Primal Passions: Issue #6- Judas
Primal Passions: Issue #6- Judas
In the tunnels beneath the city of Glassport,.......
The sound of Anarchy's boots echoed through the maze of tunnels. He paused to check the laminated schematic of sewers and subway tunnels with his flashlight. He began to whistle to himself as he got closer to 10th street. Finally, he rounded the corner into a cavernous maintenance area. His eyes searched as his flashlight probed the corners of the darkness. Eventually he found the power junction he was looking for. Among the bundle of black power cables he spied two silver, metallic tentacles draining power from the junction. He followed the tentacles upward with his flashlight until his beam danced across the ceiling.
"Hello, Brainframe," Anarchy smiled at the dome-shaped, bio-mechanical computer which hung suspended from its many tentacles. He watched as the silicon circuitry and fiber optic wires intended to duplicate the neural pathways of the brain hummed to life beneath the surface of the machine's hard transparent shell. The shadows slowly began to fade as dim, neon-green light filled the space.
"Do you know who I am?" Anarchy asked.
"Anarchy," replied Brainframe in a detached male monotone. "Urban warfare specialist. Number 32 on the G.D.F.'s most wanted list. Wanted for 38 acts of terrorism, 213 counts of murder....."
"Let's just skip my resume," interjected Anarchy. "I see you still have all the GDFs files from when you hacked their database."
"Incorrect. I was able to download only 92.1% percent of the GDFs database before Raiden overloaded my neural net with an electrical discharge," answered Brainframe.
"Still, you've got to admit, 92% isn't bad. That's a lot of valuable data, which brings me to why I'm here. My employer wants that information."
"Irrelevant," replied the machine. "The GDF believes that I was destroyed along with the rest of Alex Black's Inhuman Corps during what the GDF refers to as the Blackout Incident. If I were to relinquish the data to you and allow you to use it, they would eventually deduce that I am still functional. It is imperative to my self-preservation that this does not happen. Thus, all who are aware of my survival must be eliminated."
Anarchy threw himself out of the way as Brainframe dropped from the ceiling above. The giant, electronic brain rose high on its mechanical tendrils as it lashed out with calculated violence. The mercenary dodged the machine's iron grip as he pulled a small canister from the pocket of his duster coat. Pressing the button on its top he threw it deftly beneath the dome-shaped body before turning away from the ensuing flash of light. Brainframe shuddered before collapsing heavily against the floor.
"Photon grenade. Screws with your fiber optic nerves and leaves you incapacitated without the risk of damaging your body," explained Anarchy. "I've got all the toys."
He cautiously approached the still twitching machine.
"Don't worry Brainframe. You're about to move up in the world. You won't have to hide out beneath internet cafes to use Wi-fi or leech off of utility cables ever again. My boss likes to take good care of his assets. And just to make sure you're with the program, our new client gave me this."
Reaching into his duster once more, he extracted a sleek black flash drive.
"Wait ‘til you hear his sales pitch. It's a doozy."
Sliding back a small panel, Anarchy inserted the flash drive into Brainframe's USB port. A sound like a series of clicks followed by a low whir signaled that the download had begun. Brainframe began to shudder even more violently.
"Initiating anti-body software. Commencement of quarantine protocol.........Error. Firewall 1 breached......Error....Firewalls 2 through 5..zzzzt....through 6 breeeeached........ Corruption of primary directive deteczzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt."
Anarchy waited patiently as the computers circuitry died. Eventually he was rewarded with a gentle hum as Brainframe's systems rebooted, the green glow now replaced by a crimson radiance. The machine slowly rose up on its tendrils until it reached its full height.
"I have heard The Word and The Word is truth," proclaimed Brainframe in its monotone voice.
Anarchy looked up smugly at the enslaved machine.
"Brainframe, status report," he commanded.
"All impurity has been purged from my programming. All systems operating at 100% efficiency," the brain replied.
"Brainframe, state directives," Anarchy continued.
"Primary directive: Spread The Word," droned the machine. "Secondary directive: neutralize all opposition to The Word."
"Good. Now, initiate search for GDF security files containing keywords: Citadel, schematics, restricted, and access codes."
