'The Pit: Hell Frozen Over' - Arc 3, Chapter 3: 'The One Truth' (Closed, Started)

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"Good." Lee replied tersely. "What I am about to ask of you is extremely dangerous, and for the moment discretion is our only chance for success. I trust that it goes without saying that nothing I have told you, or am about to tell you, is to leave this room under any circumstances."

Lee took out the second file, opened it, and laid it out on his desk facing Lewis.

"This former Warden disappeared during the riots 3 months ago, and has since been active among the Inmate population, under the pseudonym 'The Reaper'. He is another rogue element, something which I cannot abide. However, he could still prove a valuable ally if he is that way inclined. So, until I can ascertain where he stands in all of this, I cannot decide what action it is best for me to take. This is where you, and your sister, come in."

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Nikolai shook his head, to clear it after the blows he had taken. He exaggerated how much he needed to. Not too much, as would give away the game, but just enough to give Acolyte the wrong impression of his state.

Acolyte stood in a defensive stance, expecting a retaliation. This time, Nikolai would bite. He wheeled round to face him, stumbling ever so slightly, before he bellowed and charged. His right fist came swinging in, whistling through the air and aimed squarely and Acolyte's jaw. Acolyte danced past it, just as expected, and moved in to strike down at the back of Nikolai's neck with his arm, a blow that could have stunned him if accurate enough.

He didn't get the chance. As Acolyte moved it, Nikolai turned lightning quick on his planted right leg, bringing his new left up to his chest, every muscle involved in the action charging up enough energy as they could muster. That energy was released in a savage kick, Nikolai's hard rubber sole striking right into Acolyte's diaphragm, just below his solar plexus. Nikolai was getting used to his new limb quickly. Even without the solid metal appendage, a blow of such force had more than once been enough to stop a Man's heart. Such was not the case with Acolyte. However, spray, tinted with red, flew from his mouth as all the wind was knocked out of him, and he doubled over. His whole body would have been propelled backwards too, had Nikolai not caught him by the scruff of the neck, holding his face down. Without hesitation, Nikolai delivered a swinging uppercut directly to the center of Acolyte's face, causing him to quite literally somersault backwards in the air, the blood coming from his nose tracing his arc. He ended in a heap, face down.

"You make this too easy!" Nikolai exclaimed, pressing down with his new leg on the back of Acolyte's neck.

 

[The Funslinger]

Acolyte went still, becoming limp, ignoring Nikolai's taunts. He took the opportunity to shake off the brutality of that last attack, and his head soon stopped spinning. After a while, the huge foot was removed from his neck, and he heard murmurs from the Free Men. "He's blacked out again..."

He waited, and waited. Then, after several seconds, suddenly he was back on his feet, peppering Nikolai's torso with a flurry of blows. They were aimed at the nerve clusters nestled in his muscles, an immobilization technique that would set them spasming uncontrollably. How long depended on the person, but he had some seconds, at least. Then he thrust out with his index and hit deep into Nikolai's thyroid gland. Often a killing blow, but he wouldn't count on it against this man. Nonetheless, he heard the sound of blood welling up in the back of the man's throat, and already he was entering his next move.

A roundhouse kick that connected hard at Nikolai's temple. He took an involuntary step backwards, but was anchored by the artificial leg in its bulk. Acolyte finished up his maneuver with a straight up punch to the face. He was surprised when Nikolai took hold of his wrist. He was regaining control surprisingly quickly.

With that, Acolyte was thrown by the arm, and set backpedalling into a the buffer of Free Men, who pushed him back towards their leader. He stood and watched his opponent, pausing to spit out a globule of blood, and wipe more away from his nose. His midriff was on fire and his jaw ached furiously. But he was far from beaten.

"For someone who just got the damn thing, you're making good use of that leg," he said, grinning.

=============================================

Korovitch watched the man, attempting to be at ease. The 'Reaper' was ill disguising his tension.

"They have some idea. As far as I know, it's been thought best to leave you. As useful as you could prove to be, I wouldn't be surprised if there had been plans to contact you, although you were Cornelius' dog. Be blunt, what is it you want me to do?"

 

[Fappy]

"...although you were Cornelius' dog..."

Neil almost winced as Luka mentioned the name. He hadn't disobeyed a single order in his entire career until that night. Sticks had pushed him too far. However, his only regret is that he was too cowardly to finish the job.

Obviously, that was something the man before him had no problem doing.

"When they run the DNA tests on the crime scene they'll find mine on a cigarette butt I left behind. If they have any idea what I've been doing down there it shouldn't take much convincing that I wasn't the killer." Neil looked down at the mask between them, "If you can keep the wardens off of me I can find your killer for you. I have eyes and ears in places the wardens don't. No one knows this complex better than I do."

