My internet was whacked for a few days, so I couldn't update any of the stories, and neither could Ran. Anyway, back to this. I would like to give a thanks for VJ for reviewing the chapters so far. And I would also like to thank Light Rises for future reading.
This gives a look at two different important pieces, mostly including Readagar. One is a look through the eyes of a squad that is in charge of "visual duty" in the labs. Gives an idea of Readagar's past life within the military.
The second is at the end, featuring a "so-called-unimportant" character from the beginning of the story. Ha....so if you want to know before you read, take a look. The event will soon lead onto several other important parts, which I am assured will be read.
Enjoy!
Chapter 26 Liberty Finals part 3
Back in Monstropolis, Readagar's blockade group had entered Luna Lab. The main doors were locked, making it seem impossible for the creatures to enter without alarming the group. The group split up to take sections of the lab that held monsters in the other rooms, which were sealed as well.
Randolph was up near the door, Rayford back near Naomi. Looking out, Randolph could see some of the military monsters pass by. He was waiting for Readagar to come. It took four minutes, but Randolph soon saw Readagar on the other side of the door, looking through the window. Knowing they were safe, Randolph pushed in a button beside the door and it slid up, letting Readagar quickly come in before it shut downward. Stopping near the middle of the room, he caught attention of everyone in the room.
Readagar stopped abruptly, placing his right arms on the table that had Randolph's computer setting on top. Randolph came up behind him, placing hands on his shoulders, seeing Readagar's head plastered with sweat. Rayford came over in front of him.
"What happen Readagar?!" Rayford yelled. "Clam down Ray......Readagar's done the best he can" Naomi said, coming up beside him.
Readagar gulped before responding. "There.....was......just so many......they surprised us....." he said, trying to get every word out as clearly as he can. Randolph came close up to his side. "Did you lead them here?" he asked calmly. Readagar took another moment.
"Yeah....most of'em....I mean....a few are being taken care of by the other blockade groups but....I think they'll be fine" Readagar started. "Ok ok....." Randolph said, pleased. He patted Readagar's shoulder's before heading back over to his computer. Readagar staggered over to the bed, turning to lay his back on it. "You look terrible...." Rayford said, finally noticing what Naomi had at first sight.
Naomi went over behind Randolph, crouching down to open her son's mini-refrigerator below the desk. She pulled out a bottle of water and closed it. Getting up, she grabbed a spare piece of cloth that Randolph had dried his sweated palms with earlier from typing too much. She went over to Readagar, wetting the cloth with the water and placing it on Readagar's head.
"This is good.....as soon as they break through the entrance and pile in, I can initiate the Carbonminoxide into the sprayers and take out the last remaining bunches in the city" Randolph said, the radar on his computer switched to a camera outside showing the entrance of the Luna Lab.
"They're smarter than......we take them....credit for" Readagar said, his eyes closed. "Seems they weren't made by this Kroitz" Rayford questioned, looking back at his son. Randolph's eyes looked up once, but then back at the screen. "Your right dad.....someone else made them....with more advanced technology than we have today.......or perhaps modified..." Randolph replied.
After a moment or two, Randolph was ready. "......Ok....." he started, looking past his computer at Readagar. "You did get your men to the secure labs right Red?" he asked. Readagar still had his eyes closed, but still talked.
"Most of them......some waited by the entrance for them....to come in" he responded quickly, out of breath it seems. Randolph seemed disappointed.
"....Well.....guess we need visual confirmation too" Randolph sighed out.
Near the entrance, five of Readagar's monsters remained stationed at the steps leading to the entrance. Their guns remained locked on the door. Two were tough and had large bodies while the other three seemed thin yet still not agile.
"Anybody hear anything?" asked one of the large monsters. The other four didn't answer, eyes pinned on the entrance and ears, if any, on any sound.
The walls themselves seemed to disapprove of letting them know of any clue as to if anything was around them. Easing the grip on their weapons, the group seemed confident that nothing was coming. If they were waiting for a surprise attack was not on any of their minds....
