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Post by Ash on Jan 4, 2008 20:25:17 GMT -5
With help from the thrusters in his feet,Ash avoids most of the shoots.The last shot however,was pretty close.As he feels the intense heat from the plasma,Ash jumps instinctive behind one of the silos to take cover.
"But its a beautiful name.Don't you think so,Zeke?", he shouts through the room.
D@mn.I cant attack him when I cant see him.And while I dodge he can move wherever he wants.
Pathetic.Looks like I have no other choice.
Ash shots out of his cover a few times before he jumps in the air and gains hight with his wings.
With a short thrust he is in the middle of the room again.The wings which had only created lighting particles until now,split in half and create a huge pair of lightning Wings.
"Try to hit me now,Zeke!"
With every move and thrust image after image appears after him.
In no time,the area where Ash was is filled with images which look exactly like him.
Shoot...and I have you.
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Post by tachyon on Jan 5, 2008 19:33:42 GMT -5
From the shadows Xacio looks at the multiple Ash's. To normal eyes it would be impossible to tell which was real, but Xacio didn't need eyes to tell real from fake. In his minds eye he could sense the electricity flow through the real armor.
He slung the plasma gun back over his shoulder and reached down to a holstered sidearm on his hip. The weapon was ballistic; an Earth-made revolver. Along its 10 inch barrel the words "500 S&W MAGNUM" are pressed into the steel. In the darkness Xacio took careful aim, at the same time preparing himself to change positions quickly.
This was going to be loud and bright.
A corner of the room exploded with light and, for a split second, showed the elusive bounty hunter hanging from the ceiling by his feet with an enormous sidearm. The sound of the weapon was magnified ten fold by the confined space in which it was fired.
To Ash, it felt as if someone had grabbed his shoulder and tried to pull him backwards. Though he was still standing, there was a huge circular dent in his armors shoulder. The .500 round had hit him with over 2600 foot-pounds of force yet had not penetrated.
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Post by Ash on Jan 6, 2008 17:14:50 GMT -5
Thrown back by the impact,the armor still creates images ,showing how Ash was hit and thrown back.Even though it hurts like hell,the armor prevented bigger damage.
No.Impossible!The Wings of Light...How can he...
Just now Ash feels as if someone punches him right in the face.
Right.Jet Eye Mind trick or whatever this is called.
"Not good,Zeke!You should aim for the heart or head.But I should thank you.If you had used that plasma weapon...."
He shoots a few times at the point where he suspects his opponent to be,although Xacio most likely moved again.
Image after image the armor created disappears,but as he dashes with extreme speed toward ceiling,the armor again starts to create a trail of images behind Ash.
Right before he reaches the ceiling ,Ash reaches out with his free hand,but only manages to grab cold steel instead of Xacio.
A steel joist is torn into pieces as a bright flash descends from Ash's hand.
"Xacio you coward!"
------------------------------------------------------
Dozens of armors stand in a large hall,lined up,apparently ready to dispatch.Only a few are not finished.Several people are running around here.Soldiers,technicians,scientists...
One person is different.A tall blond man.He wears the same uniform as the soldiers,but instead of the blue,his uniform is colored black.
A female technician runs over to him,holding an electronic tablet.The man,who was obviously inspecting the armors,turns around as he registers that the
technician approaches him.
"S...sir...excuse me.",she says quietly,holding the tablet with both hands.
"How can I help you?",he asks with a big smile on his face.
"Um...we need you to sign this..."
She hands him the tablet and something that resembles a pen.
"And this is...?",the man asks,raising an eyebrow.
"The permission to customize an armor according to your wishes,sir."
"Oh.I see..."
Now the man smiles even more.He quickly signs the permission and returns the tablet along with the pen to the technician.
"Before I forget it.You and all the people her can have a break.Relax a little.The armors can wait.",he says before the woman could leave.
"Thank you,sir!",she says saluting,with a smile on her face.
After the technician disappeared,he continues to look at an armor.He sighs as he lets his hand slide over one of the unfinished armors.
"Soon.It will all be over.",he whispers.
Suddenly,he falls on his knees,holding his head in pain.
"What?Who are you?"
What happened between you?Huh?Xacio!!!
The Wings of Light...
Not good,Zeke...You should aim for the heart or head....
Xacio you coward!Stop hiding!
Various images flash in his mind.A battle.
"No!!!Stop it!My head!You monster!"
The people,who were about to leave,run toward him.
"Sir?What wrong?Sir!"
"Call a medic!"
He could barely hear the voices around him.
As the people carry him to the infirmary,he constantly mumbles the same words.
White Devil...Xacio...
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Post by Machaeus on Jan 9, 2008 5:20:04 GMT -5
Machaeus and Urufu are unsure. "Should we step in? He did want this to be his battle, but I can't tell what's going on with him right now..." the mage notes.
(Seriously, I need some clarification here...)
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Post by tachyon on Jan 9, 2008 14:45:38 GMT -5
(Sure, heres your clarification)
Machaeus and Urufu are suddnel aware of the sound of something hitting the ground and rolling towards them. Out of the shadows, a small green ball-like object emerges and stops at their feet.
