... 10th of September 2047 ...
There was nothing but a loud crackling static, it would be the thing that would wake him. Jaklo immediately sat up in the tent, covered in a blanket of cold sweat. His fur was practically drenched in it, looking around as if he was lost and shivering. He had his fill of nightmares from the past, but that one really hit him like an anvil being dropped right onto his stomach.
The chirping of the birds in the tree-tops outside the tent would be what the static disintegrated into, that noise that would haunt him, slowly washing away and threatening to come back at a later point. He would grip his head and focus himself, practically digging his claws into his temples as he was able to remember. That man, he had been a recurring pattern in his dreams, it seemed like a blunt beacon of support that he was offering. A strange phenomenon, it was so in touch with this raccoon, like it knew absolutely everything about him. Only wishing to appear during a dream-like state and beckon his cold, icy memories to unfold in order to give himself more recognition. Recognition that the raccoon could remember.
"He who runs.." His lips whispered, remembering his advice, even if he couldn't understand it. Almost as if he was going insane, none of it even seemed to matter and he wished to not have a part in it at all. Rosco was out there, it was morning and he knew the location he wished to venture to. Archer's Haven, the town with that cruel laboratory. Even in it's prime they were conducting cruel experiments, mainly Outsider research and prevention strategies. Their output information was discovered through their own twisted methods of obtaining it.
The sound of talking and the clanging of pots outside awoke him from this day-dream, glancing towards the opening in the tent and squinting his eyes a little bit as the direct sunlight washed through the tent material. Without a moment to waste, he'd crawl towards it. Picking his hat up and placing it back atop his head before exiting. His clothes were filthy, the coat he wore was stained with the grime of the wilderness and even blood. The gambler hat he wore would be in the same state, it surely smelled horrible but the raccoon liked the shade and comfort it gave him.
Upon exiting, he was met with a thriving atmosphere. It practically spelled out the word survival. Groups of people, kitted out with combat gear. Rushing around and some even relaxing, making breakfast over an open fire and using canned goods as a valuable resource. The smell proved the food was to die for, he hadn't eaten in what felt like days. The taste of the fresh fish back at Rasmus' place made him wish they weren't attacked, made him wish Daisy was back.
Peering over, Jaklo could see Jake preparing his own food by a fire. There was a drunk lady approaching him, waddling back into camp dressed in a casual outfit and holding a bottle of whisky as she strutted right over to Jake and leaned on his shoulder, grinning at him and shaking the half empty bottle in his face. "Someee Drinky? Baby? You look so tens-" She'd be immediately pushed away, almost reminding Jaklo of how he pushed Daisy away "Get the fuck off of me, pace yourself you whore. This isn't fucking Vegas, told you to quit hanging around those bars. You'll have those brainwashed idiots grabbing at you."
The drunk woman got up, staring at Jake like a grumpy old lady and sighing "They already have! And they treat me better than any of the loooooot of you fuckin' freaks round' here! Can't even spare a woman a hug anymore? I thought I was your favourite, Jakey." She smiled at him, Jake looked back up at her and scoffed "Favourite? Yeah my favourite parasite.. you do fucking nothing around here but get drunk and whore around, the most work you've ever done is taking that Chlamydia medication." She'd glare, smashing the bottle of whisky right next to him "Screw You! Jake Abbott.. Burn in heeeeell!" With that, she stormed off and away to pester someone else. The raccoon found it funny, but the smell of fresh food was vividly on his mind at that moment.
Like a moth to light, Jaklo was there. Sitting on a log near the crisp fire and warming his bones, his eyes staring over at Jake who was making the food. The shotgun that he saw blow his own head off yesterday was resting by his feet, giving Jaklo the cold shoulder almost. "You want food? Or are you just here for small talk, I'm not in the mood.. We're alike but that doesn't make us friends, yet." Jake spoke domineeringly over Jaklo, turning to look at him.
The raccoon shrugged, sucking his teeth a little and looking into the fire. "Here for food.. Smells good, haven't eaten in days. Can you provide?" Jake scoffed a little, followed by a short-lived chuckle as he clanged the ladle against the pot and stared down at the contents, it was chilli and it wasn't cooked very well and was full of salt and other condiments. "Unless you like fatty food, never been that great with cooking, I don't mind it myself. People usually turn their noses up either because it is burned or because I added too much flavouring."
