2013

Hell's Kitchen, New York City

Warehouse District

 

(Zeru POV)

The warehouse felt empty, with Ava still immobile in the tank and Brock leaving earlier today.

I sat alone in silence, in front of my computer screen, watching news reports scroll past as I pondered how much longer until they both would return. It was going to be almost unbearable sitting here waiting patiently day after boring fucking day. Not knowing what to do with that time besides watching TV and doing nothing productive whatsoever other than maintaining Ava's chamber.

Thinking about her brought a pang of guilt to my chest, as I couldn't help but feel at fault for her current predicament.

Maybe if I knew how to use my powers better...

A long sullen sigh escaped my lips as I shook off thoughts of blaming myself and tried to move my thinking to something more productive.

Turning back towards my computer, I began typing furiously as I went through hundreds of pages worth of research materials pertaining to Mechanical Engineering, Biotechnology, Cybernetics....basically anything that would help me enhance my abilities further.

All sorts of notes scribbled hastily throughout various books, articles, journals, and manuals filled my desktop, jotted hurriedly during brief periods of free time spent researching new techniques and technologies my Nodes could assimilate with.

*Beep! Beep! Beep!*

Suddenly, the sound of the proximity alarm interrupted my studying, causing me to jump slightly. Glancing nervously over at the monitor beside me, a dumbfounded expression crosses my features as I watch the image of five blacked-out SUVs rapidly entering the warehouse district premises and heading toward our base.

A worried frown came to my face at the sight of the incoming possible enemies, but Brock's parting words instantly echoed clearly in my mind, and I quickly forced myself to move. Whirling around, I hit one of the buttons on my console, activating the homebrewed security system I had installed months prior.

The sound of metal gears grating and churning assaulted my ears as various parts of the large warehouse began to shift and move slowly. Several heavy steel barrels emerged from hidden compartments around the building, extending outward and locking firmly onto the incoming targets.

Each of these massive hi-tech guns extended above the ground and pointed down like giant robotic sentries ready to fire deadly projectiles should intruders ever attempt to breach our perimeter defenses.

As the turrets locked securely into position, my heart raced wildly at the thought of imminent danger approaching; however, relief washed over me as the thought of people coming to ruin this place suddenly occurred to me.

This is the first real place I've been able to call home since...well, ever.

I will not allow anyone to take it away!

My mouth set firm as determination surged through me.

Ten fist-sized silver orbs of smooth liquid metal streamed out of my body and began to congeal together, morphing into the mechanism I'd been playing around with for a while in my head.

No matter who comes calling…they'll regret ever stepping near here!! My fists clenched tightly, and excitement rushed through me as I continued to prepare for the coming battle.

***********

Hell's Kitchen, New York City

Warehouse District

A few Minutes Earlier

 

(Salvatore Carbone POV)

"You sure this the place?" I asked skeptically, glaring back at the teary-eyed hoodlum who was currently staining my leather backseats with the dirty blood pouring copiously from his wounds.

Grimacing bitterly and wiping away fresh droplets of snot dripping from his nose, he nodded shakily, "Y-yes...this is where everyone says is his turf."

Nodding solemnly, I turn my gaze ahead to survey the area our small convey was parked in front of. It looked like an abandoned railyard, littered with trash strewn across a broken concrete walkway between rows upon rows of old rusting train cars scattered haphazardly everywhere amidst piles of scrap metal left behind by previous tenants.

There wasn't anything remotely resembling civilization anywhere nearby save for maybe a couple of dilapidated shacks standing precariously atop crumbling foundations half buried beneath layers of accumulated filth.

The only fully intact structures present seemed to be three warehouses situated close together and the graffiti-covered brick wall stretching out around the property's confines. A rusted gate in the front was the only thing stopping people from entering.

"What you want to do, Boss?" Lombardi, my mother's right-hand man, asked cautiously from the passenger seat. His voice sounded tense and apprehensive, which irked me somewhat, considering we're supposed to be professionals.

"What do you think? We're going to storm the place and make quick work of every single person hiding in there!" I snapped irritably at him while giving him a hard glare.