Everyone in the labs were already condensed inside the complex, as were the residents of the buildings of which the attacks have occurred in. Regardless, many of the monsters had retreated to the farthest areas away from any exit to the surface. This of course made some areas deserted, as well as silent. Especially in a corridor that Randolph had visited several days ago.......
The hallway walls reflected the light overhead in an eerie fashion, which was uncommon since many had walked through the halls, having none there is what made it seem strange.
As sudden as no one was in the hall, one of the doors leading into one of the many deserted labs slid open. A weight was pressed against it. Since nothing was left to hold it up, a body slid out into the corridor, falling straight down as if against will. The body itself was only half seen....motionless. Trailing up into the room, the body itself seemed beaten to death, no cuts except a deep gash to the left side of the presumed head. Whomever it was, he was one of the many workers in the facility for which Randolph had met the same day he had gone to see a patient......
Inside, the room was still the same as it had been before. Seems as if there was not even a struggle in the room. The only exception was a metal computer speaker dropped on the ground near the fallen scientist. Its side held, still warm, echo.
A multiple typing noise had been coming from the room ever since it opened. To the far left of the room was a computer bolted into the wall. A keyboard was bolted at an angle so that it was easy to type. Standing in front of it was the only living creature in the area at the time. Luther....
He stood accordingly, as if the burns on his side didn't even cause a twitch. His four hands typed fast on the board, entering into files as if he knew every single code by heart. He grinned as he opened the last of what he was looking for. Luna lab had many vents leading in and out, purposes for air, waste, and many similar things.
"(Seems like the human needs a little assistance.....hmph....not that I like helping....)" Luther thought, the computer coming to a screen. Using the connection of the computer to the vents, Luther opened them. Raising his hands slightly at the success of what he had attempted to do, Luther looked down at the dead body near the door.
"(What a poor fate.....still.....)" he thought, heading over to the lifeless body and kneeling down, looking him over. Cocking his head slightly, his grin slowly came to a blank expression. "(I better wait here....that Randolph will come down here soon enough...)" he thought, rising. "(And he will get a big surprise!)".
Back at the entrance. They had settled down, one reviewing the handbook he had tucked away inside his side pocket, simple reminders written inside it. Another checked his gun incase of any lockups. Two were still wondering what the sounds around them were, and another was sitting with his gun laying at a lean beside him. One figured to start a conversation. He placed his tentacles on the top of his gun, which he had upright.
"Anybody....uh....wanting to get outta here?" he asked. No one motioned to look at him. The wide-awake monster, who gave a resemblance to George Sanderson, shifted position. "We have orders to stay here.... maybe not orders, but I'm guarding that door" he said.
The tentacle monster shrugged carelessly, dropping his gun as he tried. It clattered to the floor with a short clang. Leaning down to pick it up, the broad monster examining his gun looked around him, seeming as if he thought someone was behind him, though he was against a wall.
"Anybody here that?" he asked. One beside him chuckled, the second large monster said. "Of course we did.....we all heard it?" he responded, looking at the tentacle monster rise with a mouthing insult.
The broad monster held up a rather large paw to retort. "No...no....it was different from that...." he said. Interested, the wide-awake monster gripped the barrel of his gun with his right hand. "Hey I hear it too...." he said.
"What? I don't hear anything....." the careless monster began. Suddenly, the door up the long staircase protruded a large banging noise.
Alerted, all of the men grabbed there guns and couched, with the exception of the large ones. Pointing at the door ahead, they could hear the banging get louder and louder.
"Its hard to hear" one of the whispered. The others thought in agreement. The banging echoed through the halls. At the peak of the sound, it stopped.
There was no more banging. No more signs of movement. The halls were quiet once again.
The monsters looked bewildered at each other. The monster nearest to the steps motioned for the tentacle monster to head up. He held up his hands in defense. "I'm not going up there!" he yelled.
Rolling his eyes, the monster turned to the second broad monster. Nodding, he started past the group, his gun trained forward as he started up.
They watched him as he did. As he neared the top, the monster could see the dome interior of the Luna Lab entrance. The dome outside was merely the entrance way, leading down steps to a vertical hall. Observing the dome interior for any impactions, the monster couldn't find any dents, not even a scratch. As if nothing was outside.
