Here it is the first of (I hope) many posts with story! I will update and change it to get the
B,
I and
U latter :3
Be warned right away, and I say it again, that there will be BRUTALITY in every sense here after Introduction and Sheets.
***
Odd mutation
Introduction
“You are telling me you did what?!” An angry voice, full of hatred, said within grunts of despise.
A dark room with only light enough to see two Vykkers was all that could be described of the place. It was dark enough to know if anything was there any glimpse of light coming from the single light bulb in the ceiling and pointing down would make anything, from an eye to any mechanical piece, sparkle. To be sure that nothing did so but that asides the two Vykkers there was someone else there… well it was disturbing to say the least.
But these guys knew about it enough to find it more than disturbing alright. They knew it was dangerous.
“Boss! It was your own order!” Said one of the Vykkers as he retreated a few steps. Fear was more than expected “You commanded any left misfits should be quarantined!”
“But not to put all of them together in one same place you pathetic excuse of a fool!” Exclaimed the angry voice with a high pitched tone “Dr. Red may want our heads on a plate if we get a riot by a, let’s say, an incompetent EXPENDABLE worker…” The Vykkers gulped, trying to walk away “But the problem here is that YOU TWO aren’t the expendables ones I am afraid” The voice grumbled “Dr. Red would find my orders to be of such an incompetency it would be simply blasphemous to leave me breathing… Which means I would make sure that expendable or not” There was a loud growl that could hardly be explained as animal, human or any kind of natural sound “I don’t go alone to that one way pat”
With a gulp both Vykkers went from scared mounds of flesh to simply cowardly beings asking for their lives as they threw themselves into the ground.
“Please sir! We will send the executive order today I promise you!” Yelled the first one trying to care little but for his live. Pride of a great thinker was hard to overcome even now.
“It will take only a week to arrive! I can guarantee it!” The other was in no much better shape, mentally speaking that is.
The growls from the dark quieted and died but the chilly mood and cold feelings were still pretty much easy to feel on the air. Both Vykkers knew pretty well that it was only by chance that ONE was going to get out of this… To have the two of them getting away was positively out of the question as the light bulb moved back and forth to show a glimmering something from one dark corner.
“As a fellow thinker I am aware of the most logical ways to do things” Said the voice after clearing its throat and regaining a more or less ‘normal’ tone “I know the idea of getting the few misfits from my experiments together seemed ok to eradicate them soon whenever the order was given… But I think you forgot something”
Suddenly a mechanical spider leg busted through the darkness to land just between both Vykkers’s heads as a whole arachnid body came to lie over them with its three legs, full of spikes, joining a mobile oval body that was the base for a the one in control. The real body was resembling that of a Vykker like the ones under it, the problem is that it was mangled: Metal patches, crystal with semi organic body underneath and, in general, a cyborg’s body put to work. Even in the face the guy had half a metal skull and a targeting right eye for the right arm which was a whole arsenal with various weapons attached to it. For some reason that none of the Vykkers yet knew, and probably neither did the owner of that thing, the arm was cycling trough the weapons array every few seconds. The… ‘thing’ was a mess.
“I-DON’T-MAKE-MISTAKES!” As the right arm changed to a spinning group of blades a bell was heard “Oh! The cookies are ready”
The Vykkers gulped as the lights went on to show a full technological house full of small automatic robots that helped Dr. Ham Hock (Dr. H.H) in his house. They knew that bad news should be around his lunch time… He was a crazed one (Even inside Vykker society) and only his favorite food made it possible to survive a meeting most times.
Well they should better know that! Dr. Aritups gave him the head master’s job for that exact reason. They knew it had been so hard for the old Dr to leave the position on this project…. Humans, they called themselves. A mixed DNA trace was found a few months after arriving to the coast of Escoria, a new land ready for plunder, which seemed to be able to get mixed with almost every species in the known world.
Oh… it had been so many years ago… Their flying laboratory still was intact! The Glukkons had so much more profit on their backs! Mudokons and other lowly species were easily subdued and life was fair for the industrial side. Now the rebel Abe had formed an army and the wild tribes were endangering the main land. Well, at least part of it.
But oh, back then? When the funding and time to develop those “humans” came it was so exciting to see most of them whiter and die for about two years… They were highly adaptable and easily corrupted or manipulated unlike any other creature in the world. So easily they were forced into labor, put to work as a refined businessman, fattened up for meat or trained as one of the best soldiers, raiders or… ANYTHING! The problem was the need of clean air (or semi clean) and the low defenses against almost anything unlike most other creatures.
The creatures usually ended up bald, but not sterile or with color pigmentations that were far away from a flesh like color or brown to black coloration. The few that had hair where, for some reason, wary of those different as the ones without were from them. Usually aggression was expected between different kind of workers for their ideas, appearances or anything. Was it either male or female it mattered little as far as they were different from each other.
For the Glukkons, well, they were perfect.
Then the mixing with other species started:
Mudokons were able to get stronger yet still hollow and light bones with also more meat and more delicate features that made them interesting for some species that found them… appealing. For most creatures that didn’t have a queen or could reproduce it was more so thanks to the fact that males or females were now easier to identify (or simply they now WERE, unlike before) and both had the full genitalia… though the females had no nipples unlike those of human females. It was sad that the Mudaman (Human mix with Mudokon) were forced to be only into Escoria until clearance that never came to be. The profit was going to be so big otherwise…
Other traits that were appealing was the increased loyalty towards machinery ideology instead of the shamanism that normal Mudokon had as well as the ability to at least have one child within couples formed between a pair of Mudaman or a reproduction capable human and Mudaman. This was something exploited for high class workers that were two times as loyal as their parents were originally thanks to some DNA changes from the second generation line. No one cared if it could destroy the Mudokon kin of course, it was more Moolah.
