Death Is Legion - The Choice

[x-dominion.livejournal.com]

On the surface, the fight with Omega Red is going badly and things get worse when Cornelius plays his trump card.



"Son of a-" Kane ducked under another lashing coil strike. Omega Red was dangerous, but they were lucky that his death spore powers had no effect on North's immunity and Kane's adapting omni-skin. That was limiting his lethal strength, and a combination of targeted barrages and Kane's strength was forcing him back slowly. Arkady whipped his arms around, smashing the coils across the asphalt and forcing them to dodge as the Russian suddenly turned and broke back into a run to the guardhouse.

North swore at the split second decision that changed up the tempo of the visions in his head. Without looking back at Kane, he took off after Arkady, knowing that the other mutant would be right behind him.

“He’s grabbing Midge.”

North's pre-cog took a moment to get used to, especially in battle. But the thing Kane wished most was that it stopped relaying news that they were losing. He broke after Arkady, but a coil lashed out caught him across the forehead. It opened a deep gash, and Garrison faltered, stumbling to the hard pavement. He flicked blood out of his eyes, trying to clear his head.

"North, I can't get him in time!"

The German man scowled, grumbling lowly in his native tongue that Kane needed to stop telling him things he already knew.

“Get up,” he shouted, skidding around a corner. “You are still needed.”

“Yeah, yeah. Time to sleep when I’m dead.” He pulled himself to his feet and started to run after them. The door was torn away and Midge screamed as Arkady rammed through the door. The coils stretched out and grabbed her, pulling her close as a shield between him and the others.

“That will be far enough, Nord.”

“Hiding again,” North sniped. “Always hiding.” His gun was raised, levelled at Midge’s shoulder with the safety off. He could have made a redundant request for the albino to release the woman or demanded he give himself up as, no doubt, his Canadian companion might try. Instead the spy weighed the pros and cons of shooting a civilian, and demanded: “What do you want?”

“You and your friend can stay where you are. Cornelius, do we have the information?”

“Huxley?”

“The upload is finished. I-“

“Shut up, Dr. Huxley. Unless you’d prefer not to have hands past today.” Arkady turned back to the pair as Kane caught up with North. “Walk away, Nord. Unless you want more blood on your hands.”

What was a bit more blood on someone already dripping in it? But Kane’s presence reminded him that Midge’s death would be placed on his head for no apparent benefit, and that gave him pause.

“I assume I cannot kill the lady,” he said, tilting his head toward Kane. “But I can get at the doctor.”

“She’ll die as soon as he does.”

“No.” Kane reached out and put a hand on the top of North’s gun. “You can leave, Arkady. But hurt her, even a little, and all bets are off.”

“Bold statement. She will live. For now. Doctor?” Cornelius quickly packed up the computer, holding it under one arm as he stepped behind Midge, who was now whimpering and crying. “Good bye Nord. As always, it’s been… diverting.”

North growled, feral and low in his throat, but said nothing. He shook Kane’s hand off of the firearm, which he trained steadily on the retreating group until they were out of line of fire – not quite willing to pass up the slightest chance of a shot at Arkady until the very last moment.

Then he swore colourfully in a mix of German, English and French and rounded in on Kane. Pale blue eyes bore into his companion’s as his hands formed tight fists, misdirected anger making him scowl fiercely before he turned sharply on his heel, thumb flicking the gun safety on.

“Come on,” he said, swallowing an apology and schooling his emotions. “Work to do.”