Scavenger hunt
"The weak will fall, but the strong will remain and never go under!"-Anne Frank
Elizabeth's idea was actually fairly simple, we find one of the Lutece particle things and bring it back here, and use it to lift the department store back up to Rapture. "So it's like putting air in a ballon basically. Except this ballon is full of drug addicted sociopaths." Patrick surmised as we explained the idea to him.
Elizabeth nodded, "But there's a problem, the device is damaged." she said, looking at the device it was true, the thing looked like someone took a baseball bat to it.
I shrugged, "So? Can't you just you know, whoosh one to Columbia?" I asked, hoping that this would be easy. And of course it couldn't be.
Elizabeth shook her head, "Tears are like windows right? So you can bring a sledgehammer to a wall and make another but there could be a stud where your hitting it." she explained. "When me and Jacob first came here, it was purely luck that we where on the right side of the glass."
Ohhhh I think I get it, "Or in Columbia's case, jump through just to fall to death." Patrick surmised.
Elizabeth nodded, "And it would take too long to try and find some place to safely get to Columbia. So our best chance is to fix the machine." she said, looking over and wincing at the crowbar in the side of it.
"So...anyone here know how to repair a trans-dimensional Lutece device? Come on, show of hands." he joked hopefully.
Me and him both looked at Elizabeth. She stared back surprised, "What?! What makes you two possibly think I could fix this?" she asked, gesturing to the machine I question.
I rubbed the back of my head, "Well your like the smartest person I know. Plus I work on computers, not big ass machines." I said in my defense.
"Yeah, and I'm more street smart if anything." Patrick added. Elizabeth rolled her eyes at us.
"I guess Souchong must have some plans lying around. If we find them we may be able to find out what's wrong." she suggested. We nodded in agreement and began to search the room for blueprints or something resembling that.
...
After we searched for a good fifteen minutes I came up with nothing, same as Patrick. We where about to give up in frustration when Elizabeth called us up to the upper level. We rushed up and saw that she found what we where looking for.
"What's with the crazy letters? Chemical compounds?" I asked, looking at the letters on the paper.
Patrick's eyes widened, "It's a code! I know this, you use the elements as a key for letters." he said, making me and Elizabeth look at him surprised. He shrugged, "I'm not a half baked detective, but it'd take me a while to-"
"I already cracked it." Elizabeth interrupted. She pointed to Suchong's name in it, "Egomaniacs have a tendency to surround their work with themselves." I can vouch for that, look at Fink for Pete's sake.
Elizabeth picked up the plans, "We need a Cathode Tube, a Carbon Dioxide Scrubber, and a Heat Sink." she said, reading off what was needed. I honestly didn't know what half if it meant so I let her continue.
"Any of the vending machines should have the Cathode Tube. And we can look for a Co2 scrubber in the bathysphere exhibit, almost all of them should have a working model. A heat sink...what could we use..wait. We already have it. Old Man Winter." she said.
I clenched my fist and watched the ice spikes pop out. "Check. So we need to find those two components then right?" I asked. Elizabeth nodded.
"Okay easy, you two go after the Carbon thing, I'll search for the vending machine tube." Patrick said. I looked at him worriedly, I didn't want him to go alone, with a big daddy stomping around, it could be dangerous. He saw my look and patted my shoulder, "Hey, there's a reason I'm sending you two after the subs, vending machines are easy to find." he said, putting me at ease.
Elizabeth nodded, "Alright, but be careful, we don't know what we may run into." she warned. Patrick gave her a smirk and nodded.
As we headed for the exit, I looked at the Lutece machine once more before exiting the lab.
Back in the lobby, Elizabeth was about to open the door when a alarm rang out and a gate dropped from both ends of the hall, trapping us here.
Shit!
Me and Patrick reached for our guns while the radio chimed on. I didn't want to hear Atlas right now so I was a bit relived not to hear his voce on the other end if it.
"Penalty for vandalism of Suchong device is death. Even for pretty lady."