Neil watched the man's face as he considered the request before continuing, "One other thing." Luka's men leveled their sub-machine guns as Neil reached into his pants pocket. He held out a finger as to calm them and slowly brought his other hand into view. After placing the dog tags on the table he leaned forward and looked Luka right in the eyes. "I wanted the chance to give these tags directly to the commanding officer of the man they belonged to. I was under orders when I killed him, but no honorable man would have followed Stick's orders for as long as I had."

He signaled towards the pistol on the table, "I wouldn't ask this of you if I hadn't been willing to give you a choice you deserve to make. I killed your man and I let something worse happen to another... if you feel it's justified," A knot formed in his throat as he spoke, "You may judge me in whatever way you deem fit."

Neil couldn't meet Luka's gaze anymore. He stared at the pistol laying on the table.

He was scared to die, but part of him wanted it.

 

[The Funslinger]

"You may judge me in whatever way you deem fit."

Korovitch ignored the pistol on the table, and drew his Makarov. He held it to his cheek like a duelist as he surveyed the man in front of him. What would he do? Even he wasn't sure.

"One question: Why stay here?"

 

[Fappy]

Neil leaned back in his seat, his arms crossed, "It's my penance. I belong here after what I've done."

Neil looked back up to meet Luka's gaze. He heard about the brutal way he had ended Sticks. If he chose to take Neil's life... well, he hoped it would be more sanitary. There was no doubt in his mind that Luka hated him for what he had done.

Revenge was a powerful thing.

"It's likely that a lifetime in here is worse than death, so personally, I think I'd prefer death," He paused for a moment to consider what he was about to say. "However, I've done good work here so far... I figured I'd do more good cleansing this place of those the wardens can't find than simply withering away."

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

"So, until I can ascertain where he stands in all of this, I cannot decide what action it is best for me to take. This is where you, and your sister, come in."

Lewis thought about Lee's proposal and the man Lee wanted. He was an ex-Warden in deep as a inmate. His sister was an inmate. Lewis sighed and scratched the back of his head.

"I'm sorry but I haven't seen my own sister in the last two months and you me-or her to turn this 'Reaper' to our side, sir?" Lewis said. He didn't even know he said "sir" until the words left his mouth. It was more of an impulse now ever since basic training and living here in general. Not only that but he didn't see a reason not to unless the commanding officer told him not to. Even then he would struggle not saying "sir" at the end of every sentence. It took Lewis a month to stop calling Oliva sir.


-----------------------------------------------------

"I think my mind's started playing tricks."

"Same with me. It must be the cold." Richard said, motioning Olivander to go along. "Come on, we wouldn't want to keep them waiting."

Richard waited for Olivander to get his belongings before going on to meet up for another tour around the facility once more. He heard that their "tour guide" had a temper and a particular "fondness" for the executives. Richard couldn't wait to meet her. They both arrived to the sight of a sour Warden. She looked visibly frustrated at the two but Richard returned her look of anger with his trademark smile. It wasn't an attempt to charm her but it was just natural to him. Being angry never got him anywhere so why would he capitulate to making the mood more sour than it already is?

"Sorry for the tardiness. Hopefully it won't happen again." Richard said. "I think we're ready for our tour."

 

[The Funslinger]

Korovitch listened to what the man had to say, and then holstered his gun.

"You have three days. After that, if there's nothing I'll come for you personally."

With that, he turned to leave, and his men followed. As Wickers passed by where Neil was sat, the burly Scotsman slowed to a brief halt. "Got a tough job ahead of yeh, lad," he said, in a tone that was almost friendly; then suddenly, he lashed out, a brutal right hook to Neil's face, hard enough to send the chair toppling.

"That's fer Gibbs and Lisa," he said, and followed the others.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"I do." Lee answered curtly. "You're sister has been in contact with him very recently. She helped him, and I believe in his current position, The Reaper has developed a certain nobility towards people, particularly women, in difficult positions. It's not much, but she's our best way in."

Lee allowed himself to relax a little. He sat back down in his chair, but made a point of maintaining eye contact with Lewis. It was time to outline the plan.

"Shogun Squad is being disbanded for systematic mistreatment of Venture Horizon property, it's members separated and assigned to new squads after retraining. It serves me well to send a message about changing attitudes in this place, but in reality, the primary objective of this move will be to provide deep cover for you. Having gone on record taking responsibility for the worst of Shogun Squad's malpractice, your 'punishment' will be more severe. You are being stripped of your rank and your uniform, and sent into The Pit as an Inmate. I won't deny this mission is incredibly dangerous, but I have contacts that will be keeping watch, assuring your safety. These same contacts will also get you in touch with your sister...

