All You Need Is Kill — Legacy Forums

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#161

Karl shakes his head. Don't no-one listen any more?

"Hence my plan to lay off high, at range, and pick off his defenses. If you're as hot shit as you say in the helpin' department, then with Kate spottin, Linh in my hands, an' you just sittin' there, I'll be able to pick off targets from a pretty decent range... say four, four and a half miles."

Right. Karl just shoots.

"Still wish I had something heavy for this. Weren't figurin' on goin' to a prison."

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#162

"Ever seen what happened to most of the men who stormed the beaches of Normandy in boats?" She shot Artie a questioning glance, wondering if she'd have to tranquilize him to get him on the bird, then wondering if his ability worked if he was unconscious.

"Say Karl, does your ability work on vehicle mounted weapons? Say on one of those mini guns they like to mount in the doors of Blackhawks?" She was well aware of her earlier warning of collateral damage, but if the enemy decided to cluster together, or open fire from a guard tower chances of innocent bystanders being hit were much lower. With tolerance levels she believed the military called it.

She also gave him a small nod of respect and smile of appreciation, he'd exited the vehicle to stand with her against potential danger, that counted for a lot in her book, trick was letting him know it mattered without coming across as some teenage greenhorn with daddy issues.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#163

Somewhat claustrophobic after sitting in the car so long, Eddy stepped out and headed for the house. He was wondering what the She-Golem had been up to.

He easily fit between the bent bars and headed in. The She-golems path was easy to see, she had made no attempt at stealth.

It was then he heard the guard dogs approaching. He did not get along well with dogs.

Crap, he thought.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#164

Weird seeing healthy looking (and mean) dobermans patrolling an abandoned estate. Someone or something, must still be feeding them. Luckily for Eddy, he had a bit of a head start and managed to run inside the house (the door wasn't even locked) before 4 sleek guard dogs surrounded the porch and began barking...

Getting back out would be tougher.

***

It was a step back in time. The mansion was decorated in a minimalist mid-90's style, with only an occasional flourish, evoking the 80's. Guest hall, library, dining room, that looked like no one had ever actually eaten there...

The second floor had the bedrooms and lush carpets lining the halls, silencing his steps.

First bedroom empty, the master suite. Second guest bedroom empty. Third opened up to what looked like... a nursery?

The room was eerie. Untouched and covered in layers of silent dust. Eddy stood transfixed for a few seconds. He could swear he could hear...what the @!#$ was that? Some distant crying? @!#$ it, this room was too spooky.

The study was next. Regal. Befitting a world-class scientist. Eddy spotted something in the blackened fireplace. It looked like an old fashioned tape recorder. There was a tape inside.

Next. Basement. Wine cellar! Oh ho! Still stocked with rare vintages and perfectly chilled.

Some rooms with doors that wouldn't open. Something on the floor...another tape? Guess it would fit the tape recorder.

In short order, Eddy managed to find a few more tapes...as he explored and rummaged. Not much else really. What the hell did the She-Golem want in here? Strange. He was deciding what to do next, when he heard...

http://soundbible.com/323-Military-Helicopter.html

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#165

Karl looked up. Black Comanche. Teddy Best was right on time. 22 minutes. He split the difference.

The intimidating bird landed on the actual lawn of the Wernstrom estate.

Out stepped Teddy Best. Early forties, ginger hair, large friendly eyes. Suit.

The dobermans weren't around. Probably spooked by the latest intruder. A fucking helicopter!

He waved over to the Cuda'.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#166

Kate watched Eddy's retreating form with mild interest, guessing he wanted or perhaps needed some alone time given he didn't wait, or ask for any accompaniment. She idly passed the time by turning on the classic rock station and doing a discreet internet search for the prisons floorplans, no harm in knowing the lay of the land, besides down time was time to think, time to remember, and that was the last thing she wanted to do.

"By the way Dan, I got a spare armored vest in the trunk if you need it, probably an assault rifle too now that I think about it." She busied herself trying to acquire the prison blueprints, keep an ear out for the distinctive ripping sound of the Calico from inside the mansion, quietly relived at the sound of silence.

