Darwin's Soldiers: Disruptive Selection

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #5140 on:** December 29, 2012, 05:12:19 PM

"The vulpine who preceded the Dhole was not a lucky, and I'm fairly certain that Dhole is in this facility now. Rest assured I will not allow her to live either," Death spoke, charging Gustave and wrestling him for the gun.

Gustave didn't relinquish the weapon without a fight and fired a load of buckshot into Death's foot. Under their combined strength the weapon groaned and started warping and bending.

------------------------------------------

Nixx groaned and rubbed her head. As her vision cleared, she noticed Aisha and Landon standing over her. "What...what happened...?" she started to ask, but got interrupted by a cry behind her.

She turned to see Zyanya stagger from a blow by Alfred but block the next with a chop.

"What the hell are you doing?" exclaimed Nixx.

Zyanya stiffened and looked over. Nixx saw the blank look in her eyes, a look she wasn't familiar with.

"These are our friends--" she began, but just then Zyanya bullrushed her. The pair smashed into the far wall but in seconds Nixx recovered and lashed out with an uppercut that sent Zyanya spinning. Zyanya sent a ball of darkness crashing into Nixx's head, blinding her, but Nixx predicted the coming follow-up and dropped to one knee, sending Zyanya tumbling over her with her own force.

With renewed purpose, Nixx leaped on her foe and pounded her into submission with a flurry of punches and kicks. Zyanya tried to counter, but with a final knee to the chin lapsed into unconsciousness.

Nixx was silent as she got to her feet. She saw what she had finally needed to win: a purpose. Only when she had a reason to defend her friends could she defeat her lifelong nemesis.

-------------------------------------------

Aimee rolled to the left just in time and the attack dented the floor.

She swung her left fist but Trinity blocked with a sweep of her foot. Trinity then leaped forward and trapped Aimee's left arm in between her own. With a bust of pain, Aimee realized Trinity was attempting to rip her cybernetic arm out of its socket.

She screamed as the appendage sparked and wires started to snap. Panicked, she lashed out and connected with Trinity's chest, but the scientist ignored her.

"I built these arms, girl," she sneered. "I know their breaking point."

Through teary, pained eyes Aimee noticed her arm sparking and snapping. It hurt like nothing she'd ever felt. But it gave her an idea. A horrible idea.

"I wore these arms..." she muttered. "So do I."

With a final twist, she ripped her left arm free, as it split in a mess of electricity and shrapnel. Trinity was temporarily blinded by sparks and covered her face, and Aimee scrambled for her detached arm, ignoring the crippling pain through sheer will.

Trinity blinked and regained her composure. She gasped when she saw her opponent holding her new bludgeoning weapon. "Impossible..."

Aimee jumped forward and slashed Trinity's stomach with the sparking arm. Trinity attempted to block but it left electrical burns across her flesh. Aimee followed up with a swing to her face, then her back, then her leg. Trinity stumbled under the onslaught, clutching her face which was streaked with burning oil. She didn't have time to speak as Aimee refused to let up, smashing her again and again and again.

Nick22 · **Reply #5141 on:** December 29, 2012, 07:37:31 PM

Roux appeared in the corner 'nice fighting' she said to Nixx. ;' good to have you on our side rather thaan against us' she said. 'nixx will be staying with us roux' aisha said, and Roux glanced back at Nixx. "Oh.. this is ging to be some real fun. Aishas a blast to be with, shes very loyal and a great friend, i can tell you that from experiece.'
_ Landon pulled out his tweezers and worked to remove zyanyas chip.. after about 10 minutes he suceeded in removing it.. ' finally' he breathed throwing the chip aside it was cbloodstained and a bit bebnt..
nice work' aisha said to Nixx, you have a heck off an uppercut..

Serris · **Reply #5142 on:** December 30, 2012, 12:07:40 AM

(Upper Levels)

Gustave then used his gun as a lever to hurled Death into a wall. He looked at his gun. Its barrel had been bent into a somewhat of a curve.

"Goddamnit! That was forty pounds of high strength steel and good wood!" he shouted. "I can't shoot with it. But it's still usable as a bludgeon!"

He then waited for Death to make the next move.

-------------------

Dr. Bailey, Dr. Zanasiu and Sharon ran after O'Neill.

Soon, they had cornered him inside a lab.

"Nowhere to run," Dr. Zanasiu said as he aimed his gun at the Shire horse.

O'Neill dropped his gun and raised both his hands.

"Well, that was easy," Sharon said as she went up to him and prepared to take his gun.

