Jace continued on, his mission was to get to the Aliea Territory and finish what was to come... But he still had a strange feeling that girl was somehow connected to all of this... He leaned on the trees with a blank look, waiting... His sensory skills are what helped him planned for things, and he had to know this alien place better. He stretched and walked towards the busy city, unknown to its features and understanding.
What he observed was an interesting behavior of conixium socialization. He was able to make blueprints of technology that was just lying around, his sight, "something else had to be going on behind the scene." he thought. And luck would have it, as he laid his hand down on a terminal, information from the web, history, lifestyle, guides, information, and knowledge started pouring in.
He removed his hand, nothing had been downloaded onto the terminal, but it was like his conscious was inside the virtual world and now he is connected to it in every way...
"Hands of a god..." He said, then realizing his knowledge from that remark. He stood in the middle of the city center and could identify, name, and find everything that was going on around him. He wondered... Was he... A god?
An hour passed and Alina was walking home, she was in the Academy of High Alkalist, the equivalent to highschool in human terms but to a more complex extent in terms of time and education.
It was finally the Mardigra Dance today. And the last one for the year before they graduate. She was the co-host for the academy party and was excited for it as she went home and started to prepare.
It was about 16:00 as she was dropped off with her friends. The Academy was a huge circular building with an elegant limestone-pathed courtyard in the middle. She walked into the entrance and many others dressed with their masks, suits, and dresses were having a memorable moment in life. Majestic and bustling lights brighten the dark oak dance floor and a professional band was playing. She walked out of the car. Her friend Jaime with a disappointed look in her face had to break some news.
"Jaime! You look so beautiful today!" Alina said as they hugged. She noticed that she was sad. "What's wrong?"
She looked at her. "He couldn't make it..."
Alina was speechless "Why couldn't he?..." Her voice trembled.
"His grandfather was hospitalize, he made the last call and took a plane to the territory of Arcia." Jaime explained.
"Oh... I have to call him, he must be very devastated..." Alina said as she walked towards the door.
Meanwhile everything else was going on, Jace was hidden on top of the roof watching. She stood outside and Jace waited for her call to finish up.
"Ok, I'm so sorry Andrew, I hope he gets better. Ok I understand, I'll call back soon." She said and walked further into the dark courtyard. She sat at the marble fountain in the middle.
Her eyes watered and eventually a tear ran down her cheek.
"Today was the day." she thought. "Andrew's grandfather is dying and I'm alone for the final dance before I graduate. The one I devoted time to help create, and now I'm rewarded with this... Two bad things just have to happen today." She started to cry putting her head down onto her hands.
Jace just continued to watch from behind on top of the tree. His mind made use of his new found information and landed on the grass without a sound, he transformed his clothing into a tuxedo and a white eye mask that attached to his face. As he walked with his dress shoes, Alina turned around looking at him.
"Please... Just leave me alone." She said in an unsteady voice as she continued to cry and looked away from embarrassment.
Jace stopped, knelt down, putting his hand on the ground, and a blue rose grew from the grass. He picked it up and continued to walk.
"Please-" she looked at him but noticed the rose. "It- its blue..." She said surprised.
He held it towards her and she grabbed it. Examining it she looked back at him, his palm out with a white glove on.
"May I take this dance? He said.
She was speechless for a moment. "Ye-yes, of course." She went along and he pulled her up onto the side of the fountain. He snapped his fingers and classical music started to play.
"How did you-" she was interrupted by Jaces finger covering her mouth. "Don't ask." He said quietly.
They're steps synced, they moved swiftly from the concrete floor and around the fountain, the music mysterious and Alina dazzled by who had set this up.
Of course no one knew him. Jace danced on and in a final movement they stopped with the music.
He took a step back and let go of her hand.
"My name is Jace." He said taking off his mask. She realized who this was.
"You're the guy who I ran into. How did you find out... Did my friends set this up? I'm confused." She said puzzled.
Jace just looked at her. "Something told me I had to meet you, I don't know why." He explained.
