Snippet #2365110

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Miles Riverbend & Dean ‘Havoc’ Reginald

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"Give her back to me!"

Reginald swallowed hard, becoming aware of the faint vibrations of vengeful anger emanating in the form of magic. Before him was a therian desperate not to lose a friend, maybe someone more than that. He saw a man trying his best to work around the web of lies that had intruded in his life. Touya’s shocked disbelief was not entirely unexpected, granted the therian had even less reason to trust him given the circumstances. Perhaps Touya was just in stubborn denial. Regardless, Reginald started to explain when something caught his attention from the corner of his eye, interrupting him. His jaw stiffened, turning to bring his gaze upon Damea as the mercenary leapt up in outrage.

Faster than either Reginald or his adjutant could respond to, Damea pounce downwards, reaching for Reginald’s neck. They crashed together, scuffling and grunting on the floor as the mercenary’s assault winded the medic, driving the air from his lungs. “And you wonder why I kept you in restraints,” Reginald cursed, his voice slightly strangled as he fought to keep Damea’s fingers from choking him.

Reginald’s aid ran forwards to keep Damea from causing further harm. Unfortunately, the man was merely a nurse, not an armed combatant, neither was he a trained one. He fumbled ineffectually until the door slammed open and a gleaming blade shot between Damea and Reginald. Miles gazed down at them both, wearing a dreadfully condescending expression. The sudden display of weapons seemed to make everyone freeze in suspended animation, dispelling the confusion with sudden clarity now that lives were in danger.

“I hate pointless violence. Come now, let’s all be sensible here. Killing Havoc may appease your temporary appetite, but what about afterwards? How did you plan to escape after murdering someone? What about your friend?” the Beast Slayer said, purposefully lifted the sharp edge closer to Damea’s throat. The movement forced the mercenary to lean back, lest he wished to lose a chunk of his neck. “Stand up, you to Havoc.”

Liberated, Reginald slipped out from underneath Damea and stood upright. Brushing his shirt and vest off, he nodded at Miles to show his appreciation, “In case you were wondering, Damea, you’re both free to go. You defeated Val and held up your end of the bargain. I only regret that it was all in vain. Victor Hawthorn found a way of supporting his hybrid project, even without Val’s intervention,” Reginald continued, referring to both Damea and Touya, “The only reason you’re currently restrained is for safety measures.”

A huff sounded out as Reginald recovered his composure with stunning alacrity. He had prepared for such reactions going into this conversation. What concerned him more where the implications. With the hybrids already in full production, the last thing Reginald needed was more enemies. Killing Touya and Damea was a final solution, something he sincerely wished to avoid.

“But April is gone. MIA, though the likelihood of her survival is…poor. That was over a week ago, when we were forced to abandon our facility. Assuming the hybrids didn’t slaughter her like everyone else, there wasn’t a chance for me administer the antidote in the time I had to get Damea out. That means paralysis, which in turn leads to dehydration and then death,” Reginald said, “We’re not holding her out of cruelty, spite or to blackmail you. This is the truth, whether you believe or not.”

Recounting the attack on their head office, Reginald’s brows furrowed as he re-imagined throngs of Jaeger Guard and personnel cut to ribbons. “Why don’t you tell them about the hybrids Havoc?” Miles suggested, reading the expressions of Damea and Touya. Miles had kept still the entire conversation, balancing his blade perfectly to arrest Damea. The wily aristocrat could be unnervingly insightful at times.

Reginald directed a skeptical glance towards Miles, questioning the purpose of informing the duo, “The amalgamation of a certain scientist’s life-long work and coincidence. The concept would’ve never seen fruition if you faceless had not awoken. It is a combination between a human and therian, part machine, part man. Quite brilliant when you think about the results, but quite horrifying when you think about the process.”

“How many have you seen?” Miles asked.

“Two, to date. The one unveiled at the court house, and the other one which slaughtered over a dozen Jaeger Guard. They kill remorselessly, efficiently, which leads me to believe they are stripped of their memories, among other things. The ones I saw were hideous creations. Irreparable, they possess none of the natural grace of your kind,” Reginald finished his sentence by looking at Touya.

“So the spotlight falls onto you, Touya and Damea,” Miles grinned enthusiastically, “I’m sure you know what this means. The scientist has been experimenting on therians. Havoc and his compatriots of do-gooders have been fighting a shadow war trying to stop that, but the cats out of the bag. Victor attributed the attack on Havoc’s office to the therian terrorists. Fearful, people caved in. What will you do?”