How much of your real purpose inside The Pit that you choose to tell her, I will leave up to you. All that matters to me is that she, in turn, get's you in a room with The Reaper. News travels fast underground, and The Reaper will likely be aware of your presence within hours of your arrival. He'll naturally be wary. However, when he hears the story from your sister, about the young innocent soldier, who traveled halfway across the globe to find and protect his kin, and who ended up being locked away beside her, because he chose to take responsibility for crimes that were not his, I'm confident he'll become very invested in your welfare.

Once you have gained his trust, and accurately assessed whether or not we can work with him, send word to me through my contacts. If I deem a termination to be necessary, I will pull you and your sister out of there before attempting anything. No offense meant, but this man is out of your league. If I judge that we should extend the hand of friendship, then I may need you further to get him to come to the table. Do not however, reveal your true purpose to him unless you are absolutely sure that he is ready and willing to co-operate. The Reaper is dangerous, and paranoid."

He leaned forward again in his seat, every line in his face etched with urgent concern. Lee only wished he could tell to Corporal how much could be riding on this mission, only Lee still couldn't be certain himself.

"I understand I am asking an incredible amount from you, Lewis, perhaps more than I have asked of any one individual under my command before; and should you accept, I know that your discharge from the Wardens will mean that I no longer hold any official authority over you, and your co-operation will be entirely dependent on faith. Because of this, I assure you that if you accept and complete this mission, both you and your sister walk free. No strings. I will deal with whatever needs to be dealt with at this end to secure your release personally. Now, are you in?"

============================================================================================================================

"And you do not lie down so easily." Nikolai replied, smiling. He relaxed, rubbing his throat where Acolyte had made it sore, before spitting up blood as his opponent had just done.

"You fight well..." Nikolai told him, extending his hand in a gesture of truce. The Free Men stood silent. Acolyte hesitated, uncertain at first, but Nikolai did not drop his gaze, and his smile didn't falter. After a pause, Acolyte dropped his guard, and moved forward to accept the handshake.

Crack! The sound reverberated around the hangar as Nikolai lashed out with an elbow strike to Acolytes cheekbone, fracturing it just below the eye-socket, at the exact moment Nikolai's other hand touched with Acolyte's. The same hand then shot up, grasping Acolyte by the neck and lifting him off his feet. Nikolai took the time to give two thumping blows to Acolytes liver, before grasping between his legs with his free hand and squeezing tight. He lifted Acolyte above his head, and with a roar, slammed him back down into the ground.

"...but you are not as clever as you think." he told his opponent, lifting his metal leg ready to stamp down on Acolyte's face, finishing it.

It was then that Acolyte's arm shot up, his thumb finding the point at which the metal intermingled with the still raw flesh. He dug in and twisted, leaving Nikolai stunned for a moment by blinding pain. His other leg was swept from underneath him, and Nikolai crashed to the ground.

Now they grappled together, rolling around on the dusty concrete floor, their bruised and swollen faces an inch from each other. Nikolai cursed in Russian, grunting and gnashing his metal teeth, while Acolyte wore a look of grim determination. Down here, Nikolai's extra height and weight were not such an advantage. Three months ago, Nikolai would still have had the raw brute strength to overcome this, to snap Acolyte's spine like a twig, but hunger, fatigue and sickness had worn at him more than Nikolai had realised, and now the two of them seemed dead even, neither able to successfully pin the other.

 

[Fappy]

With his head against the floor, Neil wiped the blood from his lip and propped himself up by his elbow. He was still a bit dizzy from the punch, "O-one thing, before you go..."

Neil struggled to get to his feet. The pain in his face intensified as he moved his mouth the speak. The Scotsman was tough for sure. Luka didn't bother turning around, so Neil continued, "I-is... is she doing better?"

He was prepared for further abuse if it meant getting an answer from them.

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

"You fight well..."

Kusanagi saw it in his eyes, but was too late to act. By the time she had called out a warning to Acolyte he was already on the ground.

"Acolyte!"

"...but you are not as clever as you think."

As he raised his boot to finish Acolyte off she screamed, "You fucking animal!" Two of the Freemen grabbed hold of her as she lunged forward, preventing her from interfering. It took every once of strength the two men had to contatin her ferocity. Whether Acolyte was just that good or that Kusanagi's scream had distracted Nikolai, his coup de grace was intercepted and countered, bringing the two fighters to the ground.

Her hope momentarily renewed, she calmed down and stopped struggling. Though, her breathing was still heavy with rage. The men relinquished their hold and one of them--a large, clean-shaven man by the name of Gustav--put a hand on her shoulder. He sported a sinister smile, though she didn't bother looking in his direction, "Why get so worked up over a skin-headed fucker like him anyway? You worried Nikolai's going to gut your fuck-toy?!"

This coming from the man that had leered at her every chance he'd gotten over the past three months.

