I added a good amount of fighting in here, but I wanted to also add something else to this stew. Hope you guys like it! :)
Chapter 20: Laboratory Battle
Early morning in the Badlands is always a peaceful time, the animals of the desert just waking from the night while the sun poked out from the horizon. Everything was just… peaceful. That is, until both teams' Soldiers blew their trumpets for the morning wake up call. As per usual, each member got up and headed off to the showers, than to the rec room for breakfast. At RED's base, today's breakfast maker was Pyro. Now, no one's actually allowed Pyro to be in charge of the kitchen, for obvious reasons, but she was able to worm her way into being the day's breakfast chef. As Pryo worked in the kitchen, RED team sat in their chairs, hoping to not get a plate of blackened something.
Scout: Oh man, I'm starvin'! I hope Pyro's actually made somethin' edible.
Decoy: Yes, a meal that I can eat would be nice.
RED Engineer: Come on fellas. Have a little fate in Pyro. He may not be a bad cook.
Soldier: I'll tell you what, whatever comes out of that kitchen, I'll eat! A true american won't turn down something like burnt food! Washington never turned down his burnt food!
Sniper: Any of you blokes gonna tell him that his knowledge of American history is wrong?
Heavy: Is best not to say.
They continued waiting, listening to the sounds that came from the kitchen, before Pyro finally came out of the kitchen with plates full of golden brown pancakes.
Pyro: Maa-naa!
The RED mercs stared down at the plates, surprised that Pyro didn't burn one pancake in the bunch. Although they looked good, no one knew if they tasted good. Only one person could test that question.
RED Demo: Scoot, eat some.
Scout: What-
Everyone looked over at Scout, expecting him to try the pancakes. Scared, Scout cut a piece of the food and took a bite. Scout's face went from pure disgust to surprised satisfaction. The bostonian quickly scoffed down the rest of the golden brown cakes.
Scout: Aw man! This stuff's good! Heck, it's delicious!
The other RED mercs soon plowed into their breakfast, also loving the confections Pyro had made.
Soldier: Not as good rations, but just like momma used to make! Nice work!
Pyro gave a happy giggle, liking that the team really did like her cooking. In fact, with that feeling aside, she remembered that the fire that started in the kitchen needed to be snuffed before the base burnt down, so she ran back into the kitchen before it could.
RED Strategist: Oi, you blokes smell something burning?
Both teams were on their way to the more forested area of the Badlands, towards the property known as Mountain Lab, RED's top secret research and development laboratory for weapons. BLU was the first to arrive at the map, going into their spawn to set up their weapons and think of strategies to win. Engineer had decided to change his shirt for the battle, going with his classic Dad Duds.
Scientist: I say we have a push down the main path, with a small team going around to cut of anyone who might oppose.
BLU Sniper: What 'bout Sniper and RED Spy?
Engineer: All we can say is watch out.
Strategist: And I suggest not popping uber as soon as the match begins.
BLU Heavy: We have plan?
Everyone nodded, agreeing that this plan was their best way of getting to the first point.
*Meanwhile at RED spawn*
RED had gone over their defense plan to keep BLU off of the point and was moving out to set up.
Administrator: Mission begins in 5 minutes.
RED Scientist and RED Engineer were walking to the front lines, when something caught RED Scientist's eye. A single door with 'Keep Out' signs all over it was at the end of one of the hallways. Curiosity took control of the brainiac, having him walk towards the door and open it, leaving RED Engie. Looking inside, he saw a new sort of technology, something that made the mad doctor grin evilly from ear to ear.
Administrator: Mission begins in 30 seconds.
Both teams were waiting for the match to begin, anxious to get their killing in for the day. As BLU waited, a chill went down Scientist and Engineer's spines.
Scientist: Huh, that was weird. Anyone else cold?
BLU Heavy: Niet.
BLU Scout: Uh, no.
Engineer: I felt somethin'. I'm sure it twas nothin'. Just a little breeze.
Scientist: Yeah, probably nothing.
Administrator: 5,4,3,2,1…
The horns sounded for the match to begin. Just as the first BLUs stepped out of spawn, a flying Pyro came out of nowhere and lit them all ablaze.
BLU Heavy: My flesh! It burns!
BLU Decoy: My flesh is melting!
Scientist: Owowowowow!
Luckily, BLU Demo blew up the firebug with a few shots from his Loch-n-Load. BLU continued out of spawn, going with the plan they agreed upon. BLU Pyro, Spy and BLU Soldier went around the path to the left, as the others pushed down the main path. BLU Decoy ran up ahead of the team to draw the RED's fire, while some of her teammates fired at the REDs.
RED was losing some ground, barely holding onto the first point as it was. RED Demo had decided to go full Demoknight for this match, much to his team's disagreement. He charged out at the BLUs, Eyelander draw, but fell short by a Bazaar Bargain.
BLU Sniper: Mongrel.
BLU Decoy: This is going easier than expected.
Scientist: Yeah, maybe a little too easy? ... Nah, they probably just suck today.
The REDs were being cut off as well, since that little team of BLUs had snuck up and cut off their teleporter and dispenser.
RED Strategist: Where is that wanker, Scientist?!
Heavy: Heavy does not know! Little Engineer is gone as well!
Administrator: We have lost the control point!
Soldier: Let's go, maggots! Double time!
RED continued to battle for the second point, but were losing it at a rapid pace. Meanwhile, RED Scientist and RED Engineer were in the taped off room, working on the device that so interested them both.
