2047
| | Jul/Aug 2047 |
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The two Apaches climbed through the rugged hills between Somerset and Elmsfield, picking their way between the boulders and scrubby vegetation. Perched high in the observation seat of Recent Convert, Dale Zimmerman scanned the area ahead, his keen eyes picking out anything moving in the arid landscape. A large lizard momentarily drew his attention as it scuttled away from the oncoming Apache and into the shade of the brush by the track. As he turned his attention back to the road he saw the telltale dust cloud of a group of vehicles approaching from the north west. Three taps on the roof and a hand signal to Space Monster and the two vehicles came to an abrupt stop. He raised his binoculars, bringing the cars into sharp relief, and called across to Arnold Ramos in the other vehicle. `Boss, I`m sorry but they`ve seen us` `What in God`s name were you doing up there?` `I said was sorry.` He refocused on the vehicles now turning towards them and accelerating. `It`s not too bad - only four of them, and it looks like Tusk!` For weeks now Special Circumstances had been hunting Tusk down, reducing them to a rabble of injured vets and raw recruits. It started as a simple moneymaking exercise, collecting the bounties that MADHAT had placed on every Tusk head. Since the death of Kurtis Nation it had become personal. The opportunity to deal another blow to his arch rivals and the size of the opposition placated Ramos somewhat. `How long do we have?` `About thirty seconds, they are a long way off.. Christ!` exclaimed Dale.. `that`s a mean looking bunch -- we have two rocket cars a Phoenix and I think that must be one of those new Marleys.` `Let`s get up the hill` called Ramos, indicating a steep incline to the right. Salvador Hornbeck gunned the engine and threw the vehicle into a sharp turn. As Space Monster began to power up the slope Ramos looked round for Recent Convert. It was hardly moving - his best driver had stalled and was desperately trying to restart the engine. Monster continued to climb, the 4L struggling against the gradient. Behind it Convert had sprung back to life and was beginning the ascent with a Tusk pickup and a chevalier vectoring in at speed. Ramos` headset crackled: `we ain`t gonna make the top!` came the voice of Edward Brown the legendary Somerset deathracer, locking target on the pickup and going hard left. With the slower of his two vehicles squarely in the sights of the Tusk rocket launchers, Arnold could see this was going south fast. Space Monster began to swing round to join the stricken Apache but it was all taking too long. If time was passing too slowly in Monster, the opposite was true in Convert. Donald Huggins and David Washington opened up heavy machine gun fire on the lead pickup, scoring hits and causing it to slew sharply to the right. The turn opened up a line of sight to the speeding chevalier and the crew watched in horror as the first rockets streaked into the side of their vehicle. The Tusk phoenix was opening up on Convert with a car rifle and the armour of the exposed side was already buckling. Gunning Convert down the hill towards the pickup, Edward somehow prevented the blast from tossing the Apache onto its side. Still firing on the pickup he watched as armour panels were ripped from its side and bullets began to penetrate into the cabin. The pickup was once more spun by the impact, bringing both launchers to bear on Edwards` vehicle. Salvos of rockets screamed into both sides of the Apache simultaneously. It was only a matter of time before the weight of fire brought the larger vehicle down. But Monster had made the turn and had drawn bead on the damaged pickup. A round of car cannon fire into the tattered side of the vehicle left the cabin destroyed, a limp arm dangling from the driver`s window. Arnold was desperately shouting instructions to the other vehicle: `Keep going straight! Keep that chevalier behind you!` `They are all over you` came the reply: `I have to turn. You are going to need us` `Keep going straight!` Arnold repeated. `If you can draw off the chevalier we can buy some time.