Oboro sneered, then swing his sword in air. “Blah, blah, blah. You talk too much, old man.
Ahahaha! The new world, huh? Progress, you say? You’re nothing but a delusional old man clinging to false dreams. Your time is up, old man. This is the end of the line for you.”
“You... you think you can challenge me? I’ll show you, you arrogant brat! I’ll show you what true power looks like!”
With a hiss of rage, Nero activated a nearby control panel, causing the laboratory equipment to whir to life. Strange machinery hummed and glowed with a sickly green light, and several mechanical arms extended from the ceiling, holding various tools and instruments.
“You fool, Oboro! Why not just shoot him in the head? Now we’ve made ourselves a danger!” Wanderer barked through his drone.
Oboro looked flustered, caught off guard by Wanderer’s scolding. he then quickly draw his anti material rifle “Hey, hey! I was about to do that, okay? Jeez, no need to yell at me!”
As Oboro tried to take a shot, the mechanical arms on the wall blocked the bullet. Frustration bubbled within him. “Damn it! These damn arms are blocking my shots!”
The squad engaged in a fierce battle with the mechanical arms, their blades flashing. Dr. Nero, meanwhile, sought refuge behind his desk, his eyes darting nervously as he fended off attacks. Just as it seemed the squad might be overwhelmed, Oboro took aim at the computer panel on the desk. With a well-placed shot, he caused significant damage to the internal systems,
Desperate, Dr. Nero scrambled to his feet and pulled open a hidden panel behind the wall. A massive window, offering a breathtaking view of Sin City, was revealed. With a determined look, Dr. Nero made his way towards the bridge, where a sleek, advanced helicopter awaited his arrival.
Furqan shout “Damn it, he’s trying to escape! We can’t let him get away!”
As Nero boarded the helicopter, he waved goodbye to the squad. But from the chaos emerged a figure—Sanada. With a swift leap, he dodged the mechanical arms that had been wreaking havoc and raced toward the bridge. In one fluid motion, he launched his EMP spear toward the departing helicopter.
The spear collided with the helicopter, sending a jolt through its advanced systems. The pilot's HUD flickered and distorted, displaying a jumble of conflicting data. The controls felt sluggish and unresponsive, but the helicopter managed to stay airborne, albeit with a noticeable struggle to maintain its course and altitude.
Chrome unleashed a barrage of gunfire at the helicopter. The bullets found their mark, hitting the pilot squarely.
The pilot, severely injured by Chrome’s sustained gunfire, lost control of the helicopter. It began to careen wildly toward the city below, a deadly projectile spiraling out of control.
Back at the bridge, Sanada and the others watched anxiously as the helicopter spiraled. Oboro’s eyes widened in alarm. “It’s veering towards the city! It’s going to crash into a building!”
The helicopter struck a nearby building, bouncing off before finally crashing onto the road below. The impact sent a shockwave through the area, the sound of screeching metal and shattering glass filling the air. As the smoke began to clear, the group beheld the helicopter—a crumpled mass of scrap metal.
With Dr. Nero’s command gone, the mechanical arms that had been attacking the squad ceased their movement, falling limp and lifeless. A sudden hush fell over the lab, the only sound being the labored breathing of the exhausted squad.
Later, the squad reached the crash site, their expressions a mix of disbelief and disgust as they found Dr. Nero still alive. His skin was pulled taut over his body, revealing parts of his head mixed with steel, his body pinned beneath the wreckage of the helicopter.
Wanderer, pushed in his wheelchair by Shizuka, approached the wreck. “Hehe... look at you,” he said,
Dr. Nero groaned in pain, struggling against his metallic bonds. He glared at Wanderer through the slits of his cybernetic eyes, “You...” he hissed between clenched teeth. “You bastard. You think you’ve won? I may be trapped here, but my work lives on. Series 9 will rise once more!”
“Yes, and please watch this.” He held up a detonator, his finger hovering over the button., he pressed it, initiating the destruction of Ironforge. The explosives started from the bottom, climbing up the tower until flames engulfed the rest.
Dr. Nero’s eyes widened in horror as he watched the Ironforge tower explode, the flames reflected in the lenses of his cybernetic eyes. “No... no...” he gasped, desperation creeping into his voice. “You fool! What have you done?!”
