Kwartz Shiki's page

Kwartz looked at the ground and sighed, knowing the situation would at best give away their presence. Looking about the ceiling and the floor he noted the walls did not have any particular obstacle.

With more action than words or signals, Kwartz used the Spurs upon his armor and supernatural speed to run along the inner wall instead. His Hardline Ready, before landing along the side of the next area and motioning the rest of the group to come forth.

He peeked around the side quickly before getting situation.

Move to the side of doorway using the walls. Overwatch. Hardline, Single Shot.

Kwartz looked at the picture with amusement and quickly disdain. Just his luck.

' Of course we wouldnt find the friendly scavengers. No No, we find the OPPOSITE. Longshanks worshiping kind. Demon cultists if you will. Oh boy this is gunna be so much work. I hate work. '

Kwartz furrowed his brow as he scanned the area with his Hardline.

He made motion his his gun for the frontline to go in. Speaking was less than wanted here. The scavengers had their equipment and last he knew one of the dead Titus had a Titanslayer. He covered their entrance.

Aim Overwatch. Hardline

" I like the sound of Boomers "

Kwartz held his Hardline aloft.

" Roger Roger November. First quest is up an ready. "

Grabbing a 3rd reload on his Hardline.

" Don't go talkin' to them, remember what happened to Johnstone. "

Keep up perimeter while moving. Overwatch. Cascading Fire. Fire at anything within 100 ft

Kwartz seems to make a different facial expression for once, one of deep recollection. As if he was contemplating some profound mystery or information.

He looks to Serai, " Your right. Aberrants should be worth double. "

The thought based and his face returned to normal.

Kwartz gave a deadpan stare to Audric, in the back of his mind a long suppressed flare shoots off but he somehow couldn't be arsed to identify it. He works the puppet until Audric turns around.

" Oh the Hypocrisy. Doesn't even know where to go. "

Kwartz makes a handpuppet mimicking Audric's speech pattern. " I dunno about you but I've looked up how Black Company has been run. It's not exactly conducive to troop survival rates. Must be doing somethin' wrong. Morale is kinda a factor in these things Delta. "

He began emptying a Hardline from one of the previously slain occams as well as a clip. Spinning the barrel before loading again. He does the same with his Longfang.

" Besides, I see no reason why not to. Change won't happen unless you do somethin' "

Kwartz forehead was hit with extreme warmth, only slightly uncomfortable. His crouched and somewhat braced positioning likely being the reason for that.

His mind flared at the events of this situation. They had been swarmed by a horde and then two Abberants appeared. One during the drop. curiously he could find little reason why a Loricatus would specifically evolve to become a bomb, unless they had gathered material from the insect life and learned from the Blast Ant.

That being said, Kwartz looked over the area at Black Company. He gave out a slight call. " Hey, If your alive raise your hand.. or say here.. or moan.. whatever. Oh and your point total. We have to assign teams soon. That Boom will attract more. What a bother. "

He looks to his immediate team. " You all good? Foxtrot, I didn't know your shots could do that. " Commenting on Fluer's well placed kill.

Kwartz raises a brow as it seemed his plan was working.. for the most part. Aberrants were a wild card that could show up to ruin any situation, luckily this one involved grenades.

Assessing the situation quickly, the Former-Loki dropped his Longfang to the ground and swiftly retrieved his Hardline. It was more efficient, there was a plethora of ammo for it now.

" Don't loose your cool now. Take out any immediate threats, hold the line so the grenades can do their job. November Quebec, handle your pet. Mike make sure its dead. Foxtrot, work your magic on the Aberrant Loricatus. I'll try and thin the heard some more. Delta, whatever isnt dead outta those you make dead. "

Switching around as he fired to shots Northward.

Drop Longfang, Draw Hardline. Semi Auto, Trigger Happy, Light Recoil, Penetrating Wound. Hardline. If the first shot hits and massives go to second line, Else fire on first line again.

Kwartz tilted his head back, " Aww Foxtrot, you shouldn't have. I have to go ahead and not have an excuse now. So kind when we are competing for top score. Nathan has 16 though. "

The tone reminiscent of a historically accurate Southern Local from the bygone times.

The empty shells clang to the ground after Fluer finishes her sentence, Kwartz remained in his position.

