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EXIOS, part 5

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Sebastian had always been a light sleeper, so much so that he programmed his PCD to offer a simple one-two gentle chirp as a wake up chime. The alarm that sounded some time into his sleep cycle was not a chirp, and it definitely wasn't gentle. Springing up from the bed, the Human grabbed his sidearm from the nightstand as he realized that the alarm was, in fact, a proximity warning. He was so focused on the warning that it took several seconds for him to notice that Exios was no longer in the room.

Heading for the hallway, Sebastian grabbed his leather flight jacket as he called out. "EXIOS! Where are you?"

The experiment's bark came from the right, toward the cockpit. "EXIOS in pilot seat, Bastian! Alarm is from other ship too close! Other ship is going to board!"

A number of ideas ran through Sebastian's mind as he scrambled for the cockpit. Although his ship had passed well outside of the Rho system by the time he'd gone to bed, the Human knew that the exclusion zone surrounding Rho was monitored by AETHERCorp and most pirates gave it a wide berth. Although he was a freelancer, the vast majority of Sebastian's work was on the level so he had no outstanding warrants and there was no reason bounty hunters would be after him.

As he stepped into the cockpit he moved to take the copilot seat, gazing out of the view screen at the small, sleek vessel catching up to them. "Those aren't pirates and they definitely aren't bounty hunters."

Exios' voice came out as a growl. "Men from Rho IX."

Sebastian watched the strange space ship as it continued to draw closer; he had no doubt that he could delay boarding with some well-executed maneuvers, but he was almost certain the pursuit craft was faster and more maneuverable than a Mallard... most ships were. The fact that whoever was coming after them was doing so at an overtake speed confirmed what Exios had suggested; they were planning on boarding. Glancing to his companion, the Human fingered the hand grip of his sidearm where it hung in his shoulder holster. "Are you sure those are men from Rho IX, or is that just a guess?"

The chimera's fur stood on end, staring at the view screen. "Modified Suzumebachi I-5 star fighter, equipped with expanded crew compartments for security personnel; extended sensor array; upgraded loading crane in the cargo bay; and--" he paused as a simultaneous double flash of greenish-yellow light flared up from the front of the craft and the Mallard's cockpit lights dimmed. "--double ion cannons for disabling attempts at evasion. Is them."

Although Sebastian had never seen a high end star fighter like a Suzumebachi class he'd definitely heard of them and, if what EXIOS had said was true, the kind of people who owned such a customized space craft were not the kind he'd want to mess with. Letting out a sigh, he watched as their pursuers drew even closer. "Don't worry, bud... they're not gonna get you without a fight. I promise."

Exios pressed a button on the control console and squeezed himself out of the pilot's seat. "Men will board from back. Bastian stay here... EXIOS keep Bastian safe."

If the situation hadn't been so dire, Sebastian might have laughed. "Hey, Exios, I promised to keep YOU safe. I can't do that from the cockpit."

The beast turned to regard him, eyes gleaming green as he growled softly. "Men from Rho IX not kill Exios... men want Exios alive. Men not keep Bastian alive."

It was a simple argument, and one that seemed logical on the surface, but Sebastian didn't like the sound of it. "We'll do better as a team, bud. If we're split up and they get past you then I'm up shit's creek anyway. Better we do this together."

The experiment cocked his head to the side. "Creek made of shit?" his fur puffed up and he shook his body out as if he had just got out of the bath. "No. Bastian explain later. Right now Exios go stop men from hurting Bastian."

Sebastian moved after his companion, drawing out his firearm. "Fine. And I'll keep them from hurting you."

Although the experiment shorted, he didn't object further, hunched over as he made his way down the hallway toward the cargo bay. "Bastian has PPL-08. Is good for shooting... Bastian can stay in hallway where is safe and help from here. Exios go to ramp to stop men from getting to hallway."

Considering what they'd already discussed and hoping Exios was right about the aggressors wanting to take him alive, Sebastian was willing to go forward with the plan. Reaching up to pat his companion on the head, he kept his acknowledgement simple. "Okay, Exios... just... be careful, okay?"

Exios' tail struck the wall a few times before the experiment nodded. The chimera then straightened up to squeeze through the door but paused, turned around, and patted Sebastian on the head in return. "Exios is careful. Bastian be careful too."

Time dragged on for what felt like hours; if there was one thing Sebastian hated it was waiting. He checked his gun, making sure the safety was off, and took a moment to examine his angles; Exios was standing ahead of the hallway and slightly off to the right, which meant that any attempts to flank him would put anyone boarding the Mallard right into his line of fire. He couldn't help but smile; whether Exios was a tactician or just had a natural feel for the battlefield, he didn't know, but it was helpful.

