(a/n): Grazie amici! Sono molto felice!!!!!!! Thank you for your wonderful comments. Okay this is the second chapter. Yes, it does take place during UT2003. As you have noticed Tanya has changed much overtime, and it doesn't sound like her at all. But you will all find out why. As you can, also, see Zack is pretty much the same. Here are some thanks.
Fun: Hahaha. I know how you feel. Sorry it took a long time but updates will be slower than usual. My classes are very difficult and the teachers give us piles of homework to do. It is plenty of work to take care of and by the time I'm done with my homework, the day is gone with no energy left within me.
Anyway, about Dess, you will find out EVERYTHING, I promise. Things will be explained and right now you are feeling just like Tanya; she, too, doesn't know where Dessloch is, and she attends to find him. Oh, and I'm happy you found the jokes amusing. Well, keep reading.
Ace: Ciao, Alex! Glad to see that you like the beginning of this story. I tried so hard on the first chapter. I'm into this story as much more than I was into "Vengeance For Blood". Hopefully it will be just as good….
I think I hear Tanya saying something, "There is NO hope!" Haha. Joking. But she does have a point. ^_^ Well keep reading.
Enjoy!
Chapter 2 -Truthful Hatred-"…I will have such revenges on you both that all the world shall – I will do such things, - What they are yet I know not, - but they shall be the terrors of the Earth…" –William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
"Zack?" I whispered his name as three people aimed their weapons at him, and I was at gunpoint. I didn't know what to think, only that I was stupid enough to get captured. I did not think these were Cripton's men; I was right about someone finding this place.
Worry started to fill over me as my eyes searched the interior, looking for something that I could use. "Well, well, well, isn't it the Tanya Menace." One of the men came up to me, toying with his weapon. "The former champion of the Unreal Tournament. It was harder finding you than we would have expected." The man's voice was clear and smooth, which only made me boil inside.
Feeling helpless is not one of my favorite situations and I promised myself I never would. I'm not those types of people who would just drop everything and panic, I had to come up with a plan. But I didn't have one and the smile Zack was wearing was scaring as much as it was enlightening me. Maybe Zack is up to something; he never smiles in a bad situation unless he is the one who holds the cards.
"This will be our first encounter, and I never imagined that it would be like this. I was hoping it would be more of like a challenging one." He continued as I could imagine him smiling. "That is why there is no hope." I breathed through my clenched teeth, making the man come towards me.
He extended his hand to take my chin but protested by inching my face away. He didn't persist as he lowered his hand and looked down at me. I saw the lining of his mouth, and I was right; he was smiling, but there was one problem; I don't know what exactly he was smiling at.
The man glanced over to Zack and then back at me. "Ah yes. The Liandri did mention Vicklair's name along with yours. Said something about corrupting their systems. Very impressive. Maybe you should learn from him." He was making fun of me, I figured. He caught me easily, I admit, but now he is mocking me. "You don't know anything." I hissed at him as I tried to move from one place, but got another nudge at the back of my head.
"I don't, do I?" He smiled again and shrugged his shoulders. "Well, then. How did Vicklair say? 'We would have been dead with our pessimistic, suicidal attitude?'"
I froze in place, questions filling up in my mind as I felt I was overloaded. "How—" I barely managed to let a word out. "How did you know?" My voice a whisper against the stillroom. I didn't receive an answer as the man smiled again.
"You see, Tanya." He folded his hands. "I know more than you think." And he sounded proud as well. I couldn't move, this man has been spying on me without me even knowing. How could I be so blind? How could I not have even noticed that something was wrong? This didn't sound like me; no I refused to be toyed around with like this.
"Oh yeah?" I asked him in an instance. "You think you know everything?" He showed no sign of enthusiasm and so I acted. I grabbed the man's handgun in back of me, tilting my head to a side as a shot went off, missing the know-it-all bastard by an inch.
I turned around and my fist found the man's nose, dropping him to the floor. I held onto the gun, turning around back at the man that just pissed me off.
Surprisingly he didn't twitch as I aimed a good shot at his head. My fingers went over the trigger carefully. The man smiled and started to clap. "Bravo." He simply said as he walked over to Zack and 3 more people. "But how will you help your friend?" I followed his gaze at the soldiers that were ready to shoot Zack.
