Viox Savage
Blackguard Imperium
"You want the same as me. My redemption, eternal ascension. Setting me free."
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Post by Viox Savage on Nov 30, 2015 15:38:32 GMT -8
- Principle Authors: Viox Savage, Cain Dracus, Venom Starkiller
- Who can post on this thread? Only those noted above
- Do I want to receive responses? If you feel so compelled to provide constructive criticism, by all means, feel free to do so
- Will In Universe rules apply? Nope. This was something written back during the days of 1.0
- Location: Rhommamool
- Timeframe: Past Event
This is a recount of the first ever Dracus infection outbreak on Rhommamool a few months after Viox Savage brought Cain's father Zekk from the Imperial Junkyard. |
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Cain Dracus
Member
Retired
Posts: 120
Affiliation: The First Order
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Post by Cain Dracus on Nov 30, 2015 20:10:09 GMT -8
Life on Rhommamool hadn't been exactly what he had been expecting. A much younger and less maimed Cain Forge wandered through the halls of the underground lab complex that had been assigned to his father. After hearing of the dreadful disaster that had taken place within the Unknown Regions, and then the horrendous attack that had happened aboard the Medical Frigate within the Imperial Junkyard, Cain had managed to find his father after all of these years. Sadly his mother was no longer alive to enjoy Zekk's presence and company, but the important thing was that he had found him. Cain, dressed in a white lab coat, swiped his Research Ident card and entered the main lab where his father was currently working on a Control Serum. Cain walked passed the rows of glass, cylindrical tubes that held monstrously deformed creatures floating in a green-ish liquid. Wires and cables ran from different locations on the different bodies up and out of the liquid and into the lid of the container. Each tube had a set of monitors connected to them beside it. The readouts being displayed made no sense to him at all. He approached his father, who had just finished filling up a syringe of blue liquid. Zekk pushed the plunger on the syringe, pushing the air out until a bit of the blue liquid shot out.
Cain Forge:"Father, you requested to see me?" asked Cain eagerly.
His father turned and injected the syringe into a body strapped to a table, the turned back to face his son.
Zekk Forge:"Yes Cain. I need you to assist me tonight with the observations of the the side effects of the Control Serum. I have had the Triumvirate soldiers bring in several convicts from the local prison. I have infected them with low doses of the Dracus Infection so they wouldn't change too rapidly so I could test the Control Serum..."
Zekk trailed off as the body strapped to the table moaned softly and twitched slightly. Not enough to concern him. Cain, on the other hand, took a step back, a frightened look on his face appeared.
Cain Forge:"So now we are experimenting on living test subjects?" Concern edged his question.
Zekk either didn't notice his son's concern or didn't care. He turned back to his son, hazel eyes simply alight with glee.
Zekk Forge:"Of course I have son. With the permission of Lord Savage of course. After my several month excursion in the Junkyard, I have done all the testing I can on dead tissue. I have noted all the characteristics of the infection rate, what it does to dead tissue and how it re-animates its host."Zekk paused, glancing back at the body on the table, then back to his son. "It's smart son. Smarter than I had ever imagined. It communicates with itself. It infects its host via the nervous system and seizes control of the hosts neural pathways almost instantaneously after infection, rewriting the hosts DNA structure from a molecular level. It learns from its hosts and I have every right to believe it actually can access the memories of its host, unlocking foreign knowledge. It is most definitely a hive mind, sharing its knowledge between all of those infected. The one thing I can't seem to understand is why it seeks to consume every biological entity it comes into contact with. It's like the infected have a ravenous appetite..."
As enthralled as Cain was with his father's work, he was grateful for the distraction, even if it made him jump backwards. The body on the table was suddenly thrashing ferociously against it's restraints. Zekk stepped between the thrashing creature and his son and pushed his son backwards. Zekk seemed to be entranced with the thrashing creature, at least it he was until one of the restraints snapped and a flailing appendage struck Zekk mid chest and tossed him into the cart of glass beakers and to the floor. The creature then howled loudly, a screeching howl which slowly changed to a low guttural groan. Cain just stood there, rooted to the spot, fixated on the creature. As another of the restraints snapped, Zekk suddenly appeared before his son.
