The Life- Illusion Page 9
Kurt nodded, a hand on his chin as he looked at the pictures. “Once they have it, they’ll never let it go.”
Gadot nodded grimly. “It would change the entire game on this server to whatever they want it to be. Solo players and smaller crews would just be crushed.” She paused for a moment, bringing up more data on her phone before leaning over to them once more. “Here’s the first step. We hit their biggest op of the week, to show all of Illusion that they can be beaten.”
Jimmy reached over and tapped his wrist to Gadot’s, bringing another scowl from Kurt that he ignored. He began swiping through the quest details, giving a low whistle and shaking his head every so often. “Summer…this is beyond insane. First and Central bank? GoonStorm hits that every week, like clockwork and everyone knows it. It’s their best defended op of the week, how are we supposed to crash that party?”
A predatory smile crept onto her face as Kurt sighed and tapped his wrist to hers. The quest details popped up on his phone and he swiped to accept it, adding his name to the roster. He began browsing the quest details, focusing on what GoonStorm was expected to do. Every week they did the heist the same way, which made them predictable. At first, other player run gangs had tried to attack them and steal their take. GoonStorm had quickly shut that down with the use of a tank, backed up by a small army on highly mobile off-road motorcycles.
Each week, roughly fifty members of GoonStorm would descend on the bank. One guild officer would bring a tank, four main heist members (also officers) with special items and training would go for the vault, while the rest of the GoonStorm thugs held the lobby and fended off any players or NPCs that tried to stop them. The estimated take was between one and two hundred million in dirty cash, depending on how badly the rank and file abused the civilian NPCs. For this particular heist, the penalty for civilian casualties was one million each.
Gadot began to explain. “While the Goons hit the bank, we cut into the basement from the subway tunnels. We avoid the lobby and kill the vault crew. If we do it quickly enough, the rest of the crew won’t realize they’ve been hit until their vault crew respawns in fifteen seconds. We use that time to get out through the basement and escape via the subway tunnels we came in from. Easy run.”
Browsing through the various pictures and files of information on the bank and the planned heist, Kurt began shaking his head. “Too many ‘what ifs’ here, Gadot. How do we know when to hit the vault crew? Too early and we have to finish cutting into the vault, too late and we have to fight the whole army in the lobby to get to them.”
She pursed her lips and scowled. “Well, the Goons are predictable within reason. Once they make entry, they leave the bank again no more than fifteen minutes later. On average, lately it has been eleven minutes from entry. My plan has us taking out the vault crew at the ten-minute mark, that should be roughly ideal.”
“…I have a really bad idea.” Kurt scratched his chin for a moment, staring at a picture. “This guy is the bank manager, right?”
Gadot pulled up her own version of the heist planning file, browsing until she found the picture Kurt was talking about. “Him? Yeah, they get the inner vault door key from him. Without it, they would have to cut through the security cage inside the vault as well as the vault door.”
Shaking his head, Jimmy started laughing. “You aren’t kidding. This is a BAD idea.”
Looking between the two of them, Gadot held her hands out in confusion. “What’s your idea?”
Kurt chewed on his lower lip for a moment. “So…what if I entered the bank early and took the managers place?” He swiped through a couple more images, looking at the vault details. “It says the manager has an extra penalty if killed, I’m betting they keep him alive the whole time. And look, the key is on a huge ring of other keys, it makes sense to just bring him with them into the vault. Once they bag the cash, I take them out and we make the run for it.”
Her eyebrows raised, Gadot nodded with a frown. “That is actually better. You up to it though?”
Jimmy laughed again. “This is his thing, don’t even worry. When we played Brescia Online together, he was constantly pulling off disguise shenanigans.”
With a wry smile, Kurt closed his heist setup file and looked at his new friends. “I just spent two years pretending I cared about my education, I’m sure I can pull this off. I do feel like asking why you picked us, though.”
