The Vespidian
Arc 7 Healthy Green Glow, Chapter 14
I looked at Astrea. What would I give up for her? I don’t know. I hadn’t thought about this, well, I suppose I had. Somewhere I knew that I was going to have to choose between her and well, everything else more or less. I guess it really was just a fool’s dream to have my cake and eat it too. I barely get accepted outside of my friend zone as is and I know how to be a people, she, she won’t fit in at all. They are going to disdain her by how she looks, even though she is such a good girl. Somebody will do something stupid and set her off and then she will get gunned down.
I sighed. Shit. I don’t want to lose all the friends that I have. I barely started making my way in life. I finally got the gravy train back on track. This might be the hardest choice in my entire life. Would I even be able to take care of her on my own? I don’t have any fucking money. I spent it all on homoerotic manga and food, mostly food, but still. How on earth am I going to support two of us? She eats more than I do and I eat a lot. I mean I guess I can whore myself out to Neon Nurse and that would keep us fed for a bit. If worse comes to worse, we could move to the Slums and I would resign myself to being Glitter Kitten’s play thing.
I started to tear up, Sunshine and I wouldn’t be friends anymore and Dad would look at me like some tramp. We would be villains and be hunted. No, I don’t want that at all. But I can’t just leave her. That would be even worse, allowing her to suffer down here all alone. Why can’t it all just work out? So then what will I give Sheila? I don’t really know what she likes or would even want. If I give her the wrong thing will she go back on the deal and turn us in?
“What do you want exactly?”
She smirked, “Surprise me.”
“I don’t know?!”
“Well, think of something. Tick tock.”
My brain felt like it was having a meltdown. I don’t know. How the fuck am I supposed to know what she wants? I went with my gut. She looked like she is into some kinky shit. I cried, rubbing my face of tears, “I will be your sex slave!”
Sheila started laughing hysterically to the point that she was holding her stomach, “Oh Jesus, I can’t breathe. It is too good, it is too good! Whew, I got you bloody good. Eh, eh, I had you going, didn’t I?”
At first, I didn’t really register that. It took a moment to decipher what she had said, “What?”
“I was just fucking with you mate. No worries. Blimey, you go straight for the balls and don’t pull the punches. I wasn’t expecting that. Pfft, sex slave.”
“You, you meant it? You won’t rat us out?” I asked weak in the knees.
“Nah, where is the fun in that? I will help you out.”
“Really?”
“Course I am. You know, you little scamp. Me and Sweeper had our eye on you for joining our team, but then you went with the Juniors.”
“Oh,” I said starting to realize exactly who this was, “You and Crimson Sweeper are on a team, right?”
“We is indeed. The mysterious duo! We could make it a trio, like musketeers, eh, eh.”
“Wait are you trying to recruit me to your team?”
She perked up, “You want to join us?!”
“Not really.”
She drooped, “Ah piss that. Come on it will be fun. You like killing people, we like killing people.”
“I don’t like killing people!” I shouted at her.
She was only slightly deterred by that, “Eh, really? But you looked so happy when you were tearing apart that man on the bridge.”
“What are you talking about? I was wearing the suit. Nobody saw my face and I certainly wasn’t happy killing the guy.”
Tsk, tsk, Sheila wiggled her fingers at me, “It is ok, you can talk to me. I kill people too you know. Besides, no use lying to me. You see the suits all have face cams, so that maniacal grin you were wearing while beating that scum into paste is on the record.”
“They could see my face? Why didn’t anybody tell me about this?”
Sheila shrugged, “They are scared of you. Why do you think your suit has all the bells and whistles? Do you even know most of the security systems in that thing?”
“If they are scared of me, then why is my suit so advanced and augments my strength and speed?”
“Cause they can control you while you are wearing that thing. It is when you are running loose like this. Out in the wild, out of the suit that they are scared. Since they can’t just flip a switch and stop you.”
“What do you mean they can flip a switch?”
“That is simple. They can do a few things and these are just the basics. They can turn your suit off and lock it so that you can’t get out or they could electrocute you to the point that you pass out. There is a bunch of other safety protocols, but I am not at liberty to discuss those.”
“Why not.”
“I don’t wanna get in trouble. If you join my team, then I will tell you more.”
“You are totally blackmailing me to join your team.”
“I am not. I am just giving you the option. I don’t got the finger on the button. Trust me, if I was threatening you, then it would be a whole lot worse than this. This is some friendly advice from your pal Sheila.”