Asides those changes, they developed a bigger brain that for some was tasty, but for the Mudaman meant the impossibility to chant, which was good. Downside of that mutation was that they developed other ‘shamanistic’ features thanks to still being attuned by nature such as control over certain elements in a small degree (But still highly dangerous) or telekinesis to help them move huge weights with the mind as well as other features equally dangerous if left unattended.
Sligs (Sligant) were made taller, stronger and with two natural legs for the common grunt that now were only females after the experimentation. Those legs were a tad similar to human ones but had the same number of toes as the Sligs had fingers and in a more or less similar form to the hands without being unappealing for the common or male Sligs. They were a moral boost most the time.
Most of them still were grumpy and loathsome and only needed a bit of training to be so if they were cloned out as misfits with some weird trait uncommon in Slig society. Few were problematic and even less couldn’t be corrected in their ways.
While the grunts came out all the time with legs as said, the males that were cloned in the labs were born strong and big as a Big Bro with no need of drugs or anything making them cheap and more or less common. Only the need of normal two legs in a bigger and better shape or the most common four legged chassis made them hard to tell apart from the common Big Bro. Sadly they had some problems with usual muscular or mind illness that simply needed some workout or treatment… though it was common to not give treatment at all (Insanity and such problems the Glukkons liked).
Like Mudaman the females grew a bit more asides muscle and such with pretty much the same features as a Mudaman in that sense… Though unluckily the females (and most males) lost the slime that protected them making the previous slick creatures now dependant of clean water which was happily provided for their services. The males, well, better not talk about them. They are simply big and let’s leave it at that.
For the most part, normal Sligs were preferred for the grunt roles with these females as guards on secure places thanks to a greater intelligence and reaction time that was harder to find in the common grunt (and not as cheap to replace, matter of fact).
This kin also had better eyes but their lungs and internal organs were far weaker to any substance that was polluted while being even easier to hook on drugs and smokes that made them obedient so the need of mask was greater. This only forced the need of the cloned Sligant of being under the service of the only ones with power enough to supply them every time they needed.
Dr. H.H had made experimentations with them and some normal creatures of every species to get new data thanks to this kind of discover after he was promoted as the headmaster of investigation. He was the creator of the misfits and some unnatural behavior or rebel outburst in them. For that fact most experimentation objectives Dr. H.H had were cut to a minimum budget and in controlled spaces so he was slow to create new problems or advances right now.
Officially, thanks to that, any other species was a failure… But most Vykkers knew better.
“You are still here?!” Dr. H.H yelled at the lone Vykker “I am finishing my cookies so if you don’t want to become an Intern with one of my newest procedures I suggest you go help your friend… QUICKLY!”
Yea… He wondered how Mudos was the only place with actual technological life until around fifty years ago… but he wasn’t going to keep pondering on that if his arse was on the frying pan!
Chapter 0 – Characters, ideas, etc…
*** Previous to REAL story ***
Note: Hello there, this is Uros here reporting for this new Oddworld story for you all to enjoy. I must clarify that the world of Oddworld is not mine as well as any of the copyrighted species and characters of the franchise as it is obvious (And sadly too). I am going to make no money from this (again, sadly) or will try to do so.
I own the characters I made myself however, they are listed here or noted in every chapter I make as well as the land and creatures I myself created. They cannot (Well, I ask you to not do) be used without permission or claim them as other’s of course (and the latter I don’t ask).
Also a reason to get humans over Oddworld:
I am a non believer, I usually put it bluntly in most my works ok? (I don’t mind anyone that is a believer, everyone does whatever they want I won’t judge) So I explain it as one of the theories of how the human DNA came over Earth (which would also explain some animals and such): It came from space. How? Meteorites probably… they are solid figging mater ok?
It is possible that the world of Oddworld had received also some genetics from outer space, but since the environment is different in the sense that the planet is BIGGER (Seven times or so as far as I know) the biology obviously evolved in a different way. It is also possible that if traces of what would be the human DNA were found, then, the actual technology of the Vykkers and power of the Glukkons (Monetary that is) would make it possible to create them.
I also assume that they have the ability and technology to mix anything that is remotely humanoid together to make different forms of the creature (Such as to give a Slig natural legs and a better body in some aspects) but not enough to make the creatures perfect, which is good for them or they would be fucked.
We all should think the same in one thing however: If they can do it, you can be sure they will do that only to the underlings to make sure they work better, are far more loyal AND taste better. Business is business.
Well asides that legal statement that will be generally posted before every chapter, let’s give you a review on the characters that you will find here:
***
Name:
Model Lex (Cleaner) - Series T.UM – Chain of production E.X.R Vykker Labs (Lextum Exer, or simply Exer for tha buddies).
Species and age:
Human (male) 24
Appearance:
Slim as most humans slaves working for the Glukkons, Exer is a guy that appears fragile but has a nice muscle mass that can absorb a lot of damage thanks to years working as a slave and foraging for enough food to get a decent body (and survive). He is a bit short (1,55-1.60 m) and has gentle features that usually seem to make him look alert while he is really dozing off, a serious guy or anything that resembles that thanks to many scars over the head, chest and back.
He has deep green eyes that are the most remarkable feature in his body as most humans have the same brown or blue empty eyes they get after the clonnation procedure. A few times something like purple and bluish hair has tried to grow, but the Vykkers cut it down to make sure no other worker had differences with him so the precious labor hands weren’t distracted… It seems the hair died after a few times.