Zekk Forge:"Move, now! To the containment room." As Zekk ushered his son out of the room, he turned and shouted over his shoulder."Boswell, get Asset Containment in here A-S-A-P! Lock down the lab and prepare to initiate a quarantine lock down of the entire complex!"
The assisting scientist on the other side of the lab slipped out of the far set of doors and locked them behind him. Zekk and Cain sprinted to the doors ahead of them, barely making it through before the lab was locked down. Klaxons blared and red warning lights flashed. As Cain, being practically pushed by his father, rounded the corner, his father stopped and glanced back at the lab. Two more of the assisting scientists were mercilessly pounding on the reinforced glass, panic-stricken. Zekk and Cain both watched in horror as the infected specimen brought its whip like tentacles, protruding from the left wrist, to bear. One of the attending's was tossed aside with a high pitched shriek. The other was forcefully slammed into the glass, causing it to spider and crack. As the body fell away, a big blood smear was left as it slid. At that point, Zekk pushed Cain once more and the two Zabraks ran towards the nearest containment room...
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Viox Savage
Blackguard Imperium
"You want the same as me. My redemption, eternal ascension. Setting me free."
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Post by Viox Savage on Dec 5, 2015 12:26:34 GMT -8
Viox Savage, Iridonian Sith Lord and Wings to the Tyrian Triumvirate, stalked the halls of his Sanctuary beneath the tarmacs of Novax Field.
Roughly a month ago, he had embarked on a mission to the Imperial Junkyard within the Imperial Sector of the galaxy. A strange vision in the Force had prompted this unexpected field trip. Upon arrival within the Junkyard, Savage had detected faint signatures within the Force. Signatures he hadn't felt in a very long time. Tracking the familiar signatures down had led him to a derelict Medical Frigate. Unable to ignore the familiarity of the signatures prompted him to board the Frigate. And that had been a mistake. The entire ship was infected by the Dracus infection, a parasitic and virulent lifeform that bore and insatiable hunger to consume the flesh of the living and create more abomination. Having tangled with the infection many years ago, Savage knew the threat it presented. And at the center of the infected frigate, Zekk Forge was found. After capturing and torturing him, Zekk explained his reasons behind why he wanted the Dracus to survive. Not being in a position to argue, Viox had reluctantly agreed to Zekk's terms and conditions, provided Savage was able to oversee ever part of his operation and step in where needed. With his release, and the loss of control of the Dracus on board the frigate, Zekk and Savage had to fight to the bridge and activate the comms array in order to hail Lord General Praxus on Rhommamool. Upon the Lord General's arrival, they were evacuated from the frigate. All of Zekk's data was saved and brought back to Rhommamool, while the medical frigate was blasted into oblivion, in order to erase any trace of the Infection ever being there. Once back on Rhommamool, Savage called a meeting of the Triumvirate. Praxus had been outright against his idea, whereas Kalen had been wary, as he always was. Against his better judgement, Kalen agreed that Zekk could stay on Rhommamool and experiment, however, he and his actions were the direct responsibility of Savage. Which didn't bother his in the least, but he had a nagging feeling that something was going to end up going awry. But the opportunity to weaponize this infection was just too good of an opportunity to pass up. Zekk had obviously worked hard in learning how the infection worked, and he had appeared to have control over the beasts, but something had broken that control. With the Triumvirate's resources and the privacy offered within the crimson wastes of Rhommamool, it was a perfect place to conduct such research and experimentation. Low population centers, large open spaces and newly enforced quarantine protocols made it nearly impossible for the infection to escape and infect the planet.
As Savage stalked the halls of his Sanctuary, trying to shake the uneasy feeling, events were unfolding within the Rising Sun Complex that would eventually set the fate of the Dracus and of Rhommamool.
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Cain Dracus
Member
Retired
Posts: 120
Affiliation: The First Order
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Post by Cain Dracus on Feb 9, 2016 16:27:38 GMT -8
Rhommamool. Rising Sun Laboratory Complex. Secured Containment Room.
