Chapter 16 - Saga 3, Anything’s Fate
Archer And Acid Aside About Anything As An Agitator Attacks
*
“Hey… Wait.â€
Archer stopped in his tracks after he spoke, Acid_Flux turning back to him as the rest of the Fellowship continued marching forward, unaware, still cheering a bit over their apparent victory in the Caves.
“What is it?†inquired Acid as he strolled over to the troglodyte. “StevenV said his Battalion had been lost in Other Games. I hadn’t remembered that until now. That may prove important.†Acid frowned. “How so?†Archer chuckled. “In the Caves, I had a little conversation with MatB. Apparently he’s been able to express interest to Todd about becoming another Mod in Anything.â€
“What?†Archer shrugged, allowing Flux to continue. “And Todd’s actually considering it? Isn’t Todd aware that Anything is currently falling into oblivion?â€
Archer sighed. “Well, MatB was aware of it, yet filed for the position anyway. It’s not official yet, and I don’t know what’s Todd’s considering and what he isn’t. I just can’t help but wonder if it’s merely coincidence that MatB has expressed interest in Anything just as StevenV was led out of Other Games straight to us.â€
Acid thought for a moment, obviously not comprehending fully. “What does MatB have to do with Other-“
Archer grinned widely as Acid’s eyes widened. “He’s a Mod there, isn’t he?†Archer nodded, replying “Now to figure out what it means. I hadn’t even considered MatB as a suspect before, but this could make sense, somehow. I mean, on a hunch, I would’ve thought someone from General would’ve despised Anything so much as to initiate its erosion. But perhaps someone from Other Games would have a motive as well. I don’t know…â€
Acid nodded, understanding how this only made things all the more confusing. I mean, if someone were trying to write a story about the fate of Anything, and had to keep up with all the current events in the forums, this could be huge. Then again, maybe not. Either way, I’d be interested in knowing what the writer has in mind, especially for the long-term storyline…
“Or MatB’s working under Todd’s influence, as an agent of corrosion. Perhaps Other Games is due for destruction as well. And, to get the job done, how better than to install someone as Mod over both forums?â€
Archer lightly laughed at Flux. “That may be a brilliant deduction.†Acid sighed. “Then again, if that were the case, why did MatB go to you? I mean, what were you two talking about? I’d think it’d take a lot of audacity to say something like that to the very person who’s out there trying to prevent it all.â€
Archer thought for a moment. “He just told me he might be a Mod in Anything soon, said he was willing to help out, then mentioned appealing to Todd for the position. Our conversation was actually cut short, in light of the invasion and DarkGuardian’s resulting battle.â€
Acid was taken aback. “Seems like odd timing, to me. Not sure what it’d mean, if anything, of course.†Archer sighed. “I’m afraid things are turning dire rather quickly, we may not have much time. Acid, as my advisor at the moment, do you think it’d be wise to journey into Other Games and see what’s up, try and get a hold of AussieScum and see if he can lend us any information or assistance? Or do you think we should continue our factional wanderings, heading to the Elven Lands as planned? Or should we bring the matter up with the whole group for their input? Or would that be dangerous, since we’re pretty sure one of them is a snitch? So maybe just consult with DarkGuardian? Or check in with Kelanor with AOL’s postal abilities, see how Anything’s doing? Or…â€
Acid_Flux paused to ponder the situation, the big picture, how this decision that would affect everything, as YOY- er, Archer stood by waiting for an answer.
However, it soon appeared that the decision wouldn’t be made at the moment, as Archer quizzically watched as Acid_Flux began running into the distance, sprinting as fast as he possibly could.
Acid had seen a spot in the distance, and thought he’d better investigate ASAP, even if that meant not yet alerting Archer to what he was doing. It was just a spot, but a particularly menacing-looking spot, mind you. Besides, he thought it could be a spy, and the answer to all their questions.
He continued running, soon able to tell that it was indeed a being, and it was rapidly pursuing him as well. The sharp-shooting NoThRoG space marine with a heart of hold drew a pair of fancy plasmatic auto-pistols and already began firing bolts of compacted sizzling energy at the emerging figure.
