Sorry about that. Apparently the site saw fit to veto my first attempt at posting this chapter. Anyways without further inane babble here it is.
Almost as soon as it had begun the kiss ended. Theta lurched backwards as if burned, her common sense only now turning on. David looked confused, very confused. Theta kicked herself mentally, she was such an idiot. "So um…what was that?" Theta's mental kicking became mental strangling, could she go die now? That'd be nice.
David stepped away from her looking uneasy; his hand left her bare shoulder as he did. Theta hadn't even noticed his hand on her shoulder but now that it was gone she felt cold. She wished she could go back in time and undue her idiocy. It wasn't as if she had many friends, she didn't want to lose one of the precious few she had.
Theta opened her mouth on instinct before closing it with a snap; it wasn't as if she could explain herself to him. Her self loathing kicked in as once again she was reminded of how inhuman she was. She was envious, so envious of others. They took their voices for granted. There were times where she almost wished she was a monster, they might be deranged but at least they could speak.
David seemed to sense her frustration; he took a tentative step towards her. He was obviously afraid she would kiss him again. He didn't need to worry about that, she knew what she was. Her eyes glowed an eerie yellow, her freakishly pale skin had a slight greenish tinge to it, and she was abnormally tall and thin. She was a freak, a monster, a failed experiment. She'd always been alone, why should that change now?
David's hand extended slowly as he moved to comfort her. Theta didn't want his comfort; she turned to flee but was stopped as his hand caught her arm. "Hey now, am I really that bad of a kisser?" Stop please just stop. Seeing that his attempted joke if anything made the situation worse David changed his tone. "This involves both of us doesn't it?" Theta nodded hesitantly wishing he would just let her leave.
"Well then let me have a say before you abscond into the wild green yonder." Theta sighed mentally; she didn't want to hear empty words of comfort. Conveniently, David did not use words. Gently cupping her cheek he pulled her in for a quick kiss. When he pulled away Theta couldn't help staring in shock. She was distinctly aware of heat spreading across her face. David gave her a half grin that made her stomach feel fluttery. "Glad you didn't run off?"
After a moment's hesitation Theta tackled the surprised human in hug.
()
Leo slammed into the bulkhead door before falling to the ground. The mammoth creature that was attacking him appeared to be some sort of bastardization of a Gatherer. Its glowing eyes and regenerative capabilities attested to that fact. Happily Leo knew how to handle Gatherers. Pulling his knife from its holster in his boot he dove forward.
The blade sunk into the creature's belly without any resistance…at first. An inch in and the blade jolted to a stop, all the strength Leo was putting into the stab had nowhere else to go and so the blade broke. Roaring insanely the beast grabbed him and tossed him through the air like he weighed nothing.
Groaning Leo got to his feet. That should have worked; there was no reason it shouldn't have. Warily watching the beast as it lumbered towards him Leo saw the answer to why his attack failed in the cut that was rapidly healing. It appeared to have some sort of boney growth extending down from its rib cage that protected its organs…and consequently the leech that supplied its regenerative abilities. That was not good.
Now while Leo wasn't a coward, he was a realist. His team was not equipped to deal with something like this. It was with absolute confidence he gave them the order to hold positions. Shooting the oncoming monster in the head, Leo left Suchong's house of horrors. By the time it recovered he'd be far enough away that the other members of his team would be much more appealing food. It was like his Grandma always used to say, 'why die when others can do it for you?'
()
Thompson getting acquainted with the final member of their party had been…interesting. The little girl had appeared wary of him at first, the second he agreed to help her find a Pep Bar her tone had changed completely. It had surprised Thompson how human the little girl had been, though from his interactions with Samantha he really should have known better.
Despite her engaging personality and apparent willingness to converse with a monster, she was obviously still gripped by the indoctrination that kept Little Sisters from realizing the horror of what they did. The thought that one day she would realize the true nature of what she'd been doing saddened Thompson. While he could not help her when that time came he would do his best to give some true fond memories she could look back on.
Carrying the chocolate covered girl on his shoulders, Thompson set out to find her older sibling and their human friend. It was a quick search; all he had to do was follow the sound of laughing. Samantha's laughter was interesting; it had a raspy quality that made it almost sound like a growl. He was glad he had talked David into comforting the upset protector, the last thing they needed was an emotionally unstable Big Sister on their hands. In Thompson's opinion there were far too many of those already.