Zekk and Cain were safely secured in the containment room, for the time being. Cain was shaking in fear, as his father was busily shouting into a hand-held comm device. Outside the Containment Room, there were sounds of a struggle. Screams and a horrible screeching groan could be heard. Occasionally blaster shots would ring out, indicative of someone resisting the Dracus outbreak. As Zekk finished his conversation on the comm, he turned to his son. Despite his face looking grim, Cain could sense the desperation within his father.
Zekk Forge:"Cain, we are safe in here for the time being. Boswell has successfully alerted Asset Containment. We should be able to return to work shortly. I ask that whatever happens, you remain by my side. I cannot lose you. I need you to be safe."
Cain nodded in agreement, unable to find his voice. As he began formulating a response to his father, the comm chimed again. It was Boswell. Zekk turned away from his son, but not out of earshot. Cain listened in intently.
...units have cleared the main lab.
Zekk Forge:"And the bad news?"
There are no signs of anyone. The lead HK unit uploaded a live feed from the main lab. There is nothing. No assets. No corpses. No one left alive...
Zekk Forge:"That's impossible. The parasite never spread that quickly in all of my other trials. How is it spreading that quickly now?"
One moment. I'll do a quick scan of the facility's self-contained systems...wait...that can't be right. Um...Zekk. We have a serious problem.
Zekk Forge:"Out with it, Boswell! I haven't the time for your over dramatic...-"
Shut up! This isn't me being over dramatic...at least not this time. I just did a sweep of every system in the facility. Our air quality is rapidly declining. The only safe places are the containment rooms and here in the main control room. I don't believe it, but this is astounding, current dire situation aside that is. The parasite is altering the air within this facility. They are poisoning the air....oh damn....I just flipped through the security feeds. There is some kind of growth starting to build up all over the facility...
Zekk paused for a moment. Upon finding his voice, he spoke to Boswell again.
Zekk Forge:"This is outstanding! What a remarkable thing to discover. I told you it was intelligent! I TOLD you! Its learned that we require the air cycling through the building to breath. To live. What better way to take us down without risking themselves in the process. Remarkable....Boswell, activate the emergency purifiers. We need to pull this soup out of the air and collect the specimens for further study. Override the HK's primary directive and initiate the sub-protocol 'RETRIEVE'. I want this facility back under our control."
I...um...yeah I'll see what I can do. I'll report back to you in a few minutes.
With that, the line went silent. Zekk turned to Cain, beaming. All traces of fear and worry were gone.
Cain Forge:"Father? Is everything alright?" Asked Cain tentatively.
Zekk spun about and looked at his son for a few moments before speaking.
Zekk Forge:"Everything is better than alright, Cain. Despite this unfortunate setback, I have learned several things about the Dracus that even I never thought possible. Hopefully Boswell can get the HK units to collect the remaining live specimens and we can end this lock-down and get back to work..."
Zekk trailed off and withdrew a datapad from his lab coat pocket. Cain was merely left to wonder about his father's continued sanity in silence.
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Viox Savage
Blackguard Imperium
"You want the same as me. My redemption, eternal ascension. Setting me free."
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Post by Viox Savage on Feb 20, 2016 17:12:16 GMT -8
Grand City of Tyr. Grand Council Hall. Savage's apartment.
Savage had moved from the confines of his underground Sanctuary to the vast white marble and gold clad trim of the Grand Council Hall in Tyr. Despite living on a sparse desert planet, the domed city of Tyr was a magnificent engineering wonder. Truly one of Kalen's greatest achievements, aside from uniting himself, Savage and Praxus under the banner of a true Sith. Savage was in Tyr because his apprentice, Venom Starkiller, was wanting to spar in the Grand Council Hall's facilities. Taking a break from his duties as Wings of the Triumvirate was almost welcomed. Things had become increasingly boring as of late. There was nothing going on that required the fleets or orbital defenses to be on their toes. And with the construction of the FPA, or Fighter Pilot Academy still underway, Savage couldn't begin training a squad of pilots in his down time. So sparring with his apprentice would have to appease his boredom for the time being. Savage took the main turbo lift to the appropriate level. As he emerged from the lift, his black cloak was billowing out behind him. His boots clicked on the highly polished marble as he strode. In the immaculate white and gold corridors of the hall, Savage stood out like a sore thumb. His black and red tribal tattoos clashed harshly with the pristine white and polished gold. His black attire made him most likely visible from orbit. Despite all of this, Savage enjoyed being at the Grand Council Hall. It was a long standing reminder that himself, Kalen and Praxus were working together to achieve the impossible. His comm chimed, causing him to pause mid-stride. He answered it.
