Chapter 44: Invading The Poacher Base

Chapter 44: Invading The Poacher Base

Northwest of Kunasha. Just one day before the captives are sent to the Hawk Clan.

The five heroes, walking through a forest, glance around.

“It would not surprise me if there are traps set up, just to keep any curious people from wandering toward their base,” Kurt warns.

“At the same time, you could argue that setting traps would let strong opposition know something is this way,” Emily replies.

“Either is a possibility,” Zeth interjects. “Let’s just keep our guard up as we make our way through.”

“Wait! I see something up ahead!” Sasha shouts, pointing forward.

With both speed and caution, they move forward, finally laying eyes in full detail at what Sasha spotted. It’s a skeleton with one leg stuck in a bear trap. They gasp, instantly realizing the person’s unfortunate fate.

“I’d say this confirms the trap speculation,” Kurt says, pitying the victim.

“All that’s left is bones. They clearly don’t check the state of these traps. Maybe there won’t be many,” Joe says.

“We can only hope…” Kurt replies.

***

Half an hour later.

Finally, exiting the dense part of the forest, they pass through the final plants and trees, to enter a flat area with grass. However, scattered throughout the field are the giant trees they had been told about.

“This is it,” Zeth mutters.

“The base is high up in one of these trees, right?” Joe asks, rubbing his chin.

“I see it,” Sasha says, making sure not to shout. She points up to the top of one of the trees. The base does indeed sit within the high branches of a giant tree.

“I can’t believe just how close this is to where I grew up, and yet I have never seen these,” Zeth says in awe. “They really are a sight to behold.”

“I’m going to get in the branches of one of these smaller trees to set up my sniping spot,” Emily states. “Once I’m set up, if any of them step outside, I’m going to snipe them.”

“Sounds good,” Zeth replies.

While Emily climbs a tree, Zeth, Sasha, Joe, and Kurt all head toward the elevator. It connects from the ground to the base high in the giant tree through continuous cross-shaped steel beams that form the frame of the elevator shaft. Numerous cables connect the top of the main elevator to the top of the whole elevator shaft.

“Can’t say I’ve ever seen an outdoor elevator,” Joe says with a chuckle.

“I admit, it looks pretty dumb,” Zeth adds. “But we’re not here to rate their base design, we’re here to put a stop to them.”

On the edge of the elevator shaft are two buttons, one up-arrow and one down-arrow. Zeth presses the down-arrow button, leading to the main elevator descending to the bottom and opening its doors. They walk inside.

Through her sniper scope, Emily keeps a watchful eye as the elevator doors close.

Inside the elevator, Zeth presses an up-arrow button, starting the elevator’s ascension.

***

Meanwhile, inside the base.

Tazer gazes at his computer screen, with Sen and Shotsteed standing behind him. On screen is security footage from within the elevator, showing Zeth, Sasha, Joe, and Kurt.

“Intruders, eh?” Tazer says, rubbing his nose. “They look like young people. Are these the same ones?”

“I recognize the one in the red tunic,” Sen points out. “That’s definitely the one I saw in the city.”

Shotsteed deeply focuses on the screen. “But the girl I saw is not among them…”

“Destroy the elevator before it reaches the top,” Tazer says in a serious tone.

“But that would make it a pain to leave and come back to the base,” Sen replies frantically, unusual for his normally scowl expression.

“It can be rebuilt!” Tazer yells. “Do not let them into our base! Alert the others!”

***

Back in the elevator.

Zeth crosses his arms, continuously tapping the floor as he looks up at the ceiling.

“You’re nervous, aren’t you?” Kurt asks.

“Maybe,” Zeth answers. “I just want to do this quickly with no unexpected twists.”

Joe laughs while patting Zeth on the back. “I’m sure everything will be fine! Don’t you worry.”

Sasha nods. “Yeah, we got this.”

***

On a balcony, where the elevator shaft ends, Alga steps out, charging her magic energy. “Goodbye intruders. You won’t make it to the top.”

Emily zooms in on the top through her sniper scope. “Oh no you don’t.”

Emily fires, the magic-channeled bullet pierces through Alga’s shoulder, though with difficulty, leaving her with surprisingly only a minor puncture wound.

Emily opens her eyes wider in surprise as she pulls back the bolt handle, inserting a new round. “That should have done much more harm to her…!”

“Gahh! What was that?!” Alga shouts in pain.

She dives back inside the base, just barely avoiding another shot.

Emily pulls the bolt handle back to insert another new round. “At least I stopped her from attacking the elevator.”

Soon, the elevator reaches the top, opening its doors. The four heroes sprint out, rushing into the base.

“Let’s do this!” Zeth demands firmly.

The heroes’ invasion of the poacher base begins!

Chapter 44 END

To be Continued in Chapter 45: Joe and Sasha vs Sen and Alga