The sight that awaited them on the balcony was so unexpected that Thompson didn't actually process what he was seeing for several seconds. David was straddling a thrashing Samantha tickling her, while she showered him with halfhearted blows obviously not actually attempting to dislodge the grinning human. Moving one hand to cup David's cheek she whined softly causing the human to grin further. "If you insist." David leaned down kissing Samantha softly on the lips.
"Eeeeeewwwww!" David jumped, hands brushing against Samantha's apparently sensitive sides. Samantha yelped in shock and flailed her arm, whacking David soundly upside the head. The human tumbled off of her with a pained grunt. Samantha's yellow eyes found a bemused Thompson and her disgusted sister, face turning a truly remarkable shade of red she moved to help David off of the floor.
David stood wobbly, supported by Samantha. "You hit hard…" If possible her face flushed further, she quickly hung her head obviously hoping to hide behind her hair.
Thompson gave David a half hearted glare. "I said make it up to her, not make out with her."
David took a step towards Thompson; he immediately lost his balance but was caught by Samantha. "I'll have you know I did not plan this."
Thompson merely raised an eyebrow. "If you say so. Now come on, let's get the bathysphere." Sadness once again flitted across Thompson's features. "I don't want to spend any more time here."
Cautiously, Samantha released David. Seeing that he could stand on his own she rested her forehead against his. Looking apologetic she brushed the tips of her fingers over the bruise forming on the side of David's head. "I know you're sorry, I'm okay. Now go get your armor and let's get the hell out of here."
()
Leo walked into Lamb's office unannounced, something that was almost unheard of. That action alone was enough to convey the importance of what he had to say. "Something was loose in Suchong's labs, some sort of experiment based on the Gatherer."
Lamb nodded, her icy blue eyes watching him like a hawk over her horn rimmed spectacles. "I take it the rest of your group is no longer with us?"
Leo nodded, face expressionless. "It regenerated incredibly fast; I left them behind to distract it so I could inform you of the situation myself."
Lamb studied him shrewdly for several seconds before her lips twitched with the barest ghost of a smile. "You did well. You fought it, what would you recommend in dealing with it?"
He was unsure of how to respond; while he had fought it briefly he hadn't gotten the best read of its abilities. Oh well it was like his Grandma always used to say, 'when in doubt of an enemies abilities it's better to overestimate then underestimate'. "I'd say explosives, sustained fire, and dismemberment. Hit it hard and hit it fast, don't give it time to recuperate."
Lamb's smile widened slightly. "Once again you prove that you are an intelligent man Mr. Morrow, but why destroy what we can use? We should study it further; see if we can find out what motivates it." Dr. Lamb leaned forward, hands clasped before her. "As you well know Mr. Morrow, if you find out what motivates an individual you find out how to control that individual."
()
Theta couldn't remember ever being this excited before! They were in the bathysphere on the way to Mother's hidden fortress. When they got there Mother would reward her for saving her Sister. And seeing David and Thompson's contributions to that effort she would make them honorary parts of the Family! David would be able to stay with her and she could live the 'happily ever after' she thought denied to her so long ago.
David smiled at her; it appeared her excitement was infectious. Leaning over she rested her head on his shoulder, relishing the feeling of safety he gave her. His hand found hers and he gave it a tight squeeze. "After all we've been through this is almost over."
Theta smiled up at him, it was nice to see him truly smile. Theta could tell the difference between his real smiles and his mask, he was a good actor and it had taken her a while to catch on but she could tell. In his real smiles a crease almost perfectly between his eyebrows appeared and his nose wrinkled ever so slightly. She lunged forward planting a quick kiss on the crease on his forehead. His face formed his now familiar baffled look. Left eyebrow raised just so, lips tilted in an unsure half smirk. Theta giggled, something she hadn't thought herself capable of, and smiled at the confused human. When had she learned to read his expressions so well?
"You are a strange individual, you know that don't you?" Theta laughed lightly and nuzzled into his neck. That may be true but she was his strange individual.
Thompson politely cleared his throat, earning the duo's attention. "I'm not sure about going to the Family; they aren't the most welcoming to outsiders."
David pondered what Thompson had said, forehead creased with worry. With a soft whimper Theta reached upward gently massaging his forehead. She didn't like those wrinkles, they meant he was concerned. David looked down at her for a second before asking the question she had known was coming. "Is that true?"
With a lazy groan Theta sat up from her comfortable position and nodded. Before David could get too alarmed she motioned to herself then everyone else and shook her head. Showcasing his impressive ability to understand her 'language' David verified his understanding with her. "They won't mess with us as long as you're there?" With a proud hum Theta nodded.