"That gun has only one bullet left. You could check if you would like." He sounded like he was in control of this situation, and I started to fear that it wasn't far away from the truth. Thoughts ran to my mind about this situation was being staged. What if they are all Cripton's men playing tricks on me? I didn't know, but I wasn't about to play with Zack's life.
"Who are you?" I whispered, trying not to show my concern. "Can you not guess, with that empty head of yours?" He mocked me once more, causing me to grit my teeth. "Well, you lost this round, Menace."
His sly voice and wording caused me to tighten my grip at the weapon, instinctively. He only smiled as he quickly swung the aim towards my friend. "Are you going to risk his life?" He asked, and I followed his gaze to Zack's all-of-a-sudden serious face. Not good, I thought. I only had one bullet, but he had his weapon trained on Zack.
I didn't know what I would do. If I would get a clean shot but I was too scared to put Zack's life in danger. It would have been so much easier if he would be pointing his weapon at me, than I would have taken a shot. But he wasn't threatening my life; he was threatening Zack's. I would have risked mine, but I could not risk Zack's. I would never forgive myself. Maybe Zack was right after all; suicidal—maybe.
"Put the gun down Tanya, you know you can't do it." The bastard said once more, making sweat pour down my temple from nervousness. I saw him smile again, that wicked, vicious smile. I held my weapon trained perfectly at his forehead, I had a clean shot; I would make it, but I wasn't so sure about Zack.
More sweat poured down me, not knowing if I should take a shot. I had him, right there, dead in the aim. But I was just too scared for Zack. My consciousness kicked in, as I was well aware that it was his life I was in control of. With my perfectly cutting-edge skills I could take this guy, I know could.
Suddenly three shots escaped the man's weapon, screaming in my ears as time slowed down. Three bullets cutting through air, escaping from his barrel as I instinctively shot the man, screaming for the person I cared so much for, "Zack!"
I turned towards my friend; not caring that the man I shot has dodged the bullet—
—and so Zack standing against the wall, smiling with his confidence. Confusion darkened my mind as I ran towards him. "Zack, are you alright?" I asked him only now realizing that no one was aiming at him because they were all dead.
"Tisk, tisk, tisk." The man I tried to shoot said as he came up to us. I leveled my weapon at his forehead and pressed the trigger but got an empty click instead. "You didn't believe me, did you?" He asked me and I stared with shock.
I felt the gun was taken from my hands by Zack, making me look at him. "What are you doing?" I asked him. Zack put a hand on my shoulder and looked at the hooded man. I followed his gaze and the man slid off his hood, reveling a pale white face with pupil-less, white eyes with dark, black hair. The man was a living, breathing Necris.
"Congratulations, Tanya." Zack squeezed my shoulder. "You have failed the test." My eyes snapped at him with even more confusion. "Test? What test?" I asked.
"The test to see how good you are." The Necris said.
"I'm going to kill Cripton. What is this? A new way of a password?" I whispered, knotting my fists and clenching my jaw, almost feeling the steam escape my ears.
"Cripton didn't arrange it this time." Zack said, taking my hands and undoing my fists as he ignored my comment on the password. "I was responsible."
I stared at him for a moment when I felt the sudden urge to choke him. I wrenched my hands away and smacked him against his cheek. "That's for scaring the shit out of me." I went in for a punch but he caught my fist long before it reached his nose. "ARR!" I screamed, and hit his chest with my other hand that he ended up catching as well.
He smiled and shook his head as I continued to struggle. "The tournament DID change you." He let go of me and I nearly fell to the floor, stumbling to retain balance. I didn't say anything as I rubbed my wrists, looking dead into his eyes. I felt like killing him at this moment.
Suddenly remembering that there was a viewer, I quickly folded my hands and asked, "So, whose this?" I tapped my foot and glanced over to the Necris. "Lostis Zacron." The Necris extended his hand as HE introduced himself instead. "Pleasure to meet you." He said as I looked away and humphed. "Not the same from here." I whispered, but the two guys overheard me and frowned.
"Don't give me that look, Vicklair." I said as I pushed my finger against his chest. "Look, Tanya—" He said, sighing. "—Let's just say it is better this way." He sounded sincere but I wasn't about to give up my stubbornness.
"Why?" I asked him, seeing that I was making it difficult for him. Good, he better learn from this.
"Well, if Zacron wasn't here, Cripton would be dead."