Exer seems to like leather of any color as clothes, anything but the dam rags he is used to. Also doesn’t seem to go around in the nude… He is rather carefree.
Character:
Naughty of mind but joyful creature, Exer is a bit of a dirty talker and swears a lot as well usually getting his mind spoken out. When you are a slave this usually gets you into problems… He can withstand a lot of punishment and words but he cannot help but hit anyone that dares touch his friends.
He is a bit of a protector with a hint of a devilish creature that likes to play and do the right thing for some reason. That doesn’t mean he can’t get angry or that he doesn’t desire to simply crush someone without thinking it twice. Everyone has a dark side.
He likes to look at the stars and to rest over any green area (usually on the nude) with peace and quiet as companions… until he gets bored and needs his friends around. Not fan of parties but lover of his group.
History:
Will be revealed.
***
***
Name:
Liza Romia
Species and age:
Mudaman (Female) 25
Appearance:
A bit more defined and round that most Mudokons, Liza has a cute body with enough meat to make her attractive to most eyes while still having a bit of bone showing thanks to all the hard work that made her muscles easy to manipulate to give a bit of an ugly look to prevent anyone getting ideas… Though the size of 1.68 isn’t really much, for some still could handle her easily.
Her skin is yellowish green with pure green dots over her head and her back while the front is a nice warm yellow tone. Her hair is purple, though it seems the tip shows a hint of silver blue coloration somewhere deep inside. She has cute azure eyes that sparkle when she is worried for something.
She doesn’t mind her bits showing, but seems to have a liking to soft clothes such as silk or similar to cover her body if she can get her hands on it… For the moment she had no luck but hopes to get her cravings for something she could wear to get a more feminine look sometime.
Character:
Moody thanks to a big receptive brain that can read the mood of anyone nervy and absorb part of it. Liza has bad character thanks to the many evil thinks everyone thinks while at work… and even dreaming!
Originally she is a nice and open girl that only gets angry when someone tries to do anything to her without her consent (which is hard being a slave). She only despises Sligs thanks to the beatings they give everyone to get a fit of power now and then, though the hatred grows really deep after years of the same thing even if she despises hating anyone.
Not innocent, not naughty, Liza is a balance between jokes and direct truths when she is talking though it is hard to know what is what when near her.
History:
Will be revealed.
***
***
Name:
Dail (Dai) Bella
Species and age:
Sligant (Female) 27
Appearance:
A bit taller than most humans with 1.74 m in height, Dai is a sturdy girl with a lot of meat where it should be and a firm body that means a gorgeous thing as well as a dangerous one too… Her black skin with brown front and front tip of the tail to the tentacles is for most a warning of how dangerous the girl can be if angry.
She has a silver colored mask that has blue glittering eye protectors that are mixed with the silver colored leather jacket and pants she uses to cover herself. She has a nice body and no scar for now… but she simply likes to get covered whenever possible.
Dai has a cute face under the mask as most Slyman females but she is too shy to show it up… She usually shows the twin weapons (Smaller versions of the normal weapon a Slig carries, of course it is as deadly and fast shooting) to get anyone away and sparing herself the problem of talking or having others see her body.
Character:
A ‘know all’ person that is ALLWAYS right about anyone she fixates her gaze on thanks to the ability of reading people like an open book. She has only been proved wrong once and it makes her uneasy since she prefers to know the things right away.
Her character is usually marked as elusive and retracted even being so friendly to her slog and her friend (big brother figure) Mugus thanks to being one f the few Sligs with no addictions or real attachment to the machines. Usually spends her alone time in her private quarters on the barracks with the mask off and an air filter while taking care of Tiguer, his little Slog companion, if she is not in company of Mugus while having a walk or eating.
History:
Will be revealed.
***
***
Name:
Mugus Brak (Mugsi for Dai)
Species and age:
Sligant Big Bro (Male) 31
Appearance:
Tall brute of 2,13 when with his legs and only 1.50 or so without them. His body mass is impressive to the point of being a bit more so than the others Big Bro’s. He has veins that seem like they would burst from his arms and chest whenever angry though most the time he simply looks like a full time bodybuilder.
His skin is a pale white that looks a bit sickening for most with a coal grey chest that looks like he wears armor under the skin. He has a crimson red brilliant mask with brown eye protectors and a red light fixed in the front thanks to heat seeker augmentation on the mask (the light can’t be seen from the inside if the aug is offline).
His arms are covered in tattoos that resemble rabid fuzzles that look and seem to act as mean and menacing as him. He has the words Pain and Break forced on his knuckles by fire at birth, something that seems to suit him if he ever removes the electric generator on his back and the upgraded metal gauntlets with spikes he uses as weapons. It is usually worst to anyone that he removes them, as he doesn’t control his strength with bare hands.
He has no vocal cords, they were removed accidentally while he was halfway done on his creation.
Character:
Originally brutish and stupid, Mugus changed his ways after meeting Dail and finding someone to call family and protect. He is an ever suspicious creature that protects anyone he likes from any kind of harm with his hard skin or strong arms, whatever needed. Now cultural and intelligent, he seems to not mind anyone looking bad at him since not even the managers do that thanks to the fear of being mauled to death.
A kind soul trapped inside a brute that has hard time showing his feelings, Mugus has a fine taste on books and peaceful songs that help him relax. When angry it is better to get away and wait to rebuild the things he tramples over. Mugus seem to dislike long range weapons and it is hard for anyone with a gun to gain his respect, even less if they shoot at him... well in that case it is hard to rebuild the guy in question.
History:
Will be revealed.