Suddenly a bundle of military airships flew over the campus carrying heavy tanks and armor. Jace knew what he had to do, he had to take this chance...
"I'm going now... I have to go somewhere important. I’m sorry..." He hesitated.
"Wait, what do you mean?"
He put his finger on her lips and pointed at the fountain behind her. She looked for a second and looked back and was startled... He was gone... Again.
She looked around as he disappeared and didn’t know what to do but yell “Jace! Wait! If you’re still around.... Please meet me tomorrow at my workplace, The building is called Akali Systems! Just check in at the counter and ask for me!..” She said making an attempt to meet him again.
Jace quickly raced across the courtyard and jumped onto the roof where he saw the ships, he took a step back and the launched himself towards the targets. He flew across the night and caught the side of the tank perfectly. Next to the other ships was a small carrier... The same one that retrieved him and put him in the Hydron military facility.
He jumped towards it and caught a hold on the door. He put his hand on it and slowly pushed through the mass without destroying it. His body followed through the solid door and he was inside like a metaphysical being.
Standing there was Dr. Anithan doing her research. He took a step forward, she noticed him and pulled out a hidden pistol from her back and fired multiple stun shots. Each of which perfectly hit Jace in the chest. But the bullets fell undamaging him.
He dashed forward and grabbed the stun pistol turning it into a glob of metal.
“Tell me... Where is the Aliea territory, or I’ll kill you...” He threatened her.
“So, Witt gave you that name right?” She asked trying to grasp a breath
Jace didn’t reply to her question. “I said tell me where the Aliea Territory is!” He said morphing his right arm into a longsword and pushed her against the wall by her neck.
“You will gain nothing from killing me. Rathering I can help you if you cooperate...” She struggled to talk as his hand choked and deprived her of air.
"What do you want with me?" He demanded an answer.
"Please! Le- let me down! I just want you to know that people may be hostile against you at first because they don't know what you are or your potential to destruction. I'm sorry this had to happen."
Jace took his hand off of her and she fell on her knees and coughed taking in air.
"Why do you feel sorry?"
Anithan stood up and took a deep breath and adjusted her glasses. "I- I see someone like you, who's lost his memories, someone who doesn't have a known past can be turned to do good or evil because you likely are confused in your morales. If you are to find your answers, blindly going to something without a plan won't help." She walked to one of her work tables and grabbed a small device. "You'll need our help, but you need to gain the trust of everyone first."
She gave Jace the device.
"But... Why do you think, or even want to help me?"
"Through a logical standpoint instead of pure instinct on acting against something we do not yet understand, if someone like you has no memory, you really have no reason to act the part of a hero or villain. I chose to help you and in return, just want to gain your trust to keep the world the way it is and not become the enemy. Don't try to go to the Aliea Territory yet, wait until things get worse so they'll be desperate enough to need you. Anything else and they'll just try to capture and lock you up before they know what's right."
She opened the door while the ship was still in the air. "Now stay on the down low, learn about the people and if you can... Enjoy it."
Jace looked at her nodding "I understand."
She put her hand on his shoulder. "People will reject you in almost every way because they don't understand it at first, I for one, have work that requires to learn and understand these things. I'm of course, still trying to even comprehend how you were able to do what you." She chuckled as she opened the hangar door "You need to go before we reach the base."
"Ok... Thanks." he said lastly and jumped off.
So that was that... Its somehow extraordinary that someone wasn't afraid of his powers to talk logic to him. Jace pondered on the concept of heros and villans... He didn't feel like the need to be on either side. He just wanted to find out his past and reasons. But now all he could do is follow the plan she had proposed. He had no certain thing he needed to rush at.
The small carrier dropped him around a rocky hillside with the city below and the stars and moon above. He decided to fall back into the grass. His breath was subtle, his mind at rest, and he watch the sky... the place he came from.