Jaklo again, shrugged. He didn't mind it, he was starving. "I'll eat whatever is put in front of me right now, I mean it. Besides, could lessen up on the salt and other things in there though, it's bad for you." Jake pulled up a plate, giving him a side-eye and pouring some of the contents into it. Handing him a poorly washed fork, the cutlery in this condition was to be expected after all, it wasn't a five star cuisine. "You know smoking is bad for you as well, right? Saw the cigarettes you had, probably for the better to hide that from people. Cigarettes are practically a currency nowadays, like pure gold." After he finished speaking, the raccoon took the plate. Swishing the contents around with the fork and sighing.
"I know, I'm down to my last pack and I'm going to make it last." He began practically tearing into the food, even while piping hot it was amazing. His stomach yearned for something to eat and this certainly hit the spot, Jake would watch him eat. Leaving his own plate to the side to cool down. "You should watch yourself, might give yourself a stomach ache. I'm sure that's burning the mouth off of you."
Before Jaklo could respond, Jake felt a hand on his shoulder and a voice. Someone else would join them by the fire, it was Rasmus. "Relax.. Let the boy eat, he's been hungry. I know what it's like to be hungry.. Enjoy every bit of it" The raccoon stared, lowering his plate and fork and smiling a little at Rasmus. "How'd you sleep? Where's Ellis as well? I plan on heading out today." Rasmus shrugged, he was simply drinking some coffee. He must have already eaten. "Haven't seen him, he's around here though. I slept good, hopefully good enough to say I'm ready to go wherever you're heading to."
Jake paused, looking between the two curiously "Where you headed? It's dangerous there, you seem like dependable men. Wouldn't want anything happening to you"
There was another pause, Jaklo breaking away from the conversation with Rasmus and eyeing up Jake "Archer's Haven, Someone that means a lot to me is being held there. I'm afraid he's in danger.. I need to get there by any means necessary, and as soon as I get back I will help you in this crusade against the Musician. It was our idea from the start anyway."
Jake's eyes widened, almost in surprise. Chuckling a little and taking a bite from his food, eating it respectably "Ghost town, total ghost town. Literally, not saying that in the sense that it is empty. I'm saying that in the sense there's something else going on there, heard from some people that the buildings still talk to you. The A.I there is well active, meaning someone could easily control it and know we're there so it's rather hard to sneak into."
Soaking in this new information, he nodded and thought to himself. Jaklo knew getting to that laboratory would be no easy task, it was a technologically advanced town but he had no idea he had to add technology to the possible threat list, those systems should have shut down years ago. It discouraged him, then he thought about Rosco being trapped there and immediately changed his mind. "No.. I'm still going, transport would be nice as well." Jaklo was asking for a lot, especially in times like these. Jake sighed and shook his head, staring down at the contents of his food and taking another bite "You think we're a charity? Gas is hard to come by, besides we only have a few vehicle and the closest we can get you is to the bottom of the mountain leading up to that town, it's a hike and a half."
Jaklo again nodded, his determination flourishing now more than ever. "Like I said, I'm still going. And I'll be back to aid you in your fight, You have to trust me on this Jake.. For Rosco's sake, he needs help."
The atmosphere grew a little quiet around them, Jake finished his food and set the plate down by the fire. Giving Jaklo a sincere look and then an odd smile "Yeah- I'll pull those strings for you, but if you're lying and you run off after hitching a free ride from us. I will personally hunt you down and kill you, no matter our related talents." He said this in the most menacing way possible, Jaklo wasn't faltered however. Spitting on his hand and holding it up for Jake to shake. "We share the same goal, I have no reason to run.. Not anymore." His past flashed before his eyes for a moment as he said that, Jake lifting his hand with a sigh and shaking his.
Rasmus was just staring off into the distance, constantly in his mind. No one really knew what he was thinking about, he had always been quiet but recently he was a little too quiet. Being shaken from his eerie day-dream by Jaklo as he stood over him "You coming? We gotta go find Ellis. We're getting a driver and some supplies, getting Rosco and riding back here to discuss a plan."
