5 years ago
Livestream highlight #81 (Transcript excerpt)
R= Remy
WA= Wide Awake
R: What’s the Deadzone like?
WA: I already told you. It’s a shithole. End of story.
R: Could you tell me more?
WA: No.
R: What do you mean no? You’re the teacher. You’re supposed to teach me stuff.
WA: There’s nothing else you need to know apart from the surface-level information that everyone knows about it. Don’t go there unless you want to die.
R: That’s uncharacteristic of you. You’re the one always preaching about knowing things just for knowledge's sake.
WA: I am? I struggle to remember.
R: Please, please, please. I’m intrigued for once. Entertain me.
WA: Argh, fine! I’ll tell you everything I know for educational reasons only. Promise me you will never go there.
R: No.
WA: Why?
R: I might want to obtain your Dark Energy ability.
WA: And why on earth would you want to have that superpower? You don’t even want to be a superhero.
R: I don’t know. Because it’s cool.
WA: It wouldn’t be worth the risk.
R: You can’t control me. If I decide to go there, I’ll find a way. You know how I am.
WA: Fuck. Then at least promise me this– if you go to the Deadzone, make sure it’s for an important reason, okay?
R: Like what? How do I know it’s important enough?
WA: You will know.
R: Okay.
WA: I’ll teach you everything I know which will increase your chances of survival by at least 40%. The first thing you need to know about the Deadzone is it’s an environment where you always need to be on edge. You must be armed or you’ll be a deadman walking…
----------------------------------------
Pop, pop, pop!
Pop, pop, pop!
Pop, pop, pop!
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Remy frowned, crossing his arms, watching Lyra practice at the shooting range. Her accuracy rate on still targets was decent but moving targets was another story. They had flown from Star Tech to Arizona to finalise preparations before heading to the Deadzone.
Before Amelia acquired her signature Dark Energy ability, she shined as a marksman. She had taught a reluctant Remy at a young age how to use various guns. Every gunshot had made him flinch and almost reduced him to tears. Loud sounds had never been his thing. Even fireworks had scared him.
“Try again. You’re not accurate enough,” Remy said. “Steady your arms.”
Lyra shot him a glare. “I’m sick of hearing your critiques. Show me how it’s done then.”
Remy sighed. “Fine.” He took the pistol from her and aimed, pausing for less than a second. Pop, pop, pop!
Each bullet perfectly hit the bullseye. Lyra’s jaw dropped, but Remy expected as much. He had always been a natural, but with his Super Vision, he had become a sharpshooter, just like his sister. Despite this enhancement, he knew that guns would never be his primary weapon. The gauntlets were his babies. Transcending logic and emotions, they just felt right for him. It was hard to explain.
“You’re overthinking it,” Remy said. “Turn your computer brain off.”
“Why aren’t you teaching Jay this?”
“He’s busy honing his Super Hearing. You, on the other hand, have no superpowers. I’m not letting you go to the Deadzone unless you can improve your accuracy.”
“I know, I know. But time is running out. My dad might already be…”
“Focus on what you can control. We’ll leave soon, I promise.”
Remy’s phone rang, and he smiled when he saw who the caller was.“Continue practicing. You’re almost there.”
He walked away and sat on the grass. “Hi, Mom. How’s it–”
“Is this what you call an adventure?” His mom screeched, her voice so loud he had to pull his phone away from his ear. “Why are you throwing your life away in Star Tech? You’re not a licensed superhero! How could you be so reckless? I know I didn’t raise a stupid son! ”
“I miss you, Mom. It’s great to hear your voice.”
His mother’s voice immediately softened. “It’s great to hear your voice too.” Her voice suddenly choked up. “I’m so glad you’re safe. Have you been eating well?”
“Yeah.”
“Keeping hydrated? Don’t forget to drink your water. I know you sometimes forget.”
“I have been keeping hydrated.”
“I’m not done talking with him yet,” his mother snapped. “Wait your turn– hey!”
“SON!” His father bellowed, laughing. “I see those gauntlet designs came in handy. You have yet to bring out their full potential but it’s a good start!”
Remy laughed. The contrast between his parent’s energy baffled him. “Weren’t you worried or scared for me?”
“Not at all. I knew you could hold off that pesky insect until a top-ranked superhero arrived to save you. Those gauntlets looked perfect. Who on earth made them? I have to meet the mastermind!”
Remy smirked, as he watched Lyra hit the bullseye three times in a row. “They’re talented for sure. Dad, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Yes?”
“Well… um…” Remy hesitated. The Deadzone was no joke. With so little preparation and their bold aspirations of saving someone, their chances of survival were slim. Should he say some meaningful heartfelt words in case he…?
No. None of us are dying. We will succeed, no matter the sacrifice.
“Are you okay, Remy?”
“Yeah. It’s Amelia’s birthday in a few months. Could we organise a family reunion?”
His father’s ecstatic voice quietened, the hidden pain revealing itself. “That’s a great idea. We will do that.”
----------------------------------------
After Lyra's shooting practice, the trio flew to one of Arizona's main tourist attractions: the Deadzone simulator. This attraction featured a room designed to replicate the Deadzone's unique conditions, such as slightly higher gravitational force and lower oxygen levels. On the way there, Remy did his best to educate Lyra and Jay on the Deadzone, summarizing everything Amelia had taught him. He explained the general plan but warned them that things could easily go wrong, requiring quick thinking.
As midnight approached, they were finally ready. They wore special grey suits to protect themselves from the high radiation levels. Lyra was equipped with twin pistols and a satchel filled with gadgets. Remy, of course, had his gauntlets but also carried a pistol, while Jay relied solely on his dual batons.
Remy parked the Staress V20, and the three got out of the vehicle. They waited a few minutes until a Collector teleported in front of them. They wore a black mask and black clothing. Without saying a word, they walked towards them and stopped, waiting for physical contact.
Unfortunately, the only way for a regular civilian to enter the Deadzone was through the use of a Collector. Remy tried to empty his mind but found himself wondering if the masked individual had been there the night his sister had been abducted. He shook his head.
“Are you okay, Sleepy Man?” Lyra asked.
“Yes. Are you two?”
Lyra nodded. Jay threw a thumbs-up.
“Good.”
The trio touched the Collector's arm and they all teleported to a grey sanded desert.