Part 9: What a twist!

Big ass update

My schedule is still packed, so I dump this on you. Also it was a matter of pacing. Grab a treat and enjoy!

What a twist!

Last time we made love happen, stole a jacket and busted a methlab, all in a days work.

This time we will attack the Ratskull Hq and get our sweet, sweet revenge. And maybe find our sister as that is still a thing.


When we enter the map, a familiar face is there to greet us.


:"My people tell me there's gonna be a big showdown with the Ratskulls. It won't be easy, but I reckon you will soon have Phoenix."

:"I sure will. And I'll have revenge for my parents, believe me. But why are you here? Are you gonna join the fight?"



:"That's great! My chances would be a whole lot better with a fully-armed vehicle."


Thanks a bunch Wes! We already have a Hummer but an armed version is way better. We can just roll into the Hq and hose everything with bullets.

Now, on to the actual map of Spirit Springs.

It's the largest we have seen so far. The draw distance makes it impossible to show it to you without a hassle, so you have to be content with the minimap for now. The village is directly ahead of us, while the Hq is at the top and some forestry hills make up the east.

My first order of business is to hit the trader.

He has some good things and I upgrade my squad as best as I can. Most importantly I pick up a carbine version of the G36 for Seagull(Albatross is the name) and a G41 assault rifle for Victor. He had his crappy 9mm rifle for much longer than I wanted him to. Also I pick up an M79 grenade launcher and some 40mm rounds. We will have some fun with this one during the assault.

Let's take care of the small quests around here first.

In the middle of the village we can marvel at a classic circus act.


:"Hey! You look like you know something about technology. I could use your help."

:"With what?"



:"Maybe I can help. What do you need it for? Just to listen to music?"



:"What can you offer me in return?"

:"I got real coffee. Top quality! You won't get anything like this round here. I got it from a guy up north. He's got a proper plantation up there."

:"Hmm.. That's not very tempting."

:"This stuff is real valuable! You'll get a pack if you can find me some solar cells, and another if you can fix up my ghetto blaster. It's the best I can offer."
Okay, we take the deal. Coffee is good for trade, but there is another sneaky reward after this quest.

There are three cells hidden on the map, so I just get one and have Butch install the thing.


:"Great! And here is your coffee, enjoy! If you ever come to one of my shows, let me know and I'll get you a front-row seat."
Nah, that's fine.

For the sneaky reward, you have to talk to him again.
:"Thanks, you have been a real big help!"

:"How long are you staying round these parts?"



:"I'm interested in the robbery. Can you show me where it happened?"
This will get us another minor location and is easily miss-able. Ivana got a level but nothing happened.

Let's get another location and a quest to go with it.


:"Damn it, what do you want? I hate people interrupting my depressing thoughts."

:"I'm really sorry. Can I do something to spoil your mood?"



:"What do you intend to do? Commit suicide?"



:"Okay, just tell me exactly what happened."







:"You don't sound particularly drunk or stoned right now."




The location we get from this is pretty awesome.

There are still a couple of quests in the town, so let's finish those before we move to the interesting stuff.

On my way through the village I pass a burned down house.

Mommy is just chilling, no worries.

:"I wouldn't want to live there anymore."


:"Are you making fun of our misfortune? Be careful or you'll end up like this dirty Ratskull who hit on my wife."
Haha, no.

:"Did a Ratskull start the fire?."

:"Yes. I beat the living daylight out of one, because he thought it would be okay to insult my wife. And then they burned our house down."

:"I might have something for you. I know someone near Bowie Village who's looking for people to live in his houses. Would you be interested?"
What a coincidence.


Remember Donald and his cave flats? Yeah, we'll bring him some tenants.

The family will follow us around till we drop them at Bowie Village.

I considered to make something cool with them, but there wasn't any real thing I could have done.

Before we move out I pick up another task, so I can solve it on the way.

At the outskirts of town we find a small shooting range.



Man, he must have some awesome stories.

:"What do you mean exactly?"



:"The Ratskulls won't be a problem much longer. I'm here to take care of them. Then you'll find enough volunteers. The only question is, what use are people who join a militia when there's no great danger."



:"So, now you want me to help out?"

:"I've already organized most of the things. But you could help me with four tents and water detectors. And also I need a new doc for the medical training."

:"Okay, I'll help you out. Is that all you need?"


Getting the tents and detectors requires some trader hoping, but the doc hangs out in Bowie Village. General Lewis can point you there, if you ask. The junkyard is on this map and not that hard to solve.

Let's hoof it over to Bowie village.



:We are supposed to live there? In a hole in the wall?!"



:"Ian's right on that one."

:"I just hope we can afford it."


Who would have thought Donald could ever get someone to live in his caves?

The doc is near the entrance of the village.

He's sleeping right now but Seagull has no fucks to give.

:"I'm looking for a doctor to help train a militia. The project is running in cooperation with the GNO. Would you be interested?"

:"You want me to abandon my patients? For a GNO project? Well that sounds important, but what is it about exactly?"

