Introduction
75 years ago, first contact was made with extraterrestrial life. It was 2020, and it had been many years since the first satellite, dubbed Reperio, had been sent into outer space with the hopes of communicating with life on another planet. When the first alien transmissions came through, Earth could hardly believe it, let alone comprehend that we’d be able to understand one another like we did.
70 years passed and Earth came to know these aliens as the Kismet. Once a year we would receive and send information to each other and on the 30th year of correspondence, the Kismet gave us the coordinates to their home planet.
On the 50th anniversary of our contact the Kismet and Humans arranged for a peaceful meeting on the Kismet's home world. Humans would travel to their planet, known as Epoch, and we would set up an embassy there. Once established, we would take a selection of Kismet and do the same on Earth, essentially founding the first inter-galactic treaty.
This agreement would happen under the premise that we would begin to trade Epochian knowledge and resources, but especially in their biological engineering; and in turn the Kismet would benefit from our technology and resources knowledge.
However when we arrived, we were not prepared for the slaughter that was the betrayal of the Kismet...
On the 70th year anniversary of contact we arrived at Epoch. A few thousand individuals who had been chosen to go, had departed from Earth upon the great vessel Primitia in 2070. Once landed, we began to create our Embassy. However, it wasn't even a year when they began to capture us. Slowly and quietly at first, but soon it was publicly known the Kismet had kidnapped about 500 humans for the purpose of torturing us and using us for our knowledge of Earth.
So began a 4 year battle with the Kismet that saw the humans who had been brought to the planet under false pretenses, wage a guerilla-style war against the traitors. Fortunately for us, being a cautious species, we were slightly prepared for what occurred. On the giant ship Primitia rested many emergency vehicles and around 2000 humans were able to escape, but only to other areas around Epoch. From there, our resistance grew and we were able to establish ourselves again, in secret this time, on the planet.
Four years have passed and humans number in around the few thousand and to add to our burden we are all doomed to die.
It all began when the first humans were kidnapped... Seeing how resilient our species was to viral outbreaks and diseases they used us to create biological weapons that would help them begin to expand around the universe. Humans happened to be the closest sentient species and we were perfect for first attack, world colonization and experimentation. When we were first captured, they used their advanced knowledge of biogenetics to develop a mutagen virus that was supposed to only affect us. They experimented vastly on us and from their haste to eradicate us they released the virus into their atmosphere hoping it would infect all of us that remained in hiding.
But it didn’t kill us… Instead its effects were far worse…
It disfigured and transformed those first infected into hideous monsters that, in turn, infected anything they managed to maul. The Kismet’s haste to rid their world of the un-captured survivors was foolish and costly. The infection spread so rapidly and was so unstable it was quickly out of the Kismet’s control and soon after it began to infect even them, their native fauna, and then even their flora too. Epoch was falling.
It’s nearing the 75th Anniversary of the day Epoch made contact with Earth and in 72 hours, according to reliable human guerilla Intel, the Kismet are leaving Epoch... earthbound… They’re going to destroy the human race using a revised virus, then cultivate earth as their new home as they have destroyed theirs.
Their brutal efforts to understand everything about us, including our location - which had been kept secret- was successful. They will leave for Earth, with what Kismet people they have left unaffected and extinguish their own world to be rid of the last humans who are their only threat for once and for all.
That is, unless you stop them…
You have barely survived the past four years… The virus the Kismet unleashed upon the humans has lain - unknown until recently - dormant within your body. But signs have begun to surface that suggest all humans on Epoch are doomed to mutate… A small glitch in genetics has allowed for you and others to stay the virus until now...
All hope for you saving earth is lost, no one can warn earth because if you were to return the virus would surely destroy earth more than the Kismet could hope to… You are stuck on Epoch left with realization that Earth is vulnerable to destruction… Humanity has no way to know that it is living its last thirty years is blissful ignorance.
BUT… There is a rumor of one woman, a geneticist and bio-engineer named Alyssa Erde. She is the only known human left alive who is completely immune to the mutagen that now plagues Epoch. Ironically she also developed the means to test humans for the deadly mutagenic virus, and also by fate is the only one to be completely immune. Adding to her incredible fate it is apparent there is one last working human escape ship that can cryogenically freeze her and preserve her for the 30 year return to earth. If she leaves within the 72 hours of the Kismet's anticipated leaving, she can engage the escape pods temporary hyperspace drive and get five years ahead of the Kismet.
These rumors are wild and ravage Epoch’s surviving humans with hope that their home can be saved.
72 hours are counting down… Alyssa must get to that escape ship and travel to Earth before the Kismet reach it first… She must warn Earth of the great threat it faces...
And hopefully with your help, Alyssa can do it.
Unfortunately you’ll be dead in 72 hours... You can't make it back to earth, you can't stop the Kismet destroying Epoch... But will you spend those last hours with your loved ones? Will you get revenge on those that have brought this doom upon you... Will you help save Alyssa or allow Earth to fall to the same fate you have...? Will you be a hero or a coward?
No matter the choice, you will die. But what is yours to decide is; whether your last hours count.
70 years passed and Earth came to know these aliens as the Kismet. Once a year we would receive and send information to each other and on the 30th year of correspondence, the Kismet gave us the coordinates to their home planet.
On the 50th anniversary of our contact the Kismet and Humans arranged for a peaceful meeting on the Kismet's home world. Humans would travel to their planet, known as Epoch, and we would set up an embassy there. Once established, we would take a selection of Kismet and do the same on Earth, essentially founding the first inter-galactic treaty.
This agreement would happen under the premise that we would begin to trade Epochian knowledge and resources, but especially in their biological engineering; and in turn the Kismet would benefit from our technology and resources knowledge.
However when we arrived, we were not prepared for the slaughter that was the betrayal of the Kismet...
On the 70th year anniversary of contact we arrived at Epoch. A few thousand individuals who had been chosen to go, had departed from Earth upon the great vessel Primitia in 2070. Once landed, we began to create our Embassy. However, it wasn't even a year when they began to capture us. Slowly and quietly at first, but soon it was publicly known the Kismet had kidnapped about 500 humans for the purpose of torturing us and using us for our knowledge of Earth.
So began a 4 year battle with the Kismet that saw the humans who had been brought to the planet under false pretenses, wage a guerilla-style war against the traitors. Fortunately for us, being a cautious species, we were slightly prepared for what occurred. On the giant ship Primitia rested many emergency vehicles and around 2000 humans were able to escape, but only to other areas around Epoch. From there, our resistance grew and we were able to establish ourselves again, in secret this time, on the planet.
Four years have passed and humans number in around the few thousand and to add to our burden we are all doomed to die.
It all began when the first humans were kidnapped... Seeing how resilient our species was to viral outbreaks and diseases they used us to create biological weapons that would help them begin to expand around the universe. Humans happened to be the closest sentient species and we were perfect for first attack, world colonization and experimentation. When we were first captured, they used their advanced knowledge of biogenetics to develop a mutagen virus that was supposed to only affect us. They experimented vastly on us and from their haste to eradicate us they released the virus into their atmosphere hoping it would infect all of us that remained in hiding.
But it didn’t kill us… Instead its effects were far worse…
It disfigured and transformed those first infected into hideous monsters that, in turn, infected anything they managed to maul. The Kismet’s haste to rid their world of the un-captured survivors was foolish and costly. The infection spread so rapidly and was so unstable it was quickly out of the Kismet’s control and soon after it began to infect even them, their native fauna, and then even their flora too. Epoch was falling.
It’s nearing the 75th Anniversary of the day Epoch made contact with Earth and in 72 hours, according to reliable human guerilla Intel, the Kismet are leaving Epoch... earthbound… They’re going to destroy the human race using a revised virus, then cultivate earth as their new home as they have destroyed theirs.
Their brutal efforts to understand everything about us, including our location - which had been kept secret- was successful. They will leave for Earth, with what Kismet people they have left unaffected and extinguish their own world to be rid of the last humans who are their only threat for once and for all.
That is, unless you stop them…
You have barely survived the past four years… The virus the Kismet unleashed upon the humans has lain - unknown until recently - dormant within your body. But signs have begun to surface that suggest all humans on Epoch are doomed to mutate… A small glitch in genetics has allowed for you and others to stay the virus until now...
All hope for you saving earth is lost, no one can warn earth because if you were to return the virus would surely destroy earth more than the Kismet could hope to… You are stuck on Epoch left with realization that Earth is vulnerable to destruction… Humanity has no way to know that it is living its last thirty years is blissful ignorance.
BUT… There is a rumor of one woman, a geneticist and bio-engineer named Alyssa Erde. She is the only known human left alive who is completely immune to the mutagen that now plagues Epoch. Ironically she also developed the means to test humans for the deadly mutagenic virus, and also by fate is the only one to be completely immune. Adding to her incredible fate it is apparent there is one last working human escape ship that can cryogenically freeze her and preserve her for the 30 year return to earth. If she leaves within the 72 hours of the Kismet's anticipated leaving, she can engage the escape pods temporary hyperspace drive and get five years ahead of the Kismet.
These rumors are wild and ravage Epoch’s surviving humans with hope that their home can be saved.
72 hours are counting down… Alyssa must get to that escape ship and travel to Earth before the Kismet reach it first… She must warn Earth of the great threat it faces...
And hopefully with your help, Alyssa can do it.
Unfortunately you’ll be dead in 72 hours... You can't make it back to earth, you can't stop the Kismet destroying Epoch... But will you spend those last hours with your loved ones? Will you get revenge on those that have brought this doom upon you... Will you help save Alyssa or allow Earth to fall to the same fate you have...? Will you be a hero or a coward?
No matter the choice, you will die. But what is yours to decide is; whether your last hours count.
Taking place in...
The Planet of Epoch. our primary setting
Epoch, once a beautiful and lush planet that was very nearly a mirror to earth with the exception of its flora and fauna. It is primarily covered in water, but has, like earth, continents, deserts and oceans.
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Alyssa hit the water splayed out so she luckily didn't go head first down into the shallows... That could have been fatal. The pain from hitting the water the way she did though was intense and she opened her mouth to cry out but began swallowing water. Alyssa flailed but managed to stand up with her head just above the water where she was. Coughing and spluttering her eyes began to adjust to the dim glow around the cavern.
It was actually rather beautiful how the plant life underground glowed and the fauna too. But suddenly Alyssa was aware of the sound of Sean calling out to her, "Y-yes I'm here" she coughed roughly... "I'm ok too... nearly drowned... but I'm ok". Alyssa coughed a few more times and her wrist-computer beeped a few times and an automatic light illuminated from her wrist providing a small area of light around her so she could see and be seen.
Alyssa kicked off the bottom of the lake and swam to the side. As she neared the edge she noticed the cavern floor covered in a light, spongy luminescent moss. She was taken aback by its beauty, and the moss was actually capable of creating a fair amount of light so that you could see a small ways ahead. There was no telling how big this cavern was though, because while the life underground did glow, it seemed that for some reason the life in this cavern wasn't as luminescent as other caves on Epoch.
