(Team Fortress 2 -Scream Fortress- Soundtrack: Misfortune Teller)
"I'm Patricia Watson! But most folks call me Peacock!"
Soldier stared down at the child almost with a clear 'What the fuck' look on her face. How on earth and Divine Holy Trinity is this thing a child, Soldier thought... "UHHH... WHAT ARE YOU? AND WHY DO YOU LOOK HIDEOUS?" Soldier asked, confused. Nadia right next to her smacked her face. "She's a kid, Soldier. What looks like a little girl-" "Hey I can understand what you're saying pussycat!" The creature, Patricia Watson or.. Peacock... Replied angrily at Nadia. Looking offended at first, she then grinned happily and started bouncing excitedly in front of Soldier. "So! You work here in the stinkin' labs!? If your new here, lemme show ya around!" Peacock excitedly said directly to Soldier, much to her ignoring Nadia completely arguing with her in the background.
Soldier just looked at Nadia, then back at the child. "I'M... WERE - NADIA AND I - ARE GOING TO SEE DOCTOR AVIAN. WE WERE ON A MISSION." Soldier replied. "Oh! Oh! You work here in our stinkin' lab!? Tell ya what, this place stinks, but folks here in Lab 8 are nice, so you're in for a treat workin' here!" Soldier raised an eyebrow. Clearly, she doesn't know what to make of this hideous thing called Peacock... "Get lost, kid. Soldier and I are here to see the lab freaks, not some abominable fangirl." Nadia sternly said with her arms crossed. Peacock of course, took this the wrong way and glared at the cat woman. "You get lost, ya stray puss-bag!" Nadia's eyes furrowed but then glared back at the kid. "Why you little-" "SETTLE DOWN, SISTER. I THINK IT JUST WANTS TO MAKE FRIENDS." "IT!? I'm a human cyborg girl!" Peacock protested but Soldier just patted her on her dark brown top hat. "DON'T WORRY LITTLE CREATURE, WE CAN BE FRIENDS!" Soldier casually replied with a smile, but Peacock started growling. "I am a girl! I'm the most dangerous dame in New Meridian made by Lab 8!" "SHHH! IT'S ALRIGHT, NO NEED TO GET ANGRY, WE WON'T HURT YOU. WE'RE GOOD PEOPLE! RIGHT, NADIA?" Soldier nudged at Nadia who rolled her eyes and muttered. "Ugh... Right... Whatever..." "What is wrong with you two!?" Peacock, at this point started to whine in anger and started arguing with Soldier and Nadia. But it didn't lasted long as Doctor Avian passed by.
"You're back! Although I was starting to worry since its past midnight now. But I take it your field op for your initiation test went well? And I see that you're already meeting Patricia." "Hey! Gramps! Can ya tell these two that I'm a deadly living weapon? They think I'm some kind of hideous creature like Brain Drain!" Peacock whined further while pointing at Soldier and Nadia. "Oh, calm down, Patricia. Most people outside Lab 8 think like that about you, but don't take any offense. Not because you look different than before, doesn't mean you're anything hideous. You are a young weaponized girl from Lab 8. Enhanced and modified with the Avery parasite to combat Skullgirls." Doctor Avian said softly with a genuine smile then turned to Soldier and Nadia. "I would like to apologize in advance for Patricia's behavior, Miss Fortune. And as I've already mentioned to you, Miss Doe, she's just been through alot before being brought here so I hope you understand her condition." Nadia simply waved it off, with Soldier just nodding casually. But looking at Peacock's appearance, Soldier couldn't help but cringe in disgust at her pair of visible empty eye sockets, and her ridiculously long, cartoon-ish, bendy metal arms, both attached with three red pupil eyes on each, making total of six artificial, cartoon-ish eyes.
