((Quick note, slight violent themes and actions in this story.))
The lights flickered in the darkened section of the lab, parts of experiments were scattered around the floor, smashed by something. A lone Ranger stalked through the shadows, a bow held drawn in his hands, a single arrow knocked, ready to fly.
56, come in
The comms device he had in his ear crackled slightly due to the electrical disturbance in the air, Repeat, 56, this is Amazing Shnyet, do you copy?
Grasping the arrow head with his left hand while still holding the bow length, Quiver brought his right hand to his ear, What? Im kinda busy boss
A silence came in brief as a reply, Ok
I will let that one pass
for now. You know as well as anyone that when on a mission, especially on one such as this. We havent been able to confirm the source of this report, and as of yet, are still taking it with the utmost of precautions.
Yeah, I know, but youre gonna give me away if you keep talking when Im meant to be doing stuff.
Given the messages you receive from me are only audible by you, the only thing anyone will actually hear is you, talking to yourself, so if you want to keep yourself hidden, keep your voice down. Now, have you found anything yet?
Quiver let out a sigh before replying, now in a much lower volume, No, not yet. Place is smashed, looks like the Shnyet really hit the fan in here.
Back in the Precision Rangers base ASAS rubbed his forehead as he heard his name used again in that phrase, he has tried to stop 56 from using it, but in truth, it wasnt causing anyone any harm, and in some ways it did show a bit or respect that he would accommodate his name into more commonly used terms. Very well, take extra care, as mentioned, we still have no idea who gave us that information. We have several other 1AT teams out on different locations, and are sending you a couple of more members for now, with a larger squad on its way in about half an hour, once the ALT Rangers are ready and have teams sorted. Til then, watch your back and report anything suspicious.
Gotcha boss! Despite being nowhere near the now greying commander, Quiver still gave a short salute as he released the comms device before retook the arrow tail. Gee, wonder who Im getting along with me
probably some n00b
A voice came from behind, causing Quiver to spin around, an arrow launching off into the direction the sound came from.
That isnt very
-Thunk-, the arrow burrowed into the wall near the doorway, narrowly missing the armour clad individual that had just entered, nice
and you call me the n00b, n00b Captain Quiver pulled the arrow out of the wall and expected the tip. I see you are going with the new diamond tipped heads, expecting heavy resistance? CQ grinned as he threw the arrow towards his fellow archer.
Catching the shaft, Quiver quickly checked the arrow for damage, then returned it to his quiver. Oh great, I get teamed up with the n00b again
You all Im getting?
Still grinning, CQ walked up to Quiver, holding his own bow in his left hand, Im all you need n00b, but nah, they sent me along with Pyriae and PowerMED in case you get yourself into trouble as always
Pfft, whatever n00b, if things go like they normally do, then you will be the one in trouble and I will have to get you out.
Keep telling yourself that, now, what have you found so far?
Nothing, got here, checked around, havent found anything here yet, so either this is the wrong place, or whatever is here is hidden.
Or
youre so much of a n00b you missed the most obvious of clues CQ grinned again as he wandered around the lab checking folders.
I still have more arrows n00b, and I know I dont need them all
Yeah, yeah, as if you could hit me. Anyway
we are hear to check out this lab, so I think we should focus on that.
Ok
The two Rangers continued to investigate around the room, checking for any signs of something that may indicate why they were there.
CQ climbed up a set of stairs to an upper section of the lab and came to the main cold storage bay. Hey Quiv! Theres some kind of fridge up here. Come give me a hand to check it out.!
A shout came from back where Quiver was, On my way n00b! CQ grinned as he heard the younger archer running up the stairs to join him.
Looking from the fridge door to Quiver, CQ pulled out a couple of arrows from his quiver and removed the arrow heads, Door seems to be locked, blow it open with charges?
If you insist, but Im gonna charge you for the arrows, Quiver smirked as he removed the arrow heads from his own arrows, and placed two explosive charges at the base of the door as CQ placed two on the upper frame. Stand back then n00b, unless you want to blown up with the door.
Hey, Im waiting for you to move back so I can set off the charges, Quiv. Now, you gonna move? CQ took out a remote detonator and moved back to the stairs nearby, Quiver following just behind him.
So, any ideas if we will find anything?
None whatsoever, thats half the fun. CQ pressed down on the detonator and an explosion sounded from where the fridge door was. Now, lets see if we have found anything, or if this has been just a waste of time.
The comms devices both the archers wore suddenly sparked to life as a familiar voice came across the channel, Captain Quiver, Quiver, come in, this is Pyriae. We heard an explosion, everything okay?
P, this is Captain Quiver, we found some kind of cold storage room, needed to blow the door open though, about to check it you, over.
