Dead Cell Part Two: Between Angels and Insects - Chapter One: Building Up
Dead Cell Part Two: Between Angels and Insects
Chapter One: Building Up.
Story and Characters © Michael .B ( Max The Wolf [YS] LT_Max_W_Charger [FA] )
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Disclaimer: This story may contain some mature content, so you must be of the age of 17, 18, or 21 depending on where you live. Or you can be like me and throw that all to the side and read this story anyways. Enjoy!
Story Theme: Fist Full of Steel - Rage Against The Machine
Cruising Theme: Super Sonic - Bad Religion
Ending Theme: Fear Held Dear - Mushroomhead
Story Started: 12-13-2009, Finished: 1-15-2010
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After the battle was won, it was near a year until everything started to fall back into place. The Human military had changed there minds and returned to earth under the agreement of unity. Michael stood silently upon the shoulder of one of the large Mechs as it stood silently upon a small hill that overlooked the town. The soft breeze flowing past him with the bitter nip of cold; signifying that winter was soon to hit. Exhaling softly, his breath turning to a cloud of fog as it drifted away on the wind, he crossed his arms. A lot had changed from the war, but still...a nagging in the back of his head reminded him of the kings last words.
~~""You may have won this one...but the war will never end...you will fight for the rest of your life...Human!""~~
"For now it is. But...when it comes time to fight again...we'll be ready." Michael spoke softly before looking up when a group of slipstream fighters flew overhead with a roar.
He then climbed down to the open cockpit hatch, slipping inside the large machine and powering up the engines. Slowly the hatch closed and sealed as he took the controls and moved the walker back toward the base that now was built in the center of the new bustling city. He smirked slightly. "Why be so slow...lets get some speed."
He then flicked a switch, causing the large walker to spark with blue energy as the upper part of the machine lowered down toward the ground while the lower legs pulled up into the body. Once the transforming had finished; the mech had turned into a streamlined hovercraft with a large jet booster behind it. "Lets punch it." he grinned as he pushed the twin joysticks forward causing the hovercraft to rocket off down the lone county road.
Hitting a button upon one of the controls ignited the jet engine making the machine hit a blistering speed, sending up dust in its wake. Soon the mech screamed its way into Supersonic speed, looking like a blur to anyone who saw. "Now this is what I'm talking about!" he smirked while gripping the controls tightly. He could feel the adrenaline rushing through his veins as the world became a big colorful blur to him until he neared the city limits as he broke the sound barrier when he switched off the jet letting it drop down to a safe speed over the remaining sound of a sonic boom. Slowly he piloted the machine through the streets until he headed down a long tunnel that led underground into the bases hanger.
The base itself was a beautiful design of metal and stone. Its tall lookout towers, the twin buildings that stood for the operations of security. Alongside the twin towers was two large hanger like buildings, both connected by covered bridges of metal and glass. One hanger was for weapons development and the one on the far end was the sleeping quarters of the base personnel. On the west side of the base rested another hanger that housed supplies. The whole base itself rested upon six hundred square acres; taking up a large part of the city. But the only reason for that was laying beneath a large trapdoor that rested in the middle of a barricaded off area; seemingly endless tunnels lighted with buzzing florescent lights, a large underground hanger filled with slipstream fighters, Mechs, and what was left of the Flagnight Kings ship. Not to mention a Biological Research Lab where four still living Flighnights were kept in high security containment fields and was watched closely by heavily armed guards.
Down in the labs Verna stood silently in front of a computer, tapping softly at the keys with ebony claws. Her snow white fur blinding in with her white lab coat, and it if wasn't for the blue I.D. badge; one could have mistaken her to have nothing on at all. Slowly Michael had moved up close behind her before placing his hand upon her shoulder. "What cha looking at?"
"Something that I'm not so sure about." replied the lupine as she glanced at him out of the corner of her blue/gold eyes. She then stepped to the side. "Have a look for yourself."
Shrugging; Michael moved to the computer, looking at the screen as it showed charts and various numbers along with other scientific talk he didn't know much about. He had read enough biology to know he was looking at it. "Is this a Strain Chart?"
"Yes, but its totally off the wall. Its like the cells...there...Evolving." Verna replied softly as she stuck her paws into her pockets. A look of worry spreading across her face.
"And you want to know the scary part?"
"No, but I bet you're gonna tell me anyways."
"Those are dead cells. If those are doing that...you can only guess what the live ones are doing." she shook her head slowly, her ears falling back slightly. She then watched as Michael moved to a computer and tapped that the keys, pulling up the video feed from the containment area where the still living insects was, looking at them silently before he started speaking; more less to himself than to her.
