Well, after three re-writes its finally done. A weeks worth of eleven hour school/work shifts, plus homework, plus car troubles made this rather difficult but it is finished. For the moment at least. If you find it lacking in quality compared to the other chapters, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'd rather re-write it again than settle for something sub-par. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go pass out on the couch for a while.
Disclaimer: Don't own bioshock. Too tired for witty commentary. Please don't sue.
It was good to be back in her armor. The reassuring weight of metal on her skin made Epsilon feel refreshed and eager to see just what their target would be today. She was impatient to get going, but it seemed that Tomas was going to be late to his own hunt. Twenty minutes the three of them had been waiting and there was still no sign of the man.
Wren was amusing herself during this period by stacking pieces of rubble on top of one another. Her current record was six mostly flat chunks of concrete, though this latest tower was looking promising as well.
Davian was staring into space, having only spoken a few words after getting ready. He sat up against the wall with a frown on his face. Something was bothering him, Epsilon knew that much, but she could only guess as to what it was. It probably had something to do with the way he had disappeared in the middle of the night. She had been just a bit annoyed by that.
After several more minutes of watching piles of junk be stacked only to fall short of reaching their goal, she'd had enough of his silence. He was so out of it that he didn't even notice the clang of her metal boots as she approached.
Now that she was actually next to him, Epsilon wasn't sure how to go about getting his attention. Her first instinct was to simply kick him in the gut, but for some reason that didn't feel right. Instead, she settled for prodding him in the shoulder a few times. She probably only needed to do it once, and likely not as forcefully as she did, but oh well.
Davian jumped at the sudden distraction, but quickly composed himself.
"You want something?" He asked. Being unable to respond, she simply grunted before taking a seat next to him. He seemed troubled as he regarded her.
"All right then." He said when she made no move to explain herself. The two of them sat in silence for a little while longer before he turned to her once more.
"Say, Amelia? Can I ask you something?" Davian questioned, sounding very hesitant.
She shrugged. Sure he could, it's not like she could stop him. Well, technically she was capable of stopping him by removing a few vital organs, but barring fatal injuries she couldn't.
"What was it like… well… being a little sister? How did it compare to before that?"
He couldn't see her expression, but she made no attempt to hide her shock. This was perhaps the last thing she had expected him to ask, and she was frustrated to find that there was no easy answer.
Growling lightly, she shrugged again. She couldn't have explained it all even with her voice. The memories of her childhood were mostly faded by time and trial. What came before that, she didn't know. Any previous images were entirely gone from her mind.
She remembered only three main things. Her daddy, her mother, and the need to gather. They encompassed the whole of her attention during those blissfully ignorant years. Nothing else seemed to be of any importance.
He seemed disappointed, though not surprised, by her answer. With a sound of acknowledgement, he turned his attention to Wren. Epsilon felt her own confusion growing. Why had he asked that? It had to have something to do with the little sister they both cared for.
Her gut gave an uncomfortable lurch. Something deeper was going on, and she didn't like it. For the first time she could remember, she wished her throat could make more than the animalistic roars it was known for. She wanted to demand some answers from him.
It was then that Tomas decided to make his belated entrance. The reason for his delay quickly became apparent as he wasn't alone. Walking in stride with him were two figures. The first, with his usual upbeat demeanor, was Archer. Epsilon wondered if they actually had anyone else who was capable of killing things, or if he was their only option.
The other figure was someone she didn't recognize, but judging from Davian's reaction it wasn't a total stranger.
"Hello there." The ancient-looking old man greeted him. Slung under one of his arms was what looked to be some type of hunting rifle. "I do hope you don't intend to run off again."
Davian cringed.
"Doctor Gregory?" He ventured. "What are you doing out here?"
The doctor turned to Tomas who gestured for him to explain.
"How much of our current mission do you know?" He asked.
"Absolutely nothing." Davian said. "We were literally just told to come down here for a job. Nobody decided to fill us in."
Gregory spared a disapproving glance at Tomas, who grunted in return. Turning back to them, he started his explanation.
"Several days ago, a group of splicers that we were monitoring went missing." He said. "Normally this wouldn't be a problem. People like them kill each other off all the time; however we heard some rather strange transmissions on their radio frequencies."
"You keep track of splicers?" Davian asked.
"Yes. We need to know who to look out for when we go scavenging." Gregory told him. "But that isn't important right now. The radio chatter was mostly panicked swearing, but all of them contained one similarity; a very loud buzzing sound that inevitably ended up drowning out the voices."
"Right…" The splicer was looking very uneasy with the direction this had taken. "Where were these guys you were watching?"
The old man gave him a grim smile.
"The Farmer's Market."
Epsilon looked back and forth between the odd expressions that everyone wore. It seemed that, other than Wren, she was the only one who didn't understand where this was going.
"Since I'm one of the few people in the colony who understands the extent to which Adam can affect the body, I'll be coming along with you." Gregory said. "If my suspicions about the cause of the disappearances are correct, you'll need all the help you can get."
"It's going to be a long walk." Tomas cut in. "So be sure you've got everything you need."
