So...by the end of this chapter, I won't be surprised if you dislike me as an author...:(
DX DX DX I'm SORRY! It had to happen! It was in the works from the beginning! I admit!
(sniffle, sniffle) Please enjoy if you can.
RIP.
Time: Unknown..
Region: Ajan..
Location: Cadem...unknown...Unknown...
A mist rose from the ground. His vision flickered, crackling like a broken screen. Alluring voices called from beyond, taunting him, singing haunted lullabies as he staggered through the deserted labyrinth. Shifting shadows floated beside him, then vanished when he tried to look at them. Hisses filled the air, but he could see nothing else in the lonely void.
Where was he?
His vision flickered again, head thrashing harder. Fog swept over his mind, and his eyes rolled, the pain in his leg pulsing now, but not hurting. His conscious faded for a moment, and then returned. His eyes felt burned and dry.
How long had his eyes been open without blinking? Where was he now?
His blood felt thick, warm, flooding his veins with fire. In his chest, his heart still pounded.
Thud, thud, thud.
His mouth was dry and he coughed, but with every hacking wheeze, long strings of saliva spilled from his throat, choking him until he managed to get it back under control.
Where were the others..?
Hunteeeer..? A voice called teasingly, making him lift his head.
Where…?
Come...it hissed; then chuckled lowly, you're missing all the fun…
Then the voice thudded in his mind, the pace of the lullaby slowly forcing his conscious back.
Where are you? We're waiting, waiting, waiting for the blood you can offer us. The darkness is our shield, the darkness is our friend. Why do you hide in the light when you can play at night? Come to us. Follow my voice. Follow, follow, follow. You're purpose is drawing near, my very special dear. Don't fear. We'll all be here…
His legs shook. Slunching against the wall, he gasped for breath, rapidly blinking through pained eyes as if to clear his head.
Hunteeeer….
His eyes closed. And consciousness faded. When it returned, his eyes refocused...and he couldn't find where he was. What had once been a corridor was now a single passage, heavily shadowed and eerily silent.
Forward...Forward...forward…
He wasn't sure what was pushing him on, but his legs kept moving. One step at a time. Just one foot in front of the other. His senses were thundering in his mind and he never noticed nor cared about the many blood trails staining the way.
Old pieces of the floor littered the ground, sending him crashing down, the sharp edges stabbing at his skin as he tried and failed and tried again at staggering to his feet.
Must...keep...he thought….going….Wait...where..Where am I? Where are the others? Tech?! Wrecker?! Cross-AAAAGHH!
A shrill scream tore from his throat as his suddenly felt like his head had been split open. Clutching it, he doubled over, writhing on the ground as his inhuman cries expressed his agony.
Hunteeer…The voice chided disappointedly. Now, now, sweet. You're almost here...You're almost..home...Almost home…
No…
The affliction ceased, and he haggardly pulled himself to his knees, coughing up another lungful of mucus.
Keep coming…The others will find you there….you'll see….Now no more. You're almost here….
Consciousness faded and all went dark…
On the ground, the worn figure of a man lay kneeing, surrounded by his own blood. But it never felt it nor the stones sticking to his wounds because of it. Heaving one last time, it pushed himself to its feet, staggering against the wall to keep upright...and kept going, heading for the door.
Hunter just didn't know what was on the other side.
Time: 1001
Region: Outer Rim, Cademimu sector
Location: Ajan Kloss, Muutmine laboratory.
This wire, Wrecker thought, carefully connecting the tiny yellow strand into the proper plug with a pair of tweezers. I won't be surprised if-
But the thought was never to be continued. Just then, Tech's comm link bleeped on his own comm.
''Wrecker!'' his voice sounded frantic. ''Wrecker, are you still there? Come in!''
''Yeah, Tech, I'm here. What's going on?'' he demanded gruffly, already standing, his project completely forgotten.
''It's Hunter.'' Crosshair snapped bitterly, ''He's gone.''
''Gone!? I thought he was bitten.''
''He was! That's why we're worried. How is the main detonator coming?''
The demolitions expert caste a sideways glance at Joan, who nodded, picking up her own tools and shifting to take his place.
''Still not done,'' he sighed. ''But where are you? Joan can finish here while I head over.''
''Good. We're about two corridors north than before and three corridors west of our last-''
''Get to the medbay,'' Crosshair cut in, ''take the first left down the corridor, turn right and go straight for five counts then turn left. Again, turn right from there and keep going another couple hundred feet. Then turn left one more time. You should be able to catch up to us from there. If not, we'll guide you the rest of the way through.''
''Isn't there shorter way?''
''It's not safe. That area must have been the electrical unit because of all the live wires sparking from the ceiling. Coolant or something must have leaked too because it's freezing over here.''
''Copy that. I'm on my way.''
Cutting the comm, he nodded once to Joan, with only a simple, ''Be ready when I get back,'' before grabbing his DC and dashing out the door.
It wouldn't be until too late that he would realize that he had never said goodbye…
Elsewhere at the same time…
''Where is he?'' Crosshair fumed. ''We didn't leave him for three minutes!''
''He couldn't have gotten far.''
''He shouldn't have been able to do anything,'' he snapped, ''he was delirious!''
''Just because one is delirious,'' Tech retorted, ''does not necessarily mean that one is impaired from walking. They are typically just unstable. Besides, we've already called Wrecker and he is on his way. As for Hunter, his trail should not be too troublesome to follow.''
Ahead of him, Crosshair stopped, peering down a broken adjacent hallway.
''That so?'' he asked, voice sounding distant in a way Tech could not recall hearing.
Tech caught up and took a deep breath to calm himself.
''I don't know how much chance we have at finding one man's trail in that river.''
That 'river' was the blood trails of hundreds. All heading downward to the same haunted purgatory.
And the way where Cross and Tech stood in the flickering light of the hall had a dead end. There was nowhere else Hunter could have gone...Nowhere but forward.
They didn't have to wait long to know they were going the right direction. A moment later, they heard the tell-tale shrill shriek rising from the shadows and it was joined by a chorus of others...