"If that is the case...the live ones are mutating on a high scale." he then addressed her directly "What's the evolution rate of those on the computer?"
"About ten times that of a human. Why?" she replied.
"The living bugs might have a rate of two times that." he shrugged slightly, looking back at her. "We're dealing with something on a whole other level than we have seen."
Soon alarms blared through the lab, causing them both to turn back to the computer screen; seeing one of the insects had broken free of its cage. "Shit. Better go help out the guards." he spoke while running over to the weapons locker and punching in the code. The large metal door rolled up to reviling three Charge Dart Rifles and seven clips of thirty Charge Darts. Picking up one of the large rifles and a clip, he made his way to the vault like door into the containment area and went inside. Upon entering he found one of the guards against the wall with a large hole in his chest that was punched cleanly through his body armor. He then looked up seeing the Flagnight moving toward the last guard who was backing up against the wall.
"YO, BUGBRAIN!!" Michael called out, rewarded when the insect turned toward him with a hiss, its scorpion tail stabbing at the air in anger. "Remember me.?" he smirked while flipping off the bug. That alone made the Flagnight scream in rage as it charged the human with blind fury. Michael flipped a switch on the rifle, the round charging up with a high powered whine before he held the gun at the hip and fired; the violet ray of energy flying from the gun in a tight group before spreading out with distance, hitting the insect in the chest. Once the attack hit, it caused the bug to become coated with crackling energy. He then charged up another shot, watching as the Flagnight shrugged off the remaining energy and charge once more, this time getting in close enough to slam one of its claws into the humans chest, sending him into the wall with a solid thud.
Michael sat there silently on the floor, his head filling with fog and stars as the insect advanced on him, hissing softly as its tail got ready to strike. Soon a high caliber hit the back of the Flagnight; ripping into its shoulder causing it to turn around to the guard. Michael slowly got to his feet, using the wall and the rifle for support. "Damn that's gonna leave a mark." he sighed slightly while taking aim with the rifle, charging it up to full power; the framing of the gun started to vibrate before he pulled the trigger. The charge streaked toward its target in crimson red energy that then covered the insect. What seamed like a lifetime, the large creature collapsed to the floor with a thud, its legs twitching slightly from time to time as the energy coated it before slowly fading out.
He then called in two other guards for help as they dragged the Flagnight into the cage once more. "Okay. Boost the security, put more power into the laser grid and if any more try to come through...Sack the bastard."
"Yes, Sir!" replied one of the guards, snapping a strong salute.
"Good." Michael replied as he walked to help another guard carry the lifeless body out of the room. He then moved to Verna, the rifle over his shoulder.
"What happened?" she asked softly, noting the slight limp in his left leg.
"They're evolving alright. Broke right through the containment field like it was nothing. I'm having them to boost up the power." he shrugged slightly as he moved to put the rifle back in the storage locker. He then leaned back on it softly before sliding down to the floor with a slight groan. He then looked to Verna as she walked toward him, slowly kneeling down next to him. Slowly she ran her paw over his leg before giving a slight nod as she crossed her arms slowly.
"Well...you will have a bruise but nothing else." she spoke softly before moving to sit beside him, resting her head softly on his shoulder. Her platinum blonde hair flowing freely like a soft wave.
"Why didn't we see the Mutations when we first started this battle?" he looked at her slightly, one hand moving to rest upon her shoulder as he held her close to him while he rested his head against hers.
"I don't know. I guess it was because we was so enveloped in building the strongest weapon we could." Verna shrugged slightly as she closed her eyes while placing a paw upon his leg. Her thoughts going back to the fighting, and to all the work that went into the development of the Zypher Beta.
"We have new developments in the Mechs." she said offhandedly.
Michael slowly looked to her with a smirk as he scratched behind her ear softly. "Do enlighten me." he quipped.
She gave a slight giggle before opening her eyes to look at him. "The new Mechs are issued with a psyche control system. All movement and commands that the mech is issued are pulled directly from the pilots thoughts."
"Like...if I thought to step forward and to the side...the walker would do just that with out the use of controls?"
"That's right. Even the Weaponry is based on the same system." she smiled, her ears perked up slightly as the human beside her gave a slight nod. Slowly she stood up, turning to hold her paw out for him, watching as he took hold of her offered paw and then pulled him to his feet. "Let's go check out that new Mech that 'You' have been spending more time with than 'Me' shall we." she said in a mocked hurt tone.
"Aw. Don't be like that. You know I love you more than that hunk of metal. I just like it for speed. Besides...shouldn't I be pointing out that you have been getting real close to that new lab guy that was transferred here from Miami." he countered quickly.
