Mortal Kombat: Broken Chains
By: Miss-DNL
Chapter 12: Escape the Stronghold
Smoke and Sub-Zero shoved their way past the disoriented guards, Sub-Zero managed to freeze one part way before fleeing out of the Grandmaster's throne room and down the hall. They had to move as fast as possible, soon they would have the whole clan after them. Hurrying down the hall Sub-Zero shot another ice ball and then one more immediately after that freezing two guards that had hurried to see what was going on-no reason to try and hide their treachery now.
"Že bastard! Jak, jak mohl by on dělat, že pro Cyrax! Heartless, bezcitný bastarde ... on je pryč blázen, absolutně duševně nemocný! (1)" Smoke ranted, slipping into his native tongue out of anger. His heat powers also acted out in response of his anger, his body emitting a high amount intense heat creating a shroud of heat waves around him. If anyone were to touch him it'd be like getting hit in the face with a hot iron.
Sub-Zero frown under his mask as they ran, he'd never seen him this furious. Smoke was usually pretty easy going, but after seeing what happened to Cyrax Sub-Zero was angry as well. However, they couldn't lose control of themselves right now. He had to calm him down, "Smoke!" His friend snapped his attention to him taking the glare he had Sub-Zero calmly says, "Calm down."
"Calm down? Calm down!" Smoke spat, "That bastard turned our friend into an overgrown windup toy!"
"I know Smoke!" Sub-Zero yelled back as they neared the main hall, "We'll find a way to free him, but, we can't do that if we get caught!" Smoked looked at him a moment, "We need to stay focused to do that. Calm down."
Looking ahead Smoke nodded curtly, "Right."
Checking his gaze for a moment Sub-Zero frowned worried, he didn't look totally calm but that'd be too much to ask right now. Turning his gaze back forward the Cryomancer narrowed his eyes seeing more guards coming. Sheathing his arms in a protective layer of ice he charged forward. Blocking a strike to with his arm he shot an ice blast freezing one of the guards. Smoke evaporated, reappearing behind he grabbed him and tossed him at another guard. Quickly he jumped over them kicking a guard before parrying with another.
"Don't make us do this." Sub-Zero said tensely as he created a Kori blade while facing off against a Lin Kuei. He hated the Grandmaster now but he didn't want to harm his former clan mates. The blue clad warrior got the feeling he didn't have much of a choice though. To Sub-Zero's dismay the former comrade clashed his blade to his, seems his feeling was right.
"Those that turn on the clan are our enemies!" The guard snarled, clashing blades with Sub-Zero again, breaking the ice sword.
"Idioti! (2)" Smoke shouted to the attacking guards, he growled when one actually managed to nick his exposed tanned skin, "He wants to turn you into cybernetic slaves! Do you want that?"
Hearing this a few of the Lin Kuei stalled slightly, showing signs of uncertainty. Sub-Zero's hopes brightened for a moment, only to be dashed when the supporters of the Grandmaster's plan shot them abashing looks. After seeing they were outnumbered by the blindly loyal the uncertain ones began attacking again. This gave Sub-Zero some insight though as he defended himself against the loyalists. He was glade not all of the clan was willing going along with this but the Cryomancer didn't know what he could do for them if they wouldn't stand up for themselves.
"The Grandmaster's plan will keep the Lin Kuei as the strongest clan! The clan will withstand the advances of technology!" A Lin Kuei spat venomously while attacking Smoke, tossing kunai at him.
Smoke easily dodged the attack and scoffed, "There will be no "Lin Kuei" just the Grandmaster's private army." The Czech warrior retorted bitterly as he darted up to the accuser, punching him in the gut shooting immense heat into him.
The warrior gagged, blood spurting from the vents in his mask. Going limp he lurched forward crashing into the ground, the pain too much for the warrior to handle. Sub-Zero looked at Smoke, he didn't want to kill their former comrades but he couldn't risk such a thing right now. They needed to escape.
"Blind fools." Smoke muttered attacking another Lin Kuei, Sub-Zero barely caught it while ducking a blade swing. They only had a couple left in this hall. They doing good so far he'd only gotten a few scratches. Smoke's aggression was proving useful currently.