" Yeah, I've had high hopes, practiced in the shower. Clearly. Sigh, now I have to reload, bothersome. "

The heat off the barrel pointing westward.

Last name thing.

Kwartz shrugged, " That was the effort for the day. I'm up to Quota. "

Kwartz peered from his sights.

By Longfang Reloads I meant the extra Heartseeker

Kwartz landed Longfang in hand much like the first time he delved into this hellhole. Once more his eyes flashed Jade for but a second as he assessed the situation as best he could.

They were surrounded, but the precursor to the horde coming gave most time to be battle-ready at the least. He knew that Owens could handle the South but there was no guarantee some wouldn't leek through. He intended not to die here and strangely wanted to test the fruits of what others called 'labor'.

Knowing that they were all Black Company but some might listen to the Former Loki, Kwartz spoke over the comms.

" Alright this is a FUBAR situation. Standard for Black Company I suppose. I'm not sure all your reasons for being here but if you thought it was to die, get that out of your head. We are going back to rub our success in their face and come back with as many people as possible. "

" So I might not be acting commander but if you want to live, Those who have grenades throw them so that the blast radius is right outside the Frontline. Secondary Line Try and pick off as many as you can with concentrated fire! If you see an injured one that isn't incapacitated focus on that until it is! Those in the front with Vipers, Ready to Counter Attack! November Sierra and Foxtrot will provide threat elimination and cover fire. Titus, Hunker Down and get ready to unload on whatever is left after those grenades go off! This is a points system everyone! For Every Dog you slay thats 1 Point! For every Toad or Scorpion that's 5! If you live through this skirmish its 50. Try to get as many as possible! Let's Slay them Jotens! "

Kwartz then choked up on his Longfang crouched slightly and brought his center mass low. Making it easy to pivot and swivel his body to aim and fire at any enemies that moved, a nice bunch up of them would be more efficient.

" He November Foxtrot, can you take out the Loricatus? I'll try and handle the fast buggers. "

Aim, Overwatch, Longfang. Cascading Fire. Penetrating Wound. Trigger Happy. Setting Firing lines in order of preference of targets when they try and approach. Have 5 Shots so ends after the 5th.

Just a note for Clarification

Audric = Delta
Serai = Foxtrot
Mendez = Mike
Bob = Quebec
Kwartz = Sierra

That's our new designations.

With November in front.

Kwartz scratched his chin and quirked a brow at that.

" Well then shoot. I guess there is no fun in this dojo. I'll toss out one more thing, more as a suggestion then. If the Titus weaponry can' be moved you might want to have the pilots watch out during drop, don't want to get shot outta the sky. And I want Hamburgers then.. or Steak, Salisbury Steak. "

Kwartz would stand up and motion to the rest.

" Alright kiddies did you hear that, the mission is a fetch quest with tasty meat at the end for dinner! Let's go ahead and make these a+@%*%$s think twice of using us as pickup. We arent as fodder as they think. Plus, gotta keep your score up to redeem wonderful prizes later. Let's go Jotens! "

This was said with all the excitement of a limp, wet, piece of toast. He left to go get equipped.

Basically I have a Viper in place of my Reload for a Longfang. I have another reload for the Lotus.

During the time Kwartz had been amazingly active for him, something anyone who knew of this man would note bizarre.

At several points in self and appointed training with Nathan Owens, The Former Loki seemed focused on pushing his abilities to the max, as if trying to reach some non-disclosed goal. His speed, strength, endurance and toughness were stretched to the limit every time. Instead of resting he would transition to another muscle-group or characteristic that was currently at rest to push that as well. He seemed to spend abundant of time with munitions training as well, more than other such courses and exercises.

Kwartz could, much to his dismay, feel the changes in the familiarity and handling in his gunplay. Oftentimes he'd set up firing courses where there were multiple targets with preset mental checkpoints so that his twitch muscles and eyesight targeting senses were taxed. At Close Range, Mid Range and beyond, nothing in these fields were left out of training. He took to constantly carrying a certain load-out for weight training as well. Longfang for Long and Mid Range; Lotus for Close, Hardline for Close and Mid; Viper for Melee and Parry.

