NOTE: This thread begins with a story that is already posted elsewhere, however, new installments to the story
as well as new stories (from SG members) will be posted here.
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Assassin's Claw by Peter Craftsman
Based on the Origins of Delta T by Colin Wachenski and the Origins of Claw by Peter Craftsman.
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Part One: 'Claw'
An apartment block seemingly derelict in the east-end of Kings Row. Through broken windows and shattered glass, two hooded figures could barely be made out. They stood, talking. The male voice was cold and unremorseful, even the way he stood gave an air of arrogance.
The name is Jackson, but you can call me 'Claw. Didnt have much of a chance to get acquainted last time, did we?
You know, a long time ago I was nothing, quite literally. I was the 'ordinary' little boy in a mutant family. My brothers saw me as a freak and pretended I never even existed. My father, the great Knight of Old Oxford still doesn't know my name. My mother spent all her time in the netherworld, teaching little Dante how to do magic. I had twin brothers with naturally opposing mutations; Jason had ice in his genes and Sinn could throw fire they never stopped fighting. Pious, the illusionist, he was invisible but they could see him right through me.
Eventually, I ran away. Left the Row, and wondered the streets of Eastgate for a while. Surprisingly, the trolls took me in and saw me as one of them. They fed me up to my nose with superadine and now I regenerate so fast, I can barely feel pain. Till today, I regret helping Grendel 'decorate' "The Hollows" but hey, I was young and foolish.
I developed a thirst for street fighting and a strong urge to prove myself, to champion the most powerful. When I began to loath the Outcast for no apparent reason, it became clear that Id spent far too long amidst the Trolls; ugly green dimwits were defiantly not in my chapter. I needed bigger schemes and new challenges but quiting the group wasnt easy. Atta had me fight Frostfire and I lost on several occasions. Frosty alone taught me many defensive skills, including one I like to call Integration.
At any rate, defeating the Outcasts elite boss earned me my ticket out of Eastgate. I travelled through Talos and headed for Brickstown; I caught wind of Crey Industry's Paragon Protector project and thought further body enhancements could help me become a hero just like Sinn and Pious, Mum and Dad, but I was wrong. I was deceived. Crey Industries fitted me with a glistening steel skeletal framework and sent me on trial. They put me in charge of a group of equally stupid teenagers and sent us to "Steal or Destroy Acton 88". That's where I met you. I killed you doctor, but you didn't die."
Jackson waited expectantly for a response but she said nothing. He carried on.
So here I am Anna, still a Paragon Protector. I've risen in rank since we last met; I am now a Lieutenant, an assassin. You are leader of this so called Covenant and my mission is to wipe you all out.
"Vixen fell to my claws, Y.Freeza couldn't avoid his demise and I killed Xyneohp outright. I've read up on you Anna. You call yourself Delta T because the Acton 88 chemical made you... I made you", he smirks. "How does that make you feel Anna?"
Jackson waits again, to no response
"Answer me!"
He lunges at her, claws outstretched.
* * *
Part Two: 'Acton 88'
Anna leapt back, narrowly escaping a sudden strike of his claws but Jackson was swift; he sped forward and cornered her onto a wall adjacent to the windows. Urn, an involuntary noise came from her mouth, the darkened room flashed bright white and Anna realised, clutching at her stomach, that shed been wounded. A blurred scurry of swipes shredded her corset, she looked up into Jacksons face, and noticed his eyes glow red. He drew back his right arm gathering power.
Deja vu
The two words rang through her head triggering a flashback of their first encounter. It was late night, at the Wachenski Institute of Scientific Exploration. Anna was in the theatre, accompanied by fellow graduate David Civil. She had her research on Cryogenics positioned specifically where shed need it the following morning. Her presentation would be observed by very important scientists, members of the WISE research committee and not to mention the very investors who fund the study. Many of whom would be close friends of her father. Shed been practicing her speech with David acting as audience and was now demonstrating the effects of the wonder-chemical Acton 88.
