999.

999. [Part 3]

I looked at the Hunter and Striker, my mind running out of emotions to describe how I felt. I knew that Claudia was now gone, but my mind wouldn't allow the realisation hit. I just stared at the Hunter and Striker until it turned its turret around, and drove away and around a corner. Then I snapped back into the present, two thoughts in my mind. Claudia's death, and He's getting away.

The former would have to be dealt with in a more emotional way while the latter could be solved be pounding a few holes into the attacker of my friend. I turned my Wasp around, activated a Speed Boost, and flew around the corner. As I turned, I saw the culprit standing at the other end of the alleyway, seemingly teasing me. I charged towards him, completely oblivious of the fact that I was wielding a powerful, long-range turret. The only thing that ran through my mind and body was the instinct to tear him apart. That was when I realised I made a mistake.The Hunter-Striker backed up. I followed, quickly catching up to him. I heard a beep, barely saw a little red circle, then all my senses registered a ground-shaking explosion. I had just run over a mine.

I noticed that my health had plummeted to almost nothing. Then I realised what his plan was. I looked to see a little red laser focusing on my tank. I quickly activated a Repair Kit, but then realised that it would be pointless if he locked on to me. I looked around only to find that he had me right where he wanted me. I knew the only ways out were behind him, or behind me, but neither seemed a good option. I counted down to my death as the Striker started locking in, realising how I had failed both Claudia and my friend.Then Commander appeared out of nowhere and rammed into him from behind, knocking off his aim with his bulky Mammoth. He emptied the fiery plasma clip from his Ricochet into the Hunter-Striker, who quickly ran for cover, passing but ignoring me. Commander walked over to me and said: "Hey kid, be more careful next time."

I heard him but just couldn't persuade myself to do as he said. I turned around and followed the path of the Hunter-Striker. He seemed to know when I was about to shoot. I would warm up, and he would suddenly turn right before I shot, ensuring I miss. I didn't know where he was leading me, all I knew is that I was never there before. He turned right, turned left, went on straight, doubled up. I always had to be on the lookout for not only enemies but also mines. It was worse than parkour. Eventually, he turned again, and I noticed the buildings this time. We're going in circles.

I decided to shoot him but purposefully jerk to the right, so I would barely miss him, hoping it would turn him around. I shot, then went down a different alleyway I knew had a dead end to it. He turned around and started following me. I suddenly stopped, accelerated, and shot, sending me up in the air. I got on his tank and drove over him, cornering him. I loaded Double Damage and shot again, hitting him. I quickly hid behind a wall as a rocket screamed by. I loaded then shot when I popped out, injuring him some more. My only prayer? Please don't have a Repair Kit. Turns out he didn't.

I loaded my shot, popped out, and shot. The pure white shot went right at the unsuspecting victim and blasted straight though, unleashing a bright kaleidoscope of colours as he exploded into nothingness. He's gone. But that was only part of the problem solved. I looked around, and I saw no teammates. Only enemies. He leads me into his territory, I thought, his dying wish. I was now cornered, not unlike the burning corpse behind me.