Evidently, Atlas might have exaggerated a bit with his claim that he 'got this'.
His experience with Rumblers was even more limited than that of Bouncers and Rosies. At least those had been littered all across Rapture - Rumblers seemed to be contained to this section of the city and it left his exposure to them blessedly limited.
A blessing that became a bit of a curse when he needed to square up with one.
With that in mind, Atlas still might have argued that his plan was a waterproof one before setting out on the endeavour. A man standing ankle deep in a watery grave probably shouldn't be making assertions of sea worthiness however.
Which became inescapably clear at around about the third step he'd taken into the situation.
"Yeah, yeah!" Atlas roared back over his shoulder, feeling the air above his head ripping past him as another rocket narrowly avoided connecting with his skull.. "I know damn it!" He finished cursing at Delta, more than able to feeling the judgement of the other baring down on his back.
Okay, fine. Maybe he had been a little hasty with this.
But they were here now and Delta didn't have the vocal cords needed to speak that dreaded 'I told you so'. He'd rather the Rumbler step on him before he had to listen to Delta, Sinclair or Tenenbaum throw an 'I told you so' at him. Deservedly or not.
"Fuck. Come on." Atlas snarled under his breath, taking a moment of cover between himself and the now enraged Rumbler. Needing to take a moment to catch his breath and comfort himself with thinking that his heart probably wasn't going to leap out of his chest.
While he gathered his nerves, Atlas watched from his cover as the beast plucked up its little sister.
The tiny child giving a shrill cry of alarm that had nothing to do with the deadliness of her guardian and everything to do with the hostility of the strange man and big daddy she did not know. She was more or less obscured from view once the Rumbler had her safely up on its broad shoulders. Occasionally Atlas could catch a flash of shredded fabric or glimpse of blond hair - but that was it.
Her 'Mr Bubbles' acted as a perfect shield. Or, would have been, were it not for Delta.
Rumblers were nothing to scoff at, but how did one measure up against an Alpha Series with their free will still intact? Hard to know when Atlas wasn't willing to sit back and let the two brawl it out without his intervention.
With a deep breath, Atlas looked up, seeking out Delta's form and finding his companion more than at the ready. Waiting for him to catch his breath. Delta was on standby behind his own coverage, with telekinesis on hand for when Atlas found it in him to dart back out into the firing range again.
Darting out in front of danger which had been the plan. His plan. Who the fuck thought he should be in charge of making plans again?
Gritting his teeth and vowing to think with his head rather than his pride next time, Atlas steeled himself for the coming run. Body coiling up tight before abruptly going lax with a sharp exhale of breath. Ready as he'd ever be.
Diving out from behind cover, Atlas fell into the pooling red light of the big daddy's sights and was met with a bellowing roar of anger. Over the Rumbler's shoulder the rocket launcher's cavernous mouth began to show signs of light as the metal frame rattled and tensed, preparing to rush out not unlike how Atlas had. The windup was warning enough and Atlas had to truly force himself to keep moving forward when he clocked that warning rather that let fear freeze him up.
Needing to trust Delta had his back. Or his front in this case.
The rocket shot off with an ear cracking bang and briefly Atlas saw it locked in his direction, definitely on track to meeting its target and leaving him as little more than another ugly stain on Rapture's floor.
Then, the rocket was plucked off course, a sudden jerk up and to the left that pulled it clean off course and no longer in danger of hitting Atlas.
Hurtling on past him and striking something behind Delta - the rocket still caused a small explosion.
The force of which knocked Atlas off balance.
Pace stuttering as he stumbled, knees nearly coming down hard on the damp ground before he let his weight fall forward a bit further and used the pull of the motion to drag himself back on to balance. That stumble not stopping his running
It was not a graceful save but in the chaos, his wavering balance and boots desperate scrapes for purchase were easily overlooked.
Coming up on the massive creature quickly made Atlas feel the weight and scale of the thing more personally.
The sheer size and power behind a big daddy enough to have a guttural human instinct screaming he turn tail and flee rather than come closer. Pushing down that instinct was no easy task, but as he felt scorching heat rushing into his veins, it became a quieter voice in the back of his mind. ADAM being the world's best confidence boost. Shallow a confidence as it may be.