It was another break of consciousness. Hunter found himself stumbling in a narrow passage, crawling over debris to get to...He peered a ahead. He could just barely...Yes, yes! There it was. There was a flicker of red light clawing at the shadows up ahead.
His head still hurt, the throbbing in his temple never leaving. Same with the bite wound.
Also, it was getting hot. He coughed as he dragged himself over piece of the ceiling, wincing as his injured hands gripped the sharp edges in order to pull himself forward.
The voice...it...they had stopped earlier. But he couldn't get it out of his head. As with each bout of consciousness, he wondered what it was. But as always, before he could think about it for long, his vision would fade and he would find himself elsewhere.
Only once had that not been the case. Only when he had been traveling through what must have been the laboratory's old commissary freezer...or..something like that. He hadn't been able to read the red signs under the streaks of frozen blood crystalizing on the walls before he'd kept going. Then he had been freezing, but his head had been clearer.
Now, it was hot and the mental fog refused to yield.
Why?..Why..am I...?
His head hurt again, and he could feel the torn scabs on his hands as he brought one up to gingerly touch his forehead, beaded with sweat.
It was coming on once more. The nagging voice returning. The pain subsiding...the...the...heat...
When next he opened his eyes, he'd wish he'd never set eyes on the laboratory...
Elsewhere...
Scampering over to the final dial, Joan peered carefully at the status diagnostics before turning the dial thirty-two degrees to the right. There was a faint 'click' and she waited for the corresponding, affirmative 'clink' that was supposed to happen when everything was set up right. It took the system a split-second longer than she would have liked, but eventually it did the 'clink' and she let out a sigh. It was set up.
Now for the...Oh wait...better check how far this'll actually go...
...
The report wasn't promising...Especially since it was blank.
That's..going to be a problem.
She tapped the screen.
It remained on the same screen.
Oh stang it, she muttered, why do I always have to do everything myself?
Then, with a world weary sigh, she accessed the maps she had downloaded to her system in case something like this were to happen. Luckily for her, what she needed was found easily enough. The few major terminals branched out from the lab's center and each one seemed to still have enough power for a surge.
A regular det won't take this place out, she thought. But if I drain the entire system or at least set up a way to do that, and then surge the power, it will overload and burst some of the power units, which will start the chain reaction to get this place going under once the explosion goes off. Now I just have to set it up.
She glanced over at the box of mini charges she had made, before grabbing her blaster and hefting the box.
''Okay, let's get this over with. Maybe by the time I'm done, the boys will have found Hunter...''
Elsewhere...
His hands were cramping. That and the heat were the first things he noticed as he 'woke up' enough to be conscious of his surroundings, realizing he was practically on hands and knees still trying to drag himself forward. The other was the shrill screams he heard coming from...behind him.
The hair on the back of his neck prickled despite the sweat streaming down his face and shoulders.
Huuunteeeeeeeeerr... the voice purred. Turrrrn arrround, deeeaaar...
Arms beginning to shake from fatigue and the heat, he risked glancing back over his shoulder. A slight gasp escaped him as he stared up at the broken figure lumbering towards him from the far side of the large room, which Hunter now realized was the garage.
You're heeeeeere...
He felt his heart leap to his throat and started forward...and stopped. How had he gotten in there? He was staring straight at a corner...
This is a nightmare...It's got to be a-AAAAAARRGGGHHHHH! he clutched his head as another screech went up from behind him.
Behind him, he could still hear it.
Lump...Lump...lump...
Behind that, there was the crackling of a fire, accounting for the heat. Every vehicle had been destroyed and was leaking gas. A few had already exploded and were just adding fuel to the flame. But the explosion did nothing to stop those that were coming for him. They didn't seem to notice. Not now that he was there...
Lump...lump...lump...
Breath coming in short, terrified gasps, he crawled forward.
He was trapped. He was unarmed. And he didn't know where he was.
Oh kriff, I'm gonna die today.
With a sudden surge of adrenaline, he staggered to his feet, searching frantically for a way out...or how he even got in. Behind and to his left, Hunter heard something grate against the floor...then yelped as he felt pain blossom at the back of his head. Everything in him screeched in pain as he hit his head on the wall and then again when the ruins collapsed on him. Dust choked the air and he coughed haggardly as he tried to dust himself off, tears bleeding down his cheeks as the particles and acrid smoke stung his eyes. Rolling to his feet, but failing to stand, his eyes drifted upward, back to the figure that stood in front of him...
No...No...
The figure was deformed, half burned and disintegrating. A familiar lab coat draped off what was left of its body, smattered with dried blood and torn to near shreds. Pulsing globs of the transparent mucus were clumped around the shoulders and soiled with dust and dark strands of hair that had fallen off in handfuls...Everything had changed...but he knew who it was.
The sergeant felt his eyes go wide, staring back at those milky pale orbs that watched him with an insatiable hunger. He backed up, felt the bite on his thigh crack with pain, and muffled a screech, biting his tongue to keep the sound from getting any louder; biting it still even despite that he could taste his blood in his mouth.
No, no, no, nononononono...
Frantically grabbing for the blaster that should have been at his belt, he felt nothing. His heart stopped...then hammered in his chest as he realized just how vulnerable he was. He vaguely remembered that he had handed Crosshair his weapon! His helmet was gone too; it had been left in the room where he had been attacked.
The beady eyes never left him. A swollen blackened tentacle of a tongue snaked out of its mouth and jerkily licked what was left of its lips - then the head cocked to one side, and he saw that the left side of its jaw hung free, dangling precariously on one side. It kept coming. . .
Kriff NO!
All the pleas in the galaxy couldn't stop the figure lumbering towards him. Fire and figures around him, the only way was to go back...and that corner was mighty small...
At the same time...
Wrecker was nearly sprinting. The conversation he'd had with Cross and Tech was replaying in his mind and it wouldn't stop.
''Wrecker! Wrecker, are you still there? Come in!''
''Yeah, Tech, I'm here. What's going on?''
