Okay… A bit of real talk. Now as I stated before, I didn't want to buy the collector's edition of the Bioshock series because there's nothing special about it other then the improved graphics. It's the main reason I don't get special edition games due to just graphic upgrades. Still, just because I don't want to get the game, doesn't mean I shouldn't get anything related to this.
Not too long ago, I decided to get the gamer's guide to the Bioshock collection. Might be a bit cheap of me, since I don't have the actual games and just the three separate games on the 360. But hear me out for just a second. See, when you are doing two FanFiction stories involving Bioshock, you are going to need some important details here and there to make this stories more life like. And the guide could help me out, since they show the enemy descriptions, locations, audio diaries, and many other interesting goodies. Sure, I could get some of this stuff online, but what's the hassle in doing long and tedious Google searches when you can get right to the source.
This is also perfect for my other FanFiction story I'm doing in the Infinite universe. See, I use that collaboration with FictionFan, but he's been in the dark within the FanFiction community for a long time, especially with the Transformers stories he made. Cause of this, my story is on a stand still unless something happens. And this comes at a bad time too, since I need him to put together some character descriptions and names of some new enemies I needed him to do. Now I will update my Transformers/Bioshock Infinite story when the time is right. But if I don't hear from him soon, I would start to continue the story without him. Which means I need to look at the character descriptions of any Bioshock Infinite enemies and place some names on them. But we'll see what happens. Until then, I'll keep updating this story until there are any changes.
Now on the last chapter, everything looks good so far. Got myself two reviews and I'm close to a hundred hits. Course this is early as I updated this story for the past few months, but I'm certain that it will improve over time. Plus I have plans for this chapter and future chapters, which I'll be saving on the Notes. So have a look at that if you are interested.
Moving to chapter ten of BioTitans, the team made it to Port Neptune and need to get to the smuggler's hideout to reach the underground sub. Course, they will run into more trouble as they encounter a paranoid individual and an enemy that clings to walls and ceilings. How will they survive this new threat? Let's read and see what happens.
Chapter Notes
This chapter is going to take place on the Neptune's Bounty level of the original Bioshock, (Which I mistaken it for Port Neptune in previous chapters. So you should ignore that since I made a mistake.) but I'm going to make a few exceptions. The first is as I stated before on the last chapter. Normally I took long on chapters and they could only last for over twenty to thirty chapters. Hell, the last chapter took over fifty pages to complete. Which is why I'm going to try and make a bit of an experiment. See, giving Port Neptune is a whole level in of itself, I decided to break the Port Neptune in this story into four parts, each with it's own adventure. So there will be chapters that will have certain members of the Titans going through different areas and surviving their own way. Confused by it? Well think back to two chapters ago and how I've managed to make certain members of the team do things their own way in getting to their objectives. Yeah, I'll be trying to do that in this one. Plus there will be certain chapters that would take place in the Neptune's Bounty on the Bioshock 2 Multiplayer. Trust me, you'll see it the moment you read the future chapters.
Also in this chapter, the Spider Splicers would make their official appearance, since they were a teaser in the previous chapters. But instead of those in the first game that are the same skins with a different mechanic, these will come from the Bioshock 2 method. Those guys are creepier then the ones on the first game and can cling to walls. They will be the perfect enemy for the team to take on.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans or Bioshock
Chapter Ten: Neptune's Bounty
'When I was a girl, I had a fear of spiders. I was told they felt no emotion. That their hearts never beat. But I know the truth. At the moment of the kill, they are never more alive.'
Widowmaker
Deep in Rapture, a lone Batheshpere guided through the underwater buildings to reach its destination. Inside the Bathesphere, the Teen Titans were sitting inside, waiting to reach their next stop, which is Neptune's Bounty. After what they have to go through in Medical Pavilion, they thought that their next stop would be a breeze. Course, they would be wrong, giving that the whole city lost it completely. At one side of the bathesphere, Cyborg, Terra, and Beast Boy were sitting and waiting. Well, all except Terra, as she was laying on the cushions in the fetal position and looked a little scared over something. BB could see this and tried to comfort her.
Beast Boy: "Easy there, Terra. It's going to be all right. We managed to get out of the crazy hospital and that insane doctor. Who knows, maybe Neptune's Bounty would be a breeze compared to that nightmare."
Terra looked right at him and told him that she wasn't scared of that.
Terra: "What? No! I'm perfectly fine in surviving against a bunch of spliced up maniacs. It's just that we are in a moving sub with all that water surrounding us… That thought of it… Argh…"
Beast Boy saw her getting scared and knew what this was about.
Beast Boy: "Right… Of course… How could I forget… You are scared of a little water. Sorry Terra, guess I sort of forgot about that. Don't worry; we're safe in this sub. Nothing bad is going to happen to us."
Cyborg though decided to add a quip that he remembered the time they went to Brother Blood's underwater base.
Cyborg: "Yeah! Unless a cybernetic giant squid come out of nowhere, squeezed the sub, and crush it with us in it, then we'll be safe."
Terra heard that and turned white in the face, going back to the fatal position and rocked back and forth. BB saw this and looked to Cy with a deep glare.
Beast Boy: "Dude! Seriously?!"
The hybrid looked to him and shrugged it off.
Cyborg: "What? Too soon?"
On the other side, LM, Robin, and Starfire were sitting on the other end of the sub while Raven was in front of Star in a kneeling position. She was lifting her hands out and the blue aurora came in and healed Star's effect from the sedative off. Going up and down her body, Raven took a breather and slowly pulled back, letting go of her healing abilities.
Raven: "There… I've managed to remove whatever after effects of the sedative that weakened your power. You could be at peak performance right now."
The Tamaranean felt better as she breathe a sigh of relief. Looking down to her, she smiled and was happy that her nightmare was over.
Starfire: "Thank you, friend Raven. You are truly a life saver."
Raven looked up to her before standing up and explaining that it was nothing.
Raven: "I'm just doing my job. You don't need to thank me for that."
Robin then turned to his friend and spoke to her of that.
Robin: "Raven does have a point. You were just weakened from Steinman's sedative and couldn't survive in your condition. We need to make sure that you are physically and mentally prepared for when we get to Neptune's Bounty. And after what we went through back there, there's no telling what's in store for us at the Port."
Starfire turned to him and smiled right at the leader.
Starfire: "Agree… After what I have gone through, I am hoping that I do not run into any more trouble."
LM overheard all of this and decided to share his two cents.
LM: "Yeah, you're right on that part, Star. We were lucky to get out of that hospital, especially when we were making our escape."
Robin turned to the rebel and asked what he meant by that.
Robin: "What do you mean, LM?"
He turned to Rob and spoke of that new threat.
LM: "I'm talking about those soldiers that came in and tried to tear us apart. Those weren't splicers. They were well organized, strategic, and calculated. They know how to trap us and what to use. And giving that we barely made our escape, who knows if we meet up with them again. Something tells me that there's more to Rapture when we all thought."
Robin heard him and knew that he has a point, those people they faced when they were leaving weren't splicers, but soldiers of some kind. Could it be Rapture's own military, or special security? That is something he needed to speak to Atlas about. Just as he was thinking about that, he could hear his T-Communicator beeping and took it out to see who's calling. Of course, since they are all here, and they're in Rapture, he knew who's calling and opened the communicator. That's when he saw Atlas's face as he spoke to him of his progress.
Atlas: "Robin! Do you read me, boyo?"