What is it with everyone hitting on my girlfriend? I know Elizabeth is amazing, but seriously come on! "Let me guess, Suchong? Look, hate to break it to ya, but someone kinda smashed your machine." I said, please don't accuse us.
"Of course! Vandal sabotage my device! You vandal!" The doctor accused. Of fucking course, to be fair I guess it's a reasonable assumption.
Elizabeth took the radio from my hands, "Well that's where your wrong Dr. Suchong, we actually intend to fix your device. If course you could come down here yourself and fix it." she said.
The radio was silent for a moment, "It bad for Suchong to leave lab now, you say you can fix?" he asked.
Elizabeth smirked, "I cracked your code right? Now just give me the one for this day and we'll see what your creation can do." she said. Gotta say Elizabeth could pretty much play anyone. Wait...does that include me?
"1216" he replied hurriedly.
Elizabeth gave a unbelieving look, "Your birthday? Really?" she asked, feeling that her intellect was challenged.
"Enough talk! Fix machine!" He demanded.
Elizabeth put in the code quickly, "Like you said, egomaniac." I muttered, causing her to smirk. When the door opened, I saw the way to the bathysphere place in the distance.
"Stay safe. And try not to get shot. Your not the guy with the shield." I chided, I didn't know if it could stop a big daddy drill but I wasn't interested in finding that out.
"That goes double for you two." he said, hoisting his shotgun from his shoulder up.
I as Elizabeth started to make her way towards the place we where needed I abruptly gave Patrick a hug, "Stay safe." I said, before running off to join Elizabeth.
...
I surmised that firing my gun with a big daddy in the room would be about as dumb as a bag of hammers. So me and Elizabeth kept to the upper level and to the shadows as we made out way to the service bay.
As the Big Daddy walked past the entrance to where the bathyspheres where located, we quickly scampered inside as he hulled himself god knows where. Passing the welcome counter, I peeked my head inside the customer service room and saw it was clear.
"Hey, why do these bathyspheres need a Carbon dioxide scrubber?" I asked as we entered the room. I mean I know that carbon dioxide is extremely unhealthy but I don't see how something that gives oxygen needs it.
"If you don't get rid of the carbon dioxide in a submersible, you'll suffocate to death." she explained, "One thing I liked about Rapture, new books to read." she said, causing me to smile.
"Only you would be interested in auto mechanics for sub marines Elizabeth." I said, making her chuckle as we elevator doors to the service level opened.
"We'll need a long haul bathysphere , something where the CO2 buildup wouldn't limit the submersible period." she explained, pressing the button.
As the elevator lifted us towards the level Elizabeth let out a sigh, "What's wrong?" I asked. She rubbed her temple and lowered her eyes towards the floor
"In the past year I was as to see everything, every possibility, and when I try it now, all I see is darkness." She said in downcast. I couldn't imagine that, having all that power and then in the blink of a eye it's not there anymore, all because your in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"Well what's so special about being able to see the future? I mean part of living is being surprised at what life throws at you." I said as I put my hand on her shoulder.
She shook her head, "I'm not you Jacob. I'm not some...some hero...some war veteran like Patrick or Slate...just like I was in Columbia." she finished.
I looked at her unbelievably, "Elizabeth. I'm not a hero...and even if I am, that's not how I started out." I put my arm over her shoulder, making her look at me, "Before all this crap started, I was a little computer nerd really. And if I am a hero, it's only because your the one who made me it."
Elizabeth's cheeks turned a shade of pink before she moved her body closer to mine, "I guess that's true...and we did her through Columbia with worse conditions." she added.
"Exactly. Come on, let's get what we need and get outta here." I said as the door opened. Before I stepped out, Elizabeth gave my lips a quick peck and head headed out.
The first sub we found was a small blue one, Elizabeth examined it briefly before speaking, "The Humpback Whale. That thing is older than the hills. Strictly bargain basement, you gotta wear a O2 tank and a mask." she said.
I get it, they're like cars really, "Alright, let's try the next one." I said, heading to the next stall housing another sub model.
