Sym-Bionics
Chapter 2: The Harsh Life of a Teen; Alien Suit's Make the Man
Outside the Ship
The hatch opened, as the three armored occupants leapt out and turned to face the enemy head on. At the moment, the enemy's ship opened up a compartment on the rooftop. What crawled out were beings too horrifying to behold. They were giant behemoths possibly about 7-8 feet in height, heavily muscled, with all over their body brown exo-skeletons that made them look like giant humanoid insects. Their fingers were clawed blades, big as knives, as well as their toes. There were hair-like structures sticking out of their backs, acting like feelers.
These were the Bruut: a brutal race of warriors and planetary conquerors. As well as the enemies of the Geranian people.
At the moment, the three Geranians that were suited up, launched into the blackness and battle-ridden space between the ships.
The Bruut swarmed right at them, roaring with the vicious intent of animals, unaffected by the vacuum of space. And then, they collided, in a tidal wave of armor and exo-skeleton. The armored aliens managed to fly circles around them, as their forearms sclorped, morphing either arm-mounted cannons, forearm cannons, blaster fingers, or palm blasters. They began firing and flying circles around the Bruut. However, their armor was too tough for the blasts, as they just scuffed their exoskeletal bodies. They seemed to laugh at this, in a rather bestial sort of way. Some of them sprouted arm-mounted claws out of their elbows, and others extended their claws to the size of swords, and then flew down to attack the trio.
The orange one looked up, and saw that they charged at him. He fired away as best he could, but tore away from the group. The Blue one shouted, "What are you doing?!"
"Leading them away, or as many as I can," the orange warrior replied, as he fired at them. "Just try to get back to the shi…"
KE-SCHNIKT!
The orange warrior went wide eye, as a few Bruut Warriors dived down on him, and stabbed him through. His suit began to convulged, shooting out tentacles wrapping around the warriors, as it grabbed them. Suddenly, shoulder-mounted cannons formed, and fired right at the Bruut, but in the process only singed the outer shell not doing that much damage to them. Their chests opened up, as they pulled him closer, as he screamed out in either terror or in a battle cry. However, it was over soon enough as the sounds of flesh and crunching bones were heard, as they tore him apart and ate him whole, suit and all. A fragment of the suit attempted to squirm away, but one of the Bruut warriors grabbed it and slurped it down like a ramen noodle.
The Magenta-suited warrior cried out, "No!" And then flew faster, firing away at the Bruut.
The leader shouted, "No! We need to stay together! Toa! Stop!"
The warrior known as Toa screamed out, firing with scifi-styled gattling guns forming from her arms, as she fired with extreme prejudice. She managed to blow off a few arms and legs from the Bruut but managed to do so with the hinges. Hitting the ear-like eyes also did some good, as they were flailing around blindly. However, before she could form blades, she was suddenly tackled and swarmed over by the Bruut warriors. They clawed at the armor, but began to fly back to the ship.
The Blue warrior flew as he stopped, seeing that they were taking her to the ship. He realized what was happening, "They got Toa! Hang on, I'll get you…!"
"No, Zhan, don't," Toa radioed back. "Just head back to the ship, and get out of here!"
"But you know what the Bruut do to females," Zhan called back. Unlike most species, the Bruut used the females of other species to reproduce until their Queen was ready for mating and egg-laying. It helped increase their numbers fast in battle. But as a result, the female host was immediately killed after birth… not surviving at all.
"I know," Toa called out, as she was being taken to the ship, with the other Bruut following after. Clearly in heat of the female around. "What's important is getting the symbiotes back." She then whispered, "I'm sorry about this."
It's okay. It has been an honor serving you, Toa.
Suddenly, the lights on her armor blinked, as a humming timer sound was being made, as the Bruut made it to the ship. The humming timer was heard louder, as she was taken into the ship, as the Bruut entered on, throwing her onto the ground, as they began to shred the suit off, exposing her green naked body underneath, even while the suit tried to reform itself back on its user. However, the lights lit even brighter, as the humming reached a higher pitch.
