Maxwell (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=157202.msg7209479#msg7209479)<br/>Location: In a district somewhere<br/>Tagging: None<br/>------------------------------------<br/><br/>The Dirge Guard had been called in to investigate a rumor that one of the criminal groups in a TL 3 area had managed to acquire higher technology and were using it to establish dominance in their area.  As Maxwell and his partner Ceras hid behind a stone building while automatic fire ripped past them, they looked at the crossbows in their hands and the armor they were given.<br/>“I think someone has 'done goofed' on this one,” Ceras remarked.  “Do you even know how to use crossbows?”<br/>Maxwell shook his head, “Fenrir never needed weapons.  Not even ranged.”<br/>“So what are we going to do then?  Back-up won't be for awhile, and we can't stay here forever.  They're bound to sweep us while we're pinned and then open fire.”<br/>Maxwell shrugged.  It was a small hope that they'd be able to take down the five men pinning them down with their weapons.<br/><br/>“I have a suggestion.”<br/>“No,” Maxwell immediately cut in.<br/>“You haven't even heard it.”<br/>“I already know what it is.”<br/>“Oh come on, we know it works.”<br/>“No.”<br/>“Please, I don't feel like dying today.  It's not like you have to worry.”<br/>“This is blatant species-ism.”<br/>“Come on!”<br/><br/>Sighing, Maxwell handed Ceras over his crossbow and left the safety of their cover.  Their opponents weren't particularly great shots, but their combined burst fire was enough to compensate.  Bullets tore into his flesh, the force of their impact staggering him back a bit before pressing forward.  The wounds were shallow, and as he strode forward, began to close as his flesh knit itself back together.  A bullet fractured his knee and Maxwell let out a grunt of pain but continued his implacable advance, hobbling for a few steps before he regained his pace.  Amidst all of the gunfire and the smell of gunpowder in the air, he could hear the shouts of fear and the stench of sweat as the gunmen tried to take him down.  They began to shoot for his head, in the hopes of taking him down that way.  Bullets took out both of his eyes, and he felt his throat being pierced, but he continued moving forward even as he gulped in horrid sucking breaths.  Behind him, he heard the twangs of a crossbow being fired and he smelled blood spray out, followed by another twang and another dead person.  Slowly, his vision returned to him, clouded with blood, and he could see their remaining assailants running away.  Grunting, Maxwell tore after them, and it was easy to subdue them.<br/><br/>Looking back at Maxwell, he saw Ceras give him a cheerful thumbs up, “I told you it'd work.”<br/>A strangled gurgle came out of him.<br/>“Max, what have we talked about speaking when either your throat or lungs haven't healed yet.”<br/>Maxwell gave her a dirty look while he waited a few more moments.  Spitting out blood and a bullet, he coughed hard to clear his throat before growling at her.<br/>“You owe me some damn cheeseburgers.”