literature

Purgatory High School Ch. 3 (Redone)

Deviation Actions

By
Published:
1.6K Views

Literature Text

Front Seat Brawl

    Fingers glide along holographic screens. The room is dark and a masked man sits alone. Behind the dark reflective mask are eyes that dart back and forth. Looking and scavenging through all the data in attempt to find his goal. He brings up a live vid along with a few profiles. The Anderson-Sanders family. Alliance parents with two adopted kids, both of whom have a sketchy history along with hidden information. No average security would be able to notice it, but he’s not average security. Within a minute he hacks into the information and a gigantic list appears.

    “Jax Shepard, known for a military tech inventor, has a history of being bullied. Typical from these generations. There are also some details that suggest he is a biotic, but it isn’t confirmed.” He looks threw the information and becomes more and more interested. He is responsible for the common military Omni-blade and other designs. A teen girl approaches beside him. She wears a dark crimson dress. Under it is some body armor fashioned to look like fashionable clothes that also come complete with gloves.

    “He’s a biotic. There is a video that shows him standing up to the Eclipse Sisters.”

    “Yes, I know. I’m curious of why him being a biotic is kept hidden.”

    “I’ll poke around a bring up anything I can, if you wish.”

    “Do it. If anything he’s going to be a candidate of the possible kidnap victims. We can’t allow that to happen.”

    “How many have there been?” The guy pauses for a second. He instinctively goes to bite his nail, but his mask prevents it. At least it is a good way to stop a bad habit. His hand swipes away the screen and another list appears, but this one is of names.

    “47 Kidnaps within the last three years. Overall 113 known kidnappings. Most of these are just kids who run away and are never heard of again. We can’t let anyone else be taken.”

    “Does…”

    “She knows.”

    “I didn’t think you would tell her about this.”

    “I didn’t. She told me.” The guy steps up and faces her. They both look at each other for a second before nodding. They’re scouting for someone today. They plan on baiting him out first, whether it be him or someone else. He will show.

~/~

    In front of the Armex Arena the group has finally gathered. Jax arrived by using Shepard’s hover board and carried Tali and Liara. It was odd, but thankfully Jax did add an extend feature to the board. It was a nice ride over all. The wind gave a nice cool touch and Tali strung up a conversation about the board. Jax decided to open up and tell her about how it was small mass effect cores that he developed.

    However Kaidan and Ashley’s ride was a little less unpleasant. James had to sit in the passenger seat while Robert, Steve, Ashley, and Kaidan were in the back. To make room Steve ended up sitting on Robert’s lap and Kaidan felt like he was sucking in his gut, but it didn’t do anything since he didn’t take up that much space. Ashley made a joke about how Steve and Robert make a cute couple since they’re so comfortable with each other. Kaidan rolled his eyes and tried squeezing himself a little more into the corner.

    “Have a nice ride?” Liara spoke to Ashley first. She shrugged and so Liara looked to Kaidan for a proper answer, but he just sighed. Though Steve and Robert seemed fine with the ride. James was bored. After that James and his gang left into the arena’s locker room. Jax’s group remained above to watch the matches.

    “Anybody want anything to eat?” They all say no at the same time. “What about to drink?” Once again everyone says no. Jax feels a little bit distant from everything. He’s trying his best to be friendly since he’s never really had friends. Asking and offering didn’t seem to work so he’s going with a different tactic now. In a split second he grabs Kaidan and drags him a few feet away from the girls. “I’m hungry. Come on!”

    “I… wait… what?” Kaidan is confused by everything and surprised to find out that Jax is a lot stronger then he appears, but doesn’t resist and retreat back to Ash and the others. He hears them snickering about how silly the two of them looks. When they’re near the food stand Kaidan stands for a few seconds while Jax looks at the menu before leaving.

    “K, you sure you don’t want anything?” Stopped dead in his tracks he ends up turning around. Kaidan is split into two minds. Try and be friendly and get out of his comfort zone or remain a loner and go to Ash. Kaidan makes his decision quickly and somewhat hesitantly.

    “I uh… just whatever is chocolate is fine.” Jax nods and goes up to order. In a minute he comes back with two cups of chocolate ice cream along with a chocolate bar.