"Savage here. Yes...of course. I shall be right there, General."
It had been Praxus. He had urgent news for Savage and requested his presence in the Halls of the Triumvirate. Savage turned on his heel and strode back to the lift. As he did so, he spoke to his apprentice.
Venom. I have urgent matters to attend to. Triumvirate matters. Unfortunately with Kalen away, the burden of command falls upon myself and Lord-General Praxus. Head to Novax Field and use my personal training room. I'm sure you will find the training programs far superior to those of the Grand Council Halls.
Instead of taking the turbolift to the ground floor, Savage punched in his personal access code, causing the lift to drop down to the subterranean Halls of the Triumvirate.
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Viox Savage
Blackguard Imperium
"You want the same as me. My redemption, eternal ascension. Setting me free."
Posts: 2,938
Affiliation: Sith Order
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Viox Savage on Sept 20, 2016 16:16:37 GMT -8
Rhommamool. Grand City of Tyr. Halls of the Triumvirate.
The lift arrived at the subterranean destination. Savage strode from the lift and down a corridor to the main room. In the center of the room, on a raised platform, sat a massive triangular table. His brother and comrade in arms, Lord-General Praxus, stood hunched over the table, reviewing something Savage could not make out from where he stood. As he approached Praxus, the Bakuran Sith straightened up and cast a glance in his direction. Savage noticed immediately that something was off due to Praxus' expression. The usually neutral expression was grim, with a hint of concern. The Bakuran had his flowing raven locks tied up neatly in a ponytail. His neatly pressed tunic and robes looked immaculate, as per usual.
If one were to come across Praxus anywhere in the galaxy, one wouldn't identify him as a Sith. Many would mistake him as a young entrepreneur or the son of a banker or attorney. But not a Sith. Unless someone crossed him. While partial to the diplomatic solution, when Praxus was angry, he was scary. And that was when he was the true embodiment of a Sith. But that was the benefit to having the Bakuran around. At least in Savage's mind. Praxus was the more practical choice to attend public hearings and make announcements on behalf of the Triumvirate. He could blend in, whereas Savage could not. At least not nearly as easily. But that was enough of that. The only other oddity that Savage took note of was how...clean Praxus appeared with his demeanor. Having lost his arm a few months back, Praxus had begun to slip into drug-addled fits of rage as well as serious, often dangerous, bouts of withdrawal. His addiction was something neither Kalen nor Savage could help with. But it seemed to have run its course. He was back to fulfilling his daily duties as General of Rhomammool's Armed Forces. Apparently not even the very human phase of the Bakuran's life was enough to keep him sidelined for too long. A stunning revelation that a Sith, even one as powerful as Praxus, could succumb to such perils. Though obviously the Bakuran's will was much stronger than Savage had originally assumed. Though he decided against mentioning it to him. Praxus didn't need ridicule or reminders of what he had went through.
Savage spoke to Praxus.
"You look troubled, brother. What is going on?"
Praxus then motioned to the table, where there were satellite images of the terrain surrounding Novax Field. He then spoke. His smooth, charismatic voice filling the chamber around them.
"It has been brought to my attention that there are some sort of anomalies out in the desert. Over grid 84-G. Have a look."
Praxus swiped across the screen and indicated to where the mysterious readings were coming from. Savage peered at the image, trying to make heads or tails of the data being displayed. After a few minutes of trying to sort through the data, Praxus spoke again.
"I was hoping that you could make heads or tails of the information. In the event that neither of us could sort it out, I had several of our surveillance drones rerouted to those coordinates. We should be receiving imaging shortly."
