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Post by Moe on Dec 12, 2023 18:42:52 GMT -6
As Tex and Roach sliced through the security with ease, Beth took a more chaotic approach by jolting them with electricity. Some of them seized as the electricity coursed through them, and others had a more...explosive reaction. She was more aggressive in her approach, not really caring whether or not they had once been human. In the underground, she was used to fighting everything from humans to monsters, and everything in-between. Eventually, she came to a screeching halt as Nox spoke up.
"You're right." she turned to him. "It is too easy. I've been through tougher fights than this, underground." she grabbed the head of an oncoming robot, shocking it until it ceased functioning and dropped to the floor. "It was too easy to get here, too easy to break into, and too easy to fight through the waves of security. Maybe it's just the alpha or whatever being blinded from us, but you all made it sound like this Cornucopia place was a much bigger threat."
Once the doors to the holding cells were open, muffled voices could be heard. "Oh my god oh my god oh my god they're here for us." Dawn began to panic, more draconic traits starting to show as she lost control of her human disguise.
"Dawn, calm down." Nathan spoke gently to her.
The next voice was one that snapped her out of her panic. "Nox??" she called out, pressing her face against the glass wall. "Nox! We're at the end of the hall!"
"See, what'd I tell ya'?" Nathan smirked.
"Oh, shush!" Dawn huffed, before pausing for a moment to reflect on what Nathan had talked about. "Fine, you were right. I should've stayed positive."
Before they could make it down the hall, however, the doors whooshed open and the two were released. However, the clawed hand that set upon the keypad was a familiar, and threatening, one. Kelnar stood tall before them, looking down at the two whom he'd just released. He set a clawed hand on both of them, knowing full well what Nathan was especially capable of. He leaned down and whispered something in Nathan's ear, though what he said wasn't audible and his muzzle was too oddly-shaped to read lips.
"I will trade you." he roared out, fiercely. "The child and the white robot, for these two. Cornelia Corp wishes to have them both, as they're of far more value. Unless of course, you have a better offer?" he snarled.
Beth was fired up with energy, ready to unleash all of her power onto this big lizard. Nathan just shook his head in a "no" motion, trying to stop her. It was curious, and she couldn't possibly imagine why he'd tell her not to attack this guy. Then it clicked. He whispered something in Nathan's ear. It had to have been something important. This whole rescue mission was way too easy, and perhaps this was why. She backed down, letting the electricity fizzle out. "I dunno, it sounds like a pretty fair deal, to me." she said, hoping that was the right thing to say. She looked back at Nathan, whose face seemed to imply confusion but also encouragement? She just shrugged at him, unsure of what he was trying to convey to her.
"Are you sure there's...no-one else, you could possibly offer, that would be of more value?" Kelnar repeated, trying to get the hint across.
"Oh my god, just get Mark!" Nathan blurted out. "I mean, surely a god is worth more than a kid and a robot, right?" he tried to get himself back into the act, as he looked up at the one lone security camera, in the corner.
"What?? You were just telling me you were like brothers!" Dawn flailed, angrily. "You're just going to give him up, like that?" she growled as she finally lost control of her human disguise, and went full dragon. She was a small and dainty one, but she was also very young.
"Dawn...stay calm..." Nathan whispered. "And stay positive, remember? It's gonna be okay."
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Post by Banshee on Dec 12, 2023 18:58:13 GMT -6
Upon hearing her voice, Nox immediately wanted to launch himself down the hallway to see her in person. He was just so excited. So relieved. They weren’t too late after all! And Jet managed to keep his end of the deal intact. One bonus point to the insane Russian Robot.
However, Tex slammed her hand down on his shoulder to stop him from running down the hall. It hurt and he yelped. This caused Roach to flinch in place as she was upset for Tex harming her son. But Tex, who didn’t seem to really care about their reactions at all, said; “No. Stop. This is a trap.”
Then the doors magically opened but no sooner than Kelnar appeared before them. Stopping Dawn and Nathan from escaping their cell. Both of them were stuck before him and unable to take another step further.
Nox instantly wanted to shrug off Tex’s arm and take him on. But Tex remained firm on her grip on the boy’s shoulder, crunching his bones the more he tried to wriggle free from her grasp. “Tex! He’s got them! He’s going to hurt them!”
Tex’s eyes narrowed at Kelnar as he demanded for a trade. Herself and the boy, for the two. As much as she wanted to save the duo before her, she wasn’t sure if they were really worth the trade. What could they do? What benefits did they offer? These were all thoughts crossing her mind but she remained verbally silent as the demand was something out of her control.
“What?” Barked Nox as it was almost agreed for him and Tex to be traded off. “Why me? Why am I important?”
“You’re a part of a cloning process.” Tex said to him a bit wearily. “Though, I highly doubt that’s what he’s asking for.” She quickly understood what he was hinting at. And it became confirmed when Nathan spat out about trading Mark.
“What? No way! We can’t do that.” Nox flinched as he turned to Tex. “Tex, we can’t give him up. There’s no way. We cannot do that. Without him...we-”
Tex opened up a radio communicator to Mark and Ikuki. “Mark. Regardless of your mental state. You are required to respond to this as it is your life that’s on the line.”
“Tex, no!” Nox cried out to her. “Leave him out of this.” He lunged at her to shut the communicator off but she simply shoved him away. Then proceeded to hold her hand on his head, stopping him from being able to touch her more. “MARK. NO.”
“Kelnar has...interfered with our rescue mission but I assume that it was predicted a long while ago and he’s finally making himself appear before us. He is demanding an exchange for Nathan and Dawn for you.”
“He said us first!” Nox cried out. “I would do it in a heartbeat to make sure they’re okay!” He was then pulled back by Roach who wrapped her arms around him. “Mom, stop! Mark’s way too important.”
Roach winced. To her, Nox meant the world. She wasn’t going to simply comply and give up her son. Not again. She refused to let anyone do anymore experiments on him. Not while she knows that was the possibility. Instead, she glared at Kelnar.
“It’s your decision… I cannot make the call.” Tex said to Mark.
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Post by Moe on Dec 12, 2023 19:32:42 GMT -6
The radio in his helmet went off, indicating the team might have been in trouble. Mark, however, didn't want to get himself involved and end up hurting anyone else. The sound of Tex's voice could be heard, though it was Nox's pleading and desperate voice that snapped him out of his mental funk. He grabbed his helmet and listened in on what Tex had to say.
"Kelnar...?" he repeated the name, before it clicked. "I know him. Sort of. We met, once. He seemed different than the others. He's not going to hurt any of you, I don't think. If he wants me, then I'll go. Just don't do anything until I get there." he started to get up off the couch, to suit up once more, but grabbed the helmet and radio'd back. "Wait, where are you? I thought you were just getting parts, from Apollo?"