With another punch Sub-Zero knocked another guard down, "I'm sorry." He said earnestly as he and Smoke advanced to the main hall. There they were faced by Cyrax, Sektor several other gun metal grey Cybers and normal Lin Kuei. They were cut off, and hearing commotion heading towards them from behind Sub-Zero guess they'd be surrounded soon enough.
"Sakra to všechno. (3)" Smoke cursed, inwardly cringing at the sight of Cyrax's emotionless green lenses. He shook his head sadly, "Cyrax…don't do this. We're your friends…"
[He can't hear you. He only hears orders, that's all he needs to hear.] Sektor interjected, his voice carrying the emotion of the cold metal he was covered in.
Smoke narrowed his burning yellow eyes at the red Cyber, "And you still can, goody us." He spat loathingly, "Seems you haven't changed Sektor."
[I've been improved, even the likes of you will be Smoke.] Sektor responded evenly getting into his fighting position.
"Over my dead body bastard." Smoke snarled returning the sentiment in kind, Sub-Zero following suit. The blue clad warrior eyeing their current opposition, this wasn't going to be easy, but he hadn't expected it to be. They could only power through this.
[Sadly, the Grandmaster won't allow that.] Sektor huffed the sound distorted by his voice synthesizer. An amused scoff came from Smoke who shook his head, Sektor stiffened, inwardly bristling. He narrowed his optics at Smoke who finally explained why he was laughing,
"Still trying to be Daddy's favorite Sektor?"
A metallic grating noise that could be best described as anger came from Sektor, his servos clenching into metal fists. He snapped his attention to the other Cybers waiting for command, [System Override #3 Unit Command- Sektor.] The nearby Cybers eyes flashed and they looked to Sektor, [Apprehend the rogues Smoke and Sub-Zero for Automation!]
Smoke and Sub-Zero readied themselves for combat as the other Cybers turned their attentions to them. Cyrax marched ahead of the crowd-apparently still having some sort of rank among the drones. He pointed towards them, [Subjects: Sub-Zero and Smoke. Surrender to be cyber converted.]
Cyrax's empty metal tone left no room for negotiation, nor did Sektor's angry blue glare. Seeing Smoke's pained, conflicted expression Sub-Zero spoke up for the both of them, "If you remember us at all Cyrax then you know that we can't do that!" The blue warrior fires an ice blast at their friend but the surprisingly limber Cyber dodged him.
Though the attack failed it initiated their enemies to attack. As short as it had been, talk was over. Tossing a smoke bomb to shove some of the regular Lin Kuei away Smoke yelled to his only comrade, "You attacked him?"
Busy was a lesser Cyber Sub-Zero froze its face while grappling with one of its arms, "We don't have a-agh!" He cringed as the Cyber struck him with an iron fist on his shoulder, it hadn't been as disoriented as he thought it would've been. Upper cutting the Cyber he grunted roughly, punching metal wasn't the best option, "We don't have a choice Smoke! We have to disable him!"
Twisting his body he slammed the Cyber onto the ground. He huffed, despite how fast they moved they weren't exactly light. Better freeze him to the ground, Sub-Zero thought, he was about to freeze it to the ground when he was slammed into by another Cyber. Shifting himself he grabbed onto the metal grey Cyber as it tried to ram him into a wall. Icy energy escaped from his hands, ice seeping onto the Cyber, Sub-Zero trying to do something to disrupt its inner works. With all his strength Sub-Zero dug his feet into the ground, stalling the cyborg's quick pace. It was a test of strength now.
Sadly the Cyber was winning. Sub-Zero was slowing giving into its strength, he quickened his ice's advancement. At a faster pace ice seeped into the Cyborg's armor. The Cyber jerked as if surprised, [ERROR! Malfunction in arm joints: Damage 55%]
"Good enough…" Sub-Zero said under his breath, with a push forward the ice shattered along with a good chunk of each of the Cyber's shoulders. The damage caused the Cyber to pull away from him. Its arms now nothing more than limp pieces of metal attached to it.
Once more the Cyber sounded off a report, [Damage Report: Arms no longer functional. Abort Mission.]
