Date: 5th of June 2062
Location: Outside of Night city, Landfill
POV: Victor Von Doom
*Bang*
*Bang*
*Bang*
"Bang*
Sniper… Distance - 100 kilometres south… Possible weaponry type - Semi-automatic. Calibre - .60… How vile.
The only calibre type possible of tearing through my clothes was anything above .30. While I'd feel the pain on anything lower it wouldn't penetrate (That shot pierced right through my shoulder into Panam's Lower shoulder). "Some heavy shit" Bubbles would say.
Looking over to her body she seemed to have gone out cold. The sudden pain and shock leaving her knocked out, how pathetic. Now down I turned to see the optic glare still watching over us. Luckily I had dropped near some sort of cover. Didn't want to be blamed for her death while still behind enemy lines. One had to have a reputation. Besides, she would serve well as a meat shield.
Feeling a cold chill run up my back I beckoned forward. "Victory" in my hand as I glared down at the man who dared to shoot me down. Lowering down to a low crunch I shifted my pistol forward. The target now in my sights. Feeling the wind pass through my skin, I smiled. An euphoric feeling washed over me as I glared at the man's barrel from afar. Firing ahead I buckled under the recoil. The pressure pushing up, the loud bang thundering throughout. A beast among monsters. Seeing smoke erupt within, I took another step back. The support allowed for another shot again. Re-adjusting I fired once more, the assurance now satisfactory as silence loomed over the field. If death was to enter a home, then I was the one who knocked.
Scanning the corpses of the fallen fools I started to ponder how these buffoons were always attacking us and made an interesting discovery.
[SCAN RESULTS:?]
[AFFILIATION: ?]
INFO:
- WANTED BY ? (BOUNTY ?)
- WEAKNESS: FIRE (?) ELECTRICITY (?)
ABILITIES: NULL
NOTE: NULL
"Shit kid what happened?" Saul approached sprinting. Sweat by his brows as he started to frantically grab Panam.
"Wraiths," I gestured, my hands glossing over the corpses.
Confused he stared over to the corpses only to find their patches unidentifiable "Wraiths? Those fuckers don't move around till dark… Those are… Damn." He muttered, before seeing Panam fallen. "She's been hit… We need to get her patched up, quickly."
"What she needs is to be evacuated. Who knows how long before more wraiths start pushing," I replied, bandaging her. It was good she was knocked unconscious - Less noise.
"You're right…" He accepted before alerting the others: Blank noise being his answer.
"Fuck.. We've been compromised…" He muttered, as sudden static rang in his ear.
"If what you propose is true then we must head back to camp. I'll patch her up while you drive," I replied before princess carrying her. While not the most efficient was the most optimal. Another way would cause pressure on her wound.
"Alright, it's 100 metres from here, stick close," He stated before jogging forward. Getting close to his vehicle we were immediately fired upon. Some of the shots bouncing off my back. Another hitting my lower thigh. The shot nearly knocking me to the floor. Whatever calibre these insects were using was ruthless.
"Drive!" I alerted, "Victory" drawn from hand again. The shots sending thunder towards the opposition. Sending shockwaves the recoil lowered via the window. My hands pushing down on the frames as it went away.
"I'm workin on it!" Saul shouted before igniting the ignition. His engine roaring and flying away. Going from 0 to 50 in a few seconds we dashed forward running over a few Wraiths. The crunch and screams comforted me as I started to tend to my wounds. Ripping the bullet out of my thigh I applied MPWK on my wound and onto Panams. While MPWK was favoured by militants it wasn't to the rich as it often left scarring, a foolish idea that I found amusing. It seems I would need a change of clothing.
"What happened out there?" Saul asked me.
"She got cornered by a few wraiths. She took them out but failed to account for the sniper behind her. Shot left in her shock," I explained.
"What about you? Where were you?" I asked.
"Was around when I heard some gunfire. Sprinted over after the first three." He revealed.
"We were made… There either lurks a rat amongst your midst or this was run by a corpo" I explained.
"What makes you sure?" He asked.
"Intuition. Something you get by being hunted everyday." I revealed.
"Hunted?" He wondered.
"There is always a price to pay for prosperity. You think being the son of the most powerful person in the world comes with comfort? Do not be delusional. The price of my urine is more than enough to feed the families of millions. My father raised a king, not a boy. A corporation of some sort had motives here and I will not allow for this transgression to be passed so easily… Either Militch, Arasaka, SovOil, KanTao or Biotechnica attempted this scandal," I revealed.
"That's.. A sad life," He grimaced.
"Sad?" I blurted.
"I don't even think you realise what kind of life you're living," He muttered.
"I know, I'm living mine," I assured.
