Chapter 2 - The Next Piece

Chapter Two: The Next Piece


I was woken the next morning to a knocking at my door. It wasn't as powerful as how Homura usually knocks, nor did it have the timidness of most others who were pressed into service to address me. I struggled to rouse myself from my bed, pressing a cold palm to my eyes. “Ugh...” Groaning, I pushed myself up out of bed and clambored to my feet with no small effort on my part. “Be there in a second.” First went on my black uniform pants, followed by the white undershirt. After that went on my jacket, then my boots, followed by gauntlets. Gently slapping and rubbing my cheeks, I tried not to look like I just woke up. Opening the door, I came face-to-face with the young girl from yesterday... Rikka, I think her name was. I blinked slowly at her, the smile on her face confounding me as to why she was here. I looked down a little, a silver platter in her hands carrying all kinds of food items on it. “Yes?” I finally asked, wondering if she was just going to stand there.

“Good morning, Tachyon!” She smiled brightly. She lifted the platter up a bit to show it to me. “Would you be interested in some breakfast? I made it myself.”

“You know...” I started. “Most people would have given up with the first no.”

“I'm not most people. I know you're a good person... not at all like they say.” I quirked an eyebrow at her.

“'Like they say'? What exactly do they say?”

“Oh, I don't really like talking about people behind their backs...”

“Neither do I... but tell you what... you fill me in on what they're saying about me... and I might just see about letting you get past the door. How's that sound?” Her smile brightened.
“Okay, but... you didn't hear this from me.” I nodded with a grunted 'of course', letting her continue. Opening the door, I let her in a bit. She trotted right over to the table and set the tray down, motioning me to sit and enjoy it. I took the seat and picked up the fork as she sat across from me. “Tachyon the Untamable, they're calling you. An absolute sight to behold in the field – the only agent to operate alone, no commander, no allies – but an absolute black hole of emotions. They say you don't care about anyone but yourself-”

“That's not wholly untrue.” I answer through bites of breakfast. Shit, if she really made this herself, I may keep her around for her cooking alone.

“Oh, well of course. After all, you've got no one to watch your back when you're in the field. It's just you and you alone... no squad, no commander...” She put her chin in her hands and looked at me with those eyes... I've seen those doe eyes before. “If you ask me... I think you're kinda cute.”

“Also a walking disaster area.” I rebuttaled. “Trust me, Rikka... you don't want any of what I am. I'm fifty whole shades of fucked up. You're better off looking for someone a little... more normal then me.” She shook her head at me and grinned.

“I don't believe in that. I don't believe that there's anyone who's too different where they can't be liked by someone. You're interesting, I won't lie... but I don't think that's a bad thing.” She perked up. “B'sides! I volunteered to be implanted with cybernetics... so I'm kinda fucked up too.” She rubbed the back of her head. “I like to think I'm closer to ten'r... twenty shades of fucked up, though.” I couldn't stifle the laugh that left my lips at this comment. “Your laugh is cute...”

“Don't get used to it.” I answered back with a smirk. “It doesn't come out often.” I continued to eat, happily enjoying what she had made for me... it tasted very good... very fresh, which I'm not going to lie was an amazing feat she managed to pull off. Sure, we've had a boom in rural farms on the outskirts of the city, but even with that it was still a bitch to get fresh produce and – heaven forbid – meats in time for them to be used. She was quite the impressive chef.

“Look... I know you probably think I want something from you.”

“The thought had crossed my mind.”

“But the only thing I want is to get to know you. To – to know what makes Tachyon tick. To be a friend. Look I... know a thing or two about being different... okay? I don't think that should stop you from living your life... you know?” I leaned back in my chair, having finished breakfast.

“Tell you what, Rikka.” I began, cleaning a renegade patch of egg from between my teeth. “You come back every day... and I'll tell you something new about myself. If at any time it seems like you might be wrong – that I'm really not worth your attention – you just stop coming... hows that sound?” She beamed at the possibility.

“That sounds great!”

“We'll start today... and as I'm feeling generous, I'll start it easy. I never knew my father. I had heard stories from my mother, but they were always spotty at best. He just... walked out on my one day. Left my mother to raise a child by herself.”

“That's terrible... have you ever wanted to go looking for him?”

“Oooh yes. But I'm afraid if I do, I'll kill him if I see him.”

“It sounds like he'd deserve it... why does that make you afraid?”

