150 meters to the ground

The deal of the century part 4


“Frank, it’s Robert, I stole the truck but they are hot on my trail.” Ferrara’s voice was frantic, it was accompanied by the sound of a speeding engine and screeching tires. Gun shots could be heard in the background as well. Frank Winter swallowed hard as he listened on to message. “I don’t know if I can make it all the way to Steel Canyon, Frank. If you get this message, hurry up and call me, I need help.” Another gunshot, and this time he heard a gurgling sound coming from Robert Ferrara, then the engine of the truck seemed to slow down and bumped into something. A few seconds passed, then Frank heard the door to the truck’s cabin open and someone saying:

“What a mess, you stupid [censored], can’t you die without bleeding all over the seats, move over.” Sounds of a rustle as what must’ve been a dying Robert Ferrara being pushed on the passenger side were heard, more sputtering and gurgling followed, then a muffled gun shot. “Be quiet, will ya.” A few seconds passed, after which the gunmen spoke:

“We have the stolen truck, on our way.” More time passed and Frank Winter kept listening as he walked with the group where the ladder leading up into Crey’s Folley was situated. The beep telling him the message was over came along, and Frank opted to save the message, crushed by the loss of a close friend, stunned by the theft of the Chromium Man Mark IV. Without the armour, he was powerless, nothing more than another regular person. Nothing more that is, but a very angry, resentful normal guy out to get revenge.

The group emerged to the surface, looking around for any signs trouble and finding none. The night air damp and musky, here and there sounds in the distance of skirmishes between unseen fighters were present. Moon Psyche ordered the team to fall in and follow closely, using his mind powers to find and locate potential enemies and have them look elsewhere while they made their way towards Cavalier’s position. Frank Winter had been adamant about coming along, after Bear Cat had revealed that Crey Industries had indeed been interested in taking possession of the Mark IV armour. Explaining quickly how he had first visited the lab, and how he had ended up on the bitter end of a bad deal. They were well aware that Crey Industries could track them through the transponders grafted in Metal Core, Jade Rade and the former leader of the Hunters of Apocalypse. But Moon told with much confidence his people, that while the enemy knew they were coming towards them, they also believed only three of them were coming. He hoped the surprise of finding seven heroes, instead of three, would turn the tide in their favour.

A few hundred meters ahead, Cavalier was laying in wait, keeping a weary eye out for the arrival of the team of heroes. Granted, the famous scrapper felt at odds to explain his actions, but he couldn’t bring himself to relent, to back down. In this team, amidst all the strife and difference of opinion, was a friend to which he owed more than words could describe. A friend that was perceive by all as a nemesis to the city, and that yet, he couldn’t ring himself to let down. Not again, not while there was still breath in his body. He understood that it would only take little more than a step in the wrong direction for the others to come down hard on Voyager, and he wondered what would be his reaction when that happened, when he would be faced with the fact that he would have to choose between which friends were more important.

The group finally appeared between two buildings, Sun Heat peeking around the corner to see if the cost was clear. Moon Psyche mentally scanned the area, and ordered two snipers and four guards to look elsewhere while they crossed the street and met Cavalier at his hiding place. Once reunited, the team debated quietly about the course of action, it wouldn’t be long before the Crey gooneys would come for them. There were only so many people Moon could control at once and there was only so much time they would remain unchallenged.

While Voyager and Metal Core stood guard and watched the perimeter, Moon suddenly moaned in pain, holding his head and letting a long shuddering breath out. Everyone looked at him puzzled, then they all assumed a fighting stance, not sure where the threat was coming from. But Moon reacting in such a way, didn’t leave any room for doubts, something was happening, and it was not pleasing.

“What is it love?” Inquired a worried face Sun Heat.

“Icy Heart, she’s in there, and she’s in terrible pain, we have to hurry.” He hissed through clenched teeth, attempting very hard to shut Icy Heart form his mind, from the echo of pain that was washing from her, through him.

“That does it, here we go.” Spoke the squared jaw scrapper as he stood up and raised his long sword high above his head, tip pointed towards the sky. “For freedom and great justice!” He then exclaimed, to which everyone just stood ogled eye and looked at Cavalier like he was some sort of tropical disease ridden rat.

“Don’t you guys use battle cries at times?” He inquired, annoyed from their reaction. And everyone just sort of looked away, some blushing, some scratching their heads and Metal Core whistling innocently while booting a rock.

“You’re a bunch of wankers, come on.” And with that, the famous scrapper stepped into the moonlight street and ran for the old warehouse, sword at the ready, closely followed by the team.

The dim light of the fading Moon


With one powerful upward swipe of the old long blade, the metal door of the warehouse split open. Bear Cat, Metal Core and Jade Rade rushed in, while the rest of the team stayed outside, still hoping for a surprise on the enemy. One by one, the three grafted super beings reported their i]all clear[/i] from the inside. Throwing a sideways look inside, Cavalier got a quick glimpse of an empty warehouse, about the size of a football field, big enough to fit a small plane inside. Dim moonlight came through the dirtied windows, basking the scenery with an eerie feeling of abandonment and decrepitude. Old newspapers and boxes littered the floor, broken crates spilling dried straw on the floor in one corner, a fork lift turned over on its side in the other. The team walked in expecting to meet resistance, and instead found that the building had been left vacant for years. Had it not been for Moon Psyche and Bear Cat, both arguing for different reasons that this was the place, Cavalier would’ve ordered an entire district search. Moon kept feeling Icy Heart, in all of her pain and suffering, directly underneath them, and Bear Cat muttered something about the sewers’ door, more than likely being welded shut forever.

They walked slowly across the dirtied floor, and it was Jade Rade who found the fresh tracks of what must’ve been a wheeled pallet jack, leading off towards the center of the huge room. They all looked ahead, following the wheel impressions with their eyes to a place where the moon beams passed just over, hiding from clear view the cluttered filled floor underneath it, creating a zone of darkness due to the pale brightness.

“You know mates, I was somehow expecting a fight at this point. I don’t mean to complain or anything, but it would’ve somehow made things more in accordance with my state of my mind, than…. Than this!” You could feel Cavalier’s frustration building, arms outstretched to encompass the whole room, sword back in its scabbard. He walked ahead, one hand brushing through his short hair, looking at the tracks on the floor, he followed them. They all followed quietly, darting eyes trying to pierce the darkness all around them, all looking for the tell tale sign of trouble.

“There has to be a way in. Spread out, look for a door or a switch.” Spoke Moon Psyche.

They searched the walls, looked into the old offices on the far left, even lifted the turned over fork lift, in case of a floor entrance, but nothing they found. Minutes passed by until Sun Heat noticed a pattern in the garbage and debris accumulated towards the middle room, piled to perfection if you looked at it from a certain angle, it seem to cover a rectangle on the floor of about five meters. The heroes cleaned the area, and doing so revealed the end of the wheels’ tracks, broken by the fine line of what appeared to be a metallic sliding door, built into the floor itself. Under the sooth and dirt, the metal was strong and sturdy, and felt warm to the touch. A few more seconds of investigation clearly detailed that this door was blast proof and probably more.

They tried everything, fire and heat from Sun Heat, Voyager and Metal Core, sheer strength from Bear Cat, radiation was thrown into it as well to melt it down some, Moon Psyche could not even probe beyond it, so much it was thick. Cavalier attempted to plunge the blade straight through to no avail, nothing attempted seemed to breach it or even soften it a little. This door had been custom built to prevent anyone from entering without proper clearance.

“Should we try knocking?” Spoke Frank Winter with a smirk on his face, the only non-super powered person in the room.

“Good idea, let’s order a dozen pizzas and hide in that corner.” Replied Jade Rade with a childish, rueful smile.

Moon Psyche and Cavalier exchanged a long look, not saying a word, but knowing full well that by now, the Crey personnel was surely aware of their presence. That they did not respond, or were holding back, was worrisome.

“They know we are here, there’s probably half a dozen spy cameras on us at the moment, and yet, no attacks?” Spoke aloud Sun Heat, not just for the group, but for the entire warehouse. Soon after she spoke these words, lights blinded the heroes from all around, and a humming sound from below began. The floor vibrated from it, soon after, hydraulics accompanied the vibration.

“Frank, Voyager, Moon, get in the center, Jade you cover us. Sun Heat, Bear Cat and Metal Core, form a perimeter.” The orders came barking out of Cavalier, sword at the ready, jaw clenched and eyes deadly.

“My signal is jammed, I can’t report our position to Apocalypse.” Quickly spoke Sun Heat, who took a position in front of Cavalier, away from the two other tanks.

“Mine too.” Replied the squared jaw scrapper while looking down at his radio, it was flashing red, displaying the lack of frequency to emit.

A sliver of green light, rectangle shaped appeared from the floor, at first very thin, the far end of it began to widen, and a downward ramp was revealed, leading below the old warehouse. The heroes repositioned themselves to face the ramp, and any incoming threat. Hearts quickened, powers activated, they waited for it. Frank Winter felt very small just then, knowing full well that whatever he could put up, would be very dangerous to his life. But nonetheless, he was Apocalypse until the end. Without his armour to supply the awesome array of powers he could display, Chromium Man would have to rely on quick reflexes and wits to get through this one.