Stepping up the last step, the monster's large claw extended near the keypad operator beside the door. Randolph had left the controls for manual for his plan to work. Looking back, the monster received a nod from a few of his comrades, telling him they would back him up. Taking in a deep breath, the monster tapped the switch with his claw, raising his weapon on an instant. Just as sudden, he lowered it.
The cool air of the outside was welcoming, but was disturbed by the fire in the streets. The other squads had been in charge of taking care of the few creatures still roaming the streets.
Leaning out, he looked side to side, seeing only the night and the ground and road leading into the entrance. Chuckling, he turned back.
"Its clear guys...." he said. Feeling a little idiotic, the group lowered their weapons, becoming joyice at their calm situation. Giving a slight laugh, the monster stepped back to close the door.
Back at the group, the tentacle monster propped his gun over his shoulders. "See...see...there was no point in me going up there....see...." he laughed out.
"Hmph.....yeah well...if you had....we would have waited fifteen minutes for you to open the....." one of them started.
"Wait a minute....". They all turned to the monster who had alerted them of the sound.
"What is it?" the tentacle monster asked, still feeling a bit guilty he hadn't assured the rest of the team. "You mean you guy's don't hear that?" he asked again.
"Well I don't know about you guys but I just want to check behind alright?" the monster who had climbed the steps asked. "We're coming". The manual monster and the wide-awaker stood up, placing there guns in there hands.
"I still don't know guys....I still feel as if s...." the alerted started. Before he could start, and as the two monsters took their third step.........
(RRRGGGHGHGH!)
In an instant, they all looked to the one who had the suspicion of a sound. From behind him, the metal hall vent was punctured, and was split apart.
His instinct told him to jump forward. All five of them got in position as the wall suddenly split open to reveal the creatures that they had expected to see burst through the entrance door. They ripped open the metal with their claws, striking the wall with vertical slashes.
One of the troops tapped and each piece with a speaker near his mouth. "Entrance squad to all stations! The creatures are bursting out of the....." he started.
The wall split open as they started to fire. The wall went wide enough for them to get through. The first one fell dead from the fire as another came from behind, its claw hanged high, two more behind it.
Inside Randolph's lab-room, everyone was pretty much settled down, not hearing any word from the squads about any breaches. Albert and Curtis had left to another secure lab, leaving the four. Readagar was sitting up on the better, Naomi beside him. It had taken a few minutes, but Readagar was ready for any action that needed to be done. Rayford was leaning on the desk watching Randolph, who was trying to pace back and forth. Randolph had asked that everyone speak in only a whisper as not to promote anything that might be above them or near the hallway.
"....I....wonder how Randall's doing....." Readagar whispered, enough for everyone to hear. Randolph halted his pacing, knowing he was to answer. ".....Honestly I don't know...." he said, trying to be realistic. But he quickly switched to something else, knowing his mom would be worried.
"....What I mean is....I'm sure he's ok....he's got Sean, Joy and everyone else with him......I'm sure he's fine....I....know he is...." Randolph started. Naomi knew what he was trying to do, but Readagar rose up, stepping over to him and laying a hand on his shoulder.
"....Your worried aren't you" he started. On an instant, Rayford went over to Naomi to keep her occupied as the two spoke at a whisper.
Randolph shrugged, simply. "....I know....he can take care of himself but.....I...just don't know you know" he started. Readagar cracked a smile. "Of course you are.....but you didn't admit it....".
Randolph moved half his mouth up, half a smile. "Yeah.....I....am worried....that he'll get hurt....." he started. "Randolph....".
Readagar moved in front of him, placing his second hand on his shoulder and looking at him, seriously looking at his emerald eyes. "Randolph.....you are worried alright...and its ok....but if you want to do something....you can...." he said.
Randolph shook his head, looking down. "I can't alright.....I have to make sure everyone here is safe...I can't just rush off and...." he started.
"Randolph just listen alright...." Readagar began, moving his left hand in front with the left-most finger pointed at him. "You can leave as soon as this is over....when it is....you can go help him....." he claimed to him.