The choppers arrival matched the click of her phone to the off position, time to earn her paycheck. "Um is Eddy coming, or do we need to go fetch him?" The question was all but tore apart in the rotor wash, bits of litter and loose snow forming a mini maelstrom around them.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#167

Karl looks over at Kate when she asks about the minigun.

"Used one. Didn't like it. Ain't sure I can get it dialed in right. Never tried. I know when I shoot the colt from the hip it don't work." Karl shrugs. "Never had much use for 'em, but I s'pose it's worth a shot if we need suppression. If Ted even brings us one."

When the helo arrives, Karl watches the Comanche land. When Ted gets out, he nods at the younger man. Not a bad kid. He and Karl helped each other out a couple of years back, and ever since Karl has been a bit less annoyed at Ted than he gets with other people.

'Course, if Karl's suspicions about Ted are correct, that won't last.

Karl heads for the helo, taking a moment to grab Mike&TheMechanics there and pull him towards the door. The man mentioned BA Baracus earlier. But BA Baracus is a lot hard to sling over your shoulder.

"C'mon, Wingnut. Time to hunt."

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#168

THEN

Eddy hit play on the tape recorder somewhere in the bowels of the Wernstrom house and stood there listening to the scratchy recordings...

"*click* Doctor Alan Wernstrom. I'm currently standing in the basement of my new...place of residence. Just moved in yesterday, me and Karen. She picked the house, I thought it was a bit on the colorful side, but as long as she's happy. It's a really good neighborhood, the richest in all of the United States apparently. So yeah...I've....I've made it! Hahaha. I can't wait to get started really, with the new grant I'll finally be able to...to...a.....to make my mark as it were. Talk more later. *click* *click* Oh yeah and pick up milk, bread, eggs, twelve of them and... Oh yes, baking soda. *click* *click* Reminder, Karen wanted me to tape Desperate Housewives. *click*"

"*click* The uh...The doctor's...news...I...Yesterday I woke up and...and I couldn't move my legs. I still can't move my legs... The test results...came back...And I......*click* *click* And I have cancer.........Multiple tumours...all...everywhere. *click* *click* All....throughout my body...Some of which the doctor believes has...Targeted the muscles in my legs. And....Andandand...it's...it's in my brain....It's in my brain....*click* *click* I believe the serum...to be the cause...There just isn't any other...explanation. This....this isn't fair.....THIS ISN'T FAIR! *click* *click* .......... *click*"

"*click* Me again. The uh...Karen's insemination proved unsuccessful...Again... We've been trying so hard for so long now... I can see the disapointment in her eyes, she says she doesn't blame me for it, but...*click* *click* I've been telling her it's a bad idea but she still insists on going through with it...That she wants to...Keep a part of me when I'm gone...I....Hah...........I'll never be able to see the child grow up but I....She's stuck by me throughout, I cannot refuse her in this, but I fear that I won't be able to....That it won't work. *click* *click* Ahrm, Frank invited us to a barbecue...I...I don't feel like going and...My chair doesn't fit through his...door...You know, why does he even live here? He's a football coach for heaven's sake! I-I-I mean when you...you move to this kind of neighborhood, one would be... excused to expect certain...standards. I...No...*click*"

"*click* Karen came home late last night...again. *click*"

"*click* Karen found some of my tapes, we had a big fight. She's over at Frank's again. *click*"

"*click* Oh god!....Oh god! Karen's been shot! I-I-I...had to...it wasn't, HOW COULD HE DO THAT?! I NEVER MEANT FOR THIS! I managed to...I managed...she's....she's stable...for now, I think...She's so cold, oh god she's so cold...so very cold. But I can't....I can't take her to a hospital...I can't....*click* *click* She doesn't respond, it's been hours. *click* *click* That serpent....Came into my paradise....If it wasn't for him....*click* *click* Doctor Alan....*click* *click* I haven't slept for days... I thought I heard her whisper, she told me she was sorry...I'm sorry too. *click* *click* They hear me...They're listening. Don't make a sound. *click*"

