"Beyond Inside of Thunderdome" (Flock'⁴⁴/ıı)

## Plot

As the Joy Lunatics forcefully took Otis Angelo Miller and the young Pete to a war-torn town, their path led them towards an abandoned zoo. Little did they know that this desolate place had been transformed into a macabre fighting arena, complete with a colossal cage-like maze where participants would be forced to engage in brutal battles. In this gruesome setting, their eyes widened in horror as they witnessed an American soldier named Seth Gordon, armed only with a knife, bravely attempting to fight back against three ferocious bear dogs. However, his desperate struggle for survival proved futile, as the savage beasts mercilessly tore him apart, their jaws dripping with his blood. The sight was so horrifying that it left everyone in a state of shock and desensitization, their emotions dulled by the constant exposure to violence. Amidst this grim scene, young Pete could no longer contain his disgust and anguish, his stomach revolting against the brutality before him. Otis, quick to protect his companion, shielded Pete from the gruesome spectacle, hoping to spare him further trauma. As they tried to make sense of the chaos unfolding around them, their attention was suddenly drawn to the next runner in the arena, a Soviet soldier desperately fleeing from the ravenous bear dogs.

With a burst of adrenaline-fueled energy, he sprinted towards the maze walls, his agility allowing him to climb up and escape the clutches of the bloodthirsty canines. However, the soldier's freedom was short-lived, as enemy gunfire rained down upon him, striking his body multiple times. The pain of the bullets searing through his flesh was agonizing, but he knew he had to press on, his survival instincts pushing him to find refuge. Finally, the wounded soldier managed to reach a small cell within the maze, which had been cruelly repurposed as a makeshift holding area for the fighters. As Otis and Pete were forcibly shoved into the control room that served as the entrance to this grim prison, they found themselves surrounded by a motley crew of soldiers and refugees. Among them were two Nazi soldiers, Paul Kaiser and a young child soldier named Hans Rothman, both bearing the burden of their twisted ideology. Three American soldiers, Thomas Robiness, Dan Ramirez, and Kian Anderson, stood alongside them, their faces etched with weariness and resignation. Andro Gallos, an Italian refugee, brought a sense of desperation and hopelessness to the group, while Volkov, the Soviet soldier who had miraculously survived the bear dogs and gunfire, exuded a sense of fierce determination and resilience. In the dimly lit corners of the room, Hans Rothman cowered under the desk, his fear palpable as it spread to young Pete, who sought solace in hiding beneath the same piece of furniture.

The arrival of the Joy Lunatics, a group known for their ruthless pursuit of the next fighter, only intensified their terror. Among them was a masked woman, her figure cloaked in mystery, who meticulously examined the candidates before pointing her finger at Dan Wales, singling him out as the next contender. Dan, trembling with trepidation, was swiftly taken away, forced out of the maze to face the dreaded bear dogs. The rest watched anxiously as he sprinted, desperately evading the monstrous canines. Despite sustaining injuries along the way, Dan managed to reach the finish line, where he triumphantly handed them a white ball, a symbol of his survival. Once back in his cell, Dan's fate sealed for the time being, the masked woman turned her attention to Otis. Feeling a surge of determination, Otis volunteered to take his turn in the arena. Pete, yearning to support his friend, pleaded to accompany him, but they decided it would be best for Pete to remain in his cell until his own turn arrived. Otis offered words of encouragement, assuring Pete that he would follow the rules and keep himself safe. As Pete observed the arena from the confines of his cell, he learned of the twisted game's rules. If a contestant chose to climb the walls for a shortcut, they risked being shot. They were tasked with finding a white ball to return to the designated red line, marking their victory.

However, failure to locate the white ball meant certain death. The maze itself held hidden weapons, such as knives and pipes strewn across the ground, serving as a deadly reminder of the dangers that lurked within. The fierce adversaries they would face included six bear dogs and three saber-toothed tigers, formidable foes that tested the limits of human courage and survival. In the darkened corners of the room, Hans Rothman cowered in fear, seeking solace under the desk. His trembling form served as a terrifying sight to young Pete, who, overcome by the palpable terror, sought refuge in the very same hiding spot. The entrance of the Joy Lunatics, notorious for their brutal search for the next fighter, only heightened the atmosphere of dread. Among them stood a mysterious masked woman, her figure shrouded in enigmatic allure, meticulously selecting her chosen contender. With a flick of her finger, she pointed at Dan Ramirez, singling him out as the next participant in this twisted game. As Dan was led away, he found himself thrust into the heart of the maze, a labyrinthine battleground teeming with danger. In a desperate bid to avoid the ferocious bear dogs, his heart pounding in his chest, Dan sprinted with all his might. The relentless pursuit of the snarling canines kept him on edge, their menacing presence a constant reminder of the peril that surrounded him.

Despite the odds stacked against him, he managed to outwit the bear dogs, skillfully maneuvering through the maze, using calculated circles and clever distractions to elude their snapping jaws. Along the way, he encountered not one, but two saber-toothed tigers, their menacing roars echoing through the maze. In a display of sheer bravery, Dan swiftly kicked one of the beasts and, though sustaining some cuts from the other, managed to grab a nearby pipe and deliver a fierce blow before making his escape. Bloodied but resolute, he pushed his aching body to its limits, his feet pounding the ground as he raced towards the finish line, clutching the prized white ball that symbolized his survival. Once back within the confines of his cell, Dan's fate temporarily sealed, the masked woman turned her piercing gaze towards Otis. Fueled by a surge of determination, Otis stepped forward, volunteering to take his turn in the harrowing arena. Pete, his heart filled with unwavering loyalty, pleaded to accompany Otis, but they ultimately decided it would be best for Pete to remain in his cell until his own turn arrived. Encouraging words flowed from Otis' lips, assuring Pete that he would abide by the rules and keep himself safe.

From his cell, Pete observed the unfolding events in the arena, his eyes transfixed on the trials and tribulations faced by Otis. As Otis approached the gate, his heart pounding with anticipation, he reminded himself of the rules that governed this twisted game. Climbing the walls for a shortcut meant risking a lethal gunshot. The search for the elusive white ball was paramount, as failure to find it spelled certain death. Victory awaited those who returned the white ball to the designated red line, a marker of triumph amidst the chaos. The treacherous maze housed hidden weapons, knives, and pipes strewn across the ground, serving as deadly reminders of the dangers that lay in wait. The formidable adversaries they would face included a daunting pack of six bear dogs and three fearsome saber-toothed tigers, their presence evoking a primal sense of fear and urgency. As Otis entered the cage, the gate closed behind him, sealing his fate within the labyrinthine maze.