Zellgato hard stops to let Archeron-who is injured- hop in, before trying to truck it out of there with everyone in tow. "Howdy! It'd be lovely if you would shoot them a lot. but not the other car" expressing that we're being followed, but we have another car.
If you needed another one.
The road continues on to the Town of Chapel. You can see even from here that the lights in town are off, but a lot of lanterns and flashlights are being waved about.
Before you get to it though, you'll pass the road branching up to the generator. Two cars are racing down the road right now and will fall in 1 zone behind you.
Any passengers in your vehicles would have one chance to take a shot at them when you pass the intersection.
Archeron unslings his rifle, then takes aim and fires at the driver of one of the pursuit vehicles.
He will then draw his pistol and offer it to one of the others, saying "Careful, that has explosive rounds."
"Bud, you have all the toys, might be good for knocking an engine out." Zellgato chimes in from the driver's seat, unable to help with the gunning battle.
"I can attest to the usefulness on shooting out headlights." says the Android without mirth.
The driver shot, one of the cars quickly veers off the side of the road. They'll dump the driver quickly and rejoin the pursuit .
You race towards the town of Chapel in the stolen vehicles. Lots of people are looking around in the dark. The place seems to be wide awake. Lots of flashlights and lanterns are pointed your way, but no one is firing on you yet.
The road you are on curves right through the town, past the checkpoint you came in through the other day, and out onto the open road.
Gristlethorn looks grimly at Archeron for a moment before shaking his head and drawing his own laser.
"I'll stick to mine for now, we might need the range."
As the car approaches the town.
"As much fun as I could have bluffing us through these guys, I have the kind of face that's uncommon around here. I suspect if your driving is up to the task, fast might be the best solution."
"I've got no ideas-other than Full Throttle.. and if you happen to see a fuel tank, consider that explosive shot.... but collatoral daamge isn't best. Wis hwe could blame the chasing trucks." having stated such, Zellgato floors it
"We need to disable pursuit vehicles as we move through town."
He then looked around and said "Were we able to secure our targets?"
** spoiler omitted **
After a long pause, Genius Meadows thinks to IX, "My parents think that's a good idea. They've got the van you know ... for escaping, but we'd have to get out there first. So, what's the plan, monster-man?"
Zellgato leads the convoy going full throttle. By the time anyone realizes you aren't friendlies, your halfway to the checkpoint out of town. Some of Devil's Bridge Brigade are talking to some civilians near the checkpoint, which slows Zellgato down a bit.
You can't find a fuel tank in the dark, but there is a generator running. It's surrounded with lights and people. It could be a natural gas generator.
** spoiler omitted **
Zellgato tries his best to gain distance weaving in and around town-preferring avoiding combat than causing it-, noting the generator.
"Well, if we want to be jerks, that would cause chaos..."
Assuming that Archeron figures out who Szreem is, he might notice that IX is missing and there are no additional people in the vehicle.
"So where are our targets? You know, the reason we're here?"
"To be fair, our main goal was to find out whats going on in this camp--that, that we did. As for the secondary "interview targets" probably back at base. but JT and his new friend have something in their car. Might be related might not. Short version: parasitic creatures hitching ride in people, and there was a fight between members, not sure where Ix ended up after he started something. Hopefully fine. We didn't have the firepower to do much, so we retreated with the intel the three of us acquired-and whatever it is they've got in that car."
"That would explain why they didn't want Androids around. It's not like they could infect them."
"Also, mutants.. seem to exclude them, but also seemingly wanted specific others. I almost think some of them can resist it to an extent. The EmotionPusher didn't turn me in or kill me right away-Honestly she could've gotten me taken, infected, or killed. Instead, I got a lot of info. I'm basing my assumption of her infection based off a emotion reader though... So bit of a guess there." Zellgato replies during the heated chase, casually talking like he knows much
"It's a shame we can't just drop a satellite on their camp. It would save alot of trouble." Archeron thinks for a moment, then adds "Do those with a parasite in them have any outward signs that they are possessed? I'd like to think that the issue was limited to this camp, but that would be a foolish assumption, and I am not a fool."
"Nothing that I noticed. They also didn't seem real happy about Uplifts either to be honest."
"Well, they show up on scans, so chances are they're not world over, but smaller camps? Possible. But I found themn with a scan, and its hard to avoidi scans in the real world really. Also, they seem to avoid not 'normal human' it feels like. They shy away from other species or mutations if possible I'd guess. Also I'd rather not drop a satalite on the uninvolved.
"Did you learn how specifically they infect a host?"
This conversation happens as Zellgato and gang get out on the open highway. You can see vehicles behind you giving chase.
Zellgato elects tot shut up and focus on driving--leaving his passangers to chat if they wish
Archeron leans out and aims at the closest pursuit vehicle, trying to disable it.
One of the white relief agency jeeps used by the Gaians catches up to you. Archeron fires upon them, but they dodge. The heavies in the vehicle are ready to begin shooting next round.
It's open highway in front of you. Dawn hasn't cracked the horizon yet, but to the East there's a pre-dawn diffused light, revealing a waking world.
A large pink vehicle is heading towards you from the opposite direction.
"Why isn't there more shooting from our vehicle?" Archeron asked as he took aim, this time at the driver of the lead vehicle.
"I'm waiting for a decent shot! I don't have limitless ammo!"
"I don't know about you but I can't drive and shoot at once! Company up front-NO clue who!" Zellgato shouts and starts honking his horn loudly for lack of any other ideas
"Tell them exactly where we are! That will give us the advantage!"
Von Junzt stares at the road ahead, noticing the pink vehicle. "It seems the cavalry has arrived."
"They CLEARLY know where we are already." Zellgato claims, far too exasperated for the situation, as he white knuckles the steering column
A large pink canteen is barreling down the center of the highway. It does not appear to be leaving room for you. You'll have to choose to be on its left or right.
Szreem gets on the comm, "What are we going to do about this? Oh, it's me, by the way. Guess I should have arranged a safe word or something so you'd know."
"oohkay I got a bad idea. Maybe we can lose em, or maybe cause an accident if we time this right. I could pull away last second and see if they'll screw up... Should we try? I'd need help with the timing--I can't keep track of them, and those behind me and our allies. I'd need you both to call out distances. Yes or No? "
"'ll do my best!"
"It's about 10 meters and closing!"
Archeron fires again at the driver of the lead vehicle.
Zellgato Wings it and tries their best with the information his good partner Gristlethorn feeds him.
The Pink Penny canteen barrels down the middle of the highway. Zellgato gets close enough to see Peggy behind the wheel, cigar clamped between android teeth. He's not making room for you. Zellgato turns late enough, but too sharply and heads off the road,
Szreem does his best to follow Zellgato
The Gaian operatives try to follow as well.
The Pink Penny swipes the Gaian jeep hard. You can see at least one casualty, the driver.
Szreem goes off the road with Zellgato and gives Zellgato the finger and a smile.
You can get back on the road with the nearest vehicle two zones behind you as they will have to dodge the Pink Penny soon as well.
"What that..." is all Archeron has to say as they nearly get taken out.
After a few seconds of melting. IX opens his eyes, looks over to Genius and smiles. With one hand he pushes on the cell door and it opens. "Monster man indeed."
After that thought comment he moves over to Genius' cell door and melts the lock as well.
"Alright chatterbox, where we headed?"