“If anyone get their hands on a gun, throw it my way.” He said through clenched teeth, afraid as he was, he had rarely felt this alive.

Sounds of stomping feet came their way, from below and out of sight, and everyone squared their feet for the oncoming rush. Moon Psyche counted at least fifty, if not sixty different thought patterns. Some were soldiers, but others were more powerful, more certain of their capabilities. Soon after, the green glow coming from underneath the warehouse, began to darken, as Crey Industries personnel ran towards the ramp and up to the surface. They did not fire or attack, but simply exited the underground complex and went to the far sides of the room, taking position to encircle the team of heroes.

Power Tanks, Voltaic Tanks and Cryo Tanks, accompanied by many Eliminators, Juggernauts and Crisis Units, held themselves ten yards ahead of the entrance, blocking the path. Tension rose quickly, Cavalier measuring the odds against the team, and finding them not good, not good at all. Their one chance would be to breach the Power Units line quickly, to find refuge and protection from the gun fire, below.

“Good evening Mr. Bunny.”

The voice resounded throughout the room, echoing against the walls like a drum. The loudspeakers from which it had come from were unseen, but the voice itself, could not be mistaken.

“And Mr. Bane as well, I see you keep odd and unwanted company Mr. Bunny.”

“Wepp.” Muttered Voyager to himself.

“Doctor Wepp.” Hissed Bear Cat.

“All right, here’s how this is going to be. You are all under arrest, lay down your arms, power down your suits and come along peacefully, or we’re going to make damned sure the paperwork to file after this fight, is minimal.” Cavalier took a step forward and spoke these words, blatantly aware that if he were on the receiving end of them, he would’ve laughed out loud at such bravado.

“Cavalier, I think you’re pushing it a little.” Whispered Sun heat in the direction of the scrapper. “If I counted right, the odds are a bazillion to one, and not in our favour.”

“Anyone else got a better plan?” Replied the famous scrapper to his team.

“Don’t shoot, we surrender!” yelled back Voyager, raising his hands high above his head.

So glad to see you writing again

The dim light of the fading Moon part 2


“Link us, Moon.” Cavalier’s eyes had narrowed as soon as Voyager had spoken the words. What was he up to? Moon Psyche concentrated for a second, then opened a psychic channel for everyone on his team to be able to communicate without words. The advantage of doing this were instantaneous and very fast, an entire conversation could be exchange at the speed of thought, where twenty minutes became twenty seconds. And the very first thought that came across, was that of Cavalier:

“You bloody old fool.”

“You can call me anything you want, but a year in the Shard has thought me when to run, when to fight and when to surrender. I can fulcrum shift the power units, but not the guns. You wanted in the base, well surrendering is one way to get in there.” Mindspoke the old controller towards his friend and the team.

“Kill that one.” A female voice said from above. “I know you can still hear me, playing the deaf hear does not change the outcome of the future. Kill that one before he kills you.”

Moon Psyche probed around the room, gently, secretly. As the vessel through which all minds were meeting to converse, he had not expected this. Before, he had tried to locate a presence while interrogating Voyager, back at the headquarters. But had he tried to actually forward his thoughts to another, he would’ve heard the voice the old controller said he had been listening to all this time. Surprised and amazed, Moon Psyche laughed at himself for not thinking about this before, what he was hearing coming from Bane, was nothing more than an echo of another conversation taking place on the psychic plane. Voyager had been carrying another psychic conversation on his own, all this time.

The voice of the woman communicating with Voyager had an alien taint to it, cold, uncaring and calculating. The intent behind her thoughts seemed to be directed towards him though, even if she couldn’t know that he was listening in on her channel, he felt the heat of it wash over him like water from a fall. And something else too, something that raised the hair on the back of his head right away, instilling fear and anger on a primal level. That alien presence talking through Voyager had all its concentration rooted on one person, probing and measuring the life signs, thought patterns and stress levels, monitoring every change in her body and that of her womb. Sun Heat and his child.

Confined in the head of the bearers, thoughts travelled at the speed of light, making bodies move, motivating ideas and emotions, quicker than the blink of an eye. But they were also just that, incorporeal energies that very few could manipulate to their will, lesser still that could use them as a weapon. Moon Psyche was one of the latter, he could tap into the primeval power and will it to become a tool of war, a sharp and precise sword of pure emotion that would kill instantly and without mercy its target. It was his conscience that prevented him from killing Thomas Bane, his soul that he considered to be his greatest asset, stopped the incredible urge to release the energy needed to tell the body of the old controller to stop functioning. But if he so much as touched Sun Heat, all bets were off.

“Bloody hell Thomas, I am leading this team, if we surrender, I get to decide that, not you.” Cavalier’s thoughts were clear and angry, sharp and edgy much like his sword. There was a difference there that Moon couldn’t quite understand. Cavalier had always been one to face the day, everyone knew that, and that was why he had been chosen as a Leader of Apocalypse. The man knew battle, simple and true, he had a keen understanding of its shapes, its motions and outcomes. Countless times he had turned the tides of a fight by finding, or better put, by feeling what would change it in his favour. But today, now, Cavalier’s judgement was somewhat shady and confused, interested more in resolving a personal vendetta, than making sure everyone would go home.

“Look around you Cavalier, they have us outnumbered and in their sights, you want to fight and die gloriously or what?” Jade Rade’s pattern was more confusing, too many ideas racing through her head all at once. You could feel her past in there, the abuse and the confusion, the low self esteem and frustration, layers upon layers of psychotic damage. She was wounded in her soul, scarred there more that her small beautiful body showed. Negative energies ebbed from her, surrounding and shrouding her being in a dark halo that flowed from her towards Metal Core. She loved him dearly, but was unable to tell him so.

“Jade’s right man, better to live and fight another day.” The Japanese tanker was more of an assemblage, in psychic terms, than a whole being. Mingled in there were anger and love, mistrust and weariness, innocence and hope. He considered himself a criminal, an exiled and outcast, from what he had always hoped to become, a good guy. Regrets and mistakes clouded his judgement at every step, blocking him from becoming what he had dreamed of as a kid. The promise Metal Core had secretly made to himself back then, haunted him to this day by the magnitude of what he considered to be his biggest failure. A hero he was not, not according to him anyways. But a villain he wasn’t either. Strangely, he felt a deep love for Jade Rade as well, and yet had never spoken to her about it.

“As much as it annoys me to admit it, Voyager is right. And I will not permit anyone to endanger the life of my child.” Patient, caring and calm like a quiet sea. Moon Psyche clearly couldn’t think right when it came to her. He could now feel the faint presence of their child in her, no clear thoughts yet, but it was there, building itself. She was beautiful under any light, sometimes Moon felt she had been placed on earth to test him, so that he could find the limits of what he would do in her name, for her sake. It centered him to know her, to feel the warmth of her body next to his when they slept at night, the softness of her skin and the smell of her hair. She clouded his judgement from the day he met her, spinning him about in more ways than he could count. Sun Heat was her battle name, but in his mind, in the secret place where all that he cherished, was guarded from foe and friend, he had another name for her, love.

“Guys, if they start shooting, I’m going down so hard and fast, I won’t even have time to curse you all to hell.” Even under duress, Frank Winter had an outlook to life that spoke of his upbringing. Careless and free, educated by the best schools his father’s money had provided, his mind was a technical encyclopaedia of untapped potential. Had he been born in an average family, both parents working and barely making ends meet, he would’ve more than likely grown up to be nothing more than an average Joe himself. The difference between knowledge and intelligence is not always clear to describe, and knowing which is which, sometimes harder to say. Chromium Man knew a lot of things, had assimilated a lot of facts and practiced a lot of theories, but he hadn’t been faced by the challenges of real life that most people have. He had been sheltered and prepared to take over one of the biggest industries Paragon had, until recently that is. You could feel the fear of the unknown in him now, something you couldn’t find there before, surely brought on by his recent experiences. He was not wearing his battle armour, but Frank Winter still held strong the belief that he could make a difference, if he lived.

“Look people, I don’t care what we do here, but you all seem to forget they are holding Turbo Starr down there, even if we won this fight, they would have the time to kill your much vaunted leader before we got to him. If the plan is still to rescue him, put an end to this insanity and all that crap, then shut the [censored] up and surrender already.” Moon had probed his mind once, and had found nothing but sheer brute strength in there. The man only counted the end results, not the ways to get them. Bear Cat should be in a prison cell, and yet had managed to keep his people and his organisation, hidden and untouched. It couldn’t be helped, the man would someday be caught and arrested, he knew it, understood it and didn’t care for it. Until then, his sole purpose was to bring a terminal justice where there was none to be given. He moved in shadows, lived in them and permitted no one to tell him what to do. His mind was trained to keep mind searchers out, every second that passed brought on a different image of no relevance, a flower, a bath tub, a pair of pants. He rotated these thoughts all the time on a rhythm, but Moon Psyche had forced his way in once, and he could do it again.