She looked at the table for a long moment. “I don’t really make friends. Especially not in the Life. I mean, I love the game and all…I just…I can’t trust anyone in there.” Looking up at Kurt, she softened her gaze. “When I killed Jimmy, you protected me. You kept protecting me, even after I left you in the offices, and then again on the roof.” She paused for a moment, turning to Jimmy. “And you dove into a full blown four bar to help us, when all you had was a starter pistol and a hearse. Add to that the fact that it actually worked, and you’re either very brave, or very stupid.”
Leaning back in his chair, Jimmy flashed her a smile. “Can’t it be both?”
Gadot smiled back at Jimmy, looking away briefly before facing them both again. “Anyway, you guys are different. I need help to do this, and I don’t know anybody else who I think might actually be able to pull it off.”
They sat in silence for a moment, before Gadot stood up and pushed her chair in. “Heist is in three hours, you guys good to go?”
Kurt scrambled to stand. “No! I have a ton of prep to do, and no idea if I can actually do it yet.”
“Ha! Well, get logged in and find out, I have some prep work to do myself. Jimmy, I’ll need your help to cut into the basement, so we’ll meet up about an hour before they hit the place.” She paused as she approached the gate. “I’ll be in town until we get the job finished. If we need to meet again, this seems like a good place. See you boys in the Life!”
With that she was gone, leaving Kurt to wonder what they had gotten into, while Jimmy just smiled wistfully.
7. Prep Work
Chapter 7
Prep Work
After dropping Jimmy off at his place, Kurt hurried into his parent’s house and went straight to his couch, plugging in without waiting. The world around him clicked off as his senses were shut down and redirected to the internet’s input. The word ‘loading’ floated in his vision for a few seconds, as his hearing came online. He could hear the muffled sound of people talking and cars driving by on a nearby road. The roar of an explosion rocked the windows in Jimmy’s safe-house as Kurt’s vision came online.
Rushing to a street facing window, Kurt saw NPCs scrambling for safety as cars drove wildly on the road outside. He gripped the butt of his handgun, turning as Jimmy came upstairs from the basement, carrying their armor and the bag of dirty cash.
“What?” Jimmy moved to the window, peering out with a shrug. “Let’s go dude, we have a lot to do.”
Still huddling in cover by the window, Kurt stared at Jimmy with wide eyes. “Did you not hear that massive explosion?!” As he spoke, rapid bursts of gunfire peppered the afternoon air, causing him to duck again.
Shouldering into his new armor, Jimmy ignored the sound. “That’s like…two blocks away. It’s fine, let’s go.”
Kurt holstered his Maxim 9, shaking his head as he accepted the light armor vest from Jimmy. “You really aren’t bothered by that?”
Jimmy stopped, squinting slightly as he looked off into the distance. “I faintly remember that I’m supposed to be.” Stepping back to the doorway, he lifted his new shotgun with a shrug. “But yeah, I’m not.” He stepped to the door and kicked it open, breaking the hinges in the process. “Let’s friggin’ GO dude, this isn’t a safe area anymore. I got kicked off my turf, remember? There’s no NPCs to cover our asses.”
Drawing his handgun again, Kurt followed Jimmy out the doorway. Jimmy walked with the shotgun at the ready, scanning the nearby area as they moved. “In this armor, we are SUPER obvious as players, and we’re carrying a bag with six million in dirty
cash. If you see another player, you kill them without question, got it?”
“Got it.” Kurt nodded grimly, checking behind them as they went. He glanced at his own clothing, noting that the armored vest looked almost exactly like a normal suit vest. No NPCs or players were on the street, and whatever gunfight had been going on before they exited the house seemed to have run its course, as they were unmolested while they walked.
Jimmy stopped at a corner next to a rundown looking convenience store, looking around before approaching a kiosk next to the road. It was a single standing pole with a touch screen atop it, and a sign that declared it a garage. As Kurt watched, Jimmy punched a series of commands into the screen before stepping back.
A section of the pavement in front of them cracked and dropped a few inches suddenly, before sliding to the side and vanishing entirely. A 2011 Chrysler 300 rose from the road on a metal elevator. It was matte black with chrome details, and had solid looking tinted windows with heavy off-road tires.