"If that's what you believe." He commented, his words coming more as pity than comfort. Jealousy was all I gained from this conversation. Sheep would never understand the intent of a shepherd.
"Regardless, some sort of corporation has aimed for my life." I revealed while screening Panam for her vitals.
"And how do you plan to find that out?" Saul questioned.
"We will have to return to camp for further calibration on my scanner. It may prove effective," I explained, as my glasses started to stutter.
"What'd you pick up?" He asked.
"Something is jamming my optics. We will need to return back to study this properly. I have neither the equipment nor the time to study it here." I explained, attempting to connect to their internal network only to find nothing.
Something was seriously wrong here, either my database was compromised or something was jamming it. Either case was frightening, as it meant something was strong enough to compromise the tower.
"Shit… More Raffen Shivs ahead, you think you can handle them?" He asked.
"Handle? Spare me the change," I replied, a rifle now appearing in my hand. While not custom made by myself, it was altered enough to shoot high calibre shots just a few levels below "Victory".
"Damn kid, where'd you find that?" Saul asked, seeing my precision rifle poke through the window.
"Magic."
Sending shots back, piercing the skulls of many. Seeing many lifeless and vehicles crash, we made it away safely. Albeit still wounded. Panam was out cold, Saul was fatigued and I was confused. Variables weren't adding up. Something was wrong…
Date: 5th of June 2062
Location: Night city, Von Doom Tower
POV: Omniscient
"Bubbles I've been compromised, you will be in charge of the boy…" Virgil sighed as his hands moulded into blades. His every move cutting down enemies. Feeling it slice through bone, flesh and metal it made no difference - the warmth of their blood leaving him ice cold.
"I thought you had "The Board" covered? What's changed?" Bubbles asked, confused.
"They got help from Militech and Arasaka, it seems they've been actively going against our backs from the beginning." He continued, as he slowly walked towards a firing squad. Unfazed, chambers upon chambers of ammunition were wasted against Virgil who watched in amusement as the shots bounced off a transparent electric field that surrounded him - their attempts only leading to a sinister smile.
"Either way activate Protocol: Anu, the boy will understand in time," Virgil voiced, as the skull of one of the militech's operators was crushed by his hands. The bone, blood and metallic optic cyberware flying everywhere - As the next moment his body was disintegrated and integrated into Virgil arm.
"It's been an honour sir," Bubbles replied, his words cut short as Virgil closed his channel.
"Likewise." Virgil muttered.
Continuing forward Virgil Crushed and stomped on the lives of many soldiers ahead of him. The effort required to do so, null. For even if ants came in numbers, water would continue to drown it. For every move that Virgil made was a natural disaster, one couldn't stop it, only wait for it to settle through.
"Ah, how amusing. I would refrain from firing any more. Such would be a wasted effort," Virgil commented as he held another by the neck and flung it towards another. The velocity pushing them out the window and into the streets below.
Rushing in through the same window, an armed Militech soldier wearing Power armour barged in, shoulder missiles launchers darting towards him. Virgil Unafraid merely re-directed the missile back to the tin-can. The blast knocking him back.
Standing at 8ft tall the Hulking piece of technological advanced Militech soldier armed with the power armour stood still eyeing Virgil. Armed with the latest tech the machine was bred for war. Hand cannons, laser optics, enhanced capabilities, and more, it seemed that nothing could stop it. Blitzing forward with what seemed to be a sandevistan, Virgil shook his head disappointed.
"Is this all Militech has to offer?" Virgil asked as he watched the death machine march closer in inhuman speed. Virigl, not taking a step forward, then watched as the Death machine fell face flat in front of Virgil who now towered over the fallen metallic beast.
Sensing more targets he reached out his palms and constructed a magnitude of power cannons which struck enough firepower to tear through a city block. Aiming at the elevator which somehow was still operational he fired ahead the blast eliminating a crew of soldiers and some that wished to sneakily jump him.
"Hmm enough time has passed now." Virgil muttered before viewing his data log.
[All databases and systems have been wiped]
[Daemon: Contagion successful]
[All 303 targets have been eliminated]
[Enemy systems have been sabotaged]
Seeing the posted messages Virgil walked over to the window and watched as Militech Manticores fired away at his position before dropping down below on its citizens. Content with the destruction he activated his final call.
[Activating protocol: Doomsday]
[Upload… Successful]
[Systems will shutdown in approximately…]
[2 seconds…]
Looking into the sky Virgil couldn't help but sigh. He had fallen into the same trap as his predecessor. Looking up at mars, his body suddenly dropped down below into the open crowd. The nanites fading into the air leaving nothing but wind in his wake.