* * *
247hrs- Ground zero - Day two
<<001 day before escape>>
Witt had found Neo squad. Only three members remained. And the freshest samples that they collected from the core were destroyed in a vehicular explosion which left most of them dead and infected. Although that happened, he found out one thing. Their bodies were only covered by the mutations and only their chemical energy connecting to the back of their necks were being taken internally.
They were close to the border of the Red-Zone where they would meet Dr.Anithan in her mobile Lab, which was heavily fortified with troops.
He got up from the ground next to trees and bushes witnessing the dark purple tentacles that covered the ground expand across everything. He quickly commanded the others to go towards the next cover. He covered them in any way he could. Striking the enemy in the back with his knife and silenced magnum.
Suddenly when the remains of neo squad started to move out of cover, an infected beast with three jaws, its teeth unevenly sharp, and its tentacles that aimed at their throats suddenly jumped out and pinned two of them. It opened its mouth and started to bite in to their torsos ripping out their organs and guts as blood and intestines spewed out staining the uncontrollable beasts and dripped fresh blood from its mouth as it stared into the eyes of the survivors that screamed in pain and blood gushing out of the others mouth. It bit off one of their heads and made a crunching noise while it ripped its teeth in their skulls and bits of their brains and hair stuck in between its teeth.
"-Cheesecake!-!" Witt screamed, he jumped in and grabbed the sole survivor who froze in shock and the horrible sight of her comrades being eaten alive. He started to run with her on his back.
"This is African Lion Actual, repeat, this is African Lion Actual. Are there any survivors?" The emergency COMMs were searching for people.
Witt tuned in. "This is Special Ops team Voxen , code Alpha, whiskey, delta, Conix Tier Seven.
A few seconds passed before a reply "... Patching you in Agent."
The COMMs switched to Dr. Anithan's encrypted frequency. "What’s the progress Witt?"
"We've lost the samples and data. I couldn't get there in time. Any progress?"
"Yes, some but we still need some pure samples to clarify our data to be used against the aliens. The last place we could get it would most likely be the core."
"The core is very dangerous, both sky and ground operations failed to retrieve NEO team, I have the only sole survivor with me."
"Get back here in one piece, I need you for our next mission ASAP."
"Give me some time Kayla, don't rush me." Witt said ending the transmission.
* * *
An time had passed, his cautious motions and trusty rifle let him slip away with the sole survivor. She was silent and fell behind.
"Hurry" Witt said as he turned and looked at her pale face.
"What’s wrong?" He questioned
She looked at him. "My sister’s dead… Eaten… Alive… I saw it… Its… Haha... just a prank! She scared me for a second!" She said and a tear came out of her right eye. She laughed "I can't wait until she comes out of hidding, I’m really mad she did this great of a prank..." she cracked a small smile. She was easily in denial.
He looked at her tag. “Christine… She’s dead… I’m sorry, but you’re in-”
"NO SHE’S NOT!" She interrupted. "We were studying this specimen in the mobile lab! She’s probably waiting for me, I have to go."
She turned and started to walk. Witt grabbed her hand.
“No, Christine… She’s dead, please don’t do this.” Witt tried telling her again.
“What are you talking about? She was here like five minutes ago before she-”
“I know! But she was killed, murdered…” He explained
“No… No… You’re crazy!” She denied and tried to pull away.
Witt grabbed and wrap his arms around her. “No! Listen! She’s dead! OK! DEAD!”
“No! Get your hands off of me!” She yelled crying.
“CHRISTINE! She was killed right in front of you.” Witt said locking his grip around her more.
She suddenly stopped, her body slouched and her arms hung on to him. She didn’t say anything, only the sound of her sob.
“She’s gone and there’s nothing you can do about it, ok… You can’t go back, you have to go with me…”
She let go seconds later. Her tears streamed down.
“She’s dead?”
“Yes… I’m so sorry I couldn’t save her, but I have to get you out of here.”
“Ok…” She said. Witt started to walk towards the LZ.
A click noise alerted Witt and he turned around. She unlatched her helmet.
