Mavin equipped himself with all the gear he could muster. It was then that a tall blonde man a head shorter than him walked in, staring daggers at him. He sized up Mavin as if he had something to say.
“So you’re that person Stefanie had been waiting for,” there was irritation to his voice. Mavin observed the pretty boy for a moment, before placing his gear on the back of the gyrodyne. There was clear irritation on this man seeing that Mavin didn’t bother replying.
He sat in the back of the gyrodyne. “Know the location?”
“I do.”
“Then come in, already.”
Edward grunted as he entered the vessel. “Stefanie had been staying in this place, waiting for some ‘Sir’ that no one knows when will come!”
“I see.”
Edward balled his fist at that response. Mavin continued staring blankly. Edward snorted, he started the engine, and prepared to move the gyrodyne forward. “Launching!”
The gyrodyne sped up, and started to fly ten meters off the air. It was already night so no one could possibly see the small gyrodyne hovering up in the air.
“You got hots for Stefanie?”
“I do.”
Edward answered honestly. Mavin wasn’t surprised with his straightforward answer. After all, considering that this was the one of the two guys who appeared in the cover of that thing that the man in the memory was looking at. It wasn't too strange since I knew Rene and Kristine, but seeing someone who grew just like that illustration…is baffling to me, Mavin thought.
“So you're harassing her? Forcing yourself? Because by god, mister. I may not have seen her grow up, but she’s someone who had been raised, fed, and grown to be a wonderful woman of her age. I’ll splatter your head on the pavement.”
Edward gaped his mouth at Mavin’s threat. He took a glance at his shoulder, wondering if Mavin’s threat really did come out of his mouth.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“You do know that I am flying this, right?”
“I know. You want to see a man jump two hundred feet off the air and still have both legs intact? The question is, can you?”
Edward shivered. He swallowed. “What are you?”
“I’m saying that you’d be nice to her, and let her choose on her own. That’s all I’m saying. I know that there are some who appreciate quite an aggressive approach, but if she doesn’t like it one bit and you are still forcing her. You better pray that you’re not four thousand yards near me, friend.”
Edward was baffled as he flew the gyrodyne. He wore an expression as if he had tried to act tough, only to be rebutted with an absurd reply. Edward would have been probably more enraged, but with how easily Mavin was carrying the gear on him, and the slight dent on the gyrodyne after Mavin started talking. He probably thought he was making it clear for him.
“But enough about your love affairs, eh, Edward?”
“Sir,” Edward switched to his professional demeanor. There was sourness in his tone, but Mavin didn’t want to press him further. “We should be approaching the center of the city where they were sighted. Are you sure that you just want me to pass by?”
“Yeah, since I want to test if my bones are still sturdy. Besides, if you want to get that close to these antiwar forces, then be my guest. I think that you are good at dodging rocket propelled grenades, Edward.”
Edward loudly swallowed. He raised the gyrodyne and flew just below the clouds. The flight didn’t take long and from the looks below, it seemed like there was a firefight.
“Sir, are you really sure?”
“My knees aren’t that weak.”
“Your funeral, Sir.”
Edward hovered the gyrodyne up the ten stories tall building. Mavin took a look at the distance, and was about two hundred feet away from the building. Mavin didn’t hesitate, spread his limbs and leapt off the vessel. He was carrying bulky gear so he was falling fast.
Mavin planted both of his legs and created a crater on the top of the concrete rooftop of the building. He looked at the crater for a second, before walking to the edge of the building while wearing the gear on his head that had a magnifying function. He pressed the button on his vest, and activated the radio. There was a pack on his side that allowed him to communicate with Stefanie
“I’m here now, landed rather roughly, but here.”
“Copy that, Sir. Should I relay to you the location of the target?”
“You can.”
“Roger.”
Mavin rested on his side for a moment. Managed to somewhat jump from that height, but it looks like the chronic pains from being burnt, melted, and dead for fifty years still is there, yep. Well, better than being unconscious, slowly regenerating for years then.
Mavin eyed the changed world before with a wary gaze. Though he had expected the skyscrapers, the flying vehicles, and the great change in the world. There were still parts in him that made him hesitate to let go of the era that he was used to. No, it’s already done. I guess this is still far better than knowing that this world and the people might be untrue.
He recalled that day on the hill. How he had solely despaired upon learning and confirming some of the truth. Still, Mavin had somewhat gotten over it, but there were days where it would pop into his head. In a way, he was adjusting to the current realities that he must face, and knowing that his gamble had paid off made him rather motivated to do it as well. Gamble paid off, but then you think of facing the evils of the world, putting a bullet on his head, and somewhat getting things done. Aunger did well, making her into my guide, but this is far from over, Mavin thought sincerely. Not to mention that there are complications to the situation. Complications or not, still going to do it, and then get this over with…the demikins, the magiborne, I guess if no one interferes then it really does go straight back to how it was, despite the changes.
