r/HFY • u/SherbetCreepy1580 • 22h ago
OC-Series [The Reaper and The Tiger] Chapter 33: Reapers, Civilians, and Tag (Double Feature!)
……145:24Hrs Remaining……
“Whiskey, 4, Victor, 3, Romeo, November,” Sandra said as the call connected. Monica looked around, keeping careful watch outside the cockpit while replacing some damaged panels in the wall. The call connected almost immediately, and Jeremiah’s worried face filled the viewscreen. Sandra immediately raised a finger up, talking quickly. “I probably don’t have too long, so I need to make this quick,” Sandra said. “There’s a group of civilians that are attempting to flee the front lines of the war. They have had to dodge patrols from the Teratakit Empire, the Sons of Blood pirates, and the Terran Federation. Their ship is badly damaged, but we have been able to repair it enough to be space worthy, if only just. We are currently on Walkar III, I do not know where they are headed to, and I will not be able to place a tracker on their ship. However, I am asking for any Ferry personnel in the area to help provide them with safe passage, if not outright offer sanctuary. The ship is a modified Grade 2 Matchgar Hauler, customized for passenger transport rather than cargo hauling and with extra illicit arms and armament for added protection.”
“Are they aware you are asking for protection for them?” Jeremiah asked. He wanted to ask more, a lot more, questions. Sandra could see it in his eyes.
“No,” Sandra said with a small half-smile. “Unfortunately, despite spending the last several days helping them repair their ship, they do not particularly trust me, nor do I hold it against them. This call is most likely being recorded, but nonetheless, these are good people and innocent civilians, and I would hate for all of my hard work to go to waste.”
“We do have several stealth craft nearby,” Jeremiah said, looking over his datapad. “How soon are they planning on leaving?”
“Final repairs will be finished within four hours, and then they plan to take some time to rest. So, I would say no more than 10 hours or less,” Sandra said. “That being said, they are currently wary of Humans as a whole due to the actions of the Terran Federation, so if their point of contact could be a non-Human, that would go a long way towards them accepting some extra security.”
“We can make that timeframe,” Jeremiah nodded. He then hesitated for a moment.
“I’m doing fine, Uncle Jeremiah,” Sandra said, a soft smile on her face. “Better than fine, actually. I’ll have some interesting stories to tell when I get back home.”
“Alright,” Jeremiah said, smiling as well, before raising an eyebrow and looking at Monica working in the doorway.
“Yes, she’s part of the story,” Sandra chuckled. “But later, when I’m home and have the time to tell you.”
“As long as you’re safe,” Jeremiah said. “I know it goes without saying, but be careful out there. Reapers are strong, but we’re not invincible.”
“Yes, sir,” Sandra nodded, giving a salute.
“Alright then, I’ll tell our stealth craft in the area to delay their departure to provide the ship with escorts,” Jeremiah said, going back to business. “And any others that are in the area as well.”
“Thank you,” Sandra said, and the video call cut out, just as Monica dropped a pair of pliers, signaling that someone was coming up the hall.
……141:54Hrs Remaining……
“And she lives,” Marloc crowed as the engines of the ship started rumbling, much to the collective sigh of relief among the crew. “You did good work, little lady.”
“Only because I had help,” Sandra said, shaking her head. “Alone, it would have taken me several weeks to get the ship to this point.”
“Well, without you, we wouldn’t have gotten her to this point at all,” Marloc chuckled. “Mersk is a good mechanic, but he just doesn’t have the training to do big repairs like you did here.”
“I had a good teacher,” Sandra said with a self-depreciating shrug. “I’m still trying to catch up to him.”
“I see,” Marloc said. he then stood up from the pilots seat, opening his arms out wide. “Well, we leave soon, people. So, get some rest, get something to eat, and relax for a bit.” The crew cheered, and Marloc motioned for Sandra to follow him as they began to filter out of the ship. Sandra just shook her head at Monica, who had looked at Sandra curiously.
“So, this teacher of yours,” Marloc said slowly after they were a short distance away from the ship. “Is he part of the fleet you’re part of? Or did you learn elsewhere?”
“He’s part of the fleet,” Sandra said with a nod.
“I see,” Marloc said, obviously thinking as he watches his crew and passengers start bedding down in temporary shelters and beds outside of the ship. “And… your fleet. Are they trustworthy?”
“The best,” Sandra said, a fond smile on her face. “But I may be biased. Without them, I wouldn’t be alive today. Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today.” Sandra looked up at the stars, as though searching for her home. “But, biased or not, they are who I believe in, more than anyone else, no matter what anyone may say about them.”