"Wait!" Witt said, but it was too late, the helmet came off. Her plush golden hair fell out loosely as she opened her blue eyes.
"Don't worry, before we left the diagnostics read that it isn’t airborne, and it only infects if its an actively moving entity." She took a step forward inches away from Witt.
"Will you come back for me if I don't make it?"
...Witt hesitated. "I will"
"promise me?" She slowly said
Witt continued on walking without an answer, the girl didn't know if he heard it or not, she kept silent.
Soon they could see the Base about a few miles out. And in between were the monsters vigorously checking the area, like they were organized or something. They were building up for an attack. They couldn't get pass that many infected beasts.
"Lion Actual, can you pinpoint us for an LZ?" He radioed in."
"Yes we can, but only in the morning. Omega Control was restricted to daytime operations only. You're going to have to hold out."
"Ok, when the sun rises I'll set off multiple flares of different colors; the green flair is our location. Do not go to the others, repeat, do not go to the other flairs."
"Copy that, we're ready."
Witt looked around and found a large ditched covered by tree roots and leaves. "We can stay here for tonight." He climbed inside with her. I'll keep a watch for the enemy if they try to find us."
Another hour went by and it was already dark. Witt watched the Christine as she slept soundly on the pile of leaves. Her face was calm and comforting somehow... He looked outside and started to plan a way towards a considerable LZ. The base was only five miles out which would only take the ships at least a minute or two to reach them. His eyes started to wander and slowly sleep crept up on him. He shook his head and got up patrolling the area.
* * *
The girl was awoken by airships flying near the base patrolling. Taking a peek outside Witt was standing there communicating with African Lion Actual. He turned and saw her awake, "You ready?" He said
"Yeah, let’s go." She replied. Her face was voided of any emotion.
Witt set off multiple flairs behind him as they ran as close to the base as they could. Finally he set off the green one.
The flairs set off the monsters in roars as they headed closer to each flair.
"ETA forty one seconds."
"Hurry, we have contact!"
Witt took out his rifle and fired at the traps he had sets with grenades on the trees. It blew up and the trees created a barricade. But the monster had climbed over it with one of its tentacle-bonded hand had been severed and its blood spewed out of its mouth.
"Watch it!" He dived and pushed the girl out of the way."
"Hide over there!"
Witt grabbed his rifle and fired at its face aiming at the eyes.
It gave a loud repetitive screech like cry. And right before it noticed a grenade was right under its body it exploded.
The smoke cleared and it was left lying dead, but the sound attracted more away from the other flairs. "-Cheesecake!-, African Lion," he radioed "what’s the ETA?"
"Thirty seconds, hold on, we have a long range fighter ready to assist, mark with your laser designator.
Witt grabbed out a small pen like tool and turned the laser on. He pointed at the forest ahead and it transmitted to the fighter which fired seconds later. It bloomed the forest with intense light and explosions clearing the enemy. The flashes died down and the girl was next to the flair and a rock. Crying and covering her ears as she watched as the creatures coming towards and jumped at her. Witt fired a single shot. The beast harmlessly fell on her and she pushed it off surprised that it’s already dead.
A prodigious tentacle penetrated through the trees and sliced the space Witt was on a second ago. He jumped up in the air. But the tentacle retaliated and whipped him a few meters away. It grabbed the girl’s leg and started pulling. She started to scream clawing at the soil with the fear and horror in her eyes. With all of that panic she suddenly stopped... The monster pulled her in with her emotionless face holding on to a crescent shaped necklace. She slowly closed her eyes and disappeared into the forest.
"No!" Witt screamed helpless "-Cheesecake!-!" He ran to the edge of the forest. He saw a silhouette of monsters. He couldn’t stay much longer. He backed up and the rescue ship was waiting for him.
"I'll come back." Witt promised.
The field was covered by the abominations right as Witt was rescued.
All he did was stood on the side watching as he flew farther away from the area. "What has this world turn into..."
Home
Kevow of Rice | 8680 Enshrined Member
I'm planning on making multiple books.