There was a momentary pause as Brainframe searched his memory banks for the requested files.
"Results: Citadel schematics- confirmed. Mainframe access codes- confirmed. Docking Bay access codes- confirmed. Brig access codes- confirmed. Laboratory access codes- confirmed. Armory access codes- confirmed..... "
Victorious, Anarchy clenched his hand into a fist as Brainframe rattled off a long list of strategically invaluable data-files. The pieces were finally beginning to fall into place. Just as it had been foretold.
"Praise him," the mercenary whispered as his hand tightened around the new mark on his palm; a mark that resembled both a key and a sword.
"Yes," Brainframe sounded with more emotion than the logical machine should have possessed. "Praise him."
**********************************************************************************************************************
Meanwhile, in the secret, underground base of the New Defenders......
Primal quickly seized Erica about the waist as the electronic door slid shut and locked behind them. Pressing his muzzle firmly against her mouth, he slid the prodigious length of his tongue past her lips. Their tongues entwined briefly before Erica pulled away from his embrace to peel away her shorts. Dropping them around her feet along with her panties, she kicked them aside. As Primal maneuvered his shorts past his tail, Erica took the lapse of the moment to look around Primal's quarters. Although she had been in Primal's room several times before, this would be their first time to make love there.
They had spent most of the morning in the training room with the rest of the team, running drills and navigating the obstacle course. Slipping away quietly, they had snuck away to Primal's room in hopes of getting in a quickie before hitting the showers. Primal's room had been the closest and, because the others tended to avoid it, the place where they were least likely to be caught.
The room itself was very Spartan. Because some aspect of Primal's animal nature preferred to sleep low to the ground, a bare king-sized mattress lay on the floor, pushed against the left wall. A thick nylon comforter was crumpled up on its top right corner with a large pillow. The bed sheets had been discarded long ago, tattered and ripped by Primal's claws. Across from the bed was a closet. It contained the few civilian clothes and spare uniform that the Global Defense Force had issued him after they had recruited him. They had been untouched since the day of Primal's transformation.
A picture of a smiling family stood on top of an unused dresser opposite from the entrance. The father had slightly graying brown hair and a weathered face. The mother was a short cherub-faced woman with curly blond hair. The older of the two brothers was a taller, younger reflection of the father. The younger brother was slightly shorter with a hair color more like his mother's and the grey, expressive eyes which Erica knew so well. One corner of the photograph appeared to have been burned away by fire. A large crease also ran through the middle of the picture, showing where it had repeatedly been folded and unfolded. It was the one possession that Primal had when the GDF had found him living wild in the jungle. It now stood, lovingly protected, in a handsome wooden frame.
Free of his shorts, Primal quickly advanced on Erica. Backing up quickly, she tried to pull her tank top over her top over her head while she still had time. Before she could succeed, the back of her feet hit something low to the ground. Losing her balance, she fell backwards onto the bare mattress with an undignified flop. Primal let loose a series of rapid snorts as he lowered himself down onto the mattress with her. She gave his ear a gentle twist for laughing at her before pulling him into another passionate kiss.
It was right after strenuous activity, Erica discovered, that Primal felt the most amorous. With his heart pumping and senses alive, his body seemed to ache for release and she was more than happy to provide it.
Ever since that cold night, Erica's sexual appetite had increased dramatically. Now that she knew what she had been missing, she wanted it all the time. She was also becoming more adventurous, frequently wanting to try out the new tips and tricks that she found while secretly reading some of Natasha's fashion magazines. This had led to some rather enlightening trial and error. Among other things, Erica had learned that even with a near one and a half foot height disparity a 69 is still possible with the aid of animal flexibility and that scented candles did not mix well with an enhanced sense of smell. She had even offered to shave her genitals but Primal had simply given her a patronizing look as if to say that a little hair wasn't a big deal to someone whose entire body was covered in fur.
"We should hurry," Erica groaned as she broke away from their kiss. "We've got ten minutes at best."
Primal whined with disappointment as Erica pulled away from him. Determined not to leave him disappointed for long, she quickly turned over. They had tried doggy-style two nights ago and enjoyed it immensely. She figured that would take some of the sting out of the time limit. Rising briefly to her knees, she reached down to peel off her tank top. Before she had even begun to lift, however, she was quickly seized from behind as Primal buried his muzzle in her damp hair and breathed deeply.
