The Sniper

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The sun is setting over [[Dublin]], and [[you->Who Are You?]] have decided to position yourself on a rooftop. You decided it was a good position, due to its proximity to O'Connell Bridge. Anyone trying to move a vehicle or dart across the street would end up on the other side of your scope. You lie up against a parapet, crouched out of sight. A distant tatter of machinegun fire rips through the still night, accompanied by a few echoing cracks of rifles. The last shot almost sounded like a <<linkreplace "shotgun">>//Thompson//. You heard the Republicans had [[imported->Gathering Guns]] some weapons.<</linkreplace>> [[Continue eating your Sandwich]] <<cacheaudio "DistantGunshots" "http://freesound.org/data/previews/77/77727_646701-lq.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "fireplace" "http://freesound.org/data/previews/138/138018_464357-lq.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "Lee" "http://freesound.org/data/previews/414/414023_6417448-lq.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "Truck" "http://freesound.org/data/previews/294/294451_3554699-lq.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "Revolver" "http://freesound.org/data/previews/149/149965_2713352-lq.mp3">> <<masteraudio stop>> <<audio "DistantGunshots" play loop>>

Today was July 2nd. Some 2 months ago we had taken over the Four Courts, and only a few days ago the Free-Staters blew it to pieces. Republicans had holed up in the old law building in the hopes of sparking a backlash against the British who wish to subjugate us. Instead, your own brothers have decided to side with the <<linkreplace "British">>//bastards//<</linkreplace>> bringing a civil war upon us all. <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Four_Courts_Conflagration.jpg" width="500" height="300"> [[Back->The Beginning]] <<masteraudio stop>> <<audio "DistantGunshots" play loop>>

Who are you? A proud Republican, that’s who. You were not always this way. Growing up on farmland, your father taught you the importance of tradition. Rocking the boat and such, it is not the way you were taught. On his deathbed a hefty sum was left in your name. You took the money for schooling in [[Dublin]]. It was there you learned that all men are meant to be free. Irish or not, you deserved the freedom to decide the fate of your country. The [[Free-Staters]] claim that you are already free. But what is freedom when you are collared to the British Empire? Yes, you may have space to grow and live and make "choices." But for how long? It is the tradition of the Irish to rule Ireland. Your father <<linkreplace "would">>//would not//<</linkreplace>> understand... [[Back->The Beginning]] <<masteraudio stop>> <<audio "fireplace" play loop volume 0.25>>

You haven't had any food in some time. You pull a small sandwich out of your backpack, wrapped in newspaper. It is a bit soggy, which you <<linkreplace"enjoy.">>//hate.//<</linkreplace>> You decided that a good meal wouldn't be complete without a drink. You produce a small flask of whiskey from your inner pocket and take a quick swig. As the whiskey burns down your throat, a shutter retches across your body. With a meal and drink this good, a smoke is in order. [[Light up a Cigarette]] [[It isn't worth it]] <<audio "DistantGunshots" stop>> <<audio "DistantGunshots" volume 0.75 fadeout>>

You take a single cigarrette from a pouch on the inside of your coat pocket. The last one. You light a match against your boot, bring it slowly to your face. You can feel the tiny warmth put off by the match. You light your cigarrette, <<linkreplace "and take a few small puffs from it.">>//and take a few long drags, exhaling gingerly.//<</linkreplace>> [[Put it out!]]

You decide that it truly isn't worth it. You have no idea if anyone is watching. It could be a death sentance. [[But so is freezing to death->Moving]]

Traitors. That’s what you think, at least. They decided that the freedom of Ireland is a fantasy, and that subjection under the British Empire is the price we pay to live a safe life. That a treaty that keeps us under control is good enough. Bollacks, you say. You would rather die than live under such control. It is almost ironic that they would die to stay in servitude. <<linkreplace "Everyone else agrees.">>//A true patriot would see this hypocrisy.//<</linkreplace>> [[Back->Who Are You?]] <<masteraudio stop>>

Last time you met with your Quartermaster, he was attempting to keep track of the hodgepodge of weapons that had been brought in from Republican soldiers. Most were rifles from their service days, or the random hunting shotgun or personal pistol. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hogan%27s_Flying_Column.gif"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Hogan%27s_Flying_Column.gif" width="500" height="300"></a> Some had even imported Thompsons from America. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thompson-and-his-gun.jpg"><img src = "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Thompson-and-his-gun.jpg" width ="419" height ="480"></a> [[But what do you have?->My Guns]]