"How come?" I asked, and resisted in adding that that would be a GOOD thing.
"Because those soldiers were really from Liandri." Zack made it obvious.
I quickly looked at him. "You serious?" I found him nod.
"There is not one place where you don't have at least one bud, is there?" I asked, crossing my arms. "You make it sound like that's a bad thing." Zack frowned. "I didn't say that." I walked back a few steps and took a look at Lostis.
His expression was neutral and yet somewhat patient. Hard to believe that someone like him would be Zack's friend, but than again Zack is a very flexible person and can get along fine with almost everyone, unlike me who got to make enemies everyday.
I shook my thoughts away and took a deep long breath and blew it out, as anger drifted away. But no matter, I still felt that I was irritated. "So?" I looked up at Zack. "How'd I do?" Zack looked at Lostis. "Let's just say; not so good." Lostis answered instead, making me stare at him with a dirty look. "No one asked you." I gave him that charming attitude of mine. It seemed Zacron, here, had something else to say but Zack shook his head.
"Tanya, don't worry about it. I asked him to come because we need his help." Zack knotted his eyebrows as he stared at my so-what look. "Yeah." I turned my back towards him. "Sure we do." I wasn't about to budge that easily. I resented Zacron, plain and simple, and nobody—and I mean nobody—will change my mind.
"I know where Luthor Loner is." Lostis' words didn't shock me for long as my hands went straight for his collar. It didn't help that I was shorter than the 6-feet Necris. "Where is he?!" I nearly spat at his face.
Dessloch…Luthor Loner is his real name. I haven't seen him for such a long time. How could Lostis possibly know him? Isn't he from Liandri?
An image hit my head as my eyes widened. "No." I whispered. Dessloch…he was back at the tournament. That is the only explanation. Dessloch was going towards the AE Sector, saying he has business to take care of, but never came back. Liandri must have found him.
Horror and fear clouded me, making me feel lost, making me ANGRY. If they have hurt him, I will destroy them, starting with Zacron, here.
"If you would let me go, I will gladly tell you." Lostis said in his clear, smooth voice, definitely not afraid of what I might do to him. I gritted my teeth and pushed him against the wall. "Tanya." Zack said behind me and I put up my hand to silence him. "Don't start with this Zack." I said, my eyes fixed on the Necris. "I will never forgive."
"I do not expect forgiveness, Tanya." Lostis said as he came up to me. "Because I have done nothing. If you want to see him again, you will listen to me. We can do this the hard way or the easy way, you choose."
Chains snapped inside of me as I felt like fire was developing around me. I launched at him, the two of us falling to the floor. I screamed as I was ready to hit him in the face, but he caught my fist and rolled to a side, landing on top of me.
"You cannot defeat me, Tanya." His voice was as calm as ever, making me shriek. I don't know what's gotten into me, but a monster has awoken inside of me. "ENOUGH!" Zack raised his voice as he came over. "We don't have time for your private war." Lostis got off of me and Zack pulled me up. "He has done nothing, Tanya. Accept that. Don't take your anger out on anyone. You will lose focus."
Blah, blah, blah, what's this? Another lesson? My eyes narrowed at Zack, and he put a hand on my shoulder. "Please Tanya." His voice soothing to ears. "Calm down. We will find him." I closed my eyes. We will find him. I wasn't too sure about that. I didn't know what I was sure of anymore.
"It's just." I started as I closed my eyes, images of Dessloch flashing in my mind like a movie. "It's been so long." I whispered in a hurt voice. Dessloch, I miss him so much. What have I done to deserve this? Just when we were about to live happy lives, all was taken away once again.
"I know, Tanya. But you have to be patient. Trust me." Zack comforted me, but I knew that I couldn't feel patient. I have already lost somebody so dear to me. I don't want the same thing happening again. I refuse to be toyed around like this, I am in control of my own life, and I promise I will find him.
"I trust you." I quietly said, snapping my head at him. "You are right." I changed my tone. "Let's go. There isn't much time." Zack smiled and nodded. "That's right." The three of walked out of the room, towards Cripton. I promised myself, I wouldn't lose my composure again. I WILL find Dessloch, and I don't have to hope.
We walked down towards the basement, coming up against a regular door. "What?" I asked as Zack opened it. "He's hanging out in the cellar with his precious wine? No wonder he ain't right in the head." I commented. Lostis smiled but Zack only frowned. "You know, I give up." Zack said as all of us went down to what looked like an abandoned bunker.