From what Erica had gathered, although the fragrances of her soap and shampoo were not enough to overpower Primal's sense of smell, it apparently marred her true scent. It was only when her fresh sweat washed away their traces from her hair and skin, when she smelled solely of herself, that he found her scent irresistible. It was likely another reason that he was more passionate after a workout. Erica, in turn, loved Primal's earthy smell, feral and masculine. Tyler, unfortunately, did not seem to share her sentiments, often complaining that Primal smelled like a mix between a wet dog and an armpit. Erica's response had been to call into question the olfactory senses of anyone who smelled like he bathed in a vat of Aqua Velva.
Not content to merely smell her, Erica felt Primal's tongue as it slowly traced through the moisture on the side of her neck. At the same time she also felt the long fingers of Primal's hand slide between her legs as he began to gently massage her clit with a leathery pad. Moaning, she reached behind her and wrapped her fingers firmly around his sheath. Primal's body gave a slight shiver as she slid her thumb over the already protruding head of his cock.
Suddenly, Primal pulled Erica firmly against his body and seized her beneath each thigh. Throwing her arm backward and around his neck for support, she laughed as he lifted her off the mattress. Her confusion only lasted for a moment before he spread her legs and she felt the tip of his rigid cock against the lips of her sex. She gasped as Primal lowered her body, slowly impaling her on his blazing shaft. The sensation was so intense that she barely noticed being lifted again. A small squeak escaped her throat as she felt herself lowered a second time.
Erica's head lolled back while Primal slowly lifted her again and again, effortlessly working her body up and down his erection. It was not long before Primal quickened his pace, his panting growing more rapid as her body repeatedly slammed against his. As she tried to steady herself, Erica firmly clutched the mane which ran the length of his spine. She had to admit, although they usually preferred to take things nice and slow, there was something to be said for hard and fast.
As they approached the peak of their passion, a series of soft, unintelligible moans escaped Erica's throat. As she struggled to contain her exclamations, she felt Primal grip her thighs more firmly, sending a tingle through her body as the tips of his claws pricked at her already sensitive skin. She braced herself for the inevitable spasm.
It was then that Erica and Primal heard the impossible sound of the supposedly locked door sliding open.
"Hey furball, are you in.............?" Tyler froze in the doorway, his eyes as big as saucers.
Time seemed to freeze as the lovers stared at their intruding team mate.
As their brains finally caught up with their racing hearts, Erica and Primal uncoupled quickly and gracelessly with an embarrassingly loud, wet sound as they scrambled to cover themselves.
"Fuck," Tyler cursed barely above a whisper, his gaze still frozen in horror.
"Get out!" Erica yelled as she tried to hide her body behind Primal's pillow, while Primal shielded his groin with the balled up comforter.
Tyler stumbled backwards, his open mouth trembling as half formed words or curses died on his tongue. The door slid shut just as quickly as it had opened.
Erica and Primal quickly jumped up from the mattress and hastily clothed themselves.
"No, no, no, no, no, no," Erica chanted feverishly under her breath as she pulled her shorts on, completely forgetting her panties in the process. Spying them on the floor she quickly snatched them up. Reaching down with her free hand, she grabbed the hem of her shorts as if to wrench them off again before giving up and bringing her balled fists up to the sides of her face, the undergarment still clenched tightly in her left hand.
"Oh God, he's gonna tell them," Erica squeaked, panic rising in her voice.
Primal quickly cupped her face between his large, leathery palms as he brought her gaze to meet his. In place of their usual playful benevolence, Primal's grey eyes were now filled with the same and dread that gripped her. The G.D.F. would never stand for an internal romance on one of its fledgling teams. One or both of them would be reassigned to another team, perhaps on the other side of the country. They would be split up and then they would be alone again, apart from the one person whom they each new truly understood them. Tear's swelled in Erica's eyes as she shook her head in denial. Flinging her underwear aside, she bolted from Primal's room before he could stop her.
Erica ran down the corridor of the men's quarters until she reached the lobby. She immediately spied Tyler as he slowly toddled back towards the training room in disbelief.