Epsilon hoisted Wren up onto her back where she would be safe and comfortable during the journey. She still didn't know what was happening, but it was clear that they were going to kill something very soon. That would have to be enough for right now.
"Everyone ready?" The large man questioned. He was answered by an assortment of nods and a strange hand gesture from Archer. "Good. Let's get this bug hunt under way."
Cain knew he was walking into a minefield the moment he approached the door. Already, he could hear the muffled voices of the other splicers inside and they didn't sound happy. It was a good thing he didn't care how happy they were.
Pushing it open, he was immediately greeted by the sight of Hammer and Jericho at each other's throats.
"-aus you're a fucking lard-assed whale! That's why!" It was almost funny seeing the splicer insult someone who had nearly three times as much mass as he did.
The giant's brow narrowed in anger.
"You callin' me fat little man?" He growled, his voice rumbling from the cavernous expanse that was his chest.
"I sure as hell ain't calling you skinny!" Jericho shouted, looking for all the world like a tiny dog barking at a Mastiff.
Before someone could have their skeletons forcibly removed, Cain decided to step in.
"Gentleman." He greeted. "And lady." He added after seeing Isabelle standing back in a corner. "Getting to know each other I see."
Four pairs of eyes immediately turned on him with varying degrees of hostility. He took note of their reactions, but didn't give any outward signs of noticing.
"Now then." He began, his voice thick with false generosity. "Would you mind explaining what sparked this little disagreement?"
Isabelle let out a very unladylike snort.
"Super-size and slim were getting tired of waiting." She said, eliciting glares from both splicers. "Can't say I blame 'em either. It's been almost three days since I killed anything and my trigger finger's getting itchy."
Juvenile delinquents. "That is a problem that can be rectified quickly enough." Cain assured. "As it so happens, our quarry has been sighted moving out from Tenenbaum's little fortress. My spy has informed me that they are headed for the Farmer's Market."
This got everyone's attention, except for Hammer who seemed vexed.
"You use an awful lot a' big words." He grumbled. Only long hours of self-taught control kept Cain from shaking his head in disgust.
"An enhanced vocabulary is something many people in my position need to succeed." He said, dismissing the brute's complaint. "Now if you would all be so kind as to follow me, I can explain the plan on the way there."
"Whoa, hold up a minute!" Jericho interjected. "Who died and made you leader? Who says any of us want to be taking orders?"
Cain was tempted to call him out and challenge him right then, but there was no sense in alienating a potential tool so quickly.
"My leadership role is only to ensure that the job gets done as efficiently as possible." He explained with a reassuring smile. The other man didn't look entirely convinced. "If it helps, think of me as more of an advisor than overseer. I only wish to see Davian dead in a timely fashion. After that, you can all go back to Hawthorn and collect the bounty that he no doubt has waiting for you."
"Well shit, why didn't you say so?" Jericho asked, the thought of his reward overriding his anarchist tendencies. "Let's get this going then! I got a date with a hot stash of Adam after this prick is finished." Without waiting for anyone else's input, he shoved past them and left the room. After several moments of indignant hesitation, Isabelle and Hammer followed.
Cain turned his gaze to the rooms only other remaining occupant, the one that had yet to speak a single word. Ares had watched the whole thing with silent amusement. Now, the men observed each other like two lions in a cage.
"That wasn't a half bad display you put on." Ares remarked, his voice reminiscent of a chill wind. "But I'm not here to play with actors."
"Oh really?" Cain asked, subtly edging one of his hands towards the vicious knife hidden in his belt. "Then what, pray tell, are you here for?"
The heavily scarred splicer let out a mirthless chuckle.
"I'm here for the blood." He stated simply. "Hawthorn points and I kill. That doesn't mean I dance to his tune. He's a means to an end, same as you. If I think your interests don't agree with mine, I'll cut you open just like any other scum I run across."
The words were spoken without malice or arrogance. To him, this was all just another job. That was something Cain could respect.
"Well then, it's fortunate that my intentions are strictly honorable." He said, his tone making it clear that they were anything but. "But perhaps that isn't enough for you. If you are interested, I think that we might come to a mutually beneficial… understanding."
His words seemed to get the Houdini's interest.
"What exactly did you have in mind?"
Now came the risky part. How much could he afford to give away before Ares went running to Benjamin? Was he loyal to the man's payment, or could he be convinced to act on Cain's behalf?
Letting a disarming smile take shape on his face, he made his offer.
"Let's just say that things will be changing around here very soon." He explained. "I may be moving up in the world, so to speak. And if I do, I might find myself in need of skilled aid. The kind of skill that comes from long hours of experience."
The splicer remained silent, his face a neutral mask. For a while, his unblinking gaze was the only response he gave.
"So." Cain proposed, breaking the spell. "What do you say?"
"You're going to murder Hawthorn."
His smile faltered for the barest fraction of a second.
"Murder is such an ugly word." He said, his fingers ready to draw his blade at a moment's notice. "The way I see it, he needs to be removed for the good of the city. After all, the man is an emotional wreck. One who lacks true ambition, I might add."
"I take it 'true ambition' is a trait you possess?" Ares asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Precisely."
