A/N: Hello, fellow fanfics! I have returned with a new chapter of the second part. I want to apologize if it took too long for this chapter to get uploaded. I have been very busy with life, not to mention writer's block, so with that out of the way. I took the liberty of finishing this chapter. Without further ado, enjoy.
Update: this chapter has been renovated to match the previous ones with a title change.
Disclaimer: Check out my sign from the previous chapter.
The Weippe Prairie, surrounded by towering pine forests, boasted vibrant colors from Camas flowers. Beside the wooden fence, signs rested on their posts. One showed the Nez Perce meeting Lewis and Clark.
Hinmatoom never expected to raid Ultratech labs while on paid vacation. Yet, his desire to find his brother overcame him. Traveling through the thicket, he and Aganos continued their dual quests. The sweet aroma of pine filled the surrounding air, soothing the senses. As they progressed, he stopped and massaged his left foot.
"Are you okay?" Aganos signed.
"I'm alright, though my aching feet say otherwise." To the Native American's surprise, the golem lifted him onto its shoulder. "Are you sure about this?"
"Your feet should rest. Besides, I've traveled farther than you have."
"Can't argue with that."
Once again, they renewed their trek. Hinmatoom pulled out an Idaho map from his pocket and unfolded it. To prepare for their journey, he collected supplies. While examining the Weippe Prairie area, his brows scrunched when he spotted one with the Ultratech logo.
"Did you find an Ultratech building?" Aganos signed.
"We won't know until we get there. We got lucky with the last one."
"How vast is Ultratech?"
"Does a global scale suffice?"
The golem pictured Ultratech ruling the world with an iron fist. "The old leader, what happened to him?"
"Some say he fled into hiding. Others claimed Ultratech detained him after exposing his condition."
"What condition did he have?"
"My people use the term hímíínhaama for it. The Wolf Man."
"Wolf Man… I pity him. If Ultratech captured him, I can't imagine what torture they're inducing him."
Hinmatoom couldn't agree with that statement. He thought back to his two fights against Fulgore Mark II. Those metal creatures appeared more advanced. Instead of destroying them, Ultratech uses them for their nefarious goals. That fire demon said something about ARIA. Is she taking the reins?
His train of thought stopped when Aganos tapped him.
"How long until we reach the building?"
"At this pace, I'd say nightfall," Hinmatoom signed.
The air grew cooler as the sun lowered, painting the sky with warm hues of orange and pink. One by one, stars appeared along with the moon. After a while, they reached a ruined building. Piles of broken bricks and bent metal lay scattered with burned marks.
Hinmatoom descended from the golem's shoulder and surveyed the area. He studied the map before his lips pressed into a thin line.
"What's wrong? Is this the place?" Aganos signed.
With a frustrated sigh, Hinmatoom folded his map. "Yes, but they destroyed this place. Since its inception, Ultratech has indulged in illegal activities. To ensure their 'good standing,' they destroy the evidence."
"Is that why they killed your brother? Because he exposed something Ultratech was doing?"
"Yeah. Let's find another building."
"Wait." Aganos touched the crystal on its forehead. An emerald light shone as the debris was repaired and stacked.
Slack-jawed, Hinmatoom stared like someone pressed a rewind button.
With construction complete, the rubble became a factory. Metal, stone, and concrete did not show signs of the alleged fire. Smokestacks remained tall, waiting to ignite. Several lights flashed from within for the final touches.
Hinmatoom was still in shock but switched to interest. "That's amazing! Well, that solves one problem, but how can you get inside with me?"
Aganos rubbed its chins until another idea struck. The creature grabbed a few moss rocks covered with vines from its body. After arranging them, the golem summoned its gem's power. The middle two eyes gleamed brighter as the energy shone on the items.
The rocks moved as they connected with the vines. Throughout its surface, cyan light flooded the ridges resembling runes.
Once the gem stopped its glow, the small golem arose, examining itself.
Though a smaller version of Aganos, it possessed two full hands.
Hinmatoom kneeled for a closer look at the tiny creature. Curious, he offered his index finger to the golem. In response, it tilted its head before touching the finger. "What did you do?"
"I created an avatar for myself for places I cannot fit. With the Eye of the Ancients, it acts on my will." Aganos waved at its creation, to which it responded with the same gesture. "I'll remain hidden in the woods to avoid detection. How much you'll spend inside?"
"Not too long, I hope. With luck, my brother is here."
"Let's hope so." Aganos headed to the forest.
"So, ready to go?" The golem avatar mounted the man's shoulder. "I guess it's your turn to ride, right?"
The creature made a noise between a grunt and a squeak.
Hinmatoom chuckled as he arose, and they headed towards the factory. The double doors opened as he peered inside. With everything cleared, he stepped inside the building.
The storage area was massive, with brightened ceiling lights. On the cement floor, black and yellow lines suggest walking paths.
