Chapter 9: Running... Can They Run?!
In the dense woods, Maxwell and Bishop walked in silence, their footsteps muffled by the dry leaves beneath their feet. The air was damp and laden with the familiar smell of decay. Maxwell was irritated by the occasional thorny plant and the mud on his boots, which only made him want to leave the island immediately.
"Did you manage to call King?" asked Maxwell, his hand swatting away an annoying swarm of mosquitoes.
"No sign so far, maybe we're out of luck and they're still in the sewers, which makes it difficult to contact them." Bishop spoke as he drank water from his canteen, his brow furrowing as he felt the water halfway down.
"And the Old Haven's base? It's not possible that with all the technology Atlas has they can't pick up our distress signal!"
"The signal is reaching the mainland, but no one in Old Haven is responding."
"Fuck! A bunch of incompetents, it seems that the rumor of nepotism at the top wasn't true. They put a bunch of kids in charge of an army, and I fucking hate kids."
"Calm down Max, if our superiors hear this, being expelled will be one of your least problems." Bishop advises his comrade-in-arms but doesn't deny what Maxwell said about Atlas. Although it's the largest corporation of all because it pioneered the hunt for the Vaults, it suffers from a common case of corruption among its ranks.
After their brief conversation, the two returned to their mission of finding shelter. They were already a few hours away from the beach and intended to go deeper into the island hoping to find information and answers. Their steps stopped when they noticed lights some distance away.
"The dirt track actually led us to a settlement. But it was a good idea not to walk along the path, I saw some hordes of those... zombies, as you call them." He pointed to a small complex of small houses, as they were on an elevation it was possible to see what was inside the walls. "I hope we're lucky there. We need a safe place to rest and assess our supplies."
Maxwell's eyes assessed the scene more clearly, his Trigger Discipline now allowing him to see much further. This allowed him to see threats from very far away, which helped him to stay out of the zombies' range of perception.
Bishop looked around, his eyes alert for any movement. "What if the village is also infested?"
"Then we'll have to improvise." Maxwell clenched his fist. "But we can't keep wandering around the island without a foothold. Our food may last a week, but our water won't. We're two grown men, our consumption will force us to drink seawater within two days if we drink our water in small sips."
Maxwell was desperate to find a place that was just like the one in the game. That way he could locate himself and find a way off the island, which could currently only be by water, but without knowing the location of the Arid Badlands continent, he would be doomed to wander aimlessly by sea.
Bishop nods. "Yes, our main concern is the water, but without ammunition, we won't be able to do much either, I'm at best mediocre in hand-to-hand combat. Rook's turret has a munitions manufacturing function, we just need to secure the perimeter and then we can use Rook's heavy equipment."
"Can Scorpion Turrets do that?" Maxwell didn't know much about this equipment. It was Roland's ability in Borderlands 1, but he played more Lilith at the time, so his ignorance of the turret's capabilities was justifiable.
"Yes, they can be modified several times. How much ammunition do you have left?"
"Let me see on my ECHO..." Maxwell quickly checks his ECHO's screen, his brow furrowing when he sees an x4 symbol on the box icon with a pistol print. "I have four boxes of ammunition for my pistol, I used up my rifle ammunition in the sewer."
"No problem, Rook carries plenty of ammunition for emergency situations."
"..."
"Max, why haven't you taken the ammunition from Rook's ECHO yet?" Bishop asks strangely, not understanding Maxwell's lack of action.
"I'm waiting for you to give me Rook's ECHO." Maxwell replies, a bad feeling growing in his core.
"Max... please don't play games with me. You took Rook's ECHO, didn't you?"
"I thought you did when you buried Rook's body."
"..."
"..."
"No fucking way." x2
"What do we do, go back or go down to the settlement?" Bishop asks, his voice carrying a bit of anxiety.
"Negative, we've lost a lot of time just getting here." His nerves had been tested to the limit over the last few hours, and it didn't help to have to listen to the incessant moans and grunts of the zombies being carried by the wind.