` By now the Marley and the Phoenix were taking a heavy toll on Monster`s side panels. Arnold could see he had only moments to deal with the two smaller irritants before their combined fire broke into the cabin. Salvador swung the Apache into a handbrake turn as rockets slammed into the rear of the retreating Convert. Drawing bead on the Phoenix the car cannon and gatling guns of Monster fired simultaneously. The front of the car was almost obliterated. Arnold watched in satisfaction as the car rifle barrel cartwheeled into the air. `One more shot for good measure and then we take the Marley`, he thought. Then the inevitable. The guns of the Marley were finally striking with accuracy and Arnold felt a heavy blow to his side. He heard ribs crack as he was thrown back, stunned in his gunnery position. As he lay gasping for air he saw Salvador reach over and take the gatling gun controls, sustaining fire on the Phoenix. The wounded Apache turned sluggishly. Driving, manipulating the gatling and trying to see if Ramos was breathing was distracting Salvador and his first few shots on the Marley were wild. Beside him at the car cannon William Audette prepared to fire his last round. A hit! But not enough to stop the small cars dogged pursuit. Checking briefly on Arnold`s condition, William grabbed for the spare Cannon rounds. Pulling the ammo box forwards he saw the row of neat puncture marks where bullets had slammed into the crate. It was useless. Any of these rounds could be defective and a breach explosion on the car cannon would certainly finish Monster once and for all. He could see the nippy Marley making a fast turn to return to the damaged side of the Apache and watched as gatling rounds from Salvador`s gun spattered across its armoured windshield. With the car cannon out of action they were as good as dead. The Marley was turning again. Running. `They dont know!` Thought William, `they are expecting this car cannon to open up at any moment.` Ahead Convert had finally put some space and a small hill between itself and the chasing chevalier. Realising that its comrades were panicked, the chevalier turned back towards the main fight. It accelerated straight at the Apache firing wild rocket salvos. In Monster Salvador was struggling to keep the Apache head on with the onrushing Tusk vehicle. One side hit and the cabin would surely be breached. Without Ramos to countermand him Edward was swinging his heavily damaged Apache back towards Monster. With only the gatling firing intermittently the other vehicle stood no chance against the rockets of the Chevalier. He watched in horror as the first of them struck the front of the vehicle containing his friends and the man who had given him his first break on the racing circuits. At the guns, Donald and David concentrated, waiting for a gap to open in the scrub ahead and allow a clear shot at the Chevalier. They watched as the two cars struck head on, the Apache tossing the Chevalier into the air and into the waiting gun sights. Both machine guns opened up, through the lightly armoured roof of the rocket car and shrapnel tore into the terrified crew. .. In the back of Space Monster, William bandaged the wound in his leader`s side. Blood stained the cloth crimson and Ramos winced with pain as his shattered ribs grated. Behind them the Tusk Phoenix still burned, sending plumes of oily black smoke into the dusty evening sky. `That was pretty tough` he said, `sometimes I think we are getting to old for this!` Ramos turned his weather beaten face to his friend. At 28 he was considered an old man by many of his crew. The near misses were becoming more frequent, the niggling injuries building up over time. Something he had once heard rose briefly, half remembered in Arnold`s mind `there are old deathracers and there are bold deathracers... but there are no old bold deathracers`. `Perhaps we are, Will,.. perhaps we are.` 1. Longos Merry Men (Somerset): $5142. 1. Longos Merry Men (Somerset): $5660. The most active gang on the deathsport circuit has been Mad Hatter, Inc.. Their most favoured type of event has been the combat. Out of town, the most busy squads have been: |
