Forsaken 2027
Page 34
All apart from Toni the women had a mixture of looks on their faces. Youthful Bethany just stood with her mouth wide open, like a fish waiting for feeding. Sophie's face held a look of awe and lust at the same time. Cain thought Sophie was ready to worship him or fuck him, or both. Lesley was crying with joy, her previous look of fear they would hurt him replaced with the knowledge Cain would be fine. Toni, well Toni just looked smug and pleased at the same time as Cain came to a stop with his women.
"See ladies, I told you all he could do it, more than able don't you think," Toni said to the other DreamBabes.
Cain's women took turns in hugging and groping him, they were so pleased that they knew he wasn't really placing himself in danger. Toni waited until the other DreamBabes, his women had finished before she gave Cain a hug. "That was more than impressive. I knew you would be fast but jumping the building was more than I expected. You'll get a special reward from me later back you know where. I'm so pleased the others got to see your legs in action," Toni said to Cain.
Cain asked Toni what she had been gambling on before he showed off. Toni blushed a little then told him they each agreed to have sex with me and you any time of my choosing Toni told him. Laughing Cain said how much he loved his woman and gave her a huge kiss.
Looking at the lengths of tattered red curtains, Toni realised they would be useful for part of Cain's plan, so she swiftly ripped them down from the windows, the curtains in the former bedrooms were a dark purple colour, so Toni left those alone. They removed the curtain from the other bedroom; they would use it to mark the explosives. Frustrated Toni used the bathroom, as she finished and flushed she noticed the yellow-striped shower curtain, tied back against the wall. Yellow and red those colours will stand out against the ground, I'll have this, she pulled the shower curtain off the rail; the fastenings bouncing from the tiled wall ending up scattered on the floor.
Chapter 33
Running With Barbarians
Since they were heading in that direction and it would give them more experience points they all agreed to accept the quest. Accepting the quest, Cain started their preparations. Sophie and Bethany went to search for a vehicle while Toni, Lesley and Cain went over what weapons they would need, making a list of what they would use once they entered the fight.
Looking at the map Enoch I do not think we can win this in a hit-and-run fight. What we need it a castle tower, fortify the area outside, make a killing ground and lead the Barbarians and Gekards to the tower. Thirty minutes later Sophie and Bethany returned to the house where Cain and the other DreamBabes waited.
“We found one, well Susan did really,” Sophie said as she flounced back into the building, followed by a smiling Bethany. There were high fives and hugs from those who stayed in the house, once things settled down Cain said.
“We are ready to go when you are ready. Susan is driving, for a change. I want Sophie in the back with Toni and me, she deserves a few cuddles and kisses. How come it is still running after all this time?” Cain asked.
“Easy, the previous owner had a solar charging unit, the type you put on the garage roof. They left it connected, and the vehicle has enough battery and jungle juice, well enough for us to use it,” replied Sophie. They all piled into a sun-bleached old pre-EI controlled red Toyota Prius, Cain got in the rear with Toni and Sophie.
Lesley rode shotgun while Bethany drove the vehicle down the old Wilbur to the crossroad, turn left onto East Hacienda before turning right, taking the Maryland Parkway down to the end. Bethany managed the Toyota across the torn-up roads and parked near a pair of blue rectangles painted on the road.
They exited the Toyota crossing the deserted roads, walking towards the collapsed end of a former multi-storey vehicle park. Cain walked point as they rounded the structure stopping at a tower which connected the parking structure to the airport building. A walkway used to connect the two buildings lay in piles of rubble, nearly one hundred yards long, the former link between the buildings no more.
“OK, first things first, as we marked on the shared map we need to place the 40mm HE rounds in the ground, on the likely approaches the Gekards or Barbarians will take when chasing me. Remember to tie off a piece of either the red curtain or yellow shower curtain, Natasha gathered from our rest stop,” Cain said.
It pleased Cain having the shared inventory; it allowed them to either globally store or use what they wanted, without first having to share the items out. It meant that when they looted dead NPCs or players, they would not have to leave the job for the one with the most space in their inventory. They all could now loot the dead.
Once they had driven through the housing estate, it took nearly two full hours to place the tagged explosive rounds in the hard ground. Cain used three combat knives in digging his holes, leaving the explosives just an inch proud of the surface. Its curtain strip fluttering across the ground, like water running back to the sea.
Make a note to self, we need tools for our inventory, spades or shovels, hand tools and a ladder, maybe a plank or two. Digging holes with combat knives is crazy.
They gathered at the base of the access tower, all the explosives in place. Cain fastened a rope to himself, then began the easy climb up to the top. He knew it was an easy climb, but he didn’t want to let anybody watching who may report how easy he could reach the top of the tower. Half way up his foot slipped, and it left him hanging by his right arm, his DreamBabes all screamed below and shouted encouragement.
Cain knew even if he fell he would land on his feet just like a cat. Regaining his footings Cain continued the climb. Three minutes later he rolled over the top edge of the surrounding wall. Securing the rope, Cain threw another to the ground and helped his Babes ascend the tower.