***
***
Name:
Tiguer Wufz
Species and age:
‘Dwarf’ Slog (Male) 3
Appearance:
Dwarf cute slog that could be carried with a single hand for most creatures, Tiguer is a brown skinned (with phale underside) stripped (blue) slog that has nothing much different from his bigger companions. Tiguer seems to like to wear a small spike collar and chew onto any kind of metal, leather or bone to use it as a strap.
The small slog has been toyed with by the Vykkers and seems to have a second sheet of teeth that are smaller but can break easily and without pain while biting to grow back after while, giving deep wounds and internal bleeding to any prey.
Character:
Playful unlike any slog ever known in Escoria (or probably anywhere). While most Slogs grow up angry and dangerous right after birth, Tiguer seems to be a gentle little thing that only wants some petting and a bit of caring more than food or water.
Tiguer can perceive any friendly being (which usually refers as anyone with good intentions in general) thanks to using the keen sense of the Slogs for something else than kill and eat. He is a vicious creature that can take down creatures ten times his size if anyone with any dark intentions comes near his owner or the ones the little creature likes.
He usually is rolling around or circling anything interesting, the little critter usually digs useful things or industrial remains for his owner in the hopes she can use it for something.
If it was not clear: Tiguer loves his owner Dai.
History:
Will be revealed.
***
Other characters will be revealed as chapters go by…
Chapter 1 – Pained hands
Day or night, it was difficult to say after a while with so many smoke clouds up there, wasn’t it? It would be so nice to see the stars or dark blue sky at night that pondering on it was so absorbing and entertaining… For some reason it always came to that most the time, to look at the sky.
He really didn’t know why it called him so much to look at the sky and the stars whenever he had the chance… Well, only the sky, he never saw the stars thanks to the lights on his previous workplace and neither did here in Agravation Farms.
“Hey…” A female voice snapped him out of his awe.
He snapped out of it, Exer had that custom of dozing off when scrubbing on the outside. The human simply looked over his friend Liza with a smirk as he eyed her up and down more than once, getting a chuckle out of her.
“I think you should get to work AND stop staring at my breasts”
Both of them snickered as the Slig that was sleeping on the counter snorted in his dreams. The pair gave out a startled look only in reflex as they looked over the one that was to make them sit still and work if they slacked or talked. Luckily the normal Sligs were mostly slackers and bastards that preferred to sleep and smoke than to do anything… if there wasn’t anyone to beat the crap out off, of course.
It was not uncommon that Exer took the beatings every time instead of Liza even when she confessed it was her doing. She was a very innocent girl when she wanted and was very nice, even trying to take the punishment instead of Exer more than once. He always took every hit; there was no excuse for not doing so. Sickness? Excuse, he wouldn’t allow it. Broken bone? Excuse, no chance of him saying so. Starvation? Excuse, only more bone to hit and maybe less damage with some luck.
Exer’s body had a collection of wounds and scars that showed that he did it every time. A few minutes ago it had happened when he made a too loud noise while scrubbing. His head was bleeding slightly and the weapon in the hands of the Slig had some blood over the tip of its cannon. In Mudos they had it prohibited to put extra blunt or a sharp edge since Mudokons were becoming slightly fewer (thanks to Abe). Here it was no problem to administer maximum pain and breaking damage.
“I don’t want you hurt again or that Sligant to take care of you in her private quarters, ok?” Liza told him with a serious and unhappy look.
They had been moved here a few weeks ago from the main work zone at the main land. Agravation Farms was on the Northern edge of the continent and was at the top of a mass of land that went into the sea. Like most of the continent it had been explored only on its surface and established a perimeter where no one should cross since the danger was so high that even entire armies were decimated too soon and with little to no profit.
The small zone explored was called Agravation and only a pair of farms and a city was made since the place was too dangerous to live unlike in the main land a few kilometers away. Even the travel, if it was by water, was dangerous thanks to the great hunters that lurked underwater. However the place had many wild Mudokons and ruins that could give wild livestock and future slaves if the Glukkons played their cards right… The interest for easy money was all that held the place together.
However that was all he could get to read from the guards and the info pads when they were taken here before he meet Tiguer, the dwarf brown skinned and blue stripped slog. When the tiny thing jumped over him he thought he was going to be food! However the little creature simply licked him over and snarled at the guards that were guarding him, only letting Liza get close and even licking her too.
Dail Bella, the Sligant grunt that had the ownership of the little creature hadn’t approached to begin with because she thought the human was another one of those sick bastards that were so loyal to their masters even after turning them into food. He and Mugus, her bodyguard and friend, were surprised to see the slog playing happily with the human… as well as to see the already many scars that he had while his companion had none.
Dai, as she liked to be called, became fond of the interesting creature that was Exer: A gentleman amongst slaves. She found it funny that he was always more than eager to get into any girl’s pants while most humans only did so if they were able to procreate… Well, he was able to do so, but he was not assigned to that duty for some reason and that was another point for him in Dai’s eyes.
Mugus and Liza both didn’t really approve that Dai had so many time with the human though… Mugus had no love interest in Dai, it was like his little sister and he treated her like that, but to have a human meddling with her? He found that too dangerous… more when she took him the first time into her quarters to treat a few serious wounds a really sick guard had given to him. Liza had her best friend on Exer; he was her only friend and sole protector… It could be so easy that he was executed if seen with that grunt that Liza was always nervous and more than a little bitchy when Dai was around.
“Can’t help it, it is my nature and you know it” Exer replied with a gentle chuckle “Come on… relax… it is not like anything bad will happen”
They had been working here for a while now. The food was nicer than in the main land but it was also scarcer thanks to having less production. Guards were assigned to protect the property of the company even if they still could hit anyone, but killing was forbidden or they would be turned into meat too. The animals were well caged and there was almost no chance of an accident by having them escape. It was also something nice to have the machinery secured; no Mudokon or Human had suffered an accident since a few years back thanks to the maintenance.
