Darwin's Soldiers: Disruptive Selection

Serris · **Reply #4540 on:** November 08, 2011, 01:01:49 AM

The guard they passed was near death but he managed to reach his radio. "Famine. Enemies...approaching..." he said weakly into his radio,

His voice trailed off and the radio clattered to the ground as he lost consciousness from the two gunshot wounds.

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

"That explains Gustave's extreme rage. Granted, he was kind of an ass---- before," Spc. Crota said as they headed down the hallway. "Famine must use some kind of chemical or maybe electromagnetic field to affect our minds."

Gustave shot a nasty glare at Spc. Crota. "Say one more thing like that and your remains will be splattered all over the ceiling."

Zachary scratched his head. "Spc. Crota's got a good point. He's probably attacking our limbic system, amplifying whatever emotion we're currently feeling and rendering us less cohesive as a team."

"Which is why you must not let your emotions get the best of you," Sgt. Masters admonished.

Dr. Zanasiu heard Aisha and recalled Shelton's thought message. "If Shelton's right - and he usually is - we've already taken two right turns so-"

The group met with a t-junction in the hallway. The right had a placard that read "Guard Barracks 200-299".

"Well, Shelton said he'd be at the end a left after two right turns" Dr. Zanasiu continued. He then smiled. "Let's go kill Famine!"

Gustave smiled and hefted his shotgun. "Finally, something to kill!"

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

The Mongoose Cobalt soldier sighed. "Kiara, listen to us, Famine is affecting your mind. Don't let him speak for you!"

Cobalt Leader kept his rifle at the ready as Neville watched Kiara. Both of them were ready to subdue her if she made any threatening moves towards them.

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #4541 on:** November 08, 2011, 08:22:52 PM

A rookie guard came across the guard who had lapsed into consciousness. "Wikus!" He gasped, running forward and checking his vitals.

Wikus was almost dead. The rookie looked up, face etched in grief.

Alfred had been grazed by a bullet, and a few drops of blood showed what direction the team had gone.

Face set in resolution, the rookie took Wikus' gun, loaded it, and took an alternate route, hoping to cut off the enemies.

(OOC:whos with Kiara right now? Ive got Alfred, Mongoose, Leader, and Neville.)

Serris · **Reply #4542 on:** November 09, 2011, 02:55:59 AM

(OOC - Those are the only ones with Kiara.)

The group was near the lab where Famine was supposed to be.

Suddenly, before anyone could stop him, Gustave bellowed out a challenge.

"Famine! You mother----ing piece of s---! We've come to kick your ass! Show yourself!" he thundered.

"Gustave! Do you want him to know we're here!?" Sharon hissed.

Gustave smiled. "Yes."

Dr. Zanasiu sighed. "All right, everyone, check weapons and get ready to rumble."

He double checked his shotgun and adjusted his armor.

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #4543 on:** November 11, 2011, 11:25:01 PM

The rookie guard rounded the corner and approached Kiara, pistol held with both hands.

Alfred noticed him, but hesitated so long that he finally decided not to do anything. Cobalt Leader, however, lunged and dive-tackled Kiara as the guard fired six times.

Mongoose ducked as Neville returned fire. A bullet punctured the rookie's forehead, and he slumped to the ground.

Neville ran forward to help his teammates up. "Are you all right?" he asked, before noticing the rapidly-increasing pool of blood they were laying in.

Serris · **Reply #4544 on:** November 12, 2011, 05:16:44 PM

Cobalt Leader could only gargle and cough up some blood. Most of the rounds struck his ballistic vest but one of them struck him square in the throat, just above where his armor ended.

The Mongoose Cobalt soldier looked around with fear in his eyes. "We need to get a medic quickly."

Neville quickly looked over Cobalt Leader and then shook his head. "Don't bother, the injury is fatal."

Cobalt Leader took off his dog tags and with his remaining strength, tossed them to Neville who caught them and pocketed them. Neville and the Mongoose Cobalt then saluted their fallen comrade.

