(Skullgirls OST: A Roll of the Dice)
...
Soldier was led into another part of the ASG facility, connecting from Lab 0, then to Lab 8. The given tour was pleasent, regardless of the similarly spaces and areas to Lab 0, but the difference shows friendly scientists greeting her and Dr. Avian with nods. "FRIENDLY PEOPLE YOU HAVE HERE, DOC." Soldier shortly commented, to which Dr. Avian just chuckled before replying. "Yes indeed they are. But wait until you meet our operatives, although, some of them tend to be... Stubborn and childish - But that is what our Lab here consisted of. Our ASG units on this Lab are, minors. Suffice to say: children at the ages of 12 to 15."
Soldier was surprised by this but instead took interest to know more. "DO TELL, DOC. I'M INTERESTED TO KNOW MORE." Dr. Avian was pleased by this and as inclined that is became, he proceeded to speak. "Well, Soldier. You wouldn't believe to hear such things like this Lab more of an orphanage itself, but considering, our units are, still in the progress of utilizing their abilities. Most of them weren't just 'simple' minority that we had to take in." Dr. Avian sighs shortly before continuing. "Some of them, like Leduc, and Patricia -Peacock- were brought in here with critical conditions. Peacock is our most recent addition to Lab 8."
"CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED?" Soldier asked with Dr. Avian shortly nodding slightly. "Leduc was the first minor refugee that was taken here by Last Hope. To make things easier to explain: Lab 8 only recieves the refugees with the lowest capability in the eyes of Lab 0 and it's acting Director, as they only take in the ones they see fit to be strong and capable enough to add into their units. In Leduc's condition, Nurse Christmas gave a short briefing to me that Leduc's limbs, pair of arms and half of his legs were already dismembered when Last Hope found him on a Medici slave warehouse. I had to build him prosthetic limbs, but instead of ordinary prosthetic limbs, I designed technological limbs that channel electricity within his body as generated by his installed statue, the Taranis Generator. Usually, he is reliable in combat using electrical attacks, but he is still being trained alongside Hive." Dr. Avian explained.
"AT LEAST THE KID CAN FIGHT NOW. HE CAN DOMINATE THOSE MAFIA MAGGOTS!" Soldier commented. "Indeed. But Leduc is not like that, Soldier. He is more mannered like the oldest unit we have in Lab 8." Dr. Avian responded with a chuckle.
"CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE OTHER UNITS ON THIS LAB, DOC?" Dr. Avian gave a nod. "Yes, of course. Since I've already mentioned Hive and Peacock, I will be skipping Hive since, there wasn't much biography that Lab 8 has about Hive. And as far as I could remember, she was brought here as the second minor refugee with little backstory provided by Last Hope. - Peacock however, has more of an origin to cover. Like Leduc. Peacock was found and freed from the Medici mafia along with other refugees. She was an orphaned, war slave that refused to be a Medici slave." Dr. Avian sighs once more before continuing. "Patricia was a strong girl. But her strength led her into being gruesomely mutilated. She was maimed and had her eyes gouged out by her slavers." DEAR GOD!" "Yes, that is true, unfortunately..." "NO..!"
Dr. Avian took a deep breath but then continued. "When she was brought here, she was then brought into scientific procedure into becoming a biomechanical weapon. The thing about her parasite, the Argus System, a synthetic parasite that allows her reality-defying abilities. Such as summoning get her 'gang' of cartoonish weaponry. Her traumatizing, and horrifying experiences at the hands of the Medici transformed her into a brash, impatient child that took up smoking into a habit using her imagination cigars... Although she's very much quite the troublemaker herself, she still holds a dear connection to Lab 8 and is very close to me like a granddaughter."
"THAT'S GREAT TO HEAR, DOC. BUT YOU MENTIINED AN OLDEST UNIT THAT YOU HAVE HERE ON LAB 8?" Soldier asked curiously, and Dr. Avian smiled at this. "Yes. Our oldest Unit in Lab 8 is Big Band. Lab 8's cybernetic weapon, his past was also a tragic one like the others. You see, before he became Big Band, who is now fully committed into stopping Skullgirls - He was an ordinary man named Ben Birdland who has seen alot in his time, including the horrors of the Grand War many years ago. A former New Meridian policeman and an observant detective who was committed into bringing the Medici mafia to justice. But... Sadly, to let you know, in case you're not aware, the law here on New Meridian doesn't work the right way. Meaning... The law is mainly controlled by the Medici as they take full control of the New Meridian law enforcement branches. Though, some refused to be corrupted and were committed to their services, only a fracture of the New Meridian police remains true to their purpose to serve to this day. Ben is only one among the few, but the most with an unstoppable determination into pursuing the Medici." "BUT WHAT HAPPENED?"