"But, Sir, what if we don't have enough men or firepower available to engage whoever's in there without getting ourselves killed too?" He argued desperately, trying unsuccessfully to convince me otherwise despite being aware that I always got exactly what I wanted. "We should at least contact your Mother and-"

*Slap!*

I backhand him sharply across his cheek, cutting off his protestations mid-sentence as pain shot through my knuckles from hitting the hardened man's jaw.

Lombardi didn't even wince under the assault, grimacing angrily but keeping quiet as he realized arguing no longer served any purpose anyway.

"Shut up already!" I demand coldly as I look him in the eyes, daring him to speak up. "I've already told you what we're doing. Now, relay my Fucking Orders!"

The Italian soldier pauses for a second before simply nodding silently at my command, then turning to address his subordinates in the other vehicles via the radio headset attached to his ear.

A moment later, the five armored SUVs roar loudly to life simultaneously and speed forward toward the main gate leading directly into the warehouse district grounds.

The loud engine noise echoes harshly amongst the deserted surroundings as it reverberates along the barren landscape surrounding them. As expected, nobody even attempted to stop us when the lead car forcefully rammed the rusted gate open.

With the way clear, the convoy moves swiftly deeper into the desolate territory, passing through the entrance gates and entering the warehouse complex.

"Which one of these shithouses is the guy hiding out in?" I question the bleeding hoodlum seated in the back while glancing curiously ahead at the four structures for any signs of movement within.

"I-I don't know." He answers hesitantly, fear evident in his tone.

My head snaps back as I turn around to berate the pathetic man when suddenly, the car abruptly shifts direction violently, flipping the vehicle on its side and sending me tumbling backward.

*Rat-tat-tat-tat!*

*Rat-tat-tat-tat!*

A sudden barrage of heavy gunfire erupts from outside the vehicle, forcing me to duck low beneath the dashboard as hot rounds smash into the overturn SUV, shattering the windows and peppering its exterior with large holes. Wincing inwardly as shards of glass fly dangerously close to my face, I grit my teeth and peek my head upward through the broken window just far enough to see who the fuck was shooting at us.

Four hi-tech-looking turrets were jutting out atop one of the warehouses and loomed ominously above us as they began to unleash another barrage of high-caliber ammunition into the other SUVs, relentlessly firing on them.

*Rat-tat-tat-tat!*

*Rat-tat-tat-tat!*

Several more bursts shoot forth and strike multiple times against the vehicles' thick armor-plated hulls before finally penetrating deep into their sides and puncturing through the occupants.

*Boom!*

Explosions rang out within the courtyard, making me flinch down as a portion of my conveys was ripped apart and sent debris flying freely through shattered windows as chunks of bullet-riddled metal scattered onto the ground.

"Shit!!" I curse reflexively under my breath, realizing this place had better security measures than I anticipated, especially given how poorly guarded it looked from afar.

"Salvatore, we need to get outta here now!" Lombardi shouts urgently over the din of gunfire raging around us, prompting me to nod curtly and pull out an unholstered pistol from underneath my jacket.

Shaking off any lingering nerves caused by the intense impact moments ago, I aim carefully and squeeze off two quick shots at one of the turrets, aiming straight upwards at its barrel protruding from the rooftop.

*Bang! Bang!*

Both bullets slam cleanly into thin air though, failing to penetrate the heavily reinforced material used to construct those things. They must have built them well because none of my men's weapons seemed capable of piercing their tough protection either.

"Raa!" Lombardi grunts from beside me as he kicks out the panel of broken glass that now made up the windshield and scrambles to pull me upright so that we can exit through the new opening. Grabbing hold of the edge of the smashed-up paneling covering the front of the tipped car, Lombardi yanks on my arm and drags us both painfully out of the wrecked vehicle.

"Let go of me!" I shout indignantly as he tries pulling me forcibly down into cover behind the overturned SUV, repeatedly tripping due to all the loose rubble lying everywhere.

Lombardi lets out a frustrated growl, ignoring me, and continues dragging me onward regardless.