“Because if I do, it'll be done, and I'll have one less thing to dwell on.” She laughed at my joke. I suppose my own cracked lips pulled into a smirk helped with that.

“See, you're not a bad person. I see you enjoyed breakfast.”

“Yes... you're quite a talented cook.” I responded with a small hint of warmth in my voice. “If I may be so bold... I think your talents are wasted in combat. Anyone with a pair of hands can hold a gun and fire it... takes real skill to be able to take the pathetic excuse for ingredients that we have here and turn them into something actually edible.” I watched her paw at her cheek for a moment, trying to hide the blush.

“W-well, we'll just have to see about that, now won't we?” She eagerly collected the platter and then stood up. “So, I'll just get these out of your way, and I'll see you tomorrow?” I looked at her hard, but then nodded.

“I'll see you tomorrow.” She showed herself out, trotting towards the door with a happiness to her step that was – admittedly – alien to me. I gave her a week... a week before she was sick of me, tired of my very presence... that's what it always boiled down to. She wasn't the first to try, and I can promise you she won't be the last, either. I sighed, sinking into my seat. She had a nice smile, sure... and her voice wasn't completely abhorrent to listen to but... 

“Look at the freak, everyone! Don't get too close, or you'll get monster-cooties!”

“Monster, monster, monster! Hahahahaha! Look at the monster trying to be human!”

“Don't get too close to that one... it's not even human...”

I shook my head, dislodging memories of my life before I came here... yeah... that's right. I was a monster in a human body... but at least here, I could blend in with the others... be something I'm not so they don't discover what I really am. I would let Rikka keep coming back – especially if she kept cooking breakfast – but I wouldn't let her get too close... and I would never tell her my darkest secret.

I would tell no one my darkest secret. Not even you.

Springing to my feet and banishing all thoughts of the past and present into the depths of my mind, I left my room and decided to go for a walk. A good, brisk walk around the building always did me good, followed by a stop by the gym to blow off some of this stress.

-An Hour Later-

The girl who cleaned the gym hated me. Like... for an actual, legitimate reason hated me. The others would only go for a set period of time – would do their mandated sixty minutes of exercise a day, then just be done with it. Not me. No, they hated when I showed up. Because when I showed up, it meant I would only leave with the gym in a wreck. My armored fist crashed into the stuffed bag chained to the ceiling. I was one of the only soldiers who used the punching bag – and actually the sole reason we even have one.

“Jesus, Tachyon. I just cleaned this place. I hope you don't plan on beating that thing until it explodes again... Commander Kawazoe's starting to get suspicious that we're replacing it once a week.” She was a sweet girl; didn't bother me unless there was a good reason (which I admittedly gave her every single time I was in) and once her piece was said, she left me alone.

“The thought had crossed my mind, yes.” I answered, delivering another powerful trio of blows to the bag, causing it to recoil so far it slammed into the ceiling. “Isn't this what they pay you for, anyway? I mean... why do you care?”

“I care, because before you started tossing my gym every week like a pack of thugs looking for a hooker, I could keep this place clean. Now, it's all I can do to clean up after your afternoons of destruction. Look, if you're hell bent on wrecking the bag, fine. Do it, I don't care. Just don't destroy the whole gym while you're at it.”

“No promises.” I answered back, fist crashing once more into the bag. I heard her sigh heavily and walk off, probably shrugging and mumbling to herself as well.

“Tachyon, please report to Control-” Homura's voice came over the PA a full minute later, causing me to halt my assault. “Repeat, Tachyon, to Control please.” I growled loud and long at this, before finally shaking my head.

“Uuuughhhh.... t'fuck does she want now?” I wasn't even beginning to get my exercise in... I wanted to be here for at least another two or three hours. Hopefully this interruption came with a Y or two to make up for the lost reps. “Good news. Looks like your gym stays in once piece.” I told the girl as I left. She looked a little happy at this, but it was marred by something.

Homura never called me to Command unless it was desperately important. If she could avoid it, she never even used my name over the PA... something about it set the others on edge, apparently. It would be a theory that would play out as I traveled through the building. Several people were standing off the side of the hallways chattering and gossiping like they always did. My ears were burning. I didn't let them see that I could hear them, that I just knew it was me they were talking about... I never did let them know how much their gossip bothered me.

The elevator was the only requime I had from their accusing stares and whispered words. I didn't fit in here... I knew it just as much as the next person... the difference being, is I belonged here, whereas no one else truly did. They didn't have to like me. I wouldn't force them to. I was beyond the stage of my life where I cared about whether or not someone liked me. You didn't have to like me... but I did expect some kind of respect.

