Ironwood continued to watch Oobleck study the multiple books in what was set up at a coffee table in the apartment complex ASGL used primarily as a front. For a few hours, the crazed anthropologist had rummage over history books, parasitology, as well as advancements in their own fields of research. Carol recently joined him apparently around the time the professor started it would be close to the time she went to school for the day. Course when you were transformed into a monster like her schooling comes close to meaningless. He watched still surprisingly melancholic toward the science experiment as he turned to look at the dozen on monitors as well as Peacock on a duct taped sofa watching multiple monitors at once. He admitted being envious of Peacock's Argus' system parasite. There was a multitude of uses for such a weapon. But at the cost of one's limbs may be considered too high of a price.
Carol quickly grabbed her head in pain. Oobleck looked concerned getting ready to dodge should she go berserk. "getoutgetoutgetoutgetoutgetout" She grumbled to herself continuously with hostility foaming from her tone. Her eyes began to glow a very bright shade of red as red electricity began to pulse from her body. Eventually her muscles which tensed up hard enough cause any normal person physical exhaustion eased up a little as she returned to her normal nature that she had striped for back on Remnant.
Oobleck looked cautiously since he wasn't sure which one was in control. "Ms. Carol?" He asked cautiously. He jumped back a little when her head jolted upward looking at him. She simply nodded as she put her head in her hands to ease relieve the pressure on her neck.
Ironwood watched still feeling sorry for what has become of this girl. He turned around to see Peacock staring at him or more accurately Carol. She sighed a little almost as if in relief as she turned back to her shows.
Ironwood looked at her curiously. "The way you just acted." He asked curiously "Did they used to have her subdue her?"
Smoke began to emanate from the front side of Peacock's top hat. She must have just lite a new cigar. "Subdue is a light word. They wanted me to eliminate her once Parasoul dragged her down here. Unfortunately for Windmill over der, the doc found use for her." Ironwood looked curiously at her. As she took a few more puffs of her smoke. "Turns out who ever did that to her was one heck of a genius, somehow infused her with the Gal Boloney mattress or something." Even Ironwood could tell that was the wrong name.
"Gae Bolga Matrix Peacock." Avian said as he walked toward the group checking on the divisions. His eyes saw Ironwoods stare. He sighed a little before looking back at the experiment that was with Oobleck. "Credit needs to be given where it is earned however." He spoke as he faced Carol. His statement perplexed Ironwood as he looked at Carol.
"It seems those few weeks in your world actually did her some actual good." Avian continued to speak watching her read. "Painwheel never was all that open with us. Actually, she tried to kill multiple member's our staff." That fact Ironwood heard did not surprise him. "Yet a few weeks where ever you're from made her gain a much stronger mental resistance." He grinned a little looking at her progress
"It's probably because this Brain Drain did not have a grip of her head in our world." Ironwood's blunt tongue was not exactly welcome but it was a logical conclusion.
"Probably I have no idea how strong his abilities are." The director admitted while scratching the back of his head. "regardless it is a welcome improvement. " Ironwood glared at him slightly but eased off thinking back to the damage she caused.
Motion stirred from behind Ironwood and Avian causing the two to turn around and face Peacock's den. She was shaking in disbelief at something on the monitor. She glared at it intensely until her teeth cut the bud of the cigar in two. Avery poked his head from under the top hat in shock. "Damn." She muttered disappointed. "false alarm just that dumb nun again." Her interests declined as she slumped back into her chair continuing to watch the monitors disappointed.
Ironwood's eyebrow raised little confused. "Again?"
"Yeah, ever since we got back she's been indulging herself at that black dressed woman's old stomping grounds." Her arms spread across her sofa as she continued to scan the other monitors.
"A regular perhaps?" Ironwood theorized examining the blurred image.
Avian looked toward the screens curious as well. "No way with that kind of outfit. The church of the trinity has an extremely strict code."
"Intriguing." Oobleck shouted as he dashed behind the group scaring Avian. "I will need to investigate this world's religious values on the next visit." He took several notes of the nun's clothing before moving back to the desk where a confused Carol sat blankly staring at the location of the missing professor.
Oobleck sat down upon his return to the table noticing that Carol had dawned her mask and was sharpening her blades. His insight into the situation did not take long to decipher it seemed like she was about to leave. Normally he would question a student about to walk off but she seemed like convincing her to stay was out of the question. As she left she tilted her head toward a fractured picture frame. Her gaze clearly studying it as if a feral creature was on the hunt. She snapped out of her glare before heading toward the sewers.
Curious, he stood up and dashed straight to the picture. He looked at it complexed by it until he realized Avian and Ironwood were watching this unfold. Avian's face however, appeared to be in slight shock. "Oobleck was it? Bring that here." Before he could blink He was right in front of him causing him to jump behind Ironwood a little as he grabbed the damaged frame. His eyes widened in shock as he looked toward the door Carol exited from. "Impossible." He said in shock.