"*click* The subject...Karen isn't responding to the treatment, I've managed to stabilize her vitals but bedsores and further necrosis is becoming more and more prevalent, as of right now she isn't able to breathe on her own. An advanced si vales valeo transfer would be the only feasible choice at this point, but finding willing subjects...Or.. unwilling... *click* *click* In any case could such a treatment work on the soul? ...Is Karen still there somewhere inside that cold flesh or am I working this hard to preserve a corpse? ...HahahahaHAHAHAHAHA...Aren't we all? A corpse working on a corpse.*click* *click* Doctor Alan Wernstrom.... *click*"

"*click* Doctor Alan Wernstrom. The serum was a success! My muscle mass has increased exponentially. And today I even managed to lift off the ground ever so slightly! Flight! Human, self-propelled flight! In this I have surpassed my humanity, I...I have started a chapter, a whole new chapter in human evolution! Nay, above humans, the next logical step of...of...evolution! Nietzsche's...what was the word...Blast, well I'll think of it later. Today began my legacy, a new breed of super humans...But of course it will require more extensive testing, for now I will keep my findings a secret. But soon, soon! The world will know the name of Doctor Alan Wernstrom, beneficiary...No, father of us...all, the new era? Hmm, hahahaha, getting a little carried away, but this is very exciting after all. Finally a breakthrough! *click*"

NOW

The sound of the helicopter broke Eddy out of his trance. Time to go. He exited the house to find a roaring black comanche sitting on the lawn.

***

"Huh? No @!#$ing way, old timer, I ain't going in there. s**t, I'll swim if I have to. There is NO way you are getting me inside that bird..." Artie was palpitating.

***

"Karl! Do you know what I had to do to get this baby airborne for you? Let's just say a lot!" Teddy approached to shake Karl's hand. "Who are these people? And what exactly is your plan, OneShot? Two of the four recon helos they sent were shot down, and two got the hell out of there without learning anything. The whole @!#$ing island is on lockdown by a maniac, Karl. You sure, you can shoot your way through this one, old pal? Oh, here, by the way", he added handing Karl some files. "Carcosa's layout and schematics. Hope this helps. Oh and someone give me the car keys for that sweet looking Cuda, I ain't coming with..."

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#169

Karl is NOT in the fucking mood.

"Listen, Art. I know you're scared. I understand. Thing you gotta decide is, are you more scared that this thing might crash into the water with you in it... or more scared of being hogtied when it happens?"

Karl looks at Ted.

"No other option, Ted. Katie's in there. I need range and altitude. Just make sure the pilot knows when to hold 'er steady and when NOT to hold 'er steady, and we'll be fine."

He looks at Kate, and her damn fine automobile. Then back at Ted. "Somethin' tells me Quicksilver Kate ain't partin' with her keys that easy, Ted. Maybe you better hitch a ride with us. It'll be just like last time."

Last time. Karl seems to have forgotten they both nearly died last time. The closer he gets, the more focused he's becoming on what's next.

Karl looks up at the still-dark February sky. He nods, looking younger than ever. Looking... god help him... looking forward to the fight.

"It's a good day to die. C'mon."

He heads for the helo, still hauling Art.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#170

Eddy walked quickly out of the house to the chopper. He took the tape recorder with him. They would not believe it if Eddy told them. Hopefully the tape-recorder took batteries.

He stepped into the chopper, ducking lower then needed.

"Karl. You need to hear this..." and he handed him the tape recorder. "Serious weird shit going down."

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#171

Assuming Karl can do so while holding on to Art, Karl does indeed listen to the tapes. If he needs to, he'll choke Art out and sit on his legs while listening and reviewing the intel Ted gave him. On the helo.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#172

Kate gave Teddy an incredulous look as he casually demanded her ride, resisting the urge to respond a with a few well chosen expletives about his manners and upbringing, but realized it wouldn't do anything besides piss the guy off and further delay their departure. "Take a cab for all I care, you're not woman enough to handle my baby." She gave him an icy stare and held it all of three seconds, long enough to make her point she hoped. Typical arrogant political suit, think they own everything they lay their eyes on.

She reached into an inner jacket pocket and passed Karl a set of police handcuffs, "Use these, it'll make him easier to control." With a casual gesture she slung her rifle over one shoulder and pulled on the shooters glasses, feeling the weight of additional magazines pulling heavily at the lining of her jacket.

