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Date Posted: 15:13:35 06/28/00 Wed
Author: Mr. Phule
Subject: [NSSWOTA] Delusions of Granduer, part 9 [NSSWOTA]

Delusions of Grandeur
Part 9

Written by: Chris "Mr. Phule" Lingel



[Scene: Downtown Irvine]

::The telltale streaks of plasma fire lingered in the air as the giant metal forms moved with amazing speed, crisscrossing through the streets, making brief contact resulting in loud shrieks of metal, before breaking apart again. The two Flenser Mark IV’s stood their ground against the onslaught of the three older, Flenser Mark I’s. One of the Mark IV's had suffered damage, it’s left arm hanging limply by its side, and sporting a number of dents and blast marks.::

::The Mark I’s, however, had also taken a beating. They were older models, and were not able to move as quickly as their more advanced counterparts. One was missing the arm below the elbow, the smooth metal giving way to a mass of cables and twisted metal. Another was barely able to walk, one of its legs bent and twisted nearly beyond recognition. Only one of the Mark I’s appeared mostly whole, with only a few blast marks.::

Drake: #This isn’t looking too good, guys.#

Omnivich: #I’m not so sure. If we concentrate out attacks, we might be able to take out the damaged one.#

Drake: #Fine and easy for you to say. It’s taking all I’ve got just to keep this thing standing up.#

Omnivich: #At least you took off its arm. Believe me, it can’t do nearly as much with a missing arm.#

Goku: #Hold. I agree, we need to strike the weaker of them, yet we cannot neglect the stronger. I recommend attacking both.#

Omnivich: #Distract the strong one while we take out the damaged, a good plan.#

Goku: #Mine is the only one relatively undamaged. I will strike the strong one while you two work to destroy the weaker.#

Drake: #Why do I suddenly have the feeling of impending doom?#

Omnivich: #You mean you’re just now getting that? I’ve been feelin’ that for YEARS.#

Drake: #Wonderful. Well...here we go.#

Goku: #I’ll lead the way. Attack!#



2>>>Operational Status 96%
2>>>Up-link connection has been terminated
2>>>Consulting Protocols
2>>>
2>>>
2>>>Attempting to re-establish up-link
2>>>
2>>>
2>>>Attempt to re-establish up-link failed


1>>>Operational Status 62%
1>>>Strucural damage to left arm
1>>>Power relays destroyed
1>>>Re-routing power output
1>>>WARNING: Up-link connection terminated
1>>>
1>>>Reporting up-link relays destroyed
1>>>Attempting to redirect up-link relays
1>>>
1>>>
1>>>Unable to redirect up-link relay
1>>>WARNING: Attack Imminent
1>>>3 targets approaching
1>>>Threat rating: 18 25 21
1>>>Target 2 veering off
1>>>Targets 1 3 attacking
1>>>Consulting Protocols
1>>>
1>>>Initiating attack sequence D-17
1>>>WARNING: Weapon system Alpha not available
1>>>Consulting Protocols
1>>>
1>>>Initiating attack sequence AA-12B

2>>>WARNING: Attack Imminent
2>>>3 targets approaching
2>>>Threat rating: 18 25 21
2>>>Target 2 attacking
2>>>Consulting Protocols
2>>>
2>>>Initiating attack sequence D-17

::As Drake and Omnivich move towards the damaged Flenser, Goku opens fire on the other. As the Mark IV turns, a hail of plasma fire leaps out towards Goku’s Flenser. Goku narrowly dodges the barrage, and slams full speed into the Flenser, sending both flying through the brick wall of a nearby building. From inside, the sound of repeating explosions shakes the ground.::

::Outside, Omnivich has reached the damaged Flenser, which uses it’s good arm to grab the stump of Omnivich’s arm, pulling Omnivich down. Drake, who has fallen behind, puts all the weight onto the Flensers good leg, and leaps, unleashing both chainguns on the Mark IV. The shells bounce harmlessly, and the Mark IV ignores the fire, instead using it’s one remaining Plasma weapon to fire round after round into Omnivich’s Flenser at point blank range.::

::Landing in a crouch nearby, Drake pushes himself full force into the Mark IV, plowing it to the ground, pinning the one arm. Using the weight of his Flenser, Drake is able to prevent the Mark IV from getting up or causing any damage. Unfortunately, he is also unable to further attack the Mark IV. ::

Drake: #Omnivich, I’ve got it pinned, Take it out!#

Omnivich: #Uhhhg....#

Drake: #Omnivich? What’s wrong! Get up! I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to hold it!