"Huh, the '52 Mako. Classic, but it's a death trap. Twenty eight known fatalities related to its use. Carbon dioxide poisoning...and they're still on the market." she said with deadpan in her voice.
I shook my head, "Well at least it wasn't drunk driving right?" I asked, making her smirk.
"Good point, come on, there's gotta be another one around we can use." she said, heading to the workshop.
Turning the corner we saw a bright red one being hoisted up. "There! The Stingray. Submersible up to 90 minutes. That's our girl." she said with admiration. I turned the cylinder on my hand cannon, I had a full clip left, better make it count.
Ahead if us, a splicer paced on the catwalk, I snuck up from behind and used my Air-Grabber to cut his neck. I'm all for sparing lives but I'm in a hurry, now it'd be different if these guys where sane but I since they're not...well you know.
Elizabeth scanned the room with her Peeping Tom plasmid. Damnit! Now they got me saying it! "I count sic of then, I've if then is a Snowman." she said after scanning the room.
Ok, so I either got to pull of six headshots or I gotta get creative. I looked around the room and saw some tears, a turret on the catwalk for one and on the ground floor was...a samurai? Kick ass!
"Okay, if I get in trouble, use your darts first, get up close and personal as a last resort." I advised, she nodded. I aimed my pistol at the first Splicer and pulled the trigger, taking his head off his shoulders and getting the rest of them to look at me, "Oh I'm sorry did I break all of your guys' concentration?" I asked mockingly.
The fools charged up the stairwell towards me, "Elizabeth, turret." I said as I stood at the end of the cat walk. They where armed with only shotguns and I had a pistol, and the torrent that Elizabeth flashed in beside me and tore into the crowed as they fired off at me.
My shield took care if the pellets of lead as I fired off two shots to two splicer heads. The machine gun took care of two more. A ice middle came in and destroyed the turret. On the other side of the catwalk was a Snowman that Elizabeth mentioned.
I ran along the catwalk as he fired his ice missiles at me, I crouched down when one came close to my head, "Jacob Catch!" I love those words by now, I turned just in time as Elizabeth threw me a vial of salts, EVE, whatever!
I drank it and channeled the Devil's Kiss, as I was about to fire my pistol at him, he cadged at me and tackled me to the ground, he wrapped his hands around me neck and started choking me!
My pistol was out of reach now and Elizabeth was trying to get to me to help. I still had fire hands though.
Clamping them down over his eyes, they flared up in fire and made him scream out in pain , "HOLY GOD MY EYES!" he screamed. Kicking him off me, I grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him off the catwalk and into the ground below, killing him by the fall.
Shit that was close. I turned to see Elizabeth, with her trembling hands on my pistol. I gave her a sympathetic look, "Are you okay?" I asked.
She shook her head, "I'm sorry, I...I...I just-" she couldn't form the words, thinking she didn't have a excuse.
I shook my head, "It's okay Elizabeth I-"
"No! It's not okay. You where in trouble and I just stood here like...like a helpless child." she said, dropping her hands to her side, "I'm just useless." she muttered.
"No." I said, making her look up at me, "Elizabeth , you are not useless because you don't want to kill , that makes you sane for god's sake. There's a reason I didn't want you to kill Comstock, or Patrick, or Fitzroy , or anyone."
I stepped towards her and took the gun from her hand, "Elizabeth these things kill people, and every time you kill someone, it takes something away from you, big or small, it depends on who is killed." I explained.
Elizabeth looked at me skeptically, "Look, you can't kill, so what? That makes you something that I'm not, someone with their hands not soaked in blood. Your a lot of things Elizabeth...but the one thing your not is useless." I said, gripping her shoulders.
Her lips pushed themselves into a straight line, sinking in the new information, "Jacob...thank you." she finally said.
I gave her a smile, "Anytime. Now come on, we gotta get that thing down from there ." I said as I pointed to the stingray.
Heading to the control room, we managed to find the right leaver to lower the sub. Hopping inside it, I pulled up on a latch in the floor, revealing a compartment housing the CO2 Sweeper, "Yes! Jackpot." Elizabeth said triumphantly.
