Hello! Back again, sorry this has been a week in arriving, been busy and ive been trying to get the feel of this one right-it's a bit darker than the previous chapters just to warn anyone that's actually reading this! Most of it's implied but there is definite ickyness to behold.
Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 7
They made it back to N-Lab in record time, the deckways being suspiciously clear allowing the resistance fighters chance to go over their battle plans and complete some last minute weapons alterations. The EMP's field range had had to narrowed and the blaster fully loaded. It was amazing what a little improvising and quite a lot of panic could achieve.
"Here we are recruits." Caleb whispered, "You ready for our assault on Neuros?"
They nodded.
"Now remember, this is the ultimate challenge , the final mission. Lexa and I will do our best to keep you covered but it's up to you. I'm sorry recruits, I know you don't need reminding of the very real danger we're in but you can't use your panic buttons, we're too close to Neuros, If she's as powerful as she makes out I don't want you to be in transmission around her, who knows where you'd end up."
He looked over the railing.
"Okay, this is it recruits, what all the training's been leading to. Climb down the ladders here and make a start on the web. Be very careful, don't let any of those lasers touch you. One nudge will alert every droid in the area and fry you in the process."
He viewed them both seriously,
"Remember how much you've fought through to reach here. You're my elites and we are going to bring down the tin can empire. Good Luck. Now let's get going."
With that the nervous recruits gritted their teeth and nodded with determination, "We won't let you down."
They began to climb down. Silently as their boots touched the ground they dropped low, staring about them for any droidz and came face to face with the source of the Roboidz.
Looking at Neuros from the ground, it seemed a whole lot scarier.
The prymidical web of highlighter bright laser beams criss-crossed imperiously in front of them.
They swallowed. Turning to face each other, the awkwardness of youth transcended mortal peril. "Erm, good luck,"
"Yeah, you too be careful," one tried for a handshake, the other for a hug, then swopped. They settled for a shoulder pat then headed for their separate corners.
Above them Caleb and Lexa took up position. There was no telling how long they'd have, Neuros must surely be onto them. Hopefully there was a patrol heading for his lair. Heading there and away from them now.
It was all up to the recruits now. Get through the web and power down Neuros.
The Children did not disappoint.
Focusing themselves they began pick their way through the web. They were making good progress. Till they got half way.
"Lexa," Caleb whispered, "Lexa, look." He pointed towards the web, "Look at Neuros." She tore her eyes away from the recruits to follow his indication.
"It's glowing! Like it's going to explode!"
Yeah, or something worse. I think she's realized we're here. Get ready.
Lexa swallowed and nodded grimly. She knew it couldn't have been that easy. She focused back on the recruits, her eyes darting around them as she prayed to whoever may be listening that they would succeed and that she could keep them safe till they did. She strained to hear any sign of metallic reinforcement on the way. Her hand on her newly oiled lever began cranking silent charge into her EMP emitter.
She just had time to catch Caleb's eye resolutely before an almighty crash ricocheted around the lab.
All hell broke loose.
Suddenly there were Roboidz everywhere, storming in from every direction. They'd blasted their way in. And were currently converging on the web.
Unable to disturb it manually and risk their own circuits the recruits were safe from a direct Roboidz assault but they were inventive if nothing else. A contingent of War droidz stepped forwards leveling their vector blasters, poised to shoot the threat out of the web.
They acted fast. Taking careful aim they had to hit as many as possible before the Wardroidz opened fire on the recruits, then carry on moving to avoid retribution and keep the attention of the guards.
"Fire!" Lexa unleashed an incapacitating blanket wave over the side of Droidz nearest to her whilst Caleb cracked shot after shot at the other side.
"Swop!"
They ducked the barrage of retaliation and rolled past each other, taking up new positions, Lexa imobilising the side Caleb had begun to decimate whilst he took advantage of her stunned half.
The recruits shouted a warning as the fresh salvo was unleashed at the gantry pair.
"Don't worry!," Yelled Caleb encouraging, " Stay focused on your own mission. We've got you covered!"
That was certainly true, with their mobile assault Lexa and Caleb were keeping all the Roboidz attention focused away from the recruits and firmly on them.
Excellent for their mission, not so much for their life expectancy. Another vector blast exploded overhead bringing a chaos of sparking wires tumbling down separating them on the gangway.
