[b][center]Chapter 15: Long Night of Solace[/center][/b]

[i]Several hours later...
Hermod Sector
Research Labs
Idunn (Economic Center)[/i]

The male figure walked into the room in the secretive sector, his arms crossed. All was pitch black but for a single beam of red light illuminating a single occupant, barely enough to see, but not much else.

Said occupant had seen better days. He was in his late twenties by the looks of things, strung up from the ceiling by countless red wires, almost at the ground, but not quite. His arms ant legs were spread eagled, two rather thick tubes in his neck. The reddish-blonde hair was long and disheveled, but not quite covering his closed eyes. Shirtless, he showed himself to have lost a sizable amount of muscle mass, but still seemed strong. There was a a circular, golden medallion, about three inches in diameter, melted to the skin of his abdomen, one he had stolen from a mercenary's storage before someone else had managed to scavenge the rest. The right arm seemed to be naught but a mass of scarred flesh in a vaguely humanoid form.

The visitor watched his hands, waiting for a twitch of some sort, some recognition of his arrival.

"I was just dozing off. Couldn't you wait?" There was a hint of a smile, green eyes opening. They knew each other, though they did not give his name. Samuel Dolor, the Painless Wolf.

Only the barest hint of annoyance was visible as the visitor, Chairman Ronald Rivers, walked up to him, holding a needle in his human hand. He reached to one of the wires attached to the neck with his dragon arm, opening a small hatch with its teeth. Inserting the needle, he depressed the plunger, releasing the liquid before closing it.

The young man waved his arm, dropping the needle to his side. Out of a portal invisible to the prisoner, one of muted light and black tentacles, jumped a foot-tall, quadrupedal gremlin of sorts, with very dark skin, a bald head, and yellow eyes. It wore a white, tattered shirt and had a black, electrical box on its back with two prods, on each side and powerful enough to short out a light. The Lightkiller Darkling caught the needle, then dropped back out of sight.

The test subject was not overly concerned about the whole thing, having been injected with a great many formulas before, as well as having had more extracted from him. "How's the weather in the empress's place?"

"Elori." The answer was devoid of emotion. Not by force of will, but by lack of care.

Samuel frowned for a moment...then broke into a grin. "I kind of liked her. I guess it was a shame that she got taken out." His head raised for a moment to ask a question. "Hey, could you get Gryyed to get me some decent food today? I know he's being shipped off to Valhalla, but still, something beter than dirt would help."

Ronald made no response to the irritating comment, a buzzing coming from a timer on his waist. Reaching to the same invisible hole, he summoned another of those gremlins, this time weaponless. It held up a larger needle, one that he injected into himself at the neck without any hesitation. This one had a label stamped on its side. "PG67A/W." With that, he dropped it for the chattering monster to catch and return to whence it came.

"Oh, before I forget." The test subject's voice was of utmost calm as he gave a smug answer. "Jessica says hi."

It all happened in a second. First, he was a few feet away from Sam. Then he was right at him, a black, fanged tentacle rising from his back, holding a black-and-gray tranquilizer. He shoved it up against the subject to make him stop talking swiftly. The entire thing was far too fast to be human. How he had managed it was nigh impossible to say, but it had to be engineered in some way. "Do you remember who's this is? Who we took the stores of when he defected?"

"Merc-Me," was the almost bored response. "Look, are you going to kill me or what?"

Ronald shook his head, putting the gun away. Nonchalantly, he again moved instantaneously. His empty hand jerked up, grabbing the medallion on his chest and yanking with greater strength than was normal, his nails cutting through skin and tearing him open, exposing his innards and causing blood to flow from the wound. With that, he stepped back with the medallion in hand as the tentacle put the gun back, watching as the bleeding man coughed up blood for a moment before turning around and walking toward the exit. "We managed to replicate your congenital analgesia. You aren't necessary. Just a leftover."

It was Dolor's turn to be annoyed, even the theft of his most-used power source. "Look, we both don't like each other, let's be clear on that. So if you've bothered to come in here just to kill me, go ahead and do it instead of forcing a bleed out that probably won't happen. Monologuing just give people a chance to get out."

The chairman simply turned, giving the slightest smirk in the darkness as he opened the door into a lighted corridor. "I already killed you two minutes ago." And the door closed behind him.