The soldier stood, nodding in affirmative with his hand on the hilt of his blade almost like he was about to draw it. Brushing past Jaklo "I'll meet you at the car..." The wolf's voice was quiet, almost like a mumble to him. Jaklo gave him a troubled look as he watched him walk, unable to feel comfortable with the thought that he was doing okay. There was something wrong with him, something was eating at him from the inside and it was clear as the day was bright.
Time passed throughout that day, eventually the off-road pick-up truck was loaded with some supplies and the necessary passengers and was ready to drive off. The scenery of the forest was incredible, being able to see it at this pace from the back of a pick-up truck was nice but also horrifying. The amount of scattered remains and bodies along with other bizarre things was a little too much, this really wasn't a safe place. Jake, Ellis and Jaklo rode in the back. Rasmus chose to take the front seat, giving a thousand yard stare directly out the window as the car drove.
"There's one reason I'm coming with you, otherwise I'd just disregard this idea entirely, got it? There's a laboratory in that town as you know, has all sorts of useful information on Outsiders since those fucks used to experiment with them, and there is one Outsider in particular of interest to us. Last night I was beating this bastard, someone who ran with the Musician. He feared me, most of the Musician's men do since I have a reputation, they know when they see me that I'm out for blood. Still, he wouldn't say a damn word, not until I had to take out some of his teeth with pliers.. Then he yapped, told me about an Outsider the Musician was looking to hunt down. Some fella who's blood is useful, that he's been chasing him for years and has never once been able to catch him. I'm going to this laboratory to try to find his file, maybe they have it stored somewhere. I'll find someone who fits the description, if it kills me. And once I do, I'll kill him.. So that way the Musician can't get his blood, we win."
Jake explained the reasoning for this, but this also perked Jaklo's ears up. The man sounded familiar but he had no idea who he was, simply giving an affirmative hum to Jake, Ellis would respond "All and any information should be available on the database, that is if their terminals are still working. You'll probably be able to find the Musician's log on there, he was experimented with years ago.. I'm not sure if it's the same laboratory though, but I do believe they all share the same database as the rest of the Outsider related experimental grounds." Jake smiled, nodding his head and laughing a bit "If I was the scientist experimenting on him, first thing I woulda done was stick a cattle gun to his head and put a nice round hole through his skull." The car continued to drive, the hum of the engine was loud and certainly attracting attention. Good thing that these parts of the woods were normally desolate.
"So.. Musician is chasing the gingerbread man all these years, for what? Some blood? What's he trying to make?" Jake talked to himself a little bit, tapping his foot idly against the floor of the vehicle "Doomsday weapon is what I think, supposedly. Some people have theorised that anyway, as if he hasn't already ended the world enough.. Guess this is what happens when you give a lunatic power to control their little fantasies." Jake was disgusted, he hated everything about the Musician and this brought a smile to Jaklo's face. He felt comfortable with him, like he could be a great friend. "Sounds about right, I'm just wondering how everyone suddenly knows I'm an Outsider.. People in Turner Town identified me immediately, normally I have to tell people I have those kinds of abilities.. It isn't exactly tattooed on me, is it? Do you ever get that too, Jake?"
Ellis looked over at Jaklo, wondering that question himself. Jake began to respond "Those mind games he uses? Sorta connects his thoughts, memories and ideas with everyone.. My best guess is that he knows you're an Outsider, so now does everyone else who he's brainwashed.. Make sense? I never get it because.. he doesn't know I'm an Outsider.. Yet." Jaklo nodded, making sense of it immediately and sighing. Now everyone knows he's a monster.
"Odd though, back when I was an informant for the police they told me they had a hunch that Jaklo or.. my boss at the time was an Outsider but they had no proof. They were onto him from the beginning.. so I think there's a little more at play here."
