Young Writers Society

Alimento Mori:
awareness that you will die, that these passing years aren’t just scenes from a dress rehearsal, rounds of an ongoing game or chapters in a story you’ll be telling later, but are footprints being lapped by the steadily gathering tide of an unfathomable abyss.

You've been here since birth. Some of your parents bothered to leave you a name before departing, most haven't. Some of you are here simply as a stroke of misfortune, your parents might have chosen the wrong doorstep to leave you on, others have been doomed since before conception, you are the repayment of a dept that could only be paid with a newborn.

Each child that enters the organization is first examined and sorted into the four different classes that the training camp offers: Stealth, Combat, Technology, and Science. Those children who show promise in none of the four are used as lab rats. Each of the students in the four classes has 17 years to train and perfect their skill before graduating to be adopted. While still a part of the organization, each child has to become a master in their respective jobs while also being genetically mutated to become a super human. The tests and surgeries and alterations made to each child depends on what field they're sorted in - for example, science class students, being the most physically defensive of the four, would have mutations to increase their durability, such as faster healing times.

If you are adopted, you go on to fight in the Tournament - arena-style battles to the death until a victor is claimed. Each arena lasts up to a week to two weeks, and the tournament lasts over a course of six months with a week in between each arena battle. The team who wins the tournament gains money, power, and freedom from obligations to the organization.

Four Classes (Jobs):

A-level: Stealth - Dante
B-level: Combat - Janika
C-level: Technology - RP
D-level: Science/Medicine - Shadowlight

Levels are just what section of the building each class is located on, and also are a system of identification. Each child has a room number and a level. For example, my character is part of the Technology class so his ID would be C-3 (C-level, room 3).

Character Profile:

Code: Select all

[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Age: 17[/b]
[b]Gender:[/b]
[b]Class:[/b]

[b]Appearance:[/b]

[b]Personality:[/b]

[b]History:[/b]

[b]Mutations/Alterations:[/b]

[b]Fighting Style:[/b]

[b]Other:[/b]

If you still want to join after spots are filled:

Tech "TC"

Tech reclined back in his chair with a heavy sigh and a shiver. He hated the winter months, and the last frosty dregs of February were still clinging to March. The cold made his left arm creak and his bones rattle. He didn't like the goosebumps that appeared on his skin or his rattling teeth. He ran a hand through his hair and stared up at the biggest computer screen mounted on his wall. A few other smaller screens littered the space around it, along with some scattered tabletops covered with scraps of metal, wires, unfinished projects, and gadgets.

There was noise outside, more so than usual. C-level was usually pretty quiet, everyone too busy working to meander around the halls. TC wasn't sure about the other levels, but it was definitely a bit too noisy outside today. Tech stretched out and listened to his joints crack and pop before getting up and walking over to one of his most recent projects. With a flick of his fingers, he activated the detail-view on his eyes and got started. Only a few minutes into his work, the door opened, letting sunlight pour into the room. TC cried out and covered his eyes.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry! You must be TC-3, I heard about the surgeries but-"

"Close the door, please!"

"Oh, right, sorry."

The door closed and TC blinked furiously to try and ease the burning in his eyes. Once everything was straight, he found his glasses and slipped them on. Right afterwards, the room lights were turned on.

"I'm sorry, my name's Carla. Anyway, I'm down here to collect all the graduates for the ceremony."

"Oh, that's right! I forgot all about that," TC laughed.

"Haha, yeah. That's today, congrats. Just follow me all I'll show you where to go."

"Right, if you could just past me my cane. I can't see when I have these glasses on."

"Oh! Sure."

---

"Congratulations! You few have managed to graduate from our training camp. I know you all may find it hard to depart from here, but alas, we must let you go. Many of you will be adopted today. Many will not. All of your lives have been in preparation for this moment. If you are claimed, congratulations! Represent our organization well. Do not fail us. If you are not called then... well... we do not offer second chances."

Tech shuffled nervously on his feet. His walking cane was clutched in both of his hands as they shook slightly from the cold. That was the one bad thing about having so much metal in and on your body, it froze easily. Everyone started lining up by class, and he was guided gently by the arm to his respective line. It made his cheeks burn to think that he looked so helpless. He wasn't usually self-conscious of his blindness, he knew that whenever the sun went down he had an advantage over everybody else, but it still embarrassed him to be guided around like some kid. He kept his head down.

"Okay, listen up everybody. We have three people here today looking to adopt, which means only twelve people will be leaving. We've all been watching your progress closely, and hopefully it's been good enough for you to be recognized. Listen for your ID, and if you hear it go to your new owner. If not wait around for future instructions."

TC gulped and scratched his head nervously.

"For Mr. Williams, SA-8, CB-15, TC-9, and MD-4. For Ms. Arlic, SA-3, CB-1, TC-18, and MD-10. For Mr. Threat, SA-4, CB-5, TC-3, and MD-9."

Tech's head snapped up at the sound of his name. TC-3, that was him. A wide smile stretched across his face and he took a few steps forward before he realized he didn't know where to go. Slowly, he stepped back.

"Come on, this way TC," he heard a familiar voice whisper in his ear. It was one of the Techs that assisted with his operations. He let himself be lead into what felt like a room. Only when he heard the door close did he take off his glasses. He looked around and saw two girls, another boy, and an older man.

"Well," the man started, "my name is Mr. Threat, but you can just call me JT. We're going to be heading home in a little bit, but for now I have to go take care of some things. I'll leave you all here and be back soon."

Tech watched the older man leave, shielding his eyes when the door opened, and turned back towards the other three in the room when it closed. He felt his face heating up again and bowed his head.

"Um... I'm TC-3, but everyone just calls me Tech.. or TC... whichever is easier."