Outside, Zhan looked at the ship, a worried look on his face was shown on his armor's faceplate. Suddenly, the ship began to crunch and suck in on itself, like a balloon having all the air sucked out. Suddenly, it exploded in a massive bright light, destroying the ship, and more swarming Bruut flying back to the ship, taking them all with them. But once the light died down, there was nothing left but debris and tidbits of the Bruut's bodies floating endlessly around the blackness of space.
Zhan lowered his head, as he sighed, "Toa… Gruud… your sacrifices will not be in vain." And then flew back to the ship.
Back on the Ship
Once he entered into the ship, and retracted his helmet, he was a bit worried as nobody replied back. No one from the bridge, nobody from the engines, and nobody from the airlock, even when he got inside. He looked around as he walked down the hallway… and paled. Down the hallway, blue blood was all over the walls and floors, as well as the half-remain bodies of his crew.
"Oh no," he paled, as he held his right forearm. "Symbiote. How many Bruut are aboard the ship."
Only one a voice spoke up, as his forearm morphed a holographic map of the ship, showcasing black blips: all dead. But only one red blip at the bridge.
Zhan raced as fast as he could to the bridge. His fears were in that they would find the cargo and fast, as he got to the Bridge. He opened the door, as he saw the Bruut, feasting on the flesh of one of the dead males. It looked at Zahn, surprised, as it roared out, as Zhan's right forearm turned into a cannon… but the Bruut charged in first, piercing the left lung, and side of Zhan with his claws.
Zhan coughed up blood, as he glared at the snarling and drooling Bruut Warrior, "I'm… I'm not done yet."
Suddenly, black and blue tendril sharp tips shot up like eight spider legs, and stabbed into the beast, causing it to roar out. The legs then pulled the creature, up, as he used both his arms to morph into blades as he sliced it at the waist, cutting it in two. Brown and green goo splattered the floor, as the tendrils flew him away, as the upper half skittered into a corner, as Zhan hopped to a control console.
He immediately looked at the cameras, and saw in the cargo hold. In it, shelves upon shelves of small lunchbox-sized cylinders were in place, like eggs in the supermarket. Zhan sighed, "Thank the Makers, the cargo's still intact." He winched as he held his left side, still bleeding out.
"Symbiote, how much time do I have left," Zhan asked.
If you were to rest, I could heal you in no time without interruptions. But to do that, will require three days of rest…
"No, we don't have time," Zhan weakly said, as he sat at the control console, typing commands. "That was a scout ship. If that wasn't far from here, more Bruut will come. We can't risk this cargo falling into their hands." He looked at the nav-console, as he asked, "Is there a nearby habitable world?"
"Only in the Milky Way Galaxy. There is a world third from its sun that is capable of supporting life," the console computer reported, as it made a holographic map of the Milky Way Galaxy. It then made a zoom up of the Sun and its third world, "The world is called Earth."
"Are there any civilized lifeforms," Zhan asked, holding his still bleeding side.
"Yes. They are called Earthlings, Terrans, more commonly known as Humans," the computer replied. "They are a level 3 based technological society. They have only been able to achieve space travel that can only reach the worlds in their system. But nothing further."
Zhan sighed, as he nodded, "We have no choice. Head to this world called Earth."
The ship suddenly came alive, as the engines roared, and blasted its way to the Milky Way Galaxy, making its way to the small blue planet that could at least give them an edge.
Meanwhile
Earth
San Francisco
Bay Beach High School
Bay Beach High School was a vast two story high school. Not enough to be big enough to be as big as a city, but it had its own track and swimming pool, which was inside. It even had its own security system, what with the crime rates of San Francisco. At the moment, the students were going in, as Zack was among them that was in the crowd.
Zack was at his locker getting his books and took a quick look in the mirror before closing the door. Leaning next to his locker was a young man around his age. He was a Caucasian sixteen year old with blonde hair cut to a spikey buzz cut that had it combed forward, and with small glasses barely covering his green eyes. He was wearing a yellow T-shirt underneath a green hoodie with the sleeves rolled up, blue jeans, and black shoes, and had a piercing on his left ring. But his most distinguishable feature was his prosthetic left arm, very articulate and functional to a real arm up to his shoulder. His name was Reggie Nimitz, a joker, hacker, and dear friend of Zack Winchell.