(Yes, that is a grenade)
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Post by Machaeus on Jan 13, 2008 22:47:15 GMT -5
Machaeus opens a portal to the Nine Hells underneath it with a stomp, and it falls in. The portal seals up, but you can still hear the explosion across the dimensions. "That's wonderful," the warlock snarls.
(You need to make it crystal-clear for me...sorry...)
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Post by tachyon on Jan 15, 2008 4:52:03 GMT -5
(meh, well you know now so post away.)
Another shot, another roar as Xacio fires the revolver once more. The bullet hits the exact same point as last time, deepening the dent to the point that small cracks begin to appear around it.
"A third shot would most likely penetrate." came Xacio's voice from the darkness, "The Model 500 chambers 5 rounds; I have fired two. That means that I have enough left to kill you."
There was a slight pause, then he spoke again from a different location.
"Unless you can stop me first."
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Post by Machaeus on Jan 16, 2008 1:53:56 GMT -5
"GEEZ what I wouldn't give for Legend 5 and Epic Dexterity 4 right now," Urufu grumbles.
"What RPG are you geeking out about now?" Machaeus mutters as he searches for Xacio's mana signature. He barely finds it, and is able to open a miniature portal over Ash's armor cracks that leads to Xacio's derriere. (I'm sure you know where I'm going with this... ;D)
"Scion."
"Whoop-dey-doo, I don't actually care."
"Yeah, screw you too. You find him?"
"No," the warlock lies, attempting to throw their foe off. "He's here somewhere, though..."
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Post by tachyon on Jan 17, 2008 2:49:26 GMT -5
A gloved hand emerges from the portal and drops a silver tube onto the ground, and then the world turns white.
After the stun grenade's blinding flash wears off -though their ears are still ringing- there is a new, fresh dent in Ash's armor, right above where his heart is.
"You are making this too easy." says Xacio, stepping into the light, "Fight with your minds as well as your weapons."
He steps back into the shadows but continues to speak.
"I have such high hopes for you. Do not disappoint me."
((Next fanfic chapter up. Sorry for the wait. Next one is a multi-flashback where we learn a bit more about Dr. Nguyen. Are we excited?))
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Post by Ash on Jan 19, 2008 15:27:24 GMT -5
(Yes Sir!We are!Well.At least I am.Hurry up...Next chapter!  ) "Shut up!What do you think who you are,trying to lecture me?", Ash shouts,without a clue where or how to attack. Speed isn't working.Brute force neither. What can I do?He looks around a little nervous,expecting Xacios next attack anytime. If I cant see him...Maybe I can hear him.He must make a noise when he moves.I hope..."Its worth a try." He closes his eyes,concentrating.Waiting. Ash didn't even notice the small counter on his HUD,which was quickly counting down. - 180 - - 179 - - 178 - - 177 - |
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Post by tachyon on Jan 23, 2008 0:16:34 GMT -5
Xacio moved quickly and silently through the shadows. In situations like this, as his training had taught him, the ability to move from from position to position without stopping or slowing was the key to staying on top. Technology was also helpful; the noise-canceling combat boots and the selective camouflage suit (less effective than adaptive camouflage, which made the wearer invisible, it changed patterns and colours to suit the environment instead) were keeping him on top of his targets.
It was all about knowing your enemy, playing to their strengths and weaknesses. While they had been traveling space to find his weaknesses Xacio had been on Earth finding theirs. The lycan; a cover-scent and the noise-canceling gear balanced his senses, the rest was as easy as avoiding close combat. The mage; though magic was something he didn't understand all that well, Xacio's hunch on carrying a dimensional modulator with nodes distributed throughout his gear seemed to jam his ability to effectively sense his essence. The suited warrior, however, was a surprise problem.
Through his own psychic ability Xacio could feel every wire and diode that made up Ash's armor, shutting it down should have been simple. Should have been, but it wasn't. In their first encounter Xacio had tried it, and failed. He had pushed, but Ash had pushed back! Weather the human was aware of it or not, he had a oneness with the mechanical suit that not even a technopath could break.
Perhaps, Xacio thought, he is the one. If he survives this... then I will know.
He stopped in the darkness, Ash's front was in range and unobstructed. Xacio readied the heavy revolver, regrettably it was the least stealthiest weapon he had but it did make up for it in power. The worst part though was the loud noise it would make as the hammer pulled back just before firing, if someone were quick enough...
"CLICK" echoed the chamber.
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Post by Machaeus on Jan 23, 2008 19:25:28 GMT -5
Urufu heard the click and leaped at the place he heard it coming from, reaching back to grab his sword - only to remember he left it in the robot. D@mmittoh3ll, he cursed inwardly, and brought his claws down on Xacio's arm instead. Though Xacio was able to dodge, Urufu had already redirected his momentum to land on his paws, bringing his clawed foot straight into Xacio's skull. "BOO-FREAKIN'-YAH!" he shouted as he landed on his feet again, Xacio stumbling back. He was elated enough that he barely noticed Xacio recover.
"Don't move," Machaeus said, a hand gripping Xacio's skull. "I've got a spell already charged into my fingertips. All I have to do is loose it."