“You said that you would help right?”
“Sure. Swear on me mum.”
“So what should we do?”
Sheila thought for a moment, “Good question. Normally, I would say we should probably meet back up with the fellas and help em clear out the Atomic Raiders. However, we have a bit of a problem.”
“What about Astrea?”
“You could leave her down here or bring her along. However, if she comes along then things might get complicated what with the orders to ship all Subhumans to the Institute and that would include her. It is up to you.”
“I am not sending her to some jail.”
“Orders are orders. If you leave her down here then nobody will be the wiser for the moment. Unless of course, you are willing to break the rules a little.”
“I can’t really leave her here, she will follow me.”
“Guess you got no choice then. We are going on a little walkabout, hope you don’t mind.”
“What is a walkabout?”
“It means that we will be wandering around, instead of doing what we are supposed to.”
“Oh. Ok, I guess.”
“About the fuck off rat… I am assuming you are keeping that too.”
I smiled, proudly pointing at Whiskers, “He is a good boy. Knows all kinds of tricks, like a dog.”
Sheila gave him an appraising look, nodding, “He better be good. He tries to bite anybody and I will smack him right in the gob.”
“So we are going to meet up with the others?” I asked a little unsure.
“Nope. You crazy? Dreamer is on an authority trip lately, the less she knows, the better.” Said Sheila.
“You are being a bit contradictory here. So we meeting up or not?”
“We are going to be finding another way out. I got a friend who would be interested in your friend.”
“What sort of interest? Who?”
“She is your friend too, you know.”
I was drawing a blank. Who was she talking about? “Neon Nurse?”
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“Close, Dr. Arbor.”
“Her? Surely there is somebody else? I don’t particularly want to leave Astrea with her.”
“Why not?”
“Dr. Arbor is a very strange person. I am not sure that we can trust her.”
“What other option do we have?”
“Neon Nurse?”
“Don’t you remember what happened to you? She can get overridden and lose control. If it is someone unrelated to the League, like Dr. Arbor, then that is a lot less likely to happen.”
“Where would we even find her? Assuming I go along with this.”
“That is easy. She has an observation post near here.”
“How do you know this?”
“Well, you tend to learn a lot of sensitive stuff if daft wankers don’t realize you are there.”
I guess it is better than the alternative. Dr. Arbor though… I just can’t make heads or tails of that woman. Is she really on my side or am I just some science project to her? What will she even do to Astrea if she gets her hands on her? The worst case scenario I suppose would be live dissection like with me. Best case would be that she gets a new home and the problems related to her care are taken care of. Either way, it is still better than being sent to some lab somewhere to have Helix knows what done to her. Besides, I don’t think I have ever heard a good thing about the Institute. Dr. Arbor thinks they are crazy and she is crazy, so that makes them double crazy.
“Alright, we will do it your way. Lead on,” I said, having come to my decision. I really hope she isn’t just yanking my chain.
Astrea had been quiet the whole time, however, I had noticed that she twitched a few times at the mention of Dr. Arbor. She didn’t smell any different so it wasn’t fear or anything like that. Not sure if it is just the way that I said the name or what. It couldn’t be that she actually knows that name or rather person, could it? Considering that she is still learning words, I highly doubt that. Besides, if Dr. Arbor knew about her why would she let her run free and wild down here rather than have her cooped up in a lab habitat for study? It just doesn’t make sense.
Unless… unless it is something like she was doing with Glitter Kitten and them. Observing them in their natural environment. Ah, crap I could totally see her doing that. I wonder, is she observing the Atomic Raiders as well? She did mention that she was studying the irradiated beings and if she does have an observation post, then she is using it on something. I guess the only way to find out would be to ask her directly. Just how many cookie jars does that woman have her grubby paws in? It seems like everything leads back to her in some way.
We climbed up a warped and broken ladder that was fastened to the concrete wall inside of the sundered airlock area. Judging from the size and thickness of the door that lay on the ground, I can assume that this served as a divider between down here and up a level. Sure enough, there was another vault like door that was closed up here at the top of the platform. There was a thing that could be spun, it looked a lot like a ship wheel. I cranked it and the heavy door shifted.
