The Tempest Archives: Project Exokuro (Mangascript)

Chapter 5: Escape 2

Night

DJ awakes slowly, sitting up against a tree. One of his eyes has a patch on it and everywhere where the bullets pierced are covered by bandages. He looks up and notices Griz sitting near him with a campfire and tent.

Griz: "Ah, you're finally awake"

DJ: "Griz? Is that you?"

Griz: "Indeed it is. Mandy told me to take care of you"

DJ: "Oh, so you're familiar with Mandy too?"

Griz: "I am, she's told me a lot. She tries to tell this information to the strongest set of inmates."

DJ: "I see"

DJ says as he pats his eye with the scar and realizes he's bandaged up

DJ: "I see you've also tended to my wounds. How'd you find me?"

Griz: "Mandy told me that you were heading towards the South Entrance. Me and a few inmates were planning to escape together but Mandy specifically told me that you could use some help. So, I agreed"

DJ: "I see..I was trying to protect this one girl when i had to fight a set of guards to protect her"

Griz: "Oh? Could someone have found something he's interested in?"

Griz teases him

DJ: "IT'S..not like that. But she was kind of cute"

Griz: "Well, Romeo shouldn't worry about his Juliette right now. We both still have to recover"

DJ: "Knock is off Griz"

Griz laughs to herself. DJ is unamused.

Griz: "But back to the main focus, those tranq bullets are dangerous. Mandy told me about them. They don't hurt but are in fact bullets. The good news is that they rarely penetrate through the other side of the body. The bad news is they target nerves with a special substance developed by scientists of the SIC. Once the bullet enters the body, not only does it spread the substance, but it also can cause paralysis to a part of the body. However, the bullet is easy to remove and rarely causes permanent damage."

DJ: "I see. But how can such technology be acquired"

Griz: "The SIC is a research based inhumane organization. They recruit or brainwash scientists to develop things they can use to carry out tests and prevent failures. Unfortunately, Mandy is only responsible for treating inmates after experiments and injuries so she's not sure how DNA is replaced and altered. But she's collecting files and information in secret."

DJ: "So we still have no clue how we ended up like this"

Griz: "No clue. Right now I'm trying to think of a next move. You have a home right?"

DJ: "Yeah...but i cant just go home and forget about all of this. And plus my parents would worry. So i think I'll just let them know I'm in danger and for their safety, i shouldn't return"

Griz: "Sounds good. Its true that the SIC is gonna be on your ass for a while. You're a valuable asset to them and pretty soon they're gonna hunt you to recontain you. As for me, I'm not sure. I can probably blend in as a regular bear"

DJ: "We're gonna need to stay somewhere then. Plus we're gonna need a way of transportation"

Griz: "Cant forget defense"

Griz reaches into her bag and tosses him a KKT12. Griz puts on a red beret and grabs an SS4.

Griz: "I got these while searching the place. I figured we'd need to defend ourselves. We just can't encounter any police with these on us. I can get someone to work on fake gun licenses"

DJ: "I'm surprised you know someone"

Griz: "It'll normally be a fee, but me and him are close so he wont charge me."

DJ: "Seems like this was a good choice, that's amazing"

Griz gets up and starts walking

Griz: "By the way, I have our motive of transport already. An SUV. Though it was troublesome to drive with my big paws"

Griz points to the SUV

DJ: "Wow, it looks so cool. Where'd you get it?"

Griz immediately hesitates before DJ changes his mind wanting an answer

Griz: "Anyway, we are near the facility and we should probably get out the area soon"

Just then, there was a vibration in DJ's back pocket

Radio: "DJ, are you there?"

DJ reaches for the device and realizes it was a radio. He recognized the voice.

DJ: "Mandy?"

Mandy: "Spot on kid. Is Griz there with you?"

Griz: "I am"

DJ: "How'd i get this?"

Mandy: "I did more than pat you on your back. I slipped this radio into your pocket. I told you our way of communicating was already established"

Griz: "Smart as always Nursey"

Mandy: "Guards are beginning to search the area for you and other assets who escaped. You and Griz need to get as far away from here as possible."

DJ: "I understand, we're somewhere in Tall Pines"

Mandy: "My advice is to head somewhere past Killarney on the northside. They'll be searching the city and inhabited areas. So try to avoid the East and South for now. Follow airport road and head somewhere close to Sandyport or the lake.

DJ: "Understood. We'll be in touch."

The comms end and DJ turns to Griz

Griz: "Time for us to pack up and follow the doctor's orders"

DJ chuckles a bit

DJ: "That was stale but good, i dunno how that's possible"

Griz: "I've always wanted to be a comedian"

Griz and DJ hop in the SUV. DJ hops in the driver's seat

Griz: "Hope you know how to drive kid"

DJ: "I've played a lot of driving games. Used to play a lot of MVT and Energia Skyrise"

Griz: "Something doesn't sound right"

DJ: "Hmm?"

Griz: "Nevermind, i trust you"

DJ: "Alright lets go"

DJ places his firearm in the backseat. Griz puts hers between her knees. DJ drives them off to where Mandy told them to go, hoping they took the right approach.