Devolution

[Angelus]

"You go to the communications room and I'll watch the door," I said as I took the rifle off my back and stood in the doorway, looking out.

I then watched her as she walked down the hallway and stood there, watching for any creatures that came close. As I stood there I tried to think on what I was doing not the person that had disappeared down the hallway. She was the only other person that I had seen, except for Hunter.

That was when I remembered her and what had happened and knew that I couldn't do anything to let it happen again.

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I nod and give him a puzzled look before going down the hall and into the communications room. She sat down to check over all of the equiptment and to try and boost the range yet again.

It was taking her some time as she was not an expert and she began to get worried as she had not heard anything from her companion. Going to the door of the communications room, she poked her head out and called,"Troy, are you there? Are you okay?"

 

[Angelus]

"Yeah, I'm here. What's the matter?" I said turning around to look down the hallway.

Just then I heard a sound behind me and turned to see one of the creatures running towards me. I brought up my rifle and fired, catching the thing in the shoulder which spun it around and caused it to fall to the ground. Just when I thought that that was it I heard another noise and looked, my eyes going wide when I saw what was nothing other than a pack running straight towards me.

I ran into the building and slammed the door closed, locking them down and shouted out, "I think that we have a small problem!"

Just then I heard a slam and a whimper and knew that they were trying to get in.

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I ran down the hallway, my eyes wide and frightened. I could barely think. This was not supposed to be happening.

When I reached the door, I could hear the creatures trying to get in and I started to shake. "This is impossible," I said to Troy,"This is not supposed to happen. These creatures have always fought to get out of buildings and inclosed places-not in. For them to be trapped in concrete is like a death sentence to them."

A thought pushed into my mind but I did not want to think about it. They were becoming more violent. The increase in unprovoked aggression could only mean one thing.

Turning to Troy, I said,"The virus. It must be mutating even though it isnt programed to. Somehow it has found a way to get around the dead end. Mother Nature has one yet another hand."

The force of my thoughts were shaking me to my very bones. "Troy. I have to get back to the lab. I have to find an antidote. If this thing is mutating than we may not be safe from it any more."

 

[Angelus]

I turned to Nancy, "And how do you suggest that we do that. Walk out the front door, through that pack and to your car."

I pointed to the door which was getting slammed into on a regular basis and looked at it then walked away from the door as I knew that there was no way that we were going to get out of there that way. I turned and said, "Well are you going to come with me or not."

When I turned around again I heard Nancy's footsteps running up to catch up to me and continued to walk down the hallway, deeper into the complex until I came to the door that I wanted to find- the armory. I then saw the key pad next to the door and sword before I pulled out my pistol and shot it, causing alarms to go off.

I slid the door open and walked in and my eyes went wide when I saw the amount of weapons in the room. It was enough for an army which it was meant to be for. I walked quickly around the room and after grabbing a large backpack grabbed a couple of grenades, an H&K MP5 and two shotguns then loaded them and the ammo into the pack.

When I turned back to the door I saw Nancy standing there, looking in and said, "You had best grab something because if you think that tranquilizer gun is going to be enough then I should just leave you here."

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I looked at him piling guns and ammunition into the bag and I shook my head. He seemed like a kid in a candy store.

I shook my head. "I dont kill," I said to him about grabbing a gun. "Then you are going to die," He said matter-of-factly and brushed past me.

I was torn. I had never killed anything in my life and I hated to start now but the pounding on the door gave me no choice and I grabed a pistol, a rifle and some bullets-hating the way they felt in my hands.

"Wait up for me," I yelled to his retreating back as I came after him.

 

[Angelus]

As I walked down the hallway I pulled out one of the shotguns and loaded it then looked around to find a way out. It was then that I saw the door that was named maintenance and told her that we had to go in there.

Before she could say a thing I opened the door and looked into the room, smiling when I saw what was in there and then turned to Nancy who followed me. I then pointed to the air duct and told her that that was the way that we were going to get out of here.

