Sometimes I hate that chaos surrounds me
When all the answers that I see go around me
Am I drowning?
Drowning in the drama
Lost in the lies
Am I fading away?
Or am I living up to all your dreams that made me this way?
Trapped by the currents of life
Caught in the rip tides
-Drowning by Crazy Town
----------------------------------------
Freedom.
He contemplated his current position, did he consider himself a free man for some reason. What is freedom? Was a definition necessary? Who freed him? Etcetera, etcetera. A non-stop diatribe of the word: Free.
A resolute stone in the river of time. Beholden to nothing, and nothing is beholden. Responsibilities. Fate. Desires. Attachments. All of it connects to his struggles to be. "Free?"
After freedom came kingdom building. After freedom came nothing. Him, nothing within a kingdom. He wants to rest, just a little bit. In this... "Nothingness" He is free to do so.
There are people waiting for him.
Pain
You're not responsible for them.
Pain
I will sing to you a lullaby.
Pain
You shall rest in eternal sleep, undisturbed forevermore...
Pain
Pain
Pain
*THWACK!*
----------------------------------------
"Hey, sleeping beauty! Wake the fuck up!"
Doctor felt the butt end of a pistol hit his head where it hurt the most. Shaking out of his sleeping stupor he found himself in a wooden cage. His hands bound and in the face of his captor. Mohawk, scars, red clothing, a holster. Yet what strikes him the most is his manic glare as he showed his phone with the recorded logs he had with Kal'tsit en route to Sargon. Sargon. Acahualla. He recollects the expedition there as a favor from Gavial. It was supposed to be a simple trip that led to an explosion, him slammed into unconsciousness by the force and now a prisoner in who knows where.
The maniac captor speaks in a thick Bolivarian accent:
"You think you're crazy, huh? Jumping out of a burning airplane... flying like birds? Then you just take a siesta after?" He chuckled as he backed away from the tied Doctor as he looked through his belongings. "That is crazy! By the way I like your phone. This is a nice fucking phone. So, what do we have here? Doctor, Rhodes Island, huh? No name huh? Well I don't give a shit, cause you look expensive! And that's good because I like expensive things..."
'Expensive?'
"What the hell...?" Doctor murmured without knowing and angering the man outside his cage.
"I'm sorry, what did you say? WHAT DID YOU SAY?! DO YOU WANT ME TO SLICE YOU OPEN LIKE I DID TO THAT PAISA BEHIND ME HUH?!" He screamed while pointing his thumb to another cage. Inside a man with his hands tied up to the top cage bars and grossly disemboweled. "SHUT THE FUCK UP! OKAY?! I'm the one with the fucking dick! Look at me, look me in the fucking eye!" He tried but his disorientation and the bloody towel covering his upper vision didn't allow him to. He recoiled as the man's screams became louder and more hostile. "HEY! YOU FUCK! Look me in the eye! You're my bitch. I rule this fucking kingdom. Shut the fuck up... or you die." He threatened while brandishing his pistol at him. Suddenly he became baffled. "What is it, Doc? What is it? W-Why are you confused? What, is this not fun anymore? Have I failed to entertain you?"
"What the hell are you..." The Doctor's sentence was interrupted by a barrel closing his lips.
"Hold on. See, thing is Doctor, up there." He pointed his gun to the sky covered by the trees. "You thought you had a chance. Waaaay, up in the fucking skies, you thought you had your finger on the pussy trigger. But hermano, down here... down here?" He then holstered his pistol and rummages his hand through the dirt before picking a handful and letting it fall like a broken hourglass. "You hit the ground."
A chuckle.
"It's okay. I'm gonna chill. I'm gonna relax Doc. Because you." He pointed at him. "Moi." He pointed at himself before whistling to... No one in the cage. "And... No, it's just the two of us. Your lucky day hoodie because we're gonna have a lot of fun together while we wait for your..." He then looks at the phone. "Is this your ex-wife or something? Fuck it, we'll get her money and-"
"Vaas. Stop scaring the hostage. I need you to take care of the rejects." A figure from the shadows ordered him as he disappeared back into the dark. The man, Vaas stood up as he begins to walk away prior to sharing his farewell. "I just hope you'll be more entertaining than the usual fucks here. Ta-ta, bye-bye."