The fire came licking up his arms. A familiar, comforting heat rolling over his skin that only caused Atlas stomach to drop when he recalled what he'd learned about his plasmids. Fontaine's snarling words echoing in his head.
"Mark my words, you'll slip up eventually. We both know damn well that you need ADAM if you're ever going to survive down here and once you've had enough that body is going to be mine again."
Fontaine was undeniably right about one thing, he needed these plasmids. How could he be expected to square up against a big daddy without fingers full of fire? He'd be flattened in an instant.
He had no choice.
However, where Fontaine's threats failed to kill the flame in his hands - the shrieking of the child clinging to the daddy's back succeeded.
Startled, Atlas faltered, the fire stuttering and dying out as he caught sight of terrified eyes peering over the armoured shoulder at him.
Fire was too wild, uncontrolled, it would burn everything it could reach once unleashed. He couldn't use the fire now. Not here. Not when the flames might touch the girl's flesh and singe her.
He'd not burn another child.
Cursing under his breath, Atlas killed the flames entirely, needing to think quickly to avoid being flattened.
The space between he and the monster was so limited that with another second the big daddy would be close enough to reach out and take Atlas by the throat, ending this confrontation with one sharp squeeze and sickening snap.
Switching plasmids hastily, Atlas pulled Sonic Boom back into his palm, building up the pressure as quickly as he could in the short time he had before slamming his hand directly into the Rumbler's chest.
Unloading the force he'd gathered and throwing them both back in a small explosion of his own.
The impact of push back hit him like a dull punch, arm whipping back with the recoil and Atlas felt his shoulder jerk painfully.
The tug hurt for a second but it was a far cry better than getting a hit from a big daddy and he felt nothing break or pop out of place, so it was ignored for the time being. Even though he distantly recognised there was likely some damage done to him.
Balance was easier to gain back when you didn't move with the same weight and grace of a tank and so Atlas, being more prepared and equipped, found his footing faster than the disorientated Rumbler.
As it fumbled and fell back, Atlas was able to make use of that opening. What he wanted to do was burn the big daddy from the inside out, maybe light it up in a spark of electricity - anything that would put it down for good, but knew he couldn't with the girl clung to its back. His and Delta's hands tied while she was in the firing range.
Darting to the side, nearly around the Rumbler's back, Atlas was just able to position himself close enough that reaching up he was able to snare the back of the little sister's shirt. Her weight all but nothing as Atlas jerked the small girl free of the big daddy's shoulders, still having it in himself to cringe when she shrieked in alarm.
Didn't feel good scaring her, but it was a necessary evil to protect her in the long run. They weren't going to drown in this rust bucket if they could help it, and they weren't going to leave any of these stolen girls behind when they jumped ship.
The the girl's weight fell into Atlas's arms, pushing him back as he scrambled to get a proper hold on her - no easy task with the girl screaming and squirming in protest. Finally the big daddy seemed to gather enough of its senses to realise what was happening.
Its attention zeroing in on Atlas who just managed to get the girl held steady. Holding the little sister would have been a death sentence for him in that moment were he alone. The trap many ADAM starved splicers had no doubt made in the past, so single minded once they had the girl they left themselves completely open to the big daddy. But Atlas was a far cry from abandoned.
Atlas felt Delta coming before he saw him. Recognised the heavy footed dash for what it was and with the Rumbler so close to he and the girl, Atlas chose to get down.
One arm whipped up to shield the girl's head as the other held her in against his chest. More or less curled around her in an attempt to keep her small body protected - when in truth she'd heal far faster than he if injured.
Briefly he saw the Rumbler's large fingers stretched out towards them, likely with the intent to crush his skull if it could have grabbed him. A second later Delta's form came barrelling into the distracted big daddy. Sweeping the other massive beast away in the hit. The force of which nearly knocked Atlas and the child over.
Pummeling into the Rumbler, Delta had an advantage for long enough to send his drill whirling to life, striking the Rumbler between the breast.
