An explosion followed after the explosion. An long forgoten train station was oblitirated while everything from small concrete both with weathered sign 'tickets' to a rusty and broken benches, were used as means of cover from ongoing fire.
But to the belief of Beda or Shafir, the fight wasn't between Mangie and Legion... It was three way fight between Mangie, The Legion and Red Hawk. Mangie and Legion didn't realized that the signal was being cut off by a Red Hawk PMC. And above everyone, Red Hawk had a biggest advantage, as their IFV were parked between a booth and a small brick wall, creating a long line of cover, where Red Hawk members were moving all around. Legion was having a hard time of it all, as they were using train station as they temp base, and now they are stuck in a middle of it all. And worst of all, Mangie recon team were stuck on a parking place where only three cars were parked. Thankfully, one of such cars were a cargo van, so it provided enough cover for a time.
Such crossfire were a wild thing. IFV from Red Hawks were taking heavy shots at Legion's vehicle, rendering them uselsess as means of movement. Darryl was holding onto a metal box with many 'warning' labels and looking around in his surroundings to take a note of this terrible situation. They are surrounded by two hostile groups and their grop is split between 'ticket' booth and center ground. A railtrack is placed right between him and the shootout, it would be bad idea to try and joint the other group, as they will be exposed to bullets the whole run. Just a few moments ago they were talking with Alpha about someone placing bombs on railtraks. Now all they can do, is to hope that Alpha successed in preventing sudden stop for a train.
Darryl - Arnold! Take the four! If we are lucky, the train will be here in a ten minutes!
Legion Officer Arnold - We don't have ten minutes! We are low both on ammo and on firepower!
Darryl - We either hold on for a train, or we all die here!
Legion Officer Arnold - That's not reassuring not one bit!
As Darry and Arnold screamed atop of their lungs in gasmasks, a line of heavy caliber bullets pierced through a hummer, that they were using as a cover. Despite the fact that bullets managed to pierce through metal and armor, the car still was shaking from each shot.
Darryl - Where the hell is smoke when you need it?
Legion Officer Arnold - We used the last of it back at the ruins fight! | Darryl - I know!
With a sigh, Darryl places box on a ground, opens the backseat door and grabs belt with just two grenades on it. Both labeled as 'flash grenade'.
Darryl - Not much, but it should do.Legion Officer Arnold - Any plans?
Darryl - Just hold off the four. I think I know how we are getting on that train!
=== Again ===
The head cart of train is filled with different computers and many unknown buttons with different screens. At least that's what it looked like to a Duval that was trying to fugure out what to do. But aside from two dead train drivers, it seemed like nobody knew what to do with all this. When he tried to use access card from one of the dead bodies, computer asked for a code, which wasn't anywhere. It looks like he might need a help of a doll here. And just on time, Nita and Zed walked inside the cart. Duval was surprised to see Nita.
Duval - Nice timing Zed, but what are you doing here?
Nita - Long story short, train is movin faster then it supposed to, and our attempt at blowing up traks were inturrupted by someone else.
Duval - Great to hear that, but can you two do some EW shenanigans with this terminal? It requers access card and a code to work with.
Zed - Alright, I'm on it!
Taking a seat in front of a terminal, Zed froze with blank stare right on a terminal. And on that moment, train started slowing down. Duval and Nita heard gunfire in a distance. Duval took a closer look through a front of the cabin. There were a train station ahead that looked like a small battlefield rather than a train station.
Duval - It looks like we are going to have guests on our train... Nita, go to the next cart and greet our guests. Don't let anyone without a propper ticket get in here!
It took Nita a moment what he meant by that. But then just noded and walked out.
Somewhere outside, an Mangie IFV arrived with Nomomo and Blaze inside. IFV parked percectly to provide cover for recon team and Nomomo were first to rush out of IFV, much to recon team relief. Then a rocker went flying from Red Hawk side right at the Mangie IFV, but before it would be able to hit IFV, with a spark of a light, rocket suddenlt changed direction and flee somewhere in a forest, breaking a bunch of trees and thundering air around the area.
With Nomomo back in fight, she rushed straight into enemy line and started shoting, with the support of IFV autocannon. In a few minutes, Nomomo was already there and tearing through and killing people soldiers and dodging bullets.