Verna looked at him with a coy smile. "I'm only getting him settled into the base, what's so wrong with that? Besides...its my job."
"Yeah yeah." he shrugged slightly, looking off to the side.
If anything the lupines smile grew wider. "You..." She then giggled before continuing "You're jealous aren't you.?".
The only reply from him was a simple shake of his head; but she could see his cheeks flush red, and his eyes become adverted from her. "You ARE! You're jealous of him."
"No I'm not. I'm just looking out for you that's all." he shrugged before he walked off slowly "Come on, lets go."
He hated it. She was right about him. He was big time jealous of the new guy...it was something of a bad habit of his that always got him in trouble. Giggling still; Verna followed him closely as they walked out of the lab and down the halls to the hangers.
Upon entering the large room, they walked over to the Mech he had came back, while a few of the techs went over it carefully tuning it up.
"If the bugs are evolving to a point they can bust through a containment area...its only a matter of time before they are able to develop a immunity to the Zypher Beta, and our ballistics." he spoke softly as he looked at the large walkers.
Slowly Verna looked at him. "You think that it will pose a problem?"
She was answered when he gave a nod. This caused her to sigh softly.
"You're worrying too much."
"Don't I have a reason too be?" he replied softly as he crossed his arms slowly, looking intently at the mech in front of him. His eyes wondering over the twin Beta Cannons and quad barreled machine guns. Though the weapons and armor had been upgraded along with the control systems...he still couldn't shake the feeling something bad was about to happen. They had spent there time in the hanger before making there way to the sleeping quarters to turn in for the night. It had passed with out incident until they was awoke when the alarm sounded. Michael was the first to get up, tugging on his jacket while moving to the small weapons locker against the wall. He tapped in the code, watching the white numbers spill across the green LCD screen before the heavy door rolled up reveling his custom Desert Eagle .50AE magnum fitted with a 2x scope, a tactical Flashlight with a Laser Sight, and vented muzzle port. Each clip held ten silver coated hallow point rounds. He grabbed the clip and slapped it into the gun before loading a round in the chamber. Verna stood beside him, picking up her own sidearm; a twelve shot auto-revolver loaded with anti-personal rounds.
"Lets see what's the matter now." he spoke as he walked to the door and out into the hall, seeing guards rushing about the place before he caught one by the arm; a young husky. "What's going on?"
"The bugs...there lose." replied the husky.
"Lose? Where?"
"That's the problem...we don't know."
"You don't know?!" he shouted, causing the husky to whimper slightly. The young pup was a new recruit and nervous as could be. "Sorry...just do your best to find out what happened." he patted the pup on the shoulder as he gave a nod and ran off down the hall. He looked back to Verna with a shrug. "And you say I shouldn't worry."
"Oh Shut up. You're still jealous, Admit it." she replied quickly, causing him to look at her sharply. That alone caused her to give a slight nod as her ears laid back slightly. "Right. Now's not the time." she walked on ahead of him. Michael stood there silently before he shook his head, following her into the underground Bio-Labs to see the containment fields shut down and the large doors standing open. The only movement was of the red light overhead, that flashed as its mirror spun around inside its glass shell, painting the walls red.
"The containment field can only be shut down from the outside of the cage, or a major power surge and the doors are security locked with Bio-Metric scans...if the bugs are able to by pass that...which I am highly doubting...then they would have ripped the door apart." Michael spoke softly as he walked to the door slowly, looking around the area.
"What's your point?" Verna asked while stepping over to a computer, trying to pull up the video files only to find that a part of the timeline was cleared. "Odd. The file is cleared..."
Michael turned around slowly, looking at her. "Well...I have two ideas. Either the bugs have the new ability to fake and change Bio-Scans...or it was a inside job."
He then looked around while taking out his magnum slowly. "Where's the guards that were watching this area?"
"There dead." came a voice in the back causing them both to spin around with there guns aimed. Slowly a young vixen stepped from the back of the room. Her sea green eyes clouded with impeding tears. "There...all...dead." she whimpered softly.
Michael was the first to slowly lower his firearm, all the while, never taking his eyes off of the Vixen in front of them. Her burnt red fur blending into the black on her paws and into soft stripes along her cheeks and muzzle.
'Wow. She's beautiful. Come on Buddy...yer mated. Quit thinking with your dick for one fucking minute.' he thought to himself as he slightly shook his head while holstering his magnum.