    “Ice cream or the bar? You choose.”

    “Um… ice cream.” Once Kaidan takes a cup from Jax the two head back to the girls. Since it’s a little quieter, because the next match is prepping, he decides to ask Kaidan a few questions. Or at least try to connect with him more.

    “You don’t really socialize much, do you?”

    “Not really.”

    “I understand. I tend to be quiet a little more then I should.”

    “From everything I’ve seen I’d have thought you are the loudest person around.”

    “Ha. No. That’d be my brother. Truth be told I’m not usually like this. I just stay inside tinkering with tech until…”

    “… You don’t feel the need of others. Right?”

    “Ya. Guess breaking out of my shell is a little different than I thought of what it’d be.”

    “It’s not easy, but at least we have Ash to break it open for us.”

    “If she doesn’t bring out a sledgehammer first.”

    “Or a rifle!” The two started laughing and joking around. It mainly consisted of how Ashley and Shepard seem to be their complete opposites and that they both seem crazy in their own way. The two of them bond quickly. Whether it be their social awkwardness or how that simply needed someone to talk. Whatever it is they quickly became friends that seem like they knew each other forever.

~/~

    As Jax and Kaidan make it back they are actually unaware of the fact they’re being tailed. A guy is following, most likely to be eighteen or nineteen, and keeping a close eye on them and for security. However, his plans are disrupted by a presence he is unknown of. Harbinger.

    “You do know you’re being followed, right?” Instantly Jax turns around to see Harbinger. He points with his thumb at the mysterious man. Before Jax can get a good look he ducks into the crowd and disappears without a trace.

    “Something wrong?”

    “No. Nothing, Kaidan. Just felt a weird breeze pass by me.”

    “Huh?”

    “I thought something was there.”

    “Oh.”

~/~

    The man dodges down a few hallways until he’s alone. With no one in sight he puts in his ear comm. to be instantly lectured by the person on the other end.

    “You’re fleeing from the objective.”

    “I almost got spotted. Couldn’t get close enough.”

    “He isn’t going to be happy about this.”

    “Must I remind him of your failure with your last mission?”

    “First of all it was two missions ago. Second, you don’t exactly have a perfect record.” A click of a gun is heard. The charging sound rings to give a clear warning that it is ready to be fired. The man stops in place and taps on his ear comm. to get rid of his contact. When he turns around his face fills with rage as he sees the masked man.

    “You…”

    “Yes, me, anyone else want you dead?” A very low pitched voice comes from the masked man. It is obviously modified to hide his true voice.

    “…”

    “I’ll take that as a yes. I’m guessing you’re either trying to think of escape routes or ways to kill me. I’ve prepared for both.” The only exits of the hallway they’re in is now secured off by metal doors. This is a defensive mechanism of the building in case of unwanted visitors. “So, Kai Leng, shall we continue our last dance.” Kai Leng grits his teeth as he takes out a concealed blade. Blitz mimics and the two are locked in a sword lock.

    “I’ll kill you for everything you’ve done.”

    “We’ll have to wait and see.” Metal against metal can be heard. The girl in the crimson dress watches a security camera of the two fighting. She also checks the arena schedule and sees that his match is in about ten minutes. She looks around and spots Alenko and Jax with Ash, Liara, and Tali. With a quick flip of her hair she heads off toward them. Leng and Blitz are still going on with their duel. Soon Kai Leng gets annoyed and uses his biotic powers to get an advantage. Blitz merely mocks him to hide the fact he is unprepared for that.

    “Got a new upgrade? No wonder why you’re such a lapdog.” Kai Leng responds by drawing a gun. Blitz ducks into the storage right next to him to hide. Now it is now a game of cat and mouse. The room is not small, but it’s still big enough for Blitz to move around to strategize.

    “You’ve been a nuisance for long enough!” Kai Leng yells only to the dark shadows of the room. After a minute an echo occurs that originates from Blitz’s voice.

    “I’ve been a nuisance? Then I really must not be trying hard enough.” Leng bends down to the ground and concentrates. Blitz is on the ceiling railing and watching. Soon a gigantic biotic shockwave erupts in the room. Boxes and shelves go flying until it’s all cluttered in the corners. Blitz remains untouched in the ceiling. Leng, thinking he’s won, exits the room to make his escape.