“Tiresome,” Mavin found himself saying. He didn’t know why, but despite all the boons that his body had collected, and the ones that made him somewhat calm, composed, and collected all the time. There are times where he finds himself looking for a piece of salvation during the harder times. He was not infallible after all.
“Sir?”
“Nothing, Stefanie. Have you gotten the location of this person?”
“Yes, Sir. But may I offer my insight, Sir?”
“Go ahead.”
“This leader of the magiborne is trusted among his confidants. If you remove him now, then there is a chance that it will complicate this matter.”
“I see. He should be under someone’s influence, and although removing him would certainly make things easier. It will rattle the rest of the people under him like headless chickens. You are right to say that carelessly taking the head will make things get messier, but you see, they came here with the intention of provoking their leaders. Oh, I understand what they are trying to fight for, why they want to break free from their chains, and become a normal person living a quiet life. It’s part belief that they can do this. That they have total control over this situation now and winning. I have little stakes on what happens here, and you may ask why I’m doing all of this. I believe that Aunger told you?”
“The vow of silence, Sir?”
“Yes, and though I would love to explain it to you…I need to take his head out.”
“Even knowing what may happen?”
“Sadly, yes.”
Stefanie became quiet on the other side of the radio. “Grandfather had said that you somewhat knew where I would be. That one day you would come knocking on the steel door, and say the password. I can imagine what life would be if Grandpa didn’t find me, and have me adopted. So know that I am with you for now, Sir.”
“Good,” Mavin placed the rifle he carried on his back and placed it on the edge of the building. It was a .50 caliber multi-purpose rifle that they had lovingly crafted for him. Lying with his chest down and back up on the rooftop, he adjusted the sights, the magnification, and checked on the wind resistance, velocity, the drop, and scanned the thickness of the wall that he was going to hit. He took out the notepad he brought, and checked the area where he was planning to shoot again. Usually, he would just take his chances, and just take a crackshot, but at times like these, he needed to make sure that the bullet found its way to the person meant for it.
Mavin checked the six-round magazine containing the very low drag bullets. He loaded three incendiary and armor piercing rounds that could dig through the material, that is assuming that he doesn’t miss and hit a concrete or metal surface. Bullets have so many types these days, Mavin’s thought as his hand then went to the telescopic sight of the rifle, taking in the distance between the center of the scope and the barrel. He then zeroed the sight in at one thousand yards.
Don’t have to worry that much with my rounds at this distance. Wind might change so got to adjust for that angle, Mavin took down notes. Altitude shouldn’t be a problem with where I’m shooting, let gravity do its work. Pressure here ain’t dense so no need to calculate for that either. No need to correct my shot for the atmosphere.
“Stefanie, where do you think they are?”
“They should still be in the broadcast area alongside the hostage. Edward’s telecopter shows that they are still within the area.”
Guess they are using those news helicopters for a bird’s eye view. Hmm, if Edward could see it within this distance, then they must have spent a lot of money on that thing. Hah, I guess he didn’t turn out to be a hoodlum compared to what I know, that’s something.
“Roger that,” Mavin moved the barrel of his rifle, and slowed down his breathing for a moment. His perception of time almost came to a still and through the magnification of the headgear he was using. He could somewhat guess where they were. "Any visual input from the telecopter?”
“Five meters from the center, and fourteen meters to the right of the building.”
“Adjusting shot,” Mavin moved his rifle again. “Are they doing anything, Stefanie?”
“No activities, Sir.”
“Visual Confirmation?”
“Negative.”
“Very well, then.”
Mavin wrote. If I fire from this area, using this angle, I would manage to hit hard enough to penetrate the building. When that happens, they’ll be alert. Recoil won’t be a problem, but the hostages are going to be in trouble if I don’t shoot the target down with an AP bullet. Explosive rounds wouldn’t do, and if what Stefanie showed me a while ago, they should be armor-clad with powered exoskeleton. I’ll cross that road when there is a need for it. Hmm, If I miss the target, I should just chase him down and cut him up.
He looked at the calculations he did. Mavin adjusted his rifle again, and then stayed still in a prone position. He didn’t fire the shot immediately, waiting, and patiently hoping that the enemy would head to where he wanted to shoot him at.
“Firing,” Mavin said to the radio. He slowed his breath and made his perception of time slow down to a crawl the moment he saw the muzzle flash of his rifle going out. Then methodically, he adjusted the rifle while pulling on the bolt handle, placing the rifle back in place, and shooting armor piercing round through the hole.
Two shots came out of his .50 rifle. The first shot making an entry hole, and the second shot immediately flying in the wall.
