Kreandor

Abigail sat up, her night passing restlessly. A few motions and she was ready to leave again. She had assumed that they couldn't stay in the same town...Not while they were tracking the subject...and the hydrokinetic. She sighed softly to herself as she left the room, barely touched from her stay. She spotted the soldiers grouping up and lazily made her way towards them, looking around for the others.

Another soft sigh as she looked over the soldier who'd taken a hit for her. It seemed her job had done well, as he didn't seem to sport a scar or any lasting effects. That was good. Meant she was getting better at using her powers. Maybe it was this place...just the air made her feel...more connected to her powers. Stronger.

Skrin'nok had gotten up early this morning, about the same time as a few others he arrived in the city with. There was very little happening so early, but not everyone got up before the sun started coming over the horizon. As a final bit of assistance to the hotel group Skrin'nok went out for a little hunt. Though this held two reasons; one was to help finish off the tab for staying the night here, and the other was to get a bit of practice in before heading out once again.

It was not long before Skrin'nok found a large lizard-like creature that any that had either studied the planet or lived in it for long enough would know to be highly venomous. The razor sharp talons and thick skin did not prove to be a challenge for the native as Skrin'nok eventually landed a deadly hit to the large creature's eye and stopped it's brain and heart functions quickly. The lizard-like creature went down with little to no pain, as far as Skrin'nok could tell anyway. Although it was twice as long as Skrin'nok was tall the native carried the creature the short walk back to the hotel with the help of a solid platform of venom.

When he got back Skrin'nok removed all the venom within the the lizard and took it in through the back to give to the hotel cook. As a small way of repayment Skrin'nok was given the some of the tail which would supply enough meat for a meal for 30 people. With thanks Skrin'nok took the meat and started to were he heard others, to be exact those he was currently traveling with.

"Mo ning, I tust eve-one slep wel? I hav som meet we cun use fo lay-ta ef wented." Skrin'nok held up the lizard tail that reached just below his shoulders if it were to let touch the ground. The thickness looked to be enough for a later meal if used with other supplies. "I cun cuk et sence I hav dun so bee for." Skrin'nok seemed to be fully alert and ready for the day's activities and having the meat would help lower the need to use what was packed for the trip, thus allowing the groups to go a bit longer before needing to worry about restocking the food supply.

Mitch was glad to see that Vincent was well. He looked over the soldier, checking the man's condition. It seems that Abigail's gifting had done just short of a miracle. With her healing and the head encompassing helmet the man didn't even have a slight bruise to show for it. By all accounts it didn't look if the sniper had suffered any concussion, which was the major worry in terms of being suitable for active duty. On a personal note Mitch was glad the man was uninjured and alive. He smiled at the no nonsense marksman.
"You never get bored of seeing a new sunrise on every planet Crysis." He confirmed "Quote me on that one day, if you stay in the business." He turned his face from the fresh rays and addressed his soldier, noting the arrival of a waking Abigail and indicating her over. Kalvin and Geth also joined, arriving from whatever they had preoccupied themselves with. "We failed to apprehend or dissuade 07, he seems to insist upon and justify his actions against colonists upon this world. We settled with a temporary ceasefire so to speak, but not after Devlin successful attacked Atian, the hydrokinetic. Maybe as a result of Devlin's actions or 07's sharing of his opinion Atian has defected." He glanced meaningfully at their makeshift medic, wondering if she agreed with Atian's choice. The look was just for a moment before the captian returned to his briefing. "We will be again hunting experiment 07438. He holds a grudge against PsiCom, and possibly humanity as a whole. It is sensible to assume he will be seeking out their research operations so that is where we will base our search, as well as any notable sites that Skrin'nok will be leading us to." He steeled, becoming strong and impassive as he gave the final command, one he wasn't keen on "Our target is 07438. It seems he won't be talked out of his current course of action, which means we will have to stop him using lethal force. Shoot to kill, he is too dangerous to be kept alive." Having given the ultimatum he relaxed slightly but didn't finish. "For now Atian is not a target, do not fire upon him. Unless he shows that he is a threat to human presence on this planet. I'll gather you when we leave. Dismissed."

