Girl's Frontline: Wicked Animandum

You have finished your calculations. The situation is what it is. Surrounded on all sides by danger, but only one you can fight. And fight you shall. You're taking AA-12, the jeep, and your lives safely out of here. And spending some gas while you're at it. While it does not bolster the highest chance of survival, it might be the one you have the most control over, the most direct. And Hunter seems to like direct prey. Better give her what she wants then.

You look to your companion, who's adorning a look of uncertainty. The calculations seem to worry her a bit more. You raise your firearm, a gesture to show you'll not be surrendering, nor running.

Her eyes widen, almost bewildered.

"You seriously think we can just bust through?"

"Just keep your shields up as you drive, go full speed. I'll take care of the pursuers."

"What about Hunter? She sees the tiniest opening she'll shoot."

"Her window of opportunity will shorten if we charge directly at her. When she spoke, the echo revealed her general direction."

AA-12's expression turns sour, like what she heard was the opposite of reassuring.

"I swear, this has become a suicide mission…"

With her spirit so low, she might not be at optimal efficiency. That's bad, you'll need every advantage you can get to get through this. Thankfully, you know exactly how to motivate the shotgun, a very simple way.

"... remember the deal? Extra lollipops for each roadkill. Hunter is double points."

"..."

With closed eyes of contemplation, she reaches into her pocket, feeling around for a bit. No doubt checking her candy count. She frowns, then sighs. Next time she opens her eyes, there's a new layer of seriousness supporting them. Of course this wouldn't be complete without a new lollipop in her mouth, about to see some serious action.

"Let's go then."

You nod. The trunk takes little to open, barely holding together, but at least it obstructs the enemy's vision from behind. For now though, the two of you will use it to enter. AA-12, with her shields up, takes her seat behind the wheel, blocking both the front windshield and side windows, her three shields being just enough, though the now missing left door might cause problems. You stayed in the trunk, one hand on your gun, the other on the gas canister, ready to leave behind a trail of fire and bullets once you're through. AA-12's foot is on the pedal, hand on the ignition, ready to tango with the devil.

"Well, Griffin? What is your answer?!"

Calls Hunter, hopefully for the last time today. You respond...

[ ] "You want us? Come and get us!"
[ ] "Sorry, but I think we'll pass!"
[ ] "What's that? Can't hear you over the asskicking we're about to give you!"
[X] "Вперед марш! Ypa, ypa!!!"
[ ] Write-in

That's enough of a signal, prompting your companion to blaze it. The engine lit up, and immediately you charged off. Of course, Sangvis reaction time was good as well. Already rounds were flying towards you. Scraping through the thin metal plates, you're only real protection being AA-12 and your position being hidden. Racing downhill, you were already picking up decent speed.

Thankfully, Hunter's obsession with capturing you alive means her troops are avoiding shots at the engine. This very much works in your favor, but you'll have to lay down suppressive fire so that your other three wheels won't be taken out.

In only a few moments you were at the bulk of the Sangvis line, and some strong bumps made it known to you that you're gonna be owing a few more candies to the driver. It's unknown whether one of those bumps was the big money shot, but it is very unlikely for a Ringleader to get hit by a vehicle it saw coming from a distance. Finally, you're passing a few units, and you waste no time taking your own shots. At the same time, you prepare to start spilling some gas to get in the way of any pursuing Dragoons.

However, the Ringleader would not make it that easy.

A slightly different sounding bump came from the front, as if something hit the hood. You think nothing of it, until you caught something emerging from the upper corner of your vision. First a head, then a torso, then the rest of the body, a Sangvis is leaping through the air right over you as gracefully as a snowflake, facing you. And not just any Sangvis. Short white hair but with a very long ponytail, an open black leather jacket, and two top of the line Sangvis pistols pointing straight at you, not to mention her piercing green gaze. Time slows. Your processes and reflexes are on overdrive, for you're competing with those of a Ringleader who has you in her sights. SMG type mobility engaged, you have to act immediately or you'll be pierced by a flurry of energy projectiles in less time than it would take for a human to even register. But there's barely any space to evade, and a simple bullet her way might not be enough.

Thankfully you've got something heavier than a bullet already on hand.