Alyssa coughed the last bits of water from her mouth and took a deep breath and called out, "Sean, are you down here? Where is Dean?" she stood up and shook herself off in a feeble attempt to get dry, "the cave isn't as illuminated as others!" she yelled out, "I think because its below the rail system the Kismet built it might be subjected to pollution.. I think that stops some caves being directly under the city from glowing brightly..."
Alyssa paused for a moment, something was stirring from the darker depths of the cavern, "Not now" Alyssa hissed under her breath, "Be careful!" she called out to her friends...
It was actually rather beautiful how the plant life underground glowed and the fauna too. But suddenly Alyssa was aware of the sound of Sean calling out to her, "Y-yes I'm here" she coughed roughly... "I'm ok too... nearly drowned... but I'm ok". Alyssa coughed a few more times and her wrist-computer beeped a few times and an automatic light illuminated from her wrist providing a small area of light around her so she could see and be seen.
Alyssa kicked off the bottom of the lake and swam to the side. As she neared the edge she noticed the cavern floor covered in a light, spongy luminescent moss. She was taken aback by its beauty, and the moss was actually capable of creating a fair amount of light so that you could see a small ways ahead. There was no telling how big this cavern was though, because while the life underground did glow, it seemed that for some reason the life in this cavern wasn't as luminescent as other caves on Epoch.
Alyssa coughed the last bits of water from her mouth and took a deep breath and called out, "Sean, are you down here? Where is Dean?" she stood up and shook herself off in a feeble attempt to get dry, "the cave isn't as illuminated as others!" she yelled out, "I think because its below the rail system the Kismet built it might be subjected to pollution.. I think that stops some caves being directly under the city from glowing brightly..."
Alyssa paused for a moment, something was stirring from the darker depths of the cavern, "Not now" Alyssa hissed under her breath, "Be careful!" she called out to her friends...
Dean was somewhat dumbfounded at the audacity of Sean as he witnessed him plummet down after the girl into the darkness below. He heard a splash as he landed in the water, and waited until he could hear his voice. So at least he was safe, but what of her? Sean was calling out to her, and he waited, holding his breath as he stood on the edge of the crack. Finally he heard her too.
"Y-yes I'm here. I'm ok too... nearly drowned... but I'm ok" Dean sighed, that was relieving to hear. Now that they were both safe, it was a matter of either getting up, or following. He looked down into the darkness and as his eyes adjusted somewhat, he found that a glow was emanating from the cave. Most likely some sort of fungus he concluded as he listened to the two's splashing beneath him. He heard her call out for Sean, and then she called to know where he was.
"I'm up here!" Dean yelled down. "The hell do we do now?"
The girl spoke of the cavern being not as lit as others, and he could tell, but at least a light came from her watch now, marking her position. He looked down at the rough shadow broken up by the ripples in the water, and he tapped at the shotgun, waiting impatiently. He didn't like the situation, and he'd be glad to get out of it and into a... dare he say, safer place. Suddenly she yelled again.
"Be careful!"
Careful of what? Dean had a clenching in his gut as he sensed something bad was going to happen again. He looked around warily, eying every dark spot and crevice. He held the shotgun ready, but didn't want to have to fire down on the two, lest he endanger their lives with the spraying weapon. "Is everything okay?!" he said finally.
"Y-yes I'm here. I'm ok too... nearly drowned... but I'm ok" Dean sighed, that was relieving to hear. Now that they were both safe, it was a matter of either getting up, or following. He looked down into the darkness and as his eyes adjusted somewhat, he found that a glow was emanating from the cave. Most likely some sort of fungus he concluded as he listened to the two's splashing beneath him. He heard her call out for Sean, and then she called to know where he was.
"I'm up here!" Dean yelled down. "The hell do we do now?"
The girl spoke of the cavern being not as lit as others, and he could tell, but at least a light came from her watch now, marking her position. He looked down at the rough shadow broken up by the ripples in the water, and he tapped at the shotgun, waiting impatiently. He didn't like the situation, and he'd be glad to get out of it and into a... dare he say, safer place. Suddenly she yelled again.
"Be careful!"
Careful of what? Dean had a clenching in his gut as he sensed something bad was going to happen again. He looked around warily, eying every dark spot and crevice. He held the shotgun ready, but didn't want to have to fire down on the two, lest he endanger their lives with the spraying weapon. "Is everything okay?!" he said finally.
Kyna had been doubled over, gulping in the oxygen like a fish out of water. Her legs were trembling and felt like jelly. Her left wrist thumped in agony. She looked down into darkness & decay that she just stumbled out from and swallowed, her throat dry. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and tried to slow her racing heart. She could still hear their voices; speaking in our tongue, yet it sounded completely different - hollow, terrifying. Especially when you are running from their armed forces through the darkness, relying on nothing but memories and the faint light from their torches.
Kyna had been in a base with several other survivors for the last month or so. She couldn't really tell anymore, time had a way of blurring the days when they were in peril. There was six of them, two marines, a doctor, two children and herself. Each had contracted the heinous virus and each other them was at varied stages and mutations. Some had pustules, some were delirious, some were constantly bleeding or vomiting. The doctor tried her best to keep them comfortable, until her bones began to shattered under some unknown pressure and she was reduced to laying on the floor, blinking sadly at the roof. One of the children was nearly completely covered in a thick green 'gauze' and the smell was putrid. Kyna herself was suffering the affects, but only superficially. Her already pale skin was fading into almost transparency, her snaking olive-green veins visible and her once onyx eyes were now coated in a pearly film.
She was pacing the room, chewing on her lip as she slipped deep into thoughts. The two marines had been gone for twenty minutes, apparently to raid the armory and nab some weapons. Everyone was starving and if they had any chance of escape, they needed protection. Kyna missed her work; she missed the rock. Their stories, information they hid within themselves, explaining how and when they came into being. The caverns beneath her called to her in a luscious way, making her body tingle. Her passion was strong and the excitement of finding something never seen before by another human being was almost too much for her. She heard her tummy rumble and was snapped from her thoughts, just as there was a hysterically rapping at the door.
"Let us in! For fuck sake let us in!!" Kyna recognised the voices as the marines and ran to the door, and threw it open. She looked between the two wild men and opened her mouth to speak as all-too-familiar shrieks of the Kismet and their 'hunting dogs' echoed around them. Kyna's eyes widened as she glared at the Marines - "W-wha-"
"The armory was overrun. Th-they must've known someone would try to get to it eventually and they were... waiting for us." He panted, cutting her off abruptly. More inaudible shouts and screams resonated through the base and everyone was on their feet, panicked. Kyna could hear the thundering footsteps as she grabbed one of the marines by the shirt - "you lead them right fucking to us!!" she hissed, before turning to face the others.
"No time to get anything! Let's get ou-" An explosion of lasers and bullets deafened Kyna as she hit the floor. As if in slow-motion, she ricocheted off the ground, feeling the vibrations of explosives going off around her. She could see blood, unaware if it was her own or another's. She looked up through debris and greasy hair to see tall figures shadowing in the doorway as another rumble from her stomach echoed in her ears. Only it was louder this time, and Kyna realised it wasn't her starvation calling when the ground began to shake violently. Then, in a flurry of movement, she was falling with the rubble and bodies and she hit the ground, left side first and cried out when she felt her wrist collide with rock. The bone shattered, she could feel it and her pulse quickened. She looked up just in time to see the shadows looking down onto her limp figure and a shot of adrenalin kicked in as she stumbled to her feet and began to run. She had fallen into the caverns she knew, but as the light from above began to fade she began to trip and graze against the jagged walls. She could hear them talking, their voices booming yet muffled and then the stomach-dropping sound of them jumping down into the cavern.
Kyna pushed on faster, her wrist throbbing and through squinted eyes she could see a T-intersection of cave systems up ahead, she instantly chose the left and slowed a little to hear the Kismet slow and plot their next move. She turned, taking a silent breath before her eyes were caught by the glow in the distance. She began to run towards it, and as the dull light grew, she slipped, tripped and regained herself just before she made contact with the ground.
Kyna's head shot to the left she heard noises from within the tunnel and her body stiffened.
Suddenly, she heard voices, a woman telling something to "be careful!" and a male's asking if everything was alright. She moved out from the rocks and saw a woman standing on the edge of the lake. Another was in the lake and the someone was yelling from above. Kyna ran up to the woman, eyes wild and heart pounding. "QUICKLY!" she hissed loudly, making sure, hopefully, they all heard, "THEY ARE COMING!!"
If they didn't hear her, then surely they heard the groans of the Kismet's hunters approaching.
Kyna had been in a base with several other survivors for the last month or so. She couldn't really tell anymore, time had a way of blurring the days when they were in peril. There was six of them, two marines, a doctor, two children and herself. Each had contracted the heinous virus and each other them was at varied stages and mutations. Some had pustules, some were delirious, some were constantly bleeding or vomiting. The doctor tried her best to keep them comfortable, until her bones began to shattered under some unknown pressure and she was reduced to laying on the floor, blinking sadly at the roof. One of the children was nearly completely covered in a thick green 'gauze' and the smell was putrid. Kyna herself was suffering the affects, but only superficially. Her already pale skin was fading into almost transparency, her snaking olive-green veins visible and her once onyx eyes were now coated in a pearly film.
She was pacing the room, chewing on her lip as she slipped deep into thoughts. The two marines had been gone for twenty minutes, apparently to raid the armory and nab some weapons. Everyone was starving and if they had any chance of escape, they needed protection. Kyna missed her work; she missed the rock. Their stories, information they hid within themselves, explaining how and when they came into being. The caverns beneath her called to her in a luscious way, making her body tingle. Her passion was strong and the excitement of finding something never seen before by another human being was almost too much for her. She heard her tummy rumble and was snapped from her thoughts, just as there was a hysterically rapping at the door.
"Let us in! For fuck sake let us in!!" Kyna recognised the voices as the marines and ran to the door, and threw it open. She looked between the two wild men and opened her mouth to speak as all-too-familiar shrieks of the Kismet and their 'hunting dogs' echoed around them. Kyna's eyes widened as she glared at the Marines - "W-wha-"
"The armory was overrun. Th-they must've known someone would try to get to it eventually and they were... waiting for us." He panted, cutting her off abruptly. More inaudible shouts and screams resonated through the base and everyone was on their feet, panicked. Kyna could hear the thundering footsteps as she grabbed one of the marines by the shirt - "you lead them right fucking to us!!" she hissed, before turning to face the others.
