 ![[info]](http://img.greatestjournal.com/community.gif) free_form Doctor, Interrupted | 20. Okt 2006 @ 03:15  |
|---|
It should have been simple.
Haul out prey, restrain them and await that which would hunt them. It was much the same technique of big game hunters, the world over, except that this was no lion, tiger or bear.
It was a vampire. Revenant. Member of the undead legions.
Hide, wait for it to strike, then capture... A process the team had done countless times before. This, however, decided their scientific advisor, was completely unanticipated.
From time to time, the medical laboratories of Wolfram and Hart required new biological subjects for reasons fo examination. Vampires gave the impression of being more tribal than bothered with racial superiority, which meant they were disorganised and cared little as to whether their own kind were apprehended or not. There were exceptions to that, as ever, but numbered very much in the minority.
Witnessing attacks between them was not new. If anything, such a competitive streak would nominate the winner as a more potent individual.
Finding one who wanted to literally drain the other; preferring undead essence to living... That was new.
Judging by the heat signature, however, perhaps this was no vampire.
Suddenly flooding the back alley with a mass of blinding light, the order was given to neutralise the would-be human victim with a sniper round to the head and a dozen or more heavily armed personnel surrounded the intruder with assault weapons raised. No identities given from behind the disguise of balaclavas and body armour. Human or not, they would make sure the target was dropped if she so much as attempted to flee.
The vampire in Reverie Howell's grip might now be too weakened to even move, but it was no longer their target.
"DROP THE CADAVER!" Came the order from safe range. "HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD - NOW!"
Dark, but not late. Quiet, but noisy. A typical, apparent derelict alleyway in the less than poor part of Las Vegas. The sort of place where vampires found easy victims. Away from busy streets and nosy neighbours. Away from prying eyes. Away from people who cared if someone dropped off the planet.
Being there already meant they had vanished.
It was standing, watching quietly before it stalked forward. The vampire just about to lunge at the girl in front of it, without her even knowing it was there. That was when slender arm strongly wrapped around it's head, forcing it backwards, as the natural fangs of another severed the skin on impact with the precision of several scalpels.
Thickly crimson liquid was guzzled down as fast and quietly as a child sucking down a milkshake through a straw. It barely had time to react before that sluggish weakness set in.
Searing bright lights, however, meant that rather than discarding the body and finishing it off by dusting, it was clutched tighter to mortal like a new skin. Barked orders echoed around and with a snarl, the two throwing knives were flicked from hand by wrist and embedded directly between two of the balaclava men's eyes.
So fast, it seemed, that the bodies had not yet touched the ground, as the vampire was thrown into the remaining four men. Two struggled to catch it and another was dropped by a swift and efficient kick to the groin, before head was caught between nimble hands and twisted. The loud snap bouncing off the walls, as his neck was broken like an old school ruler.
Ducking to the floor as the other man charged, legs were swept out from under him and the deadlier mortal delivered a sweeping kick to the ankles. Moving faster, the jump looked more like a pounce. A dagger unsheathed from boot and plunged into throat on impact of landing on the balaclava-clad male. Her position on him looked more like a straddle, thighs parted over his pelvis.
It was sink or swim. These people were not about to drag her off and mutilate her in some experiment. It was known through history to happen. No-one ever survived, or afterwards, never wanted to. Fear pulsed through each cell in her body. Like a caged animal knowing it was about to be slaughtered, Reverie's heart beating alarmingly fast.
All of which ended with a swift and resounding THUMP to the back of her head. Rifle butt coming down like a sledgehammer and connecting with skull.
They might not be part of the military, but these were still professionals and left very little to chance. The girl was lethal; fast and clearly dangerous.
She was not, however, immortal. Unlike those she preyed upon.
Swishing the weapon around, there weren't even seconds to spare. Taking a swift and careful aim to the disorientated blonde, gloved finger pressed down on the trigger. A single and precise action to release bullet from chamber on a journey through air, blood and bone.
"NEIN!"
A command strict enough to just about prevent another death...
Stepping forth from the shadows came a woman. No soldier, this one. A civilian, for sure - all high heels, business suit and attitude. Nevertheless, if her order being carried out was any indication to go by, she did appear to be in charge.
Those who had tried to pacify Reverie by force were now acking away. The injured groaning. The healthy making sure they would fire on the girl at the slightest hint of trouble.
The brunette, however, showed no fear. None whatsoever. She not only walked up to Reverie, but offered a hand to help her concussed self stand up again.