I held up a hand for a high five which she returned enthusiastically. Exiting the craft, I guessed that Patrick had the other part by now and was awaiting us back at the Silver Spoon. "Let's get that machine repaired." I said, helping her down from the sub.
She smirked, "Right, because I've been fixing Quantum field generators since kindergarten." she said sarcastically.
I gave her a pat in the back, "That's the sprit!" I said making us both laugh. Making our way back to the elevator it suddenly hit me, we are gong back to Columbia.
I've had many nightmares about the place, and most of them where from memory , but I had to go back if I wanted to get Sally and Patrick outta here.
"Any progress kiddies? I must confess, I'm becoming a wee bit skeptical." Atlas chimed in over the radio as we ride the elevator back to the level we where at.
I pressed down on the radio, "As a matter of fact we are. What's the rush?" I asked, trying not to make him angry. I didn't want him taking it out on Sally.
"You see , me lads have taken a thirst for ADAM. And there's a vintage right in front of me that will do quite nicely." he replied.
Motherfucker.
"Look Atlas, you just gave us the night, trust me, you'll be satisfied with the results. But harm one hair on her head, and I'll make sure you'll wish you gave yourself over to Ryan." I said threateningly.
"Fair enough, but just remember, there's fast ways to harvest little sisters, and them there are very, very slow ones." he said before he cut out.
The elevator couldn't go fast enough. Opening the door, it looked like a stink bomb had gone off, "What the hell?" Elizabeth asked. I looked down on the ground and saw a new crossbow bolt.
Picking it up, it looked like a gas filled tip on the end if it, I handed it to Elizabeth. "Huh, gas filled canister. I bet it could knock out however many people are in the cloud of it." she surmised.
And we got a chance to test it out, in the waiting room, there where a small group of splicers together, Elizabeth aimed and pulled the trigger, it hit the floor where they where all at, the gas came out if the canister and knocked the three men out.
I gave her a look of approval, "Nice shot." When I saw the look on her face I stopped myself, "Let me guess, aiming for the place between the main guy's feet?" I asked. she nodded.
I gotta teach her how to shoot.
...
Getting back to the restaurant wasn't as bad as it was the first time, there where more splicers than before though, I just hope Patrick is alright now. "Okay, I think this goes in the left leg." Elizabeth stated as she put the CO2 thing into a empty slot on the machine.
It fit perfectly in it's place. Elizabeth stepped back towards me, "Okay, now for Old Man Winter. See that circular thing on top?" I nodded and made a ice ball in my hand and threw it at the heated metal.
Elizabeth smiled, "Great, now just to wait for Patrick." she said cheerfully. I nodded as we headed into the old kitchen area, I managed to salvage some food for the three of us and I had a sandwich ready for Patrick when he showed up.
"So...we look like shit." Elizabeth said breaking the ice. I smirked at that, my clothes have a ton of tears in them, Elizabeth's dress was more or less the same from when she got zapped my Cohen. The only real difference was the tear in her skirt that went up to her mid thigh on the right side.
It was actually pretty hot.
"How is it that whenever I find myself with you my wardrobe shrinks by a outfit?" I asked jokingly, it was true that ice lost two perfectly good shirts and pants because of these adventures.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, "You don't hear me complaining." I didn't know if she meant her cloths being torn or that mine where. "That came out wrong, didn't it ?" she asked.
"Yep." I said simply, making her cheeks turn pink. I looked over to my hand cannon on the counter, Elizabeth has been beating herself up so much over this whole 'I can't kill' thing.
I honestly don't see what the big problem is, I mean it's a good thing that she doesn't kill...but she's not the best shot...so...
"Hey, want to learn how to shoot?" I asked, making her choke on her water. Smooth Harper, real Casanova.
"W-what? A-are you sure?" she asked surprisingly.
I shrugged, "I got some spare ammo from looting those splicers, and you keep saying you miss so…" I said, she caught on and nodded.