:"It involves training militia in the village of Spirit Springs. They are to defend a water source. We need someone to teach the recruits in first aid."

:"That sounds mighty important! I would sure be glad to help the GNO and pass on my knowledge."
That was surprisingly easy. Kind of a dick move to steal the only doc around, but harsh times and all. Also the booze hounds will kill themselves eventually and the few good people just have to walk it off till he's back.

I quickly gathered the tents&detectors and travel back to Spirit Springs. The last problem is the junkyard.

You better pay attention. If you attempt to pick anything up or click on things too often, the junkyard people will turn on you.

:"What do you want, Choker? I'm busy."

:"I want to ask you if you're gonna give up your scrap yard for training purposes. I'm from the GNO."

:"GNO? I don't care. Why should I let you use my yard?"
Spoiler: He's a dick.

:"(eloquence) Because the people coming to train here will be responsible for your security."

:"I don't need your security, I can look after myself."

:"You sure? Just think about your family!"

:"My family? Hmm.. You're right. Send your people over. As long as they're not too loud and clean up afterwards. So, now I got stuff to do!"
If you can't convince him you either have to kill him+family or kill some dudes who hit on his sister. I don't like either.

Now we can finish this.


:"Yeah, I reckon he can do the job."

:"Good day, I'm Doc Franklin. I was told you could use my help."

:"Good to meet you, Doc Franklin. We really do need your help. I'll give you the details later. Maybe you wanna have a look around first?"

:"Sure, thanks. A sound working environment is very important for me."


:"I've taken care of the scrap yard owner."

:"Excellent! Where you able to convince him?"

:"Yeah. He refused at first but I got through to him. You can take your recruits there anytime."

:"Great!"

:"I got hold of the tents and the detectors."

:"Just what I needed. What do I owe you?"

:"I could use some ammunition, if you can spare any."

:"Sure. Look in that crate over there. Take as much as you need."


We payed more for the things but whatever. The real reward is a big chunk of Xp, in the four digit range. Seagull get's a level and reaches the "Steady shot" talent.

With that done, let's take on the interesting things around here.

There is a ton of flyers spread all over the place, and Seagull will point that out. When you pick one up..


Really? Wargs?

Nicholas the hunter hangs out in the middle of the village.


:"Did you make all these flyers?"



:"What kind of animals are they, anyway, with such a large reward on their head? On the flyer they almost look like wolves."

:"They're not wolves, they're Wargs. Genetically-modified fighting beasts. They're much larger, more intelligent and much more aggressive."
Wat?

:"I heard something about that before. The military was carrying out experiments like that on animals before the disaster."
Come on, you're just lying now.





:"Of course he was kind enough to let the things loose before he left. Now they inhabit the forest to the east."

:"Now I understand, I can take care of them. I'm pretty well armed and have seen battle before."



The monsters are in the hills to the east. You have to walk around a bit to find all five.

There's one!

They are tough, but if you're equipped properly it's okay. Try to fight them one at a time and don't let them get close. Their bite hurts a whole lot.



I collect the five heads and turn them in.

:"You got several of those beasts at once? Excellent! Take your pick, either gas, water, meat or seeds."
I settle with five liters of gas as my reward. The other choices are kinda shit, by comparison.


That sounds like a good idea. Agnes also digs up a level but no talent.

I follow Nicholas advice, but I find something else entirely.

A group of people gathered around a woman, bound to a stake.







Yeah, we should stop that.



One of them ran away.
:"P..please don't hurt me."

:"What kind of ritual was that you just held?"

:"W..we were paying homage to our God, Xipe Topec, so he will cleanse the desecrated earth."

:"Aha. Now tell me why this earth has been desecrated. And why you have to kill someone for it."



:"So there's someone who tells you when and where you should take your victims?"



:"Ah, I see. Now tell me where this man lives!"

:"I'll never betray my master, unbeliever! His power flows through my veins! Now die!"

Cute.


We untie the girl next.


Before she fucks off, she tells us the same things that we already know. So there's really no reason to show it. Oh, and if you're curious the lab is a normal house. No computers or tech around. Just a row of big cages outside.

The Wiseman of the Wood is actually pretty near to the lab area.


:"You're the boss of this strange sect, right?! I already met your people down at the breeding lab."

:"I am Tizoc the Exalted One, Wiseman of the Wood, Prophet of Xipe Topec. Kneel down and face the ground when you speak to me."
Ahaha

:"I'll give you "kneel down".. Lay off the drugs freak!"

:"I will squash you like a maggot!"
hahaha


HAHAHA

He drops a diary, for us to read.

:"This is Tizoc's diary. Hmm.. Most entries go back years. Hmm.. This is more like it..."











:"I will set my darlings free. They will rip to shreds all those who set foot in the desecrated forest and continue to harm it."

:"And that's it. The rest is uninteresting. What a nutter... Well, at least there were only five of these things, and I've killed them already."
Kinda glad that I don't have to look for more Wargs.

Now it's time for the big fight with Phoenix and his Ratskulls.

The Hq is really large, has mines next to the roads and some guard camps outside.