It might be a stupid idea, considering the short distance between the two of you, but it's the only real thing that'll prevent her from taking shots at you, and avoiding her pistol fire is of highest priority for your survival, as is remaining on board the jeep. In one lightning quick motion, you throw the gas canister her way. Then you shoot. Can't let her take the first shot.

Newsflash: gas is flammable.

I got quite bright. Flame erupted in the space between you and Hunter, growing in a flash. An explosion, it's size and light blocking both your visions. The heat wave hit you like a truck, fire threatening to engulf you. Covering your face, you cannot stop the flames from catching you, being so close to the explosion, your clothing caught on fire. You need to put it out immediately before sustaining more damage. The poncho first, you take it off and snuff the flames out, then quenche your burning sleeves and skirt. Thankfully your hair didn't catch on fire, but now you're about 50% black from burn marks, especially your attire.

"Heather?! Are you okay?!"

Once the fire on your person was extinguished, you looked back out at the road you're leaving behind. You can see a big trail of smoke where the canister detonated, no doubt still having left some fire on the road, should slow them down a little. However, you can spot no trace of Hunter. The amount of damage she must've sustained, if any, is unknown to you, but the plan worked, if at the cost of some self-harm. You decide to answer AA-12's question.

[X] "Yeah… just blew things a little out of proportion."
[ ] "I'm fine… can't say the same for Hunter though."
[ ] "Focus on driving, all's fine here."
[ ] Write-in

You look back her way, seeing she already took off the front shield so she could see where she's driving. That means no more Sangvis from the front, hopefully.

"I felt the heat all the way here! Be more careful!"

A strong bump cut off your attempt at a retort, forcing you to hold onto something. Talk about being careful, crashing into a tree now would surely be the end of the line, racing downhill still. The tension has by no means dropped for either of you.

"ETA to the village?"

"Uuuuh… a couple of minutes? Like… 5 to 10, if the road is free of jerks!"

It's considerably less than how much you've already spent being chased around. You're more than halfway through this, and hopefully it'll be a straight path to the finish line this time.

"Uh… Heather? The engine's smoking."

You had already caught the scent, but hoped it was simply the burnt parts of your clothing. Looking forward it wasn't so much as to obscure the driver's vision, but a smoking engine is always trouble.

"I'm worried this thing's gonna explode any second… let's hope it'll get us to the village at least."

You can only agree. The vehicle is undoubtedly reaching its limit, but you need it to keep going for just a little longer. You can only hope the villagers are gone by now.

Cutting the chat short, you give the road you're leaving behind your full attention once more. Like a sentry you scan the moving landscape, ready to suppress any Sangvis pursuers. A few minutes passed, and still nothing. Not even drones stalking from the distance, and nothing in the front either. Elevation was normal again, though you were still trying to maintain high speeds.

You are starting to wonder if you really could've shaken them off, if the damage done to Hunter was great enough to cause a disturbance in her troops. However, even if you did escape her grasp, she knows where you're going. It is now a race, and you have a head start due to your boldness.

"... hey, I think… yes! I see the village already!"

Momentary relief fill your lungs, salvation almost within arm's reach. AA-12 observes the village as you approach, not seeing a single soul scurrying about. The streets were clear and picked clean, a ghost town was born. No damage or corpses either, Sangvis couldn't have made it here yet. You don't stop to look out for anyone hiding in the building or alleys, you have a specific location to go for. A map is waiting for you at the bar.

The jeep grinds to a halt, leaving tracks in the snow. You jump out, you're here.

"Keep the engine running, I'll fetch the map."

Your companion nods, gripping the steering wheel tight and revving the engine occasionally. She knows you'll be back.

You bust into the bar through the front doors, taking a look around. Even this place had barely anything left in it. The furniture stayed, as did some of the decorations, but the shelves that were displaying a plethora of drinks was completely picked clean. Someone's got their priorities. There was only a single unopened bottle of Scotch sitting on the counter, almost mysteriously so. Surely no-one would mind if you…

[X] Take the bottle.
[ ] Don't take the bottle.