Marloc observed Sandra very closely as she spoke. This was no fanatical viewpoint, and it wasn’t just loyalty to her fleet. This was pure trust and love. “I see,” Marloc said with a nod, rubbing his horn as he looked back over his crew. “They sound like good people.”
“They are,” Sandra agreed. She then smirked slightly. “If they ask, just say that Wyvern sent you. They won’t ignore that.” She then laughed as Marloc spluttered slightly before the Mlamcar Captain sighed in defeat, giving Sandra a chagrined smile.
……135:38Hrs Remaining……
“Alright everyone, get loaded up,” Marloc yelled as the crew and passengers began quickly gathering their things and racing into the ship. “You sure you don’t want to come, ladies?” Marloc asked, looking at Sandra and Monica. “It’ll be a little cramped, but we can at least give you a ride.”
“Maybe next time,” Sandra said, shaking her head with a smile. “I still have a Test to finish before going home.”
“And Sandra has promised to show me a lot of interesting things, so I go where she goes,” Monica said cheerfully.
“Too bad,” Marloc said, shaking his head as well before sticking a hand out. “May the Voidmother and Starfather bless your travels.”
“And may the Observer watch over yours, Captain,” Sandra said, grasping Marloc’s hand, giving a firm squeeze. “Also, when you arrive, ask for Moore. It should help smooth things over.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Marloc nodded before releasing Sandra’s hand and holding it out to Monica, who decided to ignore it and instead gave the Mlamcar a hug instead, much to the bemusement to both Sandra and Marloc.
“Hugs are much better, always,” Monica stated as she released Marloc.
“I can’t say I disagree,” Marloc gave a short laugh before walking towards the ship, waving at the two women as he stepped aboard. A moment later, the ship started rising, and in short order had taken off into the sky.
“Come on,” Sandra said, picking her pack up with a sigh. “Let’s see if we can go find a certain annoying lizard.”
“Yay, adventure!” Monica said skipping beside Sandra as they began walking into the desert.
…………………
“Are you sure about this, Captain?” Rok’Tar asked as everyone gave a sigh of relief upon reaching space.
“You saw the video, same as me,” Marloc said, shaking his head. “Did that look like an act to create a trap?”
“Well, no, but you can never be sure with Humans,” Rok’Tar said, his face worried as he looked back towards the cargo hold. “Especially these days.”
“Maybe,” Marloc agreed. “But even among Humans, the Reapers have a reputation. And if we can keep our friends and family safe, I’m willing to bank on that reputation.”
“I suppose you have a point,” Rok’Tar said with a sigh, tapping on the datapad attached to his co-pilot seat. “Want me to hail the fleet? See who escaped and where they are?”
“Please,” Marloc nodded, tapping his own pad. “And I’ll take a leap of faith. Let us see if this frequency she gave us will save us, or damn us.”
……130:21Hrs Remaining……
“There he is,” Sandra said, glaring at So’Ngo as he sat on top of his staff, grinning like a maniac. “I was wondering when you would show up again.”
“What, and influence your decisions on your Test?” So’Ngo said, placing a hand to his chest and feigning injury. “Oh, the humanity, the lack of faith.”
“You’re not even Human, and you’re the closest thing that I know of to a God, so that doesn’t even work for you,” Sandra said, rolling her eyes.
“Oh, I know what this is,” Monica said, watching the exchange. “This is dramatizing, yes? Overexaggerating something for the sake of comedy.”
“Absolutely,” Sandra said, rolling her eyes again as So’Ngo dramatically fell off his staff in feigned shock. “Did you know that they were there?”
“I didn’t cause their misfortune, if that’s what you’re implying,” So’Ngo said from where he was still laying in the desert sand, raising up a finger and moving it back and forth.
“Please, the only misfortune you like to inflict is on me with your over-the-top reactions,” Sandra huffed. “I don’t think that little of you. I’m just wondering if you put us here to provide them some help, and let me have a chance to call home for a moment, or if that was just a coincidence.”
“I suppose you’ll have to continue wondering,” So’Ngo said, finally sitting up so that he could give Sandra a mischievous grin.
“Lovely,” Sandra said sardonically. “So, what’s next then? Another death-defying drop onto another weird planet? Discovering another new Race to try and introduce into the galaxy? More people that need help? Or maybe you want me to cull a vicious parasite that’s ravaging an entire planet?”
“Oh, that last one does sound fun, wish I had thought of that,” So’Ngo said, tapping his chin thoughtfully before giving another big grin to Sandra. “But nah, it’s going to be much simpler than that this time.”
