Jacob Burns and the Order of the Algorithm #Wattys2017

Chapter 10: Out of the Park and Under the Wire

Chaos.

Pure, unadulterated chaos.

People screamed as a flood of refugees came pouring into the plaza, desperate hands snatching up anything and everything in sight. Fights broke out all over the city as the residents ran terrified into their homes, leaving the poor traders to fend for themselves among the hungry masses. The guards struggled to contain the bedlam, overwhelmed by sheer numbers alone, but I saw reinforcements coming their way fully decked with riot gear and heavy artillery.

"W-what is happening?! My city! It's ruined!"

The Director stared aghast at the madness outside, watching his precious experiment crumble to the ground. I knew an opportunity when I saw one, and this was my chance.

"What have you done-!"

I turned and slugged the Director as hard as I could, knocking McDonough's fat body to the ground. I grabbed his gun and raced back through the door to find Ilya alone and looking confused.

"Jacob? What's going on?"

"No time to explain, kid. We're getting out of here," I replied as I ran to the lift, only to find three massive security guards already on their way up. To make matters worse, they all had a cold look in their eyes that told me they just might not be human. I ran to the elevator in the corner, but it was completely shut down. I scrambled around the room, desperately searching for a way out; stairs, a ladder, a pipe to climb down for Christ's sake, but there was nothing. Nothing except...

Well shit.

I grabbed a hold of the girl's shoulders and held them tight.

"Do you trust me?" I said.

"What?" She started, until she looked out the window and her eyes went wide.

"Oh no. No no no no no no no!" She cried as realization hit her, but it was too late. I threw both our weight against the window and we fell through the air amid a shower of broken glass.

WHAM

I landed with a hard thud twenty feet below, the girl lying on top of me. I rolled her off and got to my feet just in time for a bullet to whiz past my head. I looked up and saw the guards in the window, ready to fire. I grabbed the girl and we tore off just as a barrage of bullets rained down upon us.

"STOP! You'll hit the girl!" I heard the Director shout from above. I looked back just in time to see the guards jumping down after us, and before we knew it, they were on our tails and gaining fast.

My heart pounded in my chest as we jumped from rooftop to rooftop, racing over apartments, narrow walkways, and tiny tin shacks, the city a labyrinth of pipe and steal. We ducked behind a large air vent just as one of the guards whipped around a corner, opening fire precisely at me. I held the pistol tight as I dashed out of cover, firing wildly until the lasers hit their mark. Ilya screamed as the man crumpled to the ground in a heap of circuits and smoke, but I wasted no time. I grabbed her by the hand and we flew into the first house we could find.

Down, down, down, we raced through the empty apartments until at last we were back on the field and able to slip into the clamoring crowd. We moved along with a pack of looters as they dashed for the exit, the guards too preoccupied to stop us. The gate was just up ahead now, Outfield Plaza coming into view. If we hurried, we just might make it after all!

Just then, the mayor's voice blared out over the speaker system.

"Attention Diamond City! We are under attack! The notorious synth, Jacob Burns, has been spotted within the Walls and has taken a hostage. You must not let him escape! Shut the gates, SHUT THE GATES!"