Robin sighed and contacted him back.
Robin: "I read ya, Atlas. What is your status?"
Atlas: "Me and my men have left our base and are heading to the Smugglers Hideout to reach the sub. Though we have to take the long way through the tunnel underneath Arcadia, but we'll be able to get there with no problems. What about you? What's your position?"
Robin was quiet for a little bit and decided to let him know what happened while answering his questions.
Robin: "We're in the bathesphere and are on our way to Neptune's Bounty. Though trying to get out of Medical Pavilion was a difficult one, especially that newest threat we've encountered."
Atlas heard that and raises an eyebrow.
Atlas: "Newest threat? Whatever do you mean?"
Robin: "We've encountered some kind of military soldiers that weren't splicers. They looked fully prepared and knew how to stop us anyway they could. Do you know anything about them?"
Atlas listened to him and knew what he was referring to.
Atlas: "I do, unfortunately. Boyo, you've encountered Rapture's Elite."
Robin was quiet as he wasn't sure what he meant.
Robin: "Rapture's Elite? Who are they?"
Atlas gave a sigh and explained about them.
Atlas: "They are Rapture's personal security throughout Rapture. All comprised of military operatives and high class soldiers that left the surface due to the questionable orders their generals have. Since Rapture was created, the Elites were tasked in the protection and safety of the people. When the war broke out, they took down about half of my men and left our operations to waste. They were even sent to Fontaine's Department Store to clear us out before Suchong's assistant managed to get us up to the city. Now that the war left the city in ruins, the Elites have become Ryan's personal hit men, keeping them safe in Ryan Industries until the time was right to dispatch them when there's a disturbance."
Robin heard that and realized why they were dispatched.
Robin: "And that disturbance is us arriving in Rapture."
Atlas nodded on the screen and told them to hurry.
Atlas: "You and your team have to get to the hideout quickly. If Ryan is sending his guard dogs to get to you, it will be a matter of time before they caught up to you."
Robin: "We will once we reach Neptune's Bounty. Course, there's the question on where we need to go."
Atlas: "You need to get to Fontaine Fisheries. The hideout is underneath that area. Speak to Peach Wilkins, he's in charge of the place. But I better warn you; Old Peachy is a little paranoid since the war. Tell him Atlas sent ya and I'm sure that he'll let you in."
Robin heard those orders and decided to follow that.
Robin: "Understood. We'll let you know when we are in. Out."
He soon closed off his comm. and looked ahead to see what looked like a wide building with a neon sign over it with a neon blue anchor and the title, 'Neptune's Bounty'. All around them were multiple neon signs that go to different places such as 'Fontaine Fisheries', 'Fighting McDonagh', 'Warfmaster's Office', 'Sinclair Metals', and 'Jet Postal'. Looking at this, he told his team that they've made it.
Robin: "That must be it. Neptune's Bounty. All right team, get ready. We don't know what's in that building."
Everyone got up as they prepare themselves for what's going to be in the port. As the bathesphere started to make its way into the docking area, Beast Boy chuckled and thought of something funny. Raven turned to him and asked about it.
Raven: "What's so funny, Beast Boy?"
The changeling turned to the telepath and spoke about it.
Beast Boy: "Oh, nothing. I was thinking of a joke involving sleeping with the fishes and this place seemed fitting for it."
LM heard that as well and decided to save it.
LM: "If I were you, I would keep it to yourself. Otherwise you would literally be sleeping with the fishes."
Beast Boy heard that and gulped for a little bit, realizing that it could happen. The batheshpere finally made its way into the dock as it entered through the cage tunnel and into the chamber that has advertisements of the port's locations and variety of fishes. That's when the elevator like contraption lifted the bathesphere up and pushed it towards the sea surface. By the time it broke through, the group made it to the docks and the glass door opened up. The team got out of there as Terra burst out and took a breather, with her hands and knees on the ground.
Terra: "Oh, finally! Out of that enclosed space! I swear, I will never get in that deathtrap ever again."
She soon looked up and saw something that she didn't want to see. At one of the columns in front of them and up the steps, they could see what looked like a body of a poor soul that was stringed up and noosed, completely splattered with blood and something written above the corpse that says, 'Smuggler'. Terra looked to this and was starting to have second thoughts.
Terra: "On second thought, I would rather stay in the sub then out here."
Robin sighed and told her to get up.
Robin: "Focus Terra. We need to get to Fontaine Fisheries and speak to Wilkins. Let's hope he's a friendly."
The group got up the steps as approached the dead corpse. Looking on, LM saw a lot of crates with a box of shells, shotgun, Tommy gun and some rounds scattered about. Looking on, he smirked and decided to gather some munitions, giving that he used most of it in the hospital. He then noticed a closed suitcase and decided to check if there is more ammo in there. Quickly opening the suitcase, he spotted something else and told Robin to see it for himself.
LM: "Rob, check this out."
The Titan leader heard him and approached his position.
Robin: "What is it, LM."
He soon gestures to him in looking at the case.
LM: "Have a look. See something not right?"
Robin turned to the suitcase and noticed it as well. In that suitcase, it looks like religious items such as Holy Bibles, Cruisafixes, and recording films that could have prayer audio in them. Seeing this, Robin started to look intrigued by it.
Robin: "Well now… Looks like Atlas was right that there were smugglers that were moving religious items throughout Rapture. Too bad that Ryan doesn't like religion being in his city."
He soon looked up to the dead body that was hung and figured things out.
Robin: "And giving how these smugglers transport this stuff, I do believe the one hanging there is a warning to others."
The team looked at the body too and were in agreement. But Terra looked above the dead body and saw something that made her blood run cold.
Terra: "Uh… Guys… Something tells me that the poor bastard isn't the only one that is used as a warning. Look what's on the TV!"
The others heard that and looked above where there's a TV on the top. There, they could see what looks like a camera picture of the team wandering the Welcoming Center when they came to Rapture and a message on it that says, 'Wanted' in big bold letters. Beast Boy blinked at the site and told them about it.
Beast Boy: "Dudes… Is that us on the TV?"
Robin saw it as well and managed to jump to a conclusion.
Robin: "Does seem that way. And giving how it looks, it seems that Ryan has officially marked us for dead."
Cyborg: "So you're telling us that we are now considered as criminals. Exactly how paranoid can this guy get?"
Just as he asked that question, the TV went into a Please Stand By screen before the face of Ryan showed up and he spoke through the speakers.
Andrew Ryan: "I am not paranoid, my friend. I'm just making sure that you Parasites don't spread your filth across my clean city."
The team was taken back by this and didn't expect that he could speak to them again after what happened the last time. Robin though had a stern look and decided to speak to him first.
Robin: "Ryan… Should've known this was your doing."
The Rapture leader was silent before continuing to speak.
Andrew Ryan: "Just doing my duty in protecting what I've built, Titan. Giving that you've escaped Medical, it is come to a conclusion that Steinman has lost his touch. Though it was inevitable. There was a time I once respected him as a professional surgeon who would change this city. But now he had become nothing more then an obsessive creator who thinks that he still got it. I suppose, that is why you ended his life. Still, you can't survive what else I have in store."
Raven crossed her arms and reminded him of what happened when they left the hospital.
Raven: "Yeah… We've encountered your Rapture Elite. Certainly a tough bunch to pass."
Ryan heard that and was surprised that they knew who they were.