Astrea touched me incessantly making a low whimpering sound. I pat at her face to calm her down and used my lower to arms to continue opening the door. It groaned open, man those damned hinges needed some W-D 40 or something. Something tells me there have not been any maintenance crews down here in a while. I didn’t see any rust, but there was a layer of grime and some sort of mossy mold growing on it from the other side. Sheila went ahead, vanishing for a few moments. She returned after scoping the place out, the coast was clear.
A tunnel went to the left and right. Both ways seemed endless, however to the right looked more worn from either foot or animal traffic. The slimy moss didn’t grow in the middle of the path. Over to the side, a deep river of glowing goo flowed to the left, so that means that it is coming from the right. Sheila went right, keeping to the path and we followed. Astrea seemed increasingly worried and clingy. She was not getting out of arm’s reach of me. I could smell her apprehension, did something bad happen to her here before? I am probably reading into this too much.
Speaking of smell, there were definitely rats running around. There was also something else… human? It didn’t smell right though. So then it must be Subhumans. It could be the Atomic Raiders, they are down here or it could be a lone mutant’s turf. Who knows? I am no sewer expert after all.
The river bend meandered as the tunnel curved and we came to a fork. From the lingering stench, this place was frequented by a lot of different things. At this point, it was no longer an if this is the Atomic Raider’s haunt, but a matter of when we were going to run into any of them. If my sense of smell could be trusted, then they were all over this place. I couldn’t really tell where it was strongest. Usually one would like options for this sort of thing. However, there didn’t appear to be a choice here. Ahead the tunnel was blocked and the other path dead ended. Which meant, there was but one path for us to go. Somehow it felt like a trap, a maze.
Sheila vanished as she had several times now. I was starting to get used to this sort of thing. She went to scout ahead. We stood around, waiting for her to return. I didn’t like this place it was a bit too exposed and so I crept off to the dead ended side tunnel, peering out at the main walkway. Astrea loomed idly behind me, her tentacles kept caressing me.
Footsteps echoed through the soggy tunnel and my eyes gaped, straining to see any movement. Sheila? No, if it was her then I wouldn’t hear her coming. I could hear it now, multiple footfalls. They didn’t seem to be in a hurry. One was heavier than the others, but there were three in total. Rounding the corner a trio of figures emerged. A strange green glow illuminating the largest among them. It appeared to be some sort of suit, though from the looks of it worse for wear. Holes and rotted metal pockmarked the outer layer, some sort of glowing mist oozed forth from each blemish in the armor.
Next to him was what I recognized as a hazmat suit that the sewer maintenance workers used. I had seen a few at the processing facility before we ventured into this place. Judging by the fact that the guy had tentacles for arms, I can say with certainty that the suit had failed at some point. Might be the lack of sleeves on that thing that did him in. Other than that though, his flesh seemed, weird like waterlogged or something. He didn’t smell good that was for sure.
Between them, I had almost missed the child… er ah, children? There was a boy and a girl. The girl appeared to be frozen solid and was held up by the tentacle guy. That was not the problem though, she as connected to the boy at the torso. They had a third fucking leg between them and closer that they got, the more fucked up that pair was. Their faces were melted to a degree exposing their teeth where the lips curled away from some sort of chemical burn. There was not hair on their heads, save the girl, but there was not much on her smooth scalp. They barely had scraps of clothes on due to how poor the stuff was. It was falling apart and left them looking rather primitive, kinda like a loin cloth.
Ok, so who the fuck are these three? They didn’t really match anybody that I had hear about. The big guy is glowing, so does that mean he is that Glow guy who has acid for blood? Although… no it couldn’t be. Is that guy Nuclear Knight? Oh shit. If that is that guy, then he is like my hard counter. It would be like an ADC against an assassin. There is no way. I ain’t taking no chances on this. Getting melted does not sound like a good time. I bit my lip. Oh fuck me, they are coming this way too. Think, damn it think! Use that oversized noggin.
Why are they coming here? There is nothing here, it is just a fucking dead end! We retreated to the back of the corridor with our backs to the wall. Maybe if we hide, they will just pass us by? Yeah, that might work, we are black as night after all so we will blend in with the shadows. So long as we don’t move or make sounds we should be fine- Whiskers! You little shit. He wasn’t budging, standing his ground. Stop being a hero you little bastard!
I could hear their footsteps, they were close. I wanted to run up and grab that filthy rat, but there was no time. Maybe he will be a good distraction. Your sacrifice will not be in vain. Whiskers squealed, running to them when the trio rounded the corner and I cringed expecting him to be obliterated. However, he was not.