"Plan B!" Cried Caleb.
"Go!" yelled Lexa.
They both ran headlong for the curves of the gantry-way. The two sides of the lab's upper level were separated by a 6ft fenced gap mainly to prevent technicians the risk of walking over the temperamental generators.
A volley of red vector fire followed their feet.
"Is that the best you can do?" Taunted Caleb. In reply, a concentrated blast, aimed at the end of the gantry, obliterating it.
He skidded to a halt, firing back as he cast about desperately. There! The shots had dislodged more cables these, however, were intact. They looked sturdy enough and, well, he couldn't wait around here. He ducked another salvo that narrowly missed him, he fired one last return then dashed back to the centre. He prayed it would take his weight.
With a galvanizing roar he bent his head and ran, leaping the gap, arms outstretched as the walkway exploded around him. He caught hold of the cables swinging over the divide, clearing the other barrier as he hit the ground running, aiming straight for Lexa.
She'd just managed to clear the deck way as new droidz arrived and opened fire. The far side was hit as she jumped leaving a gaping chasm, she almost fell head first into the next deck, just catching hold of the remains of the other side, her fingers clinging to the metal for dear life.
As she tried to pull herself up the lab was rocked by more near miss explosions. Letting go with one hand she aimed her emitter, freezing the nearest droidz to her, re-clipping it to her combat vest she carried on struggling up the twisted metal.
A gloved hand caught up her searching fingers . Caleb pulled her up and steady onto their new battle ground.
"Okay?"
"Ready?" Lexa was all business, eyes alive with battle joy.
Always. Let's get them!" He matched her enthusiasm, the time for hit and run attacks were long gone. Today they'd bring the war to the Roboidz.
Their strategy was still working well, although the onslaught of the droidz was almost overpowering as the resistance fighters were hard pushed to maintain return fire whilst leaping about the gangway in a bid to avoid the blasts.
They were doing well. The amount of smoking sparking Roboidz were growing beneath them and the recruits were nearing the central control column. Amazingly, they were managing to ignore the chaotic violence exploding around them and progess, a few more feet and they'd reach Neuros. Just have to keep them busy for a few more seconds.
Another crash snapped Caleb's attention back to their current troubles. More droidz on the approach.
"Look out Lexa! Get ready!"
The metal monsters began pouring in on both sides of the web forming a solid line of Robot might.
"Are they?" She shot a horrified look to Caleb.
Many shiny arms raised.
"GET DOWN!" Came his answer, A concentrated vector blast lanced through the gantry, slicing it in half. The pair, either side of the destruction managed one gasp of relief before the metal beneath them began to crack.
"GO!"
With gritted teeth they pushed away from the disintegrating bridgeway, rolling into a slide as it split, the ends smashing into the deck with a hideous crunch. They rolled clear of the newly formed ramps just in time to hear a horribly familiar voice,
"Caleb. Did you really think your half trained rats could defeat me? Ha! Witness their destruction!"
A ring of Roboidz surrounded the web, poised to open fire on the defiant recruits,
"You're the one whose pathetic Neuros, you can't even kill a couple of kids without your pet army of tincans!" The yell was brave and high pitched.
"Yeah! We'll beat you yet! You see if we don't!" the other thin voice chorused.
"Silence children!" She hissed, "Well, Caleb, my Droidz are ready and awaiting my command."
They froze. More droidz appeared in the split second they paused to witness Neuros' threat. More droidz and more guns. Pointing at them. Blood was pounding so loudly in their ears they didn't even notice the workers step in behind them.
"Seize them! "
Before they could blink strong claws clamped hard on their arms lifting them painfully off the floor suspended before Neuros' triumphant gaze.
They cried out in pained shock, struggling vainly against the insurmountable strength of the workers. NO! How COULD he have been so CARELESS?
NO! He raged inside, NOOOO!
"Now Caleb, I think I have your attention."
He fought through his panic, just enough to hide it from Neuros' gaze, he wouldn't give her the satisfaction of knowing the terror that was clawing at his heart.
"You have a choice; I could kill your little rats and rip your girlfriend to pieces… "
"No!" He cried too quickly, instinct overriding sense.