Mavin equipped himself with all the gear he could muster. It was then that a tall blonde man a head shorter than him walked in, staring daggers at him. He sized up Mavin as if he had something to say.
“So you’re that person Stefanie had been waiting for,” there was irritation to his voice. Mavin observed the pretty boy for a moment, before placing his gear on the back of the gyrodyne. There was clear irritation on this man seeing that Mavin didn’t bother replying.
He sat in the back of the gyrodyne. “Know the location?”
“I do.”
“Then come in, already.”
Edward grunted as he entered the vessel. “Stefanie had been staying in this place, waiting for some ‘Sir’ that no one knows when will come!”
“I see.”
Edward balled his fist at that response. Mavin continued staring blankly. Edward snorted, he started the engine, and prepared to move the gyrodyne forward. “Launching!”
The gyrodyne sped up, and started to fly ten meters off the air. It was already night so no one could possibly see the small gyrodyne hovering up in the air.
“You got hots for Stefanie?”
“I do.”
Edward answered honestly. Mavin wasn’t surprised with his straightforward answer. After all, considering that this was the one of the two guys who appeared in the cover of that thing that the man in the memory was looking at. It wasn't too strange since I knew Rene and Kristine, but seeing someone who grew just like that illustration…is baffling to me, Mavin thought.
“So you're harassing her? Forcing yourself? Because by god, mister. I may not have seen her grow up, but she’s someone who had been raised, fed, and grown to be a wonderful woman of her age. I’ll splatter your head on the pavement.”
Edward gaped his mouth at Mavin’s threat. He took a glance at his shoulder, wondering if Mavin’s threat really did come out of his mouth.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“You do know that I am flying this, right?”
“I know. You want to see a man jump two hundred feet off the air and still have both legs intact? The question is, can you?”
Edward shivered. He swallowed. “What are you?”
“I’m saying that you’d be nice to her, and let her choose on her own. That’s all I’m saying. I know that there are some who appreciate quite an aggressive approach, but if she doesn’t like it one bit and you are still forcing her. You better pray that you’re not four thousand yards near me, friend.”
Edward was baffled as he flew the gyrodyne. He wore an expression as if he had tried to act tough, only to be rebutted with an absurd reply. Edward would have been probably more enraged, but with how easily Mavin was carrying the gear on him, and the slight dent on the gyrodyne after Mavin started talking. He probably thought he was making it clear for him.
“But enough about your love affairs, eh, Edward?”
“Sir,” Edward switched to his professional demeanor. There was sourness in his tone, but Mavin didn’t want to press him further. “We should be approaching the center of the city where they were sighted. Are you sure that you just want me to pass by?”
“Yeah, since I want to test if my bones are still sturdy. Besides, if you want to get that close to these antiwar forces, then be my guest. I think that you are good at dodging rocket propelled grenades, Edward.”
Edward loudly swallowed. He raised the gyrodyne and flew just below the clouds. The flight didn’t take long and from the looks below, it seemed like there was a firefight.
“Sir, are you really sure?”
“My knees aren’t that weak.”
“Your funeral, Sir.”
Edward hovered the gyrodyne up the ten stories tall building. Mavin took a look at the distance, and was about two hundred feet away from the building. Mavin didn’t hesitate, spread his limbs and leapt off the vessel. He was carrying bulky gear so he was falling fast.
Mavin planted both of his legs and created a crater on the top of the concrete rooftop of the building. He looked at the crater for a second, before walking to the edge of the building while wearing the gear on his head that had a magnifying function. He pressed the button on his vest, and activated the radio. There was a pack on his side that allowed him to communicate with Stefanie
“I’m here now, landed rather roughly, but here.”
“Copy that, Sir. Should I relay to you the location of the target?”
“You can.”
“Roger.”
Mavin rested on his side for a moment. Managed to somewhat jump from that height, but it looks like the chronic pains from being burnt, melted, and dead for fifty years still is there, yep. Well, better than being unconscious, slowly regenerating for years then.
Mavin eyed the changed world before with a wary gaze. Though he had expected the skyscrapers, the flying vehicles, and the great change in the world. There were still parts in him that made him hesitate to let go of the era that he was used to. No, it’s already done. I guess this is still far better than knowing that this world and the people might be untrue.
He recalled that day on the hill. How he had solely despaired upon learning and confirming some of the truth. Still, Mavin had somewhat gotten over it, but there were days where it would pop into his head. In a way, he was adjusting to the current realities that he must face, and knowing that his gamble had paid off made him rather motivated to do it as well. Gamble paid off, but then you think of facing the evils of the world, putting a bullet on his head, and somewhat getting things done. Aunger did well, making her into my guide, but this is far from over, Mavin thought sincerely. Not to mention that there are complications to the situation. Complications or not, still going to do it, and then get this over with…the demikins, the magiborne, I guess if no one interferes then it really does go straight back to how it was, despite the changes.