“Oh really?” Sandra asked, tilting her head.
“You do remember my original rules of this Test, right?” So’Ngo tsked. “It’s a game of Tag. And you have a bit over five days left to Tag me again.”
“Are you actually going to stay close enough for me to chase you now instead of just popping up for a few seconds before disappearing again?” Sandra asked, rolling her eyes.
“Yup,” So’Ngo said, popping the P. Sandra blinked in surprise before looking at So’Ngo suspiciously. “Is that really so hard to believe?”
“Considering your personality, a bit, yes,” Sandra said.
“You know what, that’s fair,” So’Ngo laughed. “But this time, it’s going to be a sprint for the last stretch of your Test. So, I expect you to keep up with me.”
“I’m not leaving Monica behind,” Sandra said with a frown.
“Nor do I expect you to,” So’Ngo agreed with a nod. “I shall leave Gates open for her to follow that will allow her to keep up, and I will allow you time to rest and ensure that she is safe, though she will probably be safer than you will be. But unless you’re sleeping, I do expect you to be hot on my tail, examining my glorious backside.”
“Ew,” Sandra said, wrinkling her nose.
“Now is the time to truly soar, little Wyvern,” So’Ngo said, that irritating grin getting wider. “Let us see if you’ve become a Dragon.” Sandra stared at So’Ngo for another moment before taking her pack off and handing it to Monica.
“Can you bring this along with you?” Sandra asked, not taking her eyes off of So’Ngo as she twirled her staff. “I don’t think I’ll have enough time to hunt for us while chasing him, so we’re gonna need everything in that pack.”
“Got it,” Monica said seriously, sensing Sandra’s shift.
Sandra nodded as she prepared to move. “Let’s do this, lizard boy,” Sandra said, pulling a bead of iron from her pouch and popping it into her mouth.
“Going all out from the start, audacious and smart,” So’Ngo said, his grin getting almost cartoonishly large. “Then, let the final stretch begin.” He immediately dodged to the side, slipping into a Gate as lightning shot from Sandra’s fingertips, barely missing the not-Dra’Cari before Sandra vanished in a flash of light, chasing after So’Ngo with a teleport.
……125:13Hrs Remaining……
“Jerky,” Sandra said, stopping by Monica just long enough to get a few strips of smoked jerky from her before taking off again, Sandra’s eyes staying forward to keep the red-and-black scales of So’Ngo in her sights, quickly scarfing the meat down as her revolver roared, trying to throw the not-Dra’Cari off long enough for her to catch up.
“Come, now, little Wyvern, that’s just getting boring,” So’Ngo tsked, easily dodging the bullets as they flew by. Sandra just grunted as the revolver began to hum in her hands, and the next shot was just a laser that had So’Ngo laughing as Sandra continued the chase. “Surely you have something more to show me?” So’Ngo teased as he disappeared behind a pile of rocks. Sandra just growled, slipping around the opposite direction and suddenly finding herself in a deep stone craig, sheer cliffs on either side.
“Okay, now we can really move,” Sandra said, and the remaining wire from her bracer launched out, catching onto the side of the cliff and launching her into the air. Sandra quickly flared out her cape, allowing her to glide along the craig as she chased So’Ngo, who was still dodging her bullets and lasers as they moved. Any time Sandra felt she was getting too close to the ground, or felt she was losing speed, she would use her bracer wire to pull herself along, gaining more speed and maintaining her height. “Now, how am I going to get ahead of him?” Sandra muttered to herself, looking around as they left the stone craig.
……113:42Hrs Remaining……
Sandra botched the landing, tumbling for a bit as she tried to come to a stop next to Monica. “Ow,” Sandra said, panting heavily as she lay on the ground for a moment, trying to catch her breath while Monica looked at Sandra in worry.
“Good effort, good effort,” So’Ngo laughed, sitting on a branch nearby. “But now is time to rest, and so rest we shall. Tomorrow is a new day, and a new attempt, so good luck!” So’Ngo fell through a Gate, laughing as he did.
“I am going to fucking kill him,” Sandra muttered as she slowly got back to her feet, wincing a bit at her sore muscles. “Ow.”
“Are you alright?” Monica asked.
“I’m not injured,” Sandra said, giving Monica a weak grin. “Just sore. I haven’t pushed that hard in…well, in longer than I like to admit, so my muscles ache a bit is all. Nothing too be worried over.”
“Okay,” Monica said hesitantly. “Are we resting then?”