The doors opened with a chime, and I found the command center strangely devoid of any kind of activity – a strange sight if ever I saw one, as the Command Center almost always had people buzzing around and doing this or that for Homura. Speaking of the woman in question, I found Homura engaged in a conversation with the same woman from yesterday – her lab coat closed for a change. This was our Chief Medical Officer, a woman named Patricia Brightstone. She was shipped in from what remained of civilization in this end of the world to serve as our Medical tech. We didn't get along very well, if yesterday wasn't a hint. I think it's because I'm always putting her nurses in stretchers whenever they try to give me an exam.

“I completely understand your grievances, Doctor Brightstone, but the simple fact remains your requests are too dangerous for me to justify sending anyone else.” Homura mused. Ah, they must be talking about me. “I could dedicate a full two units to capturing Y, and I can promise you they won't get nearly the results Tachyon does. Abrasive? Yes... Frustrating? God yes... But past 'abrasive' and 'frustrating'... Tachyon also happens to be the best damn soldier we've got, bar none. If you want to continue your research, you're going to have to deal with Tachyon... and try to get along.” Patricia groaned and rolled her eyes loudly.

“If you ladies are done talking about me behind my back...” I mumbled after coming to a full stop a few feet away. “...I'm here.” Homura and Patricia looked over, Homura's hard face softening, almost as if she was sorry about talking about me.

“Ah, Tachyon. Good. Doctor Brightstone here is very thankful for you bringing that Y back in one piece, and she's got another job for you, if you're interested.” She looked to Patricia. “Doctor?”

“I just want to get one thing straight.” She began. “I'm asking you... only because I have to. I still don't much like you.”

“That's quite alright. I don't care if you like me.” I responded coldy. “What's the job.”

“With the Progenitor in captivity, we have to see if any of the drones share in it's physiology. I need samples of the drones... three, to be percise. We've found another one of their hives in the city, and this is a perfect opportunity to get the samples I need before we close that hive.”

“So you just want me to jump in, punch three of them out, toss 'em in the back of the van and be done with it?”

“In layman's terms, yes.” She began. “Specifically, we need them with both their brain and spine in tact, so if you could bring back beastial or humanoid drones, that would be preferred.”
“Don't bust their heads in or break their backs. Got it.” She inhaled.

“I... may not be the best at saying it, Tachyon but... I do appreciate what you're doing for me. It takes a special person to curb their bloodlust and actually bring one back alive.” I couldn't hide my surprise at this rather interesting turn of events.

“Well... of course.” I managed to struggle out. “Just... tell me one thing, if you would...” She blinked at me, surprised at my curtious outlook. “Why do you need all these samples? We've never cared to take them alive before... why now?” I watched Patricia turn to Homura with an anxious look on her face. Homura cut in almost instantly.

“As the reason is currently being tested, we don't want to say too much.” Homura began. “What we can say is... we may have a new way of fighting the Y on their own terms.” I would be lying if I said I like the sound of that. That meant one of two things, and neither was really what I'd consider a 'good' outcome.

“Well... okay.” It was obvious by my answer I didn't like it one bit... but I had a job to do, and I had to trust they knew what they were doing. Don't let that fool you, either... I didn't trust that they knew what they were doing... but I was very much a 'wait-for-things-to-go-south-then-say-I-told-you-so' kind of person. If I'm wrong, and everything goes according to their weird little plan – whatever it might be – awesome, I was overthinking. If it doesn't well... I'm always the backup plan. “Where's this hive?”

“In the park, of all places. The police already have the place sealed off, and it was discovered before anyone could get hurt, so it'll just be you and the Y.” Homura mused. “You'll be dropped off again, and we'll have a team on stand-by to seal the hive once you've recovered at least one sample. This effort is a long-term goal, and if it is easier for you to retrieve the three samples we need over three seperate incursions, I trust your ability to get the job done. It's dangerous, I won't lie, so I won't fault you if you do decide to break it up like that.” I nodded.

“Alright, guess I'll head out. I'll have at least one of your samples back.” Homura nodded and Mary gave a little chirp as I turned and started back to the elevator. What the hell were they working on, where they needed live Y samples? I mean... I understand why they needed to be live. Y enter rigormortis almost instantly after they die, and their cells go into macular degeneration almost as fast. By the time we could bring any dead Y back for study, their cells would already be well past the point of usefulness. Why they needed to be live, I didn't question... I questioned why we were doing this kind of research to begin with.