<<linkreplace "Stamp it out">> <<timed 2s t8n>>''A bullet flattens itself against the parapet.'' <<audio "Lee" play>> [[Peer over the parapet]] [[Stay under cover...don't move]]<</timed>> <</linkreplace>>

Its too cold to be sitting around like this. <<linkreplace "Nobody has came thorugh yet either">>//You didn't think anyone would come this way anyway//<</linkreplace>>. <<linkreplace"Start moving towards the oposite edge of the roof">> <<timed 2s t8n>>''A bullet flattens itself against the parapet.'' <<audio "Lee" play>> <<linkappend "How did they see me?">>// Was my rifle visible? Did they see the gleam of my flask?<</linkappend>> [[Peer over the parapet]] [[Stay under cover...don't move]]<</timed>> <</linkreplace>>

You are equipped with a Mauser rifle. Your last commander told you it was a Gewehr 98. Unlike the rest of your sharpshooters, you didn't care what kind of rifle it was. Not to say you didn't to appreciate the great performance. It was truly a good piece of engineering. No scope though, unlike some of your peers. <<linkreplace"But you don't need a scope.">>//But you didn't have a scope back home. Iron sights will do.//<</linkreplace>> If push comes to shove, you still have your father's revolver. You have been told the Germans are good for engineering. Having never met a German face to face, you would no idea. It takes more than fancy guns to win a war though. You need a group who are willing to die for what they know is right. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karabiner_98b_(Sketch).jpg"><img src = "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Karabiner_98b_%28Sketch%29.jpg"> </a> The British may have carted in enough Lee Enfields for a warlord, but they have not brought any passion. [[Back->The Beginning]]

This interactive short story uses sound effects. Playing with headphones is optimal. All images contain links to their source. All sound effects hosted by [[Freesound->https://freesound.org/]] under Creative Commons. All images hosted by [[Wikimedia Commons->https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page]]. Please click images to access sources. Audio souces listed below. Due to this, ''an internet connection is required for the sounds and images to work!'' <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-sa/2.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />This work is licensed under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License</a>. [[The Beginning]] <<linkappend "Audio Sources">> Distant Gunfire: [[https://freesound.org/people/Kyster/sounds/77727/]] Gunshot: [[https://freesound.org/people/Mr_KeybOred/sounds/414023/]] Fireplace: [[https://freesound.org/people/martats/sounds/138018/]] Armored Truck: [[https://freesound.org/people/n_audioman/sounds/294451/]] Revolver: [[https://freesound.org/people/CrenshawZ10/sounds/149965/]] <</linkappend>>

<<masteraudio stop>><<timed 2s t8n>> <<audio "Lee" play>> Another bullet wizzes past your head, as you drop down quickly to cover. You saw the flash this time. On the roof opposite the street. [[Find a better position]]<</timed>>

<<timed 3s t8n>> You hear nothing. Wherever the enemy is, he knows your position. [[Find a better position]] <</timed>>

Your eyes scan over to a chimney located directly behind you. You quickly drop to a roll, and move behind the chimney. You slowly bring yourself to a crouch behind the chimney. <<linkappend "You take a small peek from behind the chimney">> <<timed 2s t8n>> Nothing. No flash, no movement. The shooter must have gone into hiding <</timed>> <<timed 4s t8n>> <<audio "Truck" volume 0 fadein loop>> [[Peer down the street]]<</timed>> <</linkappend>>

<a href = "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Armoured_Car,_Passage_West,_Cork_(6652701421).jpg"><img src ="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Armoured_Car%2C_Passage_West%2C_Cork_%286652701421%29.jpg" width ="640" height ="470"> </a> An enemy armored car had begun to make its way up the street. Moving slowly across the cobblestone, the truck suddenly stopped. Shooting at it was a death sentence. Your bullets could never make it through that thick metal. But <<linkreplace "good fortune ">>//rotten luck//<</linkreplace>> struck. A woman, head covered in a shawl, made haste across the street towards the truck. The top hatch of the truck opened with a //pop,// a Free-Stater solider looking directly at her. Suddenly, he raised his head, looking directly at you. The woman, <<linkreplace "an informant">>//a traitor//<</linkreplace>>. [[Take aim]]

Your sights are zeroed in. The soldiers head lies directly in your sights. <<linkreplace "Squeeze the trigger">><<audio "Lee" play>> You take the shot. The soldiers head wracks back with gore, his body slumping down against the hard car top. You rack back the bolt. You find your aim gravitate towards the <<linkreplace "woman">><<linkreplace "//informant//">>//traitor//<</linkreplace>><</linkreplace>> as she runs down the street in fear. [[Pull the Trigger]] [[No...]] <</linkreplace>>