He leaned on the side of his locker, as he smirked to his friend, "Z Man."
Zack nodded, "Reggie. How long have you been there?"
"Not that long," Reggie answered, as he stood back up, and asked his friend, "So… is today going to be that day or what?"
Zack arched an eyebrow, as he asked, "What day are you talking about?"
"He's referring to you and Natasha," a new voice spoke out.
The two boys looked to see an African American male of sixteen, lean build with short dreadlocks for hair, brown eyes, and he wore brown jeans, red and white shoes, a white shirt with a red and yellow jacket on top. This was Virgil, another friend of Zack and Reggie, as he walked up to them waving. "Is today the day you finally sweep her off her feet?"
Zack was a bit unsure on that, as he scratched the back of his head, and sighed, "Well I'm not sure. I mean I haven't really-"
"I told you! There are no morning shifts in the cafeteria," a new voice boomed over, getting all three's attention. Suddenly, someone got thrown out of the cafeteria in a comical way.
He was a seventeen year old fellow with tanned skin, dark brown hair, brown eyes, a medium sized body with a slight beginning of a round stomach, but not too big. He was wearing brown cargo pants, yellow boot shoes, a yellow t-shirt, black fingerless gloves and a green vest. His name was Hank Lebain, a good friend of Zack's as he was the giant with a gentle heart.
One of the cafeteria staff just stated, "You have to wait until lunch to eat now get to class!" And then closed the door.
Hank got up, patting himself, as he groaned, as his friends walked up to him, "Sorry. Yeesh I was just giving some ideas. No need to get your hair nets in a knot."
"I take it your idea for morning cafeteria hours was turned down," Reggie asked, smirking at his friend's tenth failed attempt.
"Looks more like thrown out," Virgil commented.
Hank smirked at his friends, "Oh hey guys. What's going on?"
Virgil pointed to Zack, as he answered, "Zack here's getting ready to ask Natasha to the dance."
Zack went wide eye, as he blabbered, "Wait, what? No, I'm-"
"Best to play it safe," Hank advised, as he went on. "I mean if you blow this, there could be some major consequences. I mean you two have been friends for years. She may say no which could be her way staying friends which is also rejection. If that happens, your confidence with girls may take a plummet, you could develop the fear of being rejected by every girl to the point of giving up, and go through high school and life after as a bachelor until you-."
"Okay, okay, I get it. Thanks, Hank," Zack stopped him, knowing Hank would go on and on about it, as he looked to everyone. "Look, it's not like I'm asking her to marry me or anything. I just figured she would rather go with someone she's comfortable with than going alone."
Reggie smirked, as he pointed, "Well here comes your chance." They saw the girl in all the talk about, as she was putting up a sign on the billboard.
Natasha was a Caucasian young girl around Zacks' age, with clear skin and slender build. She had red hair that shined when the light it her, with her bangs combed to the right and the hair touching her shoulders, daring to tickle them with just the slightest brush, and green eyes that were brilliant emeralds. She had a slim waist, slender legs, gentle but rough-looking hands that hid hard work behind them, and a D-Cup bust that was too hard not to see. She wore black tight jeans with black sneakers, a dark blue V-neck like shirt that had a hard time trying not to show off her impressive cleavage, and a gray jacket with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. This was Natasha Xanders, student, hall monitor, and daughter of one of the finest cops of San Francisco, as well as a dear childhood friend of Zack's.
Before Zack could talk back to Reggie, Virgil nudged him, as he asked, "Yo, Let's hear that strong rap you're gonna drop on her."
sighing in defeat, Zack shook himself loose, as he recited what he was going to say to Natasha, "Okay, here it goes. 'Well Natasha, we've known each other for a long time now and... Instead of skipping it or going stag, I was kinda wondering if you would do me the honor of-'…"
But he was interrupted, as the trio groaned, while Virgil commented, "Snores-Ville, bro. 'Do me the honor?'"
Even Reggie had to agree with that, as he sighed, "Yeah, you sound like a form letter that Hank wrote for the cafeteria to have a breakfast menu."
"Actually that sounds like my request to help the cafeteria ladies with their cooking," Hank corrected. "I never sent it in though since I figured they turn it down."
