Chapter 23: Pursuit

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Kyle and Shawn continue riding their Manticores as Jake and James continue riding theirs through the Hive tunnels, before Condemned on turrets open fire and Goliaths open fire as well.

James: You know I expected my first driving test to be an actual car! Not a beast!

Jake: Well, you better imagine this damn thing is car and drive it!

Kyle: C'mon! Let's get to Midtown Manhattan!

As the two groups are flying their Manticore, they notice a group of A.O.W Soldiers pinned down by Condemned.

Jake: Looks like those soldiers need some help!

James: Do we have time?

Kyle: Doesn't matter! We'll make time! Land this thing, Shawn!

Shawn: Got it!

Shawn lands the Manticore as James lands down his hard.

Jake: Oh! damn it, James! That went a little in the balls!

James: My bad!

Kyle: Nice job, Shawn! Let's make this quick!

Kyle and Jake control the turrets on the Manticore controls to take out the Condemned Soldiers, before a Goliath appears, but is taken out by Kyle. Two A.O.W Soldiers approach the two Manticores.

A.O.W Soldier: Whoa...never thought we'd see a human civilian riding on one of these things....anyways, thanks for the help. We thought we were fucked for a moment.

Kyle: Don't mention it. Look, get your asses out of there. This entire place will be coming down in a few hours...

A.O.W Soldier: Behind you!

Scorcher and his King Wasp Beast appear from behind the group as the two Manticore groups flee.

Kyle: Shit! Shawn! Move!

Shawn: Yee-ha! Gidiyup! Go, girl! Go! Get your ass moving, bitch!

A chase ensues as Kyle and Jake hold off Scorcher and the King Wasp, before it catches up.

James: Fuck! He's gaining on us!

Scorcher gets on the turrets and opens fire, before Kyle returns fire, forcing Scorcher to retreat. After a few tense moments, the King Wasp opens its mouth, attempting to eat one of the two Manticore groups with its large parasitic tongue.

James: Goddamn thing's trying to eat us, man!

Shawn: Kyle, shoot it in the mouth!

Kyle opens fire and manages to hit the King Wasp in its parasitic tongue, causing it to retreat.

Shawn: Dude, this motherfucker doesn't take a goddamn hint!

The chase continues for a good couple of minutes, before the two Manticores manage to lose the pursuing King Wasp through a small fissure that it cannons fit through. In Midtown Manhattan, the A.O.W and the Midtown Manhattan Fighters continue to hold against the Condemned, sustaining few casualties. An A.O.W Tank appears and manages to take down the Goliaths invading the streets, before it is taken down by a Manticore. Outside Midtown Manhattan, the two Manticore groups fly out of the tunnels.

Shawn: Oh, hell yeah!

Jake: shit, that was too close.

Kyle speaks in his earpiece.

Kyle: Bowers! Pierce! do you copy?!

In Midtown Manhattan, the command center, Kyle's broadcast is received.

A.O.W Technician: Sir, transmission from Kyle is being received!

Sarah: Kyle? Kyle?

Ashley: He's alive...thank god.

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