Silence, only the purring sound of the of eighteen wheeler engine was the only other noise, as the Gunsmith Regent 'Sniper Thomas' sat laid back, his hands behind his head, a victorious smile pursed on his lips, his feet crossed at the resting seat at the far end. He had done what he set out to do, to send a message to that devious traitor, Elliot Picard. Even with a bit of help, he completed his set objective: Eliminate all of the androids Picard had targeting Draco.
"Even at the cost of two regents... I still finished what I sought to do. Better call 'ol Hudson boy 'n let'm know I'm still alive an kickin'." Thomas said to himself in pride, as he sat up from his lazy boy chair, standing to his feet, as he stretched out his legs, doing a few thigh stretches, before walking casually over to the communication output.
Imputing his name in the user slot, along with his password, he received access to the regents secure line, a line that was directly private for Regents communications only, and very secure to never allow line taps.
"Huds 'ol boy, mission accomplished, Picards probably keeping low for now, seein' as he won't be getting' Picard while I'm around." Thomas remarked with his cocky voice, as he crossed his arms along his chest, a smile of accomplishment shined upon his pearly white teeth.
Hudson only snorted a laugh, as he closed his eyes, shaking his head, his raven black hair covering part of his eyes. His smile furrowed down, as he opened his gold lite eyes, staring to Thomas.
"Cocky as always, yet not on the mark. It appears Neo Rogue has gotten hold of information showing of the location of a factory located along the path Draco is on. Apparently, it happened a day before you reached Rango... appears Elliot still holds the aces of strategy when it comes to luring his prey into a trap." Thomas remarked, crossing his arms, as he closed both of his eyes, Thomas only growing in disbelief, his teeth clenched tightly, as his fist balled up, enraged by the recent turn of events.
"Bastard... always has a second plan as usual..." Thomas yelled, slamming his fist ragingly onto the table the communication transmitter was on.
"Calm down Tommy, you know your not a kid anymore." Hudson remarked with a chuckle.
Thomas glared up, thumbing at his nose, as he snorted.
"No matter, I'll get'm for this, you wait an-"
"No... this time Thomas, I think Picard holds the ace... a plan this thorough doesn't consist of too many flaws, so just stay out of this fight, understand?" Hudson asked, as Thomas closed his eyes, shivering in disgust.
"Gwah!... Fine, but don't forget, an ace card is also like a coin, only difference is the other side is the hand of the grim reaper." Thomas mentioned noteworthy.
Hudson nodded, but kept the keen ambitious smile curved on his lips, as he brushed away a few strands of his hair.
Trekking along the desert at the same full throttle pace, the tan colored jeep sped through the desert, trailing a dust of sand directly behind. Unlike his arch-rival Ryu, Draco knew full well how to drive, even when dealing with road to road outruns. While he wasn't an obsessed car fanatic, he did have a passion to at time race against jocks who boasted their car had a gloatful load of horsepower. Of course, being the outlaw he was, the idea of even racing was a mere dream for him to think about.
The sound of electronic blasts and shots could be heard beeping every few seconds, even over the roaring engine of the car. Gaby as always was glued to her handheld gameplayer, really addicted to another game, mainly one known as Rockman X Eight, another game with her favorite character Axl involved. So far, she had been playing the thing several hours, easily breaking when she died to do the never ending pouting, as she died and fussed after getting game over.
All seemed to be an eventless day, even after dealing with the chaos in the town of Rango. Though the quiet ride was immediately interrupted by a loud ringing, Draco immediately slammed on the breaks when startled by the high volume ring, the surprise did catch him off guard. A loud thud followed, as Gaby was thrown from her seat into Draco's seat, smashing into it with a crashing thud.
"OUCHIES!" She cried out, groaning in pain as she stood up.
"Gaby, you okay?" Lecha asked, turning to her with a concerned glance.
Gaby grasped the shoulder of the drivers seat as she pulled herself up, her free hand rubbing her head, as a dazed glance filled her face.
"Yeah, I'm fine Mrs. Lecha..." she groggily replied, before slapping Draco in the back of the head. "Damn it Unkey Draky, whaddya trying to do, KILL ME!" She yelled, delivering the vile temperament driven complain point blank into his ear.