Kelnar nodded, hearing the radio conversation taking place. "So, a deal had been made. I would radio Cornelia Corp to let them know of the good news, but they still have one working camera in this building." he looked to the camera, and then to Beth. "I'm sure they've been listening in, until this point."
Beth just looked at him, clueless.
"Beth." Nathan said under his breath, repeating Kelnar's motion of tilting his head toward the camera.
Beth still didn't get it for a moment, but the gears in her head finally began turning. "Oh! Um. Achoo!" she pretended to sneeze, sending a static charge strong enough to short out any minor electronics nearby. The robots might've felt a slight tingle, but it was enough to short-circuit, say, a camera and audio feed.
"Hm. Interesting method." Kelnar said, taking his hands off both Nathan and Dawn. "I apologize for deceiving you, but Cornelia Corp had to see and hear that a trade was being made. My father...the alpha..." he snarled. "Paid Cornelia Corp to kill your friend. I do not think he nor the company have any idea what your friend is truly capable of."
"I don't think he knows, either." Nathan rubbed his shoulder as he was released. "Didja have to grab so hard?"
"It had to look convincing." Kelnar shrugged.
Dawn didn't want to make any conversation with the hulking creature, and instead ran over to the group and hugged Nox, tightly. "Sorry," she pulled back, patting her feathers down once more. "I'm kind of a mess."
Nathan didn't have time to head toward the group, as Beth was much quicker than him and bolted toward him, Kelnar be damned, and tackled him in a hug and a long kiss. "Real talk, I was playing it super cool, but I thought you were dead."
"Pfft. No you didn't." Nathan called her bluff.
"Totally did! Started seeing this sewer mutant that looked like a shark, but he had a leg growing out of his face. It was kinda hot, not gonna lie." Beth continued to tease him.
"Aw man, well I guess that's my fault. Can I at least be your maid of honor?" Nathan played along.
"What is happening?" Kelnar tilted his head in confusion, the way a puppy would.
"Ugh, gross. Flirting. I think." Dawn stuck her tongue out. "Tell Mark to hurry, I can't take much more of this."
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Post by Banshee on Dec 12, 2023 19:51:23 GMT -6
“Tex how could you do that…” Nox said in a defeated tone. He really didn’t want Mark to be involved with the whole situation. He was not in a good state of mind. Everything just kept tumbling into his lap, over and over again. The devastation he was facing was going to haunt him for eternity at this point.
Tex ignored Nox as he complained about her decision. She had no part of choosing someone’s life. Had it been hers, she may have actually contemplated surrendering herself. As she was meant to be a Rescuer of some kind. But in all honesty, she felt like she wasn’t exactly good at that job.
Beth made a sneezing motion, which broke the camera. Nox glanced up at it, as the smoke fizzled out from its circuits. He frowned; “That means they know Mom is alive…”
“Who cares?” Tex said to him.
“Well...I care. She’s my Mom.” Nox said in a defensive tone.
Needing to answer Mark, Tex responded with a; “We took a detour and found our way into the Holding Cells where they kept the prisoners. Luckily, your little robot friend kept his end of the bargain up. Nathan and Dawn are alive and unharmed.” Tex proceeded to open her palm up and fired out towards the side. A blue portal appeared, which allowed Mark to walk into the room without having to teleport to them.
Then Kelnar let go of the two prisoners. Nox immediately ran towards Dawn and hugged her excitedly. His best friend made it back in one piece! “DAWN!”
Tex rolled her eyes as she wasn’t anywhere near as excited as the rest of the team was. “Organics are such strange creatures…”
Roach stepped up beside Tex and looked fondly over how happy her son was. However her cheerful emotions fell short as she remembered the lesser good side of their situation. They had to give up Mark. Mark was such an important part of their whole plan which was going to make things incredibly difficult for them in the long run. The Turians and Cornelia Corp wanted him gone. Hence why Lux was created.
Nox then saw the flirting happening between Nathan and Beth. “O-Oh! They are actually a couple…”
“Gross. Get a room.” Tex hissed as she swatted at them. “I don’t need to see Organic love-making.”
“Relax. They’re a couple.” Nox hushed at her before turning his head to her portal to see Mark walking through. He frowned. Nox didn’t want Mark to surrender himself. Because that would mean, Cornelia Corp and the Turians won. “Mark…” He emotionally said to him. “Please...don’t do this…”
Tex watched as Mark made his appearance. “I apologize for the inconvenience of the situation. But they did need to be rescued...It’s just unfortunate that you had to be involved with this. Again.”
Nox looked towards the ground, defeated. As nice as it was to see his friend again, he knew that it was going to be short lived. Because the world was going to seize to exist. He was sure of it. And that meant, he was never going to see his brother ever again.
“I’m so sorry, Lux…” He whispered to himself as he stood back beside his Mother. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, rubbing him comfortingly. But it wasn’t working. He knew things were going to get bad. Especially if Mark didn’t have a backup plan.
Roach watched as Mark approached Kelnar. If anything were to happen, she was going to make sure Nox was going to make it out alive. Tex could fend for herself. Nathan, Dawn, and Beth were seemingly capable of handling themselves.
But regardless of their escape. If Mark falls, then so does a lot of other things.
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Post by Moe on Dec 12, 2023 21:19:21 GMT -6
When Mark stepped out, Ikuki tried to stop him. "I'll be fine." Mark assured her. "You, Tex and Nox just stick to the plan. Finish that trojan, and radio me when you're ready. We'll go from there."
"For such a genius, you are the world's biggest idiot. You know that, right?" Ikuki said as she pressed her forehead against his.
"Yeah, I know. Now, this portal isn't going to last forever and I'm kind of terrified of trying to teleport you all through the fabrics of space. No telling where we'd end up. Also, it's really disorienting. I couldn't even stomach it, I'd hate to see what it'd do to you guys."
Ikuki gave him a concerned looked as he made his way toward the group, and to Kelnar. Of course, he had to stop and greet Nathan, though he knew it had to be short and sweet. "Good to see you, dude. So, girlfriend huh?"
"Yeah...sorry I didn't tell ya'...there's kind of been a lot goin' on. Y'know like gettin' captured and forced to fight in an arena and then taken prisoner. Stuff like that." Nathan shrugged, as Beth pulled him toward the portal. "Hang in there, we'll figure things out! He's on our side! I think. I hope." he said as Beth pulled them through and back into her home.
As Nox voiced his concerns, Kelnar had started stomping his way over to Mark before he had a chance to respond. Kelnar was tall and bulky, and had a threatening aura about him. He stopped in front of Mark, and he had to admit, Kelnar was intimidating. The giant alien creature stretched his arms out and threw them around Mark, picking him up and squeezing him in the tightest hug he had ever felt. In fact, he felt it right in his bones as the crunched underneath Kelnar's giant arms.