Her eyes darted in his direction as he and a few others nearby began to laugh. It did not last however, as he soon found himself toppling head over heels. Kusanagi had slid her foot backwards between his legs as to get the proper leverage to grasp the length of his arm and fling him over her shoulder. A maneuver Orphan had taught her more than any other. She didn't have time to be proud of herself, however, she had more pressing matters to attend to.

The Freemen howled as Gustav hit the ground on the base of his spine, momentarily stunning him. His arms laid out at his side, Kusanagi took this opportunity to drop down, crushing both of his wrists under the weight of her knees. His shrieks intensified further as he struggled against her, trying to break her pin, which would have worked if not for the excruciating pain that shot through his groin. Her fists raised high, Kusanagi delivered a savage barrage of blows to his crotch.

By the time another one of the Freemen--a larger, dark skinned man she had forgotten the name of--had gotten the sense to intervene his testicles had likely transformed into something unrecognizable. The man threw her against the wall, as to calm her down, but Kusanagi didn't appreciate his efforts and threw her head forward, fracturing the cartilage in his nose. She sneered as he hung his head in front of her for a moment, watching the blood ooze from his nostril onto the floor. Just as soon as he'd turned his head up to meet her gaze he'd punched her across the face, sending her staggering a few steps across the wall, onto the ground.

"You dishonor this rite by creating such a commotion. Be still. Be silent... or I will silence you!" The man neglected to wipe the blood from his nose, though it was unclear whether it was due to the intensity of the moment or some form of intimidation.

Kusanagi braced herself on the floor and put a hand to the side of her face. Her gums were bleeding and her cheek throbbed like hell, but she wasn't about to let that stop her. She spat blood at the man's feet, "Fuck your rites!"

He balled up his fists, but hesitated to act. He knew Nikolai didn't want his men to bring her harm... that was an advantage she'd exploit. She rose to her feet and looked the man dead in the eyes. Unconscious, Gustav had been dragged to the side by another while the remaining Freemen had looked back towards the main attraction once the dark-skinned man intervened, "Don't do something you'll regret. I don't want to hurt you..."

"I'm counting on it!" Kusanagi spat as she lunged towards him like a wild animal. As he swung his fist in an arc to intercept her reckless assault, she quickly adjusted and ducked under the massive blow to deliver her own. A denture shot straight up into the air as her fist connected against the base of his jaw. An uppercut that would have likely snapped his neck if she'd been a bit stronger.

His recovery was inhuman. Whether it was her lack of strength or his ability to endure punishment, the blow wasn't enough to stun him for long. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he sent his knee straight into her midsection, knocking the wind out of her and causing her to double over. He followed up the blow with a two-handed overhead chop, connecting hard against her vertebrae and sending her crashing to the floor.

The pain was excruciating. Everything was a black haze. She couldn't even make out the voices around her. That was until she felt her hair being violently tugged. The large man had knelt beside her and lifted her head off the ground by her hair, "Be silent, little girl."

Lucia wanted so badly to cry. To run and hide.

Kusanagi refused to let that happen.

"G-go fuck yourself!"

He replied with a disappointed sigh. It was clear she'd sent him over the edge. His better judgement was was quickly escaping him, but thankfully Nikolai had taught this one well, "One day that mouth of yours is going to get you killed."

She cried out as he picked her up by the hair and dragged her over to her cot. She clawed at his hand, struggling to break free of his grasp but he was too strong and she was too tired. Too weak. He tossed her like a rag-doll onto the cot and turned to return to the battle, "That is your place. That is where you belong." He spat blood up as he left.

As Kusanagi lay there, bloodied and barely conscious, she was reminded of the Bowie knife strapped to her boot. Next time someone grabbed her by the hair she'd be ready.

 

[The Funslinger]

Acolyte's face blazed with pain as he grappled with Nikolai. He'd known the handshake was a feint. But he was reminded of something one of his associates from his drug runner days had once said. "Sometimes to give pain, you have to take it first". Samuel hadn't been sure what that meant, until one day, the two of them had been set upon by members of a burgeoning rival gang. Their leader had come at Milo with a chain, lashing it like a whip. Rather than avoid it, Milo blocked with a forearm, and the chain lashed brutally around it, the links tearing deep into the flesh. Milo had gritted his teeth and used the chain to pull the man to him, then buried his thumb in the man's eye socket, far enough to touch brain. The others had run off after that.

And now here he and Nikolai were, grappling on the floor like super sized children. Try as he might, he couldn't get an edge. Nikolai was still somewhat weakened, but allowing himself to take that many blows to the head had left Acolyte groggy. As they rolled along the ground, pushed by momentum, Acolyte came on top. An idea rose up. Ignoring the resulting pain, he blew air as hard as he could out of his nostrils, causing a spray of blood to hit Nikolai's eyes. That distraction allowed Acolyte to sink a savage punch into Nikolai's already tortured throat, causing more blood to dribble from his lips. In his blind ferocity, Nikolai hooked his shin under Acolyte's chest, pushing, giving room to get the inflexible mechanical leg under, and heaved, sending Acolyte sailing through the air, rolling and bouncing on the concrete, coming to rest on his back. Several feet apart, the two lay there, both breathing hard.

