Francis Fear (Part 2)

After a four-hour drive, we finally make it to the pickup location for Francis Quant. He sits inside of a massive armored truck with a man operating a turret mounted on top. There are two other identical vehicles, so I need to make sure to memorize which one he’s in now before things get crazy.

We meet our first enemy after only twenty minutes. The factions looking to eliminate Quant must be really small because there are only two cars.

“Clara and Phillip, take care of them,” Roj orders. Within half a minute the cars are blown to pieces and they rejoin our formation.

The next hour passes in much the same way. Every ten minutes or so, a new group attacks us. They usually have two or three cars, and sometimes a motorcycle or an armored vehicle, but between our bi-tanks and the turrets, they’re all annihilated.

Roj comes back over the channel, “We are about to drive through the mountain pass, remember that this is where we are most likely to be hit by a large group. Now that night has fallen, it will be hard to spot enemies, keep an eye out and report anything and everything.”

There is only silence and the hum of our engines as we enter the mountain pass, trees surround us. Suddenly, I hear thudding sounds come from the direction of the trucks. Looking over, I find that two of the three people operating the turrets have disappeared.

Georgia speaks up before I can, “Two of three gunmen are down! No noise was heard, the enemy probably has snipers with silencers!”

Roj takes control. “If they are this prepared they likely figured out our route.” As if to confirm our suspicions, we are stopped in our tracks by a blockage in the road about fifteen yards long and consisting of trees and debris. “We have no choice but to hunker down and fight here. If we try to get around this, they will take advantage of our vulnerability and destroy us. Surround the transports and shoot into the forest.”

As always, we immediately follow his orders. We shoot into the forest, explosions lighting up the area and setting the trees ablaze. We hear yelling, and debris flies out of the forest—along with a body. The light from all the fire reveals enemies all throughout the forest on motorcycles that vary in style and firepower.

“I’m counting ‘bout thirty of them,” I say over the radio.

“Looks like this is going to be a brawl, everyone take their area!” Roj commands.

Just as the battle is ‘bout to begin in full force, the forest around us explodes, destroying over half of the enemies. Before I even have time to react, there’s an explosion behind me; all three of the trucks have been destroyed and Francis Quant with them.

“Abort mission! We are heading back the way we came. We need to get out of the mountains as fast as possible!”

“What was that?” questions Georgia.

“I do not know, but we are fortunate that the other enemies are also retreating.” If Roj doesn’t know what’s going on, something must be seriously wrong.

The road begins to rumble under the weight of something far more powerful than just thirty motorcycles. What looks like an army barrels down the road.

“Hide in the trees, but stay away from fire so as not to be seen,” orders Roj. Despite everyone’s trust in Roj, it feels crazy not to run.

“What?! We need to get out of here while we still have time!” yells Phillip.

“If they wanted to kill us, it is probable that we would already be dead. They took out Quant and the enemies with ease. It is possible they do not want to kill us too.”

We hide among the trees in pairs—Aria and I, Roj and Phillip, and Clara and Georgia—watching the army approach. They stop in front of the wreckage that used to be the trucks. So much for the armor.

A man wearing a helmet walks out from behind the vehicles and inspects the wreckage. He then takes off his helmet, revealing a surprisingly gentle face. It’s almost disarming how soft and genuine his expression looks, until I realize this isn’t my first time seeing this man.

“Roj, it’s them,” I say immediately.

“Who?” Clara asks.

“You all know to always follow my orders, right?” This is the first time I’ve seen Roj ask, rather than order, on these missions.

Aria says, “Yes sir.”

“I want to hear it from everybody.”

One after the other, we all respond, “Yes sir.”

“Good.” You can hear Roj taking a deep breath over the radio. “You are all required to protect Terrance with your lives. The Soul Brothers are in front of us; they will do anything to capture him. Before any of you can ask questions, I am telling you that by protecting Terrance, you are protecting the world. There will be silence from now on, only I am allowed to speak and give orders.” I wish I could see everyone’s faces right now; I’m certain they have hundreds of questions, but their faith in Roj makes them comply.

The man finishes inspecting the wreckage and stands in the road, scanning the forest. Well, more like glancing around, hoping to stumble upon something, than actually scanning. After a minute, he speaks.

“I’m assuming you’re all still nearby in the forest. We’ve studied your patterns and know you’re watching me as I speak.” He waves around his hands, grinning as if saying hello. A wide smile spreads across his face as he demands, “Give him to us, or we murder you all.”

Hundreds of people come running down the road with various supplies and weaponry. They start cleaning up the wreckage and trees blocking the road like a well oiled machine.

Roj finally starts giving out orders, “There is no chance that they know which bi-tank Terrance is in, so we will use that to our advantage. Remain in your pairs and run. Remember, they do not want to kill Terrance right now, so they will not shoot at you. Phillip and I will take the road, the rest of you take the forest. Avoid capture at all costs, I hope to see you all again soon.”

Without another word, we all start driving away as fast as possible, The Soulless on our asses.