"I hate magic."
IllAdvised didn't have much time to dwell on his feelings at the moment, Thomas was injured, far beyond his capabilities and as Feral had correctly pointed out, there was the civilian to consider too. Priority was her safety, then came figuring out how she factored into Thomas' spontaneous exit from retirement and how these creatures were related. Then would come the where, the why and-
"Can you create an opening? I can hold it and meet you at our usual med location."
IllAdvised nodded solemnly, snapping back to the moment at hand while eying the creatures as they began to stand. Extending his right hand, IllAdvised's weapon of choice flew to his hand, each piece of the three section staff moving independently through the air before assembling in the Maverick leader's waiting grip — a theatrical display showcasing the gadgetry genius at work in IllAdvised's ensemble. The end of the staff crackled to life with fifty thousand volts ready to be deployed defensively against their xenomorphic foes.
Lunging into action, the Maverick leader used the staff to vault over the first creature, recoiling the weapon midair, before twisting about and arching the magnetically bonded sections in a stunning attack. The satisfying pop and crackle of the taser-loaded end making contact exploded through the rainy New Lilith night. But as IllAdvised landed, he only came face to face with a pissed-off eyeless creature.
...If they don’t have eyes, is it safe to assume sound or smell navigation?
Makarios' earlier words echoed through IllAdvised mind as he crossed his weapon over his chest, just barely keeping the razor-sharp talons from piercing the layered armour covering his chest. If these things could shred Thomas like hot butter, then Chuck had no intention of finding out what happened when they went through him.
"Feral, remember what you said earlier about sound?" IllAdvised grunted through gritted teeth before tossing the talons to the side and sliding through the creature's staggered legs.
"I love a good theory," IllAdvised replied with a glib growl. "Let's put it to the test, Glitch; same Bat-Time, same Bat-Channel please."
As the Maverick's earpieces switched to a noise-cancelling frequency, IllAdvised avoided a swipe from one of the creatures, his feet careening through the air into a double backflip. Producing several small gadgets from his belt, IllAdvised continued to dodge, working his feet independently of his hands while they mixed the modules to create a new device.
With a twist of his armoured hand, the device came to life, emitting a piercing wail that would deafen anyone not using similar noise-cancelling devices. From the nearby Lower East End came the chorus of howling dogs as the creatures screeched their own agony.
Sliding towards the civilian, IllAdvised quickly pried her hands away from her head, placing a set of earpieces on either side of her head. A small glimmer of relief washed over her face as the noise-based attack was silenced.
The sonic assault might have slowed the creatures, but it didn't stop them. Disorientated and clearly in pain, they began lashing about haphazardly, doing anything they could to hit either Maverick, the girl or finish Thomas off. The familiar rumble of an illegally modified engine shook the ground beneath IllAdvised as his stallion thundered their rescue. Engaging the remote controls on his gauntlet, IllAdvised twisted his wrist to fire the car's afterburners, launching it through the air. Nearly one tonne of steel and rubber collided with the first creature, sending it toppling over the dock and into the New Lilith Bay.
The Maverickmobile deployed its evasive maneuvering thrusters and airbrakes in combination, skidding to a stop dangerously close to the edge of the dock before rapidly reversing towards the girl and IllAdvised. But it wasn't going to be enough to stop the second creature from descending upon the Maverick and civilian. Flaring his nostrils beneath the crimson mask, Chuck took a deep breath, thinking back to his training with Makarios, feeling his emotions and summoning the familiar anger. It was easy when one of his best friends was clinging to life, easy to recall the unbridled rage that the Mavericks faced on their first outing together. The strength that made pulling a bank vault door from its hinges look as easy as tearing a piece of paper.
Pulling back, IllAdvised released his arm, letting out the first strike. His hand collided hard with the creature, not with Tony's strength but rather a resounding pop, even louder than earlier, as the air was suddenly superheated by nearly ten million volts. The anger Chuck had tapped into was not the empathetic memory he had felt from the Behemoth, but rather Allison's unbridled rage.
His wrist crumbled under the reinforced hide of the creature, the suit's HUD lighting up like the fourth of July as countermeasures quickly applied pressure to the break, securing it in place while Chuck reeled under his mask from the pain.
"Car." He hissed to the girl as the door of the black vehicle opened. "Now."
Fear had held the girl in place until now, but she was able to understand that one simple request as she clambered into the passenger seat while the car spun around, allowing IllAdvised the opportunity to climb inside just in time to see the first creature emerging from the water.
"Glitch," IllAdvised commanded as the seatbelts wrapped themselves around the two occupants.
"Punch it."