From afar the Aldecados were shocked. The scene of Von Doom tower collapsing in front of their very eyes. While even afar, the once proud tower was now gone. It's powerful figure now voided.
"I swear Von Doom tower was just there… What the hell is going on," One of the Aldecados voiced confused. A group of them huddling together to view the vacant spot, as a sudden smoke screen rose above covering the sky.
"No…" June muttered, her eyes frozen as a message darted her way. Bubbles sitting across from the group maintained distance, quiet as he watched from afar.
"What's with all the… No…" Santiago voiced before pausing. Turning on the news the sight of the tower collapsed on other buildings. Seeing Police officers, Trauma team and the Von Doom personale moving about; the sight was almost eerily similar to the bombing of 2023. Destroyed buildings, shattered glass scattered around the street in abundance, distraught and wounded citizens, crying parents at the loss of their children and missing limbs scattered across everywhere.
To add salt to injury the destroyed infrastructure was the least of worries as Gangs and Citizens attempted to use the chaos to their advantage. The pillaging of tech and vehicles all being stormed about. The neon lights and concrete walls only seemed to leave the scene dreadful - A city of Doom.
"Breaking news, Von Doom tower has suddenly collapsed. Not a statement has been made but from what we can infer a possible terrorist attack was made on our beloved corporation. We can only hope that Mr and Missus Von Doom made it out safely," The news reporter stated, the camera man panning over to a soldier who walked towards them. Her pace systemic, with her posture straight and her gaze cold. She seemed to be a part of the VDA, The Von Doom's private army.
"Hello mam, may we please get a statement? Just what happened here," She asked excitedly.
"A statement will be released soon, for now, move along," The militant alerted, her finger going from against the ridge of the barrel to the trigger.
"Alright," The reporter muttered before pacing away slightly frantically. Back at the Aldecado camp, many went silent as they viewed June. Tears dripping from her eyes as she seemed lost in motion.
"June, it's okay. Everything will be alright… We'll work something out," Santiago comforted not knowing what to do.
"Wasn't he an asshole?" One of them whispered.
"It's a long story, kid… Now's not the time nor the place," Santiago expressed, shaking his head.
"We need to delta now. Whatever happened here is a big red flag. Where's the Scrap group?" Santiago asked, his gaze hurriedly looking about.
"They just entered a few moments ago. Only Saul and the two Gremlins made it back," One replied.
"And their condition?"
"Panam and the boy were struck. Panams in shock while the boy seems fine, Saul got lucky, he's in full capacity."
"Let's move then."
Date: 6th of June 2062
Location: Night city, Badlands
POV: Victor Von Doom
"Nice wound let me guess, your pride got the best of you? Thinking about playing the hero and saving the damsel in distress. Typical." Bubbles reprimanded, his hands crossed as he hovered up top of the Aldecados.
"I merely wished to minimise casualties. A mere wound is a small price to pay for the life of another," I voiced.
"But is that life worth yours?" He beckoned, his words slicing any probable defence I anchored. As any rebuttal would mean less of me and more of her. That would be something i'd never agree too.
"Like I said kid. Pride is the devil." He tempered. Heaving his words, silence emanate the atmosphere. Wanting to break the silence I asked him.
"So my father… Is he gone?" I asked. While I knew my fathers time would come, It never hit me that it would be so soon. So sudden. There were no words exchanged before his demise and even then I was left clueless as to how he did. There was only a void. Which premenated my existence. Such a feeling was foreign and one I wished never to feel again.
"Unfortunately." Was all he stated, his voice never wavering as he looked ahead. Lifting a cigar from his pocket smoke filtered in and out of his lungs.
"Say.. You never mentioned how you met my father," I asked.
"On the beaches of Australia was where I met your father. I was but a boy when I met him. I came across him when I was fishing by myself - he was drowning. Not knowing what to do I dived in to save him… Only to nearly drown alongside him. We were luckily saved by another fisherman who rode alongside me. On that day is where my name "Bubbles" emerged," He smiled.
"He was lost and full of rage but… He had a dream. A dream I respected and decided to follow," He reminiscenced.
"And what was that dream?" I asked, curious as to who the man my father was, as well as his aid who seemed almost opposite to my fathers demeanour. The man rarely opened up and when he did it was only through his lessons.
"Your father wished to change the world for the better," He expressed, shocking me. My father? Changing the world? Impossible, that was something my mother only ever wished or dreamed about.
"But that's impossible, my father would never dream about such things," I stated.
"Once upon a time child," He wavered his eyes empty as he spoke those words.
"And you never questioned him?" I asked, surely even he had his doubts.
"Your father wished to change the world. Whether he wished to save the world… or destroy it the next, mattered not. The man had conviction even as a child, it was there I knew that I had found something worth fighting for. For his conviction alone sold me," He smiled.
