Post by Kane Locke on Feb 27, 2010 23:16:12 GMT -5
Captain "Cain" Locke awoke with a start. His first reaction was to draw his gun from the holster that was mounted on the headboard. His eyes, somewhat wild from being startled awake, darted around the darkness of his hotel room-like quarters. He took several deep, steadying breaths and lowered his hand. Only then did the source of the noise which woke him became apparent. He picked up the buzzing cellphone from the nightstand to the right of his bed and flipped it open.
"Locke," he answered.
"Three in the morning and you still answer. Refreshing to see someone doesn't quit being a soldier when the sun goes down," the voice said.
"Commander," Cain acknowledged. "I haven't been a soldier in years, sir. I keep asking you to stop calling me that."
"Only when you stop being a soldier, son," he responded curtly. "Get showered and get down to the Command Center ASAP."
"Can I inquire as to what the Hell could be so pressing that it can't wait 'til I'm officially back on duty... sir?" He added the last part after a heartbeat of thought. Commander Arnold was right. Whether or not he was still an Army Ranger, Locke was still a soldier.
"It's ready," the commander responded.
Locke closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "For sure this time?"
"Michaels assured me the test would go on regardless of what bugs are left to be worked out."
Locke shook his head, clearly irritated at being roused almost three full hours before he was scheduled to go on duty, but had already risen and begun gathering his clothes for the shower. "If the test is going ahead no matter what, what do you need me for? The whole thing is run by AI."
"Dr. Blake requested you be on stand-by. She's got no faith in Michael's system," the commander replied. "Now stop arguing and get your ass down here."
"Yes, sir," Locke responded. There was no further conversation. Locke simply flipped the phone shut and set it back on the nightstand. Michaels had been postponing the tests for weeks, thanks largely in part to Dr. Brittany Blake's input. Knowing her as he did, Locke was sure that the corporations founder had finally overruled her arguments. Dr. Blake despised the project, despite it being her brainchild, the culmination of her expertise in the field of cybernetics. Locke never bothered to ask why. He knew she had her reasons. But to be honest, he just didn't care. The project was the best hope for their organization, and, perhaps, the world.
Sighing again, Locke strode into the bathroom, flicked on the light, and prepared for his shower.
_____
Dr. Blake crossed her arms beneath her ample bosom and continued to glare at Roger Michaels. "It's not ready!" she growled for the umpteenth time.
Michaels only gave her a reassuring smile. "Doctor, I assure you that I have taken your reports into account in preparing this test. The defects are minimal enough in number and nature. We're well within the tolerances. You know that."
"That doesn't change the fact that we still don't know why or how the brain overrides the AI!" the doctor spoke in a quiet but harsh tone. "Look, we need to put the project on the back burner. It's more important that we find out how it survived millions of years-"
Now, the CEO frowned. "It didn't, Doctor. It was dead. Half it's head was missing. It had no heartbeat, no pulse, the respiratory system wasn't functioning... I could go on, you know."
"But we got the heart beating again. We even replaced the respiratory system with an artificial one. It is, for all intensive purposes, alive, Mr. Michaels."
"Except for...?" And Michaels waited patiently for Dr. Blake to finish the thought.
She sighed reluctantly. "Except for the brain."
"Look, Dr. Blake, you're right. This thing still had blood -viable blood- in it's body. Despite missing an arm, a leg, half it's face, and having its chest turned into Hamburger Helper, the thing hadn't even begun to decay. But a body without a brain is worthless. It's only brain is the AI chip we've integrated into it. It's brain is a computer." He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"We need to figure out how it sustained its body throughout all those years. It's like some form of regenerative coma. The scientific implications are enormous!"
Michaels smiled. "I'm not denying that. And I've given you permission to study the biological aspects in your own time. But we're behind the 8-ball here, Doctor. CEE has already developed an advanced robotic weapon, but even that has reached its limits. What we're doing here is the next step. Imagine, a living robot. All the greatest aspects of biological and mechanical weapons. Where Darktide has it's shortcomings is where this project will excel! Between the two of them, if we continued to advance our project on schedule, we might just save the world. And then, when we don't need it anymore, you can dissect and play around with that thing all you want."
The good doctor prepared to argue more, when the main doors to the Command Center slid apart with a whoosh. Captain Locke strode in to the salutes of his underlings in the Paradigm Security Force. Cain gave a curt salute back and stepped up to the pair. "Ah, Captain!" Michaels gave his award-winning smile.