Taking the elevator once more down to the motor pool, I was met by a smiling face I had spoken to just a few hours prior. “Rikka. Fancy seeing you here. Your squad fixing to head out?”
“Nnnnope!” She grinned back to me. “I caught wind that you're looking to head to the park, and thought to myself... 'Tachyon's might want some company'. So bam! Here I am.”

“Company...?” I mused, quirking an eyebrow.

“Well, I mean yeah... don't you?" I scoffed. "C'mon, I'm using my free-time to spend with you! You could at least be happy about it.” I could hear the sarcasm in her voice, but it was something I knew all too well. They liked keeping all of their soldiers on tight leashes here, only allowing them out of the building for missions, and even then it was straight back in once everything was said and done.

“Does Commander Titsbig know you're here?” I droned, opening the door. My slightly unkind way of referring to Commander Kawazoe caused her to laugh.

“Yeah. She okayed it. D'you call her that? I mean, to her face?”

“Ghad no. She'd skin me alive.” Trotting around the car, she threw open the driver's seat and slipped in. As I was situating myself in the chair, she was buckling in.

“Besides, now we can play my favorite game.”

“Punch buggy?” She laughed, shifting into gear and pulling out of the motor pool. She had a nice laugh... not grating like some of the air-heads in the building... definitely something I could get used to listening to.

“With those gloves? I don't think I wanna play punch buggy with you.” I smiled at that as she shifted into reverse. “Or footsies with those boots'a yours.”

“Ah, come on, I'm really good at that game, too.” What the hell is wrong with me? What the fuck is so special about this girl that she can bring me – about as close to the real me as I've ever come – out of the shell that is Tachyon? Her smile? Her laugh? Her... big... stupid doe eyes? Fuck... I'm even starting to think about them... I inwardly smacked myself, dislodging whatever lewd thoughts were starting to stir in my head. I mean, it was only natural, right? I'm almost thirty, and I've never even kissed someone before... They were natural... but not me. I took a deep breath and held it, slowing my heart rate and putting my mind back where it belonged. “Just... just wake me up before we get there, okay?”

“Awww, no fair, you can't sleep now. Don'cha wanna talk to me?”

“Want to? Yeah. Should I be? No.”

“Aww, why not? I like you, Tachyon. You're fun, interesting, and you say the funniest things...” She scrunched her nose up as she spoke her next words. “I don't know why no one else likes you.”

“I'm different. People don't like things or people who are too different.”

“But we're all different! I mean, in some way... right? Look at Commander Kawazoe? She's like a tiny little ball of pizza dough! Sometimes, it's all I can do to stop myself from just hugging her and getting lost in her cubby cuteness~!” She giggled. “And-! And that one commander from the main branch? Galaxy? Oooooph he can trap me in a small room any day.” I looked over to her, lifting an eyebrow.

“Gay, straight, or bi?” I asked her honestly. She looked over – taking her eyes off the road for a split second – smiled and responded.

“Pan, actually.” I quirked an eyebrow at her.

“No shit?” She nodded.

“Yeeeeah. Even before the whole 'cybernetics' thing, I've always just... found myself attracted to attributes of people. I think Commander Kawazoe's chubbiness is just absolutely adorable -” I kind of agree there. “- and... well... Commander Galaxy just has the dreamiest eyes.”

“Gonna jump off the proverbial bridge here but... what exactly about me are you interested in?”

“Mmm, that's a hard one. I can't say 'everything' because that's a cop-out answer. But... honestly? It's the best. You have pretty eyes; I love that deep, commanding voice of yours; and... well... I like how mysterious you are. It's like... I feel like you're a mystery that's waiting for the right person to solve.” I gave a crass laugh.

“And you think that person is you.”

“I do! I think you're just going through the motions... and I'll unlock your secrets eventually.”

“No. You won't.” I told her plainly. She wouldn't unlock any of my 'secrets', because I wouldn't let her.

“Challenge... accepted.” She finished, pulling into the park's parking lot. “Alright hotstuff. Go do your thing.” I glared at her. “Too much too soon? Sorry.” I shook my head and kept my mouth shut, simply getting out and shutting the door behind me.

The park was swarming with police, men and women in the noticable white police uniform walked around – some with flamethrowers, others carrying all manner of weapons – as they patrolled for any sign of the Y. I watched one woman quirk an eyebrow as she looked in my direction, motioning for a man and another woman to follow her. She trotted right over, the funniest expression of 'what are you doing here' plastered upon her youthful face.