Once they reached the top Cain kissed each one of his DreamBabes, making sure they were settled he leapt from the tower's rim, holding a rope for show as he landed crouched on the ground. A small circle of dust billowing outwards, caused by his feet impacting the dusty earth.
Enoch how far could I drop without doing damage to my body? Can you work out for me jumping on my own or with one of my DreamBabes?
{There are so many variables to work out here Cain. If you look at rescuing Toni as a guide and were carrying her again in your jump. There is no reason you could not jump triple that height. Carrying two of your DreamBabes, say Sophie and Bethany, you could jump and drop an easy fifty yards. On your own, depending upon the ground conditions then anywhere between one hundred and fifty to two hundred yards.} Enoch replied.
Taking hold of the rope still hanging down from the tower, its end still in the large rope bag. Cain crossed the hundred-yard gap between the buildings. Making sure the rope did not snag on the piles of rubble left over from the collapsed single connecting pathway. Once across the gap Cain dropped the bag and fastened another rope to the bag handles. Looping the new rope on the ground and fastening the loose end on his battle harness, Cain climbed the torn cladding of the airport building to the roof.
Once on the roof, Cain looked for one of the main support trusses, as he pulled up the rope bag. Crossing the roof eventually finding where he wanted to tie off the zip line from the tower. Using a Midshipman’s Hitch, Cain passed the tail end of the rope around the secure piece of metalwork. Passing it around again, then tucking beside the first turn forming an Awning Hitch. To finish the knot, Cain continued passing the end around before trying another half hitch.
Cain pulled on the now taut rope, bringing a smile to his face how good his improvised zip line looked.
Walking back across the roof, returning the way he came, Cain climbed down the side of the building, jogged across the hundred-yard gap and continued over to the parked vehicle. He could hear the wolf whistles and catcalls from his women.
Who would have thought I would have four exceptional women who care for each other and me? One could come to like this, but Toni is the one who makes me feel complete. Turning back and waving to his DreamBabes, Cain stood by the vehic
le.
Turning the Toyota around, Cain noticed the fuel gauge was flashing empty. Lifting off his heavy right foot Cain played with the controls and used the battery power to drive the vehicle back up Maryland Parkway. Cain took a left once he reached East Reno Avenue, driving down an unnamed road between two sets of high walls.
Possibly the smoothest road I’ve been on in Vegas. The walls have protected the surface from damage. Cain began singing in his mind A hard day's night, when he reached the second verse he changed. So why on earth should I moan, ‘cause when I get you alone, to. So I know you will moan when I get you alone and we’ll feel ok. Enoch laughed in his head. Cain pulled the memory only a few days old of his first time with Toni back in the safe house, which made him smile. Who would have thought I could have fallen in love so fast. There is something about Toni that relaxes me when I am with her.
Taking a left at the end on to Wilbur and a right on to Laramore, Cain carefully edged the Toyota nearer his target. As he turned at the end of Laramore, the vehicle just stopped, fuel gone and battery power spent. Getting out of the Toyota Cain crossed the airport connector road, getting closer to the Barbarians who he could see milling around higher up Paradise, across the large junction.
Checking his map Cain could see the edge of the mutant Gekards across from his position near an airfield depot. Deciding to jog further up the airport connector road so he could draw all the barbarians down from Paradise Road. Cain noticed there were four large groups of Barbarians, too many for him to count. Cain knew he could not count on their total count from their gamer tags after their first encounter at the Hard Rock Cafe.
{Cain, Rahab found a way through the game code to count the Barbarian numbers exactly. There are five hundred and sixty-eight, of the screaming hoard to be exact; with four small bosses and one main boss. Do you think it will be enough to take on, you nearly lost Bethany to a spear through her leg, saving Sophie. I estimate you will need to reach the rental vehicle building before you can draw their attention. Let’s go kick some Barbarian butt.} Enoch said to Cain.
Reaching the vehicle rental building was easy, getting on the roof was even easier a simple little jump is all it took. Checking the world map a final time and setting several must reach markers, Cain opened fire with his G3 at the furthest group. Having emptied the first magazine, Cain waited for the Barbarians to work out where he was shooting from, then he opened fire again, riling them up enough. Eventually, they joined into one group, making one large rolling mass of ugly coming his way at a fast jog.
Now, let’s lead them over to the Gekards and on to the DreamBabes tower. Why is it the women can sunbathe while I’m out in the hot sun running around with the uglies and soon a bunch of scaly skins?
Joining Forces
Cain led the Barbarians down to the junction between Paradise and East Tropicana. Slowing down and taking a kneeling firing position, Cain emptied another magazine, aiming to make hits rather than critical or fatal shots.
The Barbarians impressed Cain they picked up the speed of their jog, shouting abuse and threats at him as they ran. Most people would have left the empty magazine on the ground, Cain though never left evidence of him being there where possible. With the Barbarians fully engaged and on the warpath, Cain headed to the milling group of Gekards who noticed the approaching Barbarians. Some Gekards turned to watch the group of Barbarians as they drew nearer, chasing Cain.