=============================================================================

With Korovitch and Tanner already gone, Wickers glanced back.

"She's doing as well as you could expect," he replied, and left.

=============================================================================

Riley had set the fire going, and made a pile of ash in the pit he'd lined with the boar hide, filling the pit with water. With a crude frame constructed, he was caught up on everything he needed to do, and was rinsing his hands at a small pump in the corner of the compound. That done, he decided to look for Odin, but was distracted as he passed the Free Men's hangar. He could hear the sounds of cheering, and the irregular thuds and thumps of violence. He pushed through the door into the hangar, just in time to see the monk man get put violently on his back. The Free Men glanced at him, and several moved aside wordlessly, giving him a good look. Both men looked like they'd been put through a meat grinder, and there were spatters of blood all across the concrete. His arms folded, Riley watched, wondering if Talon would want him to intervene, or would be angry if he did so.

He decided he'd watch, and step in before the two killed each other.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Nikolai grimaced, spitting up more blood as he heaved himself to his feet. Acolyte did the same, swaying slightly due to the punishment his skull had taken at Nikolai's hands. Still, he was on his guard, ready to keep fighting.

"Enough!" growled Nikolai, straightening up and walking toward his opponent. He stopped less than a yard from Acolyte, who's cheek and nose were beginning to swell up badly. He was barely able to open his right eye, and cocked his head slightly to look at Nikolai, who he knew can't have been looking much better.

"You are worthy." he told him, grabbing Acolyte's arm and raising it high. This time it was no trick. The Free Men cheered and came forward to congratulate their new brother, impressed by his skill and resilience. None would shun him again.

Kusanagi was another matter. She had crossed a line, and though Nikolai was displeased with Nikita for striking her when he had expressly forbid it, he would not discipline him for defending himself. That, above all, must take precedence. He looked at her, huddled up in her corner, venom burning in her gaze as she stared him down. He'd seen that look before. He'd been catching glances of it at times over the last few months, when she thought he could not see her. When it suited her she was kind and understanding, but behind it all a part of her loathed him still. Orphan had gone to his death willingly, to make Azrael think he'd won, to make him trust Nikolai completely, and to drop his guard for the first time in years. If she truly understood that, it wasn't making much of a difference, and somehow Nikolai knew that trying to explain further wouldn't help. Not having someone to blame would only make the loss seem more unfair. Her rage had nothing to do with Nikolai, not really. Deep down, the only person it really concerned was her.

Still, it occurred to Nikolai slowly, like toxic pus seeping from an open wound, that he was angry too. Not the usual anger, the blood lust that comes in the heat of battle. That anger is nothing more than a mechanism, keeping you alive. This was personal, poisonous, ugly. How dare she? What right had she to judge him, to name him animal? He had saved her, time and time again. He had honored his promise, given her freedom when she asked it of him, and cared for her and those she valued, even when times were at their most desperate. How many of the dead might still be alive, had they had the food that Nikolai had made them share with her? How much faster they might have moved without a child in tow; and how many deaths would she have died by now, had it not been for him? In return she had dressed his wounds, but only because she understood that his life was tied to her own. If this was how selflessness was repaid in the world of Men, perhaps Men like Azrael had it right all along.

The girl called Lucia thinks she knows suffering, after the briefest taste of it, and puts on a new name as if it was as easy as a change of rags. She kills a Dog like Sharptooth, and she thinks herself a warrior. She survives off the kindness of those she hinders, and then expects them to draw her juvenile grief from her, and bear that on their shoulders too. She knew nothing! She understood nothing! She hadn't spent so long underground that she had forgotten the feeling of fresh air on her face. She hadn't seen flames, heard screaming, and felt the white hot kiss of the torturer's blades every time she closed her eyes. She hadn't been forced to kill a dozen Men at once, to keep from being violated every which way and then torn limb from limb, as her first initiation into the world of bloodshed, as Nikolai had had to when he was years younger than she was now. She hadn't had to beat, claw, and bite her way over a mountain of corpses, before anyone saw her as worthy of feeding. She hadn't had to maintain that protection my serving the sadistic whims of Azrael. She hadn't had to forget everything she ever was, everyone she had ever loved, just for the sake of living from one day to the next.

Any pain or grief the she knew was the bite of a single fly. Nikolai was writhing, trapped in an ocean of knives. He had been all his life. Yet, she had the arrogance to look at him like he was the tormentor! How dare she?