As it said the Cyber turn and fled from the battlefield, Sub-Zero allowing its escape. The Cryomancer only got a moment to breathe when Sektor tried to attack him from the side. Sub-Zero blocked the punch with his arm guard, he received no damage but the pain was still throbbing in his arm. Sektor gave a metallic growl as he swung again, following with some successive kicks. Sub-Zero stayed on the defensive not wanting to suffer any of his no doubt painful blows. This served to frustrate Sektor, he lunged, Sub-Zero strengthened the ice on his arms to brace himself but the hit didn't come. Looking up from his arms he saw Sektor vanish in a burst of green data.
He can teleport? Sub-Zero thought to himself in surprise, the fight just got a lot more dangerous, and their chances of escape slimmer. A digital sound hummed out of nowhere, before the blue warrior could pin where it came from a hard metal fist made contact from his jaw. The blow flung Sub-Zero back, his head swimming with dizziness. He was too dazed to even pull himself up from the ground after hitting it.
Sektor couldn't help but chuckled at the sight. Finally, a Sub-Zero had fallen to his might. It had been easier than expected. Now to end it, a compartment in his arm opened up and a flame thrower emerged from it. The barrel extended outward and a flame lit showing it was ready to reduce whatever he pointed at it to smoldering ash. Words flashed on his visor reminding Sektor that his targets needed to be returned alive. Sektor grunted in acknowledgement and dismissed the warning. To keep from tempting himself he deactivated his burner, the flamethrower returning to its space in his arm.
Marching over to Sub-Zero the Lin Kuei Cyber grabbed him by his uniform, [Prepare for Cyber Conversion Sub-Zero.]
"No!" Smoke yelled, he glared at Lin Kuei who blocked him off, he evaporated easily getting passed them. Solidifying himself he tossed heated Kunai at Sektor, aiming for his joints only to have Cyrax jump in the way, deflecting them. The Czech warrior looked around tensely as the still active Cybers moved in. His attention moved back to Sub-Zero, I have to save him!
Seeing Cyrax shoot something from his chest pulled Smoke from his thoughts. Quickly he found himself tangled in a glowing green net with metal bits trying it together. Smoke struggled in the net as it tightened itself further until it was tough for him to move. Seeing his target still Cyrax moved in to retrieve him stating, [Target:Smoke apprehended for Cyber Conversion.]
The moment of stillness caused Smoke to realize something, he looked to Cyrax who approached him, "This isn't going to shock me is it?" As before Cyrax didn't respond, taking it as a no Smoke released his physical form and escaped from the net in his vaporous form. This Cyrax seemed to respond to, expressing some alarm to Smoke's escape.
Why didn't I do that in the first place? Smoke thought to himself as he rematerialized, rushing Sektor he pumped as much heat as he could into the Cyber. Latching onto his neck to assure the heat transfer would have quick effect.
Sektor screamed at the sudden heat blooming in his neck, spreading straight to his head and chest. With the metal coating him the heat traveled from Smoke to him with ease and quickness. Dropping Sub-Zero he spun around to attack the silver grey rouge, soon as he faced him Smoke vanished into vapor. Realizing he'd released Sub-Zero from his grip Sektor spun back around to him. There he saw Smoke helping Sub-Zero up, [No you don't!]
Despite his enhancements Smoke still out sped the Cyber and yanked Sub-Zero to his feet. Before Sektor could reach them the grey clad warrior put considerable distance between them. Smoke panted a little, moving quickly on his own was easy but hauling a big guy like his friend made it plenty tougher.
"You alright?" Smoke asked Sub-Zero quietly while keeping his eyes on their foes.
"Better, thanks for pulling me away." Sub-Zero thanked, managing to stand on his own, he looked at what they were up against. All but the Cyber Sub-Zero had taken out where still present and plenty of Lin Kuei as well. The half Cryomancer frowned at this, "We need to get out of here. Staying and fighting will only get us caught."
"I got an idea. Brace yourself." Smoke replied, before Sub-Zero could ask Smoke flung a smoke bomb onto the ground. His friend just barely managed to ready himself for the sudden, and strong burst of smoke. Sub-Zero barely stifled a cough as Smoke yanked him in the right direction out. Somehow the Czech warrior wasn't effected by smoke but it was reasonable considered he could create it.