''It's Hunter...He's gone.''
''Gone!? I thought he was bitten.''
''He was! That's why we're worried...''
Under his helmet, he bit his lip.
Stang it, where was Hunter? Where were the others? How long did they have? Was he too late already, before he'd even gotten the chance to get there?
Glancing down at the tiny map on his HUD, he watched as the little green arrow moved up along a bright path in a larger maze of other bright paths.
''ETA?'' He asked.
The HUD changed and a small list of estimated times popped up on the right, the shortest routes at the top and all others going below. None of the figures were encouraging.
EEEERRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGG, this is TAKING TOO LONG!
And unbeknownst to him, it was about to take much, much longer.
He had just turned a corner in order to find the starting point for Crosshair's directions when he skidded to a halt, staring up at the pile of durasteel and concrete blocking the way. Letting out a frustrated growl, he slammed a fist against it, paused, listened...
I couldn't get through it in time.
''Joan? I need to find another way. This way is blocked.''
A rough grunt sounded from the comm.
''Little busy (grunt) here! HAAAA!''
On the other end, he could hear the metallic 'shiiing' of a sword sweeping the air before slicing through rubbery flesh. Another grunt, and then something wet slamming against the wall.
He blinked.
''Hey, what's your count?''
''*grunt* Thirty even.''
''NICE! YOU'RE CATCHING ON!' he cheered. ''KEEP IT UP!''
''Will do!'' she chirped. ''Now, whaddaya need again? *grunt*''
''I need another route. This way is no good.''
''New way, got it! Hang on for a moment.''
There was a pause.
An instant later, the confirming 'bleep' signaled the download and a new map appeared on screen. The old path marked in red and the new in grey, Wrecker turned and started off again.
''Hey Joan, where are the others?''
''Heading for...the..hanger? Garage underground? They must have passed a dead zone because I can just barely pick up their signals. Should I reroute it so where you just end up on the other side?''
''Uh, is that a good idea?''
''Probably not. But it might get you there faster. The garage is big, but not huge. From what I'm seeing, there are four entrance/exit points. The one Toothpick and Techie went down is blocked off to you and there's another one that would be far to risky. The other is the exit to the outside and the other is the one I'm sending you to. It will be on the side opposite Cross and Tech, but it will be there. And hopefully, so will Hunter.''
''I don't like the idea. But okay. Keep counting. We'll compare notes when we all get back.''
''Good luck, Charmer. You'll need it.''
''Aww, shucks,'' he grinned, ''I don't need luck. I got grenades.''
His buffer was gone. His back had hit the wall. Still, the creatures lumbered forward, hunger in their dead eyes.
Huuunteeeeerr...
''No, no, stop! Get out of my hea-AAAAAAAAGHH!''
He howled as he felt...something clamping down. It wasn't real...not yet. It was just a precursor. Still, he clutched his head, fighting his vision from blacking out.
The voice, he now knew from the monster in front of him, tusk-tusked.
Huunteer, you know better than to resist...Don't worry. It won't hurt...For long...
As one, the horde cracked their rotting jaws open and screamed.
After that, already in pain from fighting the serum in his blood, he didn't last much longer. Not so close. Not so tired. Not so weak.
His eyes squeezed shut, and the oppressing fog rolled in for the last time. Another minute...and he was out, twitching on the floor. The trooper just couldn't last long enough to see what was going to happen next...
He wasn't converted, not yet. But that would change soon enough.
The leader of the Hive licked its lips. Just a few more bites would finish the job...
At the same time...
''Wrecker, where are you?'' Crosshair growled.
''I've already tried reaching him. It's no good. Either the comms have been cut somehow or the concrete is blocking the signal. Besides,'' Tech added, pulling himself through yet another tight squeeze along Hunter's trail, ''I doubt Wrecker could make it through this way in time.''
Slipping through after him, the sniper grunted, ''How do we know what time we're supposed to make it at?''
Tech paused just long enough to sigh.
''We don't. But we're almost there.''
''How would you- ''
Just ahead of them, they heard a familiar voice shrieking in pain.
''No! NO, STOP! GET OUT OF MY HEA-AAAAAAAAAAAGH!''
The pair froze.
''Wrecker, kriffing better be here by the time we get through that door,'' Crosshair snarled, leveling his weapon and jerking his head towards the door at the end of the hallway. ''Come on, Tech, call the droids down to pull the distraction. 'Bout time we save Hunter's sorry hide.''
''That should be the last of them.''
Joan tossed her blaster onto the control console, already checking the system status. The screen, much to her relief, was finally showing the stats. The charts were set. The systems opened and ready for the surge. But now, there was another problem. Several of the programs she'd had to open were shutting down.
Nonononono, no locking down now. Not now. Anytime but the wrong time.
No matter what she tried, it wouldn't bring them back online.
Darned, stang'n, kriff it!
Still nothing. Grunting in frustration, she ejected the sprocket from her arm and stabbed it into the console, plunging her program back into the rotting system of the Muutmine Laboratories, searching for a way to turn the darned systems back online so she could...
Her 'mind' brushed against a file that read 'classified: Project RavynQueen' and she paused in the system, tapping the file.
Humph, original, she snipped, swiping a hand for the next screen.
The failsafe password came up, but she ignored that having already found the weak-spot in the firewall and slipped in.
A tidal wave of scientific research flooded her system, but there was one thing in particular...one comment dated several months before now that caught her attention. An entry on the nature of the injected...
...I have observed that many of the test subjects have an innate distaste for frigid conditions. Many have resulted to a mad state before falling still, barely quivering on the ground. I am unaware if this has to do with the conditions of the Hivemind worm and it's natural aversion to the cold or if it another matter of which I am not yet properly informed. However, be that the case or not, this give me the opportunities I need to dissect the bodies and properly ascertain the new properties of their makeup....As of yet, this may be the only way we have in our knowledge to stop these creatures should a breakout occur as, of yet, we have not begun the research into finding a cure...
