What do you mean, "Whoops"? (Regnard)

[lucius]

Tolerance. Coexistence. They were words upon which ZaneCorp Enterprises built its massive corporate empire. Lucius Erif de Romanus sought not to end the blood feud between the races, but merely to act out to ensure that it did not become completely destructive. He also sought to defend those with the most physical disadvantage against the other races, humans, from destruction-- a goal so many of the immortals often sought. These were the ends of the company; noble, to be sure. Not so noble, however, were the at-times ruthless means employed by Lucius Erif's company. But, if it was for the greater good, cruelty was fine at times, no?

An overzealous hunter by the name of David Regnard had blipped onto the radar of ZaneCorp some time ago. He was ruthless in his endeavors, and highly skilled, waging some sort of vendetta against the creatures of the underworld. This was of concern for ZaneCorp, seeing as its master was a vampire himself and many of the employees--particularly the higher up ones--were immortals. However, his skill, the way his body was built, and his lifestyle made him a prime candidate for a science experiment that the scientists of ZaneCorp were performing. As part of Lucius Erif's attempts to give the human race some leg up in defense against lycans and vampires, ZaneCorp had poured a large amount of money into the research of powerful extra limbs. That was the beauty of the human race. What they lacked in physical strength could easily be made up for in technology.

Thus, a trap was laid for David Regnard as the hunter sought some prey in the graveyard. The poor man could have never expected having to face the full might of ZaneCorp's muscles, a team of men, vampires, and a lycan or two descending upon David and capturing him. It was some time later now, after knocking Regnard out, that he was starting to come to consciousness again. He was strapped to a table in a large white room, all sorts of machinery located around it. Scientists wandered around him preparing things.

Gazing down from an observation deck, through a window, a handsome young man stood, dressed impeccably in a suit and with his hands calmly folded behind his back. A smile formed on his face as he saw Regnard's eyes open. "Hello, Greystone. My name is Lucius Maximilian Cornelianus Erif de Romanus," began the vampire. His name was ancient, and known to many who hunted his kind. "You probably havea lot of questions, and they will be answered in time. You have been chosen for a very special gift, David. Something to give you so much power in your quest to protect your kind from the creatures of the night. I apologize for my... unorthodox way of getting you here, but it was the only way. I do hope that you will in time come to forgive me and appreciate what I am doing for you."

They were one of the science facilities located at the research building right next to ZaneCorp Tower, attached to the right side of its lobby. Here research and experiments were done on weaponry and, lately, this artificial limbs.

[david]

David could see a face, and hear the words coming out of its mouth, but his eyesight wasn’t exactly allowing him to see the detail of what as around him. As the person talking to him obviously explained things and spoke of his name, David tensed. So he was that vampire, huh? How frustrating it was for David to be held down, where one of the dreaded vampires on his list was staring him in the face. He clenched his hands into fists, trying to break from the bonds that strapped his body down. “What the hell are you trying to pull here, bloodsucker?” he demanded darkly.

He knew moving too much was a bad idea. He had gotten hit in the head pretty hard, and the pain coursing through him caused him to see stars for a moment. David grimaced. He must have lost his glasses during the ambush. Bloody monsters. How could he have let his guard down?

Even though he couldn’t quite see everything at the moment, he could hear the chatter of many voices and the metallic sound of machinery. David didn’t like this at all. Something wasn’t right - why on earth would be ever thank this soulless monster for anything?

David would not let himself be trapped here; he was already formulating a plan of escape. So long as none of those beasts found his hidden weaponry.

[lucius]

"I am not trying to pull anything, Mr. Regnard. I am giving you a strength to stand up against those you fight, without a curse to come along with it. We damned can overpower you humans so easily because of our god-like powers. I am leveling the playing field with technology," said Lucius as the scientists brought forth a large, heavy device; almost like a backpack with a spinal chord and four tentacle-like appendages.

