[IC] Fight or Flight

[SaikaAnge]

"Director, we have sent armed scouts to search for the missing subjects. We will get them back, sir."

The voice was followed by static and no further news. Anger arose and the room felt unbearable with stress. The subjects were gone. The were valuable assets in their research. They could no afford to lose them.

"Your incompetence set them free. I should hope it will not stand in the way of retrieving them. They were each a pretty penny and cornerstone in my research. Do not lollygag on this task. I need those subjects."

The radio fell to static for a moment before the voice came back with the obedient reply.

"Yes, sir."

As the radio was turned of the room was filled with silence once more. The mood continued its angry streak, but mellowed with the thought of the subjects back in their custody.

---

---

A BIT EARLIER

---

---

Emerson

Getting out of there was all a blur, but now she was running. Running for her life. Along side the others that were trapped in that horrid place. She would never trust another person in a white coat or with a badge. 'Never again.' she thought to herself. She shook the thought from her mind and thought of what was happening now. What she was doing and what was best for her survival. Even if it was selfish, she was concerned with her own escape almost more than where they would all go after this. They had escaped from a place no one escapes from. What would they do?

The alarm began to fade in the distance as she ran. If she flew they would shoot her down, she had to run and fast. The wind her speed caused, made her hair slip behind her ears. She couldn't stop running, not yet. They would follow them. However, once she got far enough, she could easily fly away. Once in a safe location they could decide what to do next.

Emerson used her peripherals to glance at the others beside her. The other "subjects", they were called. There were more of them than people chasing them, so to confuse them, the group of "kids" separated. Two groups taking off in two different but similar directions. They would meet at a checkpoint if they were able to successfully escape, and so far so good. Em shot a slight smile to the person to her right and kept running. She only slowed due to a large rock cliff towering in front of them.

"Anybody got any bright ideas? We go up, we get shot down." Em said looking back at the others around her. Going up wasn't a very good option just yet. They would practically be sitting ducks out in the open, but she didn't have any brilliant ideas coming to mind at the moment. Her heart was racing and she was catching her breathe as she looked back to see how far behind their tail was. "We have time, but not too much of it. So I suggest someone come up with something fast." Emerson herself was usually calm under pressure, but being outside the walls was a first to her. She grew up behind those barred windows and caged courtyards.

[Americore]

Upon the subjects separating, Dom gave a quick fist bump to one of his buds that split off with another group. He was monitoring his adrenaline levels so as to keep them in check while they ran. No point yet for him to go full beserk with a...oh great a freakin rock face??! Well if we had never thought speed bumps would be a thing in our plan we would be a naive bunch. As they slowed up upon reaching the edge of their road he gazed upon Em who was attempting to get our group on the same page.

Any other ideas of what to do huh? Em is right in her assumption. To utilize our wings would be suicide here. However, I am not the type to come up with plans. Dom thought to himself as he spun around to gaze in the distance at the approaching facility workers. "You know me Em, if y'all big brains need time I can offer at least that until you figure out a way out of this nonsense." Dom replied as he began to slowly raise his adrenaline up in case they gave the go ahead.

[ElfLordElphias]

Cool composure had always been one of the many strong points of Izuru Kamukura, but now? Now, he finds himself disappointed. Some part of him is almost grateful for this sudden shift in emotion; at last, he's graced with something that isn't complete and utter boredom. However, that didn't make his mood any less disagreeable.

Grouped with the most elite of the elite, Izuru would finally escape the clutches of the talentless. He would finally be granted freedom to do what he could so choose, with no rules, regulations, or anesthesia to withhold him. He felt cheated. The escape plan he and the other subjects so meticulously pieced together in secret went well. Too well. It was perfect to the letter, and everything went as expected.

How boring.

Izuru sped along with one half of the group, expertly weaving through trees, other hybrids, and numerous other obstacles as he ran. Skidding to a stop, Izuru examined the cliff before him with an arched eyebrow. "...I don't recall ever planning around an obstacle quite this size," he noted with a slight air of anticipation. Perhaps there would be an unaccounted variable in their plan after all.

[LordofthePies]

-Forget I Said Anything-

[Vesuvius00]

Kallan Alistair

Running like this was nice, though Kal would've enjoyed it more if she wasn't running for her life at the moment. It was always too cramped, too crowded to run or even move around in the facility. The scientists had kept them in what amounted to a human-sized birdcage- but at least she'd given a couple of them payback for, well, everything. She smiled to herself as she remembered the look on one of their faces as she "convinced" the guard that had been with them to knock them all out. A little bit of loyalty can go a long way, of course getting away from the guard after then had been a little tricky, but it was easier than it would have been with some scientist telling him where to aim.