"Too easy," Dr. Bailey said. He then saw movement in the shadows near her. "Sharon!"

The Dhole leapt and rolled out of the way as a blade of air passed over her. She looked up and saw a Dhole who looked exactly like her - save for the metallic arms with glowing "veins" on them.

Dr. Zanasiu and Dr. Bailey scattered as O'Neill grabbed his shotgun, ran behind a lab bench and started shooting.

"Sharon! Bailey! Keep O'Neill busy! I'll handle the experiment!" Dr. Zanasiu shouted as he let his shotgun dangle from its sling and unholstered his pistol with the specialized ammunition.

-------------------

(Lower Levels)

"Doc, Neville's hurt," Sgt. Masters said as he slithered up to Neville, who was clutching his injured knee.

Alfred carefully examined the knee. "I don't think it's broken. Can you stand?"

Neville tried to but a flash of pain elicited a volley of obscenities from him.

Spc. Crota sighed. He then looked around. "Hey, anyone seen Shelton?"

Nick22 · **Reply #5143 on:** December 30, 2012, 12:23:38 AM

Havent seen him' landon replied as he gazed at nevilles knee. ' he gently pressed on it, and felt neville coil.. ' he defeinitely has a lot of sweling, that will have to go down so we can see whether anything is broken or torn..

StarfallRaptor · **Reply #5144 on:** January 02, 2013, 01:36:47 PM

Neku ripped a large hole through the wall, stepping out near Gustave.
"Gustave. This one is mine. Go make sure everyone else is alright."
He said coldly, electricity sparking around himself...

Nick22 · **Reply #5145 on:** January 02, 2013, 03:45:41 PM

aisha turned to the others.. ' we need to keep going if we are going to get to the top before the submersible hits the rig.. whats the fastest way to get up there..? she asked.

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #5146 on:** January 03, 2013, 02:53:06 AM

Nixx smiled, "Thank you," she said, she didn't feel the way she expected to feel when she finally beat Zyanya. "I hope I didn't hurt her too hard," she said to Landon in particular, "I mean, it wasn't her fault, she was brainwashed."

"You forgot about Aimee," noted Alfred, advancing into the next room. He then called out for the others in alarm when he found Aimee kneeling over Trinity's dead body in obvious pain, cradling her severed arm.

Aimee was trying to control her pain, eyes pinched shut and teeth gritted. "I...could use...a doctor," she muttered, though really, she needed more of a technician.

---------------------------

Spc. Crota was checking the room where Shelton had been last. "Where did doc run off to?" he wondered.

He noted with alarm that part of the room seemed to have...melted. A pungent odor trailed down a nearby hallway. "...Shelton?" he called out tenuously, not really expecting an answer.

Masters poked his head. "Aimee is badly hurt; we need Shelton's knowledge of cybernetics stat!"

"Shelton's not here; somebody else will have to do it. Tell the team to keep going," replied the specialist. "I'll find Shelton and catch up. It's important to get to the cargo bay as fast as possible; you can blow the thing just as easily as Shelton."

Masters seemed about to argue but recognized that Crota was risking himself for the doctor and for the team. "Be careful, specialist," he bowed his head, and without another word returned to the team.

Crota kept his rifle ready and continued down the soiled hallway. In his mind, Shelton was alive until something showed him otherwise.
---------------------------

Death glanced over. "You look familiar, though I can't remember why...have we met before?" he asked. Just to be safe, he assumed a defensive position, and hovered a few millimeters off the ground to prevent him from serving as a conductor.

Gustave glanced at Neku, and recognized someone who had a battle to win.

"Good luck," he growled, and forced his way through the hole Neku had just made. "Now, where has everyone gotten off to?" He chose a direction and followed it, inadvertently moving away from James and his allies with every step.

Nick22 · **Reply #5147 on:** January 03, 2013, 03:19:43 AM

Landon rushed over to her, blood was trickling out over her fingers.." Looks like We're ging to dull the area.. i'm going to give you a new set of arms Aimee" He said with a smile.. " real, flesh and blood ones, but first we need to get off this rig, and get you to a hospital... so we can get a transplant..trinitys wrecked your mechinal arms, and they will have to be removed..the surgery will be rather tricky, but you're a strong girl.. you'll get through it..
Someone is going to have to help carry Zyanya and guide Neville, we're going to have our own hospital wing once this is over..' Aisha said.

Serris · **Reply #5148 on:** January 04, 2013, 03:58:16 AM

(Lower Levels)

Alfred ripped two pipes from the wall. He then found a guard that someone had killed and ripped up his uniform to make bandages. He cursed as he realized his massive fingers were no good at tying knots.