Praxus' hands were a blur of motion across the keypad as he sifted through the data, finding the appropriate live feeds from their drones. Within a few seconds, they were looking at live feed imaging from the drones. After a few seconds of seeing nothing but crimson sand, Praxus turned to face Savage.
"This wasn't nearly as helpful as I would have expected. There is nothing out there..."
Praxus trailed off as Savage held up a hand to silence him and moved closer to the display. He glanced at the coordinates on the screen then scanned the image. After a few moments, he spoke to Praxus.
"This was incredibly helpful, brother. There is nothing on the surface...but the anomalies aren't coming from the surface. They are coming from underground. Judging by the coordinates, it would be the Rising Sun Laboratory Complex...the place where Zekk Dracus was sent to work in secret when you rescued me from the Imperial Junkyard."
Savage had added in that last bit due to the look of confusion that had crossed Praxus' face. He glanced over at Praxus. Praxus shrugged.
"Looks like we are taking a field trip. Are you driving or am I driving?"
Savage glared at him, as a smirk crossed his face at the remark he had just made. Savage merely ignored him and the duo strode out of the room towards the lift that would take them up to the surface.
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Cain Dracus
Member
Retired
Posts: 120
Affiliation: The First Order
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Post by Cain Dracus on Oct 26, 2016 15:07:28 GMT -8
Rhommamool. Rising Sun Laboratory Complex. Secure Containment Room.
Cain sat on the chair inside the Containment Room. His father was still busily pouring over his datapad. Cain was bored. There wasn't much for him to do in the Containment Room. It wasn't meant for long term occupation, that much was clear. As Cain allowed his mind to wander, his father's comm chimed again. It was Archer Boswell, the apparent only other survivor from the recent outbreak that plagued the complex. He was safely secured in the main control room. Zekk answered the comm.
Zekk Forge:"Boswell. Status update."
A few moments of silence followed, then Boswell's voice could be heard over the comm.
Our air purifiers can't keep up with the poisonous gases being produced by the infection. But I have run some tests on what it is. Or at least as best as I can from here. Zekk, this stuff is incredible. The Dracus is emitting a noxious gas that is altering the very atmosphere within this facility. Without top of the line respirators and a fully enclosed enviro suit, we cannot leave this facility. The fumes are absorbed through the airways and the skin. And it has the ability to infect those who come in contact with it. It's much slower than being directly infected by either a sample of the parasite or an infection form, but from what I've seen on the security feeds, it looks incredibly painful.
Zekk's brow furrowed as he pushed up his glasses. His demeanor changed from gleeful and earnest to serious.
Zekk Forge:"So, we can't leave the facility. And we can't risk opening it up and letting the Dracus escape onto the surface...is there any way we can get to the emergency airlocks leading to the surface? Even if we can't leave, I'd rather have my son there, where I know he can escape..."
Zekk glanced at his son, a sorrowful look on his face. He knew that he wasn't going to get out of this facility alive. But he wanted his son to have a chance. Whatever it took. Boswell spoke again.
I don't know what I can do, honestly. I've rerouted all remaining Hunter-Killer units to secure the main corridor to the airlocks. And the Dracus seem to be elsewhere in the facility. Undoubtedly trying to flush us out or escape...but for you to get there would mean you would have to expose yourself to the air outside that room. And the closest security lockers are on the other side of the main lab. You have no way of getting there.
Zekk frowned again, thinking quickly. And then an idea hit him. He still had three syringes of the Control Serum in his coat pocket. Initial testing had shown high resistance to infection, but it's effects were limited in the sense that it would wear off within the span of ten or so minutes. Three syringes would get either him or Cain to the airlock safely, but not both. Zekk stepped over to the corner of the room and lowered his voice so Cain wouldn't overhear him.
Zekk Forge:"I've got some of the Control Serum still on me. I could inject myself and Cain and we could make a run for it..."
Boswell interjected abruptly.
Zekk, those tests done on the Control Serum were done in controlled environments against direct infection, not this poisonous gas. We have no idea the adverse effects they will have on either of you.
It was Zekk's turn to speak up.
Zekk Forge:"Archer, it's our only shot. My only shot to get Cain out of here. I have to try. I won't let my son die in here due to a foolish mistake on my part. He deserves better."