The smokescreen was enough to disorient the Lin Kuei but the Cybers quickly locked onto Sub-Zero's odd heat signature, or rather cold signature. On their scanners showed that the blue clad assassin body temperature was literally below zero. Such a temperature was easy to track through the hot smoke.
"The Cybers are still on us." Smoke alerted Sub-Zero as he kept pace alongside him.
"They probably have tracking programs." Sub-Zero answered before looking to Smoke, "Go."
Jerking his head up, he looked both alarmed and confused, "What?"
"You can run faster than this and get out easier. Go." Sub-Zero said sternly, Smoke was about to protest when he interjected, "Go Smoke I'll catch up soon." Smoke remained unsure, the ice warrior hardened his gaze, "If both us get caught the Grandmaster will win. At least one of us must escape."
Alarm flashed in Smoke's eyes, he seemed to think briefly then nodded grimly, "Fine," He snapped a sharp gaze, "You'd better catch up. I don't need you getting any stiffer than you already are, you hear me?"
Sub-Zero chuckled faintly and nodded, "Understood."
The Czech rouge darted forward at a lighting quick speed, easily avoiding any that tried to block him off. As he reached the door he turned to vapor slipping under it. Reforming outside he looked back to the gate, worry covering his expression. Hearing motion around him he spun around to receive a cut to his arm for a blade. The cut was clean, leaving a burning stinging sensation on his arm. Blood leaked from the wound as Smoke ducked out of the way of the next swing then leapt forward avoiding an attack from another guard. He cursed under his breath as he was forced to avoid arrows from tower guards, word had spread quickly through the Lin Kuei hive.
You'd better hurry Kuai Liang, I can't keep this up forever…Smoke thought to himself as he continued to avoid attacks. Dropping low he managed to knock a guard's legs out from under him. The rogue leapt back as the other guard defended his ally from getting knocked out.
Inside Sub-Zero fired another ice ball at incoming guard, then another at yet another attacking Lin Kuei. The half Cryomancer panted and continued running, his hopes raised a bit when he saw the main gates in sight-the doors tightly closed. Now the only trouble he had was finding a way out…while fending off his pursuers. Speaking of which there was still a mob of them right on his heels. Needing a speed boost Sub-Zero used his ice slide technique to hurry forward, leaving a trail of ice behind him. Sadly that didn't throw off Sektor or Cyrax, the lesser Cybers did thankfully have some trouble-slipping and sliding, one tripped. Quickly though they caught on.
Sub-Zero cringed when he felt a Kunai plunge itself into his shoulder, followed by a throwing star. He narrowed his eyes and forced himself forward, growling when the gate guards stood to keep him away. They yelled how it was useless, how he wouldn't be able to get through. The blue clad rogue growled, their words wouldn't discourage him. Ice energy manifest around his hand and shot it forward, sending sharp icicles from it. One of the guards yelled in surprise when the icicles burrowed themselves in his body. He fell to the ground bleeding, none of the damage was life threatening but he wouldn't be fighting anytime soon.
Since when could he do that? Sektor thought, The Grandmaster will need to hear of this when we capture him. He looked to Cyrax, [Cyrax!] The puppet of a warrior jerked his head to Sektor, awaiting his orders, [Teleport to him now, use the net.]
[I obey.] Cyrax responded, the yellow Cyber vanished into data much like Sektor-though his was green not blue. Sub-Zero came to a screeching halt when his former friend appeared in front of him. A strong part of him still not wanting to fight, feeling that somewhere in the metal shell was still his friend. Cyrax didn't seem to share this sentiment as he fired his green energy net. Seemingly out of instinct Sub-Zero let himself all backwards into the trail of ice he had left.
Sektor stalled staring at what he'd seen, the other Cybers stopped as well their processors not knowing what to make of the sight. The Lin Kuei murmured to each other of things along line of "What the…" and sorcery. Sektor himself was speechless but he'd seen it, Sub-Zero fall into ice. Cyrax was by the ice looking it over for any signs of his former ally and friend, his optics scanned the ice's surface but it picked up nothing but the frozen water. The Cyber's processors concluded that Sub-Zero was not in the ice, but then where was he? Cyrax looked around but could not find his target, a program screamed error-Sub-Zero could not just vanish. He had no teleporting abilities.
