Futuristic An Agent of Maniacles

[TheAdept]

Clayton looked around the gloomy surroundings, as well as the wonderful Joe collection scattered about the room.

"This is some horror movie bullshit!" Clayton exclaimed "That or one of those FMTB music videos."

FMTB stood for "Fuck Me Till I Bleed," an alternative rock band intended for mainly troubled teenagers in upper middle class neighborhoods. As for the Joes...well consoling people was a foreign concept to Clayton, even after all these years. He kept looking around at all the Joes, then the actual Joes on his team, and wondering what he should say.

 

[Kinggunlucky]

Denton actually took a step back at the smell, then another one at the images in front of him. The bodies. He lowered his gaze down the floor. His stomach lurched, like it wanted to reject the presence of what was in front of him.

He may have thrown up, but he managed to keep it in check. He'd seen worse. Not for a long time but he had.

"Okay, so, whats with all the dead Joes? Denton? you said you remembered this place, care to explain?"

"Where we started the cloning program," Denton said.

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Aria​

"Vivian. I will leave Quentin with you." Aria said as she staggered into the lab, the explosiom seemed to still affect her in some way. She was shocked by the gruesome sight that was presented in front of them. What's the meaning of this?? She approached the Joes, wondering how they would fare in front of this sight.

"Joe, you okay?"

 

[mmarage]

The twins seemed to regard the brutally slain Joes with little regard. They could feel the eyes of others on them. Could hear Kotsu trying to give them condolences, hearing Aria ask them if they were okay, but they didn't look back at the others. "...Let's just keep moving, please." They said in unison, flinching for but a moment as Denton told the group just what they were. They hung their heads, but didn't stop.

 

[Freikugel]

What a disgusting place filled with DEATH.

Fizzy walked behind the group checking each corner.

"Another of Maniacles' atrocities" said to himself.

He took a look at the twins' backs.

Cloning program, it started here huh? So this is why they have little value for their own life.

Fizzy wondered, why Maniacles need to replicate mages?

 

[KotaKotsu]

Kotsu stared at Denton in disbelief. The hand that was free of Yellow Owl's hand started to shake violently as he dug his nails into his palm. "You... You did this...? Are you kidding me...? You're not a hero. You're not someone who deserves a squad. A battalion. You're not a good guy. You're a monster!" Kotsu said angry tears forming on his face. "I looked up to you, you prick! I admired you! I thought that you were one of the best people since you saved a fuckin' continent, but you're scum!" Kotsu didn't have his horns or eyes, this was just pure anguish coming from the heart. "You... You're sick. You're mentally fucked." He turned to Yellow Owl. "Excuse my language, and remember not to say that, okay?" Kotsu said with a broken smile on his face, trying to remain strong for Yellow Owl. He stared back at Denton. "You're so despicable that you've been part of this... This monsterous experiment where the Joe's have been suffering. Where they have this to look at as a reflection of their psyche! You're disgusting." Kotsu said, his gaze staring through Denton at this point.

 

[Exzalia]

"Where we started the cloning program," Denton said.

"Cloning? human cloning!" Owl walks in front of him. "WHAT!? just...what kind of organization...how are we friends? did I know about this before? this...this is disgusting, despicable, evil! What...who are you people?!"

"We're the Mainiacles." Bickles says dimly.

Owls eyes go wide. "I..work for the Mainiacles, but, that's not..." She pauses, her memory was gone but she wasn't stupid and her mind works fast.

"I see." She says calmly the puzzles finally fitting together. "I am a journalist, and I'm working for the Mainiacles."

So that means I must be a spy. She thinks to her self. And the fact that they are helping retrieve my memories means they don't know it yet. It also means, I'm about to be found out."

"Sorry for my out burst, it was uncalled for, lets get moving."

Yellow Owl looks ahead as Joe walks along quietly. She runs up to him, hopping over another dead Joe and takes his hand in hers. She doesn't say anything, there was nothing to say. But she thought maybe a silent friend was better than none at all.