 As the year progresses, here are the leaders of the major leagues: Evan Race Ladder - Advanced Race Labs In addition, the leaders of the minor leagues are: Northern Semi-Pro Combat League - Advanced Race Labs The HoundCheap close-in support Voyager chassis, only 109 CR!  A solid close-combat fighter for very little CR and not bad on the wallet, either. Can also be used for harrassing style attacks, as the twin MMGs on the front have much better long-range ability than the more popular and rarer gatlings. The twin weapon setup also makes for easier crew management, which is important in a support vehicle. This car has a better ability to get the nose in than most other vehicles and has solid weapons `in the clench.` Performs best with a skilled driver but will do well in a short, close-up match with even the greenest gang members. Variant: Hellhound Multi-role: Sniper, close-in support, chase As above but weapon loadout changes to MMG/CR and one reload for each weapon. CR 114. The Hellhound is more of a heavy hitter and better suited to veteran characters that are more likely to snipe. The Car Rifle empties before the MMG sometimes much before when sniping and this gives some `stagger` time to reloading, so the car almost always has at least one weapon ready. Usually the driver works the MMG, since at the ranges he`ll be using it accuracy will not be so much of an issue. The Hellhound also makes an excellent `finisher`, as it has the speed to quickly chase down a wounded car and the handling to dance around it. The Car Rifle is also a devastating weapon against exposed crew members and can lead to a quick demo or bounty kill. Both cars do well on all types of terrain and climb well but the Hellhound is sightly better suited to places like the Badlands due to its combination of weapons and handling features. Unlike many vehicle designs either of these Hounds can be used by greener or veteran alike. Parts are also relatively easy to come by. A great fighting vehicle for about the same CR as a common Symphony. Note: A Voyager is not a Landy. Don`t treat it like a tank. Speed and maneuverability are your primary assets. These are *support* vehicles, not front line.  Voyager, 3.2L engine Weapons: Twin medium machine guns F Crew: Driver, Gunner Cargo: 18 [3 MMG reloads] Tyres: Offroad Fuel: 2 Armor: F20, B14, L18, R18, T5, U5 Weight: 3,728 lbs Combat rating: 109 Source: 4saken of The 4saken Submit your own designsWe want to hear from you. Just send the stats, together with a brief description -an advert like those above, or a discussion of the strengths and the weaknesses of the design - to darkwindgazettesubmissions@yahoogroups.co.uk A screenshot is a must. Ideally upload it to a web site. If not, PM for an email address.  `Privte` George Collins of GovermantResistance died at Scattered Hills. David `Gold` Carter of GovermantResistance died at Scattered Hills. `Blesster` Ethel Donaldson of GovermantResistance died at Scattered Hills. `Cracker` Thomas Ortiz of GovermantResistance died at Scattered Hills. Joann Rodriquez of GovermantResistance died at Scattered Hills. Bennie Fredrick of GovermantResistance died at Scattered Hills. `Private` Lina Alvarez of GovermantResistance died at Scattered Hills. Glenn `Arthur` Miller of Ricky Ranjits Raiders died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Arthur `Ben` Chapman of Ricky Ranjits Raiders died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop. Ma `Boom Boom` Boomer of Guns Gears Getaway died at Somerset Arena. Allen Samons of Guns Gears Getaway died at Somerset Arena. Gene Guinan of Guns Gears Getaway died at Somerset Arena. George `Slay Thee` Bradley of Antosaipians died at Elmsfield Lake Track. Delores Pease of Les Louves Grises died at Road to Somerset. Jasmine `Rifle` Struck of Les Louves Grises died at Road to Somerset. Dick `Turpin` Hines of Ricky Ranjits Raiders died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop. Shane Vega of The Untouchables died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop. Santiago Heaton of Fiver5 died at Somerset Rally Circuit. Gladys Penny of VINDICATORS died at Under a Bloody Red Sky. Dorothy