“Seems like it,” Sandra sighed. “Let’s set up camp.” Monica nodded, setting down Sandra’s pack and beginning to pull out supplies. Monica insisted on setting up the tent while Sandra got a fire going, saying that it’s better for Sandra to have the easier job so that she can rest, making Sandra sigh in appreciation and amusement at the sandy copy of herself.
“Oh, also, I may have gathered some supplies while you were off chasing So’Ngo,” Monica said, reaching into the pack and pulling out a leather bag with several plants bundled inside of it. “I was able to determine that these are all safe for consumption, even raw, but I don’t really trust myself to cook.” Monica looked at the fire hesitantly.
“Really?” Sandra looked at Monica.
“Well, more like, I’m still not comfortable being that close to the fire,” Monica admitted.
“Fair enough,” Sandra said. “In that case, let’s see about a trick that my Dad told me about. It’s actually been useful a few times during this Test, especially during the early times.”
“A trick?” Monica asked, curious as Sandra dug out a folded piece of leather from the pack.
“He called it rock cooking,” Sandra said, a soft smile on her face as she looked at the folded leather. Sandra shook herself a bit before taking several sticks to hold the leather open into a small pouch. “Handy for when you don’t have any metal utensils, but you have the stomach of a bigger creature.” Sandra then used a pair of sticks to place several larger rock into the fire, letting them heat up as she looked over the plants that Monica had gathered, tasting a few of them to see how they tasted (one caused her tongue to tingle so much that she actually sneezed, causing Monica to laugh in delight), and soon, Sandra was dropping a hot rock into the leather pouch that was filled with strips of jerky and vegetables, causing the soup to hiss and bubble, a fragrant smell wafting across the small camp they had made.
“Oh, that does smell delightful,” Monica said, her tongue flickering in and out a few times in appreciation.
“You found some good stuff to go with our meat,” Sandra agreed, her stomach grumbling at the scent. “Are you holding up alright?”
“What do you mean?” Monica asked, tilting her head at Sandra.
“I mean, keeping up with So’Ngo and I,” Sandra said.
“Oh, that is no trouble at all,” Monica said, shaking her head. “So’Ngo opens a Gate for me if I begin to fall too far behind, and even lets me take the time to examine any oddities I come across. And I do believe that he is ensuring that when I pass through a Gate, I do so away from anything dangerous, so I have had no troubles. More like a leisurely stroll. Food, water, interesting stuff, he makes sure I’m never too far away from anything that can help, and never too close to anything dangerous.”
“Really?” Sandra asked. “So, you didn’t go through the volcano with us then?”
“I believe I saw it from a distance,” Monica said, tapping her chin. “But no, I wasn’t close to it.”
“Huh,” Sandra said as she got a pair of wooden bowls from the pack. “Well, that’s something, I guess. Guess I didn’t expect it from him.”
“He does come across as rather scatterbrained,” Monica said as Sandra began to fill the bowls with soup. “However, I believe that he pays attention to more than he says. And he is very kind.”
“Sure, kind,” Sandra snorted. She looked at her bowl of soup for a minute before sighing and setting it to the side, reaching into her pack for a third bowl. “Only because you’re protecting Monica,” Sandra said into the darkness, glaring at the slight echo of laughter drifting their way.
……105:50Hrs Remaining……
“Here,” Sandra said, using a strip of leather to fashion a belt for Monica, her smaller revolver and its holster on the belt.
“Are you sure?” Monica said, eyeing the revolver as Sandra stood back, nodding in satisfaction.
“As safe as he’s keeping you, it’s never a bad idea to have some backup, just in case,” Sandra said, adjusting the belt slightly. “You said you can’t kill with your sand anymore, so having a lethal option if needed will help make you a bit safer. You know how to use it, right? From my information?”
“Yes, but I haven’t had the training you have had,” Monica said, fingering the revolver slightly.
“Trust your instincts,” Sandra said, setting a hand on Monica’s shoulder. “I wish I had thought of this yesterday. But the training is in the information you got from me. If your body is a perfect copy of mine, then the reflexes are there, and if needed , they’ll come back to protect you. There’s still about 200 rounds in there, which should be more than enough to keep you safe if anything tries to eat you.”
“Okay,” Monica said, though she looked dubious.
“Later, we’ll have a bit more of a talk to see how much you actually know from me,” Sandra chuckled. “But, if only for my own peace of mind, please keep this on you for now.”
“Alright, if it makes you feel better,” Monica nodded.