“Lucky! Where the fuck did you come from?” asked the tentacled man.
Whiskers, you had a family? Wait a minute, it all makes sense now. How else would a rat be so well trained? Whiskers looked at us, pointing us out like some sort of guard dog to his masters. You little fuck! I fed you and took care of you and this is the thanks I get?! Traitor! I should have known better than to trust a fucking rat! I have been used by a rat. This is why I have trust issues.
“Demon!” Roared the big guy pluming a green mist.
Oh, fuck me that is definitely Nuclear Knight. Can we take him? I got Astrea with me and she is a powerhouse of muscle so maybe we stand a chance. I glanced over my shoulder to her and all my blood ran cold. She was scared out of her mind, clawing at the wall to escape. Why are you so scared? I need you here. There is no way in hell I can beat this guy on my own. My eyes fell on that smug rat. I had been betrayed! All my fear turned to anger.
I yelled, “Damn you Whiskers! I will kill you, you no good turncoat rat bastard!”
The tentacle guy put up his tendrils, “Wait Reverend. She, she talks.”
“So it seems. There were two of them.”
“Of course I talk. What do you think I am, an animal or something?!” I glared back at them.
Nuclear knight stopped creating the radioactive particles and stood there, observing us. He seemed to be thinking something over. If I could sweat then I would be drenched right now. I have had my ass kicked enough times by bad guys already to know when I don’t stand a chance in a fight. With this guy’s power set my chances of winning are below zero. I wouldn’t even be able to get near the guy.
Nuclear Knight broke the silence and my thoughts from running around to dark places, “Do you have peaceful intentions here?”
“Yes?” I said, unsure. I mean currently my only goal is getting the hell outa here, fucking with these guys isn’t exactly high up on my to do list.
He thought it over. “Why do you sound unsure?”
“Well, to be honest. I don’t trust you. Look, we were just trying to leave this place. I don’t want any trouble. This is a bad neighborhood, you know? We won’t bother you if you don’t bother us. Live and let live, right?”
He nodded his helmeted head. By Helix’s tendrils! He, he’s reasonable. He spoke up, sounding rather elated, “Ah a kindred spirit. Forgiveness is the path to salvation. Care to hear about our lord and savior Lord Pluton? Surely someone as intelligent as you can understand that your soul is at stake.”
Or not… what is this guy a fucking Jehovah’s Witness? Get off my lawn! Stop peddling your snake oil and empty promises. My heart is already filled with the majesty of Lord Helix’s tentacles! Begone follower of the Dome Fossil. I shall not be led astray! “I think we will pass on that. Good day, sir.”
“Come, hear the word of Pluton. It will light the darkness with his holy glow.”
“I said good day, sir!”
He approached us, arms wide as though to hug one of us. Stranger danger! Well, at the least I am not a little boy. We both retreated like cornered rats. There was nowhere to run from him, “Stay a while and listen.”
Back off Deckard, I ain’t having none of your shit. Take your Herodric cube and shove it where the sun don’t shine. This guy is damn persistent. Leave us alone. “We really should be going.”
He clapped a hand on my shoulder, “Join us for dinner.”
“Eh, what?” Food? My only weakness! No, no, no. What sort of food would they even have down here? It is probably just gruel and rat meat. Now I am actually a little curious. I slapped myself get a hold of yourself, this is all a clever ruse. I will not be tempted by your silver tongue and lotus blossoms!
“Come now, you are on our doorstep. Once you have filled your bellies I will send you on your way.”
“Doorstep?” I asked, turning around to find that the supposed dead end had opened up. A host of hideous mutants were crowding around us. Astrea hissed at their approach. What is wrong with your face lady and why is there an arm growing out of your back?!
A little girl who reminded me of a porcupine grasped my hand, “Come sister. Join us.”
“Join us. Join us,” chanted through the crowd.
I have to escape, this a freaky deeky cult. They are going to brainwash me. I don’t wanna drink the cool aid! Oh no, they are everywhere, there is nowhere to run. Their varied appendages touched me all over. Who said you could touch me?! I slapped away one of the hook like claws from one of those freaks. Nuclear Knight had closed the gap and hugged me in his crushing grasp. I struggled and squirmed, but it was no use. I always had a feeling that I would be done in by some wacko religion. This is fucking college all over again. Sorry, Dad, I guess I am joining a cult.