Story [Issue 11] Tanki Online Hunger Games

[Meliora 1,652]

I look around me to see if there is anyone around. I breathe out as I see that the coast is clear. From the 16 original tributes, there are only six of us left. Five more to destroy...

Equipped with M3 Shaft and M2 Viking with Zeus, I am in scope 24/7. At the slightest sound of an enemy I am not afraid to shoot. I have no allies; not a soul in the death-trap is to be trusted, friend or foe. From behind I hear the racket from Twins. Not particularly a problem for me, but if he is not alone...

I realise that the Twins is aiming for me, shooting out its provoking plasma balls that knock me right off target, while dancing around me like the elegant butterfly. I shoot at his turret, but only minimal damage is done. I feel my fingers trembling as I press down on space bar. Why am I so anxious? An M2 Twins with M2 Hornet is usually no problem for an M2 Shaft - and mine is M3. My health is slowly but worryingly decreasing every second. I decide to take a chance and shoot, with only half of time gone in scope. My eyebrows, which were raised beyond the natural limit, slowly release the tension as the Twins flies up into smoke. That was a close shave. But now I must get health, and there are now only 5 tankmen remaining...

Foolishly, without going into scope, my eyes dart around for the nearest First Aid consumable. I almost ignore something white half hidden in a bush. Consciously, I go to the First Aid, knowing that someone, somewhere, is watching my every move, but preserving my death ‘til last, just to make it the most brutal, and... Bump into it. How could I have been so stupid? It is not a First Aid kit. I hallucinate and see the sly grin on the tanker’s face, smirking triumphantly. I recognise his call sign as the notorious tankman with five straight kills. This is how he lures in his victims and slaughters them. And now I have fallen into his trap, his next victim, the next patient on his sick list...

I try to slither away without being noticed, but with Viking I am too slow. He spins around to reveal Thunder and Viking M3. What should I do? Stick close to him in hope of splash damage, or try to hide? None of them are any good; I stand no chance. I pray that a third option will enter my head, but – BAM! The Thunder shoots. My fingers make my choice for me as I back right into the wall. I press 4, using up my last nitro, and run away. I stay on the outskirts of the main arena and get into scope. The Thunder is waiting for me, as patient as the hours. Still in scope, it hits me that the chances of successfully skewering the Thunder are as slim as a single hair, but even if I do, full damage will not be taken into impact. The yellow bar is empty, but I have to get this right. The Shaft is wobbling. For a split-second I regret buying it, but then take it back immediately. I shoot just as the Thunder turns towards me. In shock and stupefaction, the Thunder misguidedly shoots into the wall and self-destructs. My screen freezes at that exact moment. For once I actually enjoy the frozen screen, mymost feared enemy shooting himself to death.

Now there are four of us; three still left to die. Yet again I hear shots, but they are coming from the other side of the map. I look to the right and see two tanks fighting. One Ricochet and Hornet M3, and the other using M3 Firebird with M2 Dictator. I smile, happy that for once the action has nothing to do with me. I watch the fight from a safe angle, o-o-ing and a-a-h-ing at every missed shot by the Ricochet, or the prolonging wait for the Firebird to regain his fire. Eventually, both of them are tired out and irksome. The Firebird pushes the Ricochet just as he shoots. The single orange ball bounces around, first off the wall, then a nearby house, and into the Firebird, one straight triangle. The Dictator doesn’t move an inch when he dies.

Finally! My health is low, and there, right in front of me, a First Aid, a real one. I go and pick it up, but only 3/4 of my health is restored. I’m going to need to find another one, but more carefully this time. I see one that seemed to have dropped just seconds ago. This time, I stay on outside of the centre, and stay in scope just in case there is anyone nearby. In front of me I see no one, but when I turn around, I notice a slight twitch. I ignore it and move towards the Aid. Just before I reach it, I feel the spike of another Shaft, reducing my health to a maximum of 1/8. I spin around immediately, letting the back of my tank reach the kit. I remember that now that there are onlythree of us left, and after the next person dies, it’ll be a straight duel.

I go to face the Shaft from behind, but his turret is turned, as if he had read my mind. I stutter back, afraid. My health, which caused me
lots of troutrouble to try and attempt to restore is only ¼ full. If the Shaft gets me again, I... I can’t even imagine it. Something taps me on the back. I turn around to see Death looming over me. Now, not only do I have to defeat the other Shaft, but Death itself. Still pondering over what to do, I hear Ricochet shots, and then a Shaft shot, and then more Ricochet shots. Silence. I see a puff of smoke. Who died? I chivalrously go to look. The Ricochet is desperately trying to find a First Aid kit like I was when we see each other. We stare at each other for a while, wondering what to do. Then he shoots twice – thrice. I smash down on spacebar and shoot. Our tanks rust at the exact same time. Who died first? Me or him? The top right is also no help whatsoever. My head rings as I struggle to hear an announcement.

“Two...died at same...battle again...duel...now,” is all I can make out, but it’s enough. Back into the arena we must go. Back into the horror film made real. We will be faced in front of each other directly, no obstacles in our way. I know that in a straight match, Shaft always loses. To look on the bright side, I have the advantage of speed so I can easily get around him. But what else? Time is of the essence, I have just spawned. I am still a ghost tank, however. I see the Ricochet appear. For the first time, I feel like I owe the Ricochet something. He saved me, and now, what should I do for him?

