Super Soaker Central

The militia packed all their belongings and soakers into the cars, jeeps, vans, trucks and tanks that were available and drove off in single file with the weapon mounted jeeps (Spinner's jeep) at the front and tanks at the back.

They seemed to get to the outskirts of 7 without much trouble. Little did they know, a Tempest helicopter was following them at high altitude a mile behind.

When they arrived in the centre of 7, they started looking for a place to build a new base. Force found an empty lot near the road out of town to 6. Monsoon, Spinner, Racer, Nibor, Dux, Stingray, Force and Crashdummy (who had joined the militia convoy on the way to 7) established a perimeter using sandbags. The rather low outer wall was finished in fifteen minutes thanks to the help of the entire militia.

"We need bricks, concrete and wood!" said Crashdummy. The militia pooled their money together to buy loads of plywood from the nearby hardware store. "They're going to be in good business this year," said Racer.

Some of the militia took the ferry to the mainland where they brought back bricks and bags of concrete. The main structure, the garage, scout towers, and bathroom building's perimeter walls were built within a day. That night, the militia went home assured that their new base would be complete next day.

When dawn came upon the island, Monsoon woke up early and took a car back over to 2's old militia compound. "Hey what's that?" thought Monsoon as he came up to an out gate to 2. What he saw next shocked him completely. The Tempests were rebuilding the compound walls and occupying it! They had four tanks surrounding the area, and multiple three-man patrols carrying Monster Xs walking around the roads near the compound.

"This is serious, I gotta tell Spinner!" Monsoon quickly snapped the steering wheel and slammed the accelerator and sped off back to 7. A Tempest helicopter found Monsoon's car and started chasing it. The helicopter had two rapid-fire water balloon launchers on it, and was shooting at the convertible that Monsoon drove.

"I have to take that thing out!" said Monsoon. He slammed the brakes and rolled out of the car into the bushes on the side of the road. The car kept rolling along, eventually crashing into a boulder.

The helicopter didn't see Monsoon dive into the greenery. The helicopter hovered above the car and roped down two Tempest troops armed with CPS 2000s.

"I have to avoid them," thought Monsoon, "If I keep ducking in these bushes, I could crawl my way back to 7 without being seen!" Monsoon started off like a herd of speeding turtles towards 7.

Back at the newly established militia compound, Spinner and Racer were worry about where Monsoon went. "Maybe the Tempests captured him or something?" said Racer.

The militia were building the roofs of the buildings at this time. The scout towers (lower than the old towers at 2's compound) were fully functional and one militiaman stood watch in each one with a CPS 1700.

When the roofs were done, Spinner, Racer and Stingray parked as many vehicles in the garage as possible. Force, Nibor, Crashdummy and Dux, along with many other militia personnel drove the remaining vehicles to surrounding parking lots and streets.

Men starting establishing Douchenator turrets around the outer walls to the compound. The only thing remaining to be built was the interior of the main building. The entire militia strived to get this done before sunset that day.

Dux was walking back from parking a van, when suddenly, he heard a grunt from behind him. He spun around and saw Monsoon, covered in dirt, leaves and grass. "What the hell were you doing?" asked Dux. "The Tempests...they've taken over our old base...must...tell...Spinner..."

Monsoon collapsed onto the pavement, tired from the long trip from 2. Dux hauled him to the new compound and lay him on the seats of a jeep. A militiaman walked up to Spinner and said, "Sir, the Tempests have deserted their air base here in 7. I wonder where they are? By the way, there's a Tempest helicopter in the hangar." "We'll have to find out eventually," Spinner said.

Duxburian, Chase and Ivan (two militia members) decided to go and buy some "supplies". They drove three large moving trucks that they had found and arrived back several hours later.

When Duxburian opened the back of the truck, it revealed metal plates and other building equipment that could be used to construct tanks. "There are enough materials in these three trucks to build about five tanks. So let's get going! Oh and don't ask where we got these parts." Dux, Chase, Ivan and others began unloading the pieces and working on constructing the tanks.