As the three of them went about their business Mitch caught a moment with Abigail. "Abigail, you were talking with Devlin the other day. How is he dealing with this?" Concern was obvious on the man's features, he was worried about those under his command and protection. "How are you dealing with it?" Captain Smith wasn't ready to assume anything. He didn't expect the hydrokinetic's defection and the man had shown no signs that he would switch so easily, Mitch wasn't going to take any more chances.

Sensing Atian following behinde him Xaos stops and waits for him. "Our next target is 500 kilometers to the north, that is 300 miles. If i was alone i could fly there and be there in an hour, tell me Atian have you ever tried to use your powers to travel faster?" After he asks this he begins to float, slowly going higher and higher. "I suggest you try, as long as the ground holds water i dont see why you cant. I want to stay ahead of the Unit PsiCom sent afte me." He turns away from Atian. "Im sure you can do it if you try, i will wait for you untill i know rater you can or cant." With out another word he rockets through the air leaving a trail through the trees Atian can easily follow.

Atian listened closely as Xaos explained how he'd been keeping ahead of his pursuers so easily, and for so long. Using the psychic powers they'd been given for movement seemed incredibly useful, and as he thought about it, he realized that he would be much better off if he took the ideal to heart.

He didn't get a chance to ask Xoas what he'd meant, exactly, as the man had blown off at incredible speed, leaving the trees bent in his wake. Atian gaped for a moment, rather impressed, before testing out a few modes of travel. He first summoned a bubble of water from the area around him and encased himself, leaving a stream of air to the outside of the sphere. he rolled about rather amusingly as he tried to figure it out. He felt rather foolish, and figured it would leave an obvious trail to follow, however, so instead of the sphere, he smoothed it out into the form of a surfboard. he let it hover a few feet above the ground, enough so that the underside simply brushed the tops of the ferns, but as he went to stand on it, he realized it would not support him.

Puzzled, the hydrokinetic began to experiment, albeit lower tot he ground. He tried to set it on wheels shaped from ice, but they were too brittle. He tried stretching membranous wings out from it's sides, but they proved too heavy. After about twenty minutes of frustration, however, he tried what ought to have come to mind first and foremost: a single, rolling wave. As he formed the oval bubble of water beneath the board, he began to churn it, lifting the back and dropping the front, so that ti rose in a crest before dropping, crashing, in upon itself. After a few tries, he had the wave constant, rather than breaking upon itself quickly, and had set the hydro-board atop it. He leapt nimbly to the board's upper surface, freezing it around his feet, and rolled forwards a few feet, impressed by the speed and smoothness he felt.

Now aware of how much easier travel would be, Atian rushed forward with a sudden burst of speed, while all the world around him was filled with the sound of a roaring wave.

Abigail stayed her feet as she was addressed, at first complete intent on following the others. She tilted her head at the commander and nodded in understanding as she processed the question. "I spoke with him shortly last night, yes. He is having a tough time with the stress of his friend's betrayal. He is genuinely taken aback, shows some signs of extreme stress at his current task...But I soothed his mind, he should be thinking clearly today. He doesn't seem to be a risk." The information rolled off her tongue in the same clinical manner as the scientists used around her. She was what she was comfortable with.

"As for myself..." Abigail crossed her arms and took on a pensive look, frowning slightly. "I think it's an unfortunate loss for our side, if Atian truly turned against us for such selfish motives. I must admit, I feel I must shoulder some blame for not realizing how easily moved his alliance would be. However, I won't allow it to affect my performance. I will continue to heal anyone and everyone I can. Even if that is the Subject we search for, should we be able to merely wound him enough to capture."