Aaaand...Did they? Joan said to herself, entering the local search engine and swiping through the myriad of other files and PDFs, searching for any clue that might lead to the 'cure' (under that name). But byte after byte, it was always entries such as, 'Still no progress on researching for possible cure' or 'Cure update: postponed'.
But the most discouraging thing was that none of those logs had been made by Ravyn herself...either that, or the 'fair doctor' had some trouble picking a penname.
She scowled, exiting the file.
Well, it's better than nothing...but that thing about the cold..I wonder if...? What if...that was the way to stop it?..What if...No. Not now. No time. First get the systems back online. Then this.
Downloading the file quickly, she zipped on, returning her mind to the mission and almost forgetting the file until the final remaining moments of the lab. Once she returned to the control room, she triple checked the system just to make sure...but it was ready.
With a sigh of relief, she slapped the comm.
''Boys? Come in! Systems are set and ready to blow. You guys got Bandana Boy yet?''
...
On the other end, all she got was static.
The prey was weak, huddled feebly in the corner across the room. It was the easiest catch they had seen in days...except for the vibroblade it held in one hand, the other clutching at it's head. But it was too weak to put it to proper use...and they were hungry. Still, the Queen held them back. A ripple, the command, was scattered through the Hive link.
She wanted this one...undamaged. It was prey, but it was not to be food...
If it could be helped...it would be the new Drone.
Queen pulled back her rotting lips in what might have been a grin, a low hiss crackling from her throat. She knew it couldn't struggle for long, even if the shell could protect it. The shell could crack or be torn off given enough time...
But time, was the one thing none of them had.
The Hive Queen had taken barely a step forward when a fire flashed and the bolt shot right through her kneecap, shattering the bone and making her leg collapse under her. She screamed, the others joining on reflex.
Another shot rang out and the Hive nearest to her right dropped...before scrambling back to its feet with a feral shriek, its anger crashing through the Hive, filling them all with rage.
On the other side, next to the prey, two more rushed in, firing to keep the Hive at bay as one slid to a halt beside the wounded one.
Nooo...Ssssssssssstaayy...
Reaching out through the fine grip the Hive had over him, the Queen tested the link, bringing the infection to a nice bright...boil, almost. If it worked right, she might not need to have him bitten again. He would do the rest himself...
Crosshair reached down for Hunter, checking his pulse. Drying blood crisscrossed the front of his armor and his hands were ripped up. His skin had blanched, tattoo standing out starkly. He appeared frozen in his place, eyes locked with one of the creatures, his back to the wall and the vibroblade ejected from his gauntlet.
''Hunter? You in there or do I have to drag your lazy carcass out piece by piece?''
He didn't respond, his breathing hitching for a moment...before returning to a slow, measured 'in...out...in...'
''It would be most beneficial if we wrapped this up swiftly,'' Tech commented over his shoulder. ''The odds are uneven.''
Ya' think?
''Hunter?'' he snapped, glancing up at Tech's back as – not for the last time – he wondered where the skrag Wrecker was.
The screams got higher and louder, making him wince under his helmet.
Hunter never shifted, eyes blank.
That's it. This is taking too long.
''Alright, Tech, get ready to pull ou- ''
The sniper had just barely caught the flash of movement before the sergeant's fingers curled around his throat and yanked him down...
Tech barely heard Crosshair's command he fired at any of the creatures that strayed too close. Only when he heard his batchmate's surprised yelp did he turn to see Hunter with a grip around Crosshair's throat, snarling, eyes livid.
Oh...that's not good.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGH!
Hunter...what looked like Hunter, stopped, snapping its head around to stare as the horde lifted their voices in unison. It was just enough of a distraction. Crosshair twisted hard in his grip and kicked, foot smashing into his chin. Hunter could forgive him later.
Snap out of it, snap out of it!
To make sure it had worked the first time, before Hunter could recover, he grabbed him by the shoulder and slapped him, doing it again just for good measure.
For the first time since they'd found him, the sergeant blinked, shaking his head slightly. His intense grey eyes refocused, relaxing to the normal honey brown. Now, a second later he was groaning about a wicked headache, but he was talking.
''Cross?''
''Yeah, hero, we've come to rescue you. Can you stand?''
''No.'' he croaked, ''and I- AAAGH!''
Coooommmee...
''No, no, no!''
''Hunter?''
''She's calling me. She's calling..!''
Who the frik was she? Crosshair thought. His eyes shifted to the creep at the front of the line coming towards them, the one he had shot in the knee when they'd gotten there. It seemed vaguely female enough despite the upkeep (lack there of). He'd just guess it was that.
''Hm, ugly.'' he commented, ''Now let's get out of here.''
He heard a low growl coming from beside him and rolled his eyes.
You've got to be kidding me...
''Hey,'' he demanded, slapping Hunter upside the head, ''No turning on me. We don't need another Wolfpack fanatic.''
''Cross, I can't- GAH!- I can't help it! It's – in my head!''
''Lovely. Now promise you won't attack me.''
''I can't promise...''
''Fine,'' he huffed, ''Then I do this my way.''
Crosshair put a hand on Hunter's shoulder...and smiled from under his helmet.
''It's been pleasure. No need to thank me later.''
His armored fist smashed into Hunter's face and he was out like a light.
''Crosshair!'' Tech, a hint of scolding in his tone, ''What did you do?''
''Just helped keep us alive a little while longer. You're welcome.''
''Oh...Well, if it works.''
''Let's hope so.''
It didn't. The Queen gurgled, humored. The prey had just made catching them that much easier. After all, the unguarded mind was always the easiest to control...
Huuuunteeeeerr...We're waaaittiiinggg...Geeeett...Uuuuuuuppp...
On the ground, the body shifted. Crosshair raised an eyebrow, pausing from helping Tech hold back the horde. Was he coming to already? No. No, not now! He checked his ammo gauge, which consisted of what was in his weapons right now and what was in his backpack. Not good. It would be enough for them to fight their way out if the had to, but it was too low for comfort. Plus, it was hard to change clips when running. A simple trip up and it might be out of your hands for good and that would be one clip wasted; probably right when you need it most, no less.