Nikolai made no threats, hurled no epithets. and made no move to raise so much as a finger towards her. He would not justify her hatred. He would not throw fuel on the fire. He would not be who she thought he was. Instead, he simply looked at her. Still, silent, his eyes locked on hers, refusing to look away out of any misplaced guilt or shame. If she saw the fire raging behind his eyes, if she opened herself up to even a glimpse of the torment that Nikolai had born year upon year, then it would be her gaze that would falter. If not, then he would simply let her stew there in her own impotent fury, if that was all that she was good for.

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

"Now, are you in?"

Those last few words knocked the wind out of Lewis' breath. It snapped him out of a dream where him and his sister were leaving the hellhole without any strings attached but it brought him back into the cold reality that had Lewis play a rabbit in a den of wolves. It burned him at first. It burned him that his rank, title, uniform was to be stripped for standing up but Lee revealed his true intentions for Lewis and it made perfect sense. He tried to calculate the risks, he tried to think it through but the Pitt is as daunting as it is unpredictable. But be that as it may, Lewis had a shot to get the both of them out of here and that was all he needed.

"I'll do it, sir." Lewis said then sternly he put forth one request. "But if I die here, I don't want to be buried here, sir."

Lewis' eyes drifted to the window. The snowflakes changed to maple leaves. "There's a spot in Scotland where I'd like to be buried, sir. It's just outside of Crail in a small forest. Send my body there. It's all a dead man wants, I'm sure you understand, sir." Lewis' eyes snapped back to Lee, a pleading look inside of them.

 

[Fappy]

Kusanagi returned his stare for what felt like an eternity. While the Freemen had wandered off to their separate corners of the compound the pair remained in their mental stalemate. There were so many thoughts, so many emotions fighting to get her attention. Try as she might, it was impossible to keep them from bubbling over. She was never one to let things fester.

What did he want? Why did he look at her like that? Did he pity her? Was he judging her?

Was he disappointed?

Kusanagi's will faltered, whether through fear or guilt, she did not know. However, her eyes didn't stay lost for long. A ferocity he had not seen in her revealed itself as her eyes found their way back to Nikolai's. The dried tears staining her cheeks came into view as she got up from her cot and approached Nikolai. Her weak, wobbling steps fueled by a fiery determination. Nikolai expected she'd throw a tantrum, but no one could be prepared for what came next.

Kusanagi didn't know what she was going to do or say until she opened her mouth. She had flown completely off the handle, abandoning logic and diplomacy in favor of emotionally charged rhetoric. There were still a few others within earshot, but as far as Kusanagi was concerned it was only her and the Dog, "What the fuck are you looking at?!" She stopped less than a meter from where Nikolai was standing.

"Are you happy now?! Are you happy you've had your little 'game' or whatever with my bloodied and beaten friend over there?" Nikolai responded with the same stare. "You understand why I am mad right? I mean, you can't be that fucking dense can you?! No, no you're actually a smart man, Nikolai. Of course you understand." Kusanagi pointed in the general direction of where the fight took place as her monologue intensified. "Do you think I would 'accept' your ways if it meant my only remaining friend on this entire fucking planet would share the same fate as Orphan?! You think I'd shrug it off?! Just roll over and accept it?!"

She moved in closer, "No, Nikolai. You see, Acolyte is different. He understands how to treat people. He understands emotions. He understands the true values of this world. Strength? Dominance? Animals value those the most. People, like me and Acolyte... we value each other. We value the ideas we share and the memories we make together. Things a Dog like you could never understand!"

Kusanagi instinctively winced as she spoke, not fully understanding the offensiveness of her words until they had left her mouth. Still, Nikolai did not budge, "Where's the man that whispered to me in the darkness of the Pit? Who was the person that understood me, that consoled me and shared in my grief?! When I looked into your eyes that night, I saw myself," Her eyes began to well, but she continued. "I saw someone struggling to find his humanity again. But no, once we had left the Pit it was back to the same old Nikolai. Back to the same 'survival of the fittest' Nikolai! And you know what burns me up the most!?"

She gritted her teeth and balled up her fists, "I was never even part of that equation! Was I not worthy?! Am I somehow lesser than you and your men?! You think I'm a weak little girl that you need to protect out of some misguided promise! Well you know what?!" She paused for a moment, her eyes burning deeper into his as she tilted her head to the side. "I'm not as weak as you think. Hell is still hell no matter how you cut it and I have survived my fair share of scars!" She unzipped her pants and pealed back the waist just far enough for Nikolai to see her brand before she zipped it back up. His eyes found Kusanagi's again just as soon as she had his.

"So... you ask yourself... why do I do this? Why is this stupid little girl standing before you, spilling her guts out onto your feet?! You really want to know?!" She bit her lip, "Because if you killed Acolyte like and animal back there... I could never forgive you. It's taken every ounce of my strength not to hate you. Not to condemn you for what you've done. It's not your fault and it's not fair, but that's the way it is."