“Erm... hello?” She spoke casually to me, eyebrow quriked. “I... wasn't aware you'd be showing up... as you can see, we've got this pretty much on lockdown... you're... okay to return, if you want.” I'd dealt with this woman before, I recognized her now. Her uncertainty in speaking to me was well deserved, as the last time I met her, I had thrown her over my shoulder and into a dumpster for back sassing me.

“I can see you've got everything under control. Waiting on a crew to seal the hive?” She nodded. “What's their ETA?”

“Erm... fifteen, twenty minutes? Why?”

“Good plenty of time. I'm under orders to investigate the hive until the demolition crew arrives. I'm going down. Under no circumstance are you to seal that entrance until I return.” She looked at me, then to the man at her side, who shrugged.

“Don't look at me, Kanoh-san. Commander Kawazoe doesn't tell me shit.” The man shrugged to the woman, who turned to the other woman behind her.

“Uh-uh.” She shrugged, giving a gruff grunting response.

“Okay... please don't mistranslate this as back sass...” I... did tell her why I tossed her into a dumpster. “...but you guys have been acting super weird last few weeks. Usually if the Y don't come out of their holes, you don't give two shits. But now, we've got lone agents leaping head-first into Y hives, and you answering calls that would usually be left alone. So... forgive me for being flippant, but what the fuck?”

“Hey, I know about as much as you do.” I responded simply. She was curious, I didn't give her any shit for being curious. Admittedly, we had been doing some strange things that would be considered very much 'non-standard operating proceedure' at least in the last few days. Agents don't go into hives, we don't tend to bother answering calls to locations with fewer then ten Y – what we consider a 'dangerous' amount (when in reality one is dangerous) – and now we're hanging over the police's shoulder as they do their jobs, oh and making said job more complicated for them. “All I know is I've been ordered to investigate the Hive, and I don't make a habit of disobeying my superior.”

“To be bluntly honest, Tachyon, we both know that's bullshit...” A pause. “...but I suppose you don't know anymore then me. Alright look... Cap'n wants this done quietly and quickly before the press can catch wind. So I'mma make you a deal. I'm gonna let you go in and do your thing. No muss, no fuss, no back sass. You've got at least fifteen minutes before the demo crew gets here... and probably another five to seven minutes after that before they're ready to blow the cave.” She handed me her radio. “I'll give you a courtesy call at fifteen minutes – or when the crew arrives. After that, you've got until I message you again to get out. Sound good? That should give you plenty of time to look around.”

“I can take that.” I motioned for Rikka to move the van closer. She answered by driving over the curb and pulling up to the hole.

“What's up?”

“Back this thing up to the Hive, and open the rear doors.”

“Okay why?”

“Trust me, girl-” The male officer spoke. “-with this particular hot-head... it's just best to do it.” He looked at me as I glared. “erm... n-no offense, of course...”

“Some taken.” I responded before jumping feet-first into the hole. Once my feet hit the ground, I heard something clatter behind me, a cool beam of light rolling around on the at my feet.
“Figured you could use a light!” I heard her call from the entrance to the hole, the sound of the van's back up alarm blotting out a good chunk of her voice. The radio she handed me cracked to life a few seconds later as I picked up the flashlight, clipping it to my jacket's lapel. “Like I said, next time you hear my voice, it's gonna be me telling you the demo crew is here. You should probably start heading out after that, just so we don't tomb you in with the Y.”

“I would appreciate not doing that, yes.” Shoving the radio back into my pocket, I looked about the hole. It was a pretty standard fare as far as Y hives went. A thick, resin-like substance coated the walls, making them into a hard armor-like carapace. We didn't really understand why the Y went to such lengths, but then again there was a lot about them we really didn't know. We knew what was most effective at killing them... and for a lot in my profession – myself included – that was enough. But when you compared what we knew to how long we've known it, the results are... not desired. We didn't figure out until two years ago that lead ammunition was almost useless, that the Y had a chemical weakness to tungsten. It took that Commander from the main branch that Rikka mentioned – Commander Galaxy – telling our major ammunition supplier about the weakness. It's been a blessing, but considering we've been fighting the Y for over ten years? Just figuring out about this shit now is terrible.