After I pulled the grating off I helped her up and then slowly got up into the air duct myself, hoping that the creatures, if they got into the complex wouldn't figure out a way to get in or it was going to get rather loud and messy in here.

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I crawled into the ductway and started forward, the guns that I had in my hands scraping along the metal. I tried not to think about the fact that Troy was behind me and I was wearing a short skirt. I would be embarrassed later.

We went along for some way when the duct broke off in two directions. Calling out to him, I said,"Which way now?"

 

[Angelus]

I closed my eyes and tried to remember the plans then said, "To the right, that way should lead to the outside. I just hope none of those creatures are out there waiting for us."

I then looked behind me to see if there was anything following me and when I looked forward I saw that Nancy had stopped. I took a quick glance at her ass before I looked over her shoulder and called out, "What's the matter?"

 

[Celestiale]

The girl had finally settled down and I hated to rouse her again, but was excited to see if the serum would have any affect on her. I led her out of her cage and helped her into the lab and onto an examination table. I could tell that she was frightened so I sat with her and told her what I thought was going to be happening.

"...so...you will feel a little 'ouchie' when Dr. Adam puts the little needle into your arm, but it won't last and then hopefully you will start to feel a little bit different! Maybe you will even be able to talk to me again and tell me what your name is!"

I smiled and hugged her gently as Adam came back in toting his supplies. I watched him with interest as he "set up shop" next to us, drawing liquids from vials marked in his own handwriting.

"I'll need to sedate her first, for her own safety." he told me.

I smiled softly at the girl and guided her arm out to Adam so that he could wipe it with a sterile pad and ready it for the first injection. She whimpered just a little bit as he stuck her and then settled back into my arms, her eyelids already beginning to droop. I was paying such close attention to her that I didn't see Adam ready another needle which he promptly plunged into my exposed, upper-arm.

"What are you doiiinnnggggg...." I cried as the tranquilzer took affect.

 

[Kepic]

"Nothing personnal" I murmured, as Trista slumped unconconciously ontop of the new specimen, and I dragged her into a seperate cage, searching her and removing anything I thought 'unnecessary' for her... for my latest specimen.

Hand-cuffing her hands behind her back, I locked the cages door, and returned to the previous cage, giving the woman-creature the semi-serum.

They'd both come back round in little under an hour. I turned off the radio, brought in a stool and sat down, awaiting their awakening. Trista's awakening to the revelation I would give her that I was responsible for the worlds current situation, and the other awakening to a partially restored mind. Both would make interesting observations.

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I looked ahead of me and groaned. "Back up!," I called to Troy,"The duct has collapsed. It looks as if the men of the installation ripped it to shreds when they turned. If we try to go this way then we will have our skin shredded from us."

 

[Angelus]

"Shit!" I called out and instantly wished that I hadn't as the echoes went down the air duct and then back towards us.
I then began to back down the air duct and tried to think of where to go next, hoping that I was right about the plans. When the two of us came to the cross road I looked at Nancy and said, "Let's try the left because there is no way that I want to go back the way that we came in, something tells me that it isn't quite safe."

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

"It just might be the screaming and pounding your hearing back there that is making you uneasy," I said, letting a bit of sarcasm escape me. Okay, so I was cranky about now but I dont think I could find anyone who would blame me.

"Of course you wouldnt," I said to myself as I crawled forward,"Anyone you would find has been turned into a creature and is trying to get in here and tear you limb from limb."

I took a deep breath and told myself to stop it. I needed a clear head or else I was never going to get out of this. As if to prove my point, I suddenly felt the floor giving out from under me. I had come to a place in the duct that lead downward and I wasnt looking. Next thing I know, I am falling.

 

[Angelus]

I was following close behind Nancy and hoping that we were going the right way when suddenly I saw her disappear in front of me. I moved quickly to where she was and saw the air duct in the floor that led downwards and said to myself, "Well shit, I guess that we go this way."