    “Hey, Miri…”

    “What happened? Security is going crazy up here.”

    “Kai Leng got away. I think I pissed him off.”

    “Why do you say that?”

    “Well I pretty much called him a Cerberus dog then kicked the mutt. That ended up in a biotic shockwave.”

    “Wait, he’s a biotic? Second encounter and already throwing every trick out. Where are you anyway? Your match starts in a few minutes.”

    “In the ceiling railing.”

    “Right…”

    “I’ll be there in as soon as possible.” He drops down from the ceiling with a perfect landing. Security can be heard coming down so he activates a cloak over himself.

    “What the hell happened in here?!” Before another guard can come in and be shocked he slips out into the corridor. Within a few seconds he’s back in the crowd, and he’s getting swarmed by fans, so he activates his cloak again to disappear. Kai Leng has left the building and disappeared again. He’ll need to devise a new strategy to take care of him, and doing it alone it’s much of an option now.

~/~

    “Excuse me, but is this seat taken?” The girl in crimson approaches Jax and motions towards the seat next to him. Ashley gives her a menacing stare, but she doesn’t mind.

    “No. You may take it if you wish.” She gives a slight nod and sits next to him. Jax quickly looks to the side and notices Ashley’s stare along with confused looks from the rest. Well Liara and Kaidan at least. “Mind if I ask for your name?”

    “Miranda Lawson, and yours?”

    “Jax Shepard.” The two shake hands and resume watching for ending of the match. People are now storming into the building and taking up seats. The Masked Man, Blitz, is a celebrity on his own for his talent with shooting and being a mystery. “Here to watch the champion I take it?”

    “Yes. He’s an old friend.”

    “So you know him?”

    “Yes and no.”

    “I don’t understand.”

    “I know him, but I don’t know him.”

    “Ok…”

    “Mind if I ask why you are here, Shepard?” Jax stares at her for a few seconds. His brother is the one to go by Shepard, but when he’s called by his last name it gives him a slight pause.

    “I’m just seeing the highlights of Vancouver.”

    “New here?”

    “Moved in a few days ago.” The lights dim as the current match comes to an end. The score flashes on the main screens with people cheering, and some booing. The next event shows with “Blitz vs. Reapers”. Jax notices Harbinger looking closely at the word ‘Reaper’.

    “Odd name for an enemy.”

    “Probably just some developer thought of it randomly. Like how someone came up with the Grim Reaper.”  The masked man comes out and everyone starts to cheer. Miranda tenses a small bit as she casually scans the crowd without bringing attention to her. Jax continues his barely audible conversation with Harbinger. Then the first waves of enemies started to appear. Enemies called husks that once haunted Jax’s dreams. Cannibals and Marauders also appeared.

    “You had nightmares with enemies of these names, correct?”

    “Once, but these look different. Just random molds and forms now. The ones I know were just of others.”

    “Others?”

    “You don’t want to know.”

~/~

    Those nightmares used to keep me up almost every night. That was until Harbinger, but he’ll never admit to being the one to stop them. The enemies in the arena simulator compared to my nightmare monsters are completely different in appearance, but the same when it comes to actions. The arena monsters looked like something from a horror movie or game. Like deformed monsters from a cursed ghost town trapped in a giant fog. Hard to describe, but easy to spot.

~/~

    The match goes on for quite a bit. There are times when everyone is so quiet that you can hear a pin dropped, which is interrupted by shots and sword slashes. Then everyone is cheering like a maniac. Jax doesn’t cheer one bit. He simply watches Blitz move and takedown every opponent. Everyone is having a great time. They’re talking, cheering, and complaining. Yet, Jax has this unnerving feeling that won’t go away, and Harbinger being around isn’t helping.

    “Going somewhere?” Miranda speaks up as soon and he gets up. He is a bit alarmed that she is paying more attention to him then the match.

    “Just going to look around.”

