Chapter 25: Cupcake’s Rescue
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 9:51 pm
Sasha had removed her pants and was at the edge of the lake rinsing them out. She fretted several times about what she wanted to do to the next toaster she laid eyes. But secretly she felt ashamed having been captured and reduced to such a humiliating condition. She finally cursed out loud and asked Bear to never tell anyone what happened. The man chuckled and said he would never tell anyone that she wet her pants in the face of the enemy. She looked at him to see if he was teasing her or just making light of the situation. He looked back at her with seriousness and told her to hurry up, because they still had to rescue the major.
“Whatever happens, we can not rescue lieutenant Lapointe.” Sasha inquired why and Bear had to admit that he had no idea why. It was just something he was told not to do by his guides. This was all bizarre to both of them, the idea that cylons now looked so human that they could pass themselves off as human. Neither of them had an answer to this new development. And the spirited woman was especially angry that Mr. Creepy was a toaster and no one expected anything aboard the Argus. Her commentary was that the cylons knew how to play everyone for a fool.Lieutenant Gains finally walked out of the water and started to put her wet clothing back on. A look of determination was on her face and she inquired if her companion had another axe. After all, it appeared to work really well against the new improved centurions. Again cussing aloud that she hated upgrades, wistfully adding that fighting the old ones was so much better. They shot less often, moved slower and fell down easier was her opinion. Bear waited patiently for his turn to speak and then took a stick and started drawing in the sand.
“I do not have complete knowledge on this. All I know is there is an entrance here and one from the rear on the left side.” Sasha shook her head and said that she didn’t like the weird psychic intel and preferred cold hard facts. But Bear was quick to point out that his weirdness was enough to lead him to her and affect a rescue. She readily agreed and remained silent, waiting for the man to finish telling her what he knew. But unfortunately the only other thing he could add was that their raptor had been moved to within 250 meters of the facility.
The plan was relatively simple. Because Bear could move faster and quieter, he would sneak up find out more information and relay it back to Gains. To see if they could further develop the strategy, otherwise, he would enter from the rear of the building and try to get Cupcake out while Sasha assaulted or drew everyone’s attention at the front door. If they were lucky, they would get the Major and leave via the raptor. It sounded lack luster to say the least, but so far luck has been a vital part of this adventure so both hoped it would continue to favor them.
Together they walked toward the resurrection facility and Gains wondered if Bear’s spirit guides, grandfather or any other ghost he knew could be counted on to help with the fight. “Artemis is watching us.” His response puzzled Sasha how or why was the goddess amongst the dead? But she only voiced her quandary if the deity would remain a casual observer. “Your people have always assumed my people were primitives in our ways. We are just as sophisticated in our beliefs and it is the same as your worship. The way we view the Lords of Kobol is different as is our relationship. And it is very hard for those of the other realm to interact with this one. Even my grandfather’s voice is fading and I may not hear him again in my life.” The young Lieutenant sighed and thought to herself that her friend was incapable of just saying yes or no.
There was a mechanical sound just off to the right of them and they took cover in some brush. A centurion came into view; it was obviously looking for them. The robot lumbered meticulously searching every possible area to hide. Suddenly, it paused for reasons unknown and turned north with it’s back to them. It was receiving new orders and Bear ceased the moment by attacking. He leaped high and cleaved downward into the base of the skull. It remained attached to the body but the joining control was severed.
The man’s body twitched and he spat, he was getting tired of hand-to-hand combat with the toasters and his axe was really starting to look beat up. As he completed removing the head and the legs of the centurion, he complained that soon his weapon’s strength would fail. Sasha enquired to what he was doing and he calmly explained that their guns have little effect on them. She needed a weapon and he didn’t see any reason why they couldn’t use what the centurion had. It was a few moments of tinkering but they figured out how to fire the guns and ended up tying the part of the torso to lieutenant Gains back. It was an odd sight and the two laughed.
Gains was wondering what the new orders were that had stopped the centurion in its search. Bear’s response was to point to the north and draw her attention to a lot of black smoke in the distance. It was in the direction of the airfield and as soon as she was told that the Chief and Max had gone to blow it up, her disbelief in their fortune was bewildering. With the current string of good luck they were having, if this were back in the colonies, she would have purchased a lottery ticket by now.