Yea, this place was nice.
“Alert!” Of course, the speakers had something to say about that “Alert! Code Red over the Scrab containers in the zone 1.B! Three Scrabs have been accidentally released and they have already killed a Slig patrolling the corridor 12.B towards the surface”
You know why they liked the place so much? Four sections with four zones. The A zones for each section were the control rooms; they were located in the exact center of the facility looking at their corresponding area. The B zones were the upper works near the walls and the living zones for Sligs and Humans or “mutants”. The C and D were for the internal works over the food processing and the exterior protection and animal herd’s confinement.
So yea, it was nice to know when you were in the wrong place in the wrong time… like now.
Exer and Liza looked at each other. The place was a corridor on the upper wall with a few doors that lead right inside the nearby tower and to the lower level where the barracks were located. Unfortunately only the lower level was open and the nearby tower simply gave out a cry when a shriek was heard and then some shoots before the Slig on duty near them finally awoke.
“Who the fuck did wake me up this time?” He grunted while taking his gun and cleaning the sharp edge.
As a loud *Crack* was heard both Liza and Exer pointed towards the big Scrab that had opened the reinforced door without even seeming to put force into it.
“Oh crud…” Was all the Slig could say being so close to the door as the creature saw him.
At least this one was going to get fat…
*** Over the barracks, a few minutes earlier ***
Dai was sitting with Mugus on her quarters. She was the only Sligant alongside Mugus here so she could have the privilege of a lone big room as much as Mugus but they preferred to share the same except when they had to talk with the management or had any work to do as well as when they had to sleep. The place was metallic with a bed for humanoids and weapons storage as well as a table, little else was needed.
Mugus usually took his pants and mask off to read. As he did so he usually left the harsh figure he had under the mask after so many fights with the innumerable small scars that made his face look mostly pink thanks to the meat surfacing where the skin could not grow. None of the two minded since they were used and Mugus had little to no shame of his past except the people he had harmed without reason, not his looks.
Dai, on her side, usually used the privacy to be in the nude and to take plants from the outside to water them and care for them before returning them to the wild strengthened and revitalized. It was a hobby and also a need to have the air purifier in good condition. Otherwise she was usually caring to Tiguer when he was playful; sadly he was snoring right now while turning the ground to a little pool.
“Today has been quiet, hasn’t it?” She asked, bored from the two hours of rest they had been given “I mean… We haven’t had any assignment after watching over the cattle”
Mugus simply looked at her with an expression that literally said *“So…?”*
“Come on… you can’t talk but I can assure that you don’t need to let me down… I am bored!” She said with a loud grunt while pointing at her clothes and her weapons “While being here I can’t make sure the others don’t mess with the few guys that are ok here and I hate to be left aside for so long. This place doesn’t have enough staff to let those lazy bums four hours in the same spot”
Waving a hand Mugus dismissed her. He loved to read his books when he had the chance and not to pay visits to the few Mudokons that were around. Mugus was always looked down or with fear by anyone and anything but Dai… or that pair formed by the human and that female Mudaman. The interest was in precisely not going with them.
“You won’t tell me you like peace and quiet now, do you?” Dai asked with a smirk while looking at him playfully.
Maybe Mugus had no vocal cords, but he could still grumble while covering his face with the book. He hated how well she knew him sometimes. It was true that he was hardly quiet for more than five minutes except at night when he had dinner and relaxed to read. It was ok to be intelligent and a nice guy and not that brutish fiend he once was… but it had its little downsides.
He simply gave her the finger before getting into his pants. If she was someone else he wouldn’t have moved.
“Come on” she said with a giggle before getting dressed as fast as she could “You may not like them but we could do many things if we all get along”
At that Mugus looked at her while lifting an eyebrow. She got the message almost as fast as the silence broke in.
“Yes… I mean her too…” She grumbled “I will be nice to her if she tolerates me”
They didn’t talk for a while as they got everything ready. Tiguer woke up after a call from his owner and barked happily as the leather spiked collar was placed over his little neck before getting out of the private quarters.
Outside it was a hellhole most the time, why? Because of the Sligs of course; they usually tried to sleep or sneak away most the time but with someone watching they were workaholics. A few groups were training in the north side of the B section with their weapons as other were sharpening their reflexes as a few groups marched up and down between the barrack’s blocks.
Organization was about zero, but you must admire the display.
While every zone had the same surface at the same height as a five floor building’s top, each zone was different. Section B was mostly empty since this place of the farms was for maintenance of the machinery and energy supply, so the population was less than twenty slaves and only sixty Sligs to maintain order. Slogs were optional and most the time they varied in number.
The surface had four living blocks for fifty Sligs each and a living block for slaves, both human and Mudokon as well as mutant. There was a cafeteria that had a small zone for the slaves and the rest were for the Sligs or any lowly Glukkon that was working on the area.
Besides all that there were the towers and the public showers with bathrooms… Most of these things were usually dirty in a bigger installation but in a smaller well maintained one like this it was mostly pristine. You have to love the small emporium even if it is as bad for the environment as the rest.
“Come on Mugus, I think they are in the 12º Tower today” Dai pointed towards one of the 16 towers that protected the farm like any other in Escoria. Mugus simply grumbled before fallowing the already walking Dai.
As always they got looks from any of the Sligs nearby; if it wasn’t because of Fai and her looks as well as her clothes it was because of Mugus and the fear his looks gave or the power that portable generator and weapons gave him, it was thanks to the dwarf and cute killing machine that originated the weird friendship between the misfit’s group.