Alright, alright. I'm not going to argue with you over this. But you do realize that if I open the Containment Room doors, the Dracus will come running...you need a distraction...
Knowing exactly where Boswell's train of thought was lingering, Zekk immediately protested.
Zekk Forge:"Boswell, no. You aren't equipped to do that. You leave that room and you will die. Not just maybe. You will."
Zekk, we've got no other choice. The security lockers are just down the hall from here. I can lock down the control room once I leave and head straight there. If I managed to get a suit and respirator, I may be able to give you enough time to get out of here. Both of you.
Zekk sighed slowly, thinking rapidly.
Zekk Forge:"Boswell, I've only got enough serum to ensure one of us gets out of here alive. I'm not going to have you sacrifice yourself just for my son to escape..."
Boswell cut him off again.
Zekk, this is the only shot we've got. You want your son to escape this nightmare, we need to buy him the time to do it. The emergency airlocks require a Tier 2 or higher level of clearance to open. You need to go with your son and get him out of here. There is no point in arguing what's already been decided. Once I override the lockdown for your section of the complex, you'll have thirty minutes to get to the emergency airlocks and then over to the Control Room. I'll buy you whatever time I can...
Boswell trailed off, realizing the full weight of his decision. Zekk filled the silence.
Zekk Forge:"Thank you, Archer. I'll get Cain ready and ping the comm from here to let you know we are ready."
Zekk then placed the comm on the table and walked over to his son. He reached into his labcoat and pulled out the three syringes.
Zekk Forge:"Cain, here. This will help keep you from getting infected. We are going to make a run for the emergency airlocks on the other side of the facility. So we can get out of here, okay?"
Cain, sensing there was more to the situation than his father was telling him, merely nodded and rolled up his sleeve. Zekk found a vein in his son's arm, pulled the cap off the syringe, and slid the needle into his skin. Cain winced slightly as Zekk slowly pushed the plunger down. Once the syringe was empty, he repeated the process again. Once that was finished, he used the last syringe on himself. The moment he was finished, Zekk pinged the comm.
Zekk Forge:"Now, you remember the way to the airlocks, yes? I need you to run with me, as fast as you possibly can, okay? Don't look back, don't slow down, regardless of what you see or hear. As soon as those doors open, you need to run."
Zekk watched the boy. His eyes were wide with fear, but he looked determined. Zekk knew the boy would give his best. He always did. Or so his mother had kept telling him. And then the doors parted as alarms sounded. A thick green fog rushed into the room. Zekk grabbed Cain's hand and began to run. They only had one shot at this. Several meters from the door, he coughed, trying hard not to inhale the gas. As the duo ran, Zekk took note of the vacant halls. No bodies were anywhere. Meanwhile, on the other side of the facility, Archer Boswell stepped out of the control room, coughing as he inhaled the green mist. He felt dazed and confused. Only partially aware of what he was doing. But that partial awareness is what kept him going. He knew he had to buy as much time for Zekk and his boy as he could. Once the Control Room was secured again, Boswell took off, half running, half staggering down the vacant corridor. He was determined to reach the Security Lockers. Though he knew that the exposure to the Dracus airborne infection would impact him faster than it would with Zekk or Cain. But he had to try...for their sake...
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Viox Savage
Blackguard Imperium
"You want the same as me. My redemption, eternal ascension. Setting me free."
Posts: 2,938
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Post by Viox Savage on Dec 2, 2016 14:17:50 GMT -8
Rhommamool. En-route to Grid 84-G.
Savage sat in the passenger seat of the speeder as his brother-in-arms, Lord-General Praxus, expertly piloted the speeder over the crimson dunes. It was nearing dusk, with the sun setting behind them.