Soldier pointed slowly at Peacock with a cringing look on her face. "IT LOOKS LIKE A GREMLIN-" "A GREMLIN!? Hey, Gramps! What have you been telling her about me!? Better not be in the bad way..!" "Dammit, Jane... The lab freak already said it. She's a young girl here from these labs... No offense to you, Doc." "Please, Patricia, where are your manners? Miss Fortune is a guest here, and Miss Doe is a potential Lab 0 operative, at least show some decency... Also, no offense taken, Miss Fortune." The continuous speaking of all four kept on, and Peacock began bouncing up and down with a huge frown in her face. "Hey, what's the big idea!? Why is she being recruited to that lab next to ours!? Dome-Brain doesn't even care about their own people! She'll just likely get experimented on against her will!" Nadia opened her mouth and was about to say something but she decided not to add only stood idly beside Soldier, who just watched Doctor Avian dealing with the gremlin's rude demeanor.
"If you are going to insult Lab 0's main head director, at least do it in a more professional manner." Everyone's attention was caught by the sound of Brain Drain's voice, and turning over to the eastern hallway, was Brain Drain, walking towards them. "Ah, Dome-Brain! Nice of ya to show up convenient timing! Do you even know that Soldier here is a new antagonist in Annie of the Stars? She's an actress, so ya better keep your ugly prosthetic hands off her, if she's gonna be workin' in your damn morgue you called lab!" "Patricia, language..." Completely ignoring Doctor Avian who tiredly spoke, Peacock started insulting Brain Drain once more while laughing. Of course... Brain Drain didn't took any of it seriously and only turned his attention on Soldier. "What were your findings on Little Innsmouth?" He immediately questioned and added. "Did you at least extracted any valuable, useful information to benefit the ASG labs? And where is Nurse Valentine?"
Everyone looked at Soldier for a response. "Right. Ben isn't also with you and Miss Fortune either. Miss Doe..?" Doctor Avian politely asked. Soldier looked at Nadia. "Don't look at me, you're involved with them." Nadia bluntly replied with an eye roll. Soldier frowned before turning to the doctors and responding. "I've extracted Intel. Also, Nadia Fortune here has even more valuable Intel about the deal the Fishbone Gang was making. It was a rigged trap to apprehend a group of Medici mafia tonight at Little Innsmouth." Brain Drain didn't even looked impressed. But turning to Doctor Avian, he spoke. "If you're inclined, I would appreciate it if you could deal with the Fishbone Gang member. Since you know Nadia Fortune more than I do, she would likely trust your 'Hospitality' here on Lab 8 to share Intel." Turning to Soldier, he then added. "As for you. You are coming with me to Lab 0 for Intel report. As much as I hate to deal with you right now, we are currently short on staff due to various continuous biological weapons researches. Right this way, Jane Doe." Brain Drain motioned to the same hallway he came walking from, but then Peacock started. "Hey! What about me!?" Brain Drain looked at her with his arms crossed. "Get lost, child." Brain Drain replied, rather rudely...
Much to Peacock's whining, Soldier could only offer a simple smile at the gremlin and immediately whispered. "WE'LL TALK LATER." "I heard that. Let us move." Brain Drain suddenly interrupted, making Soldier frown. But quickly turning to Nadia, she gave the cat woman an assuring nod and smile. "YOU'LL BE OKAY. I'VE MET FOLKS HERE ON LAB 8, THEY'RE GOOD PEOPLE." Nadia could only smile back, at least even for a slight bit before nodding back in response.
And with that, Soldier followed Brain Drain to Lab 0. Much to her own dislike and discomfort...
(Skullgirls OST: An Uncertain Fate)
The labs and halls of Lab 0 were not friendly at all like the well decorated warm welcoming labs and halls of Lab 8. It was very much the complete opposite. From the maintenance staff, the operatives, and especially the doctors. Most just gave Soldier wary, suspicious looks. Others, with squinting eyes. And the sounds of faint, distant screams from different, various voices coming from the other labs on Lab 0 didn't make it any comfortable for Soldier either. Valentine works here? Soldier did her best to stay composed as she only followed Brain Drain. Judging by what she sees as she follows along, all staff alike in this particular side of the ASG labs seem to have high respect for him at least. But of course, why wouldn't they respect the main head director of this Lab? "We are almost there. Keep up your pace." Brain Drain firmly said.
Leading her directly to one of the labs, Soldier was then told by the Doctor to take a seat in front of the table next to a pair of double metal doors. "As much as I would like to bring you to the briefing room, which is usually occupied by operatives with more important discussions - We will discuss your Intel report here. I also cannot risk leaving my experime - My patient - behind."