Middleton of Death Jesters died at Somerset Rally Circuit. Alejandro `Mikey` Mikkelsen of Gearjammers died at Gates of Somerset. Charles Blake of Dementia died at Somerset Rally Circuit. Van Cargo of Advanced Race Labs died at Gates of Somerset. Mike Turnage of Luna Sea died at Somerset Dirt Racing Track. Steven `Flash` Fenton of Vault Dwellers died at Northern Desert Circuit. Kristie Jones of Blacktop Bandits died at Road to Elmsfield. Jesse Mercer of The Cosmic Kids died at Road to Elmsfield. Jack Black of Cuddle Fiesta died at Forever Yellow Skies. Gilbert Green of Groove Champions died at Gates of Somerset. Mike Hunt of Groove Champions died at Gates of Somerset. `Chunky` Edward Campbell of Battalion de San Patricio died at Lost Trail: Broken Ground. Karen `Eagle Eye` Tanner of Battalion de San Patricio died at Lost Trail: Broken Ground. Michael Titus of Battalion de San Patricio died at Lost Trail: Broken Ground. Charlotte `the Widow` Matney of Battalion de San Patricio died at Lost Trail: Broken Ground. Matthew Bohanan of Battalion de San Patricio died at Lost Trail: Broken Ground. Mike Beal of Battalion de San Patricio died at Lost Trail: Broken Ground. Billy `The Butcher` Mitchell of Battalion de San Patricio died at Lost Trail: Broken Ground. `Yes` Rick Wakeman of Battalion de San Patricio died at Lost Trail: Broken Ground. `Annie` Antoinette Johnson of Battalion de San Patricio died at Lost Trail: Broken Ground. Rae Chew of Peril Jaune died at Northern Desert Circuit. `Ms` Tanya Silva of Battalion de San Patricio died at Road to Somerset. Harold `Two Beers` Wallace of Luna Sea died at Under a Bloody Red Sky. Kerrie `Leggo My` Gallegos of The Flying Hellfish died at Lost Oasis. Booker `Boots` Locascio of The Flying Hellfish died at Lost Oasis. Becky `Mirage` Knight of The Flying Hellfish died at Lost Oasis. Dave `Big D` Lawrence of 88 MPH died at Lost Oasis. Gwendolyn `Ricky` Riccio of 88 MPH died at Lost Oasis. `Sandy` Pearl Terrell of 88 MPH died at Lost Oasis. Paul Navarrete of Groove Champions died at Somerset Arena. Daniel Ng of Vault Dwellers died at Lost Oasis. David `Haggis` Hunt of Vault Dwellers died at Lost Oasis. Jennifer Lewis of Blacktop Bandits died at Road to Somerset. Eric Jenkins of Blacktop Bandits died at Road to Somerset. Bambi Titsworth of Groove Champions died at Road to Somerset. Joelle `Jayzer` Willeford of Clarinbridge Crushers died at Northern Desert Circuit. Katherine Black of Battle Royale died at Lost Oasis. Talia Vachon of Burnt Tree Security died at Scattered Grounds. Arnold `Do it all` Schiff of DeathFromAbove died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Lashaunda Dyson of Groove Champions died at Lost Oasis. `Sir` Alfred Blanchard of Lattes Raiders died at Scattered Hills. Jacinto `Jacko` Bonham of The Vanguards died at Road to Somerset. Timothy `Bayliii` Bailey of The Vanguards died at Lost Oasis. John `Old Dirty` Sanchez of SD Rollers died at Road to Somerset. Barbara `Stacks` Moore of Geriatric Anarchists died at Lost Oasis. Michael Morgan of The Cosmic Kids died at Interstate Mythos. Douglas `Dead Eye` Strong of Mad Hatter, Inc. died at Road to Elmsfield. Janet Carnevale of Retribution Of Metal died at Gates of Somerset. Steven `The Shef` Jackson of GovermantResistance died at Scattered Hills. `Meduiak` Roger Freeman of GovermantResistance died at Scattered Hills. Patrick `Speedstar` Braatz of Antosaipians died at Road to Elmsfield. Kristen `Do It Or Else` Rosas of Antosaipians died at Road to Elmsfield. Orlando `Gunner Guy` Eastman of Antosaipians died at Road to Elmsfield. Gabriela Glover of 5ive Crew died at Northern Foothills Racetrack (at night). Brandon `The Seeker` Stull of Dementia died at Blown With the Wind. Carl Schade of the mad mad crushers died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Rosario `The Maid` Diaz of Produce_Vendors died at Northern Foothills Racetrack (at night). Hyman South of The temps died at Road to Somerset. Brandon `Big Guns` Nystrom of Mad Hatter, Inc. died at Blown With the Wind. Larry Sanford of Mad Hatter, Inc. died at Blown With the Wind. Debbie Garcia of Vigilante Sun died at Lost Oasis. Angel King of