"I've seen thirteen targets inside the settlement, if we can close the place down we can have a secure base. But first, let's sort things out as quietly as possible." Punctuating his speech, Maxwell takes a silencer out of his ECHO, he had bought one when Bishop wasn't looking and kept it in his ECHO.
[(Miscellaneous) Vinson Dyn. PCS-3: Partial noise and flash suppression for submachine guns and pistols. Intended for anti-personnel ammunition. $4c]
[Credits: $22]
Inside the helmet, Bishop's eyes went wide.
"Damn it Max, why do you have a fucking silencer inside your ECHO?" Bishop asked incredulously.
"When I joined the Atlas army I wanted to be part of the Lancer Assassin squad, so I train with knives and stealth." Maxwell easily lies through his teeth.
"But the Lancer Assassins only recruit women, Max, what would you do in a place like that?"
"That's the point, Bishop, they only recruit women. Can you imagine working in a place full of hot women?" Maxwell was telling the truth here. He had seen the Lancer Assassins once and finally understood why all the Omega Assassins were identical in the game. Atlas used genetic engineering technology on the recruits, making them look like the first Omega Assassin and have the same fencing and gymnastic skills.
A good choice, considering that they were the most lethal enemies in the first game. They were fast, always avoiding the player's aim and used plasma katanas that tore through shields and flesh with ease.
"Ah!" Bishop exclaimed in bewilderment, not expecting to see such a perverted side to the enigmatic Maxwell. "You know, it's a good point, but let's not lose focus here."
"Here, take it." Finishing installing the silencer, Maxwell placed his P2016 in Bishop's hands, along with the magazines he had.
"How are you going to fight?"
"Knives. I'm not that good with them, but it's a good opportunity to practice my throwing." Maxwell takes his kunai out of his ECHO, he doesn't connect the plasma edges as it would make Bishop suspicious as to how he got such advanced equipment.
"Right, I'll cover you if some of them grab you." Bishop nods with resolution as he cocks his pistol. His jovial demeanor is replaced by a cold, bloodthirsty soldier in seconds.
Maxwell advances first, climbing down from the hill he was standing on, in his hand he carries his trusty Data Knife which is covered in dried blood. He walks crouched among the foliage, cursing quietly at the black and red color scheme Atlas had chosen for his soldiers' uniforms.
Arriving at the settlement, Maxwell climbs over the entrance wall. Finally getting a good look inside the place, his memory associating it with the first town the player visited when he started the DLC.
"Finally some good news, I'll just need to find and connect defense towers to have a secure base." Maxwell then signaled Bishop to come closer, he needed someone to cover his back.
Bishop nods and runs to his location, taking advantage of the momentum he climbs the wall. "Permission to shoot?"
"Not yet, I want to close the gate first." Maxwell punctuates his speech by descending, he tries his best not to make a sound as he lands.
The man then rushes to the iron gates and starts pushing the heavy gates, which took some effort because they were rusty.
*Groan*
The zombies at the entrance turn when they hear the groaning sound from the gate and begin to walk slowly toward Maxwell with their hands outstretched.
Maxwell's heart began to race. He was in a very vulnerable position, and if any zombies grabbed him and Bishop missed his shot, he would be dragged into the horde and eaten alive.
A shiver went up Maxwell's spine just imagining the scene, being in a risky situation Maxwell's body releases a heavy charge of adrenaline, enough to close the gate in the blink of an eye.
Once the gate is locked Maxwell takes a few steps back, his timing couldn't be better, when the zombies arrive and start trying to reach him through the gaps in the gate's iron bars.
"Damn it, I'm going to kill that bastard Ned like it's my main mission." Maxwell mutters between gasping breaths.
"Now let's take care of the internal threat." A sinister smile grows on Maxwell's face. Turning, he signals for Bishop to approach.
Maxwell began a silent slaughter, he always attacked from behind the zombies, even if it meant going around a house or building.
