Pocket Legends: Alterran Warfare Episode 1: Marksman Chapter 3: Swamp

[RushalotPL]

Pocket Legends: Alterran Warfare
Episode 1: Marksman
Chapter 3: Swamp

Slouch. Slouch. Sluff. Slouch.
Marksman: "Huff... Huff... Huff..."
Scrick-scrick-scrick. Glug-glug-glug. Scrick-scrick-scrick.
Marksman: *sighs deeply*
The hell’s going on…? Am I actually going in the right direction?
Marksman: *COUGH-COUGH-COUGH*
All stinking up here, drenched in sweat… Well, there goes the entire crew I guess. Did what we had to do, ain’t it? It is what it is.
Whirrrrr~ Slap!
Marksman: “...” *peers above*
Croak-croak-croak-croak-croak~
Marksman: *grumbles angrily*
Rustle. Rustle.
Marksman: “...?!”
Is that…? …No wait… These ain’t… Crap…!
Marksman: *whips head around*
Slouch-slouch-slich-slich-trot-trot-trot-trot… Shaff. Rustle-rustle.
These plants ought-ta give me some decent cover. Gotta stay low… Better not be any snakes around here.
Marksman: *breathes slowly*
…Crap, a squad of crocs. No wonder their noses stay sharp… Most of ‘em kinda looked well equipped. There’s one ragged… Uh huh… they got their squad leader, chatting about something. Wait, are they trying to hunt us out… Naw, that’s stupid… They’d usually capture one first, or…
Crick-crick-crick-crick-crick-crick-crick-crick~
Hey, don’t tell me… Are they heading west?! That’s where we’re supposed to meet! What if they arrive early and gun us all down in sight?! …NO!
Sssss…
Can’t move… Something’s behind me but as long as I don't move a muscle and then it passes, I’m good. A Colt’s all I got… Hey, don’t crawl near me!
Marksman: *inhales quietly*
Go away!! GO AWAY!!!
Veep! Veep-veep-veeeeeeep~
Marksman: *twitches*
Phew… they’re heading back. Now talking about something different... On the way they go- WAIT, THEY’RE GOING WEST!
Rustle-rustle-rustle~
Snake’s gone?
Shf. Shf. Shf.
Okay, think it slithered away. Gotta get away from the red charlies as fast as possible. God, there better be fresh water nearby…
Marksman: *clears throat*
Vrrrrrt~
Man, ain’t these eyes of mine are getting drowsy… How long did I sleep…? Checking watch…
Marksman: “Tch!”
Just five hours…? At this rate, I’m gonna lose it.
Snap. Twick. Shf. Shf. Twick. Shruff. Shf. Shruff.
Marksman: “Freaking kidding me…”
Creek-creek-creek-creek-creek-creek-creek~
…Huh, wonder how Angela’s doing? She looked quite devastated the last time I saw. Hope she’s alright…
Snap.
Marksman: “Mm?”
Trinkle-trinkle-trinkle~
WATER!!!
SHF-SHF-SHF-SNAP-SHF-SHF-TWICK-SHF-SHF-SHF~
Marksman: *pants quickly*
Better be fresh…
Slrrp.
Marksman: “...Okay.”
Alright, that’s fine… Hope I won’t get sick soon.
Scrick-scrick-scrick. SLUSH. Jlug-jug-jug-jug~ Splosh.
Marksman: *whips head around*
…For a second, I thought I was gonna be held at gunpoint.
Marksman: *gulps from canteen*
Not too bad. Hope I won’t get bugs in my stomach..
Crick-crick-crick-crick-crick~ CAW-CAW. CAW-CAW~
Man, this is getting steep… How come I can’t find them yet? Captain, Wilston, Jones, Boris, Zimmerman, Yorick, Cody… Am I the only one left behind…? Where are ya…?
Marksman: *peers above*
Sun’s setting… Gotta get up on top. Wait, what if there’s still smoke from Easy? Should’ve crashed hours ago.
Trot. Trot. Trot. Trot. Trot… Trot.
Marksman: *tenses eyes*
A bunch of hills, alright. It’s far, but I can see the fumes. Maybe I can reach over there to see if there’s anything salvageable left…
Marksman: “…!” *ducks down*
No no no no… Wait… Something’s suspicious…
Vrrrrrrrhhhhhmmmm~ SLAP! Vrrrrhhhhhmmm~
What if the crocs have already arrived there? Wouldn’t they have already placed a trap or something…?
Marksman: *wipes brows*
Sun’s setting, ain’t it? They still gotta be there. They just gotta…!
Croak. Croak. Creek-creek-creek-creek-creek-creek-creek...
Slouch. Slouch. Shff. Shff. Shtf.
Marksman: *peers below*
The hell…? Engraved stone? Lemme get a good look… Huh… Strange. Didn’t know crocs used to build some kind of an ancient civilization. What’s next… some temple guarding some treasure…?
Marksman: “Tch!”
Gurgle-gurgle-gurgle-gurgle-gurgle-gurgle~