Meanwhile Mangie with support of Blaze, were moving in on Legion possition. One explosione at a time, a rain of bullets started again in every direction. Few explosions sounded, and the whole are was once again reshaped in new patterns of covers.
Then a Train started passing by a train station. Series of flashes rang throughout the already flashing firefight. But this one created a sparks of light with chain of explosions that managed to affect everyone. Even IFV that were contesting with their fight, were stopped in their actions.
Everyone started boarding the train, Red Hawk, Legion, Nomomo and Blaze were all jumping in diffrent compartments. Only Mangie stood behind to face off with remaining Red Hawk and by a sudden directive, created in a heated dispute few kilometers away.
Shafir - Why the hell would we not chase after them?
Beda - This train is heading towards a Warsaw! If you go after them, your trail will be leading all the way over there. And considering how dirty this deal os going on, it would be unnecessary risk, just like you said you hated!
Shafir - And abbandon the mission objective when it's so close?
Beda - That's why we, the dolls, are here! Let us handle the rest of it. Just make sure that this unknown group get's their tail cut! The rest is up on us.
It was already a natural occurence. Beda was setting up a perfect logical plan, that was easy to follow. And Shafir did followed it, which made whole job easier.
== The Train ==
A pair of soldiers climbed aboard the train. And few shots latter, they were sprawled on a ground and dead. Nita walked over to check on them, and saw familiar outfit... "Red Hawk"... Zed were having some sort of beat with them. What are they even doin here?
To answer that, Nomomo walked inside the cargo cart and nearly shot Nita in a face. Nita hurryed to raise her weapon, only to realise that Nomomo is standing in front of her.
Nomomo - Nita? The hell?Nita - Same question! What are you doing here?
Nomomo - We are chasing after the target for a little reqiest that Blaze picked up, since you, Martin and Kilmure were wandering around somewhere in Odesa. You?
Nita - We are here to finish off the hit list at a high request placed for Duval... He and Zed are in front cart right now, trying to stop the train.
Nomomo - Duval is here? And who the hell is Zed?
Then Blaze walked inside behind Nomomo. After seeing Nita, she was surprised for a moment, but quicly understood something and made a question with a smile.
Nomomo - Oh, Nita is here! How the Odesa?
Nita - Not much fun... But I have to hold off this cart if you are going to clean the rest of it...
Suddenlt, train started shaking, and view outside the train started flying by at increased pace. Everything started shaking and falling down within a few moments, as train started picking up a pace. That was defenetly not on today's list of things. A signal appeared on Nita's terminal. Nita hurried to pick up a call from the only contact that was in this terminal.
Duval (Audio) - Nita! What's your status?
Nita - Holding off the cart... Blaze and Nomomo is here!
Duval (Audio) - What? Well, never mind that! It seems like Zed need's more time to work it through! The train is running ot a pre-configured programm that can't be alterred while said programm is still in play. And it was tampered with by someone. So it will take time! Meanwhile take a run through a train and cler the hit list!
Nita - But the cart...Duval (Audio) - Nobody is going on the train while we are keeping up the speed. So hurry up, by the looks of it, train ain't going to stop for some time.
Instruction were given and with conflicted feelings, Nita looked at Blaze and Nomomo.
Blaze - I'd say we let Nita take the front.Nita - Yeah... Sure.
== At the back of the train ==
Four soldiers managed to climb with Arnold and Darryl in a last cart. Once inside, they were met with a small force of 'security' that was quickly put down. The air was safe inside the train, so they finaly had a moment of fresh air without a gasmasks. Darryl looke closely onto the uniform. It was familiar and not at the same time... But it wasn't Mangie...
Legion Officer Arnold - How many people did they hired for this thing?
Darryl - I don't know, but it looks like they are already fighting for a prize without getting it... Or something like that. Well, not like it's a bad thing. Will help us get to the Warsaw.
Legion Officer Arnold - And after that? What else will be there? The legion is done for... We lost almost everything for that little thing. Not saying that we are doing wrong thing...
Darryl - Once in Warsaw, I know a few people we can ask for help and they will be interested in this story. And once we get all needed support, we will be doing good. Maybe we will get some attention... Maybe take a call to Helian...
Legion Officer Arnold - Helian? The 'Griffin and Kryuger' is not the same as it was before! They won't be able to help us all the way out here! Hell, we were doing better than 'Griffin and Kryuger' for a last nine years. And it all went down just from this little gig!