"No time to get anything! Let's get ou-" An explosion of lasers and bullets deafened Kyna as she hit the floor. As if in slow-motion, she ricocheted off the ground, feeling the vibrations of explosives going off around her. She could see blood, unaware if it was her own or another's. She looked up through debris and greasy hair to see tall figures shadowing in the doorway as another rumble from her stomach echoed in her ears. Only it was louder this time, and Kyna realised it wasn't her starvation calling when the ground began to shake violently. Then, in a flurry of movement, she was falling with the rubble and bodies and she hit the ground, left side first and cried out when she felt her wrist collide with rock. The bone shattered, she could feel it and her pulse quickened. She looked up just in time to see the shadows looking down onto her limp figure and a shot of adrenalin kicked in as she stumbled to her feet and began to run. She had fallen into the caverns she knew, but as the light from above began to fade she began to trip and graze against the jagged walls. She could hear them talking, their voices booming yet muffled and then the stomach-dropping sound of them jumping down into the cavern.
Kyna pushed on faster, her wrist throbbing and through squinted eyes she could see a T-intersection of cave systems up ahead, she instantly chose the left and slowed a little to hear the Kismet slow and plot their next move. She turned, taking a silent breath before her eyes were caught by the glow in the distance. She began to run towards it, and as the dull light grew, she slipped, tripped and regained herself just before she made contact with the ground.
Kyna's head shot to the left she heard noises from within the tunnel and her body stiffened.
Suddenly, she heard voices, a woman telling something to "be careful!" and a male's asking if everything was alright. She moved out from the rocks and saw a woman standing on the edge of the lake. Another was in the lake and the someone was yelling from above. Kyna ran up to the woman, eyes wild and heart pounding. "QUICKLY!" she hissed loudly, making sure, hopefully, they all heard, "THEY ARE COMING!!"
If they didn't hear her, then surely they heard the groans of the Kismet's hunters approaching.
Alyssa stood still, her heart thumping, there was definitely rumbling from ahead beginning to echoe across the cavern. Maybe aftershock she thought, the idea begging in her head to be true.
Suddenly out of the darkness and across the glowing moss ran a woman directly to Alyssa... The woman was half mutated too but her skin was transparent against the dim glow of the moss and it took on the hue too. Her eyes were pale, almost like she had cataracts but the woman was clearly able to see. As she approached Alyssa, the woman hissed that someone was following her. Alyssa struggled in vain to look out into the darkness...
The noises were there, but he physical evidence was not.. "It's the Kismet isn't it?" she whispered in panic as she grabbed the girl and led her into the lake. "KISMET!" Alyssa shouted once, hoping that the other two would hear her and hide.
Alyssa turned to the woman, "Get into the water and crouch down.." Alyssa turned around when she heard the unmistakable howls of "Kismet dogs" - four legged creatures that were renowned for their smelling ability. They looked something like a panther, but with nubbed paws and canine-esque snout. They had four eyes too, two for seeing in daylight and two for night vision... that's how a lot of nocturnal creatures evolved on Epoch, two sets of eyes instead of one pair with light adaptability.
Alyssa hoped to god that the dogs couldn't smell her, Sean or the new girl while they were in the water. Alyssa had led them out deep enough that the water was up to their necks and if need be they could just pop their head underwater. She scanned around the cavern trying to see if she could see Sean... Then suddenly the sound of growling filled the air... The Kismet were in the cavern.
Suddenly out of the darkness and across the glowing moss ran a woman directly to Alyssa... The woman was half mutated too but her skin was transparent against the dim glow of the moss and it took on the hue too. Her eyes were pale, almost like she had cataracts but the woman was clearly able to see. As she approached Alyssa, the woman hissed that someone was following her. Alyssa struggled in vain to look out into the darkness...
The noises were there, but he physical evidence was not.. "It's the Kismet isn't it?" she whispered in panic as she grabbed the girl and led her into the lake. "KISMET!" Alyssa shouted once, hoping that the other two would hear her and hide.
Alyssa turned to the woman, "Get into the water and crouch down.." Alyssa turned around when she heard the unmistakable howls of "Kismet dogs" - four legged creatures that were renowned for their smelling ability. They looked something like a panther, but with nubbed paws and canine-esque snout. They had four eyes too, two for seeing in daylight and two for night vision... that's how a lot of nocturnal creatures evolved on Epoch, two sets of eyes instead of one pair with light adaptability.
Alyssa hoped to god that the dogs couldn't smell her, Sean or the new girl while they were in the water. Alyssa had led them out deep enough that the water was up to their necks and if need be they could just pop their head underwater. She scanned around the cavern trying to see if she could see Sean... Then suddenly the sound of growling filled the air... The Kismet were in the cavern.
Dean heard the new arrival speak as she came rushing into the cavern and approached Alyssa. From the light on Alyssa's watch, he could just barely make out the girl. While most features remained shrouded in literal darkness, he could just see the transparent skin. She spoke quickly to Alyssa who then repeated it, shouting out simply, "KIMSET!"
Lovely, thought Dean. He wasn't sure what to do, he supposed the others were safe as of now and he listened to them travel deeper into the water, most likely to conceal their scents and attempt to remain submerged and hidden. What was he going to do though? If he jumped down no doubt the splash would alert the creatures to their presence, but then again both the girls had just yelled a warning, and they'd of have to of heard them. He looked around, knowing he didn't have much of a choice, and he could hardly do much to protect them from up here. While he could see a little, he doubted it would be enough to get a clear shot.
Dean scrambled around, standing quickly as he put away the shotgun, pushing it behind him and allowing it to hang on the rough sling. If something happened he could swap it quickly and unleash hell, but until then he was relying on the light-weight, maneuverable and more accurate sidearm. He checked the clip quickly before sliding it back up into the magazine-well, a barely audible click resounding from the weapon as the slide slammed forward. He now simply laid back down, going prone on the edge of the large gaping hole, hoping that they wouldn't see him up on his perch. Holding the pistol out in front of him, he leveled the sights into the darkness and waited as the Kimset and their hounds made their appearance.
He held his breath, for now he'd remain still and out of sight, but should something happen he'd be ready. The one thought that ran through his head however, was the grave reminder that something could be lurking behind him as well. Dean didn't want to turn his head, that would simply merit attention in the Kimset's peripheral vision. He laid there, with his heart pounding, daring them to make a move, his finger caressing the side of the trigger guard, the cold metal somehow being reassurance that they were safe, for now.
Lovely, thought Dean. He wasn't sure what to do, he supposed the others were safe as of now and he listened to them travel deeper into the water, most likely to conceal their scents and attempt to remain submerged and hidden. What was he going to do though? If he jumped down no doubt the splash would alert the creatures to their presence, but then again both the girls had just yelled a warning, and they'd of have to of heard them. He looked around, knowing he didn't have much of a choice, and he could hardly do much to protect them from up here. While he could see a little, he doubted it would be enough to get a clear shot.
Dean scrambled around, standing quickly as he put away the shotgun, pushing it behind him and allowing it to hang on the rough sling. If something happened he could swap it quickly and unleash hell, but until then he was relying on the light-weight, maneuverable and more accurate sidearm. He checked the clip quickly before sliding it back up into the magazine-well, a barely audible click resounding from the weapon as the slide slammed forward. He now simply laid back down, going prone on the edge of the large gaping hole, hoping that they wouldn't see him up on his perch. Holding the pistol out in front of him, he leveled the sights into the darkness and waited as the Kimset and their hounds made their appearance.
He held his breath, for now he'd remain still and out of sight, but should something happen he'd be ready. The one thought that ran through his head however, was the grave reminder that something could be lurking behind him as well. Dean didn't want to turn his head, that would simply merit attention in the Kimset's peripheral vision. He laid there, with his heart pounding, daring them to make a move, his finger caressing the side of the trigger guard, the cold metal somehow being reassurance that they were safe, for now.
Kismet hunters? Shit! Sean had been hiding in the pool of water as the strange girl ran by, and the alien barks if the Kismet and their infernal hounds could be heard. This is no good. This shallow water is not going to do anything with those hounds. Damn tetravision. He looked to his left, both Alyssa ans the odd girl were quietly hiding. Then Sean came up with an idea. A stupid one, but it was the best one he could think of, and time was of the essence. He whispered over to the girls a near-silent "Shh! Stay here." before he suddenly ran out of the pool, and put his arms in the air yelling, "Mo' Raht! Mo' Raht!" Two of the Kismet, surprised with his sudden appearance, quickly aimed their weapons at him, but an older Kismet came from behind and ordered them not to shoot. The Kismet officer quietly and slowly walked up to Sean, and asked (in their dialect of Kismet), "Where are your weapons?" Sean motioned to his belt, and the Kismet promptly removed his sub-machine gun from his holster. "Where are your friends?" The Kismet asked.
"Dead, I drowned them in a pool farther back." I replied with a straight face. The Kismet officer looked back to his hounds, the did not show any signs of anyone there. Thankfully, the pools were sulfurous enough to conceal the girl's scents, and Dean was probably too far anyhow.
His bluff had worked. "Mo' Raht," was the word for surrender in this dialect of Kismet. In Epochian tradition, you do not kill the enemy if they surrender, and Sean was lucky that these particular Kismet still held some of their customs. Well, that was how it was for now, but who knows what they will do to him once they get back. As the Kismet soldiers took him away, he thought, well, looks like it's up to Dean now...
"Dead, I drowned them in a pool farther back." I replied with a straight face. The Kismet officer looked back to his hounds, the did not show any signs of anyone there. Thankfully, the pools were sulfurous enough to conceal the girl's scents, and Dean was probably too far anyhow.
His bluff had worked. "Mo' Raht," was the word for surrender in this dialect of Kismet. In Epochian tradition, you do not kill the enemy if they surrender, and Sean was lucky that these particular Kismet still held some of their customs. Well, that was how it was for now, but who knows what they will do to him once they get back. As the Kismet soldiers took him away, he thought, well, looks like it's up to Dean now...
Kyna didn't have the energy to resist the woman's grip as she was dragged into the lake. The cool water soothed her overheated muscles. As they quickly moved into deeper water, Kyna dropped her face down so that the only visible part of her was from her nostrils up. Her heart was thumping painfully, as if trying to escape her body. She could see their hunters, nostrils flaring, their speed and agility despite their enormity. Kyna realised she was still holding onto the woman but decided not to let go - after all her running and adrenalin-bursts, it wouldn't be far-fetched for her to suffer cramps and the last thing she wanted to do was drown in the darkness.
A few tense moments passed of what seemed like the end, the man closest to herself and the other woman mouthed a hush before running out towards the Kismet and their hunters, crying out the word "Mo' Raht! Mo' Raht!" and within seconds he was seized by the Kismet and was being dragged from the cavern. Kyna's eyes were wide in shock. He had saved them, but in a foolish heroic way. He would die, she was sure of it. And for some reason, be it that she likes to think she can take care of herself or doesn't like to be in debt, she didn't want him to be taken. It didn't seem right, but what could she do with a broken wrist and a bag full of papers and sewing needles.
She slowly moved her head closer to the woman's ear, careful not to disturb the water and murmured the words "what do we do?"