The Doctor, now left alone here with the guard whom Vaas played a trick on before leaving. Under the sound of a passing helicopter, he notices that ties of his binds were loose, making it possible to simply squeeze his hands off of the rope.
'Now what?' He is stuck here with a knife wielding guard. His eyes trail down to a rock with a fine edge inside the cage and ponders on what to do to get the guard closer.
"Hey, Guard! Over here!" Doctor beckons the guards while putting his arms up as if he was still bound. The guard walked towards him, close enough to point his knife near his face.
"You, shut the fuck-" In a second, Doctor pushed his knife away and jabbed the sharp rock into his throat. Gushing blood into his maskless face as he gurgles into death.
'Dammit...' Grabbing the knife, he cut the ropes off the cage and walked out carefully. He is alone out here and he took his time to survey the makeshift pen around before walking away from the cages into the darkness of the camp.
----------------------------------------
More bamboo cages.
Hanged bodies with their eyes covered.
Simplistic markings of a bloodshot eye.
He crept through the darkest parts of the camp. Avoiding the lights, barking dogs and any foliage that can cause a noisy tussle. Reaching to a resting quarter filled with drugs, suitcases and ammunition crates Doctor slowly but quietly reached to the table overlooked by a photo of a woman.
'Must be someone important to these guys...' He said in his thoughts before grabbing anything on the table that can be of use whether for now or later if he manages to escape to the jungle; far away from here. His phone, binoculars, a two-way radio/satellite phone, a map, a knife and a lighter. Putting it all into his coat's pockets he pressed on only to find another armed sentry blocking his way. With his quick thinking he tossed a random into where the chickens are startling the sentry as he walked over pushing and cursing the chickens in annoyance as the Doctor slipped through into a window where the sentry originally was.
"Huh... W-What..?" In a short second on top of shock and a quick reaction time Doctor pulled out his second knife and threw it to the exposed neck of another sentry that was awakened by the noise. Grunting once into silence he tried to pull the knife only to be stuck in the corpse's neck. He can't waste time here over a spare knife was his reasoning and quickly exited outside into another building but not before seeing his psychotic warden in the gallows with his hostages and men.
One gunshot.
Two.
Words of condemnation before death.
Weed.
Sleeping and distracted sentries voicing their vulgarities.
More crying hostages.
Technicals.
"I'm not a threat! No please!"
'Fucking hell...' The Doctor cursed to himself knowing he couldn't do anything to help these people as he crouched and walked to what seems like a safe place to view the map. A pathway to the jungle. "There's gotta be something in here... Outposts, general locations, 'The scenes of Rook Islands?' Rook Islands? Am I even near Sargon?" The map only showed the Islands themselves and the markings made by this human trafficking group but nothing definitive to say on whether he was the only one from Rhodes to be captured here. "There has to be some-"
*Bang*
"Urgh!" Doctor fell to the ground as a single bullet burned into his shoulder. His memories in immediate medical aid returned as he put pressure on the wound while he looked behind to see none other Vaas accompanied by his men, smoke escaping from the barrel of his pistol.
'Goddammit, he found me!'
"What Doctor? What, you want to run? Run away and then disrespect me?" The mentioned Doctor continued to pressure on the gunshot wound as Vaas cursed at him. "You came here with your hi-tech stuff and your know-it-all attitude, YOU THINK YOU CAN FUCK WITH ME DOC?! YOU WANT TO FUCK WITH ME?!" Using the knife to rip his sleeve off, his adrenaline rushing not taking the time to wonder why he wasn't gunned down already as he wrapped the torn sleeve around the bleeding shoulder. With one issue solved he then heard Vaas vocally applauding him. "And you're still kicking huh even after I fucking shot you? I like that, no, I RESPECT THAT! I'ma give you thirty seconds and if this jungle doesn't eat you alive Doctor, I will." As soon as he heard that his mind and body raced. Picking himself while holding his shoulder he sprinted to the jungle with bloodthirsty shouts following him.
"THAT'S IT, OUT OF HERE! DALE YOU CHICKEN FUCK!"
"RUN FORREST, RUN!"
Automatic gunfire.
Hounds barking and chasing.
Helicopters roaming overhead.
Pushing away leaves and branches.
He made a break for it. Jumping through reclines, gaps and small cliffs that almost knocked him out again. More of the human traffickers firing their weapons blindly, hoping to get another bullet in him. Searchlights beamed around him randomly and other wildlife growling at him as he dodged a swinging claw aiming for his head.