"Or," She continued calmly, "you give yourself up to me." Her voice was like that of a rattlesnake, hissing with soft subtly, the threat of the lethal strike lacing every word.
"What?" This was unexpected, Caleb blinked, blindsided by this apparent ultimatum.
"You've caused me more trouble than any other human on this miserable planet." She explained, voice sharpening like a whip crack, "You, are a troublesome little puppy that I want brought to heel." She paused, allowing the full suffusion of her malice to sink in, "I. Want. You."
" You," She sneered, "belong to me and I would have you back."
His mouth opened in horrified protest, but no words would come.
She continued in her snarl, "I'll finish what was started on you and keep you as a cybernetic pet. A shade of your former self!" She laughed maniacally.
"If I did," He could barely believe he was uttering the words, but he was desperate, he couldn't see Lexa but could hear her attempts at escape. They were truly caught, really rats in a trap. One he'd led them straight into.
"No Caleb! No! Don't listen to her!"
He continued, swallowing down his own fear, ignoring their cries, "If I agreed what happens to the others? You'll let them live, let them go home safe and unharmed?" He had to know, know whether his risk would be worth it, whether it would save them.
"They would be free to go, back to their own times or out into the wastes, they are insignificant. You are what I want. You and your defiance curbed."
"How do I know you're telling the truth, How do I know you won't kill them as soon as you have me?" he demanded.
"You don't, but do you really want to test me?" Her tone was almost daring him to try.
The Droid holding Lexa began to squeeze its grip on her as the others leveled their beams.
"Do you?"
More crushing pressure. Lexa grunted in pain, a small cry escaping her despite gritted teeth.
Caleb twisted his head left and right, there was no escape, no way out he could see this time. Only too many droidz and two terrified recruits.
"Do. You?" She pressed.
Beside him he sensed sudden movement, followed by an ear splitting shriek.
"LEXA!"
"Take any longer to answer boy and I'll have her torn in half!" Neuros bellowed, her patience wearing dangerously thin
"Yes, alright!" He couldn't believe he was saying this, he'd always thought he'd fight to the end, but now, here, with them is such real peril, "Alright! I agree. Just stop it. I agree." He refused to bow his head in defeat, instead holding upright his stare fixed on her, lip curled in a silent growl.
"I thought you might. It's no wonder my droidz rule the earth when human spirits are so easy to crush."
"No. He argued defiantly, "it's my humanity at not wanting them hurt. I'm not a monster like you."
"But you will be."
"I don't care." The lie was blatant but he carried on drawing courage from this impossible situation keeping his defiance intact whilst within he began to disintegrate, "I've agreed and that's all that's important. You've got me. Now let them go." All he could see was the recruits' frightened faces. He couldn't believe he'd failed them. They'd come so close. The best he could do now was get them home safe. They didn't deserve his fate.
And what a fate. He'd always doubted Cybele's belief that he was the chosen one, the one destined to destroy the Roboidz and now, with an awful clarity, he found that he had been right.
'I'm sorry Cybele', he thought brokenly, 'I'm sorry you were wrong, sorry I'm not the one. This is the end of the line now. I'm all out of options.' If there was anything to salvage out of this then it was to save the children. He knew the mission was more important than anything, than anyone, Cybele had always taught him that. But when faced with it, he couldn't take the kids with him, couldn't ask Lexa to follow him. This had been his mistake and he be damned if he made them pay for it.
So long as they got away then he'd at least done something right.
Bring it on.
A slight movement caught his eye. Little fingers, inching towards the biorods. Eyes fixed ahead, round in fear, the very picture of terrified subjugation.
They were still trying. Not giving in. Hope surged in him, only a few more inches and they'd reach them. They were still in the running. The mission wasn't over yet.
A last desperate plan began to scramble itself together in his brain.
"If I'm going to hand myself over to you in exchange for their lives and safe passage home then I want to say goodbye to them."
"Go ahead, as much as I'd like, I can't stop your flapping, fleshy tongue. Yet."
"No, I mean properly, face to face," He kept his voice steady, this was their only chance.
"But you can see your precious recruits, as well as see how close the vector beams are to them.
"I want to see them all, just let me down I'll say goodbye then I'm all yours, I'll even walk to you. Of my own free will." He had to repress a shudder at the last part. But hopefully it appetizing enough bait.