A few tense moments passed of what seemed like the end, the man closest to herself and the other woman mouthed a hush before running out towards the Kismet and their hunters, crying out the word "Mo' Raht! Mo' Raht!" and within seconds he was seized by the Kismet and was being dragged from the cavern. Kyna's eyes were wide in shock. He had saved them, but in a foolish heroic way. He would die, she was sure of it. And for some reason, be it that she likes to think she can take care of herself or doesn't like to be in debt, she didn't want him to be taken. It didn't seem right, but what could she do with a broken wrist and a bag full of papers and sewing needles.
She slowly moved her head closer to the woman's ear, careful not to disturb the water and murmured the words "what do we do?"
Alyssa's body trembled in fear and excitement, not elation but from the intense tension that filled the cavern. Alyssa felt the woman's grip on her arm tighten as Sean surrendered himself, and she held wrist-computer to her side so the light was trapped. The Kismet began to shuffle out of the cave and with them, Sean.
Alyssa stood still, oblivious to the cold water around her. Fear of the Kismet coming back wrecked any notion of going after Sean... it was the only thing on Epoch that Alyssa really feared anymore - The Kismet - after her laboratory was destroyed and left her with the horrific scars up her arm. When the cavern wen't completely silent and the mumbling softened to a distant echo, Alyssa snapped back to reality, in time to hear the whispers of the girl, "What do we do?". Alyssa allowed her wrist-computer to shine once again and illuminated her's and the girls way back to the lake's edge.
As Alyssa stood shaking herself off, she looked the girl in front of her up and down. "Where did you come from?" she asked without even checking to see if she was ok, "How did you get down here?". Alyssa looked her over again, this time shining the light directly over the girl, making her apparent transparency more vivid. "Incredible.." she whispered to herself, "your mutation is like Dean's... Very far along... but you're still cognitive.." Alyssa was about to continue with her inquisition when she remembered Dean... "Dean!" she hissed, kicking herself for not remembering him.
Alyssa looked up to the darkness and whispered louder than normal, so that Dean might hear, but hopefully her voice not travel through the caverns, "Dean! Are you ok? Sean has been taken...".
Alyssa stood still, oblivious to the cold water around her. Fear of the Kismet coming back wrecked any notion of going after Sean... it was the only thing on Epoch that Alyssa really feared anymore - The Kismet - after her laboratory was destroyed and left her with the horrific scars up her arm. When the cavern wen't completely silent and the mumbling softened to a distant echo, Alyssa snapped back to reality, in time to hear the whispers of the girl, "What do we do?". Alyssa allowed her wrist-computer to shine once again and illuminated her's and the girls way back to the lake's edge.
As Alyssa stood shaking herself off, she looked the girl in front of her up and down. "Where did you come from?" she asked without even checking to see if she was ok, "How did you get down here?". Alyssa looked her over again, this time shining the light directly over the girl, making her apparent transparency more vivid. "Incredible.." she whispered to herself, "your mutation is like Dean's... Very far along... but you're still cognitive.." Alyssa was about to continue with her inquisition when she remembered Dean... "Dean!" she hissed, kicking herself for not remembering him.
Alyssa looked up to the darkness and whispered louder than normal, so that Dean might hear, but hopefully her voice not travel through the caverns, "Dean! Are you ok? Sean has been taken...".
Kyna followed in suit. Once she reached the edge, she ran her good hand across her face to flick the excess water off and then twisted her hand around her locks and squeezed, the cloudy water dripping. She looked up at the woman in the lab coat and scowled, as she cradled her wrist as the woman interrogated her. "I came from one of the human bases. We were compromised after two idiot marines went to search the armory. It was overrun and they brought the Kismet right to us. They attacked, the ground collapsed and I landed in the tunnels that lead to here." She looked away, biting her lip. "I was the only survivor."
Her frown deepened as the woman looked her over and commented on her mutated appearance. "Yeah, well, what mutation do you have? Increased rudeness? Excessive bitchiness?" She snapped, eyes narrowed. She was sensitive about her appearance, especially now. And the pain in her wrist made her mood even more sour.
She looked up as the woman spoke to the gentlemen topside. Hopefully he was nicer.
Her frown deepened as the woman looked her over and commented on her mutated appearance. "Yeah, well, what mutation do you have? Increased rudeness? Excessive bitchiness?" She snapped, eyes narrowed. She was sensitive about her appearance, especially now. And the pain in her wrist made her mood even more sour.
She looked up as the woman spoke to the gentlemen topside. Hopefully he was nicer.
Alyssa's head snapped back to look the girl in the eyes when she asked if Alyssa suffered from increased rudeness or bitchiness. "Excuse me?" Alyssa asked slightly shocked, "I... Um... Don't know how to respond to that... I didn't mean to offend you". Alyssa stepped back and then looked back up into the darkness... "Dean?" she asked again, worried that no initial reply meant that he wasn't there, or something had happened.
Alyssa then turned back to the girl, "I really am sorry if I've offended you... I didn't mean to... My name is Alyssa.." Alyssa reached a hand out and saw the girl had a broken wrist. Alyssa winced from just looking at the girls wrist, "that must be incredibly painful.." Alyssa tapped the screen on her wrist-computer and it made a few beeps and the small syringe popped out, "Here" she said sympathetically and jabbed the girl in the wrist, "It'll hurt for 20 seconds" she said fast "but then you won't feel any pain for at least two or so hours!".
Alyssa stepped back and took a sort of defensive pose hoping the girl wouldn't try to attack her. Then Alyssa looked back up to the ceiling and darkness trying to discerne if Dean was up there still... "We have to move fast to get Sean back" she mumbled to herself, "Or we aren't gonna make it to the center of the city..."
Alyssa checked her watch, it had been another half hour since she last checked it. Time was so important now, but Alyssa wasn't going to let Sean just die.
Alyssa then turned back to the girl, "I really am sorry if I've offended you... I didn't mean to... My name is Alyssa.." Alyssa reached a hand out and saw the girl had a broken wrist. Alyssa winced from just looking at the girls wrist, "that must be incredibly painful.." Alyssa tapped the screen on her wrist-computer and it made a few beeps and the small syringe popped out, "Here" she said sympathetically and jabbed the girl in the wrist, "It'll hurt for 20 seconds" she said fast "but then you won't feel any pain for at least two or so hours!".
Alyssa stepped back and took a sort of defensive pose hoping the girl wouldn't try to attack her. Then Alyssa looked back up to the ceiling and darkness trying to discerne if Dean was up there still... "We have to move fast to get Sean back" she mumbled to herself, "Or we aren't gonna make it to the center of the city..."
Alyssa checked her watch, it had been another half hour since she last checked it. Time was so important now, but Alyssa wasn't going to let Sean just die.
Dean watched with mixed feelings as Sean surrendered himself to the Kimset. He listened to the man's lies, watched as he was stripped of his weapons, and then led away. The man had no idea what to do now as he remained unmoving from his spot, still looking down the sights of his pistol, and it wasn't until now that he suddenly realized he was still holding his breath. Finally he let out a huge sigh of relief, though it was short lived. He warily got up and looked down into the darkness. Alyssa and the new girl had moved from the water and were now speaking to each other, he watched the light pass over her and for once he got a mostly clear picture of her. Suddenly Alyssa's voice rang out to him.
"Dean! Dean! Are you ok? Sean has been taken..." Dean sighed again as he dusted himself off. He had no idea if he was supposed to move down with the girls or help them get back up. It seemed like the first option was the more likely though. Finally he yelled back.
"I'm fine!" He couldn't say anything more, he didn't know what else to say. Should he apologize for Sean giving himself up, or simply congratulate the man on his somewhat foolish courage. No doubt he'd be killed, and he didn't know for sure whether or not the way he went was noble. Dean had no doubts in his ability to rain lead down on the enemy had things come to it, and found Sean's sacrifice to be unnecessary, at least in his eyes.
"What now?" he yelled as he stood on the edge of the large crack, looking down onto the two girls. It was no his job to protect them, and he had no idea how useful Alyssa was with a weapon, let alone the other. It's easier with two defenders, one to guard, not the opposite. He ran several ideas through his head, but none appealed. "Did you want me to come down, or can you find a way up?"
"Dean! Dean! Are you ok? Sean has been taken..." Dean sighed again as he dusted himself off. He had no idea if he was supposed to move down with the girls or help them get back up. It seemed like the first option was the more likely though. Finally he yelled back.
"I'm fine!" He couldn't say anything more, he didn't know what else to say. Should he apologize for Sean giving himself up, or simply congratulate the man on his somewhat foolish courage. No doubt he'd be killed, and he didn't know for sure whether or not the way he went was noble. Dean had no doubts in his ability to rain lead down on the enemy had things come to it, and found Sean's sacrifice to be unnecessary, at least in his eyes.
"What now?" he yelled as he stood on the edge of the large crack, looking down onto the two girls. It was no his job to protect them, and he had no idea how useful Alyssa was with a weapon, let alone the other. It's easier with two defenders, one to guard, not the opposite. He ran several ideas through his head, but none appealed. "Did you want me to come down, or can you find a way up?"
Alyssa looked off into the darkness where Sean had been taken, the longer they messed around the further away he got and closer to death he came. Alyssa was used to making decisions for others, but this was harder than anything she could ever have to do... Leave Sean and pursue her original goal and leave for earth as soon as possible... But then, he was going to die regardless... Alyssa took a moment and breathed deeply.
"Get down here!" she shouted up to Dean, "We're getting Sean back!" she said with a strong solid tone. Alyssa would never leave someone to die, no matter what... Sean hadn't mutated yet, so it wasn't his time to die, and her Sean and this new girl could use... perhaps even needed him. Alyssa looked up to Dean and shouted again, "You're gonna need to jump! The water is just deep enough... Just bomb dive into it".
Alyssa turned back to the girl, "So what's your name?" She asked with a bleak smile. Alyssa moved passed her as she answered and looked further around the cavern, the dull luminance of the moss was leading out across the cavern and was even more dull and trampled where the Kismet had been, "We can follow them for as far as the moss goes!" she said back to the girl... "That's something..." Alyssa turned back to wait for Dean.
"Get down here!" she shouted up to Dean, "We're getting Sean back!" she said with a strong solid tone. Alyssa would never leave someone to die, no matter what... Sean hadn't mutated yet, so it wasn't his time to die, and her Sean and this new girl could use... perhaps even needed him. Alyssa looked up to Dean and shouted again, "You're gonna need to jump! The water is just deep enough... Just bomb dive into it".
Alyssa turned back to the girl, "So what's your name?" She asked with a bleak smile. Alyssa moved passed her as she answered and looked further around the cavern, the dull luminance of the moss was leading out across the cavern and was even more dull and trampled where the Kismet had been, "We can follow them for as far as the moss goes!" she said back to the girl... "That's something..." Alyssa turned back to wait for Dean.