She wondered briefly what was on the tapes they needed to hear so urgently, knowing full well Eddy would tell them soon enough, he didn't seem like the kinda guy who kept things of interest to himself longer then necessary. "Don't keep us in suspense Ed, what was on the tapes? No way we're going to make out a cassette player on this bird with Arty screaming bloody murder the entire way."

Kate paused and leaned closer to Karl, raising her voice over the helicopters engine. "I got some duct tape in the trunk of the Cuda if you think it'll help with the noise level?"

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#173

"You won't believe me, Seriously. But, the Doctor can fly as best as I can tell. And," he paused, "Does anyone call Katie Karen? I think she's Insano's wife. There is worse, and I'd prefer you heard it from the tape."

The Doctor was playing God. That had to stop. His purpose for once was now crystal clear.

"The Doctor must be stopped."

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#174

Karl smiles at Kate's outburst. More and more she reminds him of-- no. Don't go there, Karl.

But Ted probably catches something of Karl... appreciation for Kate's attitude when Karl says, "Told ya."

To Kate, Karl says, "Thanks. Yeah. Some tape... just in case." He levers around Art and shows him the cuffs. "I sure do apologize for this. But I need you to cowboy up and get on the helo, now."

Karl looks at Eddy. "What?" His tone is a mix of surprise, disbelief, and denial. "She can't be... I'd have intel on that, wouldn't I?" He takes the tapes and tries to listen to 'em.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#175

Kate gave Karl a serious look, making sure to maintain eye contact while she spoke. "If it comes down to hard choices I've got your back, whatever you decide needs to be done, or not done, to set things right with you and her." Taking out blood or letting them walk free to commit untold atrocities was perhaps the hardest thing someone could be asked to do, the best she could offer was to support the guys decision and let him know he wouldn't have to deal with her taking action in such a scenario without his consent.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#176

Dan sorted through the trunk, pulling out a Kevlar vest and strapping it on. He sifted through the contents of the trunk until he found a H&K G36, something he was familiar enough with to use.
[img width=400 height=134]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/Domok_g36.JPG/800px-Domok_g36.JPG
He grabbed a couple of clips and stuffed them into his jacket pocket, testing the weight of a gun he hadn't fired in years. It would do.

"Hey, Hathaway," he said to Karl, "I know this Insano sh*t is getting kinda nutso, which I did not sign up for, but I'm still on board. Just don't forget we still got a contract. I appreciate that it's personal and all, but bills gotta be paid." Donovan checked the safety on the rifle idly, letting a brief but pregnant silence fill the air. "We good on that?"

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#177

Kate gave Karl a serious look, making sure to maintain eye contact while she spoke. "If it comes down to hard choices I've got your back, whatever you decide needs to be done, or not done, to set things right with you and her."

Karl meets Kate's gaze. He offers a brief not and a hard smile of acknowledgement in return. He might not be thinking of the same sort of hard choices she is, but he knows hard choices, and someone offering to back your play like that... well it says a lot, and the look he gives her says a lot in return without speaking.

But he does say, "Settin' things right... ain't sure there's a way to balance them scales. But she's my little girl, no matter what, and I will kill all the angels in heaven an' all the demons in hell to see her safe." He shrugs. "After that, whatever happens don't matter none."

"Hey, Hathaway," he said to Karl, "I know this Insano sh*t is getting kinda nutso, which I did not sign up for, but I'm still on board. Just don't forget we still got a contract. I appreciate that it's personal and all, but bills gotta be paid." Donovan checked the safety on the rifle idly, letting a brief but pregnant silence fill the air. "We good on that?"

Karl looks to Bloodhound, whom he paid to find Katie, and who sure as hell didn't sign up for this. "Ain't rich, but I reckon I got you covered. Might have to sell off a few rifles if you expect a big payday." Karl pauses. "More'n that, if we make it outta this, I will owe you. Ask Ted here what that's worth."

Karl levers a hopefully cooperative Art onto the helo, then turns back. "I reckon it's time." He unslings the rifle case and unzips it, lovingly removing a rifle.

