Chapter 9
"I said she is dead" stated CJ again, watching as Elgala studied her nails, and Excel attempted to wipe gore from the soles of her shoes. "Can you hear me? You're friend is dead."
"Come on Ha-Chan, we can't have you lying around all day" said Excel, looking over the pale Hyatt. She had a look of frustrated boredom upon here face.
"I don't think that'll help" said CJ. What were these people doing? Did they even know what the word dead meant did they fools…
"I'm sorry Senior, did I die again?"
"Garggh!"
"Aren't we dealing with zombies?" asked Elgala, "Shouldn't you be a mindless zombie?"
"It would appear as though whatever I suffer from destroyed the virus within my body" replied Hyatt.
"Well I guess that's lucky" stated Excel. "We'd better get going before they break our barricade" she said, pointing toward the cardboard box that blocked the stairway. The dead were lined up behind it, looking at it with a look of confusion.
"This way" said Excel, pointing to a route that led to a dead end.
"How about this way Senior?" suggested Hyatt.
"Good plan Ha-Chan" said Excel. "Lets go, the defences are failing!"
Behind them the box was slowly disintegrating, as drool from the zombies fell upon it. It slowly began to fold, as they all pressed forwards. Excel picked up Hyatt, who could now stand and walk by herself.
"Let's get going!" said Excel.
The group ran, failing to notice they seemed to be running downhill, nor the fact thick steel blast doors were opened above their heads. They stepped into a dark organic looking room, which seemed to be pulsing, when the doors slammed shut behind them.
"What's going on?" asked Elgala.
"I'm glad that you asked" said a loud voice over an unseen intercom, causing CJ to jump in the air. "Welcome to my domain! My name is Thor! You are currently in the entrance to my newly created and recently opened base. We have used the virus that created zombies to create a biological, living room. Good luck getting through and finding me. I await to see whether I have to defeat you in person."
"Up yours!" said Excel yelling and shaking her fist at the ceiling. "We'll stop you!"
"Who are you talking to Senior?" asked Elgala.
"Oh and I forgot to mention. At the end of this transmission the creature will begin to grow. If you fail to escape you will be crushed. Good bye."
"Hey Elgala, you'll finally be able to look thin!" said Excel, narrowly avoiding a powerful slap from her fellow agent.
With a faint squelching noise, the organic walls rumbled slightly, and oozed forward a short distance. Excel glanced around. There didn't seem to be a place to use for an escape…they seemed to be trapped. She groaned. She hadn't been expecting this when she had been sent…
…By Il Palazzo! She could not let him down, not after coming all this distance. And if they were to fail- every single agent of ACROSS would be killed. And where would Il Palazzo go from there?
-
"Yes I see. Yes Miss Maya I do agree you have suitable credentials to work for ACROSS."
"Thank you Mr. Palazzo" said the women, making a nervous movement with one foot.
"And you say you like to wear catgirl uniforms?" asked Il Palazzo, in deep interest.
"Yes Mr…."
The girl ducked down as one of the steel doors exploded, flying across the room. Maya ran for cover as Palazzo climbed to his feet.
"Who enters this base" he demanded.
"My name is Graham Smith. You may call me Graham Smith. I have been sent here by the true master of this region. You may attempt to fight- but the men are more then enough for you. And do not believe my powers are as dull as my name."
Il Palazzo stood and waited as they approached him. This goon could only be related to one villain. And he knew, despite their limitations, Excel and the others would be close by. The four of them together would lead to a better chance of success. And he had been waiting for a chance to get out in the field.
He sat patiently as his hands were handcuffed. Smith walked across and smacked him across the head.
"I say, don't you that is a bit much old chap?" asked Ethan, the second in command and English stereotype.
"Don't question me."
"Let's just get back to the base, so one can enjoy a good cup of best English tea."
--I'm sorry--
"There is no form of escape from this place" said Elgala, pacing around the rapidly closing in room.
"Ah crap" muttered CJ.
"Master Nabeshin, if you wish to help us, now is the time" said Excel.
Meanwhile outside…Nabeshin tapped the steel door, which didn't budge at all.
"Well, I've done all I can do" he mused to himself.
Scene jump!
CJ glanced up as he heard a metallic grinding sound. He looked across at the others. Hyatt too looked worried, but Elgala and Excel seemed completely unaware.
"It would appear as the very structure of the room is collapsing" stated Hyatt.
"Oh goodie" said Elgala.
The weird organic creature squealed in distress, as part of it began to bulge outwards. With a loud splatter of green blood, it suddenly…splattered. A metal grate swung down, and Jack Holder (probably forgotten at this point) jumped down to the floor. Excel looked across in confusion having been busy in a daydream involving Il Palazzo and a scene likely to be found in an M-rated fanfiction.
"Who are you? What's going on?"
"Well the year is rapidly approaching May, and we've been experiencing good weather. A menace has raised from the depths and zombies have arisen, decimating the town…"
"She meant what is going on now? Why are you here?" said Elgala.
"Oh I see…" said Holder. "My name isn't important. I've come here to rescue you. Only you now have the possible power to defeat him" stated Holder. "As well as being the only people stupid enough to try" he added quietly.
"But how can we trust you?"
"It's up to you. I used to work for him…in a way. I have probably shortened my own life by doing this. But due to the heroic urge inside me, as well as aiding the author with a deus ex machina I feel compelled to help."
"I see."
"Now hurry up. We don't have long to escape. It would appear as though a fiendish plan has been put into action, and the last email I received from my former employer regarded the capture of your commander."
"Lord Il Palazzo?!" said Elgala and Excel in union.
"…alazzo?" said Hyatt weakly.
"I think leaving now would be the best idea" said CJ climbing into the ventilation shaft. He reached down, grabbing hold of Hyatt's hand. Holder, ever the bashful man allowed Excel to help push Hyatt up, rather then risk accidents related to the skimpy uniforms the agents wore.
Finally with Elgala disappearing, Holder too climbed up into the shaft, and pulled the grille up. He waddled along after the others, as the room below him groaned.
"All I wanted was some friends."