It shifted again.
Nooo. Please not now...
''Crosshair?'' Tech asked, as if sensing his apprehension.
''Things just got worse. Be ready to jump to the side if I call.''
''That's not comforting. Why are you- ''
''Hunter is waking up!''
''How could he possibly be waking up? You just hit- ''
''What looks like him! Skrag! Where is Wrecker?''
''Comms are still down.''
How are we going to do this...?
''Tech, how much charge do you have left?''
''I'll have to change it shortly or else my pistol with jam. That takes time we don't have.''
No kidding.
''Switch to stun. Save your packs.''
A low growl sounded beside them and they shifted stances uncomfortably. What could they do? They were nearly backed against the wall, something was seriously wrong with Hunter, and they didn't know where Wrecker was.
We can't make it. We'll die here.
All of a sudden, the walls on either side loomed smaller, closing in around him. The smoke filled air and faint fires in the darkness were too close.
We're going to die here. We're going to die.
His thoughts spiraled down.
We failed...Cody, I'm sorry.
So close. They had been so close. All they had had to do was find Hunter and get out. Now? They were going to disappear from the records as MIA...assuming there were any records to begin with. Commander Cody hadn't been able to figure out how to get them in the system properly; the Kaminoans had claimed it was because they would be needed for 'delicate operations only' but Crosshair could guess why. It was because if something would happen to them, no one would ever know.
Heaving a low sigh, Crosshair turned to Hunter, whose golden-grey eyes had opened and were watching him with an intensity that made him sick.
Well...if they were going to go, it wouldn't be without a fight...
Meanwhile...
He heard the screams on the other side. Skidding to a halt, Wrecker realized the probability of himself being vastly outnumbered. And if the guys were on the other side...
He slung off his backpack, shifting carefully through the contents to check his ammo and grenades he had told Joan of. Really...there was only a handful left. The rest were droid poppers. Peeking through the broken gap of what was left of the door, he roughly calculated his chances of getting through the horde, much less the odds of getting out alive to tell the tale...if anyone would ever listen. The odds were...not good.
That might be a problem..Should I go in my usual style or go in all sneaky-sneaky? How could I help them anyway, all backed up into a corner like that?
In his hands, he fiddled absently with one of the grenades, glancing down at it when he heard a slight 'chink'. A huge grin split his face.
Well...too late now. Decision made.
Throwing on his backpack, he chucked the tiny ball through the opening and waited till it went off. Nothing...nothing...
KaBOOOM!
Wrecker didn't have time to think. Next thing he knew, he was sprinting forward, blasting or throwing any zombies aside that happened in his way, dodging the bonfires that had once been vehicles of some sort. He could see them. On the other side, in the clearing by the wall. Tech was blasting as fast as he could with stun rounds, trying to reserve ammo. Interestingly enough, the stun rounds were actually doing some damage, overloading the creatures systems long enough to give Tech a chance at keeping them at bay.
Huh, maybe droid poppers might help better after all...
Behind him...Behind him, Crosshair was wrestling with Hunter, whose expression was pure murder, snapping at every clear chance he got. But Wrecker could already guess how it was going. Hunter had at least sixty pounds extra over Crosshair and he didn't seem to be able to feel the hits. It wouldn't be long before Cross was under him and-
Hunter threw him to the ground, pinning one arm down and Wrecker watched as Crosshair's body went taut, back arching in a way that could only indicate one thing.
For a split second, fear hit Wrecker's chest.
He's dislocated...No worse, broken his arm! Hunter what is wrong with you!?
''Wrecker!'' Tech called.
''Comin', buddy!''
Just another fifteen meters...Ten...five...There!
He slid into the pocket of space, twisting to fire behind him even as his weight carried him still forward, smashing into his sergeant before he could harm Crosshair more. He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he thought he heard a slight, ''Thanks.''
No problem, if that's what you said, he thought.
''You help, Tech, I got the Sarge.''
Even as the sniper scrambled to his feet, Hunter snarled, lunging forward. Wrecker caught him by the chest and rammed him into the wall, other hand gripping him by the throat...and squeezing lightly. His growls dwindled into a gasping wheeze, his coughing wracking his whole frame.
All Wrecker could do was watch.
''Come on, Sarge,'' he murmured, ''...come on, snap out of it..!''
It took several moments, moments that seemed to stretch out such as before an explosions countdown. Wrecker was just waiting for the explosion. But it never came. He watched, hope filled, as Hunter's blood-shot expression dulled and vanished, replaced by his browning eyes widening as he realized what was going on. He slapped Wrecker's gauntlet desperately.
''W-Wrecker!'' he gasped, throat raw and tears gathering in the corners of his eyes, ''W-Wrecker! L-Let go! P-Please!''
He dropped him with an unceremonious thud before kneeling next to him, placing a big hand on his shoulder.
''You okay, Sarge?''
''No.''
''Yeah, I thought so. You're not looking so hot.''
Hunter coughed, paused, and shot him an annoyed yet amused glower.
''C-can't...be a...holos-star..every...t-time...R-*cough* right?''
Wrecker relaxed as he saw the attempt at a weak smile.
Hunter was back.
In horrible shape...
But back.
''Good to have you back, Sarge. Any idea on how to get us out of here?''
Slumping against the wall, he shook his head, eyes drifting around and to the black ceiling above them...then straightened a little, squinting.
''W-wrecker..T-tell me..you c-can see...that?!''
He pointed to something above them.
''I-is that...w-what I...t-think i..t is?''
Wrecker risked a peek up, not surprised when he couldn't see a thing. But Crosshair had heard.
''Yes! Up in the rafters! There's a way out!''
He sees it...he sees it, Hunter thought, relief calming him, I'm not hallucinating it. It's there..
His vision was getting blurry and he was pretty sure he was shaking. The voice in his head was still there, but muted. Everything else around him was just a whirl. The darkness closed in, and the only shapes he could see where tall shadows above him.