Fex-M3 was a nerve toxin from the most-important galaxy of [i]Star Wars.[/i] When it was administered to a victim, it caused death in less than ten seconds by releasing all stored energy in the brain at once, thus boiling it in the victim's head. Ronald himself had administered this very toxin to the prisoner at the beginning of their conversation, saw it slowly drip downward toward his blood vessels. Once it had done its work, the tubes could be used to extract the nerve agent, the body incinerated to remove any evidence. All of his records were nonexistent to begin with in any case.

However, due to his congenital analgesia, he would not feel any pain. At least he could take some solace in that, as his body convulsed, some liquid dripping from his lips... and went limp.

The lights went out then as Ronald Rivers continued away as if nothing had happened. They wouldn't go on again.

==============

[i]Two hours later...
Medical/Technical Room, AEK Base[/i]

The welding torch burned into the sphere, sparks flying as it closed. The welder turned off the tool, but did not raise his mask as he tapped the side of the contraption.

"Hey, wake up, Sparky," Simon said softly.

There was a slow whir as the Monitor awakened, the blue light brightening. Almost like a yawn.

"I finished your laser, big guy."

Suddenly, there was a quicker, elated beep as Sparky rose on small pulses of blue antigravity energy, happy to finally have a usable weapon. As he did so, Adán was visible coming in through the training room door nearby, his sword slung across his shoulders. Kira had asked that they assemble so that they could look at the Assassin's data when he came in.

Speaking of which, a loud thump was heard several minutes later in another room. Both of the humans present did not make much of a reaction due to the commonplace nature of such an occurrence, and only turned when their resident traceurs walked in through another entrance with purpose. As Strongarm opened his mouth, the cyborg Runner just waved him off without even a look while talking to her companion.

"Malik, you know what to do."

The Assassin nodded, taking a small computer chip out of a pocket and slipping it into the computer as they both took off their headsets. In no time at all, two folders were visible on the monitor.


[table][tr][td]Niðhöggr[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][td]Haven[/td][/tr][/table]


Patiently, Kira named the two files for their blind mechanic. Once she had, Simon paused, scratching his chin in contemplation.

"Haven first. That sounds more unfamiliar. Just so we know how dangerous it is."

The AI nodded, poking at the right name. It lit up, and the file opened up.

[blockquote][b]Project Hunter[/b]
[i]Codename: Haven[/i]
Production of an elite group of painless, fearless, regenerating soldiers with many different powers. Mass produced and infused with accelerated growth.

[list]
[*]Chief Executive Officer Cain Rivers: Development of and improvement upon Dr. Yi Suchong's plasmid research to accelerate growth of subjects to their teens within several weeks, as well as to develop specific plasmids in each of them.
[*]Commnder Elena Mireu: Primary developer and teacher. "Mother" of subjects.
[*]Lieutenant Commander Jessica Mireu: Secondary developer and teacher. "Aunt" of subjects.
[*]Subject S.D.: Provider of blood for congenital analgesic research.[/list]

[list][*]Phase 1: Acquire young female subjects, dealing with families as necessary to make them a nonissue.
[*]Phase 2: Implant ADAM slug within their stomachs.
[*]Phase 3: Hypnotic conditioning to become warriors of Omega with use of Plasmids. Use Eden as necessary.
[*]Phase 4:  Dark Will corruption to fix conditioning.
[*]Phase 5: Gene therapy for age acceleration and arrest at mid-twenties.
[*]Phase 6a: Give specialized armor and genetic modification for use.
[*]Phase 6b: Several missions at a time to repeat Phase 1.[/list][/blockquote]

Then came a list of subjects. Several in particular caught Kira's attention, her focus.