Duxburian also was thinking about the Tempest's re-fortification of the compound at 2. A few people approached him concerned, but he told them, "Oh it's not a big loss, we evacuated everything of value, and the tunnel entrance at the fake rock remains locked. I still have the key. We may want to get more parts and assemble tanks for the whole army so that we can be a mobile force. When we defend bases we always lose them. So let's all have tanks so we can become an always moving, shapeless force. I'll have a few militia go into town to get more tank parts."

"Looks like our little plan to capture the aircraft and escape the island has had to be postponed somewhat, until we find the aircraft," mused Spinner, "We'll have to find them."

He then went to inspect the tank manufacture. As he arrived, the sound of an engine starting greeted his ears, and he heard a cheer from the mechanics as the first tank rolled off the production line. "Good work lads," he applauded, "Reckon we could have some jeeps as well for faster transport?"

Forceuser and his team were constructing their own tank, Bluestreak. It was based on a jeep design, for manoeuvrability and speed, but with heavy armour and weaponry. It could take four people, all shielded, with a rapid-fire water balloon launcher mounted on either side. There was a large built-in water tank and room for spare weapons.

Eventually they finished it and Force tried the engine. A loud growl ripped from it. "Wow, that's some machine!" Nibor commented, "But what's the large gap in the middle for?" "That's where the Behemoth is going to be placed. It'll turn this into a moving platform of destruction!" Force replied, "But we'll need to go back to the warehouse at 6 to pick it up." "No problem. Here, take the keys." Nibor handed Force the keys. He got his team and they piled into the tank. Force started her up again and put his foot down. They roared off down the road to 6.

"Wowee!" exclaimed Racer when he finally arrived at the compound, "Good thing I brought my drill, and I also brought all my guns, and a surprise."

After a while, Racer was almost done with his tank, the Rebel. It was powered by Racer's surprise engine...

"Looks good, can you start it up yet?" asked Nibor. "Not yet, I have a surprise..." Racer walked around the building and pulled out a wagon.

"It's a 1970's Mustang engine! I found it at the junkyard in 2 near where I live," exclaimed Racer. "Oh my god, does it still run?" asked Nibor. "You bet it does!" said Racer while he installed it into his tank.

Racer poked Nibor on the back. "It's done," said Racer. "I gotta see this," replied Nibor, as they both walked over to the tank, Racer turned the keys and out came a huge ROAR.

Monsoon came to and walked over to the garages where tanks were being built. Racer's Rebel caught his eye and walked over. "Racer, why don't we make a CPS-tech weapon for the cannon on this one? I could also make treads for it. How about it?" said Monsoon. Racer agreed and Monsoon took over the construction.

Before sundown, the Rebel had tank treads, a 1970 Mustang engine, and blue paint over the metal plates. Monsoon tinted the windows dark black and build the CPS system for the main cannon. "Tomorrow we'll mount the CPS and water tanks on the back of the tank," said Racer.

The militia went to bed inside the compound that night. Racer woke up the next morning and installed the CPS cannon to the Rebel. Monsoon woke up soon after to paint the unpainted metal a dark navy blue. "No other tank is like this one!" commented Racer.

Nibor trudged over and said, "Nice tank, looks like it's going to kick some Tempest butt today!" "I have an idea," said Monsoon, "I can make 'stealth' tanks!"

Monsoon got parts for another tank and built the smallest vehicle chassis ever for a tank. "You see, it sits one person, has enough room for five soakers in the storage area, and is painted camouflage to blend in with the wilderness. I can make urban and night time look-alikes with grey and black paint," said Monsoon.

The tank had a small cannonball balloon cannon for a main weapon and one rapid-fire water balloon launcher on the top right corner of the roof of the mini tank. "I built a powerful engine for it that could make it go faster than any tank here," he said. Racer looked at the finished tank and thought it was awesome.

Monsoon hopped into the seat and tried driving around with it. It went super speedy and could corner very well. It had light treads for going off road. "This tank is impossible to catch in hard terrain. The cannon is 75mm as well, so it can dish out a good beating, but not as well as the standard militia tank," said Monsoon.