Of course he would slack off after burning himself out but, it was becoming notably frequent the LACK of lazing around Kwartz actually did. Eerie one might say. those times he simply seemed to watch a particular group of individuals train, those of the survivors of Plaza E. Sometimes he would watch other members. It was difficult to determine when or where he would be. Though the sight of him with Fluer was assumed out of familiarity or specialization training.

At night the experimentation took a different route. Kwartz was relentless. Taking the viper he had personally, he would cut along the top of the forearm ever so slightly and count mentally the time it would take to heal. The amount of damage was inflicted; the variance in recovery; the ratio of severity to pain. Just how much did the Cancer cells change him?

" 43 seconds, 47 seconds, 39 seconds.. that one was fast. 61 seconds, too deep. "

Secretly he placed metal plates along a punching bag he used and trained knowing it would fracture bones, similarly to test the recovery and effects of the genetic restructuring.

The strange hobby among all this was the sudden fascination to paint his armor various shade of Black, with a nice coating. The very fact he could customize his outfit made the act somewhat soothing to him, a plethora of options that was usually locked. Kwartz made sure however not to be too much different, Longshanks could always be around. The sudden changes that sprung up along the skin just gave him reason to sport the art around more frequently, it also meant less effort for attire and Kwartz was all for that.

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At the briefing his expression hadn't changed much from the last mission but his form was internally exquisite. Kwartz sat forward notably the same but busied himself with a Hardline mechanism he was testing. Once Brautigan had stopped speaking his eyes slowly met the man.

" Ah, its the man who named me. Cool. I have a few questions. One, How much do we need to retrieve from the Scavengers? Two, How quickly do the Dropships expect to disembark once they meet a group? Three, are there designated areas we are aware they reside in? Lastly, Can we make a request on success or maybe have a point system? Seems like it would make it interesting. I'd personally like a Fine Lobster Dinner as a reward. "

Kwartz sighed as well, though it mostly in pleasant manners. For the situation, it was about as good as it was going to get and at least if they were going into death he got something in return. That was all he could hope for.

Kwartz gave a chuckle, " It's good to hear your voice say that. The first step of the process is acceptance. Then, figuring out what I want. That's the hard part. But rejoice, I might start developing self-motivation from time to time. "

" Already passed that marker big guy. Going into this is a death sentence every time anyway. You should know that. I don't work that way. I need a focus or there's nothing. I didn't get this far on fighting spirit alone. " He hummed to himself.

" Something that'll make me rival Emfire. That'd be nice. "

Kwartz makes a handpuppet silently mimicking Fluer's words as she berates him for his work ethic.

" Yeah Yeah, I'll start trying. I tend to work better if there is a reward at the end. Just don't make it something that stops coming and you might get me to actually achieve something. "

Scratch that, instead of Massive Wound, Kwartz is learning Trigger Happy.

Kwartz kicks up his feet and mentions among the good talks, " I'm not that altruistic. I'm alot more practical, when Lima wanted to possibly sacrifice more of the Occams for Grenades I went against it because it was unnecessary. Survival was the key. I ain't going to purposely sabotage people to die but If I have to make a choice I will. But be happy that Master Emfire sees you all higher than me so, win-win? Nothing redeeming here. "

" Get Fluer and those select few back, Not die with ammo come back in serviceable piece. Repeat until dead. Bob, I don't really know you so no hard feelings if I don't get too attached at the beginning. I'll keep the Dogs off you good enough. "

He closed his eyes, " Let's see what the teach has in store for us later on. Probably will be a cake-walk in comparison. "

Kwartz picked up Massive Wound

Kwartz gave Owens a nod, fiddling with him mouth as he sucked in the blood, draining it to make way for the new residents. He stuck a creamsicle in his mouth once his first two treats were done.

" Well, don't have to worry about that with us, While I might have seemed all that cruel, Audric, Serai and I were all from the same graduating squad. We were pretty chummy before all of the caste stuff hit too hard. Didn't hurt that some of our personalities hit it of pretty well. "

" I might have to object to the brother and sisters thing. I might be fine with some heavy mom-play but other faux-incest play is a little strange even for me. When it comes to having their back though? I'll do it every time. "

He lazed back leg waving up and down as he crossed his legs.