Andrew Ryan: "Yes… My Elite are the best security money can buy, and they are loyal to me and me alone. Though, I'm shocked that you knew about them. Who gave you that information?"
Robin though decided to brush that aside, as he can't let him know of Atlas.
Robin: "Does it matter anymore? Just let us go so we can be on our way. We don't want it all to end in blood."
Andrew laughed it off and decided to give them a grim reminder.
Andrew Ryan: "Oh contrail, my little Robin. It does end in blood. After all, you were the one that spilled Stainman's. You see that body hanging at the entrance to Neptune's Bounty, he was just like you, a parasite who thinks that we could get away with smuggling items that I cannot allow in Rapture. He and many of his accomplices have paid a hefty price in interfering in Rapture's obligation, and soon you will join them. I don't know what you're planning in coming to Neptune, but I promise that you will never succeed. After all, everyone is afraid of spiders, and they do attack wherever they want."
Soon enough, the screen went back to the team on the camera picture as Ryan ended his talk with them. Everyone stood silent as LM was confused by that.
LM: "Everyone's afraid of spiders? What the Hell did me mean by that?"
Robin brushed it aside and told everyone to get moving.
Robin: "Who cares? Right now we need to get to Fontaine Fisheries to get to that underground hideout. Let's move out!"
The team listened as they slowly made their way through the boarding area. Upon their journey, they could see that it was quite a mess. There was what looked like a turning door that was slanted and blocking one part of the path. On the wall is that looks like a vending machine of some kind with canisters and needles and a picture of a muscular man holding a the picture of DNA with a title 'Gene Bank' over it that was a bit slanted with a Circus Values, vending machine next to it. But on the other side of the pillar is what looks like a dead corpse, but it's in a scuba diving suit similar to those 2,000 Above the Sea movies, but bigger and more intimidating. Beast Boy looked to that and was shaking in fear.
Beast Boy: "Okay… That is a bit creepy. What is it?"
Cyborg took a closer look at one the metal diving suit and came up with an assumption.
Cyborg: "Don't know… It could one of those Big Daddies Atlas told us about. This one is pretty much different."
LM heard that and turned to the hybrid for some answers.
LM: "You mean to tell me the one I faced back at the theater wasn't the only one? Oh man… Why do I get the feeling that it's not going to be good for any of us?"
Robin waved it off and said that it won't be a problem.
Robin: "Relax… Remember what Atlas said, those Big Daddies won't attack you unless you provoke those Little Sisters. As long as we avoid them, we'll be in the clear. Let's get going."
The team soon left the dead body and approached an airlock door that has the Neptune's Bounty neon sign over it. Approaching it, the door slowly opened and the group entered a long hallway that goes down to the other end. On one side, there was a wide sign promoting Fontaine Fisheries, but it was covered with the same closed sticker on every ad that resembles Fontaine's name. On the other end, is a window showing part of the underwater city, but there were dead bodies floating and tied to ropes with algae taking over the surface. The team shudders as Terra made a literal statement.
Terra: "Wow… Guess you're right, Beast Boy. Here in Rapture, you are sleeping with the fishes."
They soon ignore that bodies as they walked down the hall, course, it was leaking badly and part of the floor was flooded. So they slowly walked into it, trying not to attract any attention with their splashing noises. As they were walking through it, LM asked of what to do.
LM: "So, how are we going to get to this Fisheries place? It's not like there's a map of this area."
Robin heard him and answered while walking.
Robin: "Simple, we'll just follow the signs. It worked back at the hospital, it should work from here. From there, we'll speak to Wilkins, who is in charge of the place. He will give us access to the underground hideout and the emergency sub that is stationed there."
LM: "And you think we can trust him. After how we are treated in this city so far, I don't think he will be kind to let us in."
Robin: "Atlas said that Peach is paranoid, but has a mind to let surface dwellers in there. Once we get the sub, we'll let Atlas and his men leave the city unharm and we'll get back to our main goal, finding the location of the distress signal and the person who sent it. I'm certain that this guy can wait for us a little longer."
LM rolled his eyes around and didn't like the sound of that.
LM: "If he's still alive…"
Robin sighed and told him to not give up hope.
Robin: "Either way, we still need to check and see who sent that signal after we aid Atlas and his men."
They continued to tread down the nearly flooded hall when they heard something from the distance.
"Argh! Dammit! Nothing in this fucking corpse but nothing! Not even a drop of Adam. And I wasted all of my efforts for this piece of shit."
Robin heard that and told everyone to be quiet.
Robin: "Shh… You guys hear that? Stay close and on alert. We're not the only ones in this place."
Slowly the group treed through, careful not to make a sound. As they were nearing the end of the hallway, they could see the shadow of a deformed creature searching for something. Though they couldn't get a clear indication as to what it is, they could tell that there were hooks on this thing's hands. So they kept their distance and waited until the time is right to strike or leave. When they got out of the water, they were nearing the corner and wondered how to approach this. But when Beast Boy stepped out, he accidentally stepped on something snapable and made a noise. The group turned to the changeling and glared at him as he did an 'I dun fucked up' look.
Beast Boy: "Heh, heh… Ops…
The creature heard that and could tell that someone is near.
"Huh…? What was that? Someone close by? Urgh… Intruders… Must warn my brothers!"
The shadow soon jumped up in the air and cling to something, scampering off with the loudest clanking noise. The group could see him leave and turned the corner to see what he left behind. What they saw is a dead corpse next to a bonfire with a Tommy gun laid there and some additional rounds. The group watched horrified as LM approached the body and felt sorry for him.
LM: "Poor bastard… He didn't even stand a chance. Wonder what attacked him?"
Robin looked around and spotted something on the ground. Bending down, he could see what looked like a hook that looked like it was heated up. Looking to this, he touched it with his green glove and could feel it a little hot.
Robin: "Don't know… But I got a bad feeling that whoever attack him knows how to strike him mercifully."
He soon picked it up and spins it around to see the details on it, which is covered in blood. Terra looked to it, and was a little confused.
Terra: "A hook? Is that the weapon that thing used. Who is that guy, Captain Hook?"
Cyborg looked to it too and was a little worried.
Cyborg: "Definitely no Hook. But whatever this creature is, certainly likes killing. And that thing is still out there somewhere."
Robin dropped the hook and knew this was going to be bad.
Robin: "Stay close… He could be near."
He soon walked ahead and headed to a metal door of a sun and fishes flying at the top corners in the water as the others followed him. LM quickly gathered the additional rounds on the machine gun left behind a caught up to them. The door opened up when the got close and they were in a smaller room with a sign showing the Neptune's Bounty sign flashing on and off and the most of the walls have metal plating as if they were in an actual sea dock. They soon heard what sounds like more clanging from above while the voice they heard before yelled to someone.
"Brothers! Come quick! We have trespassers in our midst! They must be vanquished!"
The clanking started to fade away as the team looked up to see the shadow of the creature getting away. Starfire gulped and didn't like this.
Starfire: "Correction, Robin. This creature is very near."
Robin nodded and told everyone to keep on high alert.
Robin: "Stick together everyone. Who knows what we're up against?"
The continued to walk further down until they approached the next door. Once it opened, the team got in and was amazed at what they saw. The area they were in was huge as there were nets filled with rotting fish dangling on the cranes. Two billboards were hung above with a picture of a huge crab to the left and a title next to it that says, 'McCrabby's Crab' and they were standing on what appears to be a pier filled with multiple sea like equipment. Course, the moment they entered, they could get a good whiff of the air as they held their nose in disgust.