"Nnngh...actually, that felt kinda good...do the shoulders, next." Mark wheezed, trying to keep a good sense of humor about the situation. Instead, Kelnar just set him back on the ground. "I'll be okay, Nox." he said, catching his breath. "Just stick to the plan. I think he's a friend."
"I would like to think of you as a friend. Did I do that, right? The thing with the arms? Or was that a coupling ritual? I'd only assumed, please, do not take it the wrong way as I've no interest in courting you." Kelnar explained that he did not, in fact, have a full grasp on what hugging was.
"Uh...you're good, buddy." Mark gave him a thumbs up. "Hugging is a totally normal friend thing. Maybe just not so tight, next time? So...what's the plan? There is a plan, right? You're not actually taking me prisoner, right?"
"Of course I am." Kelnar said, quite bluntly. "I have to stay under cover. Your group is interfering with my plans to overthrow my father. Hm. The alpha. I believe that we can all live together in peace and harmony and learn from one another, but he believes that the earth should be wiped clean so that we can start anew. I do not wish to do that. I've grown fond of earth, and its ducks. Do not worry, I will just take you to their headquarters and be on my way. I will carry you into Edna's office, and leave you there. You will feign unconsciousness. Once I am in the clear, you may do as you wish. If you happen to escape...then it is nobody's fault, but Edna's."
"This doesn't sound very two-sided. It sounds like you're just using me so you don't get caught."
"That is exactly what this is." Kelnar, again, stated very bluntly. "However, Cornelia Corp is also full of information and weaponry. Things you might need, to fight back. We are about to enter into a war, and you will need all you can to defend yourselves. It shouldn't be a problem, I believe they are underestimating you."
"I think you're overestimating me." Mark sighed. "Okay, fine, you do have a point. Apollo's helping us out too, but it wouldn't hurt to have blueprints so we actually know what we're doing. I don't support the use of weaponry, though. We don't kill people, even if they are giant lizards. No offense."
"None taken, but you will need weapons to combat the forces of both my people, and the machines. At least, your friends will. Just because you have immense cosmic powers, doesn't mean you should let your friends share your worldviews. To be human is to have choices. If they wish to fight back with weaponry, then it is their choice to make. Free will is what separated us from the humans, in the first place. We were a hivemind, and I, along with a newer generation, am trying to bridge that gap." Kelnar spoke with an odd sense of wisdom. Like he know more about the human race, than Mark did.
Mark didn't say anything at first, thinking about what he'd said. Mulling over everything he'd taught the boys and Ikuki. He'd always taught them to never hurt people, and to always be kind no matter the situation, even though the situation didn't always call for kindness. "You're right." he breathed, quietly. "I've been trying to push my will onto everyone else. I mean, I still believe in peace and non-violent solutions, and I'm still going to teach that...but it shouldn't be my choice whether or not they follow it. Huh. For not wanting to be a god, I really did lean into the role a little too much, didn't I?"
Kelnar just shrugged. He wasn't meaning to give any kind of life advice, and didn't know how Mark drew to the conclusions he did.
"Okay. So, take me to this Edna chick. You stay under cover, I get cool weapons and information. And y'know what? You're pretty cool." Mark said, holding out his fist to bump Kelnar's. Kelnar just looked at him, confused. Mark sighed, grabbed Kelnar's arm, had him make a fist, and pulled his fist to his own. "Fist bump. That's a friend thing."
"Oh." Kelnar's ears perked in delight, as he made a fist again and bumped Mark once more. Hard. Pushing both his fist and Mark's into his chest, with such force that it knocked the breath out of Mark and sent him to the ground. "Did I do it right? Did we fist bump?"
Mark only wheezed as he gave Kelnar a thumb's up.
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Post by Banshee on Dec 12, 2023 22:25:50 GMT -6
Nox was taken aback when Kelnar decided to approach Mark and apply a back snapping hug. A loud crack came from it which made him wince and hope Mark was okay. And out came sarcasm when Mark told him to do it to his shoulders next. He then turned to Roach and looked at her questioningly. She merely shrugged back to him, simply accepting the fact that things just got weird.
Tex on the other hand was waiting for them to discuss what the next portion of the plan was going to be. While they spoke about ducks and Earth, Tex contacted Jasmine in regards of the Trojan virus that was supposed to be made.
”It’s coming along and is near completion. Progress is going slightly slower than normal though. So calm your bolts, Tex.” Jasmine hissed at her when she insisted that Jasmine was taking her sweet time dealing with an important matter. ”Please have faith in me, Tex. That’s all I’m asking.”
Tex sighed and looked back to the others and witnessed Kelnar winding Mark. She had missed the whole scenario and wasn’t sure if she wanted to ask the others about what had happened. “Alright.” She said as she switched into mission-mode. “Jasmine is in the process of her end of the plan. It’s nearing completion.”
Nox wasn’t sure if sending Mark directly to Cornelia Corp was a good idea. But he decided to have good faith in their decision. He walked over to Mark and sheepishly hugged him. “Please be careful, Mark...It’s going to be a pain getting there to help you out...”
“Nox...” Tex called to him. “We need to get going.”
“Please make it back.” He pulled away from Mark to give him space. “I love you like a big brother.” He then held out his fist for a fist bump. “Also...Your views never felt like you were pressuring me. I’d rather solve problems without killing someone. But them?” He gestured to Roach and Tex. “Can’t speak for them.”
“I’ll kill them if they get in my way.” Tex said. “Threats are not to be taken lightly...”
Roach rubbed the back of head.
Nox then stepped back and headed over to the others. “Alright. Let’s get going with preparing ourselves for our end of the mission!” He turned to Tex. “I need to make more potions...I kind of used them a lot...”
“That’s fine.” Tex shrugged.
Roach walked over to Mark before he left. She handed him a card and motioned; ”It’s a keycard. It may let you into some areas. It actually belongs to Jet. He has two of them. And if you see him, tell him he’s a jerk.” She then smiled before stepping away from him to join the group.
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Post by Moe on Dec 14, 2023 14:10:20 GMT -6
Kelnar was eerily quiet as he lead Mark to the base within Olympus. Mark had tried prying for answers by asking subtle questions, but it was clear that Kelnar was very literal and not super interested in going into details about anything. Finally, Mark gave up being subtle and decided the only way to get answers, was to be as blunt as Kelnar. "So, why are you working with Cornelia Corp, anyway? What's their role in all of this? Isn't your dad just going to kill everyone, anyway?"
