Chapter 12: Oldcowboy & Gunsmith
The grenades landed behind cover. Some quick-thinking invaders reacted instantly, leaping from their positions. A few fell victim to stray heavy machine gun fire while others barely dodged the bullets.
BOOM!
The explosion sent debris and shrapnel flying in all directions, wounding several invaders. Between the grenade blasts and the HMG suppression fire, the enemy numbers dwindled to about twelve. The survivors remained prone behind new cover, too afraid to raise their heads.
Ratatatatata! Ratatatatata! Ratatatatata!
The intermittent HMG fire continued suppressing the intruders, its echoes ringing through the area. Though the invaders occasionally returned blind fire, the suppressing fire proved remarkably effective - most didn't dare lift their heads for more than a second. Whoever was operating that HMG clearly knew their business!
But Maximilian understood this stalemate couldn't last forever. Eventually, either the ammunition would run out or the HMG barrel would overheat from sustained firing.
The suppressing fire continued momentarily before stopping - this pause lasted longer than usual. No longer just conserving ammo or adjusting targets. Only two explanations remained: either they'd run out of ammunition or the barrel had overheated beyond use.
Maximilian wasn't about to wait and find out. But as he prepared to move and assist, he spotted an old man dressed like a cowboy from a Wild West movie approaching the intruders from their rear.
The intruders noticed and quickly responded, leaving only a few to maintain position toward the motel while the rest turned to confront the cowboy.
"Y'know... I was gonna retire. Then you idiots showed up," the old cowboy drawled as he swaggered forward, spinning his revolver.
"Shit! That's Carter! The Old Cowboy! Shoot him! Kill him now!" one of the intruders - apparently their leader - shouted in panic. But it was already too late.