Soldier raised an eyebrow. She immediately caught up to Brain Drain's sudden change of tone by the last part, but she didn't pressed on to ask...
...
It didn't take long for Soldier's Intel report to finish. Most of her report was, ridiculously described, but on point and straightforward otherwise. Although Brain Drain really didn't seem too impressed, and not even by little, Soldier wasn't expecting him to. Not like she would care nor it matters. But while Brain Drain was arranging notes he's taken from her Intel briefing, Soldier just couldn't help herself but to ask a question. "QUESTION." Soldier began. Brain Drain didn't looked at her and still had his attention on his notes, but he still replied. At least even rather rudely. "What." Soldier frowned, but she didn't expected any niceness from this Brain Dome. "WHY ARE YOU NOT LIKE LAB 8?" There was a pause after Soldier got to ask her question. "Doesn't matter." "DOESN'T IT?" Brain Drain growled a little. "No. It doesn't."
Soldier frowned. But she decided to ask another question. "DO YOU HAVE FRIENDS HERE?" Brain Drain looked at her shortly. Rather casually before simply focusing back on his notes. "That is an illogical waste of time. I do not see the point of having 'Friends' when I have much bigger, and important businesses to prioritize." Brain Drain replied casually, but his tone didn't seem to ever change at all.
Soldier tilted her head for a bit. But then she asked again. "YOU KNOW... YOU AND LAB 8 AREN'T REALLY ALL THAT DIFFERENT, RIGHT? YOU BOTH HAVE THE SAME GOAL ON PERMANENTLY STOPPING SKULLGIRLS AND DESTROYING THE SKULL HEART... WHY DO YOU HATE LAB 8 SO MUCH?" Brain Drain didn't replied shortly. But just when Soldier stopped expecting for a response... "Lab 8 used to be a companion lab of Lab 0. You could say that Lab 8 was just as extreme as we are on Lab 0 today. But their doctors, and all of their staff were 'Friends' with Lab 7 - The literal orphanage of ASG, harboring and housing rescued refugees - Nothing special, and nothing that matters to this day." "DOC STANLEY MENTIONED LAB 7 TO ME RECENTLY... SAID IT WAS TRAGICALLY PURGED BY THE FASCIST BLACK EGRETS." There was a slightly, frustrated sigh from Brain Drain. "Again... Nothing special, and nothing that matters to this day." Soldier glared at the Brain Doctor. "BUT THEY WERE ONE OF YOU." "Yes. But they did not have the mindset of the Anti-Skullgirl labs. And after their unfortunate destruction - Lab 8 became their spiritual successor. How Lab 8 easily threw away their career over the caring of kidnapped Medici refugees is beyond ridiculous, and I still cannot believe that such glib like that to even happen to our former companion lab. Disgrace." Soldier looked down, then began twiddling her thumbs. "BUT TO THEM, YOU'RE STILL THEIR FRIEND..." There was no response from Brain Drain. The moment went silent, and awkward. Especially for Soldier.
"VALENTINE'S GROUP... LAST HOPE. WHAT'S THEIR STORY?" Soldier asked, hoping to end the awkwardness. Thankfully for her, Brain Drain replied in his same, usual, rude tone. "They came from the Shinobi Clan. It's a clan of warriors with an ancient tradition where the males of their clan are the only ones allowed to pursue the career of being warriors and while the rest and majority of their females are pressed on into becoming medical doctors and nurses." Soldier was a bit surprised. "SHE ACTS LIKE A NINJA-" "Therefore, she is one. But the tradition in their clan, was still incorporated into the nation where she was born from the far eastern areas of this globe. Valentine and Last Hope were obviously not accepted to become warriors just because of their gender, thus, they were pressed on into becoming nurses." "SO... THEY MOVED HERE TO CANOPY'S NATION THEN?" "Very much likely, so yes. They were capable warriors, utilizing extreme melee combat and medical profession both at the same time. Even using such medical tools as weaponry. Crafty... They were also one of Lab 0's best operatives. But unfortunately, they were wiped out so easily by the recently incarnated Skullgirl, leaving Nurse Valentine their last and only surviving member of Last Hope." Brain Drain scoffed. "Unprofessional mistakes are not tolerated here on Lab 0. Nurse Valentine and Last Hope has brought a huge disappointment after their initial mission to hunt and take down the Skullgirl. We've expected much, but they've delivered nothing failure." Soldier flinched at this statement.