Jake twitched a bit, snapping his attention immediately to Ellis. His calm, fixated expression slowly turning to a glare "You were an Informant? .. For the police? .. When?" Ellis looked over at him, seeming a little confused but answering honestly anyway "2034... I think was the year? I became an Informant to get back at the Musician and well-- Look what happened." Jake stared, almost in a silent fury. He'd pull out a handgun and aim it directly at Ellis as Jaklo jumped and threw his hands up defensively
"Woah! Woah.. Woah, calm down.. hey, what's with the gun? What the hell?" Jake was teetering with Rage, Ellis was frightened and had his hands up in a sense of saying that he did not want to be shot and killed. "There was an Informant.. The Musician wanted to know about, big time. He's the Informant, matches the information of the case I worked. Ergo, that crack-whore got my wife killed. Told myself I was gonna kill every cunt involved, even those who indirectly caused her death. It's what she'd want. I let this country go to shit by not popping a cap in The Musician's head when I first seen him. Now me and the rebels are going to fix it, one screwhead at a time." Jaklo partly knew that Jake had somewhat of a short fuse, but he didn't think it was this short. It was like he wanted to kill anything and absolutely anyone involved with his wife's death. "He didn't know that, put the gun down.. It is not his fault, aim your gun at the enemy this is our friend. He's going to help us kill those.. screwheads" He tried to reason with Jake's sudden swearing, it was funny how sincere he sounded when he called Ellis a crack-whore but he dared not crack a smile at the crazy police officer with a loaded gun aimed at his best friend's head.
After a moment of staring, glaring and panicked breaths. Jake lowered his weapon, growling under his breath as the situation dissipates. Jaklo let out a relieved sigh, after that it seemed the rest of the ride was merely silent. He didn't know what to expect from Jake, all he knew is that he did not want to mess with him. I guess he's in charge now, Jaklo thought.
After a while of silent driving, the signs on the dirt road were actually coherent and weren't torn down to be used for scrap or weapons. There was a clear sign leading to a road that went up hill in the forest, it read loud and clear as the words depicted 'ARCHER'S HAVEN', nothing more and nothing less. It's weird to think a town with a developed technological society was somewhat looking underdeveloped, Jaklo felt indifferent as if he was expecting a warmer welcome.
With that, the car would come to a quick stop. Sending the Ellis and the Raccoon jolting forward while Jake seemed practically bolted to his seat and refused to move. Coming to a stance and hurdling his shotgun over his shoulder, the strap on the firearm would cling to him as he jumped off the truck down into the dirt path. Looking back at Ellis and Jaklo with a stoic expression as they go to exit the back of the pick-up vehicle. "We're going to have to hike from here, it's dangerous up ahead and we can't risk losing the car." Jake spoke, looking over to Ellis and reaching out his hand slowly as if offering it to him. The bearded dragon felt partially more relieved and gladly took his hand as he jumped down into the muddy path, Jaklo was fine enough on his own and exited the car without hassle.
Rasmus came around, closing the door hard and letting out a long sigh "All uphill from here, yeah?" He'd ask, seeming exhausted already and they haven't even started walking. Jake agreed with his question, nodding in response and looking up the road. "Gonna take a walk up, we'll make it and our driver should be back near dusk. We can't be sitting around at night, you go grab your boy in there and I go grab my information that I need inside.. Follow my lead and we'll be home safe, your friend included."
Ellis nodded, so did Rasmus. Jaklo as well hesitantly nodded but he felt odd in a way, as if he wasn't liking this feeling of not being in control and following someone else's orders, starting to ask prodding questions as they began their hike uphill. "So? What are we expecting here? You said it was a ghost town.. right? Should be easy to handle." The raccoon asked, Jake continued walking in silence for a few moments before looking back at him "That's what I'm expecting, complete silence. If there is anything lurking there, my shotgun can handle it. That's why you boys don't have firearms. Trust me, in and out piece of cake. Anything moves, I'll blow a hole in the cunt."
"Hey! Jake.. Hold up" A voice echoed from down the hill, the car door would slam and lock. Semper came walking up the hill, wearing the same outfit as yesterday and carrying a handgun. Immediately cocking the chamber and holstering it in the waistband of his pants, ensuring the safety was on. Even though he went through hell at the stadium the day prior, he was still eager to join "I'm coming with you" Jake stopped and so did everyone else, staring back at the man and sighing "Like fuck you are, get back in the car and head back to camp. Too many men, too many risks. I can't lose more good men, Semp.. Not over some information gathering like this, you're too good of a fighter for that."