It probably wasn’t heard on the upper leagues, but everyone knew Dai spent time with the Mudokons and, in special with the pair of human and Mudaman. No Slig remained near them when these two and their Slog went to spend time with the slaves. It was not right, it was probably nice information to exchange for favors and it was a DEATH sentence to do so.
Dai hadn’t ever thought of befriending normal Human thanks to them being so… She could hardly describe it but Mugus had the word, if he could talk the curses would reach the sky of course. Each of them had someone they liked and someone they couldn’t stand to be with. Everyone but Tiguer, who simply loved to be in the middle of them all so there was no angry feelings.
She snapped out of it for a bit as they were halfway to the tower’s base before a loud noise came to her. Then she found out how bad one could feel when a family member was in the brink of death.
“Alert! Alert! Code Red over the Scrab containers in the zone 1.B! Three Scrabs have been accidentally released and they have already killed a Slig patrolling the corridor 12.B towards the surface”
“FUCK!” Was all Dai could say, she was only halfway!
Suddenly a loud metallic crack filled the air above the sound of gunfire and grunting Sligs as well as the marching instructors. Moments after that another crack fallowed, but this time it was bones and flesh.
“Come on Mugus! Run for it!”
*** Over the wall. Section B Outside corridor 12-13 ***
“FUCK!”
The Slig yelled a second before the Scrab impaled him with two legs. It seemed as easy as opening a can with a shotgun. The flesh tearing and bones breaking echoed enough to make Exer and Liza’s ears burn in pain. For the Slig at least it had been painless… maybe.
“Move… slowly…” Exer said with as much of a low tone as he could get.
The creature took his price and begun to feed slowly with loud ripping noises as the pair slowly backed away. There were four doors to get to the base level and two to get to each side tower, the problem was the placement. That Scrab had killed the Slig in the middle of the two closest doors and as fast as he found someone close it was going to charge.
Getting close to make an exit? Bad idea.
The other two were far away in comparison since the entrances were each close to the towers, not the middle. Any noise and they were going to get to know how a happy meal was prepared in Escoria.
“I don’t know why…” He begun as he was as careful as possible “But I have the urge of not moving in the hopes it doesn’t see us…”
However, moving was the best idea possible as, step by step, during a whole minute, they approached the exit so much that he could almost smell his freedom. Well, at least the freedom in the sense of not being someone else’s lunch. Of course fate doesn’t like to play things fairly for everyone if it can get a saying on it.
“Pin it down!” Yelled a voice.
The pair looked behind them as a squad of five Sligs got into firing position. Barely in time did the pair move as a hail of bullets aimed at the Scrab went besides them, cutting Exer and Liza’s legs by the friction. That was close… but the Scrab had no such luck as his body took load after load of bullets that killed it as brutally as the Sligs could afford with their weapons.
As the creature was killed the Sligs laughed at the bloodshed caused, clapping their hands while some simply reloaded their weapons. One decided to go and get close to pose near the death Scrab.
Who better to die first?
A spike of chitin very similar to those legs of a Scrab was suddenly replacing the head of the Slig. A second latter a sound that was like *Skrunch* filled the air as the claw took a grip on the body and pulled it towards the broken door of the 12º tower so the owner of that body part could enjoy its prize.
There, after guttural sounds of feeding, a Scrab came out, normal and untouched with also no signs of feeding… What came after that tore open the small doorway to get a twice as big hole and show its form to the world.
The creature resembled a Scrab mostly. It had the tall and strong body and complexion, its eyeless head and sharp mouth with the teeth showing on the sides. However it was different in that the creature had six legs that were also detachable thanks to a long tendril like appendage that had enough strength to be thrown and take down even a Big Bro Slig. How was that possible to tell? One of the claws was dragging behind, attached to the chest of one of the Big Bros while other had the remains of the cranium from the previous meal.
Besides those fearsome weapons that detached themselves to get ready again, the creature had a brighter red color and plates of armor all around its chest, head, legs and back. It seemed that the only unprotected place by those thick chitin formations was the underside. Also, the thing was twice as big as any other Scrab. Why the last? Because the size does matter… but to see that you can’t do much about it except getting killed from afar or from being too close takes much of your attention.
The awe was probably shared amongst the Sligs, something that proved fatal as the creature moved and took another one down with ease to retract the claw before any of them could move. The dripping blood from its mouth and limbs came to an end after the Sligs regained their foot and moral to get into shooting position and hail the creature with a rain of lead.
As the smaller Scrab stood a way, ignoring the fire from the enemies, the big one simply looked amused as the bullets bounced from its body with ease. Another movement from its body and the Sligs were one less… then two less… It was obvious that the last one had lost all courage as he threw the weapon and tried to make a run for it before his brains were splattered across the metal floor.
Weapons were charming for the pair now that the Sligs were dead. Well, they would be charming if they could save them, but as they hold still they knew the creature would probably get them if they ever tried to do anything. If they didn’t move they would be simply easy food though…
As the pair looked to the side they found the creature simply feeding on the Big Bro while the other Scrab cleaned the meat from the bigger one’s legs. They had luckily landed near the wall and the dark spot mixed with the metal block every few meters gave them cover. However it was a cover that would blow out as far as one of the two Scrabs decided to go and eat the three stupid Sligs that had died a few moments ago.
