Post by Thaddius Gone on Nov 14, 2007 2:18:37 GMT -5
The mechanized squadron stormed the packed streets, their seemingly fragile design belied a terrible strength. Their metallic sheen reflected the high noon sun, an insufficent warning of their coming. The design was not a pretty one, their legs seemingly simple mechanisms, along with their arms and even their torso. From an engineering standpoint, it would look as if it would be impossible for them to even operate, but they certainly did. Their robotic hands clenched their rifles, firing thin red lasers from the tip, scorching the air with numerous shots. Most were smart enough to get out of the way, those that were not fell to the ground… if they were fortunate, they would need to be hospitalized. Those unfortuante, would leave the hopstial right out the back door. The red gleam from the visor of the machines gave them an intimidating glare, fearless in their march.
Even as the crack of firearms sounded off, a drumroll of hope provided by the police department, it proved useless. The bullets bounced off of the robots, but drew their ire. Their aims were set not on the police men, but the cars they foolishly hided behind. The man who walked in the middle of the phalanx of six droids looked almost serene, arms tucked behind his back. He was attired in a business suit, as if he was having a black tie dinner with collegues. Black from neck to toe, his dress boots were free from dirt, his clothes looking as if they had just come from the dry cleaners.
‘Requesting backup! I repeat… Requesting Backup! We have an 873 red! I repeat, a Super powered men-“
The entire report never made it to the station, as the presicion lasers burned through the car, soon igniting it into a fireball. The man did not care whether or not the policeman had lived or died. That was not the purpose, the goal of his venture to the city. Still, more and more police were coming to aid the city they were protecting. A virtuous, but stupid move in the eyes of the one who controlled the robots.
“By confronting me your mortality rate drops to 10.2 percent, gentlemen. You have been warned.”
The momentary halt of the machines was just a brief pause, as they soon, once again opened fire. He wondered how much had to be done, to whom until he could get what he wanted. It couldn’t be long, there was so many injured and killed, hundreds of thousands of dollars in private and public property. A delicate, manicured hand brushed just the slighest bit of dust from his sleeve, as if growing bored with the events of today. Finally the barrage of bullets stopped, catching his attention better than a cacaphony of bulletfire.
It finally arrived.
The other man was heavily muscled, truly a fit specimen worthy of olympic gold. The broad shoulders, the square, set jaw. The tights the man wore left nothing to the imagination, clinging to his skin and colored red and black. The face was not visable, having wanted to keep his identity secret for one reason or another. The mask concealed almost all of the muscular heroes face, all but his lips and eyes… those eyes that glared with an indignant fury and insurmountable determination. It almost sent a chill down the villain’s spine, though it was not one of fear. Lips perked into a smile as all eyes turned to the one.
The people that were brave, or foolhardy enough to gather witnessed this confrontation in near silence. News hounds, thirsting for the latest story, the new excitement on the street kept the lense between the two, feeling they had nothing to fear. After all, the hero was there to save them and take the crook down to super jail. They were completely ignorant of the governmental process of villain detainment, nor would they want to know. The news just wanted the story, the whispered words of the anchor were barely audible.
“The hero, who had earlier this week had only called himself Shelter has come to put a stop to this madman’s plot. This is Jennane from GBN, Global Broadcast News, bringing it to you first, and live.”
The buisness man didn’t know the hero’s motives, and took a moment to ponder them as the people of the terrorized city took a collective sigh of relief. Was this man really a hero? Or was he just doing this for the money? Did he really wish to save these people for the sake of goodness, or was this Shelter just like himself? The look in his eyes… there was no doubt about it. This man truly wished to help, to save the ‘innocent’. This was reflected from the sincerity from his words.
“You murdering coward! I’m taking you in!”
It was just like he imagined it. So stoic, wanting to keep the people who could not defend themselves safe. Angry from the destruction he’d caused, blood boiling. It was almost like an orchestra of emotion for the man behind the machines, but what kind of performance, especially live, could there be without music? The robots had paused, even when there was no uttered command to do so, and in the same fashion they quickly beaded in their targets…
“.98 seconds…”
And fired at Shelter, a seemingly impossible feat… but all that was there to show for the remarkable aim and reaction time of the machines were a scattered potholes, each had even aimed at separate kill zones in case he had tried to dodge, but the man had done so anyhow. The business man only assumed that Shelter did not immediately go after himself, seeing the robots as the biggest threat. The powerful, flesh body of the hero crashed into the machine’s. Steel against flesh, the obvious victor should have been the hard, cold metal… but not today. The concrete under the two encaved slightly under their impact and combined weight, a fist rose to the air, and soon collided into the visor of the droid, since it lacked a head of any kind. With the screech of bent, and broken metal filling the air, the robot beneath him grew still.