Yelping, Draco covered his ears, screaming in anger, as he shut his eyes, pain already taking control of his head. Lecha grabbed Gaby by the collar of her jacket, pulling her closer, a disgruntled glance lit her face.
"Dammit Gaby, how many times have we told you, BUCKLE UP!" Lecha remarked, shouting the last phrase into Gaby's face.
Gaby sighed, pushing Lecha's hand off of her collar, as she crossed her arms, glancing away from Lecha.
"Ruby Flamingo, do you copy! Urgent message of priority one, reply now or-"
Tapping the reply button, she took a deep breath, calming herself so not to give her leader a hard time.
"Sorry Blue Phoenix, a little incident occurred. So whacha need this time?" Lecha asked, holding the communicator near her ear.
"Coincidence or not, by the route your taking you will nearly pass by a Auron Robotics Factory nearby. I hate to trouble you, but, I need a favor." He asked, Draco groaning in agony.
"Sheesh, haven't we done enough." He grumbled, laying his chin on the turning wheel.
"Draco, hush up." Lecha whispered, as she once more went back to communication.
"So what do you need from us?" Lecha asked curiously.
"Listen up, the Utan Robotics Productions Center, also known as U.R.P.C. is a highly guarded factory, from turrets covering the front and rear ends, while inner security consists of several high powered laser beams, even booby traps for those who make it inside. Although, I don't think it should be a problem for Draco to go in, considering he hold a demon within." Nathan commented, as Draco grabbed the communicator angrily from Lecha's hand.
"SO WHAT, I'M SOME FUCKIN' SLAVE TO YOU! BEST GET YOU HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS 'FOR I GO AND-"
"Hold it Draco, don't get me wrong or anything. I know you've been having problems with the regent known as Elliot Picard... and this factory is the main assembly line for his model androids. The area is though highly guarded, and sending a mere man in is suicide... you though have a power none seem to equal, hell, you've slaughtered those who were thought to have purged your kind from this planet. I don't want to sent Lecha in, or even any other agents, its too risky, even some lives are not worth putting on the line to die in vain. You understand?" Nathan asked, a long silence followed, before Draco took a deep breath.
"Where's it located?" Draco asked.
Throwing his jacket into the back seat of the jeep, placing most of the clips he held in his hand in his pockets. He placed his glasses into their case, placing them down in his zipper pocket, knowing full well he might run into a gunslinger fight.
"This sucks, I wanna be part of the fight too. Please, pweeeeaaaase can I go with you?" Gaby pleaded, hugging Draco's legs, as she snuggled against him.
"Grr, for the fifthteenth time NO!" Draco remarked, as he loosened his holster knowing his transformation may rip it apart.
Gaby began to sob, crying like a little baby when it needs something done.
"Gaby, cut that out. This is not a game where you unlimited chances, this is a war zone. We try and break in; we may not make it out. If there is anyone who even has a fifty-fifty chance of breaking in and getting out easily, it's Draco." Lecha mentioned, as she remained in the ca, the window's opened to allow Draco to disassemble anything unneeded.
"But I wanna go on a mission!?" She whined once more.
"Lecha, keep an eye on her, and whatever you do, DON'T LET HER OUT OF YOUR SIGHT!" He stated, Lecha giving a thumbs up, she stepped out, grabbing Gaby's ears tightly, forcing the little rabbit to let go, as she squealed, releasing her grip from Draco's legs.
"NOOOO!! Lemme go Lecha!" Gaby cried out loud, as she tried to shove Lecha's hands away from her hands.
"Gaby, this is for your own good." Lecha mentioned, as she handcuffed Gaby's right to the handle on the right backside door, shoving her inside the jeep, slamming the door behind her.
"Grrr. Ugh, ugh, uuughhhh!!" Gaby grunted, trying to pull the chain to a breaking point, as she pushed hard with her feet to cause tension upon the chain.
"Give it up Gaby, that metal is strong enough to resist a young hornsmens strength. Your not gonna get out by pulling on it." Lecha mockingly remarked, as she entered the drivers seat.