"Of your own free will?"
She was biting.
His instinct told him enough, that she, meglo-manical psychopath as she was, couldn't resist the idea that he would come to her willingly, accepting her victory over him.
He was bargaining for their very lives.
And it was working.
"Yes, I promise. You let me down so I can say my goodbyes then when they're free I'll come to you, utterly and willing."
The brain in the tube considered in silence a moment then glowed a sickly orange.
"I accept." Her triumphant glee was all too evident before she seemed to reign herself in enough to snap harshly, "But take care Caleb, any hint of dishonesty, of betrayal and I will have them all slaughtered. Slowly.
"I-I understand." He meant it too, he had to tread very, very carefully. Never had he felt it more keenly, this second chance within his grasp, that human history was depending on him to continue. He'd hoped he'd get it right.
The pincers released without warning, dumping him unceremoniously onto the hard floor. He managed to roll as he landed, pulling himself to his feet quickly.
He had seconds make this work-he could only pray they'd understand what he was saying.
Wasting no time he adopted his best somber expression, addressing the children, "Recruits, you've been fantastic, braver, smarter and definitely more stealthy than I ever expected. You've always given everything you could to the mission and you never gave up. That's the important bit, you never give in, you just keep trying."
"Stop driveling Caleb and come to me, Oh how I look forward to having you as my silent pet."
"You'll have me soon enough Neuros." He replied as boldly as he dared, just enough to hold her off for the next few seconds.
"You heard her recruits we don't have a lot of time. So I'll keep this short. Always remember how brave and brilliant you are, no matter what obstacle you face you're strong enough to yank it out of your way! And when there's danger you're quick and clever enough to duck out of its path. Remember that. And never give up."
He turned to face his fellow freedom fighter determinedly not focusing on how agonized she looked, he needed his concentration locked tight, "Lexa, I wish I could've got to know you better-I've got lots more to ask you! You've been brilliant, go home with the recruits, there's nothing left for us humans here."
She moved to speak, tears welling and heart breaking, revving up her struggling but Caleb quirked an eyebrow at her and she calmed, paying close attention.
"When the time comes, leap away from the Roboidz and all this. Look after the recruits."
His eyes darted towards the recruits for a split second then were back on her. She followed. She could just make out the recruits. Behind their frightened faces sheer determination was powering them, They were at one of the bio rods, the Neuros biorods. And they were ready to act. She suddenly understood what Caleb had meant. Get ready she told herself. She gave him the barest hint of smile.
"And who knows," Caleb continued after the briefest of pauses, "Your EMP may be useful to the recruits in the human world."
"Enough blithering, I tire of your incessant, unnecessary prattle. Come to me. Now."
"Not before you release them."
"You'd rather I eliminate them?"
"No!" He cried, only half pretending the terror in his cry.
"Then stop trying to delay the inevitable. I have won and you have lost and if you don't want to lose them to me as well you'll obey me." She snapped.
"Alright." His face was the picture of tired defeat, "I just never thought it would end like this. Oh well." He caught the recruit's eyes. They gave the faintest of nods. Oh yes!
This was it.
"Goodbye Lexa, Goodbye recruits." He turned to face the horrific tube and gave a courteous bow as he rose and smiled his best winning smile. "Goodbye Neuros"
NOW! His beauatic smile twisting into a snarl of determination.
Small hands locked onto the central bio rod and wrenched for all their worth.
"What? NO!" Screamed Neuros, realizing too late she'd been tricked as the rod came free.
Sparks exploded from Neuros' central podium showering the recruits as the web splintered and disintegrated.
They barely noticed as they scrabbled towards the next power source, tearing it from its fixtures before Neuros could begin to issue retaliatory orders. The Drodiz went berserk.
The instant she felt the grip on her arms slacken Lexa pulled them towards her. Freed, she dropped to the floor already rolling for the recruits.
Caleb meanwhile leapt backwards, dodging the maddened droidz he ducked and weaved his way back to his blaster. He had to help the recruits!
The recruits undaunted by the chaos exploding around them threw themselves at the final bio rod, yanking it free as a crazed droidz lurched up behind them. The pair, oblivious to the looming threat cheered in exhilaration at having completed their mission, high fiving each other as Lexa barreled into them.