" I already complement Fluer's sniping prowess with faster reactions. While Audric seems capable of making sure a target is down. Mendez is fearless and a good shock trooper, Bob can switch between melee and close range. With Lima as a Lotus Expert, I have full confidence we will at least have half of us live. I fully expect to break Black Company's reputation Master Owens. It's just the opportunity to do so. I guess my evaluation of you on the dropship was spot on, if I didn't know better I would have thought that was a secret recruitment drive. "

Kwartz starts fiddling with his lack of teeth that seemed to grow in painfully. " Soo .... what? I just found out this stuff really works. Got my teeth back almost. What's the plan bossman? While I wallow in my infinite shame, Em'fire just hates my guts. "

Kwartz sighs and sits down.

" Master Adam, I appreciate what you are doing. Master Em'fire has always hated me and for good reason. After I say this you can let her go. "

Kwartz breathed in deeply and sighed.

" Listen, this will likely be the last time we see each other so I'm gunna summon up the resolve I have to get this out. Y'know, without all the sarcasm. As of now, at least to her and as always, I've been Trash. Basically a big amount of potential that was wasted because I didn't apply myself. Why was someone like me able to make things so easily unlike Fluer instead? It would have fit her much better. But I didn't and chose to be lesser than what I was. "

" It was selfish, I know. I'll explain something however, I did it trying to be what you wanted, meeting expectations you set forward. But I knew I would never have the mindset and devotion you have as a person. I could have become a Skadi, sure but without the drive it would have ended in disaster. All I can offer is that I'm sorry I was such a big disappointment to you and now I'm lower than Trash and dead to rights. You always knew that. At least let me die the way I want to. To do something for us proactively.. And if I don't die after whatever hell they send me through, it will be from your teaching. So please don't make everyone's lives harder through training, it might just make more of me. or force us to have no Skadi at all. You don't want that. "

Kwartz closed his mouth and brought down his hand and looked to them.

Kwarz raises an eyebrow and if not for the mouth-pain would smile.. or at least smirk. " Well I guess you are right Fluer, but I'm working on it. I did the whole knight's romance b+&%$++&. It's your turn to pay for the meal next time. "

turning to Audric, " Hey, we made sure as many of you got out of there. Our Loki Support was top notch. Just imagine, Lima wanted to sacrifice more of you for some Ice grenade hunt. The few who died were either unlucky or caught unawares. Look at Mendez, he made it on skill alone, not luck. Lemon just drew a bad hand on the other end. "

Kwartz sighed, swallowing down the ice cream with delight and coughing fits. " It seems that milady tires of the presence of our esteemed guests. Whatever thy will be Princess. As to Mistress Em'fire I propose we reschedule our 'Master and Student Funtime' to a convenient day, in the evening at your place of choice? She really does need her rest. "

Kwartz said is a faux-proper voice. This immediately disintegrated, " Hey, if you are gunna be a killjoy you better eat some of this stuff I got us. I paid for it in teeth and pain. Grimm has died, at least commemorate his sacrifice. You aren't business all the time, stop trying to act like it. "

Kwartz's neck turned along with the impact of the strike, the world blurring at the speed of which his perception changed. He saw some of his favorite teeth scatter and shatter against various surfaces, a pity considering his tendency to keep immaculate care of them. He grabbed upon the area, sucking in the blood and pain audibly. The worse part would come later as, much to his expectation, such a weaker wound seemed to be healing much faster considering it was not fatal.

With a bruised cheek but a relatively fine ego, Kwartz covered his mouth and had to enunciate particularly well in his injured state.

" One, Ooooooowwwwwwwwwww. Two, Master has soft hands. Three, did I mention that hurt... alot? Agghhh, Well you know what they say, Us Lokis have to be at least a bit masochistic. It just seems like Master Em'fire couldn't wait to reward me with her sweet embrace. Ohhh, this is gunna suck. "

Kwartz swallowed more blood, sucking on his cheeks. His eyesight went all around the group.

" Sssss aaahhh, okay. Now, you're saying that Master Em'fire doesn't get to leave so any missions will be blind. Great. And you are telling us this because we are special right? Well less so considering now I'm invalid. "

A low gurgled chuckle drones from the Former-Loki's throat.