“.50 seconds…”
The man moved from the conflict, even though he could feel the eyes of the hero on him. A distraction that allowed the robots to once more, get a sight on him. Shelter weaved in front of one of the droids, hoisting him as a baby lifts a rattle, the laser shots colliding with the robot. Though it did not pierce the reinforced steel, it burnt holes and heated the metal. The robot dripped slag at a slow rate, but it was enough to damage it’s internal circuits. Shelter could withstand the heat, but flung the ruined machine against one of it’s mechanized comrade’s. The sound of the impact was more akin to that of a high speed car crash, and soon there was only half a battalion left. The people were eating this up, after all, they were saved now, there was no need to fear at all.
“Those were quite expensive. Not the best that I have though.” A snide, calm voice came from the Business man. He almost blended in with the normal people, though the sheer malice in his voice set him apart from the masses easily. The other robots halted once more, as the man had seen enough of the man’s capabilities. Rubbing his wrist gingerly, he looked right to shelter… and rose his hand just in time to watch the strong hero stop in his tracks, just shy of colliding into him.
The look of shock on Shelter’s face made the entire trip to the city, the cost of the robots, the time to plan all of this completely worth it. It was not fear, at least, not yet. Surprise? Definitely, maybe questioning as well. The simple answer was apparent. His hands were out of view because of his robotic henchmen, and they were not of biggest notice. When someone looked at them though, they could see plainly that they were adorned with a metallic sheen, somewhat bulky gloved gauntlets.
“Wondering why? The force that holds you in place is one that affects all of us. Mutant and human alike. Want to know what it is?” golden colored eyes scrutinized him as he spoke to Shelter like a child in a schoolroom. “It’s gravity.”
The business man reared thrust his palm at Shelter, a motion that would not topple buildings or shred metal. At least, not without a bit of help… All the help he needed were in the gauntlets he wore… the gravity that held the hero snapped off in a moment, and the hero would have floated away had he not stuck him… upon impact, the gauntlet flashed… and the hero shot from him like a bullet, colliding into one of the patrol cars. Once more, a harder substance bended to the flesh of the super powered being, though he did not stay down long. Upon his feet in a moment, he charged the man in the suit once more, though he was being much more careful about it this time around. He had underestimated the man, wanting to tackle and apprehend him alive. It was plain to the hero that he would have to use more than a little bit of force. Expertly, he swung out of reach of the hand that had paralyzed him once he closed ground, and with a grunt of strain, threw a devastating punch to the face of the villain.
And in a simple sway, the man avoided the blow. Barely moving in the least… it was this small pocket as the fist flung through the air, almost touching the man’s cheek that the man in the suit made his move. Gravity once more locked the hero firmly in place, the gauntlet could be heard, whirring with power, air hissing from the insidious device.
He may have not the strength on his own, but his mind could provide all that he needed. He cruelly thrust his fist into the hero’s stomach, the sickening sound of flesh being attacked was as loud as thunder… the glove had not used brute strength, but it’s own abilities to thrust eighty tons worth of concentrated, pressurized air into the midsection of the valiant one. Unfortunate for him, his body had no give, forcing him to remain still and absorb the entire impact. Blood dribbled down his lips, silent though he needed to scream. Despite the pain, there was a thought on Shelter’s mind, one that the villain, with a sadistic smile entertained. It wasn’t a dumb question, after all.
“It takes you .23 seconds to throw a punch with the height advantage… I merely extrapolated the time, and reacted faster with my gleaned knowledge.” The same punch sounded off, the crowd was now silent, no longer secure in their illusion of safety. “Shelter, was it? Your organs...?” He leaned in close, lips almost brushing against the hero’s ear, though it was not visible in through his tights.
“Are ruptured... Your ribs… broken.”
Once more, the fist thrust against the hero savagely, though the gravity no longer held him… rather, it flung him straight into the air, Shelter could only cough up the blood that dribbled down his chin. He did not get much time to do that either. He had been without gravity from the punch, launching him hundreds of feet into air in a matter of seconds… only for the cruel force tugged him once more. There was no air drag to assist him, his body affected by the villains self made gravitational pull. Freefall skydivers would be envious as his terminal velocity was reached instantly. A quick fall, even when it clocked at 300 MPH… it was merely seconds, though it would not seem so to the hero. It was over before he even hit the ground. The fist gripped into a small, gray hammer, a weapon in which to destroy not only the body of the hero, but it’s dignity as well.