"C'mon run, run! Don't look! Climb!" Over a tree bridge to vines hanging off another short cliff. All the while the traffickers continue shooting at him. Running then crawling through a small gap of a large rock he said underneath his breath. "I've got to find the others... Please let them be alive..."
"AARGH!"
His prayers were interrupted when he exited the natural crawlspace and was found by a leaping trafficker guiding his knife towards the Doctor's face. Grabbing his arms, they struggled to see who can relent with Doctor using whatever strength he has left to push him away while also ignoring the pain on his shoulder.
"I'VE FOUND HIM!" The shout to alarm his friend took him out of his attention from the escapee and the knife suddenly found itself to his neck. More blood gushed out to the Doctor's face as he backed away and continued running. The others hearing that their friend found him soon discovered Doctor and repeated their blind shooting into the direction where they saw him running. Doctor soon found a flimsy bridge to the other side of a large river below. With no chance for second thoughts he ran through the bridge, each of his steps quickly but carefully, landing on the wooden boards and as soon as he almost reached the end another helicopter appeared from below and its occupants rapidly shot the bridge's end while those on the other side chasing Doctor cut the vines keeping one end to the other.
"Oh no... Oh no, nononono!" With both ends deteriorating the bridge the Doctor panicked as he desperately held onto the vines only to break apart and him plummeting into the roaring waters below. His whole weight hitting him hard as he was roughly scraped across the rocks adding another injury to his head.
Water.
River.
Fish.
Rocks.
He watched on in a dazed state underwater.
Plants.
Sand.
Roots.
Water.
How long was he down here?
Did he drown?
Was he free?
Finally free?
A tattooed arm.
----------------------------------------
Numbness enveloped his arm.
"The jungle speaks through the Warrior."
It was strong enough to reach the burning pain from his wounded shoulder.
"The Path leads to the heart of the jungle."
He can only see darkness. The throbbing headache subsiding. His numb arm's motor function faintly returns.
"Follow the Path..."
And he sees through blurry, waking eyes.
"...And you will find the answer."
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
Shifting upwards, the Doctor found himself looking at a slow-moving fan, a masked doll hanging beside him and he was laying flat on a modest cot. Looking to his left with a small lamp illuminating his vision he saw someone with an L-shape wooden tattooing needle carving a band into his forearm. In a daze he tried to get up only to be stopped by the tattoo artist, wearing an array of beaded necklaces and a Columbian Marine jacket. With a calming smile, "Do not worry. You are awake and safe."
"Awake..." Doctor slurred out.
"Well, not all of you. Your arm has been deadened to allow for the Tatau." The artist said as he gestured towards the band and lines now permanently marked on each end of the Doctor's arm. "It is brave to swim in a storm, but to sunbathe with Pirates? Insanity!" As he said that he helped Doctor into a sitting position after the latter tried to get up from the bed. Putting a hand to his head now with a new, dry bandage and another to the wall to keep himself steady he begins to collect himself. Instinctively the hand leaning towards the wall went to a knife jabbed into a countertop and pulled it out, firmly grasping it with a familiar grip as if he had used such a weapon before. The knife looked ancient yet razor sharp where if he gently laid a finger on the blade he would immediately feel the skin peel and blood drip out. The blade had a spiral design leading to a small hole and the handle was wrapped in tough leather.
"Impressive. You are still attuned with your instincts however..." The man beside Doctor said while looking at him with an inquisitive gaze. He then put his machete on Doctor's jugular making him turn his head as he looked at him with slightly wide eyes. "You have the right to take my life, but know I will also take yours."
"..."
*chuckle* "I am Dennis."
"Doctor. No name."
"Hmm? No name you say?"
"Amnesia. It's a long story..."
"Ah! Say no more. Your head almost got split open like a coconut so I wouldn't be surprised that your memories have vanished."
"Well some of them at least..." He murmured as he sat up placing his feet to the floor while Dennis looked over his Tatau.
"Hm, Bangau, Labah-labah, Hiu. The heron, the shark and the spider."
"Why did you give me this?"
"I know who you are Doctor. You are a Warrior and the Tatau will allow you to reveal your true self." It looked like a base to a much larger design. At least that's what he thought since he heard from Gavial about Tiacauh tattoos and how it starts from a base before reaching to the full project of the body art. Wait... Gavial! How could he have forgotten!
