Scavengers have turned their base into real underground fortress. Long corridors turned into death traps filled with turrets, traps, landmines and barricades. We had to storm each of their positions and only thanks to netrunners we were able to get through them since the beginning of operation.
Although my finger still twitches after meeting those netrunner girls and rest of their merc gang I have to acknowledge that they have done good job. We had a good understanding of enemy positions and defensive lines. However, we had a problem with ammo, every storm required us to burn at least a 1/10 of our ammo. In the end we had to request netrunners to hack nearest ammo vending machines and some drones that are our "mules" which deliver ammo. Luckily, such situation was expected during planning stage so we got permission to use secret account through which all purchases and merc services got covered.
"A-1 reporting. We got another bottleneck here. Enemy got some HMG and they supressed us. Require support." - we got a message from our forward team.
"Netrunners deal with turrets!"- Alpha ordered.
"Those HMG are not turrets. They don't even have any electronics in it." - I heard Lucy, one of netrunner girl's voice in comms.
"Fuck. Where the fuck did they get those ancient weapons." - Alpha muttered when we have finally reached position 10 meters behind pinned forward team.
"Those are old M2 Brawnings, 50 cal. If we don't deal with them our soldiers will get shredded. A-3, can you deal with them?" - Alpha asked after observing HMGs.
"I can get rid of gunners, this will give forward team chance to crash them down using grenades." - I replied preparing to activate Kerenzikov.
"Do it."
I have activated implant and next second things turned into slo-mo. I got out of wall and aimed at gunners. I saw one of them shouting something but his mouth moved so slow that I couldn't understand anything. I pulled a trigger and saw a bullet leaving a barrel. Quick change of target but another gunner got protected by his shield so instead of trying to get him I made three shots at his mg's barrel and mechanism. Kerenzikov started deactivate and I quickly moved back to my cover.
When I could back to normal speed I could hear that only one of HMGs firing while another one was silent.
"Kurwa!!! Bogusz! Bogusz! Gówniarz!" - surviving gunner started swearing and kept firing.
"I have thought you dealt with both of them!" - Alpha asked trying to stay away from a bullets raining at us with mad gunner.
"He had a shield up! I had to aim for his weapon!" - I shouted back to Alpha as bullets started hitting my cover making it hard to hear each other.
"Fuck. Try once more tim....."- but before Alpha could finish his sentence enemy gunner stopped firing and next moment we hear a sound of thanks petards firing off.
We both got out of our covers to find out what was going on. HMG turned into scrap of metal while ammo box attached to it had bullets exploding in them. Seems my shots damaged barrel enough so that bullets started getting stuck in it and explode which caused chain reaction. Forward team used that opportunity and closed in with enemy position and started throwing grenades at them eliminating all remaining foes.
"Report." - Alpha asked EMT which was tending wound of one our guys.
"One is cold. Another one is wounded. He is stable but not a fighter." - EMT reported back.
"Shit. We are almost at their HQ. One more push and we are done with our mission." - Alpha angrily said.
"We have to do it with our limited forces. A-3. You and me are going to switch with forward team. We will attract enemies while other two security specialists and EMT will try to flank them." - Alpha said after watching something on his HUD display.
"Alpha are you sure that we must use 4Fs? There is not much space for such tactic."
"A-3, netrunner just sent me detailed map she got from scavengers terminal at HQ. They got a small service tunnel that is used as escape route. It was locked but now we got access code to it so we can flank them and finish in one quick move." - he said sending me map update.
Yeah, we got a good chance to pull that one. But we have to survive under enemy's fire at least a minute or two.
"We don't have much time left. Zeta and his team almost done with their part. Now let's get going!" - Alpha commanded us and I just sighed at that and started following him.
When we reached final room we had been welcomed with a fucking bullet rain. Scavengers were firing at us with everything they had. Even with Kerenzikov I could make a quick shots from time to time. I was sure I have killed at least 2 of them and wounded 1. I tried to repeat my tactics but this time enemies were prepared.
Just the moment I got out of my cover and made one shot I got a hit few times. Most of enemy bullets got into my bulletproof vest, but one of the higher calibre bullets pierced it and got me right into a chest. Subdermal armour stopped it but bullet was not simple bullet or AP but API, armour-piercing incendiary. That shit started burning, although Pain Editor blocked part of a pain but burning skin and flesh still hurt.