Alyssa was right; her wrist ached for a moment and then the pain subsided and all but disappeared. It looked hideous, especially because through her insipid skin, the fractured bone was visible, blotted with burst blood vessels. Kyna looked up as the man above - Dean - shouted if they could find a way up or if he should come down. She softly shook her head and knew this cavern was impossible to escape from the bottom up. The rock was a certain sandstone based type. It was also laced with an organic microbe. It would crumble under the pressure and heat of human beings - even placing a hand upon it would heat the organic matter within and cause the stone to, essentially melt upon itself and decay. She went to let this Alyssa know - the name was familiar to Kyna for... some reason - but was cut off as Alyssa announced they would be going after Sean and the moss would lead them as far as it stretched.
"That's something" Alyssa noted and Kyna nodded. "The moss goes almost the entire length of this system, for the moisture comes from beneath us and allows the moss to coat the rockforms-" she stopped herself, she was rambling. She cleared her throat. "Kyna. I'm Kyna Flynn, geologist." She squinted up at Dean and for the first time since the virus became evident in her body, her eyes unfocused and blurred, fuzzy with the whitish film that coated her irises. She blinked, rubbed her eyes and they righted themselves again. Her heart thudded. Panic squeezed her lungs. Her condition was starting to disintegrate. She said nothing of it, instead looking to Alyssa.
"Why are we going after him? What is the point?"
"That's something" Alyssa noted and Kyna nodded. "The moss goes almost the entire length of this system, for the moisture comes from beneath us and allows the moss to coat the rockforms-" she stopped herself, she was rambling. She cleared her throat. "Kyna. I'm Kyna Flynn, geologist." She squinted up at Dean and for the first time since the virus became evident in her body, her eyes unfocused and blurred, fuzzy with the whitish film that coated her irises. She blinked, rubbed her eyes and they righted themselves again. Her heart thudded. Panic squeezed her lungs. Her condition was starting to disintegrate. She said nothing of it, instead looking to Alyssa.
"Why are we going after him? What is the point?"
Dean sighed as he looked down at the water. Alyssa had informed him he had to jump and they were going to head off in pursuit of Sean. Dean really didn't see anything wrong with the idea, but he felt it was a long shot from their current goal. Nevertheless, he complied.
Dean shook himself off as he stood and waded to the shore towards the two girls. The only thing he preferred not to be was wet, as the clothes clung awkwardly to his skin and had a sort of claustrophobic affect to them, or at least one of hindrance and an inability to move freely. He checked over the two weapons, ensuring the water hadn't done any harm to them as it was known to do, and finally he nodded satisfaction. Now he turned his attention to the girls before him.
"Hi." He stated simply, the greeting being that of a sort of joke or mood lightener. He smiled and nodded to Alyssa and then to the new girl. Glancing her over, he was now able to see her more clearly, almost literally. He didn't say anything as he inspected her skin, the glossy eyes, and finally her wrist which was obviously broken, the girl's skin doing nothing to conceal the grotesque looking breakage covered in blood splats. Dean was good at concealing his thoughts, and he knew that came in handy as he shuddered inwardly, the simple image seeming worse than the zombies. Still, he nodded to her before introducing himself.
"Dean Lyrett." He felt no need to divulge further who he was, so he stopped at his name before adjusting his gaze back onto Alyssa. "So what's the plan? We go assault a bunch of Kimset in hopes that perhaps we can free our captive friend? Do you think that's wise?" Dean was all for a heroic action and selfless action, especially considering it was someone vital to the protection of Alyssa, but he knew it could very well be the death of all of them. He failed to voice this, seeing no reason to go against the girl. "I hope you realize I'm limited with shots here, and I don't know how well either of you can use any sort of weapon. No offense of course, I'm just thinking out loud."
Dean shook himself off as he stood and waded to the shore towards the two girls. The only thing he preferred not to be was wet, as the clothes clung awkwardly to his skin and had a sort of claustrophobic affect to them, or at least one of hindrance and an inability to move freely. He checked over the two weapons, ensuring the water hadn't done any harm to them as it was known to do, and finally he nodded satisfaction. Now he turned his attention to the girls before him.
"Hi." He stated simply, the greeting being that of a sort of joke or mood lightener. He smiled and nodded to Alyssa and then to the new girl. Glancing her over, he was now able to see her more clearly, almost literally. He didn't say anything as he inspected her skin, the glossy eyes, and finally her wrist which was obviously broken, the girl's skin doing nothing to conceal the grotesque looking breakage covered in blood splats. Dean was good at concealing his thoughts, and he knew that came in handy as he shuddered inwardly, the simple image seeming worse than the zombies. Still, he nodded to her before introducing himself.
"Dean Lyrett." He felt no need to divulge further who he was, so he stopped at his name before adjusting his gaze back onto Alyssa. "So what's the plan? We go assault a bunch of Kimset in hopes that perhaps we can free our captive friend? Do you think that's wise?" Dean was all for a heroic action and selfless action, especially considering it was someone vital to the protection of Alyssa, but he knew it could very well be the death of all of them. He failed to voice this, seeing no reason to go against the girl. "I hope you realize I'm limited with shots here, and I don't know how well either of you can use any sort of weapon. No offense of course, I'm just thinking out loud."
Sean knew that this was not a very good idea, nor was he certain it was the best. But he could not think of anything else, and besides, they had Dean and that other girl with them. At the very least, the Kismet would make his death swift... They walked for a long time, yet they could not find the exit. After a while the Kismet stopped for a while and started to argue. Sean could not understand them, their dialects being different, but he could tell it was not looking good. Suddenly, the ground started to shake, and the Kismet looked around wildly to find the cause. It was not an earthquake, but instead something much worse. Viscearri... Their giant maws came from the behind, there were so many Sean could not count them all, and the Kismet definitely did not try to fight. So they ran, they got running in such a hurry that it seemed like they did not even care about Sean anymore. Of course, Sean had to run with them anyways. Then the cave suddenly split, Which way do I go? He quickly decided to go right, not having much time to really think about it, and hoping that he might be able to separate with his captors. It almost worked, too. Of the party of 5 Kismet, 4 of them and all their hounds went left, while he and the captain of the group went right. Well, it almost worked... But it got a little better when Sean saw that the big difference in numbers effectively led all the Viscearri away from them.
Soon they were plenty way from the swarm, and stopped by a lake to rest. It was silent for a few minutes, until Sean finally said, "I'm sorry about what had happened to your comrades..." The Kismet simply looked up, and replied, "So am I. We must keep moving..." Thus, they continued into the depths of the cave.
Soon they were plenty way from the swarm, and stopped by a lake to rest. It was silent for a few minutes, until Sean finally said, "I'm sorry about what had happened to your comrades..." The Kismet simply looked up, and replied, "So am I. We must keep moving..." Thus, they continued into the depths of the cave.
Kyna flashed a quick smile at Dean, observing him discreetly through her lashes. His skin appeared similar to crocodile's; petrified scales with a greenish tinge but it was his eyes that caught Kyna's stare. They were a magnificent bronze colour, shining in the dull glow of the cavern. He was quite handsome, in a strange way. Kyna realised she had been staring hard for a few minutes and quickly looked away, her cheeks blazing. Which she assumed was just blood pooling in her sheer skin. Kyna ran her hand through her hair and pulled it across her left shoulder as Dean spoke, rather thought aloud.
She frowned. "Why would we save him? I know you guys must be friends, but he is as good as dead anyway. It seems like a pointless suicide mission." She looked between them and then fired a question at Alyssa. Kyna did not like being left out of knowledge. "What exactly is going on here?"
She frowned. "Why would we save him? I know you guys must be friends, but he is as good as dead anyway. It seems like a pointless suicide mission." She looked between them and then fired a question at Alyssa. Kyna did not like being left out of knowledge. "What exactly is going on here?"
Alyssa watched Kyna blush under the glow of the moss when Dean spoke to them. She would have smiled under normal circumstances but the trio had no time to waste. "We aren't leaving him behind" she said sternly in response to Kyna's questions. "He's helping us" she motioned to herself and Dean, "get to the center of the city".
Alyssa straightened herself out, and flicked her head sideways flicking the water off of her in an attempt to feebly dry herself. Each time the water droplets hit the moss it glowed a little bit brighter. Alyssa moved forwards towards the direction Sean and the Kismet left, talking to the two behind her, hoping they'd follow... "I'm going back to earth.." she said with a stern tone, "And Sean and Dean are helping me get to the last working escape ship, which is in the center of the city".
As Alyssa moved through the cave she remembered Dean's words and asking about their handiness with a gun, "I know how to shoot a gun" she said matter-of-factly as she held the gun up... "Here's the safety, that's where the cartridge of bullets goes... and I just point and hope to god I don't shoot someone that's on my side..." Alyssa stared down into the cavernous hallway before her, "We have to do this..." she said solemnly, "I know we're on a schedule Dean... and I can't thank you enough for helping me... But I won't leave Sean behind... I'd never leave anyone behind to die at the hands of the Kismet."
Alyssa turned back to face them, "I'm not too sure... Kyna might know better... But I think that some of the rock down here has heating effects?" she said half questioning her own statement while looking at Kyna... "What I mean is we might dry as we walk..." Alyssa turned and began to walk down the tunnel "At least I hope that fact is true... not sure where I heard it..."
Alyssa's wrist-computer beeped, "OH! that's right... Kyna, I need your blood!" she turned around and the syringe popped out and before Kyna could say anything Alyssa had a sample, "I'm sorry... I need your blood... You and Dean are both exceptional" she said enthusiastically. Alyssa then turned to keep walking, losing her mind back into her fascination with the Kismet mutagen.
As they walked deeper, Alyssa made note to watch the glowing moss in front of them... It began to glow brighter and the caves began to illuminate more and more the more seemingly deeper they got. "We must be getting away from the subway system... look how the moss glows brighter here... and the insects up on the ceiling are brighter too..." Alyssa was always impressed and mesmerised by the organisms that Epoch had to show. As the group neared an intersection Alyssa stopped, "Shit.." she breathed under her breath... "The path splits... and foot prints go either way... what happened here?"
Alyssa straightened herself out, and flicked her head sideways flicking the water off of her in an attempt to feebly dry herself. Each time the water droplets hit the moss it glowed a little bit brighter. Alyssa moved forwards towards the direction Sean and the Kismet left, talking to the two behind her, hoping they'd follow... "I'm going back to earth.." she said with a stern tone, "And Sean and Dean are helping me get to the last working escape ship, which is in the center of the city".
As Alyssa moved through the cave she remembered Dean's words and asking about their handiness with a gun, "I know how to shoot a gun" she said matter-of-factly as she held the gun up... "Here's the safety, that's where the cartridge of bullets goes... and I just point and hope to god I don't shoot someone that's on my side..." Alyssa stared down into the cavernous hallway before her, "We have to do this..." she said solemnly, "I know we're on a schedule Dean... and I can't thank you enough for helping me... But I won't leave Sean behind... I'd never leave anyone behind to die at the hands of the Kismet."
Alyssa turned back to face them, "I'm not too sure... Kyna might know better... But I think that some of the rock down here has heating effects?" she said half questioning her own statement while looking at Kyna... "What I mean is we might dry as we walk..." Alyssa turned and began to walk down the tunnel "At least I hope that fact is true... not sure where I heard it..."
