Predator or Prey? (Open)

[Linx]

He frowns. "You mean you don't know? Oh my. Well, you're on Genesis now, it seems to be the focal point for various worlds and realities combining. Some, like yourself it would seem, arrive involuntarily. Others like myself traveled here to determine why this is happening. Or merely to explore." he says, pulling up the holographic display on his computer, reading over the data he'd just pulled from the man. "You arrived in Isafaro, arguably the most dangerous nation, though I suppose with the demonic army running through everything else, it's all dangerous here. They're the ones most advanced in technology and bio engineering, most everything else is similar to Earth at about the time of the twenty first century. Er, standard, linear Earth that is." he pauses, frowning.

"You say that the virus eats and evolves, and that's all you know? Do you not communicate with it? Or is it's intellect limited to lower cognitive functions, seeking only to feed and expand it's influence? Hmm. I wonder then if it's taking the best bits of genetic material from it's food sources and adapting it for it's use." he pauses to think on that for a moment. "Well, that would make it quite the perfect hunter. Always changing, increasing it's already considerable abilities to make it even more formidable. How strange, I've not encountered anything like this. We could've used this in the war. Of course it would have to be tamed, or civilized at least. Hmm." he pauses, tapping in some commands as he isolated the Parasites DNA from it's host, storing the separate results of each before continuing to work, readings flashing across the screen.

[Raal]

The DNA itself really was alien in origin. The helixes were twisted around so much, they looked like one big fibrous string of genetic material. The DNA was also moving, constantly interchanging with each other. While the doc was looking at this ever-changing creature, Hunter retreated into his thoughts, musing at the prospect of other places to see. He also mused about what Genesis had, and why Isafaro has so many issues as a city. The virus fed on the material given by the tray robots, its state of grogginess subsiding.

It decided to test out its current state by changing Hunter's appearance entirely. He now looked like a latino scientist in his mid-fifties wearing a lab coat and appropriate work attire underneath. This was one of the scientists he had consumed during his escape from Laboratory Seven B. He looked exactly like the man, now that he recalled the memory. Hunter knew he changed appearance because he felt the shift.

The mutant shifted back to his original appearance, since the virus itself was satisfied with the replica change.

[Linx]

He narrows his eyes as the man changes into a different form entirely, murmuring approvingly. "Excellent capability to disguise itself as well. Very interesting." he says, sitting back, looking at his subject rather than the display now. He spends a few moments in thought, taking a sip from his wine, blinking slowly. "You certainly have a most interesting specimen within you, and it is very interesting to note how it has affected your physiology. Able to change your form as easy as thinking, full or partial transformation for stealth or combat capabilities it appears. Very interesting indeed." he says, reaching out to the robot that came scuttling up to him, lifting a small object off of it, holding it out for the man.

"Here, this will allow you to get into contact with me if the need arises. I plan on doing some further study into this specimen and how it functions. With any luck, it will be but a short while until my study is finished, and it might prove beneficial to you as well. At the very least, it should allow you to more easily coexist with the creature itself." he says, thinking as he idly taps his chin, removing his glasses as he folds them and puts them into his pocket. "Now, I have finished my examination, you are free to leave at this time if you wish. If you are not yet ready, I can answer any questions you might have, and of course, I still have my end of the bargain to uphold. You're free to rest here and eat or drink your fill before moving on." he says, his mind already turning over the curious case presented to him.

[Raal]

Hunter broke himself from his musings as Linx continued to babble on about how fascinating the creature was. Yes, yes, the same song and dance. The next thing caught his interest. What was the weirdo handing him now? Some kind of device? The fuck was it? He took it, putting the thing in his pants pocket. Then, it happened. He offered to help him tame down the virus. Hunter thought he was going to have to celebrate.

"I hope this is not a trick. Can you really do it?"

What was this? This is new. Was this the "hope" that people had told him about? The mysterious thing that helped them through tough times? Hunter quickly hid the feeling from the virus, not wanting it to know and eventually rip it away from him. He quickly switched to another question, this one about Isafaro, "What's the city's deal anyway? Patrols at night? Hovering tanks? Mutating soldiers? A man with dental floss that cuts like razor wire?"