Moon cut off the psychic link, severing the ties between all of them and time resumed its normal pace. Although he wished he had taken more time to investigate Voyager and that presence talking to him, the team needed to focus on the situation at hand. The Crey personnel could not know what had just taken place, for them, only the fraction of a second had gone by. But Moon Psyche had been the vessel, the server if you will, for all these thoughts and emotions, and was now aware more than ever, that there was more here, than met the eyes.

One by one, the heroes raised their hands and crossed their fingers on top of their heads. They knelt and did not resist when the Voltaic tanks placed power shackles on them, rendering their powers inert for a short duration, until they could be placed into cells. Doctor Wepp’s voice was confident and victorious as he spoke of their wise choice to surrender. The dice was cast, they were now prisoners of the devil.

“Be mindful of where you put that sword friend, I will need to retrieve it in order to run it through your overfed belly.” Even cuffed and unable to fight, Cavalier felt the need to taunt the enemy, to make him aware that he was indeed a danger to be acknowledged.

They were place on a mag lift and brought below, heavily escorted by the power units, closely followed by the security force. The wide corridor, neon lighted and olive green painted, filled with many office doors, led them towards the main research area. The sterilised smell came to their nostrils as soon as they were brought down. When the doors opened and they were glided in, the team was met by a nightmarish sight. Cavalier let out a loud curse and started to struggle to break free of his shackles. So much so, that one of the power tanks had to stun him with an energy punch behind the skull, knocking him unconscious. But everyone else on the team felt stunned as well, by what they saw, when they laid eyes on the scene taking place in the laboratory.

Icy Heart was in a tube, filled with a reddish liquid, spasms and shocks rocked her body. She was bleeding, from her eyes, her ears and any place where blood could exit, and she was very much in pain. Had she not been kept suspended in water, she would have been screaming in agony over what was happening to her at the moment. The water filled tank, with all its filtration and tubes, its calibration systems and measuring gauges, had a very hard time keeping itself filtered from the red taint her blood was creating. But what had made Cavalier scream in anger and the others look on in fear, wasn’t the sight of her being tortured like this, but more what was being done to her.

In a second tank, a few meters away, Ghost Starr was also hooked up and floating. He seemed to be unconscious as well, peaceful and uninjured. Several tubes were hooked to his body, pumping out a black liquid from his veins, sucking it out into a dialysis machine. And his blood, or whatever it might be, was being fed to Icy Heart, pushed into her small body that was writhing in agony, reacting with such force that blood exploded out of her. No one knew how Crey Industries had laid hands on Ghost Starr, but what was being done to Icy Heart here this day, had just sealed a declaration of war between Apocalypse and Crey Industries, forever.

Where's the rest of this??!!

I agree

Voyager has been on hiatus due to dual comp problems, plus real life has gotten in the way. He is also still tweaking the storyline before he'll post it. You can't rush greatness He'll be back soon hopefully.

*Voyager has asked me to post his latest chapter. He could not do to the fact that he does not have an active account. He is taking sometime off again because his wife is expecting a baby.*

The dim light of fading Moon part 3

“She will be a work of art, once we are done with her.” Dr. Wepp walked slowly from the entrance of his office, towards the tanks, careful to avoid some wires laid on the ground. His hawk like features were old, but his mind was clear and sharp. He enjoyed this moment tremendously, the power of it, the sheer helplessness of the heroes. Many long years had he dream that he would someday, hold the high ground against the city’s finest, and it had come. Proud Cavalier and his friends had lost a battle, maybe not the war, but a battle nonetheless. Struggling to stand, hands shackled behind his back, Voyager finally stood up on the gravity platform carrying the team, fiery red eyes looking straight at Wepp, his former tormentor.

“And you will be a bloody pulp, once we are done with you.”

“Come now, Mr. Bane, no harm will come to me if I loose. I might be arrested, but anything beyond that would qualify your actions as unbecoming of a hero.” Wepp paused, then went on: “Although, you don’t qualify as a hero anymore, do you?” He cackled a quick laugh at that, and motioned for two guards to grab hold of the helpless controller.

“Bring him down to the sewers and kill him.”

Sun Heat screamed outrage as they dragged Voyager away, the others followed suite, but there was no helping it. The old controller struggled against the guards, kicked and screamed, nonetheless the trio disappeared up the ramp.

“Settle down heroes, or more will follow. You have been caught on private property, and according to civil rights, Crey Industries is allowed to shoot trespassers on sight. Did you really think we did not foresee this day, that we would simply surrender and throw ourselves to the mercy of Apocalypse?” Wepp came to stand in front of Cavalier, kneeling on the platform, and held his bloody chin in his hand. The famous scrapper spat for the scientist’s face and missed, landing the spit on his tailor made suit’s shoulder.

“We won’t arrest you, Wepp. This I promise.” He said through clenched teeth.

“Wepp, be very careful what you do here. Apocalypse will retaliate in kind in the end. You cannot win.” Moon Psyche was calm, composed and relaxed.

“Win? Win implies we are playing a game, and we are not. Crey Industries is the only frontline this city can turn to, when your kind becomes volatile, when innocents lives become pawns in your all too powerful battles. Has it ever occurred to you, that many an innocent victim fell unnoticed, many lives are destroyed as we speak, while entire city blocks collapse to the ground?” Wepp pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, and brushed Cavalier’s spit away from his suit.

In the distance, two dry gunshots were heard. Sun Heat let out a long wail of despair, tears rolling down her cheek, as she pictured Voyager’s last few moments on earth. Cavalier’s reaction was much worst. His friend had been killed without mercy. His entire body reacted, as he propelled himself, hands tied behind his back, to tackle down Wepp in one motion. His attempt succeeded, the two of them landed on the floor, but soon after, several guards had started to clobber him senseless with batons. Wepp stood up and recomposed his stature a few feet away, watching his henchmen beat the squared jaw scrapper within an inch of his life. Several times, bones were heard breaking from the force of the blows. With one motion, he stopped them.

“Put him in cell number three.” The guards grabbed the unconscious scrapper, and dragged him away towards the far end of the room, where they vanished through a door.

“Does anyone else feel like they should resist?” Wepp smiled as a few guards took a step forward, awaiting his word to hurt the helpless heroes.

“I do.” Spoke calmly Moon Psyche, standing up and defiantly staring down Dr. Wepp.

Wepp looked at him, knowing full well what the Leader of Apocalypse was doing.

“So be it.” The scientist nodded in the guards’ direction, and they executed themselves promptly. For several seconds, they went at it, Moon used all of his willpower not to give in, but alas, there is so much violence a body can endure before knees buckle and presence of mind fails. Sun Heat screamed and pleaded for them to stop, they didn’t. Not until Moon’s limp body had suffered several hits, not until Wepp motioned for the assault to end.

“Heroes… Always reacting the way you expect. Who’s next?” The Crey scientist was taking no pleasure in this, and whether the heroes were in a pristine condition or not, would not modify the results of the upcoming experiment. A shame, truly, about Mr. Bane. Wepp would’ve enjoyed taking live sampling from this experiment, the autopsy would have to do.

“You offered me a job once, I’d like to accept it now.” Sun Heat and Frank Winter’s heads snapped around and stared directly at Bear Cat, anger and resentment burning deep.

“I’m afraid it’s too late Mr. Bunny. Besides, I have something special in store for a man of your talents, something I will enjoy tremendously watching.” Wepp spoke these last with a certain hunger in the voice, much like a drug addict would, when talking about drugs.

“Well, in that case, do I still have the option to resist?”

“No, not you. You have something special to attend to later on tonight, and I would not like to think you were not fully ready for this… Experiment.”

Bear Cat swallowed hard, a trickle of sweat rolling down between his shoulder blades. Were he free to act, he could have easily broken the scientist’s neck like a twig. Then again, his past experience with the man had thought him that Wepp, always came prepared to a meeting.

“I don’t do windows Wepp.” He managed to retort.

Wepp smiled ruefully at the bravado. He should’ve hired this man the first time they met, a few sessions of thought conditioning would have made him a prime asset.

“No, Mr. Bunny, windows will not require cleaning.” He waved a hand towards Ghost Starr and said : “When we captured this magnificent specimen, he was accompanied by a beast, and so far analysis has shown some results to be off the charts. We need to quantify the monster’s abilities, in order to synthesize a new super strength serum. That’s where you come in. I was hoping Mr. Cavalier would provide help in this matter, but things being what they are, you will do quite nicely.”

Bear Cat looked deadly just then, not quite certain what was in store, he did not like this one bit. “I will not become a guinea pig for your experiments Wepp.”

“It’s a choice Mr. Bunny, there’s always a choice.” Wepp walked away to come and stand before Icy Heart’s glass container, lovingly looking at her body, rocked by pain and suffering. His eyes wandered to the computer station close by, assessing the numbers he saw, he nodded to himself. Turning around, he walked towards Sun Heat. “According to our scans, this woman is nine weeks pregnant, the fetus appears to be a mutant. Can you imagine Mr. Bunny, what we could do to her, and it as well, can you?” He stared directly into the huge man’s eyes, promises of pain evident in his look. “Whether you cooperate or not, is of little value to me, but I will promise this. If you do what I require of you, then she will remain unharmed, her baby as well. If you do not…” He let the words hand for a moment, waiting for the former leader of the Hunters of Apocalypse to reply.