This substance can freeze living tissue without causing damage or side-effects to the body. David, If the human body could be frozen and preserved safely over a long period... the world could postpone lifetimes, iconic figures could be stored away, memories literally archived... the possibilities are endless.
Youve done it Anna, I knew you could said David, standing up and stretching. He grabbed his coat and climbed down the auditorium.
Dear me, will you look at the time? Sorry to have kept you here so late.
Hey now Anna, dont give me the apologies, I love spending time with you. A genius like yourself, you inspire me.
Oh stop it. Hows your dad? David seemed to loose his posture upon mention of his father, but regained himself quickly; he picked up his hat, gave Anna a friendly kiss on her left cheek and left the room.
Great work Anna, way to go, bringing up bad news she tells herself, tidying up the lecture area all the while. Hows your dad? she quotes herself, slipping the tiny beaker of Acton 88 into her bag. Well apart from the Tsoo slicing up his arms, crushing his spinal cord and leaving him for dead, hes fine. Yeah thanks for asking she said, a mixture of sarcasm and frustration in her voice. Suddenly, a loud noise from downstairs made her jump. It sounded like a small explosion. What in gods name? Theres defiantly no-one here but me. David? David is that you? she called out, to no response. Strapping her bag over her right shoulder, Anna flicked a switch on the wall and the lights went out. She entered the hallway, locking the lecture room behind her.
Well, well, what a lucky surprise. Startled by the voice, Anna wheeled round so fast her bag was sent swinging under her arm. If I didnt know any better, Id say you were waiting for us. A dozen men blocked the hallway. They were uniformed; some were making threatening gestures, pounding their fists against their palms. Anna was terrified, trapped at the far end of a long hallway; she was cornered and suddenly felt claustrophobic.
Who are you? Identify yourselves immediately! she said, hoping to have come across authoritative and unafraid.
Anna Kelvinova the same man spoke again, he took two steps forward and Anna gave in involuntary shudder. Daughter of the millionaire, Dr. Bladikauld Kelvinova; your father runs a nice err
research facility. Nowhere near the standards of the Crey Industry but hey, we are a monopoly. He chuckled, from behind a mask.
She felt insulted, intimidated, her fear was quickly evaporating, replaced by a reckless anger. Crey Industries are nothing but a firm of criminals and lunatics, and judging by your quay spandex and yellow masks you would be the so-called Paragon Protectors. You misfits are nothing but a bunch of brainwashed lab-rats and youre trespassing on my territory. I advise you leave, before I call the police.
My, my doctor, such hostility
That time of the month?
Some of the men laughed, and Anna realised that they were in fact teenagers, she was in her mid-twenties and yet here she was, being threatened by a bunch of Kids. Thats all you are, nothing but a bunch of drug-induced, over-grown kids!
Calm down doctor, please. Were protectors of the City, our mission here is to confiscate Acton 88 and shut down WISE labs immediately. This new chemical of yours poses a viral threat to the people of Paragon; were putting a stop to it before it causes any harm.
A second voice came from behind, with a menacing swagger, he too stepped forward Weve searched the labs downstairs and found nothing! You have a whole batch of samples! Where are you hiding them? You better give us what we want doctor; we have authorization to use all force necessary and I am fast loosing patience.
No. No, thats a lie! Acton 88 is a perfectly safe biological matter. She paused, the thought of loosing her project tore at her heart; she had worked so hard to perfect the formula, her hands clutched at the bag, protecting the fragile beaker inside. The chemical had become a part of her, a physical manifestation of all her dreams, and tomorrow was going to be her moment of truth; a chance to make her father proud, to prove herself, as a true expert in her field. Why are you doing this? Please, please just
just leave me. I have a presentation tomorrow and if Crey Industries are interested in my findings, theyre perfectly welcome to attend
her voice trailed off. She knew all too well that these were criminals and there would be no negotiating. The thieves were here and they showed no interest in leaving. Suddenly overcome, Anna lost her pride and fell her knees, crying, pleading in-between sobs. You dont understand, this is my work. My fath-
Just tell us where it is.