[img width=400 height=144]http://www.usmcscoutsniper.org/img/hogsden_m40a1.jpg
Karl hefts the rifle, cradling it. He's dialed in now, head in the game, no turning back.

"This here is Linh, my service weapon. She replaced my old M40 after... well... the old one got damaged. Been using this'n since 1970. Her first mission was to help me pull Katie outta the jungle. Figure she'll help do the same today." He looks around. "I have fired a lot of guns in a lot of places, at a lot of people. Linh's the one I always come back to. Barring mission specific needs, she's the first one I grab every time."

He turns her over, stroking her stock lovingly. "Officially, she's an M40A1, but truth is only original part of her is the stock. Every piece has been upgraded and customized over the years, match grade barrel, swiss-made 12x scope, Custom bolt action..." He talks as reverently as a priest about to give communion. Then he looks back up at the others.

"If we compared her to the weapons of the day, she'd probably out shoot the new M40A6 the Corps started usin' last year." He shakes his head, stroking the weapon like a lover. "Dunno what I was thinkin', asking fer a Barrett."

He looks around. "Her scope is trued to my... I guess it's a power. She's zeroed to 3,200 yards. Any o' you need to shoot her, zero's probably closer to 800 yards, but I never did have anyone else try her out, so I don't know for sure. She's not adjustable. Never liked liked the adjustable scopes. Tend to jar out of whack after a few shots.

"Y'all saw me blow a rim off a car with a .45. Do not get in front of Linh when I'm dialed in." He looks around. "Plan is, go high, look for defenses. I wanna take a test fire with Art here nearby, see how that fucks with my ranging calculations. Kate, we get up there, you find me something to safe to shoot once or twice. Then, when we're ready, you spot for me. Twelve o'clock is whichever way the rifle's pointin' at the time. Once we take care of any long range defenses, we land." He looks over the plans Ted gave him. "If I was in charge of that place, and not insane, I'd be here--" Karl jabs a spot on the layout. "Most defensible. But since this fucker's name is Insano, we'll just have to play it by ear. As like to find him dancing on the roof in 'is underwear as anything, name like that."

Karl looks around, making sure to grab Art before he can wander off. "Bout the only thing we're missing is some Credence or Hendrix blasting on the helo's speakers. Reckon we're ready."

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#178

Kate nodded, the idea of payment at the end of this a distant concern, grateful her dead girlfriend used to be part of ROTC, so any military jargon he chose to drop clicked readily with her. "Roger on the spotting, although trying to zero the scope while airborne sounds like a serious pain, might be easier to dial in from down here?"

She pointed to a few distant sky scrapers poking above the near by manors, searching for one with a radio tower the blinking lights to warn away low flying aircraft. "One of those should do nicely, blinking light makes for a solid target and we can see the hit even in darkness as the blinking light goes out."

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#179

"I can't Karl. Helen is 9 months pregnant. You understand? I just can't. I'm already going out on a pretty big limb with this..." He gestures toward the chopper.

"One more thing. Karl, if there is no other way, and I mean *no* other way, use this thing." He hands Karl what looks like a small sleek metal canister with a joystick like button on one side.

"This is something new, old timer. Fresh from the lab. Push the button, the canister releases an invisible, odorless gas that will go 'boom'---you know I never paid attention to the science, Karl---and wipes out everyone 3 seconds later in a 60 foot radius or so. Last resort, man. Absolute last.

Stay safe old man, and get her back. Who knows you might inadvertently save the country again. Like old times, Karl."

---

"Well, was worth a try" Teddy gave the Cuda a last glance and whipped out his phone to order a pick-up.

With that they were airborne. They all donned head-gear provided for by Ted.

There would be no listening to the tapes. Too hard to hear.

Eddy related what he could, then closed his eyes, and began shaking. He was about to start having another vision...

Dan sat stoically, but the lack of alcohol was having it effects on his mood. He had no business being on this chopper and he knew it. But then again, what the hell else he have to do? No where to be, no one to love, or be loved by. Why not volunteer for a suicide mission. S**t, if Chuck was here, he'd probably have swam across the @!#$ing Sound by now, and have Dr. Insano in a headlock, begging for mercy. Maybe this is what being "good" meant. Sacrificing yourself for some noble cause or other. Maybe he needed this. One thing for sure, he needed a drink.