Cyrax's programs told him to look to his commander Sektor for instruction, [My scanners do not pick up the target Sub-Zero.] He reported as he moved over to him, his programs telling no threat was nearby. His metallic feet clopped over the ice as he stated a question, [What is your instruction?]
Sektor snapped from his confusion, and looked to the door, [Smoke, we must capture him. The Grandmaster won't be pleased if both of them escape-]
The red cyber stopped when he notice something was coming out of the ice, immediately he realized Sub-Zero had been in the ice, [Cyrax behind you!]
LK-4D4 whipped around in time to see Sub-Zero reform from ice, flesh returning to normal and charged ice ball in hand. A sad look was in the blue warrior's eyes, "I'm sorry about this Cyrax." The yellow Cyber moved to get out of the way but the ice ball was faster, freezing him in a solid layer of ice.
No sooner than when one threat was dealt with the others rushed into attack. Sub-Zero backed up towards the gates fighting off the Lin Kuei that attacked him. He held his arm up, still encased in ice to lessen the damage of projectiles thrown at him. Seeing some sort of blaster emerge from a lesser Cyber's arm he jumped out of the way, an energy blast shot from the blaster leaving a painful score in the floor.
Sub-Zero mind went into over drive, he needed a way out and soon. He could freeze part of the door and break it. No that'd take too much time he'd get captured. He could try and book it down the hall. A few feet from the door Sub-Zero's eyes widened, Of course the east wall like we had planned.
Seeing the ice wielder backed up against the gates made Sektor grin, how he'd longed to see this scenario play out in real life. He narrowed his optics seeing Cyrax frozen, he'd thaw the worthless bastard out after they caught Sub-Zero.
The commander signaled the non-cyberized Lin Kuei to stand down. They had Sub-Zero surrounded, there was nowhere for him to run. Sektor marched ahead of the lesser Cybers, [Stand down.] He instructed them, the Cybers saluted and did as instructed. Grinning snidely he looked at Sub-Zero, [Surrender Sub-Zero, there's nowhere to run. Your apparent new abilities were interesting but in the end it's useless. The Cyber Imitative is the future of the Lin Kuei, and you'll be a part of it whether you want to be or not. Your friend Smoke will join you shortly, he can't run forever.]
"I'll never surrender and become a slave Sektor." Sub-Zero growled firmly as he glared at the Cyber. He and Sektor had never got along but Sub-Zero had never thought he'd go this low to feel superior.
[You wouldn't have been a slave if you willingly allowed yourself to become a Cyber.] Sektor retorted flatly, he huffed amusedly, [However, I won't complain. The more vainly you struggle the more I'll enjoy you becoming a Cyber.]
"I'll never let that happen to me or Smoke. Though I'm surprised you still feel anything Sektor. I guess you're not just a metal shell." Sub-Zero retorted dryly, Sektor narrowed his optics slightly. The cold warrior readied himself as he signaled the non-Cyber Lin Kuei to attack, ducked and dodge, slowly moving towards the east hall. Sub-Zero leapt forward dodging Sektor as he lunged at him. Manifesting his Kori blade he turned and blocked Sektor's metal fist and held it there as he pushed down.
[It'll take more than paltry tricks to defeat me!] Sektor snarled, he was growing frustrated with all these new tricks his target was pulling. He grabbed onto the frozen blade and snapped it with his iron hands. Sektor kicked Sub-Zero away and tossed the ice shards aside. The blue combatant caught himself and fired ice shards at him making him block.
The sharp ice pelted against his armoring annoying Sektor further, [Is that all you can do?] He challenged, Sub-Zero huffed and fired an ice ball. Reflexively he jumped away, looking back to his opponent he saw him running down the east hall. Sektor growled, it had been a fake out.
The red commander didn't need to tell the others to chase after the fugitive. They flooded down the hall after Sub-Zero who kept a steady lead against them. A Cyber tried to lung at him but the ice warrior kicked him away sending him crashing into the others, giving him another chance to gain distance on them. Sub-Zero had made it half way down the hall and he looked around warily, where was Sektor?