I know that he feels the same way as me as we materialise. He does not shoot, nor do I go into scope. I hear more tanks coming, and realise that they are all of the other tributes who died before us. I try to gesture to the Ricochet to follow me, but the first reincarnated tank is approaching. I manage to kill him with one shot without any of the Ricochet’s help. From then on we work together to kill the remaining twelve of them. I sigh. We’re done. But now what? The Ricochet is drastically out of health, so I leave him to find a health kit. Eh? I hear two tanks crashing. No... No... There should have been fourteen, but I had counted only thirteen. It... It must have been the Thunder... I hear another shot, and rush over to the pair, but instead, I am faced with two turrets. Looking directly at me.

Instantaneously the blood from my body rushes to my mouth, and a tingling feeling tickles the back of my throat. I look back from the Ricochet to the Thunder, silently kicking myself for being such an *****. The chat flashes up, and while keeping a cautious eye on the two tanks, I read ‘As you said, not a soul is to be trusted in this death-trap, friend or foe. And what have you done now, eh?’. I go into Scope for the last time, pondering over who to kill first. If I go for the Thunder, the Ricochet’s multiple shots will take me out before I can try and shoot him again; and going for the Ricochet first won’t do me any good, as the Thunder could easily knock me away if I try to scope. I have nothing. Emptiness surrounds me, along with the feeling of helplessness.

Nevertheless I aim for the Ricochet, in hope that the Thunder will be eliminated afterwards, he was only there to liven up the duel. As the yellow bar gradually empties, I know the newly-found liaison is conjuring up a cruel way to destroy me, when I notice a flash of gold blinding me momentarily. I open my eyes to see that the pair has vanished. In my panic I involuntarily release the spacebar, sending a flash of yellow into nowhere, tossing away my last chance. I push this to the back of my mind and begin to find a hiding place. I am just about to turn a corner when I notice the object. It is a gold box, but better – inside are 25,000 crystals, 170 of each drug and a new special paint – [name] – except… Surely this is the prize for the winner, and I am still here?

The pair cunningly position themselves just millimetres away from the gold, and wait. I have learnt a lot from this devil’s playground – even the slightest movement will be my last. But all too soon, the idea of possessing the contents of the box overcomes the Ricochet. He twitches slightly, letting the corner of his tank reach the gold. Immediately I know something is wrong as the Ricochet begins to turn brown and grey, as if he were being destroyed, his movements drastically slowing down. The Thunder whips around and fires furiously at him. Seizing the opportunity, I venture out into the open and scope, aiming for the heart of the Thunder. The Ricochet realises my presence and shoots in my direction, with the last of his ammo. All but one hit me, leaving only 1hp. However, I focus on the Thunder. As soon as he destroys the Ricochet, I lift my index finger from the keyboard, grinning in relief as the Thunder flies into the air.

I drive around aimlessly, celebrating my victory. I see the real gold gradually fall down onto the centre of the map. I turn to claim my prize when I notice it. One small orange plasma ball heading directly at me. Damn, it must have been the single Ricochet shot which did not hit me before... I glance at my health bar for comfort, but it is empty. In the space of a millisecond my fight to survive rushes through my head, and I know that I cannot lose everything like this. I try to reach the arrow keys but my fingers are frozen with tension. The shot is less than a metre away when I try to shoot. The yellow flash slices the plasma ball, splitting it into two perfect halves.
They veer away from my tank, well out of harm's way.

The sky turns from a coal-like black to baby blue as crystal drops rain down from the sky, every tanker's dream. I collect them gleefully, embracing the glory of it all. Taking one final screenshot of the gold, I claim it, as I hear one last announcement. "Congratulations, honoured tanker. You have overcome the numerous challenges we have presented, and are extremely worthy of the prize we have awarded."

Edited July 31, 2017 by Hexed

[already.dead 360]

How can a shaft m3 viking m2, have a speed advantage over a rico hornet m3m3? great story ;)

[MusicJam19 737]

170 of each drug and a new special paint – [name] – except… Surely this is the prize for the winner, and I am still here?

Did u forget to change the name of the new paint or is it hidden on purpose? :huh:

Edited May 4, 2013 by MusicJam19

[Meliora 1,652]

Hah you can choose whatever name you think best fits, 'Survivor' I think would be nice.

[robbie56 2,403]

Amazing , nice to read and very well written ;)

[already.dead 360]

How can a shaft m3 viking m2, have a speed advantage over a rico hornet m3m3? great story ;)

[0555819821 24]

Love these articles :D

[Lankbouv 6,347]

Epic story selena, brilliant.

The best article this issue by a long shot

+1

[icerugby 1,886]

Very nice sel, enjoyed it

[mkkmkk999 33]

Meh ok I guess

[skitee 555]

Fantastic article. Probably the highlight of the issue.

[Turpz 18]

This should be a gamemode :) the hunger games XD i enjoyed this.

[Hop1337 1]

I love it! Amazing job ;)

[GoldRock 6,165]

Definitely the best article this issue in my opinion, great job!

[r_SwagBoy110 421]

Really liked this one Sel. Great job!

[freedie.inn 51]

Nice selena it was intresting ^_^

[r_BLASTOISE-T120 241]

girl this was dope B) great read ;)

[legenddestroyer 824]

wow awesome!!!!! B)

[Meliora 1,652]

Wow thanks everyone, @mkk you hate me too much for compliments I know ;).

[Arcohhs 67]

Nice Article, Hopefully There is a Sequel

[AngeIs.And.Demons 1,988]

Wow..... Nyc one Selena!

[xplorer10 0]

Great story i reas all of it :)

[unholycloak5 1,814]

Nice article Sel, I enjoyed it. ;)

[ExtremeKiller26 443]

Good job, man!

[tiger_of_malaysia 271]

wow great story! well written! love it! :wub: