-
A Single Voice in the Silence: A Calm before the Storm →
Jack watched her fall to the sofa.
Query: Is there anything I can do for you? Its tone remanded calm, with a hint of worry in the back.
I…think I need a bandage…she replied, her words muffled by the sofa’s cushion.
Statement: Acknowledged. The Sniper began to rummage through the boxes, sure it could find something for her. After a few minutes, it came upon a small box of basic medical supplies, which it then picked up, and brought over to her.
-
A Single Voice in the Silence: A Calm before the Storm →
In the midst of the panic, Jack had looked to make sure Terri was safe.
…
If there was anything thing the Jack could understand about humans, it was fear. This was the only thing the Sniper had known from humans until the day Terri offered it her hand. Now, seeing Terri move the way she did, set off alarms in the Sniper’s head. Its mind began to flicker to the many interactions it had before with humans, the things fear makes them do. Now was the time to act, and in the chaos, Jack moved to Terri as quickly as it could. The Sniper wasn’t exactly sure what it was going to do to help her, but it knew it had to stop her from any action she might take, due to the unstable situation. Now standing in front of her, it spoke quickly, without thinking.
Terri! It’s going to be alright, but you need to stand back! Its statement was loud, but without fear.
Terri flinched, quickly turning to look at Jack and snapping out of her panic-induced hysteria. What had she been doing?! She didn’t properly know, but she knew that she..
I…I have to do something! This isn’t RIGHT! she yelled, stepping back anyway. What was unfolding was almost too much for her, but she still reacted to what she had been told.
The second the cracks faded, she knew she’d have to check. God knows what would happen, but from what she could see so far…
A Sniper Human Hybrid was not a pretty sight.
Jack turned its attention back to the poor man on the floor. It shook its head, unsure what to do. It looked back to Terri, speechless.
-
A Single Voice in the Silence: A Calm before the Storm →
Suddenly, an influx of cracks began to appear on and around John, almost as if a hole was forming and he was going to fall through. Odd scars began to appear on his flesh, and tears in his clothing corresponding with the scars. He also was grinding at his teeth fairly hard - in fact, if he clenched them any harder it was likely they would crack.
“FECK!”
Terri jumped up, hitting her head on the door as she rose. She didn’t care though, too scared of what was going on. This wasn’t possible! This couldn’t be possible! No way!
Her hand kept close to her Zapper, instinct kicking in. She wasn’t thinking, just acting. The air crackled in the room, fluxing between hot and cold in such a manner that it was akin to whiplash. If she had thought what was happening before was horrific, then this was incomprehensible.
Panic clear in her eyes, she glanced at Jack, as though somehow hoping the Sniper could stop this. She just wanted it to stop. She then began to move towards John, logic no longer in her thought process. Only instinct. Only an overwhelming wish for all of this to stop.
In the midst of the panic, Jack had looked to make sure Terri was safe.
…
If there was anything thing the Jack could understand about humans, it was fear. This was the only thing the Sniper had known from humans until the day Terri offered it her hand. Now, seeing Terri move the way she did, set off alarms in the Sniper’s head. Its mind began to flicker to the many interactions it had before with humans, the things fear makes them do. Now was the time to act, and in the chaos, Jack moved to Terri as quickly as it could. The Sniper wasn’t exactly sure what it was going to do to help her, but it knew it had to stop her from any action she might take, due to the unstable situation. Now standing in front of her, it spoke quickly, without thinking.
Terri! It’s going to be alright, but you need to stand back! Its statement was loud, but without fear.
-
A Single Voice in the Silence: A Calm before the Storm →
Flicking the light switch on and closing the door, Terri proceeded to lock it shut in three ways: Key, bolt and chain. Once that was done, she turned back to Jack, and all but collapsed against the door, breathing heavily.
Bloody hell…That wasn’t fun…
She glanced over at John, before looking at Jack, the sternness finally fading from her face.
This is a mess. What…what do we do?
John began twitching and jerking violently in his sleep.