There was a crack as the punch landed upon his jaw, it could have twisted his head almost completely around like some slapstick cartoon, but again he was forced to take it completely still, the impact of the blow spreading throughout his entire head. Shelter was lucky to have the ability to take in so much punishment, as he surely would have died, even if that didn’t exactly help him in the long run. The hero was still forced to absorb the landing from the free fall, laying motionless in the broken concrete.
“5.56 seconds.”
He said triumphantly, his hands were thrust down to his side, his feet not touching the ground, so he wouldn’t have to feel the impact on the ground. Though soon he was lowered, only so the cold metal hand could grip the short, sandy hair that had been exposed to during the beating, the gauntlets hid the somewhat dainty fingers as he yanked the head free from the ground, once more lips pressed close to his ear, intimate words for the one he had shared such a wonderful afternoon with.
“You’ll be lucky if you can talk again without assistance… much less go to the bathroom or even make love. Your super abilities… your, X-GENE means NOTHING… Swift analyses, Accurate judgment, and superb powers of concentration. That is what beat you… Homo Superior” A twisted smile decorated his face, thoroughly enjoying this. The people began to move away, knowing that their hero did not meet the grade this time… but they were still ignorant enough to think that they were completely safe. They were just going to hide behind some other freak.
“You are permanently crippled.” He callously let go of the head, turning to the remaining robots, even the ones that were destroyed… and in an instant they seemed to melt away, the air filling with nanomachines barely the size of a pin head. With but a thought, they all launched themselves into the buildings around, burrowing deep inside of the very make of the structures. Brushing a gloved hand through his short brown hair, he gave the frightened citizens a smile, almost tempted to bow after such a performance. Of course, they weren’t clapping, but he’d give them an encore anyhow. He wouldn’t be around for it though… and with that thought and a silent flash of light, he was gone as well.
The nanobots, though out of sight and mind, made themselves known, as they all simultaneously detonated with surprising effect. The stone sprayed from the blast, showering the unwitting citizens with debris… and though there was no fire to their explosion, the sheer impact ruptured the gas lines, the very source that fed life into the homes and businesses, soon burst, streaking the sky with glorious flame and roasting the unfortunates.
Those safe and in their homes, watching the news could only stare in awe as the destruction unfolded before them, their jaws still hanging as the live feed was suddenly cut off, also interrupting the screams of terror, more specifically, the scream of Jeannae.
((May seem like it's open and shut, but there's still plenty of saving that needs to be done what with fire, panic and rioting! Villains could also loot and destroy to their heart's content due to the law enforcement's distraction.))
Even as the crack of firearms sounded off, a drumroll of hope provided by the police department, it proved useless. The bullets bounced off of the robots, but drew their ire. Their aims were set not on the police men, but the cars they foolishly hided behind. The man who walked in the middle of the phalanx of six droids looked almost serene, arms tucked behind his back. He was attired in a business suit, as if he was having a black tie dinner with collegues. Black from neck to toe, his dress boots were free from dirt, his clothes looking as if they had just come from the dry cleaners.
‘Requesting backup! I repeat… Requesting Backup! We have an 873 red! I repeat, a Super powered men-“
The entire report never made it to the station, as the presicion lasers burned through the car, soon igniting it into a fireball. The man did not care whether or not the policeman had lived or died. That was not the purpose, the goal of his venture to the city. Still, more and more police were coming to aid the city they were protecting. A virtuous, but stupid move in the eyes of the one who controlled the robots.
“By confronting me your mortality rate drops to 10.2 percent, gentlemen. You have been warned.”
The momentary halt of the machines was just a brief pause, as they soon, once again opened fire. He wondered how much had to be done, to whom until he could get what he wanted. It couldn’t be long, there was so many injured and killed, hundreds of thousands of dollars in private and public property. A delicate, manicured hand brushed just the slighest bit of dust from his sleeve, as if growing bored with the events of today. Finally the barrage of bullets stopped, catching his attention better than a cacaphony of bulletfire.
It finally arrived.
The other man was heavily muscled, truly a fit specimen worthy of olympic gold. The broad shoulders, the square, set jaw. The tights the man wore left nothing to the imagination, clinging to his skin and colored red and black. The face was not visable, having wanted to keep his identity secret for one reason or another. The mask concealed almost all of the muscular heroes face, all but his lips and eyes… those eyes that glared with an indignant fury and insurmountable determination. It almost sent a chill down the villain’s spine, though it was not one of fear. Lips perked into a smile as all eyes turned to the one.
