[hr][center][h1][color=7ea7d8]Troy "Fang" Stone[/color] & [color=#6aa121]Poppy "Hummingbird" LaRue[/color] & [color=8dc73f]Naeemah "Viper" Meskhenet[/color] & [color=FF4500]Todd "The Red Fox" Buchanan[/color][/h1] by [@Ambrose], [@CyanideSweetie], [@13org], and [@beyond visions] [/center][hr] [indent]Troy watched as Naeemah jumped into action once she too noticed the oncoming guards. He couldn't blame her as she helped the helpless and made her way up through the vents. Everything started happening much too quickly once they cleared the room. Ten guards, guns raging, filtered in through the now open door. Eisley's body served as a mat as bullets began flying. The Scorpion acted as Troy might have expected. He was quick on his feet, agile and quick to get away. As he too, struggled to survive, he couldn't help but notice the ease with which the others had made their escape. If anything, it had been a good oportunity to see each of their individual skills. As the action unfolded, Troy's instincts kicked into gear. Everything became focused as his senses all honed in to this particular moment. As one guard came near him, he jumped, turning his body swiftly in the air and sticking his leg out hard. The strong contact he made with the guard's helmet was enough to send a jarring jolt up his appendages. Troy could only imagine the headsplitting pain the guard must be in. The majority of the bullets that had been aimed towards the vents missed their target. In one graceful movement, he landed in a squat beside the guard, whose gun now lay unclaimed. There had been times in his past when he'd been confronted with such a powerful weapon. In each occurance, Troy had elected to rely on his own powers. This had happened particularly during his childhood, in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. That was before Project Hybrid. Now, his powers could also be considered powerful weapons. However, a quick glance around the room told him he would be the only target remaining before long. He'd succeeded in taking out one of them, but the others would undoubtably turn their full attention to him before long, and even with his regenerative healing, he didn't think he would survive against all of them. Deciding on a rash action, he picked up the discarded gun in one hand. Troy used his other arm to pull up the unconscious guard, holding him up with the rifle aimed at his neck. [color=7ea7d8]"Don't shoot,"[/color] he said in a low, calm voice. They couldn't, not when Cane ringed in their ear pieces, [color=688E23]"Stand down, disregard the shoot on sight orders except for Foster. For the rest of the subjects, capture them. Use lethal force only when necessary."[/color] [b]"You're making the wrong move,"[/b] one of the guards responded with a sly smirk. [b]"There are nine of us surrounding you, what do you think the outcome will be?"[/b] The man made sense. Troy realized that his final act of desperation would be a long shot. He'd learned how well secured these premises were, and he knew that no amount of regenerative healing would save him if they all unloaded their weapons on him at the same time. [b]"Put the weapon at your feet now, and we won't use lethal force,"[/b] the guard continued in a haughty tone, knowing he would get his way. Clenching his jaw, Troy realized he wouldn't have any choice. He would once again be at the mercy of Project Hybrid - only this time he was absolutely certain they couldn't be trusted. Reluctantly, he placed the weapon on the ground, let the guard he was holding slump over and held his hands up. [color=7ea7d8]"Like I have much of a choice,"[/color] he spat. Next thing he knew, the guard's rifle came down hard against his temple, and he saw stars. His body was roughly pushed against the mess hall wall, and his wrists were pulled back. The world swayed as he tried to get his barings, but as his vision was just beginning to clear, Troy heard the distinct clicks of cuffs beind shut against his wrists. The unpleasant tingling feeling that immediately accompanied the clicks told him they had used silver.[hr] Because it was the scene of Eisley's murder, the number of soldiers increased as Todd neared closer to the mess hall. Safe in his disguise, Todd needed not to worry about them, though the same could not be said for Naeemah and Poppy. For now, they have been safe bouncing from hall to hall and room to room, dodging any oncoming soldiers with the help of Naeemah's thermal vision. Though it got a point where Todd no longer felt comfortable with the two following him. Sure, he could have turned around and cancelled his plans of going to the mess hall, but if they were going to survive they needed to stay both hydrated and healthy, not starved and parched. Also, Todd was aware of Poppy's appetite, thus because their lunchtime was interrupted by the latest crises, he could imagine she was perhaps almost ravenous now. Fortunately, Todd was free to communicate to Naeemah now, no better time to text her than inside a restroom stall: [color=FF4500]"I need the two of you to go my room now. I'm headed to the mess hall to get Pops her 'Juicy Juice', I know she needs it. It's just too risky for you to follow me, there's too many of them. I'll meet you back at my room. Is there anything you want, dear?"