4 Days after the shopping spree...

Finlay: "...This is ass."

Panting while leaning back to back with Xiao lu, watching the reload timer on his HLPP1 (HoLo-Point Pistol) tick down. Holochete in his right hand. Xiao Lu seemed to be equally exhausted, Using his TechHammer as support. Both of their Sync shutting down for a moment as they caught their breath. It would be a precious 2 minutes before wave 9 began, they were gonna use all of it.

Xiao Lu: "...I dunno." Taking a few deeper breaths to steady themselves. "I think it's pretty fun."

Finlay: "I have... some very choice words... for when I find the bitch... That programmed this." Looking at and giving the finger to the display screen. The current Jackpot numbers rising as more bets were being made ship-wide. Over 12k to the team that made it through the most rounds. Half of which was from the mystery developer themselves, on the grounds they were allowed to keep the footage to make a commercial for the program. "60 Credit entry fee... Who the hell pays that much for a single workout?"

One of the code savvy Terrans on board the ship had made a Public use combat program. Infected Protocol, it was a well made program with variant zombies: Jumpers, Brutes, Sprinters with more planned on the way. Hada and Katherine were first in their group to give it a shot, managing to reach wave 27. Hada then challenged Xiao Lu to beat their score, with a teammate of course. Berthold was on dinner duty. Katherine was too tired after their go with Hada. Nyeith, Hatti and Barry weren't going anywhere near it after they were told what Zombies were... Which left Finlay... who was having a fantastic day doing absolutely nothing.

It wasn't all bad, it let Finlay practice with his weapons. He was a shit shot at first, but that didn't matter much when he could dip into pointblank range and back out. While he hadn't used his Holochete in combat before either, he did get some quick pointers from Hada and Berthold through messages between rounds. Using it more so to push away grasping arms than deliver killing blows.

Xiao Lu: "So... More Doom music?" Standing tall again, the Hardlight head of the Warhammer flickering on to a bright orange as the sync began. The Sun on a stick, as far as Finlay was concerned.

Finlay: "What the hell else am I gonna play?" The cooling Vents on the Pistol closing as the pistol primes. The emerald green holochete blade appearing piece by piece in his other hand. His own sync taking just a bit longer to kick start. "It'd be like having a car race without some Eurobeat or Kickstart my Heart."

Xiao Lu: "Any idea how many shots are left in that battery pack?"

Finlay: "Not a clue, you still haven't used yours?" Looking at Xiao lu's own HLPP1, still holstered.

Xiao Lu: "It's a big hammer, Kinda needs both hands."

Finlay: "Compensating?"

Xiao Lu: "For what?"

Finlay: "Don't worry about it."

Back on The Kitchen, everyone else was watching the fight while Berthold handled dinner duty. Borscht and Blinis for dessert. Simple but all around delicious, only thing out of place was the extremely mixed berry sauce, worryingly purple. Thankfully Katherine bakes bread every other day, which will be great to dip into the borscht.

Hatti: "...I just... I don't get it."

Berthold: "Don't get what?"

Hatti: "Zombies, just... why or how, you're sure they aren't a real thing on your planet?"

Hada: "Very sure."

Katherine: "It's just pure fiction."

Hatti: "Then WHY even make things about them? It's... so wrong."

Berthold: "Well, because it's scary."

Nyeith: "You make media and combat sims on these creatures.... because they're scary?"

Hada: "We make and do a lot of things because of other things, why would this be different?"

Hatti: "The concept is just so twisted... Your own people going rabid and consuming each other."

Katherine: "Well... it's not always rabies."

Nyeith: "Excuse me?"

Katherine: "There's a bunch of different reasons for Zombies, like with Viruses."

Hada: "Man-made or otherwise."

Hatti: "Man MADE!? you'd make a virus with the potential to wipe out your own species?"

Katherine: "Of course not! We just think about it... a lot."

Berthold: "Voodoo magic."

Katherine: "Can't forget cordyceps."

Hada: "Right, mushroom Zombies, extra gross."

Berthold: "Bigger chance of spread because of the spores too."

Katherine: "OH! I forgot about that, not even safe from killing a zombie if you get a face full of dust at the same time."

Berthold: "Definitely my favorite though, with how the fungus grows out of the body."

Hada: "What? Man-made Virus Zombies, those are the best!"

Berthold: "Bah, boring to look at, just rotting corpses."

Katherine: "...No I'm with Hada, you have to remember the whole variation situation."