" Y'know it's funny. I've always did just enough in her training so that I could succeed but never quite achieve exemplary performance. That way I didn't have to do much work but at the same time not suffer some horrible fate for being inadequate. That way I got to enjoy seeing her and suffering another harsh, painful, grueling experience time and time again. Master knows she's easy on the eyes and I'm not the most... endearing person. I'm doomed to be alone anyway so I didn't see the point of trying looking towards anyone else... save a certain select few.... or one. And that's not happening. Joke's on me though, I chose Black Company and I'll be damned if I don't die at least doing something worthwhile. "

He places another scoop of Sherbet into his mouth and winces from the cold touching his gums, " Y'know... the Salty blood doesn't make this half bad... "

Kwartz had dozed off, finally in his comfort zone, when the door come flying open and the bombardment of voices entered the room. He rolled over in his caterpillar sheet cocoon, his eyes meeting the owners of said noise. He had mixed feelings, but the urge to eat was that much more powerful.

Summoning up the entire well of power blessed to him by the Lazy Gods, Kwartz inched his way to the end of the bed. Then using his mighty ingenuity, scrunched his body up to bring the legs over into a seating position and touched down wrapped feet to the tile. He even posed for a second as in triumph before returning to some strange wobbly posture as his eyes lay upon the frozen confectioneries before him.

However when he noticed there were more than the two voices he expected, the appearance of the other members filled him with dread a dark cast reflected in his expression when a certain feminine voice crested the crowd. His teacher and pretty much, Surrogate Devil, Em'fire.

He looked them in the eye and yawn before struggling somewhat to move an arm through the bindings to get at his prizes.

" So, can't lie, I didn't expect you to actually do it. As for a last meal situation this isn't too bad. OoooooUuuuh Sherbet! "

Kwartz finally reaching for the delight with the hand, eventually the other is free as well though noticeably the lower body is still tightly bound. To which Kwartz hopped slightly looking over all the selections. he avoids direct eye contact with Em'fire. he took on a semi-sarcastic/peppy voice.

" Well, you all look a little down? I'm ecstatic to introduce to you the new members of your November Suicide Squad! Making sure your death-prone missions get done right! Or We'll Die trying, Satisfaction Guaranteed or your money back! If you weren't aware, I'm Kwartz, pleasure to meet you. Though I do have another request, do we have different shades of Black? "

His expression returning to normal, though a small hint of satisfaction happening when he began eating a few scoops.

" Hey, go ahead and have some.. I'm not completely an ass not to share. The only thing to make this moment complete is if Master Em'fire was is a Maid outfit. Something to ask in another life I suppose. Ahh Wow, Macadamia like I was saying the gunship, you remembered Owens. "

Reaching for the cone and licking it too. He especially didn't make contact with Em'fire at that remark.

When Langley leaves there is a bit of silence, well, at least from Kwartz, Audric was testing his old voice out. " Good to see you can talk like you again, I had to hold back the old Steven Hawking Jokes. " a smirk would crest the right side of his mouth.

Kwartz watches Audric for a whole hour before he gets bored and goes into a thinking fit. " That big man better keep his end of the bargain. This is all kinds of f%#~ed up. And dammit, Langley shot us in the chest... What a dick. "

The rest seemed solemn, which weirded him out. When he was in his own room, quiet and thinking was the norm. Out in the open however, it was much different, the whiteness of the room didn't make the situation any better. The situation was different, he knew that, but he wasnt looking forward to how much effort he'd have to put out from this point. He was looking to how this would effect him for better or worse.

So, taking on the same silence/contemplation as the rest, Kwartz grabbed the sheet from the bed, held on to one corner and proceeded to roll himself into a cocoon of blankets and sheets before leaping into the bed a slamming into the pillow to rest.

Kwartz placed a hand on his chin as he rested elbow on his knee. Looking to Langley with genuine respect at the audacity in which he spoke.

" Y'know I can't say you're wrong. You somehow got away with... whatever you just did. And we lived so I suppose it was a good gamble. What now though? All of us are here with, whatever combination of Cancer cells you made. Thanks for that by the way. I truthfully planned on doing something with it but mine involved eating. I wonder how that would have gone. "

Kwartz tilted his head, " I'm sure you are going to take painstaking efforts to 'find' the 'culprit'. That isnt really important. The thing is Doc, i don't feel any different. How are we supposed to know it worked or what should we really expect. Not really sure if Demon genes were meant to interact with human physiology. And how are we supposed to keep up training, as you said no one will want to have us anymore. And Nathan Owens, while a legend for sure can't really train anyone like me or Fluer. "

Kwartz looked at the large dark man and raised his eyebrows, turning his body into a slightly more upright position.