They started off at a brisk jog in the direction of the major Assuras. The Toasters appeared, for the moment, to be neglecting the search for them. The destruction of the airfield was taking precedence for the moment. There was no way of knowing how well it was hit, but if the rising smokes billows were any indication, it had gone off really well. They ran and rested in intervals for close to 2 hours. Every step of the way, Gains complained that her short legs and cylon-torso backpack kept her from keeping up with the large axe-wielding warrior. Finally they were able to see movement in the distance. Both of them were amazed at how well the cylons were able to camouflage their structures. The machines had advanced technologically beyond their current abilities. It left them both with a feeling of slight despair but as they were taught in officer’s school, allowing oneself to succumb to such feelings was only a strategy for defeat.
Gains and Bear crouched low and assessed the situation. There were three toaster models at the entrance. One Mr. Creepy, one of the blonde torturers and a centurion. If there were this few, perhaps they could assault the front door directly. But they refrained from doing so. With the successful escape and the bombing of the airfield, the cylons were bound to have their defences up. They could attack and suddenly find hordes of robots coming out of the building.
Sasha kept an eye on the door and Bear did his recon, returning quickly. He explained what he saw, all the different bodies, skin cylons, waiting to be activated and it left him visibly disturbed, wondering if there was a possibility that they had something other than circuits and wires inside them. The chamber had a different blonde female in it. He said that she was referred to as “6” by the woman outside the building. Who in return was called, “3.”
The 6 stood outside a small room tapping her foot with impatience and watching a handheld monitor. It was difficult to make out, due to the small size of the device, but he was certain that he could see the Major on the screen. There was someone else in there with her. His access to the building wasn’t so much an entrance as it was a large glass window. He did his recon by peering through it because he couldn’t open it. So they would synchronize their timing and he would smash through it and kill woman inside before freeing the major and possibly killing whoever was in the room with her.
Bear retraced his steps again to the rear of the building. He didn’t argue with Gains about being lucky. But deep inside he wanted to believe this was more of a destiny thing. They were succeeding because they were supposed to prevail. However, sometimes the forces and will of those that govern this universe can be cruel. It wouldn’t be the first time that a man was allowed to taste victory only to have it pulled from his lips at the last minute. So he hoped that it wasn’t ordained that they would fail in this final rescue attempt. He reached his destination and examined his axe. The blade was severely damaged and he doubted that he could cut through another centurion head. He would have to use the pike end and perhaps it would still handle the knee joints. But regardless how accurate his aim was in landing his blows between the shroud and neck, his weapon wasn’t up to the job. He hoped that Sasha’s new cylon weapons would rip the robot apart and he wouldn’t have to face it one on one. He continued his mental countdown prepared to smash the glass when the giant metal toaster entered the building. Bear cussed under his breath, he had hoped that the centurion would wait outside. Outnumbered, out-gunned and out of ideas, he decided to return to Sasha and wait for a better opportunity later.
Bear was about to scurry back when he heard multiple gunshots. Not only was the centurion still inside but it appeared that Sasha started ahead of schedule. He turned quickly, charged the glass wall and swung the axe hard. As it shattered, he leapt through it, crashed to the floor and quickly rolled to his feet. The large robot turned immediately and began to fire at the Lieutenant. A voice screamed in his head, “The eye!” Bear didn’t hesitate and hurled his weapon with all his strength at the centurion and its pike end embedded itself into the machine’s red eye. It spun wildly out of control and momentarily continued to fire, hitting the female 6 that stood beside it.
-----
Cupcake woke up confused and disoriented over the events that had passed. She did remember something from basic training about shock resulting from sufficient emotional upheaval, that it didn’t always need an actual physical injury. She looked at Lapointe and shook her head. “I dumped you before because you were just a boy. You’re still a poor excuse for a man. Only this time, in addition to your stunted development towards responsibility, you are also an addict and coward; it’s no wonder the toasters got to you.” She then began to put her clothes on.
“Sorry I can’t be more like captain Reeves.” Lieutenant Lapointe was smirking as he half-heartedly tried to defend himself. “But then again, I could be dead like him too.” Assuras finished getting dressed and picked up her gun. “At least he died a man. It was Mr. Creepy that supplied you, wasn’t it?” It was more as a statement than a question.