Virgil shook his head, as he looked to Zack, "Anyway Zack, that's not gonna cut it with-" But then stopped, as he and everyone else acted like nothing happened, as Natasha was coming their way, "Oh hey, Natasha."
She stopped as she walked up to them, "Hey guys. Good news, the principal gave us the okay to put up the decorations for the dance early this year. No more pressure to have it done the day of like the past ones."
Virgil nodded, "Oh yeah, one less thing for us all to worry about."
Hank nodded, as he sighed heavily in relief, "Oh that's a relief, because whenever we have to finish it in less than a day, we always rush through everything," He then made the various listings of everything that went wrong, "The punch doesn't come out right, half the decorations fall off half way through, and there was that one year the loud speakers played-"
But Reggie put a stop to it, as he stated, "Oh, look at us. Hank, Virgil, and I have to get to class. We gotta go. Good luck with your test Zack." He and Virgil went down the hall, pushing Hank with them, as the big guy looked confused, leaving Zack and Natasha behind.
He even voiced his confusion, as Hank asked, "Uh guys, class is in the other direction. Guys? Guys!" But they kept pushing him away from the two, leaving them both behind.
Left alone with her, Zack did his best to break the ice with Natasha, as he began, "Hi. So... Are you-"
"Where were you last night, Zack? I tried calling you but no one was home," Natasha stated, as she looked a little miffed about his absence. But smirked, "I've been dying to talk to you about homecoming."
"Oh I was a... Out for a run and needed a ride home," Zack lied. The last thing he wanted was for her to know anything about his late-night unofficial job. "So what did you want to talk about?"
"Yeah, I need your advice. You know Cliff the quarterback," Natasha asked, getting a nod from Zack, as she explained. "I heard he wants take me to the dance. But David also left a voice message on my phone yesterday and Zoe said Seth Gray wanted my phone number." She looked excited and flattered, as she smiled, "Isn't it wild? I have three popular guys asking me out."
Zack, feeling like an idiot for "Oh yeah, that's great. But you know... Hot isn't everything. In some circles wit and well... offbeat charm can still count for a lot."
Natasha didn't look impressed, as she leaned on one of the lockers, putt her hands behind her back, and looked away, as she smirked, "Yeah, but the truth is… I'm turning them down."
Zack nearly went bug-eyed at that, as she asked, "What? But why? I thought you said you'd be glad to have so many offers instead of not going at all."
Natasha eased her friend down, as she explained, "Don't get me wrong, I'm really flattered that I was asked out at all, especially by people in the popular crowd, but dances aren't really my thing. That's what I need help with. I'm not sure how to turn them down if they don't take no for an answer. Any ideas?"
Zack, unable to fathom on his chance with his luck at this moment, managed to get enough courage to speak out, as he began to suggest, "Well I... I may have one idea. But you know, I think you would really enjoy the dance, and... Well I was wondering if you would do me the hono-"
"Hey Natasha."
A new voice spoke up, as the two looked to see someone making their way towards them. He was a Caucasian of seventeen, with a build much thicker than Zack's but was also as slim as Zack. His hair was red and spiked back, with a small goatee of red on his chin, blue eyes that glared dangerously at anybody that would push him far. He had a red t-shirt, brown pants that hung off him barely with his grey underwear showing, and black and red sneakers. His name was Francis Stone, or F-Streak as his street handle was: a bully at the school, tormentor of Zack and his friends, as well as a pain in the neck trying to make a name for himself
"You're lookin' good," he said with a smirk, as he pushed Zack aside, closing the gap between himself and a nervous Natasha, as he sniffed, "Smell good too. If you need someone for the dance, I'm available as well, especially afterwards."
Natasha frowned at his advancement, as she answered, "Thanks, but I'm not going."
"You heard her F-Streak," Zack defended, as he stood behind the redhead, who turned to face him. Zack then half-smirked, "Plus her body language is making it loud and clear. Not in this life time."
Getting t-off at the moment, F-Streak threw Zack at the lockers hard, picked him up, and then punched him in the eye, and threw him again. Zack skidded across the floor, as F-Streak ran over to him, picked him up again and prepared to throw a powerful punch, as he smirked, "Let's see if your face can understand what my fist is saying." But before he could do so, another hand grabbed F-Streak's and threw him to the side. He looked up to see another new face, as did Zack.