Despite the recent addiction that had plagued Praxus, he seemed to be functioning much in the way he had, coming to terms with the loss of his arm. Aside from the few surface thoughts about his brother, Savage's mind was a swirling mess of questions, possibilities and scenarios when it came to whatever might be happening at the Rising Sun Laboratory Complex. He had dealt with the Dracus once before this, in the Imperial Junkyard on board a derelict Medical Frigate. The entire experience had been unnerving. To know there was something out there that was as intelligent and as driven like the Dracus was, it unsettled him. And after a full debrief and several days of deliberations, Kalen and Praxus had agreed to house Zekk and his experiments. Provided he stuck to the strictly enforced containment protocols and followed regulations to the letter. Which was why the Lab Complex was designed to be self contained and self sufficient. And why it was buried several kilometers below the crimson surface of the planet.
As the speeder raced across the dunes, Savage felt a twinge within the Force. As if by reflex, Savage stood up in his seat. Praxus threw him a questioning look, but remained silent. As Savage drew his lightsaber, he then posed a question, shouting against the racing winds.
"And what exactly are you planning to do? We aren't even close to our destination..."
Savage's face went grim.
"I know. Just keep it steady..."
At that, Praxus merely returned his full attention to piloting the speeder. Though Savage could still sense his confusion. But he trusted Viox. And that was the important thing. Savage closed his eyes and allowed the Force to ebb and flow through him. And with one swift movement, Savage extended his right arm and thumbed the activation stud on his lightsaber hilt. The crimson blades sprang to life. And then Savage stepped off the speeder. He heard Praxus shout back to him in surprise, but he was more focused on what was before him. He tucked and rolled in the sand, keeping the lit blades of his saber at a safe distance. As he sprang to his feet, he held his left hand before his chest in a defensive position and his lightsaber was held behind his back at an angle. In the dusky light, he had a hard time making out what he was facing off against, but he knew it wasn't human. At least not any more. As the creature lunged forward, he brought his right arm around in front of himself, twirling the saber hilt in a defensive arc. The crimson blades found purchase in something solid but fleshy. The stench of burning flesh greeted his nostrils. As the beast before him fell, the sickly sweet scent usually associated with carnivores greeted his senses as well. He knew that all to well. As Praxus approached with the speeder, he extinguished his saber and returned the hilt to his belt. Praxus leaped from the speeder and sprinted towards him.
"What in the name of the Force was that?"
Savage, breathing slightly elevated from the brief skirmish, flared his nostrils in annoyance. But he owed Praxus an explanation. After a moment of silence, he spoke.
"It's the Dracus...our fears are confirmed..."
As Savage went to drag the corpse to the speeder, Praxus stopped him.
"You mean to tell me that that...thing is one of that mad Zabrak's experiments? So we took it on good faith that this man wouldn't endanger the planet and we now are standing on the cusp of an epidemic? I want to bat for you! I stood before Kalen and pleaded your case, knowing possible benefits...but the risks clearly outweigh those benefits now. What the actual hell? I had placed my trust and faith in you, brother...."
Before he could finish that thought, Savage was standing mere inches away from the Bakuran's face. His fierce yellow eyes looked with the cool grey gaze of his brother's. There was no way he was going to throw this back in his face while mere weeks ago, Praxus was so violently ill from detoxing that he couldn't perform his duties at the General of the Rhommamoolian Armed Forces.
"Before you go second guessing your misplaced faith in me, maybe you should remember several weeks ago when you were strung out on spice and pain killers. Kalen and I, we were both understanding of your loss and we gave you the benefit of the doubt. Several times. And you allowed your drug induced psychosis to influence your decisions and it drove you to the all time low of your addiciton. Don't even THINK of throwing this back on me. I may have overlooked some of the finer details with this decision, but at least I was ABLE TO PERFORM MY DUTIES TO THE TRIUMVIRATE! SO don't you DARE try to make me out to be the one with flawed judgement as of late..."
As tough as the Bakuran may have been, Savage watched the words he had just spat at him actually wound him. It's not like he wanted to point out his brother's flaws, but this was ridiculous. Savage could see the pain in Praxus' eyes as he was made to relive the nightmare of his addiction. Savage watched him for a few moments longer, then returned to dragging the infected corpse over to the speeder. As Savage was about to heave the corpse up onto the speeder by himself, Praxus appeared across from him and helped. He grunted and spoke.
"You are correct, Viox. It was unfair and very unprofessional of me to point out an error in your judgement when I was recently indisposed due to self inflicted reasons. I should not be so quick to jump to conclusions. I...I apologize for that."