“Scum, you sold out your race for a bag of snort.” Cupcake walked to the door of the room and put her ear to it.“If I don’t say it’s all clear, they will kill you.” The Major looked at the dark skinned man and made a half smirk. She then nonchalantly walked over to the man and gently kissed his lips, agreeing that he was nothing like Reeves. Not only was the Captain brave but that he looked better in a towel too. “In viper training, they teach you to think of yourself as already dead. And like Scott, I’m going to do my job.” She grabbed the door handle and began to open it when she heard gunfire.
At this momentary distraction, Lapointe lunged for her. Unfortunately for him, she was now in full control of her senses and she grabbed the man throwing him into the door frame. As his head rattled, she threw open the door just in time for a large crash and several stray bullets to find their way into the room. Fortunately for her the doorway was still blocked by Lapointe and the very short burst of fire struck him before she could dive past. Falling to the floor she spotted the blonde woman and the centurion with an axe embedded in its skull. The Major attempted to return fire and use the door for cover but unfortunately her former friend was blocking it.
-----
Sasha was closely watching the time for when to start her assault, her eyes never lifting from the three foes between her and the building’s entrance. When Mr. Creepy ordered the centurion into the building, she fumed to herself and figured that Bear would be heading back to wait for a better opportunity. But the guised Argus crewman was unyielding in his treachery; reaching into the back of his pants he produced a weapon.
Then the Leoben pointed it at the head of female and in rapid succession emptied the gun into her skull and body. Stunned momentarily, at what she had witnessed, the young female lieutenant did not budge until the shatter of glass shook her from her stupor. Obviously Bear had mistaken the gunfire for a signal to commence the attack, so she ran as fast as possible to his aid. While Mr. Creepy, unaware of her presence, tore off in the direction of the raptor.
Skipping past the body at the entrance to the building, she burst into it and spotted the centurion wildly shooting in all directions. Having a clear shot, she opened fire on the robot and within seconds it fell to the ground and ceased moving. On a vengeful high she scanned the area for other threats before calling out to Bear. The man slowly stood up and began touching himself all over. “Am I shot?” The Major too rose to her feet and moving into the area her companions occupied. She was just as stunned, like the large Raptor pilot, she was amazed to discover she had escaped injury, especially when at her feet lie a tall blond woman, shot dead in the face. Sasha however, had burned her hands from the heat generated by firing the cylon guns, thankfully though that was all.
“Whatever happens, we can not rescue lieutenant Lapointe.” Sasha inquired why and Bear had to admit that he had no idea why. It was just something he was told not to do by his guides. This was all bizarre to both of them, the idea that cylons now looked so human that they could pass themselves off as human. Neither of them had an answer to this new development. And the spirited woman was especially angry that Mr. Creepy was a toaster and no one expected anything aboard the Argus. Her commentary was that the cylons knew how to play everyone for a fool.Lieutenant Gains finally walked out of the water and started to put her wet clothing back on. A look of determination was on her face and she inquired if her companion had another axe. After all, it appeared to work really well against the new improved centurions. Again cussing aloud that she hated upgrades, wistfully adding that fighting the old ones was so much better. They shot less often, moved slower and fell down easier was her opinion. Bear waited patiently for his turn to speak and then took a stick and started drawing in the sand.
“I do not have complete knowledge on this. All I know is there is an entrance here and one from the rear on the left side.” Sasha shook her head and said that she didn’t like the weird psychic intel and preferred cold hard facts. But Bear was quick to point out that his weirdness was enough to lead him to her and affect a rescue. She readily agreed and remained silent, waiting for the man to finish telling her what he knew. But unfortunately the only other thing he could add was that their raptor had been moved to within 250 meters of the facility.
The plan was relatively simple. Because Bear could move faster and quieter, he would sneak up find out more information and relay it back to Gains. To see if they could further develop the strategy, otherwise, he would enter from the rear of the building and try to get Cupcake out while Sasha assaulted or drew everyone’s attention at the front door. If they were lucky, they would get the Major and leave via the raptor. It sounded lack luster to say the least, but so far luck has been a vital part of this adventure so both hoped it would continue to favor them.