I had to get out a multi-tool and use it as pliers and extra large tweezers get out that burning piece of metal. Fuckers! Those bullets had some sort of white phosphorus in it that's why it didn't stop burning. Luckily subdermal armour stopped bullet so it couldn't get deeper into my body.
"A-3! Report!"
"Got hit with high-calibre, be careful they got some shit that makes them burn hotter than standard incendiary ones!" - I replied trying to get out a regeneration boosting inhaler and stim out of my med pouch. Finally, I got everything I need and inhaled a medicine simultaneously injecting stim right into my hand. That chem shit will take a toll on my body and I need a proper cleansing after it otherwise my liver and kidneys end up rotting in few years. But in such moment like this there is no better option than to use them.
"I am back in action!" - I reported to Alpha who was having bad time trying to hit enemies using Sidewinder. But enemies kept firing at him not giving a chance to fightback. I started firing activating Kerenzikov, this time enemies had lost at least 4 dead and 2 wounded. Situation was in a stalemate, however, unlike us enemies had enough bullets while we were close to using our last mag.
"Alpha, I got only one mag left and little shit with two mags left as a side weapon."
"Keep firing! Netrunners have told us that our flanking group will be here any second."
"Roger that!" - well seems I have no other option rather than hope to cavalry arrive in time and not like in stories when all good guys either dead or dying.
"Three, two, one. Alpha! I am out of ammo!"
"Fuck. I am also almost out of it."
"Can't netrunner get us some?"
"No, they have already sent drones to Zeta."
"We are nose deep in shit, Alpha"
"Tell me something I don't know."
So we kept firing till I had only 5 bullets left in little shit. Our rare shots have motivated Scavengers since they realised that we are out of ammo and can be easily killed. I was preparing to keep last two bullets to myself and Alpha since getting into their meat shop is the last thing I want to do. That moment we heard a lot of explosions and fire coming from enemy positions.
"A-3, they made it." - Alpha said after taking a short glance.
"Finally." - I replied getting up and walking towards now silent enemy positions. Our flanking group was finishing off any surviving Scavengers. Only one Scavenger, covered in tattoos and having gold teeth remained alive. I got close to him and saw evil grimace on his face.
"Подловили суки. Ну ничего. Вдохните полной грудью газу. Подыхать так всем вместе уебки. (You tricked us you whores. That's ok. Take a deep breath in of some gas. Let's die together motherfuckers) - the last surviving Scavenger pulled hidden lever behind his back before I was able to kill him.
"Everyone disperse! Gas! Gas!" - I screamed trying to warn others while attaching gas mask. Everyone started to run and putting gas masks on a move. Alpha launched incendiary-explosive charge as it was part of a mission to burn down that place. We started moving towards nearest exit. When we reached a makeshift bridge connecting one of exits with underground base he activated it. Explosion wave even reached here shaking a everything. I was the last one running when damn bridge started collapsing. I fall down with it. Luckily underneath there was a small sewer river so my landing was partially successful. Partially because sewer river flow was so strong that it pulled me with it.
It took quite a far away from exit and only after a while I was able to get out of it. All thanks to garbage thrown in it. I used one of such piles to reach one of the walls of a sewers. After getting out of sewer river I had to start taking off my clothes and equipment. Why? Because that fucking sewer water had some nasty chemicals in it which made my clothes to tear apart. I had to use special spray to neutralise chemicals that were destroying my equipment. Unluckily, I managed to save only pants, boots and a helmet with a gas mask. My little shit-handgun got slightly damaged but still safe to use. Although I have only one bullet left.
I tried to get in contact with my team but helmet coms got damaged or I was too deep into ground so that my signal couldn't make it. I started walking towards nearest service exit when I heard a phone ringing. Surprised by it at first I calmed down since this is not a hallucination as I have taken all necessary meds after neutralising chemicals with special spray. I have found old style telephone which was probably used my maintenance teams back in days. I picked it up since I have nothing to lose in such a shitty situation.
"Listening." - I said picking up a phone handle.
"You must be A-3? We have managed to track down your position but after you reached a -5 level we lost you."
"Who is talking?"
"Netrunner you wanted to shoot at our first meeting."
"Ok. Now can you guide me to exit?."
"That's why I am here. Alpha ordered us to get you back to your team."
"Tell me where I should go."