Beast Boy: "Ewe! Gross! Place smells like dead fish in here!"
Raven looked to him and told him why it is.
Raven: "Well why do they call this place, Neptune's Bounty. It's sort of a fish market section of Rapture by the looks of it."
BB glared at her and sighed in disgust.
Beast Boy: "And that's why I'm a vegetarian."
Robin: "Get use to the smell Titans, we could be in here until we find the Smuggler's Hideout."
Looking around, he wondered where the Fisheries were located. That's when he spotted a sign over another metal door with a fish in the middle and the title, 'Fontaine Fisheries' at the top and bottom. Seeing this, Robin smiled and knew where they need to go.
Robin: "That must be the place. Let's hurry!"
The team charged in and was going to reach for the door. But then, the door slowly opened and they saw to metal feet at the bottom end. The team made an abrupt stop as the leader told them the hide.
Robin: "Hide!"
Everyone begins to split up and hid around anything that's useful. Robin soon enough peaked to the side to see what looks like a Big Daddy coming out of the entry way and marching on down the pier. Behind it was a Little Sister as it skipped happily after him and muttered something in her sweet but creepy voice.
"Hurry Mr. B! I can smell the Angel, dancing in the sky."
They all waited to let the two pass as Cyborg groaned to himself.
Cyborg: "Well, it looks like we found ourselves a live Daddy. But this is the same one as the one we encountered in the docking area. Wonder what they are?"
Robin wondered that too until he spotted a Vox recorder inside one of the crates used to store fish. Curious, he picked it up and mashed play on it, hearing the voice of an intelligent, yet eager man.
'When Fontaine and Suchong hired me as the leading technicians to create the Big Daddy program, I was a little overzealous. I mean who would've thought that I, Gilbert Alexander, would be in charge of creating what they say as bodyguards for the Little Sisters. Of course I need to figure out what I have to work with and what Daddy's they want me to make. The first of the prototype versions known, as the Rosie's just a normal snook in a diving suit. The reason why I made this prototype is that it can be used for both sides of the industry. For one, that rivet gun can fire at long distances and has a powerful firepower. So not only can it kill a splicer from a mile away with precise accuracy, it can also help seal any leaks coming from the outside. As an added bonus, it can lob proximity grenades for defensive purposes. So even if they miss, the grenades can explode if one of the splicers are near one. There were doubts that this project was going to work. But, I managed to get this through and it passed in flying colors. Soon enough, the Rosie's are pretty much everywhere Rapture, keeping the whole damn city from flooding and keeping the Little Sisters safe. Fontaine was pleased with my prototypes, but asked if I would continue making more classes. I didn't hesitate in saying yes to him, as I believe that the protectors do come a plenty. I just need to figure out what the next class would be…'
The recording stopped as Robin thought about what it said. Turning to the Daddy that was holding that rivet gun, he came up with a conclusion.
Robin: "Looks like that Daddy there is called the Rosie and it looks like it is armed with that rivet gun that would kill us if we're not careful."
The group kept on watching as the Big Daddy and Little Sister lumbered down the ramp and into the muck and gross stuff on it. The moment they were away, they got out of cover and reached the end of the pier to see them heading down what looks like a corpse laying there inconspicuously.
Cyborg: "Well, at least that's one threat we could avoid in this city. I just hope that we don't attack them by accident."
They all kept watching as the two companions approached the corpse with the Little Sister seeing something on it.
"Look Mr. Bubbles! It's an Angel!"
She fast approaches it and pointed to it with total glee.
"I can still see the warmth of its belly!"
The girl approached the body and took her syringe out and pump the Adam out of the corpse. But as she did that, the team heard a voice from the upper wharf.
"That did it! They caught the bait! Scrap that big fat whale and reel in our hook!"
They looked up and saw what looked like a cop in full uniform, but his face was disfigured and shows the scars of abuse and addiction. He was holding a crate and tossed a can grenade down, exploding on contact. The Daddy felt that and went into attack mode as the Little Sister was in a panic.
"Ah! Mr. Bubbles!"
His glass hole turned red as he picked the little sister up to get her behind. Getting his rivet gun out, he started to fire on the splicer as he rolled out of the way.
"Attack! ATTACK!"
There were more splicers on the other side of another pier as they fired right away.
"Don't hold back! We need that damn Adam!"
They shot the Rosie with their machine guns, pistols, and carbines, hoping to get rid of it fast. Fortunately the heavy armor is keeping him from dying. He used his rivet gun and fired a few shots, killing the few in the head. But there were so many of them, he can't take them all down so easily. So he decided to pull an alternative move. Getting to his belt buckle, he took out a proximity grenade and threw it right at the group. One of the splicers saw this and warned the others about it.
"Look out! Grenade!"
The splicers ducked out of the way and managed to avoid the grenade. The female splicer sighed in relief and thought that they were in the clear.
"Phew… That was close."
But as she said, that, the grenade activated and scanned the proximity of the area. Once it realizes that there were some splicers within the vicinity, it activated and blew itself up, sending the splicers along for the ride as well. Pretty soon, there were fewer splicers as the Rosie used his rivet gun to mow down the rest. The officer splicer was seething and decided to pull out all the stops.
"Blast it! Can't get any good help these days. Bring out our boys! Let's see if that whale can avoid them."
Almost immediately, a group of sentry bots flew overhead and charged in, firing their mounted machine guns in the process. The Big Daddy was caught by surprise and backed up, protecting himself and the Little Sister as well. But that's not the half of it. Under the piers, there were turrets that were strategically placed and were activated. They soon fire their bullets at the Big Daddy and the heavy armor absorbed the bullets. Then to top it all off, more splicers came in and went to down with the Daddy with their weapons. The Rosie couldn't take it and used his rivet gun to take out the sentry bots and splicers while throwing his proximity grenades to the others. As the fight went on, the Titans watched and could tell that the splicers were preoccupied and not aware that the team was there. Beast Boy looked to this and was surprised by that.
Beast Boy: "Huh… Guess you're right about not provoking the Big Daddy. That thing's a real boss!"
Terra though thought of something and asked the others about it.
Terra: "Um… Shouldn't we help that Daddy. It seems out numbered as it is.
Robin thought of that and decided to not do something so risky.
Robin: "No. Let's not do that. It's too risky to try and help that Big Daddy. Even if we do try, we might accidentally hit it and it will attack us in return. Besides, I'm certain that it's going to survive this. Come, we need to get to the smuggler's hideout and fast."
He turned to the sign over the door and walked towards it. The others followed him as they approached the door. The door opened upwards as they walked through a narrow hall of steel scrap and that has a little twist through it. As they were walking, LM sighed and thought about those Splicers.
LM: "You know… It's kind of sad…"
Robin heard him and asked what he was talking about.
Robin: "What's sad, LM?"
LM: "It's those splicers that we keep encountering in this city. I mean, once, they were just everyday people living their everyday lives. Policemen, lawyers, artists, high-class people. And now after getting addicted with this Adam stuff and their bodies mutated, turning into salvage lunatics that will kill you on sight. Man, these loons almost remind me of the Crossed."
Robin looked back to him and confused by that last statement.
Robin: "The Crossed? What is that?"
LM sighed and decided to explain as best as possible to him.