No doubt trying to head me off. Sub-Zero figured, quickly he booked it down another hall, I'll need to out think him if I'm to make it to the east wall.
Taking sharp turns, double backing and taking more turns proved useful in ditching some of his pursuers. In their haste the group had split apart to try and find him. Sub-Zero still hadn't spotted Sektor so he kept his eyes sharp for the red Cyber. Taking a turn down a hall he quickly ducked into a room before the ones after him could notice. Lying low in the room he waited for them to pass. His hunters were too in a hurry to check every room, silently he crept across the room and slid open the sliding door on the other side. Finally he was outside.
The sun was getting low but the former Lin Kuei didn't have time to notice that as he ran down the wooden walk way outside the building. He didn't hear the ones chasing him but it was only a matter of time before they caught on or he ran into others. This gave him time to remove the projectiles in him and seal the wounds shut with ice. Luckily he made it a good distance before he encountered more opposition. He was at the edge of the building we he ran into a small mob. Quickly he readied to fight his way to the rock wall. If he could get up there he could ice slide down the other side.
Creating another Kori blade he blocked a spear, grabbing the staff he froze then snapped it in half. Swinging the ice blade he sliced the wielder's side, forcing him away. A Lin Kuei with twin blades rushed him, Sub-Zero raised his sword to defend. The resulting clash tested his blade, the opponent's strikes were quick-not heavy but numerous. However, it wasn't that Lin Kuei that manage to land a blow. While Sub-Zero was struggling with the twin blade user, another with a quick ninja blade caught him from behind, slicing his back.
Sub-Zero cringed, jerking away inadvertently getting his arm cut by the twin blade user as a result. Inwardly he cursed himself for such a mistake, ducking to the side to get away from the both of them. His Kori blade damaged he repaired it as he ran ahead, he swung his blade cutting a Lin Kuei's leg badly then forced him aside.
A sudden blow to his face made him stumble to the side. Facing his foe he was surprised to see Cyrax. Just behind him he saw Sektor approaching. Seeing his burners out Sub-Zero realized where he had been. He had been thawing out Cyrax.
[Surrender fugitive Sub-Zero. Cyber Conversion is unavoidable.] Cyrax stated, his tone devoid of emotion. It seemed all emotion had been replaced by a cold and empty metallic overtone. All that was his friend seemed to be gone.
[Your friend is correct.] Sektor agreed to further rubbing the salt into the newly opened wound.
"That is not my friend. That is the machine you put in control of his body!" Sub-Zero yelled venomously. His anger heightened as Sektor laughed at him, his attention was diverted away by another attack from the twin blade user. Sub-Zero pulled back and tossed an ice spear at his attacker, the ice spear lodging itself in the shoulder. A familiar noise told Sub-Zero to jump away, Cyrax's net flew past Sub-Zero capturing a Lin Kuei instead.
Seeing an opening Sub-Zero hurried to the rock wall at top speed, looking behind him he fired off several quick ice bursts. He didn't want the mob to catch up so quickly. Unfortunately Sektor and Cyrax's reflexes allowed them to keep the gap the same. Sub-Zero clenched his teeth upon seeing the other Cybers rejoin the fun.
Sub-Zero nearly jumped when Sektor suddenly appeared in front of him, he ducked under his punch. Springing upward Sub-Zero punched him in the jaw, he jerked backwards giving the half Cryomancer enough him to pull him down kneeing him in the gut. Sub-Zero ignored the pain spreading from his knee as Sektor pulled back from the blow, thankfully still seeming to feel that. Seemed he wasn't completely unfeeling after all. Sub-Zero went to swing his blade at him but it was caught by another and crushed.
Hoisted up by Cyrax Sub-Zero was tossed into the fortress wall. The ice warrior groaned as he peeled himself from the wall. There he saw how close he was, all pain vanished upon seeing his chance to escape. A metallic clanking made him turn his head, Cyrax was charging him intent on beating him into unconsciousness. Sub-Zero spun away, the yellow Cyber's metal fist leaving an indent in the wall. His friend could certainly hit harder now. Cyrax snapped his head to his target and lunged again, throwing a kick out. Again Sub-Zero pulled back creating an ice clone as Cyrax readied to punch.