The conversation quickly devolving into an argument about what kind of zombie was the best. What criteria the were each using to rank their favorites, the rules and lore of the various kinds of zombie. All while their non-terran roommates listened on in horror at the descriptive discussion. It doesn't matter how many years it may have been a fiction... one surely can't have that many details on pure imagination. To them, their human companions had lied. Zombies are a very real threat, and they had said it was all fiction in an effort to quell their fears.

Wave 19 Complete, 180 seconds until next wave!

Finlay: "Oh, they gave us an extra minute.... how fucking kind." Stumbling their way back to meet Xiao Lu in the middle, holstering their HLPP1. Battery was finally dead, not much point keeping it out. Xiao Lu picked up on the action and handed his own over to Finlay. "You sure?"

Xiao Lu: "Again... Hammer, two Hands... Sweet God." He seemed just as exhausted as Finlay by now. The extended periods of Sync were wearing them both down. The heightened caloric demand for Finlay's speed, Increased lactic acid build up for Xiao Lu's strength. "I'm going to be sore for days."

Finlay: "Same actually... Hey, I'm getting Kinda tired of the Doom, mind If I switch it up for the next round?"

Xiao Lu: "I was about to ask the same thing... It gets the blood going, but... got something more up beat?"

Finlay: "Hell yeah I do... On a separate note... I don't think playing peek-a-boo and Whack-a-mole is gonna cut it anymore."

Xiao Lu: "Agreed... How do you feel about being Zombie bait?"

Finlay: "Fuck you, I have the gun... you be the bait."

Xiao Lu: "You're faster, and can do the jump thing to get out of reach... It's the perfect job for you."

Finlay: "...I hate it when you make sense."

Returning to back to back positions they watched as the last minute of their little break ticked away. The waves had a bit of a pattern so far. Wave one had 2 basic bitch shamblers, which doubled to 4, then 8. Wave four was 2 sprinters, Five was 2 sprinters and 2 shamblers, then 4 of each. Every Set of 3 introduced a new type until Wave 10... then it was 2 Brutes and a grab bag of others at random.

Finlay started to bob their head as the next song started, mere seconds before the next wave. A Thrice remixed bastardization of the original. Mostly percussive instruments, in a looping hypnotic beat, Tribal, It brought out something... Primal, brought into the modern age with electric instruments. What was most important was that the bassline slapped harder than an angry ex. To his surprise, he could feel Xiao Lu starting to bob and sway to the beat as well. "Like this one?"

Xiao Lu: "It's... I don't know what it is, but I can groove."

Finlay: "Let's see if we can last the whole song."

Xiao Lu: "You're on."

Before the two could continue the conversation, the first of the Holo-Zombies appeared running from the glass dome around them, and Finlay charged to meet it. Syncing with Spec about half way, better to stagger the fast ones first. Jumping into a sloppy, yet accurate kick to the sprinters face, using the digital corpse as a spring board to gain some height. This immediately got the attention of the jumpers. After all, Finlay is a Mid-flight snack. "Come and GET IT!" Firing shots in their general direction, He didn't need to kill with every shot. Just stun them or kill their momentum long enough for Xiao Lu to clean up the fast ones on the ground.

Xiao Lu was primed, Sync'd and ready for the first Sprinter that came his way. A powerful full swing from a Warhammer does miracles things to a skull, digital or otherwise. Smashing the hard-light constructs' head, Xiao let the hammerhead rest on the ground as he scanned around for the next "customer". A stunned jumper on the ground courtesy of Finlay. Adjusting his pose and grip, he step forward and brought the hammer up , then down using his full reach brought it all the way back down. "2nd hungry diner, served... We hope your experience was absolutely...Smashing."

Some say, Decades later... if one were to travel back to that same spot in space, defying logic and the laws of physics. One could hear the collective groans of every living being who heard that pun.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Meanwhile, In the Sync...

A simulated space meant to symbolize the mental state of nearby Sync Users. Much like a localized version of a High-Mind Connection. Finlay's mind was a calm blue sea, Xiao Lu's mind was best represented by lush mountains. While both Finlay and Xiao Lu were in the sync, the Syncspace was an endless expanse of sea dotted with tall rocky pillars. Bai Ze and Spec were perched on top of one such pillar able to freely converse while separated from their Partners. It took a little while during the Waves for both mental-scapes to merge properly, and longer still for both Holos to meet. They had a chance to perform a multi-sync... but.

