CH2: Laser Wars Never Change

The fire exit tunnel is claustrophobic and dark and I hate it. I’ve never liked tight places but recently I’ve also started fearing the dark. The incident in the music room is still haunting me. The way is clear though and I see light straight ahead and go carefully. I decided to go the opposite way from the gym, because I am not trying to get myself shot. It’s true that Grace went the other way, but this is not the way to meet her. She’s busy with whatever she’s doing.

I am ready to face the rest of the Recreationists behind the open hatch door, but instead I find myself on the walkway above the gym. It’s the place Grace and I watched the first battle at the gym below from. I peek over the railing and see lasers flying. The fight is intense. The blue haired girl and Lucy the white haired one are doing their best to keep Calliope’s forces at bay. The fortress is holding well so far and even just the two of them are able to hold back Calliope herself, Esme the red haired one, Hope the blonde and Catherine. It also seems that Calliope has not found a new **** rifle for herself and is making do with a submachine gun.

It's a lot more intense than last time. I can tell from how the Recreationists are less scared to get shot. They employ new tactics like shooting from over one another's heads as that reduces the area which count for damage. Heads do not count for damage so looking over cover is relativelly safe. Now, a direct hit from an **** rifle to the eye seemed to be dangerous, as I just realized, but it seems that smaller shots from other weapons hardly do anything. Calliope is the boldest of them all and tries multiple times to just make a run for it, but gets blocked off by the fear of crossfire that could await her at the gates if the two defenders weren't busy enough. Sometimes it's also hard to not ogle at her large rack bouncing distractingly, but I manage to keep my cool – it's no good to get hard for your enemy.

I see as Esme dives out of the way behind cover as the blue haired girl shoots her way. Both sides receive hits, although Calliope’s people seem to be getting hit more. If this keeps up, they have to retreat again. But it’s then that I see something happening on the stage. I see a girl run there in a semi squatted pose. She is wielding two pistols and is taking on another girl who follows in a more bold stance while aiming down her **** rifle’s barrel. It’s Grace and Erika and they are both trading shots in a very dangerous and intense manner. Grace makes near dodges as Erika takes hits on her hands and arm and keeps shooting. Erika also seems to have some kind of a vest on. It seems to absorb body damage. Where the hell did she get that from? I never looked, but it’s possible that Erika is actually level 3 like I am.

Calliope notices it and shouts: “Get her! Grace! Go!” I take aim at the cocky woman and line my sights to her back. I could shoot her and eliminate her from the game right now. Maybe that would also save the Retreaters. But then I realize. If I help them, they will eliminate Grace. I turn my sights to Erika and hold my breath. Erika is not as nimble a target as Grace is and I could possibly even get a shot at her if I tried. I think for a moment. What is it that I want from this game. How is this going to work out. Grace gets shot in the arm and pulls away as Erika kneels down to heal herself. Now is the chance to turn the tide of this fight.