16 Death (2)

Plop!

That was the sound that came out as a strong man with a well-built body was seen to be on his knees and now covered in sweat.

As he was in this situation, he started to have flashbacks of the past few years before he was recruited by the woman who was currently standing in front of him. She had a fierce look like a tiger ready to pounce on its prey.

What a shock it gave to everyone present, that out of fear, resumed their tasks turning a blind eye to their leader.

Black started recalling what he has gone through in his life. He lived in a small town outside of Krasnoyarsk in Siberia with his younger sister. He had no employment and passed his days and nights in front of his worn-out laptop in the shabby apartment that they had inherited from their parents.

He was a small-time thief who scammed people for money. He knew a bit of coding and programming and used this knowledge to join the Dark Web as one of its soldiers.

He then started selling stolen items online and made a little more cash than average. But he wanted more and decided to rob ATMs with fake and stolen credit cards.

But his days were numbered. He became reckless and started thinking that he was playing the boner, but actually, the boner was playing him. He was soon arrested and imprisoned after a few months of success. A few months after he was arrested, he was suddenly released from prison by receiving the presidential pardon. It was a good thing but also suspicious.

'That could wait for now.' He thought not giving it much thought.

After signing the release papers and getting his belongings back, he exited the gates and was once again in the free world. Full of fresh air and a free man.

After a week of spending time with his sister as a free man, some officials came to take him away. His sister cried buckets but he had to go as the other option was returning to prison. After months of vetting processes and examinations, he was brought to the Inaccessible Island with no way of escaping.

And now he was in another terrible situation. Tears trickled down his face nonstop. He couldn't move, it was as if there was an invincible force pinning him down on the spot. He wanted to apologize but couldn't. This time around he pushed his luck too far.

'What is this?'

'Why can't I move my body?'

He had a lot of questions that could wait as he felt his body starting to heat up. He felt itchy, sore and uncomfortable all over his body. But the worst thing is that he couldn't cry out his agony. He couldn't untangle himself from the clutches of his capture. He had to bear it all as time slowed down and he lost focus of the world.

...

I was now holding a sniper rifle. Aya had slightly opened the roof of the car so as to get a better vantage point for my surprise assault. I raised the rifle and before I looked through the scope, I noticed something that made my worst nightmares come to life. Looking at my exposed palms, I almost dropped the sniper rifle.

"What is this?"

I intended to ask softly but my hoarse voice came out louder than expected.

"Ha! Ha! Ha!"

"Don't be too shocked. I designed the blueprint myself. It has all the features that anyone could need plus bonus attributes that makes anyone holding it feel suppressed." Aya said happily as she felt someone should be complimented after a good job done. "Now focus Max. I know you are capable but don't get your hopes..."

"Shut up!"

"Why am I like this? Why are my veins black and pulsing with energy."

"What?" Rue asked while taking a look at my palms, then my head, face and neck. It seemed that she found more of the black veins than I did. "Aya, what's going on? Is he infected or what!"

"He is fine for the time being. But am afraid it won't last... And I expected it to happen." Aya said.

"How can we help him?"

"There's nothing we can do for him. I am sorry to disappoint you. But this isn't the time to start lamenting about our personal health problems, we have a big fish to fry."

"Sure."

I raised the sniper rifle for the second time and looked through the scope. I retracted my gaze and glanced at the rifle on my hands before observing through the scope again. I was amazed and shocked at the same time.

"Can I keep this?" I asked.

"..." Rue looked like she had swallowed a bug.

"Do you like it?" Aya asked.

"Maybe." I honestly answered as the scope was the only part I was impressed with and interested in at the moment.

"Okay, you can have it under two conditions. But first, focus on the objective at hand." Aya answered.

"Sure." A smile was plastered on my face.

Through the scope every possible information, calculations and scenario play out was vividly imprinted. I for once haven't come across such an advanced sniper rifle scope in my life. I couldn't help but think if it can display precise information about everything, what about people.

With my calculations plus the ones from the scope, I had my target in no time. Looking through the scope, the Bell AH-1Z Viper had only three passengers on board. A pilot, co-pilot and a machine gunner who was holding a six-barreled machine gun fiercely releasing 800 rounds of ammunition per minute to the forces below.

...

Everything was ablaze in the neighborhood. Smoke, debris and fire covered most of the places where there was a concentration of attacks. The two Apaches were still hovering around the battlefield with one unleashing bullets from its 20mm cannon and the mounted machine gun on the side.

The individuals clad in black took the opportunity to escape to another location that was safe from attacks for the moment waiting to be picked up. Looking at their numbers now, one could notice that they have greatly been reduced leaving only four of them.

Delta Team was still cowering beside the cars that were seen with more ripped holes as time went by. They couldn't counterattack as two military helicopters were seen hovering above their heads. One unleashing its full attack power suppressing and trapping Delta Team with nowhere to run.

Bravo Team which was a few hundred meters away from Delta Team was in critical condition. Only three operators could be seen under a sand truck. They were caught off guard and suffered the consequences. Both teams were happy as they had a third team on the premises; The Clean Up Squad. What they didn't notice was the sneaky faces from the second helicopter occupants.

Soon enough, bullets of larger caliber started flying out at incredible speed, amount and direction. Bravo Team was on the eye of the attack and that left three members lying on the tarmac with their bodies riddled with bullet holes and now lifeless. The three remaining ones found cover and were able to safeguard their lives for the time being.

Delta Team reacted fast and swiftly after witnessing Bravo Team being attacked by the 'friendly' helicopter.

In the Hypersport, sniper rifle parts were seen emerging one after another from the space between Max and Rue. After assembling it Rue asked.

"A gun!? What could it do Aya, They are armored to the tooth."

"And who will use it? As I can't guarantee success."

"Don't worry Rue, we have him."

"Him?! Is this a joke? He is sick. He can't do it."

"Yes he can, he is a sharpshooter and has achieved greater marksmanship than anyone else on planet Earth. Except for his partner."

"No, he can't do it. What if he collapses?"

"He can endure it for the moment."

"No, Aya. And no means no."

"What? Okay, let me make something very clear here. First, I am in charge also so keep that in mind. Second, to you Max. Is your life precious than those who have died and will continue to die because of you? Look at what you have brought to this neighborhood. Death! And the only difference is that it is accumulating over time. So get up and correct what you can."

"Yes."

I got up and held the rifle in my hands. It was cold and had a chilling feeling. I raised it and aimed at one of the helicopters a few miles away.

Bang!