Infinity Force

Shoot Out

When Hyun-Ki had been resuscitated in his stasis chamber this morning, he hadn't planned on getting shot. But, I guess, no one really plans on getting shot. It's just kind of a thing that happens.

Hyun-Ki threw himself against the cement wall, the rough stone shredding the wound on his shoulder. He bit his tongue to keep from shrieking in pain but spots blurred his vision as a new wave of pain overtook him. Damn it, he was gonna kick somebody's ass for this - he hadn't decided whether or not it would be these blasted robots or his own ass for getting himself into this mess. The sound of shots rang out overhead, cracking into asphalt and concrete. So far, Hyun-Ki hadn't laid eyes on the damn things. Everytime he dared to peek his head around the wall, more laser fire sent him reeling for cover.

Something collided with his knees and Hyun-Ki almost collapsed from the impact. He looked down at his feet to see Jae-Hwa, kneeling in a split lunge like a super spy. Hyun-Ki now had to bite his tongue to keep from wasting his own comrade. A quick jab in Jae-Hwa's ribs from his steel toed boot would have to do for now.

"Where was my backup?" Hyun-Ki screamed, and it took all his frustration to be heard over the barrage of laser shots.

"Huh?" Jae-Hwa removed an earpiece, a trinket he wore more like a decorative earring than functional tech. "What are you talking about? I'm right here, aren't I?"

"Just stop playing superhero and do your job." Hyun-Ki suppressed an eye roll. He peeked around the corner again only to be met with another hail of fire.

"Hyung!" The word screamed into his brain like a migraine. "Are you hurt!?"

Hyun-Ki looked across the mangled corridor, where Soo-ho and In-su were huddled next to an open electrical panel. Soo-Ho's concern was etched into his face, but his gaze was transfixed onto his comrade's wound. Hyun-Ki risked a look down at his shoulder. He almost passed out on the spot.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me!" Hyun-Ki tried to project his thoughts. He always had a hard time wrapping his brain around Soo-ho's telepathic communication. He felt like an idiot screaming in his own head, hoping someone else was listening. Soo-Ho often complained about how loud he sounded. "How is it going with the electrical box!?"

"Give me a minute, damn it!" In-su could be heard over all the other commotion. He was elbow deep in wires that he wove together like spider silk. They almost looked like they were floating between his fingertips.

Hyun-Ki gripped his shoulder and grimaced. He didn't have time for this. Extending his one good arm, an arch of electricity shot out of his palm, crashing into the electrical box. The wires sparked, sending Soo-Ho and In-su reeling for cover. In-su wrenched his arm out of the wiring and pulled back charred black fingertips. He looked over at Hyun-Ki. "What the hell was that?!"

The lights overhead began to flicker before blinking to red emergency lights. From down the corridor, a fluorescent force field sputtered before shutting down. Hyun-Ki gestured down the hallway. "You're welcome!" Another hail of laserfire rocketed down the corridor as Hyun-Ki yanked his hand back.

With the absence of the force field, Hyun-Ki hoped it would be a straight shot down the corridor towards their target. But there seemed to be more assailants converging on their position. The hallway was a constant stream of laser fire and it was slowly beginning to chip away at the concrete walls that protected them. Sooner or later there wouldn't be any protection at all.

"What are you guys just standing around for?" The whole crew whirled around, facing a wall of green slime. Lasershots carved pock marks in its ballistic gel surface, but it held up a lot better than the flimsy concrete where they were currently bunkered. Through the translucent green gel, there was the distorted figure of Eunji, still dressed in his pajamas and munching on popcorn.

"Where the hell have you been?" Hyun-ki yelled, trying to project his voice through Eunji's barrier.

Eunji threw back another fistful of popcorn. "Saving your ass, apparently." He tossed the bowl aside, casting corn kernels all over the floor. He extended his hands, slowly shoving the green slime like an encroaching tsunami down the corridor. Dark figures tried to flee to the shadows, but they were consumed, drowned in green jello. Eunji looked back at the group. "Are you ready to go or not?"

Everyone looked at Hyun-ki. He knew he was supposed to be their leader but the way they looked at him, with so much expectation and dependency, it made him want to vomit. "I guess..." he hesitated. He hated hesitating. "Move forward, everyone!"

Jae-hwa started a war cry, the rest of them joining in, as they barrelled down the now defenseless hallway. They were mere inches from the exit door now, success within their grasp. Hyun-ki risked a smile. Maybe they'd actually make it this time.

"That's enough for one day." The fluorescent lights overhead blinded them, stopping them in their tracks. A voice, distorted and grainy from the outdated technology, echoed through the PA system. "Honestly, that was a terrible performance. Truly the worst one to date."

Hyun-ki blinked, his eyes adjusting to the barrage of light. The training center was always smaller under the ceiling lights than it appeared during simulated sessions. Broken training dummies and stun guns littered the floor from their carnage. He sighed. In-su would be furious with all the repairs they left him. Above them, silhouetted by the spotlights that framed the observation window, stood a dark shadow glaring down at them.

"You didn't even give us a chance to finish!" In-su shouted back, throwing his hands up in frustration.

"Wasn't worth it," the voice replied. There was a click and the door they had almost reached slowly inched open with a whining screech. "Come on up - I have plenty of notes."