"So, what are we going to do, take the Rebel or build another stealth tank?" asked Nibor. Monsoon decided to go with the Rebel for the time being. "We're going to 2 to recon the outer streets. These are direct orders from Spinner. Nibor, Dux and Stingray are going to back us up in a weapon-mounted jeep. We need to scout out the Tempest take-over of 2," said Racer.

Monsoon took the weapons of the Rebel and Racer drove. They sped off to 2 followed by Nibor's jeep team. When they arrived, 2 appeared to be barricaded with barbed wire walls. The group looked in horror as five helicopters and two large squads of Tempests came out of 2.

The tank took aim with the new CPS cannon and shot. A huge drenching blast splurted out the barrel and thoroughly soaked the entire wave of Tempests. The helicopters attacked with rapid-fire water balloon launchers and Nibor's jeep team made a run for it.

"Where the heck are they going?" yelled Monsoon. The Rebel took heavy air fire and couldn't shoot back. "Monsoon, look what Nibor brought back for us!" said Racer. Monsoon turned the tank around and an enormous vanguard of militia and customised tanks, along with a squadron of weapon-mounted jeeps rumbled towards the town.

"Awww yeah! We can't fail this assault!" said Monsoon. A helicopter was following the army of vehicles. It lowered its altitude near the Rebel and Racer saw Spinner waving from the passenger area of the copter. Monsoon, Racer, and the rest of the militia didn't realise that this would be the largest scale war ever to take place on the island.

"Sir, the ferry docks, boat docks, and airport are under our control," said a militiaman to Spinner. Spinner looked at 2 and saw a mass of tanks head towards the militia force. "Are ever going to win this one?" said Spinner and the war began.

Toaster didn't like it one bit. When they'd arrived at 2, the road into town had been barricaded. Those who controlled the checkpoint, a group who called themselves "Tempests" had been sceptical, but finally the Sabres had managed to gain entry to 2.

However, at the moment they were sitting in the Armadillo in a back alley, as they had overheard the Tempests talking about some oncoming assault, and Toaster wasn't ready to endure a battle just yet.

When they'd arrived in 2, they had spotted an actual tank with water balloon launchers mounted in the turret. Sensing that the technology being employed here was more than rudimentary, Toaster had carefully avoided antagonising their reluctant hosts. However, he'd managed to buy some 'supplies' from the local hardware store.

At the moment, Monkey and Bukan were fitting onto the Armadillo two additional Gemini Cannons that had been assembled just minutes ago, and soon they'd be starting on armouring the vehicle.

Wontwood was watching the street outside the dead-end alley with the water balloon launcher, just in case.

Toaster swore as he banged his thumb with the wrench he was currently applying to the engine they had 'acquired' from a Tempest storehouse. It looked to be mega horsepower, and he had disconnected the old worn-down Argo engine and had mounted it inside an extension they'd built onto the Armadillo's back end, allowing him to rig up an automatic water pump. He had been planning to do this modification anyway, but he wished he'd been able to do it under less pressing circumstances.

He didn't trust the Tempests. They'd been too cautious about letting them in, and he didn't like their overall attitude. He had immediately deemed them, if not an enemy, a definite threat.

He finished connecting the 'borrowed' engine and set to work on connecting the newest weapon that he'd designed for the Armadillo, the Broadsword.

Monsoon and Racer fronted the attack by the militia and kept a steady attack on the frontline Tempests using it's 'Tsunami Gun' - the CPS tech cannon built by Monsoon. The water supply was wearing thin right when a militiaman filled the tank's water reservoir. Monsoon kept pumping out as many water balloons and water as possible at the squads of Tempests at the frontline.

Nibor's jeep team was attempting to down a Tempest helicopter using 'Havoc' water balloon launchers (Pepper's water balloon launcher). The long barrel served useful for accurate aiming and long range. The helicopter's windows fogged up and retreated.

"We need to break through the frontline and tear straight into the compound as fast as possible!" exclaimed Racer. Spinner's helicopter was confronting a Tempest tank and managed to destroy the cannon by dropping metal bars on it. Force climbed to the top of a high nearby building and sniped them using his XX 50.