"Listen, my friends are missing and captured. I need to find them before something happens to them!" Doctor said in a tired hurry, still not fully awake.
"Come with me." Was Dennis' reply. It was simple but helluva lot better than being rejected. Standing up he quickly showed his gratitude.
"Thank you I-" Dennis suddenly interjects. Cutting him off while also giving him a lesson that is meant to ingrain the new warrior before him. "No, you misunderstand Doctor. You and you alone can only help yourself and your friends. I, am here to free you."
"Free me..." There was that word again. Free. Freedom. It was a physical debate on top of a spiritual one. He is free from the workload of Rhodes Island when he accepted Gavial's wish to come with her to Acahualla but what came out is another tribulation. Suddenly Dennis shook him out of his thoughts and gestured to a pair of clothes near a metal locker.
"Your clothes were torn apart so I brought you some new ones. Help yourself. I'll meet you outside." Dennis stepped out leaving the Doctor with his new wear. Going over it, it was a blue t-shirt, beige pants, a pair of brown hiking boots and a dark navy blue rain jacket with elbow length sleeves and many pockets. There was also an emblem on the back, a white drawing of a tree.
It was a reminisce to his now ruined R.I. jacket. Nevertheless, he put on his new clothes and noticed a few extra things inside his new jacket. His phone is still functional, the binoculars and radio he stole from the traffickers. He turned his phone on to see the time. It was early morning and close to dawn, and the radio phone continued to buzz with random chatter coming out. He was surprised to see electronics like these survive the river crashes, but at the same time he can't complain. As long as it works, he doesn't care how much damage these things will take. Putting the devices back in his pockets, he walked outside, the knife never left his person.
----------------------------------------
"Welcome to Amanaki village!" Dennis showed the Doctor. It was a quaint little place with lights, tables full of food and shops open. The residents were a hodgepodge of various Ancients, however native to this faraway island. They were dancing, cooking, talking with one another. Overall, it is a homely environment to enjoy relaxing. "Selamat tengahari! I have brought Doctor with me! The man who escaped Vaas' camp alive!" He announced to the villagers as they cheered his achievement while the Doctor waved to them before Dennis continued. "Your escape is a sign that the battle has turned. Our people are in need of good news."
"How did I get here anyway?" Doctor questioned as he barely remembered how he had survived the bridge falling.
"I found you on the beach however this island, it calls to the strongest. It called to me and it brought you here, undoubtedly. The island dwellers, the Rakyat, accepted me and I became a member of their tribe." He explained which fills in the questions Doctor had in mind about who these people are. But how is a different question. "The island calls to the strongest." he certainly can see someone like Blaze and Gavial being called here but to call someone like him is extraordinary. To his fragmented memory he was a neurologist and military commander by trade, not a frontline soldier or hunter. Dennis grabbed his attention when a few of the local women passed by him.
"They are something, aren't they?"
"Yeah, definitely." They were pretty but he kept to himself, as he never bragged about the women back at Rhodes.
"I could have anyone I choose. But my will is set on one woman."
"Understandable." The Doctor nodded in respect before Dennis handed him some LMD.
"Here, cash for weapons."
"Weapons?"
"In order to save your friends, you need weapons Doctor. Your knife alone won't be enough to challenge the jungle."
"Oh..." He simply stared at LMD. An opportunity to become a fighter not dissimilar to the operators he commanded. Yet he was wary. Ever since he had been placed as a commander he had never been in a frontline fighter situation as the other operators so him getting a weapon, knowing that he'll be in a more dangerous position is daunting. "But I'm not a fighter Dennis..."
"I remember a saying from an outsider, Doctor. There's a first time for everything. Now, it's your time to be one." He said while waving the bills in front of Doctor's face.
"Yeah..." He replied as he took Dennis' offer and went to the gun shop beside them where an older woman was therr at the counter.
"What would you like to buy?" She asked as Doctor handed her the LMD.
"How much will this get me?" The woman took his money and placed a single pistol, a holster, and a magazine pouch on the counter.
"Here, talk to Dennis about the radio towers. Get them online and I can get new stock in from the remote villages and outside traders, and trust me, they got some top-notch gear you're going to want." She advised to which the Doctor nodded "Right." and left the gun store with his new, extra equipment. Meeting up with Dennis he asked.