[/color] Naeemah was quietly following Todd, using the shadows to her advantage together with Poppy. So far, they haven't met any difficulty. By using her senses, she could easily avoid the guards, and having Todd close to her calmed her down. The exact moment she was thinking about him, her cellphone vibrated, It was a text from Todd. [color=8dc73f]"Surprise me. You know my 'tastes' for food... -_- Are you ok? Saw or heard anything weird? We've been ok thus far, but i'm afraid that they won't just sit and watch while we try to get away..."[/color] Naeemah quickly typed on her cellphone, giggling at her own little joke, before tucking it away near her chest. Todd would certainly know that she couldn't taste things normally, like others did due to her unique physiology. But he would also know that she loved the smell of meat. [i][color=8dc73f]"Now that he mentioned... I AM rather peckish.."[/color][/i] she thought to herself, remembering all the things that happened earlier that day. She wasn't able to eat her food properly... A few days earlier, she would never think that her life would take such a sharp turn for the worse... But being pessimist wouldn't do any good for her, Todd or Poppy right now. Taking a deep breath, to forget such negative thoughts, she turned to Poppy. She didn't knew why, but she enjoyed the cheerful and hyper energetic hummingbird girl's company. [color=8dc73f]"Poppy, Todd said that he is will bring you something to eat... That aside, are you ok? Already used to the darkness? Don't worry, as long as you're with me, you won't encounter guards."[/color] Naeemah said, smiling to her. Poppy chuckled awkwardly, her stomach roaring loudly at the mention of food. She had some food , pills on her, of course, due to her high risk of starving to death but she was saving those for an emergency. [color=6aa121] "U-used to the dark? Oh yeah! My bitch." [/color] She stuttered out, still clinging to the snake girl. Desperately wanting to change the topic she swallowed, [color=6aa121] "That Todd, what a great guy. "[/color] knowing that Todd was Naeemah's favorite thing to talk about. [color=8dc73f]"Yeah..."[/color] Naeemah said, smiling. "He is the only thing that keeps me going after all that happened." Naeemah said, looking to Poppy. [color=8dc73f]"Its ironic... I would never think that I would find the most important thing in my life only after I lost everything else."[/color] She said, with a sad smile on her face. [color=FF4500]"They last saw all of you guys in the mess hall, and with Dante being their biggest threat, I don't think they're worried about a sexy snake-lady and a girl with wings,"[/color] he texted back, hoping that Naeemah would understand that it is far too dangerous for them to follow him right now. Todd loved Naeemah because she also seemed to trust him. He liked that she was never stubborn since she knew that he only wanted the best for her, really, he genuinely wanted the best for everyone. Deep down Todd was a good guy, he tried to be always, at least. [color=8dc73f]"Oh, Todd sent another message."[/color] Naeemah said, after feeling her cellphone vibrating. [color=8dc73f]"Resorting to flattery now, are we? I'll make sure to give you a [i]very tight[/i] hug as a thanks to this compliment <3 That aside, I'm not surprised that Dante is their biggest target... Just be careful ok? I'll be waiting for your return with the food (if you pay attention you might hear Poppy's stomach growling! XD). Be safe, I love you."[/color] Naeemah texted him back, glancing at Poppy, giggling. She couldn't blame her for being hungry. As far as Todd knew, slipping through the mess hall and swiping a few supplies of food was no hard task for him. He has been doing thus well undercover, and as for his skills in thievery, he was a rather masterful thief. There was no need for him to worry, nor should Naeemah or even Poppy be concerned that their guy outside the shadows may be discovered and caught. Well, there is always a possibilities for anything, although being as cocky as he was, Todd always had a sense of optimism upon him, even if it was an arrogant one.[hr] Right after Todd exited the men's room, he continued on his path towards the mess hall, and in doing so, he saw Troy, though not in such a manner that Todd wished to see him. Forced to march forward with hands cuffed behind his back, to Todd, Troy appeared to be treated like a convicted killer. Todd truly wanted to help Troy, free him in any way that he could, though that would break his cover, and currently Todd's disguise is what gave not only himself, but Poppy and Naeemah a hope that they could possibly find a way out. Was saving one man worth their freedom?