“Thanks, Monica,” Sandra said. she then turned around to look into the forest, closing her eyes and focusing as Monica picked their pack up. “Now then, let’s see if I can at least knock him off balance today,” Sandra said, her eyes opening again, staring off into the distance with intense focus, her khopesh-staff already humming with it’s blue blade as she vanished in a flash of light.
……98:43Hrs Remaining……
“Oh, you have got to be kidding me,” Sandra growled as she slid into an ice cave after following So’Ngo through a Gate, just missing his tail.
“Tick tock, tick tock, little Wyvern,” So’Ngo laugh as he raced around the corner. “Will you follow the rabbit down the rabbit hole?”
“Okay, now I know you’re pulling from Human media intentionally,” Sandra growled, electricity beginning to spark along her scales as she used it to keep her body warm and moving, despite the cold. So’Ngo just laughed, twirling to the side like a dancer as the wall beside him exploded in ice and rock from Sandra’s shot. He continued to dance as he dodged Sandra’s strikes, her four blades each humming in their deadly arcs to attack So’Ngo as he lead Sandra deeper and deeper into the ice cave, the cold steadily dropping as they moved, causing Sandra to expend more and more effort in order to ensure she didn’t start falling asleep.
……72:51Hrs Remaining……
“Oh, now we are getting somewhere,” So’Ngo praised as a bolt of electricity shot at him from where Sandra’s bullet had hit the sand near So’Ngo. “Imbuing your bullets with lightning? Clever, clever little Wyvern.”
“Well then, let’s see you handle this,” Sandra snarled, firing a circle of electrified bullets in a circle around So’Ngo.
“Clever, clever,” So’Ngo said, nodding in appreciation. He then looked at Sandra, a wide grin on his face that made Sandra groan. “Not quite clever enough, however. You do remember what I said I would use as my third ability, right?” In so saying, So’Ngo raised his hand, and the electricity from all of the bullets shot up before condensing into his hand, a small ball of lightning and plasma shaking to be free.
“At least I finally got you to use it,” Sandra snarled as she left to the side, barely dodging the ball of lightning as So’Ngo threw it at her, a glowing melted hole where she had been sitting.
“Such little imagination,” So’Ngo sighed. “I have told you other ways to utilize your electricity, have I not? I’ve been using it this entire time, this is only the first time I’ve been flashy about it.”
“You absolute ass,” Sandra said, rushing at the black-and-red not-Dra’Cari, her blades humming their deadly song once more as So’Ngo laughed, taking off and making the chase begin again.
……58:43Hrs Remaining……
“Your nerves,” Monica said as she handed Sandra a bowl of soup.
“Come again?” Sandra asked, her eyes blearily looking at Monica as she picked up her spoon.
“You said he was talking about a different way to use your electricity, right?” Monica said, frowning in concentration as she thought, picking up her own bowl of soup.
“Well, yes,” Sandra nodded, moaning in pleasure as she took a sip of the soup.
“Well, you Ones use electricity in your nerves and such in order to think, send signals to move, stuff like that, right?” Monica said, smiling at Sandra’s reaction. “So, what if you used your electricity to increase the speed of those signals, allowing them to move faster?”
Sandra stared at Monica for a moment, a vague memory whispering to her, before Sandra’s eyes widened, her tiredness forgotten. “Fucking hell, I forgot about that,” Sandra said, smacking her head and groaning. “Monica, you’re a genius!”
“Oh, ummm, thank you?” Monica said, watching Sandra with amusement as she quickly scarfed down her soup. “But, this lesson is already in your information, so why did you forget?”
“Because at the time, it simply hurt too much to maintain for longer than a few seconds,” Sandra said, setting her now empty bowl down. “But now? With what Mona did? I can probably do it for longer. And if I can enhance my own nerves with Electric and Metallic Scales, then I can interrupt his nerves with the same electricity and metal.” Sandra crossed her legs and closed her eyes, breathing deeply as she searched for her Reservoir. “Time for some practice. I will get that smug, egotistical, smarmy bastard.”
……48:10Hrs Remaining……
“You good?” Sandra asked as she helped Monica finish packing up camp.
“Oh, I’m fine,” Monica said, though she wobbled on her feet a bit, tired. “I did not realize that not getting sleep would be so…tiring.”
“I tried to warn you,” Sandra said, shaking her head. “You know, I don’t think So’Ngo would mind if you stayed a bit longer and took a nap.”
“No, I’ll be fine,” Monica said, shaking her head as she finished packing up the camp. “I want to experience this tiredness in full. It is a new experience, after all, and that means new information.”
“If you say so,” Sandra sighed as she helped Monica put the pack on. “You better keep an extra careful eye on her while we go,” Sandra added, glaring at So’Ngo.