"The forces are retreating farther back!" radioed Spinner. The vast vanguard of militia vehicles rumbled through the wet streets of 2. Back at the new militia base at 7, a militia in the scout tower radioed to Spinner: "Sir, there appears to be an unidentified vehicle rolling towards our base. It could very well be a Tempest sneak attack!" Spinner grunted and steered the helicopter back to 7's militia compound.

Monsoon, still gunning inside the Rebel saw the old militia base, swarming with Tempests. "This time, they have no backup," said Racer. "It doesn't look like they need it!" said Monsoon.

Dux was taking heavy damage gunning in the back of Nibor's jeep. Stingray kept Tempests from tampering with the back wheels using a CPS 1500. "Nibor, I can't stay back here for long unless you floor it and go ahead of the vanguard!" yelled Dux. Nibor slammed the accelerator and the jeep sped ahead of the Rebel. "I wonder what they plan on doing," said Racer.

Meanwhile, farther back near the barricaded entrance, Force ran out of his sniping spot and sneaked down a back street. The Rebel started a heavy assault on the walls of the old militia base. The mass of other tanks, including Force's Bluestreak and Monsoon's urban stealth tank delivered their huge payload on the walls at the same time.

"The walls are starting to crack!" screamed a Tempest using a Douchenator water balloon launcher mounted on the front wall. The front walls shook and vibrated violently and came crashing down. "Retreat back to base!" yelled a Tempest elite. The massive swarm of enemy troops started out of the compound and tried to radio in a helicopter out.

Suddenly, a mysterious group appeared out of nowhere and stopped the Tempests from escaping the other way. What appeared to be their leader stepped forward and said...

"Heh. Didn't like those Tempest guys anyway," Toaster said to the soldier standing in front of them. The new Geminis had performed well in stopping the jerks from retreating. "Cowards!" he admonished the Tempests.

Bukan, at the controls of the Armadillo, looked rather nervous. "Hey man, we shouldn't be talking to them. What if they're the ones we should be worried about?"

Toaster silenced Bukan with a harsh gesture. "Nice going back there. We..." Toaster said, gesturing at the Armadillo and his crew, "Are the Sabres. We're here to help the war...for the right price. But, it won't be much now. I really don't like those guys."

All through the night Duxburian had been working on his tank. He decided to use an electric engine so that the tank could run indefinitely without the need to refuel.

He and other militia worked hard to assemble an electric engine with the torque and power needed to move a tank. The result was large and extremely compacted, but it would work. Every part of Dux's tank was cleverly designed to maximise speed and defence at the same time.

Duxburian equipped it with dual front cannons, both the standard 75mm size, a few water balloon launchers at the sides, and two anti-aircraft water balloon launchers. They would not be able to seriously damage even a very low flying aircraft, but would still be dangerous enough to harass one.

This tank moved exceptionally fast due to its engine, moderate size, and moderate armour. It could seat three people as well.

Duxburian jumped into the back of a jeep to attack the Tempests with the rest of the army. He didn't have time to get his tank and so left it. At 2, the Tempests were finally trying to retreat.

Duxburian met the Sabres and watched them stop the Tempests from fleeing. However, some did manage to slip away over the side walls and disappeared into the forest. That wasn't too concerning, as most of the Tempests who were at the base were trapped there. The Tempests were beginning to surrender.

The jeep had been disabled when part of the wall fell on it, so Nibor hopped in one of the tanks and Duxburian decided to return to 7 to pick up his own tank. He grabbed one of the smaller and damaged jeeps and headed for 7, a trip which only took about fifteen minutes. Duxburian then got in his tank, started the engine (which didn't make any noise because it was electric) and started back for 2.

A small band of Tempests leapt out of a clump of trees to challenge him, but seeing dual front cannons and seeing the speed of the tank they decided better and withdrew. Duxburian had no further trouble, and rejoined the group at the compound at 2.

The strange vehicle approaching 7 turned out just to be an ice-cream van, so Spinner returned to 2.

Spinner started on re-organising the army at 2. Although the Tempests appeared to be beaten, it was always worth making sure the army was as co-ordinated as possible. He appointed Duxburian in charge of the Tank Corps, with NiborDude as his SIC. Forceuser was in charge of the elite Commando regiment. Racer and Monsoon were in charge of supplies and communication, so they had control over the jeeps and so on.