"Mr. Michaels," Cain nodded politely. "Are we ready?"
"We will be momentarily." All three heads turned towards the main viewscreen, which took up the vast majority of the north end of the room. There were rows and rows of computers and technicians in the secure room, each with a job vital to either the project or the sustenance of the facility. The view was that of the industrial section of the city of Miami- an area filled with condemned buildings that were being torn down and replaced. "What we're seeing is exactly what our pet project is. It'll be just a few moments more while technicians finish uploading the test protocols."
Much to Blake's surprise, Captain Locke turned his intense gaze to Michaels. "Test protocols? You're not loading that AI program you had me working in that damned simulator for weeks to create?"
Again, Michaels flashed his most harmless, white-toothed grin. "No, not for this test. The test protocols are limited to certain parameters. This is to avoid any collateral damage that the full AI would cause. It's programmed to defeat the enemy at any cost. Not exactly ideal for a test designed to check out the weapons and maneuvering systems."
Dr. Blake cleared her throat when the Captain looked like he was going to blow a gasket. "That's why I suggested you be here on standby. If there are any problems with the test system, we'll need you to pilot it remotely. Activating the full AI would endanger civilian safety."
Cain straightened his shirt color and nodded to them both. "I don't know whether to hope something goes wrong or not. But I sure as Hell hope you didn't drag me out of bed for nothing... Mr. Michaels." Despite the title being polite, Cain managed to make it an insult. With nothing further, Locke walked away from the two to join Commander Arnold at the podium overlooking the center proper.
_____
"You need to learn when to hold you tongue, Captain." Those were the grizzled commander's first words when Locke joined him.
"He makes my skin crawl, Commander," Locke said as way of explanation.
"Mine too, but that's better kept between us. 'Till then, pucker up and kiss his ass."
Locke scoffed. "Like Hell I will. Sir." This time, the captain had to remind himself that he was addressing a superior officer. "I was having such a nice sleep, too..."
Well, that wasn't entirely true, Locke thought to himself. He'd had another one of his nightmares. Images of some... hydra-like creature tearing some defenseless planet apart. The dream had chilled him to the bone. It's why he was so jumpy when his phone went off. It felt real. Locke knew he had premonitions sometimes, but he'd never seen this thing before. Whatever it was, it didn't exist. Still, the dream had been so vivid...
Locke's musing were interrupted by Michaels taking center stage in front of the view screen. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry to inform you that the test is going to be delayed a few hours. It seems that the defense network throughout the area hasn't yet finished updating. Officially, our project is not yet listed as "friendly."" A chorus of groans sprang up from the room. "Not to worry, I've ordered a breakfast cart for everyone." Again, the CEO gave that innocent Hollywood smile, and Locke couldn't help but make the mistake of wondering what else could go wrong...
____
By sunrise, the updates still hadn't finished. The entire staff was growing restless. Finally, Michaels made an executive decision. The test zone was narrowed to one of the only blind spots in the network. That is about when everything went to Hell.
"Commander, we've got contacts!" A technician shouted from his computer station. "Four mid-sized objects just... appeared! North-northwest of the test site! Closing fast!"
"Damn it all!" the commander growled under his breath. "Engage the Light Spike Cannons in that sector."
"We can't, the system is still down!" Blake interjected.
Michaels just smiled and stared directly towards the captain. "Then we have only one choice."
"No!" Doctor Blake interjected again. "We don't know how either Captain Locke OR the cyborg will react to the remote system!"
Now, the captain himself spoke up. "Not much choice left," he said idly, already heading for the door and removing his coat. "Prep the system, I'm on my way."
The chaos and panic began to spread as Locke headed out of the command center and down a series of corridors. The "remote system" was something out of a sci-fi novel. It was simply a helmet wired into the central computer. In essence, it transfered the pilots consciousness into the machine. Locke entered the room, which was well-staffed with computer geniuses and medical personnel to monitor the captain's vitals as well as the functionality of the system. In the center of the room was a metal chair wired to the helmet which sat in it. "Are we up and running?" Locke asked.
The nearest technician nodded. "Command says we've deployed a wave of Stormbringers to hold them off. We need to get you hooked up. Now, remember, this isn't like the simulator. The experience will be... intense."