Soon the shots were connecting with the intruding body, exploding on contact as the person drew closer, slowing down, unrelenting amidst the firepower onslaught. Then the being fired a shot of his one, a high whine erupting in the air as a shimmering projectile tore through the atmosphere towards Acid_Flux.
The ‘throg went into evasive maneuvers, performing a spectacular dive and roll to the left, apparently assisted by newly-hatched jet propulsion packs on his ultra high-tech body armor. From his new position he fired another volley, soon shaken by the impact of his foe’s errant shot, a missile that had now formed a crater nearby, soot in the air briefly obscuring any vision.
The attacker then began laughing, a hearty sound, yet sticky with disdain. “Acid_Flux! Just the guy I wanted to see. You’re one of Archer’s little ambassadors, aren’t you? Yeah, I’ve seen you around.†The attacker spat on the ground, no small feat considering the bulk of his armor and weaponry equipped. “Trying to hurt me with those puny pea-shooters? You think a Heavy Weapons grunt wouldn’t be equipped to handle arms like that, even much larger?â€
Siege911, Heavy Weapons unit for Archer’s Army, grinned maliciously, shoulder-mounted rocket launchers rotating into new calibration.
Acid_Flux rapidly drew the pulse rifle from his back and fired even before he had fully aimed. His intention merited such haste, however, as his shot sufficed to grind into the dirt directly ahead of Siege’s right foot. A small explosion later, siege911 had sunk into the ground a bit, his errant rocket now firing wide. Acid smiled in brief triumph, hoping the next one wouldn’t have any seeking capability.
He then drew a bead towards the transparent viewing port ahead of siege’s eyes, figuring it couldn’t be terribly strong. But before he could fire, Siege had bounded into the air, jump jets activated as his skeletal mech bounded into the air.
Flux rolled his eyes as he clicked on his own jets, narrowly avoiding another torpedo.
By now, the rest of the Fellowship had noticed the skirmish, though choosing against intervention, even as DarkKnightZach eased Stormcrow’s bow back down. “I think this one is just between them.†Stormcrow nodded, understanding, as they both looked at the others to be sure they, too, understood.
They then craned their necks upward to view the awesome battle taking place. Most of them had, by now, seen several impressive melees, but this one still managed to hold their interest, as they hadn’t yet seen anything quite like it.
Both combatants were flying and twirling and rifling through the air in a manner that birds could only dream of in their wildest imaginations, Acid_Flux rapidly firing plasma bolts as siege911 kept the pressure on with heavy weapons fire.
Neither seemed to have a distinct advantage, as Acid’s rounds didn’t seem to make a dent, and Siege’s fire was seemingly easily dodged.
Both seemed to be getting desperate, as Acid stopped firing for a minute, probably to strategize, siege settling to unleash the missiles two at a time, then three, then more, banks of them firing over and over, as he had to take short breaks now so he wouldn’t overheat.
Acid_Flux then slowly began descending back to the ground, siege911 following suit. As soon as siege touched down, Acid lobbed a grenade at siege. The load detonated, merely blowing siege backwards a fair distance as his elaborate suit rolled across the turf. As he stood, he seemed relatively unscathed, though scorch marks were definitely visible.
Acid sighed, growing weary of this confrontation.
Another volley of missiles headed this way, as our favorite NoThRoG leapt over them, flying right onto siege911, who clearly wasn’t expecting such an unorthodox maneuver. Acid_Flux landed on him, rolling onto the ground with him, pinning him to the ground, chest-down.
He then grinned cleverly at himself as he realized his old weapons would serve more purpose here, as he drew his old mini crossbows and fired a few precise shots, pinning siege to the ground as the bolts nailed through his coolant hoses and other weaker spots until he was stuck to the ground amidst a few dozen stakes.
Before siege could fully realize what was going on, Acid flew straight up into the air, waiting until he was a couple hundred feet up before drawing his rifle again, taking a good moment to aim for a fuel line and firing.
The shot was perfect, couldn’t have asked for a better chance as his foe below him erupted in a huge fireball, a massive explosion that sent a fair shockwave out from its epicenter.
Acid_Flux then landed nearer to the Fellowship, taking a deep breath, satisfied. The Fellowship cheered the victory, as Archer calmly walked over to be sure his comrade was okay.
Acid brushed off a few specks of dirt.
“Now, where were we?â€
© Eric Bailey