Chapter 8: Chapter #8
|Maximum Armor| Nanosuit Interface.
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"So, it appears that Hargreave wanted the N1's to be field tested against Ceph." Zeno finished his minute lore summary as he and Nomad kept walking.
Nomad also kept the video feed open to share information with the rest, while Zeno hacked their comms to be able to hear them.
<That son of a bitch!> Psycho was the first to react.
<Well, I can understand the reasoning but who would refuse after hearing the possible alien invasion> Aztec commented while Prophet was silent.
'He gave me more information compared to Hargreave. Zeno must be extracted out of the island at the first chance.' Prophet thought to himself.
"Anyway, here Nomad take the pistol. This one works with Ceph Technology. It sucks the heat off the atmosphere to recharge or you can just use other energy sources." Zeno threw the gun like it was worth nothing.
Suddenly everything went silent, even on the other parts of the island the Raptor Team stopped while Nomad was looking at Zeno like he was a monster.
"Oh right, nukes probably won't work on them since they can suck heat and turn it into energy they can use." Zeno reminded them before continuing to move.
<Did he just...> Prophet was dumbfounded.
<I don't even want to know how he did it let's just find Aztec.> Jester cut the topic right away.
<Fucking mad scientists man...> Psycho said.
"Sir, enemies up ahead. Please wait here while I take them out." Nomad suddenly stopped Zeno.
Zeno, who had realized he just became an escort in an escort mission just nodded before sitting on a rock.
He still needs to modify his rifle with Ceph Technology, he is not eager to shoot people.
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Zeno got up after he stopped hearing gunshots and found Nomad who was collecting magazines from the dead North Korean soldiers.
"Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I picked up a Ceph signal up ahead where Aztec should be." Zeno awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
Nomad stilled for a second before nodding and started to run.
<Please wait here!> His voice came through the radio.
Zeno had no intention of listening to him, he must get the data off from Aztec's suit.
Also he is an escort now, he must cause trouble for his protector. It's not like he can die anyway.
Oh yes, Zeno tried his apparent immortality over the years, while he doesn't grow golden scales yet. He can walk off basically any injury including complete disintegration.
That one was especially painful for Zeno and caused a short amnesia leading Zeno to believe only his body was immortal so far.
While Zeno ran after Nomad, he was still behind. After all, he cannot keep up with Nomad who was moving at superhuman speeds.
By the time he caught up to him, Nomad was already with Jester looking over Aztec's mangled corpse.
"He got done by Ceph alright." Zeno commented before taking out his gadgets.
"I thought I told you to wait at the beach!" Nomad snapped.
"Currently I am the only Ceph expert you have, suck it up." Zeno replied and sent a video feed to their systems.
It was the last moments of Aztec with clear shots of Ceph attacking him.
"It almost seems like they're hunting us exclusively." Jester commented after watching the feed.
<Any comments doc?> Psycho asked over the radio. He was no longer goofy about the mission.
"Well, you guys are basically wearing cheap knockoffs of their exoskeleton. They are naturally curious..." Zeno mumbled the end of his words.
The team said nothing, they understood their purpose here and knew they couldn't quit.
"Here Jester keep the rifle. It's modifications are finished." Zeno threw his rifle to Jester.
'He is going to die next, maybe this would save him.' Zeno thought.
"Thanks..." Jester replied dispirited.
<I need to vaporize the body, please move back.> Prophet's voice cut the gloomy atmosphere.
"Still not used to that shit!" Jester spat.
<Jester, stay behind and cover our tracks. Nomad, move ahead. Dr. Zeno, I have a feeling you will not be going back to the beach.> Prophet relayed orders before he asked Zeno.
"Well, I have my way around the island, I have been avoiding the Koreans for a week. Don't worry about me. Let's meet up later." Zeno said before taking off after Nomad.
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"Sir, with all due respect but why did you give that rifle to Jester while I got the pistol?" Nomad asked after Jester separated from them.
"He is most likely to die next. I am planning on passing the rifle to the people who's going to die next." Zeno replied not a second later stunning Nomad.
"Then why are you following me?" Nomad asked again.
"I am not, I will be separating once we reach the peak ahead, like I said. I know my way around the island." Zeno smiled mysteriously before parting ways.
Nomad looked at the retreating figure of the Doctor before shaking his head. He felt like nothing bad would happen to the Doctor for some reason.
It would be hours later where Nomad would see Zeno being taken away by KPA soldiers inside a jeep. He still had that mysterious smile still on his face.
<Uhhh... Guys, KPA got Zeno. I just saw him being taken. They were too far I cannot catch up> Nomad reported.
He had just got intel from one of the military bases and saw them driving off. He was too dumbfounded to react.
<Damnit! Why did we let him go alone anyway?> Prophet cursed.
<Well, boss. After he took out one of those Ceph bastards I figured he'd be fine on his own.> Psycho reasoned.
They all figured Zeno would be fine since he appeared really confident and with his track record there was no reason to doubt his words but the reality was different.
<Hold on, I just got an update from Zeno, it seems they hadn't noticed his communication device, he is providing me with intel.> Prophet suddenly said.
The Raptor Team didn't know how to respond to that. This random civilian had been doing a better job than them so far.
The surprises didn't end there...
|Software Update Detected... Updating 100%|
|Ceph to English Translation Software has been installed.
Developer Note: Felt cute, might delete later/Dr.Zeno\|
"..."
<*Radio Silence*>
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Previously Zeno would not be able to create such a software in such a short time frame especially with such complex language but he had an epiphany during his vacation on the island.
His Origin might have manifested as a system but his Origin is still "System".
It means he should have an easier time with anything system related. He had the answer, next he started to put everything into systems in his mind, like weapons systems, language systems, computer systems.
He imagined everything he knew like it was a skill tree under System designation. This allowed him to benefit from his natural advantage.
Ironically all Zeno had needed was a skills tab which he refused in his previous life.
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After getting over the shenanigans of Zeno, the Raptor Team started to move to the distress signal.
Prophet was getting real time updates from Zeno, so they were not worried about him.
It appears KPA was taking him to a school building where another hostage was being interrogated.
Currently the team was observing the frozen ship in the middle of the island covered in frost.
The scene made them remember the guns Zeno made for the team.
"Turning heat into energy, at a bigger scale it could do this right?" Nomad asked the question in everyone's mind.
"Well, he said they could tank nukes. I'd say this is quite the evidence." Jester backed up.
"Hey, boss, I found a topographic map here." Surprisingly, it was Psycho that focused on the mission this time.
Prophet sighed as he updated the team's map with the new objective before a Ceph burst through and grabbed Jester.
"Motherfucker!" Prophet's voice was filled with emotions rivaling Samuel L. Jackson.
Unfortunately they were not able to rescue Jester and the weapon that was given to him by Zeno got in the hands of Nomad.
Prophet didn't trust Zeno completely to use it. Psycho was more interested in the pistol Zeno made.
Thus the rifle fell into the hands of Nomad who remembered why Zeno gave it to Jester.
He suddenly felt chilly but he got himself together quickly before moving on.
"I will stay here and listen to enemy communications. Nomad, you go to Zeno's location and retrieve him alongside that hostage. Psycho will join you soon." Prophet said.
"Any updates from the doctor?" Psycho asked.
Prophet stilled for a second to check the lastest info from Zeno, then his face screwed like he ate a whole lemon.
"Let's just say he is enjoying his vacation. Also Nomad, take your time on the way, it doesn't sound like he will be finished any time soon." Prophet said before Nomad left.
The two members of the Raptor Team looked at each other in confusion but their commander didn't clarify.
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