 

[KotaKotsu]

Yellow Owl leaving Kotsu's hand and grabbing the one of the Finder Twin's hands, he relaxed a little. She'll be safe with them. They'll keep her safe. Kotsu sighed in relief. While Yellow Owl was with the twins, Kotsu pulled out a blood pack from his belt and fed on it, he felt sick, but he knew he needed to eat. He offered one to Aria as he knew she was weak after the explosion. If she accepted he'd toss it at her. Though she'd probably just produce some more blood tofu or blood sausages. He wondered how they'd taste.

 

[mmarage]

The twins stopped. 02 looked down at Owl, and forced himself to give her a weak smile. 01 meanwhile turned to look back at the others. He... looked very tired. Even the wood that his body was made of looked... weathered. "...It's fine. Please don't fight. Let's please just keep moving... please...?" He pleaded quietly. He... didn't want to look at the dismembered Joes. He... didn't want to remember what he'd seen. The sooner they found whatever piece of Owl was hidden here, the better. It... was already bad enough everyone now knew what they were. Would... they be executed for knowing this information...?

 

[Kinggunlucky]

Kotsu's points were all very valid. They cut deep, enough so that even with the mask comedy on Denton's shoulders sagged and he shifted. He had no real excuses. They were right. It was sick. He had been curious, yes. The idea of cloning itself is fascinating. Genetic copies. This, this however, was a tad excessive. Overly brutal.

He shook his head at the other outbursts flaring up. Denton took what they were saying, internalizing it, heart beating mildly faster than usual.

"I did not mean we as in me. I mean we as in Maniacles. The overall group." he said in quiet voice. "This place was founded around the time I started. Although them using Joe didn't come about until a decade ago after the Gotha Incident. This isn't within my jurisdiction at all. My field is strictly dealing with active threats, politics, and investigations. Yes, I know about this place and others, but I didn't realize it would be like this. Never gave it much thought honestly. This would be the work of our science and research branch. One of them. What they do is make weapons for field agents like me. I believe Miranda Faust was the one most interested in cloning."

He crossed his arms. "Yes, I saved a continent. Ace Stardust had to be stopped. I couldn't do it alone, though. I used people to make sure he was handled. The man who actually killed Ace is the original Joe. The Twins and these dead clones are based off him. He was a good man. A great one. Honorable. I respected him."

Denton glanced at the Twins. "I know you hate me. Nothing I can do or say can really make up for this, but I am sorry. Truly. No one should have to see this or live through it."

 

[TheAdept]

The old west wasn't all there was to Clayton's history, only what he based his identity around. He had been enlisted in both the First and Second World Wars, not to mention done other mercenary work before. More specifically having to do with a certain...monster on the moon. These Joe's...and the Joe Denton was talking about. He had helped Clayton and the crew he was working with. During this time, Clayton was on a bit of a sobriety kick, the likes of which never lasted long.

"Wait." Clayton said "I met this Joe." He said to everyone, but more to Denton and the Joes.

"He bailed me out of being murdered by cultists."

 

[KotaKotsu]

Kotsu could only stare at Denton intentionally. Seeing the mask give way was proof of his genuineness peeking through, but in Kotsu's eyes, it wasn't good enough. "Denton, you wanna say you're sorry? That's fine. But PROVE it, don't use empty words! WE caught the Andras, WE keep throwing ourselves into these types of situations, WE have been what the Maniacles views as one of their A teams, clearly! WE should be able to turn around the Maniacles from terrible atrocities like this! But notice something, Denton? I'm emphasizing WE and not ME."