Roger, PowerMED and myself have found nothing, well head to your location, should take up no longer than 5 to 10 minutes to get there. Until then, take care if you find anything.
Will do, Captain Quiver out. Looking back to Quiver, CQ gestured towards the cold storage room, Come on, lets check this quickly while they are on their way.
Cool, maybe we will find something useful. Quiver quickly kept pace as CQ headed back to the cold storage room.
Finding the door nearly completely off, CQ pulled at the mangled chunk of metal, and stepped back as it fell to the floor. Light poured out of the room along with a gaseous vapour the flowed along the floor and around the feet of the two archers. CQ stepped into the room and began to look around the contents of the stacked crates and items, Quiver followed and proceeded to do the same.
After a minute or two, CQ stopped and began to look around the room as a whole. Quiv
somethings wrong
What? Realise how much of a n00b you are? The younger Ranger chuckled as he continued to look around the room.
No, Im serious, look around the room, why is it so cold? There isnt any form of cooling system in here, so why was it so cold when the door was opened? Something had to have been causing the temperature drop
but what?
Quiver turned to face CQ, but as he did, something behind his friend caught his attention, Wait, whats that? Pointing behind CQ, a large object covered in a polythene sheet stood against a wall.
CQ turned to the shape, and slowly walked up to it. Feels colder near it
might be the cause of the temperature being so low?
I dunno
Whats under the sheet?
Pulling the sheet away, the light reflected off a highly detailed suit of armour, covered in complex circuitry. The most noticeable features were the expressionless, but fear inducing face on the suit, and the steady stream of mist coming from the suits forearms.
Maybe its broke? Quiver stood back from the suit as CQ looked over the detailed chest piece.
Maybe
there seems to be something on the chest, a word of some kind. Reads
Hailstrike? What kind of name is that for a suit?
As CQ leaned closer on inspection, the suits eyes suddenly pulsed with a darkened red glow, Correction: Not a suit. Advanced Hunter Killer Droid, Prototype Model 00X1... Targets acquired, executing combat programming. And with a move that would be almost impossible to follow with the naked eye, the Droids right arm shot up and grabbed CQ by the throat while its left arm raised to point at Quiver before unleashing a torrent of freezing ice.
QUIVER! CQ reached back into his quiver for an arrow and thrust the head into the forearm connected to the hand around his throat. Piercing the detailed surface, cold air spouted out of the damage made into the surrounding area.
Looking from Quiver to CQ, the Hailstrike prototype looked into the archers eyes. Targets identified, Precision Rangers confirmed, executing tertiary function.
The cold electronic voice echoed in the cold room as CQ tried to break the vice-like grip around his neck, while staring back into the constructs artificial eyes. A slight flash from the ocular devices passed back into his own eyes and suddenly everything around him became everything he didnt want it to be. The robotic hand opened, dropping CQ to the floor, who instantly crawled into the wall, screaming at empty air.
Hailstrike viewed the Ranger, looking down upon him with a cold stare, Observation: Tertiary function, effective. Moving onto additional targets. Before being able to turn around though, an arrowhead burst out from the upper left shoulder of the Droids chest piece. Turning around, it came to find Quiver standing with bow raised, and already drawing another arrow, although his hands were visibly shaking from the after effects of the freezing ray.
Get
.. Get away from
him!
The Droid turned itself to fully face the standing Ranger, Extrapolation: Target armed with Immobilisation breaking assists. Suggestion: Alternate attack methods. Moving to reduce target weapon effectiveness.
As Quiver tried to draw his next arrow, the droid moved again with blinding speed and was at point blank range before he knew it, its hand grabbing him by the neck. Choking through the grip and trying to overcome the cold from the freeze ray, Quiver tried to buy himself time. What
what did you
do
to him
? Why is he
like
th-that
? CQ still lay on the floor, screaming incoherently at empty space.
The droid turned its head to look at CQ before turning back to Quiver, Assessment: Target is experiencing the effects of Tertiary combat methods. Direct mental stimulation through photo-reactive and mental signals causes neural paralysis through over activity of the targets subconscious overflowing into the conscious mind. Result images of fear and distress prove too much and the target crumbles. Detesting Statement: Organic life forms succumb to fear all to easily. Allow me to demonstrate. Again the druids eyes pulsed and Quivers mind flooded with images of horror and distress. He screamed as the images overpowered his conscious reasoning. Additional target neutralised via secondary attack protocols. Assessing combat for further instructions.
CQ continued to struggle on the floor, clawing at the empty air as if fighting away some unseen attacker. Quiver remained in the hand of Hailstrike, convulsing at the images in his head.
