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Merc's Metamorphs

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Chapter 35: The Leftovers

Ever since Juan was little he'd had the urge to make a positive difference in the world. In the beginning, back when he was a child living in Columbia, he fantasized about being a fire fighter. Later, after his parents had moved the family to the United States, Juan became obsessed with EMTs. He decided by the time he was eight or nine that he wanted to be an ambulance (he didn't know the proper term for 'paramedic'. That 'life goal' lasted a little over two years, at which point he doubled-down and decided that he was going to grow up to be a doctor.

By the time he was finishing up high school, Juan's father, who had been working as a professor at a community college had a catastrophic accident or, more specifically, he was one of several victims of a particularly savage attack by the Dire Legion; although he survived, being caught in the midst of a battle between the Legion and Legendary Unlimited resulted in him being confined to a wheelchair and chronic pain, which made it difficult for him to teach on a regular basis. With his family's reduced income there was less chance that Juan would be able to be a doctor, let alone go to college.

Fortunately for him, his parents had set aside enough money that, by the time he had completed high school, they were able to sit down and discuss his future. Ever an animal-lover and wholly enraptured with the study of anatomy and physiology, Juan was able to settle for veterinary medicine. It wasn't so much the destruction of his dreams, rather, it was just a reimagining of them. He would still get to save lives (albeit, four legged ones), and he would still be able to make a positive difference in the world. That was also right about the time he met Frank. Little did Juan know that his life was about to get even more complicated, and his dreams would change yet again.

Becoming a Metamorph was something that Juan had never really considered happening to him, but it filled a hole in his life he didn't know existed; not only would be become a vetrinarian that could help animals, but he'd be able to step up and ensure that the kind of thing that had happened to his dad could be prevented. He was a Metamorph, which meant that he would have the power to prevent the loss of life, income, and happiness. By the time they added Chance to their apartment and their group, Juan felt like life was perfect and, for over a year, that illusion remained.

Christopher entered their life. The Chessmaster entered their life. Political intrigue, clandestine meetings, military contracts... all the things they had planned to avoid came at them in a big way. Merc's Metamorphs had stayed clear of all of that, and especially Legendary Unlimited-- ESPECIALLY Legendary Unlimted, ever since they'd made the stupid decision to sign up only to quickly find out that the best thing was to stay far, far away. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, they'd gotten involved again. Christopher was dead. General Glory was dead. Frank had disappeared... then, suddenly: Rook was back.

It had been hard enough seeing Rook die, and then watching Merc come undone. The following two days were hell with not knowing what was going on, the indecision on how to proceed, not understanding what Frank was up to or when they'd next go through their change into Metamorph forms. Suddenly hearing the garbled-but-unmistakable voice of Rook coming through on their cells sounding as if he were on an old dial up model with low bandwidth was jarring to say the least.

Demon was the first to recover. "Rook? Is that really you?"

The Raven's voice was ready to respond. "Yes... in a manner of speaking."

Bruiser managed to push out a statement. "We watched you die."

There was a slightly longer pause before Rook addressed the statement. "I... suppose you did... yes."

The Orca pushed his assessment. "Then how can you be talking to us if you're dead?"

Another pause... then another matter-of-fact reponse. "Well... when General Glory killed me, I was in my Metamorph form and I was still connected to all of the technology systems at the time... and... well... I decentralized."

Bruiser waited for more of an explanation but, with none forthcoming, he was forced to press for more details. "What does that even mean? How can you be dead, but still talking with us right now?"

Demon seemed to get it, placing a paw on the Orca's arm as he spoke. "It makes sense, actually... Rook was able to control technology and could spread his consciousness out to things like security cameras and what-not. If his consciousness fled his body the moment he died, even if he was spread out into a ton of different systems, he'd still be there... it'd just be a matter of piecing himself together again."

Rook seemed to like that explanation. "Indeed. Even now, rather than being housed in my body, I exist in a large number of systems, utilizing all of them collectively in order to function as I am now."

The Pit Bull nodded thoughtfully. "So... basically parallel processing."

The Raven's voice piped up to the affirmative. "Precisely."

Bruiser, who was NOT a computer information systems student in his Human life didn't follow. "Alright... and que es eso?"

Rook jumped right into the answer. "It is a method that minimizes computation time by dividing large datasets into smaller parts and using multiple processors to process instructions simultaneously, thereby improving efficiency in handling extensive data."