"How did you manage to survive?" he asked her softly
"I hid when I heard the gunshots. When it all went silent...I came out to see what happened and found nothing. No bodies...no bugs." she whimpered softly before looking to the human. "My names Gen."
"Gen.? Like the drink?" he quipped, trying to lighten the mood a little...it worked. A small smile crept across Gen's muzzle.
Slowly he looked to Verna. "I think this has been a odd ass morning."
"I agree. But that's what you get for relaxing after two years." she replied before a group of soldiers moved into the room sporting full camouflage suits, heavy Striker 12gauge Auto Shotguns loaded with a twelve round drum, and Armalite AR-10T assault rifles with clips loaded with .300RSA Ultra-mag rounds.
"Great...the Regular Army." he muttered under his breath causing Verna too look as well.
"What are they doing here?"
"Seams they are looking for a chance to bust our ass." he replied softly.
For two long years even with a joint agreement, the Regular Army had been looking for a way to take full control over B.R.G.D. ( Bureau of Research and Global Defense); a special division that had been built between the agreement to study the Flagnights and to build weapons against the bugs and any other unwanted invaders.
"After all this time?" Verna asked softly still watching the soldiers with caution.
"There still sore about us taking back earth while they was on the moon waiting. For what I have no clue. Guess they didn't trust a lone human with a lupine lover." he shrugged before he was snapped from his wavering thoughts when one of the men walked over toward them. "Yes?"
"Wow...you freaks really fucked up this time didn't ya." spoke the Soldier.
"Back off Jarhead..." Michael replied sharply. "By the laws of the U.P.M.A. (United Personnel Military Agreement); you best watch what you say. I can have your rank pulled just by speaking to the High Consul."
"Why you no good Dog fucking bastard!" growled the man before taking a swing at the younger and shorter human but blinked when Michael had caught the soldiers arm up under his own, before bending it upwards hard. Soon both of there heads turned to the side; both at the same time when a deep voice came from the side.
"That will be all Lieutenant." spoke up a elderly man who was the boss of the group.
"John (The Mutilator) Steel." Verna whispered softly to herself as her eyes widened in both shock and fear. She knew of the famous Commander who was the most decorated soldier in the Marines. She had seen his file one time during the hearing of the U.P.M.A. He was known for his combat skills and also for his nickname...it came from a time when he was a P.O.W. a odd few years back, and ripped one of the guards apart; limb for limb and also taking out four others...beating them to a point that even there own mothers wouldn't have known them. It scared her...even though the man looked like he was older than mosses...he was still capable of all his military prowess.
"C-Commander?" replied the soldier.
"You know the laws passed by the agreement...if you continue with that last punch...I will Personally strip you of rank." replied the Commander. Michael had looked back to the soldier whom he held, and noticed that his right fist was pulled back and ready to strike like a tightly wound spring. God...he came close to eating meat from a straw for who knows how long. Slowly the soldier lowered his fist and Michael released his arm, stepping back slowly.
"Yes, Sir!" he replied.
"Good...now get your ass back over with the team." John spoke, watching the man hurry back to the group before he walked over to Michael. "I'm sorry about that. I'll see that he serves a while in KP (Kitchen Patrol). Do you know anything about how this all happened...Major."
It was something that caught him off guard...sure he made it through all the training in no time because of his skills at video games and memory of various things and it caused him to forget he had acquired the same Rank as his mate. "Uh...No. best to my knowledge they broke free in some manner that we are still looking into." he glanced to Verna slightly then turned his full attention to the Commander. "I have two theories - One is that I think they adapted to the Bio-Metrics scanning and the Force Fields." he paused for a second before taking a deep breath "Two...I think that it's a inside job."
"Why do you say that?" asked John as he followed him to the holding cells.
"The doors are clean...not a scratch on them, but the containment cells are blown to hell. Also the guards are missing...maybe dead."
"Then where's the bodies.?"
"Got me there." he replied with a shrug of his shoulders before looking to him.
"Hmm. I see your point." John replied with a nod, looking around the area slightly and making note of the blackened circuit boards along the wall that controlled the force fields. "You are going to file a report with the High Consul right?"
"Yeah. I'll file the paperwork after I finish the investigation, and I'll hand it to them personally." Michael replied as he looked around the area, before Johns next statement caught him off guard.
"I like a man who dose everything his job calls for; with the fullest extent possible." he spoke while placing a hand upon the younger mans shoulder before turning and walking away "I'll look to see you at the Consul, Major."
He then walked out of the holding area and looked to Verna with a nod. "Major." was all he spoke before walking out with the rest of the squad.
Verna blinked slightly while waiting for her mate to return. 'What's he up to I wonder.'