Karl looked like a perched eagle, ready to descend upon some hapless hare. He was ogling Linh, barking out instructions, studying the prison layout, and checking all the angles, including the lights from Manhattan that Kate had pointed out.

Kate's expression was unreadable. Adrenalin pumping, but brain still firing on all cylinders. Rare combo. Ready to party. She noticed two stickers..."God invented runways so retards could land," and "Torque effect, anti-torque effect, wind effect! Balance them. Any questions?" Helo pilot humor apparently.

The pilot looked young, his face covered by helm and shades. His mouth was an emotionless, thin, line. He said nothing, just guided the helo skyward. In scant minutes, they would be flying over the Sound, on their way to Carcosa, where the King in Yellow waited.

Artie was unconscious in his seat, passed out immediately, a bit of vomit dribbling down his chin. Soon they would find out if Wingman's "powers" worked with him in a phobia-induced coma.

Operation Madness was a go. 7:15 AM

No Hendrix or Creedence. Instead the pilot's last "flick" before take-off was turning on Flight of the Valkyrie, Wagner.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#180

Eddy was flying.

The chopper that is. Pulling and pushing at the controls haphazardly, flicking switches and pressing buttons. Smoke burned his eyes, and icy wind blasted his face. Shooting, shooting, more shooting. He was almost deaf and flying blind.

But a mote of light somewhere outside the Comanche guided Eddy. Someone or something out there cared for the Chosen One.

Suddenly The chopper began plunging and there was little Eddy could do now to prevent a crash.

He opened his eyes, still strapped in place. Next to him Artie snoozed. The chopper was just fine. Shit, it had been only 3 minutes since they took off from Wernstroms lawn.

Eddy was drenched in sweat. Dan sat next to him, taking deep sniffs.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#181

Kate shot Eddy a single long glance, noticing his composure was anything but normal. "Don't like flying? Keep your eyes focused on the horizon line, it makes the vertigo less severe." She struggled to find something more inspirational to say, then thought better of it as she noticed the sun rise was only a scant minute or two away.

"Pilot! Swing us around and bring us in on the island from the east, with the sun at our backs it'll blind anyone trying to shoot us down and give us a clear field of view to rain down some love!" She gave Karl and Dan a thumbs up, and Artie a pitying look. She felt bad for the poor guy, and made a mental note to make it up to him somehow after this mess was over, assuming she was still alive to do so anyway.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#182

Ranging shots under his belt - an unconscious Wingman seems as useful and less annoying as a conscious one - Karl keeps an eye out as they fly, searching for trouble all around, but especially up ahead. He raises Linh and dials in, his power magnifying the image in the scope so that he can take a look at what's up ahead. He scans the prison for activity, for any sign of whatever took out two other helos.

Karl briefly smiles, remembering Ted's comment. Yeah. Maybe he'll inadvertently save the country again. It worked out so well last time around.

"I'm comin', Katie," no-one hears him say over the noise of the helo's rotors.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#183

Eddy was silent, looking out over the city, attempting to calm down. Everything would be okay, though he prayed for the undoubted many who would not get a chance to atone after this day.

Perhaps even the tampering Doctor could be brought to see the light.

One can always hope, he thought.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#184

Dan checked his rifle for the fourth time. He was sober, for the first time in a long time. It hurt. Reminded him of why he didn't stay that way for long.

He gave a silent, half-hearted nod to Kate's signal. Yeah, thumbs up, gung ho, let's f*ck their sh*t up. Whatever.

He felt a headache coming on. Sobriety sucked.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#185

Carcosa Supermax appeared on the horizon.

One of the oldest super-max prisons in the United States, first built back in the 50's, and little updated since, Carcosa looked it's age. From a distance it resembled an impregnable medieval castle more so than a modern jail, emphasized by four formidable guard towers, forming a square.

The island was small. Besides the prison dominating the terrain, the island featured only naked crags of rock abutting the waters. Not much room to maneuver once on land.

Karl stared through his scope...

