Frenzy & Torch

Chapter 25: A New Team

In General Itshii's main science facility the following morning, Xitanker was seated in a conference room. General Itshii was giving him and an audience of his advisors a briefing about progress on the scientific front.

"The acid gun tests have yielded favorable results!" Itshii jabbered like the mad scientist he was. "The test subjects experienced total flesh meltdown within a half second of contact!"

He played a few videos of the tests. Most of Xitanker's aides looked away, revolted at the sights and sounds.

"As amazing as those tests have gone, Your Majesty, I really wanted to show you how progress was going on the army of clones." He had an assistant hit the lights and turn off the projector. "The war on Keeyorbie provided us with precious combat data and helped us identify flaws. If you'd follow me, I can show you!"

The general led the caravan to a catwalk overlooking the clone production line. They were being churned out of the machines like car parts. "These are the new variants of the clones. They have been fitted with Gladexian blood detection sensors, endothermic skin that enhances resiliency, and fight pattern analysis."

"Fight pattern analysis?"

"It's an ability wherein if they get into the theoretical 'knife fight in a phone booth' with one or both of the girls, they will predict the next move they'll make."

"How marvelous, general! What of the clones that were manufactured before this?"

"All previously produced clones will be retrofitted with these upgrades." He gestured to one that was screaming in pain from being cut open and having neural interfaces put in her while she was awake. "We will not have a single clone fielded that is not up-to-date. Between new and retrofitted clones, we estimate half a million of them will be ready for service by the end of today."

Xitanker's eyes were shimmering. "My army of Gladexian Killers! We will be unstoppable! Excuse me for one second, general. I'm going to use the lavatory."

The rooster slunk away, leaving Itshii with the rest of the group. "So, who wants to see the bamboo torture device?"

Xitanker was furiously masturbating in one of the stalls, to the point that his wing was banging against the door. A scientist left the stall next to his and washed his hands at the sink. Xitanker blew his load at that moment with a screech. The door was blown off the hinges and flew into the man's back; the firehose-esque stream pinned the door against the man's back and kept him stuck against the counter until it stopped. Xitanker took a deep breath and washed his hands, not fully satisfied. He stepped out and saw a line of test subjects walking by.

"That's what I was missing!" He grabbed a random woman and dragged her inside.

The other subjects looked at her with frightened, sorrowful expressions as she screamed and struggled to break free. The guards ushered them along. A little while later, the sound of shouting guards and the PA system going crazy made Xitanker re-emerge from the bathroom while dragging the freshly-murdered lady. "The hell is going on out here?"

A young female scientist was running down the walkway. Two guards stood in her way and ordered her to stop with guns pointed. Before they could fire, a blinding yellow light emanated from her. They let out screams as their skin cracked and they blew apart into pieces of crystal. She levitated off the ground and massive angel wings sprouted from her back. She fired laser beams from her eyes, blowing a hole through the facade of the laboratory that allowed her to fly through. More gunfire sounded off in the distance, then came the sound of a ship as it departed. Interceptors took off and chased after it.

Xitanker stood dead still, only able to stare blankly. General Itshii ran up to him.

"Your Majesty, I swear on my service ribbons this is not a usual occurrence!"