Semper continued walking, stopping directly in front of him and shaking his head "You think I can't handle myself? Ask these people, we saved each other yesterday and I think I'm more than capable of handling myself, the town is empty. And if there is any White Hand or Musician's Men lurking around I'll shoot em' dead, guaranteed" After Semper said this, he stared at the other Jackal, Jake would stare back with a narrowed eye glare before spitting on the floor and continuing to walk.
The raccoon's eyes widened a bit, coming to a realisation while they walked, having seen Semper's handgun. Reaching his hands behind him and down to the back of his waistband as he felt around for a gun that wasn't there before. He must have been relieved of his handgun, thanks to his capture at the hands of his mortal enemy. Sighing in stress and continuing on, looking over at Rasmus and moving close to him, starting to talk with him while the group hiked up the quiet and windy hill, the destination awaiting them.
"Hey.. You feeling alright, man? You been quiet.. real quiet." These words resonated within the old soldier, but he digressed immediately and shook his head while closing his eyes "Always been quiet, just the way I am. Only reason I was talkative was because I liked talking to Daisy, she reminded me of my daughter. A daughter I never got to hold.." Jaklo nodded, staying silent before asking another question he wasn't sure if he'd answer.
"What happened? .. With your daughter I mean." This sparked a reaction from Rasmus, looking over at him with narrowed eyes before sighing. Starting to answer anyway "My wife, the mother of our daughter died during childbirth many years ago... The baby lived, for a short while. Got an infection and it was premature, died in the incubator and there was nothing they could do.." His voice slowly turned to a snarl "Doctors weren't paid enough.. I lived in a bad area, the nearest hospital was horrific and I could smell the weed when we were walking in while my wife was going into labour. They got my family killed.. Drugs and mayhem."
Jake overheard the conversation, it saddened him as he was able to relate with this man. Looking back at him silently with a sentimental expression before facing forward again. Semper didn't really say anything, neither did Ellis. Their silence spoke volumes and you could feel their pity in the air. Jaklo couldn't begin to describe how he was feeling, it was like every single one of them had experienced something in the past that chains them down. He didn't even know Semper's story, but judging by his close loyalty to Jake, it was likely he had demons of his own. "I-.. I'm sorry.." The raccoon let out in a sorta gasp for air more than it was a sigh, looking forward and gripping the material within his pockets a little tighter.
"Don't be, happened years ago kid. I took my anger out on my enemies at war, and maybe that's what is driving me to join you lot to kill Musician.. I never won that war, and as much as I wanted to wallow in solitude in my own home.. I feel it's only right to fight for a cause again, and win this time. Because we're still at war, it never ended." Rasmus ended it there, continuing to walk in silence as did the raccoon. Replying to his statement with a simple nod, once again.
Ellis then broke the silence, they were about half way up the hill and it didn't seem to end. They were far enough to the point they could look back and see the tree tops from below, it was an exasperating view of just rows and rows of trees. They were deep within the forest, there didn't seem to be an exit anywhere. Semper complained to himself, hating how much they had to walk but he was quickly shushed by Jake. Ellis then proceeded with a question at the sound of Jake's voice, he was a little afraid of asking him it but he wanted to make conversation by as well getting to know who and what happened to Jake.
"So Jake.. Whatever did happen to your wife, I mean I can draw conclusions but I just want to be firm with what I know.. Do you mind validating what happened?" As soon as this was said, Jaklo shot a glance to Ellis and gave him a look that spoke volumes. Like he shouldn't have said that, Jake continued walking and turned back to look at Ellis. The stoic expression in the Jackal's face said it all "I am still struggling to forgive you for what you did, dirtbag. Even if you indirectly didn't mean any harm, you don't bring up my wife again. You got it? Not until I say it's okay to do so." His piercing glare struck deep into Ellis' soul through his eyes. Maintaining eye contact until Ellis swallowed his spit and apologised.
"My apologies.. I shouldn't have said anything, Jake. Let us continue on."
As they neared the top of the hill, it would soon be an easier walk right down into Archer's Haven. The top of the hill would overlook the entire town that sat in the middle of a short V-Shaped valley, they had to go up the hill and over it to get there because the roads were blocked off ever since the Musician's attack back in 2034.
