The question lingered in the air for a moment. More of a taunt some would say, or perhaps something more genuine? The truth of your smug smile was undeniable at least, and you could almost peek it out to show off to the ringleader. No doubt she can imagine it already, it's one of a kind.
However, the short silence was breached when fire was directed towards you. All of the fire. It felt like every SF gun present decided to chip away at your cover like an energy saw, a strong current stomped by the concrete being pounded to dust, like a boulder in a violent river. You had to back away from the edges so your hair wouldn't be set on fire.
This barrage lasted for a few seconds, then ended with silence once again. The air was thick with smoke, making it hard to see. You were at the epicentre after all. And before either side could confirm your status…
[ ] "My, am I rocking this look so well that you got jealous?"
[ ] "Bad Hunter, bad! Do I need to get the jeep again? You better apologize now!"
[ ] *sniff* "I just wanted to say hi to my new sister…"
[ ] "... you missed~"
[X] Write-in : "I knew you missed me!"
Your allies sighed in relief, while the enemy just let the charging of their weapons speak for them. You figured it was best to move now, else they'll grind your cover to dust to get to you. Signals were sent through the Zener network faster than a fly could beat its wings, and you were swiftly provided covering fire by the likes of Tiss and SAW. Now you were on the defensive, Hunter's presence empowering the Sangvis units with more complex and unpredictable commands. The air felt colder outside of that spot they scorched, the wind brushing past you.
"Damn, forget the offensive. Take defensive positions and hold the front, we can't let her push us out into the forest!"
JS05's command was clear. Obviously, forests are a hunter's territory, so this encampment is a more advantageous environment to fight the ringleader in. You remember how persistent Hunter's forces were during your escape from Area S09, and you're on foot this time. Not only that, but AA-12 doesn't seem to be around either…
You'll just have to make do.
"Shesh, she really must hate you!" commented SAW.
"Hate? Nah, that was just her acknowledging me. Now the hunt begins~"
"Are you quoting her now?!" questioned Specter, exasperated.
You merely shrug, enforcing your earlier suggestion of less talking and more shooting. You can only afford to be so smug and get away with it. And she can no doubt hear whatever you're saying out loud instead of just transmitting through Zener. You contemplate whether to use a grenade, but decide to see how the situation evolves first. No doubt Hunter was just observing them until she noticed your presence, finally pressing down harder. The combat data she gathered might make this a difficult fight… but then again, she didn't account for you and Tiss to suddenly show up. Time to become yet another doll's variable.
Flanking a flanker might be a weird idea, but weird is what you're going for, less predictability. You make your way to the edge of the defensive line, and Tiss seeing you immediately knows what's up, following you. You'd tell JS05, but it is doubtful she'd approve, bound by protocol as these girls are. Tiss definitely approves if this approach anyway.
"So… how did you beat her the first time again?"
"AA-12 rammed her through a wall." you chuckled at the memory "She looked so graceful~"
"So, secret objective: look for AA-12 and walls?" concluded Tiss with a question mark. You figured that's good enough.
"Where is AA-12 anyway? I'm assuming Hunter hasn't come across her yet, there was no fear of an imminent high impact in her voice~"
"Probably on escort duty with sis. They were sent out to protect SPP-1 while she gathers intelligence. Must've filled Soaring Wings' spot…"
So, your shotgun companion is indeed elsewhere. Perhaps that is a good thing, Hunter might underestimate you again without your riding shotgun, and overlook the fact you've got far more allies this time around.
You looped around through a shallow trench, fire still being exchanged in only two directions. You're looking to add fire from a third direction, after a good amount of observation. This is the first time you saw Hunter in a large-scale firefight, but to say that you'd first have to actually see the ringleader. You catch glimpses of her figure, but that's about it. She's fast, really fast. She moves from cover to cover, never staying in one place. By the time someone pinpoints her location, she has already moved by two positions. And she does this while delivering constant heat on her prey, from directions they thought safe before, invoking paranoia. You can see the poor MP5 struggling to keep up, as do the other dolls. It seems G&K has still not developed a strategy to combat this threat.
You keep watching, trying to spot an opportunity. It sure would be useful to stop time again like you did before, but it's not exactly a button you can push, and you're not even sure whether it can happen again. So instead you just focus. There's other things to notice than details. One of those things are patterns, and there definitely are patterns here. If the opponent is thinking ahead, then you just need to think further than that.
The reason you're aiming for Hunter, aside from being your senpai, is her control over all the forces. Should you cause strain on her digimind, the whole Sangvis frontline will suffer, and your allies can get more hits in, as well as get hit less.
You and Tiss take aim. There's one place where you saw her shadow the most times, so that's your best bet. You watch her switch places a few more times, ready to squeeze the trigger in an instant. And 1… 2… and…
Bullets zipped through the air, both of you aiming for one spot. And in that same moment, you saw the silhouette of your target approaching… wait, approaching?
Shock overcame you as she moved right past the targeted spot, making a B-line straight for you and Tiss, pistols raised. You can't even speak before the green energy leaves her barrels, and in reflex you yank Ots-12's shoulder and hit the ground. Dodging the fire narrowly, you know it'll just be split seconds before she's above you two, so you land on your back with your gun aimed up, firing into the sky, hoping she'll run into your stream of bullets. You saw only a blur pass above you, only thing shot your way being a green stare for less than a second's fraction. You didn't hit her, but clearly she couldn't return fire without getting hit, so both of you are unscathed.
You get up immediately, taking cover to adapt to her new position. Tiss gets up shortly as well, a little dirty from the ground but not hit either.
"A familiar position, wouldn't you say, SR-2 Veresk?" you were addressed by the ringleader, who sounded awfully close "You back against a wall, except this time you don't have that pesky little shotgun with you, only that sorry excuse for an assault rifle."
"Peh, what does she know about the secret weapon?" Tiss responded to the taunting.
"Really, after last time, I wasn't expecting you to let yourself get cornered so easily. How… disappointing."
[ ] "Hey, not cool! I let you go last time!"
[ ] "I don't suppose a second bottle would get me out of this one?"
[X] "This is sooo unprofessional senpai. If you wanted a date, you could've just called!~"
[ ] Write-in
"Griffin has started quite a large hunt tonight. But you weren't careful, and became the hunted instead. I will collect many of your- huh?"
Suddenly, Hunter's monologue was interrupted, and not because of you for once. At least, you don't think it was you, unless your mere presence is starting to have an effect on the Ringleader. But it sounds like she's talking to someone else.
"Can this wait? I am in the middle of-... ah, so it really is them, huh?... alright, I'll move back. Hunter out."
Tiss gives you an inquisitive look, but you already have an idea of what that was about.
"... it appears you got lucky once again, Veresk. You might yet get to see the morning light before I return to claim you, and that shotgun."
"Are you saying you'll come pick me up-"
BANG!
As a goodbye present, Hunter let a round graze your cover, very uncomfortably close to your head, but still a miss. The message was clear, Hunter was leaving, as were some of her forces. However, some remained and still fought, likely to throw off pursuit.
A window of opportunity suddenly reveals itself as you see the direction Hunter fled in. If you start running now, you might be able to pick up a trail and follow the ringleader. However, a high amount of danger might outweigh the possible gain of intel. Besides, your allies still require assistance dealing with the leftover enemy units...
[X] Follow Hunter
[ ] Help allies