Randolph smirked, looking up with his fronds a little higher. "I can help him?" he asked. Readagar nodded once. "Just leave this to me if you want....." Readagar started. Randolph seemed to cock his head slightly. "Readagar....you don't know how to...." he started.
Before he could finish, the walkie-talkie that Readagar had brought in when he first came cracked to life. Naomi moved away slightly, as it was left on the bed.
Patting Randolph on the shoulder, Readagar went over and picked it up. Switching the frequency to a usable one. As soon as he got one...it snapped to life.
".....breach in the entrance! Creatures.......over the place.....walls......two...killed.....eight wounded....." was all that came through.
"That's nearly half the squad!" Readagar yelled, lowering his hand. Rayford stood up, hearing parts of it. "They're here aren't they?" he asked. Readagar looked at him solely. "They came through the vents.....". The two looked over to Randolph.
"That's the only way.....they're large enough for someone to stand in....someone opened the vents...I closed them off beforehand" he added.
Rayford looked at him, wondering if the vents weren't the only thing. "What about the squad?" Rayford asked, turning to Readagar. Looking forward, then bringing the WT to his mouth.
"Alright, any com. links......tell the squad to carry the injured to a secured lab with venting locks, inform me once all squad members are secure..." Readagar ordered. He turned back to Randolph. "Get ready, once there in....you know what to do".
Meanwhile.......
(Snap!)
In the head of the statue, Sean and Kroitz continued their melee. Kroitz twirl kicked twice with Sean blocking with his hands. Pulling his left fist back, Sean lunged forward at Kroitz's chest, hitting him. He followed up with turning and punching with his right fist, following up with a powerful right hand punch to the stomach.
Kroitz backed off. He went forward with a left kick, following up with a forceful right elbow hit. Sean took it in. Sean kicked his arm away with his right kneecap, following up with an upright kick, spinning around with a left kick. Kroitz countered with a right uppercut to the jaw. Given the chance, Sean was pushed backward, but came up with a swipe with his left leg counter-clockwise, hitting Kroitz in the legs, making him kneel slightly.
"You look good down there Kroitz......" Sean said, slowly backing off, holding his stomach. "You little...." Kroitz started, running at Sean.
Randall was going as fast as he could to free Leia from he restraint, with Slade still closing in on them. Leia kept looking back at his invisible form, not wanting Slade to catch him off guard.
Chewing the rope as quickly as he could, Randall manage to loosen it, starting to untie the restraint to free his friend. As soon as he undid the last part, Leia's hands slipped out.
"You ok?" Randall asked quickly as she stepped in front of him. "I'm fine, you?" she said, just as equally. Randall was about to answer before his eye's shifted just over Leia's shoulder.
"Sorry!" he yelled, gripping Leia's shoulders and flinging her as best as he could. She was pushed a few feet away before she could see what happened. Slade had lunged out, smacking Randall and himself backward toward the wall near the staircase. Slade hit the ground on his stomach as Randall hit the wall, slamming an ordeal of a headache into his head.
"Randall!" Leia called over, getting up. Holding the back of his head with his first set of hands, Randall held up his bottom set. "No! Just.....help Joy and the others" he ordered, a bit shakily. "But!" she started, getting to her feet.
Randall lifted his head, still feeling the ringing sound inside. "I'll be fine....just go!" he yelled. Leia waited for a moment, seeing Slade get onto all eights, shaking his head. "....Be careful Randall!" she called over. Randall gave no response as she backed away slightly then sprinted off to where Joy and the others had gone before.
Randall placed his head slowly against the wall, perspiration building on his face. on Randall, you just need to concentrate......Leia's alright, everyone is.......right?)" he started thinking. "(....Which of course means that they're all doing there part.....ready to do yours?)".
Slade rose, starting for Randall.
"(......Ready.......I....think....)".
"Run! Run! Run!!!!"
The remaining troops in the other sections scrambled to find the secure locations that Readagar had ordered them to.
The five of them that had once been in the corridor leading to the entrance, where now scrambling down the hallway of section 4, nearing section 5 where the nearest safe zone was. One of the large monsters in the ground was carrying the tentacle monster, who had fallen under shock from the attack. The other large one, accompanied by other two. They fired backward as they followed the carrier with the creatures on their heels. They could hear their screeching howls and the dragging of powerful long claws on the metal floor and wall.