Spec was hurriedly running self diagnostic measures while simultaneously supplying Finlay with Sync privileges'. something had been going on for the past few synchronizations that just could not add up, figuratively or literally. The caloric demand was stable thankfully, so there would be no excess detriment to Finlay. The issue was the Conscious Observative Percentage. It was a simplified measure of how much power and code Spec could pump into Finlay without damaging his brain, nervous system or frying the tech in his clothes. At this time he was supplying 25%, which Should show Finlay at 75%, decidedly not the current 87.5%. After multiple runs, Specs' diagnostic still showed no errors. The numbers were "Right".

Spec: "...But it's wrong."

Bai Ze: "Are you seriously still having issues?" Bai seemed antsy... more so than usual. If he could've worn a path into the digital grass, he would've done so by now. "More and more of these sprinters keep coming, and while Lu's hammer may as well be a twig to him, I'd really appreciate some additional speed."

Spec: "I understand the rush, but performing a full multi-sync could transfer the bug to you. As far as I can tell the issue isn't with me personally."

Bai Ze: "Finlays' fine! He's bouncing around like a baby bunny on a caffeine drip. You can just... Juice Xiao Lu with me a little, and keep Finlay where he is."

Spec: "...I don't believe any of that metaphor? analogy?... I... yeah, that shit don't make sense."

Bai Ze: "You know what doesn't make sense? The fact that you aren't giving Xiao that speed I asked for 7 waves ago!"

Spec: "I mean, are caffeine drips a thing? and how young is the baby bunny in the-"

Bai ze: "Not important! multi-sync please, now, thank you."

Spec: "Fine jeez... Just... Let me try something real quick."

If the numbers were indeed correct. Then Spec could essentially double the sync output at the same rate of mental, physical and nervous system strain without worry for Finlay. It's still worrying as to why this was a problem in the first place... It wasn't an issue the first couple times back on earth, what's happened between then and now to bug the system? Spec quickly cranked the activation rate of the nanomachines to 50 and watched closely as Finlay's numbers crawled to 75, where it should have been in the first place.... and stabilized. "Okay, Alright. Quick quick quick." Zipping over to the top of Bai Ze's head and interacting with Xiao Lu's Interface.

Spec: "...Are you Insane?" Gawking at the current 60/40 split, It was fine for an actual combat situation. Though this was pushing it for a harmless combat sim. The risks far outweighed the gains.

Bai Ze: "Believe me, I'd much rather play it safe as well. This muscle-bound meat head insists on Exercising the Sync... train a non-existent muscle.. You'll take half of the 40 and we can adjust from there."

Spec: "Okay, but we're also dropping out after this. Too many risk factors to continue."

Bai Ze: "Agreed."

Finlay jumped from a digital pad, that was number 2. One more Pad, before he had to land and recharge that ability. Honestly, being able to change direction midair is broken for fighting these Jumpers. Watching as one soared past him and into the Dome wall. It'd be Hilarious if he wasn't so bust dodging the other two. Xiao Lu just finished off the Sprinter Finlay had used as a spring board. 5 Zombies so far... god knows how many to go. Spying a Jumper going for another lunge at him he waited until it was in the air before using the third pad. jumping backward and watching the now probably furious digi-zombie sail away. It's time for the footwork.

The Jumpers took a moment to recover from their tumbles and since dome boy went down first, it'd most likely be up first. Turning to face the now charging construct. It was much easier to handle these in the air, on the ground they seemed to favor low to the ground diagonal jumps. Like a frog with a vendetta. "...Ffffffocus." Bringing up the HLPP1 and taking aim, just like in training... following with his eyes and getting a feel for it's pace before moving his gun arm to where it would be. "...Bang." Watching closely as the digital zombie tumbled and began fading out. "YES! Fuck Yeah.... Other guy." Spinning around to see if Jumper 2 is back up... and finding nothing. "SHIT!" Scanning the entire field to see it zig-zagging to Xiao's back, who was busy with the first of the Brutes. Only to also spot the other Brute lumber to Xiao's left flank from the other side of the dome. "SHIT!SHIT!" Sprinting after the froggy bastard.