LM: "It is a graphic novel series I look at from time to time back at the comic shop in Jump. It is about a worldwide pandemic that involves victims having these rash-like crosses on their faces, turning them into violent, cannibalistic, homicidal, sex driven maniacs with the urge the rip apart everyone they see, including themselves. Can't get into too many details as it is disturbing to explain, but it is like every zombie movie combined with Mad Max, those shock horror films, and every cover art of Cannibal Corpses. I swear, how do those writers and artists sleep at night? But at least these splicers are more tamed then what the Crossed does for a living."
The team looked to him and was stun silent over what he said, Beast Boy then laughed nervously and decided to avoid that graphic novel at all costs.
Beast Boy: "Note to self, never get any comic that says Crossed on it when we return."
Robin though ignored it and decided to continue.
Robin: "Regardless of that visual representation, let's hope these Splicers aren't that deranged. Come on. We're almost there."
The team slowly reached their objective until they were out in the open. That's when they encountered what looks like a huge sign of Fontaine Fisheries with the F short-circuiting with the entrance blocked off by fish crates. Robin looked to this and could tell that they are at the right place.
Robin: "This is it. Fontaine Fisheries. Let's head on down there and see if Wilkins is still there."
They all approached the building, hoping to speak to the man in charge of the place. As they were nearing it, they saw what looks like more of those rocket turrets set up on both ends of the tilted roofs. Robin saw this and noticed to two activating and targeting them, firing rockets right at them. He immediately panicked and warned the others to get out of the way.
Robin: "Everyone, get into cover!"
Quickly, the team scattered and went into cover behind a bunch of pillars wide enough to hide. The rockets flew past them and exploded, not far from them. The group took a breather, as they didn't expect that to happen.
Cyborg: "Well, sounds like Peachy is home. He certainly got a good enough security measures!"
Robin groaned and had to think of a way in getting out of this.
Robin: "We need to bring down the defenses if we are to reach the hideout! We need a plan!"
Raven looked around and spotted what looks like a bunch of barrels filled with oil and came up with one.
Raven: "I got one. I just need to toss a barrel."
Lifting her hand, her eyes glowed white as her hand turned black to begin her incantation.
Raven: "Azarath, Metion, ZINTHOS!
Immediately, one of the barrels turned black and lifted off the ground. She soon waved her hand and the barrel flew to one of them. The barrel hit the first turret as it blew up on impact and sent pieces of it flying. She did the same with the other barrel and tossed it as well. But the second turret caught on with it and fired a rocket right at it, exploding in mid air. Raven saw this and wasn't happy about it.
Raven: "Well, so much for that. Anyone got any other bright ideas."
Starfire heard her and decided to go next.
Starfire: "I have one…"
She then flew to the air and was out of cover. The other turret saw her flying and fired a rocket right at her. She swiftly avoided the attack as they flew up for the rocket to miss. It fired again, only for her to flew to the side to avoid the second shot. As she was doing that, she was charging her star bolt with righteous fury while avoiding each of these shots. The turret kept on firing and firing as Starfire tried to avoid it as much as possible. Still, that turret kept on firing as much as it could and was shooting more rockets at her. Robin saw this and could tell that she was having a difficult time in aiming at the turret.
Robin: "Star needs help!"
Digging into his utility belt, he took out a freeze disk and waited for the right moment to strike. Seeing the opening, he got out of cover and threw the disk at it. The disk soon connected to the turret as it froze completely, preventing it from firing on the Tamaranean.
Robin: "Starfire! Now's your chance! Take it down!"
Star looked down to him and smiled for a thanks. Turning to the frozen turret, she changed up her starbolt to full power and tossed the projectile right at her target. By that time that connected, the bolt blew it up and it was in many pieces. As soon as the defenses were down, Star gently landed on the floor as the rest of the team joined her with the leader pleased about her recovery.
Robin: "Excellent work, Starfire. Looks like you were recovering well after the whole Steinman debacle."
The Tamaranean turned to him and smiled with his response.
Starfire: "Thank you, Robin. And you are very helpful on disabling that turret."
Robin rubbed the back of his head and chuckled to himself.
Robin: "Well, I had to make sure that you are safe. Can't have you run into trouble like what happened back at Medical Pavilion."
Star just tilt her head and let him know that she can handle herself.
Starfire: "Let me assure you, Robin, that I can take care of myself. You do not need to assist me."
The two were quiet between each other and had a moment. Course, that's when LM decided to break it up and focus on what they need to do.
LM: "All right, you lovebirds. That's enough for today. We need to get back on track. Remember?"
The Titan leader heard and turned to him, blinking his eyes behind his mask. Realizing what he was referring to, he cleared his throat and decided to listen to his advice.
Robin: "Right. Of course. We have to get into the Smuggler's Hideout and secure the sub. Let's hurry!"
The team immediately followed the leader when he left and headed straight to the front entrance of the Fisheries. Starfire was left that in a bit of defeat, but understood the gist of the situation. So she flew ahead and went after the team. They then approached a stack of boxes and plywood blocking the entrance as half of them climbed up while the others use their abilities to fly over them. Once they were on the other side, they approached the door as it opened up in front of them. By the time they were through, they saw another dead corpse, most likely a cop that was riddled with bullet holes with what looks like a medical station that was damaged during the attack. Above it is a sign that says, 'Keep Out!' painted in blood, most likely from the dead body. The group was slowly getting use to the corpses around this city, but was still creep out by them.
Raven: "Looks like Wilkins doesn't like uninvited guests. What now?"
Robin looked on and decided to keep going.
Robin: "We can't stop now. Let me speak to Wilkins. I'm sure he'll understand why we came."
The telepath turned to him and found that highly unlikely.
Raven: "Yeah… Good luck with that."
Robin rolled his eyes behind the mask before going on ahead to speak to the guy. The team followed him as they approached what looked like the actual entrance to the place with a freezer like door to the left that has a slider to have someone on the other side to look at and a conveyer belt filled with random junk and a small door to take fish out. When he saw the sign of Fontaine Fisheries over the door, he knew that this is the right place. Approaching the door, he took a deep breath and knocked on the door a couple of times. There was a bit of silence as no one came yet. Beast Boy knew this and decided to leave it at that.
Beast Boy: "Huh… Looks like no one is home. Now what?"
Robin waited and told him to do that same.
Robin: "Just wait a little bit. I'm certain that it would take time for someone to respond."
So the group kept on waiting until they heard the slider to the door opening up. Robin looked on and saw what looks like just someone with a wielding mask covering his face. He started to talk as it sounded like an old man with a sailor accent.
Peach Wilkins: "Who's there? What are you doing here? How did you get past my defenses?"
Robin and the others were taken back by this as the leader regained his composure and spoke to the person behind the door.
Robin: "I'm Robin, and you must be Peach Wilkins?"
Peach Wilkins: "Indeed I am. What do you want from me? I don't know if you notice this, but the Fisheries are closed. Always has been since Fontaine kicked the bucket."
He took a good look at the leader and his team and remembered something.
Peach Wilkins: "Hey… I know you…! You are those Parasites that Ryan marked for dead. The Teen Titans, are you not?"
The group heard that and looked to each other, feeling worried. Robin though kept his cool and continued to speak to him.
Robin: "Indeed we are. We are in a bit of trouble and are in need of your assistance."
Peach just listened in and was hesitant about them.
Peach Wilkins: "So I hear. Tell me, why would I want to help Rapture's most wanted when I could just deliver all of you to Ryan's home in a crate?"
