Story [Issue 14] The Overseer, Part 2 - The Race

[Meliora 1,652]

 

Part 1

 

Matthew’s horror was clearly evident on his face as Hector broke out a patronising grin. “Now, just drop Bert’s flag, let him capture yours and we can all be happ –”

 

“NO!” Matthew roared, shooting up in his seat. He took another hopeless glance at the flag, and suddenly he had an idea. “No,” he repeated, then tilted his head daringly.

 

“Make me.”

 

At that point Hector reached the end of his tether. Matthew’s lips formed a petrified o as an orange flash shot past him, narrowly missing the side of his head. He looked around frantically, knowing another shot would soon follow, and then he noticed the little yellow and black trefoil still hovering above him. Without a second thought, he fired.

 

“AAAARGH!”

 

Matthew watched as Hector’s tank shook violently, throwing Hector off and onto the hard stone of the arena. “Why hadn’t he just respawned?”  Matthew wondered briefly, but then put the thought aside. Gilbert was already at his father’s side, but Hector merely shrugged him off and was soon back on his feet, watching Matthew disdainfully. Matthew turned back to his flag, desperate. 

 

“So close, yet so far, Matthew.” Hector lifted his hand in a sweeping motion, and right before Matthew’s eyes, the flag just centimetres away, vanished.

 

“Wha – ”

 

“Ever wondered how an enemy’s flag gets back to their base when it’s captured?” Hector laughed. “Well now, your flag is hidden away where you will never find it –” Hector grinned “- and that’s because I’ll destroy you first.”

 

Matthew knew this was a distraction, allowing Gilbert to get a head start on the race to find the flag. “But before you do that,” Matthew sighed, “you’ll have to find me first!” He ignored Hector’s protests and drove as swiftly as possible away from the arena, without a single glance back.

 

 

 

As Matthew reached the forest for the second time, he realised he didn’t have a clue where he was going. He paused and took a look around. Gilbert, of course, would already know exactly where the flag was, and would be there very soon if Matthew advanced no farther. In the distance, he noticed a small bridge, with a cube shaped object moving around it. Assuming this was a tank, Matthew hurriedly started towards it.

 

“You! You there! Who are you?” a croaky voice called. Matthew was near enough to recognise the sight of a Wasp-Railgun, standing importantly at the foot of the bridge. The man inside was quite old, but had a knowledgeable and wise look to him. “Come now, boy, tell me your name.”

 

Matthew decided it was best to give as little personal information as possible. “I’m my father’s son,” he said with a smile. “But sir, have you seen a red flag anywhere? I’m looking for one.”

 

The man laughed heartily. “Playing the jest, eh, boy? Ah well, never mind.” His eyes flickered towards the flag Matthew was carrying. “I have indeed seen such a flag – just west from here – and I did figure you were searching for one by the flag bore upon your tank.”

 

Matthew looked embarrassed. “Oh. Yes. Well anyway, may I pass, please?”

 

“Yes, but first you must do something for me. Somewhere, in this section of the forest there is a grand treasure, worth millions of crystals. Find it, and I will give you 10% of its contents and allow you to cross.” As he spoke, the man kept his eye on Matthew’s expression. He noticed an impatient twitch. “But do remember, boy, only I can allow you access. Destroy me and this is impossible. Now go.”

 

“But I don’t have time for this – please!” Matthew pleaded indignantly.

 

“Go now, boy. For every second you speak is a second wasted.”

 

Matthew had no retort, but even if he did, insulting the man would only make the minute chance he had slimmer. He started searching immediately, trying to think of an escape route as he went. Burying himself amidst the trees, Matthew noticed a small cache and stepped out of his tank to pick it up. To his great disappointment, there was just a scrunched up piece of paper inside. Matthew picked it up and straightened it out. The words written on it sent a cold shiver down his spine.

 

I am forever watching you, Matthew Parker. –H.B.

 

Suddenly, Matthew’s eyes shot up as he heard the sound of leaves crunching. Someone was coming. The noise was distant, but Matthew was still anxious. Hector would almost certainly be out to destroy him, and Gilbert of course needed Matthew dead to capture Matthew’s flag.

 

The intruder had clearly noticed Matthew too as his movement came to an abrupt cease. In the distance, Matthew could see the tank’s shape – cuboid-like, but not flat; the turret was almost triangular shaped, with a long, skinny barrel. The turret turned to face Matthew, the barrel pointing directly at his chest…

 

Run.

 

Matthew’s legs sprung into action before he’d so much as thought about it, breaking into a swift sprint. He threw himself into his tank – almost knocking his head on the way. He drove towards the bridge immediately, not daring a look back.

 

“Sir! You must let me in – NOW!” Matthew boomed at the old man. “I’m Matthew Parker, OK? Happy? Please let me through!” The main simply turned his head towards Matthew.

 

“So it’s you?” he whispered patiently. “Well, you’ll be glad to know that I work for Mr Bloodmore, and now you will never get in. Good luck being destroyed, Parker.”

 

Matthew scowled, knowing his only way of escape. He shot the man, nearly flipping the unstable Wasp. The main’s face was slightly alarmed, but Matthew’s usual sympathy rapidly disintegrated. As a spark from the Railgun appeared, Matthew shot the man once again, and the tank was destroyed. Matthew advanced to the bridge, but a wooden gate was shooting up from the ground, blocking the bridge’s entrance. He risked a quick glance back and saw that Hector was close – closer and closer by the second. Matthew shot the gate, and to his delight it broke into pieces almost voluntarily. He was halfway across the bridge, when –

 

“No – no, no, NO!” Matthew screamed. Another metal gate was forming at the other end of the bridge, and at a quicker pace than the previous. Matthew rushed towards it – its height was still low. He got half of his tank over, but for the other section the gate had risen too high. Matthew felt his tank begin to flip – and he fell, face first onto the ground. He looked up in horror as the rest of his tank rose high into the air, directly above him, and began to fall, lower and lower…

 

“AAAAAAAARGH!”

 

 

 

Matthew shook his arms and legs – no pain. He tried to get up, but his head hit something hard. “N-no way…” he breathed. “My t-tank flipped, and – and right now, I’m in the driving seat, but – upside down…” He tried to push his tank off him, while wondering where Hector was now. It came off surprisingly effortlessly. Matthew clambered inside – the right way up – and began to head west.

 

 

 

Will be continued next issue.

[unholycloak5 1,814]

Haha, nice and funny article.  :lol: 

[UAA619 97]

^I dont see what's so funny about it.

Nice article tho.

[MisterGeneral 692]

Fun story (Y) :)

[DeoxyriboNudeicAcicl 97]

 

He tried to push his tank off him, while wondering where Hector was now. It came off surprisingly effortlessly.

 

 Hold 'X' to flip tank

[AngeIs.And.Demons 1,988]

Nice! :o

[jazz20 1,181]

Nice :)