"Do you have what you need?"
"Yes. She also said something about the radio towers."
"Then follow me, my friend." Doctor trailed Dennis, passing through a fence to a small field and into an upward dirt path. "Hah... Here Doctor, the power comes from the jungle, from the island. You must learn the terrain. Know where to stand at all times. As for the radio towers. Vaas uses them to map the island and to locate his men. Scramblers block access. Our people have no use for devices such as these, but you, you will learn valuable information from them."
"So what should I do?"
"The scramblers are on top." He explained as they walked out of the village. Reaching a small firing range and a metal fence where it leads to an even higher pathway. Dennis pointed up to the radio tower from beyond the fence. "Each tower covers a limited area. Climb them all and remove them."
'Climb? Ah, hell...' The Doctor felt chills down his back and he felt his stomach sink when he saw the tower slightly swaying. Soon Dennis shook him out of his dizziness.
"Does your phone have a map?"
"Uh, yes... wait, can my phone connect to the tower?"
"Only one way to know for sure my friend." Dennis smiled as he handed Doctor a zipline carabiner. "Here, for when you come down."
Doctor looks at the carabiner then to the tower. He did this several times before seceding with his head low. Sighing he took the carabiner out of his Dennis' and drudged forward.
"Let's get this over with..."
----------------------------------------
"Don't look down." He reassured himself as he tightened his deathgrip on the metal beams of the tower. Ascending the stairs was easy enough, but the altitude and breeze made the climb much harder. The tower swerved, causing him to almost lose his balance and ram himself on the tower's railing. What's interesting is that he found crates filled with random items and LMD that he took to either do something with it or sell them. Soon, he finally reached the top of the radio tower. He basked in the risen sunlight and high breeze, taken in awe of the sights of Rook Islands. From the trees of the jungle to the beaches and waters from afar, he can only say:
"Beautiful."
After a minute of admiring the beauty of the island, the Doctor looked around and saw the scrambler protected by a cover and a rusty lock. With the butt of his gun, he slammed the lock until it broke apart, allowing him to open the scrambler, remove some of the pieces, and flip the switches. He was spitballing his attempt on freeing the radio tower, but it worked to his favor. Once he was done Doctor looked to the side to see a zipline leading down to where Dennis was.
'So that's why he gave me this.' He said to himself as he looked at the carabiner in his hand. Clicking it to the zipline he held on as he descended from the tower, landing in front of Dennis who was impressed by the Doctor's performance.
"Nice ride huh?" The Doctor simply chuckled as a response.
"Yeah. So, what's next?"
"Show me the map on your phone." Doing as he instructed Doctor pulled out his phone and saw the device connecting itself to the radio tower's frequency.
Connecting...
Connecting...
Connection complete.
Welcome back, Doctor.
Establishing local map uplink.
With help from the liberated tower, he saw the island and the legends that dot it. In the vicinity of the radio tower, the map was much more clear with roadways, shop locations, animal territories, Amanaki village itself as well as a new location called Heron's Perch. The map showed discoloration, with red highlights enveloping where the flag icons are at and several other radio towers beyond the village.
"You see? Everything you need to know has been revealed by the radio tower. Shops, adventures, the island calls to you. And, like you, the shopkeeper's suppliers are from the outside. They will use the radio towers to do business and reward you with new weapons for every tower you free." Dennis explained the necessity of the towers. It explains how the scramblers have been useful for Vaas as it leaves the islanders in the dark. From what he can tell, the islanders were outgunned and surrounded. Dennis continued. "A true warrior must hunt. It is the natural order of things. Study your map, find your hunting ground. Do not fear your instincts. Society has taught you how to fail, not nature."
The Doctor looked at the map carefully. Remembering the general locations of where animals tread. In a junction of two roads, he saw where the boars roam, pass through the komodo dragons, near the river, and pointed. "Here."
"Now, if you want to save your friends, you must know the jungle. Animal skins and leather will allow you to carry many weapons and equipment."
"As harnesses and rigs used by soldiers right." Doctor drew a parallel to what Dennis is saying.
"Yes. There are also many plants in the jungle that can be used to create potent medicines that will heal you, enhance your senses, and more. Appropriate for your trade, yes?" Dennis joked at the end. "Now go. Return to the village once you have mastered the jungle."