"Don't lecture me, we don't have time." The captain unbuttoned his shirt and threw it off. The room was poorly ventilated and filled with electronic equipment. He needed to focus and for that, he needed to be as cool as possible. He sat down in the chair and took a deep, cleansing breath. One of the technicians lowered the helmet over his head. Cain closed his eyes and listened to the soft hum of the machine as it activated.
When his eyes opened, what he saw wasn't a room filled with geeks and EMTs. He was towering over the city scape, the early morning sun shining down on him. "Holy shit!" He exclaimed. "I can... I can fucking FEEL it! The sun, the ground... Jesus Christ, I can feel this thing's drill! What the fuck..."
____
The captain had a communication system built into the helmet. His exclamations were broadcast throughout the Commander Center. "Turn that damn PA off!" Commander Arnold barked, picking up the headset that would allow him to communicate directly with Locke. "Focus, Locke. Now isn't the time to marvel at this freak of nature."
The entire room's attention was swiftly switched to the main screen. An explosion filled the air and the wreckage of the final PDG-X Stormbringer crashing to the ground was clearly seen. In the distance, four canine shapes stalked ever closer to the prone cyborg. They were shaped like massive hyenas, and their eyes glowed an eerie read. One let out a growl, and another barked loudly. "God, this is insane! How the Hell can I feel a god damn piece of metal?"
Blake had also picked up a com device and now spoke into in soothing tones. "It's an artificial nervous system, it's how we integrated an electronic device into a biological creature. Cain, you can feel whatever it feels, it's no big-"
"I can feel it, like it's my own damn hand!" Cain continued to rant. "This... Good God, this is wrong..."
A loud howl pierced the area as the creatures, Shadow Hounds, closed in on their target, increasing speed with each step.
"God damn it, Captain, get a grip!" Jonathon Arnold snarled into his com device. "You've got a job to do!"
"Stop yelling at him, he's in shock, we need to get him out-" Blake yelled across the room.
"Damn it woman, shut your mouth!" the commander barked at her. He returned his attention to Locke. "You can see through it's eyes, right, Locke?" He didn't wait for a response. "Then you can see those four god damn beasts heading right for the city! You know how many people are gonna die if they get passed you? ALL OF THEM! Now get your act together and do your job, soldier! That's an order!"
The entire room held it's breath as the first Hound leaped into the air, straight towards the camera- to their weapon.
_____
The reaction was swift and concise. The left hand shot out, Paradigm Strike Blade extended. The Shadow Hound had no chance to move. It was still sailing through the air. A loud yelp echoed from it as the blade found purchase deep within it's belly. The other three pack members stopped and stared, dumbfounded. The arm and blade drove the creature to the ground and sliced downwards, gutting the beast. The right foot of the saurian cyborg stepped on the hyena's neck and pushed down as it withdrew the blade. There was an audible "crunch" as the skull was crushed. With blood dripping from the blade, the machine threw back it's head and roared. The sound was terrifying. A low, feral roar, a deep base, echoed simultaneously by a high-pitched metallic shriek.
"Sorry, sir..." Locke said over his com. "Just... got a little overwhelmed."
From within the command center, a cheer went up from everyone in attendance. "Welcome back, Captain. Now, lead those bastards away from the city and rip them a new ass."
"Affirmative. Oblivion... LAUNCH!"
A bright white flash emanated from Oblivion's back as his thrusters kicked in. The lifted off the ground and shot forwards towards the pack of monstrous dogs. As he passed them, Oblivion grabbed one by the scruff of the neck. Together they soared across the city, beyond it's borders, just inside the firing range of the defense network. Locke saw through Oblivion's eyes, including having a HUD readout from the right eye. The other two dogs were closing fast. Reacting with surprising quickness, Oblivion pulled a 180 and tossed the helpless dog into it's packmates. The three crumbled to the ground, a blur of legs and fur and teeth and claws. Locke didn't wait around from them to react. He brought the right arm to bare and a surge of energy began to well up from within the drill. Through it's diamond tip lanced forth a beam of energy. The maser seared across one of the dog's heads, burning out its eyes and earning a pained shriek from it.