Dr. Avian took a moment before responding. "The thing about Ben being a cop true and fully committed to his duty was a commendable, and noble outlook. But unfortunately, his unit was corrupted by Medici. Leading him into a... Violent discharge from service... - His own unit, including his own Commanding officer, brutally broke his entire body. Left him to his demise, but thanks to his partner, Irvin, who was also a committed cop, got to him in time before rushing him into the hospital. No one from Ben's former department ever said a word regarding his tragic incident, let alone react from what happened... In fact, Ben had to spend his days in an iron lung. But as our intel units reported, they happened to be around the area where Ben was supposedly and brutally murdered by his former unit. We were informed about his current state and then we sent an extraction team into the hospital to discharge him, despite the declining of the hospital itself, Irvin had to take part of it by covering up for our team just to smuggle Ben out. He was then brought back here, and thus, I collaborated with one of our doctors, Stanley, into constructing Ben's new body. Now he may have not gotten his vengeance on his unit, but justice was served when he and Irvin apprehended them on the Medici Tower. The only thing that held Ben back was Irvin getting injured, and him reconsidering his actions of storming the Medici's main territory."
"THAT'S A LOT TO TAKE IN, DOC. BUT I THINK HE SHOULD'VE MADE THOSE MAGGOTS PAY FROM WHAT THEY DID TO HIM. BUT I ALREADY GOT A FEELING THAT HE'S THE FATHER FIGURE OF THE CHILDREN HERE IN LAB 8?" Soldier guessed. "As a matter of fact, he is, Soldier. He looks after the younger units, regardless of Peacock's stubborn behavior."
The conversation was cut shortly when two younger individuals came passing by. Soldier took notice of a young boy, and a young girl. Or, what she could identity as a young boy and girl. "Doctor, whozzz thizzz?" The girl asked. Clearly studying Soldier's full appearance. Dr. Avian smiled and replied. "Hive, Leduc. This is Soldier. She is a, new asset in the ASG."
"I didn't know the ASG now contracts mercenaries?" Leduc said thoughtfully, though, sounding polite on tone. "I AM HERE TO HELP FIGHT THE SKULLGIRL! YOU KIDS WANNA SEE ME DOMINATE IN BATTLE?" Soldier proudly responded. This extent of response, Avian and the two younger units were surprised by her confident statement.
"Dammit. I told you to stay put, why did you left Lab 0?" Soldier, and the other three all turned around to see the Nurse who spoke. But as she approached, a mechanical figure that appears to be male, with a brain inside a glass dome followed suit. Soldier presumed this is the Brain Drain that the Nurse mentioned. "This is... The woman you were speaking of?" Brain Drain questioned with a hint of disapproval, and disgust in his voice.
"SO YOU ARE BRAIN DRAIN, HUH? NO WONDER WHY THEY CALL YOU THAT, MAGGOT." Soldier responded with a snicker while pointing a finger at the brain inside the glass dome. This clearly got everyone, even the Nurse to take a step back by Soldier's statement.
Brain Drain growled shortly before responding as calm as possible. "Yes. But I don't see any logical reason for you to make such an insult judging by my overall physic." Soldier snorted a laugh as she was clearly not taking this guy serious. Seriously enough. Brain Drain however turns to the Nurse. "Nurse Valentine, if you imply and hope that I can offer a proposition to a mercenary to be an ASG asset, you could've at least gone looking for a much..." Brain Drain jerked his head at Soldier. Clearly, Soldier was offended by this. "... Professionally standard mercenary." "WAS THAT AN INSULT, BRAINY? I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW, I AM THE MOST PROFESSIONAL, AND THE MOST SEASONED VETERAN FIGHTER ANYONE CAN FIND!"
The Nurse, Valentine, sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose covered by her surgical mask. "Brain Drain, she could be an efficient asset to us. Considering that she even survived my attacks after compromising the rescue mission, we can use her to our advantage." "And you're willing to take a risk? An outsider working within the ASG?"
Dr. Avian steps forward and kindly responded. "As much as I am intrigued. Lab 8 would be obliged to help give the new asset a test to see what she is capable of." "This is none of Lab 8's concern, Avian. I would suggest that you stay out of this." Brain Drain replied, harshly. "HEY, SHOW SOME RESPECT FOR THE OLD MAN! THEY SEEM LIKE GOOD PEOPLE, AND I WANT TO TAKE WHATEVER TEST THEY HAVE TO SHOW THAT I CAN KILL THE SKULLGIRL!" Soldier interrupted. Valentine let out an irritated sigh before adding. "We can give it a shot, Brain Drain. After all... We're undermanned of operatives at Lab 0 for field operations... Soldier would do..."
Brain Drain growled again, but gave a nod. "Very well... We shall test her out first. Avian, surely you have at least any deadly unit in Lab 8 to spare for the test to the new asset?" Dr. Avian pondered for a moment but hesitantly replied. "Well... Patricia is by far the deadliest unit in Lab 8 yet but... She's not around... Just gotten missing with her 'gang'. Again. But we're in luck! Ben is at the base! I can summon him and then we can proceed to the rest."
Soldier was looking confused by this test. Turning to Valentine who had her arms folded on her chest, looking at her expectantly, Soldier asked. "WHAT TEST AM I GOING FOR?" Valentine rolled her single eye shortly before responding. "They'll have you fight a pathetic ASG unit to feature your capabilities in battle to be an ASG asset. In short talk, you'll be fighting Big Band."