Kotsu was fuming. "If we're all seeing this messed up reality, the truth behind some of just what the Maniacles keeps from us, then how are we the good guys!?" Kotsu stopped himself. "We... Aren't the good guys... We haven't been for a while. No. We don't deserve that title. Even if it's for the life of few to save the lives of many, these were lives that you all created and took. These are lives that still counted. And this blood is on your hands and everybody else who participated in this twisted experiment." Kotsu dropped his head, shaking it hard. "We're not the good guys. We're just another side to a coin that we use justification for our actions as a means to right our wrongs. And that's unforgivable." Kotsu would have almost been impressed by his own words, had he actually cared at this point. He just couldn't face Denton anymore. "We gotta help them, Denton. The Joes. They asked for help but said that they could get in trouble. And you got connections. You don't want to see this anymore than they do, and they live it every single day. They can't track us here, Denton. Let's help them. Please." Kotsu said, staring back up at Denton. "Redeem yourself."

 

[TheAdept]

Clayton had spent his time with this particular company to this point largely disregarding the lives and interests of his comrades. After all he had fought in his many years, this was easy to do. It became more and more like a switch for his sociopathic...apathy.

When Joe, the original Joe he knew was brought up, it flipped that switch the other way. He forgot why he even signed up to work with this Denton asshole in the first place.

"Kotsu. Aria. You guys hungry?" Clayton eyed Denton, his mind wasn't on using his guns. No. He largely refrained himself from drinking human blood so as to maybe forget, if only for a time, he was a vampire. But a true scumbag he could feed from. Denton fit the bill.

"I sure am." He got in front of Denton, baring his teeth and staring menacingly.

 

[KotaKotsu]

Kotsu stood in front of Clayton, getting between him and Denton. "We ain't harming Denton. If you're hungry, have one." He handed him a blood pack. "But I won't let you hurt Denton. He's still family. And he has a chance to turn this around." Kotsu's face firm, staring into Clayton's eyes.

 

[AbatedBigfoot]

Quentin felt the little nudge on his shoulder. Her opened his eyes and saw a familiar face. He leaned forward and looked around. "Holy shit. How long was I asleep for? Also. I had the craziest dream. I was dreaming that I saw my family again and I became this big ass demon." He turned to Viv. "I'm sorry but I also dreamt you were topless and that I kissed you. I know, I know. Crazy right". He then looked and noticed he wasn't wearing his shirt but infact it was on Vivian. He had a puzzled look on his face. "Wait a minute.".

GamerCarrot

 

[TheAdept]

Clayton looked at Kotsu "But a pack ain't nothin like the real deal and you know it." He looked back at Denton as he continued speaking to Kotsu.

"How much good have you seen outta this shithead that makes you think he will redeem himself? Who says he even wants to?" Clayton had...dream alcohol in himself, but was as sober as he had been for a long time "I remember this Joe. The Joe they got these clones off of. We fought something on the moon. You're so loyal to your friends here, imagine if you found one of them been killed and had this done to em!"

 

[KotaKotsu]

Kotsu stood firm. "I don't let my blood lust control me. And if you want, you can ask Aria to whip you up some blood tofu or blood sausages if that's more your style. I'm content with blood packs. It's all I've known. I've never drank off a human." Kotsu said, understanding where Clayton was coming from more now. "I know how you feel, but that's why I'm saying he can help make this better. Denton is a cog in a machine. We all are to some degree if you think about it. But sometimes, we can make the machine work more efficiently!" Kotsu said smiling at Clayton. "And Denton can help us change the Maniacles from the inside, to make sure things like this don't happen again." Kotsu said with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.

 

[GamerCarrot]

Vivian chuckled and shook her head "It wasn't a dream all of that happened... especially the whole you turning into a demon and the topless part." She sighed a little before looking down at the shirt she was currently wearing, playing with the ends of it and smiling just a little bit with a small blush appearing on her face "You did kiss me and I kinda did kiss you back so I wouldn't say it was crazy." Since she didn't want to remain in his shirt forever she made her original clothing appear on her body whilst she started taking off the shirt he had given her. Handing it back she looked back up at him "Thank you again, it was very uncomfortable running around in just my underwear with the entire group watching. Speaking of which." She gestured to the lab they had all entered inside of "They kinda all went in there if you are up to it we can join them? Yesterday knocked a lot of energy out of you so I'll understand if you want to stay in the village and rest?"