Alyssa's wrist-computer beeped, "OH! that's right... Kyna, I need your blood!" she turned around and the syringe popped out and before Kyna could say anything Alyssa had a sample, "I'm sorry... I need your blood... You and Dean are both exceptional" she said enthusiastically. Alyssa then turned to keep walking, losing her mind back into her fascination with the Kismet mutagen.
As they walked deeper, Alyssa made note to watch the glowing moss in front of them... It began to glow brighter and the caves began to illuminate more and more the more seemingly deeper they got. "We must be getting away from the subway system... look how the moss glows brighter here... and the insects up on the ceiling are brighter too..." Alyssa was always impressed and mesmerised by the organisms that Epoch had to show. As the group neared an intersection Alyssa stopped, "Shit.." she breathed under her breath... "The path splits... and foot prints go either way... what happened here?"
Dean followed Alyssa down the path without questioned, and listened to her explaination towards the other girl's inquiry. It was somewhat funny, the way she asked and the way Alyssa answered, but Dean made no mention of it. Suddenly Alyssa was now speaking to him, and he looked at her as she held up the gun Sean had given to her. She pointed out the safety, magazine and stated that all she had to do was point and shoot. Truly, she was right, so Dean stayed quiet, feeling no need to mention how much more in depth one could go with a weapon as far as recoil reduction, how to hold it, fast reloads or weapon swaps. Most of it was simply nice to knows about a gun.
"We have to do this... I know we're on a schedule Dean... and I can't thank you enough for helping me... But I won't leave Sean behind... I'd never leave anyone behind to die at the hands of the Kismet."
Dean nodded, "I agree completely," he said, "You don't have to thank me for anything, whatever you feel is necessary is alright with me, I'm simply here to make sure you stay alive." Suddenly he stopped as Alyssa turned, more or less thinking out loud as far as he was concerned as she voiced her ideas on the rocks having heating effects. He looked towards Kyna, eyebrow raised in question, but as usual, remained silent. He did however manage a slight chuckle as Alyssa simply prodded Kyna without warning or consent, simply for a sample of blood. It reminded Dean of when they first met as well, though he was able to say yes or no.
Upon coming to the fork in the cavern, Dean sighed. Truly he didn't want to have to split up with the two girls, but he didn't want to leave one behind, but also if they stayed together and chose the wrong route, they wouldn't find Sean. On the other hand again however, when they did split up, still whoever chose the wrong path would be lost. Finally he made up his mind.
"Take this," he said as he removed the shotgun from his back. He held it out to Alyssa. "Give her the other gun, she won't need both hands to fire it. Anything bad happens, point and shoot. It'll do some nice damage but as I'm sure you know, you've got to be somewhat closer. It'll have a slight kick and be loud, but it should keep you alive. You have five shots, pump to chamber a new round." With that, Dean checked his pistol once more before nodding to them. "Take whichever way you want, go down say... a mile? If you find nothing we can meet back up, if the other isn't back within twenty minutes, god bless them." He looked the two girls each in the eye, trusting entirely for them to be able to watch their backs and stay strong. Satisfied that his unspoken message was understood, he nodded, waited for them to pick a path, and chose the other.
"We have to do this... I know we're on a schedule Dean... and I can't thank you enough for helping me... But I won't leave Sean behind... I'd never leave anyone behind to die at the hands of the Kismet."
Dean nodded, "I agree completely," he said, "You don't have to thank me for anything, whatever you feel is necessary is alright with me, I'm simply here to make sure you stay alive." Suddenly he stopped as Alyssa turned, more or less thinking out loud as far as he was concerned as she voiced her ideas on the rocks having heating effects. He looked towards Kyna, eyebrow raised in question, but as usual, remained silent. He did however manage a slight chuckle as Alyssa simply prodded Kyna without warning or consent, simply for a sample of blood. It reminded Dean of when they first met as well, though he was able to say yes or no.
Upon coming to the fork in the cavern, Dean sighed. Truly he didn't want to have to split up with the two girls, but he didn't want to leave one behind, but also if they stayed together and chose the wrong route, they wouldn't find Sean. On the other hand again however, when they did split up, still whoever chose the wrong path would be lost. Finally he made up his mind.
"Take this," he said as he removed the shotgun from his back. He held it out to Alyssa. "Give her the other gun, she won't need both hands to fire it. Anything bad happens, point and shoot. It'll do some nice damage but as I'm sure you know, you've got to be somewhat closer. It'll have a slight kick and be loud, but it should keep you alive. You have five shots, pump to chamber a new round." With that, Dean checked his pistol once more before nodding to them. "Take whichever way you want, go down say... a mile? If you find nothing we can meet back up, if the other isn't back within twenty minutes, god bless them." He looked the two girls each in the eye, trusting entirely for them to be able to watch their backs and stay strong. Satisfied that his unspoken message was understood, he nodded, waited for them to pick a path, and chose the other.
Alyssa's eyes widened when Dean stepped up and handed her the shotgun he carried. "Dean!" she said urgently, "You can't..." she stopped herself and looked down the tunnels. Alyssa hated the idea of splitting up but she wasn't stupid either and knew that getting Sean back it was necessary. "Alright" she sighed and handed the gun over to Kyna "Here you take this, we'll sort your hand out too shortly" she waved over to Kyna's wrist, the blood pooling in it was getting worse, "Or you're not getting far" she said matter-if-factly.
Alyssa turned to Dean, "Alright... be back here in twenty or I'm coming after you... and I'll do a hell of a lot worse than anything on Epoch" she smirked faintly. Alyssa looked down either tunnel and the darkness was ominous and unsettling. Alyssa fished around her jacket pocket and pulled out the torch she had picked up back when she first met Sean, she hit it a couple of times and it flashed on again then off then on. "I've got this" she motioned her arm up slightly and nodded at her wrist-computer, "This won't last long I don't think... or something is wrong with it... but it'll give you some light in an emergency I think... Just hit it a few times" Alyssa shook it and it flashed off then on again, "Better than nothing" she said.
Alyssa took the left tunnel and walked a few feet into it, "We'll take this one" she said hesitantly, she looked down to the glowing moss dimly lighting their feet. "I can't see where the trails lead... something has been here after the Kismet and Sean came through" she said with a slight tone of worry. "It's all messed up..." Alyssa raised her head to meet the gaze of Dean and Kyna, "Guess we'll have to suck it up" she said raising her shoulders in a mock display of manliness. "We'll see you in twenty" she said sternly.
Alyssa moved forwards down the dark tunnel. "Any of this familiar to you Kyna?" she asked as they descended into the darkness.
Alyssa turned to Dean, "Alright... be back here in twenty or I'm coming after you... and I'll do a hell of a lot worse than anything on Epoch" she smirked faintly. Alyssa looked down either tunnel and the darkness was ominous and unsettling. Alyssa fished around her jacket pocket and pulled out the torch she had picked up back when she first met Sean, she hit it a couple of times and it flashed on again then off then on. "I've got this" she motioned her arm up slightly and nodded at her wrist-computer, "This won't last long I don't think... or something is wrong with it... but it'll give you some light in an emergency I think... Just hit it a few times" Alyssa shook it and it flashed off then on again, "Better than nothing" she said.
Alyssa took the left tunnel and walked a few feet into it, "We'll take this one" she said hesitantly, she looked down to the glowing moss dimly lighting their feet. "I can't see where the trails lead... something has been here after the Kismet and Sean came through" she said with a slight tone of worry. "It's all messed up..." Alyssa raised her head to meet the gaze of Dean and Kyna, "Guess we'll have to suck it up" she said raising her shoulders in a mock display of manliness. "We'll see you in twenty" she said sternly.
Alyssa moved forwards down the dark tunnel. "Any of this familiar to you Kyna?" she asked as they descended into the darkness.
Kyna's mind was reeling as an information overload was dumped on her from the two people she had saved and been saved by. They were heading to the center of the city, for Alyssa to fly the last ship back to Earth. Kyna then realised why she recognised Alyssa and her name - she was the 'fabled one'. The only human alive to be immune to the virus. Kyna had heard of her before this anyway, as scientists liked to gossip. She was a bio-engineer and expert in genetics, and so, as far as Kyna could tell, was worth saving. Not that it didn't hurt, the idea that her work wasn't enough to promote her safety... but then, she was going to die anyway.
She listened as the other two spoke, pulling her eyes back as they wandered across the glistening stalactites and stalagmites, veins of heat-sensitive life criss-crossing through them. She was only brought back when she felt the cold heavy metal of a gun in her hands. She was focused on the weapon as Alyssa spoke, telling Dean that they had twenty-minutes to search, otherwise they were to rendezvous back. She threatened him jokingly, handed him a flashlight and indicated which tunnel herself and Kyna would take. Kyna had been down here before, several times actually... But it was different now. Kyna studied it, her mind blurring as her wrist slowly began to throb again. She was exhausted, her eyelids drooping, her footsteps shuffled and the gun hung limp in her fingers.
"Any of this familiar to you Kyna?" Kyna's dizzy spell vanished and she perked up, her eyelids flying open.
"I do actually... I have been down in this system many times. It's a bit difficult to navigate without a good light source, but I can still recognise certain things." She said as strongly as her voice would allow. "B-but, something has happened to the floor... It's almost like a crocodile slide, y'know, up the mud? I... I can-" And then Kyna froze. She had encountered what she thought had been through here before. When they were only a few feet long, before the mutation of virus altered their growing capacity.
"Viscearri..." She muttered, looking at Alyssa in fear.
She listened as the other two spoke, pulling her eyes back as they wandered across the glistening stalactites and stalagmites, veins of heat-sensitive life criss-crossing through them. She was only brought back when she felt the cold heavy metal of a gun in her hands. She was focused on the weapon as Alyssa spoke, telling Dean that they had twenty-minutes to search, otherwise they were to rendezvous back. She threatened him jokingly, handed him a flashlight and indicated which tunnel herself and Kyna would take. Kyna had been down here before, several times actually... But it was different now. Kyna studied it, her mind blurring as her wrist slowly began to throb again. She was exhausted, her eyelids drooping, her footsteps shuffled and the gun hung limp in her fingers.
"Any of this familiar to you Kyna?" Kyna's dizzy spell vanished and she perked up, her eyelids flying open.
"I do actually... I have been down in this system many times. It's a bit difficult to navigate without a good light source, but I can still recognise certain things." She said as strongly as her voice would allow. "B-but, something has happened to the floor... It's almost like a crocodile slide, y'know, up the mud? I... I can-" And then Kyna froze. She had encountered what she thought had been through here before. When they were only a few feet long, before the mutation of virus altered their growing capacity.
"Viscearri..." She muttered, looking at Alyssa in fear.
Alyssa began to feel the cool heat of the rocks around them warm her through, slowly but surely drying them. As they walked Kyna spoke and recalled somewhat hazily that she'd been in the tunnels before, but she stopped suddenly and turned to Alyssa with widened eyes, "Viscearri" she muttered with fear.