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. BUT DON'T YOU THINK THEY AT LEAST GAVE THEIR EFFORTS?" Brain Drain scoffed again. "And yet, they failed. I've expected much from their group." Soldier frowned. "I GUESS PEACOCK WAS RIGHT THEN. YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR OWN PEOPLE." "You can say whatever you want, and however much you like, Miss Doe. But nothing changes anything." Soldier gritted her teeth and removed her helmet, exposing her feminine face, and her ginger hair fully lose on her shoulders. Her face clearly wearing an angered expression. "WHAT'S THE POINT OF YOUR HIGH SALARY, IF YOUR COLLEAGUES WON'T EVEN CARE FOR YOU?" She questioningly demanded with a clenched fist. Brain Drain didn't fazed and only focused on his notes while simply responding. "For scientific breakthroughs, Miss Doe. While you and Patricia are correct, that we do not care for our own 'People' we do offer them a higher salary - Higher than what Lab 8 offers. That, is enough for our employees to be content, and should be grateful enough for our Lab's generosity." Soldier was about to argue but another Lab 0 doctor came interrupting in a hurry.
"Doctor Brain Drain. Your acquaintance is being requested in the faculty chamber for a board meeting discussion about the Robo Fortune Project." Brain Drain sighed. "Very well. Get back to them and inform them that I'll be on my way." "Yes, Doctor." Soldier looked at Brain Drain intently. "ROBO FORTUNE-" "That is classified, Miss Doe. Now, I need you to wait here while I attend the board meeting. Do NOT touch any of the computers, and do NOT enter any of the accessible entries within this lab." With that Brain Drain left. Soldier was looking furious while contemplating about what they've talked about. The history of Valentine was kinda harsh to say the least. But what Soldier found harsher was how her group, Last Hope, was never even given credit for their sacrifices. And their lives lost at the hands of the Skullgirl... Soldier feels sorry for Valentine. But speaking of which... Soldier couldn't help but think of where the Nurse had gone. Why did she abandoned her and Big Band..? "RRRAAAAAAGGGGH..! HHHHRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAGH..!" Soldier was startled by the loud ear piercing scream. But wait... She recognized that scream... From when she was firstly brought to Lab 0... While she was waiting outside of this specific lab. "RRRAAAAAAGGGGH..! MAKE... IT... STOOOOOOOOOP..! HHHHRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAGH..!" Soldier heard it again. It sounded almost as if the person was in great pain... Real pain. And the screams came from the other side of the double metal doors right next to her. Soldier stood up, and cautiously entered the pair of metal doors, regardless of what Brain Drain told her.
Upon entry, Soldier was then met with various computers inside the large room, all advanced even for 40's standards. She wouldn't be surprised if these computers also have internet like back on her world of reality. As Soldier decided to stroll past the various advanced machinery, she eventually came across the center of the large room. The sight... Made Soldier's heart sank. - It was just a young girl... Presumably at the age of 16. Brunette haired, and clothed with long white rags. What was even heartbreaking was that this young girl was fully strapped on a medical table, with several wires all over her body, and various syringes of different colored chemicals automatically being indoctrinated into her by fragile looking automatons. The girl groaned. Then she moaned. All in pain... Her face was being stitched with a light brown mask, and large spikes visibly coming out of her feet and hands uncontrollably. Soldier's eyes widely opened in horror. Especially when she wasn't wearing her helmet to clearly see this. She wished she did... This poor girl... "DEAR GOD..." But there's more...