She nearly ran into the cliff face as she tripped herself in order to stop in time. Her hands went in front of her to catch the wall of rock before her head would hit, and she was able to steady herself in a second, standing up straight once she did. It wasn't very graceful but this situation didn't really need any grace, they needed luck. "Umm, go left? or right, it doesn't matter. We've got a 50-50 chance that they won't pick the direction we do." She looked to Dom as he suggested getting them a little more time, smiling slightly. "I'll help you with that, if you don't mind."

[SaikaAnge]

Emerson

Emerson thought about their choices for another moment then turned back to the to that said they could offer extra time. "I don't think that will be necessary guys. We go right. If we go down far enough we can get a larger distance between us and them. If we can do that, the feathery thingys on our backs, well we can use them then." she explained to the group. "Sound good to you guys? Because we don't have much longer to get that distance farther." Em looked at the scouts coming. They were still a good bit away, but they were catching up.

Em took a deep breath, sighed, and started running again whether she was followed or not. She hoped they would follow but it was their choice if they wanted to split again or follow. "I'm out!" She called back, looking to see who all was following her. It wouldn't take long to increase the distance, but she wanted to get as far away from there as she could. 'I am never going back there again. Not as long as I'm breathing.' she thought to herself as she ran, dodging trees and the occasional shrub.

[Americore]

@Vesuvius00

A smile formed across Dom's face as Kal suggested helping him out. "If you are wanting to run wild too then be my.." Dom was cut off when Em brought a plan of action to the group on going right. He looked back to Kal and said, "That sounds like a smarter plan to me. We can wreck them another day."

Dom turned tail and took off after Em. The flow of "Leader to subject" was pretty clear with Dom. In this dire situation, he just gravitated to whomever pulled the trigger first. As he was dodging and weaving through trees his adrenaline levels were helping him out with the gap between him and the others that took off.

[sassy1085]

Autumn

Autumn had nothing on her mind but running for her dear life and try not to get caught, she was running with the group while the other group separating and just keep running until the group to find large rock cliff towering in front of them.

Emy ask if one of them have a plans, Autumn was about to said something and she kept quite since she doesn't have any ideas, Ronan ask if we can go down, that may work but we may broke something in the process, Emy said they go right "sound great" Autumn said as she follows, "ok whats the next idea?" Autumn ask emy

[ElfLordElphias]

...well then.

Izuru watched as the ragtag group of hybrids he accompanied darted off to the right, forcefully rerouted due to the unforeseen cliff standing in their path. 'How did we even miss something this size?' he thinks to himself, running to join them. The place they were all kept - a mix between a laboratory and a prison - wasn't too constricting when it came to view. They could all see the outside world. A cliff this size couldn't have been unnoticed.

Oh well. Right now, it matters little.

Wings itching to be used, instincts crooning to cast aside all caution and fly, fly up and away, Izuru suppressed his desire and ran. Hopefully, the scouts pursuing them would tire soon. The hybrids couldn't keep running forever.

[LordofthePies]

Ronan glared at Emerson as a response, he was tired of all this running. He rolled his eyes in slight annoyance but followed Em when she bolted. Never really being able to exercise in the facility seemed like it was a mild protection against escapees like him. Ronan was not made for running. His legs ached, but he kept following, knowing it was too late to go back now.

[SaikaAnge]

Emerson

Emerson's feet were begining to ache and her legs began to burn. She knew her, let alone evryone else, couldn't keep running like this. Glancing back, she made the risk to open her wings a little. Running blew air in between her feathers, a feeling she didn't feel often enough. Until the group caught on, Em didn't extend her wings to their full length. She knew she was taking a risk and a big one at that, but she couldn't walk, let along walk anymore and she didn't want the others to have to.

It seemed their trail was far enough behind that it would be safe. So she pushed off the ground and let loose her full wingspan and glided through the trees, keeping just high enough she could still keep hidden in the red woods.She didn't say a word before doing so. Em didn't mean to take a leadership position, but someone had to think quick. 'Boy, did I miss this.' Em thought as she flew. She stayed low enough and kept her speed down for the others to join. Once they were all in the air, the direction they took was all their own. If they so pleased, they could split or stay together. Em had known them from the years they spent together, but didn't know them for who they were. Only as other experiments. She almost felt bad for it. Like she was doing injustice to everyone by not knowing them personally. 'If we don't part ways I will completely meet at least one.'

