Third Person POV:
Freeside, A town where even God would wonder where he went wrong. Had it been 20 years ago you would have rebuked the statement. 20 years ago Freeside was a model town. Ran by mayor J.D. Hogg the second, and patrolled by Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. Back then Freeside wasn't swarming with junkies and hobos. No, back then even the homeless had a roof over their head. The buildings were well maintained. If you ever saw the image of Freeside from 20 years ago now, you would think that it was someone's dream.
Not anymore. Freeside is now just a hollow husk of its former self. Derelict buildings, barrel fire everywhere, metal sheets and wooden beams covered separate areas of town. Armed goons standing everywhere. And these aren't the type to ask questions. No, they shoot first and ask questions never. These were the types whose loyalty only went as far as their drug supply went.
Junkies, more commonly known as Fiends, were the go-to muscle for the local drug distributors and peddlers. And yes there were many different distributors in the small town, so firefights happen every 2 hours.
And caught between this mess was Zack Hazzard
Only his first name is confirmed. 'Hazzard' was given to him by the nuns at the orphanage. Yup, Zack was left at the Freeside Orphanage 15 years ago. Just like Harry Potter. As for the name Hazzard? Well, let's just say he has a VERY keen interest in explosives, firearms and all things that go BOOM.
Zack's POV.
*DING DONG DING DONG*
UUUGGHH, another morning on this hellscape I have to call 'home town'. Oh, and It's a Monday. "God! I fucking hate living here. The only redeeming part of this place is Cass." I murmur to myself. Cass is my girlfriend, for those wondering. And as for how we got together? Well, let's say we have a shared interest in firearms. Honestly, she's my starlight in this crazy place.
I headed down to the mess hall for breakfast. Another good thing is the food is at least edible, guess that's something to be grateful for. Downstairs I met with Cass.
Z: "Hey, Cass!" C: "Hey, Zack! Sleep well last night?" She said hugging me. Z: "As well as you can with a gunfight going on under your window." C: "Well, that's our sad reality." Z: "I suppose. What are you doing today?" C: "Probably help Sister Mari with the garden, you? Z: "I'll go work on my project." C: "And when are you going to tell me what the project is?" Z: "When It's done. Don't worry I promise it's going to be worth the wait." I replied. My project? Well, simple it's an old 5-ton army truck. Do you know those big 8-wheelers that look like the buffed-up big brother of pickup trucks? Well found one that was decommissioned, for what? For a blown gas kit! Anyway, it has an armoured cover over the bed, with a rusted power armour frame. Honestly, that thing was just a bonus.
*Time Skip 9 hours*
I had hidden the old thing in an old barn near the junkyard where I found it. No gangs or Junkies come here because someone played a prank on a group of those idiots by pretending this place was haunted, so this is like the safest place in the entire Freeside. It was nearing evening and I need to get back before nightfall, otherwise, Sister Lorane is gonna have a FIT.
Third Person POV.
Heading back into town, Zack could see a massive pillar of smoke in the distance, with ashes raining everywhere. It only got bigger as he got closer to the orphanage. Fearing the worst, he ran towards the pillar. Thankfully it was just a nearby store that got caught in the firefight. But this was close, too close. He decided that he was getting himself and Cass out of Freeside for good.
*Time Skip to 11:30 at night*
Zack quietly packed his bags and went to get Cass. Z: " Cass? CASS! Get up." C: * sleepily *: Wha-- What? Zack? What's going on?" Z: "We are leaving, not just the orphanage, but the town." C: "WHAT?!?!" Z: " SSHHHSS! Remember my 'Project'? Well, that's what it is, our ticket out of this hell hole. I was planning on preparing a bit more, but after today, I ain't waiting another moment." C: "...... I'll grab my stuff." Z: " I'll wait in the garden, near the gap in the wall."
15 minutes later
Z: " What took you so long?" C: " Ohh, I'm sorry for being woken up at midnight and told to pack my bags!" Z: "Jeez ok ok! I get it. Alright, we're going to the old barn near the junkyard." C: " Wait! Isn't that place haunted?" Z: "Na, the wind sounds creepy on a windy day, and the windows lache were rusted to the core, so they broke from the wind. " C: "So what's our getaway plan?" Z: "So I fou----"
*BANG* *Gunfire*
Z: "How about I explain on the way?"
They both took off running toward the old barn. It was around 1 AM, and both were out of breath and exhausted. Zack pulled a small side door to the barn open. Checking to make sure they were alone and signalled Cass to come in, revealing the 5-ton to her. C: " Question." Z: " Yeah? " C: "How on earth did you manage to get enough fuel to fill the tank on this thing?" Z: "I'd rather not answer that question.". Cass just 'OK' look. They tossed their bags in the back and climbed into the truck. Now would be a good time to mention that there were only 2 roads leading out of Freeside, one heading north and another east. The north road was blocked by a massive pile of debris from a collapsed building and crushed cars. The eastbound road was open but was often guarded by junkies and was fenced with sheet metal. Z: "Ok that shorty wall should be easy enough to break through." C: "What about the sentries on the wall?" Z: "Well, here's hoping."
When they reached the wall, it was clear that God wasn't on their side this time. The wall was crawling with sentries. And like the crazed drug abusers, they were, they open fire on the truck. Zack mashed the gas, ramming through the wall. Bullets blew through the window, shattering the side and turning the windshield into swiss cheese. But that didn't stop the massive military truck.
* 5 miles out of town *
Z: " I think we made it! CASS! We did it!" C: " But..... I think it's a....... a bit late for me" Zach looked towards Cass with a horrified look. There was a massive wound in her lower abdomen, with an exit wound on the other side. Z: " No, no no no-no-no. CASS! PLEASE! STAY WITH ME." C: " It's okay. At least I won't die in the dumpster fire of a town and hey, I have you by my side so it ain't all bad." Z: "NO! GODAMMIT, AFTER ALL, THAT YOU AIN'T LEAVING ME!" C: "Well, it looks like that. Goodbye, Zack."
*At a Distributer Hideout *
Large pallets of Hype and Jet were being loaded onto a container. ???: "Make sure these reach, unlike last time!" Goon:" Yes sir!"
Suddenly there were explosions and screams and finally, the wall to the warehouse fell. Through the cloud of dust and smoke, a pair of bright red eyes pierced through. Followed by a heavy thumping, similar to footsteps. When the dust settled and smoke dissipated, it revealed a Power armour, but none of the official U.S. Military models. Rather it looked like it had been put together using discarded armour plating and crafted in a garage.
Zack: "I HOPE YOU ASSHOLES HAVE YOUR AFFAIRS SORTED." *minigun spools up*