Demon cleared his throat, looking to the Orca, whose expression most likely indicated how little of that he understood, explained more casually. "A single computer would have trouble offering the same kind of processing power of a Human brain, so Rook has himself spread across a network, using a number of systems to house his consciousness."

The Raven's voice piped in. "It was not a simple task because my sense of self was shattered when General Glory killed me. I had to piece myself back together and I seem to only be able to create cohesive thoughts when the team assumes our Metamorph forms."

Demon grumbled, one of his paws clenching and unclenching as he grumbled "We're not exactly a team anymore though..."

Before Rook could ask for any clarification, Demon quickly interjected. "We have been having some... minor issues with Merc. He's... uh..."

The Pit Bull grunted. "Split. AWOL. He cut and ran after killing Glory."

The voice in their phone's next statement seemed to catch Demon by surprise as much as it did Bruiser as the Raven said "Yes. I am aware of the situation and, in fact, I am hoping to address the problem."

The Orca sat up on the mattress, wincing as it added extra pressure to where his tail connected to the rest of his vertebrae. He curled it around to the side. "You're 'aware' of it? What does that mean? And what do you mean you are 'addressing the problem'?"

Rook's response was straight-forward. "I have been in contact with Reed."

Demon's voice came out as a warding growl. "Are you really sure doing something like that's smart? I'm not sure how to feel about him knowing all our secrets, or that you're still alive... y'know?"

The Raven didn't shy away from the assessment in the least. "I understand, but we are going to need support if we are to succeed."

Bruiser wasn't quite as reluctant as the Pit Bull, but he did have some of his own reservations. "But Legendary? After everything that happened, why them?"

Rook didn't even pause a moment; apparently he'd already had an answer prepared. "Legendary Unlimited has resources far beyond our own, and considering what Mr. Reed put us through, I am willing to wager that he feels indebted to us. We will require assistance if we are going to help Merc."

Sighing, the Orca rubbed the side of his snout in dejection. "Seeing how Merc has pretty much eliminated us from his life and taken the team apart, I'm not really sure how we're supposed to do that."

The Raven's response was, for once, a little hesitant, and the explanation helped indicate why. "I can appreciate that, and I can understand how you may feel disconected. Like you, I have not been able to reach him. Insofar as I can determine, he seems to be declining all incoming calls."

Demon let out a snorting chuckle. "Well that makes plenty'a sense if you think about it, Rook-- you're only 'awake' when he's in Metamorph form, and if he's a Metamorph that pretty much guarantees he'll be on a job, and Merc doesn't usually check messages or texts when he's out in the field."

Rook's half-laugh, half-squawk sounded particularly eerie in the form of his digital-glitch voice. "Yes. I suppose I can appreciate that complication. Regardless, if we are to help Merc, we will achieve far more with Reed's support than without."

Bruiser still wasn't completely sold on the idea. "Why is getting help from Legendary that important?"

The Raven's voice did not respond for just long enough that the Orca was almost wondering if he'd heard the question but, before he could repeat himself, the response finallyh came. "I presume that the two of you still intend to be Metamorphs. If that is the case, the resources avaialble through Legendary Unlimited will be invaluable for future coordination and operation, let alone logistics."

Demon growled. "Yeah? Who gives a fuck about being a Metamorph while Merc is out there on his own? We're supposed to be a TEAM!"

Rook's answer was simple and to the point. "Your roles as Metamorphs are what will ultimately help us help him."

Bruiser shook his head dejectedly. "I WOULD like to help him, Rook... but I'm worried about him beyond just--" he let out a long sigh. "I'm worried. One of the few things we can't save people from is themselves... and right now I think he's just... self destructive. To a point that I'm not sure he CAN be helped."

Despite the digital sound of the Raven's voice, there was a strong sense of empathy in it. "I understand your concerns, Bruiser, but, in this case, I beleive we are not having to save him from himself, rather, from Ngalyod's Grasp-- his glove."

Demon snorted. "His glove? I know that's the center of his power and the reason we all have Metamorph forms and everything... but whadda ya mean save him from it?"

Rook's answer almost caught Bruiser by surprise. "His glove, known as Ngalyod's Grasp is a sentient being."

The comment suddenly made a lot of sense for the Orca. "I THOUGHT I felt something nearby-- a mind I could sense but couldn't quite reach. I always just figured it was an echo from Merc... a side effect."