It rolled around blindly as the other two dogs surged forth. The first jumped at Oblivion, who simply ducked it. The other lunged for the cyborg's throat, oblivious to the whirring of the drill. Before it's powerful jaws could lock around Oblivion's throat, he brought the drill around, penetrating the left side of it's dog-like body. The high-speed rotation then proceeded to rip through it's bones and organs, tearing up it's insides. Blood and foam flicked at the Shadow Hound's lips. A few seconds later, it's head drooped and the glow faded from it's eyes. Oblivion flicked it off the drill like it was some minor nuisance. No sooner was that one dealt with did the other jump on the saurian's back. Oblivion let out a shriek as claws and teeth ripped into the back of it's neck.
Likewise, Cain screamed from his position in the remote control system.
"What the fuck!" Commander Locke shouted. "What happened to the neural shut-off? I thought that damn thing couldn't feel pain!"
Dr. Blake was the one to respond, her voice weak and timid. "It can't. The AI chip prevents it. But the remote system isn't linked with the AI chip. Oblivion isn't feeling it. Cain... The Captain... is."
"Get... off... me... you GOD DAMNED MUTT!" Cain growled, the look in his eyes distant. Oblivion reacted to his thoughts, reaching up with his one biological hand and grabbing the stubby snout of the hound. He began to squeeze until another "crunch" issued and Locke felt blood and gore ooze around the appendage. The hound helped and whined as it fell away, trying to retreat. Oblivion turned slowly, a low, rumbling growl coming from it's throat. "Down boy." The spines of the forgotten dinosaur crackled with electricity for a moment before they began to glow red. Oblivion's jaws open and a beam of pure heat energy burst out, striking the crippled hound on it's flanks. Another followed, and a third, striking it in the back and the head respectively.
Oblivion let out another shrieking roar and unleashed the beam one last time. The beam seared over the hound, and, inevitably, it began to melt away. At last, the cyborg turned back to it's final adversary: the blinded dog. Grunting, Locke pushed the cyborg forward. Already he was diverting power from other systems into his drill. He kicked the blinded animal with the cybernetic left foot before planting it firmly on the beast's right left leg, snapping it. Then, he pushed the drill arm down through the Shadow Hound's back. A high-pitched whirring sound came from within as Oblivion powered the Maser. A second later, it fired directly into the creature as the drill spun. The hound exploded in a gory mess.
The drill and maser hissed as they begun to power down. Together, Oblivion and Cain turned towards the sun, now fully risen. Together they roared a challenge to the skies, to the very universe.
The dawning of a new era had come.
"Locke," he answered.
"Three in the morning and you still answer. Refreshing to see someone doesn't quit being a soldier when the sun goes down," the voice said.
"Commander," Cain acknowledged. "I haven't been a soldier in years, sir. I keep asking you to stop calling me that."
"Only when you stop being a soldier, son," he responded curtly. "Get showered and get down to the Command Center ASAP."
"Can I inquire as to what the Hell could be so pressing that it can't wait 'til I'm officially back on duty... sir?" He added the last part after a heartbeat of thought. Commander Arnold was right. Whether or not he was still an Army Ranger, Locke was still a soldier.
"It's ready," the commander responded.
Locke closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "For sure this time?"
"Michaels assured me the test would go on regardless of what bugs are left to be worked out."
Locke shook his head, clearly irritated at being roused almost three full hours before he was scheduled to go on duty, but had already risen and begun gathering his clothes for the shower. "If the test is going ahead no matter what, what do you need me for? The whole thing is run by AI."
"Dr. Blake requested you be on stand-by. She's got no faith in Michael's system," the commander replied. "Now stop arguing and get your ass down here."
"Yes, sir," Locke responded. There was no further conversation. Locke simply flipped the phone shut and set it back on the nightstand. Michaels had been postponing the tests for weeks, thanks largely in part to Dr. Brittany Blake's input. Knowing her as he did, Locke was sure that the corporations founder had finally overruled her arguments. Dr. Blake despised the project, despite it being her brainchild, the culmination of her expertise in the field of cybernetics. Locke never bothered to ask why. He knew she had her reasons. But to be honest, he just didn't care. The project was the best hope for their organization, and, perhaps, the world.
Sighing again, Locke strode into the bathroom, flicked on the light, and prepared for his shower.
_____
Dr. Blake crossed her arms beneath her ample bosom and continued to glare at Roger Michaels. "It's not ready!" she growled for the umpteenth time.