She ignored him; with her minds eye, she planned an escape. It was risky, but its all she could do. Over my dead body she said, more to herself than anything. Climbing to her feet, she held her breath, kicked off her hind-legs and dashed at a narrow opening in the mob, only to receive a stab from behind.
The pain was unimaginable, time seemed to have stopped and an eerie silence filled the hallway. Three steel 'claws' sat, rather decisively in her chest. It had penetrated through her spinal column narrowly missing her heart and exiting her chest with a splash of blood. Without warning, the masked thief retracted his weapon and Anna collapsed, bleeding heavily onto the cold floor.
"Gather anything chemical and burn this place down!
She was left to die, her lab-coat splayed across the polished marble hall, all her life shed studied bio-chemistry with her dad as a personal mentor, and now, at the pinnacle of her achievements, it all came crashing down, her life would end this midnight hour. In the distance, the thieves were scurrying in and out of rooms. The killer stopped for a moment and looked towards Anna; a lifeless silhouette at the end of the hall, drenched in a swelling pool of deep red blood. Through a window high up on the wall, moonlight pierced the darkness. It swept past the man, leaving him in the shadows and spotlighted the body. The blood shone and Annas coat glowed white, from the shadows, the murderer drew a satisfying breath, drawing a mental picture.
* * *
Part Three: '6th Generation'
Weve searched everywhere. Nothing
Burn it down, the voice came from the shadows; its orator stepped out, a look of deep-seated anger etched on his mask. It appeared failure was something he wasnt used to. Burn it all down.
Moments later, the hallway was up in smoke. Flames roared here and there, spreading across the ceiling. Anna could only wonder how itll end; would the walls cave in on her? Maybe the fire would engulf her whole or perhaps she would eventually bleed to death. With all the strength she could muster, she looked up at the flames closing in on her. The sample of Acton 88 in her bag was growing colder under the rising heat. The snake-skin material had rapidly iced-over and Anna couldn't make sense of it; she produced the liquid and witnessed as it froze solid.
With the beaker gradually slipping through her fingers, Anna closed her eyes in acceptance of her end. The rock solid bio-chemical fell to the ground as though in slow motion, shattering on impact. Fire caught the pieces mid-air and the two compounds reacted in a massive explosion. The blast sent Annas body crashing through the exterior walls and into the midnight air, where she remained
hovering!
* * *
Anna snapped awake and Jackson was still there drawing his right arm far back over his shoulder, gathering power like a catapult. It seemed only seconds had passed during her sudden wave of neural information.
Survive this!
With that, Jackson let rip a lighting-fast slash; his claws shot through the air, directly at Annas face. A blur of movement and Jackson found his claws hedged into the concrete wall right where Anna had stood. He spun around, frantically searching the room; he attempted to free his arm to no success. Hed struck with tremendous might and was now stuck. Anna uncloaked behind him, a glimmering sword of razor-sharp ice pointed at Jacksons head.
I could kill you, right here, right now. And I would be justified in doing so.
Empty words doctor.
Youve tried to kill me on more than one occasion as it stands. What makes you think I wouldnt defend myself?
On the off-chance that you defeat me Anna, the worst you can do is issue an arrest. You heroes are pathetic.
You dreamt of becoming one; like Pious. Hes worried about you, you know; and he to has joined the Covenant. Will you assassinate your own brother?
Without hesitation
Lies!
Dont be fooled Anna, you are an attractive woman, Pious isnt. I admit, a part of me wants to know you
and thats the only reason were having this little chat.
What has happened to you Jack? Take a look at yourself. Youve become a pet, a lab-rat, a slave to thos-
Suddenly, Jackson swung out his left arm in a wide arc, hitting Anna square across her jaw-line with the back of his fist. Shut up! He knocked her clear off her feet; her hood flew off and revealed a pale face with long brown hair. She wore a stylish eye-mask and from behind it, her skin glowed, her eyes widening in shock as she hit the window ledge. Several shards of glass broke off and came crashing down at a frightening speed. One anchored Annas hair onto the wooden ledge, another landed onto her right hand, nailing it onto the floorboards. Several other shards landed around her, shattering as they hit the floor.
