Annihilators

The Loss of an Ally

Lance had gone through a tremendous amount of pain, and suffering. But nothing tormented him more than seeing a friend of his fall at the knees of an evil monster like Sari.

"As you can see, I have created a mental chamber within this patient's mind", Sari announced to the crowd that sat before the stage. "This patient in particular, is the most powerful of all the patients. He was infused with two separate forms of energy that have greatly enhanced his physical being. His mind was also induced with every martial art form known to man, from ancient forms of Kenpo to Tai-chi. Even now the energies he has been bonded with continue to develop themselves into a large array of possibilities. Combined with his physical prowess, the potential within him are endless."

Lance wanted to rush to Greg and get him away from her, but he couldn't.
The robots surrounding him had blades pressed against his and his friends spinal cords. Even if he was fast enough to subdue his robot, there was nothing that said his friends could escape for sure.

"This patient is one of his kind, and will only answer to me", Sari continued. "I will align my services with the highest bidder as long as you agree to my previous arrangements."

Chatter could be heard from within the crowd, but it was all interrupted by Ernest who yelled, "Greg doesn't answer to you; LET HIM GO!".

The robot above Ernest didn't seem to take kindly to his outburst. It began to raise its bladed arm upwards in order to strike him down, but Sari raises her hand to the bot for it to stand down.
Sari walked towards Ernest who was kneeling on the left side of the stage.
She stood in front of him, and struck him in the face with a swift kick.

"Who gave you permission to speak?", Sari said to him, in a condescending tone.

Lance was boiling with anger; he wanted nothing more than to strangle Sari with his own two hands. On his left was Sanai, who was crying at the sight of being sprawled helplessly on the floor.
Sari looked to Sanai, and chuckled as if she found her tears amusing.

Sari then looked to James, who was kneeling to right and Ernest and said to him, "Thank-you for returning the patients to my care. I have to give you credit for the serums you produced to subdue them. Without it I wouldn't have been able to orchestrate this capture, though I'm surprised at you James. You are a man who's intelligence exceeds that of most men, yet you did not suspect that I'd become aware of an abnormality in my own system?".

James looked up towards her with an expressionless look, "I figured you would, even when I was working for you, nothing ever got passed you."

Lance could only see red at the moment.
James knew that she'd be waiting for them, yet he said nothing.

"I assume part of this little escapade is more than just for revenge", Sari said. "Is this a way for you to atone for your sins; a way for you to free yourself from the horrors you committed towards others over the recent months?"

James just stared at her, his face still void of emotion.

"Hm", Sari said, as if his silence answered her question. "So tell me; is this failed attempt the extent of your abilities?".

James's blank stare formed into a sinister grin, "Don't count on it.... initiate protocol X-17!"

With that command, every robot surrounding the group shut down immediately.
James had already cut himself loose long ago apparently, as he easily ripped away from his ropes.
Lance and the others did the same thing, and they all stood up, ready to face Sari once and for all.

"Sorry, but I couldn't let you know every detail about the plan", James explained. "If she even suspected that we had something else in store, then this plan would be a bust to begin with."

Lance didn't care for James's reasonings, and he could've kept his apology. Lance only wanted to confront Sari from that moment on.

"You're gonna' answer for everything you've done", Lance said, aggressively.

Sari looked upon the group and laughed hysterically. Her laughs just made him even angrier; there was nothing funny about what they had to go through because of her.

"You all are remarkable subjects indeed, but you still lack the proper skills to defeat me", Sari turned towards Greg who was still lying on the ground behind her. "Beloved, subdue these would-be assailants, but don't kill them yet".

Greg suddenly disappeared, and Lance's eyesight became black.
He felt someone choking him around his neck, but all he could make out was a pair of glowing, white yes.
When his sight cane to, he saw that it was Greg who was holding him by his neck.
He tried to pry Greg's hands away, but his grip around Lance was steel tight.

"Greg...", Lance trued to call out to him.

Behind Greg, Sari began to laugh again, even more hysterically this time.