Her thoughts were all about what life would be like now, as a free person. A tail would be easy to lose again and again, but it would get tiring. If pushed too far she even considering fighting back. Not like she didn't enjoy the crackling screams of pain they had created on their way out to some of the more "disliked", to put kindly, guards. Em hated their guts and would never trust another doctor again.

[DeathXtheXTree]

Karu

Getting out of the grasp of the facility staff was the easy part, running was just as easy, but moving away from one group and going with the other? Well that was easy to. Running came to Karu like drinking water, considering that the faculty staff had him running on a treadmill for as long as he could remember, even with his high stamina, he can tire and burn out after a few hours of jogging. He listened to what one of the other hybrid said, and ran with the their group, making sure that they didn’t get caught. He could easily take down one or three of the staff, but to take on a private army? They would easily subdue him like nothing. He had power, yes, but they had the numbers on their side – they can take him out like nothing.

As they kept running, they came to a halt at a wall, a cliff to be exact, and they’ve talked on how to get out here. Karu isn’t one for planning, but he glanced to see that the “Private” army were right on their asses, not that he can complain. He counted, three to seven of them heading their way, and Karu isn’t one for the math. He started to scratch at a blotch on the backside of his hand, using his nails to pick at the skin. Standing still was getting to him, they needed to move, to run, to take flight, but it was right there when the one, Emerson, said to keep running along side of the wall. He would’ve aid something about going right, he had been down these walls when the faculty were trying to subdue him when he went ramped after certain… training sessions. He had forgotten what was in the direction. If only he could remember what was over here, he would say it, but nothing came to mind. He had a bad feeling about going this way, even if he can’t remember what was over here.

So, he subconsciously activated his ability by hardening his flesh starting from his head going down. He managed to keep up with the group, but faltered a little to remain behind the group. These men were not going to give up that easily, and to him, this was the best way to make sure that this group made it safely outside of the walls. “Go on ahead! I’ll keep them busy!” He yelled as he turned and rushed at the people were coming at them.

He didn’t stop to hear what the others might say as he started his momentum and spat out the suckers stick from his mouth, his ability in full use harden his body to the point where if he tried to stop, he would trip and leave a crater. He charged at the first man, who held a dart gun and proceeded to shoot tranquilizers at him. The darts only bounced off of his skin, and if these men knew him beforehand, they might have packed some heavy explosives to knock him out – they weren’t thinking. Karu managed to break the man’s ribcage as soon as he ran into the man, breaking the vertebrae in the process. He didn’t stop running, thus causing him to run into the next man, who managed to get out of the way in time, but laughed as soon as he seen how thin Karu really is. He really never understood as to why he was so thin, maybe high metabolism? He really never questioned it, but the other men surrounded him with their dart guns pointed at him. He would’ve laughed at their attempt to take him out, when he has his ability activated, but paled (three sheets paler that his normal skin tone (he would be considered to be albino)) at the sight of stun gun, which was designed strictly for him.

He knew these guns have AMP’S several times over the normal limit to take him down, which is nine to ten times more deadly for a normal person, but enough to take him out without causing real harm on him. His flight or fight senses kicked in as he stared at the skies, and hoped that he bought enough time for the rest of he group when he knew his fate right now. He unraveled his wings, which were a lot smaller than the others, but the white (silver) and red wings spread far enough to take flight as he took off almost an instant. He only made it ten feet in he air before he was shot down by the stun guns that some of the faculty staff had readied for him. With his ability still active, he screamed in pain as jolts of electricity ran through his body, but fought back by a few more feet before he finally fell unconscious. Making a crater, about several feet in diameter, but three feet deep.

Karu was unscathed, but the electrical current that ran through his body made him twitch. Before he had blacked out, he hopped that he had given enough time for the others to escape.

[LordofthePies]

Ronan instinctively unfurled his wings when he noticed Emerson take off. He watched her go up and move away from him, almost mesmerized by the thought of flying again. He didn't notice how bad his legs hurt until now. He wanted to fly. He began to slow down and flapped his wings, taking flight. Ro attempted to catch up to Em but didn't really bother. He was behind her, but still far enough away that he wouldn't be technically following her. He did a little spin, clearly enjoying being able to fly again. Even being in the comfort of the air, he felt like something was off. It sickened him. He flew above Emerson, hoping she would hear what he had to say.

"Something's wrong. I'm getting the feeling that maybe someone didn't make it out, or is in serious trouble. I think we should go back... if you don't I will."