The bed that David was strapped to tilted upwards, the back opening up to the scientists. "You are the first test subject for this device. If it is successful, it can be the first in a long line of creations to improve your race. Think of it, being able o control such strength in these metallic arms with a thought, as you do your normal arms," said Lucius, his blue eyes widened some as he watched the scientists strap it to David's back.

"This might sting a little," said one of them as the device curled around David's lower portion of his torso. Once wrapped around him, another electronic portion slid up the entirety of his spine to the very back of his head, censors and each side bending down and entering the hunter's body, attaching it to his spine and nerve system. Some scientists monitored the computer screens curiously, keeping eyes on stats and whatever they needed.

"Looks like we're reaching solidarity, sir. He should be able to control it and--" One of the machines started beeping, causing a scientist to frown. "Whoops."

Lucius Erif's eyes narrowed dangerously, his arms crossing over his chest as he gazed down into the room. "Whoops? What do you mean by whoops?"

"System is overloading. Reacting poorly to the infusion between the human's mind and the technology. It looks a little unstable," murmured the scientist, peering over his screen. "I'll see if I can fix it."

Blue eyes returned to David as the machine attached itself fully to his being. "How does it feel, Mr. Regnard?" asked Lucius curiously. "Can you feel them? Can you move them?"

[david]

Test subject? Making humans stronger with technology? This man was completely mad- no not a man, this creature before him was a monster in human skin. David said nothing, startled at first by the movement of the table holding him. He could see the forms of the metal limbs, obviously the contraption these creatures were planning to fuse into him.

David didn't want to admit that he was afraid - he had dealt with horrible things in the past, with always the fear of being infected by the demons he fought. Lucius' words disturbed him. Perhaps he wouldn't be damned, but these things they wanted to put on him; they would easily make him into a monster.

At the scientist's words of warning, he let a hiss of pain escape his clenched teeth the moment he felt the machine connect into his spine. He closed his eyes tightly, trying to assess the situation, the plan of escape. With his main article of clothing gone, most of his weapons were with it. But perhaps...with these new artificial limbs-

David stopped his thinking, feeling an odd sensation going through him as another consciousness slithered in his mind - like a cunning snake. No...four of them.

Master.

Four voices whispered in his mind, and David snapped his eyes opened so fast, he nearly felt dizzy. All other words spoken previously hadn't registered; the worried comment about their being a problem.

However, David did hear Lucius last comment. With a a dark grin and narrowed eyes, he could feel the presence in his head coiling to strike.

May we kill him, Master?

Not yet. But you may strike.

The right top tentacle struck out in a flash, reaching for Lucius' throat.

"You, sir, have made a horrible mistake," David growled dangerously. The tentacle tightened its grasp, although Regnard knew vampires had no use for breathing. It still hurt like hell. "Give me one good reason," he hissed, "why I shouldn't kill you right now and destroy this place?"

Shall I get you your glasses? Your eyesight is not perfect.

Go. David answered, knowing he'd feel more secure with his sight in tact. The left top tentacle stretched out to find the articles of David's clothing. Opening up it's claw, the red heart light glowed ominously until it snatched the glasses out of his coat picket and returning, delicately placing the special shades over his face.

"Much better," he said out loud, forming a menacing smile as he took in his enemy.

[lucius]

Despite the panicking scientists and all of the various machines and alarms throughout the building flashing and ringing, Lucius Erif remained calm, a stoic expression upon his face as he stood there on the observation area with his arms clasped calmly behind his back. Even as the new contraption's tentacles became independent from the computer systems and started to make their way through the testing facility, the ancient vampire remained unfazed, though a curious expression settled down on his face as he watched with piqued interest. It was an interesting development here in the lab.

When the tentacle came flying at Lucius and wrapped around his neck, he winced once but otherwise offered no signs of disturbance. Instead, a look of simple annoyance settled on his face, mostly at another one of his suits being ruined, but such a look was quickly replaced by one of interested curiosity again. "I have to say that this was an unexpected development," said Lucius simply as his human scientists fled from the room while the vampiric ones stood by, awaiting orders.