AbatedBigfoot

 

[TheAdept]

Clayton breathed a deep sigh. Kotsu was right about the cog thing and Clayton knew it. None of this was really Denton's fault, though his general attitude did get on his nerves a bit.

"Alright. But if I ever meet the guy who really is responsible for all this he will pay."

Clayton turned away from Denton.

"Alright. So what now? There a demon here too? Some fat chinaman asshole? If either of these two Joe's turn fiery and seek revenge I'm not stopping them either."

 

[AbatedBigfoot]

Quentin smiled as he put on his shirt. "no problem. I know we've only been here for one day but man I'm already over this place" he said as he stood up. "guess we should catch up. So if it was all real I can do this then right?" He gave her a quick kiss before walking up to join the group.

 

[mmarage]

The twins paused... and turned around to face Denton. They looked... very tired... and scared. 01 straightened up, looking him in the eye. "...We don't hate you. We're disappointed in you." 01 said. For the briefest moment... it almost sounded as if two people had spoken. But... it must have just been an echo from the old, almost seemingly haunted building. 02's lips hadn't moved after all.

As angry, as disgusted as they had been with Denton... they couldn't bring themselves to hate him. "...Denton... why did they take such an interest in him? Why not some other mage...?" 01 asked uncertainly. He'd always tried to ask Dr. Faust, but she always dodged the question. Just... what had made him so important...? Sure, he had done some impressive and life threatening stuff, but that would apply to just about any other Maniacles soldier out there. The two glanced at Clayton. They hadn't paid much attention to the vampire... but... a hazy memory did manage to slip to the forefront of their mind of the vampire. "I... I see..." They said in unison.

02 shook his head as he turned to the others. "...We shouldn't fight. This... is all terrible... we know. We've known for a very long time. We... always knew what could happen to us. They didn't lie to us about what would happen. Right now, Owl needs us to help her. There's... there's nothing that can be done for us. We will die, and there will be more that take our place. They will suffer, and they too will die. Soulless husks that have nothing waiting for them once death finally arrives. It will happen again... and again... until they've finally perfected us." He said, a haunted look entering his eyes.

 

[GamerCarrot]

Standing up Vivian put on the armor she had taken off the other day and grabbed her weapons before being surprised with another quick kiss from Quentin, smiling she ran up to him and quickly kissed him on the cheek "To answer your question, yes you can." she said before walking ahead of him and entering the Lab to find the rest of the group. However as soon as she entered and followed the halls she was shocked to find what was inside, dismembered bodies every where. She stopped in her tracks her hand covering her mouth, shocked to see the horrors contained in the laboratory. "Oh god..." She said, sure she was used to seeing dead bodies but the fact that there was so many of them and all of them were Joe's she just couldn't believe her eyes.

 

[AbatedBigfoot]

When Quentin walked in, the smell smacked him like a freight train. "Holy shit" he gagged and bent down. "That's horrible". He started a fire in both nostrils. It helped the smell but it didn't get rid of it completely.

 

[KotaKotsu]

Kotsu looked at Clayton, easing up. "Thank you. I don't blame you though for your feelings, they're more than warranted." Kotsu thought he had heard another Joe, and he looked around to see just 01 and 02. He felt confused. He didn't see 02 talk. Either way, he walked over to the twins and embraced them both, and Yellow Owl too. "You all deserve more than just a hug, but this is about all I can give." Kotsu said, smiling to try and make them happier.

 

[Darkling0096]

"Oh, no," Sam muttered slowly, "This pattern isn't good." So far, they'd been dropped into realms of trauma. Quentin's parents, the Joes' home lab, if places like these were where the memories were... she couldn't think of anything as bad in her past as the plant.

"Fizzy," she took hold of Fizzy's hand, "If we wind up in a power plant, knock me out. I don't care what you have to do, I can't go in there."

The lab was creepy, but ultimately it was just a place of research. Knowledge was knowledge, she could respect learning it, within reason. Maybe it was creepy, but anything could be justified if the reason was good enough.