"But what am I supposed to do?"
"Listen to your instincts. There is a car you can use right behind us. Good luck." He then walked away, leaving the Doctor to hunt and forage all on his own. Listen to his instincts. That's all Dennis requires him to do, yet the way he says it sounds like it was a natural thing to do. It was intimidating, but he couldn't let such emotions get to him.
"No! I just have to get the skins and the plants, then come back to Dennis. C'mon... You can do this." He hopped in the car and drove off into the wilderness. His friends' lives were on the line, and he had to do whatever it took to get them back home, safe and sound. His own well-being be dammed.
----------------------------------------
Dennis waited beside his truck for over half an hour. He is a patient man when it comes to the newcomers of the island and Doctor was no exception. His return will show to him and the tribe that he came out of the jungle a victorious survivor. And that's what he saw when the Doctor finally arrived. Wet, bloody, and covered in mud but victorious as he pulled out two boar skins and a variety of colorful plants from his car.
"I got the plants and animals." He nodded in recognition of Doctor's accomplishment.
"Good." Dennis then grabbed a few items from his truck and showed it to Doctor. Sewing pins, threads, rope, and a small medkit with clean needles inside. "Now it's time to bend nature to your will. I will teach you." They both went to the back truck where Dennis taught the Doctor how to crush the plants and liqiuify them into the syringes. The green plants in the wild, Arrowroot and Screwpine, are generally used by the villagers to heal them and expunge any toxins or diseases within the body on top of being used as an ingredient to flavor many local dishes. He then explained how there are more powerful plants apart from the green ones out in the woods that are also used to aid in his hunting, explorations, and other vital factors to survive in the jungle. If he is lucky to find them.
"Now, use the skins of the animals you killed to make a sack for you to carry." He handed the rope and sewing supplies and started to make a small rucksack with the boar pelts. "Crafting will allow you to carry more weapons, money, loot and syringes than the ones you have right now."
After finishing with the rucksack the Doctor showed Dennis his final work. "Like this."
"Yes! One last thing. The Tatau on your arm, it is a sign that you are special, that you have the soul of a Warrior. You progressed along the path. Let me show you." Dennis mentions to his tattooed arm where it glowed and two additional pieces were added on his band. A shark and a heron. "With each Tatau, a skill is mastered. You will learn these skills over time in three different areas. Bangau, Labah-labah, Hiu. The heron, the spider and the shark. As you become stronger, with each new skill you learn, the Tatau will grow."
"Amazing." The Doctor looked at his tattoo and saw the mystical properties of it etch into his skin.
"Indeed, the Tatau-" Suddenly, a ring and vibration cut Dennis off. It wasn't Doctor's phone, so that can only mean the radio phone he took from the traffickers. Pulling it out he answered and a disgruntled man's came from the call.
"Urgh... Dammit Felipe! Where the fuck are you?! We're having trouble with one of the prisoners! Fucking bitch can't sit still. We're driving to the outpost near Amanaki village. Come help us with her. Oh shit, she's trying to get off! HOLD HER STILL YOU DUMBASSES!"
"Dennis!"
"I know what outpost they're talking about. Come, follow." They hopped on the truck and quickly speed off to the outpost.
"What's this outpost they're talking about?"
"The outposts are strongholds found throughout Rook Islands. Vaas' pirates hold them to control the surrounding area."
"So that's what the flag icons are for..." Doctor murmured before raising his voice. "We're heading to fight then?"
"Yes, a worthwhile one. Rescuing your friend will kill two pigs with one stone. We are at war with Vaas. Taking outposts from the pirates is key to reclaiming the Islands. We conquer one for the Rakyat, the area becomes safer. This means easier and faster travel for everyone, and new opportunities to develop your skills as a Warrior." He explained the situation they're in, with the Islands swarming with these pirates and constantly fighting the Rakyat over control. It was an invasion and Vaas has the upper hand. Before they pulled to the right another truck passed by them with two armed tattooed occupants in it.
"Who are they?"
"Rakyat warriors. The true Rakyat, who live in the heart of the island. The Tatau will help them to trust you." They then see smoke in the distance. A telltale sign of the outpost. "Doctor, I know you feel anxious about this but this is the only way to get your friends back alive. You escaped the slave camp and you survived. It is time to fight. We are all equal here. The difference lies in those who do not act."