What a twisted town.

[Linx]

His train of thought was interrupted by the man speaking. "Hm? Oh. Yes, I believe so. It seems to be rather primitive at this time, but I could enhance its intelligence. Rather risky, admittedly, but that could make it easier to work and reason with. Or it could be trained, as a pet would be. Unless it behaves, it doesn't get it's treat. I assume food would work, as it seems rather voracious and taxing upon your system." he says, wondering how best to go about it. It would require additional testing. He stands abruptly, waving forth several robots to flank him as he proceeded out the empty door frame, motioning for the man to follow him. He proceeded along a metal railway, either side extending into darkness as far as even his superb eyes could see.

"Isafaro is the most technologically advanced nation on Genesis. Led by the dictator known as the Vulture. Teleporting tanks are standard fare for them. The mutations in the soldiers are a rather new addition, relatively speaking I suppose. The man you're referring to must be one of the ranked members. Outside their standard shock troops, they have specialized squads and soldiers for various missions. They usually dress in different attire and use weapons of their choosing, other than the standard rifle." he explains as he walks along the pathways deeper into his facility. "Before you ask, no, this is not a tour. This is my own world. Medical facilities, engineering bays, the one rather small living room. Ranks upon ranks of various robots and creations, clones and the miscellaneous odds and ends and gadgets. Weapons, armour and everything of all sorts. I get bored in the eons, and frankly the hardest part is just keeping track of everything. I really should draft up an inventory report here soon." he pauses, pointing at one of the robots that had been flying past them. "You. Start compiling an inventory list and cataloging everything. Also, organize and make a refference list so I can find things quicker." he says, waving it off.

He continues along the walkway, stepping off into one of the medical facilities, waving the man over to a chair. It was similar to a classic doctors office as seen on the linear Earth. "No needles, I assure you. It's easier to test theories here than it is on my computer." he says, tapping a few buttons on the wall, the massive monitor humming to life. A holographic display filled the wall, and entering a few more commands, readings from Hunter sprawled out across it. He pulls his glasses back out, sliding them onto his face as he slipped his hands inside his pockets, narrowing his eyes at the wall. "If you'd like, you can remain for the duration of my tests. Ruin anything, and I'll take it out of your hide." he says, casting a cold glare at the man. In the long lost eons of the past, that very look had made the steps of armies falter, for they knew this man and what he was capable of. He turns back to the wall, ignoring the man for now. He was a non issue for the moment. "Replicate parasite in bays one through five. Replicate parasite and host in six through ten. Full containment protocol." he says, a border of video screens coming to life as it showed the units he'd specified. They looked similar to the living room that Hunter had woken in, but rather sparse. Comfortable house style places, with only bare minimal furniture for the moment. He wasn't the usual scientist cloning things in tubes after all. After a short hours wait, the homes would be populated by the clones he'd ordered. "Any further questions?" he asks as he settles in to wait for the clones to be ready, turning back to face Hunter.

[Raal]

Hunter listened to what he had to say, following him with a quiet step. Now that the virus knew what was going on, it started taking action, although it was subtle. He felt its amusement and nefarious planning as slight pinches on his spine in random places. While it did that, he thought about this Vulture guy. He sounded like a douchebag, given his current bag of tricks. Despite Isafaro being as advanced as it is, the problems were still the same as back home.

He already hated Vulture, "So... what would it take to remove Vulture?"

It would probably take a long time to remove him too. If they haven't already tried to remove him. He was able to puncture his tanks and consume his soldiers. If it weren't for Wires, he would've had that patrol in the bag. Hunter reluctantly owed his life to this rather interesting quack. His next string of thoughts were interrupted by a malicious giggle in his head.

Little assholes were definitely plotting something!

