A/N: Dear Reader, it's been a while, I apologize for my absence but my computer broke and everything was lost buuut i'm back now so here's a new chapter, any way hope you all like this chapter it's short but i'm going to release more soon, and i would encourage you to re-read the previous chapters to refresh your memory. Remember any and all feedback is appreciated, and thank you for your patience
-Everlasting Night
Conflict of Interest
The sight of flooded rooms, collapsed buildings, and corpses. How many times had they seen these things? How many times have they danced with death? did it matter? No, they were the Apex Predators of this world, the top of the food chain. so why was this tiny Splicer staggering toward her and her companion? Iota, and Omega watched it with a mixture of confusion, curiosity, and disbelief. The two protectors looked to each other then back to the Splicer. The creature was a sorry sight, almost completely deformed from ADAM exposure, and rambling incoherently. Something was off about him, the Protectors could sense something wasn't right.
The Splicer had jagged sharp teeth and wore rags for clothes, it's eye sockets had receded farther into it's skull, and it's skin had started to turn a dark pinkish red, it was impossible to determine it's gender, there was almost no hair or features to identify. Iota and Omega watched as the creature slowly began to stumble towards them. when the abomination got close to the two protectors it began grasping at them slowly, weakly, it's hands blotched with dark pinkish hide-like skin, and razor sharp claws fixed upon its fingertips. The Creature was weak, and seemed frail, like it was dying. Omega watched through the gash in his helmet as the pitiful beast began grasping at Iota, screeching something inaudible.
The Big Sister gave a menacing growl that would have deterred any sane individual but the creature continued. Iota put her hand on the creatures forehead and pushed it to the ground in front of them. She didn't know what possessed the Splicer to try and touch her, but if it tried again she would make sure it regretted the decision, instead the deformed Splicer shambled to it's feet and set it's sights toward Omega. Unlike Iota who growled as the creature came close, Omega had been growling ever since the Abomination had looked at them, his own little way of saying "stay away from us or i'll kill you." when the splicer got within reach it put its arms up yet again, grasping at the Male Protector. Omega put his hand around the creature's neck and began squeezing. The Splicer began shaking, and clawing weakly at his hand until it finally went limp. Omega gave one last sudden clench snapping the creatures neck with a crack, he then threw the body aside.
Iota looked to her Companion, then back to the deformed beast then continued walking. The two Protectors had never seen a Splicer like that before. Slow, weak, and docile weren't exactly words one would use when describing a Splicer, something was strange about the whole situation, and it put a rather large knot in Iota's stomach. What had happened to that Splicer too much ADAM maybe? Iota was roused from her thoughts when she felt her companion nudge her with his elbow and give a questioning screech, after chirping a high pitched screech of reassurance the duo continued walking, they had been on the move for hours, days possibly, trying to make their way to Point Prometheus for suit and armor repairs. navigating the broken City was no easy feat for Protectors without air tight suits though. Normally they would just swim to where they wanted, but having to walk made the task a grueling one, and it made them appreciate their air tanks, helmets, and suits.
The duo hoped there would be at lest one working bathysphere that could take them to their destination, but every docking bay they came to had either collapsed or the bathyspheres hadn't returned from wherever they were, which was probably at the bottom of the ocean. Since mother had implemented the City wide lock down to slow Delta's advance, the bathyspheres stayed locked in whatever parts of the City they were in, only able to read the genetic code of Gen two Protectors, and they didn't use the small subs very much. The two arrived at yet another collapsed bathysphere station, the bathysphere was present but only because it had been impaled through the top by a large steel beam.
Iota could practically see the rage coming from her partner at this point, it was the seventh time they had found an inoperable bathysphere, and for the eighteenth time they would have to change course do to the collapsed tunnels ahead. Omega roared in anger and slammed his fist into a nearby stone statue shattering it like glass. He continued to stare at the rubble, fists clenched, and panting until he felt a hand on his arm, he didn't even jump from the sudden contact anymore, it had become Iota's way of saying "that's enough, everything's alright, please calm down." Giving one last sigh Omega crossed his arms and began thinking of a new route, while Iota began looking for supplies, the ritual they performed every time they hit a dead end.