Devlin would calmly listen to the meeting from a corner in the room. He cracked his neck whilst checking his equipment to make sure it was properly cleaned for the day. He then heard Abigail talking about him and he smiled when she told Mitch he wasn't a risk. He sighed that a great weight was lifted from his shoulders. He couldn't say the same for when Mitch laid blame on him for Atian's betrayal, well for a possible cause, but nonetheless it was still hurtful. He was just trying to keep what's left of the other psychic's humanity intact and in good condition.

He'd climb up to the roof of one of the huts and started to do push ups, trying to warm up his body for the day ahead and various other meaningful tasks. He'd remember how Abigail calmed him down and he'd give a look of fondness whilst he was doing his exercise. He'd shake his head to try and keep his thoughts from getting impure. "That's what probably undid ol' 78. He had impure thoughts." he said to himself.

Xaos is still rocketing through the air when he hears the sound of rushing water, he looks behind him and notices Atian surfing on a self maintained wave. "Good, this will shorten our trip drastically. When we get to the research lab inside the Temple, i will show you how much truth my words hold." Xaos holds his arms out at his sides making a T shape before spinning and bringing his arms to his sides. After he does this there is a loud boom which causes the leaves around him to be blown off their branches as he begins to fly faster, knowing that Atian will be able to keep up. After half an hour of flying and Atian surfing behind him they come to a high cliff face. Far below the cliff is a very large clearing with ancient, dilapidated ruins of what was once a town, at the center of the ruined city is a tall spire that reaches into the sky. "The ancient people of this world were incredibly advanced, but their technology died with them." He says as Atian. "Those who inhabit this world now will never get this advanced if the humans plans come to fruition."



Vincent listens as his Captain tells him of what happened after he was Knocked out. He leaves when he was Dismissed without saying a word. When Vincent left he would pull out his laser rifle and change it from stun do kill. "Once that order has been given..... I will not miss my mark, 07438 will be brought down without hesitation." His Visor glows red as he says this.

Atian cruised along behind Xaos, smoothly gliding across the surface of the wave as it rolled away beneath him. Despite the speed at which they were traveling, the Hydrokinetic felt completely at ease with it. In fact, he was, at one point, tempted to lay himself down in the water, but as he slid his foot from the surfboard-like structure that was supporting him, the current threatened to pull him in. He returned himself to safety and watched to roiling water as it moved, confused as to how dangerous it would be to him, despite his abilities. Perhaps there was a point where the control they all held simply ended. As they reached the cliff, however, he brought his mind to the present and what they were doing.

And what, exactly, is their plan? To simply take control of this world for its natural resources, or to tap the power that lays dormant within the planet itself, as they must have unintentionally done to create us?" He watched the man cautiously before sending the wave into the ground and having it form steps out the cliffside, large enough for hims to walk on without fear of falling.

"The Humans plans? I suspect nothing less conquest, to take control of this planets resources." He says to Atian. "But we didn't get our power from the planets power, but from the long dead ancients. The humans have no idea about the power this planet holds." He says this as he floats downwards along side Atian. "But... there is always the possibility that i am wrong and that the humans have changed, but i wouldn't bet on that." It takes them about ten minutes to get to the bottom of the cliff. "Atian, i want you to know that we will be killing people in these ruins, the scientist that helped create us by digging around in ruins much like this so... if you don't feel up to it you are free to leave but, if you feel this place is worth protecting then walk along side me as we attempt to save this world from almost certain destruction." He turns around and faces Atian. "Now is the time to confirm your choice. Be a Savior, a bystander, or a helper." Xaos watches Atian closely.

As they reached the turf at the base of the cliff, a surprisingly green and open area, Atian pulled out a pouch from his rucksack. It was a watertight skin of leather, much like those used in ages long past back on earth, though at the moment it was closed and sealed. He opened it, releasing the metallic tang of blood into the air. He pulled the ruby liquid out and drew it into a thin rope of liquid that eventually thickened before forming into a sphere.