He was a big African American of F-Streak's build and age. Wearing a white shirt, green jacket, blue jeans, black shoes, and had a green bandana on his head. He glared down at F-Streak with his brown eyes. His name was Wade, and although he was an improvement on F-Streak, he wasn't a good guy to hang around… unless you were in his gang.
"Yo, I know you're not sweating my man Zack, Franklin," Wade sneered at F-Streak, using his real name.
F-Streak picked himself up, as he held his hands in defense, "Nah Wade, we were just playing."
At the time, Natasha ran over to Zack and helped him up to his feet. "You all right Zack," she asked, deeply concerned for him.
Zack groaned as he rubbed the back of his neck, sporting a new black eye, "Yeah, thanks."
at the moment, F-Streak walked passed the two, getting the message Wade had left. But as he did so, he eyed the black-eyed boy, as he whispered, "Catch you later, Zack." And was off, leaving the two behind, as Wade went his way.
After School
Zack was walking home with Hank, Reggie, and Virgil. All around the time, they had been wondering what had happened and Zack had told them the whole ordeal. Especially with F-Streak and Wade showing up. It seemed that Zack couldn't catch a break in any way possible. Though as they were walking, they weren't aware that someone was following them, as Zack finished his daily tale of current events.
"So by the time he left, the bell rang for class to start, and Natasha was gone before I could ask again," Zack finished.
Virgil shook his head, as he stated the obvious, "Harsh, man. You would have been on cloud nine right now if F-Steak hadn't mess things up for you."
Reggie nodded, "Yeah man. She basically said she was asking you to ask her out."
Zack shook his head, not believing that it was even remotely possible, "No she didn't. She asked for help turning down the guys who asked her."
"Zack's right," Hank defended, as he went through the list. "Why would she want to go out with Zack? Except they have been friends for a long time. She wouldn't have any candidates to go with which she is turning down. But she would have to drop a hint at Zack to get him to ask..." but then went wide eye as he smirked, realizing it all. "Which she might have been doing by asking him for help with turning down the offers." He grabbed Zack, as he shouted, "ZACK! YOU HAVE A SHOT AT HER!"
"Whoa hang on, guys," Zack assured them, as he broke free of Hank and went ahead, walking backwards as he continued to talk to them, face-to-face. "Is Hunk actually saying what I think he's-" But Zack was interrupted when he bumped into something. Or someone. "Oh sorry about that-" Zack apologized, as he turned to see two of Wade's gang shooting glare at Zack and his friends. One of them being Duke, a big chubbier brawler of an African American.
"Wade wants to talk to you," he said, singling Zack out of the group. "Now."
But before Zack could answer, Reggie walked up to him, as he advised him, "I wouldn't, bro. You know what usually happens to those who go see Wade."
Virgil then stepped up, as he stated, defending his friend, "Besides, if he has something to say, he can say it too all of us."
But Zack noticed the looks in the gang members' eyes and knew what it may mean if he said no. Before Hank could say anything, Zack spoke up, "It's fine. I never had the chance to say thanks to Wade for saving my bacon anyway." He looked to his friends, as he waved later, "I'll call you later, guys." And just like that, he walked off with the gang members, leaving his uncertain and worried friends behind.
Later On
Wade's Hangout
Wade's hangout was located in an abandoned bridge station near the shoreline of the first bridge beam. Wade had found it years ago, and since then had made it his hangout and territory. As he was walking behind the gang members, Zack went into thinking mode on what to do once Wade needed to see him, 'No big deal. Just go in, say thanks, listen to what he has to say, turn him down politely, and leave. Easy.' He then saw Duke show him the way in and walked towards the door. He was pushed in by Duke, as he saw the room, but then looked to Duke, "Gee it's such a nice day out. Seems like a waste to be in doors today of all days."
at a table, Wade and his gang were all playing cards, but as Zack spoke up Wade turned around to see him. He got up from his card game, as he smirked, walking towards Zack with open arms, "Welcome to our crib, Zack."
"Cozy," Zack stated flatly. "This place should be featured on that magazine This Old Warehouse."
