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oracleforhire — TTR4: The Value of a Half-Life - Part 2 [NSFW]
Published: 2012-07-23 05:31:16 +0000 UTC; Views: 233; Favourites: 3; Downloads: 0
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Time Trials

Round 4

The Value of a Half-Life

Part II



A distinct smell of steel and chemicals was the first thing that came to mind as the light faded away.  The whirring of the reactors hummed loudly in the midst of spring evening.  Not a soul was to be seen as we stood in the middle of the dirt road.  Things were unusually peaceful for the danger that was to come.  Then again, you always feel safest right before you die.


The three of didn't do much for the next couple of minutes as we all got our bearings.  It wouldn't have been so bad if it weren't for the silent tension between, Blackwood and Lavina.  Those two really need to make up soon or they might now even survive this round.  Now how am I-  Just moment.


“Don't even think about trying to take off on your own, little one.”  My firm grip on her shoulder prevented her from sneaking away while I was in the middle of my monologue.


I quickly spun her around so that our eyes would meet.  The look of fear she gave was quite distinct, though the fear seemed to stem from when she looked into my eyes, like she could see something in them that nobody else could.  I could tell my actions did not settle well with Blackwood from the way he was clenching his fists.  Regardless, I am not about to let a tragedy occur because of their irrational fears and insecurities.  Once I was sure she wouldn't run away from me, I released my grip and turned to face Mr. Blackwood.


“Mr. Blackwood,” The sudden shift of spotlight startled him as he flinched at the sound of my voice.  “I am well aware you do not approve of my methods in regard to your companion, but there is little time to argue about such things.  There is much to be done before the nuclear reactor fails.”


“U-um, yes of course.” He replied slightly shaken.  Though timid, I could feel the anger toward me bubble under the surface, but quickly faded away as I gave him a stern look.


“The two of you are in great peril.  Greater than any human could be. Your problems with the mafia are trivial in comparison to the danger that lies ahead,” I took out my universal translator and proceeded to attach the earpiece as I calmly spoke.  “Are you understanding me?”


“Y-yes,” He answered meekly.


Fortuna, why do have to babysit this man and child?  Speaking of which...


“Do not move!”  I bellowed the command to the leech girl as I turned to face her.


Lavina halted dead in her tracks at being caught.  She had gotten several meters away from me since I had turned my attention to Black.


“If you even think of running, I will shoot you,” dropping my lantern and taking my assault rifle off my shoulder.  “Now, come over here and stay with Mr. Blackwood.”


A mixture of fear, shock, and surprise were evident on her face and she slowly walked to Blackwood's side.  Well, now she's more scared of me than her fear and/or hatred of humans from the way she's hiding behind the now angry man.  At least it's somewhat mending their bond, though there's no hope of befriending either of them.  Not like I was trying to make any in the first place.


“Now that the two of you are listening, I need you both to follow my instructions to a T,”  handing my weapon to Blackwood as I spoke. The look of bewilderment of me giving on his face was rather humorous.  To be fair, the man who threatened to shoot your companion giving you the gun he was going to shoot said companion with would take most people off guard.


“There should be a vehicle depot nearby here considering this is an important government facility.  Steal one of the vehicles and take a road to the west away from the power plant.  From there, headed south by southwest.  That's the closest point away from the radiation that you'll get.  You have roughly,”  I paused as I glanced at the translator in my hand to see the displayed time before placing it back in my pocket.  “An hour twenty minutes before the reactor goes.”


A silence washed over us as the two continued to stare at me with confusion.  It took a few moments before Blackwood worked up some courage again.  “Why are you helping us?  Wh-why should we even listen to you?”


“Because too much is at stake, and like hell I'm going to let anyone get erased.  I'm not about to let you someone you care for like I did,”  Whispering the last part to myself.


“Now here,” Emptying my pockets and tossing the spare ammunition of the rifle to their feet.  “You'll need these.  It won't do much against them, but it will slow them down.”


“What about you?  Won't you need this?  And what about the tournament?” He asked as he picked up the ammunition.


“The tournament is irrelevant and I'll be fine,” Picking up my lantern and unholstering my pistol with the other.  “Now get moving!”


The duo simply nodded before taking off into the darkness of the night.  


Huh, seems their shared fear of me is keeping them together.  I simply hope they reforge with each other.  You had be keep keep her safe, Blackwood.  I will hunt you down if you fail like I did.