The large carrier shifted his eyes upward, hearing something in the ceiling above them. "They're on the ceiling!" he yelled, still running. Just then, one of the ceiling panels split open, making one of the creatures fall though, landing right on top of the second large monster that had been covering the group. The three runners stopped, seeing the crowd of creatures crowd around their fallen comrade.
"Leave him! Run!" yelled the monster resembling George. They continued as fast as they could, coming to section 5. Searching the labs, some with monsters from the neighboring buildings inside. Finding a safe zone, the occupants opened the door from the inside, letting the troops in.
As soon as they were inside, the monster with the com. link started to speak, as the monsters that had let them in sealed the door.
Back in Randolph's quarters, Readagar had been contacted by the last group that had managed to retreat into safety zones. Naomi remained with Rayford on the bed, worried about their current situation and their young son. Randolph was near his computer, hands behind his back, waiting for everyone to tell him that the civilians were in secure locations.
"Entrance crew in safety zone 5....." was what crackled through the radio. Readagar eased his high worry counter and turned to Randolph. "Do it...." he said.
Randolph leaned down into his computer, bringing up the screen that had the activation purposes for the air vents in the hallways. Randolph had ordered those with the mixtures he needed to kill the creatures to place them into isolated cylinders that would be released in one of the rooms, which would then be absorbed into the vents, then be spilled out into the halls. After the creatures were killed, the chemicals would be absorbed once again and emptied into air filters, destroying them. Of course, Randolph knew that the chemicals would go to waste for research, but they could always get what they needed.
"What in the world.....".
Naomi, Rayford, and Readagar looked over at him. Randolph was staring angrily at the screen, seeing a bright red box reading "Unable To Access".
"What is it Randolph?" Rayford asked. Randolph took a moment before leaning up, placing a hand on the top of the machine.
"Something's locked my access to the vents....." he announced. Readagar walked over to see if he was totally sure of what he was saying. Naomi looked over with a worried look. With the place so isolated, with he sons trying as best as they could to fix everything, it wasn't easy to take a disappointment. Randolph noted his mother's face and tried to think of something. Readagar came up with a reasonable option.
"If you can't access it...can anybody else?" Readagar wondering, tapping the machine twice. Randolph hung his fronds back with a hand. "No....mine was to be the only access....at least that's what the officials told me...." Randolph answered. "Any operational terminal currently on?". Randolph leaned back down again, bringing up the map of the facility, which he had used everyone once and awhile if he ever got lost. He searched through the maps to find any indication of an terminal that was on.
"There....section 7...." Randolph confirmed. "Nobody is suppose to be in that area......" he added. "More than a reason to check it out...." Readagar started. "Right....".
Randolph nudged Readagar out of the way and headed for the door. Rayford got up and took his son by the arm. "Where do you think your going?" he said. Randolph nudged his father's hand away and turned to him. "Dad.....listen....I have to get there to end this ok....I don't know who denied the access but I have to do this...." his son answered. Rayford shook his head in a fatherly like way.
"Readagar could do it for you....not that I want to put him in danger again too but..." Rayford started. "Dad.....I don't want you or mom to get hurt....I mean...Readagar's the only protection you two have right now.....I can get in and out fast because I know how to get to the controls faster than anybody in this room....." Randolph said.
"But...." Rayford started. "Trust me on this...ok...." Randolph ended, opening the door and closing it. Rayford just stood there with a defeated look on his face before looking over at Naomi. She stood up and went over to him. His vision went over to Readagar, who had taken up Randolph's chair, his arms crossed.
"I hope he knows what he's doing...." Readagar said. Rayford and Naomi looked away, not seeing Readagar's claws extend.......
Randolph slowly made his way down the steps to section 7. The elevator was inoperative, leaving the stairs the only way to get farther down the complex.
Taking the last step, his feet hit the metal floor of the sector. The place seemed quite enough. There was no sound, as the sector above him was silent, making it hard to hear the commotion on sector 5. Most of the lights in the hall were off, leaving less vision but enough for someone who was use to the dark see perfectly fine. Randolph leaned a bit, feeling uneasy in the hall.