Sgt. Masters assisted him in splinting Neville's injured leg. He found a broken rifle that Neville could used as a cane.

The Iguana pushed himself to his feet, wincing as he did so. "It still hurts like f--- but I can walk slightly."

"Wait, we're in Dragonstorm's labs aren't we?" Alfred said. Can't we find a cyberneticist to repair Aimee's arms?"

"And what if they want to take her back or do other things to her?" Neville countered.

"We've got at least three armed personnel here. If they try anything funny, we'll shoot them." Alfred also showed Neville his massive fist. The canvas on his gloves had worn away slightly, revealing the steel plates underneath. "If the guns aren't enough of a persuader, my fists should do the job."

Sgt. Masters sighed as he analyzed their situation. Finally, he gave up. "Al, you and Nixx find a cyberneticist and bring them back. Alive and conscious! Aisha, Dr. Landon and I will keep an eye on Aimee and Zyanya. Get to it!"

------------------------

(Upper Levels)

Dr. Zanasiu swore as he got a direct hit on the cybernetic Dhole only to see the bullet bounce off the Dhole's armor plate. He then noticed that the only unarmored part was an area just underneath the creature's chin.

Sharon changed magazines on her rifle. She the then peeked out from behind the lab bench. "Hey! O'Neill's gone!" she yelled.

Dr. Bailey blind-fired his stolen pistol, striking nothing but the walls and furnishings.

"I think we should focus on this first!" Dr. Zanasiu yelled as a shockwave buffeted him.

Nick22 · **Reply #5149 on:** January 04, 2013, 10:09:58 AM

i'll lend a hand Roux said coming up to them. i can teleport us to different areas of the buillding' She smiled."
dr landon took a close look at aimees left arm, fragments of her arms stuck out of the shoulder, and wiring was visible from a close distance, the pieces were bent, as if they had been subjected to immense pressure. ' at ;least trinity is dead ' he said ' so you eont have to worry about her anymore..'
-
aisha searched around and came back with a couple other uniforms which she tore up to use as more bandages..

StarfallRaptor · **Reply #5150 on:** January 04, 2013, 04:44:13 PM

Neku smirked.
"Vegas. You killed someone very close to me. And now I'm here to settle the score."
He said, swords flaring to life...

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #5151 on:** January 04, 2013, 09:38:01 PM

Death cocked his head disinterestedly. "I killed hundreds of people in Las Vegas," he stated, "so I have no way of knowing who you're talking about. They clearly weren't very memorable. But if you want to throw your life away for someone who won't even know, I see no reason to stop you."

He waited for Neku to make the first move.

--------------------------

Aimee didn't trust herself to speak, merely nodded and opened her eyes for a second to meet her friend's gaze.

Nixx produced a syringe. "Perhaps we should inject her with something--?" she suggested.

"For all we know, those syringes participated in your brainwashing. Remember Dragonstorm gave those to you," cautioned Masters.

Nixx gulped and put the syringe back and followed Alfred. She was determined to be a useful ally in his fight to get a cyberneticist to help Aimee.

Nick22 · **Reply #5152 on:** January 04, 2013, 10:56:24 PM

you guys have 15 minutes to find someone, if not get back here because we're moving' Landon, said pulling out his forceps and began to remove some of of the gragments of Aimees wrecked left arm. there wwere severeal long fragments sticking out, and it was tough going pulling them out without causing aimee too much fresh pain, to fully remove it would require a full team of hospital staff, as landomn didnt have the necessary tools at the monment.
_ be careful nixx' aisha said, loking ast her as she left after alfred.

StarfallRaptor · **Reply #5153 on:** January 05, 2013, 05:31:20 PM

Neku disappeared from view, reappearing behind Death and slashing across his back with no hesitation.
"You bastard! You killed Hailey, the girl I loved! Now die, you monster. You don't belong in this world"
He said coldly, eyes gleaming...
__________________________________________________________________

Roux poofed back into view, grinning broadly as Hawkeye walked over.
"Landon, I'd suggest that you step aside. This is something that I think I may be better suited for."
He said calmly, flaring out a set of repair and surgical tools from one wing-arm...

Nick22 · **Reply #5154 on:** January 05, 2013, 06:06:37 PM

Landon stopped what he was doing and got up, allowing hawkweye to move in and operate.
- thanks roux ' aisha said going over to her and giving her a hug.. ' you did a great job..' she smiled..