[table]
[tr]
[td]Name[/td][td]Element[/td][td]Weapon[/td][td]Auxiliary Information[/td][/tr]
[tr]
[td]Delgado, Mary[/td][td]Fire[/td][td]Katana (High Frequency)[/td][td]Further Jutsu Specialization[/td][/tr]
[tr]
[td]Jones, Audrey Marianna[/td][td]Wind[/td][td]Boomerang[/td][td]Mild Dissociative Identity (Shadow Zephyr)[/td][/tr]
[tr]
[td]Kajiaron, Flare[/td][td]Fire[/td][td]Spear[/td][td]Some Light Specialization[/td][/tr]
[tr]
[td]Kingsley, Sara[/td][td]Gravity[/td][td]Chakram[/td][td]N/A[/td][/tr]
[tr]
[td]Masami, Yuki[/td][td]Ice[/td][td]N/A[/td][td]Uses Ice For Weaponry[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Terra, Echidna[/td][td]Earth[/td][td]Knife[/td][td]Lamia (Serpentine Features Armored)[/td][/tr]
[tr]
[td]Wallace, Abigail[/td][td]Sun[/td][td]Teeth and Claws[/td][td]Dire Wolf (Unstable)[/td][/tr]
[tr]
[td]Wang, Grace[/td][td]Water[/td][td]Daggers[/td][td]Utilizes Aquatic Avian Familiar[/td][/tr]
[/table]

The artificial intelligence was shocked to silence as she read the names. So they were not dead. No...worse than dead. Brainwashed, turned into special operations super soldiers. Even with their abilities enhanced, this was no way to live. As her mind raced, her vocal output processor seemed to act of its own accord, causing her to mutter names softly before she caught herself ands stopped.

Simon tilted his head, having heard her. "Is something wrong? More wrong than usual that is."

She shook her head sadly. [i]"No, everything is fine. Some of these names are just...familiar."[/i]

Headshot, on the other hand, was taking note of the different names and abilities, trying to pin down tactics for each type, maybe ways to identify them.

Doc took note of a few of them, namely the descriptions of Abigail Wallace and Echidna Terra. His mandibles came as close to a frown as could be considered by human standards.

Once it had been read off to him, Simon spoke again, calmer than Indra and Doc. "Now let's look at Niðhöggr."

This file was corrupted at key points, difficult to read. It may have been cracked into upon copying.

[blockquote][b]Project Niðhöggr[/b]
Production of new, painless, phantasmal soldiers with genetic and cybernetic enhancement for expansion.

[list][*]Cheryl Heather Mason: Primary subject.
[*]Chief Executive Officer Cain Rivers: Primary source of funds, and producer the chemicals necessary to create complete psychological instability in the primary subject to facilitate a merger with other powerful psychics upon death, along with countless other spirits.
[*]Chairman Ronald Rivers: Provider of the spirits of the living.
[*]Commander Elena Mireu: Developer of cybernetics, including neural implants for tracking and control along with tougher bones reinforced with palladium and platinum weapons built in.
[*]Lieutenant Commander Jessica Mireu: Developed the design for the modifications to [tt]DATA EXPUNGED[/tt], for Elori to apply.
[*]Flora Aqua Gale Flamera "Elori" Shadowflash: Reconstructor of [tt]DATA EXPUNGED[/tt]
[*]Subject S.D.: Blood source for congenital analgesic research.[/list]

[list][*]Phase 1: Subject is to be given repeated doses of hallucinogenic drugs, Dark Will, and ADAM through cybernetic implants in her arm to dissociate her alternate persona from her primary one, resulting in a fight for control between them as well as a possible loss of any dominant identity, in addition to genetic insensitivity to physical pain. Mark of the Serpent placed on many of the Folkvangr guards, siphoning their life force and power into subject to increase power and decrease unity between the personas.
[*]Phase 2: After several years of such treatment, allow a hero to release subject through the use of intentionally incompetent guards with the Mark, the confusion likely resulting in her suicide.
[*]Phase 3: Death, coupled with dissociation of personas, results in psychological chaos, allowing for spirit's capture and merger with other spirits.
[*]Phase 4: From there, combined spirit, "Lobsel Vith," is released to the worlds to loose an army of spirits with her abilities, as well as the psychological effects of her split personality, the cybernetic implants, and the plasmids.
Phase 5: [tt]DATA EXPUNGED[/tt] emptied to allow for launch.[/list]

[color=Red][u]Marathon Classification Level Exceeded.[/u][/color][/blockquote]

Though again shaken, Kira assessed the data once more, muttering about "Marathon Classification." That security system had caused her a lot of trouble in getting data, as if it knew her. [i]"Judging from how it is hidden and the legends of the Malice Striker itself, I believe we should search underground. Sessrúmnir seems to be the source of a great many things, so that may be where it is located beneath."[/i]

Their Syrian ally nodded in concurrence. "I found difficulty reaching anywhere beneath the tower, and even the sewers seem to work around it except where we cannot access it, even through a mechanical remote device."