I guess... in a way that's why we've been pulling in so many live Y specimens... figure out what makes them tick, make our tactics and weapons more effective. That definitely held a lot of water but... there was something Patricia said that I kept coming back to... she wanted to see if drones were chemically similar to progenitors... why would that matter? Biologically speaking Y were Y, be they drone or progenitor... but they had their minor differences. What was Doctor Brightstone and Commander Kawazoe cooking up?

The flashlight on my lapel passed over the face of a Y in the darkness, the creature shreiking as we made eye contact. It was a smaller one, probably a drone, but I couldn't tell in the low light. Without a word, I launched into an assault, charging and grabbing at what of the beast I could see. My hand made contact with something squishy and vaguely attacthed to the Y, so I held on and pulled it close, the beast wailing best it could to retreat. “Mrph...” I grumbled as the light fell completely on it. “Lucky for you... you're not what I'm after.” The Y in question was mostly a mass of writing tentacles – a vegital drone – so it wasn't what Patricia asked for. Reaching out with my other hand, I wrapped my metal fingers around it's neck, and quickly whipped it at a wall, before pounding it's head in with my boot heel, killing it. Really wish I had more light in here... wonder if I could pester Homura enough to dig up some night vision goggles...

I trudged on, the flashlight doing it's gods given best to pierce the overwhelming darkness of the cave and show me where I'm going. The light cast over another Y in full retreat from me. Looks like some of the little bastards are smart enough to get out of my way... wish some Humans had that kind of smarts. They fled before me, scuttling deeper and deeper into the hole before it opened into another cavern. Standing in the middle of this cavern – lit by the same strange bio-organic lighting as the first – was an absolutely hulking specimen of a Y. No two ways about it, with this thing's size – not to mention the size of the member it had dangling between it's stubby legs – this thing was what I was after. The smaller fare scattered about it, retreating deep into the hive to leave me and Super Chungus to duke it out. “Hey buddy.” I growled, entering the suspiciously arena-themed chamber. “You lookin' for a fight?” It barked a roar at me, stomping it's foot on the ground threatening. “Yeah... you lookin' for a fight.” I rolled my neck and loosened my muscles, cracking my knuckles through the heavy plate gloves. “Doc Brightstone's gonna love peelin' you apart and seein' what makes you tick.” I chuckled. “Hell, she might even give me a blowjob for it. You never know.” The Y charged, throwing the drones out of the way in it's blood-fueled crazed charge, lurching into a powerful leap a few feet from me. Snapping both arms out, I grabbed hold of it's thick, powerful arms; my feet sliding against the ground to retain traction. “...fuck, you're strong, ain'cha?” Heaving both it's arms to the side, I recovered in time to slug it hard in the face, the solid thunk of steel-covered hands striking thick bone reverberating in my hand. “...shit, and thick headed...” I shook my hand out, taking a step back to dodge it's follow-up strikes; the beast shrieking at me. It's saliva found more purchase then it's attacks.

“...so gross...” I grumbled, flicking the spit off my face. “So, you've clearly got a thick head, so I may actually have to think about this one.” Ducking under it's attempt to put my into a bearhug, I delivered a powerful uppercut to it's gut, the beast only lurching a few inches up from the impact, but showing no sign of actual damage. I know how hard I hit... a punch like that to any other Y would have incapacitiated it with pain... whatever this particular one was, it was able to shrug off my blows... but for how long? I backstepped out of it's reach before it fully recovered, the beast roaring once more and charging. “Alright you bastard... shrug this off!” Before it reached me, I ducked down and threw a powerful straight punch right into it's testicles, the satisfying sound of ball-busting pain manifesting in a yowl leaving it's maw. “Aaaah... not into the cock and ball torture, are you? Pity. Because I am!” As it tried to recover, I swiped it's leg out from under it and knocked it to the floor, following up with another ground-punch to it's groin, the second testicle exploding from the impact. Another yowl of pain echoed off the resin-coated walls, the beast finally landing something that resembled a blow in a quick shove to knock me off. It did little but knock me to my back a few feet away, after which I was quickly able to recover. Pressing my advantage, I threw myself onto the beast's back as it tried to stand and put it into a chokehold.

“Tachyon, the demolition crew's here.” I heard Rikka's voice over the radio. “I'll stall 'em for as long as I can, but I don't know how long that'll be! You should hurry!” I couldn't answer her, I could only do as requested, and hurry this along.