But you too have your priorities. The map. You were promised a copy to be left for you here on your return. Now the village folk are gone, but… where is it? Nothing on the tables, below the counter, on the shelves, nothing. One would think they'd put it somewhere easy to spot… if at all…

"C'mon Veresk, what's taking so long?"

AA-12 chirps in through the Zener network.

"Can't find it… I'll check upstairs."

"I swear if those bastards screwed us over…"

Biting her tongue to hold be a flurry of curses, she sighs.

"Just hurry…"

You can only comply. You rush up the stairs, and through the door of the second floor. It appeared to be a living area, no doubt for the bar owners. Cozy, but also stripped of all valuables that could be carried. That's when you heard the louder revving of an engine and the turning of wheels, followed by gunshots. AA-12 just drove off.

"Damn it! They're here Veresk! Can't let them damage the jeep and further, I'll have to circle around! You just find that damn map! I'm cutting connection so they can't track you."

Of course it wouldn't be this easy. No map and the escape ride is off for a while, things are looking grim again, but at least your location is fairly hidden for now. You check the tables, drawers, even the cupboards. Until finally you find something resembling a map, or at least half of one. Upon closer inspection it really is the map you needed, and displaying half the minefield it was more than enough to get you through… if a torn piece of paper is to be trusted. You stash it immediately, getting ready to head back down. But you suddenly hear footsteps coming from the floor below. Sangvis must've noticed you're not with AA-12 and were issued a search, but they still haven't pinpointed your location. Engaging them is unnecessary, all you need to do now is get to your drive and GTFO. Downstairs is a no go, so the window will do. You pull it up and jump out. The height was no problem with pre-planned landing. You found yourself in the space between buildings, and it's better that way. Out on the streets you'd be spotted and gunned down. You follow the sound of a vehicle and gunfire in the distance, traversing the tight paths between the buildings and their, housing their back sheds, gardens and workshops.

The immediate area around you is quiet, almost calm. Many footsteps were paved in the snow, now yours were the only new ones, and likely the last ones for quite a while, if Sangvis Ferri will leave anything left of this place. Some snow suddenly falls on you from above. You look up to see nothing. Just snow falling from the roof due to sunlight, probably. You advance further. You don't run as to not attract attention, there's definitely troops out on the streets after all, and you're all headed the same way. You hear someone passing by, so you hide behind an empty barrel. It was a drone, whizzing past at high speeds, not scouting as much as just heading to a destination. It turned a corner. Safe to move now.

You're starting to hear more sounds. Both inside the buildings you're passing by and the streets you're avoiding. The enemy is uncomfortably close, but you have to keep moving. You're even starting to see shadows where they're not supposed to be, betraying the undeniable presence of something. It's all around you, every corner of your vision and beyond a point of possible attack. Your perceptive programs haven't taken this much of your processing power in quite some time...

BANG!

Turns out it was a good precaution to do so. A bullet whizzed past you, and it would've been a clean hit were you not ready to dodge one all this time. It hit the ground near you, and going by the angle, the attackers must've hit from above. You keep this in mind as you break into a sprint, the snow below your feet giving way to powerful steps, followed by more near misses behind you. Like the wind on your back they chase you, jumping from rooftop to rooftop above you, like a pack of wolves taking bites at your flanks. But you bite back. You jump, taking a few steps on the wall to gain more height, as you kick yourself off and spin, spraying rounds at your pursuers. They had not expected such immediate and quick retaliation, and paid for their overconfidence as falling piles of metal hitting the floor below. You held the trigger for quite a while, not wanting to take any chances. It was better to take care of them now rather than leading them to AA-12. Finally, as you have no wings to carry you further, you land with your back onto the snowy ground, sufficiently breaking your fall.

Silence fell once more, but you did not let it sink it. Rolling back to your feet, you get back on your way. You must change tactics to make yourself more difficult to track, so you continue through one of the buildings for a change. You charge through the door, the roof above you eliminating one angle of attack. The jeep sounds closer now, so you pick up the pace. You need to get high and signal her, best to jump in on a drive-by. So you run upstairs again, and seeing the roof of another building just in reach from the nearest window, you take the opportunity at hand. One good jump, hands crossed before you, foot on the window frame, and off you fly through, glass shards in the air around you. You reach out, catching the ledge firmly. However, as you started pulling yourself up…

"Found you."