Scowling ferociously at his insubordination, I try kicking him in the shins but fail miserably as he dodges aside and keeps moving forward. With little choice but to follow suit or risk getting caught up in whatever mayhem was occurring elsewhere, I reluctantly let him drag me forward.

Unexpectedly, all six of the turrets suddenly fall silent. However, the commotion continues unabashed inside the warehouse district as sporadic gunshots can be heard sporadically echoing intermittently amid the cacophony of chaos taking place elsewhere.

Glaring darkly at the battle unfolding behind me, I grow increasingly agitated at having failed so miserably thus far.

*Zap!*

*Zap!*

Two purple lighting bolts suddenly flash past my body, narrowly missing my torso and striking the side door of the nearest car, and scorching through the metal completely.

*Boom!*

Burning pieces rain down onto the compound below, and metal fragments are flung about wildly, making movement difficult for anybody unfortunate enough to remain still exposed to direct hits from the falling wreckage.

*Zap*

*Zap!*

Another pair of bolt streaks pass followed closely by the sound of my men's dying screams ringing out behind me... until silence again falls in earnest. Looking briefly back at the scene, I notice that most of the vehicles were now engulfed in flames.

A single figure moves through the smoke billowing from the various wrecks, seemingly unaffected by it whatsoever. The figure walked calmly amongst the carnage, its tall figure covered completely in some kind of a gleaming silver suit of power armor.

{A/n: Image Here -->}

"What the fuck!" I snap furiously as I watch helplessly as the mysterious individual walks nonchalantly through the chaos, firing bolts of purple lightning from his hands effortlessly at any enemies unlucky enough to cross paths with him.

"WE NEED TO GO!!" Lombardi yells frantically beside me, pushing me roughly toward the front gates. "Run ahead! I'll lay down cover fire."

Not wanting to waste time thinking anymore about it, I quickly comply and start running full tilt towards the main road ahead. If nothing else, I needed to put distance between this Ironman wannabe bastard and me before something worse happened.

*Snick!*

A robotic-sounding mechanical whirr filled my ears momentarily as sharp pain shoots through my leg, causing me to stumble to the ground. Turning back to find out why I spot two beady purple eyes staring back at me intently.

The eyes belonged to a small metallic silver beetle with two razor-sharp, jagged mandibles jutting outward menacingly from either end of its robotic face. Blood dripped steadily from its long-bladed mandibles as a bleeding severed leg lay limply discarded near its six short, thin legs.

My face went white as I followed the blood trail downwards to discover it was my own. My mind reeled in horror as realization dawned upon me that...thing, cut it off.

"Aaaarrrghgh!!" I scream hysterically as the shock wears off and panic sets in once more.

Raising my gun, I fire desperately at the robotic creature, but the bullets just bounce off of its thick metallic carapace.

It slowly rose unsteadily to its hind legs and regarded me coolly as it held tightly to the mangled remains dangling lifelessly from where part of my calf muscle used to be. Its tiny insectoid eyes bore into mine as it began rapidly advancing closer, clearly intent on finishing what it had started seconds earlier.

"Not him!" The armored figure's mechanical voice rang out, and the machine creature immediately halted in place. It turned away and scuttled hurriedly up to the towering armored humanoid, who was casually walking over while dragging Lombardi's beaten and broken form behind him like a bag of dirty laundry.

Without hesitation, the little robotic insect crawled up the back of the armored figure and merged itself seamlessly together with the powered exo suit, becoming fully integrated with it almost instantly.

As soon as the process finished and it became whole again, the big dude tossed Lombardi carelessly aside contemptuously, leaving him crumbled unconscious against the wall next to me.

"Sorry bout that, still working out the kinks." The man's robotic voice called out, and for a second, I could have sworn it sounded like it came from a kid.

But before I could say anything else, and without wasting another instant, the armored man stepped forward aggressively toward me, looming large above me with his intimidating stature and imposing presence.

"Who sent you?" His booming mechanical voice asked sharply amidst the chaotic sounds in the background, the four glowing eyes on his helmet radiating a violent purple light. "Tell me right now if you want to have a peaceful death."

*************

A/n: Hey guys, I hope you are enjoying the story so far, and as always, thanks for reading!

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