A few tears managed to escape her as she continued, "I don't want to hate you Nikolai... it's not because I rely on you or owe you some kind of debt... It's because I know the real you. I saw him that night in the darkness. I saw a noble spirit... someone who had suffered so much, yet, could do anything he set his mind to. I don't want to lose that man. I want that man to escape this hell, this prison, so that I know that I can too."

A small puddle formed on the floor as her tears rolled, though her momentum hadn't faltered. It was as if she hadn't noticed them at all, "And w-what tears me up so much is t-that... you hide him! You hide him so well! You put on this mask... this-this Dog mask and command your men and protect me. You put me aside, out of danger like some weak puppy. Some... runt of the litter. How about you treat me with some god damn respect!? How about you treat me like an equal?!"

The room grew more silent as her rant dragged on, but in truth most of the Freemen had lost interest in her ravings, "People. Human beings treat each other with respect. They talk to each other, they get mad at one another and they hurt each other. So please god dammit, treat me like you would any other. Show some basic human empathy. If you're happy, hug me! If you're sad, cry on my shoulder! If your faucking mad, hit me!" She stepped in even closer. There was no more than a few inches between them now. Lucia's eyes were red and her bottom lip was quivering uncontrollably.

"HIT ME GOD DAMMIT!"

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

Neil watched them leave, but remained still for awhile after. He played back the scene in his head. What the fuck was he doing? Had he completely lost it?

Fuck me...

After a long sigh he went to the back, washed his face and enjoyed the rest of the coffee he brewed. If he was to die in the next three days he may as well enjoy some of the world's few remaining pleasures before he went. He stayed there, alone in the building for awhile longer as if it were delaying the inevitable.

He glanced at his pistol on the table. It glanced back.

"Well... guess it's time to get to work."

 

[willofbob]

"Sir? Whassat? Did you really just call me "sir"?" The old man burst out laughing, "That's a brilliant one, that." He recovered his composure after a few seconds and sat up on the tough, lumpy matress.
"Nothin's wrong. Just wondrin' watcher doing hanging 'round here. Or I was, until you called me "Sir", now I'm just wond'rin why you called me "sir"."

 

[The Funslinger]

Riley strode forth at this point. "Nobody's going to hit anybody. Fun's over, kids." He gestured to Nikolai and Acolyte. "You two, come with me."

Acolyte gave Lucia a not unkind 'we'll talk later' look, glanced bemusedly at Nikolai, then shrugged and turned to follow their snarky overseer.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"I sincerely hope that will not be necessary, Corporal. Far more than you know may rest on your success. However, I will do what I can."

The harsh fact of the matter was, should Lewis be killed inside The Pit, that recovering his body at all still in one piece was unlikely. Lee would do his best. He owed Lewis that much.

"I suggest you spend your remaining time today with your squad, although it would be unwise to reveal any details about the mission to them. The more people who know, the more fragile your cover will be. Regardless, we begin tomorrow."

===============================================================================================================================

Nikolai let the silence hang there for a while. When he spoke, his voice was low.

"Friends? Respect? Empathy? You think these things will save you, when a knife is at your throat? You think these are the marks of Men?" he said, shaking his head, and pointing to the layers upon layers of scarring that crossed his own bare chest.

"These are the marks of Men. Animals just like the rest, only Men are the worst of all. The Nikolai you spoke to in the darkness stands right here, telling you the same thing as before. Men. Are. Cruel. Men cheat, Men rape, Men twist the knife when it's inside, and smile as they do it. Only those who let go of hope, and accept pain, can endure the world of Men. That is why we fight. That is the lesson. I did not kill your friend, I saved his life. That is why you are a child. Not because you are young, not because you are weak, but because you refuse to learn, because you act like you have proven yourself when you haven't even begun. You think a Man who calls himself Acolyte, or Orphan, doesn't also wear a mask? These masks that you hate so much have saved your life, time after time, because your mask is still just beginning."

"Cease your wimpering!" he spat across the room in Russian at Gustav. "As if I was ever going to let you use them!" Then, he turned back to Lucia.

"If you want a world of Men that respects you, a world in which you are strong enough, then close your eyes. You are welcome to your child's dreams, but when I dream, I dream of fire."

He turned away from her, before marching up to one of the Songbird's who had entered. The one who looked so different from the rest.

"Tell your Master we are hungry. We would like to eat."

 

[The Funslinger]

"Food is in..." he thought to himself, recollecting the time, "just less than an hour, I'd say. I brought down a boar today, so I'll be sure to include some of that when it's cooked. For now though, you two come with me and get patched up. I don't care if you're of a mind to be stubborn and say it's fine; you might well be, but you don't look it and Talon wants you lot nice and pretty for now."

Riley started off towards the door before either man could respond.