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_


The muscles in my legs burned as I ran through the roads of the power plant to the main reactors.  Not a soul was to be heard nor found, something that worries me greatly.  No security, no scientists, nothing.  I can only hope I'm not too late.


Why am I running around like this?  Well, the fact that Father Time indirectly gave me the order to investigate the reactor is one thing.  While this should not bother me, but the fact it was him as opposed to the Oracle giving me the order greatly disturbs me.  Not to mention the Oracle not briefing or speaking to me could not be a good sign.  The Oracle being as subdued made this an even worse sign to me.


I began to slow my pace as I approached one of the reactors.  Why you ask? Well, the fact that I could make out two moving figures near the entrance to one of the buildings that controlled one of the reactors was reason enough.


With much suppressed trepidation, I stealthily made my way closer to the reactor building.  Several signs in Russian pointed toward the building along the way there.  I couldn't read a word of them, but the three on them clued me in on just which nuclear reactor I was approaching.  


It wasn't until I had hidden behind a parked military jeep across from the facility that I could make out guards standing by the door.  The empty faces of the guards was hard to miss, even in the darkness of the night.


What?


….....


Alright, I lied.  There's a weird sheen being given off by their faces because the light from a nearby lamppost is reflecting off their empty faces.


Anyway, I they do not seem to be on guard from the looks of them.  I just hope my aim hasn't deteriorated.


With care aim, I line up my targets and pop out of my cover before squeezing the trigger until I heard a distinct click that signals there were no more bullets to fire.  With the guards down, I waste not a moment to finish them off in order to avoid another repeat of what happened in Chicago.  My task was grizzly and horrifying, but it's better than being tossed around like a rag doll.


With but a moment spent to reload my gun, I quickly make my way into the building.  I was met with no resistance as I made way deeper inside. The lack of people, hell, even the Null was starting to make me grow uneasy.  It wasn't long before I came upon a room with a keypad. Well, seems I found the control room.


Taking a deep breath, I hovered my hand of the keypad and closed my eyes.  I opened them after just a moment and punched in six numbers before hearing a soft click from the door.  Pausing for a moment to swallow my fear, I holstered my pistol and placed my free hand on the door handle.  With a deep breath I quietly opened the door to meet what lurked on the other side.


A lone figure with a white coat stood at the control panel.  Nothing special or distinctive could be made out other than being a bald human, but better to be safe than sorry.  I opened the door to my lantern and prepared myself for the worst as I approached the figure.


“Freeze!”  I shouted with authority as I had my lantern at the ready.


The figure quickly turned as gave out a piecing screech as it faced me.


No face, check.  Shit in pants, check.  Alright, time to get to work.


“Exuro!”  I shouted as flame spewed from my lantern.  I watched with horror and fascination as the Null almost instantly turned into ash before completely disappearing.  I took several deep breaths afterward to calm down my heart rate down.  Once down to a manageable pace, I was at the control panel to try and figure out what was going on.


Okay, time to find out what it was up to.  Let's see, everything seems normal.  None the gauges are off or anything.  Huh, everything seems fine.  Everything...Seems....Fine....


No, no, no, no.  No.  No!  Don't tell me!  They- they weren't trying to do anything her.  Simply regulate the power plant and make sure nothing went wrong.  No.  No!  Dammit!


Why am I losing a gasket?  Well, despite the fact that alternate dimensions exist and the infinite possibilities of the multiverse, each timeline has a distinct path.  Think of it this way, the timeline is like a tree branch.  Each choice that is make creates a new branch, and splinters on and on are the endless choices pop up.


Well, the specific one we happen to be on has the nuclear reactor failing, thus causing the Chernobyl Disaster.  If this doesn't occur, the branch suddenly ends, thus causing a time paradox, and the Null are going to use it to open the Door.


Oh dear Fortuna, please don't tell me this is what I have to do.  Please don't-  Please don't tell me I have to cause it.  Oh Fortuna, no.


Dammit! Dammit, dammit, damn it all!


Tears poured my my eyes as my revelation threatened to break me.  I- I have to ruin hundreds-  No, thousands of lives to save the infinite number of lives of the multiverse.  Damn the Null!  Damn them!


After a regaining my composure after a couple more minutes, I accept what I have to do.  I hover my hand over the control board for several seconds before beginning to push buttons and turn knobs.  The sound of hissing and whirring could be heard from the reactor as I committed the dead.  With the task complete, I smashed the control board and fled the building, letting time simply do the rest.



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