Eden's Gate

Chapter 13 - Back to John

When I woke up, Boomer and Peaches looked at me. I gave them a weak smile, stroking their heads before driving again.

"Rook. It's Kim. Listen up. Cult's been goin' around with fuel tankers fillin' 'em with any fuel they can find. I think they're plannin' an attack. Keep an eye out and when you find 'em, blow those bastards sky high!" Kim told me over the radio.

Hmm, better get a bird's eye view. Better chance of finding them. I drove to a nearby airstrip and hopped in a plan, taking off into the sky. Whilst I was checking around, I spotted one of the tankers Kim told me about. I aimed my machine guns and fired, destroying the tanker as I approached.

"Getting' some Peggie chatter over the radio... Ohh. Of-fucking-course. They're on to you, Rook. Sounds like there's two more tankers and they're makin' a run for cover. Don't let 'em get away!" Kim informed me.

Not a chance. I flew towards one of the tankers, taking out them both as I flew above. I circled back around, taking out the support vehicles with two well-placed bomb drops. The tankers and vehicles were only smouldering piles of metal after.

"BOOM! Nice job! Who knows where they might've parked that tanker. Don't gotta worry about it now! Keep it up!" Kim encouraged me. I turned the plane around and headed for the final tanker. As I passed over the tanker, I dropped a bomb, destroying the tanker. I turned around and began making another run at the support vehicles, raining gunfire from above on them. Whilst I flew away from the destroyed vehicles, I destroyed a cult silo nearby. A voice spoke through me radio, chilling me to the bone.

"Pastor Jerome is selfish and misguided. And if he were a true man of God, his people wouldn't have left him in the first place. You, my love, will still Confess your sins. Then you shall join us in the new world, by our side. Because this is the will of the Father. This is fate." John told me over the radio.

I may be their soulmate, but I will never stand by their side, whilst they hurt countless people and destroy their lives.

"Deputy, we got a problem... Sounds like the Cult's got a recon helicopter in the air identifying Resistance strongholds. Bring that bird down before they can coordinate their attacks." Kim informed me. I spotted two helicopters in the distance, I headed straight for them. Firing my machine guns at one, I sent it crashing down, before it realised I was attacking. I flew to the other one, sending it crashing down just like its partner.

"Oh no! Cult sent one of their Chosen after you – they're like Eden's Gate special forces. They do not screw around. Be careful!" Kim warned me. I turned around, just in time. I dodged incoming gunfire from another aeroplane. I began to return fire on the plane, swerving out of the way when it began to fire back at me. I approached the aeroplane fast, turning hard right just as I let a bomb drop on the aeroplane's side, sending it crashing down. I couldn't keep a smile off my face and from cheering in victory.

"Nnnnnnice! That was a hell of a move! Nick's got some competition, his ego's gonna deflate faster than a Patriots' football." Kim congratulated me. I laughed at Kim's words, sounded like Kim loved the idea of bursting her husband's bubble. I decided to return back to the hanger and pick up Peaches and Boomer. As I flew back, I dropped bombs on three different silos, taking each out as I flew. Jerome called me as I flew.

"Deputy... I know there's a long way to go, but everything you do gives inspiration and hope to the Resistance. I can hardly keep track of all the people showing up, willing to help us in this fight. It's only a matter of time before we take out John Seed and rescue Hudson, don't you worry." Jerome assured me as I landed the plane. As much as Jerome's words gave me confidence, I knew I would never be the leader they needed.