"Yes, but they do not know that." Kelnar answered. "They have bioweapons they have used to kill deities, and my father...alpha...took notice of that. He has not invaded the earth yet because he knows you are protecting it, so he commissioned Cornelia Corp to create something to eliminate you. The deities Cornelia Corp has dealt with in the past have been false idols, powerful yes, but not true immortals. To get rid of you, they needed something more powerful than they'd ever made before. The intent was to prepare him until he was ready, but he escaped. Seeing as his genetic primes were both with you, it seems as though he may have found his way to you, anyway. Almost as if it were fate."
"Lux??" Mark knew a little bit about Lux's creation, but not the full story. "Your dad paid a sleezy corporation to clone a child to murder me, so there wouldn't be anyone stopping him from nuking the planet?"
"I believe that is exactly what I said, yes." Kelnar confirmed.
"What. The ffffrig." Mark just barely stopped himself from cursing, as this whole revelation caused his mind to swarm with even more thoughts and anxieties. "Okay, so why? I know how corporations work, so unless your dad just happened upon a lot of earth money, then he had to have made them another offer."
"Please stop referring to him as my father." Kelnar growled. "We may share genetics, but I was only created to be his replacement, not his son."
"Oof. I know that feeling, all too well. Sorry." Mark winced, in fact, knowing exactly how it felt.
"But you are correct. He did not offer them money, but information." Kelnar snarled. "That part, he has kept secret. I do not know what kind of information he could have offered that would have been worth the trade, but it cannot be good. Seeing as their project failed to kill you, I would assume they haven't received their payment in full."
"He's not a project, he's my friend. My brother." Mark corrected him.
"But he is not your brother. He was a science project." Kelnar tilted his head, in confusion.
"You don't have to be blood, to be brothers." Mark tried to use a softer tone, realizing that Kelnar may not understand the concept.
"Interesting." Kelnar contemplated this concept. "We shall have to elaborate further, later. We are nearing our destination." he gestured at a large building.
It was big enough to hold a corporation, but didn't seem nearly as big as what Mark was imagining. "This is Cornelia Corp? From what Lux and Nox have told me, I thought it'd be bigger. Kind of disappointing, if you ask me."
"No, this is only their earthly location. Their primary hub is in Rex City. Now, there are cameras everywhere so you need to play dead." Kelnar advised him.
"Earthly location? Where the heck is Rex City?"
"The in-between." Kelnar tilted his head, as though Mark was expected to know this information. "Do you not remember?"
"Refresh my memory." Mark sighed, rolling with it.
"I suppose your new body is still adjusting." Kelnar couldn't help but make an unintentional jab. "You created a realm parallel to earth, to keep magic imprisoned. That is why your world relies so heavily on technology and science, and so little on magic and mysticism. It is near impossible to enter the realm of faerie, but there is a bridge between worlds. It was colonized just like your worlds of old, and evolved into Rex City, a bridge between earth and faerie. As they've made advancements, magical beings have begun to travel with more ease into earth, and that is why there's been so many dragons, elves, wizards, and mutants as of late."
"Oh, right, right. I totally remember, now. Thanks for that refresher." Mark quipped, but the truth was, this was all new information. He had no idea Lux and Nox came from a parallel world, or at least the bridge to one. It was just one existential crisis after another, and in this moment he was really glad he was wearing a helmet so Kelnar couldn't see his panicked expression.
"You're welcome. Now, play dead." Kelnar said as he scooped Mark up with ease.
At first, it was a little awkward and Mark was scrambling to get his thoughts together, but eventually played along. Honestly, maybe he could use the opportunity to get a few minutes' worth of sleep in. "Who am I kidding? That's not gonna happen." Mark thought to himself. Nobody could see his face through his helmet, so it was safe for him to look around as Kelnar awkwardly carried him to Edna's office. He was memorizing corridors, signages, doorways, keypads, employees, and every tiny detail he could. Looking for any kind of useful information ranging from arsenal to escape paths, but he was also focused on finding something that could help Roach. Blueprints would be the most useful, but he might have to bargain with Edna, for that. Most of all, he was counting steps and calculating the time it took for Kelnar to reach the office, so he would know exactly how long he would have to keep up the act before he was sure Kelnar was out of the building.
His thought process was abruptly interrupted, as Kelnar threw him onto Edna's desk, in front of her. It almost knocked the breath out of him, but he tried his best to stay calm and not react. He had to play dead, after all.
"He traded his life for his friends', as I'm sure you're aware of. Seeing as your project failed to kill him, I will inform Alpha that our deal is off and you are no longer under contractual obligation to assist us. You may keep the first half of your payment, but as your end was not fully met, you will not receive the second half. Good day." Kelnar nodded politely to her, before stomping out of her office.
As soon as Mark heard the door click shut, he began to silently count the amount of steps and time Kelnar took to get there, hoping it would take the exact amount of time for him to leave the building and that there would be no delays that would throw off his calculations.
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Post by Banshee on Dec 14, 2023 14:52:00 GMT -6
Minding her own business, Edna was sifting through all of her paperwork and reading over the information on each page. She was simply organizing everything to keep her desk looking clean and professional. There wasn’t a singular ounce of personality within her room, outside of how neat and well-kept it was.
Her eyes narrowed when one of her minions reported that Roach must’ve escaped control because she was seen within Apollo’s chambers and working with the enemy. She held the paper up closer to her, looking at it with a rather annoyed glare. “You just don’t know how to stay dead...” She rolled her eyes before tossing the paper into a folder beside her. “Baptiste knew who he was getting with when he found her, that’s for sure.” Her eyes narrowed at the mere mentioning of his name.
“JET.” She yelled at him which caused him to hurry over to her desk. “Your friend seems to have discovered a way to break free from our control. Any reasoning behind that?”
“Ma’am, I’m not quite sure what you mean...” He winced, hoping that was a good enough answer for her. But it wasn’t and he was promptly greeted with a heavy electric shock to his systems. “I-I don’t know how she could’ve done it!”
“You are the most useless recruit I’ve ever gotten.” She hissed as she seized the punishment. “Next time you see her, you finish the job. If not? I’ll have Minka eliminate the two of you, AND their friends. Understand? Now get out.”
“Y-Yes ma’am...” He attempted to keep his composure, despite being in a lot of pain. He turned away and started towards the door.
“Oh and another thing?” Her voice shook him when she said; “If you find the runaway project, you WILL bring him back here. That is an order. If you fail this time, there won’t be another chance for you.”
“Yes ma’am.” He stopped to bow to her. Jet then turned away and left the room.
After a few moments of silence, she skimmed over another paper and mumbled to herself; “Hopefully things will go smoother once the rest of our plan is completed...” Then the door opened. At first she was irritated thinking it was Jet. But it wasn’t.
She couldn’t even get a proper response in before Kelnar dropped a body onto her desk. Disgusted by Mark’s presence being on her once clean desk, she scooted her chair back and moved her hands in such a way that it made it seem there was something grotesque before her. Wrinkling her nose she said; “Ugh, did you have to plop that thing here?”