“Tiresome,” Mavin found himself saying. He didn’t know why, but despite all the boons that his body had collected, and the ones that made him somewhat calm, composed, and collected all the time. There are times where he finds himself looking for a piece of salvation during the harder times. He was not infallible after all.
“Sir?”
“Nothing, Stefanie. Have you gotten the location of this person?”
“Yes, Sir. But may I offer my insight, Sir?”
“Go ahead.”
“This leader of the magiborne is trusted among his confidants. If you remove him now, then there is a chance that it will complicate this matter.”
“I see. He should be under someone’s influence, and although removing him would certainly make things easier. It will rattle the rest of the people under him like headless chickens. You are right to say that carelessly taking the head will make things get messier, but you see, they came here with the intention of provoking their leaders. Oh, I understand what they are trying to fight for, why they want to break free from their chains, and become a normal person living a quiet life. It’s part belief that they can do this. That they have total control over this situation now and winning. I have little stakes on what happens here, and you may ask why I’m doing all of this. I believe that Aunger told you?”
“The vow of silence, Sir?”
“Yes, and though I would love to explain it to you…I need to take his head out.”
“Even knowing what may happen?”
“Sadly, yes.”
Stefanie became quiet on the other side of the radio. “Grandfather had said that you somewhat knew where I would be. That one day you would come knocking on the steel door, and say the password. I can imagine what life would be if Grandpa didn’t find me, and have me adopted. So know that I am with you for now, Sir.”
“Good,” Mavin placed the rifle he carried on his back and placed it on the edge of the building. It was a .50 caliber multi-purpose rifle that they had lovingly crafted for him. Lying with his chest down and back up on the rooftop, he adjusted the sights, the magnification, and checked on the wind resistance, velocity, the drop, and scanned the thickness of the wall that he was going to hit. He took out the notepad he brought, and checked the area where he was planning to shoot again. Usually, he would just take his chances, and just take a crackshot, but at times like these, he needed to make sure that the bullet found its way to the person meant for it.
Mavin checked the six-round magazine containing the very low drag bullets. He loaded three incendiary and armor piercing rounds that could dig through the material, that is assuming that he doesn’t miss and hit a concrete or metal surface. Bullets have so many types these days, Mavin’s thought as his hand then went to the telescopic sight of the rifle, taking in the distance between the center of the scope and the barrel. He then zeroed the sight in at one thousand yards.
Don’t have to worry that much with my rounds at this distance. Wind might change so got to adjust for that angle, Mavin took down notes. Altitude shouldn’t be a problem with where I’m shooting, let gravity do its work. Pressure here ain’t dense so no need to calculate for that either. No need to correct my shot for the atmosphere.
“Stefanie, where do you think they are?”
“They should still be in the broadcast area alongside the hostage. Edward’s telecopter shows that they are still within the area.”
Guess they are using those news helicopters for a bird’s eye view. Hmm, if Edward could see it within this distance, then they must have spent a lot of money on that thing. Hah, I guess he didn’t turn out to be a hoodlum compared to what I know, that’s something.
“Roger that,” Mavin moved the barrel of his rifle, and slowed down his breathing for a moment. His perception of time almost came to a still and through the magnification of the headgear he was using. He could somewhat guess where they were. "Any visual input from the telecopter?”
“Five meters from the center, and fourteen meters to the right of the building.”
“Adjusting shot,” Mavin moved his rifle again. “Are they doing anything, Stefanie?”
“No activities, Sir.”
“Visual Confirmation?”
“Negative.”
“Very well, then.”
Mavin wrote. If I fire from this area, using this angle, I would manage to hit hard enough to penetrate the building. When that happens, they’ll be alert. Recoil won’t be a problem, but the hostages are going to be in trouble if I don’t shoot the target down with an AP bullet. Explosive rounds wouldn’t do, and if what Stefanie showed me a while ago, they should be armor-clad with powered exoskeleton. I’ll cross that road when there is a need for it. Hmm, If I miss the target, I should just chase him down and cut him up.
He looked at the calculations he did. Mavin adjusted his rifle again, and then stayed still in a prone position. He didn’t fire the shot immediately, waiting, and patiently hoping that the enemy would head to where he wanted to shoot him at.
“Firing,” Mavin said to the radio. He slowed his breath and made his perception of time slow down to a crawl the moment he saw the muzzle flash of his rifle going out. Then methodically, he adjusted the rifle while pulling on the bolt handle, placing the rifle back in place, and shooting armor piercing round through the hole.
Two shots came out of his .50 rifle. The first shot making an entry hole, and the second shot immediately flying in the wall.