Further on, they entered an air-conditioned room filled with heavy machinery. Above them, a steel walkway connected two rooms.
After some time, Hinmatoom and Aganos reached the lab department. The shelves and cabinets were empty. Computers and other small machinery sat on each desk. He approached one and maneuvered the cursor until the display lit. He clenched his jaw when password protection appeared.
Aganos examined the electronic box as it hopped off the man. It pressed one word from the keyboard, and a small circle appeared. Curious, it typed more random letters and numbers before hitting the 'Enter.'
"Access Granted," the PC said, which the golem avatar recoiled.
The noise caught Hinmatoom's attention. "What did you do?"
"That thing spoke!" Aganos signed. "I pressed some things until that creature spoke!"
Hinmatoom glanced at the monitor, revealing several 'Classified' folders. "I don't know what you did, Aganos, but well done."
Though confused, the golem avatar accepted the praise.
Hinmatoom pointed toward one folder, clicking it once. Software used by the military encrypts most files. However, he discovered a blueprint and clicked.
The visual interface showed a bionic being with Mark III on the right.
Why is Ultratech making another one?
He closed the folder. Before leaving, his eye caught another file titled 'Project Carrie.' With scrunched brows, Hinmatoom hovered the mouse and selected it. The display changed as information about the woman and a picture of her appeared.
Carrietta N. White… that name sounds familiar, but where? He checked the girl's birth and death date. September 21, 1995, to May 25, 2013. If I recall, a horrible event called Black Prom happened. I've heard of the tragedy, but the sources were confusing. Why would Ultratech be interested in a dead girl?
Aganos peeked at the screen. Once it spotted Carrie's photo, a memory flashed as the girl's words screamed.
"YOU WILL NOT HURT MY FRIEND! NOW LEAVE!"
The golem avatar jumped off the worktable and fled, making a scream-like noise.
The action snapped Hinmatoom from his trance. "Aganos?" He walked around until he found his companion under a desk. The creature hugged itself as it rocked back and forth, moaning. Stumped, he signed, "Aganos, are you alright?"
The golem avatar trembled. "That girl… I remember her. I was in a temple. A man was there, and we fought. I had no intention to hurt him, but the device…."
"This man… what did he look like?"
"He wore a mask, so I didn't see his face. On his arm, he had a striped pattern. He also wore strange clothing, like monks."
A soft grasp escaped Hinmatoom, and his eyes widened. The descriptions reminded him of a Tibetan monk he met at the Killer Instinct tournament. "Oh, my God. Did you….?"
"I think he's okay. Ultratech wanted me to kill him, but a girl stopped me. She resembled the one in the picture."
"That's impossible! Carrie's been dead since May this year."
"Well, unless she's a ghost, she was alive. I have faced sorcerers and witches in my war years. I did not fear them, but this girl, Thunder, something was wrong with her. Her eyes turned black when she intervened as if she was possessed."
"Possessed? How did she stop you?"
"She had a strange power. I struggled to break free from it, but it was too strong. Within seconds, I flew."
"Until you crash-landed in Idaho."
The research room fell silent. The steel eagle's words echoed in Hinmatoom's mind.
"You'll encounter a girl possessing power unlike any other. She will be the key to peace."
Questions raced through his brain. The computer showed Carrie's passing date despite Aganos' claim of her existence. Another question crossed his mind: how would Ultratech use Carrie if she survived? Was it the mysterious force Aganos described? He shivered at the notion.
"Aganos, it's time we leave." Once Hinamtoom showed his back, the golem avatar clambered onto his shoulder. From the desk, they crawled out.
"I'm sorry your brother isn't here."
"That's okay. My concern now is that girl. A Weyekin told me I'd cross paths with someone wielding a power. I believe the girl you met may be the chosen one. It also mentioned that she would grant me peace."
"How will she do that?"
"Not sure, but I'll find out."
"Are you planning to call the authorities about what we discovered?"
"They won't help. Once I tell them the details about Ultratech, they'll brush it aside."
After hours of walking, they arrived at the production room. However, machines whirred as they came alive, with flames spurting out. Red lights blinked in several areas, but no one was present.
"Aganos, did you do this?" Hinmatoom signed.
"I only turned on specific lights."
"Something's wrong. We should get out of here."
Watching for anything unusual, they resumed their crossing. Despite the peaceful yet chaotic environment, Hinmatoom's neck hairs raised in protest. As they crossed the other side, an unseen force hit the floor. The figure kneeled until it rose, facing the intruders. Its invisible cloak vanished, revealing itself as an android.
The cyborg was like the ones he encountered but with slight changes. Its frame was more mechanical, with exposed joints, gears, circuits, and wires. With thinner legs and bigger chest and arms, its mass was uneven. Its wrist-mounted plasma blades were longer and sharper.
Hinmatoom braced himself as the cyborg opened its chest plates. However, it collected energy from the reactor core, and once at full strength, it prepared for battle. "Aganos, head for the exit. This machine isn't unlike what we've faced before."