When Kelnar finished his report, Edna remained disgusted. There was a slight brilliant lining in the whole situation. They did uphold one part of the plan while the more important portion of their payment, was going to fall through. A part of her was rather upset with the whole idea and that her boss would be rather displeased to hear the news.
Once Kelnar left, Edna called Jet again; “Jet, come back here. I need you to remove this...thing off my desk.”
”Yes Ma’am...”
She stood up and away from her desk, looking at Mark still. Edna dusted and flattened her dress suit to smooth out any possible wrinkles. But upon staring at him, a part of her couldn’t shake the weird feeling she was getting from seeing him. Then suddenly, her eyes narrowed. “How...disappointing...”
“Project seven couldn’t handle the job...Go figure...”
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Post by Moe on Dec 14, 2023 15:47:53 GMT -6
Mark didn't like the way this woman spoke, and although he was supposed to be playing dead, he couldn't help but mess with her a little bit. While he was still getting a grasp on his other newfound powers, there was one he always had and was well-trained in, and it was the one he was most comfortable with using. He had rested a little bit, so he was sure he could freeze time here and there without using too much energy.
So, he froze time, hopped off Edna's desk, and grabbed some papers. In one, he wrote "Look behind you.", neatly folded it and placed it in Edna's hand. Behind her, he left another note that said "Look to your right.". To the right of her, he left another note that said "Look up.". On the ceiling, there was a final note that said "Made you look." and had a smiley face haphazardly doodled next to the words.
Mark plopped back down on the desk and returned time to normal, waiting for her to read the notes. As she did, he just couldn't keep his mouth shut. "Y'know, I really resent being called 'thing'. Disappointment, sure. I'm used to that one. But 'thing'? Really? I'm more than just a suit, you know. But did you ever bother getting to know the real me? Noooo."
He sat up on her desk and crossed one leg over the other, continuing to put on his Hyper X persona. "How about I start? Hmm, let's see. A real neat-freak and super organized, I can appreciate that. You definitely don't have a sense of humor and I'm willing to bet you were born without a personality. Either that, or nobody's taken the gigantic stick out of your butt. See? Super easy to make an effort to get to know someone! After all my observations just within a few seconds, my results have concluded that you're a bitch!"
"Real talk, though?" he slid off the desk and looked her dead in the eyes, although all she could see through his visor was her own reflection. "You have no idea who you're dealing with, and I'm not talking about me. Those lizard guys are more ancient than any single-celled organism on this planet. Don't get me wrong, you are totally evil and we are coming after you, next. But it's within all of our interests for you to stay out of our way, while we put a stop to these guys, or else we all die. At least, all of you will. I'm going to be stuck in no-space for all of eternity, completely alone. And I don't want that. So, here's what's going to happen. Either you back off while we do our thing, or you're going to be the first to go down, and I don't think we have time for that. I should know. That's kind of my whole thing. I know you're probably not going to listen to reason, but just trust me, this guy is bad news. Do not trust him."
With that, Mark backed off and toward the exit; he was fully prepared for an attack, but figured that was going to happen no matter what. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to rummage about for some tasty information to steal." he said as he threw her the peace sign, and headed out the door.
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Post by Banshee on Dec 14, 2023 16:52:37 GMT -6
Suddenly she had a note in her hand. Looking down upon it, she read the words. Then she glanced behind her to see another note. Groaning, she looked to her right and then up to see the note with a smiley face on it. Scowling, she returned her attention to Mark who was now sitting quite comfortably before her.
“I don’t have any intentions on getting to know you.” She said to him in a flat and uncaring tone. Not once did she decide to correct herself on addressing him as an object or a tool. Edna honestly didn’t even care about whether or not it was offensive to her. Because to her, everyone she worked with were disposable, just like tissues and trash.
Then he went on about what he thought about her. Edna crossed her arms, still seemingly mildly interested with what he had to say. She was comfortable knowing that he wouldn’t kill her. Her and her team had been watching his actions for a big chunk of his journey. He placed a good front, she had to admit. And he was clever with working alongside Kelnar to get to where he currently stood. But a threat? She didn’t feel threatened by him, not even in the slightest.
“Interesting. Are you done playing trivial insults like an insufferable toddler?” She said to him after he was done calling her a bitch.
When he began to warn her about Cornelia Corp working with the Turians. Edna leaned against the shelf standing behind her, casually letting him yammer on about the dangers and the results of working with them. All of that fun stuff sounded pretty scary. If she had cared. Edna displayed her lackluster interest by looking down at her nails.
When he got done with his warning and started to walk away, she grinned and chuckled. “Oh honey. You honestly think we care about any of that? You see? Emotions are such a problem sometimes, y’know?” She placed her hands behind her back and casually walked over to another shelf to pick up a piece of paper off the surface. “Emotions often interfere with actions which makes being a hero, oh so difficult. What will save someone, hurts another. While one person thinks your actions are heroic, others will call you a monster. And in the end; all of what you’ve done won’t even matter because it will all come tumbling down anyway.” She let the paper fall into a shredder which immediately became shredded.
Edna glanced back over to him. “What I’m saying is; you can fight us all you want. Infiltrate all you need. But in the end of it all? Your attempts will not leave you without blood on your hands, dear. And the little child that you hold so dearly to you?” She smirked at him. “He’ll see an ending. But not the kind of ending you’re looking for. Because there’s a bigger danger out there for him to face. And I’m afraid, that no matter the training and help he gets from you and your little squad of so-called heroes, won’t matter.” She then pulled out a chain with a device on it. She twirled it to show it off before pocketing it again. Her eyes narrowed, knowing fully well that he could also just freeze time and snatch it from her. "That device is a kill-switch for that cute little kid you're protecting. One wrong move on your part and he implodes." She then clapped her hands with enthusiasm. "Isn't it lovely, experimenting on things?"
She leaned back and continued to smile heartlessly to him. “Time may be your whole thing but even time can’t control the life expectancy of life’s creation. Or in his case...something WE created. So have at it. Go through this place like you planned.” She waved him on and grabbed a book off the shelf to look at it. “Have fun.”
Jet arrived just in time to see Mark at the door. He jumped back and aimed a weapon at him. “H-Hey! You! How did you-“
“Jet, don’t bother. Let him play hero. Just get him out of my office.” She waved on and smirked. Edna had already called upon a bunch of security personnel to accompany Mark as he left. “He’s got a bigger threat waiting for him anyway.”
He was confused and simply side stepped out of Mark’s way. “Uh...Then what do you want me to do?”
“Give him what he’s looking for. If there’s anything worthwhile for him here.” She smirked, knowing that there was a huge chance he was looking for Lux. Much of the corporation’s secrets weren’t held in this facility anyways. So most of the items he’d find wouldn’t be damning the company.