Gaby groaned stressfully, as she sunk down into her seat.Draco took a deep breath, as he closed his eyes, summoning the power from within, he opening his eyes, feeling the shock of pain run through his body. His forearms burst with the savagely curved claws, the leather scales ripping through his delicate skin, as he growled feeling the oncoming pain. More ran through his body, as his legs sprouted the same scales, claws sprouting from his nails.
Horns budded up around his back area of his head, as they curved, he opened his eyes, now shining with golden glow. Mini wings burst from his back, flapping lightly. With his transformation complete, he launched himself off with his feet, advancing off into the distance, his next stop: The factory.
The armored wall shined as the sun rays hit the smooth surface. A few mobile robots stood watch, moving from one point to another, standing guard over the wall. Yet, normal and dull as most days there had been, a loud and roaring blast broke through the silence, as one of the main watch towers was struck, fire immediately scorching the tower, as it burned in arrogance.
Alarms rang loudly, as more explosions rang, this time walls being blown down, large fogs of dust covered the areas, as Draco calmly walked as the dust settled, a fiendish smile curled on his lips.
"Alright, who's gonna attack me first?" Draco shouted out loud, a few bots swarming around, charging up to open fire.
Draco smiled, as in the blink of an eye did he leap forth, digging his claws deep into the bots circuit area, as he slammed it to the ground, crushing it with sheer impact force. He repeated this several times, destroying each one as he dug his claws deep into each one and slammed it into the ground.
Draco only stood up, walking away from the now cluttered mess of metal frames and circuitry scattered all over the inside. Walking inside, he looked over the map spread upon the wall, his finger tracing a path to where the main security center was located.
"Gotcha!" He whispered, as he turned to his left, following the path that was now planted clear inside his head.
He only took a few steps before a shot blasted dead at his feet, he glanced up to find several navy blue painted androids stood in defense mode, blocking his path to the security room.
"Poor, poor machines. No will of your own, no sense of survival, and no intelligence to run." Draco said stepping forth.
"Halt-intruder, we-shall-open-fire." They threatened, as Draco lifted his gun, releasing the clip from his gun, shoving a new one inside, as he took aim, blasting away at the two droids, blowing each one down in one shot, the bullets tore through their heads, each one falling to the ground, as they fell to the ground, jolts of electric racing around their bodies.
"All too easy." Draco mentioned, walking upon the now deactivated robots, smashing most of the androids who were lying on the ground down, imprinting his dragon footprints upon the destroyed robots.
Walking through the loud engine-activated factory, he glanced along the silver metal walls, following the fork paths that he had memorized well enough to navigate directly to the front door of the security room. Even with his careless attitude did he still remember all those in the past he shot out of pure impulse. He now had planned to at least make up for some of it, especially innocent bystanders who were only doing their job.
"Lets see, just around this corner and..." Draco turned to the left break, as he stopped, sighing as a mini jet like robotic fighter hovered in front of the door.
A few blue streaks painted on the edges, its white polished armor glittered in the ceiling lights.
"Geez, I really hate having a damn droid block my path." Draco remarked, drawing his gun out.
The bot immediately fired away, Draco leaped as the shots landed directly where he stood, he took aim, firing away, as his bullets only were repelled away, denting the armor.
"Hmm, bullet proof armor." Draco remarked, as he decended down quickly, digging his claws deep into the robots front nose, as he ripped the front cone off.
Sending the cone to the side, Draco took one rotation, grasping the inside of the opened area on the bot, chucking it to the door, smashing it inside, as he walked inside, glancing around. Three men inside were backed dead into the walls, eyes wide and legs shivering in fear. Draco snorted as he walked inside, glaring to the one who was to the front of him.
"Lets play a game of 'Answer or Bullet', so tell me, where is the damn alarm and microphone?" Draco demanded, aiming the gun's nose right near the mans forehead.
"R-R-right there!" The man stated, as he shook his finger pointing to where the emergency alarm was.
"Thank you... now, I suggest you start running, else I be blowing each one of ye brains out." Draco said with a sinister glare.