Together they walked toward the resurrection facility and Gains wondered if Bear’s spirit guides, grandfather or any other ghost he knew could be counted on to help with the fight. “Artemis is watching us.” His response puzzled Sasha how or why was the goddess amongst the dead? But she only voiced her quandary if the deity would remain a casual observer. “Your people have always assumed my people were primitives in our ways. We are just as sophisticated in our beliefs and it is the same as your worship. The way we view the Lords of Kobol is different as is our relationship. And it is very hard for those of the other realm to interact with this one. Even my grandfather’s voice is fading and I may not hear him again in my life.” The young Lieutenant sighed and thought to herself that her friend was incapable of just saying yes or no.
There was a mechanical sound just off to the right of them and they took cover in some brush. A centurion came into view; it was obviously looking for them. The robot lumbered meticulously searching every possible area to hide. Suddenly, it paused for reasons unknown and turned north with it’s back to them. It was receiving new orders and Bear ceased the moment by attacking. He leaped high and cleaved downward into the base of the skull. It remained attached to the body but the joining control was severed.
The man’s body twitched and he spat, he was getting tired of hand-to-hand combat with the toasters and his axe was really starting to look beat up. As he completed removing the head and the legs of the centurion, he complained that soon his weapon’s strength would fail. Sasha enquired to what he was doing and he calmly explained that their guns have little effect on them. She needed a weapon and he didn’t see any reason why they couldn’t use what the centurion had. It was a few moments of tinkering but they figured out how to fire the guns and ended up tying the part of the torso to lieutenant Gains back. It was an odd sight and the two laughed.
Gains was wondering what the new orders were that had stopped the centurion in its search. Bear’s response was to point to the north and draw her attention to a lot of black smoke in the distance. It was in the direction of the airfield and as soon as she was told that the Chief and Max had gone to blow it up, her disbelief in their fortune was bewildering. With the current string of good luck they were having, if this were back in the colonies, she would have purchased a lottery ticket by now.
They started off at a brisk jog in the direction of the major Assuras. The Toasters appeared, for the moment, to be neglecting the search for them. The destruction of the airfield was taking precedence for the moment. There was no way of knowing how well it was hit, but if the rising smokes billows were any indication, it had gone off really well. They ran and rested in intervals for close to 2 hours. Every step of the way, Gains complained that her short legs and cylon-torso backpack kept her from keeping up with the large axe-wielding warrior. Finally they were able to see movement in the distance. Both of them were amazed at how well the cylons were able to camouflage their structures. The machines had advanced technologically beyond their current abilities. It left them both with a feeling of slight despair but as they were taught in officer’s school, allowing oneself to succumb to such feelings was only a strategy for defeat.
Gains and Bear crouched low and assessed the situation. There were three toaster models at the entrance. One Mr. Creepy, one of the blonde torturers and a centurion. If there were this few, perhaps they could assault the front door directly. But they refrained from doing so. With the successful escape and the bombing of the airfield, the cylons were bound to have their defences up. They could attack and suddenly find hordes of robots coming out of the building.
Sasha kept an eye on the door and Bear did his recon, returning quickly. He explained what he saw, all the different bodies, skin cylons, waiting to be activated and it left him visibly disturbed, wondering if there was a possibility that they had something other than circuits and wires inside them. The chamber had a different blonde female in it. He said that she was referred to as “6” by the woman outside the building. Who in return was called, “3.”
The 6 stood outside a small room tapping her foot with impatience and watching a handheld monitor. It was difficult to make out, due to the small size of the device, but he was certain that he could see the Major on the screen. There was someone else in there with her. His access to the building wasn’t so much an entrance as it was a large glass window. He did his recon by peering through it because he couldn’t open it. So they would synchronize their timing and he would smash through it and kill woman inside before freeing the major and possibly killing whoever was in the room with her.
Bear retraced his steps again to the rear of the building. He didn’t argue with Gains about being lucky. But deep inside he wanted to believe this was more of a destiny thing. They were succeeding because they were supposed to prevail. However, sometimes the forces and will of those that govern this universe can be cruel. It wouldn’t be the first time that a man was allowed to taste victory only to have it pulled from his lips at the last minute. So he hoped that it wasn’t ordained that they would fail in this final rescue attempt. He reached his destination and examined his axe. The blade was severely damaged and he doubted that he could cut through another centurion head. He would have to use the pike end and perhaps it would still handle the knee joints. But regardless how accurate his aim was in landing his blows between the shroud and neck, his weapon wasn’t up to the job. He hoped that Sasha’s new cylon weapons would rip the robot apart and he wouldn’t have to face it one on one. He continued his mental countdown prepared to smash the glass when the giant metal toaster entered the building. Bear cussed under his breath, he had hoped that the centurion would wait outside. Outnumbered, out-gunned and out of ideas, he decided to return to Sasha and wait for a better opportunity later.