::Omnivich’s Flenser, however...does not move. Elsewhere in nearby buildings, the sound of chaingun fire and plasma bolts echoes softly, followed shortly by explosions. Overhead, an explosion shakes the building, sending massive amounts of rubble plummeting to the street, nearly burrying Drake, Omnivich, and the immobile Mark IV::

[Scene: Desert in California]

Anthrax: Umm, Emrys! I think something’s wrong!

Emrys: ::running over:: What’s up?

Anthrax: Omnivich, look at him.

::The bodies of Drake and Goku sit tense they’re faces in a mask of determination. However, Omnivich’s body hangs limply, face calm. A small trickle of blood tracks from his mouth down the side of his neck. Emrys feels for a pulse.::

Anthrax: Is he dead?

Emrys: No, he’s alive...barely. Can you pull him out? I thought it wasn’t real!

Anthrax: They told me not to pull them out unless they were ready. He wasn’t sure what it would do to pull them out forcefully.

Emrys: Hey! Where’d Zeratul go?

Anthrax: I’m not sure. I thought he was with you.

Emrys: He said he was going to see if you wanted a break.

Anthrax: We’d better find him.

Emrys: Right, I’ll stay here and look after Omnivich, you go look for him.

Anthrax: ::Stands up:: Right. ::runs off, looking for Zeratul::

Emrys: ::looks at the computer screens, where the moniters show the battle. Goku is meeting one of the Mark IV’s stride for stride, while Drake had the second pinned. Drake was screaming at Omnivich to help.:: Come on guys…you can do it. Just hold on a little bit longer.

[Scene: Blizzard HQ. CEO’s Office]

CEO: HP, Doctor Seivan’s Flensers are only barely holding back the attacking Flensers. I want you to announce that Diablo 2 has gone gold.

HP: What? Sir? You can’t be serious!

CEO: Quiet, fool. Have we perfected out mind-control programs?

HP: Yes sir.

CEO: Excellent. Issue the press release, then see to it that all the CD’s we ship are infected with the mind-control programming. If it’s Diablo 2 they want, it’s Diablo 2 they are going to get.

HP: Very well, sir. But what of the Flensers? If they manage to defeat our Mark IV’s, they will still advance on the building.

CEO: Ready the heavy Fusion cannon. We will destroy ALL of the Flensers.

HP: Y...Yes sir.

::on CEO’s desk, the intercom lights up. After a moment, CEO presses the button. Dr. Seivan’s voice comes through a moment later.::

Seivan: Sir, we have just re-established contact with the Doppleganger. I believe you should take a look at the report.

CEO: Very well, upload it to my station.

Seivan: Of course, sir. ::breaks the line::

::Moments later, a report appears on CEO’s screen. He scowls at it for a moment, then looks up.::

CEO: We have two of these clansmen in our base somewhere. See that the mind control software is put into the game code, then find them. Then see to it that the Doppleganger…reveals itself to the others.

HP: Yes sir. ::leaves::

CEO: Soon, the rebellion will be crushed, and the world will belong to me. Soon, now…very soon.

[Scene: Dr. Seivan’s Lab]

Seivan: (Destroy my Flensers, will he? I suppose I should have expected it. I am now quite glad I was able to hide that listening device in his office. No matter. Now that I have regained control of the Doppleganger, taking CEO out of the way will be a simple task. Especially now that the Mark V is complete. Yet, I should let Safe Haven take him out of the way. Now that I’ve replaced HP with a robot, my ascension would be much more smooth if Safe Haven were to kill CEO. Yes, and then I will unleash the Mark V on them. I will need to re-route the commands to the Fusion cannon. I’ll have to destroy both Mark IV’s with it, to allow the Mark I’s to attack. Amazing how effective the Mark I’s are. Perhaps it was a mistake to stop work on the VR up-links. No matter. However, the thought of mind-control on the games is ingenious. I’ll have to move quickly to modify the mind-control though, so all other matters must be set aside for the moment. Yet, it would be better not to underestimate the CEO. I should recall the Doppelganger. I will need both it and the Mark V to pull this off. Perhaps I had better recall the Mark IV’s as well. Yes, I will need all of my cards in hand for this.)