"Tyler, wait!"
Tyler spun in place, confusion and apprehension plastered across his face.
"Tyler please, you can't tell anyone," Erica pleaded as she walked towards him cautiously, her hands opened in front of her to show that she didn't want to fight. "If the Defense Force finds out I'll get reassigned. I can't..."
"Stop! J-just stop!" Tyler spat, motioning with his hand for her to halt.
Erica could not help but wince as she stopped dead in her tracks.
"That.....was sick," Tyler blurted as he pointed back towards the men's quarters, his voice dripping with disgust.
"What?" Erica spluttered confusion.
"I thought you were weird but not that weird. Wearing black and acting suicidal is enough. I didn't know you fucked animals too!"
The accusation struck Erica like a blow to the gut. In all the time that she and Primal had been together, her only worry had been that their relationship was forbidden. She hadn't thought of how people might react to their relationship itself. It had never occurred to her that people might disapprove simply because of the way Primal looked. All of Erica's fear and anxiety was suddenly drowned in a sea of outrage and fury.
"He's not an animal! He's a man! Twice the man you'll ever be, you sick bastard!" she hissed as she took a step forward, jabbing her finger an inch from his face. "You're just jealous!"
"Get outta my face, you crazy bitch!" Tyler barked as he shoved Erica away from him.
Erica's body tensed the moment that Tyler's palms slammed against her chest, forcing her back. The reaction was instantaneous. She felt the black rose bracelet contract painfully around her wrist as a series of one inch black thorns burst from her skin. Whether by subconscious reflex or the guidance of the bracelet, her right arm rose as a barbed, whip-like vine materialized in her hand.
Erica felt her body move with euphoric detachment as she noted how familiar the moment seemed. She was struck with a sense of déjà vu as she recollected the first night that she had worn the bracelet. Her friend Cassidy had insisted that she attend a tailgate party after a football game. She had not wanted to go but she relented. Naturally where there was beer there were drunken, horny frat boys. One of them thought it would be funny to sneak up behind her and squeeze her ass. Her mind had gone blank with panic at the unexpected touch. She only vaguely remembered the sickening sound of adamant thorns sawing effortlessly through muscle and bone. And the screaming. So much screaming.
A loud snarl jolted Erica back to reality as she felt her arm seized in a powerful grip. A second vine materialized in her free hand as she instinctively spun to face her captor. She froze at the sight of Primal restraining her right arm, his lips pulled back over his fangs in a grimace of pain. Her vines and thorns retracted in an instant. Primal inhaled sharply as he released her arm and shakily examined his palm which was now covered with a multitude of punctures and gashes.
Horror and regret flooded through Erica as she realized what she had almost done.
"Oh, Noah! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!" she lamented as she took his mutilated hand and cradled it. "I didn't mean it. I couldn't help myself." She frantically pressed her own palm against his as she attempted to staunch the flow of blood.
"You were gonna slice me."
Erica looked over her shoulder to see Tyler staring at her in appalled disbelief.
"You were really gonna do it, weren't you?! I knew it! You are insane! They should have locked you in a nuthou-"
Tyler did not have a chance to finish the sentence before he was sent flying through the air by a swing of Primal's powerful arm. Whether by fate or sheer dumb luck, he crashed into the cushioned back-rest of the large sectional couch in the nearby lounge area. A cacophony of metallic pops and clangs rang out as its springs broke and its frame warped. A loud snarl split the air as Primal bared his teeth at Tyler, his grey eyes flickering savage yellow. Placing himself between Erica and Tyler he dropped to all fours, muscles tensed.
Momentarily dazed, Tyler groped at his bruised ribs as he righted himself. As the reality of what had happened dawned on him, his pain and confusion were quickly forgotten. A low static crackle and the faint smell of ozone filled the air as he balled his fists.
"You want a piece of me, fuzzy?! BRING IT!!!"
"Noah!" Erica screamed as Primal pounced, his sinuous form a snarling fanged blur.
Caught off guard by the speed of the attack, Tyler ducked instinctively, his powers forgotten as Primal soared over his head. He cried aloud as talons sliced through the space where his head had been, nicking the top of his scalp.