After shooting at the chasing mob of howling angry Barbarians, Cain picked up his jogging speed, and lengthened the gap before taking another kneeling firing stance. Taking up his firing position Cain carefully aimed around the knee area of the front line of Barbarians. Using half of his magazine firing at the Barbarians, Cain turned his focus and shot the rest at the watching and statuesque Gekards.
Angered by the stinging shots, roars of rage reverberated from the Gekards as they charged out of the depot, hissing and snarling at the Barbarians believing they attacked them. Seeing a new threat rushing toward them, the right side of the Barbarians peeled off to fight the charging Gekards.
The two sides clashed with a ferocity that Cain felt as he again headed away towards the DreamBabes tower and his women. Cain had taken a hundred strides when he heard over the fighting the bellowing of two distinct voices. Stopping, he turned to see a larger than normal Barbarian and equally sized Gekard step through their respective peoples.
Not able to hear what they were saying but through the G3‘s optics he could make out their hand gestures as both leaders turned and pointed towards him. Cain waved at both leaders, giving them the bird. Both groups, Gekards and Barbarians, unlikely allies joined with a joint roar and charged towards Cain’s position. Quickly checking his map, Cain noticed it was over a mile back to the tower from Janis Lane where he stood.
He could feel the vibrations through his feet as the enraged force tried chasing him down, again. Letting the front runners get to fifty feet, Cain shot the three Barbarians and two Gekards in their heads. Cain again asked Enoch to create a new table for the HUD, so they could reduce the information screens received, until the critical action had finished rather than during a fighting session. Instead of individual reports it could group them for each action. Enoch adapted the settings, and the system produced a single table rather than five individual tables while the Barbarians and Gekards crumpled to the ground.
As the five dropped dead, Cain stood and turned to jog away, his instincts yelled, so he leapt sideways covering ten yards effortlessly. Turning back, he watched as several spears and hand axes landed where he fired from.
Well, at least I don’t think they will stop coming for me now. They seem mad at me, what for I do not know. Cain could hear a few explosions over in the distance, coming from the Paradise buildings. I hope that is just the girls getting their aim in with the HEDP rounds. The roar picked up behind Cain; he turned around noticing he’d opened a large gap between himself and the following pack. Slowing he knelt and fired half a magazine of shots towards the chasing group.
Enoch, can you send a message and tell the ladies I’ll soon have plenty of time with them. I’m bringing some uninvited guest. Prepare to give them a warm DreamBabes welcome.
Cain slowed his jog turning and firing into the air above the pursuing mass. The Gekards had slowed from the beginning and were now in the middle of the Barbarians; who on the whole were still shouting threats.
Running across the end of King Richard Avenue then over to the Lady Marlene Avenue turning circle, Cain turned and emptied the rest of his magazine shots into the air.
The mass of Barbarians and Gekards were now less than eighty yards behind him. Making sure none of the Barbarians had drifted into the Paradise estate, Cain picked out a Barbarian on the edge of the pack, on Kitty Hawke Way. A single shot to the knee and it fell to the ground, instantly trampled by the following Barbarians.
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Another roar of outrage came from the front of the pack as throwers rushed to the front readying their spears. Cain turned tail and fled from the now closing pack. Crossing three roads to the middle of a large parking area Cain fired at the pack again, shooting dead two Barbarians. Two aimed shots, two barbarians dead, more rage and anger from those keen to rend the puny man, limb from limb.
Waiting until the front of the chasing pack was sixty yards behind Cain ran again, no stops this time, no more killing until I reach the top of the tower, aiming directly for the tower. Two hundred yards from the tower, Cain heard the roar of a motorbike coming from beyond the tower from the Paradise estate. The sound grew louder as a motorbike roared across the road, bouncing uncontrollably towards Cain its speed over eighty miles an hour.
The look on the faces of the two occupants were ones of pure terror. Checking their tags Cain knew they were both Barbarians bashers, level twenty-eight with over three thousand five hundred points of health. Bracing his feet, Cain was ready to shoot the riders, until they hit a deep hole in the road, the front wheel suddenly stopped, crumpling to look like a letter D.
With the bike coming to an abrupt halt it's rider did not stop, they carried on still doing eighty miles an hour. Cain watched in amazement as the two Barbarians sailed over his head, before hitting the ground hard, travelling at roughly sixty-five miles an hour. Barbarians may be tough and have high hit points, but the road is unyielding in comparison. Both Barbarians were dead long before their bodies stopped moving, broken limbs, backs and necks adding to their list of critical and fatal injuries.
The pack didn’t stop running when the bike came on the scene; they were now less than thirty yards from Cain, several spears and a hand full of axes peppered the ground in front of Cain’s feet. Bringing his mind back to the pack running him down, Cain turned and ran flat out, as spears and axes flew after him. Nearing the tower, he heard his Babes firing their G3s, keeping the focus on the chasing pack.