“I will break you little neck, old man, slowly.” Bear Cat leaned down and stared directly into the scientist’s eyes, to make sure he knew this was not a false promise. “I will kill you, then I will track down everyone that bears your name, and murder them.”

“I’m sure you will, but until you do, you are mine to do with as I see fit.” The old scientist backed away slowly and came to stand in front of the gravity lift, looking at all of them.

“I believe you heroes enjoy jousting in the arena, for training purposes. This will be no different. Mr. Bunny here, will fight for our enjoyment. Mind you, science requires it as well. Take them away, and prepare him.”

The heroes were then dragged away towards the same door Cavalier had been brought through a few minutes away, and thrown into separate cells. Wepp returned his attention on Icy Heart and Ghost Starr, more precisely, on the results coming through from the computer. “She will be a fascinating specimen.” He whispered aloud. “How long?”

“A few hours at the most, sir” Replied a technician close by.

“Very well, “ He sighed “Call me when it is done.”

The dim light of the fading Moon part 4

Metal Core watched the reinforced door slide down in position, and a guttural growl escaped his lips when it did. He started pacing to and fro in the confined space of the jail, images of murder clouding his vision. He cursed Jade Rade, damned Apocalypse and ultimately himself, for ending up in this predicament. Had he listened to Lil’ Smoke, he would already be starting a new life in the Rogue Isles. But no, Jade’s bullheadedness had landed him here, helpless and powers subdued, a prisoner to a fate worst than the Shard had ever been. At least there, he had been free to roam, albeit in another prison. His thoughts wandered on Voyager for a moment, although he would have wanted to kill the man himself, he felt bitter at the end the controller met. They shot him like the rabid dog that he had become, had given him no quarters. But he had seen first hand what the old man could do, and if he had been Wepp, he would’ve done the very same thing, dispose of him before any danger could arise. He swallowed hard, Voyager’s end was not one he envied.

The one thing he could not fathom, was the lady in the bloodied water tank. He had seen many a strange sight in his life, this one qualified as unholy. Something dark was being done to her, disturbing the fragile equilibrium between good and evil He was no scientist, nor was he technologically inclined, the word techno-magic was the only one he came up with describe her situation. And this other man, next to her, in the other tank, looking peaceful and serene, what was his role in all of this?

His train of thoughts was broken abruptly, when the scratching sounds of a rat became audible from the ventilation system up above.

“Figures that Crey Industry would have a rat problem.” He muttered aloud, leaning against the wall. If only he could break these shackles apart, he would be able to escape, free the others and run as far away from here. “I need a miracle.”

Further into the jailing the area, Bear Cat sat composed on the floor, listening at the sound her scratching feet made above. He was not surprised that she was there, crawling through the vents, spying on him once again.

“Hello again, little one.” He spoke softly. Silence followed, but he knew she had heard him. “No point in pretending I cannot hear you, come visit me.”

The ceiling vent trap clicked opened, and it hung there for a few seconds, its opening dark and empty. Her pink eyes appeared from the darkness, blinking twice, soon after, she let herself fall to the floor, standing proud for such a small being.

“Do you have a membership to this cell?” She asked in her small voice, looking left and right for food she would not find. Her ears moved back on her skull, she was listening to sounds in the distance, wary like small animals usually are.

“Hello Lab, it’s good to see you. Although I’ll admit, I am annoyed at you.” Replied the massive tanker.

“Annoyed? At me?” She looked perfectly innocent, her features revealing nothing but sorrow at that last comment. “I thought we were friends, guess I was wrong. Could you stand up so that I can leave?”

“Not this time little one.” Bear Cat stared at her, debating whether or not he should attempt to gain her cooperation. Seconds passed, and he decided on a gamble. “I have cheese.”

She blinked a few times, letting the phrase sink in, when her stomach growled. Embarrassed, she blushed a crimson red. “I can have all the cheese I want, if I behave.”

“What if I were to tell you, that you could have all the cheese your little heart desired and more?” The ante was up, let’s see if she would fold or follow through. She was about to reply something, when the cell door slid opened, two guards entered, guns at the ready.

“I believe I asked you to go talk with young Mr. Winter, Lab, what part did you not understand?” Dr. Wepp walked through the door, hands behind his back, one eyebrow arched in disapproval. Clearly, Lab’s mental conditioning had started to weaken, he would have to schedule another brain surgery on the mutant soon.

“Sorry master, wrong cell.” She cooed, after which she hustled out of the cell like a bat out of hell. Bear Cat watched the small being vanish around the corner, his eyes darted towards Wepp.

“Mr. Bunny, as always, a pleasure to see you.” The scientist slightly bowed his head, before speaking again. “We have secured Sun Heat in the compound, she is unharmed for the moment.” Bear Cat’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched, while his massive arms strained against the power shackles. Strength personified. “She will be my insurance policy against your cooperation in this matter. Let me be blunt if I may. By doing what I ask of you, she and her baby, will remain unharmed. I promise.” He then smiled, like a grandfather would, nothing but trust and good intention there.

“You can take your promises and shove them up you [censored], Wepp. Your words are nothing but lies. You’ve been aware of my comings and goings from the start, and you let me come here all the same. That tells me lots about your motives. What guarantee can you provide me, that she will go free once I’ve done whatever it is you want from me?” Bear Cat could picture his hands around that scrawny man’s neck, slowly twisting it out of shape, very slowly.

“Free? I’m afraid you have misunderstood me greatly, Mr. Bunny. I promised that she would remain unharmed, nothing more. Sun Heat’s pregnancy is an event that cannot be ignored. The first mutant born in captivity, under scientific supervision. The data we will be gathering from this will be formidable. Imagine, we will be able to quantify the mutation process in the womb. In the near future, creating mutants will not be a random accident, but a predictable process from which Crey Industry can, and will provide the perfect soldiers for the city and the armies of the world. No more wild cards on the loose, only perfectly calibrated fighting machines, able to carry out the most difficult tasks without question or motivations.” Wepp’s face illuminated while he spoke, he thought of himself as a visionary.

“You’re one crazy mother [censored]…” Bear Cat didn’t finish that sentence, a guard had given him the butt of his gun across the face, sending him trashing sideway on the ground of the prison cell.

“Your opinion of me carries little value, Mr. Bunny. Make your decision now, will Sun Heat be allowed to bear her child naturally, or do I order my team to begin experiments right away. The choice is yours Mr. Bunny, decide now.” Wepp remained quiet, awaiting the answer, which he obviously expected to be in his favor.

Spitting blood, Bear Cat sat himself straight. He needed to buy time, for himself, for Sun Heat and the heroes. “And what about Turbo Starr, what will happen to him?”

“Mr. Starr, I’m afraid, is far too dangerous a man to be let free. He will remain in the tube, where we will continue to pump his blood out. He has provided us with incredible resources, his super reflexes can actually be broken into amino acids that we can inoculate. The “Starr Serum” has been in circulation amongst Crey personnel for almost a year now. You’ll understand that we cannot simply unplug the only supply we have for it.” Wepp paced to the far end of the room, turned and pulled out a short wave radio. “Your decision, Mr. Bunny?”

“You will not harm her, in any way? Gentleman’s promise?” Bear Cat did not believe for one second the man would hold true to his words, but in the lack of better leverage, calling on the nobility of the soul was all he had.

“No harm whatsoever. We will simply observe her, provide any medical assistance that might be required, you have my word.” Wepp spoke the words with belief, but knew them to be a lie. Once Bear Cat had accomplished his task, all bets were off, Sun Heat was his to do as he pleased. No one could stop him.

“All right, all right. You have my cooperation, what is it you want of me?” Replied Bear Cat, not fooled for one second about the outcome.

“In less than an hour, guards will escort you to a room, where you will choose one weapon. Once that choice is done, a door will open to the “arena”, you will enter and confront the beast. We will monitor it, and yourself. The fight will be stopped before one of you dies, medical treatment will be provided if you should require it after. Simple really, just be what you are, a fighting machine.” Wepp awaited his answer.

“You want me to fight the beast you mentioned earlier, the one you are unable to chart and... Quantify?” The former leader of the Hunters of Apocalypse wasn’t fooled by it, they expected him to die.

“That’s the idea. Only a superb fighter can go toe with that monster, and you are such a man. Less than an hour, Mr. Bunny.” Wepp and the guards left the room, leaving Bear Cat to his thoughts.

“Better to die standing and young, than an old man in his sleep.” He whispered to the walls.

WOW!

Double dose of gruesome,merciless writing...

I need a cigarette....

[ QUOTE ]
WOW!

Double dose of gruesome,merciless writing...

I need a cigarette....

[/ QUOTE ]

Skittles for me

Awesome story. Can't wait for more!

[ QUOTE ]
Awesome story. Can't wait for more!

[/ QUOTE ]

My favorite part still remains when the scrapper gets his left ball totalled by a kick in the nuts!

I hope I am not the only guys that suddenly had a pain in his groin at the thought of that

I think me and you are the only ones reading this story, although I wonder how it got more than 3500 hits so far...?

Who cares!

Holy Francis Ford Coppola...

This story has been moderated several times...

Where do we find an unrated version??!!