Why did you come here? his voice was cold, his eyes glowing ever so red. He yanked his arm free of the wall, pulling a block of concrete with it. He smashed the block with a fist, creating a cloud of dust as he paced across the room. He bent low over Annas wounded stomach, and whispered into her ear. You came to kill me? To avenge your death?
No. I came to help you. She paused, carefully observing Jacksons reactions. You wanted to be a hero Jack
its not too late. Pious loves you; youre his brother and he cares for you. Join us, join the Covenant and become a hero, with your powers, your abilities, you can help the people. A long silence followed, and Anna hoped to have reached him.
Slowly, he stood up, standing high over her. He glared at her for a long while, a strange expression drawn on his black head-mask. He appeared confused, shocked. No more commands, youll be free to do good; match your strength against evil and help us stop organisations like Crey Industries. I dont know if youre aware of this but the 5th Generation Paragon Protectors were clones, manufactured from the DNA of dead heroes
they were soon stopped; heroes around the City rose against them and uncovered their vile experiments. They reverted to willing hosts, live subjects in search of power, like you. Theyre just using you Jack
like a slave.
Jackson knew this, and he suddenly felt ashamed, exposed. Hed been living in denial, serving those he accepted as master. He looked straight into Annas eyes and hated himself for what he had done; so he turned around and made for door.
Youre not a dog, Jack.
Her words stopped him in his tracks, he felt angry; a part of him wanted to hit her for being so smart. But she was right and he knew it.
Youre bleeding pretty bad, doctor. He spoke to door, Get yourself fixed. And with that, he was gone.
Anna felt weak, her body was limp and all she could remember was her promise to Pious. No, Ill go. I think I can get through to him. Ill bring him to us, I promise. Besides, we have unfinished business. Shed lost a lot of blood, and the cut to her stomach left her with a nasty hole in the torso. The swipes to her chest also had her pretty scared. She remembered the stab from the back only three months ago, back then, Acton 88 saved her life; her exposure to the chemical reaction had mutated her genes, giving her superhuman abilities. But fire blasts and ice manipulation couldnt save her here
she would die of her wounds in this dilapidated room. It was an hour past midnight and Jacksons words rang through her head.
Déjà vu
* * *
Part Four: Tears of an Illusionist
Jackson swept a hand over his head, sliding off the hood of his jumper. He approached a bench outside the Green Line train station and decided to sit.
Youre not a dog, Jack, Annas words resounded over and over again in his mind. Crey Industries reverted to willing hosts, live subjects in search of power, like you.
Jackson was in deep thoughts, his elbows positioned on his knee. He raised his head and stared through the night. A group of girls stumbled out of a bar across the streets, laughing loudly. Drunks he muttered. Eventually, he screamed at them, Shut the hell up, will ya?! Some of the girls shouted in return, to which Jack replied Go home! Just go home the lot of ya! His own words hit him with a sad realisation;
he had no home, no family.
With a deep sigh Jackson slapped a large hand over his face, detaching his face-mask and running another hand through his fury hair. The night was pitch-black but from the orange glow of the street lamps, one could make out the troll-like colour of Jacksons skin. He stashed the mask into his tracksuit bottoms and pulled out a cigar from another.
Fatigue swept over him and he wanted to return to the abandoned apartment hed been staying, but couldnt risk being traced. According to the news hed caught off the store-front televisions, Paragon Police had him as a number one suspect for the deaths of Xyneohp, Y.Freeza and his brother Vixen.
A spark of a lighter and a puff of smoke, Jackson held his cigar by the teeth, slid his hands into his jumper and headed for High Park.