Assessment complete, targets are to be terminated. Executing orders. Drawing its arm back, the droid then launcher Quiver through the wall leading to the stairs, and watched as the Ranger smashed through the concrete to fall down the gap around the stairs to the floor below. Turning, it then proceeded to pick up CQ and threw him down to where Quiver had landed. Sadistic retort: While programming issues termination of targets, personality files and base line programming from creation allow degrees of choice to be made in both methods of termination, and personal choice. Unfortunately for the two of you, my original design incorporates certain mental qualities of the individual I was based off, and those qualities find the more painful methods preferable. Jumping down to the lower area, the ground shook as the construct landed on both feet.
You know, for a walking speaker, you talk to much. The droid turned to see a flaming fist moments before it connected with its face, sending it smashing into a wall. Pyriae stood, flames blazing around his forearms, as well as around his face. His eyes flared as flames danced around his head. Now stay the hell away from my Rangers
PowerMED stood behind Pyriae, hands glowing a mixture of blue and green energies, Your Rangers?
Sounded better than an alternative, now, if you would see to those two, I have a processor to defrag
Flames again blazed around the ALT Ranger as he charged the Hunter Killer Droid, his fists again connecting to the constructs frame, this time sending it through the wall into the adjacent room. Jumping through the hole, Pyriae followed after the machine, intent on smashing it to scrap.
Rushing over to Quiver, PowerMED lifted the young archers head and quickly passed his hands over the Rangers body to scan for any and all injuries, The things I have to do to get paid
Lets see here, mild case of Hypothermia, minor neural trauma, and 5 bruised ribs, not to bad considering
Ok, just stay still and Ill have you up in a sec
Wonder if I can get paid on commission
Laying Quivers head down gently, PowerMEDs hands pulsed with green energy as he passed his hands over the Ranger for a few seconds. Moments later, Quivers eyes shot open, and he sat up in a sharp move, gasping for breath. Heh, normally its the ladies that are like that after Im done with them.
Quiver, still gasping for breath turned to PowerMED, Wha-
What?
Erm
nothing, never mind
What happened to the robot? Quiver sat upright, holding his head between his hands.
Pyriae decided to rip it a new one, he put it through that wall then went in after it. To be honest, since Pyriae took that helmet off and revealed who he is, hes been a lot more aggressive, as if trying to prove himself. I would pity that robot had it not tried to kill you and CQ here.
CQ! Where is he?!
Dont worry about him, hell be fine once I take care of him. You need to take a rest though, you could have been killed.
No, gotta make that thing pay for what it did to me and CQ Grabbing his bow, Quiver pushed himself up and sprinted through the gap in the wall, already drawing arrows, preparing to fire them.
-x-
Pyriae felt the blood trickle down his lip, and could taste the familiar metallic pang that he had grown more used to in recent weeks. His ribs hurt from where the droid had got a few good hits in, but he could see several large dents and blast marks from where his own attacks had landed. As the fight was currently, ranged attacks were out of the picture, and fire he threw, the robot instantly froze, but likewise, any ice the bot launched, he melted before it got close. See you arent as fast as you thought you were, or just maybe you didnt think I would be able to keep up with you
Pyriae grinned as he circled the room, ready at an instance to move faster to keep up with the Hunter Killer.
Statement: As my speed is relative to my programming and hardware, I am exactly as fast as I know I am. Your observation that I would not be aware of your own abilities is also false. I have been programmed specifically to target members of the 1AT, and as such, know all your capabilities and combat trainings.
Looks like your info is a bit out of date! Rushing forward, Pyriae emblazoned his hand and aimed for the centre of the Droids chest, but his hand was caught inches away from connecting by the robots twin arms.
Confident Threat: It would appear you are the one lacking information. Initialising Primary function. The forearms on the robot glowed as arcs of energy danced along the metal casing to the where it held Pyriaes hand. The energy arcs jumped from Hailstrikes hands to Pyriaes arm, dancing up towards his head. With every jump, Pyriae felt himself getting weaker and weaker, each arc of energy draining him of his strength.
[censored]! You were built to mimic a Kineticist
Condescending Remark: Your observation skills are most remarkable
[censored] off Archer comment: Dont mess with the 1AT!
Turning to the voice, Hailstrike just managed to see Quiver launching an arrow before the diamond tip pierced the constructs left ocular device. Dropping Pyriae, Hailstrike staggered backwards until it struck a wall, fluid now seeping out of the damage done to the eyepiece.
Warning: Systems compromised, initialising emergency procedures.
Quiver walked up to the leaning Droid, and swept out its legs with his bow, Emergency procedures? What you think that means?
Dunno Quiv
Pyriae took several deep breathes to try to recover from the drain, Perhaps it signalled for help?
Doesnt that meant there could be more on the way?
