Multi-Dimensional Merchant System

Panic and chaos spread across the campus sporadically. Some students, mostly those from poorer or rougher backgrounds, reacted instantly and scattered for cover the moment the sound of gunfire rang out. Those fortunate enough to have avoided experiencing gun violence hesitated in confusion, only reacting when their friends and classmates screamed desperate warnings at them.

Oliver well understood their fear and desperation.

“We've got twelve on our ass, H! Moving to route D-2. Where the hell are your guys!?”

Sophia's labored breathes rang in loudly in his ears. Ten seconds may seem like nothing on an ordinary day, but when running for your life it could feel like an eternity... And clearly her slim build was due more to genetics than exercise. Glancing behind, he was relieved to see that their pursuers were not gaining on them... But neither was the distance growing.

Knowing Sophia couldn't keep this up for long, he made a snap decision. None of the men had shot at them yet, so clearly they wanted her alive... Oliver grabbed Sophia and swung her up onto his back, startling a yelp out of the woman.

“Hold on tight!”

With her secure on his back, he poured on as much speed as he could manage. Part of his mind marveled at the effects of his improved stats as he slowly gained some distance. While he was sure some of the men could match, or even surpass, him in various ways, keeping his stats balanced meant only their fastest could catch him... And only if they separated from their team to do so, which they were clearly hesitant to do.

Henley's voice, crackling with tension, sent chills down Oliver's spine.

“Teams 1 and 2 are being delayed. Irish's vehicle is disabled. Rev is on the move to D-2, two minutes. With your count... The estimate is thirty plus hostiles. This isn't just a small threat. We're scrambling Teams 3, 4, and 5. ETA is 7 minutes. Local P. D. has been alerted, ETA 10 minutes.”

Oliver swore under his breath. The situation was far worse than any of them had expected. No idea who was attacking them, or how many there were... And Oliver was on his own, dealing with men that had no problem with shooting him if he got in their way.

Around the Student Activities building, between a pair of administration buildings, then across the “Big Green”- a perfectly maintained lawn dotted with old growth trees that had been part of the campus since its founding- and they would reach the pick up point. Oliver had walked every route several times in preparation for the worst case scenario, and even debated with himself small variations for each. As he drew closer to the Student Activities building, he had to quickly decided whether to circle it to the right or left. The right would be faster, as they were approaching that side at an angle. But the left would help break line of sight with their pursuers.

Just as he made his choice, motion among the plants and bushes in front of the building caught his attention. Someone was there, cowering among the leafless branches. Without hesitation, Oliver veered farther left and away from the building.

Only an idiot would take cover there... Or someone in place to cut them off.

A surprised exclamation, and the man jumping up to join his companions in pursuit, confirmed it.

“D-2 is a no go. Rerouting to D-4.”

Muffled curses, then seconds of silence, answered Oliver as he ran on. Despite it being a cool November evening, sweat poured down his face from running so hard while carrying someone. If Sophia wasn't so slim and light, he doubted he would have been able to keep this up for long. As it was, he knew he was limited on time.

“Rev is rerouting. His ETA is now two minutes.”

A softly muttered 'again' barely registered on Oliver's mind as he barreled down the wide brick pathway that was now devoid of students. While his eyes roamed across the grounds searching for more people waiting to ambush them, his mind raced ahead along the route. D-4 was actually his favorite among the 'desperation' routes. While the early parts were too open for his liking as it necessitated running down the open walkways, the latter half of it was near perfect in his mind.

Ahead on the right, he saw the next step on this route: the Liam J. Smithson Library. Seeing no one lurking nearby, he glanced back for a second to take stock of the situation. Thirteen men still chased them. But, with the initial gap from the start of the chase and the little bit of extra distance he created with his mad sprint, roughly a hundred yards separated them.

Slamming the doors open, he darted inside. Rounding the abandoned service desk at the front, he immediately turned right. Dashing past rows of shelves filled with books, he skidded to a stop in front of the door to a stairwell. This was one of the reasons he liked this route. Four stairwells, one on each corner of the building, and two separate elevator banks near the center. Multiple exits on the first floor, and multiple exits on the third floor thanks to the hill the building was set against. Combined with plenty of study rooms, computer labs, and storage closets as hiding places, this building would be a nightmare for their attackers.