You pull the trigger. The woman falls to the stone with a shriek. <<linkreplace "There is no room for traitors.">>//That was a mistake.//<</linkreplace>> <<masteraudio stop>> <<audio "Lee" play>> <<timed 3s t8n>> <<masteraudio stop>><<audio "Lee" play>> Your rifle falls to the ground with a tattle. You retreat behind the chimney in shock. You try to raise your left arm but find that it no longer moves. The bullet must have penetrated your arm. There is no exit wound, so it may be stuck in your bone. [[Dress the wound]] <</timed>>

You lower your rifle down. The woman continues running down the street, before moving down an alley for cover. <<linkreplace "It was not worth it.">>//That was a mistake<</linkreplace>> <<masteraudio stop>> <<timed 3s t8n>> <<audio "Lee" play>> Your rifle falls to the ground with a tattle. You retreat behind the chimney in shock. You try to raise your left arm but find that it no longer moves. The bullet must have penetrated your arm. There is no exit wound, so it may be stuck in your bone. [[Dress the wound]] <</timed>>

You produce a small piece of cotton. <<linkreplace "You contemplate putting iodine on it">>//You place a small drop of iodine on the cloth, before pressing against your wound. It burns like hell//<</linkreplace>> You are almost defenseless here. You try to lift your rifle a second time, but to little success. You are trapped in this position. You peer down at your revolver. [[An idea strikes you]]

You lift the rifle with your right hand. Placing your cap upon the muzzle of the rifle, you get in position. <<linkreplace "Raise the rifle up">>//You slowly raise the rifle, so only the cap is visible over the parapet.// You wait. <<timed 3s t8n>> <<audio "Lee" play>> The shot tears the hat cleanly off your rifle. You quickly drop the rifle down, hoping the bastard didn't see through your ruse. [[See if it worked]] <</timed>> <</linkreplace>>

You peer slowly over the parapet, revolver drawn and cocked. The enemy Sniper's stood tall over the opposing rooftop wall. You swear you could see his damn crooked smile from here. He thinks he has killed you! <<linkreplace "Take aim">>You raise your aim slowly, <<linkreplace "aim true">>//your arm shaking wildy.//<</linkreplace>> [[Finish it]] <</linkreplace>>

The bullet must have struck true, as the enemy spun himself backwards, as if to tie himself into a knot. Then, just as a marionette has its strings cut, he collapsed against the front wall. Slowly, as his weight shifted forward, his body was draped further and further over the wall. All at once, his body fell from the wall, landing in the alley with a wet thud. <<linkreplace "A great feeling of accomplishment washes over you">> A great feeling of //relief// washes over you. You must know who the bastard is. You pick yourself up, slinging your rifle sluggishly over your right shoulder. Revolver in hand, you make your way through an artillery hole in the roof. Down the stairs, you lean the front apartment door open. The street is almost pitch black now, with the sounds of gunfire seeming to fade away. You can find your way. You would never forget that alley. As you move down the alley, the outline of blood and cloth makes itself apparent. You collapse partially to the ground, from both exhaustion and pain. [[Turn the body over]] <</linkreplace>> <<audio "Revolver" play>>

<<timed 3s t8n>>You turn the body over to see the face of your brother.<</timed>> <<timed 6s t8n>> <a href = "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hogan_photographs_of_Generals_with_one_unknown_(16473744890).jpg"> <img src = "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Hogan_photographs_of_Generals_with_one_unknown_%2816473744890%29.jpg" width = "640" height = "468"> </a> [[The End]]<</timed>>

Adapted from the short story [["The Sniper"->http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/sniper.html]] by Liam O'Flaherty. Written and Programed by James Peter Fleckenstein III Thanks to [[Wikimedia Commons->https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page]] and [[Freesound->https://freesound.org/]] for hosting and providing the images and sound effects. For further reading on the Irish Civil War, I would recommend its [[Wikipedia Article->https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Civil_War]], and its associated sources for a quick overview. [[This Article->http://www.theirishstory.com/2012/07/02/the-irish-civil-war-a-brief-overview/]] from The Irish Story contains a more in-depth overview of the war, and their [[Irish Civil War Archive->http://www.theirishstory.com/2012/07/02/the-irish-story-archive-on-the-irish-civil-war/]] contains a great deal of deeper information on the war. Special thanks to Joe Hoesch, my grandfather, who instilled a love of history in me that continues to this day and beyond.