Bear was about to scurry back when he heard multiple gunshots. Not only was the centurion still inside but it appeared that Sasha started ahead of schedule. He turned quickly, charged the glass wall and swung the axe hard. As it shattered, he leapt through it, crashed to the floor and quickly rolled to his feet. The large robot turned immediately and began to fire at the Lieutenant. A voice screamed in his head, “The eye!” Bear didn’t hesitate and hurled his weapon with all his strength at the centurion and its pike end embedded itself into the machine’s red eye. It spun wildly out of control and momentarily continued to fire, hitting the female 6 that stood beside it.
-----
Cupcake woke up confused and disoriented over the events that had passed. She did remember something from basic training about shock resulting from sufficient emotional upheaval, that it didn’t always need an actual physical injury. She looked at Lapointe and shook her head. “I dumped you before because you were just a boy. You’re still a poor excuse for a man. Only this time, in addition to your stunted development towards responsibility, you are also an addict and coward; it’s no wonder the toasters got to you.” She then began to put her clothes on.
“Sorry I can’t be more like captain Reeves.” Lieutenant Lapointe was smirking as he half-heartedly tried to defend himself. “But then again, I could be dead like him too.” Assuras finished getting dressed and picked up her gun. “At least he died a man. It was Mr. Creepy that supplied you, wasn’t it?” It was more as a statement than a question.
“Scum, you sold out your race for a bag of snort.” Cupcake walked to the door of the room and put her ear to it.“If I don’t say it’s all clear, they will kill you.” The Major looked at the dark skinned man and made a half smirk. She then nonchalantly walked over to the man and gently kissed his lips, agreeing that he was nothing like Reeves. Not only was the Captain brave but that he looked better in a towel too. “In viper training, they teach you to think of yourself as already dead. And like Scott, I’m going to do my job.” She grabbed the door handle and began to open it when she heard gunfire.
At this momentary distraction, Lapointe lunged for her. Unfortunately for him, she was now in full control of her senses and she grabbed the man throwing him into the door frame. As his head rattled, she threw open the door just in time for a large crash and several stray bullets to find their way into the room. Fortunately for her the doorway was still blocked by Lapointe and the very short burst of fire struck him before she could dive past. Falling to the floor she spotted the blonde woman and the centurion with an axe embedded in its skull. The Major attempted to return fire and use the door for cover but unfortunately her former friend was blocking it.
-----
Sasha was closely watching the time for when to start her assault, her eyes never lifting from the three foes between her and the building’s entrance. When Mr. Creepy ordered the centurion into the building, she fumed to herself and figured that Bear would be heading back to wait for a better opportunity. But the guised Argus crewman was unyielding in his treachery; reaching into the back of his pants he produced a weapon.
Then the Leoben pointed it at the head of female and in rapid succession emptied the gun into her skull and body. Stunned momentarily, at what she had witnessed, the young female lieutenant did not budge until the shatter of glass shook her from her stupor. Obviously Bear had mistaken the gunfire for a signal to commence the attack, so she ran as fast as possible to his aid. While Mr. Creepy, unaware of her presence, tore off in the direction of the raptor.
Skipping past the body at the entrance to the building, she burst into it and spotted the centurion wildly shooting in all directions. Having a clear shot, she opened fire on the robot and within seconds it fell to the ground and ceased moving. On a vengeful high she scanned the area for other threats before calling out to Bear. The man slowly stood up and began touching himself all over. “Am I shot?” The Major too rose to her feet and moving into the area her companions occupied. She was just as stunned, like the large Raptor pilot, she was amazed to discover she had escaped injury, especially when at her feet lie a tall blond woman, shot dead in the face. Sasha however, had burned her hands from the heat generated by firing the cylon guns, thankfully though that was all.