I set up some glass bottles as targets on the kitchen counter. Bringing Elizabeth a fair distance away from the targets, I handed her my gun, "Ok, now show me how you shoot." I said as I stepped behind her.
She raised the hand cannon with both hands and aimed towards the bottles, but her hands where shaking. Pulling the trigger, the bullet embedded itself in the counter.
"Damnit." Elizabeth muttered.
I gave her a pat on the back, "That's pretty damn close...ok, try again." I said. She nodded and went back into her shooting position, when her hands began to shake, I wrapped my arms around her back and clasped them over my own, "Relax, you don't need to strangle the handle." I advised.
Elizabeth loosened her grip a tad so that it stopped shaking, "Ok good, now when you want to shoot, you take a deep breath, and you let it out slowly, try it." I suggested. Elizabeth inhaled a breath and let it out through her mouth slowly.
I smiled, "Good, ok, when you shoot, you need to squeeze the trigger. Don't just yank it, that'll just mess you up." I said.
Elizabeth nodded, "Ok...I think I got it." she said as she pulled the hammer back. She focused on the bottle in the middle, she took a deep breath, and squeezed the trigger.
The bottle shattered into a million pieces.
I grinned at her smiling face, before I could say anything I finally noticed how close our bodies where together. My head was resting on her shoulder and our cheeks where touching.
Fuck it all.
I clasped her lips with mine. Elizabeth dropped the gun to the ground and wrapped her arms around my neck. She tugged on my lower lip. I slid my tongue into her mouth and met hers. I brought her head closer to mine and deepened the kiss, making her let out a small moan.
Her fingers trailed up into the back of my head and combed through my hair , making me let out a groan. I broke away for a moment, giving Elizabeth the opportunity to plant some small ones on my neck, I should have done this ages ago.
"Oh for fucks sake!" The two of us jumped at Patrick's voice. We looked over and saw...what the hell?
Patrick was dragging a vending machine, the circus of values, behind him. "Patrick. I'll ask this once. What, the fuck?" I asked as he dragged the machine towards the center of the room.
"I tore two of these damn things apart and I couldn't find the thing. I was hoping you'd two could give it a whirl." he said. I ran a hand over my face while Elizabeth suppressed a chuckle. Damnit Patrick, well I'm glad I got a fraction of my mother's brains.
Elizabeth went over to the powered off machine and opened the panel on the front, she plucked out a glass cylinder and went over to the machine. "Damnit." Patrick said simply.
Well I know where I got my language from as well.
The three if us looked at the machine warily, "What's the odds that this doesn't work and it blows up?" Patrick asked, to be fair it's probably what we where all thinking.
"Honestly? Not as bad as you'd think." she said as I stepped forward to crank the leaver. With a pull the lights flickered off.
Crap.
The machine sparked to life, and in a moment, a perfect circle opened I the center to Columbia. Well...that worked. I turned to Elizabeth and Patrick's happy faces. "Alright. Patrick, you stay here and make sure to waste anyone who tries and trash this again. Me and Elizabeth will get the Lutece particle." I said.
Patrick nodded, "Just make it quick, I heard some of Fontaine's men saying that Ryan's getting antsy." he said as he made his way to the door.
Elizabeth joined me in front of the tear, "This won't give me tear cancer or something right?" I asked. The tear machine that Comstock used caused his to age to advance drastically, and I don't want to get into my twilight years yet.
Elizabeth shook her head, "That was the old model , this one has a radiation filter to make sure it doesn't happen...so, once more into the breach?" she asked.
I smiled, "With you? Anytime." I replied.
Backing up a few steps, we both ran forward into the tear and into the oven once again.
Welcome back the False Shepard Columbia.
AN: I think that's a good place to stop for today. And I hope that my explanation on why Elizabeth can't just open a tear out of the blue makes sense.
Thanks for reading and I'm sorry that this chapter is so short, I want to pace myself and make sure the story is good. The next chapter should be up by Sunday. But if I get enough review I may just post earlier than that.
Food for thought.
Again, thanks for reading.