[hr] What would they do to Troy? Apparently this supposed 'Dr. Werner Sevier' promised to reverse the effects of Eisley's serums if the Hybrids surrendered. Though was that not too good to be true? Before Troy could continue to ponder and worry about his upcoming fate, the lights from over his head came crashing down in the forms of glass shards before being immersed into totally darkness.[hr][i]Darkness[/i], Todd thrived in it. With the lights shot out by the press of his finger against the trigger, Todd charged towards Troy like the bullet that just left his barrel. And for any soldiers in his path, he dodged them in their blindness. Though, for the ones that proved an unavoidable obstacle to Todd, he busted the taser baton against knee joints before upper-cutting it through the glass cover of riot helmets, thrusting all of his strength and bringing the reminding memory of his old boxing days. Glass shards fell over him as darkness enveloped the cooridor the guards were leading him through. Amazed at his luck, Troy's mind immediately began working out how to use this to his advantage. His vision functioned just as well in the darkness, and it was only moments before he saw Todd's darting form make its way through the guards to him. He was fast and deadly, and Troy was indebted to his selflessness. Aparently there were still some of the Hybrids who retained their humanity. Troy tightened his core, using all of his strength to shove his head back, making contact with the guard's nose who held him from behind. A muffled curse was all he heard before the guard's grip losened and Troy was able to kick the back of the guard's knee, effectively debilitating him for a few moments. Todd reached Troy as the guard doubled over, covering his face as blood dripped from his nose. Troy nodded, and in the quick eye contact they were able to make, he hoped he was able to convey the gratitude he felt for Todd's actions. [color=7ea7d8]"Do you know how to get these off?"[/color] he asked hurridly before ducking as Todd's leg shot out where his head had been moments before. Yet another guard fell, as the others stumbled in the darkness. It wouldn't be much longer before they got the lights working again. The two would need to move fast. [color=FF4500]"Just run! Go find Naeemah!"[/color] in a voice strained by panic Todd hissed into the other Hybrid's ear before slipping his phone into Troy's pocket, unlocking his cuffs from behind him and shoving him away. Troy felt his wrists break free, the burning sensation from the cuffs immediately cooling. With a sigh of releif, he frowned at Todd before pulling the phone back out of his pocket and glancing at it. What did he give him the phone for? The sound of movement from behind him jerked his attention back to the guards. The ones who had been closest to the pair had noticed the commotion. Ducking out of one guard's way defly in the dark, he extended his arm ridgedly and brought the edge of his hand down hard against the back of the guard's neck. [color=7ea7d8]"No,"[/color] he said surely, handing the phone back. He wasn't sure what sentimentality the item held, and it wasn't like he had anyone to call. [color=7ea7d8]"Our odds are better if we stick together,"[/color] he explained logically. Todd did not believe so, he needed to be that distraction for Troy to escape, even that meant getting caught himself. [color=FF4500]"Troy, you're a terrible damsel in distress!"[/color] [color=7ea7d8]"Guess I should stick with my day job,"[/color] he quipped back as both men began to make their way as quickly as possible away from the guards surounding them. The ease with which both could maneuver in the darkness proved a considerable advantage as they snaked their way around and out of the tight coridoor. Todd appeared to have his own agenda, and worked his way with a destination in mind. Imagening that the fox was most likely looking for Naeemah, Troy conceeded in letting him lead their way. Without knowing where he was going Todd sprinted from through the halls, until with one wrong turn him and Troy were met with a dead end. Realizing this, Todd released one devastated and defeated sigh before turning around with his hands above his head, [color=FF4500]"Well, hello gentlemen, just leaving with my dear princess-- my [i]wonderful[/i] damsel in distress..."[/color] They stood with their backs against the far wall at the end of an unknown hallway. [color=7ea7d8][i]Well, this is what I get for letting someone else take the lead[/i][/color], Troy thought to himself as the guards cornered them. He gave Todd a sidelong glance when he called him a damsel in distress once more, but before he had the chance to retort, one of the guards lifted their rifle, aiming it directly at the pair. Troy lifted his hands as well, though his face was stoic, [color=7ea7d8]"Can't believe you would separate such an adorable couple as us,"[/color] he said in a humorless tone.[/indent]