 

[ProtoChimp]

Felix looked puzzled and hopped up on his feet. "I called you sir because I was trying to be polite, as it is what one should do when meeting someone new, calling them sir or madam. I didn't expect you to answer rudely, and if you want me to leave I can leave."
---------------------------
"Ready for the tour? I-" Clementina stopped herself short of telling them to go fuck themselves and telling them to jump down a mineshaft while she held them at gunpoint. Oh that would be exquisite; but Clementina sighed and simply said "Follow me."

 

[Fappy]

"... You are welcome to your child's dreams, but when I dream, I dream of fire."

Lucia wanted so badly to fire back, but she couldn't find the words. Before she knew it Nikolai was gone and she had been left alone. After standing there for a few moments, shivering in anger and despair, she collapsed to her knees and hung her head low. He had taken everything she had said, everything she felt and threw it right back in her face.

Like a raging tempest in her mind she fought to gain control over her emotions. Tears rolled down her face and blood seeped from her skin as she dug her nails deep into her arms. Everything that happened over the course of the last twenty minutes flew through her mind in an incoherent jumble. She was completely overwhelmed.

J-just... breathe. Calm down. Just breathe.

Acolyte had taught her a thing or two about meditation back in the Pit. She wasn't all that good at it, but it had helped tremendously in the past. After a few minutes of absolute darkness and deafening silence she had managed to calm herself. She had a good head on her shoulders and had not been using it, though instead of dwelling on the complications with Nikolai she decided to mend another wound.

After wiping the tears from her eyes, Lucia got to her feet and walked across the compound. A few of the Freemen looked away as they came within her view, but they did not concern her. She was looking for a specific man among them. As she approached Nikita--the man who's name she had forgotten--he simply glanced up at her from where he sat. His jaw was red and swollen, "Need I warn you again, girl?"

Lucia's furrowed her brow and knelt down next to the massive man, "No. I'm here to apologize for my behavior."

He cocked an eyebrow before patting the ground next to him. After sitting down he signaled in the direction of Gustav, "I think you may have the wrong man." A wry smirk appeared on his face.

Lucia shifted uncomfortably and replied with a nervous laugh, "I suppose I should... even if he'd rape me, given the chance."

Nikita's expression grew solemn, "He would." An awkward silence permeated the space between them. She appeared wary, so Nikita spoke, "Orphan taught you much in the short time you spent with him."

Breaking eye contact, Lucia looked to her bruised hands and nodded, "He did," She looked him over before continuing. "But not enough."

"No, he taught you what you needed. You can no longer learn anything from teachers. You must learn from experience."

"I imagine that's how you and I are different?"

He nodded, "Not just myself. You are not like us."

"Should I want to be?"

"It's not about desire. It's about necessity."

Lucia buried her fingers in her hair, pulling her hair back and bringing her hands down across the back of her neck. She looked back in his direction to see him staring back at her, "What do I do about Nikolai?"

He shook his head, "I know what we would do in your position, but as you said, you are different."

Lucia's eyes wandered away from his once more, staring off into space and getting lost in images her mind formed. Was their suffering really so different from her own? She thought she'd understood the world, but this wouldn't be the first time the world surprised her and it likely wouldn't be the last.

"Thank you," She said as she got to her feet.

Before she could walk off he spoke, "You will never understand him until you have suffered like he has. If you want his respect you must live in his world."

Lucia hung her head and replied without turning to face him, "I'm not sure that's something I can do. Thank you again."

Her body was weak with hunger and fatigued from the stress. A loud thud echoed through the compound as her body hit the cot. She was out cold moments later.

 

[ProtoChimp]

Before giving either man a time to speak Clementina turned and began walking, as the two men were soon followed up by some more executives. The fucking gall of these people, to keep a tour guide waiting. Worthless motherfuckers. And the first two actually weren't the worst, Christ.

Clementina had no experience at leading tours and thus did not know how to flourish words like the Colonol, however he had told her a few key words that the pencil pushers would at least write down in their notebooks. She led them, with a full armed escort, through cell block to cell block. "As some of you have already seen the industrial area I thought we would begin by showing you all the cell blocks. Compare these cells, and the behaviour of the prisoners, to any other Racdi Facility and I think you will notice an impressive difference." As she spoke various prisoners who were coming back from their work swiftly ran and cowered in their cells, knowing that if they even became within a 15 metre radius of the escort and were not locked in their cells they would be shot on sight. "Feel free to take notes at the absolute zero gang activity. I would wager that in any other facility an escort such as this would only go unmolested due to gangs not wanting trouble, but here it is out of fear. Utter fear of authority and the power we command- as it should be. Such fear and authority is what drives our workforce. I think if you see the profits they have increased by a considerable amount. Can any of you tell me by how much? I assume you have been looking through our books."