She didn't stop, having seen the impending danger, she only had enough time to seize the both of them, using her own momentum to drag them off the grid her.
Sprawling at a stop they were suddenly aware of the deafening silence. The roars of the droidz, the thunder of their raging feet ceased.
They'd stopped.
They'd all powered down.
The one that had been reaching for them at the podium had frozen mid-grasp and now, off balanced, pitched forward, crashing heavily into the deck.
The 3 of them jumped at the smash, still panting they stayed where they rolled, attempting , for the moment to get their breath back whilst they crowed with joy. They'd done it! Grinning madly they began pulling themselves up to their feet. Lexa's grin faltered as she looked about, panic splitting over her grimy features, "Where's.." she started.
"CALEB!" Neuros spat out his name like it was an obscenity.
"What have You DONE?" She Shrieked
Caleb stood tall admist the wreckage of N-Lab, eyes locked on his enemy, blaster slung ready across his shoulder.
"I, we," He corrected himself, "We have destroyed you Neuros. You and your army. It's. Over."
"NO!" She screamed, the tube pulsating with rage.
"I am Neuros! The Roboidz are mine, I control this world!"
"And now we've taken it back! You're finished Neuros! You've only as long as your power cells hold out and," He paused to savor the dwindling lights, "you don't have long."
"NO! I am all powerful, I control everything! Even YOU!"
The tube flashed an ugly red as pain lanced through his skull piece. He stumbled at the sudden onslaught struggling to keep his footing as a harsh voice grated inside his mind.
"Listen to me Caleb!" Neuros snarled, then softened her voice to an almost purr, "I am not your enemy , they are, you can trust me, I understand what you are, we are the same."
"No we're NOT!" He yelled aloud, "I'm nothing like you!"
The three looked on terrified, powerless to help.
"Then why can you hear me? Came the silken response, "They can't, it should be them you're attacking. Not me." To his horror he felt his hands shaking, attemping to obey Neuros, slowly tilting the blaster towards his friends. "We're the same" she continued, "You. Need. Me." The pain increased till he thought his head would burst.
He was not like her! He WASN'T!"
I. Am. Caleb." It took all his willpower to stand upright, "I. Am. Human." He wrestled the blaster back under his control aiming it back at the podium, "And I," He stared directly at the tube, "Am stronger than YOU!"
Neuros cried out in shock as he stood victorious before her, one of the last humans, unbeaten.
"It can't be!"
"It is. We've WON." The lights were fading fast. She had seconds.
"Goodbye Neuros." He stood resolute. Champion of organics. As the illumination blinked out she summoned the last of her consciousness, enough to whisper malevolently in his ear.
"I will always be part of you"
His eyes went wide, revulsion shuddering through him. She had to be destroyed. Completely. Before he'd even finished the thought the blaster was ready aimed in his hands.
"NEVER!" He bellowed, firing a salvo at the darkened tube. It erupted in sparks, smoking violently. A horrible wrenching noise tore out from the base of it. All four of them took a step back as, with a screech, the whole podium collapsed in on itself, imploding into nothingness.
Caleb stared into the smoking ruins. It was over. Finally, it was over. He was still human. And Alive. She'd never be able to infect his world again. Or him. He shuddered. He hoped.
"YES! Come ON!" The jubilant cry of the boy broke the silence jolting Caleb back into the here and now. He whirled to greet them, beaming once again.
"Recruits! You did it! You were SPECTACULAR!"
The kids whooped in celebration, throwing their arms about each other in delight then realized what they were doing and sprang apart looking embarrassed.
"Oh come here!" Lexa laughed pulling them both to her in a crushingly gleeful hug.
The boy, semi-mortified, attempted to remove himself from all this affection called out to the only other man in the room, "We did it Caleb! We beat those stupid tin cans! He wriggled free enough to offer up his hand for a high five.
Caleb joined them, laughing himself as he rescued the boy with a returned hand slap. "You're right! We did it! I couldn't have done it without you all! The world is ours again! FANTASTIC!"
"Go team resistance!" Cried the girl, jumping up and punching the air, "Yeah! Take that Robotics!" The recruits high fived again.
Caleb turned to Lexa. She was glowing under all the grime, grinning from ear to ear. "We're the resistance and we've finally done it! We've won!" She looked ecstatic. The words needed repeating, elseways they might not be true.