They saw a body, it looked fresh yet old at the same time. Rasmus was the first to spot it and ran to it, crouching right next to it as the others followed in pursuit. It looked so old, it was a corpse of a very old man and it was odd how he just seemingly appeared here and dropped dead. He should have been dead years ago and not in the middle of nowhere, judging from his frail form. He was a barer of the white hand mark, as evident by his white coloured hand. "He's dead, damn he's quite the old fucker too." Rasmus blurted out bluntly as his fingers checked his pulse, there was no doubt about it, he was dead. The outfit he wore was practically sinking down into his skinny frame, like he was decomposing slowly while he was alive.
"He didn't have a very good landing, he fell.. Look- his leg is encased in a fucking bear trap and, it is broken forward. Meaning he was in a sprint down this hill and got ensnared in it, was he chasing something or running from something?" Semper spit out, he had some analytical knowledge, sure enough it was a rusted bear trap that apparently spelled out his downfall. Rasmus would turn the body over as the group watched in silence, that same silence soon turned into a startled gasp. He was brittle, old, too old to even be running like the way he was. In fact he looked to be at least over a hundred years old "Jesus Christ.. the dickhead surely had a set of legs on em' for that age, huh? I thought all White Hand members were meant to be young and hip and pumped full of drugs?" Jake stated with a disapproving hum afterwards, spitting on his corpse "Look at his hand, they run with the man that killed my wife.. White Hand scumbags"
Jake continued walking, not paying any mind to what he just witnessed. He'd walk directly over the corpse, standing his boot into his sunken back and continuing to the top of the hill. It took the others a while, especially Jaklo who couldn't help but stare in a stoic manner. They each continued walking up one by one, following Jake. As soon as they did, they reached the top. The wind fled past their bodies as they looked, staring right down into the town below them.
"Now I know why they call it Archer's Haven, get a fella with a sniper up here and you can pick off anyone." Rasmus stated, Jaklo watched and Ellis was smiling as he enjoyed the view. It was a small town, like Turner Town was only in the heart of this town there was a gigantic building compared to the rest. This had to be the laboratory, it overlooked the rest of the small district buildings and the occasional neighbourhoods. The town was this small to probably compensate for the short space it had to fit in. There was a main road running through the town, it had two exits on either side of the valley. Running through it like a river
"Alright, we can get down from here." Jaklo said as he started walking, descending the dangerous and rocky mountainside and following an overgrown path that should've disappeared years ago. The rest followed, not knowing what to expect. The town looked pretty much empty, the only sound coming from it was a sharp and lonely wind that travelled up along the tall slopes of the green valley caked in Trees and rocks.
Eventually the crowd reached the bottom, walking past an opening and entering the town via a neighbourhood. It was empty, deathly quiet and there was nothing more than the sound of wind and debris of newspaper fluttering around the town. The houses were in good condition, even with the overgrowth, it looked half as much more advanced than any other town. It was strange why not much raiders decided to take over this area, like something was stopping them.
"It's a little too quiet, just keep an ear out.. there's got to be a reason there ain't much people here." Semper stated carefully as they walked along the pathway, staring over at one of the houses. It seemed to stare back, like something was watching them. This forever lasting feeling that the ground they walked on was watching them, the city felt like it was taunting them with it's bitter silence. "Quiet? Yeah- White Hand and Musician's men love this area, surprised they aren't here right now. Those cunts usually hang around the laboratory" Jake stated quietly.
Ellis stopped, staring over at a house and admiring it's beautiful fences and slightly overgrown yard and cozy looking exterior. Jaklo stopped by him "What's wrong?" The raccoon asked, the dragon looked back and immediately replied "Just.. a little peckish, could go for a bite to eat as I didn't really have time for breakfast this morning, Jaklo." Jaklo would understand, sighing a little as it got in the way of finding Rosco but surely there's something edible inside. He'd look ahead to the other three and call out.
"Me and Ellis are just going inside to get food, you go on without us. We'll meet you near the laboratory and if not.. you find us inside this house, you got that?" Jaklo called out as Jake turned and looked back, he could see the contemplation in the Jackal's face before he rolled his eyes and continued walking.
With that confirmation in mind, they'd open the creaking garden gate and slowly approach the futuristic looking household. It was beautiful, even the wood the door was made out of was amazing to touch upon. Ellis was having an enjoyment overload just looking at it, soon opening the door and stepping inside. Where a robot voice immediately made him jump.