The sound of it was deafening. The big daddy's armour being torn and broken apart, unable to endure the force of Delta's drill. The Rumbler itself roared again and the pain in the sound caused Atlas to hold the girl a little closer, trying to keep her from hearing it too clearly. Still, he could feel how she cried and desperately fought to get away. But she was only a little girl and he was far stronger than her.
Mercifully the struggle ended within mere seconds. The sounds of the Rumbler died away and Delta's drill powered down not long after. Leaving only the distressed cries of the orphaned little sister. Those cries softening to little sniffling sobs until she seemed to so greatly exhausted herself, that fighting to get away no longer crossed her mind. Weak in Atlas's hold she just wept and that felt worse than all the struggling.
Slowly Atlas allowed some of the tension to bleed out of him, no longer worried he was about to get crushed to death by the Rumbler. Looking up he watched Delta wrench his drill free of the fallen big daddy. Seeming to take a moment to collect himself before returning Atlas's stare.
Subtly he gave a little indication down to the crying girl with a nod of his head. Silently asking Delta to get over here and work his magic before the girl cried enough to drown them all. Her cries were unpleasant to listen to and Atlas didn't like the way that guilt pooled cold and sickly in his stomach.
Delta obliged, approaching the two of them and Atlas watched as the blonde girl caught sight of the other big daddy, some sort of switch turning in her mind as she shyly looked to Delta. Cautious and uncertain, but her programming seemed to insist that this replacement guardian would care for her just as much as the last had. Maybe she could not even see the difference between them. They were all 'Mr. Bubbles' to the girls and they believed wholeheartedly that they would fight and protect her to the bitter end.
Atlas paled to think how such trust could be abused were someone less a man than Delta should they wield that sort of power over the little sisters. But Delta was not that man, he was kind and gentle, taking a knee before the frightened girl, hand extended as he waited for her to come to him. Never pushing her, always patient.
She went gladly once Atlas released her from his hold. Rushing to Delta with a little sob as she looked to be comforted. Delta offered her that, drawing the girl into a one armed hug that Atlas was sure carried with it all the comfort of the world to the little sister in that moment.
Straightening up, Atlas stretched himself back out. So used to the aches and pains already. He didn't seem that much worse for wear after that. Lucky him.
Though he did notice the twinge of tight strain in his shoulder joint. His shoulder beginning to throb more and more the longer he had to calm down and notice it. Still, not the worst injury he'd sustained this week.
With one more glance thrown at Delta to see the man preparing to do his weird hand glowy thing, Atlas turned his attention of seeing what supplies could be stripped from the big daddy.
Typically they had a fair amount of goods on them. Ammunition and often money in high supply. Atlas was unsurprised to find a fair bit of money on the Rumbler as well. Momentarily pleased before he stopped, thrown completely off guard when he noticed one important little detail.
These were not Rature bucks.
Atlas hadn't handled American currency in...god, he couldn't even remember the last time he'd even seen a coin from topside. Fascinated in a muted, horrified way, Atlas held the coin up to the light as if seeing it more clearly would reveal that the cash really was just Rapture bucks in a new make. But no. There it was, eagle symbol and all.
What's more, it was a recent coin. Within the last five years recent.
No person in Rapture simply carried something like this around. Even the smuggling trade with the outside had been set almost to a halt when the riots had started and it sure as shit had stopped entirely since Ryan and Fontaine's deaths.
Slowly, Atlas lowered the coin from above his head, only distantly noting that off to the side Delta was in the process of freeing the girl from her conditioning with a flash of light. His mind elsewhere.
But it was in that flash from Delta's plasmid that he saw something else illuminated on the fallen Rumbler's person.
An audio diary.
Swallowing thickly, Atlas reached down to pluck it up, noting that it seemed shiny and new - at least not like it had been strapped to a big daddy for that long. In fact, the big daddy itself looked...fresh.
Less so once Delta had stuck his drill through it but...there was no obvious rust or exposure to the elements on it. Most big daddies certainly looked the part of wandering monsters, in relative disrepair and almost always filthy. Some that worked on the outside of Rapture's shell were covered in barrincals and other sea life that grew on their armour.
But not this old boy. This one was new.