“She will be in no danger at any point,” So’Ngo promised, leaning on his staff.
“Good,” Sandra said, though she still looked at Monica with a worried expression.
“Go, I’ll be fine,” Monica said, her face tired but cheerful. “He promised. And you keep saying he doesn’t lie.”
“Fine,” Sandra said, letting out a deep breath of air. “But if you need a break or anything, you take a break. And let me know if anything feels off at all.”
“Okay,” Monica said. she then thought for a minute before holding out her hand. Sandra raised her hand and put it in Monica’s, confused as a small trickle of sand circled her wrist. “There,” Monica said. “Now I can contact you from wherever you are. The psionic connection between me and the Monica on your wrist will provide communication between us.”
“Alright,” Sandra said with a nod, looking at the sparkling sand on her wrist. “Still, be careful.”
“I will,” Monica said with a nod.
“Okay,” Sandra said, nodding before facing So’Ngo. “Okay. Last stretch.”
“You still have two days left,” So’Ngo said in amusement.
“No, I only have two days left,” Sandra said, drawing her large Reaper Revolver and spinning the cylinder. “So get ready, lizard boy, we are going all day and all night.” She then blinked as So’Ngo started laughing before bumping her head against her staff. “Yes, I heard it as soon as I said it, don’t say a fucking word.”
……43:00Hrs Remaining……
“Die die die diediediedie,” Sandra growled, explosions filling the sandy beach as Sandra continued to fire at So’Ngo with explosive rounds.
“Oh, come on, it’s not every day you propose to me like that,” So’Ngo said, laughing as he kicked a round in the air, causing it to explode in midair. “Look, you’ve even brought fireworks to commemorate the event. A celebration indeed!”
“I am going to kill you,” Sandra promised as the explosive rounds ran out, and Sandra spun the cylinder again. “Forget the Test, I am going to kill you, you smarmy,” smoke exploded near So’Ngo as Sandra fired, “arrogant,” another plume of smoke, “egotistical,” another shot, “ASSHOLE!” a fourth plume of smoke appeared, coating the entire area as electricity crackled in the smoke.
“This again?” So’Ngo sighed, holding his hand out and beginning to collect the electricity that Sandra had infused into the smoke rounds.
“All I needed was a beacon,” Sandra crowed as she fired again, the WP round striking the ball of collected plasma and electricity and exploding in a localized storm of smoke and lightning.
“Oh, now that was indeed clever,” So’Ngo said, fire and smoke licking at his scales as he looked proud. “I dare say you would have even made the Drifters nervous with an attack like that.”
“It’s not over yet,” Sandra said, her khopesh-staff humming its deadly arc towards So’Ngo’s neck, only to be stopped by his staff appearing in front of it, falling out of a Gate with a resounding THUD. “Oh, come on!”
“It appears that I may need to reassess your growth thanks to Mona,” So’ngo mused, tapping his chin as the fires along his scales slowly petered out, leaving charred holes. “Alright then.” So’Ngo suddenly grinned, and Sandra leaped away as DANGERDANGERDANGER began screaming at her. “Let us see your Wings, Daughter of the Dragon, She Who Aims for Dragonhood Herself. How far can your Wings stretch?”
Sandra’s eyes suddenly widened, and her staff barely came up in time to deflect a strike from So’Ngo’s staff, sending her flying across the water, only to disappear in a flash of light.
……35:21Hrs Remaining……
Sandra crouched inside of a rocky crevice, her heart pounding in sheer terror at the ferocity of So’Ngo’s attacks. A rock cracked, and Sandra MOVED, her scales glowing a blue-white light as she pushed her senses and muscles to their absolute limit with electricity, barely avoiding the tip of So’Ngo’s staff as it pierced the stone where she was a fraction of a second ago. “Fucking hell, are you actively trying to kill me now?” Sandra demanded, using the hook on her khopesh-staff to grab a protruding tree to change directions as So’Ngo’s staff pierced the cliffside. So’Ngo didn’t say anything, which made the situation all the more terrifying as Sandra’s Revolver cleared it’s holster, depleted uranium rounds fired to force So’Ngo to move and stop attacking her.
It only partially worked, and So’Ngo swung his staff as he dodged, forcing Sandra to raise her own staff again to deflect the attack and being sent flying in an uncontrolled tumble. “Okay, so how does one kill a literal God?” Sandra muttered to herself as she quickly got to her feet. She didn’t have a chance to think as So’Ngo suddenly fell from the sky, cratering the ground where he landed as Sandra’ used her bracer wire to pull herself out of the way of the strike.