“My black sedan. Hop in.” Jimmy moved to the driver’s side, sliding behind the wheel with a satisfied sigh as he leaned his shotgun against the center console. “I love this car.”
Kurt sat down in the plush seat, buckling his seatbelt once more to Jimmy’s amusement. “Where are we going?”
Punching the accelerator, Jimmy slid the back end of the car around in a tight circle before easing off the parking brake and driving down the road with one hand causally draped over the wheel. “Ammo run. Need some special stuff for the new shotgun. You should pick some up too, you’re probably low on the starter gear.”
“Oh right, I unlocked some special stealth stuff too. Wonder if there’s any kind of ‘sneaky’ ammo…” Kurt pulled up his phone, scowling in annoyance as Jimmy swerved around a corner.
“There is, as a matter of fact. This game has SO many kinds of ammo man, it’s really great. I never use peasant ammo anymore. Especially not on a 12-gauge platform.” He patted the shotgun with satisfaction.
A smile crept across Kurt’s mouth, despite his concentration on his phone. “I assume peasant ammo is the normal kind.”
Not bothering to answer verbally, Jimmy just gave a slow nod to accompany his smug smile. He drove them out into the outskirts of a residential area, following a waypoint on his windshield. As they pulled into a mostly vacant parking lot, Kurt took in the hulking building before him. It was a gigantic sporting goods store, with a log cabin motif on the front of the building, and huge supports made from smooth river stones extending out in front of the doorway.
Jimmy swung into a parking space near the entrance and they walked into the building. He wore the shotgun on a sling that kept the gun across his chest while carrying the duffle bag of dirty cash in one hand. The store was massive inside, with lofty ceilings and several areas that boasted different goods for sale. Some areas contained clothing, some contained tools, while others were dedicated to firearms and their accessories. They made a beeline for the latter, both eager to see their options. Kurt made a mental note to try their fudge as they walked past a confections counter.
An NPC stood behind a glass counter, a wall of hunting goods behind him. Shotguns, rifles, and hunting revolvers were prevalent, displayed on hooks according to category. In the counter were several varieties of ammunition. Jimmy happily stepped up to the counter and laid his new shotgun down across it.
“Bring me your finest options in 12-gauge ammunition please good sir.” He spoke while rubbing his hands together, turning to smile at Kurt. “Best part of a new gun.”
The NPC turned away, browsing in shelves behind the counter. He occasionally turned back and placed a box or package of shells on the counter in front of Jimmy. After he had a dozen or so options for Jimmy to peruse, he turned to Kurt. “And how can I help you?”
“Uhh, 9-millimeter options please? Something stealthy?” Kurt slipped his Maxim 9 out and laid it onto the counter, causing the NPC to frown.
“Ah, I see what you mean. I am sorry to inform you sir, but we don’t carry anything specifically stealth based. I’ll be happy to show you our 9mm options though.” He turned back and rummaged in his shelves a bit more, dropping three boxes in front of Kurt.
One was a standard box of 9mm shells, no frills or extras. One was a box of 9mm +P, which Kurt immediately scanned. It showed a mild damage boost, but also increased the recoil of his weapon. Moving on to his third option, 9mm hollow point, he scanned it to show an incredible damage boost alongside an armor warning.
“So I guess most of this stuff has a balance system to it?” Kurt scowled as he read the ammunition information sheets.
Rotating a vibrant yellow shotgun shell in his hand, Jimmy squinted at his own scan sheet. “Depends. Some stuff is great all around, and just expensive or harder to use. Some is good against armor, some sucks against armor. So on and so forth.” He sighed and raised his eyebrows at the NPC. “I’m also discovering that this place is kind of basic. It was literally just the closest ammo shop.”
“So…do factions sell specialty ammo?” Flipping over the box of +P 9mm ammo, Kurt opened it to look at the shells.
