C07 - Mark IV Tank.

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'Inner dialogue/thoughts'

"Normal dialogue"

"Online Comments/Twitch comments/Narrator"

[Reading description of games]

[System]

(Word Count: 920)

~ With Aiden ~

After a few moments of stunned silence, the live chat suddenly exploded with excitement and disbelief.

"Oh my God! No wonder this game is so huge! The attention to small details and graphics is incredible!"

"This graphics quality and the level of detail. Its quiet simply a masterpiece! Could also possibly win Game of the Year!"

"Which company made this? Judging from the theme, was it Electronic Arts or Activision?"

"If those companies really made it, then you'd have to spend a hundred dollars just to unlock the Zeppelin for a one-time use!"

"Haha! That's joke of the year, bro! It's more like a thousand dollars for a Zeppelin! They would never be that generous!"

As the chat debated over the developer of the game, Aiden's thoughts, however, were focused on one thing. 'I need to keep playing!'

As a gamer, Aiden knew the prologue was just an appetizer, showcasing the game's graphics and setting the scene. The real game was just beginning. After the black screen, a new text appeared: France, Ribecourt, Autumn 1918, the end of the war. The narrator's voice echoed in his ears.

"With the arrival of winter, the Germans have strengthened their defences so that the enemy does not dare to attack. Waves of infantry offensives slammed into the German fortifications, but they returned without success. Until the introduction of the Mark IV tank.

Its firepower is fierce and the defences strong, the Mark IV tank is indeed a frightening war machine. Whether it is a trench or a barbed wire, the tank can easily break through. On October 17th, as the sun began to set, the Allied forces make their move.

Launching a large-scale assault offensive, with the support of tanks, the Allied leaders believed that the victory of the war is only a matter of time. However, the Mark IV tank has a fatal flaw – it's mechanical unreliability."

As the narrator ended, Aiden found himself in a military camp, surrounded by soldiers transporting supplies, chatting, and tending to the wounded.

"Private Edward!" A commanding voice called out. An officer of the army approached him. "It's not a good habit to be in a daze on the battlefield, private. Come with me."

Before anything else, Aiden's inherent pride as a man made an appearance as he tried to defend himself from the officer's accusations. "I wasn't in a daze, sir."

The officer looked upon Aiden from head to toe, as if in disbelief of Aiden's words. "For your sake, I hope so. But as long as you can obey the orders and not freeze up in battle, then that's all we can ask for."

"Wait, you can understand me?" Aiden asked in surprise, momentarily forgetting that he was speaking to an NPC. However, the officer did not respond to his out-of-context words.

'Is this part of the game?' Aiden wondered, feeling impressed and shocked once again by the level of interaction between the player and NPCs.

The officer then led Aiden to a massive Mark IV tank. "Come and meet Bess, the latest line of cutting-edge technology."

Aiden took in the view of the tank up close, appreciating the sheer beauty of the machinery before him. Entering the tank, his eyes widened in amazement as he exclaimed, "Whoa. . . So, this is what it feels like to be inside of a tank."

His livestream chat was just as excited. Normally in war games, tanks were just for show and the players would never really get to experience playing with them unless they emptied their wallets.

"This is the inside of a tank? This is incredible!"

"I want to drive a tank too!"

"A tank? Are you kidding me?! I just spent so much money in that other game to play in one, but we get to play it for free in this game?!"

"I can really drive a tank?! I thought it was just for show!"

As Aiden explored the tank, the game provided him with the information about its structure and crew. He met the friendly gunner, Finch, who introduced himself with a smile. "The name's Finch, welcome aboard."

Another crew member, Micah, seemed less enthusiastic. "I just hope this new tanker is a bit more reliable. It may be new, but word spreads around quick these days."

"Mind you own business, Mic." Finch retorted before turning back to Aiden, "Don't worry. I'm sure Bess will cover us."

After they got acquainted with one another, their attention was brought back to the earlier officer, who was currently giving a briefing to their company about the upcoming battle.

"Alright boys, the pre-war welcome ceremony is over. Our mission is to break through the German lines and destroy the artillery positions on the road." As he spoke, the engines of the tanks roared to life. "After that, we will head into Cambrai, a small French town.

We've received confirmation that it is an important supply centre for the German army. So, if we can capture that strategic point, then it would go a long way into helping us achieve victory is this war."

As the tank began to move, Aiden felt a rush of excitement and anticipation. The mission was about to begin.

- End of Chapter 07 -

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