No one knew the City like Subject Omega so he would decide the route, and Subject Iota was innately good at finding things that were generally well hidden, after all she did track down Subject Omega which was no easy feat, so she would look for supplies. The female Protector was very curious by nature so when she saw a destroyed furniture store she couldn't help but have a look inside. The store was in ruins on the outside, the door was blocked by debris, so the the only entrance was through a small hole in the rubble barely big enough to crawl through. Iota squeezed herself through the small opening into the old store. It was dark inside, the only light being that from the cracks in the rubble behind her, and a small lamp from a living room display in the back of the room.
Various pieces of ruined furniture littered the store, the cash registers were busted lying on the floor from looting, and broken glass scattered the floor making a crunch every time her steel boots took a step. Iota moved to inspect the only other light source in the room, she found it odd that it was shining directly towards the leather recliner beneath it. The piece of furniture in question was in remarkable shape as well, walking over to the chair she tilted her head slightly at the spectacle.
A demolished shop, with demolished furniture was not uncommon, but this seemed like no coincidence, that's when the faint smell of ADAM reached her nose, the sweet nectar like smell calling out to her, as if it wanted her to find it. since it was faint even to her advanced sense of smell, she knew it was hidden very well, no Splicer could find it that's for sure.
Leaning closer to the chair the scent got a little stronger, with one swift motion the Big Sister punched her fist through the recliner and began searching the inside of the chair, ripping out foam, and springs alike, but she found nothing. She then ripped the back off and began searching, the scent of ADAM getting more and more prominent, still she found nothing.
The Female Protector gave a short frustrated screech, then she noticed something out of place. one of the chairs ivory legs was slightly turned from the other three, Iota smiled as she figured out the clever hiding place, she twisted the leg and found that it unscrewed, once it was free from the chair Iota looked inside the hollow leg to find the unmistakable faint red glow of ADAM. The Girl turned the leg over and caught a vial as it slid out, she stared at the vial for a moment before noticing something else on the floor where the chair had been.
The floor boards were uneven, she ripped the boards out of the way and found a pleasant surprise. Inside the hole were two first aid syringes, two cans of harring, two bags of chips, and a large bottle of water. Iota squealed happily as she gathered the supplies. "this'll put Brother in a better mood!" she thought as she gathered the supplies and headed for the door, as she reached the blocked exit a TV flicked to life on her left catching her attention. She faced the television set and began tilting her head in curiosity.
First the TV displayed static, then Raptures emergency standby screen. Iota continued watching as she tried to keep the many items she held in her arms from slipping. after a few seconds Iota was just about ready to leave when a woman appeared on screen, she was and older woman with a face that had seen many years of hardships, but despite that she gave a comforting smile. Iota looked through a hole in the rubble on her right to see Omega in the distance drawing a map in the dirt with a piece of metal. Looking back to the woman on the TV screen Iota raised an eyebrow and tilted her head with even more curiosity.
"Hello Subject Iota, I've been waiting for you." The woman said with a nod. "i am Dr. Tenenbaum." She stated with a thick accent. "did you like the gifts i hid for you?" the older woman asked looking at Iota's arms as she clutched the food and ADAM, Iota shuffled uncomfortably and continued to stare. "I've been watching you two for sometime now, and it's clear that you need suit repairs, without working suits the City will with out a doubt become your grave as well."
Iota gave a hesitant nod, she didn't trust this Tenenbaum woman, the only person she had ever seen on a tv screen was Mother. "I know it must be hard to process everything that's happened, but i can give you some of the answers, after all i know what has become of Dr. Sofia Lamb, and Eleanor." When Iota heard this she turned to look out the window to her right, instead of seeing Omega in the distance he was standing just outside the rubble blocked window,He had obviously heard the two names mentioned. Omega raised his hand and clenched it into a fist instantly ripping the concrete rubble away with his Telekinesis, He then stepped through the store window and stood beside Iota, she slumped down a little bit because she knew she was in hot water for not calling him sooner.