Alyssa looked forward down the darkening tunnel, they couldn't have been more than three hundred feet down tunnel from where it forked... "Surely we would have heard them?" she asked with a slight tone of fear in her own voice, "But it would make sense as to why there were two sets of foot prints back there.." she said looking back behind her.
Alyssa raised her wrist-computer and shone the torch light in it down the way, her eyes scanning bleakly for any signs of movement, "I can't see anything" she half-mumbled to herself. Alyssa looked to Kyna, "It'll be ok" she smiled weakly, lets walk a little longer and see how we go. As they walked Alyssa made a careful note to always keep an ear perked slightly for any abnormal noises. She also took note of the ground as they walked, small specks of blood were dotting the moss, glowing slightly red where it had landed and the moss not been disturbed.
"I think the Kismet ran into Viscearri and came out the worser" she said with a sick feeling in her gut... "Do you think Sean could have..." she stopped herself continuing her sentence. Alyssa looked down and the light from her wrist-computer lit up Kyna and for the first time she really paid attention to the woman. He wrist was pooling excessively with blood, and the light provided from Alyssa's computer really showed how bad it was, and how the bone was fractured and the muscle torn.
"We have to fix it" she said sternly, not even pointing to what she was talking about. "Sit down, and let me look" she said sternly again. "I'm not much of a medical doctor" she joked, "But I had to study all that stuff before I could start studying cells and organisms on their cellular levels" Alyssa reminisced all the long nights spent studying. "But I think I can help fix this... Or at least give you some better relief than just sticking you every few hours with a needle" she smiled weakly again.
Alyssa raised her wrist and pushed her finger to the screen of her computer a few times, "I always keep a tiny reserve on me in case I need it" she mused to herself, "But that wrist is useless and that means you're useless if we don't do something about it.." she said sternly looking into Kyna's eyes. "I'll inject you once with this" she raised her wrist so Kyna could see the small screen, "it's an enzyme and cell replicator solution..." she pushed the screen a few times and the syringe popped out, "It'll take almost all my reserve, but it's worth it". Alyssa prodded right into the wrist of Kyna without warning, "It's gonna hurt like a bitch" Alyssa said as she held Kyna's wrist hard so she couldn't squirm and ruin the makeshift procedure, "You're wrist isn't going to get better instantly, but over the next few hours it'll heal..." Alyssa then took Kyna's good hand and placed it on broken wrist, "hold tight for a second please". Alyssa bent over and ripped the bottom of her pants so one ankle was exposed then pulled three pens from her pocket.
Alyssa knelt into a position so one leg was out on a ninety degree angle and the other knee firmly in the glowing moss for support. "Lean your bad wrist on my leg", Alyssa then place two of her pens on either side of Kyna's wrist and began to wrap the torn makeshift bandage around them "the pens'll provide some support so your wrist doesn't move a lot, so the healing process will be better and less painful... but I'll have to give you another does of morphine so you don't feel the pain too much in the process either". Then Alyssa asked Kyna to open her palm and grab the third pen. When Kyna did so, Alyssa tore the bottom off her other pants leg and wrapped Kyna's fist up and around the wrist so her hand resembled a makeshift boxing glove.
Alyssa laughed and stood up, "It's shit alright.. but it'll do the job". Alyssa pressed the screen of her computer again and a loud beep echoed through the cave hall, she then without warning pricked the upper arm of Kyna "there you go.. the pain I've caused you will subside soon... but I've run out of morphine now and we'll need to go and find either an Ewae - a type of Epochian flower that has analgesic effects - or some Kismet medicine that numbs pain or human morphine... either way in two hours you're gonna start screaming and the healing of your wrist takes roughly six hours".
Alyssa was about to continue her rant on how Kyna was in for a world of hurt but she stopped when deep grumbling noises filled the tunnel. Just then two Viscearri burst through the ground, giant and hungry and blocking the women's way back to Dean. "RUN!" Alyssa shouted cocking the shotgun and firing absent-mindedly in the direction of the monsters. The backlash force was so unexpected for Alyssa that she was sent on her back. Dazed, Alyssa managed to scramble to her feet and begin her sprint down the tunnel looking for somewhere to hide, "You know roughly where to go!" she yelled At Kyna as they ran, "Where can we hide!?!"
Alyssa looked forward down the darkening tunnel, they couldn't have been more than three hundred feet down tunnel from where it forked... "Surely we would have heard them?" she asked with a slight tone of fear in her own voice, "But it would make sense as to why there were two sets of foot prints back there.." she said looking back behind her.
Alyssa raised her wrist-computer and shone the torch light in it down the way, her eyes scanning bleakly for any signs of movement, "I can't see anything" she half-mumbled to herself. Alyssa looked to Kyna, "It'll be ok" she smiled weakly, lets walk a little longer and see how we go. As they walked Alyssa made a careful note to always keep an ear perked slightly for any abnormal noises. She also took note of the ground as they walked, small specks of blood were dotting the moss, glowing slightly red where it had landed and the moss not been disturbed.
"I think the Kismet ran into Viscearri and came out the worser" she said with a sick feeling in her gut... "Do you think Sean could have..." she stopped herself continuing her sentence. Alyssa looked down and the light from her wrist-computer lit up Kyna and for the first time she really paid attention to the woman. He wrist was pooling excessively with blood, and the light provided from Alyssa's computer really showed how bad it was, and how the bone was fractured and the muscle torn.
"We have to fix it" she said sternly, not even pointing to what she was talking about. "Sit down, and let me look" she said sternly again. "I'm not much of a medical doctor" she joked, "But I had to study all that stuff before I could start studying cells and organisms on their cellular levels" Alyssa reminisced all the long nights spent studying. "But I think I can help fix this... Or at least give you some better relief than just sticking you every few hours with a needle" she smiled weakly again.
Alyssa raised her wrist and pushed her finger to the screen of her computer a few times, "I always keep a tiny reserve on me in case I need it" she mused to herself, "But that wrist is useless and that means you're useless if we don't do something about it.." she said sternly looking into Kyna's eyes. "I'll inject you once with this" she raised her wrist so Kyna could see the small screen, "it's an enzyme and cell replicator solution..." she pushed the screen a few times and the syringe popped out, "It'll take almost all my reserve, but it's worth it". Alyssa prodded right into the wrist of Kyna without warning, "It's gonna hurt like a bitch" Alyssa said as she held Kyna's wrist hard so she couldn't squirm and ruin the makeshift procedure, "You're wrist isn't going to get better instantly, but over the next few hours it'll heal..." Alyssa then took Kyna's good hand and placed it on broken wrist, "hold tight for a second please". Alyssa bent over and ripped the bottom of her pants so one ankle was exposed then pulled three pens from her pocket.
Alyssa knelt into a position so one leg was out on a ninety degree angle and the other knee firmly in the glowing moss for support. "Lean your bad wrist on my leg", Alyssa then place two of her pens on either side of Kyna's wrist and began to wrap the torn makeshift bandage around them "the pens'll provide some support so your wrist doesn't move a lot, so the healing process will be better and less painful... but I'll have to give you another does of morphine so you don't feel the pain too much in the process either". Then Alyssa asked Kyna to open her palm and grab the third pen. When Kyna did so, Alyssa tore the bottom off her other pants leg and wrapped Kyna's fist up and around the wrist so her hand resembled a makeshift boxing glove.
Alyssa laughed and stood up, "It's shit alright.. but it'll do the job". Alyssa pressed the screen of her computer again and a loud beep echoed through the cave hall, she then without warning pricked the upper arm of Kyna "there you go.. the pain I've caused you will subside soon... but I've run out of morphine now and we'll need to go and find either an Ewae - a type of Epochian flower that has analgesic effects - or some Kismet medicine that numbs pain or human morphine... either way in two hours you're gonna start screaming and the healing of your wrist takes roughly six hours".
Alyssa was about to continue her rant on how Kyna was in for a world of hurt but she stopped when deep grumbling noises filled the tunnel. Just then two Viscearri burst through the ground, giant and hungry and blocking the women's way back to Dean. "RUN!" Alyssa shouted cocking the shotgun and firing absent-mindedly in the direction of the monsters. The backlash force was so unexpected for Alyssa that she was sent on her back. Dazed, Alyssa managed to scramble to her feet and begin her sprint down the tunnel looking for somewhere to hide, "You know roughly where to go!" she yelled At Kyna as they ran, "Where can we hide!?!"
Dean took the torch with a slight look of worry showing on his face. The fact that it wasn't too reliable didn't appeal to the man, and it wasn't a very reassuring tool to have on hand. Still, he managed a smile and watched as the two girls disappeared down one of the tunnels, himself now heading down the other.
He made his way carefully forward, his heavy boots echoing around and down the tunnel. He looked around warily, searching high and low for any sighs of an enemy who could be possibly concealed in the cracks or crevices of the walls floor and ceiling. The little bits of moss that illuminated the large cave seemed to be more eerie than comforting as they made odd shadows and occasionally through one's peripheral vision, they could appear to be a set of eyes. Dean shook off these thoughts as he continued, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
He heard a noise up ahead and immediately the pistol was infront of him, the sights leveled into the darkness. He was in a low standing crouch as he waited, listening. He sighed now as he continued on. Suddenly though, the sound was back. Yes, it definitely was a sound. Straining to hear, Dean crept forward. It was faint, but it was there. It had been voices, but now it transitioned into footsteps, from the sounds of it, two people. The man quickened his pace, looking forward through the darkness in hopes of finding out who was before him. As he drew nearer he could just make out two figures around a corner and he struggled to make out the details. After a moment, he knew he had found Sean, and was almost relieved to find that there was only one Kimset with him.
He smiled to himself as he stepped out from behind the corner and yelled to the two, their figures more or less silhouettes in the cave's lighting.
"Hey!" he yelled, "Nice to see you again!" He raised the gun and pulled the trigger as the Kimset turned. The creature had barely a second to comprehend what had happened as the bullet tore through his chest, the flesh contorting and spilling out a fair amount of blood. A second follow-up shot came next, this one directed towards the creature's head, the .45 tearing through the mouth of the Kimset that was open in a silent scream, the jaw and lower face being more or less completely destroyed under the impact. Lowering the weapon, Dean eyed the idle body as he approached Sean.
"Long time no see, valiant knight." he said. He smiled to the man, then a thought suddenly dawned on him. There had been other Kimset, and if Sean was here with one, where were the others? He looked at Sean now with a questioning face. "What happened?" he asked, "There were more Kimset earlier..."