The people that were brave, or foolhardy enough to gather witnessed this confrontation in near silence. News hounds, thirsting for the latest story, the new excitement on the street kept the lense between the two, feeling they had nothing to fear. After all, the hero was there to save them and take the crook down to super jail. They were completely ignorant of the governmental process of villain detainment, nor would they want to know. The news just wanted the story, the whispered words of the anchor were barely audible.
“The hero, who had earlier this week had only called himself Shelter has come to put a stop to this madman’s plot. This is Jennane from GBN, Global Broadcast News, bringing it to you first, and live.”
The buisness man didn’t know the hero’s motives, and took a moment to ponder them as the people of the terrorized city took a collective sigh of relief. Was this man really a hero? Or was he just doing this for the money? Did he really wish to save these people for the sake of goodness, or was this Shelter just like himself? The look in his eyes… there was no doubt about it. This man truly wished to help, to save the ‘innocent’. This was reflected from the sincerity from his words.
“You murdering coward! I’m taking you in!”
It was just like he imagined it. So stoic, wanting to keep the people who could not defend themselves safe. Angry from the destruction he’d caused, blood boiling. It was almost like an orchestra of emotion for the man behind the machines, but what kind of performance, especially live, could there be without music? The robots had paused, even when there was no uttered command to do so, and in the same fashion they quickly beaded in their targets…
“.98 seconds…”
And fired at Shelter, a seemingly impossible feat… but all that was there to show for the remarkable aim and reaction time of the machines were a scattered potholes, each had even aimed at separate kill zones in case he had tried to dodge, but the man had done so anyhow. The business man only assumed that Shelter did not immediately go after himself, seeing the robots as the biggest threat. The powerful, flesh body of the hero crashed into the machine’s. Steel against flesh, the obvious victor should have been the hard, cold metal… but not today. The concrete under the two encaved slightly under their impact and combined weight, a fist rose to the air, and soon collided into the visor of the droid, since it lacked a head of any kind. With the screech of bent, and broken metal filling the air, the robot beneath him grew still.
“.50 seconds…”
The man moved from the conflict, even though he could feel the eyes of the hero on him. A distraction that allowed the robots to once more, get a sight on him. Shelter weaved in front of one of the droids, hoisting him as a baby lifts a rattle, the laser shots colliding with the robot. Though it did not pierce the reinforced steel, it burnt holes and heated the metal. The robot dripped slag at a slow rate, but it was enough to damage it’s internal circuits. Shelter could withstand the heat, but flung the ruined machine against one of it’s mechanized comrade’s. The sound of the impact was more akin to that of a high speed car crash, and soon there was only half a battalion left. The people were eating this up, after all, they were saved now, there was no need to fear at all.
“Those were quite expensive. Not the best that I have though.” A snide, calm voice came from the Business man. He almost blended in with the normal people, though the sheer malice in his voice set him apart from the masses easily. The other robots halted once more, as the man had seen enough of the man’s capabilities. Rubbing his wrist gingerly, he looked right to shelter… and rose his hand just in time to watch the strong hero stop in his tracks, just shy of colliding into him.
The look of shock on Shelter’s face made the entire trip to the city, the cost of the robots, the time to plan all of this completely worth it. It was not fear, at least, not yet. Surprise? Definitely, maybe questioning as well. The simple answer was apparent. His hands were out of view because of his robotic henchmen, and they were not of biggest notice. When someone looked at them though, they could see plainly that they were adorned with a metallic sheen, somewhat bulky gloved gauntlets.
“Wondering why? The force that holds you in place is one that affects all of us. Mutant and human alike. Want to know what it is?” golden colored eyes scrutinized him as he spoke to Shelter like a child in a schoolroom. “It’s gravity.”
The business man reared thrust his palm at Shelter, a motion that would not topple buildings or shred metal. At least, not without a bit of help… All the help he needed were in the gauntlets he wore… the gravity that held the hero snapped off in a moment, and the hero would have floated away had he not stuck him… upon impact, the gauntlet flashed… and the hero shot from him like a bullet, colliding into one of the patrol cars. Once more, a harder substance bended to the flesh of the super powered being, though he did not stay down long. Upon his feet in a moment, he charged the man in the suit once more, though he was being much more careful about it this time around. He had underestimated the man, wanting to tackle and apprehend him alive. It was plain to the hero that he would have to use more than a little bit of force. Expertly, he swung out of reach of the hand that had paralyzed him once he closed ground, and with a grunt of strain, threw a devastating punch to the face of the villain.
