Helix Operatives: Creation

Black Path

It was the midafternoon as Data and Werlan were parked in a rest stop with the other Anthros headed to Gingdale. Many were getting cleaned up after their prolonged hostage situation. Werlan was searching through the options of a vending machine as Data walked into the room.

"Hey," said Data. He had cleaned up and changed clothes as well. He was wearing a black hoodie, a grey shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and a pair of black sneakers. He had his revolver stashed under his jacket in the waistband of his jeans.

"Hey, just thinking about what I might want as a snack," said Werlan not taking his eyes off of the glass between him and the old delicacies.

"Yeah, hey. Quick question. How long have you been wearing that stuff?" Asked Data as he pointed to Werlan's clothes.

"A couple weeks. Why?"

"Y-You've never heard of laundry?"

"No, I have. Just that military operations tend to take over cleaning."

"Dude, you seriously need to clean up."

"Why? You got ideas for me, eh?"

"No, just that if we're going to be riding side by side all day then I don't want you to stink up the RV."

"Yeah, yeah. I won't and..." There was a sequel of tires outside, causing the two to turn. A large semi-truck came barreling through the parking lot of the rest stop, coming to a stop when hitting a large wall at the back of the compound.

"What the fuck?" Asked Data. Werlan drew his pistol and walked outside, approaching the vehicle. Data followed close behind, revolver drawn and ready. The driver side door of the RV's cab opened suddenly, causing Werlan and Data to stop, their aim trained on the cab. The driver stepped out of the vehicle and then fell over onto the ground. It was a Sinderlo driver, but something was off. He had large yellow boils covering his body that were swelling and growing in size.

"What the...?" Asked Data as he lowered his aim and a look of confusion coming to his face.

The driver stood up, crying tears of blood as purple bile came out of his mouth. "That's not good," said Werlan as he pointed his pistol at the driver.

"H-Help... Me..." said the driver struggling to speak. The boils continued to grow, soon covering his entire body to the point where he was forced to stare at the sky.

"Oh shit," said Data as he froze in place.

"Get down!" Yelled out Werlan, tackling Data to the ground. He pinned Data to the ground, trying to protect him. There was an explosion and the sound of destroyed metal rang out. Pure chaos erupted, causing everyone to come out and look at the scene. Data's ears were ringing as he gritted his teeth. While facing the ground hoping he wasn't hurt. He felt his heart race and tears come to his eyes. He pulled Werlan over him, trying to protect himself with his body.

Data quickly shot up, throwing Werlan to the ground. "Werlan, Werlan," said Data as he checked him over. Werlan's eyes were clenched shut, hoping that he wasn't hurt but he was still breathing. "Wer... Werlan.... Wak... Wake up..." said Data as he wrapped his hands on the lapels of his jacket.

Werlan felt hands shake him and he opened his eyes. He saw Data shaking him and waved him off, looking over at the truck. There was a large hole in the side of the trailer and the entire cab was destroyed. There was a large hole in the concrete where the driver was and shards of his clothes remained.

"What the fuck was that?" Asked Data as he looked at the hole.

"How the hell should I know?" Asked Werlan as he pushed himself up. "That... That just didn't look right, eh."

"You don't fucking say. W-Was it a disease?" Asked Data as he turned back to face him.

"Since when do you turn into a walking bomb from a cold?" Asked Werlan as he rubbed his head. "Let's search for supplies and whatever then get out of here."

"Supplies? They could be contaminated and the air is probably filled with that stuff," objected Data.

"We'll wash off anything useful and leave food and water behind. Use this for the air born contamination," said Werlan as he handed Data a gas mask out of his back pack.

"Why do you carry all this shit around? And how?" Asked Data as he put the mask on.

"In case we get into trouble. Plus, I think that shock wave did a bunch of weird shit to me too, eh," said Werlan as he put on the mask and walked towards the truck. "I mean, any gun I shoot seems to hit like it was a larger caliber, plus I just can carry more than what I'm use to. I think I'm going crazy, eh?"

"Yeah... Weird..."

"At least I don't shoot electricity."

"I can't control what I got."

"Nor can I."

"Yeah, still weird though."

"Whatever Sparky." The two got into the truck, finding a number of wooden creates scattered around the truck that had fallen over from the swerving truck and the explosion afterwards.

"Let's see here..." said Werlan as he opened one of the creates. "Well look at this. Hit the jackpot." Inside each of the creates was a number of weapons, grenades, munitions, pieces of armor, and other kinds of weapons.

"Guy was a Runner," said Data as he looked through another case. "Illegal stuff, untraceable weapons, experimental armors and tech... Sold on sight to highest bidder."

"So, no owners at the moment. Well, all for us," said Werlan as he unloaded some creates. "I'm going to get a hose and bucket of soap from the car wash next to us."

"I guess I'm unloading this stuff then," said Data as he grabbed a crowbar. He started unloading the equipment as Werlan washed it down day after day. He gave each object to some of the other Anthros, loading up the vehicles with the weapons and armor.

"Alright, we got it all," said Werlan as he climbed back into the RV. Weapons sat on almost every part of the RV except in the driver's cabin.

"Yeah, looks suspicious as fuck. Good thing we're already wanted..." said Data as he tucked away a few weapons in the bedroom.

"Quit bitching, you get a better gun than a pistol," said Werlan as he sat in the passenger's seat.

"Yeah... Wait just a second," said Data. He grabbed an MP5A3 SMG from in back and walked outside. He fired a few shots at the truck's trailer. The bullets ripped through the trailer, leaving gaping holes through it with each shot much larger than any round shot from the SMG could ever do.

"Oh shit," said Data as he ran back inside.

"How'd you do that?" Asked Werlan as he saw the damage from the window.

"I didn't. You did," said Data as he started to drive away with the others following him.

"I did what now?"

"Well, you said your power does that right? Well, you handled all the guns and armor. So, maybe your powers are long lasting and all those guns just got a huge upgrade."

"Well... Maybe... We have a few more miles to go before we get there. I already went over the plan with the others at the stop."

"Good... You know you forgot a snack, right?"

"Shut up."

"There's some stuff in the kitchen if you want."

"No, there's guns in there now."

"Then where'd you put the food?"

"Behind the guns."

"Of course. Where else would you hide food. Behind unregistered firearms is the perfect idea. Obviously not the other way around."

"We're going to be shooting anything that tries to stop us anyways. So, I don't see the issue."

"You don't... The... WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU FOREIGN DIPSHIT!?"

"You want the alphabetical list, chronological, or just random generic one."

"...Forget that I asked." The two kept driving with only a few more miles to go to Gingdale.