@SaikaAnge

[Americore]

@lordofthepies @Vesuvius00 @SaikaAnge
Dom's ears perked up at the sound of ,"...if you don't, I will" from Ronan. Adrenaline beginning to race at the thought of someone going down behind us. As he began to slow his pace up he whipped his head over to Kallan, "You still down to help?" Then he redirected his gaze to Ronan, "Let's go get our brother."

Waiting to see the response from the group as to who would stay and who would go, Dom began to prepare himself. His breathing became a slow cadence, taking in strong, slow breaths, and then releasing them with a three count. Across his body, veins began to be seen more visibly as each moment faded. His eyes trailed to Em , "If this is not a group effort, is there an end point that someone has deemed good for us to meet you all at? Or at this point are we flying by the seat of our pants?"

[SaikaAnge]

Emerson

Emerson looked back in partial surprise. She watched as the men shot darts at Karu. "Dont...!." Em began to yell to him but they had got him. 'Damnit... We need to get somewhere safe.' Em thought as she stopped flying and stayed in the air where she was. She watched as the men surrounded him. "We'll make a sighnal for you guys to find us. We need to get somewhere safe before more of us end up like that. Are you sure you two can handle it alone?" she asked looking at both Dom and Ronan. She was a bit reluctant to let them go back, but she wasn't in charge. And she knew there was no stopping them.

She did however have faith that they would be more than capable of getting him back. It was their signal she would have to worry about soon enough. First they needed to find somewhere safe. "Be safe guys. Please." Em added before looking at the rest of the group and flying next to the others. 'Perhaps going to an actual town would help. Time to go over the cliff.' Her thoughts wondered as she looked at the cliff face next to them.

She followed one of the other hybrids for a bit until she felt it may be necessary to try going over the cliff. Ahead felt off, like it wasn't the right way to go. At first Emerson slowly gained altitude to test for any shots that would come from behind them. When there was none, she quickly flew along the face of the cliff to the top. There, she flew close to the ground at the same pace as the group and looked around. There were more densely packed trees and what looked like silver shiny glints of light in the distance. A city! Perfect.

"Guys! There's a city up this way. Think it's worth a shot?." She asked, trying to throw out a suggestion instead of take charge again. Em was stubborn in her ways, but she was not the type to be a full fledged leader. She was much too clumsy and narrow-minded at times. But with a group made decisions could be made together, until someone wanted to break off.

@Americore, @LordofthePies

[ElfLordElphias]

As he flew, Izuru mentally withdrew his earlier thoughts. The plan he'd previously thought to have gone too smoothly was slowly, steadily starting to derail.

Their little ragtag party was splitting up-- he'd seen one of the hybrids turn and attempt to solely face their pursuers head-on like a fool. It was one of the less intelligent of the group. One who's name and eyes were as curiously foreign as Izuru's own. Of course a few others had chased after him; Izuru wondered if he should follow.

It'd certainly be a shame if they were recaptured whilst others got to walk free.

"If we're to go to a city," Izuru nonchalantly commented, not really caring if he's interrupting something, "It'd be best we stay out of sight, and only for a brief rest. The scientists will be scouring the land for us."

@SaikaAnge

[LordofthePies]

Ronan nodded to Dom, ready to leave. He hovered for a moment, taking the time to listen to Em before he left.

"Be safe guys."

"Always."

And with that, he turned around and began flying towards the source of his unease. He figured Dom was following, otherwise, he would've blinked back to the cliff by now. Ro wasn't sure what they were going to do when they got there, but knowing he tried and failed was better than knowing he didn't do anything to help someone that needed it. He began flying faster through the trees, anxious. What if he didn't get there in time? What if it was too late? Ronan shook the thoughts out of his head and flew upwards.

He looked back only once, noticing that Dom was still behind him.

(I might edit this later, I seem to have a bad case of writers block)
@Americore

[DeathXtheXTree]

“Sir. We have recapture one of the subjects.” A voice called over the radio.
The Director stood at the monitors, watching of how the capture went. He folded his hands over another, waiting for more answers on how they’ve let the others escaped. “And tell me, on the one you’ve captured, is one of the idiots that cannot comprehend a conversation? How is that one any use to us? Other than muscle? Hmm?”

Silence came over the radio before it buzzed again. “I’m sure that he can be of use sir. He may be an idiot, but an idiot that can help us find the others that have escaped, Sir.”

The Director hummed a little at the thought, it was something to consider, and he would have the idiots handler take care of how they can turn Karu to be a tracer. He thought about it for awhile before he pressed the button to the radio. “Have the men withdraw for now, and have that one’s handler ready for the procedure of the implant. However, if the idiot finds the tracer, need I remind you that I will have your head served on a platter to my dogs.” He told the man, who he can imagine gulping at the thought, and waited for a reply.