Nick22 · **Reply #4545 on:** November 12, 2011, 06:05:29 PM

When we stop Alfred I'm going to need to look at that wound of yours " Dr Landon said ' You're dripping blood and spattering it as you walk..
_
I'm ready to get rid of this guy so I can stop thinking about.. stuff " aisha said.. " Wheres Roux, anyway?

MrDrake · **Reply #4546 on:** November 13, 2011, 01:48:54 AM

Kiara looked at him. He was lifeless. She pushed him off herself as she slowly started to stand again, yet, looked at the body still, then to the others again and spoke to them "I guess, if he was willing to save my life, the least I can do is help you guys out here....for the time being anyway, after that, I'll consider us even" she spoke, grabbing her walking stick again before crouching and picking up her gun which was knocked out of her hands before.

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #4547 on:** November 13, 2011, 04:41:42 AM

Alfred seemed dazed. "I saw him," he said to himself. "I saw that guard coming, but didn't care. What the hell is wrong with me?"

Neville glanced back at him. "We've been trying to get you to notice that for a while now."

"It's my fault that Cdr. Slavik is dead!" Alfred angrily smashed his fist into the wall. "Goddamit, Famine! I'll get you for this!"

Nick22 · **Reply #4548 on:** November 13, 2011, 10:08:53 PM

control yourself alfred or theres going to be heck to pay when I run out of splints and bandages " Landon replied.. now go sit down over there and let me tend to you..

Cancerian Tiger · **Reply #4549 on:** November 14, 2011, 01:08:46 AM

While she had never heard of the character named Famine before, all Dr. Williams seemed to pick up on was that he was evil and capable of turning the group against each other. At the same time, she was starting to feel her mental processes become strange. She had always been rather untrusting of strangers, and suspicious that they had ulterior motives.

How am I to know what their hidden agendas are? How do I know this mission isn't a set-up and one of these b******s will murder the rest of us?, she thought to herself before shaking her head clear. No, that's not right. Those are Famine's thoughts, not yours.

Serris · **Reply #4550 on:** November 14, 2011, 02:28:55 AM

The Mongoose Cobalt soldier nodded. "All right, Kiara, it's a deal."

Alfred grumbled and sat down on a nearby empty crate of ammunition. "All right, let's get me bandaged up and back into the battle."

Neville picked up Cobalt Leader's rifle and checked the magazine. It was half full. His own submachine gun was empty and seeing as he had no more ammunition, he simply tossed it aside.

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

"Famine! Come out or we're coming in!" Gustave bellowed.

No response.

"All right, that does it. We're going in!"

Gustave then ran towards the door at the end of the corridor and kicked it clean off its hinges.

He then looked around the room. "Famine! Show yourself!"

The sound of footsteps behind him signaled that his team was right behind him.

MrDrake · **Reply #4551 on:** November 14, 2011, 02:36:02 AM

Famine just sat there, all the guards had been killed. His eyes rose up to look at Gustave whom had entered as she slowly clapped his hands "Congratulations, you were able to overcome my hold on you and were able to make your way towards where I was" he then stood up as he slowly walked over to Gustave, stopping a few feet away, arms behind himself "Now,do answer me one other question, what is it that you plan on doing, now that you are face to face with myself?"

***

Kiara nodded to Mongoose for a second "Just hurry up" she told Alfred "I don't want you slowing me down"

StarfallRaptor · **Reply #4552 on:** November 14, 2011, 02:41:43 AM

Roux flicked her eyes around the room, ears twitching.
"He's not here. At least, if he is, I can't hear him..."
She said warily...
________________________________________________________________________

Kagetora, in the meantime, had split off from the group, and had been steadily making his way towards one of the central severs. As another guard started firing on him, he laughed coldly, disappearing from where the guard was aiming before reappearing behind him, stabbing him and ripping him in half with his swords...

Serris · **Reply #4553 on:** November 14, 2011, 02:44:10 AM

"To kick your ass," Gustave replied. "But don't think I'm going alone!

As if on cue, Dr. Zanasiu and the rest of his team followed with their weapons at the ready.