"Yes we have!" Caleb, full of delight was grinning broadly but made no move closer to Lexa.
The younger girl sighed, rolling her eyes at the boy, who rolled them back, she nudged Caleb.
"what?"
Exasperated eyebrow acrobatics got the message across, "Oh, realization dawned, "right."
There was a lot to remember with this human socializing thing.
Caleb addressed Lexa formally, "Axle of Io, you have completed your mission, the Roboidz are finished. I, on behalf of the resistance of Futuregate thank you." He held out his human hand.
That was close enough to the final thankyou speeches from those sci fi's he'd seen. That must be what the girl meant. Right?
Lexa took one look at his hand, then grabbed it pulling him into a tight embrace.
Wrong.
But this was much better.
When she finally released him her smile was almost blinding.
And was identical to his.
He finally managed to tear his eyes away from his beaming friend to focus back on the giggling recruits.
Oddly, he could feel the heat rising in his face under their amusement.
"What?"
"Nothing!" The two adopted twin expressions of total innocence.
Utterly unconvinced by this but realizing that they weren't going to budge he abandoned the questions in favour of the more pressing issue. He took a deep breath.
"Right then recruits, I'd best be getting you both off home.
"Aww, what?" The smiles had instantly vanished.
"Really?" They sounded utterly dejected.
"I'm afraid so recruits," Even Lexa looked surprised.
"But we want to help! We could…"
"You've done enough recruits," interrupted Caleb, pleased beyond words that they were willing to stay in the future for him. But this was for the best, he had to get his words out before he caved in entirely, this was far more important than his own selfish wants. "I know you want to stay but you need to get back to your own time."
"But all we've got there is school, like you said," The girl was indignant.
"…and I hate double French!" Came the boy's vehement agreement.
"But don't you see recruits? I need you in your own time so you can prepare for the future. Who knows, we might meet again in our present! You've both been fantastic! You've helped save the world. The resistance is proud of you!"
And so they were, Caleb and Lexa, shoulder to shoulder beaming delightedly at them. "Come on then, back to the command post."
For all four of them it was the shortest walk of their lives.
"So this is really it then? We're going back?" She looked slightly tearful as they piled back into the first part of Futuregate the children had seen all those weeks ago.
"I'm afraid so, but think of all the help you'll be back in your time, in your future!" His enthusiasm managed to ease some of her reluctance. She'd be the best she could be. For him, for the future.
The girl gave in and threw her arms about Caleb.
"Thankyou! Thankyou for choosing us!"
He shot a worried look to Lexa who merely grinned and nodded encouragingly .
Fair enough.
He hugged her back, "You're more than welcome recruit, Thankyou for being the best."
With a delighted smile she disentangled herself to do the same to Lexa who squeezed her tightly.
The boy, just as chuffed, though held off from all the hugging opted instead for a manly handshake which Caleb caught up enthusiastically, pulling him in for a shoulder thump.
"We came, we fought, we kicked bot!" The boy looked triumphant.
They took up their positions on the time portal.
"Look after each other!" chorus the elder pair.
We will! Don't worry about us! Take of yourselves, look after the future!
The pair of 22nd century warriors looked solemn. We will, have no doubt about that. Good Luck recruits. Thankyou.
Caleb took hold of the lever, dragging it towards him. The time portal activated and the recruits vanished. Back to the 21st century.
The remaining pair exchanged relieved smiles, glad they'd gotten home safely. But they were now acutely aware of how empty the room felt. Lexa felt some of her joy ebb a little.
Caleb sighed, "I'm going to miss those two, he admitted honestly, speaking for the pair of them, "If they hadn't of kept trying for that bio-rod we'd never of beaten Neuros. OH!" He leapt like he'd be electrocuted.
Lexa jumped back, startled, "What is it? What's the matter?"
We have to tell Cybele! He yelled already running out the door, I can't believe I forgot!"
With a sigh and a deep breath she raced off after him.
AN
And there we go, another chapter down, but the action is still gearing up! Chapter 8 should be posted in the next few days depending on how the editing bunnies treat me!
Please read and let me know what you think!
Once again I'd like to thank my only reviewer for her kind words-Loki, I hope you liked this one!