“Go... to... sleep...! You... fat! Bastard!” I growled to my target, it's motions slowing until it began to fade, soon it full collapsed onto it's back, allowing me the courtesy of getting off it first. “Finally... God, what spawned you? A... brick shit-house?” Snatching up one of it's stubby arms, I started dragging it out of the Hive. Unclipping the radio, I decided to give Rikka a courtesy call. “Rikka, Tachyon.” I grumbled, heaving the lump of flesh over a rock. “I'm a few minutes out. If you have to fuck those guys to keep them stalled until I get out, do it. Shouldn't be long.”

“Aaahahahahaha!” Her laugh came over the radio. “I don't think it'll be necessary, but anything for you, Tachyon. Mission accomplished, I take it?”

“Yes. Do me a favor and radio Commander Kawazoe. Tell her to have containment prepared.”

“Will do! Good job!” Hmm... first person to tell me I've done a good job...

The process of dragging that hulking sack of Y flesh out of the Hive was a much more strenuous job then actually downing it was. After the allocated few moments, my head broke the surface to see several of the Demolition guys speaking to Rikka, one doing a double-take upon seeing me. “Any of you big, strong men wanna give me a hand here?” I winked slyly to one of the demo guys, a handful of them moving to assist. Rikka had the truck backed up right against the hole, so it was only a matter of pulling the muscle-bound sack of shit out and heaving it head-first into the truck. “I would also appreciate it if you didn't ask questions.” They all nodded, doing as asked and once the Y was secured in the truck, I nodded once more to them. “We'll stall you no longer. You're clear to seal the Hive.” Rikka climbed into the front of the tuck as I closed the back, sitting myself upon the Y's chest. “Man... he didn't want to go down.”

“He's alive, I take it?”

“Yeah... you know about the Doctor's... preoccupation?”

“No, but I had suspicions. I heard you drug in a live one yesterday, and I know we've been building containment facilities... two and two got put together.” I nodded.

“Well, you're a smart cookie.” I paused, crossing my legs and leaning my back against the van's side. “...just hope Doc don't need them for their sperm.” Rikka laughed at this.

“Ew, why? Is that something she'd need?”

“I don't fuckin' know why she needs them. All I know is this... brick shit house didn't go down without a couple'a exploded testicles.”

“Think he'll wake up?” She craned her neck to look at me, causing me to put a hand on her chin and turn her head to the road.

“Eyes on the road, sweetie.” She laughed at this again.

“Yes, ma'am.”

We passed the time with idle chatter (me having to reminder her once or twice more to watch the road) before eventually pulling back into the motorpool at base. She was all smiles as she got out to the crew of medical staff with a stretcher (heh... it was so tiny) to bring my catch back. Exiting the elevator was Commander Kawazoe, Doctor Brightstone and... one other woman I didn't recognize... She was wearing a Commander pin, so she must have been one of the field commanders.

“Rikka! There you are, where the hell have you been!?” The unknown woman laid into Rikka instantly. Rikka – seeing the woman – snapped to a salute.

“C-Commander Ishikawa! I'm sorry I-”

“I apologize, Commander.” I stepped in, bowing to her. “I asked Rikka to accompany me. I didn't think there would be a problem.” The woman – Commander Ishikawa – looked at me as the frustration vented out her nose.

“No... there's no problem, Tachyon. I give my soldiers free reign to do what they wish... but I just wish Rikka would have told me. Been tearing the base apart looking for her.” She nodded to me. “Thank you for keeping her safe, Tachyon.” She turned back to Rikka. “Just make sure you don't neglect your training, Rikka. Your squadmates are already in the shooting range, you should join them when you've the chance.” Rikka nodded to her.

“Yes, Commander. Of course, Commander.” Rikka and Commander Ishikawa walked back towards the elevator together, leaving Homura, Patricia and I with the Y.

“Jesus Chrsit, Tachyon!” Patricia called out, looking at my catch. “You don't get bonus points for size, you know!”

“Maybe not in your book. Think you can use him?”

“Mmmph...” She grumbled. “I kind of wanted a drone... but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth.”

“Yeah, sorry about that... the drones were running from me. This one stood and fought.” The four men on the stretcher struggled to walk it to medical. “I'm comin' with, by the way. If this fucker wakes up, I'm probably about the only one strong enough to bring it back down.” Patricia nodded.

“Yes yes, of course. Please, let's go. I think I've got enough to clue you in on our little... scheme.” I shrugged to this.