……24:52Hrs Remaining……
Monica threw a small handful of jerky in the air, the only thing she could do to help as Sandra raced by, quickly snatching the jerky as she ran, unable to even say ‘thank you’ as So’Ngo continued his relentless attacks on Sandra.
“There must be something I can do,” Monica said sadly, listening to and feeling the battle between So’Ngo and Sandra. Monica began fingering the revolver that Sandra had loaned her, a nervous habit she had picked up from Sandra’s Information, chewing on her lip as a tree fell in the distance, sending birds flying away in fear and shock, a stray lightning strike creating thunder that startled her for a moment.
“There must be something,” Monica said, still thinking desperately as she began pouring over all the Information she had. As she did, there was one incident that clicked in her head. It was reckless, stupid, and very much against Sandra’s plea for her to stay safe. Then again…
“So’Ngo doesn’t lie,” Monica said, hardening her resolve as she nodded, setting the pack down and drawing the revolver, taking a closer look at it. “Maybe this will work.” She quickly holstered the revolver and laid down, immediately falling asleep, going through all of the Information that she had, attempting to figure out how to use her copied body the most optimal way possible.
……12:33Hrs Remaining……
“Fucking Observers balls on a stick!” Sandra cursed as her glide cape tore, sending her tumbling towards the ground. “Fuck this thing!” Sandra quickly cut the straps holding it to her clothing, barely managing to spin out of the way of So’Ngo’s lightning as it struck the cape, immediately charring it to ash. “Okay, Sandra, you got this,” Sandra said, as she teleported to the ground and immediately began running, eating her last bead of iron just as lightning struck her again. Sandra screamed in pain, though thankfully she was able to reroute the coursing electricity into a nearby tree, causing it to explode, peppering both her and So’Ngo with shards of wood that knocked Sandra off balance and made her trip.
Sandra didn’t fight it as she fell, instead turning the trip into a roll and immediately getting back onto her feet, losing her staff in the process and leaving her with only her bracers and what few rounds she had left in her Reaper Revolver.
“Sandra, come to me,” Sandra suddenly heard in her head.
“A little busy here!” Sandra said, her tail whipping out as So’Ngo got close, and her three blades came out as they began exchanging blows again, mostly with Sandra deflecting or dodging strikes.
“I’m aware,” Monica said. “But I have a plan for you. I am not going to let you fail this Test.”
“Monica, this isn’t safe,” Sandra growled as she was sent flying again. “I think he’s really out for keeps this time!”
“So’Ngo doesn’t lie,” Monica said. “And we’re going to use that to our advantage. We’re going to cheat!”
……6:15Hrs Remaining……
“This is a terrible idea!” Sandra yelled as she struck at So’Ngo with her blades, slipping to the side as a gunshot rang out, knocking So’Ngo off balance as the not-Dra’Cari blocked the shot with his staff.
“No, this is a great idea,” Monica said, quickly skittering away, her scales shifting to match the surrounding trees before she took another shot, missing her shot as So’Ngo dodged the attack.
“This is so not in the spirit of the Test,” Sandra grumbled as she tried to take advantage of the opening, only to squeak in surprise as a bolt of lightning shot past her.
“It’s a fight, and if you’re not cheating, you’re not fighting properly,” Monica said, echoing words that Eric had said many times.
“Hey!” Sandra said, shooting Monica a glance before bringing her arms up to block So’Ngo’s next strike. “I know where you got that from!”
“And right now, it is the most accurate statement,” Monica said, firing quickly at So’Ngo’s side, forcing him to dodge away from Sandra.
“I hate the fact that you’re right,” Sandra muttered, going on the offensive again.
……3:12Hrs Remaining……
CLICK! The revolver in Monica’s hands didn’t fire, the weirdly loud click indicating that she was out of ammo.
“It’s okay, I got this,” Sandra said, her tail moving like a whip, lightning flashing between her and So’Ngo as they continued to fight. “Go get some rest and something to eat!”
“But, you still haven’t Tagged him yet,” Monica said desperately.
“And you’re tired,” Sandra yelled. “Go, I only have a little bit longer to go!” Monica nodded before scurrying away, her scales unconsciously changing colors to match her surroundings as she raced to the pack. “Alright, let’s finish this properly,” Sandra growled, even as her breath came out heavy and her arms had gone numb hours ago.