One good thing about Voyager not being around much, he hasn't changed his name to CuppaVoyager

Ok, where to begin...

Thank you all (the both of you ) for the replies and comments.

Secondly, I'm not back on a regular basis just yet, me and the wife are expecting a child this february, and I am in the process of having to build a new office for the house, my old one is soon becoming a baby's room...

Work has been crazy also, so finding time to write has been sporadic at best. This story will be completed, and onec that is done, will be forgotten soon enough. But in the meantime, I must admit 150 meters to the ground has become more than it was supposed ot be, and I will remember it as being one heck of a roller-coaster ride.

Until I can write "The End." Than you for reading.

Voyager

The dim light of the fading Moon : Dark Side

Lying on his side, hands shackled behind his back, Cavalier breathed slowly the ever present pain racking his body. The guards had not been too kind, and with his powers prohibited, he had felt every blow land, something he had forgotten about after so many years. Broken jaw throbbing, nose also, cracked or broken ribs on his right side making it difficult to breathe, anger and a sense of despair accompanied every breath. He spat some blood, along with a loose molar, on the floor.

Slowly, he rolled himself to a sitting position, grinding his teeth doing so. Letting out a curse from the pain, he leaned his back against the concrete wall of the cell, a sigh of relief escaping his mouth. That trashing he took, would serve him in the future, to remind him that the best laid out plans came with a certain amount of pain. He wondered if the others were in a worse shape than he was, passing out had been a blessing, but what had happened after, was a blur. If only he could free himself of the inhibitors, if only he…

“Patience, James, If I’m right, we’ll get our turn soon. Wepp will not get away with this.” Moon Psyche’s mindvoice spoke to him, and Cavalier felt the pain in it. Moon was in a bad shape himself.

“And if you’re wrong, this will go down in history as being the most idiotic attempt at surrendering ever known to man.” Cavalier was angry at Moon, not so much because they were caught, more because Moon was relying on a trump card to save the day. “It’s a good thing to hope, Moon, but not at the expense of others. If your gamble doesn’t work, have you thought of what might happen to Sun Heat?”

“If it comes down to that, James, if truly I am wrong, I will kill her myself before I let Wepp and his cronies do anything to her. This, I swear.” The resolve in the thought was adamant, decisive and strong. “Be sure of this James, we can’t allow Crey Industries, under any circumstances, to experiment on babies, whether they be mine, yours or anyone else’s, it isn’t right. It can’t be permitted to go on, and if this means that we’ll have to kill every last one of them to stop it, so be it, is that understood?”

Cavalier’s mental nod agreed to the fact, there were things in this world that should not, could not be allowed. Lines in the sand were drawn, and each chose a side in the war, point of views stating that each were righteous in their plight against the other. But the children, the future of the world, had to remain outside the equations, had to be allowed, encouraged to grow up believing the world was a good place to grow up in. Hope, it has to account for something.

“Are you sure that the alien watching over Voyager, saved him?” The famous scrapper then asked, while trying not to cough to hard out, the blood that had come to his lips. Pierced lung from a broken rib, it had to be.

“I can’t say for sure, but I felt her presence, heard her through him. I think she’s with him in a sense, to make sure that he survives. I felt a greater purpose than mere surveillance, she is overseeing the outcome of something big, of which he has to play an important part. The one thing I can guarantee, she will not let him die, not if she can help it. Only problem is, I’m not sure what she can or cannot do, in the matter. She influences his thoughts, and come to think of it, I believe she is preventing the Crey Serum from working in his bloodstream. Bane is not insane anymore, but mark my words, the moment she leaves him, he will revert back into a paranoid state, and we’ll have to stop him.”

“I just hope you’re right, Moon. Right now, a borderline psychopath is the only hope we have to rescue everyone. I truly hope you are right….”


The cell door unlocked, two guards entered equipped with what appeared to be a sophisticated type of cattle prods. Using the tips, they pushed Bear Cat to the back wall of the cell. “No funny business, you freak.”

“All right, all right, point those things somewhere else guys, I’m all about peace, love and hot showers.” Replied Bear Cat as he leaned against the wall.

A team of scientists entered the room, with a rolling tray in tow, on which a variety of medical probes, syringes and bandages were laid out. Quietly, they stopped between the guards, eyeing the huge tank from head to toe. Nodding to each other, the lead one made a hand gesture to the guards, and soon after Bear Cat found himself rocked by an electric current that left him stiff, but aware on the floor. The scientists wasted no time, and got down to business. They took a blood sample, injected him twice with an unknown substance, they also put in place a biosensor emitter. Using a small blade, they made a small incision in his chest, just below the sternum. Once that was done, one of them brought out a type of medical gun, and they shot him with it. He felt an alien object burrow itself deep in his ribcage, lodging itself between the lungs, close to his heart. Had he been able to move, this would not have been permitted, he was annoyed.

Firing up a monitor on the tray, the constant beep of his heartbeat could be heard. Crey Industries was indeed going to collect “valuable” data from the fight, like how long it took him to die. They stitched him back up, then and there.

“Move it guys, it’s about to wear off.” Spoke one the guards, nervously standing by the door. The scientists nodded to each other, their work was done. Silently, they removed themselves from the room, followed by the two guards. The door closed, and Bear Cat remained on the floor, unable to move. Time went by, after about a minute, the huge tanker regained control of his body. A deep growl, soon after accompanied by a long series of curses and swears, could be heard through the reinforced metal door, all the way into the next corridor.


Quietly sitting on the bunk bed, Metal Core was attempting to meditate, on what he believed to be, the last days of his life. Of course, his time in the Shard had prepared him for death, but he had always pictured it in a fight, caught in a battle against odds he could not possibly overcome. That was the death he dreamed of, to stand defiantly in the face of danger, and not budge. Instead, he would die a lab rat, face down on a cement floor. Perspective, he reminded himself, allowed or prevented oneself from truly seeing what was going on. He would be of ice, would be of fire, in the coming hours, but he would not be indifferent.

His thoughts wandered on Jade Rade, wondering what, and also if, a day could’ve come when he and she, would talk. She was his spark, in a sense, the flicker of electricity that made his mind, body and soul, whole. Perspective, he thought again, made it possible for him to fight incredible odds, and yet be unable to tell the lady he cherished above all, how he truly felt for her. What is so frightening about love, that remaining quiet about it, makes one feel like it is heroic to do so? Words, simple words, carrying meaning beyond time and space, moving souls to a crescendo of sensations and beliefs. Exalting the people who had the courage to speak them aloud, to feel what poets write about, a thousand fold.

“If we make it out of here alive, she will know.” He solemnly swore to himself. Metal Core continued to let his mind drift on the subject, sitting still, eyes closed, on the countless times he had stood alone with her, unable to muster up the words he longed to tell her. Perspective, he vowed, would never again prevent him from being true to himself.


“Are these numbers correct, did you double check?” Wepp asked the technician standing in front of him, in his office.

“Yes sir.” Replied the latter briskly. “According to these readings, if she survives the dialysis, the woman should be the most powerful mutation ever created.”

Wepp put the papers out on his desk, and went to stand in front of the bay window looking down on the laboratory. Some of the greatest discoveries made by man, had been by mistakes. Gravity, radioactivity, and countless others. And now this…

“Upgrade the containment chamber, double the guards in the lab.” Wepp brought a finger to his lips, rubbing his bottom lip with it. There was an opportunity here, if they could harness her blood, much like they did with Turbo Starr, mould it into a viable serum, Crey Industries would become unparalleled on the biotechnology frontier, they would be able to transform every armies in the world, into super armies. Never again would a race like the Ritki, be able to invade blatantly their planet, never again. “Remove Mr. Starr from the extraction tube also, place him back in his cell. Until we’re done with her, he will have to wait.” He watched her, now quietly floating in the water, her body had stopped fighting the invasive procedure, she was becoming… Something else.

“As you wish, sir.” The technician left the room, while Doctor Wepp picked up the phone. It was time to report his progress to the powers that be. He knew the Countess would welcome this news with enthusiasm, hoped also, that she would make the rewards that came with it, substantial, as always.

While patiently waiting on hold, the security sergeant for the installation, entered his office, and came to stand stiffly in front of his desk. Wepp placed a hand on the phone’s speaker and said: “What is it?”

“Two things, sir. One, the guards that executed the controller have not made it back yet from the sewers, I sent out a detachment some time ago, and we haven’t heard from them since. Second, we have a perimeter breach.”

Wepp hung up the phone there and then, stood up and looked directly into the sergeant’s eyes.

“Perimeter breach? Have the Freaks decided we were no longer a threat to them?” He inquired, remembering last year’s incident with their “neighbours”.

“No sir, this is something new.” Replied the officer, suddenly uncomfortable with the idea of displeasing this most powerful man.

“Talk sergeant, I have no patience for riddles this late in the day.”

“Circle of Thorns, sir, they’re all over the perimeter.” Wepp’s head snapped around, looking at Ghost Starr’s inert shape in the tube next to Icy Heart.

“They’re coming for him.” Wepp spoke softly. What a fool he had been. This magical being could be tracked by magic users, and he had no way to prevent it. “Arm your men, I want everyone ready for a battle.”