" Well I must be pretty special. To be able to personally meet THREE of the Grandmasters. Master Abraham you are quite intimidating. Now let me see here and look at my Homework, apologize for the mess. "

Kwartz said sarcastically as he mimes out assembling scattered sheets of paper with writing on them, racking them into a organized pile and looking at them with satisfaction... in the air.

" Ah, see, here it is. Right here. I'll start from the top " he cleared his throat Dramatically before attempting the same level of enthusiasm as he was known for.

" Mission Started relatively stable. Lima and I assumed short and mid range responsibilities while Juliett Three handled Long range sniping. We attempted to relieve the teams of Occams and Titus of as many hostiles as possible. Lima killed four Mortemcursor; Juliett Three, A Mortemcursor and Loricatus; Myself two Mortemcursor. "

" Then complications arised as you know, Sierra was confirmed dead and Longshanks was on the prowl. At around the same time Rattlejack appeared relatively close to the building being used as the Loki's Nest and radiated sonic waves which disabled not only communications but also the rail platform systems. I advise you check on Skadi Echo as likely they have suffered a similar fate as Sierra. There was misinformation and in light of recent developments that makes the most sense. "

Kwartz made the motion of flipping a page and reorganizing it.

" Ah, now where was I? Ah Right. Suddenly Rattlejack. With our comms burnt out I luckily had a Hardline and took a Dog's Blade for back-up. Figuring out the last coordinates for evac, I lead the Loki to regroup with Occams Oscar Nine inside. We ran down the building to their last known location. Traveled down a few floors then a huge explosion shook the building. We elected to rush down the outside of the building to see what happened. Apparently a Titus squad was expired. "

Kwartz reach for a glass of water on a steel tray and took a few gulps. Talking was tiring.

" The Squad count of Occams Oscar Nine was seven at the time. Lima decided to take command and we went North. Occams Anthony had expired. We met up with November on route. Weapons platforms restarted once sufficient distance from Rattlejack; communications fried. November engaged Cancer with our party. Assuming his relative capabilities the Party continued onward. Reached a building at Local 192. Traversed the building finding remnants of Scavengers. Occams Lemon expired to Ice Grenade. Occams Johnstone expired to Heartbreaker-toting Scavenger female. Reached the top. Occams Pablo expired to Toad Loricatus. Lima killed three Mortemcursor; Juliett Three, A Mortemcursor; Myself two Mortemcursor; Occams Bob Quoor the Loricatus. "

" On the roof located evac site. Spotted Longitus Echo being pursued by Mortemcursor horde. Descended building with caution and moved to regroup with Longitus Echo at Evac. Attacked by offshoot of Mortemcursor. No casualties, Occams Mendez recommended honors for capability. Juliett Three killed two Mortemcursor; Myself four Mortemcursor; Occams Bob Quoor one Mortemcursor; Occams Mendez two Mortemcursor; Lima and Occams Audric assisted. "

Kwartz flipping through what you assume was three pages of imaginary paper before reaching the 'end'.

" Reached the Evac zone, November returning with still beating Cancer Heart. Contact with Longshanks made on nearby building. demonstration of learned speaking capabilities or mocking evolution. Longshanks rebuffed while still using Sierra's voice. Voice patterns used resembled screaming in pain and begging. Mission Ended. All members of Loki accounted for, 3 members of Occams Oscar Nine remained. Obvious Mission Failure. "

Kwartz looked back up at Langley and Abraham, " Oh, Then I got shot by some a*&~&*# bastard. Now Im here. So, Master Abraham, can you do me a favor? I think that I deserve Ice Cream and I had promised Fluer if we made it out alive I would buy her some; to celebrate. Can you authorize that get delivered over to here soon? I rather not look completely foolish after all of this. "

Kwartz made the plainest face imaginable at that.