Darryl - You know what this is all for Arnold!
Legion Officer Arnold - I know! And I am telling you... Once we are in Warsaw, you better take that box and run... Because they won't stop once we reach the Warsaw. And that's your best shot.
Soldiers were exhausted, just as Arnold and Darryl was. But they in their best spirits.
Darryl - You guys are good man...
Legion Officer Arnold - With a good man at the command, everyone is good!
Taking a moment, Arnold looked around. They were in one of the cargo compartments, with many suitcases of luggage. An idea sparked, and Arnold started taking them down from shelves.
Darryl - What are you doing?
Legion Officer Arnold - I need your jacket Darryl... And I need you to wear something...
A suitcase was opened, revealing many woman dresses and underwear neatly stacked, together with small makeup box. Arnold closed that suitcase.
Legion Officer Arnold - Nope... Wrong one.
== The front of the train ==
Zed - I'm still trying... Give me a few more moments... I can't... Slow it down.
Duval - Come on ZED! We are running way to fast! What is even is this?
Zed - I'm trying... This thing is not going to slowdown untill we reach Warsaw!Duval - What?
Zed - The programm is set up to stop ONLY on a train station! It won't stop anywhere else!
Suddenly, one of the terminals on train lighted up with a incomming call. Duval was surprised for a moment, but he steped closer and pressed "answer"
??? - ZRS-Train. This is dispatch, I see you are incoming at WS-Sub on full speed with alert active. What's your status? I repeat, ZRS-Train. This is dispathc...
Not waiting for a complete answer, Duval pressed a button and started speaking.
Duval - Dispatch, this is ZRS-Train, we are still on a move and we are under attack! Unknown group raided the train and already on board! Both train driver are dead, the train is running by itself!
??? (audio) - Roger that... Lieutenant!...
Suddenly, the line went silent. For a few moments, nothing happened. Duval was already prepearing new lines... What will he say next? What will be reaction? How can he frame everything in his favor? Tha's what Duval always was good at. Just let him talk, and everything will turn into a chaos with an barely noticiable order. But someone need to listen.
??? (audio) - ZRS-Train! Lieutenant Pierre is listening here. What is your status?
Duval - We are in the head of the train, but we can't controll anything here.
Lt. Pierre (audio) - How many of you are there?
Duval - This is James Hoffman. I have my assisstant doll over here, she is trying to controll the train, but with no luck. Whole train is running on a tampered program...
Lt. Pierre (audio) - Try to stop the train, we can't open the gate for a train, while raiders are still inside the train! Hang in tight, we will contact the train operator to help you.
That's when the line of old and weathered trees ended. Revealing a steel fortress in front of them. The 'WS-Sub' written in giant white letters on dark steel. And the train were heading straight at the gates of said steel fortress.
Duval - To hell with your operator! We are on a straight finish line to your gates. If you don't open a damn gate, whole train is going to crash through a gate!
Lt. Pierre (audio) - Sorry ZRS-Train. But by the order...
Duval - Listen here Lieutenant Pierre! My name is James Hoffman, and if the gates won't open right now, my death would be the end of your military career or you can open the bloody gates and in the next meeting with general Ruppert, you will recive promotion, that's your choice!
Once again, the line wen't silent. Zed once again snapped back and with dejected look, shook her head to confirm that she can't do anything about this programm.
Steel gates of SW-Sub were comming closer and closer, the crash was getting imminent. And then the gates started opening. Even then, it was a little too late. The train barged through a gates that barely started opening up. The sudden impact, forced the gate to open. Train flee off the rails and crashed through walls of a tunnel, pulling every other cart into a pile. In a few moments, trainstation was filled with carts and rubbles, but the train was still going.
In the head cart, Duval was holding tightly onto a two railing on one of the walls, with Zed, holding dearly for a chair. The head cart hit a few posts and then went through a stairway, finaly comming to a stop. Through windows, they to saw a street, filled by military cars, robots and soldiers.
Duval - Welcome to Warsaw. Strange place to forget your dreams, a place of crooked wallets and loose justice, but defenitly not the other way around. We will be here for a while...
Finaly releasing his grip on railings, Duval sat down on a floor, and reached for a smoke.