"If I weren't ready to do what is needed, then I would not have kept this with me. It may seem inhuman to use blood, but it is no different to use the blood of a man than it is to use that of an animal. The results would be the same. I only wonder if I can use the living blood of my enemies, not just that of the dead." The last few words were spoken mainly as a thought, not a true question, though it hung heavy in the air regardless.

He took the sphere of blood and formed it into a brilliant red ring which he then set to hang over his head like a halo. It was an odd feeling, having that ring over his head, and he could only imagine how it must look. A combination of the devil's work and the symbol of purity, all in one.

Devlin would sigh whilst people were still either talking to each other or getting ready to go. He suddenly started to feel light-headed and dizzy..... and the familiar irresistible pull was jerking upon him. "Guys," He started to say to try to get his attention. "He's on the move. I can feel something pulling me....either north or west of our current position. We have to find the subject and the traitor, and fast."

He half despised what he said. 78 as he so nicknamed the subject a long time back, was the closest thing to a brother to him due to the same sources of power used. however, that same closeness has turned him into some form of pull towards him. "I don't what he's up to. But I intend on finding out and stopping it."

"We are ready then." Xaos says as he takes a his first step towards the Ruins. "Come Atian, Its time for me to see what you can really do." Xaos lifts into the air and rockets towards the old, ruined city.

Abigail kept tabs on Devlin out of the corner of her eye. She could notice his gaze without really acknowledging it. She wondered if she'd touched too far into his emotions...Maybe she'd strengthened their bond without realizing...? Or...maybe. just maybe. Something had actually manifested through natural causes. Nothing connected to her powers or abilities, but just a pure, natural human relationship. Had she found one of those? A friend, truly, with no strings attached? Due to these thoughts, she didn't really pay any mind to the Captain or his response to her statements. It was also this that led her to respond first when Devlin began itching to leave.

"You're right...We've probably wasted some time. I doubt they rested as long as we have. We should move swiftly." Abigail quickly went to get her bag, moving after Devlin quickly. She didn't understand it herself...but she could feel something of a pull as well. Not to the rogue subject, but to their destination. She could feel the world itself breathing in...preparing for something, it felt like. And she could feel the source of this gasp, somewhere at the edges of her consciousness. Her inner being gave her as much need for hustling as did Devlin's insistence. They needed to find the defecting subjects as soon as possible.

Xaos stops in his tracks as something pulls at the back of his mind and he puts his hand to his head as he focuses on it "...Atian, we must hurry, I feel as if... as if Damian and them know where we are." He lands on the outside of the of the outpost Psicom set up to keep everyone that isn't Psicom personal out and an Klaxon alarm begins to sound. "Be ready Atian, they wont just let us waltz in. Even if it is to stop them from making mistakes that could destroy this world." As he says this, the big metal door to the facility opens and five men in Psicom security uniforms point their Laser Machine guns at the two.

"Stay where you are Test Subject 07438!" Says a man in a captains uniform as the guns of his men make a clicking noise as they prepare to fire. "You know as well as I do, Captain, that you will not survive unless you run with your tail between your legs, now." Xaos walks forward unafraid on the men in front of him. The Captain of the Security force takes a step back. "F-f-f-FIRE!" He stammers while giving the order. The men don't hold back and a barrage of laser bolts fly at Xaos, who swings his arm up and crosses them over his face. As he does this the ground rumbles and he is covered a cloud of dirt, obscuring him from view.

The cloud clears and Subject 07438 isn't there anymore. The Captain and the rest of the security force look around. "Where did he go?" "How did he do that?" "The reports didn't mention invisibility." The guards begin to chatter. "Quite down and focus on his friend!" The Captain shouts and the men snap to attention and aim at Atian. "Foolish humans." Xaos's voice comes from above them. "So quick to fall for my trick." The men all turn around and look up and Xaos is floating above them, small balls of fire floating around him. "How..." The Captain says. "The reports never mentioned Pyrokinesis...." Xaos slowly begins to descend, the fireballs moving fast around him as he does so. "I hope you are at peace." Xaos says as he waves his hand at one of the Security personale and it sticks to him. "Get it off! Get it off!" The man screams, batting at the ball of fire. "Incinerate." Xaos snaps his fingers and the ball of fire explodes, covering the man head to toe in burning flames, another man gets caught in the burst and screams as the right side of his body is terribly burnt. "Now Captain, do you still wish to fight?" With a subtle move of Xaos's hand he telekinetically nudges Atian, trying to tell him to attack while they have their backs turned to him.