A resounding metal clunk followed by a powerful vibration shooting through the Mallard's frame let Sebastian know that the other ship had caught up and managed to connect. Based on what Exios had said about the modified cargo bay of the Suzumebachi it made sense to think that they'd force an entry through the Mallard's cargo bay as well. Making sure he was under cover, the Human shouted to the experiment. "Stick to the left and I'll handle anyone that comes around the right!"

In response, Exios glanced back at him, a strange emotion evident in his gaze-- it wasn't fear per se... more a sense of... embarrassment? What the chimera said next made even less sense. "Bastian... Exios sorry."

Sebastian shook his head. "It's not your fault, Exios. I said I'd help you, and I will. Remember: I chose to get mixed up in this."

The experiment shook his head. "No. Exios sorry for--"

A powerful blast of sparking plasma silenced their discussion as a perfectly smooth line appeared in the bulkhead at the back of the cargo bay. A moment later a second pulse created another line perpendicular to the first, creating an upside down "L". When the third cut joined the first two, the metal doorway fell inward, permitting the boarding party on the other side entry... and they used it.

Sebastian had just enough time to catch sight of two large Gorumn bruisers push the metal out of the way and storm into the cargo bay before he pulled his head back under cover to avoid becoming a target; they each had assault rifles ready for use and he wasn't enamored with the idea of catching their notice. Fortunately they hadn't seemed inclined to look around since Exios was far closer. He also roared at them. "YOU GO! THIS NOT YOUR SHIP!"

The Gorumn shouted to one another and the lack of translation from his PCD made Sebastian realize that it was still technically in night mode. Regardless, he'd grown up around plenty of the 'space orcs' in Farlight City and, despite his limited knowledge of their language, he knew enough to realize that they were relaying combat information to one another; they were wholly focused on him, which meant that he'd have an advantage if things kicked off. Two on two wasn't wholly unreasonable, even if their opponents were Gorumn.

A third voice spoke up from the opposite side of the cargo bay, and Sebastian recognized the language immediately as German. "Fangen Sie das Subjekt lebend ein. Und ich ersuche Sie hoeflichst, von exzessiver Gewaltanwendung abzusehen."

Under cover, Sebastian had enough time during the dialogue to switch his PCD out of sleep mode; if the boarding party was going to be THAT vocal then he needed to be able to get as many details as he could. The translation service it provided activated just in time to let him know what one of the Gorumn was saying, obviously addressing Exios. "Come here, puppy. We ain't gonna hurt'cha if you behave."

The second Gorumn piped up. "Puppy? It looks more like a big kitty to me."

The Human voice interjected. "Cease the commentary. You are not paid to conjecture as to the nature of the quarry. Apprehend the subject. I wish to be gone from here before the authorities arrive."

Exios' voice cut through all of the others, and Sebastian realized that the experiment was speaking to him. "Exios sorry, Bastian... Exios not want Bastian to see when Exios does bad things to bad men."

The German speaker followed up on the chimera's statement. "What are you going on about, 05? What is this 'Exios' you speak of?"

The dialogue was interrupted by a bark of "Now!" from one of the Gorumn, followed by the sound of many fleshy thuds and grunts. Sebastian hazarded a glance around the frame of the blast door, quickly taking stock of the situation. He was only able see the two Gorumn and a single Human-- the space orcs were dressed in combat armor but the human looked more like he belonged in a doctor's office than a boarding party. The two Gorumn were tussling with Exios and surprisingly, the two of them looked like they were on the defensive since the experiment was somehow managing to hold them both off.

Sebastian readied his pistol, using the door frame to steady it as he took aim. The man who looked like a scientist spoke up. "It appears the rat has made an appearance. Nlor... if you please?"

An enormous blade appeared in the thick hand of one of the Gorumn and, with a flick of his wrist, the green-skinned combatant sent it hurtling across the distance right at Sebastian. The freelancer had just enough time to pull himself back behind cover before the weapon embedded itself in the metal frame. "FUCK!"

The man standing at far end of the cargo bay chuckled. "Yes. 'Fuck' indeed. It is most unfortunate that you had to get caught up in all of this, Mr. Chasseur, but I'm afraid we are not one for leaving loose ends. If you would be so kind as to wait patiently, I'll have my men deal with you in a way you will not suffer, but I encourage you not to inhibit us from reclaiming our property."

Sebastian grit his teeth, confused as to how the man knew anything about him. He pushed that distraction from his mind, shouting out from around his cover. "Exios isn't property! He's a person, and I won't let you take him!"

The scientist's response was completely devoid of emotion. "I am afraid that you have no say in the matter, Mr. Chasseur. Khanvr, subdue 05 and--" his statement was interrupted by a roar from Exios, followed by the sound of flesh, sinew, and cartlidge rending. The scientist was quiet for several seconds before he added "Nlor... in light of these developments, you are permitted to use a greater level of force to subdue the subject."