I then dived into the air duct head first.

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I hurtled along-that was the only way to describe it until I slam into a vent and come to a jarring stop. I didnt even get a chance to catch my breath when I hear Troy right behind me.

"Oh, hell!," I think as I jam my shoe against the vent again and again. Just as I think my companion is going to come crashing into me the vent gives and I am dropped to the floor seconds before Troy come flying from the duct and crashes into me.

I go flying forward and slam face down onto the ground, him tumbling on top of me. My breath knocked out of me, I can only try to breath. Troy didnt move so I assumed he was stunned as I was.

Finally getting my breath I said,"Troy, get the hell off of me before I stop breathing all together."

Looking around to see if he is okay and hearing me, I notice we are in a large room with large shapes covered in tarps. We had tumbled into a storage room.

 

[Angelus]

When I got up and dusted myself off I looked at Nancy, "That was not my idea of fun. Why the hell weren't you looking where you were going and- whoa!"

I then moved quickly to the largest shape and smiled when I lifted up the tarp and saw a wheel. Quickly I pulled the tarp up and was surprised to see that it was a Humvee and it was beautiful. I quickly got under the tarp and opened the door then got in. When I found the keys under the seat I laughed then turned the engine over and after I did I shouted out, "Hurry up and get your ass in here!"

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I slowly and painfully got to my feet. "Thank you so much for that gentlemanly gesture of helping me to my feet," I muttered to myself through clenched teeth. Looking down at my shoes I cursed. The pump I had used to smash open the vent was ruined-the heel completely torn off. Taking my shoes off I threw them into the corner just as I heard Troy shout.

"Keep your shirt on," I yelled back, picking up my weapons,"I'm coming already." Barefooted I went in to see that he was sitting behind the wheel of a large military vehicle. "Thank God for not watching where you go," I said as I got into the passanger side.

 

[Angelus]

I looked over at Nancy and said, "I'm sorry for not helping you up but we are in a little bit of a hurry and I want to get the hell out of here as quickly as I can."

I then slammed my foot down on the accelerator and took off down the halls, trying to find a way out of the complex. He tried to remember the way to the rear exit and when he came to a crossroads he figured it out and shot down the left.

When we came upon a slightly open door the first thing that I saw was some of the creatures in front of it and said, "Hold onto something because we are getting out of here."

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I held on tight and closed my eyes. I knew I didnt want to see what came next. I felt and heard the crash and flying bodies as he broke out into the fading daylight.

Opening my eyes, I said,"We have to get to the lab. The security system will keep them out and I have to find a way to immunize us against whatever mutations are going on in these creatures."

I knew then I was going to have to give up all hope that I could cure them. Unless I tracked down where the original virus was created and was able to see the original records, it would take to much time. Time we didnt have.

 

[Angelus]

Troy

I turned the wheel hard and headed towards the lab, hoping to god that those things hadn't gotten to the jeep. When we got near the lab I turned to Nancy, "Get out and get into the lab. I have to get a few things first."

She began to protest but I looked at her, "Get out now!"

Nancy quickly got out of the jeep and after I closed the door I breathed a sigh of relief. I knew that my job was going to be hard enough without having to worry about her. I drove to where my Jeep was and saw that there were creatures around it but it looked untouched. I reached into the backpack and said, "Okay you fuckers, come and get this."

After I got out of the Humvee I slammed the door closed and the creatures looked at me. One of them ran straight at me but before it could get close I brought up the H&K and squeezed the trigger. The creature went down with a bullet straight in the head and I flipped the firing mechanism to auto just as the rest of the creatures ran at me.

I then fired into the pack as they ran at me, cutting them down. As I shot them I found that I didn't like what I was going but I knew that if I didn't then they would kill me. After I had killed them I walked to my jeep and grabbed my stuff then threw them into the Humvee. After I jumped into it I drove it into the underground garage, watching the sliding door come down behind me.

