putting down a rifle and helping Masie with the struggle.
Marko climbs out the window and clung onto the side of the tram trying to guess the trajectory of the crazed witch.
The scraggly, white haired greener, was getting closer and the group were running out of ideas. Her movements made it difficult to aim. She was hit several times but would not stop. Marko decided to take action and clambered to the back of the tram to face the women head on. She jumped from her bike and Marko jumped to meet her colliding in the middle, both holding onto the chain attached to the hook.
“Guys, stop, stop” Mia shouted down to Masie and Arthur.
They both looked out, mouths open at Markos choice.
Both hit the ground, the women writhing and covered in blood. Marko let out a groan as the concrete and his ribs met.
“This is it for you lady” Marko said, grabbing her hands and trying to pry them off.
The lady scream and clawed at Markos face.
The speed of the tram picked them off the floor and into mid air.
Some of the group were taking aim.
“For greens sake don’t shoot, you could hit Marko” Hatcher insisted.
The women took out a shard of glass she had fashioned into a dagger and viciously swung and Markos neck. Marko took this opportunity to pummel her other hand with his while dodging the ever growing threat of the glass shard. The women grip relented as she loosened her hand and fell, tumbling across the dusty and rocky concrete. Bloody and battered still screaming.
Relieved and with a big breath our Marko climbs back up the chain with the help of the group reeling him in.
“Wow, she was an angry one” Marko said putting his feet on the tram floor.
“Yeah well you shouldn’t have done that Marko, stupid move” Mia climbed through one of the broken grates annoyed.
“Sorry Mia, I saw an opportunity to clear the threat and took it. We were wasting ammo on that nut job” Marko replied still out of breath.
Mia grabbed him and hugged him.
“Don’t take unnecessary risks Marko. I don’t wanna lose you, not like this” she replied. The other members of the group now realising this is a personal moment turned away to look elsewhere apart from Arthur who was still staring at them. Hatcher nudged him to snap him out of it.
“Oh yeah, so how do you want to lose me Mia?” Marko asked with a smile.
“Shut up, you know that’s not what I mean” Mia said hitting Markos arm.
“Some of these raiders don’t seem to get the hint do they?” Hatcher asked the group generally.
“Yeah, night or day, you don’t attack the tram. You don’t have any advantages and it don’t stop” said Forrester.
“Well we were lucky not to lose any this time.” Said Marko.
“So why do they bother?” Tuck asked.
“A lot of people are desperate out here Tuck” said Mia.
“Don’t thinks that’s an excuse, there are places like Sarton and Little London that welcome people to join the colony. These guys are just chancers.” Said Hatcher with a clear distaste for raiders.
“You know how many Ron has chucked out of Little London for not complying with the rules. It’s all good you living in one of the refugees but you have to abide by the law. I’ve seen raiders like that bribe their way in and just plain pillage the place with no
respect for the people who have set up home” Chrissie said getting involved and calming down after the attack.
“Some people just want to roam. Like John, he does a hell of a lot of wandering around. Doesn’t like rules so much. So he never stays in one place” Marko said.
“To be fair Marko, he has to move around, he’s a bounty hunter.” Said Grip.
“I knew a bounty hunter who never stayed more than a night in one place, too many greeners trying to get back at him for taking their buddies. One thing greeners hate more than BCC is bounty hunters.” Said Hatcher.
“What happened to him?” Tuck asked.
“No idea, couldn’t keep a tab on him, moved around too much”. Hatcher laughed. “But the last time I heard he was looking for a greener leader called ‘Buddy’”.
The Tram cleared the further blocks with no new interruptions, they all watched, still ready as Afterburn Lake disappeared into the distance.
Hiding through checkpoints was a key, although something had changed, the BCC borders were not so heavily guarded.
CHAPTER 13
THE TOWER
John and the crew were getting into position outside Swiss tower, they were going to sneak in but had to get passed the sentries outside. They could access the building through a parking garage around the rear of the building, but Swiss Tower was not easily tackled. Two guards stand outside the front of the building, with numerous more inside the lobby. Many of the windows had snipers stationed by them at several key vantage points. The team would be going around a block away to find their way around the back. John stationed the rest of the crew outside the front, hiding in an empty restaurant opposite the tower, they were to move in on John's signal. John, Valeria, Bandoleer and Burke would traverse around a block away from the tower to get the element of surprise on the guards at the parking level. Burke didn't like the idea. Having left the team in place and manoeuvred around to the rear of the tower. Two more guards stood outside the parking garage gate which was locked with an electric keypad access. The guards were talking.