[Blade Mastery lv.4>5]
Everything was going well until he moved on to his next target, a Psycho zombie. Maxwell easily identified him by the mask with the Vault symbol, while all the others were dressed as sawmill workers.
Maxwell didn't care much and just threw his kunai at the zombified Psycho's head, and as expected the zombie fell to the ground. Approaching to retrieve his kunai, Maxwell is startled to see Psycho get up again and start running towards him.
That's right, the fucking zombie started running towards Maxwell like a fucking Olympic runner. The man's pupils dilated and he felt his bladder loosen. His hand unconsciously went to his holster, but there was no gun.
In such a situation, a decision was quickly made in Maxwell's head.
He ran.
He ran at his limit, he used so much force in his legs that every step he took brought up dirt.
"BISHOP HELP!" Maxwell threw away the stealthy approach. Internally he was cursing his stupidity at having forgotten that zombified Pyschos could run.
Bishop, who was standing a few meters away, was shocked by the comical scene of an Atlas soldier being chased by a Psycho with a kunai stuck in his head.
Seeing the two approaching, Bishop raised his P2016 and without hesitation pulled the trigger as the Psycho came into view.
*Tac*
A dry gunshot sound, was followed by the heavy thud of the rotting carcass falling to the ground.
Maxwell's legs gave way, his body was limp after receiving so many adrenaline rushes in a single day.
*Groan*
*Tac* *tac* *tac*
"What a badass, he got up after taking a 10mm to the head?"
"Thanks, Bishop, I ended up panicking. Let me collect my kunai and we can continue." Maxwell ignored the lethargy in his limbs and walked over to Psycho's still body. Pulling out the kunai violently, Maxwell spins the weapon on his index finger a few times.
After the incident with the runner, the following targets were quieter but left Maxwell alert to the variety of enemies he might encounter on the island.
Finding a two-storey house, Maxwell made a temporary base on the second floor and destroyed the stairs, he didn't trust sleeping on the second floor because all the houses in town were made of wood, and Maxwell didn't doubt that the zombies could break into the house with the encouragement of a meal. To get down and up they used ropes made from the clothes of the zombies they had killed. Finally feeling safe, Maxwell built a fire while Bishop prepared two MREs.
Settling down, Maxwell removed his helmet. His appearance was sad, his hair was sweaty and messy, and his eyes had two black bags.
"Hey, Bish- you know what, I think it's about time you told me your name. It's getting weird to call you that."
"Hmm? Sorry, I didn't hear you right."
"Your name. Or did the mothers of the Tango Squad members decide to name their children after board pieces?"
"Oh, my name is Benjamin. I'll be twenty-seven in November."
"Benjamin... that's a nice name. I didn't know Atlas recruited children, did I mention I hate children?"
"Hehehe, I joined when I was twenty. At the time there weren't so many raids and my job was more as a nurse."
"Here, a meal with pasta, meat, vegetables, and chocolate for dessert."
"Chocolate? No kidding! Hand it over!"
After finishing his meal, Maxwell lay down on the mattress he had taken from downstairs.
"Good night Ben, tomorrow we're going to Rook's body and we're going to look around the beach, I think I saw a building there."
"Good night Max."
Chapter 10: If It Moves...
Waking up for the ninth time, Maxwell gave up on sleeping, his uniform was soaked with sweat and his hand unconsciously went to his neck. It turned out that he could no longer sleep without protecting his neck and collarbone with his hand, which for some reason was the part that zombies most liked to bite.
Getting up, Maxwell walks past the sleeping Benjamin, the poor man was holding the P2016 tightly even though he was asleep, his brow furrowed and covered in sweat.
"It's not easy for anyone hmm, I'm going to get us out of here alive, one way or another."
Moving forward, his footsteps made the wood of the floor creak, but he didn't worry about the wood breaking, because even if he fell to the second floor, there were no zombies inside the town. Looking outside, Maxwell realized that it was dusk and that they should start their tasks.
Maxwell checked his ECHO, he had enough food for a week, but his water canteen was reaching critical levels. He licked his cracked lips and couldn't resist taking a sip.