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Post by Moe on Dec 14, 2023 17:36:44 GMT -6
As Edna spoke, Mark made a motion with his hand signifying that she just kept blabbering on and on and on. He'd heard all of this before within other corporations, and they were all the same. Threats to make them seem more powerful, like big bad bosses that aren't to be messed with. And every single time, he'd done them in. This time shouldn't be any different, right? The only issue was, there were bigger threats out there that had to be stopped, first.
"Listen, lady, I get it." he sighed, with heavy exasperation. "You're trying to tug at my emotions and believe me, it's working. I'm very emotional, right now. I don't even know what emotion I am, anymore. You think I don't know that I've hurt people? Believe me, I remember every single mistake I've ever made, with vivid detail, and it haunts me every night. There's nothing you can tell me that I haven't told myself."
When she threatened Lux, however, was when a nerve was hit. "You really have no idea who I am, do you?" he said in a more threatening tone. Truthfully, he didn't even know who he was, but if she was going to bluff, then so was he. "Where do you think you exist? All life exists within the fabrics of space and time. If you do anything to hurt Lux, you know full well that I'm capable of bringing him back and reversing it back onto you, ten-fold. I'm being nice, Edna. I'm giving you a chance to fall back. Once Apollo is destroyed, this whole freaking city is going to crumble along with him, including this building and your neat little office. If I hadn't come in here to warn you, your lifeless body would be laying in the rubble of the city's ruins, by tomorrow. You say you don't care? Fine. Then it's your funeral, and you'll be wrong. I won't have your blood on my hands, because I tried to warn you."
"Come on, Jet." he grabbed Jet by the shoulder and lead him out. "The only thing I'm looking for, is a way to help Roach. I need blueprints, log files, anything that can help repair her and cut her ties to this place. If Jasmine's able to do that...then maybe we can do it for you, too. I still don't like you, but nobody deserves a life of slavery."
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Post by Banshee on Dec 14, 2023 18:05:56 GMT -6
Edna smirked. She honestly had no heart within her to really care about how life was made or how it can be taken out. And if he brought Lux back, she'd just kill him again. It wasn't a threat, it was a game. One of which she was willing enough to keep tugging on his heart strings to drive him mad. Nothing was more fun for her, than to crush the hopes and hearts of those who opposed her and the Corporation. Because nothing mattered more than money and power to her.
She shrugged when he finished his comment and threat. Edna didn't care if he was speaking truthfully or through his butt. Either way, she currently still had the upper hand in the situation. And she was going to ride it for as long as possible, enjoying every ounce of torment she could bring upon him and those closest to him.
“A crumbling building has nothing on me. So let it fall.” She smiled at him before leaning back on the nearest shelf once again to watch him leave with Jet.
After they left, Minka appeared within the room. The hulking beast of a robot that she was, she itched to go after Mark and Jet. Tearing them to shreds and blowing them up. It all was just a fun game to her as well. But before she could say or do anything, Edna held her hand out before her. Stopping Minka from traveling after them.
“Don't worry. You'll have your fun. Come. We have something else we need to focus on. Let Jet think he's helping X out.” She smirked to Minka. “We'll crush him when he realizes what path he's been taking the entire time. He cares a lot for Roach. It's almost sickening.”
- - - -
Jet had no idea what he was supposed to do during this situation but followed Mark obediently. He kept looking behind them, wondering if Edna was going to send more of her minions after them. But each time he looked, there wasn't anyone appearing.
Mark had mentioned what he was looking for. These comments rattled his brain. “Wait...you'd rescue me too?” It was a shock. The last thing he knew was, he was not exactly on friendly terms with Mark. He quickly assumed that Roach had something to do with his sudden alliance. And Jet was going to just roll with it.
Upon being given more details, he fished for any possible idea as to where these things could be located. Unfortunately for him, he was never told anything. “I...am sorry. I don't have that much information. They don't tell me anything. It's all on my sister and it's probably because she's stuck speaking in our native tongue. And even though I can understand her, she will not tell me anything.” He sighed. “Sucks not being the favorite but whatever.”
He tapped the side of his head, trying to think of anything that could be of any use. Then he thought about what Roach would've done in this situation. An idea suddenly struck him and he snapped his fingers. “If I were blueprints, I'd be in the laboratory or some sort of record center. And those are probably on the fifth floor. Which...the elevator is this way...” He pointed to the left. “I don't know if I have access to those rooms because...well as you probably have guessed it. I'm not exactly favored...”
Security began to stir the closer the duo got to the elevator. They watched. Listened. Everything being said was being heard. And it was all thanks to the unfortunate link that Jet had with the Corporation. Without any sort of radar jamming device, Jet was pretty much an open gate for everyone.
Jet held his key card up but it declined him from entering the elevator. He groaned and punched in some numbers. Nothing. “AH THIS IS WHY I HATE COMPUTERS.” He shook his fist at the camera watching them. Then proceeded to flip them off. “I know I'm part robot or whatever but still. I hate computers, regardless.”
The thought of blowing up the door came to mind but he knew that if they did that, it would trigger a Sentinel panic and he decided against it. “Damn it...” His shoulders sank before he turned to Mark and said; “Look, I know we don't exactly meet eye to eye and don't think we're going to be friends or anything... But... I know you're desperate to help Roach. But we're all just...a part of this company...I'm sure Edna has a kill-switch attached to all of us. Even if you save her...which I really hope you can...she could still potentially kill her in the end...” He looked down.
“I don't mean to get all stupid-sentimental or anything. But Roach she...” He stopped for a second before changing what was going to be said. “If anyone is to be saved from this Corporate Hell...I'd rather it be her than me. So I'm merely doing whatever I can to help you save her and get whatever you need. Okay?”
Jet quickly turned away, hating the fact that he had just admitted something very deep. To him, Roach was his closest friend. And he hates everything he had to do to get her in the situation she was in to begin with. So in his eyes, if there was anyone worth saving, it definitely wasn't him.
He motioned Mark over to another door which led to the stairs. “Lux ain't even here either.” Jet said as he punched in the numbers to get into the stairwell. “So don't even bother looking for him or his two friends... They left after Roach was temporarily decommissioned back at the arena. You got lucky that Edna's son is a rebellious little rodent. He's the one that planted the device on Roach to block the connection between her and Edna. But it won't last forever. So...” He opened the door and took the first step inside of it.
Looking up at the spiraling staircase, he checked to make sure there weren't any of Edna's minions hiding, preparing to snipe. But it was clear and he motioned Mark into the doorway. “Follow me. I'll block any potential threats. Unlike you, I don't bleed a lot.” He smirked before jogging up the stairs.
“I want to let you know, as much as I loathe you. I appreciate what you're trying to do. And uh...dont't tell Roach that I said any of that...There's no need to fill her ego any higher or anything.”