The team heard that and knew that he's not happy about them. Rob though answered the best he could.
Robin: "Because we heard that you have a sub somewhere underneath your establishment and we are in need of it."
Wilkins looked to the Boy Wonder and was hesitant about that.
Peach Wilkins: "And why would I hand over something as important as that. I mean, who told you that I have a sub in my possession?"
Robin: "Atlas told us and sent us here. He said that there's a sub that can block of Rapture's secured frequency and prevent any missiles from sinking it. He even told us that this sub is located in the Smuggler's hideout underneath this facility."
Peach heard him and was intrigued about it.
Peach Wilkins: "Ah… Atlas… Rapture's most wanted man that brought this city to nothingness. Heard about that bloke. Made an appearance months after Fontaine's death and wanted equal rights to the people. And I take it he wants out and is need of some transport out of this decrepit place. Though I am a bit surprised he sent you to visit me and not himself. Why not?"
Robin: "It's because of what you said. That Ryan wants Atlas dead and brought us here to handle his business."
Peach Wilkins thought of this and made a decision.
Peach Wilkins: "I see… So you want me to extend an invite to the Fisheries, eh? Well, nuts to that young one! I won't let you in here!"
The team was shocked by the news as Robin asked why.
Robin: "Seriously?! Why not?"
Peach Wilkins: "Because I do not trust those that which to enter my home! I do not trust Atlas as much as I don't trust Ryan. And if you are part of Atlas's little clubhouse, I will not invite any of you to my home."
Robin: "C'mon! There's got to be something we could do to let us in. Anything that can help you gains your trust."
Wilkins waved it off and told them to go. As the conversation went on through, none of them didn't notice something crawling in the huge hole on the ceiling close by.
Peach Wilkins: "I'm sorry sonny, but my mind is all made up. Now you go back to your boss and tell him that Peach Wilkins isn't going to hand his sub over to-"
By the time he was about to finish, they could hear the sound of something clanging from above. That noise startled Wilkins as he looked around the outside.
Peach Wilkins: "Wh- What was that?"
The group got around in a circle with their backs turned and had their weapons and powers ready. That is when they heard a familiar sound from before, singing some creepy holy song.
"Jesus loves me, this I know; For the Bible tells me so; Little ones to him belong; They are weak but he is strong;"
Cyborg looked around and could tell that something is out there.
Cyborg: "Sounds like the voice from when we entered Neptune."
Robin got his R-Sword out and backed away to the door while Wilkins looked on and decided to let them defend himself.
Peach Wilkins: "My friends, you are all fucked!"
He soon closed the slider and locked the door just in case. Robin turned to the door and was shocked by this and knocked on the door hard.
Robin: "Wilkins! Get us in there right now! I'm warning you!"
They could hear the clanking of metal getting closer as the team was being extremely cautious on the whole thing. Robin stepped away from the door and back up to join his teammates. They all grouped up with their backs turned to each other and looked around the area to see where that noise was coming from.
Terra: "Sounds like it's getting closer!"
Robin: "Eyes everywhere team! We need to be alert on where this splicer is going to attack us."
The group kept their ground as they waited to see where this threat is going to attack. Cyborg has his sonic cannon armed and waited to see what's going to happen. Suddenly, he could feel what is small pieces of debris falling on his shoulder. Peering his eyes to it, he slowly looked up to see where it was coming from. That is when he saw some inhuman thing latching on the ceiling through an open hole with hooks on his hands and deformed feet that can hold it firmly. His eyes grew wide and warned the others about it.
Cyborg: "Try from above! Everyone disperse!"
The thing came hurtling down to them to make the kill. The team, fortunately, managed to make their escape and spread out to avoid the attack. Everyone pointed their weapons and powers at him to see if they can make a strike. But the thing was too quick that it lunged at the first Titan he sees. And that Titan was Robin. Getting his sword up, he blocked the heated hook and held his ground for a little bit. This gave him the opportunity to see the thing's face. From what he saw, it was a disfigured human being with his limbs and legs all stretched and disjointed and his body nearly deformed. His face, which is presumably male, was in far worse shape with his head cracked in the middle and the part of the skin wrinkly and holes with one visible eye while the other is hidden. His mouth looked fully opened with his teeth exposed and looked like a dentist nightmare. Robin looked to this creature and didn't know what to thing.
Robin: "What are you?!"
The inhuman splicer looked to the leader and gave out a bit of a cackle.
"Who? Me? I'm just a little spider looking for his prey. Can't you tell?"
He was about to pull a fast one and kill the leader on the spot. But then, he felt shotgun pellets hitting him on the side and scamper off, letting go of Rob. He turned to the left to see LM standing there with his shotgun in hand. With a quick pump to discard the empty shell, he fired another shot to bring him down. The splicer panicked and jumped off the ground, letting more pellets missing him. He soon grabbed hold of the wall and kept his grip firm. LM saw him getting away and started to take aim at him again, firing another round. The pellets flew to the splicer, only to have him jump off the wall and flying to another wall. The rebel was starting to seethe as he turned to him again and fired the next shot. Once more, he jumped off the other wall and went up to the ceiling, to get a good enough view of the team. LM groaned and didn't like the odds on his favor.
LM: "Damn it! This guy's too fast! Can't even get a good shot on him!"
The freaky splicer looked down to the team and got into the defensive with his second attack.
"You dare defy my beliefs? Then prepare to face the wrath of God himself!"
He quickly flung one arm after another, firing hot hooks right at the team. Everyone sat that and tried their best to get into cover. Raven managed to form a barrier to protect the team as they crowd around her, while the hooks hit the barrier and disintegrated. Beast Boy started to get annoyed and complained about this new threat.
Beast Boy: "Oh c'mon! A splicer that can hang on walls and ceiling and can fling hooks at us? Is there anything these freaks can't do?!"
Robin sighed and decided to formulate a plan.
Robin: "Focus everyone! We need to take that thing out immediately! Starfire, keep him busy!"
The Tamaranean turned to the leader and nodded on the order.
Starfire: "Understood!"
She flew up over the barrier and flew star bolts right at the freak. The splicer quickly started to scamper on the ceiling to avoid each shot. Star kept on throwing her projectiles at him, hoping to get a good shot at him. The Splicer managed to avoid the attack while getting closer to the girl. By the time he got there, he fell off the ceiling and lunged right at the Tamaranean and took her down completely. He immediately pinned her to the ground and was eager to kill this young woman.
"Such a pretty one… Would be a shame in tearing that precious face of yours."
Starfire struggled, trying to get out, but decided to have a trick on her own.
Starfire: "I nearly got killed by a splicer not long ago. I will not be foolish by your kind, again!"