Before the Raven could respond, Demon smacked the nightstand with a paw. "Wait-- if you knew all about this thing, why are you only just speaking up about it now? Couldn't you'a warned us sooner about it? We coulda done something before it was a problem!"

Rook's response was calm and collected, as always. "I had not fully understood the significance of the item until I gained a near unlimited access to the internet. Since becoming decentralized it has been far easier collecting information from multiple sources and, how that I can, I realize that Ngalyod's Grasp provides great power, but it also takes a great toll the longer it is used."

Before Demon could throw another question at their phones, Bruiser interjected. "What's going to happen to Merc? What do you mean 'a great toll'?"

The Raven's voice was neutral, but in a far more dire manner than his usual disconnected matter-of-fact delivery. "Its purpose is to bring out the 'true' version of its bearer."

The Pit Bull growled at that. "You saying that Merc's 'true self' is some kind of psycho killer then?"

Rook's tone immediately became more placating, as if he'd realized he'd overstepped. "No... not at all. The glove is supposed to help, but people are more than just 1 thing-- we are all an amalgam of our desires, our fears, our loves, our hopes and our dreams. By insisting on simplicity, it does immeasurable damage to the bearer's psyche as different parts of their personality fight over what should be dominant and what should be repressed. Ultimately, Ngalyod's Grasp drives its bearers insane. This is what we need to prevent."

Bruiser spoke up before Demon could continue what looked like was going to turn into an interrogation. "So... we have to help him. How?"

The digital voice was quiet for several seconds, as if it hadn't heard the inquiry... or was just thinking. Eventually the response came, almost timidly. "I have seen indicators that Merc is..." another pregnant pause, "...working for the Dire Legion."

Demon barked his objection. "No. Hell no. Fuck no." He slammed a paw on the arm of the sofa. "We've done one-off contracts for the Legion before, but we don't WORK for em... Merc would never WORK for em."

The sigh that came from Room sounded synthisized, but the meaning was inescapable, especially whenb he added "He has caught their eye now that he is doing work on his own. It is only a matter of time until they have him sign an affiliation agreement."

It was Bruiser's turn to offer a counter-statement. "Merc doesn't go solo... even if he's not in our group he's not alone."

Rook didn't seem to disagree. "True. We are all on his side. Unfortunately, we cannot be part of his team if we are not on the playing field and, right now, none of us are in the game, Bruiser."

Not much for sports analogies, the Orca didn't have an immediate response, but Demon powered forward regardless. "So what're we gonna do then? You have a plan, I assume?" The Pit Bull faltered for a moment before adding "And why Legendary? LEGENDARY of all fucking places! They're such a god damn mess..."

The Raven's voice continued in an even, patient, calm tone. "Reed understands the situation, more or less, and he is willing to help."

Bruiser le out a sigh. "Help HOW, exactly?"

The screen of the Orca's cell phone faded over into static but, as the 'snow storm' continued its random pixelations, a shape slowly began to take shape. After a handful of seconds the vague impression of Rook's Raven-shaped face came into focus. "You remember that Reed said that he wanted to offer worthwhile, fair contracts to Metamorphs, right?"

Demon's voice was flat to a dire extent. "He wants us to sign on with Legendary and do some fucking flag-waving..."

Rook didn't disagree. "The contract will provide you protection from reprisal for any activities that have taken place regarding General Glory and also separate you from any actions Merc might take while he's under the influence of Ngalyod's Grasp. Further, collaborating with Legendary will provide a smoke screen for you."

Even as Bruiser considered what their digital companion was suggesting, Demon followed up with more questions. "A 'smoke screen'? Why the heck would we need a smoke screen? If we're trying to keep our names on the 'good little boys and girls list' for santa to keep from getting a death's sentence of coal in our stockings, why beat around the bush?"

The Raven's patience in explain remained evidence in his calm tone. "With Merc stepping away from the group communication has broken down, and when communication breaks down, teamwork also slips. When there is a lack of teamwork, mistakes begin to happen, and mistakes, especially when it relates to when and where you might change forms, that creates a heightened sense of concern over you maintaining the anonymity of your human forms."

Bruiser didn't need any further explanation. He reached out and rested a hand on Demon's paw. "He's right. We've practically been locked away here ever since Merc disappeared. Imagine what'd happen if Frank didn't send us warnings when he was about to turn into Merc, or Merc didn't give us a heads up that he was turning back into Frank. We can't continue hiding like this... we have to do SOMETHING."