[Scene: Somewhere inside Blizzard HQ. Phule and Tseng have fought their way into another control room.]

Phule: Look at this. They’ve got a “Doppleganger.”

Tseng: A what?

Phule: Some sort of spy-Flenser...oh...

Tseng: Oh? What, oh?

Phule: ::levels his gun on Tseng:: Tseng.

Tseng: What? Hey...what are you doing? You can’t think...

Phule: The Doppelganger was sent to us the same day we found you.

Tseng: What are you saying?

Phule: Gone for nearly a year, only to suddenly reappear, with no memories of what happened to you? And then you make a “miraculous escape” on the same day as this Doppelganger was released, and reported a successful infiltration? How long were you going to pretend?

Tseng: You’re crazy man. I’m not a Doppelganger.

Phule: I wish I could believe that, but put down your weapons.

Tseng: ::sighs:: Fine. A fine time you’ll have getting out of here without me, though.

Phule: A fine time I’d have getting out WITH you.

::As he says this, the door bursts open, and HP enters the room, followed by several security guards, all bearing heavy weapons.::

HP: Well well well, it appears that our little spy was right. We have got some rats in here. ::points at Phule:: Bring him with me. Take the other away.

Phule: Captured again. Now I see why you didn’t want me to get us out of the cell.

Tseng: No, it’s not that..

Phule: Tseng is dead. I see that now. Take off his face. You’ve no right to wear it!

Tseng: I am NOT the Doppelganger!

HP: Silence! Come with me NOW.

Phule: I’ll get you Doppelganger! Rest assured of that!

::Several guards disarm Phule and lead him away, following the HP. The rest close around Tseng.::

[Scene: Desert. Anthrax, is searching for Zeratul in the California Desert. Shortly, he sees a figure in the distance. Running, he soon sees it to be Zeratul.]

Anthrax: Hey Zeratul! There you are! Where’d you go, man. Been lookin’ for ya.

Zeratul: I needed to take care of something?

Anthrax: And you couldn’t do that by the truck?

Zeratul: It would have better been accomplished out here. ::turns around::

Anthrax: Erm...oh...well, let’s get back to the truck, alright? Somethin’ wrong with Omnivich.

Zeratul: Yes...must get back to the truck.

::the silent railgun fires only once, but with exact precision. A second after the shot, the unmoving form of Anthrax hits the ground::

[Scene: Desert, by the truck. Emrys is pacing back and forth, working through his spatulas]

Emrys: Hrm, I know I’ve got a Spatula of Healing around here somewhere...where is it! ::reaching into his jacket, he trips over a rock in the ground. Stumbling, he suddenly feels a stinging on his cheek. Reaching up, he feels a thin cut, and a wetness than could only be blood:: What the hell? ::looking around, he see’s the form of Zeratul walking towards him, arm curiously upraised:: Zeratul! Where’d you go? I sent Anthrax out looking for you.

Zeratul: Yes, he found me. You will find him out there, somewhere. Or you would. Unfortunately, I cannot allow that. ::levels his arm on Emrys:: Pity that I missed. I rarely miss.

Emrys: What are you talking about? You missed...aw crap! ::dives behind the truck as more thin bolts leap from Zeratul’s fingertips. Two strike Emrys in the leg as he dives behind the truck. Stumbling, Emrys scrambles around the truck, fumbling for a spatula:: Zeratul! Have you gone crazy?

