What goes bump in the night

Samuel was too busy being in awe of the little monsters to be terrified. "Amazing...to be able to replicate asexually so quickly...their motabolism must be astonishingly fast."


Adrian had other things on his mind. "Would I be correct in inferring that their preferred weapons are their teeth? Furthermore, what can you tell us about their combat tactics? Do they ambush, or swarm, do both, or anything else?"
 
"You are correct Adrian, they simply rip open their targets, they feed on flesh after all. The rest of their body offers minimal damage capabilities, and even a normal human would be fine as long as they avoid the jaws. In the way of tactics, they have none. They'll charge you like a mindless horde. Their strength comes from two things. One: their numbers. You may find one by itself occasionally, but more will not be far behind. In particular, we don't know how many there will be in this hospital, so expect the worst. The second: . . ."


He pushed another button and the hologram went translucent, revealing the bone structure of the gremlin. It's Skull was very large, and sloped at the front. The other odd thing was it's 'ribcage'. It wasn't a cage, but a solid bowl made out of bone that was concentrated in the center of its torso.


"It's bone structure. Not only is it significantly thicker and tougher than normal, but you can already see the problem posed. The forehead is sloped in such a way that shots to the head, even with heavy rounds, will deflect off and only take skin with it. All the vital organs are in that sphere of bone within its chest, and it is very difficult to break through."
 
Neimi looked at the creatures, a strange glint coming into her eyes. "That's how they fight, huh? I should figure out how to get at weak points." Her blood pumped harder at the thought of fighting.


Haiku analyzed the creatures critically. "Should not be too hard of a match-up against us. We have plenty of able fighters here."
 
Adrian nodded in agreement with Haiku. "So, Commander, how long until we get there? I can hardly wait." Indeed, he seemed almost like a child promised a trip to the toy store.
 
"It will take a few hours. We will likely arrive on the scene late afternoon to evening. In the meantime, I would prepare yourselves. Shooting these creatures in the vitals on sight is almost impossible. You will need to aim for their limbs, or if you're close aim for the eye sockets. Most importantly, don't let yourself be surrounded. They will eat you alive if given the opportunity."
 
Vojta closed his notebook. "I don't think that will be an issue for me. Nor will hitting joints, the eyes, or the big one you didn't mention," he said looking up steel-eyed, "the neck. They share similar humanoid qualities, such as having a spinal column which when severed is good at collapsing the body. I also can assume that their back is a much more appealing target since ribs tend to grow foward?"
 
Shepard narrowed his eyes


"If one is utilizing significantly high-calibur weaponry, then yes. Without heavy ordinance, their bone structure is too dense to take them down in a timely manner utilizing that method . . ."


Shepard took his seat again. He'd lost two friends to gremlins they thought were dead, but were merely stunned from impacts on their spinal column. It was not a mistake he would allow again.
 
Adrian chuckled knowlingly. "I don't think that will be a big issue for Vojta."


---------------


Samuel was shivering a bit. Once he'd gotten past how impressive their abilities were, he was able to notice that these 'Gremlins' were pretty freaking scary. How could these people be so calm...no, so eager, about fighting hordes of them...? He mentally noted to stay near either Adrian, Neimi, or even Haiku (even though she scared him). If he was with a melee fighter, they would be more capable of protecting him, and he could heal their injuries conveniently.
 
After several hours, the plane pulled into a private airport in France. Shepard wasted no time as private black cars pulled up as transportation. He pulled a pile of small devices out of his pocket before entering


"I want everyone to take one of these and fit it onto your ear. Communication will be key for this mission, and I want everyone in touch. Neiminassa, there is a one here special-fitted for yourself."
 
Neimi took the earpiece with a smile and fitted it onto her ear. "Cool this should work well." She slipped on the fedora to cover her cat ears and stood up, stretching.


Haiku took the earpiece without a word. This was normal to her, not exactly something to get worked up over. "Where to Shepard?"
 
"Hop in. We're heading to the hospital immediately."


He pulled himself into one of the vehicles, letting a few pile in before he started to drive. He activated the device as he navigated Versailles.