The Dog looked like he was chewing on his cheek, and his muzzle worked for several long seconds before he replied. "So, basically we stay hidden away like hermits, jumping every time we get a text, or we sign our lives away in some hopefully-not-too-fucked-up contracted with Legendary... is that pretty much the summary?"

Rook's voice took on a surprisingly light-hearted tone. "Well... seeing as I had an opportunity to review the offered contract and already signed it myself, I would argue that the offered deal is more than reasonable."

Bruiser was surprised. "You already signed with Legendary?"

He was fairly certain that Rook's response was an attempt at humor. "Lacking a physical body, I signed it last time I regained consciousness and electronic signatures have been legal since June of 2000."

Demon grunted. "Is that something you learned after you started being able to see everything on the net?"

Rook responded with a hint of mirth in his voice. "Actually, it was a bonus question on a recent Poly-Sci exam."

Pushing the humor out of the discussion and returning to the pressing topic he was facing down, Bruiser interjected. "So you're saying that Legendary has a way to help us keep our identities secured?"

The Raven confirmed his assessment. "As an employee of Legendary you would have their full support, including carefully placed media attention and some digital sleight-of-hand to help hide any proof that your transformations are tied in any way to Merc's and, besides that, you'd also have access to Legendary's resources, its logistics team, planning group, and, not to bury the lead: their safe house locations."

Demon snorted. "It's a start, but it's not perfect."

Bruiser had to be a little more pragmatic. "Nothing put together after it's needed usually is, Demon... there are WOROSE options out there..." he let out a long sigh through his blow hole. "A la mierda..."

Rook continued. "We need to buy you time. The three of us can still manage to put our heads together without Merc, and that's what we have to do if we're going to help him be a little less... ah... 'unsteady'."

The Pit Bull growled. "You mean make it so he his brain doesn't fucking explode because of some psycho mind-control glove?"

The Raven wasn't dissuaded by the crass statement. "A little overly simplisic in your summary, but that is the basic premise, yes. We need the two of you to continue doing the work of Merc's Metamorphs so you can maintain a positive point total for the entire team. Once we manage to help Merc he'll be relying on our rating in order to protect him from the worse of the.... blowback."

Bruiser realized that the choice of words was a kind euphamism for the hell that would befall his boyfriend for everything that he might do if murdering General Glory was any indicator of just how deep of an influence the glove could have on the kind, loving man who refused time and time again to kill. "And you think Legendary is a safe choice?"

Rook's response was surprisingly decisive. "Considering what is going on I cannot guarantee that anything is safe, but I can say with certainty, out of all moves avaialble to us, it is the best choice."

Demon grunted. "So... 'Us', huh? You can still help us even if you're just a ghost in the machine?"

The Raven's response was much less digital as his face took on a much clearer resolution on the cell phone's screen. "I'm getting more and more competent in manifesting every time I try and, besides, we did agree that I was supposed to be 'the guy behind the computer'."

The Dog's smile crept onto his muzzle slowly. "There's a difference between being the guy behind the computer, and the guy IN the computer, you know, Rook."

Rook's response was delivered with complete deadpan, but Bruiser could still sense the humor in it. "I take my roll VERY seriously... I am quite invested, you see."

Standing, Bruiser cracked his knuckles by clenching his fists, and then gave his tail a quick, angular flick, popping the joints in it as well. "Okay... so... if we DO decide to take Reed up on his offer... what next?"

Rook's face disappeared and a pdf appeared on the cell. The Orca picked the device up and quickly scrolled through it, asking with only a little incredulity. "So you had the file ready and everything?"

The Raven's response was matter-of-fact. "Just because you have a physical body doesn't mean you can't sign electronically too."

Demon chewed on the inside of his own cheek for another few seconds as he looked through it, finger-pad flicking across his own cell phone screen. "So... this is it, huh? Merc's Metamorphs MINUS MERC will be working for Legendary?"

Bruiser fidgeted, inserting his Metamorph name on the signature line of the electronic document. "We're not working FOR Legendary... we're working WITH them."

Rook agreed. "Precisely. We're doing this to help Merc."

Bruiser nodded. "Right. For Merc."

The Orca watched as Demon, signing, added his name to his own contract. "Fine. For Merc. For Frank."

The Raven's face reappeared on both of their screens. "For all of us. For the future of Merc's Metamorphs. It may seem like everything is falling apart guys... but don't worry; we are still together, and we wll make things right."