Thompson sighed nervously. "I hope you're right."
A nonchalant voice came up from the floor. "You owe me a Pep Bar, you know."
David paused looking amused and leaned down to look at Amanda. "Was that directed at me?"
Still idly playing with her Daddy doll Amanda gave him a reproachful look. "Of course I was talking to you. I told you to just kiss her and it would make everything better and it worked."
David smirked at the young girl, amused by her obsession with Pep Bars and all things chocolate. "If that is true then why were you so horrified when you saw me taking your advice?"
Amanda's nose wrinkled in disgust. "Just because I recommended you do something didn't mean I wanted to see it."
()
Clyde ran his legs burning in agony and breath catching in his throat, he had to leave. Behind him he could hear the agonized screams of his lifelong friend Thomas as that monster attacked him. He was the last; he knew that without a doubt. They had all remained in radio contact, they had all heard as they were killed one by one.
They had thought they stood a chance, they had thought they could defeat it. It wasn't until there were only six left that they realized Mr. Morrow had abandoned them. That fact had been the last straw in the Splicer's already fraying moral. Unfortunately Suchong's labs had been built like a maze; to a panicked individual who was unfamiliar with the area finding your way out was very hard.
Clyde felt a tear slide down his cheek, if he'd listened to Thomas and taken his directions they would both have escaped from that nightmare. But no, he'd been too stubborn to listen and had insisted they take the right turn not the left. Now Thomas was dead and after taking the left turn at the same junction Clyde could see the bright lights of Olympus Heights.
The lights as they blinded him briefly gave him a rush of relief, he'd made it out. A roar proved him wrong. It was still coming! Turning he sprinted into the main atrium of the tower, he could see other Splicers ambling around in the distance. Waving his arms frantically he rushed towards them. "Help! Help!"
Inside the room that held the secret entrance he could hear the monster blundering around, it must have been blinded by the light. "You have to help me!" The monster's enraged howl echoed around the tower, the distant Splicers scattered like roaches. An enormous hand wrapped itself around his head. Clyde found himself suspended four feet off the ground as the creature held him up to its face. Its blank yellow eyes showed only hunger.
Pulling forth his shaving razor, Clyde dug it into one of the monster's glowing eyes. Shrieking in pain it threw him away, clutching at its face. Time seemed to slow as he soared through the air. One hand still clutching its bleeding eye the beast smashed aside a support column. With a thundering crash the level above the beast fell directly onto it. The sudden weight broke the column supporting its level. As a result the beast, along with several tons of rubble, was sent flying down the several story drop.
As he fell to what was likely his death Clyde smiled, at least he wouldn't be alive when the creature consumed him. Clyde hit the ground with a wet crunch; his ribs were shattered on impact sending sharpened fragments of bone into his organs. Howling as it fell the beast landed next to him, it landed on its back screaming in agony as its deformed spine broke. Its screams, along with Clyde's life, were ended by the several tons of rubble that followed.
()
David was incredibly nervous. As the Bathysphere docked Samantha pulled on her intimidating helmet. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder before moving to open the door. With Amanda placed in her basket Samantha stepped confidently from the Bathysphere intimidating helmet glaring reproachfully at any Splicers that looked at her.
After surveying her surroundings for a second or two she motioned for her companions to join her. Slowly they stepped out onto the dock. Many of the Splicers readied weapons but a single growl from Samantha ended their brief hostility. Gesturing for the two to stay close, Samantha headed deeper into the complex.
She took the twists and turns like someone who clearly knew where she was going. Whenever a Splicer saw them they warily cleared the way for David's intimidating friend, angrily eyeing the outsiders in their midst. After several minutes of twists and turns David was hopelessly lost. Thompson leaned over to him. "This is a mistake, we shouldn't be here."
David sent the man a sharp glare. "You don't trust Sam?" The Splicer just shook his head with a sigh obviously anxious to see this over and done with.
Samantha stopped and David glanced up. A man was blocking the doorway at the end of the hall, judging from his size he had to be a Splicer. He was around seven feet in height and built like a train. Unlike the brutish Splicers that David had seen before the man's body wasn't grotesquely swollen with muscle. He was built like a body builder but not to the freakish proportions of most muscle bound Splicers. His head was shaved bald and his jaw was square. He was wearing what must have been a custom tailored suit; there were two bulges on the sides of his chest. David would have bet money they were guns of some kind. His intelligent grey eyes surveyed Samantha and her entourage with something like detached amusement. "You're late."