“I mean, if you want.” We all squeezed best we could into the elevator and carried it up to the medical wing, where another team of doctors were waiting by a triple-reinforced cell, complete with isolated ventilation system and the thickest glass I've ever seen. The door was reinforced and locked with both a card-reader and a palm-print scanner. Several large vents on the ceiling looked more for pumping something in to the cell, instead of venting it out. Patricia smiled as she observed my gaze on the containment cell.

“Well? What do you think?”

“-That we're still crazy for keeping them alive but... at least we didn't skimp on security.” I tapped on the glass with a knuckle. “Shit, I don't think even I could break this.”

“Indeed! That's the point.” She motioned to another cell next to the one I was examining, where my previous captive was lying in state on the floor. “Dead?”

“No, unconscious.” Patricia answered. “We've rigged a powerful sedative into those large vents in the roof. They can flood that cell with enough blackout gas to knock out a hundred of them in ten seconds.”

“-and in light of the danger, we can also fill the chamber with nerve gas.” An aide to Patricia added in. “Just in case things get dicey.” I nodded to this.

“Well, at least we're taking precautions, that's good.” Another aide opened the empty cell so our newest guest can be interred, the men hastening out of the cell and locking it behind them, just in case he decided to wake up.

“So. I don't think I have to cover this, but you're aware of our current method of combating Y, correct?” I nodded. Volunteer soldiers augmented with cybernetics and adrenal stimulants that increase their combat efficiency and prevent... unpleasantness with the Y. Every soldier – including Rikka – on base was one of these bio-genetically augmented soldiers. Well... almost every soldier. “Right... but the thing is, those augments aren't meant for long-term. They were – for lack of better terms – emergency measures. We don't know how they'll hold up in the long-term or what kind of side-effects they'll have. Well, the Council has been chomping at the bit for something a bit more long-term and maybe a bit more effective.” She turned around and placed both hands on a small table behind her, picking up and small syringe with a strange, cloudy blue liquid inside. “-and I think we've found it.”

“You're familiar with Y-Breds, right Tachyon?” Heh. I nodded. “Usually, when a Y attacks a victim that's already with child, it's seminal fluid attacks and destroys the fetus. Usually. There's a small window in the first trimester of pregnancy – only four days – where if the fetus is exposed to the same seminal fluid, it instead changes the fetus instead of destroying it. The child inherits some Y traits – increased stamina, increased strength – basically, it puts them a couple'a rungs higher on the proverbial ladder then humans. We've requested Y-Bred blood samples from several of the city's Y-Bred population, and we've managed to synthesize something that may create – for a lack of better terms – an artificial Y-Bred. Now, it's untested of course, but we believe this will usher in a new era for us... and maybe just turn the tide of this war.” I crossed my arms.

“So that's why you've had me pulling in Y alive.” Patricia nodded.

“Yes... unfortunately, the main ingredient in this particular substance is a chemical called Rastinobinitrate... which is only found in Y blood.” Homura cut in.

“Doctor Brightstone assures me that preliminary tests show promising results.”

“Very promising!” Patricia echoed. “We've tested the concoction on several lab rats. I mean, I know that rats – with a few choice exceptions – are not human beings... but they show no hostile intents. There have been mutations, of course – some more grotesque then others – but the rat's behaviors haven't changed. I'm going to run a few more tests before I make any declarations about it's effectiveness... but I will say it's promising.”

“So... do you plan on using this... substance on our existing soldiers?” Patricia shook her head.

“No, too dangerous. They're already genetically augmented; their core gene structure not completely human. It would be medical russian roulette to stick someone like you with this. No, it'll have to be fresh, human recruits.” I inhaled deeply and nodded.

“I mean... I can't stop you. You sound like you understand how dangerous this is.”

“Of course it's dangerous!” Patricia returned with a nod, holding the syringe to her chest. “It's very dangerous! And stupid! Extremely stupid! But we're on the verge of extinction here, Tachyon. This might either save us, or damn us... but either way, I refuse to go quietly into the night without at least having tried!”

“And the Council agrees. As do I. We've equipped some of our squads with Stun Grapples in hopes of capturing some drones alive, but you've earned yourself a break, Tachyon. Thank you for doing as I asked in a timely and all-round respectable manner.” I nodded to her.

“Of course, Commander. I... know I'm hard to deal with some days... and I thank you for your perseverance.” She laughed at this and gave me a hug, her face pressing into my chest.
“You're a strange one... but you've got a good heart. That's all that matters. Alright-” She pulled away and nodded. “Dismissed.” With a salute and a nod, I headed back to my room for a shower and sleep.

