Star Darlings; The Soldier

Mad Scientists... (And a Cliffhanger)

"What have we found in the forests?" Colin asked the scouts. "Anything of interest?"

"Not much but deactivated mines and cameras," Beckett said. He was the leader of the scouting parties, though it's odd for a bright pink Starling to be so good at stealth. "Although there was a disturbing bunker of sorts down there."

"Tell us," Scott said.

Beckett pulled out his pad, connecting to the screen. It showed a small, bush-covered hatch that was nearly impossible to find with the naked eye. There were pictures taken of an underground lab and seemed to be abandoned.

"This is the disturbing part of this bunker," Beckett said. He selected a picture of a test room. Inside, the walls were coated with a thick layer of ice, though it looked more frozen and no water seemed to be present. A figure, also made of the same stuff that coated the walls and floor. The figure was twisted agonizingly and weirdly; as if he saw the stuff of his nightmares and was frozen in that state.

"Oh, gods..." Cyrus whispered. "That's... ugh."

"Why would there be ice in the middle of a forest? And why is there a person..."

"There is a voice recording we found in that room that was stuck in the wall, frozen by the ice," Beckett said. "I'll play it."

"This is Valkyrie, head of the Skylar science department, log 194." a male voice said. "Bah! The count refused my offer of creating the most powerful weapon... instead opting for that bitches' dirty, old way of making him a weapon. He didn't even give me something to work with! I'm tired of him favouring the military over us, more intelligent, more innovative. I'll prove to him why we're more superior!" the recording crackled as the man searched for something. "Found you... this frost, collected from the very blood of The Frostborne, will make me the strongest being ever! Once it's in my system, I'll become more powerful, more than anything Apollon can create."

Piper gasped, realizing what that meant.

The record continued, but Beckett skipped to the part when the scientist seemed to enter the test room. "Infinite Power, in 1, 2, 3..." something fell to the ground seconds later. Then came the scream. High-pitched and horrifying, the scream was so loud that Gemma had to cover her ears.

"Oh, stars and moons." Nico seemed shaken. "That's... the same scream Nicholas made when he was... oh my stars."

"NO. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO STOP!!! I DON'T WANT IT; PLEASE STOP!!!" Another scream busted their eardrums. "HELP!!! HELP ME-" The voice was cut short as a massive explosion cut off the recording.

Everyone was silent for a long time, even Beckett.

"So we all know now that we should not mess with Nicholas' blood. Got it." Peter said.

"And that crazy scientists are always crazy." Gemma finished.

"So that's the disturbing thing for today," Colin said. "Nothing else, right?"

"No," Beckett said. "Nothing else but mines and cameras."

"Ok. Then I guess this meeting is-" Colin started when a giant BOOM! Echoed through the base.

Everyone hurried outside to find a force of 40 Myrmidons, armed to the teeth, and holding some people hostage.

"Rebels!" A man stepped out from behind a military truck. "We are giving you an ultimatum; return Team Mercy, or suffer the cost!"

Colin stopped in front of them all, weapons at the ready. But even the assassin can't go through 30 plasma rifles pointed at his face. Besides, there were women and children held captive. But he bit his lip and forced on.

"What if we don't? We're not stupid!" Colin challenged. "I'd rather give you my own-" A woman screamed as a Myrmidon pressed a plasma blade near her child's head.

"Or," The man said again. "At least giveback Dream."

This was a smart move; the team of 4 is inseparable; if one leaves, everyone follows.

They had no choice; the hostages were at risk. But Colin hesitated.

Dream pushed him aside. "I'll go. As soon as you release them," he said. "Just don't hurt the children."

"Ah, Dream the Merciful. Honour is to be in your presence." The man said. "Release them."

The children and women were set free, and Dream was escorted to them.

Virtue, Valor, and Fortitude showed up, pushing through the crowd of people.

"Now." the man stretched his arms. "Come on."

The dream didn't say anything, but 2 seconds later, the man's head was sliced off his body.