He felt his position shift and then be lifted as Wrecker pull him over one shoulder. The last thing he heard was a faint 'Ready?', 'Yeah, let's go!'
A barrage of shots vibrated through the air and Hunter blacked out.
Throwing Hunter over one shoulder, Wrecker added his DC to the fight, shifting to stand next to the sniper.
''Hey, you okay?'' he rumbled, gently bumping his other arm.
Crosshair cocked his head. ''What are you talking about?''
''I saw the Hunter- thing pin you down and it looked like- ''
The sniper sighed as he did only when he was rolling his eyes.
''There was a sharp rock under my spine that took me by surprise. I'm fine.''
''But we won't be if we stay here much longer.'' Tech yelped.
''Is it almost down?''
''Yes!''
''Then on my three, and get ready to run...''
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRGHHHHHHHHHH!
Hunter jerked violently and they had to pause, giving Crosshair the time to find the ringleader in the horde. Trying not to think about how hideous it was now that its figure was cracked and twisted, his eye caught on a brief flash of something in the coat pocket.
''Ready..''
He sent the live picture to Tech over the privycomm.
''One...''
In his side view, Cross watched as Tech straightened.
''Two...''
''We have to get it. It could help Hunter.''
Crosshair nodded just as Wrecker bellowed, 'THREE!'' and threw the droid popper.
Crackles of energy arced in the gloom and they made a break for it, Crosshair focusing his fire on the finishing the hole in the ceiling while Wrecker and Tech made sure none of the creatures could get too close. The metal ladder broke from its position and shot down, stopping just a meter above the ground.
It was done. They could escape.
Only problem is 'ugly' is in front of it, Crosshair huffed, shooting a stun round at the creature in their way. It reared up and the sniper gave it a solid kick in the head, throwing it back so the hypo in its pocket flew out.
Tech snatched it out of the air as he went by, jabbing it into his belt, and jumped for the ladder...
Inside, with the hatch closed and the sounds below them muffled, the Bad Batch let out a collective sigh of exhaustion. It was cramped. Wrecker had to go on his knees in order to keep from scraping Hunter head against the ceiling and Cross and Tech had to hunch over painfully.
''Well, where are we?'' Crosshair asked, glancing down at the square cutout on the floor that had been their escape. ''I don't know if those things can climb.''
''They can't.'' Tech affirmed, ''and if I am correct,'' he pointed down a narrow tunnel to their left. ''That is the way back to the med bay.''
''And what if you're not?''
Tech cocked his head.
''Then we shall not last much longer.''
Shooting Crosshair a dirty look, Wrecker nudged Tech forward.
''Lead the way, Tech. We'll follow you.''
With a nod, he turned and started down the way, squatted as he walked. Crosshair picked up the rear and they headed through the silent passage down what they hoped was their way out, only one line echoing in their heads.
They could make it...They could still make it...
And they could.
Just so long as nothing else went wrong...
In the silent armory, dead lights flickered sluggishly to life. As one, the first row of machines dropped to the ground. Then another...and another...
The fifth row dropped and all mechanical eyes turned to the commander, who was shifting nervously.
The sergeant stepped up, saluting, ''We are here and ready for orders, sir!"
''Uuuh, right! Orders...what are our orders?''
''WhaT!?'' the sergeant squeaked, ''No OrdeRs!?''
That was when panic set in among the troops. A forty-eight wails went up, drowning out the commander's attempts to settle them.
''Now, hang on...hang oOOn...HANG ON!''
The heads swiveled to stare back at him.
''Some one turned us on. Someone has the just have to- ''
'Click'.
Every machine in the armory froze. Their eyes glowed red...tapped green as a burst of chatter filled their auditory circuits...then returned to their normal color. Snapping into formation, their blasters locked and loaded, the battle droids stood in silent formation in front of their equally rigid commander.
There was a tense moment...
''Uh...was that supposed to happen?'' one BD asked.
The commander raised his hands in a shrug.
''I don't know. We're under orders. Sounds important though. You heard Her Majesty. We'd better hurry.''
''Crosshair, we have to stop!''
''We can't!''
''Something's wrong!''
''Ya' think?''
''No no no,'' Tech dashed in front of Wrecker, who had their sergeant thrown over his shoulder. ''Let me see.''
Skidding to a halt, Crosshair growled in frustration, rounding on the other two as Wrecker gently let Hunter down for a moment, ''Teeeeeeech...We don't- ''
''Cross!'' Wrecker barked, surprising the sniper just long enough for him to continue. ''Stop..I can feel it too.''
He gestured down at where Tech was carefully testing Hunter's feverish vital signs.
''He needs the break.''
''I get that, but we can't help him here. We're too out in the open!''
''Would you rather we be backed into a wall?'' Tech retorted, not looking up at his batchmate.
''Better than the alternative. Nothing we haven't had before.''
''Guys?'' Wrecker began, glancing down at Hunter.
Neither one payed attention.
''Guys...?''
''Well what did you expect? Coming from a- ''
''Enough!''
Startled by the sudden familiar voice, both men turned and saw Hunter pushing himself up, glaring at the two of them.
''Stop yapping...It-'' his face drained and he let out a shuddering breath before continuing, voice shaking, ''It's only wasting time...standing here. Neither of you are right, but you're not wrong. From what you've seen of this place, have you found a room or hallway that's...guarded? But still has a back exit?''
Tech and Crosshair exchanged glances. It didn't exactly meet the requirements...but it could do...
Wrecker was on watch outside. They weren't sure how long they had before they were discovered but they knew it couldn't be long.
Hunter was stretched out on the floor of the medbay, writhing and letting out sharp gasps anytime he moved. Sweat beaded his forehead. His skin was clammy.
''How is he?'' Crosshair demanded, pulling his medkit from his backpack.
''How do you think?'' Tech shot back, ripping off a string of gauze wrap and handing it to Crosshair.
''Not good?''
''That would be putting it mildly.''
Just then, the sergeant jerked, momentarily breaking their precarious hold on him. Struggling to hold him down, Crosshair glanced at the wound.
''Be ready to switch?'' he asked.