"Will you be okay?"
"Of course. Hurry now. I'll meet with you once the fight's over."
The avatar climbed off its friend and sprinted to safety.
Man and machine faced each other while the assembly roared with whirs and buzzes. Both circled each other like wolves, poised to tear each other apart.
In silence, Hinmatoom armed himself with his tomahawks. While studying his opponent, he sensed a familiar aura. He tightened the handles, eager to fulfill a duty given to him.
Like a signal, fire shot from their chutes. Hinmatoom charged, raising his weapons. The cyborg dashed ahead, its blades spinning. As they met at the center, they parried each other's attacks.
"Eagle, I know you're in there!" he shouted. "You must remember who you are!"
After shoving him away, the robot shot a laser from its glaring eyes.
With his raven Weyekin, Hinmatoom dispersed as crows, dodging the laser. The mechanical being formed an X with its arms, bracing for the barrage, but the crows flew past, converging into Hinmatoom's human form. As he attacked, each swing from his weapons left deep slashes on the armor.
The cyborg blocked the following attack and kicked his stomach. While its opponent staggered, it discharged energy bolts, hitting Hinmatoom. While getting up, he eyed the approaching cyborg. As it lunged its right claws, he blocked with his weapons.
The pointed areas were close to his face, emitting heat.
"You don't need to do this! Don't let Ultratech control you, brother!"
Ignoring his pleas, the cyborg pushed further. As Hinmatoom struggled, the claws moved closer until they touched his cheek. He gritted his teeth from the searing burn but ignored the pain. With his strength, he pushed back.
As before, the cyborg fired more energy blasts. Hinmatoom summoned his Weyekin, evading the bolts. Converging from behind, he prepared to strike.
As if learning the pattern, the robot teleported itself away. Once it appeared, its claws cut into its opponent's flesh, drawing blood.
Hinmatoom evaded the next strike as he latched his weapons on the cyborg. Soon after, he threw the metal creature on the ground, stomping it a few times. Tossing the droid, he leaped and head-butted its chest.
It flew back, but using its thrusters, it recovered. It opened an arm panel, typing something.
After that, it exposed its charging core.
Hinmatoom narrowed his eyes, but they widened as the light grew brighter. He dashed while the cyborg released an energy beam. The beam's roar echoed a loud death whistle, destroying anything in its path. He slipped behind a pillar, away from the blast.
I was not expecting that.
As he hid, the cyborg used its translucent cloak. Once it closed in on him. It thrust its claw.
Sensing danger, Hinmatoom ducked as the blades impaled the pillar. With the creature stuck, he wasted no time attacking. He raised one of his tomahawks and sliced off the droid's stuck arm. Oil leaked as wires sparked, and a robotic scream escaped. That didn't stop Hinmatoom as he continued his assault.
With each hit, memories of his brother surfaced, fueling his inner fire.
He grabbed the cyborg and slammed it. He jumped and planted his feet. On impact, lightning struck the creature.
With the fight over, Hinmatoom fell to his knees, panting. Blood leaked from deep claw marks, accompanied by racing pain. He inched closer to the damaged cyborg with caution.
"Eagle? Tipyeléhne?"
No response. Hinmatoom lowered his head and punched the ground. As much as he wanted to cry, he held back his tears. In a flash, something stabbed him.
He screamed in pain, coughing blood as a scorching burn ravaged his insides. Once he glanced down, the plasma blades on the cyborg's left arm pierced his stomach.
To make matters worse, the cyborg returned to life as its eyes flashed red. It lifted a pained Hinmatoom, staring at its victim before tossing him. Blood dripped from the blade.
Hinmatoom coughed as he placed his hand around his wound. His vision blurred as black spots emerged. "Eagle… no… please…."
The cyborg raised its arm, but before it could strike, the ground shuddered from loud steps. The doors flew from their hinges as Aganos emerged with its avatar.
After spotting Hinmatoom bleeding, the golem glared at the attacker. The creature charged, balling its aged bronze hand into a fist. Aganos landed a heavy punch, sending the android flying.
With the threat defused, it focused on Hinmatoom.
Out of concern, the golem slipped its hand under its companion. Its avatar patted Hinmatoom's face.
He drifted in and out of consciousness, drawing labored breaths.
"Thunder, stay with us. You'll be alright," the avatar signed.
Aganos scooped Hinmatoom in its stony arms. Then, it used the jewel's energy on him. Although not designed for healing, the Eye of the Ancients anchored the soul. Aganos and its avatar left, but not without glaring at the cyborg.
With one arm and two legs sprawled, the cyborg lay meters away. Before shutting down, words appeared in its mind.
"DAMAGE REPORT… WHO IS… EAGLE?"
A/N: Well, that latest raid didn't work out, and what is the secret behind "Project Carrie"? Well, time to let my brain rest, so I'll see you later.