"Kill he who gave you this power? Why, that just would not be good business," continued the vampire elder, wincing once again as he tried to move his neck, learning first hand exactly how powerful a machine they had created. "Besides, it would be rather foolish in general. You'd have armies after you, and while we gave you quite a lot of power, I don't think it's enough to handle the firestorm that would erupt from murdering little old me."

He lifted a hand, tapping the metal tentacle wrapped around his throat. "Now, if you do not mind, I'd appreciate you letting me go. We'd like to run a diagnostic on your system before releasing you," said Lucius, speaking as if what was transpiring was an everyday event. "Or we can stay in this stalemate that would indubitably end poorly for both of us."

[david]

David’s eyes narrowed behind his shades, the grip of the tentacle tightening at the emotion rage running through its master. “You made me into a freak, is what you did,” he said darkly, his tone controlled, but deadly so. “And what makes you think I care about the consequences of your death? At least I would have finished you off. You really think I have much else to live for?”

He laughed, a disturbing, broken laugh. It came from a man who had nothing to lose. That was the most dangerous kind. He stopped for a moment, his face turning expressionless as he heard the voices whirring around in his head.

Do not bring yourself to death, Master. We can help. We have a plan.

They continued to speak as one, explaining their idea in detail. His expressionless face quickly turned back to an otherwise deadly smile. “I suppose I could let you live for now,” he said as the grip of the actuator loosened ever so slightly. “But, what makes you think I trust you to just let me go?” He raised an eyebrow. “I’ll let you go after you run your little test and I get out of here.”

After all, David didn’t leave this vampire with much else to bargain with. It was either go through with it, or let the madman pop off his head. Erif’s choice. Either way, it did David good. Of course, David was a tad bit suicidal, but from a man who had lost everything he ever cared about, even losing himself then in consequence, what was expected? Really?

"And if anyone tries anything," he said loud enough for the other scientists to hear, as the rest of the three actuators rose and protectively swarmed around their master's encasement. "I will not hesitate to kill him," he eyed Lucius, "Or the rest of you without a second's hesitation."

After all, they would know how far these babies could stretch, which was pretty damn far. And they could improvise if need be. Extremely quick thinking AI made sure of that.

[lucius]

The vampiric scientists who had remained in the room kept their faces void of emotion as the experienced (and now apparently mad) monster hunter made his threats against them and their master. Lucius Erif did not allow vampires in such important positions to show fear in the face of adversity or the penalty of death; otherwise, they were useless to him. Much like the human scientists that had run panicking from the room; what good were they if they ran away?

At the terms presented by David, Lucius just sighed. "Very well, Mr. Regnard. Have it your way," he muttered, nodding to the scientists for a moment before settling his blue eyes back on the new creation before him.

The scientists approached cautiously, performing their diagnostic check through the computers and through observing how the tentacles had attached to the mortal man's nervous system. Lucius remained focused on David, some sort of mild curiosity in his eyes. He had created many things in his life and overseen many projects; this was one of the more interesting ways that ZaneCorp was breaking into new technology. He reached out with his mind, getting a feeling for David's emotions, trying to see what he was going through.

"Mm... Powerful, isn't it? The new service you have, and the minds which heed your own beckons. You may call yourself a freak, Mr. Regnard, but I call you a miracle of science. You wield now the ability to stand up so much more effectively against us who lurk in the night," said Lucius, wincing only very briefly now and then due to the grip on his neck. "And it's free of charge, too, sir. We have what we want in return." He said this just as the scientists finished their survey and gave a nod to the ancient vampire elder.

"There, all done now," said Lucius, waiting to be released.