Kira tapped her head, looking to the ground in thought. There had to be a way to stop this.

The initial criminal woman of the group frowned, a hand on her hip. "This is good information, but we shouldn't go and try to assault them or anything like that." As she got surprised looks from the others, she made her point. "We've got enough to deal with with the twins and getting our ammo supplies relatively constant without being caught. We know these people's capabilities in this Haven thing, and we know they might make more. That's enough to help us survive a little longer. We can deal with whatever this Niðhöggr thing is when we have to, but it seems like it's just a way to take over more worlds, not to secure anything here where they already have a steady hold."

Truth be told, she herself felt guilty and enraged. Mason had died on her watch, bringing this entire plan into being. What she wanted now was to put that problem away for the time being, since it was likely mostly her fault that it was in progress to begin with.

Doc shook his head. "It is our duty to help, as the only insurgency of which we know. Even if it has nothing to do with us, we must help potential brothers and sisters in the worlds if we are to retain any honor at all."

The one-armed swordsman aside from the Assassin nodded his agreement. "We have to do something. I'm not going to just stick around and wait for them to turn this on us."

Simon was mumbling to himself, not getting involved amongst the groups. He was thinking on data, information that he deemed rather unimportant in the long run. An old habit he had developed as a way to distract himself. Currently, he was thinking on the deities of different worlds as taught by Kira over these years. Sparky looked his way in concern, beeping softly, so he gave his own reply in the same language of beeps and whistles, saying he was okay. Teaching himself binary was one of the cognitive trials he had underwent to understand his own creation from even a very early age.

Although Malik did not agree with Abigail, he did not vocalize his dissent, instead letting things run their course. He knew she was alone in this, but she had to learn from others.

After a bit of argument, Kira cut in. [i]"They are right, we need to do something. There have been other heroes who aided others where it would be safer to simply remain unknown. The initial Master of the Lockshield, the Keybearers, the electricity-wielding savior of Guardia, to name a few."[/i]

Adán spoke up. "Listen to Kira."

She'd had enough. The scout screamed at last. "You know what? Maybe they existed! Maybe there is some crackpot time travel or something that can solve it all, like you say! But that's then, this is now! Your age of heroes? Yeah, that's gone, [i]dead and gone![/i] We don't have selfless heroes anymore, there's nobody like that! Just people like me, like us! Survivors, not heroes! We're not the best of the worlds, we're just the best at [i]living![/i] Trying to better everyone almost got us all [i]killed![/i] It's not our problem, and I don't know if you realize this, but [i]we've survived for [b]twelve freaking years[/b]![/i] Twelve years in this [i]sh**![/i]" She rounded on Adán before he could reply. "And you! You just want to get something else to fight! All you ever think of is proving yourself and trying to fight more!"

The one-armed swordsman was angry now. "Don't you even try to put this o--!"

Simon would have rolled eyes if he had any, his sarcastic tone saying as much. "Kiss and make up, you two."

The glare he received from them both was enough to determine how they felt about his assessment. Suddenly they were both screaming, telling him there was nothing of the sort between them, that they absolutely hated each other and there was nothing that would ch--

Finally, Kira's form flickered, green, then pink, then green again with annoyance. She crossed her arms, and the lights flickered on and off as she frowned at them. Still, she remained completely calm, giving her a new reason.

[i]"If you do nothing, you will be implicitly following the authority of Omega. You will be doing what 'the Blues' would want of you. I'm sure you would not enjoy that, Runner."[/i]

The scouting sniper froze at that, blood draining from her face. She was right. Even if it was her fault, she couldn't just run from it, it wouldn't go away for that. She grumbled, her expression turning to abject rage, and punched a wall in indignation. So much for momentary safety.

The AI nodded calmly, her work done. [i]"We all will have a part to play. Malik, I believe you will have a part in our plans this time as well."[/i]

The Assassin, surprisingly still there this time, returned the nod. It was time to begin.