    “Ok.” Jax squeezes through and starts to head up. Miranda stays put and watches Blitz fight. She has watched him time and time in the arena, but she knows that he chooses a very different technique of fighting to what he generally uses. He uses a rifle and pistol, but rarely his sword. Most of the time he doesn’t bring his sword to the arena. Then there is his mask that he always wears that jabs at her curiosity.

    “What exactly are you doing here, Lawson?” Ashley snaps her back into reality. Plans to discover Blitz’s identity is generally on her mind.

    “Why I’m watching the match. Isn’t that everyone in the crowd does?” Ash narrows her eyes at her. She looks like she’s about to punch Miranda right in the face, if given the opportunity.

    “You’re not the type for guns and shooting.”

    “Who’s to say? I might like explosions as well.”

    “And I like pretty dresses and make up. We both know you’re full of bullshit.”

    “You could use some tips for appeal.” Kaidan moves a few seats over to Liara and Tali. Ash and Miri have gone into a full blown verbal war. Throwing insults and witty comebacks. The problem is that they both seem matched.

    “They really hate each other.”

    “The Williams and Lawson family have never seen eye to eye. It even passes onto the next generations.” Kaidan gives some clarification, but Liara and Tali seem to be in disbelief.

    “I think this is just a teenage thing, Kaidan.”

    “Well I’m just stating what’s true.” The argument just ended up from witty comebacks to name calling. Kaidan felt the need of tearing off his head, mainly because he felt embarrassed, while Tali and Liara tried to calm them down. Just when things finally quieted down between them the score buzzed loudly as it displayed the total score. However, once again Blitz caused it to break and glitch. It mainly showed a score of ‘9999’.

    “Well looks like that’s that. I should get going.” Ashley doesn’t reply and just sits down with her legs extended. This meant Miranda had to go the long way around so she can exit. She just rolled her eyes and started walking, but stopped when the sound of biotic explosions are heard. In fact everyone turns their attention to the source, which is behind closed door. After two more explosions Jax comes crashing through and rolls down the stairs. He quickly regains his footing as six Asari teenagers come out the door. Despite each one dressing differently they all have the same symbol. The symbol of…

    “Eclipse Sisters!” People spoke up and from the excitement of the last match everyone thinks it is a special event. That’s quickly corrected at the guard that tries to apprehend them is thrown into the crowd. Some people scatter and run away while others move and watch from a safe distance. Jax makes a remark about this, but keeps it to himself.

    “What do you want with me?”

    “You hurt our sisters. We’re merely repaying the debt.”

    “I think I’ll pass. How about we call it off, hm? A clean slate?”

    “I don’t think so!” The leader practically screams it out while throwing a warp. Jax’s body is trying it’s best to resist its biotics. Anderson’s words are currently lingering in Jax’s ears and he knows it’ll be hell for him if he does something to show it. It’ll also be hell for him if he doesn’t. Before the warp collides with Jax he activates his Omni-tool and aims it right in front of him. He quickly shouts out into it.

    “Paladin!” The Omni-tool changes from its usual azure tint to a bright white. From it a shield is conjured at lightning speed and blocks the incoming warp. More follow, but the shield holds and keeps Jax safe. When the Eclipse Sisters become exhausted Jax then charges with his shield in his right hand as well as an Omni-blade in his left. The blade isn’t aimed to kill and will only stun them. He slashes one while shield bashing another. Two go down and start shaking from the effects of the attacks. One Asari bends down to them and screams as more warps come rushing out.

    “You bastard!” Another rushes up to Jax and then throws him. He doesn’t go far, but it’s still enough for them to get some breathing room. He collides into the railing yet it doesn’t knock him down completely. Though it seems like he may has a sore back in the morning.

    “That’s it…” Jax holds the shield up as he goes through his Omni. After a few seconds the shield disappears and silver bow takes its place. Jax pulls the holographic string back and shoots an arrow at one of the Sisters. It doesn’t pierce her and rather sticks. It also electrocutes her into submission. The second shot backfires and explodes. Some people are confused by the sight, but his friends can hear him cursing and he becomes dazed. The leader comes rushing forward and has pure intention of hurting Jax, or worse. Before her biotic powered fist can collide a hand grabs her, pushes her to the ground, and knocks her out. When Jax isn’t disoriented any longer he is surprised to see the Masked Man has come to his aid.