Michael moved about the room slowly before something inside one of the cells caught his eye. He then moved over to the corner of the holding cell, kneeling down and picking up a Micro-Circuit. He narrowed his eyes slightly as he stood up with the small chip in his hand, before putting it in his pocket as he walked out and into the lab. "Come on lets get Gin to her room."
"Okay." Verna replied as her and her mate took the young vixen from the underground labs and to the sleeping quarters. Soon Verna was taken softly by the arm and led away from the area when the door closed. "Michael...what's wrong with you?"
"This is what's wrong with me, Verna." he replied while looking around before pulling the small Micro-circuit from his pocket and holding it up. "This is a special circuit that is inside only the Flagnight ships computers."
"Maybe someone brought one of the computers to the lab to work on it." Verna replied softly as she looked at the small square chip between her mates fingers.
"I won't disagree but if that's true..." he placed his hands in his pockets and watched one of the guards move down the hall, and once he was out of sight he started talking once more "Why isn't the video logs okay.?"
It was a good question, and one they both didn't have the answer for. He then sighed slightly and looked at her. "I'm calling a full investigation into the base."
"You really think it's a inside job?"
"Verna...I know it is. The guards a gone, no bullet casings, the circuit boards to the cells are blown and the main security door is standing wide open with out a single scratch on it. You tell me if I'm overreacting."
"No. Michael...look...I know you're still mad at me...and I'm sorry. I love you." she replied softly, wanting to firstly fix the small crack that formed in there marriage. She smiled when he gave a soft nod in reply. "What about the Regular Army? I'm sure they would want to be kept in the loop as well."
"That they would. And we'll let them."
"Are you sure that's wise? After all...they "are" trying to take over the B.R.G.D." she replied with a tilt of her head.
"I know. Look...the human army has been pissed off at us for all we have achieved and I think this would help establish a good relationship with both sides. But...they don't have to know "everything" ya know." he grinned slightly and walked away down the hall. "Come on...lets go talk to Juval."
Both of them walked to one of the twin buildings and taking the elevator to the top floor where Commander Juval's office was located. They both made it to the door before Michael knocked on it softly, before stepping into the room with his mate when he heard a muffled "Come In" through the door.
"Ah...Michael...Verna. What do I honor for this visit.?" he asked with a smile before it slowly faded away when Michael had placed the circuit upon the desk. "This is a Micro-Circuit for the Flagnight Cloaking prototype. Where did you find it?"
"Inside one of the containment cells holding the Flagnights, and...What did you say? A Cloaking Prototype?" Michael replied in shock, his mouth slightly agape after his question.
"That's right. We found one inside the Flagnight Command ship and placed it in research and development in Delta Lab." Juval replied with a nod as he picked up the small chip, looking it over slowly.
"And why wasn't I informed of this, Commander?" Michael countered as he placed both his hands upon the edges of the desk while leaning against it, looking at elderly hare.
"Because its classified past both your and Missis Alea are cleared for." he looked up to them slowly before speaking once more. "Dose this have anything to do with the loss of the insects?"
"I don't know...check your inventory of Delta Lab." Michael retorted slightly, watching as Juval gave a slight nod, moving to tap at the keys upon his computer before blinking.
"That's odd..."
"What's odd?" asked Verna.
"The computer says that the prototype has been removed from storage and hasn't been returned."
"How many of the Lab techs have access to the storage lockers in Delta lab?" asked Michael as he stood up straight, glancing to Verna as she stepped up beside him.
"About...two hundred." replied Juval.
"Shit...it'll take forever..." he replied before crossing his arms as he thought, his eyes slightly closed as he ran things over in his mind. Verna watched him silently before she started to speak, but caught herself before she did, noticing that he was brainstorming and it wasn't a good idea to distract him during that time. He then smirked as a lopsided grin crossed his lips. "Start a full investigation into the Techs who work in Delta Lab. And I want the names of them all."
"I take it this little idea of yours calls for undercover work?" Juval asked as he looked to the human slowly as he gave a nod.
'Where dose this human get such ideas?' he thought to himself before giving a nod. "Okay. I'll transfer the list to your PDA and will gather my trusted team to assist in your investigation. For now...get some rest. We have a good group of soldiers out looking for the bugs as we speak."
"Okay. Thanks." Michael replied as he picked up the Micro-Circuit and walked to the door with Verna and out of the room before heading back to there own sleeping quarters before retuning to sleep.
Somewhere in the darkness of the cities underground sewers a soft growl echoed softly down the tunnels as overhead; people and various species went about there own ways, unaware of what was to come.
(To Be Continued)
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