[Linx]

He narrows his eyes, watching Hunter. He knew of the parasite working inside him, yet he didn't know why. Curious. Quite the rude little monster. He'd take a certain amount of pleasure in bringing the thing to heel. "To remove Vulture? Difficult. They've got the most advanced technology on the planet and contingencies for damn near everything from what I've seen and heard." he says, shrugging as he turned back to his monitors, seeing the holding areas becoming populated with the clones his robots had created. He monitored their actions intently, noting peculiar behaviors that he'd not seen exhibited before. Perhaps the one in Hunter was less wary, more acclimated to what was going on in the world now that it had been in it's host.

"In order to remove him, you'd need to be able to neutralize the technological advantage he holds, bypass or eliminate his soldiers, both standard and elite, get through his doubtless numerous security measures, and then kill the Vulture himself." he says, shrugging lightly as he turns to look back at Hunter. "It is not a task for one person, no matter how capable. Oh certainly, there are a few people in all reality that could do it, but even still. The Resistance movement had been working towards his downfall and were recently taken out by the ruthless Vulture and his computer A.I, the Red Queen." he says, folding his arms before him. "If you attempt it, make sure you have several armies at your back. Even one such as yourself would be taken out easily. They can neutralize other peoples supernatural abilities, rather adeptly. You'd find yourself little more than a normal human if they turned any attention towards you beyond a routine patrol."

[Raal]

Hunter was about to respond to what Linx had said... until he noticed that all of the clones had their eyes on the camera. They were all staring at him. It was weird... seeing the same faces copied over and over again looking in one direction with the same expressions. Were they waiting for something?

Viral activity spiked skyhigh as the Hive Mind order was given from within, Children, escape and FEED!

The reactions were immediate. They all shifted forms, trying to escape their confines. It was a madhouse. Hunter had never seen this before. The fuck was going on? They were going apeshit!

"This I have never seen before!"

[Linx]

Linx arches a brow at Hunter, eavesdropping on the parasite, barely batting an eye as the clones went beserk. "How odd. I thought they'd all fight for dominance, being essentially the same organism." he says, shrugging. He wasn't concerned in the least, nothing could escape his confines alive unless he allowed it. Which he wasn't about to do. God knew where the little bastards would get to in his world. He'd spend ages hunting them down. He strides over to Hunter, locking eyes with him. The air around them seemed to chill for the man as Linx adopted a glare, staring hard into his eyes. He reaches out with a single finger, barely brushing Hunters forehead as he rested it there, still silent.

"Desist. Now." he orders in calm, clipped tones. "If you do not behave parasite, I will tear you from your host. You will never feed, you will never be free, you will be slowly tortured and dissected through the eons at my whim." he continues, speaking slowly and calmly. Hunter would hopefully recognize that Linx wasn't addressing him, but if he didn't, ah well. With a simple thought, he prodded the aliens DNA, smiling frostily. "Do you feel that? That is me, loosening the bonds holding your DNA together. I can do more than simply torture you. I can entirely unmake you." he says coldly, staring through Hunter, right at the parasite. "Desist. Now. Be calm beast, and you will be well taken care of. Anger me..." he pauses, smiling slowly. "Anger me, and the powers that be will whisper of your torment for eternities to come."

[Raal]

Hunter thought he felt an invisible grin coming from the unraveling virus, then it responded, Children cannot be controlled now. We go, Host goes.

True to its threat, it latched onto his own DNA, taking it hostage. Why was he always getting held against his will by this thing? The clones in their cells continuously banged on the walls, some even attacking a few cameras. Hey, Hunter just wanted a cure, he didn't need this extra shit! The more angry the clones were getting, the more they mutated, getting controlled by the virus in their bodies now. They didn't have the mental walls Hunter had, so they were completely consumed with the desire to appease their leader, even going suicidal! Some of them filled themselves up with hydrochloric acid and became suicide bombers, hitting the wall and splashing the acid everywhere.

This was some crazy shit!

[Linx]

As soon as the acid hit the walls, they'd realize the futility of the gesture. Assuming they had any semblance of intelligence of course. Wherever the acid splashed, it slid down the wall like any normal water, pooling at the base. "Oh joy. I have a mess to clean up." he says dryly, rolling his eyes. A mental nudge sent powerful electrical currents through the clones, knocking them out flat. Or killing them. Whichever. He wasn't certain how they reacted to electricity after all. He turns his eyes back to Hunter, once again staring at the parasite. It really couldn't begin to comprehend how utterly fucked it was. A simple thought sent waves of electricity racing through it's DNA, while another constantly shifted Hunters, preventing it from latching on to him and feeding the pain back through him as he separated the two DNA structures within him, isolating the Parasite.