“Yes sir."

---

The woman, Karu's handler sighed as one of the men from the Director’s circle came up to her and told her of what the Director’s orders were. She waved her hand as to agree what the man was saying, climbing down into the crater, along with three others, and grabbed Karu and dragged him out. Thanks to the experiments done on the youth, they were able to carry out the silver hair youth with ease – he weighed no more than a fully grown woman. She sighed hard and patted the youths head gently and told her assistants to carry the boy back into the room with the specialized restraints (made for him) and have him kept there till further notice.

Although, she may have like the silver haired youth, she treated Karu like the others that came into her care. The handler glanced up to see the rest of the subjects have gotten away, not that she cared about them, like she did with the one that they’ve captured, and stared them down like prey. She wanted to capture them, but didn’t have the right tools on how to deal with them, other than the silver youth that is currently in her care. When the orders to withdraw came, she, along with the rest of the men, started their trek back to the facility, and didn’t bother with the rest. She knew there was something going on inside of the Director’s head, and started to grin at the fact that they might do something to reclaim the rest of the subjects in due time.

The Handler turned to see two of the male subjects were heading their way, watching as two of them started to head towards them, maybe she’ll be lucky enough to recapture the two that were trying to save their own, not that they can call each other human. She went over to one of her assistants, who came back to tell her that the reclaimed subject was secure in the designated area and waiting for her orders, and grabbed the dart gun from the man and aimed at the faster one. She wasn’t the top of her shooting class for nothing. Taking aim, she released the tranquilizers at the faster males shoulder. She nicked him. She hoped that this warning would send her message.

“Your effort is futile! Give in now, or the idiot will be wiped clean!”The Handler yelled, keeping the gun aimed at the two. “Or do you want to have a ‘clean’ slate as well!”

She taunted them. She knew that they were smart, and this wasn’t bluff. Out of the Handlers, she was vicious and had a nasty streak against those that didn’t listen or that they’ve gotten on her badside. She had patience, yes, just enough for Karu to understand a conversation, but it was running thin. She wanted to know what the Director wanted to do with the subject that she reclaimed, but she remained firm on where she stood, staring down the two male subjects that were torn between freeing their own or their freedom. She loved these types of games.

---

The Director watched the monitors. He was glad that this one was here, otherwise the rest of the incompetent staff might as well released the subjects on purpose! He was still seething with anger from earlier, but as long as they’ve reclaimed one of them, maybe he can have that Handler do something to get the others as well. The silver haired youth was an idiot, yes, but what he lacked in brains came power. He read the reports on how this one’s training went, not so well in the academics but excelled in athletics. He waited for the Handler to give him her r on how she reclaimed them.

[Americore]

His wings took full form and he jettisoned forward. Adrenaline almost at full peak within him as Dom was headed straight for the handler aiming the gun at him. 'Soon my mind will not be able to achieve much reason, if I suicide bomb her then perhaps Ronan would have enough time to use his "gifts" and retrieve our brother.' the thought seemed foolish in nature, but what was he to do? The adrenaline spark was a wonderful tool to attract the attention of others while brutalizing them. However, without a good team mate it was a lost cause in the long run. Gradually, Dom's mind would lose hold as he would just become a big ball of energy throwing his fists around in anger.

As he pushed with all of his might to catch up and hopefully pass Ronan he announced quickly to him, "I will take the brunt of their attention if you think your gift's can help get this done in a quick manner?" It was now a race against the clock for the two. Retrieve the "package" and return to safety with him.

@LordofthePies

[LordofthePies]

"Shouldn't be too difficult, I just need to find out where they're holding him," Ronan slightly slowed, allowing Dom to zoom past him. He hoped he just wasn't getting them both in a crap load of trouble, and maybe they could pull this off.

He barely heard the little lady shouting threats at them, he was focussing on picturing everywhere in the facility he had been. He thought about taking Dom for a moment, but thought better of it. He would need Dom here, distracting the majority of the facility staff. The cafeteria was unguarded during inactive hours. That would be a good place. Ronan pictured himself standing on one of the tables, and it happened. He teleported out of the air and onto the table, momentum still carrying him forward. Ro stopped himself before he slammed into the wall. He figured that their escape put all of the other projects on lock down. He would just have to work on avoiding the holding and testing rooms until he found someone. Ronan just realized they didn't know who got trapped.

He cursed under his breath. Better let out anyone that I can, then. He began sneaking through the halls, looking for anyone else that looked particularly healthy and relatively unguarded.

@DeathXtheXTree@Americore