Savage heard the pain in his voice as he apologized for snapping at him. He nodded in head.
"Speak no more of it. I think we have both validated our points and we no longer need to hurl barbed words at each other. Let's get this thing loaded up and investigate the situation more fully in the daylight...in the meantime let's alert our forces and begin quarantine procedures over grid 84-G. If this is going to be an outbreak, neither of us are properly equipped or inoculated to deal with a biological situation..."
Praxus nodded in agreement.
"Agreed. It wouldn't do the rest of the planet any good if we went and got ourselves infected. I'll alert the RAF. You alert the Fleet. We'll lock down that grid and set out again at first light."
Savage nodded. That was more like the Praxus he knew. Decisive and rational. It was obvious he wanted to forget those past few weeks and have things return to normal. Savage seated himself in the passenger seat of the speeder once more as Praxus took the pilot's seat. He spun the speeder around and the two headed back to the bio-domed city of Tyr...
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Cain Dracus
Member
Retired
Posts: 120
Affiliation: The First Order
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Post by Cain Dracus on Nov 10, 2018 16:26:31 GMT -8
Rhommamool. Rising Sun Laboratory Complex.
His breath came in short, painful gasps. His lungs burned. His eyes watered from the burning green mist. His nose was running uncontrollably. But still he ran. His father right beside him. He was coughing again, but his pace did not falter. Fifty meters. The airlocks were so close. He felt as though he was dying. Forty meters. It was like waiting expectantly for something fun to happen. It never seemed to get any closer. Thirty meters. The goal was just out of reach. He could feel his heartbeats pounding in his ears. His legs felt numb, but they continued to carry him. Twenty meters. He wasn't going to make it. Papa, don't let me die like this, he thought to himself. Ten meters. Almost. Just a few more steps and they'd be home free. And there was the rushing sound of the airlock doors opening and then closing behind him. He collapsed into a sweating, wheezing heap on the cold metal floor. After a few moments, he crossed his mind that his father wasn't beside him. Clutching the stitch in his side, he rose to he feet and peered through the airlock, back into the complex.
Cain Forge:"Father? What are you doing?"
From the other side of the airlock, Zekk was preparing to cycle the airlock and allow surface access. Sweating profusely and coughing into his sleeve, he replied. His voice hoarse.
Zekk Forge:"Ensuring that you survive, my boy. The sins of the father needn't be passed unto his son..."
Cain watching in disbelief, heard the groaning howl off in the distance. A noise that caused Zekk to pause from his work and look up. Hurriedly he finished the sequence and turned to his son behind the airlock glass.
Zekk Forge:"Be safe, my son. Get out of her alive. Find a man named Viox. He'll get you home. I love...-"
Zekk's words were instantly cut off as he was tackled by a Dracus Combat Form. Screaming in horror, pain and anguish, Cain pounded on the glass as the airlock cycled. But there was nothing he could do from here. He had to press on. His father wanted him to. With a hiss, the light above him winked green, indicating the air had been cycled and the decontamination had finished. Forcing himself away from the window, he moved over to the ladder and began to climb to the surface....
Meanwhile...
Disoriented, barely conscious and wheezing heavily, Archer Boswell slumped against the bulkhead to the security office. His skin was turning a deathly grey and was beginning to sag. His eyes were bloodshot and his pupils were dilated. And he could barely think straight. But here he was. The Security Office. He had made it. And the shuffling noises from behind him hadn't ceased the moment he left the Control Room. Hopefully Zekk and Cain had managed to escape. Because he surely wasn't getting out of here alive. Not anymore. Feeling something touch his shoulder, he glanced up to see an infection form slowly making it's way down the wall to him. Its sensory tendrils were almost quivering in anticipation. This was the end. Tear streaming down his face, Boswell pulled a scalpel from within his lab coat.
"Not gonna happen..."
The man's eyes widened as the infection form continued to advance. Bringing up the scalpel, Boswell screamed as he plunged the blade into his neck and dragged it across his throat. Blood poured from the wound and the infection form pounced, ensuring that Boswell the person, was dead and gone...
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