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #5155 on:** January 05, 2013, 10:31:18 PM

"Death is a part of this world and always will be," Death countered, continuing to operate completely unimpeded despite his spine being severed; he didn't have the time to regenerate it at the moment. "Your mate was destined to die someday, but since she chose to be in Las Vegas at that time it happened sooner than expected."

Death continued hovering and attempted to grapple Neku, going for a strangle.

---------------------------

"Could someone...anesthetize me...please?" Aimee whispered. She tried not to think about why she couldn't seem to get a grasp on her arm; it kept slipping around.

StarfallRaptor · **Reply #5156 on:** January 06, 2013, 09:11:59 PM

Neku smirked.
"Hmph. Death will always be a part of the world, but you...the world doesn't need someone like you who abuses that power."
He said, flickering out of view and slashing Death's arm as he reached out...
____________________________________________________________________

Hawkeye nodded, grabbing a small mask that would fit Aimee.
"Of course. Now, just relax."
He said comfortingly...

Nick22 · **Reply #5157 on:** January 06, 2013, 09:50:04 PM

Let me know if you need any assistence Hawkeeye' Landon said...
-
aisha looked at zyanya.. ' feeling better?' She said kindly..

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #5158 on:** January 09, 2013, 10:06:44 AM

Aimee took a deep breath from the mask and closed her eyes. Of course it wasn't enough to completely mask the pain, but just the fact that it was lessened was a massive relief.

She lay back and let Hawkeye do his thing, wincing whenever he touched a particularly sensitive nerve.

Zyanya opened her eyes blankly. She glanced over at Landon. "What....last thing I remember...where?..." She couldn't seem to figure out what question she as trying to ask.

--------------------------

"The world doesn't get a choice," Death countered. "The world was prepared for me, it contains adequate souls to feed me indefinitely. I need never worry about food, when I can feast on the souls of people such as your lover."

Death swung a punch at Neku but missed. Trying to find time to regenerate, he clicked his fingers and darkness set on the room.

"It's curious," Death continued, "but I can always remember particularly good souls. Whether they pure, or extremely happy, or strong, they have a certain taste that cannot be forgotten. I experienced no such taste that day. I wonder what that says about your lover?"

Serris · **Reply #5159 on:** January 09, 2013, 04:12:53 PM

(Upper levels)

Three gunshots tore through the oddly empty hallway. The door flew off its hinges and into the hallway with a loud thud as Alfred charged through with Nixx in tow.

"Really?" Nixx said, examining the holes in the doorframe where Alfred had shot out the hinges.

Alfred shrugged and looked down the T-junction. Both were labeled "Cybernetics Research Laboratories". "Great," he said. "This is gonna take a while."

Nixx shook her head as she ran to a computer terminal and accessed it. After a few minutes, she was done. "There's a lab whose researchers specializes in cybernetic limbs. I think their names are Dr. Phyllis Lefrak and Dr. Thomas Sotille."

Alfred looked at a nearby lab that had the nameplate: "Dr. Phyllis Lefrak" on it. "We're in luck," he said as he tried to open the door. He then pounded on the door. "Open up!"

No reply. He raised his shotgun and prepared to shoot out the hinges. "Open up or I break the door down!"

Still no reply. He shot out the hinges, kicked the door down and was met with a blow to his chest that stunned him. One of the scientists had shot him. He coughed as his armored vest absorbed the impact.

He dropped prone and crawled behind a lab bench. Nixx was ducked behind another lab bench.

The Bison sprung into action as soon as he heard the guns click empty. He charged the nearest scientist - Dr. Lefrak - before she could reload and tore the pistol from her hand. He then threw the pistol across the room and bound her with wires he ripped from her latest project.

Nixx had simply immobilized Dr. Sotille with cords of shadow. "All right, now to get back to Aimee. Another tentacle of shadow had a toolbox full of specialized cybernetics tools.

The journey back was uneventful.

"Hawkeye, Aisha, Dr. Landon, we found some Dragonstorm cyberneticists to 'help' you," Alfred said, placing the two next to Hawkeye. He then removed the wires binding Dr. Lefrak. The Bison then fixed a baleful glare at them. "Do anything funny and die painfully," he growled."

Dr. Lefrak glared at Alfred. In reply, Alfred snatched an empty oil drum, and smashed it flat. "Start working before I decide to do that to your bodies next!"

Nixx placed the toolbox next to the two Dragonstorm cyberneticists who immediately grabbed the tools and stood by Dr. Landon. "What do you want us to do?" they said in unison.