The pieces of an unpleasant puzzle were beginning to slot into place for Atlas and as he looked up to Delta and the girl, now beginning to blink back awake with, once more, human eyes - he recalled talking to Tenenbaum about how Lamb was making new little sisters.
He carefully slipped the audio diary into his bag for the time being. Just until the little girl was dealt with and lead to safety.
She seemed to be taking a moment to understand her surroundings but her freedom from the mental conditioning did nothing to lessen her trust in Delta, still clinging to him closely. Atlas wasn't sure when he felt compelled to speak, as if to somehow join that category of trusted people.
"You're okay now, darlin'." He told her with a little smile that he did have to force just a tad. Trying to be comforting was a bit difficult in times like these.
There was some reluctance on the girl's face when she looked at him. Fair enough, Atlas thought, albeit a little sadly. However, the child took him off guard when she replied, "Thank you, mister."
Oh. Well, he hadn't expected thanks. His smile became a little more natural now.
"Anytime, kid…" Atlas replied and was a bit surprised by himself. Because it felt like he meant it. "Let's get you somewhere safe, yeah?"
With intent to get her back to Tenebaum and the other kids, Atlas approached both her and Delta - relieved that the little girl didn't retreat from him this time.
"I can't stay with you?" She asked, clearly shaken and Atlas gave her his best sympathetic smile.
"No, darlin'. This is no place for a kid your size to be. But don't you worry any, there's a bunch of other girls your age back at the train." This at least seemed to get the girl to perk up some. The thought of potential friends a positive one. Though the air of nervousness and uncertainty never fully left her. Atlas doubted it would for some time.
With his hand hovering just over the girl's shoulders, Atlas lead her towards the closest little sister vent they could find. Having done so many loops around this accursed place meant that it wasn't too hard to reroute back to one. Delta followed behind them, for once seeming to leave the child steering to Atlas - he was the one that could actually speak after all.
Atlas asked after the girl's name, more so to help her feel comfortable than anything else. She rather eagerly told him and Atlas felt some relief seeing she was so ready to talk to him.
"Cindy? That's a nice name, darlin. You be sure to tell miss Tenebaum and, that old coot Sinclair, your name when you get to the train, yeah? The other girls will be happy to meet you." He encouraged as they approached the little sisters vent.
However, when he moved to offer Cindy a hand up - Atlas felt his arm shriek in protest. He winced, nearly buckling to his knees when the pain hit him. That niggling little ache of pain he'd distantly acknowledged before screaming into focus once he tried to hold up any proper weight with the damaged shoulder. Atlas hadn't taken any direct damage but apparently his control over the recoil of that Sonic Boom left much to be desired. Now his joints cried in protest.
Shit. Okay, no lifting children into vents.
"You got this one, big guy?" Atlas asked, massaging his shoulder with a sorry look thrown to Delta. He felt worse seeing how Cindy's expression turned to one of horror.
"You're hurt!" She cried, looking like tears might be coming back.
Atlas rushed to reassure her. "It's okay, it's okay - just a wee bruise. Don't you fret none." Compared to all the other injuries he'd sustained as of late - a sore shoulder was barely worth noting. It might give him little twinges of pain here and there, but Atlas was sure it would ease up before long.
Looking unconvinced, Cindy hesitated when Delta came over to help get her into the vent. Pausing to steal concerned glances back at Atlas, like she felt guilty for leaving him when he was hurt. Then the concern extended to herself and she seemed nervous about getting into the vent.
Atlas frowned and gently asked, "Are you alright, Cindy?"
"Y-Yeah...I'm…" She didn't seem alright. "I want to go home."
Didn't they all?
Well, to be honest, home was a bit of a long lost concept to some of them. Atlas certainly had no home to speak of - but the surface was the best they could all hope for.
"I know, darlin'. We'll get you all home just as soon as we're able. Be brave a bit longer."
Nodding, Cindy tried to put on a strong face and thanked them both once more before crawling into the cavernous mouth of the vent. They both waited there until the sounds of her scuffling faded away. Knowing no one could get to her in there and she'd be safe at the train soon enough.
Once they were both sure she was gone, Atlas took a deep breath and slumped back against the wall. His shoulder throbbed dully and he kneaded at the strained muscle with a grumble of irritation. It really was an annoyance more than any real problem.
