Infinity Guardian

Chapter 12: The Bicen

Dr Talc gives Bioseus a grin. Bioseus remains wordless and astonished.

He then snaps out of the astonishment remembering what Empathy told them about Talc.  "You!" He growls with anger. He begins pummeling him on the head blind with furious rage until blood trickles like a tap off of his face. Surprisingly, Metallic holds him  back.

"We need him alive to pay for his crimes" Metallic reminds him.

"He deserves to die for the atrocities he has committed. He is the true monster!" Bioseus shouts back.

"I know, but nobody deserves to die not even this monster" Metallic replies.

"After all he's done to you!" Bioseus asks with slight confusion.

"Yes" Metallic replies simply.

"I'd love to stay and chat but I've got places to be" Talc tells the two calmly.

"You aren't going anywhere" Bioseus shouts.

Talc makes a face indicating "I don't think so". He makes a hand gesture send them both flying into the wall. He reveals another wand from his robes and makes the shape of a door in the air with his wand causing a portal to appear in the air. He waves as he steps in it. As the two try to follow the portal closes behind making them stumble, only to look up seeing some kind of human, bull and machine mash up towering above them. 

Kyela and Hand-Eye make their way round to flank. They take out the soldiers beside The Bicen with their tactical flank, with support from the leftover soldiers who fire behind cover distracting the enemy . Kyela pulls out a blade and tackles Crimson Claw. Hand-Eye shoots at the now exposed Bicen while behind cover. Bicen turns to fire at her but this giver Infinity Guardian enough time to plunge his blade into the cybernetic mutant monstrosity.  The Bicen roars in anguish as it attempts to pound Infinity Guardian. But John, moving quickly, dodges the blows and punches it in weak spots with his blade still lodged into the beast. His powerful punches eventually break down the the part machine monster. It was a battle of speed vs endurance. When The Bicen can endure no more it falls to the ground in a crash nearly causing Infinity Guardian to lose his balance. He dislodges his sword and sinks it deep into the creature which silences the whirring machinery and flesh. While the other two are occupied Kyela wrestles with Crimson Claw. Kyela manages to stab her and Crimson Claw manages to be get a shot on Kyela before stumbling away and getting into a nearby vehicle for a close call getaway. 

The other Bicen lifts Metallic and Bioseus with ease like a body builder doing their daily warm up weights. It slams them into the wall once again. The Bicen continues to coolly crush them into the wall with futile retaliations from it's prey. 

"We have the order to blow up the facility, it's now or never ma'am" One of the tactical advisors informs Kyela over comms.

"Fine fire away, we can't handle any more attack waves" Kyela orders.

"What about Bioseus and Chibwe?" Asks John with genuine worry.

"They'll find a way. We have no choice!" Kyela tells him.

The missiles were released....

"MISSILES  INCOMING! MISSILES INCOMING! MISSILES INCOMING!" A device on Metallic's belt begins warning him. 

"Uh oh" Bioseus says, eyes wide with fear. He uses the remaining suit power to fire a powerful stunning blast against the BIcen. 

"We've got to get out of her" He announces.

"There's no time!" Metallic replies. "Get under me!"

"What?!" Bioseus asks.

"Just do it!" Metallic orders with urgency.

Bioseus curls as small as he can under the part metal giant. 

Then time seems to stop as the flames of the explosion engulf the facility. Metallic's skin and flesh melts away into molten metal dripping all over him and setting almost simultaneously while his clothing and equipment is disintegrated into fine black powder. Bioseus feels the sudden heat which then dissipates. But what was now above him was more astonishing. He was almost crushed by the weight increase as his comrade was now a naked metal giant with no flesh remaining. It was like skin, still with the same features and shapes, but a peculiar silver, weight and hardness to it. Metallic stands, reborn. 

The scraps of metal that was once Bicen charges at Metallic. He punches the monster with a new found tremendous strength causing the beast to collapse in a heap on contact. He offers a hand to help up the astounded Bioseus. His armour was charred but he was alive, all thanks to Metallic. 

"How?" Bioseus asks simply.

"I am unsure but The Wizard said that after his experiments when I am injured my flesh reforms as a near indestructible metal called Barax originating from another planet." Metallic explains while looking himself up and down. "Looks like the explosion destroyed all my flesh making my body now fully comprised of Barax. How I am still able to move interests me but I feel better than ever."

Bioseus attempts not to look at his now exposed gentiles with difficulty. "Lets get you back to the other for some clothes" Is all he is able to say. 

Metallic strides to the front of the facility through the rubble while Bioseus limps behind him. 

"They're alive!" Hand-Eye announces when she sees them on the rubble. 

The group work quickly to get Metallic some clothing. 

"We did it!" Kyela exclaims "Huge thanks to you two" She says to Infinity Guardian and Bioseus.

"It was our duty" Infinity Guardian replies.

"Now we can free the other facilities in the continent and the rest of the world" Kyela announces. "We have given hope to the world with The Techno Wizard in hiding and one of his facilities destroyed, rebellion will arise everywhere!"

At that moment Vannessa approaches the group. "Are we ready to leave" She asks Bioseus and Infinity Guardian.

"Do you mind if we visit London first?" Asks Bioseus.

Kyela pulls a worried face. "Can I talk to Vannessa a minute? In private." He asks.

The two walk out of earshot from the others. 

"I wouldn't recommend them visiting England. Civil war broke out a few years back, the place is a wasteland. Furthermore, climate change accelerated exponentially submerging flat coastal regions like Norfolk." Kyela tells her with worry.

"I see." Vannessa replies.

"Do you mind if I join you you guys in space? Kyela is a better leader than me and can handle it from here." Metallic asks.

"Of course! They'd love you to join us" She answers.

Vannessa tells the two that they have had enough Earth for now and that Metallic will join them. Metallic says his goodbye to his great friends and grants full command to Kyela. 

"I will miss you!" He says to Kyela and Hand-Eye as they leave for the Infinity Court Space Station.     

"You want a drink?" Kyela asks Hand-Eye.

"I could definitely do with one!" Hand-Eye replies.

"What do you think will happen to Crimson Claw?" Kyela wonders out loud.

"No idea" Hand-Eye replies truthfully as they have a toast in their camp.