"(Its too quiet.....something just doesn't feel right...)" he thought as he transversed. The halls themselves would have at least echoed a low sound of anything.
"(A computer...a flickering light....anything....)". The halls of the labs were always busy. Even in the time that Randolph had spent in the complex, he hadn't fully explored every part of it. There were a couple of the scientists that didn't share information with him, regardless of his talent and respect from some of the fellow employees. Some of the projects were hardly even discussed, usually made by one scientist, perhaps two.
"(It would be a good time to poke around and see what some of the top pros are working on.....but I don't have time for it now....)" he thought. Regardless of what praise Luna Lab has received, there had been incidents that were not revealed to the press. Although Randolph knew that most of them were easy to regard as simple mistakes.....although some were a little more than a mistake.
Stopping, Randolph held the side of his head with his top hands. "(Err stop it alright....you have a job to do and this is no time to be fooling around.....besides...its not the labs your worried about....)" he thought to himself.
Taking his hands away, Randolph looked up at one of the operational overhead lights fixed into the ceiling. "(.....Its Randall....)". "(....You just feel something's wrong.....your just fooling yourself....trying to think of something .....)".
Taking a deep breath, he soothed his fronts back, taking a step forward. "(Fine.....Just....just finish things on my part.....Joy already told where everyone probably is....just open the sprayers....get to the company and get those two to give me a door close to where they are....and find a way to get there....swim if you have to....)".
Finally having a plan in his head, or at least one that settled his mind, Randolph started at a running pace toward the area where the terminal was. The hall curved in an arc fashion ahead. Once Randolph started through the arc, he skitted to a stop.
The hall up ahead did lead to the room where the operational terminal was, but the hallway itself had a single overhead light on. The others behind it were shut off. It couldn't be seen by someone who wasn't use to the dark, but Randolph could see a darker figure in the dark, slowly stepping toward him. Squinting to see the face, or at least the body, whomever it was....it was somebody he knew.
"Who's there!?".
Randolph eased back a little. He knew hardly anyone would be down in the sector, but it was always a possibility.....a slim possibility at best.
The figure slowly came into the light overhead. Randolph sighed in relief when he saw who it was. "Oh Albert....". Randolph's fellow researcher came into view, holding the side of his head as his other limb dangled to the side. "Randolph? Is that you?" he asked in a groggy voice. Relieved again that he was alright, Randolph jogged over to him, stopping inches away.
"You ok? I mean....what are you doing down here?!" Randolph asked, rather worried. Albert simply shrugged. "I was trying to find a lab but I uh....heh.....got lost again" Albert replied. Randolph waited for a moment, looking in a strange way.
".....Well.....listen....why don't you head up back to my parents and stay there alright...somebody locked the system to one terminal...." he informed. Albert smiled slightly. "Heh....guess you aren't smarter than all of us huh heh...." Albert joked.
"Albert......I don't have time ok...." Randolph pressured on. "Ok ok...." Albert responded, slowly starting by him. As soon as he passed Randolph's side, Randolph felt a rush of anger inside him.
Suddenly, he whipped around, grabbing a hand.
"Ha! I'm impressed!".
Randolph now faced Luther, his top right arm in Randolph's hand. "I knew Albert couldn't get lost in this place.....he's worked here for five years!" Randolph yelled. Luther gave a sinister smile. "Heh.....just be happy he isn't dead....." he grinned.
"I don't care why just yet.....but after this....I will see you behind bars!" Randolph yelled, right in Luther's face. He didn't budge.
"Hmph.....that is if you aren't dead first!".
Whipping around, Luther slammed his seemingly burnt tail straight into Randolph's chest, making Randolph's grip on him lift. Quickly, Luther grabbed Randolph's arms and started to pound him in the stomach with his bottom fists. After a few hits, Luther backed away and flipped upward, hitting Randolph in the jaw with his tail again, knocking him back.
Randolph regained balance by not impacting the floor, but remained on his back, holding his attacked areas as Luther came over to him.