Both teams were on the last point by this time, RED had pulled through and started defending it more effectively. RED Demo and RED Medic were changing out weapons in spawn, when RED Scientist and RED Engineer came in, pushing something under a cloth.
RED Demo: Aye lads, where've ya been?
RED Medic: Und vhat is under zhe cloth?
RED Scientist chuckled to himself amused by the question.
RED Scientist: The thing that will have us win.
He proceeded to pull back the cloth, revealing a large, glowing raygun on a utility cart. Demo and RED Medic looked at the device in fascination.
RED Engineer: This little ol' thing will teach those BLUs not to come one step further into this base.
The two proceeded to roll the cart out of spawn, with Demo and RED Medic looking nervously at each other.
RED Demo: This won't end well…
*2 minutes earlier*
BLU was shooting out of the small doorway that led to the last point. Scientist was shooting his Multi-gun to weaken the REDs, when Pyro jumped out of nowhere again and pointed her Backburner at him.
Scientist: Um… Hi?
Pyro: Hmph.
Engineer: Doc!
Engie came running towards the two with his Widowmaker to shoot Pyro, but something else happened that got the three's attention. RED Scientist had fired up the raygun and was getting ready to fire. Pyro's instincts kicked in, dodging to the side, but Scientist just stood in fear. Pyro reached out and pulled Scientist to the side, while Engie dove opposite to them. It was too late though.
A large, green beam fired out of the device, not completely missing the two BLUs. What it hit was Scientist's entire right arm and Engie's left leg up to the middle of the shin.
The battle just stopped, no guns fired, to explosives went off. Medic ran over to his teammates, who were in a massive amount of pain from where the beam hit.
Medic: Scheisse! D-Don't vorry, I will heal you!
Medic activated his Medi-gun to heal Engie's leg, but it wouldn't grow back.
Medic: Vhat?!
Medic tried again with Scientist's arm, producing the same result.
RED Scientist and RED Engineer looked on at the scene, the feeling of guilt rushing through them, almost like snakes slithering in their skin. The loudspeaker came on, with a very pissed off Administrator on it.
Administrator: RED SCIENTIST AND ENGINEER, I WANT YOU BOTH IN MY OFFICE NOW!
No one had ever heard the Administrator so mad before. The two REDs proceeded out of the building and to the vehicles to see the Administrator.
Administrator: BLU wins by RED's unacceptable behavior.
Pyro helped Scientist to his feet, helping him towards Medic, who had BLU Heavy carry Engineer.
Medic: Quick, we'll use my ambulance! We have to get to my lab!
Hours had gone by. BLU was anxiously waiting in the waiting room of Medic's clinic with Pyro, BLU Spy allowing her to be there for Scientist's sake. Medic eventually did come out of the clinic
, a look of disappointment on his face. The BLUs and Pyro ran up to him, wanting answers on how the two were doing.
BLU Sniper: C'mon doc, how are they?!
Medic: It… appears that my Medi-gun cannot heal their appendages back. The energy from the beam must have had a negation for my formula.
Pyro pushed out of the way of everyone and barged into the clinic. She looked to see the two mercs on seperate beds, Scientist just lying on the bed and Engie sitting up, looking at his leg. Engie looked up to see the firebug staring at them.
Engineer: Huh, howdy Pyro.
Pyro: Hmph.
Scientist looked up from his trance and stared at Pyro, Pyro looking back at him. It was just a minute before Scientist spoke.
Scientist:... Thank you.
Pyro walked over and gave Scientist a hug, sorry that this had happened to him and Engie. Engie grabbed the crutches that were next to his bed and moved himself out to speak to Medic.
The others had gone to think to themselves, leaving Medic sitting on one of the chairs and rub the tiredness out of his eyes.
Engineer: Doc…
Medic looked up at Engie when he heard his name.
Medic: Ja?
Engie: Is the entirety of our limbs just… gone?
Medic: Vell, I did notice something. Both you and Scientist's nervous systems are still sending signals to the area, so…
Engie: Wait… really?!
Medic: Ja. Although zhere isn't much we can do… vhy are you looking at me like zhat?
Engie had a big smile on his face, knowing exactly what he could do. He's done it once before.
Engie: Get Scientist ta snap out of it! Pyro can help us too.
Medic: Engineer, vhat are you thinking?
Engineer chuckled softly to himself.
Engineer: I say, let's fix this mess.
BLU wandered around their base for hours, drowning their sorrows in whatever they could. They all were in the rec room currently, just sad as can be, when Medic barged in with a look of glee on his face.
Medic: My friends, I have exciting news!
The BLUs turned towards the doctor in curiosity.
Strategist: What is it?
BLU Decoy: Is this good?
Medic: *Ahem* Come on though!
The first to enter the room was Pyro, jumping for joy on what she had helped with. The next was first just… a metal shoe? The leg and body appeared next, revealing it to be Engineer, with some sort of robotic foot on his bad leg. The last was Scientist, who simply walked in. Where was once just a stub, now was a fully robotic arm, functioning like a normal arm. It wasn't like Engie's foot or the Gunslinger, but more to Scientist's design.
The BLUs got up and rushed to the two, thankful that they were going to be ok. Pyro stood to the side with Medic, happy they could do something.
Medic: You know, for a RED, you are not so bad.
Medic and Pyro chuckled at the statement to themselves. Pyro lifted up her Firefly mask a little, only showing the damaged, scar tissue around her mouth.
Pyro: Thank you for letting me be here.
Medic: No problem, my friend. I'm just glad you could help. It made all of zhe difference.