(Seems he wasn't quite aware of how accurate a werewolf's hearing was. I assume, though, that Xacio had a backup plan even for this... ;D)
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Post by tachyon on Jan 24, 2008 7:38:24 GMT -5
(you bet he does, but first, I think I'll add a touch of drama to the mix...)
The sounds of battle echoed around the underground hanger where Kei still lay unconscious. Gordon, attached to her belt, lay by her side, monitoring both her vital signs and what he could make out of the fight going on in the next room. His camera turned to look at the wounded Khrohali. Despite the fact she had been struck in the head by a 20 ft long robot she suffered almost no injuries, besides being knocked out.
Come on lass, snap out o' it... the AI thought.
Then came a sound louder than all those previous, the ear-splitting 'bang' of a .500 handgun.
Kei's eyes snapped open as she sat bolt upright. If Gordon had been capable of it, he'd have soiled himself.
"Dad!" she screamed, panting and clutching her chest.
"Bloomin' Nora!" yelled Gordon, "I nearly short circuited! Ere', you alright?"
She didn't answer. Her eyes were moving side to side, sweat was rolling down her fur. Gordon kept trying to get a response from her.
"Look, you're alright. Y'took a nasty blow to the melon but- hey, I don't reckon you should be standin' up now- oi! Don't go that way! That's where the gunshots are commin' from!"
But she couldn't be reasoned with. Kei began running for the door.
Xacio spread his hands wide, slowly, the revolver dangling by its trigger guard from his index finger.
No other option. he thought, I must use it.
"This will be... unpleasant." he said.
Arcs of electricity shot through Xacio's body, down every limb, up his neck, through his head, and on through to Machaeus. The shocks were painful but far from fatal. Xacio pulled away, holstering his weapon and drawing his combat knives. He shivered, still numb from the ShockBox, a last ditch CQC weapon that made beings let go of you very quickly, but has the drawback of hurting the wearer as much as their target. Smoke was actually rising from some parts of his body.
He was dimly aware of someone approaching him from the doorway. He waited until the last possible second before spinning around to strike. But then he saw the face of his would-be attacker and did something that he rarely did.
He hesitated.
And was subsequently slammed into a launch tube by a roundhouse kick that would have made Chuck Norris applaud with pride. Xacio recovered in time to dodge Kei's fist passing through the space just recently vacated by his head. She screamed and yelled all manner of expletives in every language she knew as she continually tried to land another hit.
"Taceshnea gauda!!" she swore in Durrec, "Where where you Zeke?!"
"I am sorry." he said.
"'Sorry' ain't bringing them back!"
"No, no it will not."
Kei's fist connected with another launch tube, she didn't seem to notice.
"You left me!!" she screamed, over and over, still flailing wildly at Xacio.
But Xacio managed to avoid, block and deflect every punch she threw.
However, he was making no attempts to fight back. And her attempts were becoming weaker. Finally, she slipped back into unconsciousness. Xacio caught her as she fell, and eased her down to the ground. Not before she she put her hand up to his face, and dragged her claws down it slowly.
Dark blue blood ran down Xacio's face as he cradled the one being in the universe who he would never dare hurt.
(sorry about the length, wanted to make this as dramatic as I could.)
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Post by Ash on Jan 24, 2008 17:09:21 GMT -5
Ash hasn't really seen what was going on.But he heard it.Without thinking about his next move,he dashes toward Xacio and slams him against the nearest launch tube. He holds him there,while grabbing Xacios respirator with his free hand.
"What a touching reunion.So the big bad mercenary got a heart after all.I known that something like that would happen.", Ash says quietly,almost whispering.
"What have you done to her?Hm?Man she was angry."
Now he speaks louder that before.
Still holding the respirator,Ash releases Xacio for a short moment,just to punch him against his chest as hard as possible.
"You shouldn't turn your back on the enemy.Don't you know that!?!"
A rapid chain of punches follows.Again and again Ash´s armored fist hits Xacios chest.
"Well?Is that worthy enough for you?"
Before Ash releases Xacio,he delivers a last punch.This time right into his enemy's face.
That punch would have killed an ordinary human.But Xacio would survive this without a doubt.
Ash takes a few steps backward,panting heavy.
Just in that second the small counter on his HUD reaches zero.
The Wings of Light flicker for the blink of an eye.Then they glow as bright as before.
-Wings of Light automatic shut-off impossible-
-Altered system configuration detected-
-Please report this to nearest EDF technician immediately-
"Yes!It works!", Ash stammers.
"Heh.I´m ready for round two.And you,Zeke?Want some more?"
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Post by Machaeus on Jan 25, 2008 15:58:02 GMT -5
Machaeus smiled as he slowly began to recover from the shocks. "Heh heh...what a wonderful little weapon. Kinda like that one spell I was researching, but yours has backlash."
(At this point Kei comes in and attacks Zeke)
Urufu stops Ash from attacking any more. "I know this is going to sound stupid, but I want to hear the story behind this. Zeke...Xacio...whatever you care to call yourself. What the blue monkey h3ll just happened? She shouted about you leaving her, and 'sorry not bringing them back', whoever 'they' are."
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