You were not given a second to react before a fist came flying out of nowhere, hitting you square in the face. The only thing you saw before the impact loosened your grip and made you fall two stories to the ground below, was the image of a crouching Hunter, with an expression just short of an overly proud smile. The impact was harder, the punch having been rather disorienting, like being hit by a truck on a much smaller surface area. It'll no doubt leave a mark. But as much as your head is ringing, you can't afford to get another hit. You have let go of your firearm, you need it back. Rolling onto your front, you look around for the SMG. The second you spot it, your hands become pedals, which's only purpose is to propel you through the snow towards it. Alas, you were not quick enough, and the figure of Hunter landed in front of you, her right heel hammering into your left hand, [X] the main hand / [ ] at least it wasn't you main hand. She pushed your gun out of your reach with her second foot. You looked up at her, staring at her in defiance. You can see more clearly now, she had indeed sustained some damage from your last encounter. Her jacket was partially burnt, black marks on her face and skin, hands particularly. She looks down on you, and not just literally.

"Squirming 'till the very end, are you?"

She presses down harder on your hand. It hurts of course, denting and almost breaking internal components, but you do not let it show.

"Well, you had plenty of chances. Part of me is glad you refused them all. It was a good hunt. Yet in the end… you still lost. And due to your naivety no less. How disappointing."

[ ] "Is catching people off guard all you can do? C'mon, let's make it a fair fight. Just you and me. Or are you chicken?"
[X] "Y'know, even if a die here… shooting that gas canister, blasting you off and leaving you in the dust, and that surprised look on your face before I ruined your oh so expensive jacket and make up, and got away? Priceless."
[ ] "Hold on now, how about a deal? It's hard to refuse now when you're so damn persistent."
[ ] Write-in

The Ringleader simply chuckled, disregarding your words with a wave of her gun.

"You really are something Veresk. A shame you're just a Griffin slave. A simple T-doll that has run out of luck. I wonder what Scarecrow ever saw in you."

Her monologue has been interrupted by the sound of a car engine nearby. Hunter's eyes shifted, huffing. You can't tell whether in surprise or annoyance. She looked back to you.

"I was wondering when your dog would arrive. How desperate prey can be. Does that pathetic doll really believe she can best m-"

CRASH!

You were wondering why the sound was only getting closer and louder, like her foot was unwilling to let go of the gas pedal. All the force of a racing, several ton hunk of metal came crashing through the nearest wall. Hunter had barely any time to react, and you gave her no chance, taking hold of her leg and immobilizing her. The front bumper smashed into her, and with little loss in momentum the jeep kept going in through the wall of the next building, taking Hunter along with it. A few meters in and the vehicle finally stopped, having crashed through two walls. However, it miraculously started pulling back, stopping with the door just before you. It opens to reveal AA-12 at the wheel, yelling at you.

"Heather! Get in!"

Your ride's here, time to go. Reaching under the vehicle, you pull out your gun and pick yourself up. Before you jump in however, you notice the damage AA-12 did. It was a mess, and not just the building. Hunter was wrecked, caught under debris, but a high ranking doll like her won't be felled just like that. She was already trying to set herself free and reach for her weapons, but it would take a while. She looked at you, hellfire burning in her eyes, anger driving her forward. This might be farewell with this one Ringleader. AA-12 might be in a hurry, but a few words surely wouldn't hurt.

[ ] Throw her a stun grenade "Hey, Hunter. Catch!"
[ ] Throw her an incendiary grenade "Remember this, Hunter. And let you boss know: don't mess with me."
[ ] Throw her a frag grenade "The great hunter, felled by its own prey… poetic. It's been fun. Bye now~"
[ ] Shoot her full of lead "Turns out it was me who got you, good Hunter… stay dead this time, will ya?"
[X] Leave her the bottle of scotch "Here, something to soothe the pain of this utterly crushing defeat. Looking forward to next time, oh great hunter."
[ ] Finger gun her with a wink "Got'cha~"
[ ] Have AA-12 shoot her "Not so pathetic now, huh?"
[ ] Leave silently, but smile smugly.
[ ] Write-in