Later on, Spinner heard a noise of an engine, and looked up to see Duxburian returning to the base. "Strange," he thought, "Duxburian's tank runs on electricity...why is it so loud?"

Suddenly, he realised that it wasn't the tank making the noise, but the noise came from the sky. Sixteen planes were approaching from the north. Six looked to be Hercules transports, but as the others detached themselves from the formation and started dropping towards 2, he realised to his horror they were Mosquito fighter-bombers.

"RUN FOR COVER!" he yelled, and dashed towards a group of mechanics gazing wonderingly at the sky. "Quick, move!" They moved jerkily, mesmerised somehow by the sight of dark packages dropping from the underside of the planes as they zoomed up out of their dive. One came closer...and closer...and fell about 30 yards away from the group.

Spinner was face down on the ground with the others. The explosion of water had sent them all to the ground as the water flung in all directions. Wiping his face, he yelled again at them, "Now do you believe me? Get some cover!"

They ran towards a subway entrance and dropped to the ground as the Mosquitos came round for another attack. Once again the ground rocked as four mighty explosions tore up the earth.

Zooming again, the Mosquitos wheeled round, and Spinner again covered his face. However, nothing happened this time, and Spinner looked up to see them heading for 1, where the Hercules transports had dropped towards.

Spinner stood up and wiped the earth off his brow. "Ouch," he said, "That wasn't nice. I'd best see how the others got on in that."

He walked over to where people started coming out of buildings, and met Duxburian. "Any casualties, Colonel?"

"Thankfully, none reported. Everyone was taken aback by that attack somewhat, but at least the Tempests have now lost the element of surprise with those machines," answered Duxburian, "What I fear more is what was inside those Hercules transports."

"I am inclined to agree with you," nodded Spinner, "I fear that we will have to evacuate 2 and head back to 7 and our old fortifications. The Tempests will then occupy about half of the island, but it cannot be helped. We need to time and manufacturing time cope with this renewed threat."

"Agreed," said Duxburian, "We will need ack-ack batteries, to name one thing."

"Very well then," replied Spinner, "I will take Racer as my pilot and scout in the helicopter to 1 to get some estimates of numbers. Meanwhile, you had better attempt some pacifying." He pointed to where civilians with frightened looks were pouring out of the centre of town. "Explain to them the situation. Maybe they will agree to join the forces. See what you can do. In any case, give the men their marching orders."

Duxburian saluted, and Spinner strode to where the helicopter was standing, with Racer at his side.

Forceuser was making sure that his elite commando regiment was organised properly. He had them all install pressure boosters in their weapons. He also set about modifying the Behemoth, now mounted in Bluestreak, to have a second, smaller diameter barrel (50mm instead of 75mm) with the option to choose between the two. That would then give them the range and power to take out aircraft (with multiple balloons at a time). Within a short time, it was finished. Force left it with the other tanks.

Force went over to see Dux. "I think we need to find out whether or not the Tempests are still using the caves. And if so, how many of them are there in there. I want to lead my commandos through the tunnels and do some reconnaissance. What do you say?"

Duxburian agreed with Forceuser about scouting the caves again. "You'd better take some other people along for backup." Force selected his normal group, plus Monsoon. They then started off toward the nearest tunnel that would lead to the caves. However, this time Force used his knowledge of the deeper tunnels to move the group without being detected. They finally reached the spot where a door in the ceiling would open to the cave area. Forceuser cautiously began to lift it up...

The loud thuds of the bombs had stopped several minutes ago, but Toaster had learned the hard way not to be cocky. Straightening out in his seat, he intended to look out the windshield of the Armadillo, but found it streaked with mud. Carefully opening the door, he looked out and saw a crater not twenty feet from his vehicle. He called for a head count, and finding everyone in good order, stepped out to inspect his newly refitted vehicle.

The Armadillo was a mess. Mud covered the entire front and right sides of the vehicle, and the Geminis on those sides were plugged up with clumps of ejecta from the bomb. The once proud Sabres logo was completely covered, and the Broadsword's 'pilot seat' was soaked and filthy.