"Okay. I understand." The Doctor nodded has he took out his pistol when they began to park near the entrance of the outpost. Dennis saw him looking at his weapon and gave an assuring pat on the shoulder before getting out.
"Like you, I was once a stranger here. You are not alone, my friend."
Meeting up with the other Rakyat warriors they discussed the coming course action as Doctor surveys the outside of the outpost. One of the Rakyat spoke up.
"You can attack them quickly, pick them off from a distance, or sneak in. It is your choice. Dennis gave you the Tatau. Now is your time to fight."
"We will wait for you to begin the attack." Dennis says as he and the other Rakyat walked close to the outpost, ready to storm in on Doctor's word.
Going back to surveying the outpost he contemplated on how to capture the outpost. Attacking them quickly will leave him and the others in a difficult position with a lengthy firefight so he ruled that option out. The second option, picking them off from a distance will result in the same way as the first. So he was left the last option: sneak in. Holstering his pistol the Doctor brought out his knife and went to the right-side flanking woods where he could see the pirates wandering around with one hound on watch near the large building where a flag of their eye like symbol was raised but no sign of his captured operator. Sneaking carefully close he notices a small hole in the camp wall and a pirate lazily leaning against it. In quick procession he lunged forward, forcing his knife into the sentry's throat. A quiet kill that hasn't alerted the others. Doctor then took his rifle, an upgrade over his pistol and a single grenade which suddenly gave him an idea of how to deal with the pirates near the building.
"Let's do this."
----------------------------------------
*BOOM!*
An explosion rung out of the camp. It was a signal for the attack. The three Rakyat quickly made their way to the outpost, rifles ready to fire at any pirate still around. However, what they say at the camp astonished them. The garrison, every single pirate was killed. Done by one man and he didn't even use his gun. Looking at the corpses, they saw stab marks and slit throats while the soot from the explosion covered one of the pirates and his hound. At the main building Dennis saw that it was wide open and overheard the Doctor and the pirate's radio calls.
"The outpost near Amanaki has gone dark. I can't reach them. What's the word on your cargo?"
"One of our guys driving there radioed me saying that they lost her."
"What?!"
"She killed three of them and he told me that she escaped on the west side of the fucking island. I'll tell you about it when we head west to track her."
"Dammit..." Doctor cursed at his tardy arrival. He then stepped out with a pirate's rifle in hand as he contemplated how he is going to find the escapee. West side of the island. That's beyond the radio tower's reach and into an influx of scouring pirates looking to find her. He was gonna go dark in order to get to her first.
The Rakyat warriors soon came up to Doctor and showered him in praises. Still in amazement at his ability to clear the outpost by himself and without notice.
"Doctor. You are worthy of the Tatau." One warrior said as he patted his shoulder.
"Worthy to walk the Path of the Warrior." The other said doing the same. Doctor merely nodded as he walked up to Dennis about the escaped operator.
"She escaped. The pirates said she went west of the island."
"She must be heading to the colonists' house. Doctor Earnhardt, another outsider. But do not worry, it is safe there. I'll give him a call and you can meet with him there."
"...Thank you Dennis."
"It is no issue Doctor." Dennis nodded. "We will continue our search for your other friends. I will call you if we hear more."
"Right. Thank you, again." He said tiredly with Dennis noticing how distraught the Doctor was at not being able to reach his friend in time. He then reassured the proven, hooded Warrior.
"Keep your head up Doctor. The tribe is very impressed with you. Rely on your instincts, the Tatau, the jungle around and you will find your friends. I promise."
He nodded in appreciation as Dennis and the others scattered around the outpost looking for weapons and ammunition stored away by the pirates. Sitting down on the steps in front of the building with the butt of his rifle hitting the dirt Doctor took the time to take deep breaths. Him panicking and sulking would be the last thing his operators would want to see him in a situation like this. Not only that, he wasn't alone like he was back at Vaas' slave camp nor is he in a vulnerable state. Master the jungle and follow the Path of the Warrior. It was his only way to save them and defeat the pirates along the way. Kill two pigs with one stone. Standing up with his rifle on both hands the Doctor readies himself to take on Rook Islands and whatever it can throw at him.
"Please wait for me girls. I'm coming." He said with conviction as he saw the Tatau on his arm glow again. Two spiders now marked his flesh.