"Listen to me now Virgil… A man must have a dream… No matter big or small. As people's dreams never end."
"A dream never ends, huh?" I muttered to myself.
"What exactly happened at Von Doom Tower?"
"Your father was betrayed by "the Board" with the assistance of Militech."
"So why are we going the other way?" I raged. Why were we cowardly retreating? We could easily destroy them.
"For now, grow stronger." He expressed.
"What do you mean in time? How can I sit idly while my fathers killers still breathe?" I asked.
"Is this the same boy who was wounded by a mere bullet?" He snapped, his voice quickly quietening me.
"Your father entrusted me with your care and you wish to fight back? If your father died so easily what makes you believe that you have any chance of destroying them? If you die, so does Von Doom Industries. Continue to live, it's the only thing you can do in this cursed world."
"But even then! Can't we do something? Why must we run?" I asked.
"To fight another day. Do you not understand?"
"But…" Unable to voice another opinion I quietly sat back down near my mother.
"It's okay my child… Your feelings are to be understood," She comforted, as dry tears weep from her face.
"I just don't understand why it had to end this way," I muttered defeated.
"Life is a series of battles… Not all victories teach a lesson," She voiced caressing my face.
"So what do we do now?"
"We lay low until-," Bubbles voiced before a sudden thud was heard a missile causing our Osprey to crash land. Bracing on a railing, I steeled my senses, my mother clutching onto me. Tightening my grip I awaited for the fall.
"Brace for impact." Bubbles continued.
*Boomth*
Getting up from the wreckage I awoke to Arasaka troops surrounding our front. A menacing figure ahead who seemed to eye Bubbles.
"Well, Well, look who we have here." A sinister voice chimed. Turning to look, I paused dazed at the metallic demon ahead of me - Adam Smasher.
"I thought I killed you Adam, I remember clearly ripping that fleshy head of yours out of your tincan," Bubbles spat. A giant sledgehammer gripped on his hand, the size astronomical in proportion to his already large frame. What made it more impressive was that he wielded it with one hand.
"You're correct; but I lived and now I'm going to fuck you up," He stated before rushing Bubbles. My mother and I attempting to not get shot hid away. Ducking behind some steel. Though not being a fool I fired back my shots doing some serious damage to his squad.
Still watching him weave around the sandevistan of Adam Smasher was impressive. Seeing him duck and weave left me in awe.
"You're "Upgrades" aren't doing much cock head," Bubbles spat his hammer slamming on Adams head. The latter's body being forced into the ground.
"It's doing quite nicely," He smiled, striking Bubbles in the leg.
"I don't have such weaknesses anymore." Adam cheered as his shoulder opened up and shot at Bubbles body. Closing my eyes I expected the worst. Bubbles did say he was human.
"You think missiles will work on me? Like they did last time." Bubbles smiled as he headbutted Adam smasher. Looking closely his body seemed to have odd dark particles which swirled around his gut.
"I should've known better… Oh, wait, I did." He chuckled as the next scene shocked me and Bubbles. He managed to pierce his heart, the man managing to grab hold of it and crush it. Bubbles falling to the ground spat blood confused.
"Never thought i'd get you, huh? Chrome never betrays," He voiced before knocking him over. Walking towards our position his imposing figure sent chills down my back as I attempted to fire upon him. The bullets doing nothing as he continued to walk closer.
"No!" My mother shouted before charging forward. Her arms revolving around to reveal electric canons which charged and fired at Adam Smasher. The shot knocking him back.
"Fucking bitch!" He swore before knocking her to the ground and stomping on her head. Her execution freezing my entire world. Pausing for almost years I stared at the demon with rage.
Feeling the world pause, my heart paced with vigour ruling throughout my body. A presence almost controlling me to destroy the enemy Infront of me.
"YOU… DARE!" I snapped, charging him. While futile I couldn't just let this tin can go. He needed to die, to suffer at my hands.
"Heh, fuck up meat bag," He chuckled, as he sliced at my face. Blood now gushing from the left of my face. Lifting me from the throat I struggled against his metallic grip.
"Time to meet mummy fuckface," He cheered before being tackled by Bubbles.
"Run!" He fumed.
"I thought I killed you LEGION!"
"Heh, you did," He smiled before giving me one last thumbs up.
Attempting to save him I was instead pulled away by Saul who dashed away.
"There's no chance kid," He apologised before chucking me into his vehicle.
Watching Bubbles smile from afar I gripped onto the vehicle tearing as he was inevitably crushed. Watching Adam smasher stumble his eyes locked with mine sneering. Attempting to rid the scenes of my mother and Bubbles I steeled myself. One day Smasher. One day.