"All right, I'm going over this now so that we don't have any confusion when we arrive at the hospital. Right now all the entrances are sealed up tight and surrounded by local police to prevent a leak. If those things get out, containment will be nearly impossible without mass-genocide. Once we open one door, the creatures will likely get wind of the fresh air and frenzy. To prevent a swarm at one area that will inevitably allow them through, we will be entering through separate exits in teams of two. I won't repeat this, so listen up to who you're partnered with and where you're going."


He turned quickly, and the hospital was in sight. Several emergency lights were built upon the vehicles that surrounded the building.


"Haiku, you will be going to the south entrance with Muerte. Samuel and Adrian will be taking the east-entrance with Neiminassa. Vojta, Leceel and Geist should be arriving in a large vehicle that will be stationed outside the building. I want you stationed on top of it to line up shots. The french government has agreed to re-activate power to the building to make lining up shots easier. Tiki will be entering the secondary eastern entrance, along with myself. Lucky, meet up with Geist as soon as we arrive and follow his orders. The government will be closing the doors up behind us to prevent a leak, so once we're in we don't get out until we're done or dead. Leceel will be within the vehicle I mentioned earlier, providing radio support throughout the mission."


He stopped the vehicle in front of the ring of emergency personnel, causing them to part with a single show of his badge as he exited.


"No questions anymore. Get to your assigned locations and be ready to move."
 
Samuel and Adrian looked at each other, nodded, and strode out towards their position with Neimi. Soon, they had arrived at the eastern entrance. "This is Adrian. Samuel, Neiminassa and I are in position."


Samuel removed his left glove and tucked it away. He would rather not have the right one uncovered.
 
Neimi's sense were fully honed to her surroundings. She was ready for anything that came at her. Her skin rippled as her werecat form appeared. Her claws were extended and her blood was racing. It was time to fight again. She looked at Adrian; he could take care of himself. She looked at Samuel; he could not take care of himself. Neimi made a mental note to keep an eye on him.


-----------


Haiku moved towards the south entrance with Muerte nonchalantly. "Hope you can handle yourself, Death."
 
A pair of clicks came from Muerte's palms as he released the safety on both desert eagles.


"You need not worry about me, human."


Muerte eyed the door in front of him, waiting for the signal.


-----------


Shepard was waiting in front of the door, hearing the different squads move around. The french police were just as wary of the "special forces" that had been called in as they were of what was inside. As far as they knew it was a terrorist organization inside, not some supernatural horde that was threatening their entire city. His eyes narrowed as red streaks started to cover the sky with the setting of the sun.
 
Geist pulled up in what could almost be described as a tank. It had six wheels and was armored in thick plates of various superhard metals. It didn't have any obvious weapons on it but it was freaking huge and menacing as hell, Geist had painted it a shade of dark dark blue. If he could have the spirit would have been smiling, he loved driving the "Spookytank". " Duh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh BATMAAAAAAN!!!!!" Geist sang at the top of speakers range as he pulled up. He got up and walked through the hatch at the back of the cockpit and stopped in front of the barred " room" to one side of the hold. " You sure your going to be ok in there?" He asked the cages solo occupant.
 
"Do not fear for me, Geist. Outside stimuli is completely removed once you close the hatch. I can keep it caged for now."


The vehicle completely closed up, cutting off the man from all outside noise and sights. He let out a sigh as a headset was pulled over his ears and multiple screens appeared in front of him.
 
"....freaking assets." Haiku mumbled beneath her breath. Her duel scimitars were ready in her hands, just simply waiting for the time to strike.


--------------


Neimi gave Samuel a reassuring look. "Just stick next to me. No one's gonna hurt you, not while I'm around." The smile in her cat form was supposed to be more reassurance but instead it came off as an unnerving grin with an animalistic voice to match.
 
Adrian nodded in response to Neimi's statement. "Don't worry about at thing, Samuel. We'll handle the fighting, you be our lookout."


-------------


Samuel smiled appreciatively. "Thank you both. If you recieve any injuries you would like me to mend, just let me know."


----------------


Adrian nodded once more, though he wasn't sure how Samuel would be able to heal injuries without a first-aid kit. Maybe it was concealed or something?
 