Delta was drawn him like the overprotective mug he was and Atlas laughed breathlessly when he found Delta hovering, looking like he was about to reach for the med kit. "I'm fine, Delta. Just some growing pains with Sonic Boom I guess. Just a strained muscle."
That bit of pain didn't worry Atlas half as much as the new weight in his bag did.
Reaching down into it, Atlas brought out the audio diary he had hidden. With Delta hovering, he was quick to see the new found diary and was drawn to that instead. Instinctively, Atlas explained himself - as though Delta might question why he'd hidden it.
Perhaps it was just because he did have things to hide that had Atlas so quick to erase any possible suspicion Delta might harbour towards him. Even over innocent things.
"Found some coin on the Rumbler back there. Stuff from the surface. Recent make."
Delta looked up, casting a glance over Atlas's shoulder towards the silent body.
"Noticed that his make seemed pretty recent as well. I figured...regardless of what this is, that little girl shouldn't be hearing it." Atlas finished explaining grimly, turning the diary over in his hands. Finding that the diary had indeed been named.
The lettering was - in a word - fancy. From his own experience, he knew he'd likely be unable to read it without Fontaine's memories. The fact the man had written his 'character' to include being unable to read more elaborate handwriting was both an impressive attention to detail and thoroughly insulting.
Atlas frowned at the label. Lettering like that seemed strange when attached to an audio diary that had been found on a big daddy of all things. But what struck Atlas was stranger still was the odd title.
'Meltzer's Choice', it read.
Seemed ominous at worst and somehow vitriolic at best.
Staring at it all day would offer no answers and so after another second of hesitation, Atlas switched it on. What came out of the diary, was Sophia Lamb's voice.
"Ask yourself, Mr Melzer…" Her composed, unpleasant voice spoke. As ever, dripping with self certainty. "Is it better to be summarily executed as an outsider caught within these grounds, or to be united not just with your daughter Cindy, but with the Rapture Family as well?"
Both Atlas and Delta looked at each other. Atlas didn't need to see past Delta's helmet to guess that the man had turned just as pale as he had.
It made sense he supposed. The newly made coins, freshly made suit and the stolen children from the surface. Of course someone had come looking for their daughter.
However, Atlas hadn't expected anyone to actually make it all the way down here. It was no easy feat. Only Delta himself had managed it before and the city had become far more perilous since Johnny Topside had first stepped into Rapture. It was quite amazing that this Mr. Meltzer had made it down this far on his own.
Only for Lamb to catch him once he arrived.
"The choice is yours, Mark Meltzer…" Lamb's voice went on. "I urge you to accept the 'Protector' program. You will live by her side, and remember nothing beyond your love for her."
Atlas startled when a second voice came in. Hagged and strainned - a man on the verge of the end. It was Mark Meltzer that spoke to Lamb then.
"...I wasn't the first to find Rapture, you crazy bitch. And I won't be the last. You do... whatever you want to me... as long as I'm with Cindy... I'm ... I'm a happy man."
The audio diary powered down and both he and Delta stood in silence for a while. Processing. Considering.
Atlas didn't need any extra detail. He could put this story together all himself and it made him feel a bit miserable. It seemed like Rapture rewarded good deeds with punishments.
Meltzer had traveled from earth down to hell in search of his daughter and his reward was this.
A messy, lonely end and a daughter he no doubt thought he'd truly lost. Even if the shell of a little sister she'd become, remained. What else was he to do but to stay with her? Made into a big daddy that was just as empty as the children they protected. Just as dead to the world as the little sisters.
Atlas wasn't sure if he felt guilty for killing that Rumbler now. Wasn't sure if they'd stolen a dying man's final honest wish. But...if it were his child in Cindy's place - Atlas would never want them to live on as a little sister.
That thought sank deeply into his mind, caused a cold chill to rush over his skin. If it were his child...would he have killed them before letting them live on as a ghoul like that?
He felt sick.
Because he remembered the answer.
"What should we do with it?" He asked quickly. Speaking so he would not vomit instead. Just needing something to think on rather than his own actions. "Should we get rid of it?"