As they approached the door, Atian closed his eyes in annoyance at the noise of the klaxons wailing. He disliked the sound, as grating and painful as it was, but as it continued and the door opened, he couldn't help but open his eyes and smile. The idea that they were finally getting around to actually doing something thrilled him like nothing else. However, at the sight of the weapons pointed at them, he stepped back and brought his hands up, as if they might beat back the bolts such weapons could discharge.

As Xaos simply walked forward, Atian felt his mouth open. he'd never expected such a bold action, though he didn't know much more about the man aside from what information the Psicom had given him in briefing. Needless to say, such information was rather sparse and one-sided, in order to keep agents from doing exactly what he'd done. From his position, he watched as the cloud of dust flew upwards, the telekinetic rising into the air behind the shroud to get into better position.

"Yes, that's right. Focus on me while he gets above you, dimwits," he muttered to himself as the weapons were turned more fully on him. He prepared himself to fight back just as his partner spoke once more. Such drama, but it was worth it, he supposed. If nothing else, it was keeping him safe. Atian pulled the blood from the pouch behind him and formed it into a sleek helm with a pair of fins jutting back from each side, much like a pair of fans over his ears. The shimmering red liquid formed seamlessly as he pulled more liquid from his surroundings, this time creating several dozen fragile spines of ice in the air before him, each narrow tip aimed randomly at the Psicom infantry.

He held the shards there for a moment and yawned, taking just a second to gather himself before using such a large amount of his power. As he recovered from the rapid bout of tiredness, Atian waved his arms outwards from his torso, sending the icicles flying forward, though they turned out to be not as accurate as he'd planned, only a few embedding themselves deeply enough to kill, and even then they only managed to kill one person.

The Captain of the security force spins around after Atian's attack, most of his men lay dead. "Well Captain, in a matter of 10 minutes you lost most of your defensive force, such a pity." Xaos walks forward stepping on a few of the injured in the process and raises his arm and points at the captain. "Your mission..... is a failure." air begins to swirl around him, slowly going up his body and spinning around his out stretched arm and gathering in his palm. "Goodbye." The ball of telekinetic energy flies at the Captain and smashes into his stomach, lifting him up into the air and into one of the ruins of a building.

Xaos turns towards Atian. "Your powers.... they are still to much for you to use in such a fashion aren't they? I saw when you paused... don't push yourself, if your powers fail on you from over use, you will just be in my way." Xaos says, his face giving nothing away in the term of emotion. "Once you get stronger.... i cant wait to see what you can do." Xaos turns around and faces the amazing spire in front of them. "Lets go and see if we can find anything."

Atian yawned again, though he didn't try to cover the wince at the gruesome cracking of bones breaking against stone when the captain landed. He flexed his fingers absentmindedly, however, as Xaos thought of him becoming a hindrance.

"They're not too much...I'm just not entirely used to them yet. Especially not since I got here. Landing here on Kreandor...was like opening my eyes and seeing through the fog that had been around me the whole time." He shrugged and then let his mind begin to pick out the various bodies of water around them. He looked at the bodies of the ground, noting the liquid that was slowly thickening in their blood.

"Seems like a bit of a waste, honestly. I hope you don't mind, Xaos, but I'm going to keep some of this for future use." He knealt by the guard he'd slain, cut the man's neck open with a small shard of ice, and then drew the blood from his body and the water from his cells, taking it and storing it in the pouch at his waist, forcing it to bulge considerably. "There. Now I won't have to worry about not having anything to work with."