Re: BLUE MOON OPS
Four of the targets went down, and the rest scattered. After Shadow hopped out to pursue some, Madison headed west to go after the others. There were two that headed in that direction. They had a head start, but they were on foot and she was in a vehicle. Turning in their direction, she hit the accelerator, coming up on them within just a few seconds. The van was at ten feet, but she nosed it down. There were two clunk thuds in rapid succession, meaning she hit them both, but how badly had to be verified.
Slowing to a relative crawl, Madison spun the van around and went back. With her speed, she overshot them by at least a hundred yard before she could get the van around, but covered it in just seconds. In her headlights, she could see one of the men lying in the street. Maybe he was dead, maybe just hurt, but the second was nowhere to be seen. Not from the van at least. If he was smart, he was running for his life. He could have no idea how many were in pursuit, and staying to ambush offered no gain unless he was a zealot. Given how he ran instead of fighting defiantly, she was guessing he wasn't that committed to the cause.
Madison put the van down several yards from the body with the headlight on him and towards an alley she spotted as she parked. There was no sign of the second man, but there were dumpsters and crates and other storage. Plenty there to offer hiding places or cover. It was also possible he found a way into one of the adjacent buildings. Before she could investigate, though, she would have to make sure the one lying in front of her wouldn't be a threat.
After locking the van, Madison stayed close to it as she observed. The bright headlights would be enough to conceal her for the time she needed. The man in the street wasn't moving, but that could mean any number of things. He could be dead, just wounded, possibly unconscious, or feigning to draw her in. It could also be bobby trap. She knew her limitations. Risking a hand-to-hand confrontation was just stupid. With a single shot to his head, she made the concern moot. She had considered just landing the van in him, but if he had a grenade, it could have been bad. But now she had to pursue the second guy.
"Kray." She COMed him to give status, speaking softly so as not to be heard. "One down. I'm in pursuit of the-" Madison yelped as she ducked and covered her head. The body exploded in an eruption of gore and flung limbs. She was close enough to get hit by some of the splatter, but the body contained the blast enough to prevent any damage or injury. "Sorry. That was a grenade. The one was bobby trapped. No injuries. I'm roughly two hundred yards in the direction I went. The van is parked and pointed in my direction. I'll keep you updated."
Gun forward, Madison moved forward with the lights at her back. Anyone looking in her direction would have to stare right into them, blurring her silhouette and destroying their own night vision. It wasn't perfect, but better than turning them off and giving the guy even odds. The remains in the street were of no concern, but she did note that there were two rifles. One bent and twisted in the pool of guts, and the other in the street a few yards back in the direction they came and near the building. The second man could have doubled back that way and not used the alley, but more likely that was just where he dropped it after getting hit by the van. Still, it seemed a bad idea to leave it there at her back.
Taking a chance, Madison ran to it, holstering her own gun before picking it up. It was in good working order, and had a full magazine. Other than the blood, it was in perfect shape. Now all she had to do was.... Shriek?
The hand came down heavy on her mouth, muffling her cry. He was strong and his knife went right for her kidney. Fortunately, she chose the medium armor it would have cut right through and she'd be dead. But they were both momentarily jarred by the outcome. With a lot more to lose in that moment, Madison took advantage of the surprise, twisting her hips and back shuffling to get free. It was a self-defense escape she learned as a teenager, meant more for overly amorous drunks than elite soldiers, but it worked. She was free, but as she brought the rifle up to fire, the soldier grabbed the barrel and pushed it off target. Her shot echoed off the buildings and caused him to hold it more firmly. There was no way she would be able to yank it free, but she had a different idea.
Flipping the selector to automatic, Madison emptied the magazine. It assured he couldn't shoot her with it, but that wasn't what she was going for.
"Fuck!" He yanked his hand away, flailing it in pain from the burn of the overheated barrel. "You WHORE! You'll pay for that!" He readied to lunge, but got a rifle thrown in his face for his eagerness. There was cling and then a clatter.
Hands free Madison backpedaled, drawing her pistol as she tried to get distance. Her opponent was a step too slow, but gained it back when she grunted from hitting the wall. There were bright stars in her vision as his fist landed on the side of her head, and her air abandoned her as his knee came up hard into her armored body. Then she was airborne. The street hurt, stunning her as she rolled to a stop.
Flashing stars faded to reveal the normal ones in the night sky. For whatever reason, she had that moment, but the reprieve was only that long. The soldier had taken the time to recover her gun and was limping towards her slowly. He face was twisted in anger, and menace danced behind his eyes. If he had been thinking clearly, she would already be dead, but it looked like he was taking this personally.
Flipping onto all fours, Madison took only a moment to scan her position, before scampering with hands and feet towards her only chance. The knife was just a few yards away. She dove. Her fingertips only just brushed the metal before her chest hit the ground and her attacker's firm grip on her ankle was pulling her back.
"Don't even breathe" He hissed as she felt the muzzle of the gun press against the back of her head.
She froze. His hand on her shoulder flipped her onto her back. The bore seemed ten times larger when it was staring her in the face.
"My aren't you a pretty one." He grinned as he sat on her midsection, his legs folded on her sides. "I wish I had time to do what I should do to you. Such a waste of prime ass."
"Wait!" Madison squeaked. "The van. I have the keys. Just take it and go."
The soldier lifted his chin, his eyes lingering on her before drifting over to the van. "Yep. Good idea. But you're coming wi-"
There was a gurgle and a single shot. Madison's face was a mess of blood and burned gunpowder filled her nostrils. The shot went into the pavement to the left of her head, but the knife found it's mark in his jugular. He dropped the gun as both his hands went to his neck, trying in vain to keep his life from spraying and spilling over his would-be victim. Stunned from the ringing in her ear, Madison could only watch as hie eyes fell on her in disbelief before he slumped forward on top of her.
"Second target neutralized" She croaked into her COM after a moment of recovery. "Headed back for the pickup"