Feeling refreshed, he sits down on the floor and begins to clean his Data Knife and his kunai.
[Blade Mastery lv.6>7]
'Can cleaning my knives also upgrade my skills?' Maxwell felt relieved with every increase, even the smallest, in his skills, which meant an increase in the percentage of getting off the island alive. His knife skills have proved very useful in situations where using firearms is unfeasible.
Knives don't run out of ammunition, they are as lethal as a firearm when used well. In addition, they are light and small, which allows you to make several consecutive blows without getting tired, and they are not difficult to maintain.
*Bam* *bam*
"Hmm?!" Maxwell stood up when he heard a muffled noise, it sounded like something hitting a wall. Jumping down from the second floor, Maxwell makes his way to where the noise was coming from, his now clean Data Knife held firmly in his hand.
Taking advantage of the fact that the houses are made of wooden planks, Maxwell makes a hole in the wall with his knife and looks through the hole, he is surprised to see a familiar robotic figure.
"A claptrap unit, I'd forgotten there was one in Jakobs Cove." Maxwell mutters.
"ARGHH! A ZOMBIE THAT OPENS DOORS!" The claptrap screams in terror as it suddenly sees the door open.
Immediately feeling regret when he heard the robot's annoying screams, Maxwell finally understood why Jack had chosen to destroy the entire Claptrap production line. These robots were supposed to be used in domestic and business services, but to make them with such a high-pitched voice and clumsy programming, for heaven's sake.
He'd be doing the galaxy a favor and selling Titanfall MRVN when he gets his corporation established. Marvins were clearly better than claptraps and were quiet and cute with their emotes.
"I'm not a zombie. Now, you can choose between collaborating and saving us time, or I'll need to use less... pleasant methods to get what I want." He punctuates his words with his fingers deftly twirling his Data Knife.
"Oh, you mean you're not a zombie? Wow, that changes everything! But, look, I'm programmed to obey human beings, so I guess I'll have to cooperate... But, you could be a very convincing zombie, you know? Haha ha please don't kill me."
"Nah, too easy. I'm still going to make someone play Russian roulette with a Wingman." Maxwell looked somewhat disappointed. He's becoming more open to the use of violence, or as a certain psychopath once said; I'm tuning in to humanity.
"Anyway, let's get down to business. How can I get off this island without going by sea?"
"There are tunnels that lead to the mainland, and there's also a Fast Travel station if you follow the path behind the city. Those are the only ways off the island unless you have a ship."
"Fast Travel... Is it operational?"
"I'm not sure, my job is just to look after this residential area, well, it was."
"Hmm, I'll have to check, that's the easiest and safest way out of here." Maxwell mutters to himself, cheering up as he sees a light at the end of the tunnel.
With a possible way off the island, taking care of the side missions was now best. Returning his focus to the claptrap, Maxwell asks. "What is Dr. Ned's current location? I just want to talk to him."
"How do you know about Dr. Ned? That information about his employment on the island is restricted."
*Ziiiiiii*
Without saying a word Maxwell scrapes the tip of his Data Knife across the chassis of the claptrap, sparks flying from the friction caused.
"I've sent the coordinates to your ECHO."
"That's better, but I need to make sure you don't warn my target about my presence."
"Wait! What are you going t-"
Like a blur, Maxwell's knife comes into contact with the unsuspecting claptrap who didn't expect to suffer any aggression.
2%
69%
100%
"Go to Fast Travel and check on the situation, and also check which locations he can take. Send the information to my ECHO." Removing his Data Knife, Maxwell orders.
Claptrap doesn't argue back and follows orders, leaving Maxwell's presence and heading for his goal.
"Aaah, how hard it is to be me, having to take matters into my own hands tsk." Maxwell asks as he sees the claptrap move away, he believes that the zombies wouldn't attack the robot because it is made of iron.