Each one slowly moved towards the door, before turning away from the demonic faced outlaw, breaking into a fleeing speed to stay alive then be slaughtered by the merciless outlaw."Heh heh ha! Now, to clear out the rest of the employees." Draco mentioned, picking up the intercom, as he tapped it, hearing the loud tapes echo in the outside.
"Attention all humans working here, in ten minutes this entire facility will be destroyed by me, the outlaw known only as Draco "Hundred Kills" Carter. And to prove this is no mere joke, allow me to demonstrate just how serious I am. Turn your attention to the main security tower in the west wing." Draco announced as he walked over to the emergency escape, walking outside, as he took aim to the turret tower out in the west area.
"Time for the Buster Bullet!" He muttered, as he charged up his shot, delivering a large power charged shot that blew forth with a loud boom, nearly equal to a sonic boom.
A large explosion rang in the distance, blowing the entire area apart, large piles of rubble falling to the ground, smoke vastly rose rapidly from the now destroyed area. A wolfish smile pursed on his face, as he smiled, witnessing the now destroyed area. Screams rang through the area, as many fled out through the emergency exits, running away from the building, dozens running for dear life.
"All too easy, just my name is enough to stir up the wrath of chaos." Draco stated, observing the flocks of people, as he walked inside, thrusting his claws inside the machine as he tore them apart, throwing them into the area, destroying the panels in the entire area.
"Security-shut-down-commencing." The feminine computerized voice announced.
Leaving the room, a sizzling crackle of electricity followed, before a few loud crashing explosions rang from the security room. He made his move, dashing through the hallways, as he laughed hysterically.
People ran for the emergency exits like rats fleeing their hold from the oncoming danger that was approaching. Yet one huge being remained still, standing tall around fifteen feet tall, with huge muscle carved metal arms and lets, each one with joints at each bending area of the machine.
His metal body bulged with girth sized metallic parts. His head smaller then his own metallic wrist, but easily still gave a grave glance, as his bearded face gave a scruffy glance, his pure yellow eyes cold as usual. His teeth clenched hearing the alarms ring throughout the hallways.
"RUDY NOT FRAID OF OUTLAW, RUDY CRUSH OUTLAW!" The behemoth remarked, as he marched forth with his feet clanking loudly.
"RUDY SHOW DUMB OUTLAW HE GOOD GUNSMITH REGENT!" He shouted, as he marched forth through the hallway, swaying his arms back and forth as he marched forth.
Shot's blazed through the hallways, as several security droids fired forth, Draco walked onward, as each of the bullets that hit Draco, stopped dead by his already rock hard skin, they fell out of his chest, tapping the ground as he walked onward. With one quick halt, he dashed forth, as he slashed each of the androids apart, from the mid area, separating the upper body from the lower body, as the droids fell to the ground.
"Guess the droids don't know when to abandon ship." Draco remarked, trotting onward, as he entered the main industrial area.
He glanced around, seeing conveyer belts sending the upper body area forward, stopping as welding arms moved into place, welding together the arms to the droids. Draco glanced to each, seeing the pattern, as he snorted, loading a clip into his gun.
"This production of droids ends here!" He stated loudly over the noisy assembly line, the creaking and drilling sounds rang throughout the place.
Loud clanks rumbled the ground, Draco felt the vibration drawling closer as Draco glanced over to one of the shut lock-down doors.
"Wha?" Draco mentioned as he glanced over to the door.
A loud pounding smashed a few bumps into the door, before the doors were smashed open clanging upon the floor, as it slide into data installer center, being slammed directly into the middle of it, slammed directly onto the other side. Loud steps rumbled through the entire area, as the huge bronze suit marched into view, as he glanced down at Draco.
"DRAGON!! RUDY CRUSH DRAGON!!" He yelled loudly as he rose his arm forth, taking aim at Draco with a grievous toothy frown.
A compartment opened up upon the wrist, a six pack of missiles revealed in place as he launched them rapidly, Draco immediately taking action, as he took one jump to the side, running from the oncoming missiles, as each struck at the machinery, conveyer belts flying apart, bot parts rained from above, as machinery junctions were blown to pieces, their scrap pieces rained everywhere.