"Famine, so we finally meet," Spc. Crota said dryly. "Not quite as imposing as I had pictured."

"Be careful," Sgt. Masters said. "We don't know what he's capable of doing."

<Shelton!> Dr. Zanasiu thought-spoke. <We're in Famine's room! Get ready to execute your plans!>

MrDrake · **Reply #4554 on:** November 14, 2011, 02:47:22 AM

Famine simply turned around away from the group, but still spoke to them "Your friend is correct, one should not, as you fleshlings would say, judge a book by its cover" his eyes flashed, as if to intensify his control over everyone, intensifying it, well, to the max "I'm afraid that killing me wont be as easy as you would figure it to be"

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #4555 on:** November 14, 2011, 05:00:03 AM

Shelton suddenly felt a wave of regret wash across him. He recognized it as being Famine's influence and quickly dispensed with it, but the suddenness and intensity warned him.

<Wow, Famine's putting his all into it,> he commented, peering at the monitor. <I felt his influence all the way from here.>

<How interesting,> ROSS replied. <Be sure to keep me updated on every fascinating happenstance.>

Shelton was already putting James' plan into motion. <Security turrets up,> he sent to James (and ROSS, just to spite him). <Now if anyone tries to bother you, they'll have to brave a hallway of gunfire first.>

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

Sharon's instincts went into overdrive; James was her mate, she had to protect him. "Stay away from him!" she shouted, brandishing her claws at the nearest person, who happened to be Masters.

Even Masters was feeling unsteady from Famine's mental assaut, but quickly staggered away before he became collateral damage. He clutched his head; Famine could tell that Masters was immune to his regular effects, and so was flooding his mind with pain instead.

"I've...got...to...keep control..." he gritted his teeth and drew his gun, but before he could fire was knocked out by Zachary from behind.

"You will not steal the kill! It's mine!" Zachary yelled. However, he then turned to stop Gustave, the next person nearby, from stealing his kill rather than taking the shot

Serris · **Reply #4556 on:** November 14, 2011, 04:34:27 PM

Gustave smashed Zachary in the ribs with the butt of his shotgun. "Famine's mine. Interfere and I will dismember you with my bare hands."

He then fired both barrels at at Famine and reloaded, sending two smoking shells to the ground.

Zachary coughed as he fought to catch his breath

Dr. Zanasiu didn't hear Shelton. He watched in shock as his team fell apart.

He was then reminded of his mission: take down Dragonstorm at all costs.

"Wha- what?! Cease this asshattery immediately and attack Famine! This is an order!" he shouted, his face twisted into a scowl.

When no one moved, he fired a shot into the ceiling and racked his shotgun.

"That is a direct order! Attack Famine or you will be shot as a traitor!"

"James, what-" Dr. Bailey found himself facing Dr. Zanasiu's shotgun.

"I gave a direct order."

"James, what has-"

Dr. Zanasiu's finger twitched on his shotgun's trigger.

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

Spc. Crota was watching the whole debacle unfold from a corner of the room. He had his rifle at the ready but couldn't decide who to shoot. He settled on Famine but a bullet narrowly missed him.

He traced the projectile's path and saw that it came from Zachary. "Zach! What the f--- was that for, you c---sucking piece of s---!?"

"Famine is my kill," Zachary replied. He then raised his rifle to shoot at Gustave.

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

The Mongoose Cobalt soldier immediately felt a powerful wave of fear rush over him. He

Neville - being immune to Famine's usual effects - was sitting down and clutching his head in utter agony. "Get...out of...my HEAD!" he screamed.

Alfred was sitting down and seemingly oblivious to everything around him.