Ironwood looked at him with caution. The portrait consisted of five women all in nurse clothing. He looked at Avian expecting some form of mushy love-sick teen type reaction but he saw only fear in the director's gaze. "Who are they."
"Last hope." Avian's voice was struggling to remain calm. Ironwood's face turned to one of confusion since he only had had a story. "I may have constructed the Avery Unit but their abilities mean shit compared to them."
The general looked at the director with confusion "So they were soldiers?" it was the only way he could process the remarks he heard.
"No, worse." Avian's hand started to tremble as he gave the photo back to Oobleck. "They were a unit of one-man armies. Trained in almost everything to near deadly perfection. Black Egrets wouldn't dare challenge them head on let along in an ambush tactic."
"Let me guess." Ironwood assumed based on everything's purpose inside ASGL. "They were here to destroy the skullgirl."
"Destroy with extreme prejudice." Peacock finally spoke up again slightly annoyed. "Now Scram will ya?" She bellowed from her couch angrily as Avian nodded and gestured for Ironwood to follow him back to his office. Oobleck following close behind.
"Can you tell us about what her reaction was all about?" Ironwood asked curious about the answer.
"I don't know." Avian muttered as he dug through a pile of old newspapers. "All I do know is Last Hope was infiltrated shortly after the new Skullgirl appeared." He held up an old newspaper from under a year ago sliding it across his desk. Ironwood picked it up as he and Oobleck read the heading.
ASGL OPPERATIVES FOUND DEAD!
In a shock of fate last night, the five combat medics from ASGL officials where found destroyed in one of their multiple safe houses. Officials have no idea how the location was breeched Before police could investigate the ASGL came in with their operative Big Band to investigate the crime. As it stands no news was reported.
Ironwood glanced back up at Avian. Interested in Big Band's report. "The way Big Band figured it was a two-person job." He poured a strange liquid into a glass as he sat in his chair a solid decompression of air exhale from the seat. "His guess was it were the two bodies not found that night; Infiltration expert Halloween and second in command Valentine." He took a swig as he thought. "The problem was Halloween seemed out of touch days before the attack."
"A sign suggesting, she and Valentine where in cohorts in a mutiny gone wrong?" Oobleck questioned looking at the five in the photo.
"That was the official story." A Smooth metallic voice stemmed from behind them. Both turned around seeing them looking at Big Bands massive frame. "In actuality, Last Hope was compromised."
"Compromised?" Ironwood began to get concerned.
Big Band nodded as he looked at the article. "At the time of this event it was obvious that Valentine was secretly working with Brain Drain but the kick in the head came from this note. Halloween was dead months before this happened." The two Travelers looked at him in shock as he looked at the old photo in Oobleck's hand. "At the crime scene, there was one clue I kept hidden from all but the Director."
"Blood that emanated blue fire." Avian spoke up as he was on his second cup of the liquid.
Oobleck glanced in shock at this. He recalled reading about some of the Properties of that kind of substance. "You mean. Her."
"The one and only." Big Band's grim tone made it unsettle. "And with Pai- I mean Carol's mutterings I'm betting Valentine only joined her so she did not become one of her more compliant minions."
Ironwood looked concerned. "You mean she went rouge because of this monster."
"You stepped into a world where monsters can affect your very living of life General. Best you watch who you trust." Big Band's cold gaze affected his statement more than it should but his point was solid This world used monsters to fight monsters whatever they be litter al of parasitic. "The question is what is this one's endgame?"
Oobleck got interested as he continued to read the article. "The Skullgirl's endgame?" The walking brass section once again nodded. "Wouldn't to be to destroy the world?"
"Usually, but this one is crafty." Big Band admitted realizing that there was no way to fully predict this one. "She has not actively caused a ruckus outside of the surges of her energy that accompany a power boost. She is bidding her, time waiting for something. And I think Valentine's the scout in all this."
"Then how does Brain Drain fit in?" Ironwood questioned looking at everything.
"He doesn't." Avian realized as he looked at a drawer he left project Shamone in. "He has his own objective." He concluded
"Bingo." Big Band responded, "The question for both the Skullgirl and B.D. is what?"
The streets of New Meridian.
Emerald gasped with relief once she lost Albus, in Eliza's club and slipped onto the streets of New Meridian. She had been cramped in there for a week or more since arriving in this new world and dealing with the strange locals. Her mind the last few months have been nothing but a discomfort moment for her. She began to simply just do what she did back as a street rat on Remnant, look for people to steal from. Granted it is much harder now ever since their abilities have strangely shut off.
Annoyed, she grabbed the sides of her face and tugged a little on them trying to get the exhaustion out of her eyes. The entire time reflecting on where to go first. Eliza did not exactly pay well, considering her and Cinder to be nothing but part time service which made sense since they were here for only one thing. On the bright side, she was allowed to keep the tips she made.