Kwartz continued to cup his head, dulled eyes catching there being life in a few of the others before falling back, landing on the 'bed' arms splayed out. " I just wanted some Ice Cream. Was that too much to ask? I don't even look good in Black dammit. "

Everything was blurry and out of focus... No. Wait a minute, No it wasn't. Kwartz couldn't even make himself forget. It all went to s%+$. ALL OF IT. He had expected life from this point on to be nothing but cake and donuts, but he was sorely disappointed. Clearly in a past life he had stepped on a Badger's den by mistake, and when the mother Badger came out, pissed right in her eye. It was the only thing that could explain this bad luck.

Langley had rewarded them with a new experience. One only they likely would go through and it seemed he survived. They were experimented on and introduced to Black Company. Any prestige he was thinking of gaining and coasting on went down the toilet. The prospect leveraging that to approach desirables in open conversation to create a favorable outcome was dashed. Just his luck. Though, it wasn't all bad. At least he was alive for now and he wanted to use that heart anyway. Kwartz tested his hand grip and fingers. Seemed the same. Eventually leaning up into a sitting position.

The Now-Former Loki looked around the room, seeing who else might of recovered. He remembered Langley mentioning a percentage for failure immediately seeing if Audric and Serai might have been among the survivors. With a sigh and a double handed motion running them from his forehead and through his hair, Kwartz voiced his mind. " Well, This sucks. " ' Yup, I'm not allowed to have nice things '

Kwartz seemed disappointed, scratching his head wildly. The thinking didnt help either as the relatively relaxed individual sighed in frustration. " Haaaaaa, I swear, so difficult. And I was made to believe aggression was the better approach in these kinds of things. Nope, waste of time too. Can't even get a simple reward out of the FUBAR situation. I bet if November asked he would get Ice Cream. I shouldn't have gotten outta bed this morning. "

Kwartz would pause occasionally covering entry and exits as they moved, he never lost focus, but his mind was working on two tracks. " Then when is it a good time? "

Kwartz, in an uncharacteristic fashion, seemed relatively unnerved by the event, but only when he looked towards Serai and back out when Longshanks had left. There was alot that the man had expected but among the hazardous and equally terrifying capabilities, this was not one of them. A feeling unfamiliar to Kwartz seemed to boil underneath his being that cheek muscles on the right side of his face twitch momentarily. The realization of the scenario and its outcome all making sense and lining up in his brain at an unnatural speed. It was all contrived by that bastard. He was forced to get up out of his comfortable bed, into this battlefield by some primeval demon a@**+&~.

The portions of his mind he had suppressed for most occurrences rose; there would be retribution. He could care less that multiple men and women were sacrificial lambs to the slaughter today. It was the fact they died with no purpose and thus wasted effort, the mistake being Longshanks included him in such. His eyes went to the still beating heart of Cancer as his irises stayed Jade. He wondered if the Demons would like surprises?

Truthfully, that s!$! right there with Longshanks is why that a#%$!~& is terrifying. At least you might have thought there Solace while dead, then he comes around speaking in Sierra's voice, fully manipulating it. The worse part is he KNOWS what he is doing is unnerving and that it is TERRIBLY effective.

This went by quickly in reality. Kwartz shrugged.

" Well, that's new. We know how we got misinformation now. That and Longshanks is quite the arrogant creature. Odd. It was as if he purposely showed us he could do so. "

Loki Kilo Three filed in after Serai, " Hey, Don't try and get around not paying for that Ice Cream.. My sweet tooth is insatiable. "

Rattlejack is the one thats like 45ft.

A Heart, now that could have some use. Even with Regeneration, it takes some time to recover from certain organs. Eyes, lungs, heart, tendons hearing apparatus, etc. Kwartz was legitimately impressed.

" Nice work Novemenber, I'm curious. Any status on the rest of your squad or whereabouts of Longshanks? None of the Titus Squads made it by the way. And these .. Three are the last Occams to my knowledge. "

Aiming his head towards Oscar Nine. His answer wouldn't change Kwartz's Perimeter sweep.

Cancer is only 20ft tall, His head would be like proportionally that size for a man of the same size. Not a car tho. Maybe like those Medicine balls you do exercises on

Having finally found some place to stop running as much, Kwartz holsters his Hardline relatively satisfied with the recent outcome. With a methodical process the Loki armed his own Longfang with a practiced efficiency, scoping the scene as well. He was sure of who the man may be but it never hurt to make sure. Serai's exclamation keyed his interest however.