Some of the automatons moving on itself was attaching a large, sharp, four bladed fan, attached to a large flexible metal wire, being connected into the upper back of the poor girl. Almost making it look like a tail weapon of sorts... "NO..." Soldier immediately reacted and tried to stop the automatons, pushing and shoving them away and removing the injected large syringes off the young girl. "IT'S ALRIGHT, IT'S ALRIGHT, IT'S ALRIGHT..." Soldier kept repeating. Her voice was lower, calm and gentle despite the loud sounding of her tone. But somehow, she was actually whispering it over and over while trying to gently and carefully remove some of the wires being connected to the girl. "P-please... N-no more... It... It hurts... Please... Make it... Make it... HHHRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAGH..! MAKE..! IT..! STOOOOOOOOOP..!" The girl pleaded and screamed in pain over and over. Soldier tried to calm her down but she's focusing on removing the rest of the wires. "IT'S ALRIGHT, IT'S ALRIGHT... I'M GETTING YOU OUT OF HERE..." Soldier gently said. But her blood felt boiling... "DAMN YOU, BRAIN DRAIN..! DAMN YOU..!" Soldier yelled while removing the last few bits of wires connected into the girl. This was too far... Hell, not even Medic would be inhuman enough to torture and experiment on a child... Perhaps he does on the Red team and his various captured human experiments - But not once the german medic ever did something like this to an innocent child... This furiously angered Soldier... She's not letting this slip past her... She felt such a chock on her throat as she looked at the poor girl. But with a low, gentle choking voice, she asked. "WHAT IS YOUR NAME..?" The girl, weakly perked her head up, or at least as best as she could weakly look up at Soldier. Then, came a very weak, response. "C-Carol... P-Please... H-Help me... It... Hurts... It hurts..." She began to sob while once again started screaming in pain. This time, with tears bursting from her red pupil eyes. Soldier did her best to finish removing all of the wires. Glint of watering in her eyes as she did so. But then, she was zapped by one of the automatons. "GODDAMMIT!" Soldier screamed in pain from the shock. But then, she was shocked again, and again, and again. The automatons all started shocking her. Forcing Soldier to back away, and forcing her all the way back outside. "N-No..! P-Please..! D-Don't leave me..! P-please..! Please..! HHHRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAGH..! The... P... Pain..! It's... Too.. Much..! HHHRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAGH..! Mom..! Dad..! P-Please..! N-No more..! HHHRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAGH..!" Soldier tried to push past the moving automatons moving but all were continuously shocking her and forcefully pushing her out of the room. " CAAAROOOOL..!" Soldier was then shoved out of the room, with the double metal doors, loudly sealing shut. Soldier was horrified. And furious... "AAAEEERRRGGGH..!" Soldier screamed as she immediately got up and started banging on the metal doors with her bare fists over and over. The door was sealed shut, and she heard clicking sounds coming from the other side of the doors... Soldier kept screaming but over time, she finally gave up, and sat with her back against the double doors. Arms on her knees. Now, trying her very best to fight back the tears from what she had just saw... This is the effect of being a woman for her. She would never cry if she was still on her male form but... Now... She closed her eyes shut, teeth gritting so hard in anger... She then stormed out of the lab. And off Lab 0, and back into Lab 8...
She needed to get this frustration out, or better yet, tell Doctor Avian about what she just saw... That poor girl, Carol... No one deserved that... "Oof! There you are! I've been lookin' around this ugly side of the lab for ya!" Soldier heard Peacock's voice from the distance, and sure enough, the weaponized gremlin from Lab 8 came running toward her with a huge toothy grin on her face. "What's taken ya so long!? Your friend, Puss-bag, is almost done telling stuff back in Lab 8 to Gramps, too! You comin' back to our stinkin' lab!? Oh! I also wanna talk to ya about the pilot episode of the new season of Annie of the Stars! Also, how is Annie to work with!?" Soldier was clearly in no mood for this. She just kept stomping on her way back to Lab 8 with Peacock following along with her. But the gremlin looked confused. "What's wrong? Did Brain Dome hurt ya? If he did or at least injected any stuff let me know and I'll-" Soldier stooped on her tracks, then looked down at Peacock. With a serious look on her face. "Uh... Where's your helmet..?" Peacock asked, a little innocently while looking back up at her in confusion. "DO LAB 8 AND LAB 0 SHARE KNOWLEDGE OF INTELLIGENCE ABOUT THEIR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES?" Peacock's six red eyes on her metal bendy arms blinked for a moment, then she replied. "Uh... As far as I know, the ugly, nasty doctors here on Lab 0 don't share anything with Lab 8. Mostly keeping their fancy science stuff secret only to themselves. Why'd you ask..? Somethin' happened?" "I NEED TO SPEAK TO DOC AVIAN. I FOUND SOMETHING ON ONE OF THE LABS HERE ON LAB 0. SPECIFICALLY ON BRAIN DRAIN'S LAB." Without a word further, Soldier continued on her way back to Lab 8, with Peacock in tow, looking both confused and even more curious than ever to Soldier's sudden change of demeanor and as they continued on.