[david]

“What exactly do you plan to get from this?” David demanded, retightening his grip on the smug vampire before him. He knew he was never going to understand what this monster was thinking. This whole thing seemed to be nothing but madness. Make humans stronger? Why on earth would a vampire want that? Here, he could kill this ancient demon right now; but it almost seemed meaningless without a fight.

“Stay out of my head, Lucius,” he warned, his grip ever tightening. He could sense the interference. With four extra protective minds within him, they all sensed the vampire’s unwelcome reading. “After what you just did to me, if anything, I should kill you now.” The remaining three actuators gripped onto the metal clamps over his hands and feet, and in a mere second, tore them off. This in turn sent the metal pieces flying, where one landed directly through a scientist’s neck. It nearly decapitated him in the process.

David got to his feet then, never letting go of his hold on Lucius as he steadied himself. It would take serious time to get used to the heavy weight on his back. The pull on his spine nearly caused him to fall to his feet; but the actuators learned quickly and numbed the pain through his mind.

“Exactly what did you gain from this?” David squeezed harder, commanding another actuator to grab his clothing. It snatched up his long coat and performed a crude way of making holes in the back. They needed to fit in there somehow. “I know that this has to be more complicated than you are making it seem. You’re plotting something.”

He was enraged now. “Don’t tell me you made me into this just for the sake of science!” David shouted, in which the response of the actuators happened to fast, hardly anyone had time to know what happened. The three free machines had reached out and grabbed hold of the skulls of three vampire scientists, crushing them within their claws. When they let go, blood dripped from their claws and they slowly came back to their master’s side.

David was breathing heavy now, confused, unsure of what just happened. He hadn’t commanded that, but his emotions had upset the actuators and they attacked what he was angry about. Then why hadn’t the one killed their obvious leader?

Frustrated, he threw the vampire against the wall as he let go of his grip around the bloodsucker’s neck. “The next time I see you,” David whispered hoarsely, “I will kill you.”

The actuators caused a explosion of wall, and before David could realize what happened, he was climbing down the accursed building. However, the machines didn’t seem to know fully what they were doing. Their hold of the slick metal of the skyscraper caused their grip to loosen and David found himself practically free falling until two latched onto an apartment’s balcony.

Sorry, Master.

Didn’t sound like it, but how could a machine sound emotional? David winced from the quick, merciless tug on his back when they had grabbed hold. The sudden jerk was enough to cause him to black out for a moment. Taking huge gulps of air, he tried to focus. Get me down from here.

Yes, Master. Obediently, the actuators made a slower, more efficient climb down the building. But how long would he be safe? After that attack, and the future threat of killing Lurcius Erif, he doubted ZaneCorp would let him walk freely. At least, not forever.

[lucius]

As Regnard threw Lucius against a wall and made a bigger mess of the laboratory before leaving, the ancient vampire elder said nothing, merely watching it happen. Once the scientifically-enhanced hunter vacated the premises, the media and technology magnate stood up and dusted some rubble and particles off of his suit. His blue gaze then shifted around the room as the Roman vampire stepped forward and walked around the mess, shaking his head at the dead scientists. Such a waste. But, they could all be replaced eventually. There were always others.

A noise behind him caused the vampire to turn around curiously, glancing at some of his security officers as they entered. "Sir, we are tracking him around the plaza still; he is making his escape. Shall we pursue?"

"No, no. No need for that. Let him go. I'm sure we'll see what he's up to later. A man in his new condition cannot easily hide," said Lucius, curious as to what Regnard would do out in public without ZaneCorp's interference and with his new toys. "Clean up this mess, get all the data safely stored, and call some crews to fix the side of the building."

With that, the vampire turned and left the scientific laboratory, making his way back to his primary building as if all was normal. In ZaneCorp, the events of the day were not all that unusual, but a human had just been released into the wild with a brand new technology that would, as he said, stand out. Yes, Lucius would eventually be able to see the results of his experiment without having to chase the man down and track his every move and motive.