Soon followed the telltale signs of motions, the ventilation crate opened and hung from one side, and a small shape fell from it, landing softly on the bunk bed next to him. Frank Winter blinked his eyes twice at the sight of her. What a marvel she was, about eight inches high, rough pink hair, a rat’s tail, dressed in Barbie clothing. Her glowing pink eyes were riveted on the chocolate bar his right hand was holding, and much like he would’ve done for a kid, Frank broke off a piece and handed it over to her. She literally wrenched it from his hand, and almost appeared to wrestle the treat to the mattress as she was eating it.

“Hungry, are we?” Winter asked to the diminutive mutant.

“You have no idea, mister. The chef will not let me have anything unless the doctor clears it first.” She munched on the sweet, speaking the words were her mouth full.

“Sounds like they could be nicer to you, what’s your name?” Biogenetic marvel is what she was. The degree of talent and knowledge it must’ve taken to create her, limited the possibilities to one or two persons in Paragon City, maybe a total of six throughout the entire state. The fact that she was alive was a crime in itself, but Frank Winter could not deny the sheer boldness of her creation. Human and rat DNA, grafted and moulded together, breaking all natural laws of nature, and yet pushing its frontier towards new horizons.

“I’m Lab, you must be Frank Winter?” Replied the mutant, evidently hyper from eating the chocolate.

“Why, yes, yes I am. Who told you my name?” He inquired, puzzled by the little being.

“The doctor. “ She went on, not aware that her lips were now smudged with melted chocolate, much like a kid would be.

“Doctor Wepp, well, has he told you why he wanted you to meet me?” Winter got up and walked to the reinforced door, looking it over, assessing its functionality. It took a few seconds to gather what he needed from it, smiling to himself and nodding, he would probably be able to open it from the inside with a few tools. Problem was where to get them?

“The doctor rarely tells me anything interesting, he says to go there or do that, and I do it, then I get some cheese.” Lab Experiment was now in the process of licking the chocolate from her hands and enjoying every moment of it.

“Cheese… I understand. How about all the food you would like, for as long as you live?” It was worth a try. Heck, if he could bribe her with this, maybe he would get what he needed to organise a break out.

Her eyes widened, her ears erected themselves on the side of her head, her jaw slackened for a few seconds. Then her face closed, and her eyes darkened. “Why is it that everyone I meet offers me everything I want, but soon after, they ask for something else before I get it?”

Innocence, Frank Winter thought, he was confronted by pure childish innocence. She was sentient, that was recognisable, but her brain functions and more importantly, her psychological development, was limited, would always be. The little being must’ve been bribed like this a thousand times past, and yet, she was still here. That meant that all the previous attempts fell short of her expectations. What could she want, above all else? What would be her most precious desire, the very thing to tip the scales in his favour?

“Do you have a family?” Inquired Winter after a few seconds of silence, already aware of the answer.

“I have the doctor, he takes care of me.” She replied, and started running all over the bed, then jumped down. The smallish figure had just eaten half her size in chocolate, the tell tale signs of a sugar rush, could not be disguised. She crawled under his pillow, and started laughing, her head popped out at the end, smiling ruefully and showing her sharp teeth.

“I mean a real family, brothers, sisters, mother and father. You know, like everyone else?” He pressed on, trying his sales pitch and hoping she would bite hook, line and sinker.

“Oh, no. What’s it like to have one?” She jumped from the bed, landed gracefully on the floor to soon vanish under the thing. She couldn’t stand still, her attention span was limited under the circumstances, but Frank Winter would have to make do. If he could handle a room full of reporters calling him a liar, he could handle her in this state.

“I don’t have one either,” He lied “but I do have brothers and sisters, lots of them.”

“Like how many?” The little mutant eyes darted from left to right, then up. She jumped and used the metal bar under the bed frame, and kicked her legs in front, resulting in a mid-air summersault, landing squarely on the edge of the mattress above.

“Oh, about three hundred or so, not counting the ones that are coming.” He replied dismissively, waving a hand and looking intently at her reaction. And it came, she gasped at the number and stopped moving altogether.

“Your father is a rabbit, and your mother a spider?” Lab Experiment commented, sitting herself down on the mattress. Frank Winter laughed wholeheartedly at that, her innocence was very sweet. She liked his laugh right away.

“Nothing of the sort, little one. I am part of the Riders of the Apocalypse, they are my family. We take care of one another, like brothers and sisters. I also enjoy the privilege of being one of their leaders, I’ll have you know. Anyone I meet, I can make them a member, right here and then.” He looked for it and found it, in her eyes, the need to belong. “But not just everyone can become a Rider, I’ll have you know. It takes courage, skills and the desire to do what’s right, above all things. A Rider is a hero in the eyes of his fellow Riders.” He nodded at that last, putting emphasis on the last words and hoping this would work. He would offer her what no one else could. A family.

She blinked, bit her bottom lip and though real hard about what he had just said. It sounded wonderful to be part of something like that. To have, what was the word? She creased her eyebrows, she knew the word but just couldn’t place it. That thing when people were comfortable together, made them want to be together and stuff. What was it again?

“All of them are my friends, we are a family.” Winter went on, recognising in her features that she understood the concept, albeit that it was alien to her.

“Friends!” That word sounds wonderful, I was looking for it just a moment ago.” She was very excited and jumped up and down.

“Do you have friends?” That was worth a shot, Winter thought, maybe she needed a friend.

“Plenty, there’s Mr. Starr, the annoyed old man, Mr. Bunny. Oh, and I met the most lovely lady just then, she’s my friend too!” Her eyebrows creased, and she looked down on the bed she was standing on. “I think she is.”

She knew Turbo Starr, the annoyed old man must be Voyager, and Mr. Bunny was more than likely Bear Cat. “What lady?”

“She’s in one of the cells, she kept screaming her lungs out earlier. At first I thought it was because she was hungry, but when I looked in on her, I saw that it was probably more because she was thirsty.” Replied Lab Experiment, happy with herself, at her powers of deduction.

“What did she look like, that lady?” Frank wanted to know if she was talking about Jade Rade or Sun Heat. It as also important to keep the little mutant talking, to get to know her more.

“Very beautiful, like Barbie.” Replied the pink haired being.

“Oh, you must be referring to Sun Heat then. She is a pretty one all right.” Suddenly, Frank Winter found what he was looking for. Leverage. All children were pretty much the same in a sense. They wanted, needed to do the right thing. Problem was, the right thing depended solely on what the parent said it was. Pacing in the cell, he wondered how he would be able to become a father figure to the mutant. His eyes darted from the door, to the mutant, to the floor. Then he stopped, jaw clenching, looking away from her, so she would not see his features darkened. He remained still a few seconds, gathered his composure, and turned around, his most warm smile on his face.

“Say, would you like to become a Riders of Apocalypse?” Throwing on his most solemn and caring face, the dice was cast. If she went for it, Frank Winter had found the tool he needed to break free, to escape from here. He just hoped that she needed to belong to something more than she realised.

Her head cocked to the side, she looked at him for a while. She was about to say something but held back. Her head cocked to the other side and she tried speaking once more, but remained silent. She took a long breath, let it out, and then said: “That sounds complicated.”

Just wanted to give this a bump for poppa voy. He is not playing again because his wife is pregnant. Not sure when he will finish it.

Yay for Voy! Another one on the way eh? That's great man! Gratz buddy

The dim light of the fading Moon: Lines in the sand

“Well, you would have to be invited by one of the leaders, and I happen to be one, you know. Also, you would have to complete your first assignment with success. Most recruits fail that second part usually.” He made his eyes harden, steeling them and looking at her, a hint of challenge and amusement to coerce her into wanting this. She remained silent, holding her breath, awaiting his next sentence with anticipation. “All right, you are hereby promoted to the rank of recruit first class, all privileges, and most importantly, responsibilities that come with it, are now yours. Since we are not at the academy, and there are no instructors present to begin your training, I guess we’ll have to skip a few chapters, and dive right into it.”

“Dive into what?” She asked curiously, she wasn’t one to enjoy swimming much, already she disliked this new adventure.

“Into trouble, recruit. We don’t call ourselves Riders of Apocalypse for nothing, you know. Ours is a long tradition of standing when we should run, holding the line when everyone else says we should surrender. We are the Riders, take pride in this title, recruit, for it is that very name, which will strike fear in the heart of your foes, and hope in the ones that had none. When all else fails, we stand and deliver.” Frank spoke with passion, with belief and pride, hoping to inspire the little mutant to think of herself as being a part of something greater than anything she had known or believed in the past, and judging from her upright stature, the cold decidedness in her eyes, the words had rung true.

“I understand, ermmm, Leader of Us All, what is my task?” She asked solemnly, not quite understanding why Winter chuckled at the title she had just given him.

“Your task is as follows, should you succeed, you are to report to the Riders of Apocalypse Headquarters in Steel Canyon. There you will ask to speak with Control, and only him, and report your success. Are you ready for your first assignment recruit?” Frank knew that Control would ask the little mutant the right questions, knew that he would add it all up and come here with all the Riders and tear this place apart. The only thing that truly mattered though, was to make sure the information got to him. Taking into account he believed his time, and that of his friend was running out, he decided to take no chances.