"Welcome Home, Jessica. Your last visit was... Approximately 13 Years Ago-" It made a loud beep, almost as if confused with that information. ". . . Would you like me to prepare your Tea? You missed an appointment with your Physiotherapist.. Appointment expired approximately 13 Years Ago.." It created another loud beep, after a moment they ignored it. Venturing into the house and heading right towards the kitchen. "The hell is all that about, I didn't believe Jake when he said the A.I was still active.. But I guess it is?" Jaklo asked, seeming a little bothered by the technology as it had always gave him the creeps.
"What is this about? Well, about us. You seek to be enlightened by what our systems are about? A.H.I.S.. or Archer's Haven Interactive Systems was a concept created within your trusting laboratory nearby, your town was selected to be an experiment or ground zero experimentation by your leading governor. And in such, we have succeeded with great results thanks to your cooperation. Our precise artificial intelligence is monitored and managed by the Program, a smart and well coordinated band of robotic systems that stems directly from within the laboratory. Ranging from a personal butler all the way to keeping the streets safe with our exquisite defence systems!"
They simply stood still and listened, Jaklo was getting sick of this so he just chose to ignore it. Stepping into the kitchen with Ellis and watching as the bearded dragon was amazed by the technology, he began to talk to it. "I'll have one tea, please." The voice continued talking, eventually going quiet altogether.
"You're not Jessica. Jessica is Deceased. Jessica suffered approximately 22 lacerations, 42 deep wounds to the stomach and perturbated entirely by a model 23 razer sharp meat knife on approximately January 17th 2035. The aggressor is unknown, authorities have been notified as you are the first known suspect." Jaklo's eyes widened, staring and feeling a sense of dread after the AI stated this. Ellis was staring at something else completely, through the window to the backyard. There was a corpse laying there, completely decomposed and it appeared to be a woman.
"Hey- Let's get out of here, okay? I don't feel right about this.. They said- They said they just notified the authorities, didn't they just say they have defence systems?" Jaklo was sorta panicking, tugging on the material of his shirt near his shoulder and trying to lead him towards the backdoor to escape. It was at that moment, the whirring sound of multiple drones outside began to circle the building. "Ellis.. We need to fucking go."
"Target Fixated." The drones blurted out, there was at least three and one was aiming right through the window. Ellis was frozen, stumbling back a little bit before a ceiling panel in the house opens up. Through the open panel a mounted gun would drop down and circulate to aim at the two, Jaklo immediately rushed out the back door and dragged Ellis along with him. As they got around to the front, being chased by multiple drones which shot many charged shots at them. There was a car, it also had the same robotic voice.
"Self Destruct Sequence initiated, would you like us to inform your car insurance company about the expungement of your vehicle?" Something was definitely controlling this town, a ghost in the machine. Something was spiteful, and something was about to explode. "BREAK A LEG!" Jaklo shouted, Ellis following hot in pursuit as they ran. The car would explode and cause a deafening boom throughout the entire town, the cloud of smoke rushed into the air just as the shockwave knocked Ellis and Jaklo through the fence, smashing it to pieces.
Eventually the smoke coming from the raging fire roared throughout the area, the two would cough and slowly recover to their feet. Seems the System contradicted it's own attack, the drones sent to kill Jaklo and Ellis were hit by the drastic explosion. The raccoon was the first to stand, panting heavily thanks to the running and reaching down to grab a hold of Ellis' arm, helping him up. "Something is controlling that.. It's wired everywhere, the entire town is a fucking trap." Jaklo explained his theory, they'd start walking further down the street. Trying to find the others.
"It's probably him.. The Musician, you think they found a way to infiltrate that system?" Ellis asked, Jaklo would shrug, shaking his head "No fucking way.. It's something else, I think the A.I or System has had enough. Let's just find the others, we have to find Rosco and then we have to leave. The laboratory should be in the middle of town."
The laboratory was indeed in the middle of town, Jake and Semper along with Rasmus were hiding out in a shop very close to it. There was a corpse laying dead in the middle of the store, only difference was it looked fresh. Jake hid behind the cashier's counter, just behind the cash register. Semper had his back pressed against the doorway and Rasmus hid behind a shelf. Coming to look at the middle of the store, it was clear what they were hiding from in this grocery store.