Wade chuckled at that, as he patted Zack roughly on the back, "Heh. I like you, Zack. You're funny, and smart. But keeping Franklin off your back is taking too much of my time."
"And I appreciate it. Which is why I came to say thanks for today," Zack thanked him, but then got serious. "But I didn't ask for your help, Wade."
that got the gang ruffling around with gossip as a scrawny hood member stated, "You hear that?"
A female gang member, stated, "He's dissing you, Wade."
A Mexican member stated, "He must a crazy mustachos."
Another female member nodded, "Word."
But Zack threw his hands in defense, as he explained, "I mean no disrespect. I just don't want Wade getting in trouble with the teachers because of Franklin choosing to bully me."
"That punk Franklin is looking for street cred," Wade stated, as he looked at Zack seriously. "One day he's going to catch you out there and I won't be around. Sick dude like him, who knows what he'll do off school grounds."
Zack nodded, "I figured he'd get bored of me after a while and go terrorize a tank or something."
"This is no joke, Zack," Wade stated, as he explained, "The whole letting beat on you until he's bored trick won't work. The only way you can save your skin... is to roll with my crew."
Zack was shocked at that last part of joining a gang, as he asked, pointing to himself, "Me? You don't want me. I'm nothing but skin and bones compared to all of you. I'd be just an easy target for the other gangs to use against you."
Wade smirked, as he explained, "Don't front me, Zack. I'm offering life insurance for you and your friends. If you're part of my crew, F-Streak will back off quick. He ain't looking to tangle with this posse and he'll know better than to mess with friends of a crew member." All the gang members backed up Wade's claims.
Zack sighed, knowing that it was gonna be tough, as he pulled away from Wade, and stated, "I understand what you're saying. But I'm not a fighter. Heck if I can be beaten by F-Streak that easily, how useful could I be to your gang?"
one of the gang members, a chinese scrawny guy, smirked, "Seems you are a fighter after what I saw last night. You stood your ground and came on top at the Fight Club at the wharf last night. You even took pounded Little Yama and his gang in and out of the ring."
Zack nearly paled, as he denied the best he could, "That couldn't have been me. I didn't even know there was a fight club here. I'll have to take a look to see how the fights on."
"Oh yeah that was you. I'm sure there are tons of guys who are named Zack Winchell," the Chinese gang member smirked, as he pulled out his cell phone and played back a video of Zack in the cage match. Zack became stunned as he tried to come up with something as the video continued to afterwards to the fight outside along with the police arresting them. "For the record, you may want to try and use a stage name and mask next time you don't want to be found out."
"I have some of my crew watch the fights every now and then," Wade answered, as Zack looked at Wade again, "To see if there are any fighters who would make good members. But I'm thinking of your survival rather than your skills. You may not want to use them on school grounds, but if Franklin does attack you and you win, he'll either come back in greater numbers or start going after your friends. It seems more like we'll both be benefitting from this deal if that's the only excuse you have left."
At this time, Zack became hardened, as he seriously stated, "Fighting won't get me through school or through life." He then looked to Wade and the others, as he stated seriously, "Look, thanks for the help before and the offer, but you're getting the raw end of this deal with a bad member like me. You can just look the other way the next time you see Franklin pounding me." And then he was off to leave the room, giving up on the deal for good.
but then the Chinese guy then threw in an ultimatum, "I wonder what would hurt more: F-Streak turning you to mulch every day, turning down Wade's generous offer, or the school learning about your after school activities?" Zack stopped at the door with a look of shock all over his face with his back to the group. "Bet the higher ups wouldn't be too pleased about your night gigs at the ring. They'd either make you stop, use that to make your school like a living hell, or kick you out of school."
Wade walked up to Zack's back, hiding his smirk knowing that he got Zack hooked, "So what do you say, Zack? You in.. or out?"
However, at the moment, Zack's shocked face had hardened cold into a look of steely determination, and anger. His eyes opened up, revealing them sharp and concentrating, as he calmly stated, "I'm in. but it seems like there's no choice in this, is there?"
Wade and everyone smirked, as he replied, "No choice, bro."
Next Chapter: The Night it All Changed; Awaken with a New… Friend?