There was no wine in this place but definitely no high-tech computer system either. There was a very awful smell in this area of something rotten, making my eyes squint as my hand covered my mouth and nose. "This guy hasn't been using a deodorant from quite sometime, huh?" I made another comment with my foul mouth. This time Zack completely ignored me.
The farther we went the more concentrated the smell got, making me feel like I'm going to pass out soon. "You know." I said as I finished walking through the slimy hallway and nearly stepped into a pile of sewer water. "Maybe it's not a deodorant, maybe he's really dead." Again I commented as I made a face when Zack stepped into the pile of filth. "This guy forgot when he cleaned out his room." Another comment that was yet ignored.
We finally came up against heavy metallic doors. That's a surprise; I thought Cripton has decided to make friends with his fellow rats here. Now I understand the term "Sewer Rat", Cripton has made a perfect example.
"Password?" A man over an intercom asked, booming in the stillness. He didn't scare me as much as I felt annoyed. "Jason Dumb Ass Cripton." I said, making eyes fall my way. "Oh sorry, I forgot that we don't need to mention the middle name." I replied at the frowning faces. "Jason Cripton." I tried again, and the doors opened slowly.
We went through the doors into a metallic hallway with lit lights and metallic grates for the floor. We came up into a large round room with computers operating and people walking around.
The room had an inside dome shape, with blue lights illuminating against the walls. On the left side of the room, against the wall, were glass cylinders attached to two machines horizontally with electric currents running inside of them. In the middle stood a supercomputer, powered up by the two large generators that stood near the electric currents. On the left were sort of what looked like clone tanks, the glass covered by a metallic cover.
There were a couple of personnel here, walking around with gadgets in their hands as others talked among themselves quietly. I've got to admit, I'm pretty surprised that he had such a nice little laboratory in his back pocket. It was, also, relieving that this room didn't stink with the horrible odor.
The armchair in front of the supercomputer rotated, and a man was seen sitting with folded hands. "Vicklair, Menace." The man said and stood up. "Good to see you friends." The 45-year old fart bag in front of us said. I stopped myself from saying that I wasn't as happy to see him. And what did he call us? Friends?
Cripton got up and walked over to us, nodding at Zack and smiling at me. His eyes quickly searched their way to Zack's friend, Lostis. "And who is this, young fellow." Cripton asked as came up to him. "Lostis Zacron, this is Jason Cripton, the ultimate hacker and computer expert." Zack introduced him.
Ultimate hacker and computer expert? I wanted to laugh at Zack's words but I knew that Zack DID learn from this junky. I was more than happy to see that Zack's attitude is nothing of Jason's.
"Jason, this is my friend, Lostis, he came to help us get into the tournament." The two shook hands as my eyes snapped at Zack.
"The tournament, why do we need to go there?" I asked looking from Zack to Lostis. "Remember, I told you I know where Loner is?" Zacron asked. "Yes." I folded my hands and pasted a serious face, doubting that I want to hear the rest. "Well, he was imprisoned by the United Legions. The emperor said that he wants those that oppose him—"
"—to be enslaved in the Unreal Tournament." I finished the sentence for him, and closed my eyes. I took a deep breath, thinking about what I just learned. I was right after all; he was at the tournament. Dessloch escaped from the tournament two years ago. Now he is back. Those bastards, I'm going to have them killed.
"Yes. That does make sense. Ever since Doomsday, the League and Liandri were united as one by the Emperor." Cripton spoke up. "All the former staff in the League have been fired, killed, or imprisoned and a new staff have been hired. Nobody in the United Legions is human any longer."
My gaze hit the floor as I felt that something inside me snapped. "Tanya?" Zack carefully asked. Rage built up inside of me, anger running through my veins as I stared at Cripton. "Unreal Tournament it is." I said and clutched my knuckles.
(a/n): Phew, another chapter done with. I liked this chapter. Shows the relationship between Tanya and Cripton, and shows that Zack and her are still close friends.
Well, what do you think about Lostis? You all agree with Tanya? Think she'll kill him one day? Or do you think Cripton is higher on her list?
Anyway, do you think I'm starting to write better? Do I make fewer mistakes? I don't know, but it seems that I'm writing much more professionally than I used to. What do you think?