Pyriae hunched in reply, but just as he was about to relax, a visual distortion appeared behind him, and a sharp strike hit him in the back, sending him to the floor. On instinct, Quiver drew an arrow and fired, but from the distortion, the shape of a woman appeared, and she snapped the arrow out of the air before it could land.
Aww
dont you know you shouldnt play with sharp things little boy
? You might end up getting hurt
Turning onto his front, but only just, Pyriae looked up at his assailant, a shocked look on his face, Meela? Why
? What are you doing here?
Looking down at the fallen Ranger, Meela was visually disgusted to see Pyriaes face, If you much know, I am here on orders, you broke my Lords new toy, and he wants it back. Although, you did put up a good fight
Pyriae fought for breath, but was clearly injured, But
why? Why would you do this seeing as how yo- Meela swiftly kicked at Pyriaes head, knocking him out and to the floor.
Thats enough out of you
Now, for the boy
Quiver drew another arrow, and aimed for Meela, Ill show you how much of a boy I am! The second arrow shot towards her, but Meela simply ducked below as it shot over her into the wall.
Got any other plans? What do you think is going to happen when you run out of arrows?
I got a lot of arrows left, that wont be any time soon
Ooo, that was almost a threat
Let me show you how the Mystic Arts consider you and your little toy bow, boy. Clasping both hands, Meela channelled a burst of Arcane energy through her hands and an aura passed over her, distorting the air around her. Now
let us see if you can beat time
Meela began to move, an echo of herself almost following her every move, even her voice seemed to echo now, despite no resonance earlier apart from the storage room. Clutching in her hand she still held the first arrow fired at her, and now began to charge down Quiver, who was drawing more arrows.
Firing again and again, Meela ducked again as an arrow flew past her then detonated on a wall, then sidestepped another, pirouetted around several more before stopping still. Drawing yet another arrow, Quiver fired, but Meela caught this one out the air like she had before, and remained in the pose she had taken when she caught the arrow, a pose of grace, yet eerie death, as if she was dancing around each arrow fired. Looking up at Quiver, he was clearly disturbed by this, and kept reaching for arrows, firing them when ready, but Meela continued to dodge out the way of the ones she didnt intend to catch.
This ends now, boy
With unnerving speed, Meela sprinted fast at Quiver, deflecting the last arrow before being within striking range, and jumped up, kicking first Quivers bow out his hands, and then Quiver himself into his back.
Falling backwards, Quiver hit the ground hard, but the pain only amplified as his shoulders burst with pain. Looking down, he saw Meela crouching over him, her hands holding two of the arrows she had caught, and now plunged into his shoulders.
GAAARRGH! For the love of
It hurts!
I would expect it to boy
Now for the second part
a message needs to be sent
at request of course its nothing personal. Meela stood up, and readied two more arrows in her hands. Her face a blank look of death.
-x-
Stepping through the hole made earlier, PowerMED was supporting Captain Quiver on his shoulder, I really dont get paid enough for some of this
Looking around as they entered the room, he spotted Pyriae slumped in a corner. You hold up here, Ill check Pyr. CQ nodded as he shifted his weight to the wall and leant back. Moving briskly over to the downed blaster, PowerMED scanned over any obvious injuries then did a full body scan. Oh well, yet another blaster to wake up
I should charge extra on them, seems to happen to many times
Passing his hands over Pyriae like he had done earlier with Quiver, and more recently with CQ, PowerMED healed the injuries Pyriae had recently sustained, from what, he didnt know, but assumed he would find out momentarily.
Gasping awake, Pyriae sat up, clutching his head where he had been kicked. Where is she? Where did she go? He looked around the room, but couldnt spot Meela or Hailstrike for that matter.
Who? Who are you looking for?
Pyriae let out a long sigh before continuing, Meela
she was here watching the whole fight against Hailstrike, possibly since CQ and Quiver got here
Wait, Quiver! Where is he? Forcing himself up, Pyriae stood up, his legs nearly giving way. We need to find 56, he was left alone against Meela, who knows what she could have-
Pyriae stopped suddenly, his mouth open.
PowerMED stood up and waved his hand in front of Pyriaes face, Yo, whats up? Turning to where Pyriae was looking he to stopped dead, his mouth hanging open.
Captain Quiver was still leaning against the wall, and now was looking at both Pyriae and PowerMED who were staring at him with near horrified expressions
that, or above him. Guys, whats wrong? Stumbling out from the wall, he turned and looked up at the wall above the whole they had entered the room in. Against the wall, pinned by four arrows, one through each shoulder, and one through each wrist, Quiver hung, he head fallen forward, against the wall.
Pyriae and PowerMED stood still with shock, Captain Quiver only barely managed to speak, They
they
.. They crucified him
-x-x-x-