“But… Sir… Where is Steel Canyon?” Impishly replied by a blushing Lab Experiment. Winter nodded, she had never been out of here, and that was exactly what he had hoped for.

“Well, in that case recruit, I guess we will have to show you.” He smiled, then creased his eyebrows. “Only problem is, only one of us knows the location of the Headquarters, and whenever we need to go there, she has to guide us. I guess that upgrades your mission, recruit.” Winter was lying through his teeth so much, he looked up at the ceiling, almost expecting a heavenly bolt of lightning to strike him. “Bring Sun Heat with you, she will be your guide.”

Silence, heavy and palpable, full of meaning, followed.


Further into the base, Bear Cat was being carefully watched by two guards. He slowly walked in front of a series of table, onto which a myriad of weapons were laid out. His eyes went from fighting batons to swords, to battle axes and various types of knives.

“The odds are fifty to one against you, Mr. Bunny. Any last requests?” One of the guards chuckled.

“Yah, I wouldn’t mind going out with a little music.” Bear Cat replied while his hand brushed the hilt of a vicious looking battle mace.

“Sure, got a tune in mind?”

“Have a drink on me by AC/DC.” And his hand came to rest upon a familiar weapon, that hammer he had used to punt his way into this facility, the first time around. He smiled ruefully, that weapon somehow made him feel good. His choice was made. Hefting the weapon expertly, he swung it around the air a few times and recognised the familiarity of it. It looked like a plain battle hammer, long shaft that looked aged and used, the blunt head of it rusted. But it felt good to use it, almost as if he had always wielded it. A calm, confident and resolute smile appeared on his rugged face. He would be going down fighting, kicking and screaming and that was good. It had been the way of his life ever since that day he had decided for himself that enough was enough. He knew what he was about to face, he was no fool when it came to asserting odds for or against himself. Today, was the day he died.

Turning around still smiling, the two guards took a few careful steps back and raised their weapons at the sight of him. They led him into the last corridor he would ever walk, towards the last door he would ever see open and close, into a circular room the size of a football field. All of it did not matter anymore, nothing but the moment now, occupied his mind. They wanted to measure a fight, a battle against a foe he could not possibly beat alone. A battle they would get to witness, record and quantify as they said, the likes of which people read of in the history books and wonder if it really occurred or if it was made up. They wanted to record a fight, he would give them a war. Bear Cat’s mind was calm and quiet, he was hot red steel in the cold, crisp water, tempered and true. The guards closed the double doors behind him, he heard them sliding what must be a heavy bar across, to block the escape. Silence, nothing to be seen in the room all the way across. He had no doubts that the sliding cargo door at the other end of the gymnasium was where the enemy would come from. The entire situation had a certain roman feel to it, the gladiator’s arena, morituri te salutant and all that crap. This was a wonderful way to die, no audiences, no one to save but himself. It would come down to his will to survive pitted against an enemy that would give no quarter. No fear here, just two warriors, facing each other not because they have to, or that they want to. Because they choose to do so, because that’s what it was all about in the end: a pure moment of truth. He wondered if the monstrosity he was about to face understood this, wondered how that thing interpreted this moment. Bear Cat was sure of only one thing at this moment in time, the clarity of it making him smile. If that beast and him could talk about the things to come in the next few minutes, they would both agree that Bear Cat’s life was coming to a sudden alt, soon.

The door at the far end of the room began to slide upwards, revealing a pool of light, the outlines of pairs of feet standing around what looked to be a giant cage with wheels underneath it. Bear Cat counted seven guards armed with sub machineguns standing around the cage, the slumped shape of the monster inside the cage confirmed at least that even the Envoy of Shadows can be subdued by chemical means. Four guards came to the front of the contraption and bent down to begin pulling on ropes attached on it. They brought forth the sleeping menace and let go of the ropes about fifteen feet inside the gymnasium. They quickly ran back towards the cargo door, while two more guards aimed and fired darts inside the cage, at the beast. No doubt, these projectiles would be the wake up call. The cargo door slid down, leaving the caged beast and Bear Cat alone in the quiet space. Maybe fifty yards separated him from the cage yet he clearly heard the behemoth stir, a grumbling came from it. There was no doubt now that the time to die was here and now. Bear Cat took a fighting stance, battle hammer at the ready, he repeated to himself over and over: “I came here to rescue Turbo Starr, my mission is not complete.”

The first note of “Have a drink on me” began to play in the room, soon the drums would kick in, the base would roll into it and the screeching voice of the lead singer would come in. Bear Cat wondered if he would make it to the end of the song…

In the laboratory’s control room, several technicians were seated in front of glowing screen, managing the data from the many experiments going on. Most of them were now standing and watching the battle about take place. Money was exchange and bets were made as to how long Mr. Bunny would actually last against the beast. Dr. Wepp did not intervene in the matter. In fact letting it go was just what morale needed today, his people deserved some form of entertainment here and there, as long as all the data was being gathered to be reviewed later, he had no quarrels with them standing around and watching the spectacle.

He sat there watching the monitors, his eyes darting towards another screen recording the heart rate and blood pressure and a myriad of other physical information on Bear Cat’s condition. Sad, the man had refused his offer, what an addition to his team he would’ve been. Even now, facing the impossible, his pulse was steady and calm. What a specimen he was. He had seen others like him tested in similar fashions in the past, and only a few were a match to his composure. Wepp admired him in a way, although gifted as Bear Cat was, he had also found the time to develop the nature of his being, the core of his soul. Other super powered beings usually relied more on their powers than their brains, but Wepp had a doubt that the former leader of the Hunters of Apocalypse valued and enjoyed using his wisdom before his brawns.

Cheers from the technician broke his reverie and he saw that the captured monster had risen in its cage, growling its anger. A few gigantic punches later, the reinforced bars of the door were already bent, in a few seconds, it would be free. His eyes shifted to the Bear Cat monitor. Motionless, he just stood ready, awaiting, watching. With a resounding echo, the cage door flew open and the beast took a careful step out of it, looking left and right in the gymnasium. Was this basic instincts, or was the monster actually assessing the situation? Its red eyes then centered on Bear Cat, in the distance, and the beast stopped, a low growl rumbling out of it. Was it sensing a threat? The energy monitor spiked up and everyone visually witnessed a flowing black smoke emanating from the Envoy of Shadows, magic in its nature, known to be deadly if someone came too close and was exposed over a period of time. Crey personnel had learnt this outright when they first brought in the beast, two days ago.

The beast charged ahead and the floor rumbled, Bear Cat did the same, letting a long cry filled with anger. Everyone in the lab cheered then feel silent as the distance between the two was closing. They watched one screen, then the other, until both could be seen in the center monitor. The clash was gigantic, Bear Cat jumped in the air, battle hammer raise high above his head ready to come down mercilessly on the monster’s skull. The beast dove straight ahead, talon hands extended in a reaching manner, jaws opened ready to render flesh and bones if it had the chance. The impact followed, drowned by the excited yells of the technical staff.

Bear Cat’s hammer flew from his hands and continued its course behind the beast, and in a flash, he found himself shove into the floor once, twice and a third time. Breath knocked out of him, he wasn’t given a chance to recuperate. The beast’s right hand closed with an iron grip around his left arm, he felt the room spin, suffered the smashing effect of his body being turned into a rag doll as he hit the floor once more, was lifted again, smashed once more into the floor. He felt ribs break, muscles and ligaments tore up, blood flew his mouth. The beast rotated on itself and violently threw Bear Cat towards the cage. The man flew through the air and came to a sudden stop inside the cage, against the far wall of it. So strong was the impact, that it pushed the contraption to fall backwards with a resounding clang! Envoy of Shadows growled with satisfaction, racing towards the cage, it jumped on it, coming to stand above bear Cat’s broken body. Emitting a rumbling laugh, the beast stepped to the ground, closing the cage door on the bloody mess.

The song had reached the first chorus…

The dim light of the fading Moon : Lines in the sand part 2


Wepp picked up the phone, the captain of the guards sounded breathless and echoes of an ongoing battle had the doctor push the phone away from his ear.

“Sir, we are outnumbered and outgunned, we cannot hold much longer, I suggest evacuation at this point.” Spoke the Captain, almost screaming. Wepp remained silent, taking the scope of the news, all it implied into consideration. The captain would not request this lightly. It meant that they would have to abandon the facility, leave behind proof of its existence to enemy hands. But, what was more important here, was the people doing the work, not the work itself. They would rebuild on its foundation in due time, as long as the core data could be saved and carried away, the future of the project would be protected.

“Very well Captain, once the personnel is out of the facility I will send word for you and your men to rendezvous at the secondary location. Let me be clear Captain, you hold that line until the last man, there’s too much in stake here for us to simply evacuate, we need time to implement the procedure. Understood?”

“Sir, yes sir.” Came the sharp reply on the telephone. In other words, Dr. Wepp had ordered him and all of his men to die. What were they in comparison to the project. Nothing but cannon fodder.

Wepp hung up, then dialed another extension.

“Staff Sergeant.” Spoke a female’s voice on the other end.

“Execute order gamma-3 Staff Sergeant, authorization W609, the password is Countess.”