Vigilante Sun died at Gates of Somerset. `Swamp Thang` Anthony Boggs of Dementia died at Somerset Rally Circuit. Jack Kring of Road Lords died at Road to Somerset. Steve Lynch of VINDICATORS died at Gates of Gateway Truckstop. Danuta `Blossoming` Flowers of DeathFromAbove died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Eric `Streaker` Damiani of DeathFromAbove died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Kevin Sano of The 4saken died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Kevin Navarrete of The 4saken died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Clarence `Rubberpants` Brotherton of The 4saken died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Rafael Wasilewski of Initial Drift died at Gateway, The Bone. `Declutch` Kevin McClendon of Knights Of Cydonia died at Gates of Somerset. Marietta `Boomer` Urban of GovermantResistance died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Jeffrey Raymond of Whiskey Runners died at Pathway to Darkness. Jose `red beam` Murphy of Evan Courier Service died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Sherry Plasencia of Evan Courier Service died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Caleb `The Crook` Williams of DeathFromAbove died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Jimmy Ono of Transylvanian Transmissions died at Road to Somerset. Keith Wing of Transylvanian Transmissions died at Road to Somerset. Adolfo Wolf of Transylvanian Transmissions died at Road to Somerset. Alan Long of Transylvanian Transmissions died at Road to Somerset. Rosetta Fulcher of VINDICATORS died at Canyon Joust. Annie `Wilkes` Booth of The 4saken died at Lost Oasis. Janet `Rawr` Rohr of DeathFromAbove died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Samantha `T` O`Kelley of Ricky Ranjits Raiders died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 2. Major Macleod of Paladins died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 3. Joe `Boomstick` Negrete of DeathFromAbove died at Gateway, The Bone. Don Webb of Lattes Raiders died at Gateway, The Bone. `Run` Forrest Gump of Advanced Research Labs died at Gateway, The Bone. Karen Leon of the mad mad crushers died at Road to Somerset. Robert Chase of the mad mad crushers died at Road to Somerset. Kenneth Estrada of the mad mad crushers died at Road to Somerset. Edward Naylor of the mad mad crushers died at Road to Somerset. Christopher Edwards of Geriatric Anarchists died at Blown With the Wind. Manuel Rogowski of GovermantResistance died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. `Blender` John Miller of GovermantResistance died at Scattered Hills. Steven `Shomer` Hall of GovermantResistance died at Scattered Hills. `Sir` Willard Green of Lattes Raiders died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. `Sir` Joshua Bianchi of Lattes Raiders died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. `Sir` Richard Nieman of Lattes Raiders died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. `Sir` Walter Bonenfant of Lattes Raiders died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. `Sir` Michael Bailey of Lattes Raiders died at Gates of Somerset. William `William` Williams of DeathFromAbove died at Gates of Badlands Truckstop. Mona `Money` Wilson of The Cosmic Kids died at Lost Oasis. Darryl `Big Gunner` Moreno of The Cosmic Kids died at Lost Oasis. James `I don`t` Noe of The Cosmic Kids died at Lost Oasis. Cassidy Green of SD Rollers died at Somerset`s Junkyard, Race Track 3. Jessie Moore of Longos Merry Men died at Northern Desert Circuit. Lewis `Carl` Hamilton of Advanced Research Labs died at Northern Desert Circuit. Paul Newman of Guns Gears Getaway died at Sandy. Marvin `Paranoid` Gomez of Vault Dwellers died at Road to Somerset. Jacqueline Gorrell of Ricky Ranjits Raiders died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Kelsey `Phileas` Fogg of Ricky Ranjits Raiders died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Robert `E` Ison of Ricky Ranjits Raiders died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. Juan `Law` Newton of Ricky Ranjits Raiders died at Road to Gateway Truck Stop. |