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Post by Moe on Dec 14, 2023 19:01:53 GMT -6
"Of course I'd rescue you." Mark replied to Jet, almost seeming offended. "I've been in your head. Several times. You're not a bad guy, Jet. You've just had some bad circumstances. It's not like you're in control of what you're doing, anyway." He didn't like the idea of trying to be friends with someone that had haunted Lux for so long, and for someone he'd thought a villain. However, he had taught Lux and Nox that even villains deserve kindness, and that was something he had to act on if he was going to teach it. And honestly? Jet didn't seem all that bad. He wouldn't consider him a friend, and wasn't sure if they would even make it that far, but he certainly wasn't going to let Jet die here.
"If I can get those blueprints, we can deactivate the killswitch in all of you. My best guess is that it's connected to your neural network, basically wired directly into your brain. It isn't going to be easy, pretty much brain surgery and I am not that kind of scientist. If I'm being entirely honest, it might just be easier to build you entirely new shells, and that's not going to happen unless I know how to get a robot body to be powered by a human soul. Thankfully, I'm married to a necromancer, so that makes things at least a little bit easier."
He followed Jet as he attempted to get them into the laboratory, only to be met by failure. When Jet lead them to a staircase, Mark took off his helmet and prepared for what he was about to do. "Jet," he said as he set his hand on Jet's shoulder. "I appreciate you trying to help, but you know Edna's just doing this as a power display, right? She's 'letting' me go and get information, because she wants to make me feel like she's got the power to stop me. She's stalling us. And I know you heard that, Edna." Mark said, looking at Jet with a devious smirk, knowing she could hear him through Jet. "Hang tight, I need to scry through your memories to see what this lab looks like. I'm not going to be able to do what I'm gonna do, unless I can see where it is."
"Lab, lab, lab..." Mark scried through Jet's memories, once again. "Y'know, for not being friends, I really have been in your head a lot. That looks like a lab." he said as he stopped on a specific memory of a specific area. "Okay, things are about to get really weird," he said, keeping his focus on Jet and trying his best not to pay attention to the room that had started warping and moving about. It was disorienting and gave a sense of dizziness and vertigo, and although he tried to stay focused, Mark couldn't help but feel his head spinning and stomach twisting. "I'm really, really sorry for this." he choked through sharp breaths, before turning and facing away from Jet before evacuating what was left of breakfast. "Okay..." he breathed rapidly, trying to regain composure. "I am not going to be doing that again, for the foreseeable future."
"So, we're in the lab. Can you access blueprint data? Video feed? Log files? Anything useful that we can use to repair and-slash-or rebuild you and Roach?"
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Post by Banshee on Dec 14, 2023 19:53:34 GMT -6
Jet hadn't thought about Edna eavesdropping on the conversation and instantly flinched at the realization that she heard everything. He could imagine her laughing at this. Poking fun at him. Mocking him. All the while enjoying the conversation with Minka because it was more than likely that his sister was with her. Laughing alongside him.
But before he could respond, Jet jumped into his mind. Reading the memories as an attempt to locate the laboratory. Then before he knew it, they were teleported into that very room. Jet at first was very disoriented. He staggered a bit while he regained his balance all the while Mark heaved elsewhere.
When Jet broke free from the daze, he looked at the bewildered scientists. All of them, helping Cornelia Corp with everything they've been doing. Testing. Working. Building. Ruining the lives of innocent bystanders.
He had the ability to shake his daze off and look around. He could see tubes with humans-well, once humans, being stationed within them. Bodies surrounded by a liquid. As he approached one of them, a small scientist stood before him, blocking his way to getting closer to it.
“No. You mustn't.” The Scientist said as she stared up at him. “You're going to kill them!”
“Back off, twirp.” Jet swatted her out of his way as he walked closer to one of the tubes. He placed his hand on them. Remembering his time being trapped within that very same glass chamber. A part of him actually felt bad for the victims. They were going to wake up and become warriors. Machines to serve a monster that didn't deserve such a luxury in technology.
He came back to reality when the Scientist pulled at his arm to get him away from the machine. Instead of walking away, he grabbed her wrist and held her captive. “Listen here, nerd. You're going to help that bigger nerd over there. Get him whatever he needs.”
“Why are you helping him?”
“Do as I say, or I'm smashing open these capsules and your pathetic lot is going to have to rebuild them.” He then shoved her away.
The woman hissed as she and the other Scientists gathered around one another. None of them were willing enough to help. All except for one. The oldest of the whole crew. He casually walked over and asked what they were searching for. Once he got the information, he shook his head. “Not all of that is stored here. But I can pull up a few files for you to take. So...please hold tight.” He turned then ordered the others to help him get the files needed.
Jet rolled his eyes and walked over to a nearby computer to look at the Scientist working on moving the files over into one collective bunch. He noticed a video that listed Baptiste as a name file. “What's that one?”
“Eh, just something from that idiot.” She said to him. “Nothing important.”
“No. Click on it.”
As soon as the file started, Jet called Mark over. “You...may need to watch this pal...”
”Is this thing on?” A man with a really thick French accent spoke into the camera. The lighting was horrible for the video and only hints of color could be seen. But what was clear was, he too was an Elf. One with massive pointed ears which indicated that he was a High Elf. His face was narrow and his eyes were bright yellow, much like how the twins eye color were.
“Report one thousand forty-seven.” he sighed with a deep moment of regret. “So...I figured to do some personal topics for this one. As...It's the birthday of my youngest boy, Norbert...or Nox as Emily calls him.” He laughed a little as he sat back down at his chair. His hand rested heavily on his forehead as his gaze refused to look at the computer screen. “It's his first birthday. The boy is a remarkable specimen. I...never knew that with our genes we could create someone as...intelligent as him.” He shook his head. “Already learning words and walking. It's...insane and...a much faster rate than my oldest boy...the biggest failure in my attempts to appease the Corp.”
He leaned back in his chair and heaved a sigh as he looked up at the ceiling. “With my genes...it allows room to manipulate and create something new. Something far superior to our race. I dreamed of being able to help the world by creating something that could save it... But it was incomplete. So...Cornelia Corp dove into some medical files from Rex City Hospital-much without their awareness, might I add... They located Emily and found that she had a similar genetic mutation like myself. So the plan was, to have a child and continue with our little project.”
“As I drew samples from Nox...I never once thought about how he was feeling. The boy cried a lot. Got sick randomly and probably did something to his eyesight-but no matter... Emily's getting suspicious about this...but I can't tell her anything. She must never know...and if he dies on the table? Then...I suppose another attempt of birthing a child will do...”
Jet cringed as he listened to Baptiste talk about how he viewed Nox and Emily. “They're nothing to him...That's so sick...”
The video continued to play. It said “Report two thousand twelve.”