"What a pity....I always thought you were a fighter..." Luther mocked, coming closer. "I've heard you taught your brother a few things.....heh....wonder how he's doing now...." he mocked again, placing a foot on Randolph's tail and standing. Randolph heaved a little, but knew he couldn't get away.
"Why Luther!? What's in it for you and Kroitz!" Randolph yelled, trying to understand what he was doing. "Hmph you still think this is about Kroitz?! HA! That human is merely a puppet and one that has.....shall we say....disappointed its master....." Luther told, seeming to be telling the truth.
"!!!.....What?! I thought you were with Kroitz!" Randolph yelled, clearly confused at Luther's true claims. Regardless of what he said, Luther raised his top right arm. From his ability, it slowly turned red and the tops of the suction cupped ends slid out to reveal claws.
"You don't know the half of it!" Luther held, rising back his arm. Randolph cringed and closed his eyes, looking away from the positive strike toward his chest. But it didn't come. Opening an eye, he could see that he was saved.
Luther had an arm around his neck and a hand clutching Luther's death claws. From behind, Randolph could see who it was.....Readagar.
"Red!?" Randolph yelled. Readagar eased Luther backward, letting his foot of Randolph's tail. "Just go ok! I can handle this!" Readagar yelled, a struggle in his voice from holding Kroitz. "But....." Randolph started. "Just go and help Randall alright!" Readagar shouted this time. Randolph got onto his feet, stepping back.
"Go...." Readagar said, more calmly this time. Randolph gave a nod in knowing Readagar could handle Luther better than him. He also knew that he could get out of the building easier than anyone else. "Good luck....." was all Randolph could say before running down the hallway.
Readagar waited for a moment and....then backed off. Stopping a few feet away, Readagar held his arms high, all claws extended. Luther stayed where he was, moving his neck side to side before turning around to face his opponent. For a moment, neither of them said anything......
Readagar eased a bit. "....I knew there was something to you Luther.....the moment Randolph mentioned the lock down....I was sure it was you" he said, voice determined. Luther folded his arms with a smile on his face.
"Hmph....I'm not surprised Red....heh....." Luther said, looking behind him to see if anyone was there before turning back.
"Its.....been a while hasn't it?" he asked. Readagar eased a bit more, his arms lowering to his sides. "Its been too long if that's what you mean....." Readagar replied, seeming a little different than he was before....
Luther cupped his hands behind his back. "Hmph....so....how did you find out it was me huh?" Luther asked, seeming a little calmer before.
".....From what Randolph told me....I had no doubt it was you....." Readagar said. "Heh....good ole Red...it is amazing that you still have the same personality from years ago...." Luther remarked, seeming to give a slight laugh.
"That's more than I can say about you....." Readagar said, eyes like daggers. Luther seemed pleased at what he was doing.
"Touché my friend....." Luther said. Readagar moved his arms back. "We were friends.....but that was before you were Luther.....before you changed......before you disappeared..." Readagar retorted. Luther laughed.
"Ha! You should know better....." Luther mocked. "I did.....I knew you were alive but I didn't expect what you have become....." Readagar stated, demand in his voice.
"Heh....I've become more than what you are..." Luther started. "Sure....I may seem to give a bad rap for our kind but....ever since I was employed by my boss....heh....well...lets just say I've never been happier" Luther stated.
"Of course....being friends with you, Diz, and everyone else heh....those were some good times...".
Readagar starred at him, his claws all extended. "My friend is gone....and you are what is left....and...sorry about this....but I just don't like you taking my friend's life!" Readagar yelled.
He dove for Luther.
Everyone in the labs jumped deeper into the rooms of which they were contained in. The creatures were mostly running along the halls, looking for anything living still around. Some resorted to banging against the sides of the doors as hard as their meager bodies would allow. Their claws were sharp enough to scratch open the doors, but the layers of the lock-down were enough to at least keep them out for a while. Down in the lower level of sector 7, Readagar pledge to take out Luther, while at the same time needing to kill the creatures that would soon find their way down to them.
After having dove for Luther, Readagar had slammed head first into his chest. Luther retaliated with gripping around Readagar's chest and flipped him over. Readagar's back slammed first into the metal that was once under his feet. Luther had let go in the grip and was already looking down at Readagar.