“What do we do?” Liza whispered while trembling in fear “I am scared! If I could chant…”
“Relax” Exer hissed “They are far away enough for us to make a run towards the closer exit” He said, pointing nearby to the way down “We get a weapon in the process if we can, two would be too risky since only one of them threw it close after death” He commented, pointing at one of the guns the Sligs had dropped “I doubt we could be faster than the big… Scrab, if that is what it is… He only needs to turn and we are dead meat”
“I doubt a weapon would serve us any good” Liza replied to his words with a bit of a startled tone. It seemed too risky for nothing in particular… That thing didn’t even flinch at three guys shooting at it! “But I think I can get it. I am faster and I have only three fingers to worry about”
Exer nodded, a useless weapon could have other uses than its own name implied if needed. He signaled three… two… one… There was no time to be prepared.
“Now!”
The yell served to encourage the run and to surprise both creatures in hopes of them taking more time to react after the pair got up and running. A few steps and Liza had the weapon. The small Scrab took its cue to run. A few more and both Liza and Exer were almost to the exit. Both creatures now faced the runaways, lucky for them the small Scrab was in the way so the big one was unable to shoot. It grunted in frustration.
Exer made it inside and took the hand of Liza to force her inside and down the stairs. He feared he would make her fall down and die, but as she got inside the normal Scrab broke the metal door away, not stopping in time to get inside. It would be back in seconds so since both were ok his fears should have to wait until he was safe down there.
Turn after turn the pair traveled down, not stopping, not caring. If a Slig was in the way Exer took it down after getting in front and getting the weapon ready. They were expendable and his priority was his friend. The problem was the metallic sound of claws scrapping its surface closer and closer by the moment as the Scrab got closer by the moment.
The fear factor was going to kill him sooner than the creature.
It was dumb luck that he finally made it to the door at the base, opened it and forced Liza to exit as he looked back in time to see a claw going at his chest. He had reflexes fast enough to put the weapon in the way and block most of the impact’s strength. Getting out of the harm’s way was something different.
He bounced away from the entrance thanks to the sheer force of the impact. Exer could easily see a punctured wound and a nice sized hole on his chest as he flied backwards to meet the steel with his bones as he landed. The Scrab luckily got jammed on the doorway and had to retreat briefly, sparing Exer’s life by chance.
Sligs filled the place as the Scrab got away upstairs to make sure it didn’t flee. Soon the echoes of cries for help were heard as they were greeted by force in the upper level.
“Fuck…” Exer groaned as he touched both his wound and his mangled back full of burns thanks to the damn friction.
“Exer! Are you ok?!” Liza half yelled as she got over her friend “You look like crap!”
“Thanks… never had a better compliment” He coughed some blood to the side, grunting as he tried to move.
“I’d say you better not move” A feminine voice said. Both friends knew it was Dai without even looking “A slave’s body is accustomed to beatings but… I don’t know if you broke something”
It was then when both looked at her. Liza didn’t like to admit that the Slig was caring and Exer simply hopped she wasn’t right. It was for sure that there was going to be any kind of punishment from the managers. He knew they would come for him, if not for having weapons handed by a slave, it was going to be because he went down killing some of the Sligs, No one was going to be blind enough to not see if the wounds were done by claws or bullets.
He knew the luck wouldn’t be with him after the bunch of Sligs there informed he had a weapon; otherwise they wouldn’t even bother with the corpses.
“Moving or not… I doubt I will be left here for much longer” Exer grunted as he tried to move again.
“And how right you are, my friend” Came a sickening voice from not afar.
The remaining Sligs, which were around twenty some, circled Dai and the pair. Mugus had been too slow and Tiguer had been fallowing him, probably knowing he would give even more problems if nearby. The trio was without backup and even with it the things would go awry if the Sligant even thought of raising their weapons to this farm’s boss.
Garman was one of the few Glukkons in the farm, and one filthy rich at that. He was not really important to the big boss Dr. Red, but he was ruthless ruling over Agravation’s town and two farms which made his boss pleased and had him in slight consideration. His looks were rather common for a Glukkon, though he had sickening yellow skin and whore a brown suit that made clear he was a dirty individual, no matter how clean and nice he seemed to be in the exterior.
“I believe I saw that slave handing a weapon, am I correct?” He asked with that sickening sweet voice of his.
Just in time a spike came down, almost hitting the Glukkon but barely missing. Everybody look out, Garman with a demeanor as if nothing happened, only to see the big Scrab and the normal one looking down before they walked away to probably slid down the wall towards freedom.
“I wouldn’t be so… bothered if you had used it to put down that THING” The Glukkon seemed to be so calm in his demeanor, it was frightening now “Instead you protected that girl, not caring for the company’s benefits… Oh how I hopped none of your kind would fall so low as to put yourselves over your masters like you did”
The Sligs around, far from shocked or sad by the loss of more than half their buddies, simply laughed in a loud tone. One came closer while taking a butcher knife from the ground, Exer didn’t see it but someone had thrown it a moment ago.
“So, since you seem to like the Mudokon over your own life and over your master’s interest unlike every one of your kind… I think it is only fair I help you resemble what you so fondly protect at the cost of your life”
Dai and Liza were taken away from the circle as the Slig came closer to Exer, sporting a grin that could be seen even with the mask on.
“Name is Halr, scum” He hissed “Two of my buddies were gunned down by you. This is but a kind treatment in comparison of what I would do to you”
With that a pair of Sligs came over, holding Exer down as Harl lifted the knife.
“Axo, Ethzer, make sure he doesn’t move” He said to the Slig pair “The boss wants the property only ‘slightly’ damaged”
Then. Then the knife came down.
*** At night, few hours later ***
Liza had been left alone after the first scream from his friend. That damn Glukkon had asked for her to have a bit of punishment too when they finished with Exer only to get mauled by the human and saved from her punishment as he took it from her yet again.