”...A miracle happened!” He chimed as he sat forward at his desk. “We managed to create a masterpiece. The project has finally been a success! And...Louvel has been born!” Baptiste laughed as he rocked in his chair and rubbed his forehead out of relief. “Oddly enough, on the same day as Nox. So they can be considered as twins...”
He stopped laughing as he rested his head against his hand. “The plan WAS going to bring him home and tell her that she actually had twins. Going to tell her that the hospital had kept him in secrecy because they weren't sure he was going to live. She'll believe it. A Lesser-Elf like her, isn't completely competent enough to understand and isn't mentally capable enough to disagree with a High Elf like myself.”
He fell silent for a moment before giving a grave frown to the camera. At this point, he looked significantly older with how the shadows rested on his cheeks and hair. “...A part of me wishes that things were different. I never thought that I'd...actually have feelings for her. After all, she's a Lesser-Elf. Nothing more than a mere slave to other races and my own...but she...has such a beautiful voice and personality...” He coughed. “But when...when she broke open that damn cell...freeing Louvel before he was completely finished... They made that stupid humanoid robot kill her off. Shot her right in the chest, he did. I...felt so destroyed over this...”
Baptiste looked down at his hands. “But I warned her to not follow me to work. When she found out about Louvel's existence and how Nox was being tested on...She got pretty short. And in the end, they took her in to turn her into one of those...humanoid-robot things. Much like that Russian one that offed her to begin with.”
He wrinkled his nose. “As punishment, I am to raise all three boys without help. I have to groom Louvel into what he was actually made for...And that is...” His voice trailed off.
Baptiste grabbed a picture that was off screen and held it before him. There wasn't much emotion on his face as he looked down at it. “We've gotten a deal from...The Other. We were to create a creature or weapon to kill off the God that they specifically want. And so...our genes created the gateway needed to manipulate and craft this child into that specified weapon. A God-Killer.”
He placed the picture face down on the table. “The brat is supposed to be some sort of weapon to kill of some God that probably doesn't even exist. But whatever. I will do what Cornelia Corp wants. And once the Project is old enough, he will be returned to Cornelia Corp for intense training. Eventually he will face the Gods and kill them. He's supposed to have an insane amount of telekinetic powers with healing capabilities. But he has yet to display any of those attributes. And I'm beginning to think that this was a failure as well. Which may lead to my death in the end. So I may have to off him as well, since he's not important to the role.”
Another tape title appeared. Two thousand twenty-two.
“This may be my last report.” Baptiste said as he spoke into the video. He looked panicked as he glanced around in the room he was within. “I know it's far too late to regret anything now. But...those boys...both of them... I needed to say; I was to implant memories into them both to make them believe they were really twins. But...” There was a noise behind him.
“I may be wrong about my initial thoughts.” He laughed a bit. “My creation has been a success so far! The Weapon is intelligent as he is quick at adapting to situations given to him. He's not very old but I think that he'd be successful. But just in case he isn't...we had another p-” The video cut out.
“Damn it, where's the rest of this video?” Jet demanded. “What was he going to say?”
“W-We don't know, sir.” The Scientist said innocently. There was a genuine confusion within her tone. “I don't know much about that project—”
“He's not a damn project or a weapon.” Jet defended Lux.
“Well, here's what you're looking for.” Said the Scientist as she handed over a drive to Mark. “Get out of here while you still can. It won't be long before Edna sends her troops in-”
Just on cue, the troops showed up into the room. Both pure robots and humans-turned robot all displayed their weapons for Jet and Mark to see. They quickly moved into the room like an organized military squad.
“You're not going to leave.” Said one of them as they shot at Jet. They electrocuted him as soon as the device made contact with him.
Jet flinched, his body locking up. But his mind was a bit more powerful than the machine body he inhabited. He broke free from the clutches of the electricity and launched himself at one of the nearest Soldiers. He grabbed them by the neck and threw them into another. Jet was greeted with a bunch of them jumping onto him. Which resulted in him blasting them.
“Get your ass out of here, X.” Jet barked at him. “Don't worry about me. If Lux can survive all of the crap he's been dealt with. So can I.”
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Post by Moe on Dec 15, 2023 11:30:17 GMT -6
"Ease up on them, Jet." Mark said with a twinge of anger in his voice, as Jet swatted at the scientist. "It isn't their fault, they're just employees and I don't blame them for being scared of Edna." he walked over to the scientist and helped her up. "That doesn't make what they're doing any less wrong," he said as he gave them a stern glare. "But they don't deserve for us to treat them as poorly as their boss does."
He sighed as he followed Jet to watch the video feed, immediately taking note that the person speaking was Nox's father. He'd seen him before in Jet's memories, but it wasn't clear his true intent or his attitude toward the boys and Emily. Watching the video feed fired a lot of emotions up in him, anger, sadness, confusion as to how anyone could view one life as less important as their own. "This guy was a real piece of work." he commented as he continued listening to the man's mad ramblings.
It did catch him off guard when Jet defended Lux, it appeared the two were on more friendly terms than he realized. He turned his attention back to the scientist as she handed the drive to Mark. "Thank you. You all need to leave, too. This whole place is going to come crashing down, and Edna's not going to give any of you a second thought when that happens. I know you're all afraid of her, but she isn't worth losing your lives over." he warned them as he put his helmet back on, preparing for the inevitable wave of security.
"I know you wanted me to see those videos, Edna." Mark said with an eerily angry tone, like he was absolutely done with her playing around. "You're wrong about emotions. They're what makes us human. Yeah, sometimes they hurt, but at least we can feel. You? You're less human than I am, and I don't even know if I am human anymore. It's cute how you think you're in control, but I don't have time to play pretend anymore."
He held out his hand forward and them above him as security shot at him, bending the space between him and the blast and causing them to shoot right over and around him, not a single one hitting him. A few, however, hit some of the vats and equipment behind him. He tried picking out which robots were pure and which were human, but watching carefully at which ones showed more emotion. "Rust." he pointed out the pure robots, and caused their metal to rapidly age and rust as time within their molecules began increasing.
"The rest of you, get out of here before it's too late." he casually walked past the massacre of rusted robot parts, before turning back to face Jet. He knew he couldn't go with them, at least not yet. "I'm coming back for you. I promise. Please, try to convince Edna that she needs to evacuate the building."
"Ikuki, I'm on my way back." he spoke over the communicator as he continued to stroll out of the building, making quick work of any robot that tried to stop him. The overuse of power was starting to cloud his mind, to where he didn't feel like himself at all. Like something else had taken control. He didn't like it. "If it's okay, I'd like to keep talking to you and Nox." he asked of them. He didn't say it, but he was really, really scared that if he didn't talk to someone to keep him grounded, that he quite literally wasn't going to be the same person when he returned.
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