Peering behind the counter as if hoping for more, Jimmy shrugged. “I mean, sure. But unlocking something is really the big deal in this game. So you unlocked that armor by doing that art heist and raising your rep. Now if you lose it or get killed, you can just buy a replacement. If the shop has the right fluff, you can just walk in and buy it.” He paused there to motion the NPC back over. “It just has to match thematically. This place is a hunting shop, so you won’t be finding spec ops sneak gear in here.” He paused to take a quick assessment of his needs. “Yeah, give me a thousand each of the sabot rifled slugs, the triple aught magnum load buck, and…ah hell why not? A thousand of the high velocity birdshot too please.”
Kurt scowled, amazed at the sheer quantity of ammunition Jimmy was buying. “What is all that for?!”
Smiling knowingly, Jimmy turned to lean against the counter with his side, bringing three differently colored shells to show Kurt as he explained. “So rifled slugs are a decent counter for any kind of mid-range A-hole we meet. Rifleman across the lobby or something. Also great for countering armor, as it’s just brutally powerful. 000 buck is just a straight upgrade to peasant shells, and the birdshot…well I don’t know yet. Never actually tried it.”
The NPC walked over and took each box of ammunition from in front of Jimmy, scanning it with a handheld barcode reader and replacing those Jimmy was not purchasing. “Will that be all sir?”
“No, hold the transaction please, I’m going to buy some accessories.” Turning to walk away from the counter, he waved a hand over his shoulder. “Just buy a bunch of the extra powder rounds dude, that stuff is a straight upgrade for you. We can hit another place for your sneak stuff after this.”
Shrugging in acceptance, Kurt turned and nodded to the NPC behind the counter. “A thousand 9mm +p.”
“Ohh, I’m sorry sir. You won’t be able to carry that much ammunition. I would guess five hundred rounds would be your limit.” The NPC spread his arms and smiled apologetically.
Kurt scowled for a moment, bringing up his inventory on his phone. It showed that his maximum capacity for exotic ammunition was indeed five hundred rounds total. His standard ammunition cap was fifteen hundred. “I’ll just take two hundred, and fill my normal ammo please.”
The NPC nodded and turned away, performing the same scanning task before placing two small boxes of ammunition on the counter in front of Kurt. “Seven hundred dollars will be your total.”
Eyes widening, Kurt shook his head. “Useful is expensive, that’s right.” With a shrug he fished out a few bills from the duffle bag and paid for his purchases, tucking each box into a separate pocket as he watched his inventory. Once the boxes vanished from his pockets, the ammunition counter increased to the appropriate levels. The specialty ammunition he had purchased had come in a box, but instead of disappearing completely, it was replaced by a single m
agazine with a dark blue stripe painted around its bottom.
While Kurt was inspecting his new magazine, Jimmy returned with an armload of items and dumped them onto the counter. “These too!” He spoke cheerfully, sweeping all his items to one side so he could resume his lean against the counter.
After tallying up all of Jimmy’s purchases the NPC behind the counter smiled. “All together that will come to eighty-seven thousand even.” Jimmy dug a few stacks of bills from the duffle bag without flinching, causing Kurt to shake his head.
“Hey Jimmy, how do I swap ammo types?” His confused expression was enough to make Jimmy smile as he turned to help.
“OK, easy enough. You’ll need to buy a new holster, or a magazine caddy, or something of that sort to keep more magazines in. Then you place a different type of ammo into a separate holder, and that particular magazine slot will recharge that specific type of ammo.” He lifted a shell rack as an example, slipping dark green shells into it as he spoke. “There, now this particular shell rack is only going to recharge my slugs.”
Nodding, Kurt turned to look at the surrounding racks. “I think I see.” He walked over and grabbed a leather underarm holster with two empty magazine slots. “If I equip this and put one magazine of normal ammo and one magazine of the new +P in it, those will recharge separate from my already present holster?”
Digging through the duffle bag for money, Jimmy glanced up with a nod. “Exactly. You’ll have to unlock better equipment as you go, but that thing is a good starting place. You can also find good ones as loot, but that’s pretty rare.”
After shelling out some more of their dirty cash for the underarm holster, Kurt slipped out of his suit jacket and shouldered into it. He arranged the Maxim 9 and his new magazines in place and then buttoned his suit jacket over the top of them. Turning to Jimmy, he spread his arms in a questioning stance.