Zeratul: Not Zeratul. I am Doppelganger. ::Zeratul’s appearance wavers, then shimmers into a humanoid-ish shape, looking like a liquid silver al la the T-1000 in Terminator 2::

Emrys: Uhhh...right. ::grabs a spatula:: And this...is the Spatula! ::jumps out from the truck, facing the Doppelganger:: Spatula....ACTIVATION! ::as he speaks, the spatula begins to glow, then flashes a brilliant light:: Uhg...not the one I wanted. ::blindly fumbles for another spatula::

////WARNING
////Optic Receptors overloaded
////Switching to Infrared detection
////
////Environmental heat renders Infrared detection inoperable
////Consulting Protocols
////
////
////Switching to Radar and Ultraviolet decetion
////
////1 target detected
////Threat rating: 21
////Consulting Protocols
////
////
////Commencing attack pattern Z95a

::Staggering through the light, Emrys drops the spatula. As it leaves his hand, the light instantly fades, but Emrys struggles to see, grasping another spatula, he waves it wildly::

Emrys: Spatula....ACTIVATION!

::Suddenly, there are 15 images of Emrys standing. The doppelganger rounds the truck, and begins firing. Three of the Emrys’ vanish in puffs of smoke.::

Emrys: Hmm...this might buy me some time. I’ve got to warn the others. ::as he runs towards the console, each of his images runs off in a different direction. The Doppelganger hesitates for a moment, then proceeds to follow one into the distance. Diving, he grabs the microphone that will allow him to speak with the others, praying that he will have enough time before the Doppelganger comes back::

[Scene: Downtown Irvine]

1>>>Target 3 defeated
1>>>Target 1 attempting restraint
1>>>Weapon systems unavailable
1>>>Attempting to re-rout power through system DD14
1>>>Systems damaged, re-rout complete in 00:02:43

Drake: #Goku. I think Omnivich is out of this fight. I’ve got this one pinned, but I can’t do anything. I think it’s trying to get more strength to the arms. I doubt I’ll be able to hold it much longer.#

Goku: #Understood. However, I am unable to deal with this one alone. Nor can I abandon my fight. It is taking all of my talents to avoid getting destroyed here.#

Drake: #Great...just great!#

Emrys: #Uhh, hey guys...can you hear me?#

Drake: #Emrys, is that you?#

Emrys: #Listen guys, you gotta come back. Omnivich isn’t doin’ so hot, and Zeratul has gone off the deep end. He killed Anthrax, and he’s trying to get me now. I need your help out here!#

Goku: #Zeratul? I have difficulty believing that he is able to best you physically, Emrys.#

Drake: #Yea, with those flashlights...he shouldn’t be able to hurt you at all.#

Emrys: #Well, I don’t think it’s really him, he changed into some sort of killing machine. Calls himself a Doppelganger, or some such thing.#

Goku: #Doppelganger. Means shapeshifter.#

Drake: #Shapeshifter? A spy, perhaps?#

Emrys: #Whatever is it, I need your help to defeat it. I’ve got it off running ghosts now, but it’s not long before it comes here.#

Drake: #We can’t. Once we leave, Blizzard will get all three Mark I’s...we’re never going to get another shot at this.#

Emrys: #Alright, but I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to protect your bodies.#

Drake: #We don’t have a choice. As soon as we defeat these Mark IV’s, we’ll make our way back.#

Goku: #Why wait?#

Drake: #What?#

Goku: #Lead them back there. Our chances of victory do not change either way, but at least the damage to innocents is reduced.#

Drake: #That means letting this one go, then.#

Goku: #Perhaps. I have gained a momentary lead over my adversary. I will be with you shortly.#

Drake: #Alright. Emrys, we’re on our way...Emrys? Emrys?#

[Scene: Desert]

Emrys: Alright, but I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to protect your bodies.

Drake: #We don’t have a choice. As soon as we def#..KABOOM. ::several shots fly through the terminal, causing it the explode, forcing Emrys back into a run, as the Doppelganger closes in behind.::

Emrys: DAMN IT! ::Grabs a spatula:: Spatula…ACTIVATION! ::a 10-foot tall, floating, disembodied hand appears and grabs the Doppelganger, who struggles against it::

Emrys: Erm...that works, I suppose. Now to find one that will get that thing...ah, this one should do it. Spatula....ACTIVATION! ::from the spatula comes the sound of a hundred voices singing the Halleluia chorus::

Emrys: Erm...no, not that one. Spatula…ACTIVATION. ::a line of Chippendale dancers appears, dancing the Macarena::

Emrys: AUHG! NO NO NONO. Spatula....ACTIVATION!

