Chapters Hunting For Meaning (Battlefield Hardline)
The Hunt/Unfamiliar Territory
What is a criminal really? You may have it in your head that a criminal is a no-good son of a bitch who will gank your shit. You’re right about that. But there's something that people tend to forget to mention. We tend to have rules, orders and hierarchy like any other organization. I am no different from a soldier, agent, or cop who follows orders from those in charge.
A little background info: The Grey Wolf Syndicate is a stateside crime organization that has many ventures with countless mercenaries coming from all over the globe to complete contracts for a profit. While the boss is unknown to even the highest-shot callers in the syndicate, one thing is known for sure; the money we make leaves us without any questions of where it comes from other than how we can make more.
I have since dedicated my life to serving the Grey Wolf Syndicate, but even then I am nothing but a number to the shot callers who ordered me and two hired contracts to retrieve an important item for the boss of the Grey Wolf Syndicate. I figured it was going to be an easy job; oh, how wrong I was.
Sky 5 News: A drug smuggler’s haven located in the Florida Keys, this high-tech and expensive island crib is being ransacked by the police. A chain of small islands is connected by bridges and waterways, providing multiple access to it. Sky 5 News will update on any developments in this story.
It was a small team; no more than three of us were sent to retrieve the boss’s item, which was located in his office in a green container, which he deemed to be something of “extreme importance,” whatever the fuck that means. All I know is the boss is offering a hundred thousand dollars to retrieve this item, so it must be something real fucking important. I didn’t know either of these stupid fucks, but I knew one thing for certain; I am not going to get my ass shot for these two lousy excuses of brain cells. We landed off the coast of the island, where the boss’s mansion was situated. Once we got out of the boat, there was an ever so slight problem with our recovery mission.
There were fucking cops swarming the position with helicopters, both police and news helicopters, command trucks, and squad cars.
“Fuck god damn it, I knew that this was a fucking set up, man!”
One of the dumb fucks commented.
"Yeah, what he said, man! We should just get the fuck out of here and save our skin, man!”
The other waste of brain cells commented.
I sighed and said to them
“Go ahead if you want to, but I am going to get paid and do the job I was sent here to do you fucking pussies.”
The two dumb fucks looked at each other and decided to run off with the boat in tow. I outwardly sighed and pushed on. I surveyed the layout of the boss’s mansion and contemplated a plan of action. Cops were everywhere. I eventually had a small window of opportunity when one of these dumb fucks guarding the back stairs had been ordered to case another area.
"Bingo"
I said quietly as I moved up with my Spaz-12 at the ready In case I got made.
I made my way up the stairs, being careful not to make any noise. I finally made it inside the mansion and had to make my way up one more small set of stairs.
The only problem was the fact that the boss’s fucking room was in an area with clear glass plane windows all throughout, which would leave me fucked if someone spotted me.
I hyped myself up,
“Fuck it, I have not made it this far to fuck this up.”
I pushed up making to checking the area for any cops.
I could only see a few on the first floor, but they were just fucking around and waiting around with thumbs up their asses, typical cop shit. I made it up to the boss’s room. I set my duffle bag and Spas-12 against the boss’s cocobolo desk and drew my Desert Eagle to keep at the ready while I hurriedly opened the green container and saw something that I could hardly explain: It was some kind of amulet with a unicorn with wings and a red ruby in the middle of it.
It was so mesmerizing I could hardly take my eyes off of it and fell into a trance. I felt my hand heating up and saw a red glow emanating from the amulet around my hand. Not soon after, I felt my whole body heating up and enveloped in the red glow.
I say under my breath
“What the fuck is this shit man… I can’t look away and can’t move!”
I hear someone call out,
“PUT YOUR WEAPON DOWN AND GET ON THE FUCKING GROUND!!”
My gaze is still focused on the damn amulet, but I see in the corner of my eye a cop pointing his shotgun at me. I couldn’t even move, let alone follow orders from this chump. I felt the warmth consuming my body and felt as if I was getting cooked alive, but I couldn’t even move. I screamed and screamed in the same position while the cop gave me one final warning:
“DROP YOUR FUCKING WEAPON NOW!! YOU CRAZY FUCK OR I WILL PUT YOU IN THE GODAMN GROUND!”