The room lapsed into silence once more. Both men knew that the situation could turn to bloodshed in an instant.
"Well, that's certainly an interesting offer." The splicer said at last. "And I'd be a fool to simply dismiss it without consideration."
"Of course." Cain said. "There is no need to answer right away. Take your time and speak to me again when you have made your decision."
With a dry chuckle, Ares brushed past him to follow the path of their associates. Cain watched him go, his smile turning south. This was an unfortunate turn of events. The man was becoming an unregulated variable, something that he was not fond of. He would have to watch his new ally with a keen eye. If Ares decided to turn on him…
The gears of his mind working at a mile a minute, Cain left the room to go after his forces.
If there was one thing Davian could have done without, it would be another train ride. Unfortunately it seemed that fate was not on his side today.
Due to several collapses, the Farmer's Market was only accessible by either train or bathysphere, and nobody felt like giving the automated torpedo system a target by activating one of the metal diving bells. That left the train, which was every bit as cramped and uncomfortable as it had been the first time.
On his left was Gregory. Other than the occasional piece of rifle sticking him in the side, this wasn't an issue. It was the person on his right that he was bitter about.
"How long are you gonna stay pissed about that for?" Archer asked, rolling his eyes. He was greeted with the same cold silence that Davian had maintained since the start of the ride. "So I didn't feel like paying the bill for once, big deal. It's not like you had a whole lot else to spend the money on anyway."
Davian turned to him with a weary glare.
"You ordered three servings of the most expensive drink they had." He accused.
"Yeah, and you hardly drank anything. You see? The costs balance out." Maybe somewhere there was a person his logic made sense to.
"How about you pay me back my money and I'll stop thinking about butchering you?" Davian asked, doing his best to imply that the killing was done in overly gruesome ways.
Far from intimidating Archer, this seemed to encourage him further.
"Tell you what." He said. "Let's make a bet. You get more kills than me in the fight that we all know is going to happen when we arrive, and I'll pay you back double what you lost."
The red head eyed him suspiciously. "Double? How do I know you're being honest with me this time?"
"Hey now! I always honor a bet!" Archer said, indignation filling his voice. "If you recall, I never said I'd pay the tab so it isn't like I lied to you."
"Right… what's the catch?" Davian asked, not trusting his word for a second.
The young man broke out in a massive grin.
"If Iwin, you have to get ME a prize." He said, leaning forward conspiratorially. "Something that can't be bought. A kiss."
The splicer stared at him in disbelief for a moment.
"…You want me to kiss you…?"
"NOT YOU!" He hissed, shoving Davian back against Gregory. The old man let out an oomph of surprise, before sending an offended glare at Archer.
"Her." He nodded over at Amelia, who was situated at the far end of the train car. She was too busy fussing over Wren to pay attention to anything that was being said.
"You can't be serious." Davian said. "She'd tear you in half."
"I like to live dangerously." Archer stated, a reckless smile on his face. "Besides, it would be your end of the deal to ensure that she doesn't. So what do you say?"
He was tempted to dismiss the whole thing outright. The very notion of competing for something so ridiculous just seemed pointless. Then again…
Davian eyed the crossbow that Archer carried. It was a simple looking device, and notoriously slow to fire. He didn't carry any other weapons other than it either. No grenades, no machine guns, no way to clear out a room quickly. In all likelihood, he would be entirely unable to keep up with the splicer's plasmids. And getting all that cash back would be nice.
For a time he sat in silent debate. In a way, it almost felt like he would be betraying Amelia somehow. Sure he could accept letting himself go through something degrading, but to volunteer his friend without her consent?
Still, it was a lot of money. He had been forced to spend almost all his savings to cover the cost of Archer's drinks. Would she understand the need for things like currency?
"Make it triple, and you've got yourself a bet."
Triumph glinted in Archer's eyes. "Deal. Be sure to make her understand that it isn't some wimpy cheek action. I'm talking about the real thing!"
Getting the feeling that she was being talked about, Amelia raised her head to direct a questioning gaze their way. But a quick gesture of reassurance sated her curiosity.
Some part of Davian's mind wondered if he had just dug his own grave. Amelia would probably tear out his spine and beat him to death with it if she found out. Then again, he was quite practiced at killing off multiple enemies in quick succession. The chances of him actually losing were almost nothing. She would never have to know.
At the very least, it was something to take his mind off the child in her arms. The plasmid was still waiting for him back in their room, and he didn't relish the thought of returning to make that choice.
His thoughts drifted back to his conversation with the voice. It was bad enough that the thing pushed him towards his Adam addiction, but now it was trying to meddle in his decision making as well? Just who did it think it was?
On top of all of it was Tomas. The man had seen his breakdown, and considering the way he had grudgingly let them stay it could be a problem.
A sudden screech caused the whole train car to shudder to a stop. A metallic clicking sound signaled that the outer doors had been unlocked as the train arrived at its destination.
Predictably enough, Archer was the first one on his feet.
"Lock and load people!" He urged, moving to the doors despite not knowing what was on the other side. "We've got an infestation to clear out!"