"Jeez, just who the hell are you?" Draco demanded, as he stepped forth from the large dust that cluttered the area from the recent assault.
"SUPER MISSILE LAUNCHER RUDY OF GUNSMITH REGENTS, RUDY MAKE DRAGON MAN PAY!" Rudy barked, growling.
"So you're a regent, huh? Guess you must be the mentally challenged one of the group." Draco mentioned vulgarly.
"WHAT DRAGON MAN CALL RUDY!?" Rudy demanded loudly.
"Simple, you're a retard, the real stupidest being to exist in society." Draco said, as he fired a shot upon the beast, knowing it wouldn't do much more then intimidate, as that was his true goal.
"RUDY NOT RETARD!! RUDY MAKE DRAGON MAN PANCAKEN!!" Rudy remarked as more missile contraptions opened up, taking aim at the dragon.
Several small missiles shot forth, Draco evading once more, leaping a good distance from where the impact occurred, before running deeper into the mass production area.
"DRAGON MAN TRY TO RUN, RUDY FIND DRAGON MAN AND BLAST HIM!"
Several missiles shot forth, as they impacted behind Draco who ran as each one exploded behind, forcing him to move faster. Rudy pursued him, lunching several hundred more missiles out, as they destroyed each of the machinery present in the factory, conveyor belts ripping apart, the storage area's blowing apart, sending several parts flying everywhere, as they slid upon the floor, scattering across the now flame endowed area.
"Gee, I might as well just sit back and let the retard of a Regent do the job for me... look around you dumbass, your already blowing most of this factory apart with your own artillery. Tell me, just how is it that you made a cut of even becoming a regent." Draco taunted, as Rudy roared angrily, firing more spread missiles, as they collided all around the area.
Gaby finally calmed down, as she played her handheld game, seeing as she wasn't going to be able to budge. Clicks and beeps filled the jeep, as Lecha remained calm, waiting for Draco to return. Yet directly outside, a unknown figure dashed forth, as a small amount of pebbles from the ledge above, as each one tapped against the vertical side.
"Egh?" Gaby glanced to the side, looking up to the ledge. "Mrs. Lecha, did you hear something?"
Lecha glanced back with an annoyed glare.
"I'm serious, I heard something... I think something is after us." Gaby mentioned, as Lecha sighed irritated.
"Like I haven't heard that one before." Lecha remarked stubbornly.
"I did, I heard pebbles fall and-"
A few large rocks fell from the opposite side, as they crashed to the ground with several loud clashes. Lecha remained silent, as she reached in her left jacket pocket taking the cuff key out tossing it over to Gaby who grasped it firmly, immediately freeing her arm, as she reached into the back, taking her duel mini handguns, she opened the door, turning in every direction, her eyes keeping a sharp glanced as she searched for any unusual signs.
Lecha immediately followed, as she looked around, grasping her shotgun tightly as she looked around the area, starting around. A deep laughter caught their attention, as the two girls glanced ahead, finding a man clad in a large raggy brown cloak, a large sombrero hat covering his face.
"Are you the bastard sneaking around here!?" Lecha demanded, aiming her gun to him.
"In truth, I am, but in another way, I'm not." The figure mentioned, as his red eyes glanced up to Lecha fiercely.
"Nuff talk, handle this you creep!" Gaby spat, as she drew her gun from her holster and fired away, delivering a bullet to her head.
The man fell down, with a loud thump, the sombrero rolled off his head, revealing the metallic surface.
"An android, then that means-"
Lecha stopped short, as she fell to the ground, a small dart sticking out from her neck. Gaby glanced over, about to call to her, but fell into a trance, before falling backwards to the ground, a dart in the same place as the dart was injected in Lecha's neck.
Several androids jumped down, masked with the same tan skin as the others, the goggles covering their face, and the clothing still the same as what the first robot had worn.
"All according to plan." Picards voice remarked, as one of the androids moved in, picking Gaby up, and throwing her over its shoulder.