Tech nodded, adjusting his grip.
Three...two...one...
Reversing positions, they both skittered swiftly to their new positions and Crosshair clamped back down on Hunter's leg, glaring down at the bloody gash on his thigh.
If the dried cracks around the edge of the wound were anything to go by, at one point, the bleeding had slowed; but too late trying to steady it now. At least it had reopened partly. That would make his job just a little easier.
Tearing on a pair of plastic medical gloves, the sniper held out his hand, not looking up.
''Disinfectant.''
He felt it slapped into his palm and he got to work, trying to ignore how Hunter groaned as he finished the job of carefully reopened the wound, tugging at the blood-crusted edges of his jersey before squeezing the wipe and letting the liquid drip into the opening. That...and trying to ignore the question of how much of the blood splattered on his armor was actually his...
Hunter jerked, biting out a sharp yell that was muffled against the gag Tech had given him earlier.
''There, there, easy now,'' he soothed, rubbing his shoulder, ''It'll be done in no time.''
Letting out another pained moan, the patient tugged his hand free and reached for Tech, fingers clawed and palm up.
He paused...then saw Hunter barely crack open one eye, expression already telling him what words never could. Tech grabbed his hand and just his him squeeze.
Leaning over him, he murmured, ''It's okay, Hunter. We've got you...We've got you''
Still, needless to say, words were not enough. It was still difficult keeping him down while Crosshair worked. At every touch, every slight amount of pressure as the antiseptic was applied, and every gentle pat, he struggled, squeezing Tech's hand even harder. And with every faint cry that would tear from his lips, the others would freeze, glancing down at the door way where they could just barely see Wrecker's bulky outline against the sterile lighting of the hallway, nothing came of it and all they could do was continue.
Finally, Hunter's protests quieted and Crosshair finally asked for the last supply.
''Pain killers?''
Grapping the pack, Tech raised an eyebrow.
''I take it this is not meant to be a 'good' idea?''
''No. Just hopefully one that will keep him alive long enough for him to get help.''
Tech handed them over and the medic sighed, selecting each one with care before injecting one after another into the patient's neck.
A few minutes later, with Hunter in between them and fixed up as best as could be expected, they made their way back out to Wrecker.
''Hey...Wrecker...''
''Hey!'' he started...then stared at him. Most of his armor had been wiped more or less clean; his helmet, blaster, and thigh plate were back in the proper positions since Crosshair had been aware enough to grab them when they had found him; and he was more or less beginning to stand on his own, shifting his weight from foot to foot to see which one was dull enough to hold his weight.
''How are you standing?''
Crosshair just jerked his head, ''He's loaded. We don't have long though. We need to get out of here now.''
Wrecker nodded once and said, ''I'll call Joan.''
''We'll do it on the way,'' Tech replied, ''She can meet us on the way out.''
Time: 1019
Region: Outer Rim, Cademimu sector
Location: Ajan Kloss, Muutmine laboratory.
Since they'd left the medbay, Crosshair had been leading the way down hall after hall, but now he skidded to a halt, left hand half-raised. The blue light flickering above the partially closed sliding door ahead cast intermittent shadows down the hall - moving shadows.
Clamp, clamp, clamp, clamp, clamp...
''We've got company,'' he hissed.
Clamp, clamp, clamp, clamp, clamp...
Hunter's head jerked up in surprise, eyes widening.
''Get ready, we got clankers!'' he warned, already reaching for his blaster when the commander stepped up, commlink pad in hand.
Without any fear or wariness of them, he marched straight up to the band and declared dramatically, ''You have a message from her Imperial Majesty. Her Regalness wishes to speak with you.''
All the men raised an eyebrow.
Who the kriff...?
Blinking, Tech stuttered, ''Who...?''
Their surprise didn't waver as a familiar blue Chiss AI popped up in the active commlink and winked at them.
''You're welcome for the escort, boys; I figured you could use some help by now.''
''JOAN!''
''Hey, you miss me?''
While Tech had already guessed she had been going to say something like that, he'd already formulated his response to a grateful, ''That's one way to put it,'' but Crosshair beat him to it.
''Nah. It was nice and quiet for a change.''
Chance taken out from under him, Tech pouted a little from under his helmet.
''How is the explosive rigging going?'' Wrecker asked.
''Er...it's...coming. Almost done though,'' she amended when she saw the concern in Hunter's eyes.
Oh, and speaking of the devil...
''By the way, mate, what happened to you? Don't tell me you've picked up on Cody's bad habits already!''
''Look that bad? At least I'm standing.''
Joan scoffed, ''Sure. Standing because you're doped up on whatever soup Toothpick shoved down your throat. And those things considered. No. You don't look bad. Not at all...if you consider looking like you'd come out of a hangover by puking your guts out 'bad.' ''
''Commander Cody did that?'' Tech asked, disbelief in his voice.
''Noooo...Not on record.'' she scowled, expression pinched the way it only was when she was teasingly displeased, ''But I have my suspicions...After all, he'd been with his batchmates – the sorry lot.''
She cast a leering eye on them and pointed her finger emphatically.
''Now don't you dare think of ever becoming as bad as he is, understand?''
''Yes, mother.'' Hunter smirked.
''Oh no, not you. You're already too far gone, Sappy. I meant the others before they try adopting the first kid that needs their help. The world is meant to be conquered and going sappy-cinnibun isn't going to help much.''
''Mhmmm,'' Hunter nodded, unconvinced, ''And my example of the adopted one would be...?''
''You haven't done it...yet,'' she sniffed, ''But let's just say, I won't be surprised when you do.''
EeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHH!
Closing his eyes, Hunter strained his sluggish hearing.
Lump...lump...lump...lump...
''They found us.'' Wrecker said, oddly enough not sounding either pleased or displeased in any way. Just...dangerous.
In front of them, the battle droids whimpered slightly before straightening, their hard-wired program kicking in.
''Any other orders, ma'am?'' the commander asked.
Her light mood cut short, the AI nodded only once.