Before Cyrax could crash into the ice statue Sektor pulled him back, [Don't fall for that!] He snapped at the metal puppet. Cyrax merely looked at him not responding.
"He doesn't have to." Sub-Zero stated coldly, he grabbed the ice clone and threw it at them. When the clone shattered it froze all of Cyrax and most of Sektor leaving only part of the Cyber's head unfrozen.
In a rush Sub-Zero didn't stay to enjoy the amusing noises of frustration Sektor was making. Immediately he began to climb up the rock wall creating ice to use as footholds. He was making good distance until the others caught up and began tossing projectiles at him. Kunai, throwing stars, arrows where flung his way. Sub-Zero jumped upward to avoid most of the barrage, still getting nicks and a throwing star in his leg but otherwise fine. Quickening his pace managed to get to the top. Cautiously he glanced downward, a few normal Lin Kuei were climbing up and a couple of Cybers as well. Seemed the lesser ones couldn't teleport, good to know.
Seeing Sektor and Cyrax still frozen Sub-Zero bolted to towards the wall, dodging projectiles aimed his way. Getting past the wall he ice slid down the rocky slop, skidding to a stop as he made it to the ground. Seeing Smoke with his own troubles he had no time to revel in the success of his solo escape from the strong hold.
Smoke was parrying a blade when the wielder was suddenly frozen he grinned, relieved, he turned his head to see Sub-Zero hurrying over. He chuckled ducking to the side, punching another guard in the head, gut, then finished him with a palm strike to the face, "Took you long enough." Smoke commented lightly.
"Sorry, unlike you I had to run." Sub-Zero responded freezing another guard, he looked around blocking an arrow with his ice armor, unfreezing himself he says, "We need to go now. I froze Sektor and Cyrax but they'll break free soon."
"Well, since you're here now let's go." Smoke replied briskly tossing a smoke bomb at the ground blowing the remaining guards back. Sub-Zero nodded curtly and they fled away from the Lin Kuei gates, being sure to serpentine as they run-didn't want to make it easy for the archers to shoot them.
Reaching the bridge Sub-Zero urged Smoke to run ahead him to avoid slowing his friend down. The grey clad warrior didn't argue this time and ran ahead. Sub-Zero narrowly avoided arrows but by the time he reached the end of the bridge they stopped shooting. Finally they were out of range. He looked to Smoke who nodded, they continued to run though they were out of the fortress but hadn't escaped just yet. They needed get off the mountain to even have a slim chance to gaining their freedom.
Sektor shattered the ice encasing him with the help of a couple of Cybers who'd used a low setting on their energy blasters to thaw the ice. If they busted it they could have damaged Sektor's armor. The red cyber let out a metallic growl; how dare the traitor humiliate him like that. The commanding cyber snapped his head to Cyrax, the Cybers were working on freeing him now. LK-4D4's arm was already twitching in its ice casing, he'd be free shortly.
He turned his attention to his communication link, time to update the Grandmaster-let himself get yelled at. Sektor begrudgingly braced himself, despite the man being his Father there was little bond between them-if any at all. Opening the wireless link he began speaking, [Grandmaster.]
[You've captured them?] The Grandmaster asked through the communicator on his wrist, previously hidden under his long rob sleeves.
There was a pause before Sektor replied, [No, they've made it out of the headquarters. They're probably past the bridge by now.] The Grandmaster didn't reply right away but Sektor knew his anger was brewing like a storm, he could practically feel it building. He envisioned his father's face turning red as his uniform and all he could do was wait for it. Then the Cyber commander got an idea, to defuse the situation-at least for the moment, [Sub-Zero has gained new abilities, we were caught off guard.]
Another pause of silence, Sektor could see his father reigning in his anger, [What sort of abilities?] He questioned slowly, his voice stiff as a rock.
[Projectiles, ice weapons, but the biggest is how he evaded us. He can move through ice. The Cybers nor I could anticipate that. Smoke simply used his evaporation skills to slip through the gate.] Sektor explained, not completely lying. He couldn't waste time calming his father if he flew into a fit of rage. Part of him wondered why he was still leader with such a temper…
[I see, that does not wholly excuse your failure though Sektor.] The Grandmaster responded, sounding irate but intrigued. Sektor could manage this. It was a rather typical mood for his father.