“I… I don’ wanna… At least NO OH DEAR GOD AT LEAST HAVE THE DECENCY TO USE ANESTHETIC OH GOD MY BACK”
Jack observed the motions carefully. It was impossible to see that the Sniper was at all shaken by the events, however it was. Its systems began to hum and click, as it attempted to search for information about John’s sudden condition. Perhaps there would be answers.
>[Searching For: “Sniper-Human-Hybrid” project and all variations of]…
>[Processing]…
>[Results: 0]
…
>[Search For Acronym: “S.H.H.” and variations of]…
>[Processing]…
>[Results: 0]…
Jack groaned with frustration and turned away. The Sniper crossed its arms, and continued to think.
-
A Single Voice in the Silence: A Calm before the Storm →
It had taken longer than she’d initially hoped it would take, but they had finally reached the unassuming building that held her safehouse. Leading Jack up several sets of stairs, it was clear that this building was not like the others. It felt even colder than the pristine Loyalist towers,…
Having set all the boxes down in something only vaguely resembling organization, Jack turned to monitor John. Something about Jack’s posture had concern written on it. The Sniper chirped quietly to itself, clearly listening to other transmissions. What had John been picking up? Jack was certain humans could not access networks without exterior devices, this let to its fretting over John. It’s optic would occasionally move to check on Terri, or the door, but by this point Jack was far more worried about what was happening in John’s head.
-
Dumpster Warrior of the City: Always have a backup plan →
Agreement: Yes, this unit believes this is much better than the alternative.
Jack looks around.
Query: Is there anything this unit may help with?
Start putting the piles I’ve made into boxes. Don’t mix the piles, of course. If that’s not your speed, you still have your communications circuitry, if you can use it without giving away your location, keep a proverbial eye out for anything headed our way.
Statement: This unit should be able to accomplish both quite easily.
There is a small chip sound as Jack’s communication systems begin running. It then turns to start helping with all that packing, what a fuss over objects.
-
Dumpster Warrior of the City: Always have a backup plan →
Jack looked to John’s new weapon, it stared for a few moments, unsure how to respond and what to feel. On one hand, the humans had a need to defend themselves, on the other, well that was someone’s hand, essentially. Eventually it decided their need to survive overwrote the rather repulsive display.
Statement: Do what is necessary to assure your safety.
I… Look, I get it, it’s a bit graphic to you. I just… I needed something with a bit more firepower than a zapper, with the people I’ve pissed off. I hope you understand.
Statement: This unit understands your need for protection.
Concerned Statement: You are right, upon analysis, this unit would agree that we have not made many allies in the other worlds…
…
Gratitude: Thank you for understanding how this unit views your choice of weapon…
-
Dumpster Warrior of the City: Always have a backup plan →
Statement: This unit shall divert power from its arm, an analysis of the situation dictates that this unit should be able to move quickly, should an exit be required.
It pauses for a moment, as its internal systems hum.
>[Processing]…
>[Power Diversion Status: Complete]
Statement: You may move forward when ready.
John grabbed his toolchest, which thankfully hadn’t been packed yet, and grabbed the necessary tools to remove the armor and shell from the buster arm. He then, well, removed the armor and shell from the buster arm.
He then seated and connected the weapon crystal, fiddled with a few internal components until everything was in place, and replaced the armor and shell to the buster arm.
“Alright, that should do it.” John said, smiling.
“Oh and, unrelated, but I hope that you aren’t offended by my choice in weaponry.” he said, pointing to the cannibalized Sniper arm he had gotten from Crazy Bill.
Jack looked to John’s new weapon, it stared for a few moments, unsure how to respond and what to feel. On one hand, the humans had a need to defend themselves, on the other, well that was someone’s hand, essentially. Eventually it decided their need to survive overwrote the rather repulsive display.
Statement: Do what is necessary to assure your safety.
-
Dumpster Warrior of the City: Always have a backup plan →
Jack nods to John.
Statement: Acknowledged. This unit feels… honored to be trusted, even a small amount.
Alright, now… Either shut yourself off, or divert power away from the arm.
Statement: This unit shall divert power from its arm, an analysis of the situation dictates that this unit should be able to move quickly, should an exit be required.
It pauses for a moment, as its internal systems hum.
>[Processing]…
>[Power Diversion Status: Complete]
Statement: You may move forward when ready.