Shepard spoke a few words in french to the personnel behind him, and pulled out his own pistol.


"On my mark."


He braced himself in front of the door . . . just another day of work.


"Three."


"Two."


"One."


"GO!"


Shepard kicked in the door, quickly dashing in with Tiki behind him. Within seconds after they had burst in, French officials closed the doors behind them.


----------------


"Y0u've got the swords, take point."


Muerte kicked in the door on the signal, pointing both barrels down the hallway as he walked in.
 
Adrian kicked in the door with borderline excessive enthusiasm and entered, kindjal drawn. Samuel was not far behind, with Neimi left to cover the rear.
 
Haiku shook her head and took point. Her guard was up and ready for anything that decided to pop its head out. "Cover my ass then if you don't mind, Death." She began moving down the hallway, looking for anything that moved.


--------


Neimi covered Samuel from behind, her cat senses ablaze with all the different sensations around her. Where were the creatures? It was bloodshed time and this cat from hell wanted to be the first to draw blood.
 
Walking around the outside of the building, looking for Geist, Lucky decides that hes been waiting long enough. He wanted to see what these creatures looked like, so, finding a door, he let himself quietly into the building.
 
The building at first seemed to hold nothing as they slowly moved forward . . . but then the sounds came. A chittering, muttering, abnormal sound that permeated the halls. Shepard narrowed his eyes ahead


"Here they come . . ."


He said it half to Tiki and half to himself


-------------------------


Muerte narrowed his eyes as the sound echoed down the hallway. He had one pistol pointed on either side of him as he walked down the hall with Haiku. It seemed to happen almost instantly. One second there was nothing but sounds, then two of them popped out of a side door and came charging. One ran on all fours strait at Haiku, while the other ran along the wall, its claws ripping through the drywall. Muerte didn't even panic, but aimed and fired on instinct. The bullet went right at the creature's forehead . . . and glanced off. Muerte pulled up his right arm as the creature leapt on him. The sickening crunch of his arm snapping echoed throughout the corridor, though he did not make a sound. He stuck his free gun right against the creatures eye socket and unloaded his entire clip into it.
 
The slicing of scimitars rang through the hallway as Haiku's swords cleaved through the legs of the second creature. A few splatters of blood hit Haiku's face, seeming only to fuel her assault. Anger swept through her, though it was a controlled anger. She punted the creature up in the air with her boot, then brought her two scimitars up to meet the gremlins eye sockets. If the creature was not dead by then, just for good measure, she slammed it down on its back and twisted the scimitars in the eye sockets. She looked down on it, satisfied that it was dead, and then moved on down the hallway with Muerte.


------------


Neimi saw one launch itself at Samuel, obviously reading him as the weakest target. A terrifying yowl emitted from her throat as she grabbed the thing mid-air with her claws and slammed it on the ground. The smell of blood permeated the air where her claws had cut through it skin, causing her blood fury to begin to raise its ugly head. Pinning it with her feet and one hand, she grabbed one of her berettas and fired a double tap into the creature's right eye socket.
 
Adrian, meanwhile, was suddenly besieged by two gremlins at once. The first launched itself at him while the other swung around the right slightly before attacking. He backstepped the first's attack, giving himself some breathing room. Next he slashed the second's face across the eyes, disabling its sight. Using his momentum from the slash, he used a roundhouse kick to bring his left heel smashing into the first gremlin's temple. He delivered a muay thai flying knee to the second gremlin, followed by stabbing it in the eye, twisting, and withdrawing. The first gremlin was now behind him, and launched itself at him, mouth agape...which is exactly what Adrian wanted. He grinned as he swung around, using centrifugal force to stab it through its mouth, through its throat, and out the back of its neck. He withdrew his blade as it fell limp to the floor.


---------------------


Samuel watched in awe as the two worked. They both had slightly different styles to their combat: Neimi was more fierce and wild, while Adrian was controlled and deliberate. He couldn't deny that he was more than a bit scared of Neimi's werecat form, but he kept himself reminded of who she was, and it helped him calm down.
 
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