[Perhaps we could activate unit LK-1V1? He has specialized weaponry and teleportation.] Sektor suggested, he'd heard of this unit but had never seen him. The first functional Lin Kuei Cyber ever made.
[No.] The Grandmaster answered swiftly, [LK-1V1's programming does work properly, his memory is gone but he still exhibits free will. He's repeatedly turned during testing.]
Sektor thought a moment, LK-1V1 intrigued him but he put it aside for a moment, [Then may I ask for permission to use more force?]
[Very well, we can work with them damaged. Just don't kill them! At least not yet.]
Sektor grinned at the answer, now he could show Sub-Zero his new power, and see him burn-a little, [As you command Grandmaster.] The red Cyber ended the transmission then looked to Cyrax as he broke free from the ice, [Disengage safeties and get ready to go.]
[Safeties Disengaged.] Cyrax complied, his cybernetic form adjusting itself for true combat.
Sektor did this himself though without sounding off as his partner had, he looked to the handful of Cybers they had with them. Soon there would be more, other Lin Kuei warriors were already undergoing the process. The more willing ones for now, it allowed things to move faster. Most of the others were in the underground jail cells, the ones that had attempted to rebel. Sektor looked to the regular Lin Kuei, [You remain here. Cybers with me.]
The Cybers followed Sektor as he jumped up the rock wall, easy with their enhanced abilities, jumping down following him as he ran across the bridge. Sektor used his thermal imaging to track the foot prints left by the traitors, one track cold the other somewhat warmer than normal. Sektor chuckled. They'd catch up in no time.
Noob Saibot continued to trail Smoke and his failure of a sibling through the shadows. He'd seen it all, the moment when they revealed their treachery, the reveal of the Cyber units, and them fleeing from the clan that had raised them. The shadow wraith enjoyed the moment the clan turned on them, it had almost been at the snap of a finger. Just like that and they were fugitives. However, the Cyber Initiative was surprising and the wraith wasn't sure what he thought about that. It was a drastic change from tradition that was for certain, obedient warriors was ideal but it also went against what he had been taught by the Lin Kuei. Instincts were a vital asset to a warrior, that much had been seen when "Sub-Zero" had pulled his new stunt. Anything that went against data and the Cyber's were useless as flashy toy, someone that could think and adjust strategies needed to be with them. He supposed that's where Sektor came in. The wraith huffed inwardly, regardless of how that decision turned out it didn't matter to him in the end.
Trailing the fugitives through that shadows Noob Saibot felt himself bristle, that stunt his supposed sibling pulled bothered him to no end. It had left him stunned as the clan had been, and he still couldn't figure out how he had done it! Nothing he recalled from his old abilities hinted that moving through a sheet of ice was possible!
How. How is he learning all of these new things!? Noob Saibot yelled in his mind, Saibot shifted inside him feeling his master's frustration rushing him in waves. The shadow double growled agreeing with Noob's anger towards the development. Then the wraith calmed suddenly, a dark grin forming under his mask slowly as he peered out at the shadows at the running pair, I still have a job to do though, Saibot chuckled darkly knowing where this train of thought was going, I just need to wait for the right moment.
Elsewhere the specter Scorpion waited for his target to show himself. The specter stood at a cliff, he could see the White Lotus temple in the distance, a lake as well, the sun was getting low in the sky another day was about to end. Scorpion had been waiting for a while but he could feel it would be soon that Sub-Zero the two others would show. As promised the monk and this other warrior would be spared his wrath. Sub-Zero however, this would be his last fight, he would make sure of that.
Translations:
Czech: That bastard! How, how could he do that to Cyrax! Heartless, uncaring bastard...he's gone crazy, absolutely insane!
Czech: Idiots.
Czech: Damn it all.
Finally got to this point! Geez, I'd been waiting to get to this! Had to cut this bit in two otherwise this chapter would have come out longer than it already is! I am happy how long it turned out though. Longest chapter I've written for this in a while! And yeah added the little Scorpion bit at the end just to catch up with him a little.
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