MrDrake · **Reply #4557 on:** November 14, 2011, 04:43:33 PM

Shots were fired in Famine's direction, but ended up missing him as he turned around again, turning to Dr. Zanasiu in particular "Tell me, how does it feel to know that I am standing right here, yet, your team is too busy playing on their own emotions to do anything about it, and while you just simply attempt to get them under control with no luck in doing so" he spoke, remaining calm the entire time "Does it make you feel bad that as a leader, you have failed them in the end? You were unable to lead, unable to keep them under control and now, look what has happen, all because of your failing leading skills"

***

Kiara felt the influence hit her like a ton of bricks as she turned to the others "Hurry up and get moving" she spat at them "If we didn'thave this stupid alliance now, I would already be at Famine's location, but no....I'm not, and I will not wait around for you lot to get moving, however, I wont kill you either, be thankful of that"

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #4558 on:** November 14, 2011, 06:27:15 PM

Sharon rounded on Bailey and hit him full on in the face, snarling. "Dont you try anything!" She snapped, despite his passive nature.

"What the hell is the matter with you, lady?" exclaimed Spc. Crota. He tried to focus on boh Sharon and Zachary, but the latter took the opportunity to swing a hoof into his shoulder. Crota's weapon scattered to the floor.

Gustave fired a warning blast at Zachary, narrowly missing Dr. Williams. "Don't f*** with me, you crazy mule!"

"In a while, crocodile!" Zachary leapt forward and smashed a hoof into Gustave's left eye, who cried out and snapped his jaws in retaliation.

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

"Kiara's right, we need to keep moving!" Neville forced himself to ignore the pain. He ruhed up to Alfred and slapped him in the face. "Famine caused you to kill a fellow teammate! Cobalt Leader is dead because of you! Are you going to get vengeance or not?!"

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

Shelton suddenly recieved hundreds of messages from the others. Some were angry, some were intelligible, most were crazy.

<You guys are broadcasting! Stop! Everyone in the base can hear your thought messages!>

Nobody responded.

<ROSS, I need to shut down the thought network!>

<Server is on the next floor down, and theres a fire axe at the halfway point,> ROSS replied. <That would be the best way to crash it permanently.>

Shelton bolted out of auxiliary control and hit the stairs.

Serris · **Reply #4559 on:** November 17, 2011, 01:52:49 AM

(OOC - Nick and Starfall, y'all are up next. Everyone's facing Famine. Dr. Landon's group is trying to get to Famine.)

Alfred nodded and held his shotgun up. "Let's get him!"

He then walked down the hallway. A door with an "authorized personnel only" placard lay at the end. Alfred kicked the door until it fell off its hinges. He was immediately met with a barrage of autoturret gunfire that grazed him. He darted back into the hallway.

"We'll have to find another way! Famine's activated turrets so we can't get in!"

When the turrets stopped firing, he heard the sounds of battle and voices of several team members.

"That bastard! He split up our team!" Neville fumed.

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

Dr. Zanasiu glared at Famine. "At this point, they are a liability."

He then fired several shots at Famine. Suddenly, he felt the wind knocked out of him as Zachary got a clear shot at him. Luckily, the bullet didn't penetrate his armored vest.

"You think I'd let you get all the glory?" Zachary said bitterly.

"Traitor!" Dr. Zanasiu screamed between coughs. He turned his shotgun on one of his best friends. Before he could fire, Zachary dove behind a lab bench.

Dr. Zanasiu scrambled for cover when he saw Gustave raise his gun and aim at him.

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

Despite Dr. Bailey's distaste for physical combat, Sharon's assault on him forced his hand.

He had gotten the drop on Sharon and placed her a headlock. Sharon, however, was not averse to fighting dirty and elbowed him in the gut as hard as possible. She then pulled his arm away from her neck. Dr. Bailey looked around for a weapon to even the odds a bit but all he could find was a handful of bolts that a researcher had left on the table. He quickly gathered the bolts and hurled them at Sharon's face as she charged him.

He then took advantage of the momentarily stunned Sharon to run and hide inside a cabinet.

Sharon shook her head; Dr. Bailey's throw was more stunning than painful. She saw Gustave attacking James. She raised her shotgun and aimed at him.

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

Spc. Crota struggled back to his feet and tried to grab his rifle but it had clattered to the floor near Gustave and the last thing he wanted was to be ripped apart by the enraged Nile Crocodile.