Twisting in midair, Primal landed heavily on the damaged couch with a chorus of screaming springs and metal joints.
Raising one hand to his head, Tyler clutched at the gash on the crown of his head before pulling it away again. Seeing his fingers stained with bright crimson, Tyler bellowed his indignation as he charged like a bull, the blood stained hand pulled back into a crackling fist.
Primal dodged to the side as Tyler plowed into the couch. Heat washed over his flanks as Tyler plowed into the coach, his fist blowing apart its now mutilated form with explosive force and sending it to furniture heaven. Tyler spun to find Primal as smoldering stuffing fell around him like snow. Their eyes locked as they began to circle around the large ottoman in the center of the lounge, the bases fire alarms suddenly wailing in the background.
"Noah, Ty! Stop it! This is crazy!" Erica pleaded in vain, her words falling on deaf ears. Deep down she knew that she couldn't stop this fight. She didn't know if anyone could. What was happening now was about more than the last few minutes. For months now, Noah had lived in fear and paranoia, his animal instincts on edge, telling him to defend himself and his mate but being unable to do so. Now that a physical embodiment of that danger had finally presented itself, his wild self sought to destroy it entirely no matter how much his human mind rebelled. Tyler was not that different. Drafted onto a team against his will, forced to take orders from someone he hated, he felt like an animal in a cage. Now all his fury and frustration had come gushing to the surface. This was a fight of primal rage.
Tyler suddenly gave the ottoman an explosive kick as he sent it hurling into Primal like an immense, flaming soccer ball. The impact slammed the unlucky hybrid into the wall with a sickening thud before he fell crumpled beside the mini-fridge. Tyler quickly advanced on his fallen opponent as the overhead sprinklers sprang to life, water droplets sizzling on his charged skin.
"Why don't you claw me now?! Huh?! Just try and touch me you stupid fuck!"
A deep, bass growl reverberated over the sound of the falling water as Primal narrowed his savage yellow eyes at Tyler. Reaching out, he grasped the mini-fridge for support as he achingly tried to rise to his full height.
"Gimme your best shot," Tyler sneered as he spread his arms wide, inviting attack.
Tyler's face quickly fell as Primal rose upon his hind legs, lifting the mini-fridge high over his head. As Primal stared down at him silently, Tyler recognized the gleam of human intelligence behind his savage, yellow eyes. Cursing under his breath, he barely had time to raise his arms as Primal swung the appliance down with all his might. Both of Tyler's fully-charged fists met the large metal block head on. The explosion was deafening.
**********************************************************************************************************************
Jason and the others had been finishing up their morning exercises when they had heard a muffled boom followed by a series of alarms. The base uplink on Jason's communicator informed him that a fire had been detected in the lounge area just as they heard the noise again.
They had been racing toward the lobby to find the source of the commotion when a third, much louder explosion had echoed through the base. The smell of smoke and the sound of falling water assaulted them as the door to the lobby slid open. The sight that greeted them was bedlam.
The lounge area had been devastated. Charred remnants of demolished furniture and water bottles were scattered about everywhere. The mini-fridge now laid near the center of the area, a twisted lump of metal and plastic. Tyler stood near the heap facing the far wall where Erica knelt beside Primal's slumped form.
"Sprinkler's off!" Jason commanded as rushed into the lobby, Natasha and Monique on his heels. As the falling water abruptly stopped, it became obvious that something was very wrong. Primal's labored breathing was audible even from a distance. Tyler stood oddly still and did not even turn as they approached. As they drew close, the reason became obvious. His limbs and neck had been encircled by several black, thorny vines which seemed to sprout from the metallic floor. All eyes naturally pivoted to Erica where she knelt beside Primal. True to form, her skin was covered with black thorns. Her right hand, which bore the cursed bracelet, was stretched toward Tyler while her left lay protectively on Primal's heaving side.
"Power down, Ty" Erica said coldly as she glared. Tyler simply stared back at her defiantly as the air around his hands continued to buzz and crackle. As she curled her fingers, the vines around his body tightened slightly. Tyler let out a pained grunt as he gritted his teeth.
"E?" Monique asked warily as she took in the confusing situation.