Delta tipped his helmet slightly, questioning. Atlas sighed.
"I don't think the kid should ever have to hear this...but…"
What if it was the last thing of her father she'd ever hear?
Would it be a mercy or a cruelty to let her hear that he'd let himself be mutilated and destroyed - just because he wanted to be with her always. What would information like that do to a child? Atlas wasn't sure.
It was not a choice he wanted placed into his hands, but here they were. So he looked to Delta for some guidance. Trusting Delta's morals more than his own.
"Come on, big guy. Feelings and morals are your strong suit, weigh in on this one." God knows Delta had a kinder heart in his chest than he did.
For a while Delta seemed to be thinking it over carefully. No doubt calculating the loss and gain for the girl - trying to do what was right by her. Finally he shook his head slowly and made a closed fist motion to Atlas. Miming the act of crushing the audio diary.
Atlas couldn't have known that Delta had in fact heard from Meltzer before. That, among his collection of audio diaries stashed away on the train, Meltzer's voice could be found. He'd show him once they were back to the train, to help ease Atlas's uncertainty in their choice.
Those kinder diaries he could offer to Cindy. Ones that captured her father's love and devotion to finding her - ones that did not include his final, pained words.
Delta knew a thing or two about hearing final words from loved ones that he wished he hadn't. He'd rather spare the little ones that pain.
The big daddy began to walk away from Atlas, needing his own space in a sense while trusting Atlas to discard to audio diary however he saw fit.
"Well, if that's what the jury thinks." Atlas muttered to himself, reaching for his pistol with every intent of filling the diary full of holes.
Only to pause for a moment. Staring down at the diary as a thought gradually crept into his mind. Almost unwelcome.
He thought back to the confrontation he'd had with Fontaine, the fear that followed knowing he did not truly exist and could be snuffed out at any second. If he returned to being Fontaine in such a way then nothing he'd ever done, said or thought - would be remembered as things that he had done. They'd just be more elaborate lies Fontaine had weaved.
Atlas would cease to exist in a way that death itself could never hope to replicate. That fear of being washed away drove Atlas to slowly release his gun entirely, looking at the diary in a new light.
Rather than destroy it...why not use it?
It would be a small, shallow comfort - but perhaps it was just what he needed.
"God, must be a fucking sap-" Atlas hissed under his breath before speaking up and calling to Delta. "Aye, Delta! How does a break sound?"
They knew where the last flower was and it could be fetched after a moment of rest. They tried not to stop too often, but everyone needed to take a moment or two in order to stop from collapsing entirely.
He got a rumbling sound of confirmation in reply from Delta and watched the big daddy wander around the area, both looking for supplies while setting up some basic defences for that rest. Maybe just to keep himself occupied for a while by focusing on trying to hack into a nearby turret. Atlas would gladly leave Delta to his hacking attempts - god knows if he tried the machine would blow up in his face.
With that agreement earned, Atlas could take a moment to himself. He started that moment by ripping the 'Meltzer's Choice' label from the diary, leaving it outwardly blank. Actually removing the original content was a little more trying. In no small part because it felt a bit slimy to do so - but recording over the horrible diary would at least mean Cindy could never possibly hear it.
Shuffling down onto his backside, Atlas let out a hefty, life weary sigh before eyeing the little contraction in front of him with some reservation.
He was no great fan of the things, Fontaine seemed to indulge in them in the past but Atlas failed to see the appeal. At least not in the same arrogant way Fontaine had.
But as he ran his fingers across its rusted surface carefully, Atlas acknowledged that the tugging in his chest was a compulsion he couldn't refuse. There was no history to his name. No past he could claim as he own without Frank being attached and if he were to vanish tomorrow in the shadow of Fontaine - then there'd be no evidence he existed at all.
At the very least, with this little box, he could attempt to leave something behind that was entirely his own.
So with a steadying breath, Atlas flicked it on and listened as it whirled to life.
Another deep breath.
"Aight then...let's see what we got here…"
And so he began to leave little pieces of himself behind. Laying them bare to anyone who might take the time to listen.
...
Audio Diary can be found here: post/183617438187/aight-thenlets-see-what-we-got-herei-guess