Calling everyone out of the armoured vehicle, he told Bukan to go find a wet/dry vac to clear out the top of the Armadillo, while he ordered Monkey to go get the nearest hose to wash off the sides. Toaster was about to hop back into the cab to get his notebook to record the incident when he heard a distant droning. Looking up towards 1, he noticed six Hercules transports flying low in formation. "Hmmm..."

Shouting at Monkey to just clean off the windshield, he ordered a quartet of passing militiamen to hop up and man the Geminis. Bukan arrived with a shop vac and cleared out the vehicle, then Wontwood hopped into the Broadsword's controls as the militia took control of the Geminis. Grabbing a radio from a blasted-out militia jeep, Toaster hopped in the driver's seat and told Bukan to get in.

The Armadillo roared to life, fully armed for the first time, and spinning towards the gate out of town, sped off towards 1.

After the Armadillo had left, a Tempest peeked out from behind a corner. Holding a radio up, he warned the airborne convoy headed to 1...

The Armadillo sped towards 1. Toaster couldn't believe what the stolen Tempest engine did for the pace of the vehicle. They now were able to travel twice or even three times the speed they could before. Toaster was loving it, though it meant he had to be more careful driving. He tried to stay away from potholes and the like, but the militiamen with the Geminis were still having a hard time staying upright, or so Monkey reported from the back. Wontwood seemed to be having a blast though.

The vehicle with the crossed swords on the side matched the description of the incoming hostile from 2. The Tempest commander ordered his men to follow the large armoured hulk in their jeeps. They wouldn't attack them yet, but the large cannon atop the monster worried the Tempest commander. They could not be allowed to reach the airstrip and discover the reinforcements being offloaded from the Hercules transports landing there. No doubt they knew something was in those transports, but the Tempests couldn't afford to let this rogue element discover what was in those planes.

The Sabres and their borrowed gunners rumbled along, oblivious to the enemies that followed them.

Meanwhile back at 2, Duxburian explained the situation to the crowd of civilians and garnered some support. A few gave the group some needed supplies. Once all the supplies and weapons were stowed in tanks and jeeps, the group began to head for 7.

Duxburian then yelled out, "We need to get to 7 as quickly as possible, so everyone, speed up." Duxburian didn't care if his tank's 'powertrain' was a bit dangerous, or that some thought he had gone a bit overboard by using alternate energy. His tank had serious speed, and it was helpful now.

Suddenly a Tempest helicopter came to spy on their movements. Chase and Ivan, who were in Duxburian's tank, fired at it with the anti-aircraft water balloon launchers. The shots did no real damage, but they did unnerve the pilot, and caused him to fly away for the moment.

The convoy continued on towards 7. What worried Duxburian now was that several of the militia had important work to do on the North Island, and that they would have to leave soon. Nibor, Chase, Ivan and Zach would be able to remain, but the rest would have to go. This would hurt the group now, but would pay off in the long term.

"Eventually we will have to evacuate this island, and what if there wasn't anyone on the North Island to set up defences?" Noises then interrupted Duxburian's thoughts. He looked back behind the convoy and saw...

The trapdoor opened upwards. Poking his head up, Force looked down the corridor. Nothing. There was no one there. Breathing a sigh of relief, Force pulled himself through. He signalled for the rest of his squad to remain where they were. He crept down the corridor and checked out round the corner. Still nothing.

He went back and got the rest of his squad into the corridor. He got Stingray to remain behind under the trapdoor, with it locked, and only open it when he gave a special knock. He shut the door. Force turned to Monsoon, "I don't like this. It's too quiet." They headed off down the tunnel, weapons ready.

After ten minutes they had been through all the tunnels where the Tempests were previously, but had come up with nothing. No sign of Tempests and all their stuff had gone as well. "They must have abandoned the caves," Force said.

In the forest outside the caves, two Tempests were talking. One, a tech by the look of him, had a laptop and was watching a feed from a hidden camera in the tunnel where the commandos were. He turned to his superior, "Sir, they are in the rigged section of tunnel." "Excellent! You know what to do." The tech pressed a button on the laptop.

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