All these words seemed to echo in my head, and suddenly the pain ceased to exist as if it weren’t there, and I was suddenly out cold.
Complete darkness enveloped my vision.
“Fuck.. I guess I died to that chump, huh? Oh well.. I guess I have the rest of time to reflect on myself now that I'm fucking dead."
Hours, days, and weeks passed, and I was stuck in that goddamn void, but something happened. I started to see a red glow around my body again, and I felt that pain once more, only to regain consciousness in an unfamiliar area. My belongings were scattered on the ground minus the amulet. My duffle bag with my ammo reserves had about a hundred shotgun shells for my Spas-12 and seven mags of 50 AE for my desert eagle. My Spas-12 and desert eagle were covered in dirt and grime, which I promptly shaken and wiped off.
I found myself checking my surroundings and saw an endless sea of trees and bushes.
“Is this some sick fucking joke? One moment I’m in Florida, and the next I’m in some backwater forest. What the fuck is this bullshit? Is this hell? Nah, it can’t be.”
I decide to grab my shit and start moving. I eventually found a path that might lead me to civilization. I hear rustling nearby, and I shoulder my spas-12, pointing it at the source of the noise. I couldn't believe my fucking eyes when I see a 6-foot-tall wolf made out of fucking wood! This is definitely hell. I snap out of my stupor and lock eyes with this fucking mutt. Neither of us are willing to make the first move.
We stare into each other’s eyes, trying to size each other up. The wooden mutt growls and lunges at me with its wooden teeth bared. Adrenaline coursing through my veins, I quickly aim my shotgun at his chest and blast his ass. I yell out triumphantly,
“WRONG MOVE, FUCKER!”
I grin as I watch it's torso get blown into a million pieces.
I stand over the wooden mutt’s corpse.
“Just where in the hell am I? Wooden fucking wolves, for Christ sakes, this is ridiculous!”
I step over his dead corpse and hear the echoing crunch of his wooden body beneath my sneakers.
I traveled smoothly on the same path without a hitch until it was dark out. I couldn’t stay out here for much longer unless I wanted to get mauled by another one of those wooden mutts, or god knows what else in this god-forsaken forest. I searched around for somewhere to set up shop for the night with my desert eagle at the ready. I couldn’t see shit, so I decided to rummage through my duffle bag and found a small flashlight that I used to illuminate my way. I eventually found some semblance of shelter for the night. It was a small cave, not much bigger than a motel room, which made things easier for me since I didn’t have to search a labyrinth of tunnels for unwanted visitors.
I set my duffle bag and shotgun on the cave’s wall. I slid down the wall with an audible sigh and tried to recoup the events that led to this moment. I found myself in and out of sleep, but I forced myself to stay awake so I wouldn't get mauled by some wooden mutt or whatever the fuck else is out there. Hours passed, and I began to see the light peak through the entrance of the cave. I grabbed my shotgun and duffle bag and left the cave to find some semblance of civilization. I found the path again after following my footprints from yesterday’s trek. It was an uneventful morning. Hopefully I can get the fuck out of this shit hole soon...
Author's Note
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Hunting For Meaning (Battlefield Hardline)
5 hours later
I yell out angrily
“Fuck man, I don’t know if I can make it any longer without some fucking food or water! I’ve been on this same fucking path for five hours and still haven’t found shit!”
I hear my stomach growling in acknowledgement, with my lips and mouth feeling drier than the damn Sahara. I found myself feeling faint, going in and out of consciousness due to the dehydration, sleep deprivation, and hunger setting in. I tell myself, "I have to keep moving; I just have to".
I had a moment of microsleep and found myself dozing off while walking, not entirely aware of my surroundings. That is, until I heard a deafening scream from a woman accompanied by an earth-shattering roar from an unknown beast. I thought I was hearing things until the woman screamed again, but this time calling out:
“SOMEPONY HELP!! I DON’T WANT TO DIE LIKE THIS PLEASE!!"
I weighed my options. A: I go to help this mystery woman and get mauled to death along with her, or B: I keep walking and hope whatever is out there won’t go after me next.