"Kill Dr. Ned and collect the virus data. Who will pay me more, Altas or Jakobs?" He would leave that for later, for now, he had to go and call Benjamin. He made his way to the house, stopping by the second-floor window.
Without a second thought, Maxwell took a step backward, his muscles tensing. With one swift movement, he leaped towards the window, his hand reaching out to grasp the sill. His fingers closed around the frame and, with a strong tug, he stood up, his body propelling itself through the open window.
Approaching the still-sleeping figure, Maxwell crouches down.
"Hey, Ben. Wake up," Maxwell nudged him gently, shaking him awake.
"AHH NO NO! Uh?!" Bishop woke up startled, almost shooting Maxwell as he thought some zombie had broken into the house.
"Calm down, it's me, Maxwell, don't go into shell shock now buddy." Maxwell raises his hands. "We need to move. Rook's body is on the beach, and he's not going to be dug up by himself... I think."
Benjamin blinked, with a confused expression, before realizing it. "Right, let's go," he replied, pushing himself off the ground.
"Will we need to follow the same route as the forest?" Asked Benjamin as he climbed down the window using the ropes, he wasn't a monster like Maxwell.
"Nah, I've got another idea." Maxwell said as he approached the gate, which was still full of zombies that hadn't given up on eating them. The gate looked slightly crooked, it seemed that it wasn't smart to trust it so much.
"Give me my P2016."
"What are you going to do?"
"Strategize." Maxwell takes his pistol back and removes the silencer. Aiming at the zombies at the gate, he doesn't hesitate at any moment.
*Bang* *bang* *bang* *bang* *bang* *bang*
"What the fuck Max, what are you doing?!?!" Benjamin felt his heart sink as he heard the crack of gunfire, had Maxwell lost his mind? He was practically drawing the attention of every zombie on the island, the gate was strong, but it couldn't withstand a huge horde.
Benjamin tries to take the P2016 back, but Maxwell doesn't even try to stop him, he's already done what he wants. Moving forward, he opens the city gates and steps back to check the turrets. With dead eyes, Benjamin followed him.
With everything ready, Maxwell sat down a few meters away from the gate, waiting for the guests, who didn't take long, even though they were slowly walking.
*BRRRRRRRRRR*
The turrets began to fire a hail of bullets, the deafening sound echoing in the twilight. The first victims were the zombie runners, who advanced at speed but were quickly shot down. The bullets were of such a strong caliber that they pierced two or three zombies, causing them to fall one after the other without offering any resistance.
"MAHHAHAHAHA!!!" Maxwell burst out laughing as he saw the effectiveness of the turrets in action, feeling all the frustration and tension built up over more than 48 hours disperse. This wasn't a game, there was blood and corpses that could move at any moment, and being in a state of constant alert drained every drop of sanity Maxwell had, he was even on alert against the damn sound of mosquitoes. So you could imagine how he felt when he saw his greatest threat piling up in front of the gate, forming a grotesque barricade.
Then the slower zombies, former Jakobs workers, began to appear. Their movements were dragged and clumsy, each step a visible effort. They wore worn and dirty work clothes, now covered in mud and dried blood. The turrets made no distinction, and the bullets continued to fly, piercing the rotting bodies of the zombified workers.
Maxwell stood up, feeling the adrenaline rush through his veins. It was time to go to the beach, the path was probably much safer. "Come on, Ben, we need to go now," he said, addressing Benjamin who was still stunned by the scene of destruction.
Benjamin nodded, although he was still visibly shaken, a smile unconsciously growing on his face. "You really don't do things by halves, do you?" he muttered, following Maxwell.
Seeing the zombie-free entrance, Maxwell and Benjamin ran towards the beach. The sound of turrets echoed in the distance occasionally, a clear reminder that some zombies were still arriving late. Arriving at the beach, Rook's body lay exactly where Maxwell had left it, half-buried in the sand, the sea probably having washed away much of the sand.
Working together, they quickly dug up Rook's body and started going through his belongings, looking for anything that might be useful for their escape from the zombie-infested island.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
164 Power
stone 
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