Protectors- Consequence

Chapter Four: Superhuman Drugs, The Crimson One

Greiger stood calmly, metal hands raised above his head in surrender, a flash of agony crossing his face briefly, before he opened his mouth to speak. Damien gestured for him to shut up and sit, which Greiger did, hands still raised. The younger man did a swift search, confiscating a Glock 17 that was concealed in the man's shoulder holster. Damien analysed everything about Greiger, with no idea being pushed forward more than Greiger's confidence in his own abilities and in himself, evidenced by the impractical shoulder holster and tighter clothing, leaving little to no room to conceal further weapons. The man's body had been replaced by pieces of metal, acting as the pieces of his human body would have before his brain damage from Noctum's attack. His only remaining limb was his right leg, which was partially covered in thick, black hair from his werewolf state,

"I just want to talk, Damien," Greiger soothed, 

"How do you know my name?"

"I'll be asking you the questions, my friend,"

Damien gripped the glock, pointing it between the eyes of his cyborg opponent, his stance steady and dangerous, as Noctum had taught him well,

"What is wrong with Noctum?" Greiger asked, "do you have any idea what could be causing him to act differently,"

"Good grief," Damien sighed, "you're really going to murder a bunch of civilians and then jump me in my own home, just to ask after my old mentor?"

"I'll be asking the questions, my friend," Greiger repeated, "I just want to know if there might be any leads into this change of pace,"

"I don't know, Greiger," Damien grunted, "Maybe he's just going soft or something like that, maybe he's just had enough of being the tough guy for once,"

"A fine hypothesis," Greiger spoke, as lightly as if he were a science professor, discussing an interesting theory with a favourite student, "but I think you know more than you are letting on,"

Damien almost flipped the coin, but continued to grip it tightly, looking into Greiger's eyes, which were glazed over, almost as if there was no real life behind them,

"What now?" Damien questioned, "I don't have your ans-"

"I'll be asking the questions," Greiger repeated, interrupting Damien, "now, tell me about the man in the hotel you so often visit,"

Damien was shocked by the realisation, but he knew that he could not give up Crimson's secrets to Greiger. He also realised that the first question was but a test. Greiger knew that he had no idea about Noctum, so he used that to gather Damien's body language in reaction to telling the truth. He had set up his own lie detector, right under Damien's nose. He shuddered back to the situation at hand, running every simulation of events through his head, but the all ended with one thing, his death and Greiger getting the answers he needed,

"Eat shit,"

He flipped the coin with vigour, watching carefully as it bounced from the ceiling, before cracking against the back of Greiger's head, the metal in his skull keeping his brain intact. He turned and ran, ran like never before, the cyborg on his heel. Flying down the stairs, Damien fired off two shots at his foe, hearing as one bounced off the cyborg's titanium frame, which was evidently laced with alien alloy, shown by the way that a forceful projectile would crumple upon impact. Flinging himself out the door, Damien stumbled as he booked it towards Crimson's apartment, but before he could close the distance, Greiger threw a rock, scraping a bloody wound into Damien's right calf. He pushed himself against the pain, letting out a cry of anguish, but fell before he made it, the damage to his leg too high. Before he knew it, Greiger was lifting him up, shedding the act of pacifism as he held the struggling man aloft, pulling the glock from his hand,