And in a simple sway, the man avoided the blow. Barely moving in the least… it was this small pocket as the fist flung through the air, almost touching the man’s cheek that the man in the suit made his move. Gravity once more locked the hero firmly in place, the gauntlet could be heard, whirring with power, air hissing from the insidious device.
He may have not the strength on his own, but his mind could provide all that he needed. He cruelly thrust his fist into the hero’s stomach, the sickening sound of flesh being attacked was as loud as thunder… the glove had not used brute strength, but it’s own abilities to thrust eighty tons worth of concentrated, pressurized air into the midsection of the valiant one. Unfortunate for him, his body had no give, forcing him to remain still and absorb the entire impact. Blood dribbled down his lips, silent though he needed to scream. Despite the pain, there was a thought on Shelter’s mind, one that the villain, with a sadistic smile entertained. It wasn’t a dumb question, after all.
“It takes you .23 seconds to throw a punch with the height advantage… I merely extrapolated the time, and reacted faster with my gleaned knowledge.” The same punch sounded off, the crowd was now silent, no longer secure in their illusion of safety. “Shelter, was it? Your organs...?” He leaned in close, lips almost brushing against the hero’s ear, though it was not visible in through his tights.
“Are ruptured... Your ribs… broken.”
Once more, the fist thrust against the hero savagely, though the gravity no longer held him… rather, it flung him straight into the air, Shelter could only cough up the blood that dribbled down his chin. He did not get much time to do that either. He had been without gravity from the punch, launching him hundreds of feet into air in a matter of seconds… only for the cruel force tugged him once more. There was no air drag to assist him, his body affected by the villains self made gravitational pull. Freefall skydivers would be envious as his terminal velocity was reached instantly. A quick fall, even when it clocked at 300 MPH… it was merely seconds, though it would not seem so to the hero. It was over before he even hit the ground. The fist gripped into a small, gray hammer, a weapon in which to destroy not only the body of the hero, but it’s dignity as well.
There was a crack as the punch landed upon his jaw, it could have twisted his head almost completely around like some slapstick cartoon, but again he was forced to take it completely still, the impact of the blow spreading throughout his entire head. Shelter was lucky to have the ability to take in so much punishment, as he surely would have died, even if that didn’t exactly help him in the long run. The hero was still forced to absorb the landing from the free fall, laying motionless in the broken concrete.
“5.56 seconds.”
He said triumphantly, his hands were thrust down to his side, his feet not touching the ground, so he wouldn’t have to feel the impact on the ground. Though soon he was lowered, only so the cold metal hand could grip the short, sandy hair that had been exposed to during the beating, the gauntlets hid the somewhat dainty fingers as he yanked the head free from the ground, once more lips pressed close to his ear, intimate words for the one he had shared such a wonderful afternoon with.
“You’ll be lucky if you can talk again without assistance… much less go to the bathroom or even make love. Your super abilities… your, X-GENE means NOTHING… Swift analyses, Accurate judgment, and superb powers of concentration. That is what beat you… Homo Superior” A twisted smile decorated his face, thoroughly enjoying this. The people began to move away, knowing that their hero did not meet the grade this time… but they were still ignorant enough to think that they were completely safe. They were just going to hide behind some other freak.
“You are permanently crippled.” He callously let go of the head, turning to the remaining robots, even the ones that were destroyed… and in an instant they seemed to melt away, the air filling with nanomachines barely the size of a pin head. With but a thought, they all launched themselves into the buildings around, burrowing deep inside of the very make of the structures. Brushing a gloved hand through his short brown hair, he gave the frightened citizens a smile, almost tempted to bow after such a performance. Of course, they weren’t clapping, but he’d give them an encore anyhow. He wouldn’t be around for it though… and with that thought and a silent flash of light, he was gone as well.
The nanobots, though out of sight and mind, made themselves known, as they all simultaneously detonated with surprising effect. The stone sprayed from the blast, showering the unwitting citizens with debris… and though there was no fire to their explosion, the sheer impact ruptured the gas lines, the very source that fed life into the homes and businesses, soon burst, streaking the sky with glorious flame and roasting the unfortunates.
Those safe and in their homes, watching the news could only stare in awe as the destruction unfolded before them, their jaws still hanging as the live feed was suddenly cut off, also interrupting the screams of terror, more specifically, the scream of Jeannae.
((May seem like it's open and shut, but there's still plenty of saving that needs to be done what with fire, panic and rioting! Villains could also loot and destroy to their heart's content due to the law enforcement's distraction.))