I decided to go with the first option, no matter how fucking stupid this might be.
I can’t help but shake the feeling that this will lead me out of this fucking forest. I run to the source of the sounds and hear the screams and pleas from the woman getting closer and closer. I take cover behind a nearby tree and surveyed the area that was the source of the noise. That was until I saw a grotesque creature that resembled a lion but was a lot fucking bigger with wings and a scorpion tail.
It easily dwarfed me by five feet and was astride some kind of horse that was gray in color with a blond mane and yellow eyes staring in different directions. The weirdest part was that this horse had fucking wings and some kind of postman outfit on with packages and letters strewn around it. The gray horse whimpered quietly with tears rolling down her cheeks and softly let out a plea
“No, please don't. I’m not tasty, I swear.”
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How could a horse talk? Did I die again? Did I finally go batshit insane? I snapped out of it when I heard the beast roar again and saw it raise its sharp claws in the air before it mauled its prey. I wouldn't let this happen. I just can’t. I jumped out of my hiding spot and yelled out towards the freak of nature
“HEY FUCK FACE! YOU SHOULD TRY EATING ME INSTEAD!"
The grotesque creature turned to face me and towered over me instead with its scorpion tail and claws aimed at my body as if to say, “Stay out of this".
” ON SECOND, THOUGHT, WHY NOT EAT SOME FUCKING LEAD MOTHERFUCKER?”
I emptied a flurry of buckshot from my Spas-12 and shot off chunks of his wings and stinger, as well as a few holes in his chest. The creature roared out in pain and seemed to be even more pissed off, lunging with his claws and sharp teeth aiming for my jugular.
I didn’t have enough time to dodge used my Spas-12 to hold back his sharp claws and teeth. Falling backwards to the ground, I was sprawled on the ground, underneath this creature’s body, struggling to hold back this creature from ripping my throat out by shielding myself with my Spas - 12. That is when I remembered and reached for my desert eagle that I had tucked away in my pant holster.
I grabbed it and switched off the safety and let out a war cry and unloaded all seven shots of my magazine of 50.AE. I screamed:
“FUCK"
I see the life completely drained from the creature’s eyes, its blood pouring out and its body weakly falling with nothing to control it anymore. I quickly rolled out of the way and made sure to check if I got scratched or stung. I was covered in mud, but other than that, I was alright. I inspected my Spas-12, which seemed to be in working condition minus a few large scratches and dings from the creature’s teeth and claws. I then put a fresh mag in my Desert Eagle and holstered it back in my pants. I looked over to where the gray horse was, and sure enough it was still there with a fearful expression plastered on its face. I sighed, dusted myself off, and walked over towards it.
I ask the gray horse
"Hey, are you alright there?”
While extending my hand to help it up. It looked at my hand questioningly and meekly extended her hoof, and I lifted it up. The horse then winced and responded with a hint of fear in its voice
“Um..yes, I’m okay. I think I broke one of my wings on the landing, though. Thank you for saving me! I was doing my mailing route and crashed out here by accident.”
The horse answered sheepishly with a smile while rubbing its hoof behind its head in embarrassment. I still couldn’t believe it was talking, but I guess I had no chance but to believe it since I just saw it talk again and respond sentiently. I needed to know how to get out of this hell hole, and this horse was my ticket out of here, so just this once I needed to not be an asshole like usual and push others away. I responded as respectfully as I could
“I'm glad you’re alright, miss. I heard you screaming while I was searching for a way out of here and wanted to help out. Though you wouldn’t happen to know a way out of here, would you?”.
The gray horse responded enthusiastically back with
“Yeah! I know the way back! It’s just about a mile or two this way!"
She pointed with her hoof in the same direction I was headed in anyway. I sighed a breath of relief, knowing I wasn’t going to be stuck here much longer. I looked over to the gray horse, and it seemed like she was picking up the letters and packages and putting them into her saddlebag. I decided to help her out and grab some of the letters and packages that were on the ground and put them in her bag. The gray horse smiled and thanked me
"Thanks, mister! I really appreciate the help! Nopony helps me out usually when I crash and scatter all my deliveries. They usually just watch me clean up, but I don’t really mind.Oh where's my manners? My name is Derpy!”