Sebastian hazarded another glance from his position and saw that one of the Gorumn was laying on the floor, one hand clasped over his shoulder, which terminated where an arm should have been, bluish blood leaking out from his fingers as he stared a few meters away to where his detached limb was laying. Exios and the other Gorumn had their fingers interlaced, legs planted firmly as they attempted to overpower one another-- taking aim, Sebastian resolved to conclude the match, and he squeezed off a round.

The Gorumn's security armor absorbed the worst of the impact, but it was enough to unsteady him. Exios growled, forcing him to his knees and, in one powerful surge, the chimera lunged forward and closed his teeth around the space orc's throat. He pulled back with his jaws clenched, creating a huge spray of blood all over the cargo bay. The Gorumn fell away, hands going to his shredded throat, attempting in vain to keep his fluids from leaving him. It didn't take long before his struggling came to an end.

Sebastian slowly emerged, training his firearm on the scientist. "Looks like it's two against one... do you want to surrender, or are you going to make me do something I'll regret?"

The man was eerily calm, seemingly unconcerned with the business end of the gun aimed at him. "05, initiate compliance. Authority: Wagner H417."

The words didn't make much sense to Sebastian at first, but he saw Exios go rigid out of the corner of his eye. The experiment's tail stuck straight out and he moved to stand at attention, murmuring out a neutrally toned "Complying."

Not sure what to make of the situation, Sebastian decided that he didn't want to risk it and resolved not to hate himself too much for shooting the unarmed scientist. Squeezing the trigger, he gasped in surprise as Exois sprang into action, intercepting the shot by interposing himself between Sebastian and the scientist, taking the attack with the meaty part of his forearm. The freelancer took an inadvertent step back. "Exios... what the fuck?!"

The chimera turned to regard him, lowering his arms; his wounded limb dribbled blood, but it went ignored. Behind Exios, the scientist spoke up. "Unfortunately, Mr. Chausser, you may have been able to steal our property, but you have yet to realize that you cannot get past the built-in security protocols."

Sebastian slowly lowered his gun, staring at Exios, who gazed blankly back at him; the chimera's diamond-shape pupils were so large that they almost seemed circular, very nearly eclipsing his irises. He took a step closer, holding up his empty hand toward his companion. "Exios? Buddy?"

The scientist stepped away from the torn open cargo bay doors, moving closer to the one Gorumn who was still alive even as the green-skinned alien was tying a tourniquet around his shoulder. "05, dispatch the hostile actor and return to the ship."

The freelancer froze the moment he heard the deep, bone-rattling growl emerge from the experiment, and Exios' pupils returned immediately to pencil-thin slits. Before Sebastian had a chance to respond an enormous paw had latched onto his throat, hefted him up and off the ground, and began squeezing. The Human grabbed Exios' wrist, his two hands barely managing to encircle it as he croaked, wheezed, and gurgled, unable to get a breath, and feeling disruption of the blood flow to his brain give him a light-headed tingle.

Even as blackness began to creep into the edges of his vision, Sebastian locked gazes with Exios; the experiment's expression was blank, uncaring, and unfeeling. The chimera's growl transmitted all the way down Exios' grasp in a way that let the Human feel it in his throat as well as the rest of his body. Somewhere in the back of his head he noticed that only one part of Exios' stony expression moved: his nostrils. Just as he was about to lose consciousness, the grip on his throat slackened, and Exios' pupils widened.

The growl stopped, and the experiment murmured "....Bastian?"

The scientist seemed confused. "05? Elimiate the threat."

Exios slowly lowered Sebastian to the ground, releasing him and backing away with horror evident on his bestial features. "Bastian... I--"

The man stepped closer to the experiment, speaking in clear and authoritative tone. "05, initiate compliance. Authority: Wagner H417. Elimiate the threat."

The chimera's fur stood on end, and he growled spinning around to stare down the scientist. "Exios is Exios... not 05... and Exios NOT hurting Bastian."

Taking a step back, the Human raised his arm and spoke into his sleeve. "The subject has imprinted on Sebastian Chausser. Repeat: 05 has activated."

Exios growled, stalking toward the man; it was evident that the experiment was not happy with his presence and, judging from what the chimera was capable of doing to Gorumn warriors, there was no doubt in Sebastian's mind that he'd be able to easily tear the scientist apart. "Exios... keep him alive. We need answers."

Lumbering after the backpedaling scientist, Exios' voice came out as a growl, the tone of his words sending a shiver up the freelancer's spine. "Human body has two hundred six bones... lots can break with no dying."

The man murmured something just loud enough for Sebastian to hear. "Initiate the fail-safe." A moment later he dropped dead as his eyeballs exploded out of their sockets due to a micro-explosion from within his skull.