Michaels only gave her a reassuring smile. "Doctor, I assure you that I have taken your reports into account in preparing this test. The defects are minimal enough in number and nature. We're well within the tolerances. You know that."
"That doesn't change the fact that we still don't know why or how the brain overrides the AI!" the doctor spoke in a quiet but harsh tone. "Look, we need to put the project on the back burner. It's more important that we find out how it survived millions of years-"
Now, the CEO frowned. "It didn't, Doctor. It was dead. Half it's head was missing. It had no heartbeat, no pulse, the respiratory system wasn't functioning... I could go on, you know."
"But we got the heart beating again. We even replaced the respiratory system with an artificial one. It is, for all intensive purposes, alive, Mr. Michaels."
"Except for...?" And Michaels waited patiently for Dr. Blake to finish the thought.
She sighed reluctantly. "Except for the brain."
"Look, Dr. Blake, you're right. This thing still had blood -viable blood- in it's body. Despite missing an arm, a leg, half it's face, and having its chest turned into Hamburger Helper, the thing hadn't even begun to decay. But a body without a brain is worthless. It's only brain is the AI chip we've integrated into it. It's brain is a computer." He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"We need to figure out how it sustained its body throughout all those years. It's like some form of regenerative coma. The scientific implications are enormous!"
Michaels smiled. "I'm not denying that. And I've given you permission to study the biological aspects in your own time. But we're behind the 8-ball here, Doctor. CEE has already developed an advanced robotic weapon, but even that has reached its limits. What we're doing here is the next step. Imagine, a living robot. All the greatest aspects of biological and mechanical weapons. Where Darktide has it's shortcomings is where this project will excel! Between the two of them, if we continued to advance our project on schedule, we might just save the world. And then, when we don't need it anymore, you can dissect and play around with that thing all you want."
The good doctor prepared to argue more, when the main doors to the Command Center slid apart with a whoosh. Captain Locke strode in to the salutes of his underlings in the Paradigm Security Force. Cain gave a curt salute back and stepped up to the pair. "Ah, Captain!" Michaels gave his award-winning smile.
"Mr. Michaels," Cain nodded politely. "Are we ready?"
"We will be momentarily." All three heads turned towards the main viewscreen, which took up the vast majority of the north end of the room. There were rows and rows of computers and technicians in the secure room, each with a job vital to either the project or the sustenance of the facility. The view was that of the industrial section of the city of Miami- an area filled with condemned buildings that were being torn down and replaced. "What we're seeing is exactly what our pet project is. It'll be just a few moments more while technicians finish uploading the test protocols."
Much to Blake's surprise, Captain Locke turned his intense gaze to Michaels. "Test protocols? You're not loading that AI program you had me working in that damned simulator for weeks to create?"
Again, Michaels flashed his most harmless, white-toothed grin. "No, not for this test. The test protocols are limited to certain parameters. This is to avoid any collateral damage that the full AI would cause. It's programmed to defeat the enemy at any cost. Not exactly ideal for a test designed to check out the weapons and maneuvering systems."
Dr. Blake cleared her throat when the Captain looked like he was going to blow a gasket. "That's why I suggested you be here on standby. If there are any problems with the test system, we'll need you to pilot it remotely. Activating the full AI would endanger civilian safety."
Cain straightened his shirt color and nodded to them both. "I don't know whether to hope something goes wrong or not. But I sure as Hell hope you didn't drag me out of bed for nothing... Mr. Michaels." Despite the title being polite, Cain managed to make it an insult. With nothing further, Locke walked away from the two to join Commander Arnold at the podium overlooking the center proper.
_____
"You need to learn when to hold you tongue, Captain." Those were the grizzled commander's first words when Locke joined him.
"He makes my skin crawl, Commander," Locke said as way of explanation.
"Mine too, but that's better kept between us. 'Till then, pucker up and kiss his ass."
Locke scoffed. "Like Hell I will. Sir." This time, the captain had to remind himself that he was addressing a superior officer. "I was having such a nice sleep, too..."
Well, that wasn't entirely true, Locke thought to himself. He'd had another one of his nightmares. Images of some... hydra-like creature tearing some defenseless planet apart. The dream had chilled him to the bone. It's why he was so jumpy when his phone went off. It felt real. Locke knew he had premonitions sometimes, but he'd never seen this thing before. Whatever it was, it didn't exist. Still, the dream had been so vivid...