"Wait few seconds. We are trying to find your precise location and create a map. Old communication system is not very efficient when it comes to exchange of data."
"I don't need those details just tell me where to go." - I replied angrily. Stop wasting time and give route back to my team.
"500 meters NW and then 200 North. You must reach one of the lifts used for maintenance. Then reach level -1 and use ladder at 100 south that will be exit from sewer where your team will wait for you. I will try to keep you on right route by using those phones."
"Got it. Moving out." - I finished call and started moving. But at one point corridors got completely dark which caused me some problem with orientation. Even helmet flashlight not helped since they were also damaged. To my luck I saw two Scavengers at one end of corridor drinking and smoking a cigarettes next to a barrel used as a bonfire.
I sneaked at them and when they were cheering I leaped out of darkness at them. Using handgun and as a club I hit one of them holding a shotgun knocking out completely. Another one was faster a bit faster and was ready to shoot me with his gun but I just used my final bullet and shot him right in an eye killing instantly.
I checked his weapon but this was those cheap shits made by Budget Arms so I tossed it away. Shotgun was classing pump action one and had full mag. Now I was checking on surviving Scavenger. He seemed to be alive just unconscious. I started pouring beer that he was drinking with his buddy to wake him up. When he opened his eyes he was scared to death seeing half naked man with scary gas mask and helmets with signs of corrosion.
"Господи. Спаси меня! Молю тебя!"( Oh God. Please save me! I am begging you) - he started praying to god with tears and eyes full of fear. Luckily I can speak Russian so I can tell him what I need.
"Где блядь выход! Говори кусок говна! Или я тебя щас твоим же дробовиком в жопу изнасилую!" ( Where is the fucking exit! Speak you piece of shit! Or I will rape you right in the ass using your shotgun!) - I said to him in Russian.
"Я покажу! Только не надо....( I will show you! Just don't) - but before he could finish speaking I punched him not being in a mood to waste time.
"Давай шагай. И только блядь попробуй сделать что то глупое я тебе яйца отсрелю." (Start walking. And only try to do something stupid I will shoot you balls off.) - I ordered him and motivated him by poking with a shotgun.
Dead scared Scavenger started guiding me towards the exit. After a while we got close to ringing phone. I picked it up.
"A-3, I can finally track your position and surprisingly your are on right track." - netrunner said.
"Yeah, I also got myself a guide. Just in case." - I replied to her.
"Good. That will save time. You just need to walk 100 meters more and you will see a lift."
"Эй долбаеб сколько еще до лифта? ( Hey moron, how long till we get to lift) - I asked scavenger.
"100....120 метров" (100...120 metres) - he replied shaking.
"Ok, I will try to contact you when I reach a ladder leading to exit."
"Fine. But by the time you reach -1 comms must start functioning."
"Alright, see you guys on outside." - I put down a phone handle and ordered my involuntary guide to get me out of here.
After 10 minutes I was finally near the ladder and pushed Scavenger outside to check for situation since comms still didn't work. In case he will get shot first and not me.
Once he made it outside he got pulled aside and I could hear punching sounds. Poor lad, today is really bad day for him.
"Alpha, don't shoot." - I shouted just in case since I was sure that my team is outside.
"A-3 is that you?" - I heard Alpha's voice.
"Yes, Alpha, coming up." - I replied to him and started climbing out of that shithole-sewers.
"Finally, we got quite a pain in a neck trying to get you out. But thanks to netrunners we got you back."
"Yeah, let's end this shit show. I had enough for one day." - I started walking back to our car when I saw mercs celebrating completing contract.
"Alpha, just hold for few secs. I need to do something." - Alpha just raised his eyebrow but let me go.
I walked towards mercs and my arrival wasn't unnoticed. They got a bit nervous but I had no guns on me so they relaxed. I looked at black haired girl that helped me out down there.
"What's you name?" - I asked her.
"Sasha. Sasha Yakovleva." - she replied with a curious look and a slight smile.
"Спасибо Саша. С меня причитается." ( Thank you Sasha. I owe you.) - I thanked her and started walking back to my team.
If I looked back at her I could see wide smile appearing on her face.
That's how our Black Op concluded and I started falling asleep after getting into container. Our trip to Lion's den is over. But to my great disappointment I couldn't get any nice souvenirs except for bruises and scars. Next time I will bring a crow bar and will rip off something for sure. That were my last thoughts before I fall asleep.