As they continued their journey through the dark and eerie sewer, the passing minutes seemed to stretch into an eternity. Worry began to creep into the hearts of the group members as the effects of the radiation became increasingly apparent.
Even those in possession of gas masks, including Alan and others, couldn't escape the insidious effects of radiation poisoning. The first penalty appeared on their screens:
[You have been exposed to 100 Rad]
[Radiation level one: Max HP -10% & Stamina -10%]
The penalties were determined by the level of radiation exposure and the duration of their exposure. The fact that they had already incurred penalties, even before reaching the laboratory, sent a wave of anxiety through the group. It was clear that they were on the path to face higher radiation levels, and the next penalty was just minutes away:
[You have been exposed to 200 Rad]
[Radiation level two: Max HP -20% & Stamina -20%]
The realization that they would likely have to endure levels three or four to complete the mission weighed heavily on their minds, this situation led one of the mercenaries, Fin 'Force' Maddox to voice a bold suggestion, directed toward Alan's group:
"I think you all should give that gas mask to us. You can go back, and we'll finish the task."
The suggestion hung in the air, and the mercenaries, their eyes fixed on Alan's group, awaited their response.
As tension mounted within the group, more voices joined in to voice their concerns, leading to a temporary halt in their advance. Even Captain Farell's attempts to urge them forward fell on deaf ears.
"Yes, at least give them to the veterans; they'll need them more than you," chimed in another member of the Black Sand Mercenaries. Complaints about Alan's group and their suitability for the mission began to circulate. Daniel and Kenny, still in their teens, and even worse Izzie who appeared far too young for combat, became targets of criticism.
Alan, however, wasn't about to concede to their demands. He was prepared to stand his ground and fight to retain the gas masks. The situation escalated as one of the mercenaries adopted a threatening tone, warning, "You don't know what's good for you."
Cachelos, the leader of the Black Sand Mercenaries, remained silent throughout the exchange, neither endorsing nor opposing the demands. Even the Blood Patriots, who typically valued their independence, seemed to agree with the notion that Alan's group should surrender their masks.
Alan contemplated breaking away from the group and finding an alternative path for his team when Sergeant Dylan, the leader of the support military team, intervened to defuse the situation.
"Calm down," he urged the agitated players. "The military has provided these for the mission, and you can each have one." He revealed a red and white capsule:
[Name: RedAway]
[Type: Medicine]
[Rarity: Uncommon]
[Attributes: None]
[Effects: Radiation -300]
[Able To Bring Outside The Game: No]
"Use it once your radiation exposure reaches 300, so it's not wasted," he instructed, hoping to alleviate the tensions within the group.
The distribution of the RedAway capsules seemed to appease the veterans, even though some still harbored reservations about allocating them to Alan's group. However, it was clear that the military had provided the capsules for the mission, leaving no room for objections.
As the group reached the end of the sewer, the urgency of the mission became increasingly apparent. With time running short, Cachelos swiftly organized their approach. The Black Sand Mercenaries would divide into smaller teams, each tasked with clearing enemies and searching for the Nazi scientists. Meanwhile, the remainder of the group would provide security for Captain Farrell as he sought to locate and dismantle the bomb.
With a consensus reached, Cachelos pushed the sewer door open and led the group through it one by one. However, their arrival did not go unnoticed.
"HALTT!"
In a matter of seconds, their presence was discovered, and dozens of Nazi soldiers descended upon them from all directions.
"Shit! There are so many elite soldiers here!" Cade 'Archer' Harlow, one of the scout players exclaimed, realizing the gravity of the situation he quickly released multiple arrows targeted toward the hidden Nazi sharpshooter.
The group found themselves in a dire situation as Nazi soldiers closed in from all sides. These were no ordinary foot soldiers; they were elite SS, battle-hardened troops who posed a significant threat. Panic began to set in among some of the less-experienced players, and the urgency of their mission weighed heavily on everyone.
The Black Sand Mercenaries, led by Cachelos, sprang into action, engaging the Nazi soldiers with a combination of precision shooting and tactical movements.
Next, Marcus and Jason of the Blood Patriot unleashed their wolf bloodline transformations and charged forward. With a body that can withstand bullets, their presence manages to intimidate the Nazi soldiers.
"Get out!! Get out!!" shouted Dylan urging Captain Farell and the soldiers to make a run for it. With their path temporarily cleared, the group seized the opportunity to exit the sewer, making a desperate dash to follow the Sergeant.
Alan's team was the last to get out and became a much easier target for the prepared Nazi soldiers. Knowing that they had to keep moving, Alan motioned for his team to take cover behind whatever obstacles they could find, using debris and corners to shield themselves from the incoming gunfire.
The scene in the factory was nothing short of mayhem. The abandoned facility was swarming with Nazi soldiers. Dozens of SS troops, armed with heavy weaponry, were positioned strategically and unleashing devastating firepower upon any perceived threat.
[15:00]
As per the plan, a mile away from their location, the main force of over a thousand players had begun their advance towards the Nazi main base, engaging in fierce combat along the way.
"We are late, We need to move out and start searching for the bomb!!!" shouted Alan.
It was a chaotic and brutal battle, with explosions and gunfire echoing throughout the area.
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