Locke's musing were interrupted by Michaels taking center stage in front of the view screen. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry to inform you that the test is going to be delayed a few hours. It seems that the defense network throughout the area hasn't yet finished updating. Officially, our project is not yet listed as "friendly."" A chorus of groans sprang up from the room. "Not to worry, I've ordered a breakfast cart for everyone." Again, the CEO gave that innocent Hollywood smile, and Locke couldn't help but make the mistake of wondering what else could go wrong...
____
By sunrise, the updates still hadn't finished. The entire staff was growing restless. Finally, Michaels made an executive decision. The test zone was narrowed to one of the only blind spots in the network. That is about when everything went to Hell.
"Commander, we've got contacts!" A technician shouted from his computer station. "Four mid-sized objects just... appeared! North-northwest of the test site! Closing fast!"
"Damn it all!" the commander growled under his breath. "Engage the Light Spike Cannons in that sector."
"We can't, the system is still down!" Blake interjected.
Michaels just smiled and stared directly towards the captain. "Then we have only one choice."
"No!" Doctor Blake interjected again. "We don't know how either Captain Locke OR the cyborg will react to the remote system!"
Now, the captain himself spoke up. "Not much choice left," he said idly, already heading for the door and removing his coat. "Prep the system, I'm on my way."
The chaos and panic began to spread as Locke headed out of the command center and down a series of corridors. The "remote system" was something out of a sci-fi novel. It was simply a helmet wired into the central computer. In essence, it transfered the pilots consciousness into the machine. Locke entered the room, which was well-staffed with computer geniuses and medical personnel to monitor the captain's vitals as well as the functionality of the system. In the center of the room was a metal chair wired to the helmet which sat in it. "Are we up and running?" Locke asked.
The nearest technician nodded. "Command says we've deployed a wave of Stormbringers to hold them off. We need to get you hooked up. Now, remember, this isn't like the simulator. The experience will be... intense."
"Don't lecture me, we don't have time." The captain unbuttoned his shirt and threw it off. The room was poorly ventilated and filled with electronic equipment. He needed to focus and for that, he needed to be as cool as possible. He sat down in the chair and took a deep, cleansing breath. One of the technicians lowered the helmet over his head. Cain closed his eyes and listened to the soft hum of the machine as it activated.
When his eyes opened, what he saw wasn't a room filled with geeks and EMTs. He was towering over the city scape, the early morning sun shining down on him. "Holy shit!" He exclaimed. "I can... I can fucking FEEL it! The sun, the ground... Jesus Christ, I can feel this thing's drill! What the fuck..."
____
The captain had a communication system built into the helmet. His exclamations were broadcast throughout the Commander Center. "Turn that damn PA off!" Commander Arnold barked, picking up the headset that would allow him to communicate directly with Locke. "Focus, Locke. Now isn't the time to marvel at this freak of nature."
The entire room's attention was swiftly switched to the main screen. An explosion filled the air and the wreckage of the final PDG-X Stormbringer crashing to the ground was clearly seen. In the distance, four canine shapes stalked ever closer to the prone cyborg. They were shaped like massive hyenas, and their eyes glowed an eerie read. One let out a growl, and another barked loudly. "God, this is insane! How the Hell can I feel a god damn piece of metal?"
Blake had also picked up a com device and now spoke into in soothing tones. "It's an artificial nervous system, it's how we integrated an electronic device into a biological creature. Cain, you can feel whatever it feels, it's no big-"
"I can feel it, like it's my own damn hand!" Cain continued to rant. "This... Good God, this is wrong..."
A loud howl pierced the area as the creatures, Shadow Hounds, closed in on their target, increasing speed with each step.
"God damn it, Captain, get a grip!" Jonathon Arnold snarled into his com device. "You've got a job to do!"
"Stop yelling at him, he's in shock, we need to get him out-" Blake yelled across the room.
"Damn it woman, shut your mouth!" the commander barked at her. He returned his attention to Locke. "You can see through it's eyes, right, Locke?" He didn't wait for a response. "Then you can see those four god damn beasts heading right for the city! You know how many people are gonna die if they get passed you? ALL OF THEM! Now get your act together and do your job, soldier! That's an order!"
The entire room held it's breath as the first Hound leaped into the air, straight towards the camera- to their weapon.