Her eyes glowed brightly green and she immediately fired her beams at him, pushing him off her. He flew to the air and latched on to the pillar holding the ceiling up. The splicer was angry and flung more hooks at her. She quickly got off the ground and flew in the air to avoid the sharp projectiles. But as she was avoiding the attack, Cyborg took that opportunity and armed his cannon to fire at him. The spider splicer saw the beam heading towards him and jumped off the pillar as the beam hit the spot where the splicer was. The splicer came up on the wall and crawled forward to get a good enough angle. He soon launched off and lunged to the hybrid, bringing back his hook in his hand to make a quick strike. Cyborg quickly raised his arm to block the attack as the hook scrapped the metal and sent sparks flying. The splicer quickly latched onto the wall on the other side and looked back to see the hybrid again and jumped off the wall once more for a second strike. But as he was in the air, a green tiger came out of the blue and speared him to his left side. The splicer went to the ground and was dazed by the attack. Looking up, he could see that green tiger as it was stalking his prey. He gulped and realized that he was in serious trouble. Quickly, the tiger pounced on him to deliver the final blow. The splicer quickly rolled out of the way to avoid the attack and was standing on all four facing the tiger that was starring right at him. So the green tiger pounced once more, only to have the splicer jumping high and latching onto the ceiling, letting the creature miss him. He looked down to the ground to see the tiger and decided to dive down and strike back. But then, he could feel the ceiling shake as cracks appeared around him. Realizing this, he scampered away from the ceiling as a part of it falls to the spot he was on. More cracks continued to form around him as he was running away on all fours and in the ceiling. More slabs keep on falling where he was and landed on the ground. Finally, he was running out of ceiling and stopped dead in his tracks, turning to see the cracks reaching to him. The violent shaking caused him to loose the grip of the ceiling with his hooks. He soon fell to the floor and landed on his back, hard. He groaned as he looked up to see one more slab coming down on top of him. He freaked out and immediately rolled out of the way as the slab missed him by a few inches. He coughed up the dust that came out of the slab and looked around to find the team. That's when he saw Terra with her hands glowing yellow and the tiger that changed back into Beast Boy. The splicer was seething and didn't like those games.
"You dare mock me? You shall pay for that!"
He scurried quickly to them until he did his own pouncing on them. The two stayed on their feet, as if they were trying to let him attack. By the time he was close to them to give them a face slashing, he was stopped mid air and was encased in dark energy. He tried to budge but it was of little avail. Looking around, he could see Raven flying in midair and had one hand encased in the same dark energy as his body. With a quick wave of her hand, she flung him and sent him back to the over side of the room. He got hit on the back again and slid down to the floor, feeling the pain that was a hell of a lot worse then before. He groaned and tried to recover from that attack, only to see Robin charging in and jumping high with his R-Sword in the air. The splicer saw this and blocked it off with his hook, letting both metals collide into each other. Quickly, the he used his feet to push him off as the leader stumbled back for a quick second. He immediately recovered and deployed his Bo Staff as well, using dual weapons for combat. The splicer jumped right up and screamed at him, charging in for the kill. Raising his hooks up, he went in for the first strike. Rob lifted his Bo staff arm up and blocked the first attack. Then with his sword, he thrust it to his chest to get rid of him once and for all. The splicer quickly blocked it off with his other hook and got the sword away from him. The two wrestled for control and wanting to get the better of the other. But Rob took an opening and head butted the splicer. He backed away and was in a daze while Robin was recovering from his attack. The two managed to regain their consciousness and charged in for another attack. The two immediately slashed and blocked each other's attack, trying to get the better of the other. Meanwhile, the others watched on and feared for their leader's life and their own.
Beast Boy: "Man, this splicer is a tough one. No way we're going to take him down!"
Cyborg nodded and tried to figure out what to do.
Cyborg: "There's got to be some way in getting rid of him fast before he hurts any of us. Or worse…"
LM looked around and wondered what needs to be done to finish him. He soon spotted what looks like a stack of red barrels from before and was leaking oil. Seeing this, he figured out a plan.
LM: "I think I know what needs to be done. But I'm going to need Raven's help, and for Robin to get out of the way."
He soon turned to Rae and wondered if she is ready for that. The telepath turned to him and nodded in agreement. Back to Robin and the splicer, they were still ducking it out and were evenly match. Robin used his sword to strike while using the staff to block. At the same time, the splicer kept on swinging to kill him with his sharp and pointing hooks. Rob managed block the last attack with his staff and used a back roundhouse kick to daze the freak. The splicer staggered back and shook off the effects, getting extremely annoyed that that had happened. Seething, he looked to the Titan leader and was had it with him.
"I'm done playing this games! Time to end it all!"
He soon jumped up high and latched onto the ceiling and above him. He soon threw a bunch of hooks at him. Robin used his staff and spins it around to block off the attack. The splicer soon got off the ceiling and fell on top of the leader. Rob quickly used both his weapons in an X position and blocked the sudden attack. The splicer struck, only to have the attack blocked off. He jumped off of the Titan and flew on to the wall and tried to stagger away. Robin could see him getting away and decided to take the offensive. Dropping his staff, he took out a couple of disks and flew them at him. The splicer immediately scampered away and jumped a little bit to avoid the disks, which exploded on impact. Once he was in position. He jumped off the wall and flew back to Robin with a killer instinct. Robin saw that and immediately rolled out of the way to avoid the attack. The splicer missed him; only to cut a small piece of his short sleeved uniform. He soon landed on the wall and had enough momentum in going forward for a second attack. During the roll, Robin managed to grab his Bo stall and immediately block the charging attack the spider splicer made. They soon got back to an even stalemate as the splicer is getting more pissed off by the leader's moves.
"You sure know how to survive, boy. But I'm afraid that playtime is over. Time I end this!"
Robin heard him and knew that he was planning something bad. But as he peeked to the side, he could see LM and Raven planning on something, but didn't know what. Seeing him with a shotgun and her with a bunch of oil barrels, he could tell that they were getting ready for a final blow of some kind. Seeing this, he turned to the splicer and smirked a little bit.
Robin: "You are clearly mistaken bud. Because we will be the ones that will finish you."
The splicer starred him down with a deformed grin and thought it was cute.
"We shall see…"
Getting his foot in position, he did a heavy blow with his deformed long and sharp toe sticking out and wanted to strike him by the chin. The Boy Wonder saw that one coming and jumped away from the strike, doing a flip in mid air and telling LM and Raven to do it.
Robin: "Now!"
LM heard him and nodded, cocking his shotgun that is loaded with phosphorus bucks and fired a full clip at him. The shells exploded on contact and left behind sparklers all over his body. He looked down and wondered what they were all about. That was until they all started to explode in a batch of fireworks and caught the poor splicer on fire. He was immediately freaking out as he waved his arms in pain.
"AHHH! I'm on fire! Get it off! GET IT OFF!"
As he was trying to get the fire off of him, LM was surprised at how effective those bucks were.
LM: "Holy shit! Didn't expect those shells to be that powerful. They could be of some use."
Knowing that the effects won't last long, he looked to Raven and told her to pull the next part of the plan.
LM: "All right Rae, let's leave an exclamation point on this bastard!"
The telepath turned to him and nodded in response. Letting her eyes glow white, she encased her hands in her black magic and chanted her words.
Raven: "Azarath, Metrion, ZINTHOS!"
The barrels were soon incased in the same black energy and lifted off the ground. With a quick wave, she tossed the barrels over to the splicer as he was trying to get the fire off of him. The splicer, meanwhile, was able to put the flames out of himself and was nearly burned to a crisp. He looked to himself and was incredibly angry over this unexpected event.
"That no good brat! He's going to pay for turning me into a fiery candle! Where is he? I'm going to murder him! I'll brutalize him! He's going to-"
But then, he noticed a bunch of shadows coming close to him. Turning to that direction, he could see what looks like multiple barrels heading towards him. He looked on and shocked about that.