There was a mounted gun, coming through the ceiling panel and aiming around the place. Almost as if trying to detect movement, Jake looked over at Semper who was still hidden "Move something.. Throw a fucking can or something so it aims away from me, I'll shoot it out of the fucking ceiling." He whispered in an aggressive tone, it may not have been capable of picking up audio. Clutching his shotgun tightly and waiting on Semper's mark
"I can't.. it'll blow my hand off- You seen how quick that thing shoots, Jake.. Are you crazy?!" He'd blurt out, his shaking hand clutching a can of food. Jake would snarl back at him "Are you stupid? I have your back, dumbass.. Just throw the damn can, if anything happens I'll warn you of your mistakes. But I doubt it'd move that fast, trust me."
The other Jackal took a moment to think, looking down at the can of food and sighing deeply. Preparing for the chance he could feel something very painful, immediately throwing the can out of the store and letting it roll down to the back. Where the turret would spin dramatically and start firing aggressively at it, leaving painful burn marks all over that area. In the moment it was distracted, Jake stood up and fired two buckshots right into the back of it, blowing it off the hinges and disconnecting it from the elaborate technological system that had them pinned down.
"What the hell is going on here, When you said Ghost Town I didn't think you meant it in a literal sense!" Semper said, relieved that the plan worked and stepping out from behind the doorway. Jake would reload his shotgun, throwing the two empty buck shots to the floor and staring at the corpse ahead, so did Rasmus and Semper. The other Jackal had something to say about it, analysing the rounds the turret used compared to the bullet casings laying along the floor.
"Uh- Jake.. Rasmus? The turret didn't kill that guy.. Someone else did, there's bullet casings here. It isn't the same ammunition the Turret used." Semper stated, walking over and crouching down to look at the body. It was a common looter, someone just trying to get by and he was executed. That's what it looked like anyway. "Those scumbags are here too, it was probably some of the Musician's men." Jake replied firmly, going to step out of the store before seeing quick motion outside. Aiming his shotgun and almost blowing off the head of Jaklo who immediately stepped back and put his hands up
"Don't shoot! Jake! It's me.. I heard the gunshot, we need to get the fuck out of here. There's drones!" The raccoon was desperate, he looked into the store then down the street where Ellis ran up next to him. "Get to the fucking laboratory it's fortified, SAFE!" He'd continue running, there were multiple drones dispatched from unknown locations hovering above them and attempting to shoot them. Jake, Semper and Rasmus would run out of the store without a doubt in their mind. Just after a drone entered the store to attempt to kill them as well.
A shot would whir past Jake's ear, causing it to twitch as he growled. Firing off some stray shots in the direction of the drones as their frantic running neared closer and closer to the laboratory.
The laboratory itself was massive, a dark building. It was hard to comprehend in the heat of the moment, many of the windows were blocked out and it was like a steel fortress. There was a little park in front of the massive enterprise lot, a memorial statue of some kind that showed a dog looking individual stomping a word beneath his feet, the word itself read 'IMPOSSIBLE', the laboratory itself was named 'Ill-Will Laboratories.'
"We're almost THERE! Just keep going!" Jaklo called out, holding onto his hat just as a flaming hot bullet pierced his back. Almost falling to the floor, but Ellis was there to help him up. The adrenaline kept him going. Eventually the doors of the building were in their grasp, they'd be open thankfully and they'd rush inside without a moment to lose.
Everyone got inside, safely. The drones began firing away at the exterior windows, but thankfully they were bulletproof. Jake rushed over and locked the door, the group panting heavily as they had made their getaway. The pain of the bullet in Jaklo's back began to kick in, but it didn't stop him from taking in the view of the reception. There was multiple hallways leading everywhere, it was dark inside and it was very spacy. The ceiling never seemed to stop rising, shadows took over what they could see above them and of course the building was seemingly empty.
"I don't have a good feeling about this.. If a fucking Convenience store had an auto turret, I don't want to imagine what this place has." Semper was again worried, Pessimistic and unsure about this entire building. Jake put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head "No, we're here for information and they're here for their friend. That's if he is even here, this place looks abandoned.. Gives me the fucking creeps, let's be quick.. People."