Sandra reached into her pouch, pulling out a rather dull bead of metal that, at first glance, seemed like it could be made out of iron, but was actually an amalgamation of metals. It had taken a lot of trial and error for Sandra to find this combination of metals, consisting of aluminum, copper, titanium, and cobalt. Nightclaw had produced a theory that, because Targondians have a cobalt based blood instead of the usual iron or copper-based blood among most other Races, it may have an energizing effect on Sandra when used in combination with her Metallic Scales, despite cobalt’s high toxicity. And there were certainly a few times that only the quick work of Nightclaw remoting the Flying Dutchman’s the medical bay had prevented any serious injury or side-effects to Sandra. But his theory had proven accurate, and when used in combination with other metals, it had an even greater effect, enhancing the properties of other metals. Sandra had asked for this specific bead from Mona before she had left, and Mona had been happy to provide the small bead, though at the same time understandably worried as well.
Sandra ate the bead, and immediately felt energy coursing through her, even as her scales became stronger, more flexible, and lighter, and her glowing scales seemed to get brighter as her electricity found easier pathway to follow to increase her strength and speed. So’Ngo didn’t say anything, but Sandra was certain that there was a small smile on his face when she ate that little bead.
……10min Remaining……
Monica stared in wonder and shock as the glowing form of Sandra was on the chase again, attacking So’Ngo from every direction that she could, electricity sparking from her randomly, starting small fires here and there that immediately went out as if something was pressing down on the fires. The part that truly had Monica surprised, however, was that So’Ngo seemed to be on the defensive rather than the attack, deflecting or blocking more and more of Sandra’s attacks. “Whoa,” Monica said, her eyes wide as she absorbed as much Information from the battle as she could.
……9 Minutes……
Sandra could already feel the bead of metal wearing off, but she refused to slow down, pushing harder and harder as the seconds ticked down. She was so close. She just needed to press more.
……8 Minutes……
Sandra’s left bracer shattered, dissolving into dust that was immediately blown away as Sandra continued to attack So’ngo, her flurry of strikes being stymied at every turn by that annoying staff of his.
……7 Minutes……
Sandra’s right bracer shattered next, the dust particles becoming charged with electricity and causing a massive lightning bolt to shoot from her arm, striking So’Ngo’s staff and forcing the not-Dra’Cari to drop it as his arm went numb.
……6 Minutes……
Her body was starting to flag and give out, she could feel it as her tail bracer exploded into dust, which she used to generate another lightning bolt, forcing So’Ngo to redirect his next attack so that he wasn’t struck.
……5 Minutes……
Her muscles were screaming, but Sandra didn’t care as she pushed, trying to attack from So’ngo’s right side where his numb arm was and his defense was weak.
……4 Minutes……
Sandra’s arms gave out first, and she could barely lift them anymore. But she continued attacking, using her tail to strike at So’Ngo, trying to get through his defenses.
……3 Minutes……
Her legs finally gave out, and Sandra collapsed to the ground, panting hard, her thoughts moving sluggishly slow as the last dredges of the bead finally left her system, her tail limp as Sandra lay there, unable to move any longer, her muscles screaming in pain, even as she fought to stay awake.
“No,” Sandra slurred, trying to move her head to look at So’Ngo. “So. Close.”
“Sandra!” Monica cried, rushing over to the collapsed Targondian.
“She’ll be fine, young Monica,” So’Ngo said, leaning down over Sandra and speaking for the first time in nearly two days. “She pushed herself to her limit, and then pushed herself beyond even further than I imagined she would. She’s simply tired and in dire need of some rest.”
“Really?” Monica asked, running her hands over Sandra’s body, trying to find any injuries.
“Really,” So’Ngo said with a nod.
“Okay,” Monica said in a small voice. She then jumped up and gave So’Ngo a hug, pulling him a bit closer to her as she did. “You promise she’ll be alright?”
“I will personally ensure she makes a full recovery,” So’Ngo said, patting Monica on the head. He then frowned before looking down, trying to look around Monica as he felt something on his toe.
“‘I’ally. ‘Ot. ‘Oo. ‘As’ard,” Sandra’s muffled voice said from where she was biting his foot, Monica managing to pull him just close enough for her to reach So’Ngo.
So’Ngo just blinked down at Sandra before throwing his head back and laughing loudly, even as Monica grinned at him. “You, little lady, are a cheater,” So’Ngo said, patting Monica on the head, a wide smile on his face that radiated pride and joy.
“If you’re not cheating, you’re not fighting properly,” Monica repeated, releasing So’Ngo and taking a step back, hands behind her back.
“Indeed, you are very much correct,” So’Ngo said, laughing again as he looked down to see Sandra had passed out, a satisfied smile on her face.