Crossing the large hallway connecting Lab 0 to Lab 8, they eventually passed by the shark Doctor, Stanley. "Miss Doe! So nice to see you again here on Lab 8! Do you need anything?" Soldier immediately replied. "I NEED TO SPEAK TO DOC AVIAN ABOUT BRAIN DRAIN'S SECRET RESEARCH." Soldier said, clearly showing the seriousness on her firm tone. Stanley's eyes blinked for a moment. "Is... Is there something wrong, Miss Doe..?" He asked slowly. "Soldier found somethin' back on Lab 0, Stan! On Brain Dome's lab! Must've been one of his secret weapons he's workin' on again!" Peacock was the one who replied, considering that Soldier didn't really looked to be in the mood. "Well... Miss Fortune is still being debriefed for Intel report by Doctor Avian. Perhaps they should be done in a couple more minutes or so." Stanley said, making Soldier grumble and frown. "WE CAN'T WAIT, STANLEY! THERE'S A CHILD, ON LAB 0 BEING TORTURED AND INJECTED WITH DIFFERENT SETS OF DRUGS AND IS BEING TURNED INTO A LIVING WEAPON THROUGH THE MOST PAINFUL WAY POSSIBLE!" Soldier finally snapped, causing Stanley to step back in surprise. "Please, Miss Doe, you need to calm down. Maybe we can discuss this to Brain Drain about this current matter you've discovered-" "I DON'T FULLY TRUST THAT BRAIN MAGGOT! HE'S LITERALLY BEEN KEEPING A CHILD IN HIS LAB, BEING TORTURED, AND SHE'S BEEN SCREAMING IN PAIN OVER AND OVER AND IS BEGGING FOR IT TO STOP!" Stanley sighed before readjusting his round glasses. "I suppose we can get Doctor Avian to deal with Brain Drain about this topic but... They never even bothered mentioning anything about that kind of weapon experimentation..." "Stanley, ya dum dum, the freaks at Lab 0 never do bother telling about their secret weapons! We only find out for ourselves whenever any of their weapons goes rouge or gets sent outside for an ass whoopin'!" Peacock interrupted. "Well, I suppose you're right, Patricia... But still... A child?" "SHE'S MORE LIKE A MINOR, STANLEY, AND SHE INTRODUCED HERSELF AS CAROL. WE GOTTA HELP HER!" Soldier pressed on about the matter.
Stanley finally gave a nod and replied. "All right... I will go get Doctor Avian, and then you will discuss this issue to him before we can head over to Lab 0. Please wait here, Miss Doe. Also, Patricia, would you kindly stay with Miss Doe while she waits here?" Peacock shook her head immediately and replied while bouncing excitedly. "We'll go and wait in the VR simulation, Stan! Soldier could catch a break on releasing some steam!" Stanley sighed and nodded. "Very well. Just ask the other doctors for assistance on the VR simulation, I will go get Doctor Avian."
With Stanley walking away immediately, Peacock turned to Soldier excitedly and grabbed her by the hand and started dragging her along. Soldier just went along with her, but she was still bothered by that poor girl, Carol... She couldn't get the image of what she saw out of her mind... And it almost actually made her cry just by the desperate pleadings for help... She's got to get that poor girl out and away from Brain Drain...