At least there should be some shelter to find before nightfall hits… Well, if it ain’t frog hopping season!
Schof. Hopf. Hopf. Schof. Hopf. CRACK.
RED CHARLIES?!
Marksman: “HUFF. HUFF. HUFF. HUFF. HUFF.”
SLCHFH. Snap. Crack-crack-crack-crack.
Marksman: *collapses to the ground* “Ow…”
How the hell were they this close?! Was it another detachment? Last time I saw them, none of them seemed to carry any machine guns… Could it be the rescue team?
Marksman: *turns around*
Uhhhh…
Marksman: *squints*
There’s some kind of a man made burrow, or a tunnel.... Think it’d be best for me to take shelter?
Marksman: *peers above*
It’s getting dark. Really out to hit the sack for a bit.
Plink. Plink. Plink.
Talk about dampness. The ground won’t give me a proper rest… Better than sleeping in the middle of the freaking jungle, I guess. Crawling on the back is the best I can do…
Marksman: *exhales softly*
What to do… what to do… Lemme check my boots if I’m reaching the end.
Shf. Shf. Shf.
Huh, guess that’s it. Thought it was gonna lead to treasure or something. Either way, carrying it’d probably be deadweight.
Marksman: *yawns*
Talk about a burnout… Am I really left out alone? Should I have never joined the diamonds…? Man… Getting sleepy now…
Marksman: *murmurs* “Angela… Angela…”
Creek-creek-creek-creek-creek~
Marksman: *sleeps deeply*
Hey, move. Get outta my way. Geez, talk about a crowd… Didn’t think my home would get so rowdy…
Vroooooom~
Marksman: “Huh?!” *peaks above*
A biplane?! No wait, that’s…
Marksman: “POPS?!”
Pops: *waves*
Marksman: “Hey, wait! Where are you going?! COME BACK!”
Vrrrrmmmm~
Marksman: *races towards forwards*
The town’s disappearing?! Wait, it’s warping into a forest!
K-BANG!
Marksman: “Agh!”
Black smoke…? HEY, POP’S BEEN DOWN SHOT DOWN!
Marksman: “AHHHH!!!” *hurriedly sprints*
POPS!!! POPS...!!!
Marksman: *pants*
Now a field?!
Marksman: *huffs* “LEMME GET OUTTA YA, POPS!”
COME ON! NO WONDER YOU'RE HEAVY...!
Marksman: *drags* “Wait, this ain’t… ANGELA?!”
...Knocked out and bleeding a little, but at least she's breathing…!
Marksman: “Angela! Hey, Angela! You hear me?! You're gonna be alright!
THUUUUUUUMMM~
HUH?!
Marksman: *turns back*
MUSHROOM CLOUDS?!
RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE~
…Black, red and blue?! The hell’s going on… WOAH!!!
WHIRRRRRRRMMMMMM ~ WRRRREEEEEEEEWWWWW ~
Marksman: “ANGELAAAA~”
Crick-crick-crick-crick~
Marksman: *mumbles* “No… Y’gotta live… Stay with me… Angel-”
THUNK.
Marksman: “OW!” *grunts*
Creek. Creek. Creek.
Marksman: *groans* “Where…?”
Oh…
Marksman: *scoots over*
Wait… Is that…? Looks kinda like a dragon… It’s faded, but I can see them. When did they make this? …White, red, black…
Marksman: *squints*
The blue’s bigger than the red and black… The hell is this all about…? Some kind of a cryptic message? …Wait, what’s that below… Marks… Dots… Treasure hunt…? Could it be the second missile…?
Marksman: *yawns*
…Anyways, gotta keep moving.
Shuff. Shff. Shuff. Shff. Shrik.
Marksman: *peeks above*
Sun’s almost coming up… Should I start moving now, I might get lost… More light will have to do…
CAW CAW. CAW CAW. CAW CAW. Shreek-shreek-shreek-shreek-shreek~
There’s no way I’m heading in the wrong direction. The river’s far behind me, so I shouldn’t be lost… What’s really bothering me is…
Marksman: *grabs an empty packet*
Lack of rations. It all dried up… So much of being a pilot…
Marksman: *grumbles*
So what the hell was that about…? Why dragons? They breathe fire… destroy lives…
Marksman: *scratches head*
Shreek-shreek-shreek-shreek~
Scratch that… Ain’t giving up until I find the crew. Just gotta keep marching… Also can’t keep my guard down.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
What is that… Light…? Wait, hold on. Could it…? Marksman: *pants slowly*
Move. Stupid bugs. Trying to pick me out, huh…? Alright, let’s see what’s outta of this forest-
Marksman: *squints eyes* “AH…! Wha? No.. That can’t be it…”
Not even a single animal in sight… yet I don’t see anyone. At least I’m outta here… I think…
Marksman: *huffs*
Crap. I’m letting my guard down. Gotta sneak to the big leaves…