"Now listen here shit for brains, I'm done playing the nice yet crazy scientist." he says coldly, making sure he had the things absolute attention, dulling Hunters pain receptors as an added precaution. He'd feel no pain, nor discomfort, as a result of him putting the parasite in it's place. "Now maybe you're too thick to understand when you're so obviously outclassed, but let me spell it out for you. You hurt him, you get hurt. You control him, I fuck with your very essence." he says, a hint of simmering rage in his voice. He'd seen creatures like this before, and they only pissed him off. "You will behave yourself, and comport yourself as a guest in your host, or I will tear you from him, moleculy by molecule. Believe me, it won't be nearly so painless as what I'm doing to you now." he says, giving it another electrical jolt. He kept it separated from Hunters DNA, preventing it from harming him, slowly beginning to draw it to the surface. "I will fucking end you and your entire species if you keep this up. Stop acting like a child, because the next time you're in over your head, I doubt they will be as friendly as I am." he says, letting it settle back into place within Hunter, keeping it separated from his DNA still, until he could be sure it would comply.

[Raal]

The clones all twitched in their death throes, ultimately shriveling up and decaying at an alarming rate. Not even bones were left as they disintegrated. Well that experiment was a failure. The virus openly hissed at Linx, the primal instinct to survive taking over. That was all it did, though, was try to bluff. It was clearly not acting like a child, but a primitive animal.

"It's trying to bluff. You have it on the ropes."

Much like a threatened snake, it continued to hiss. When it was being brought to the surface, Hunter's skin started to discolor completely. The virus clearly did not like being manhandled by an intruding force. When it was released, his skin went back to normal.

It complied... for now.

[Linx]

His eyes flashed as he grinned wolfishly. "Oh, I know I do. There isn't a creature alive that can withstand my wrath, no matter how adaptable it is. This little insect is nothing to me." he says, still grinning, rather maniacally at this point. He noted as the creature began to comply, leaning back from Hunter, still maintaining eye contact before turning back to his monitors, sliding his hands into his pockets. He waited for a moment to let the encounter settle in on the creature before speaking once more. "If you strike creature, make sure it's fast and true." he says idly, not concerned by it in the least. As he watched the monitors, new clones were brought in to replace the old ones as their ashes were swept away, these new ones exactly the same, save the containment had become modified.

No outside contact could be initiated by mental command or supernatural ability. Only the direct communications system could send contact through, and he was certain the creature knew nothing of them, nor how to work them. He continues speaking uninterrupted during the re population of his test facilities, still addressing the creature. "Countless worlds have burned at my feet parasite, you are nothing to me. Not a being alive could help you if you fail to me. If even you could." he says with a light smile, turning back to Hunter. Instead of the manic scientist or angry genocidal scientist however, he seemed only a tired old man. His eyes were ancient beyond reckoning and his whole body seemed bent with some unbearable burden. "For your own good, listen. It can be far more to your benefit to work with us, then against us. You'd never have to hide again, or know hunger or torment. You'd have friends and allies, and you would never be alone." he says sadly, turning away from them once more. "Believe me, being alone is a terrible burden." he whispers softly, more to himself than anything.

[Raal]

The virus had killed many species during its trek across space, but never had it encountered a creature like this. It snarled, still on the defensive. Hunter wanted help, but the virus seemed not to want help. Its history as an entire pathogen prevented it from ever even asking for any help of any kind because it had done so well in populating itself in the past.

"You're better off forcing it, doc. It seems to know something we don't."

It was borderline primal and higher sentience, it seemed. Hunter's look of "help" said more than words. The virus' main goal of eating and infecting others was also taking a heavy toll on him. It did help him survive, but he would have survived just fine without it. He blamed the scientists for finding the creature.