Derpy outstretched her hoof and I nodded my head in acknowledgement while shaking her hoof.
“No problem Derpy, The name’s “Enforcer” how about we get out of this forest and take you to a hospital?"
Derpy looked over to her broken wing and winced, and she nodded her head in agreement and led the way to get out of this forest. I was bored after a while of silence and asked the gray horse respectfully
“So you seem to be around from these parts; where exactly am I? I kind of just woke up here about a day ago and have been trying to find a way out of this place since.”
Derpy looked at me questioningly with a hint of sadness as if she could tell that I'm not from here at all and answered
"Well, this is the Everfree forest, and the town I'm from is called Ponyville.”
I thought to myself, quietly trying to process this information that was dumped on me. I have not in all of my years of my life heard something so batshit insane like who the fuck would name their town Ponyville, but then again, I am talking to a sentient horse for christsake. I reiterated my question again
"Well, my question still stands: do you know what place on Earth we are currently at?”
Derpy looked at me confused and responded back
“Um, sir, you do know you're in Equestria on the planet of Equus, right?”.
My ears were ringing. I couldn't believe this shit. Did I get fucking transported to another dimension, like some kind of twilight zone bullshit?! I started hyperventilating with thoughts racing. I was brought back to reality and felt something wrapped around me, and I looked down and saw Derpy wrapping her hooves around my waist. I reciprocated the action and let out a few tears and quietly let out two words
“Thank you.”
I wiped the tears from my face and gathered myself. Derpy took the signal to let go of my waist. Man, I haven’t cried in front of someone, well, ever, I thought to myself. It felt nice, to be honest. I signaled Derpy to lead the way.
Hunting For Meaning (Battlefield Hardline)
It was early in the afternoon and things were relatively uneventful to say the least but eventually Derpy and I found the exit out of the forest.
Derpy exclaimed happily
“Yay!! We’re finally out of there! Thank you Mr.Enforcer!”
I wanted to share the same sentiment, but all I was thinking was how I am stuck on a different planet, probably for good.
She took notice of my hesitance to celebrate and tried to clear the air.
“So Mr. Enforcer, where did you come from? I’m guessing you're not from Equestria.”
I sighed knowing that this question was going to come eventually
"Well, I’m from the United States of America, but I was born in a city called miami.”
She seemed to be in deep thought for a few moments
“ So what kind of place was the United States?”
I rubbed the back of my head and responded
“To be honest it’s a shithole, at least for people like me who are at the bottom of the socioeconomic totem pole. I was orphaned at a young age and left to fend for myself on the streets. To be honest the only reason why I am still alive today is because of the crime organization I was raised by.”
Derpy looked shocked to hear how nonchalantly I admitted my shitty ass upbringing and criminal background.
“I’ve been a no good son of a bitch since I was young anyways so It’s a fitting life. I steal other’s shit and get paid for it haha! Plus I get to buy cool shit like this!” I point to my Spas-12 and Desert Eagle.
She lowered her ears and looked sympathetic to my situation and responded with a small smile
“Well mister, from what you’ve shown me you aren’t such a bad pony..”
I didn’t know how to respond. To be honest I’ve always considered myself a bad person on account of me being a part of the Grey Wolf Syndicate. But maybe just maybe..I am finally changing for the better?
“I wouldn’t say that but thanks for the sentiment I guess how’s about we head into town and get you patched up?”
Derpy perked up, and we both headed into town.
I saw other ponies closing their doors and windows when me and Derpy passed. I’m guessing I have something to do with it, but whatever. Many of the ponies still peered through their blinds and windows and stared at me with hushed whispers.
“So Derpy, I’m guessing they don’t take too well to strangers?” while I pointed at a pony staring through a window, which promptly ducked down and shut the blinds as soon as I pointed at it.
She lowered her ears in embarrassment as if to apologize for the actions of her townmates.
"Yeah, they tend to do that a lot, especially with strangers who are coming into town. But I'm sure everypony will warm up to you eventually!”
Derpy smiled reassuringly.