The screams still filled her mind as she remembered how they butchered his hands to resemble those of a Mudokon with slow and cruel cuts that gave out so much pain with so little progress on the disfiguration of his hands… He actually was really simply spared as he blacked out after the fourth finger was cut down.
Right now she sould be in her quarters, but they could go to hell. Dai had taken Exer to her private ones to attend his wounds and treat him of any possible sickness. She was pretty direct saying that the knife could have anything if it was something Garman wanted done.
*Tock, tock…*
She called twice in hopes that none of the guards heard her. It was already something very nasty that she was willing to go over Dai’s place… but to do so without almost hiding and in such a bold way? It had to be her own concern mixed with the one she felt coming from Dai.
At least it was not the pain she felt from Exer. That had been madness in more than one way.
“Yes?” Came a loud and hissing voice as a blue eye and black skin popped out over to look at who was calling “Oh… it is you” Dai grunted before opening “Come in, fast”
Liza didn’t even hesitate as she fitted inside the slightly opened door to see the insides of Dai’s room. At least it was better than a place full of snoring slaves.
“How is he?” She asked bluntly after getting inside.
The only thing that had changed from the room was a white curtain that was covering around Dai’s bed. A doctor came to tend to the human’s wounds and confirm that there was a simple sickness much like the flu. It could be lethal if unattended over the slaves’ barracks since with all the contamination it did matter little if the place was clean, he would have died in a week or two tops thanks to the wounds and that bothersome virus.
“Small blood loss since they had him bleeding for fifteen minutes out there before they allowed someone to take care of him” Dai grunted as her tentacles flickered and rubbed together in anger “They made sure to hit where the blood would flow the most while amputating his fingers whole and not really harming the ‘merchandise’”
Mugus snapped his fingers to snap both girls out of it. He was petting Tiguer while reading a book and with a pair of earphones, listening at something that seemed important if he was willing to interrupt the pair.
“Look… I think he is going to be ok” Dai said while trying to be a bit friendlier “But he probably will take a time to get used to his… new hands” Her face turned sad, something Liza pretty much did at the same time “And I doubt he will be in the mood for anything for a while after he wakes up”
“Do you think he will change for real? I mean… He never took this kind of punishment, not even for me until now” Liza was worried… and it was no help at all being able to sense something was not right.
Dai simply sighed “I doubt he will act the same until he gets used to it… I must admit that he was reckless and he shouldn’t have taken anyone’s life if possible (even if they were bastards)” She sighed again and rubbed her eyes shut for a moment “But it was that or dying up there. I personally wouldn’t have allowed this if I could have done something”
“That I know” Liza grunted “That, I know”
Mugus snapped his fingers again so both paid attention when he pushed a button for the earphones to reproduce the message at maximum volume.
“Yes? Who is calling this late at night?”
The sickening voice of Garman was heard right away as some mumblings from his bodyguards were heard on the distance. As a fun fact: He is one of the few Glukkons to ever sleep in company and the only to do so with his three Slig bodyguards (originally five, but that number got reduced today).
“Your boss”
They did never really heard Dr. Red’s voice to begin with… But it had a hint of madness and rutleness that hinted if he was not really the one they thought it had to be REALLY close to that power position.
“Oh! Sir Red! What do you wish from this lowly worker?!” Hurried to reply that ass licker of Garman.
“A few weeks ago you got a human and a Mudaman in a batch that was supposedly composed only by Slig guards” Dr. Red said without feelings “As I have been informed, it was to have the few remaining misfits away from the mainland”
“Oh? You mean I have the last Mudaman and humans here, lord?” Garman seemed surprised, enough to leave his sickening accent behind in fact.
“No” Was the cutting and dark answer Red gave “You have the last Mudaman and Human with altered DNA from our labs” At that there was a hint of a feeling… something that could hint hatred “Dr. H.H sent me a note today saying it was supposedly notified at least two weeks ago but that he had no inform of that ever happening”
“Well sire” Garman said, clearing his throat “They were a strange pair, yes… But I never got any notification here”
“That is why I suppose the human, the Mudaman and the Sligant misfits that are mentioned in inform are still alive” Dr. Red said in a darker tone as both Liza and Dai backed away from Mugus, who was acting relaxed.
“You are correct sir” Garman had his sickening accent back “They are weird and have some… unpractical work ways that don’t resemble any other, but they are profitable”
“Oh… in that case it pains me” Dr.Red cut down Garman’s chatter sounding genuinely hurt “But Dr. H.H said it should be better to put them down before the group has the chance of bonding since we could have a scene pretty much the same as that Abe from Mudos”
A gulp was heard, and it was not from the girls as they heard each word.
“Sir…” Garman muttered. The girls could feel his trembling attitude without the need of seeing him.
“What is it Garman? You won’t tell me you grew fond of them do you?” Dr. Red was becoming impatient; his tone was again growing dark.
“I got information that says the Human and the Mudaman were already friends when they came here” A growl was heard over Garman’s babbling “Also… recently the Sligant female and her Slog had been reported to act way too friendly with the slave subjects, not only the human”
A silence was brought for a few seconds. The girls felt pressure building as they heard Garman’s breathing becoming heavier; fear was probably taking his place over him too.
“Send every able man to retrieve their dead meat and report back to me”
With that the voices went dead.
The place went silent for about a minute where every sound seemed to resemble the mechanical walk of the guard Sligs, circling Dai’s quarters. Then a storm took over as every night when the farms stopped working and the sky could release all the contamination back over the place with its acidic nature.
“We have to get out of here…” Was all Dai and Liza could agree on.