“I destroyed the reason why SWAT spared Series 9. Without your main labs, SWAT will raze this city without restriction,”
Dr. Nero growled in frustration, his mechanical limbs straining against the wreckage. “Damn you... Damn you!” he snapped. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Series 9’s research... our progress... it was our ticket to a brighter future!”
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“Yes, and we’re here now to give you a ticket to the afterlife. Hope God has mercy on your soul.” He drew his silver pistol
Dr. Nero sneered defiantly. “You think you can execute me, coward? I am Dr. Nero! I am above such petty mortal matters. As long as Series 9 survives, I shall never die!”
“Goodbye,” Wanderer said, his voice steady as he took aim and pulled the trigger.
Dr. Nero’s body jerked once, then fell limp, his eyes fixed in a permanent glare. The squad fell silent,
Wanderer let out a heavy sigh. “We might not win the war, but at least one bad guy is down.”
The squad members nodded in agreement, their expressions somber. Furqan stood silently, his eyes fixed on the smoking wreckage of the Ironforge tower in the distance.
“Let’s get back to the wasteland, and get our pay check,,” Wanderer said. “I kinda miss the sand and the radioactive wasteland more than this asphalt and monstrous towers... and mandatory unemployment.”
then he look at its surrounding. a concrete jungle with blaring commercial monitor. with occasionaly explosion. and faint gunfire from skirmish
“We lost many good soldiers this time,” Wanderer said, holstering his pistol and pushing his wheelchair with his own hands as he turned his gaze to the full moon above.
The full moon shone down on the squad, casting long shadows on the ground. Furqan looked up at the celestial body, a pensive look on his face. “Yes... we lost many good men and women today...”
He paused, his voice heavy with grief and determination. “But their sacrifices will not be in vain. We will not let their memories be erased by the sands of time. We will continue on, and we will keep fighting. We have to.”
Wanderer leaned back in his wheelchair, a weary sigh escaping his lips. “Alright, let’s save the poetic lines for later. I’m tired.”
Oboro rolled his eyes, snorting in response. “Right, because deep and meaningful thoughts are just too exhausting for you, old man.”
Wanderer shot him a sidelong glance. “Yes... remember the deal, Oboro. You will be my slave for two years.”
Oboro grumbled but nodded reluctantly. “Yes, yes, I remember. But don’t expect me to enjoy it, old man.”
“Good. Now my first epic mission is... just push me to the trailer, please.”
Oboro sighed but obliged, wheeling Wanderer towards the trailer. Despite his protests, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. “Alright, old man. Hold on tight.”
He pushed the wheelchair with surprising gentleness, mindful of Wanderer’s injuries.
“Stop calling me old man,” Wanderer protested, a playful tone creeping into his voice. “I’m... young and... cute, hehe.”
Oboro chuckled, shaking his head. “Sure you are, grandpa. With that wrinkled skin and that grey hair, you’re practically a spring chicken.”
As they moved, Thea walked alongside them with her critter is back to the shadows stay away from rest of squad, her eyes flickering between Wanderer and Oboro. She couldn’t help but admire their banter,
on mobile home. thea follow oboro put wanderer at inside. shizuka watch thea with mix of wary. but she know wanderer trust her. so she let thea get inside.
Later, inside the mobile home, Thea followed Oboro and Wanderer, while Shizuka watched her with caution, trusting Wanderer's judgment enough to allow Thea entry.
As Wanderer drifted to sleep, Thea sat on a nearby crate, watching him. Thoughts filled her mind. Despite his scars and limitations, she saw strength and resolve in him. She wondered about the life that had forged him. some of his squad member come and go seeing wanderer condition. then finally only Thea left at mobile home
later, Wanderer’s voice, half-lidded eyes on her, broke the silence. “Still here? Not missing your radiation creeks?”
Thea jumps slightly, surprised that Wanderer is awake and looking at her. She didn't realize that he was watching her.
"Yeah, I'm still here," she replies, a bit sheepishly. "And no, I guess I'm not missing the radiation creeks just yet. Why?"
Hnm.. Hmmmmmmmm
Thea crossed her arms, eyebrow raised. He was holding something back. “What? You’ve gone quiet. Just say it.”
“I wanna to know,, who are you?”
Thea sighed, defensiveness softening. Wanderer’s gaze was direct, unexpected. It disarmed her slightly. "You want to know? You sure you can handle the truth?"