By the time they reached the VR simulation room, which was the same large room where she sparred with Big Band, Soldier noticed the arrival of Nurse Valentine. She growled as the Nurse approached her and Peacock. "I guess you're not dead after all..." The same, seductive voice of the Nurse began. Soldier glared at her. "DON'T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT STARTING WITH ME, MAGGOT!" Soldier furiously snapped, surprising the one-eyed Nurse. Valentine crossed her arms and sighed. "I had to clear up some of my own tasks from Lab 0. It was bad timing that I couldn't help you and Big Band. Speaking of which... Where... Is he..?" Valentine spoke, almost trying to sound and look innocently. Soldier didn't bought this. "GO ASK THE FASCIST PRINCESS PARASOUL." Valentine's eye widened in surprise. And so was Peacock's. "Wait... Big Band was... Captured..?" She asked looking surprised, but this only pissed Soldier off even more. "DON'T PLAY INNOCENT, MAGGOT! BECAUSE OF YOU ABANDONING US, BIG BAND HAD TO STAY BEHIND AND BUY SOME TIME FOR ME AND NADIA TO ESCAPE LITTLE INNSMOUTH!" "Ben was captured by those pesky Egrets!? That's impossible! I mean, I've beaten him in sparring but still! Ben's hard to catch! How's that even possible!?" Completely ignoring Peacock, Soldier stepped forward and toward Valentine with a furious look on her face. "LISTEN HERE, MAGGOT... I CAN LET IT SLIP PAST ABOUT WHAT YOU DID LEAVING ME AND BIG BAND ON OUR OWN BACK AT LITTLE INNSMOUTH - BECAUSE I HAVE SOMETHING MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAT NEEDS DEALING WITH INVOLVING BRAIN DRAIN..! OR, SINCE YOU WORK UNDER BRAIN DRAIN - DO YOU ALSO HAVE INVOLVEMENT ABOUT THE TORTURE AND EXPERIMENTATION OF THAT POOR GIRL, CAROL, THAT I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT..?"
Valentine was clearly taken back from all of what Soldier said. Her single eye, blinking rapidly, a clear sign of being caught off guard. "Painwheel... H-How did you..?" "WHAT'S THAT!?" "It's... It's none of your business, Soldier... That's... Classified information..." Soldier's fists clenched. "YOU KNOW, I ACTUALLY FELT SORRY FOR YOU AND THE HISTORY OF YOUR PATHETIC GROUP OF NURSES THAT EASILY GOT WIPED OUT BY A CHILD THAT IS THE SKULLGIRL. BUT IF I EVER FIND OUT THAT YOU WERE INVOLVED ABOUT THE TRAUMATIZING TORTURE OF THAT POOR GIRL - SO GOD FORGIVE ME FROM WHAT I WILL DO TO YOU..."
"Uh... Soldier..?" Peacock, at this point was gently shaking her hand. "C'mon. Let's leave her, she's not worth it. Whatever's that goin' on back at Lab 0, I'm sure Gramps can deal with Brain Dome about it..." Soldier didn't said a word. Instead, she just stared at Valentine through the very soul on her single eye. The Nurse felt very threatened and slowly took a step back, avoiding Soldier's gaze. "Hey uh... C'mon! Let's go? I've seen ya fight and kick Annie's butt on TV and I easily became a fan! Why don't we... Just leave Valentine, and have a sparring match, yeah?"
FAQs:
1. Chapter 16 is in the works, and it is going to be alot more intense.
2. Valentine is indeed involve about the torture and experimentation of Carol. But nobody's the wiser to also know that she's the one that secretly brought Carol back to Lab 0 as one of the refugees brought along with Peacock before she was turned into a living weapon by Lab 8.
3. At this point, Soldier is about to go ham once she finds out about Valentine's true motives that nobody knows about.
4. A piece of Team Fortress 2 lore has been stated by Saxton Hale that the Internet does exist in the Team Fortress 2 universe, and also explains that the Internet was invented a year earlier ahead from the actual year invention of the Internet in the real world. This would mean that the Internet, and social medias exists in the Team Fortress 2 franchise, even for the standards of the 70's aesthetic.
5. Another character from the world of Team Fortress 2 will also be arriving into the world of Skullgirls.
Thank you for reading!
~Defective Demon 666~