"Oh fuck…"
He was going to jump up to get to safety. Unfortunately, these barrels immediately bombarded him, which it was impossible to escape. The barrels immediately exploded and blew up the section of the room and leaving him screaming. When the explosions settled, there was nothing but a blackened area and the body of the splicer lying there completely lifeless. The team sighed and they managed to survive that maniac. Robin then looked to the two teammates and was pleased with what they did.
Robin: "Nice going you two."
LM shrugged it off and told him that it was nothing.
LM: "Oh, it's nothing to be worried about. Besides, I didn't know those bucks could be that good."
Robin rolled his eyes around and could tell that LM was only experimenting on his weapons. Still, he needs to get back to business as he stomped to the entrance to the Fisheries and heavily knocked on the door.
Robin: "Hey! Open up! We need to talk!"
He waited for a few seconds until the slider opened up and Peach's welding mask was seen. He saw the Titans surviving and was amazed by it.
Peach Wilkins: "So you survived…? How impressive…"
Robin though wasn't happy about it and demanded some serious questions.
Robin: "Don't you say that's impressive! What the Hell was that thing?! Definitely not an ordinary splicer! What was it?!"
Wilkins was silent and could tell they had no clue what they faced.
Peach Wilkins: "Surely you never knew about those that hung on the ceilings. The Spider Splicers."
The Titan leader raised an eyebrow and was a little confused by that.
Robin: "Spider splicers?"
Wilkins then explained about them.
Peach Wilkins: "They are splicers that have their genetic makeup mutated to the point of monstrous proportions. So much so that they resemble that of an inhuman spider. These spider splicers are like assassins, attacking in any angle without warning and leave behind nothing but a dead corpse. Once you see a spider splicer, it will be too late."
The group listened in as Beast Boy remembered about something.
Beast Boy: "Wait a minute! Johnny was killed by some mysterious creatures when we were making an escape. I'm certain that it was those spider splicers that killed him."
Cyborg looked to him and realized that he was right.
Cyborg: "That's true! If those things can attack and kill Johnny, you can imagine what this one would do to us."
Robin turned to them and decided to make their leave.
Robin: "Which is all the reason why we need to get to safety."
He soon turned to Wilkins and demanded him to let them in.
Robin: "Now let us in so we can claim that sub you have underground! No more excuses!"
Wilkins listened to him and gave it some thought. This team managed to take out a spider splicer where many have failed. Perhaps there is a way in making them useful. So he came up with the perfect idea.
Peach Wilkins: "All right, boy. You wish to get into the Fisheries, do you?"
Robin nodded as if it was obvious.
Robin: "Yes! We want to get in!"
He chuckled behind his welding mask and explained what he and the team needs to do.
Peach Wilkins: "Right. Well, if you want to get in here, I need you to do me a quick favor."
Rob heard him and was a little curious as to what he wants.
Robin: "Okay… What do you need?"
Peach cleared his throat and gave them an objective.
Peach Wilkins: "See, that spider splicer you've managed to get rid of, well turns out, he has three brothers. They have been causing all sorts of terror across Neptune's Bounty. I would send my men to handle them, but they wouldn't last long against their attacks. But seeing as you took this one down, you seven will be the perfect volunteers in this endeavor."
The others heard this and didn't like the sound of it at all.
Terra: "Seriously?! There are more of them?! As if one was bad enough."
Robin listened in and could tell that he doesn't like where this is going.
Robin: "What do you want us to do?"
Peach Wilkins: "It's real simple. Find the three spider splicers, kill them, then come back with the evidence that they are truly dead. All three of them are living in three certain sections on the upper wharf. The first one is located in the Wharfmaster's office. The second one is at the Fighting McDonagh's. And the last one is at Sinclair's Scrap. Once you find them and kill them, bring back evidence of their deaths. Just because Ryan has you all wanted, doesn't mean I can trust you fully."
Robin heard this and was a little annoyed by this. They were suppose to get to the Smuggler's hideout to obtain the sub Atlas needs to escape and now they have to go around the port to eliminate more of those splicers? Seem a little extreme. However, they have no choice in the matter, since they have no other way in getting in there. Taking a deep sigh, he decided to follow his advice.
Robin: "Okay… We'll do what you say. Just tell us how we are to gather this said evidence."
Just by asking that question, a compartment opened on and the conveyer belt started to move. Coming out are three cylinder canisters, all of which are meant to carry something. Wilkins then explained to the leader what he needs.
Peach Wilkins: "When you kill those spider splicers, open them up, grab their hearts, and place them in the canisters over there. When you come back here with those hearts, place them in the Pneumo tube next to the door, so that I could see them for myself. I'm sure you can handle something like that, right?"
Robin looked to the canisters and realized what Peach wants them to do. Killing them is one thing, but pulling out their hearts, that's a little extreme, even for them. But they must do what they can in order to get into the hideout. He soon sighed and said that they got it.
Robin: "Don't worry; we can handle it."
Peach was relieved by that and decided to let them off, with a bit of a warning.
Peach Wilkins: "Great! Now be on your way and find those that crawls on the ceiling… Then I'll let you into the fisheries if you bring me back those hearts… Just remember, sonny: I smell on ounce of Fontaine on you and your friends, and I'll have you all in a box! Atlas gives you the vouch, but I ain't turning my eye just on his say so!"
He soon closed the slider as the team watched on in shocked. LM soon approached the leader and complained about what Wilkins want them to do.
LM: "He's serious, is he? He wants us to kill three people and take out their hearts?! I don't know about you, but I feel like this is one sick individual."
The others were in agreement and didn't like where this was going.
Starfire: "Tell us you are not thinking of doing what this Wilkins says, Robin. After what we had to go through in that hospital, I cannot succumb from another near death experience. Especially considering that we need to kill three people to get in here."
Robin turned to his team and told them that they have to do it.
Robin: "I don't like this as much as any of you, but we don't have much of a choice. Atlas and his team are making their way to the hideout, and if we are to secure that sub for them, we have to do what Peach says."
Cyborg: "And how in the Hell are we going to remove these guys hearts out of their chests. Most of us would feel squeamish over something like that."
Robin shook his head and had to think that through.
Robin: "We'll find a way in getting to that. Meanwhile, we need to find these Spider Splicers and be done with it. Let's find those places Wilkins want us to go to at the upper wharf."
The group nodded and decided to follow his advice. With robin gathering the canisters and placing them in his utility belt, they soon started to leave the Fisheries. But not before LM spoke to Rob about one more thing.
LM: "Perhaps you should speak to Atlas of the situation. He needs to know what just happened."
Robin sighed and knew that he had to explain it.
Robin: "You're right, LM. I should speak to Atlas of this mess we're in. Though I don't know that he's not going to like it."
So the group left the Fisheries, knowing that they have a lot of ground to cover before getting back there.
So that is the end of chapter ten, or the first part of Neptune's Bounty. This is of course an experimentation that I need to work on to help me continue with this story and shorten certain chapters that would take hundreds of pages long. I'll be starting on the next part when I post this up, so heads up for that one. Oh, and before anyone asked on the reviews, yes, there is a graphic novel called The Crossed. And it has quite the arch too, spanning multiple volumes and a couple of spin offs. You are all welcome to read it if you like and find it in any comic shop or online. Though I got to warn you, most scenes in those comics are extremely disturbing and could make some readers a tad bit squeamish. So viewer discretion is advice. Now stay tune for the next chapter where the team journeys through the port and find the Spider Splicers. Please Review. #WherearetheGoodCartoons?