She was not paying much mind to her surroundings when a strange noise came from behind her. Before she could react, she found herself on the ground in a decent amount of pain. She opened one of her eyes in pain to see a blue bicycle on top of her with a blue skinned girl off to her side on the ground rubbing the back side of her skull. She looked to be around the age of someone attending a hunter's academy on Remnant. The noticeable features on her was the strange fins that covered her arms and back of the head. She looked toward the bike and her face turned to one of embarrassment.
"I AM SO SORRY!" She yelled embarrassed as she ran up to Emerald and lifted her bike off her quickly looking it over before looking at the woman. "I was running late from a delivery I did not expect you to be there." She was blushing with embarrassment as she spoke.
She could tell already that this delivery girl probably didn't have much on her "It happens." She muttered as she leaned against a light post. "So, what's your story?" curious looking at her appearance.
The girl looked at Emerald confused. But shot wide open immediately when two figures appeared behind her. "Them." She squeaked out as she slowly made her way toward her bike.
Emerald turned around to see a scrawny looking man with a goofy mustache looking directly at the two of them. He was grinning as he observed the two. He pulled a greased comb from his coat as he began to redo his hair. "Well looks like I got lucky today. Two dames in the chase of one." A portly man followed behind him.
"Riccardo give it a rest already. Recall what happened last time." The slightly heavy-set man spoke already concerned since Emerald's appearance was giving him a bad case of déjà vu.
Riccardo grinned as he looked back at this man. "She isn't no feral Lawrence. This will be a cake walk."
Emerald began weighing her options she turned back noticing how scared the teenager was of the person. She was scrambling to grab her things and get them on to her bike. She rolled her eyes in annoyance as she round kicked Lawrence in the side of his gut then pushed him into Riccardo knocking the two prone. She then grabbed the amphibious girl and began dashing into a nearby alley. She covered the teens mouth as the two hides in a dumpster, a hiding spot the girl did not view as favorable. She turned back closing the lid of the dumpster hearing two sets of footsteps dash past the dumpster. The two breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's one I owe you." the girl spoke up after a small amount of time passed.
Emerald just smiled trying to keep her disarming façade first though she was annoyed by this girl. "Who were they?" she asked curious.
"Just some of the day to day scum you see here. I'm not like my friend who always goes on adventures." The girl spoke trying to keep her apron clean.
"Sounds tough actually." Her response while blunt was true in this situation "You can't rely on your friend forever you know."
The girl nodded in acknowledgement. She looked at her curiously Emeralds eyes. "You look like have something troubling you." she stated as she watched Emerald face look in surprise at her observation. "I'm a waitress, I have to read people all day." she stated as she looked at her. "And seeing how I got you into this mess, hearing your troubles is the least I can do."
Emerald looked at the person puzzled how she can be panicked one second but calm the next. She concluded that it must be a daily thing. She thought on it. "Guess it doesn't matter." she muttered loud enough to for her new acquaintance to hear. "I've been doing a lot of traveling with my boss. More so than recently." The girl nodded quietly listening to it. "This new client we have well I did not trust her but she proved to be true to her word."
"What did this person promise?" she asked curiously.
"A chance at a very big deal even had a free sample to boot." Emerald responded looking this fish like person. "Ever since the sample wore off she became addicted and I fear what will become of her."
"You know the name of this drug?" she asked cautiously.
"It was blood of a very powerful being." Right then as Emerald spoke the blue girl's eyes widened.
"Skullgirl blood?" She spoke in fear. Before freezing up and looking at her puzzled "They bleed?"
"Apparently." Emerald spoke non-caring. "I'm not familiar with that thing." Emeralds eyes darted toward the crack in the dumpster. "I don't know what to do."
"Wish I could give you advice but as my friend told me once." The girl spoke before popping the hood of the dumpster open "sometimes you have to trust the idea that they may not be your friend until they take a bullet for you."
Emerald grinned as she heard that. "Sounds like an idiot."
The girl nodded "Maybe, but she means well." She turned back toward the plaza before stopping. "If you're hungry sometime stop by Dak'kull Dubu in Little Innesmouth. Your meal is on me."
Emerald nodded before realizing something. "I never got a name."
"Oh right" She turned around quickly. Turned around. "My name's Minette." She yelled back before disappearing into the crowd.
Emerald looked at the direction of the fish person curiously. "They may not be your friend until they take a bullet for you." She muttered while thinking on what she said. She never thought much on Cinder often just loved the amount of mischief she got to cause and get paid for to boot. Cinder however often kept her in the dark. It was not until a long while after she got the fall maidens powers did she introduced her to the real ring leader Salem. But even now she doubts Salem could handle the threat of a Skullgirl if Cinder was only at a fraction of its strength on Remnant. She was left perplexed by the thought as she slowly strolled the bustling metropolitan streets of New Meridian thinking on her choices so far.