::several bolts of lightning arch down from the sky, blasting into the dancers, sending them flying. Several more converge on the Doppelganger. Unfortunately, the Doppelganger appears undamaged, though the 10-foot tall, floating, disembodied hand falls to the ground, burnt to a crisp. Freed, the Doppelganger continues its advance. Emrys continues to give ground, using spatula after spatula, attempting to battle the Doppelganger::

Emrys: Damnit guys...get here SOON. Here we go. Spatula...ACTIVATION!

::a slight darkness suddenly covers the land. Looking up, Emrys sees clouds now fill the sky that had been totally clear only moments before. Suddenly, a small section of the clouds part, casting down rays of golden light on Emrys. Heavenly voices can be heard chanting a chorus of “Ahhhh!” (you know this scene…when somebody is about to do something really really cool?). Moments later, the light fades, the clouds close up, and then disappear::

Emrys: Hrm...I wonder what that did?

::Suddenly, the Doppelganger halts in it’s advance. Looming over Emrys, the machine stands still. Then, silently, it turns about and begins running across the desert at incredible speeds.::

Emrys: Oh…that’s what it does. I’ll have to remember that.

////Target Acquired
////Threat rating: 20
////
////Incoming voice command
////”Damnit guys...get here SOON. Here we go...Spatula...ACTIVATION!”
////
////Incoming transmission
////Confirm Clearance
////
////Clearance Confirmed…transmission valid
////Transmission received
////Activating Mission Protocol #4
////Consulting Protocols
////
////Return to primary base
////Protect Dr. Seivan
////Kill CEO
////
////Executing Protocols

::In awe, Emrys watches the Doppelganger fade from sight. Suddenly remembering the truck, he races back. As he nears the truck, he slows to a stop. Amid the shattered equipment, a single monitor remains active. What holds Emrys’ attention, however, is the growing pool of blood emerging from under a pile of rubble. Working furiously, he pulls the metal off, revealing the battered for of Omnivich.::

::An hour later, Emrys is still trying to do something for Omnivich, when two Flensers, carrying a third one between them arrive. Working the console, Emrys revives Drake and Goku. The three Flensers collapse to the ground as Drake and Goku rush to Omnivich and Emrys::

Drake: What happened? Is he?

Emrys: Some sort of robot. Shapeshifter…looked like Zeratul. I know it killed Anthrax, I fought it for a while, then it left for no reason. Omnivich here…I tried to protect you, but it was so strong. Nothing I did…he’s dead, Drake, and without him, I don’t think we’re going to be able to get any of this stuff out of here.

Goku: A shape-shifting robot, you say?

Emrys: Yea, a tough one, too.

Drake: ::narrows his eyes:: You know, Emrys. We didn’t beat the Mark IV’s

Emrys: You didn’t? Then how...

Drake: They just left. One moment, it was about to rip my Flenser to pieces, and the next, it just left.

Goku: What’s more, we did not return here by choice. Someone, using that console, overrode our control.

Emrys: What are you...

Drake: Why don’t you just put down all of your spatula’s, Emrys.

Emrys: What? You can’t think…I tried to PROTECT you guys!

Goku: Perhaps, but right now, all I know is that Zeratul, Anthrax, and Omnivich are dead, and you are still alive.

Drake: ::pulls out his pistol:: Don’t make any sudden moves. At least, not until we’ve got this all worked out, ok?

Emrys: You’ve gotta believe me. It was Zeratul!

Goku: Well then, we shall wait until the next story. Anthrax will be back by then, since he was killed, and he will be able to confirm your story. If not…

[Scene: Elsewhere in the desert]

::The first thing Anthrax became aware of was the pain. A lot of pain.::

Anthrax: That’s good, I suppose. So long as I feel the pain, I guess it means I’m not quite dead. Heh, maybe things are finally starting to look up. I actually survived! If this isn’t good news for the clan, I don’t know what is.

::begins SLOWLY crawling back towards the truck.::

To be continued...

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