"Stay out of this Monique!" Erica spat. "Power down, Ty!"
The buzzing sound around Tyler increased as the rest of his skin became ionized.
"Jason, do something!" Natasha urged.
"Tyler," Jason spoke calmly and softly. "Do what she says."
The air around Tyler began to crackle even more as he continued to stare defiantly at Erica. The vines constricted even more, drawing forth several trickles of blood.
"Tyler," Jason spoke more firmly.
"I'll stop when she does!"
"Tyler, you have to stop. You can't hold that big of a charge."
"Ty! I am ordering you to power down, now!"
"Don't tell me what to do rich boy!"
Tyler's blood began to flow more profusely as he continued to power up, the plasma sizzling and smoking as it traveled across his skin. The power was now a tangible sensation in the air, setting everyone's hair on end.
"Erica! Let him go!" Jason commanded, his face jerking in her direction.
"Not until he powers down!" she hissed with venom, still shielding Primal.
Jason deftly reached behind him and produced a small, golden blaster weapon from its hiding place in the small of his back.
"Don't think that I won't sacrifice one of you to save the rest of this team," he stated coldly.
Although unintimidating in appearance, Jason's severity testified to the weapons lethality.
"Jason?" Natasha said fearfully.
"I'm going to count to five and then I'm going to fire."
Nobody moved.
"One!"
"E',Ty! Listen to him!" Monique begged.
"Two!"
"Jason, you can't!" Natasha said hysterically.
"Three!"
Monique disappeared with soft pop as she teleported away from the inevitable climax.
"Four!"
Another small pop announced Monique's return as she teleported back into the lobby.
"Five!"
Everything went quiet as the buzzing suddenly ceased.
"Hey," Tyler said with a confused look on his face as the black vines around his body suddenly evaporated. "What's.....?" He did not finish the question before he crumpled to the floor like a rag doll, the others falling simultaneously around him, Jason and Natasha landing spread eagle while Erica slumped over Primal. His eyes rapidly glanced around the room in utter panic and confusion realizing that he and each of his teammates were now completely paralyzed; each teammate but one.
Tyler's gazed up in confusion at Monique as she stood over him, her face a mixture of pity and regret.
"I'm sorry, Ty," she said as she shook her head once. "I'm so sorry."
It was only then that Tyler noticed the grey, oval remote in her hand. As Monique lifted her thumb, he saw that it was crowned with a single button.
Turning away from Tyler, she glanced at Erica before quickly looking away again, unable meet her pleading gaze. She then strode over to Jason's stricken form, knelt and took the weapon from his hand. Stowing the weapon in the waist-band of shorts, she crossed the lobby until she reached the mainframe terminal. Turning the immense monitor on, she quickly tapped away at the keys. She only had to wait a few moments before an image of the New Defenders' senior G.D.F. sponsor, Watchdog, appeared on the screen. He wore a dark-grey helmet with a jutting snout-shaped visor, eye-like helmet lights and two triangular ear cones. The helmet gave the appearance of a man looking out of the gaping mouth of a German shepherd.
"T-Port," Watchdog addressed her solemnly, the visor and mouth guard of the helmet obscuring his expression. "The Citadel computers detected the trigger."
"I'm sorry, sir. I had no other choice."
"What happened?"
"There was a fight involving Blast-Zone, Thorn and Primal. I didn't see all of it but G2 was prepared to use lethal force to minimize the casualties."
"I understand," Watchdog replied, his tone unsurprised. "I'll expect a full report later. For now, secure them and stand-by for further orders. I'll send a retrieval team to take them into custody immediately."
"Understoo...gluc!" Monique chocked as she felt something cool and smooth wrap around her neck with a vice-like grip accompanied by an audible click. Although her first instinct was to teleport away, she found herself unable to use her powers. Reaching up, she grasped at her neck, her fingers wrapping around a band of circuitry and metal. She had just enough time to recognize the inhibitor collar for what it was before she was thrown roughly to the floor.
Sprawled on the base floor, Monique looked up to see Jason standing over her. He now wore one of the gauntlets from his techno-armor, the wrist-mounted blaster pointed directly at her face.
"I wouldn't count those thirty pieces of silver just yet."