''Give the comm to them. I downloaded a file they will want to see later. Keep these guys alive as long as you can,'' she replied, fist clenched and head high, ''and give those things hell.''
''Yes, ma'am. It's been an honor.''
It handed over the commlink and turned to its troops.
''First squad, second squad, protect the Bad Batch. The rest of you, attack any and all other creatures that move.''
''Roger, roger!''
''You'd best get going, boys,'' Joan whispered into their Teamcomm, ''They won't move until you do.''
Wrecker nodded and took lead; As soon as they moved, the droids split into the two uneven groups,
Glancing back over his shoulder at their escort, Wrecker huffed, almost amused.
''Never thought we would ever see battle droids helping us.''
''Let's try not to think about it,'' Hunter shook his head, ''I don't think I want to have to remember that I owe them one.''
''You're not out of this yet,'' Joan scolded, ''No victory dance yet.''
And they weren't. Not yet. Not for a little while to come...
Memories...Memories not its own...
Prey, dressed in white shells...holding black shiny objects. They were running, flashing fire from the objects. Queen snarled, noting how the objects were held...how when the little trigger was pull, the fire released.
They could use them.
They had some. The Drone had made sure of that. His memories through the Hive had fallen to her since he was trapped. But so was she. So where were they? Where were the little black objects? She snarled, broadcasting the thought through the Hive.
Little black objects...shoot fire...
Ah...there...hiding...
Throwing back her head, Queen let out a shriek, echoed by the others around her obediently following her lead.
Give chase. Give chase was the command. The others still mobile obeyed. They knew where the prey was and they too now had the black shiny objects. If it didn't stop the prey from running, it would slow them down.
Yes...Yes, they could use them...
And they did.
It was the escort that went down first. Discarded quickly, but still taken down to the point of no longer useful.
''What the kriff!'' Wrecker bellowed, ''Those things are firing at us now!?''
''They have a Hivemind link,'' Tech shouted over the din, dodging another bolt that whizzed just passed his head. ''You said they were in the main security room. I suspect they watched the monitors and saw how we handled our equipment before informing the others telepathically...at least, I theorize telepathically. Hivemind tendencies are something I never truly bothered with dissecting as there is not much information to be learned about them on the Republic records.''
Crosshair fought the urge to roll his eyes, firing another stun shot into the horde, ''Techie, I'd be even more worried if you had.''
''What about in the basement?''
''I did not see any of those in hand at the time.''
''Less chatter, boys,'' Hunter suddenly broke in, twisting as he ran to fire off a shot at a creature that had gotten just a little too close for comfort. ''My leg hurts like heck now; I don't want to find out how it feels when this wears off then.''
''He's got a point,'' Joan added, completely ignoring Hunter's command, ''Are you slowpokes almost there?''
''Are you? Is it ready?'' Wrecker asked, mind flashing back to the little project she and he had worked on.
''Tis ready,'' she confirmed.
''Good, we'll hold them off until- ''
Her voice was flat.
''You can't.''
''What do you mean?'' Crosshair hissed.
''PLOT TWIST! The systems have been failing. One large 'Kaboom' wouldn't cut it would taking this place down so I had to manually open rips in the system so the first one would light a whole twinkle of others. But in order for that to happen, systems have to be full. Can't happen if they're failing. Hence, why I am currently only partly talking to you while talking to at least twelve other systems.''
''Can't we fix- ''
''No. Won't do you any good. Not with that horde on your tail. Just to the honorable thing and get out of here. I am giving you thirty seconds. That's the longest I can hold off. But that means that once I start, you can't stop. Got it? Okay, syncing timer now.''
''Joan, if you hold off, we can come get you.'' Hunter reasoned.
She sighed, dramatically as ever.
''Toothpick, talk some sense into them.'' her expression softened to one of endearment and she huffed softly, ''You know...The mission comes first.''
''The mission comes first,'' he repeated in a murmur...and then nodded.
''Come on boys, you heard the witch. We've got to move.''
The AI scowled...though, half-heartedly, and vanished from the screen as an alarm sounded on her end of the comm.
''I'll back at you for that...Later.''
He nodded once and turned to leave.
''I'll be waiting.''
''But Joan we can't-!'' Tech began.
''Get out of here!"
''No, please, we can-''
''GET OUT OF HERE!'' she screeched, long-suffering anger filling her voice, ''GO ON OR I'LL SET IT OFF NOW!''
Stunned, everyone glanced at each other. There was silence on the other end. Swallowing, Tech ventured cautiously, ''..Joan?''
The voice through the link said one word...and it was enough. The AI was quiet for just a moment...before snarling, ''Run.''
They didn't want to...But they did. After all, with the things still following them, there was no where else to go but out. And unless they wanted to stay there, there wasn't much choice.
Thirty seconds wasn't long...
Time: 1023
Region: Outer Rim, Cademimu sector
Location: Ajan Kloss, Muutmine laboratory.
Goal: Getting out alive
Ten..
A warning light flashed amber. Up ahead, not fifteen meters away, they could see the faint green light of the opening. So close. So close!
Nine...
Almost there! If they could just...
Eight...
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRGGHHH!
Tech, so focused on the goal, hadn't glanced down to watch his footing and staggered-
Seven...
-when his foot caught on a loose stone, caught off-guard by the sudden shriek rising from behind them. Someone grabbed him by the arm and shoved him forward. They were there! They just had to climb out!
Six...
First Wrecker...
Five...
Then Hunter and Tech...
But Crosshair never got the chance to leap...
In the security room, Joan watched the last events unfold, even as the last seconds ticked down to her destruction. They hadn't made it. They hadn't made it out in time. With one still left in the lab, they'd never leave. But still...they were tough. They could survive. It only took one thing..
She sighed, one hand on the console as she subconsciously ticked the time down in her mind.
''Get out alive, boys.'' she murmured, smiling a little to herself since she knew it would never show on her rigid face and that there was so much she wanted to say to them...but would never get the chance to, ''Get out alive...''
The timer died...there was an odd stillness over the laboratory...then the charges blew...