In preparation for the assault I loot the village. I find some interesting things like ammo for the elusive G11 and a Dt21 helmet.

Swanky!

Also I collect that armed Hummer Wesley was talking about.



Fuck!







Whelp, no Hummer for us! But I still want to know what the fuck just happened.

Anyway, with my preparations done I move along the road to engage the guard camps.

Keno also decides to not suck for once! The other five guards die in a hail of lead.

The other camp is a bit off the beaten path.

Nothing exciting. There is actually a second entrance to the Hq here, but it's blocked by a bus. Would have been neat if we could open that, instead of waltzing in through the front.

Let's waltz!

Not the most climatic battle. They could have thrown more guys at us. Granted I'm a bit over equipped, but I could be even more at this point. What I am saying is, that this game is not really hard. Even for the average player who doesn't look into each nook and cranny.

The rest of the gang is spread out in the Hq and will only engage when we get near.

While clearing the area, I find and wound Phoenix.

Ivana continues to rule with the M79!

And Keno doesn't want to lag behind.


Before we can deal with Phoenix, we have to kill every other Ratskull around. I hand that job to Agnes.



Don't bring fists to a gunfight.

Also we can steal this.

It's just a re-color of our pick-up, but I never turn down more storage space.

Now it's finally time for Phoenix..

Better pray, you turd!

:"Respect. Looks like you've killed all my men."

:"You only speak when allowed to! Understand that, you freak?! You remember a village called Sandhaven?"


DUN DUN FUCKING DUN

:"WESLEY?!"
Lies, all lies!


I don't even know anymore..

:"You're lying!"



:"The explosion at David's house... And the Hummer.."
Oh god, it starts to make sense!



:"I'll get that cleared up myself. Now, when you attacked my village, did you take off with a young girl?"

:"No idea. If we did, she won't be alive now. We always kill the women after we had our fun with them."


:"YOU DAMNED..."

:"Relax! There may have been a young girl there, but I can't say for sure!"

:"I ain't interested in what you got to say anymore, Phoenix. Time to die, you goddamned son of a bitch!"


Ivana is the best squaddie!

Now..the dust is settling and we are left with the bitter taste of betrayal and confusion. We have completed our mission, got revenge but are none closer to the whereabouts of our sister. Also that traitor thing. Is it really true? No other choice then as to find out.

I collect all the loot from the corpses and from the Hq. It's quite a lot of crap but nothing really stands out. Some neat guns and ammo, but we've already seen that. FYI, afterwards all three cars are stuffed with loot and I had to place some in my pockets. But I'll cover trading in the roundup. Victor and Butch both reached a level, and Butch maxes heavy weapons. I choose "Critical hit" as his last talent which will give +10% to crit rate. But there is no way to check the natural crit rate.

It's traitor time now.

I race back to the GNO base and confront Wesley.

You might spot what I have planned for him, if he betrayed us.

:"What did he tell you? Listen, that guy is a born liar, you know that!I.."




You're a real hero.

:"He would never have wanted to have anything to do with it you scumbag! You damned rat!"


LIES!

:"Stop playing the good Samaritan! He knew about your treachery, that is why you killed him! And for no other reason! What about Anie, you piece of shit?"


His face stays defiant, till the bitter end.

:"Don't tell me, who I should ask what, OK?! I'm going to get the Shadows just like I got the Ratskulls and you!"
Burn!

:"I believe you! And I could help you. I know plenty about the Shadows!"
How the worm squirms.

:"You want to help me? Since we met up again you have tried to kill me twice! First the bomb at David's house and then the Hummer!"

:"Listen, I didn't wanted anything of that! We are on the same side, you and me! I've been fighting the Ratskulls just the same as you, since I joined the GNO. We can save Anie together, believe me!"
LIES ALL LIES!

:"That is enough, you punk! I have had enough of this stupid talking! You're gonna die. And death is really too good for you.."

NO. MERCY.

It wasn't pretty but had to be done. Damn! Wesley seemed like such a swell guy. Well, our only option now is to go after those shadows.

After the scene, the President comes to meet us.



Don't care what you think.

:"He was responsible for the death of my parents. Besides, he was a traitor. So I did the GNO a favour."



:"Shadows? Wesley said my sister was taken away by them. So you can count on me wanting to get at them. He said they are known for taking prisoners. Why would they do that?"



:"What sort of people are these Shadows exactly? Where do they come from?"


Smells like plot to me.

:"So what's the reason then?"



:"So what's my next mission? I hope it involves the Shadows. They got my sister."
It's an established fact now.











Fear me, for I am angry, bitter and have authority.


Next time: What the hell is wrong with all of you?!

Feedback

As you probably have noticed I have tried a new style of text portrayal in this update. I would really appreciate it, if some of you could give an opinion on it. This style would reduce the overall length of updates(as in, unnecessary length) and would also take some work from me. Transcribing is the biggest part of the work, and I start to dread this process. If it is too horrible, I have to soldier on as before. But I would really like to take advantage of that style.

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Victor finally got a real gun.
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