    “T-Thanks.”

    “Just focus.” His voice is deep, but Jax easily notes that it is masked. Just like his face, go figure. With four down and only two to go it becomes an even fight. With his Omni back to azure blue he gets ready to continue the fight. However, the rest of the Sisters have a different plan and decide to run away. They flee without a second thought of the others and that’s that.

    “Just like that? They talk and act as if they’re sisters then they run and leave them behind. Who are these people?” He looks at Blitz, but gets no response. He simply looks at the unconscious Asari and then to Kaidan and the others. Miranda gives a nod in the distance and starts to leave, but not in the way to the exit.  “You’re not going to say anything, are you?”

    “… No.” Jax grows slightly irritated, but lets it go. For him one fight is enough for today. His friends quickly come up to him and ask if he’s fine. To be specific Liara and Kaidan check to see if he is injured while Tali comments on the tech and Ash encouraging Jax for beating Eclipse.

    “Guys… can we… go? I don’t like being the center of attention.”

    “What are you talking about?”

    “Oi! Jax!” James’ voice can be heard and Jax tries to make his escape, but is stopped by pain from his back.

    “There’s James…” He points to the screens around the arena which show Jax and his friends. “… and then there are those.”

~/~

    That’s what happened. Those Eclipse Sister thought of ambushing me at the arena and it didn’t end well for them. They’re fine, but got arrested. Security was probably going to arrest me as well, but for some reason they seemed to have been called to leave me alone. Nothing was asked from me and I was just told to go. Strange right? James was getting ready for his match when I got into my fight. He was impressed at the very least. He also tried buttering up to me to get my Omni-Shield. I flat out rejected him. It was funny because he pretended that he was heartbroken.

    I could have gotten help form my friend, but this isn’t the bullying where I’m pushed into a corner for my credit chip. This was a full out ‘Shep-has-to-fight-to-protect-me’ fight. On the side note everyone was so occupied with watching that it seemed they forgot to record the fight. The security footage was also tampered with. Guesses are that Eclipse did that so once they were done with me they could get away. Probably because on Earth there is a stereotype that all Asari look the same. So that was my little adventure, but I kind of wondered what Shepard was up to. I mean when I got home at night he still wasn’t home.

~/~

    Once again there is the masked man all alone in a room. Miranda comes up to him, but this time in pajamas. She yawns and shields her eyes from the bright screen.

    “Go to sleep. It’s Monday tomorrow.”

    “I rarely ever sleep.”

    “Right… you’re a damn zombie.” He ignores her for a second and rewinds a video. Security footage to be exact. Miranda leans on his chair and stares with one eye slightly closed. “That some kind of new tech?”

    “No. Not exactly. See when the bow explodes? If it was purchased it wouldn’t malfunction. This is obviously created by Jax and Jax alone.”

    “That Omni-shield, whatever it’s called, seems pretty useful. It even defends pretty well again biotic attacks. Who knows what else he’s made.”

    “That makes him a valuable asset.”

    “I doubt Cerberus would be able to get Jax to join them. Considering they’re xenophobic and Jax isn’t the chatty type.”

    “What did you get from him?”

    “Besides that his Omni-tool has a class nine firewall and one mix up would alert him. Then my answer is nothing. So far he’s a smart teen boy with teen needs. He’s also friendly.”

    “Alright get some sleep, Miri. You’ll need it for tomorrow.” She nods and turns towards the door. Halfway there she stops and decides to ask the question.

    “Hey, B?”

    “Hm?”

    “When am I going to know you’re real name?”

    “… I don’t know...” He turns back to the screen of the footage from the arena.  He rewinds it and fast-forward at key points, but pauses the video on one spot specifically. He leans forward with his hands tangled. It shows Jax ready to release the first shot from his Omni-bow. Blitz studies his expression and continues examining the footage even after Miri leaves.

This wasn't meant to take so long to be posted, but kept getting side tracked. I also didn't get much time to reread this so expect mistakes. I still think Microsoft word changes my words without tell me.
© 2014 - 2024 VfBlitz
Comments0
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In