Xiao sidestepped and smacked the Brutes hand. This was the standard procedure He and Finlay came up with. Keep the big bastard distracted while Finlay jumped up to Shoot a couple shots into the- "FUCKING LOOK AROUND YOU IDIOT!" Xiao Lu perked back up at that. There was real panic in Finlay's voice, real panic meant real trouble. Turning the head of his TechHammer off and retreating from the large but slow Brute, he spun around to find a Jumper bounding toward him and out of the corner of his eye, the other brute approaching from his right. "...Oh... no...". Breaking off into a run to his now left, watching as Finlay full tilt dashed at the Jumper from behind... Was his coat always that gree- Xiao Lu watched as the emerald blur that was once Finlay pounced onto the Jumpers back and plunged the tip of it's blade into the digital skull of the zombie. Jumping off of the fading construct and running up beside him, Finlay pat him on the back.

Xiao Lu: "...What's going on with you?"

Finlay: "No idea, Second wind maybe? Keep up, let's regroup for a bit then divide and conquer the big ones." Watching as the borders of the black stripes on Xiao Lu's shirt became a similar green to his own. "OH! It's a Multi-Sync. Uhhhh, Don't know much else, but it means we're sharing traits."

Xiao Lu could slowly feel his pace picking up to match Finlay's jog. Up ahead the dome wall was spawning another zombie, going by the size of the glow. Thankfully not another Brute... Sprinter... Lovely. "Shit, uh.. could you take this one? ...Still getting a handle on this speed." "Say less." Watching as the green blur bounded over to the new enemy. Xiao Lu spun and watched as Both of the brutes were slowly but surely making their way over. "...Okay... divide and conquer." Running off to to the center of the dome to bait them.

"...I gotta think about this more... what's the best way to attack? Where? How will they attack? How the fuck do people do this for fun!?" Finlay almost seemed to glide over the ground toward the Sprinter, who was already charging at him as well... Arms outstretched. "Thank god for dumb bastards." Bringing his Holochete to '8-back'. He's had maybe an hour and a half of swordsmanship experience? So he had to create his own little shortcuts, just to have some understanding of what he was doing. From the tips and small clips he got from Berthold and Hada, he gained half of a basic idea of how he should move his body while swinging or moving the blade. While Running like this, keep the blade close to your side, sharp side facing away and down of course.

The moment he was within engagement range, he whipped out with his blade using the flat to push the Sprinters arms away. A small left foot forward and pushing still, he angled his grip and pressed the arm of the Zombie back to it's chest, Until the sharp side of blade was just kissed the constructs neck. Looking into the Holographic eyes of the biter. "...Grah?" "Yeah, I didn't think I'd get this far either." The same foot that had stepped forward now retreated as Finlay used his whole body to turn, weight and momentum did the heavy work. All he had to do was keep a sure grip. Cutting into the neck, though sadly not all the way through. He could force the biter down to the ground, best to end this quickly. He brought the pistol forward and sent a clean shot to the head.

"This is fucking awesome." Xiao Lu was busy dipping his toes into just how fast he could go, running literal circles around his zombie counterparts. The two brutes did make for the occasional Swing, but Lu could dip in and out of their reach like the worlds most annoying mosquito. "I totally get it Finlay! I feel like the Wind!" Dashing away from his dance partners to meet back up with Finlay. "Alright, What's next?"

Finlay: "...Think we can both take one on solo?"

Xiao Lu: "Fuck, I think I can take BOTH! WOO! Is this a runner's high? I've never been heavy into Cardio."

Finlay: "Me neither, but it's as solid a guess as any... For now. I'll take one from the pair. You take the other. Any trouble, Call out."

A shared nod of agreement would be the signal to begin the operation. Finlay first, sliding between the legs of the Brutes while Xiao Lu charged the front. Trying an experimental jump and happily dropping back down with a mighty overhead smash. It wasn't a kill, These Brutes were tough sons of bitches, but being able to reach there giant faces in a single jump? oh man, does that feel good. quickly while it's stunned he set about slowing it down. quick swipes at it's knees to bring it down.

Jumping back out as it fell to it's shattered kneecaps. It seemed these big boys had a set amount of health instead of localized kill areas on the smaller zombies. "Time to Tenderize!" he wouldn't risk this usually, but with the speed boost from Finlay? May as well go all out, just this one time. Dropping the Head onto the ground and adjusting his grip, he spun in a full circle, raising the head back up to destroy a shoulder. Letting go of the hammer and ducking under the shaft, popping back up on the other side and grabbing back on. From one full tilt swing to to the next, spinning in back to destroy the opposite shoulder. Disarming to a new and very literal degree, in most situations. He jumped back out to see just how the brute would react from the severe strikes.