“Very well doctor, fifteen minutes and counting… now.” Came the reply, after which the line was cut, and Dr. Wepp was left to his thoughts. Would this be a major setback to the project, he wondered. In a few minutes, the news of laboratory 1203 being compromised would reach the high instances of the company, along with his name being mentioned in the same sentence where the word “failure” could be heard. Already, all around him, every screen in the facility had begun flashing a red alert message along with the gamma-3 inscription. The Crey personnel, at first stunned by the sight displayed, busied themselves gathering all essential data, while others scurried about with materials and other sensitive documents. Most of which would be destroyed in the next few minutes. Wepp just hoped not too many of them would confuse what was to be kept from what was to be erased.

A computerized voice came on the intercom system of the laboratory: “Self-destruct procedure implemented, fourteen minutes and twenty seconds remaining. There will be no other warning. Evacuate… Evacuate… Evacuate…” Wepp looked down into the main facility, at the two water tanks containing Icy Heart and Ghost Starr, and felt sadness at having to destroy them so soon.

Fifty yards under the base, in an enclosed chamber, a timing device had begun a countdown a few seconds ago. Less than fifteen minutes from now, it would go into a nuclear reaction. Located where it was, it insured maximal destruction of the laboratory and would create a small crater inside Crey’s Folley of about one hundred yards in every direction. Being underground guaranteed that a minimal amount of radiation would actually permeate the area, although no plant life would survive for the next one hundred years, most in Crey’s Folley wouldn’t care much about that. And if it killed a few Freaks in the long term or prevented them from procreating, it was considered a bonus.

Moon Psyche had listened to the intercom message, had felt the heightened tension in the minds of the people in the laboratory, and right on the edge of his powerful perception, something wicked coming their way. A few minutes ago, his mind had twitched when Bear Cat attempted to fight the Envoy of Shadows, the meat grinding process the huge tanker had gone through had him thinking that getting a trashing from the guards had been a mild event. Concentrating hard, he searched and found the minds of his friends close by, and tried to relay calmness and confidence that all was happening according to a greater purpose than they could fathom. Although he found agreement within the mind of Metal Core and Jade Rade, his friends did not agree wholeheartedly, especially Cavalier’s mind, who firmly believed that men and women made the difference, not some preordained force managing the universe. Ironic, Moon though, that those who are willing to rely more on faith, are those that did not have any hopes to begin with. Time was running out though, less than fourteen minutes until the explosion, they needed to act.

“Apocalypse Assemble.” Mindspoke Moon to everyone. He felt them struggle to rise up, against their power shackles, against their injuries. “Frank, can you free yourself yet?” Moon asked Winter.

“Working on it Moon, our new recruit is helping me with this issue as we speak.” Came the reply that had everyone in the circle of minds wondering whom Frank Winter was referring to. Moon squinted his eyes at the mental image that Frank sent him.

“Lab Experiment will betray us in the end, Frank, be wary of your words and actions with her.”

“Oh I know Moon, she can’t go against the genetic engineering that created her, but I think she can help for a short amount of time before it kicks in. When you pit it against her need to belong, to be part of something greater, she finds it in herself to resist what she is. A very interesting theory applied, I’ll have to compile notes and some data on this case later on, no amount of genetic manipulation can truly prevent us from being human, she is flawed.” Winter’s thoughts breathed satisfaction at this realization.

“Can we leave the mumbo jumbo for later guys, and work on getting out of here?” Cavalier’s mind was clear and true, his purpose was decisive.

“I’m free… I just need to figure out how to bust down the door.” Frank Winter replied through Moon’s mind relay. “Lab is going to free Sun Heat.”


“Make your shots count!” Yelled the Captain of the guards as he aimed his sub machinegun into the corridor and fired a volley into a passing acolyte of the Circle of Thorns. The brown clad shape spun on itself then fell limp to the ground. He took the safety pin off a grenade and sent it rolling deep ahead, towards the double doors leading into the main corridor he and his men were defending. They needed to hold, had to hold, no matter what, until they were told to fall back. The grenade exploded and a rumble ran through the floor under his feet, several cries of pain were heard from the enemy’s position, and the captain winced at the images they brought. Smoke filled the doorway, guns ceased to fire after a while, silence followed. The captain saw an occasion to replace his ammo, made sure his men were doing the same, while looking at the doorway quizzically. Then, then it came. A hissing sound, faint at first, but growing each second. An orange glow began to wash the bend of the corridor beyond the door, the hair behind the back of his head rose.

“Five grenades into that doorway, now!” He screamed teeth clenched, lips curled back. A moment later, he counted seven impact sounds of grenades rolling against the floor into the doorway. A generic order brings a generic reaction, he reminded himself. He just hoped that seven would be enough to shatter the entryway at this point. He had no clue what was coming, but rarely had he felt this sensation in his life, maybe once or twice. And every time he had, something bad, really bad occurred. The concussive explosion that followed rattled the soldiers, debris came flying towards them, shredding apart pieces of concrete walls, creating more projectiles as it sped from its momentum. With a loud sound, the ceiling above the doorway fell across the entrance, a sight welcomed with a loud cheer by the soldiers.

The men and women patted themselves on the shoulders, looked at their captain, nodding approval for his decision, once again recognizing his leadership and skills. But he kept his eyes on the blocked doorway, still not satisfied. The concrete and stone began to glow orange in the dark, brighter and brighter, until it liquefied, and a small river of molten rock started to spread itself across the floor. The troops were far enough from it to be safe, but the heat was palpable. A brighter glow could be seen beyond the shimmering, it was about to fill the melted doorway. The soldiers expertly took aim towards the opening, eyes fixed on the center of the hole.

A small shape appeared, no taller than a child, covered in flames. Squinting his eyes, the captain defined the outline of it as that of a monkey, a flaming monkey…

“Fire!” He screamed to his troops.

A second monkey shaped flame being jumped onto the melted rocks, and both were met with a hail of bullets that send them flying backwards against the wall behind them, where they ungracefully died. A third came racing through the entrance, jumping its way towards the nearest soldier, but never made it. It met the same fate that the others had. The captain’s eyes grew wider, his mind did not accept what his eyes were seeing.

Liquid flames were creeping on the floor now, washing like the tide across the broken flooring and melted rocks. Silent and hot, the fire was breathing gently, pushed by a soft wind unseen. The walls and ceiling were soon covered by them, blurring the view into the doorway, the river of flames seemed to stall and wait.


“I came here to rescue Turbo Starr, my mission is not complete.”

Slowly he rose in the cage. Carefully and as gently as he could he tried to remain up, but fell. The impact send a cry from his lungs, a spurt of blood exploded from his mouth and he racked with coughing and pain. His right arm was limp and broken on his side, the right area of his ribcage felt shattered, he could feel the bones loosely poking his lung. His right eye was shut and swollen, he was having a hard time to swallow. His right leg had trouble supporting him but he managed to stay upright by using his left hand and holding on to one of the heavy bars of the spilled over cage. Looking up with a heavy sigh, he wondered how in his condition, he would be able to lift the iron door wide enough to crawl out.

His attention was taking away by the pounding of a heavy drum. The sound came from the other side of the gymnasium. The cage being on its side and the flooring of it hiding the view in that direction, he had to lean his head against the bars to catch a glimpse of what was going on. About seventy yards away, Envoy of Shadows was pounding heavily on the double doors that had let Bear Cat into the combat area. The beast alternated left and right pummelling motion onto it, oblivious to everything else. The pure rage animating the motions reminded him of how much he was in pain at the moment. He backed away from the sight, a creeping sensation in the pit of his stomach made him do so. Bear Cat was very much afraid of going into another round with the monstrosity. Turning around, he stopped short. There, outside the bars, pressing a finger against his lips to signal silence, was a guard armed with an air pressure gun. His face was covered in sweat and he was not alone. Nine more Crey Security Guards accompanied him, all armed to subdue the Envoy of Shadows. They were scared, all using the cage as a shield from the beast. They would have to covered seventy yards of open ground, at the very least forty to fire their weapons, to put the monster under. Why was Crey Industries hell bent on keeping it?

The pounding went on, and the lead guards made hand signals to split the team into two units, moving left and right of the cage, creeping quietly closer to their target. Bear Cat began to think, while removing his belt to begin fastening his limp arm to his chest. The five thousand years old Chinese proverb stating that the enemy of my enemy, is my friend, had just gained a new light here. With a restrained grunt, Bear Cat finished fastening his useless appendage along his chest, with the forearm across the belly to provide more defence to an already weakened area. He looked once more in the direction of Envoy of Shadows, saw that the monster was still attempting to break through the far door, saw that the guards were still silently creeping to get to a firing position. He looked down and around him, took hold of one of the bars, let out a long breath accompanied by a silent prayer and yelled :

“Yo! Fugly! We ain’t done yet!”

The beast stopped its pounding and turn around in one swift motion. The ten security guards’ faces went from sweaty to pastry white during that same motion and Bear Cat made ready for what would surely be a hell of a bumpy ride. Envoy of Shadows started to race after the retreating guards, some of which were screaming for their mothers. Many managed to fire their tranquilizer darts, but none hit the target as they were killed horribly and quickly by the beast.