"ah Subject Omega, i was wondering where you were, as i was explaining to your partner, in order to answer your questions we need to meet face to face, and i need your help." This instantly got the Protectors attention. "you might also be interested to know there are only three Little Sisters left in the entire City, and i know where they are." Upon hearing this both Protectors stood straight up in shock. They thought all the Little Sisters had been taken by Subject Delta, but now they learn that there are three still in the City, it was almost unbelievable. A new image presented itself on screen now, a Little Sister was riding on the back of a Big Daddy. Both Protectors inspected the Picture closely, Iota had never seen a Big Daddy like this before, it was larger than most, wore art deco inspired armor in nearly pristine condition, except for a few barnacles, it's helmet had a small circular porthole, and it wielded a large rifle of some kind with light emanating from it.
Iota may not know what or where the picture was from but Omega recognized the source immediately, it was a picture of a Lancer Big Daddy from Rapture central computing in Minerva's Den. They were no ordinary Big Daddies, they were the most technologically advanced Big Daddy Rapture had ever produced. They used a prototype ion laser as their main weapon of choice, which was powerful enough to pierce steel and flesh alike. if they had to wrestle a Little Sister from one it would definitely be a fight. Omega was always strictly forbidden from entering Minerva's Den, he had a short fuse, and letting the most dangerous and unpredictable thing in Rapture near the most important computing systems didn't seem like a good idea to Sofia Lamb, with good reason too.
"The Thinker" was Raptures most crucial piece of scientific technology, it was a Computer that could think for itself, solve complex equations thought impossible by the greatest minds in the wolrd, and it monitored all of Raptures crucial systems such as air flow, breach sealing and control, food processing, automated systems for doors and computers, flood management, and even sewage management, simply put, without The Thinker there could be no Rapture. "The situation in Minerva's Den couldn't be more different then where you are currently, i'm willing to bet you have not crossed paths with many Splicers or Big Daddies for sometime. That will soon change." The Doctor said taking a darker tone. "Little Sisters are the heart of this City, and as such every living thing left in Rapture has migrated closer to Minerva's Den. There are Splicers everywhere! i am gathering up the last few survivors and we are preparing to leave the City before it falls apart around us. we are currently taking shelter in the Athena's Glory apartment complex in Olympus Heights. we... wi... he h.. found... yo... rry!"
The static on the TV was too much for them to make out her last words, but it didn't sound good. The Protectors could see the Doctor pushing various buttons on the screen when she reached for a clipboard and began writing, she quickly held up a sign. both Protectors tilted their heads in confusion, Doctor Tenenbaum doned a shocked look on her face as she realized neither one could read and began scribbling something else, when she held the paper up again it was a map of Rapture with the Proving grounds circled. The image cut out and a new one presented itself, it was that of a grey and white owl clutching a record in it's talons. An eerie voice came through the speakers. "found you" it said as the TV turned off.
The duo looked at each other then heard voices quickly approaching, the two Protectors stepped out of the window and into the large street to face whoever was getting closer. Iota was a little tense, their backs were against a wall since the tunnels behind them had collapsed, the only way out of the area was back the way they had come, the direction that frantic rambling, and stomps where coming from. Iota looked to her companion for reassurance, Omega simply stared down the dark street and cracked his neck side to side, Iota gave a sigh knowing he would want to fight his way out of the area.
More than fifteen Splicers came into view as they rounded the corner, Iota got even more tense when she saw the Brute Splicer the group had brought with them. The group was diverse to say the least, Iota watched as the group started walking toward them, she counted her enemies and sized them up, two Houdini Splicers, three Spiders, five lead-heads, four Thuggish, and a Brute. Iota followed Omega's example by getting into their combat stance, she still worried about the shape her armor was in but shrugged it off, no matter how many Ants there were, as long as she had Omega by her side they would squish them all.