A video game boss is a video game boss it would seem, watching the construct stand back up and swipe at him. Xiao Lu began to swipe at the hands beating them up and away. Whenever safe taking free and easy strikes to it's ribs and sides. Loud meaty thwacks vibrating through his hammer. He is a god of thunder given flesh. It's his duty to deliver judgement! waiting for it to try and grapple him, smashing and swiping the grasping hands away and beating away. It seemed head shots still did the most damage. One quick bash to the head to stun it again, and as it took precious moments to recover from it's daze. Lu put the end of the grip onto his dominant foot and let the Head point to the head of the brute. Seconds before it could relive it's self of it's stupor, Xiao let go of the hilt and brought his foot up like a kick. Forcing the head of his hammer to meet the Brutes face with all of his strength. The weirdest uppercut or upward swing he could perform, It still had the desired effect of inflicting massive damage. Watching as it fell backward onto the floor.

"Sliiiiiiiide!" Finlay couldn't help joking to himself, he was excited to see just what he could do with this further boost in power. Stopping his slide by turning off his Holochete and rolling to face the Brute, quick to turn the weapon back on. Once he was sure he had the Brutes attention he began to pepper it with center mass shots. It didn't do alot of damage, but it was better than just standing still. It was also just mind-numbingly easier, shoot until it gets close then take a few steps back and continue blasting. "...Alright then, let's mix it up."

Holstering the pistol and taking a moment to practice with the machete, making an infinity symbol in the air. Brutes were a bit too big to simply beat and push and push against, he had to make decisive cuts when he can. If this were a living creature, that'd mean cutting tendon to immobilize it. Right now that meant, hit and don't get hit back. letting it lumber close Finlay let it make it's next attack. A big old telegraphed sweeping grab from the left, of course. Finlay angled the tip to meet the palm of the brute and just gave the slightest jump. letting the force of the brutes swing propel him above the ground. "...Interesting." If Finlay can't redirect the attacks... the attacks can redirect Finlay, Now it's time to figure out the fine control of it all... Like what else did this Multi-sync have to offer him?

Seemingly confused by the fact that his next meal was good 15 feet away instead of his hands, the brute lunged at Finlay. Who in response jumped up and over the awkward beast and waited for it to stand back up. "It should go... Something like this." Bringing the Holechete up and slashing the back of the Brute from 1 to 7, readjust a bit, horizontal slash 9 to 3. Stepping back as it turned and waiting for it to swipe, thankfully with an Interesting upswing from the right. Meeting it's palm with the tip of his blade yet again and being carried up into the air, just above it's head. "Bad move." Two platforms appearing for Finlay to rebound off of and thrust the blade into the top of bald Brutes' head the other end popping out it's chin. "Eat that, Ya Bish."Turning the blade off and kicking away from the brute as it fell to the ground.

Xiao Lu: "Nice one!" Watching the finale of Finlay's fight and stepping closer. The head of his hammer turned off and Xiao Lu collapsed the rest of his weapon. "I think we can be done, for today."

Finlay: "Thank what ever listens... I'm fucking starving."

Xiao Lu: "Same! Is that your-"

Finlay: "YUP! it's a bit of a bitch." Passing Xiao lu his pistol and putting the Holochete away.

Xiao Lu: "...Is that also a Side effect?" Gesturing to Finlay's nose.

Finaly wiped away at his face looking mildly surprised from the blood. "No... that's a first." He could make out little sparkles in the blood. Which was also a first.... He'll google it later, for now, food.

Hatti rolled over on her bed, frustrated and just maybe possibly ever so slightly scared. After the whole zombie discussion. Katherine brought out a Media stick and gathered everyone to watch some of Earth's zombie media... Hatti called it a night after the first 40 minutes, opting for sleep, only to be offered nightmares of what would happen to her people if they ever went through something similar. "Damn it all..." rolling off her bed and making her way to the common restrooms. A quick rinse with some cold water would do her some good.

1 hour later.

Turning the corner to the open door she would see Finlay's face in the mirror, streaked from a long since fixed nosebleed. Jumping back and away as he spun around to meet Hatti face to face. Already taking in a large breath to scream as Finlay stepped towards her. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!!!" "Hatti?" his only greeting in response would be a swift kick to his crotch as the mistaken Ur'quanth ran away.

"ooooooooh, mother...fucker... my biscuits..." crumpling to the ground from the pain. "What did I do? Why did I deserve this?"