Lecha was taken in a more held stance, one arm supporting her back, the other at her knees. The two androids walked off, as the others began smashing the jeep apart. The android with Gaby looked at her wrist, seeing the pendent upon her, ripping it off, as it tossed it to the androids wrecking the car, the main one catching it, as it scanned around, finding the red trench coat Draco left behind, as he clenched it tightly, looking to the deactivated robot.
Explosions continued to ran after each of the loud crackles of the rockets being shot off.
"RUDY NOT LET DRAGON MAN OUT OF HIS EYESIGHT!" Rudy mentioned, as he looked around.
"Hey, Rudy, right'ere!" Draco called out, as he stood up upon the junk piled wreckage, gun in hand and taking aim.
"RUDY DISTROY DRAGON MAN!" He shouted, opening all missile silo's upon his body, as Draco smirked brightly, sending a bullet to the center silo puncturing the nose of the missile, as a huge explosion followed, several blasts rang through the area.
Draco smiled, putting his gun away, as he smiled, walking off towards the main core of the area to finish the job. A few doors were torn down, as Draco continued, heading to the main core to create the deathtrap reaction. The final door flew off its hinges, clanking as it slid to the end area. Stepping forth, Draco looked up at the huge cylinder core, taking his gun, as he narrowed his eyes, finding the perfect shot to be around the area where the glowing sphere was.
Alarms blared, as the area turned to deep overheating glowing red, growing deeper. Turning around, he dashed off with a breakneck speed, a large blast followed, the afterburn of the explosion pursued Draco, who continued to run to stay ahead of the deadly flame that trailed him.
"Gotta keep on running, I have to make it out of here in time!?" Draco thought, as he continued to run fast, closing his eyes tightly.
With his own feet moving to keep his speed at max, he made it right near the exit, diving out, he took cover as the scorching fire ran along his back, the entire factory now nothing but flames. Pushing himself up, he glanced back with a smile, seeing the area was now destroyed, he smiled standing to his feet taking several steps as he sighed, looking back to the now destroyed factory with a smile.
Returning to where the jeep was parked, Draco glimpsed upon the now wrecked car, as he ran forth, looking around.
"Lecha! Gaby!" Draco shouted, glancing every which way, taking a few deep breath.
Looking over to the android with his red trench coat, he grunted disgustedly as he noticed the bullet holes within the jacket, along with the pendent that Gaby wore.
"Too late fool, if you didn't relize, this was a set up by me, the Master Strategist Elliot Picard. I have you two female companions with me in the town of Bell Omen, the abandoned town of hell, where screams never rest. I advise you come alone and disreguard your dragon powers, otherwise, well, you wouldn't want to hold the guilt of a little girls death in your heart, do you!?" Picard mocked, as he laughed sadistically.
Taking his katana out, he swung forth, cutting the head of the droid off, as he clenched his teeth angrily, narrow eyeing the robot with balled fists.
"Bastard!!" Draco remarked, turning as he ran off, knowing the town was nearby.
"Gaby... Lecha, hand in there, I'm on my way." Draco mentally spoke, looking to the sky as their faces appeared.
"Picard, you'll pay for holding my gals hostage." He muttered, running towards the sunset.
Next Time:
Draco: Even through the last dacade I fought many battles, with no fear to hold me back. Yet this battle is one with two lives hanging in the balance, the mere fear of their deaths flood my heart with fear. Outnumbered in a town thought to be haunted, my emotions are strong, but my will to save my friends is the same.
Next chapter: Heart of Trepidation
Authors notes: Shortest chapter so far... and a cliffhanger. Well, at least I finished part one, but part two will come in next month, mostly because I am now addicted to Vandread, and have a great desire to create a fanfic for that, so expect chapters now in a month, like always, maybe two.
Oh, and to the moron who uses the review board as a message board for telling me to stop advertising in reviews (dark heart, a very, very annoyed author), your being a hypocrite, a brown one at that. I don't care who you are, but if you want to tell me to stop doing it, please do it by e-mail, otherwise I will eradicate every anonymous ranting you post, so do the math, cause the answer is your wasting your time even posting a pathetic message.