 

[Celestiale]

My eyes couldn't quite focus as I raised my aching head. There sat Adam, and it took me a few moments to realize that I was inside of a cell and he was watching me. My clouded mind tried to grasp what had happened, but I wasn't able to figure out why the "good" doctor would do such a thing. I saw a look of surprise upon the doctor's face as he watched me wake, and he glanced at his watch, noting the time. Within minutes I was alert and upset...

"What is going on here Adam??! Why are you doing this to me??

I watched him smirk, the stench of his arrogance filling the room. Anger boiled within me as I tried to lash out, but failed against my restraints. I turned to look for the girl and saw that she was still sedated and lying on the floor of her enclosure, asleep.

I didn't want to believe that this was happening...I didn't want to believe that any one human could be responsible for all of this madness, but it was slowly dawning on me that I was in the presence of the creator of this new world.

"You MONSTER!!!" I growled, straining against the handcuffs. "What are you going to do with us?!"

My clenched fists shook and I felt the cuffs loosen, but kept my newfound strength hidden...for now.

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I ran-straight into the security of the building. I closed my eyes as I heard gunfire. I knew what was happening but I did not want to think about it. I hated killing-always had-but now it was a matter of survival.

As I heard his vehicle race into the underground parking lot, I threw the switch for a full alert security shutdown. I prayed that the system would still be working and, for some reason, my prayer was answered. I could hear the alarm sound, the parking lot was enclosed as the hanger doors came down, bars dropped over all the windows and doors. I hit the switch to silence the alarm and all that was left to tell us there was danger was the howling of the creatures outside and red security lights spinning is a silent scream of warning.

I was leaning on the wall, trying to collect myself when I heard footsteps behind me. Not turning around, I said,"I will have to put all of my efforts into finding some kind of medicine that will at least combat the effects of the mutation. Keep us human. I have research that Cody...," My voice choked as I mentioned my lover,"A fellow scientist was working on before he...turned. He was trying to use the computers to track the origin of the virus. I think you could probably continue that...you said you had experience with a similar virus and we need to know if there is a place that holds a true antidote."

Turning at last to look at him, I said,"Take off your shirt and pants. I will need to take the blood samples from them as they should have any mutation present." My voice was cold and calm-more than I have ever heard before. I felt totally detatched from what was happening as if I was an observer sitting back and watching instead of being in the middle of things.

"You should be able to find replacement clothing in the employee lockers. I am sure you will find someone who's clothes will fit you and they will not be needing them now."

I walked to the lockers myself, intending to change into something more practical. I looked like the picture of the efficient doctor but recent events had taught me that practicallity was what was called for-not appearance.

 

[Kepic]

"Monster?" I said, smiling, "I've brought a peace to the world that hasn't existed for thousands of years. As for what I'm going to do with you... I haven't decided yet, Trista. I wasn't really expecting to come across anyone unaffected by my baby, let alone show such remarkable changes to their physiology like your samples seem to indicate."

I got up, and nodded to her. "You will be a most valuable specimen, I think. If I can unlock how and why my virus has affected you how it has, I could do away with the serum."

I saw sudden realisation cross her angry face for a second time.

"Yes, I'm not naturally immune" I said, "at least, not as far as I know, and given the chances of natural immunity, I wasn't about to risk being affected by my own tailored virus."

I walked over to the cage where my first female specimen was locked, and released her. She came out slowly, on her hands and knees, looking up at me with a mixture of fear, respect and something else.

"They're quite docile, when properly trained" I said to Trista, seeing her look of disgust, just before I led the specimen out of the room.

 

[Celestiale]

I turned away, a look of distaste and disbelief distorting my face. This was a nightmare! I couldn't even begin to fathom what he would do with me, especially now that he'd seen signs of evolution from his horrible virus. I shook the thoughts from my head and looked over at the girl. Her eyelids were fluttering but I could see it was going to be some time before she was fully aware.

God I hope the serum worked on her...