"Apologies," she spoke. The German accent as clear as her intention to affect a far more civil approach. "There are times when I wish my colleagues would not be so... Rash."
The sharp crack of the gun colliding with the back of her head sent her flat out on the still-bleeding body of the man she had just knifed. No noise was uttered other than the sharp exhalation of breath, as pain wracked through her body and clouded her vision for a good few moments.
Long enough, it seemed, for the men to back off and a dark-haired woman to step forward and offer her hand. Reverie squinted, vision still blurred, as she took the hand and pulled herself into a standing position. Her balance wavering for a second.
The woman had... Apologised? The thumping pain in the back of her skull had started to ebb away, making it easier for her to concentrate. Enough to take a fighting stance again. Green eyes darting over everyone and everything. Heart still pounding like a rabbit in headlights.
Looking straight at the woman who was clearly in charge, the mortal vampire asked, "Who are you?" Then, standing straighter, "It would be in your best interest to have them lower their weapons and resist whatever urge they have at capturing me." With an even tone almost scary, given the violence she had just met out. "You do not know who you are dealing with."
"No..." Agreed the German, relaxing her grip, once the blonde had risen. "But I would like to."
Gesturing with a nod of head to the others, it appeared that negotiations of a more peaceful variety were now in effect. They now tended to the only undead creature amongst them, restraining and bundling it into the black van at the alley's opposite end. Coming back only to collect their dead for a later disposal.
While all of this went on, the elder female introduced herself with a, "Doctor Katherine Metzger." Even a form of greeting smile being given, albeit made as formality.
No, there was no fear with this one. If anything, she made a loose point of finger towards her own teeth, then at Reverie's, indicating her interest in making a more detailed inspection.
"May I...?"
"At the moment, you can call me 'R'." Until, Reverie mused, she had reaserched the woman and discovered more in-depth who she was currently facing. Eyes narrowed slightly, but the investigator did not move otherwise.
After a long moment of silence, the blonde nodded. Lips parting and mouth opening slightly. With the men all busy and otherwise preoccupied, she had nothing to fear. It was natural instinct. A survival mode which often kept her head where it belonged, rather than on someone's wall.
One hand was placed to the side of the girl's head and, like a career dentist, used to steady that which Metzger observed. A fingertip from the other hand coming to trace over the sharpened teeth within mouth. A certain reverential quality given to the action, as the scientist appraised this new discovery.
"Fascinating," she surmised. "Absolutely fascinating..."
Releasing her gentle hold, Katherine had the beginnings of what could pass for something like a smile. She saw potential here. Lots of it.
"These creatures... They compose the majority of your diet?"
Reverie remained as still as she could. The only movement was that of slight breathing. The investigator did not even blink as the woman touched her sharpened calcium. Afterwards, head was dipped slightly to observe the woman evenly. Calculatingly.
"And what if they did?"
Would you take me away and run excessive tests against my will? Attempt to disect me like some college science experiment in front of the class? Where her mouth didn't move and her eyes gave away nothing, those were the most pressing questions in her mind.
Danger could be found in the most unusual places.
"My darling girl, if this were so, I could provide you with quite the banquet..."
Taking the Scottish blonde's hand, German closed fingers and palm over the same, raising the hands above, to the air between chests. A sign of potential unification.
"All I ask in return is the chance to observe your feeding sessions. To... Classify your breed."
"I have no breed." Perhaps that was too much information, but Reverie took her chance.
Letting her hand be taken, she tried to think rationally. There could be answers to be found, of the sort she had been hunting for. Or, like every other paranormal Doctor, the results would all be a shitload of wasted time.
Weighing the options, she knew it would be the latter.
"I'll think about it."
I have your name. I can contact you.
It was thought, of course, but she didn't have to vocalise the obvious.
Doctor Metzger, however, had reason to think otherwise and a business card was taken out and passed the young woman's way.
Wolfram and Hart had gone to great lengths to make sure their special asset would be protected. That included covering the scientist's tracks and giving her plenty of security. She virtually lived over at the laboratories for most evenings, in any case. With a direct telephone number and being identified at working over in Wolfram and Hart, however, communication would be easier.
"My apologies, once again, for this evening's complications. I hope our future dealings shall be far more accommodating." A tilting nod of the head was made and Doctor Metzger gave her farewell with an, "Auf Wiedersehen, Frau... 'R'." |
|
|
![[info]](http://img.greatestjournal.com/userinfo.gif){kind=small}