“Yeah, I’m sure they’ll love me."
I said sarcastically.
She frowned a bit at my comment.
I took the time to admire the town’s architecture. It reminded me of the picture books I used to read as a kid of fairy tales. It is definitely a change of pace compared to the smog of traffic and dingy apartment complexes that I’m used to.
Derpy pointed at a path enthusiastically that led to a seemingly large rustic building on the edge of town, which had a sign planted outside with a red cross.
“We’re almost there Mr. Enforcer! It’s right over there!”
I nodded in agreement and followed Derpy to the entrance of the hospital. I opened the door for her and headed inside. The hospital was eerily quiet just like the town. Though there was a pony behind the reception desk. I took a seat while I waited for her to get admitted and I heard the receptionist talk and greet Derpy.
“Good afternoon Ms. Hooves, what brings you in today?” The receptionist responded bubbly.
“Heya Nurse Redheart! I crashed on the outskirts of the Everfree forest and I think I broke one of my wings since I used it to break my fall”.
The nurse looked over her folded wings which were heavily bruised and tattered.
“I see, how were you able to get all the way out here in that kind of condition?”
Derpy looked over to me and pointed her hoof in my direction.
“Mr. Enforcer saved me from a manticore and escorted me out of the Everfree!”
She stated nonchalantly.
I waved towards Derpy and Redheart
Nurse Redheart looked very surprised and a bit fearful but she quickly regained her composure.
“I see..I’ll inform our head Doctor and I’ll escort you to the medical wing to get your injuries healed when I come back.”
Nurse redheart got up and went down the hall and came back soon after
“Ms. Hooves, Doctor Quick Stitch will see you now.”
Derpy looked at me and waved while she was being escorted to her room.
I waved back and saw Derpy being escorted by Nurse Redheart.
I decided to shut my eyes for a bit and take a nap while I wait for her to get out.
I didn’t really dream of anything. I was in my thoughts for the most part and recouping the events that have led to this.
I was woken up by a tap on the shoulder and groggily looked over to who tapped my shoulder. It was Derpy and she was completely healed up minus the cast on her wings which were in a sling.
“Wassup Derpy, How are you feeling?
I responded groggily while yawning and stretching my arms.
She smiled and outstretched her hooves to give me a hug.
“It’s still a bit sore but I feel a lot better. Thank you again Mr. Enforcer for helping me out of there”.
I tapped her hooves lightly to signal to let go.
“No problem Derpy, Thanks again for getting me out of that shitty forest haha”
She looked pensive and asked
“So, Mister Enforcer, do you have a place to stay?”
I really didn’t want to lie to her, but I didn't want to take advantage of her kindness either.
“Eh, I'll figure something out Derpy. I used to live on the streets so I am pretty used to toughing it out.” I shrugged dismissively
Derpy looked guilty and looked as if she was going to tear up but she firmly responded back
“Mister Enforcer, I don’t want you to be living on the streets! You might have had to do that back where you came from but here there’s options for you! I want to repay you for the kindness you’ve shown me and offer you a place to stay even if it's only for the night.”
I rubbed the back of my head, sighed. Fuck, I really don’t know how to respond to that. It’d be nice not to have to live off the streets and resort back to crime, but at the same time I don’t really know anything else. Goddammit, I can’t say no to her, can I? I thought.
“Fine Let’s get going then” I responded with a heavy sigh
She Perked instantly and returned to her bubbly self.
“Yeah lets!”
I followed Derpy back into town and it was around midnight by the time we arrived at her house. It was a quaint little wooden cottage on the outskirts of the city.
“Nice digs Derpy. Very Quaint”
She Smiled and quietly responded
“Thanks! I try to make it homey for me and my daughter Dinky.”
I was surprised to hear that she had a daughter, but my thoughts were interrupted by Derpy opening the door, which slowly creaked open. Derpy showed me to the couch which I gladly accepted after sleeping in a cave last night.
I folded my Spas-12’s stock and put it away in my duffle back with the safety on.
Derpy made her way to her room and waved to The Enforcer and whispered
“Goodnight Enforcer”
I gave a wave back and finally shut my eyes to rest…
Author's Note
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