He made his way carefully forward, his heavy boots echoing around and down the tunnel. He looked around warily, searching high and low for any sighs of an enemy who could be possibly concealed in the cracks or crevices of the walls floor and ceiling. The little bits of moss that illuminated the large cave seemed to be more eerie than comforting as they made odd shadows and occasionally through one's peripheral vision, they could appear to be a set of eyes. Dean shook off these thoughts as he continued, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
He heard a noise up ahead and immediately the pistol was infront of him, the sights leveled into the darkness. He was in a low standing crouch as he waited, listening. He sighed now as he continued on. Suddenly though, the sound was back. Yes, it definitely was a sound. Straining to hear, Dean crept forward. It was faint, but it was there. It had been voices, but now it transitioned into footsteps, from the sounds of it, two people. The man quickened his pace, looking forward through the darkness in hopes of finding out who was before him. As he drew nearer he could just make out two figures around a corner and he struggled to make out the details. After a moment, he knew he had found Sean, and was almost relieved to find that there was only one Kimset with him.
He smiled to himself as he stepped out from behind the corner and yelled to the two, their figures more or less silhouettes in the cave's lighting.
"Hey!" he yelled, "Nice to see you again!" He raised the gun and pulled the trigger as the Kimset turned. The creature had barely a second to comprehend what had happened as the bullet tore through his chest, the flesh contorting and spilling out a fair amount of blood. A second follow-up shot came next, this one directed towards the creature's head, the .45 tearing through the mouth of the Kimset that was open in a silent scream, the jaw and lower face being more or less completely destroyed under the impact. Lowering the weapon, Dean eyed the idle body as he approached Sean.
"Long time no see, valiant knight." he said. He smiled to the man, then a thought suddenly dawned on him. There had been other Kimset, and if Sean was here with one, where were the others? He looked at Sean now with a questioning face. "What happened?" he asked, "There were more Kimset earlier..."
Sean watched with a fair amount of surprise and shock as the Kismet fell into a pool of his own blood. Sure, the Kismet was probably going to kill him, but Sean did not like the idea of killing him just like that, when they gave him a chance to live. Especially since they were all going to die anyways, both Kismet and human. But he let it go, there were much more pressing matters. "Oh man, there was this horde of Viscearri and- Wait, where are the girls?" He desperately looked around behind Dean, neither of them were there. "Please don't tell me they went down the other path..." But Sean did not wait for his reply, and hastily grabbed his own gun and a Kismet laser from the dead corpse, and ran back towards the fork. "We have to hurry, c'mon!"
Dean was a confused at first, but as Sean continued to speak it all made sense. That was why they had split up, and Dean had just left the person he was supposed to protect go with an injured comrade down a path infested with Viscearri. The man kicked himself mentally, stupid, how stupid. He watched as Sean collected his weaponry from the fallen Kimset, then he took off, yelling simply, "We have to hurry, c'mon!"
Dean nodded without another word, following without question as he more or less understood exactly what was going on. He made a mental note to shoot himself later if he lived past Alyssa's leaving of the planet, then pushed the thought away.
He paid no attention to anything as they made their way back to the fork, and quickly he circled around, not even slowing as he turned and took the other path. His boots rapped on the stony flooring of the cave systems, echoing around in the dimly lit cavern as he continued onward. It was now that he could see signs of Viscearri, and he only hoped that they weren't fresh. Why had he done this? Why did he let the girls go alone? If they were... No, Dean had to shake the ideas from his head as the worse of situations began forming, his mind coming up with grotesque images of desecrated, violated bodies, mutilated by the worms. The screams of the girls as they were overwhelmed and he nor Sean were there to help.
He shut his eyes for a moment, unable to take what he saw in his head, urging himself to think happy thoughts. Alyssa had a shotgun, and that would be a fair amount of help. But what if she ran out of shots? Dean was about ready to hit himself.
"Sean," he started as he ran, "If I can't do it, shoot me later..."
Dean nodded without another word, following without question as he more or less understood exactly what was going on. He made a mental note to shoot himself later if he lived past Alyssa's leaving of the planet, then pushed the thought away.
He paid no attention to anything as they made their way back to the fork, and quickly he circled around, not even slowing as he turned and took the other path. His boots rapped on the stony flooring of the cave systems, echoing around in the dimly lit cavern as he continued onward. It was now that he could see signs of Viscearri, and he only hoped that they weren't fresh. Why had he done this? Why did he let the girls go alone? If they were... No, Dean had to shake the ideas from his head as the worse of situations began forming, his mind coming up with grotesque images of desecrated, violated bodies, mutilated by the worms. The screams of the girls as they were overwhelmed and he nor Sean were there to help.
He shut his eyes for a moment, unable to take what he saw in his head, urging himself to think happy thoughts. Alyssa had a shotgun, and that would be a fair amount of help. But what if she ran out of shots? Dean was about ready to hit himself.
"Sean," he started as he ran, "If I can't do it, shoot me later..."
Kyna was struck speechless, fascinated by Alyssa and her little wrist computer. She babbled on, jabbed her with a needle, strapped and splinted her arm and waffled on some more. Kyna couldn't help but smile; Alyssa was clearly passionate about her profession. Even if medical science wasn't her forte, she was pretty good at it and Kyna looked at her thankfully when she gave up most of the serum for herself. Alyssa was selfless and kind. And yet she was hard, her mind focused on the mission she had. And for the first time since Kyna met her and the others, she knew she had to give what help she could. Alyssa could save humanity; and if Kyna could help her, even a bit, than at least she would die knowing she hadn't spent her last days feeling sorry for her transparent self.
"...Either way in two hours you're gonna start screaming and the healing of your wrist takes roughly six hours..." Kyna nodded, rubbing her wrapped wrist tenderly, affirming that if they didn't find some sort of pain-killers soon, in a couple of hours, she would be writhing in agony. Kyna stepped forward to speak as the ground began to shudder violently and then the ground erupted and two Viscearri slammed down, earth flying and shattering. Their way back was blocked.
"RUN!" Kyna was already on her feet, firing her weapon amateurishly with her good hand, bullets whizzing in all directions. Kyna saw Alyssa fly back and within seconds was on her feet again and yelling "You know roughly where to go! Where can we hide?!" Kyna's mind raced as her brow furrowed. In her mind, she saw a blurred map of the tunnel and with a gasp, she took hold of Alyssa's arm. "FOLLOW ME!" She picked up her pace, her feet slipping on loose stones and mossy rock. Her chest heaved. She looked over her shoulder and then she wished she hadn't. For the first time, Kyna saw the Viscearri's fabled ferocity. Both had their mouths slightly agape and she could see at least a dozen rows of jagged teeth, ropes of milky saliva hung between them. She held in a cry of panic and adrenalin pumped through her aching muscles.
Just a bit further. I fucking hope this still works...
Then Kyna saw it, the marker she had left for her team when she used them. When they were alive. A twang of guilt but she pushed it away, grieve later. A small yellow X was etched into the wall. She slowed a bit, looked at Alyssa with rueful eyes, sorry she hadn't told her about the plan. "You have to trust me. And hold on. It get's slippery down there."
And with that, Kyna tightened her hold on Alyssa and jumped into the slight crevasse that rushed up before them. To anyone else it was almost invisible, many a broken leg had occurred. But Kyna knew it well. However, she didn't know if the cavern itself had changed, and whether or not the landing she counted on was going to be there or not.
Seconds passed as she fell, her hair dancing in the rush of air before she hit the ground. Gently. She grinned, breathless. Her plan at worked. She looked at Alyssa and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. Are you alright?" The sound of the Viscearri passing overhead was like a jet taking off meters from Kyna's head, the dreadful roar and instability of her trembling surroundings. And then, it was gone. Kyna took a deep breath for the first time in a minute.
"...Either way in two hours you're gonna start screaming and the healing of your wrist takes roughly six hours..." Kyna nodded, rubbing her wrapped wrist tenderly, affirming that if they didn't find some sort of pain-killers soon, in a couple of hours, she would be writhing in agony. Kyna stepped forward to speak as the ground began to shudder violently and then the ground erupted and two Viscearri slammed down, earth flying and shattering. Their way back was blocked.
"RUN!" Kyna was already on her feet, firing her weapon amateurishly with her good hand, bullets whizzing in all directions. Kyna saw Alyssa fly back and within seconds was on her feet again and yelling "You know roughly where to go! Where can we hide?!" Kyna's mind raced as her brow furrowed. In her mind, she saw a blurred map of the tunnel and with a gasp, she took hold of Alyssa's arm. "FOLLOW ME!" She picked up her pace, her feet slipping on loose stones and mossy rock. Her chest heaved. She looked over her shoulder and then she wished she hadn't. For the first time, Kyna saw the Viscearri's fabled ferocity. Both had their mouths slightly agape and she could see at least a dozen rows of jagged teeth, ropes of milky saliva hung between them. She held in a cry of panic and adrenalin pumped through her aching muscles.
Just a bit further. I fucking hope this still works...
Then Kyna saw it, the marker she had left for her team when she used them. When they were alive. A twang of guilt but she pushed it away, grieve later. A small yellow X was etched into the wall. She slowed a bit, looked at Alyssa with rueful eyes, sorry she hadn't told her about the plan. "You have to trust me. And hold on. It get's slippery down there."
And with that, Kyna tightened her hold on Alyssa and jumped into the slight crevasse that rushed up before them. To anyone else it was almost invisible, many a broken leg had occurred. But Kyna knew it well. However, she didn't know if the cavern itself had changed, and whether or not the landing she counted on was going to be there or not.
Seconds passed as she fell, her hair dancing in the rush of air before she hit the ground. Gently. She grinned, breathless. Her plan at worked. She looked at Alyssa and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. Are you alright?" The sound of the Viscearri passing overhead was like a jet taking off meters from Kyna's head, the dreadful roar and instability of her trembling surroundings. And then, it was gone. Kyna took a deep breath for the first time in a minute.
- 79 posts here • Page 2 of 4 • 1, 2, 3, 4
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View All » Add Character » 6 Characters to follow in this universe
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Kyna Flynn
if i can save one marvel of this universe, then by god i will.
Dean Lyrett
"If this is what I must do, then I shall see it done right."
Alyssa Erde
"I won't just let humanity die... I'll die before I give up"
Trending
Kyna Flynn
if i can save one marvel of this universe, then by god i will.
Dean Lyrett
"If this is what I must do, then I shall see it done right."
Alyssa Erde
"I won't just let humanity die... I'll die before I give up"
Most Followed
Kyna Flynn
if i can save one marvel of this universe, then by god i will.
Alyssa Erde
"I won't just let humanity die... I'll die before I give up"
Dean Lyrett
"If this is what I must do, then I shall see it done right."
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79 posts · 6 characters present · last post 2012-11-09 17:10:47 »
Epoch, once a beautiful and lush planet that was very nearly a mirror to earth with the exception of its flora and fauna. It is primarily covered in water, but has, like earth, continents, deserts and oceans.
Fullscreen Chat » Create Topic » Humanity's Last Hope - The Fall of Epoch: Out of Character
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Humanity's Last Hope - The Fall of Epoch
1, 2, 3by macheteshark on Sat Aug 25, 2012 4:31 am
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on Tue Nov 20, 2012 12:32 pm
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Humanity's Last Hope - The Fall of Epoch
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by macheteshark on Wed Aug 29, 2012 8:01 pm
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