" Last thing I knew who I think this was with was Cancer, maybe he brought back its head for a gift? Damn, at least I don't have to deal with it. "

His statement followed by the clink of a magazine being loaded into the weapon.

Last person he was with was Cancer, might be his head.

Kwartz looked upon his current success and the smallest of smirks could be seen on his face for a moment. " Well then, why can't they all just do that, makes ammo use much more efficient. I've got 5 left. We got a ways till we meet with the Longitus group. Audric I think its technically your turn to lead this time, Mendez got his turn's worth. "

The Loki seemed to check his equipment momentarily, " Well I can run if I need to now.. That's fun. Lima, Juliett Three; Let's get back to report this mess. Occams form a 'V' like before. Oh and watch our backs, not sure if the one I shot off the building is dead. "

He gripped the Pistol in both hands once more, his Jade eyes focused.

Move, Overwatch, Single Shot, Hardline. Cascading Fire

Kwartz simply blinks at his failure, likely the charge from round was too much. The recoil likely didnt reset well enough for a good shot. Ah well, they were close now. Moving to the side of them at a line and fires on them once more. " Six "

Move around, Angle a line into as many of the as possible, Single Shot, Hardline; Penetrating Wound

Kwartz checked his ammo, he had about 7 left in his Hardline that should be enough. " How convenient of them to bunch up like that, I was running low. "

He adjusted himself a bit and aimed so that he could get a good straight line on as much of them as possible before firing.

" Seven " he counts as the shell flew.

5ft, Angle a line into as many of the as possible, Aim, Single Shot, Hardline; Penetrating Wound

Kwartz raised an eyebrow, " You sure about that big guy? Bob did fine but I don't really care which one of you shoots the damn thing. It's only got one shot left. "

He thought on the escape route, then shook his head, " Fact is, we could hop the building to there but there is just as likely another Toad comes out and causes a problem. We still have 3 Occams left, might as well keep them as long as we can. I'm not using that shotgun. "

" Good S!%~ Bob, you may very well not die horribly. " Kwartz looked down at the wrecked mess of Pablo and Friend. He gave a low whistle, making it clear how far down they went splat.

" Three left, but hey with those Longitus or ass will be more or less covered. So guys, no pressure. "

Kwartz looked to Lima, " I'm curious, how many missions have gone this bad for you? Or am I just unlucky? "

Kwartz rose an eyebrow and shook his head. " Four, We have four left. And you wanted to get more grenades. Damn, you could have least have left her to the dogs, but I guess I'll have to give you that one. Johnstone didn't deserve being blasted away like that. Not to mention the lack of equipment now. One of you Occams carry that shotgun, preferably NOT the one opening the door. Check for ammo. "

Kwartz would think on their numbers and evaluate the chances of survival, it was looking bad. Even if they located the Evac zone, the manner of getting there would cause some issues with their escort. At the same time going with just Loki ensured at least one of them would likely perish, that wouldn't be good. He perked up from his thinking face, " We shouldn't be far from the top, Pablo you are on next, try not to die too quickly. "

He, as always, kept his Hardline ready for hostile reaction. " Let's not make this entire Mission a bust. "

" I'm not. Its not worth it. if they have more Liquid Grenades then they would use them and I don't know about you but by my count the number of Occams we have is getting lower. Evac is Primary objective, whatever losses we might take from getting those armaments will be less than a free body who can fire a gun. Let's move up. " Kwartz said a-matter-of-factually, his Hardline trained ahead.

" Good as we are gunna be. Make sure to make them nice and squishy so my shot makes them dead. Or Horrifically maimed... that's good too. "

At this point Kwartz shouldered his Longfang and Held his Hardline in two hands.

Standard Shot, Aim, Overwatch, Hardline

Kwartz raises a brow, looks at his Hardline, then back to the remains of the Mortemcursor. " Ehh, Good Enough. I'll take horrible Maim over death I suppose. Seem to have a knack for it. "

Kwartz stayed ready. " Check the Scavenger, same process. Whose next for door-duty? "

Move, Standard Shot, Overwatch, Hardline

Kwartz sighs and tucks in his elbow as he fires on the Mortemcursor above Bob. " Just sit there and look pretty. I'm expecting company with all that noise. "

Standard Shot, Aim, Hardline