The pilot, who still hadn't uttered a single word, complied with Karl and Kate's requests. They were flying in high, and from the east, the cold February sun now blazing at their backs.

Eddy sat restlessly. Dan closed his eyes hoping his headache would go away.

Karl's eye surveyed the scene through his cross-hairs.

The central courtyard, surrounded by the four towers was empty. No wait. He could spy a lone figure suddenly, hunched over (sitting?) in the middle of the courtyard. The figure just sat there, as if resigned to some horrible fate.

Karl moved the scope a few inches, and then saw another figure exiting the compound suddenly. A large man, dressed in what appeared to be a prison guard's uniform, ran out of a building hoisting something unmistakable on his shoulder...rocket-launcher. The figure seemed to pause, as if listening for the chopper, and squinting his eyes in it's general direction.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#186

Kate peered through the binoculars, feeling somewhat out of place as a spotter when she was more used to being a trigger a woman. The movement caught her eye, and the sight of the rocket launcher marked the man as top priority.

"Prison Courtyard, bearing eleven o'clock, declination approximately 30 degrees, Single target in guard uniform with AA launcher, fire for effect."

She kept her voice even, almost emotionless, but loud enough to be clearly audible over the helicopters turbines. Knowing wind speed calculations were a waste of time from a moving helicopter, Kate stood by to call out any needed shot corrections to Karl, hoping he would live up to his name and down the target before they could raise the alarm or return fire.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#187

As Karl eyed the new target, another appeared in view! Also Prison guard. Also Rocket launcher. Now there were 2!

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#188

Dan swore from behind clenched teeth and flicked the safety off the G36. "Suppressive fire?" he called out to Karl. At this distance, he wasn't sure if he'd hit anything. His hits were usually more intimate affairs, a suppressed pistol at close range or a garrotte around the neck. He hadn't actually fired a rifle in years, let alone from a moving helicopter. But it was better than nothing.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#189

Rocket launchers? thought Eddy. Those weren't in the vison - so they must have been dealt with. Perhaps their advanced circuits had been built by the lowest bidder? He prayed this to be true, and for his companions shots to be true.

Hell, a bolt from the sky would work too, though he cringed internally at the sacrilege.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#190

This is where Karl lives. Ain't a trace of grey in his hair now.

Having seen the first threat, he fires before Kate can finish calling it out. Rocket Launchers. Those take a few seconds to lock on. This guy doesn't have a few seconds. At this range, with the boost provided by poor Wingman - Karl will have to apologize to him later - two-and-a-half, maybe three seconds. Poor guy. Probably doesn't know he's dead. No-one else could hit a shot at this range.

"Save it, Dan."

Karl slams another round into the chamber, locking it down and firing at the second threat before the first can find its home. Center mass, both times. No need to get fancy at this range. Center mass, and let the bullet do the rest. Again, a new round finds it home as Karl watches for new targets, dialed into the courtyard. He zeroes in for a moment on the figure hunched there, trying to determine if it's a friendly or not.

"Won't hit nothin' but water at this range."

Karl keeps scanning, finger poised. Who's next?

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#191

They had no chance, the rocket launcher boys. Looking for a chopper four miles out, they may as well have been looking out for distant mosquitoes.

*thwoomp*

1.5 seconds

*thwoomp*

One staggered backwards at the force of the bullet, the other stood perfectly still, then simply dropped.

Well, this was getting easy. Why couldn't the other black-op helo boys take out these guys---oh yeah, they didn't have a 4 mile range sniper on board.

The figure remained hunched as Karl eyed the courtyard through his cross-hairs. Shivering? Definitely afraid, or maybe not afraid, maybe terrified? It was a man, also dressed in a guard's uniform. He looked pathetic, tears in his eyes.

Eddy tensed. So that wasn't gonna be the thing that would send their ride spiraling down in a blaze of smoke and shame. What then?

It looked like "nothing" for Dan, as opposed to suppressive fire. Firing would have helped improve his mood. He needed alcohol. There would be more shooting opportunities soon. It was inevitable.

Kate likewise, seemed ready to retire from her brief career as a spotter and get in on some action.

The pilot turned his head back, slightly toward them. Gave a thumbs up. They couldn't see his eyebrows, but they had to be arched in surprise behind those mirrored shades. What next, he seemed to be asking them?