* * *
No, Ill go. I think I can get through to him. Ill bring him to us, I promise. Besides, we have unfinished business.
Delta, Claw is a very dangerous assassin,
because he believes he is still working under the defences of Crey Industries; mislead by Lord Crytek of Dark Nemesis, who is also an ex 6th Generation
With all due respects Pious, I know all about your elder brother. I
even know that hes in Kings Row as we speak, now let me go find him. You can reach me through the supergroup communication spells if youre so concerned, and
besides my Medicom chip is still implanted.
Pious couldnt stop thinking about their last conversation as he raced through the air, his long white cape fluttering like a flag. Itd already been hours since he sensed her presence fade and he feared the worst. He reached the neighbourhood known as The Gish and quickly recalled Annas descriptions on her location via the supergroup communication spell.
Anna, how are you doing? Whats going on in there?
He attacked me. Im invisible at the moment
Ill talk to you later; youre distracting me.
Jesus Anna! Where are you? Im coming right away!
Your brother is hiding out in The Gish. Remember the spot where The Grimm Fairy took out Ishmael?
Sorry, I cant say that I do. I know the Gish very well though; I
did live here for like twenty years
Anna? Anna! Talk to me.
A bright white figure hovering high up in the air; Pious inherent glow illuminated the night sky. He squinted his eyes; frantically scanning the area.
If I were a big oaf of uselessness, where would I hide
of course! he exclaimed, more to himself than anything. Jack literally lived out here when hed run away he was glaring at a small decaying building, across a construction site. Without warning, Pious flew straight at the broken windows, a transparent force field swelling around him. No point going invisible. Jackson knows how to spot me. He chose a window at random and landed inside with a silent thud.
My God
Hed spun around to see the corpse of Delta T.
* * *
Oh God please, Anna Pious fell to his knees, completely overcome by grief; his resplendent costume slowly faded and lost its glow. Answer me, please. Anna. His voice was quirky. I should have followed you. Why didnt I follow you? Oh man. Lying on the floor, next to Anna was a blue chip, small as a thumbnail; built in, was the emergency medical teleportation beacon. The chip had been implanted above Annas heart; should it skip a beat, let alone stop entirely, she would be beamed directly to the hospital. However, he had cut through your chest
why did you not use the cave? The resurrection circles are primitive but itd have saved you
his voice trailed away, defeated by silent sobs. He lost his form and gave in to loud wails, a mixture of sorrow and anger. Wwhhyyy he screamed so loudly, nearby windows lit up and several faces appeared through curtains. Pious lowered his head onto the floor, burying his face in one arm while clobbering the dirt with the other. He took a deep breath and looked closely at the splayed body of Delta T. Her legs laid limp in an awkward position, her head hung back over the window ledge; a long shard of glass protruding from her throat.
Jack, youve gone from a thief to a troll, worked for criminal organizations and now youre a murderer, a killer of heroes, he spoke with spite as he pulled out the shards of glass. I swear to God, Ill get you for this; even if its the last thing that I do.
Gently positioning Annas body his shoulder, he looked towards the hospital and flew out into the dawn.
* * *
EDIT:
Feedback from 'Roleplaying'
i like him cocky, i'd think u would be if u can go invis... and impatient if you were a speedster-to-be, but honestly, he wont bite))
... while "Nutcracker, this is Oaktree do you read?..." made me laugh... silently of 'cos ¬¬ ... again, an excellent storyboard. "WHY YOU NOT LIKE LIMPET??" really hit me. I *actually* felt sorry for the poor man.. or boy... bahh.
... so ya, you have a way of making the reader laugh. "Ah'm gonnae crucify ye!! Ya sleekit wee bawbag!" ROFL (not literally ¬¬ ...) and the capture of Galaxy Girl is ace! Although the opening of the story.. all that history.. ya.. it kinda bored me.. but hey.. thats me. *others* might've liked it.
i have a proposition 
as it already began? did i miss enrolment? doh! 
wen we starting Vol? will you be hosting?