"You know....buddy.....I hardly recognized you on the zeppelin....I thought you would have gotten stronger over the years....." he mocked, walking by Readagar's right side, starting to go down the hall. "I guess I was wrong...".
Readagar smirked. "You are wrong". In an instant, Readagar wrapped his tail around Luther's back left leg. Luther turned in time to see that Readagar had launched himself upward, throwing four fists into the chest. Luther took it in and grabbed Readagar's arms just as he was about to shove his claws right into Luther's unguarded torso.
"Hmph....always like your father....too bad I couldn't have met him..." Luther mocked. Readagar growled, ready to stomp his foot claws into Luther's stomach.
"Don't talk about him!" Readagar yelled. In the anger, Readagar had forgotten that he hadn't taken his tail off Luther's foot. For forgetting, Luther pulled backward, taking Readagar with him. Luther moved out of the way as Readagar hit the metal ground once again. His tail now back, Readagar got up.
"Let me help you".
Luther got over Readagar and grabbed his arms, pulling him up. Having him, he slammed Readagar into the metal wall, pinning him.
"What a on...we're old friends remember? Why don't we team up...just like we use to in the war huh? I mean....my boss could use another growing fighter" Luther offered. Readagar moved backward but Luther slammed him back in.
"Red....I'm making you an offer you can't refuse....." Luther said again. "Think about it....". Just then, Luther stopped. A far away screech was heard. He had been hearing slight sounds from the above levels, but this one was close to the sector they were currently in.
Luther swore under his breath, looking down at the metal floor. Sighing, he turned back to Readagar, who had been thinking of how to get out of the situation.
".....I guess we don't have time.....remember my offer still stands....call it a chance for an old friend......I mean heh.....after all I owe you that much...." Luther said.
As soon as he had talked, Luther loosened his grip. Taking the initiative, Readagar swung his top right arm backward to slash his claws into Luther's face. Knowing he would, Luther grabbed his arm. In it, he twisted Readagar's arm and forced his claws right into his back.
"ARGH!".
Readagar let out a painful yell, feeling his own claws near his spine. Heaving from the puncture, Readagar could only feel that Luther didn't force his claws in any more, which he could have.
"Eh....eh...eh...". Luther seemed displeased by what actions both of them had done. He let go, lifting Readagar's hand our of his back. He crumbled to the floor on his back, making the agony of the cut be forced straight up to his head.
Luther simply looked down at him, seeing the ecto dripping out. "......I sure hope you didn't think of poisoning me...." Luther said, rather coldly before looking up at the hallway, hearing the sounds of the creatures.
"......He told me Kroitz would mess up.....thanks to that all of this is useless to continue..." he mumbled. Looking down at Readagar, he could see him prop himself up against the cold wall beside the door from which Luther had came through. Feeling a slight sense of pity, fused with his own anger of the event, Luther kneeled down.
"....You all win this day Red.....heh.....hopefully you'll live long enough to see me again..." he said, getting back up. "Reminding me....give my regards to Diz won't you?" he asked. After starring for a moment at Readagar, against the metal wall with ecto seen dripping down it, he started down the hall, the to a sprint.
Readagar remained on the wall, his wound still leaking heavily, and in a sense by his own hand. He felt like he couldn't get up or more or less curse himself for trying to kill somebody he knew. He gritted his teeth and squinted his closed eyes trying to hold back the pain. He couldn't cover his wound or at least not well enough and that nobody would come back down here.
Opening his eyes and turning to look down the hallway he had come from to save Randolph, he could hear the scrawls and screeches of the creatures that were plaguing the labs.
"(Get up.....get up or your dead Red!)"
Uh oh! Looks like Red's out for the count and Luther and him seem to go back. Ohh...the mystery, what connects these two! Will Readagar come through!? Will the story end here?!
.....Well of course not. There is only ONE more chapter and the last two ending chapters till the completion of this story.
Till then.
Oh yes....Randall has told me that he will stop Sorrow Of Banishment for the time being to work on everything else. Minor note, but nonetheless needing to mentioned.