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#192

Kate nodded to Oneshot, quietly impressed with his prowess and wondering why he even needed a spotter, old habits she surmised with a mental shrug. "Courtyard looks like the only place large enough to put us down, unless you want to repel down a rope into a guard tower?" She cast the question to the entire team, still not sure who was supposed to be calling the shots now the mission was underway.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#193

"I think that's a good idea Kate. The Doctor would certainly expect a landing in the courtyard, might even have explosives planted there. "

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#194

Dan shifted uncomfortably at the suggestion of leaping from a moving aerial vehicle with only a thin rope separating them from traumatic impact. "Hate to say it, but repelling might be our best option," he agreed. "Insano would have the courtyard covered, probably be a sh*tstorm to land there.

"If we can clear out the closest tower, we could get a foothold there."

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#195

Karl keeps watching, keeps looking for what's next. Too easy, if what everyone's sayin' about this Insano is right. Too damn easy. Eye glued to the scope he doesn't see the pilot's reaction. Sitting there his his braced position, Linh in his hands, he sweeps the area slowly, looking for something... anything.

"I don't like it," Karl says, waiting for the other shoe to drop. "But I ain't seein' anything else. How about a slow circle, looking fer trouble, and then take 'er in."

Karl considers the target in the center of the courtyard. His finger itches. It wants to take the shot. Something's wrong.

"Slow an' easy, close the distance. There's someone in the courtyard. Ain't doin' anything, but my finger itches anyway. Trouble. Could be a decoy... could be some poor bastard got himself wired up. Either way, I'm keeping an eye on him. Kate, keep an eye on the rest of the place as we circle. You see anything, don't matter if you're sure I seen it too, you sing out."

Karl forces his finger to relax.

"Circle, then approach. Okay with y'all?"

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#196

Circling. Still watching.

Kate pauses as she looks at one of the towers. Some kind of dark object, purposefully hidden or camouflaged. What is that? A turret?

Karl notices a spotlight on another tower...

Figure still sitting there in the center of the courtyard. No apparent purpose.

Pilot begins circling, angling slightly closer.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#197

"Roger." She gave a slight nod and carefully panned the binoculars over the area, speaking a second time when she spotted the shadowy target. "Tower at Four O'clock, dark camo'd threat, potential turret or sniper!"

She fought the urge to gather up her rifle and begin shooting herself, months of solo operations having trained her reflexes to respond personally to threats rather then leave it in the hands of others.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#198

"Roger," Karl says. He draws a bead, trying to identify a weak point, something susceptible to his bullets. He kinda wishes he had a gun like Kate mentioned. Swoop in low, just take out the whole tower.

"I got no target, 'less I just wanna shoot center mass an' see what happens. But..."

Karl trails of as he shifts slightly. He lets one more bullet fly. Napkin calculations tell him he's firing at about 8000 fps thanks to Wingman. Should do some damage.

"...don't need them lightin' us up, neither."

He smoothly jacks in another round as his scope shifts back to the other tower, and splits his attention between that and the fella in the courtyard. He won't fire unless his spotter confirms either target.

"Whaddya think Quick?" he asks. "Should I take it? Or maybe move in closer for a better looksee?"

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#199

If any of them had super-hearing as a power perhaps they would hear the spotlight shattering. But alas, only the sound of the helo accompanied Karl's latest bullet. No more spotlight.

Re: All You Need Is Kill

#200

Kate refocused on the chained man with her binoculars, calculating odds before arriving at what she hoped was the correct conclusion. "He's probably an alarm system, squatting on a brick of C4 or wired with a mic, so if he gets rescued or becomes collateral damage the psycho inside will know about it. No other reason to leave the trussed up screw in the middle of the yard."

She paused to skim over the other towers before continuing. "I say rappel down in one of the towers without a camouflaged unknown inside, if we spend too much time buzzing taking stock around someone inside will hear or see it on the security system and raise the alert." It felt a little odd discussing tactics with comrades after so long running solo, but also reassuring, that more minds and eyes than just hers were focused on the objective, and would likely catch something she missed.