“We need to-”

Raising his hand, Oliver cut off Sophia's panicked exclamation. Checking around them, he whispered quick instructions to her. “We need to be careful here. They've already tried to cut us off before, and we don't know if they have anyone in the building. I need my hands free if we run into anyone, so follow close and stay quiet unless it's an emergency or you spot something I miss. We'll move as fast as we can, ok?”

Sophia nodded jerkily, and he gave her a quick reassuring smile. Oliver peeked through the window in the door to the stairwell before cracking it open, moving inside. The soft click of the door behind them and Sophia's ragged breathing were the only sounds as he made his way cautiously up the stairs.

The duo paused on the second floor landing and Oliver inched open the door. Not wanting more attackers to suddenly appear behind them, he glanced around quickly to confirm they were still clear. Seeing no one nearby, he closed the door again and waved for her to follow him up again.

One more floor, then a winding through the History section and out the fire exit would get them to the parking lot for pickup. Hopefully.

Hand out stretched, Oliver was ready to check the third floor when the door opened in front of him. The man that appeared in the doorway looked shocked at seeing them, and, with only a glance, Oliver knew he was another of their pursuers. One that he hadn't seen yet. The man, while moving cautiously, didn't carry himself with the fear or panic the students were obviously feeling in this situation. He didn't even flinch at finding himself suddenly face-to-face with them.

And Oliver spotted the bulge under his armpit that was likely a gun.

Surprise slowed the man's reaction for a split second, and Oliver was quick to capitalize. As his hand rose towards the bulge under his jacket, Oliver grabbed his wrist and pulled hard, yanking him into the stairwell. The door clicked shut as the man stumbled past them from the unexpected move. Before the man could stabilize himself, Oliver slammed into him, shoving the man hard into the handrail.

Teetering over a three story drop, the man frantically grabbed for the railing to save himself. Not giving him a chance to recover, Oliver snapped a vicious kick between the man's legs. Groaning and doubling over in pain, he clutched at his wounded pride only for Oliver to grab the back of his head and slam him face first into the handrail.

Oliver refused to let up, even when the man crumpled to the floor in a daze. Slamming his foot down onto his opponents neck, the sound of snapping bones signaled the end.

“Is...Is h-he...?”

“No.” Not yet, at least. Oliver added in his head.

“Sophia, stay focused. I need you to watch the door so no one sneaks up on me, ok?”

With a shaky nod, she turned to stare through the small window on the door and keep watch like Oliver asked. Seeing her distracted, at least momentarily, he focused on his own task. Turning his dying opponent over, Oliver relieved him of the gun under his arm. After a quick search, he also took the spare magazine, wallet, keys, and cellphone, effectively emptying the man's pockets. Tossing it all in the System Warehouse, he checked to make sure Sophia was still looking away before picking the body up and storing it away as well.

No sense leaving a trail for the attackers to follow.

Peeking over Sophia's shoulder and not seeing anyone, Oliver was quick to lead her through before she could glance back at where their attacker had been. Motioning for her to stay quiet, he lead her into the rows of shelves, his ears straining for the slightest sound. Whimpers of fear and muttered prayers of students hiding in study rooms followed their winding path through the building. It was clear the school had sent warning to all the students of an active shooter on campus.

The lack of people moving around, while ultimately better for the students, made his job harder. The pair of them, and their attackers, were the only ones still moving around campus.

Finally passing through the floor and reaching the fire exit, Oliver refused to sigh in relief. He knew they were not yet in the clear. He wouldn't consider the attack over until the moment they returned to Mr. Hall's estate, surrounded by the multiple layers of security.

Motioning for Sophia to wait, he crept cautiously to the fire exit door. Inching over slowly, he finally peeked through the window. With a curse, he spun and grabbed Sophia before rushing back among the towering bookshelves. Sitting in an SUV in the parking lot was another team of attackers.

They were cut off. And, with the attackers that were chasing them most likely already inside the building, things were just going to get worse.