"Yep."
Thea inhaled deeply, bracing herself. She met Wanderer’s gaze, hers hardening. "There's nothing behind this iron head, old man. No gears, no wires, and for damn sure no compassion. I'm just a machine, nothing more. A weapon, a tool, a shell of what I used to be."
Her voice was sharp, laced with anger and despair. "Satisfied?"
“..hmm.. You Robot? Or cyborg?”
Thea’s eyes widened, surprised by the question. She hadn't expected him to dissect her nature. "Does it matter?" she snapped, defensive. "What difference does it make?"
“Its different. Robot is created pure synthetic,, while cyborg is mixed”
Thea paused, considering. A bitter edge crept into her voice. "Hmph, I suppose you're right, I'm a cyborg, a mix of flesh and metal. Is that what you wanted to hear?"
“So,, there is some implants who make you able to comunicate with those creatures”
Thea’s eyes narrowed, suspicion tightening her features. How did he know? "Yes," she admitted, a hint of annoyance. "Implants in my brain. What of it?"
“Hehe nothing particular”
Thea gave him a dubious look, unconvinced. She crossed her arms again, eyebrow arched higher. "Right, 'nothing particular'? You just happen to know about my brain implants, and it's nothing important? I find that hard to believe."
“Hehe,, i have similar device in my brain.. But its just let me communicate with human,, “ wanderer tap his forehead” Some kind of telepathic.. But in limited range, its called rtp.. Or real time psychic”
Thea’s eyes widened further, genuine surprise now. He had something similar? "RTP, huh? So you're a telepath? That's... interesting," she says, her curiosity piqued.
Curiosity sparked in her gaze. She studied him, trying to gauge his sincerity.
“Yes,, its necessary abilities to command my troops directly without fear of enemy decipher the command”
Thea nodded, understanding. Telepathic command was a clear tactical advantage. "I see. That makes sense," she says thoughtfully. "How does it work? Can you just... communicate directly with their minds?"
“Yes,, something like that,,”
Thea’s mind raced, fascinated by the implications of telempathy. "Incredible..." she mutters, more to herself than to Wanderer. "So, you can just... talk to your troops in your head? No need for radios or any other communication devices?"
“Yes,, but i still need a other communication device,, to enchant my vision
Thea nods, "Ah, I get it. The telepathy is just one aspect of your communication abilities. You also need something to enhance your vision and perception," she muses. "That's quite the arsenal of abilities you have there, old man."
..Don't call me old man you iron head,
Thea scowled, pride pricked. She jabbed a finger at his chest. her metal finger nail on gloves pierce into wanderer skin ""Hey, who are you calling iron head, you old coot? Don't think just because you have fancy telepathic skills and a cane that I can't kick your ass!"
“Hmm.. Nom..”
Thea smirks, seeing Wanderer's expression. She can't help but tease him a bit more.
"What's the matter, old man? Cat got your tongue?"
.. No i just realized how childish you are,, iron head
Thea bristles at Wanderer's comment, her pride flaring up again. She crosses her arms and glares at him defiantly.
"Oh, please. Don't give me that 'oh so mature' act, old man. You're the one who started it with your 'iron head' comment."
alright.. But why using that anyway? There is cooler helmet can use.. Than.. Edgy spike head
Thea scowls at Wanderer and puffs up a bit in indignation. She's never had anyone question her choice of head covering before.
"And what's wrong with an 'edgy' spike head? It suits me perfectly. I don't want to be 'cool,' I want to be intimidating. The more spikes, the better."
Heh,, weird,, do you always like that while in scared order?
Thea's eyes narrow at Wanderer's question, her expression darkening. It's one thing to make fun of her appearance, but it's a whole different matter to bring up her past.
"And what's it to you, old man? My past is none of your business. And who the hell are you to judge me for my style?"
Curiosity.. I like watching people change
Thea studies Wanderer for a moment, contemplating his words. There's a hint of vulnerability in her eyes as she mulls them over.
"Hmph. Well, I guess I can't fault you for being curious."
She takes a deep breath, steeling herself before continuing.
"Alright, you wanna know what I was like back in the Sacred Order? I'll tell you, but don't judge me for it. Understood?"
Yes
Thea takes another deep breath and averts her gaze, her expression solemn. She seems lost in her memories as she begins the story.