Marksman: *whips head around*
The charlies…? Were they gunned down yesterday? Don’t see anyone on sight… So… do I… just keep moving forward?... Wait.. what’s…
Marksman: *peeks at a distance* “...Ain’t these…?”
FOOTPRINTS?!
Shuff-shuff-shuff-shuff.
Marksman: “..........Aha.. Ha ha.. Ha ha…!” *slaps forehead*
FLIGHT BOOTS! THEY’RE OURS! THAT MEANS I WAS JUST SLACKING OFF ALL ALONG! OKAY, THIS I GOTTA SEE.
Marksman: “Okay, let’s go…” *whips out handgun*
Shuff-shuff-crunch-crunch-crunch~
Marksman: *sips canteen*
Last of it… Should’ve brought a larger canteen. But then, I’d get shot if I relieve myself for too long…
Vrrrrrr…
Stupid flies… Well, at least they ain’t bloodsuckers… Otherwise I’d go nuts... How long did I go…?
Marksman: *turns back*
…That far? Tch, no wonder I’m still alive. Those charlies really scattered after all… or should I say dead…
Shuff. Shuff. Shuff. Shuff.
Marksman: *heavily breathing*
Guess… this is… it…
Scruff. Scruff. Scruff. Scranch.
Water’s all gone… No one to find me… Me… dying… In the middle of these rocks…
Veep-veep-veep-veep-veep~
Getting dark…. My eyesight’s turning blurry… Can’t even speak… Think I’m gonna go back to sleep… Wha… Who’s in front…? They’re coming… Tch… No use… I’ll wind up dead anyways… Angela… Angela…
Blurry Figures: *muffles noises*
Go… Go away… Hey… Don’t come…
Marksman: *sips from canteen*
…? W..Wha…?
Ursan: *whispers* “Mark, you’re gonna be okay…”
Hey… Who are...
Paladin: “Alright, guess this is the last one. Head back.”
Ursan: “Yes, sergeant.”
Blonde fur… Hold on… I know y…
Vixen: “Yo Tom, you know this guy?”
Thompson: “Antonio. We’ll carry him and then rejoin with Sergeant Harriott.”
Antonio: “...Right.”
Crocs… Two of ‘em… Ugh… Lemme sleep…
Shuff-dump.
Where… I’m in a raft now…?
Thompson: “Okay, see you on the other side. You too, Mark.”
Dang it, Tom… Now you’re going off chasin’ red charlies…? Wait, the missile…! I gotta say something!
Marksman: *whispers* “Tom…”
Thompson: “Hm?”
Marksman: “Step… stone… river… cave…. missile…”
Thompson: “...Okay.”
Harriott: “Let’s move.”
Great. We salin’ away… At least I’ll feast myself on a couple of gumdrops. Well, there they go… Don’t y’die on me…
Gurgle-gurgle-gurgle-gurgle~
Marksman: *coughs* “Ahem…”
Rescue Team: “We got him!”
Driver: “Pilot, eh?”
Medic: “Right, put him on board!”
Marksman: *sputters* “...I’m fine.”
Okay, up I go…
Rescue Team: “Looks like the truck’s full. Send them off.”
Medic: “Got it.” *hops off*
Marksman: “Geez…” *takes sip*
K-chunk.
Medic: “We’re moving… OKAY, EVERYONE! LET’S GET YOU HOME!”
Passengers: “Woo hoo… Hooray…”
Trumble-trumble-trumble~
Marksman: “Hey, medic… Were there any pilots last time you picked them up…?”
Medic: “...Not that we know of…”
Driver: “Our previous team probably picked your buddies up before we switched, ain’t it?”
Medic: “Best cast scenario, you were straggling behind. Maybe you’ll find ‘em when you get back to the hospital.”
Marksman: *sighs*
Sooner or later when I’m fully recovered, they’ll probably drop me into a more awful place. Like a desert or something… Why not Humania…? At least I’ll die gladly on a beach… Man, those gumdrops were pretty good. Tastes better when you’re really hungry…
Driver: “A few miles more, and we’ll drop them off.”
Medic: “Yup.”
Driver: “About the Bluefields… you think they’re gonna find the second missile?”
Medic: “Beats me.”
Driver: “Haven’t heard about Lieutenant Howard ever since he left. Hope he'll come back."
Medic: “You don’t say.”
Marksman: *sniffs*
Angela… if you’re out there… Just don’t do anything stupid…
Vrrrooommm…

To be Continued…

[RushalotPL]

The future of the development for Pocket Legends: Alterran Warfare will consist of expanding the story line across the continent. In addition, this third installment will be primarily character focused. Pocket Legends: Neo Mages will resume publication once the entirety of the installment is covered. Please note the author will be taking hiatuses since the creator himself has fully finished his college studies. Contact @GrapplerRusher on Twitter for more information.

Best of luck to you, 2025.