Samantha growled dangerously, nodding once towards the door. "As you wish princess." With a slight smirk the man turned and opened the door. He held it open as they passed before following them inside. Casually leaning against the doorframe he readied himself to watch what unfolded. David felt a slight thrill of fear at the man's positioning of himself. He was sending a subtle but clear message, you leave through me.
"Who are these Sister?" A surprising tall woman was standing from her place at a desk. She was striking with blond hair and prominent cheekbones. She might have been pretty if it wasn't for her eyes; they held all the warmth of an arctic night.
From atop Samantha's shoulders Amanda introduced them. "That's Mr. Ordinary and Doctor-Man, they helped us get here!" Despite the situation, David sent Thompson an amused glance. Doctor-Man? Thompson pointedly ignored him.
The woman walked slowly around her desk, frosty gaze studying the two new arrivals. "Dr. Aaron Thompson, I'm surprised to see you. What was it you said last you saw me? If I'm going to join a cult I might as well join one that admits it is one?"
Thompson shifted awkwardly from foot to foot. "Something along those lines."
The woman, who from the name plate on her desk David learned was named Dr. Sofia Lamb, narrowed her eyes at the doctor. "Mr. Morrow, take the doctor to rehabilitation."
With a respectful "Ma'am", the giant of a man grabbed Thompson by the scruff of his neck and dragged him from the room.
Needless to say David was far from pleased. "Sam! What the hell was that?" Samantha shifted her weight guiltily from foot to foot, refusing to meet his gaze. Dr. Lamb turned her cold gaze onto David with a raised eyebrow. David couldn't help but shiver it was like she was seeing though him.
"And who are you? You obviously aren't from Rapture."
"My name is David Kristoff." He held out his hand, when Lamb pointedly ignored it he continued with a sheepish laugh. "I was shipwrecked and found the lighthouse. I eventually met Amanda and after trying to save her from S-Theta we worked together to get her back safely." If the woman noticed his slipup when saying Samantha's name she didn't let it show.
"You wouldn't be here if you didn't want something."
Feeling growing unease from the woman's piercing gaze, David shifted from foot to foot. "I…um yeah. I wanted to ask your permission to use a bathysphere to leave. I-I have a family and they need me." Samantha stiffened next to him, stifling a gasp.
"And what would you tell your family?"
David paused, he hadn't really thought of that yet. "I-I don't really know." A nervous laugh. "It's not like they'd believe the truth."
"And if they did?"
"I, what?"
"What if they did believe you? What ruin would the governments of the world bring to my family?" David felt his heart stop; it wasn't supposed to be this way.
"I-I don't rightly know, but I wouldn't tell anyone about you if you didn't want me to." Samantha shifted; apparently she was sharing David's growing unease.
For the first time in their conversation Lamb smiled, it was not a comforting sight. "I have a counter offer. Stay, become a part of the Rapture Family." Next to him Samantha nodded excitedly, David felt guilt dig into his heart as he prepared his response.
"I-I can't. I appreciate the offer Dr. Lamb, but I already have a family."
Lamb's face if possible became colder. "Are you really so selfish? I have a daughter, and I have forged her into a selfless being a member of the Rapture Family. Look around you. From the Ashes or Andrew Ryan's 'utopia' we have forged a true utopia. Don't you see? We are utopia, together we form something greater then we could ever have done alone."
The woman was charismatic he'd give her that; a small part of him was inclined to agree with her. "I respectfully decline Ma'am, my family needs me."
All pretenses of kindness vanished instantly. "If you won't help the Family willingly you shall do so unwillingly. Sister, immobilize him and take him to join the next generation of Protectors."
David looked at Samantha eyes wide. She was looking between the two of them whimpering. "S-Sam?"
A kind smile spread across Lamb's face. "The Rapture Family demands sacrifice from all of us Sister. Remember, the Rapture Family needs you to do this."
Samantha turned to face David. "Sam? What are we-" With a flick of her wrist Protector M2 Theta sent the shocked human flying into the wall, he landed motionless on the ground. As the dust settled the only sound in the room was the horrified cries of a small child.
Well that is the end of part one. Such a happy ending. Don't worry Theta, David, Amanda, Thompson, Harper, Tony, Sandy, Jack, and Tenenbaum aren't done with me yet. There's more to come.