_____
The reaction was swift and concise. The left hand shot out, Paradigm Strike Blade extended. The Shadow Hound had no chance to move. It was still sailing through the air. A loud yelp echoed from it as the blade found purchase deep within it's belly. The other three pack members stopped and stared, dumbfounded. The arm and blade drove the creature to the ground and sliced downwards, gutting the beast. The right foot of the saurian cyborg stepped on the hyena's neck and pushed down as it withdrew the blade. There was an audible "crunch" as the skull was crushed. With blood dripping from the blade, the machine threw back it's head and roared. The sound was terrifying. A low, feral roar, a deep base, echoed simultaneously by a high-pitched metallic shriek.
"Sorry, sir..." Locke said over his com. "Just... got a little overwhelmed."
From within the command center, a cheer went up from everyone in attendance. "Welcome back, Captain. Now, lead those bastards away from the city and rip them a new ass."
"Affirmative. Oblivion... LAUNCH!"
A bright white flash emanated from Oblivion's back as his thrusters kicked in. The lifted off the ground and shot forwards towards the pack of monstrous dogs. As he passed them, Oblivion grabbed one by the scruff of the neck. Together they soared across the city, beyond it's borders, just inside the firing range of the defense network. Locke saw through Oblivion's eyes, including having a HUD readout from the right eye. The other two dogs were closing fast. Reacting with surprising quickness, Oblivion pulled a 180 and tossed the helpless dog into it's packmates. The three crumbled to the ground, a blur of legs and fur and teeth and claws. Locke didn't wait around from them to react. He brought the right arm to bare and a surge of energy began to well up from within the drill. Through it's diamond tip lanced forth a beam of energy. The maser seared across one of the dog's heads, burning out its eyes and earning a pained shriek from it.
It rolled around blindly as the other two dogs surged forth. The first jumped at Oblivion, who simply ducked it. The other lunged for the cyborg's throat, oblivious to the whirring of the drill. Before it's powerful jaws could lock around Oblivion's throat, he brought the drill around, penetrating the left side of it's dog-like body. The high-speed rotation then proceeded to rip through it's bones and organs, tearing up it's insides. Blood and foam flicked at the Shadow Hound's lips. A few seconds later, it's head drooped and the glow faded from it's eyes. Oblivion flicked it off the drill like it was some minor nuisance. No sooner was that one dealt with did the other jump on the saurian's back. Oblivion let out a shriek as claws and teeth ripped into the back of it's neck.
Likewise, Cain screamed from his position in the remote control system.
"What the fuck!" Commander Locke shouted. "What happened to the neural shut-off? I thought that damn thing couldn't feel pain!"
Dr. Blake was the one to respond, her voice weak and timid. "It can't. The AI chip prevents it. But the remote system isn't linked with the AI chip. Oblivion isn't feeling it. Cain... The Captain... is."
"Get... off... me... you GOD DAMNED MUTT!" Cain growled, the look in his eyes distant. Oblivion reacted to his thoughts, reaching up with his one biological hand and grabbing the stubby snout of the hound. He began to squeeze until another "crunch" issued and Locke felt blood and gore ooze around the appendage. The hound helped and whined as it fell away, trying to retreat. Oblivion turned slowly, a low, rumbling growl coming from it's throat. "Down boy." The spines of the forgotten dinosaur crackled with electricity for a moment before they began to glow red. Oblivion's jaws open and a beam of pure heat energy burst out, striking the crippled hound on it's flanks. Another followed, and a third, striking it in the back and the head respectively.
Oblivion let out another shrieking roar and unleashed the beam one last time. The beam seared over the hound, and, inevitably, it began to melt away. At last, the cyborg turned back to it's final adversary: the blinded dog. Grunting, Locke pushed the cyborg forward. Already he was diverting power from other systems into his drill. He kicked the blinded animal with the cybernetic left foot before planting it firmly on the beast's right left leg, snapping it. Then, he pushed the drill arm down through the Shadow Hound's back. A high-pitched whirring sound came from within as Oblivion powered the Maser. A second later, it fired directly into the creature as the drill spun. The hound exploded in a gory mess.
The drill and maser hissed as they begun to power down. Together, Oblivion and Cain turned towards the sun, now fully risen. Together they roared a challenge to the skies, to the very universe.
The dawning of a new era had come.