Angel Raziel - The Easy Way

"Congratulations! You few have managed to graduate from our training camp. I know you all may find it hard to depart from here, but alas, we must let you go. Please line up according to class and wait for your number to be called. Many of you will be adopted today. Many will not. All of your lives have been in preparation for this moment. If you are claimed, congratulations! Represent our organization well. Do not fail us. If you are not called then... well... we do not offer second chances."

Angel waited as she knew this was a day to finally put her skills to the test, she had gathered information on this up coming day knowing full well she had to be picked. She wouldn't like it if they didn't call her ID, worst case scenario, she was leaving one way or another. She pulled up her bandanna but didn't put her sunglasses and waited patiently as others in the A-Level, the Stealth Level waited for there ID's to be called.

"For Mr. Williams, SA-8, CB-15, TC-9, and MD-4. For Ms. Arlic, SA-3, CB-1, TC-18, and MD-10. For Mr. Threat, SA-4, CB-5, TC-3, and MD-9."

Angel smiled under her bandanna, they did this the easy way. Angel brought her left arm up and hit the invisibility making her disappear, Angel moved quickly getting up from the spot she had her back to. Making her way to her owner, she didn't like the idea of having some guy who she didn't even know be her new dad. Angel knew she has only ten minutes with the battery since she was inside, twenty minutes if it was in the day light. Angel moved quickly to the door and there was one of the Stealth Assistants, all the Stealth Assistants were equipped with mechanical eyes that allowed them to see the invisible.

The woman immediately raised her hand stop Angel, Angel knew the struggle, trying to push though her would cause them to use another feature they were equipped with, taser finger tips. It would temporary neutralize all systems and cause unconsciousness, next thing you know your in the infirmary with burn marks on your chest. Angel knew the drill, deactivate your systems and go on stand by. Angel raised her arm and hit deactivate on her control screen, then lowered her arm again.

"Come with me, SA-4," the woman said.

The woman lead her to her new father, she was soon lead to a room that she had learned she could never be in during her training. The room was entirely dark hard to see in, Angel wondered why, she had the urge to hit her invisibility and get moving. Three others were already there, she didn't recognize them because they kept the levels strictly separate. The man who looked much older than the other two, stood tall and if she didn't know better, intimadating. Angel looked at the other two, they must be the othr ID's that were called.

"Well this girl makes three, what is your name sweet heart?" Mr. Threat asked.

"I'm not 'Sweet Heart' I'm Angel," she said.

"Angel, sounds like a sweet heart to me," he joked.

No one laughed at his joke, a minute later the door opened again and two more people came though the Stealth assisstant was gone. Once he was safely with the ground the asisstant disappeared back though the door, the guy looked around at the three of us then at the older man.

"Well," the man started, "my name is Mr. Threat, but you can just call me JT. We're going to be heading home in a little bit, but for now I have to go take care of some things. I'll leave you all here and be back soon."

JT turned and walked away though the door, the newest guy shields his eyes from the light that came though the door. That was interesting reaction, why would he need to shield his eyes from the light? the new guy turned to face the rest of the group bowing his head.

"Um... I'm TC-3, but everyone just calls me Tech.. or TC... whichever is easier." he said.

"I'm Angel, Stealth A-4 and the best Stealth there is," Angel said arrogantly.

Another person steps forward, "Ivy Combat B-5," Angel couldn't see what the other girl looked like because of the heavy darkness. But Angel hated Combat fighters, they are a pain to take down, some of them near impossible unless you know how to deal with them. When it came to mutations, they were either great brutes or fast killers.

"How about you?" Tech asked.

Angel couldn't really tell where the other guy was, the heavy darkness mostly blinded her, but she heard a voice speak up. "Cody, Medic D-9," the guy said. Stealth, Tech, Combat, and Medic, what did these four have in common? they were trained to kill.

~Ivy~

"Congratulations! You few have managed to graduate from our training camp. I know you all may find it hard to depart from here, but alas, we must let you go. Please line up according to class and wait for your number to be called. Many of you will be adopted today. Many will not. All of your lives have been in preparation for this moment. If you are claimed, congratulations! Represent our organization well. Do not fail us. If you are not called then... well... we do not offer second chances."

Ivy didn't worry while she waited for them to call out IDs. She was top of her classes with off the chart ratings, performing more than satisfactory. Though she didn't worry they wouldn't pick her, well......

She'd be gone either way. She's just rather it be the latter rather than the alternative to that. She sat back and listened as they began calling out IDs.

"For Mr. Williams, SA-8, CB-15, TC-9, and MD-4. For Ms. Arlic, SA-3, CB-1, TC-18, and MD-10. For Mr. Threat, SA-4, CB-5, TC-3, and MD-9."


She almost smiled as she stood up. Almost. making her way over to her...Handler, I guess you could call it, she was lead into a dark room, her eyes instantly adjusting, seeing as if looking through crystal, where she found an older man waiting with his back to hers . He was taller than her by at least a head, muscled like line backer, and some would even say he was intimidating, but not Ivy. She was just intrigued by the man for some reason. She didn't speak, and neither did he. she sat in silence, waiting for whatever is was she waiting for, when another Female entered, then another Male. Still no one talked.

"Well, this girl makes three, what is your name sweet heart?" he asked one.

"I'm not 'Sweet Heart'. I'm Angel," she said.

"Angel, sounds like a sweet heart to me," he joked.

She didn't laugh, the other one her didn't laugh, and I surely didn't. But the corner of my mouth did rise slightly. The sound of footsteps reached my ears as two pairs of foot steps sounded down the hallway. A another person was escorted in. He turned to look at the tree of us, then at the Man.

"Well," the man started, "my name is Mr. Threat, but you can just call me JT. We're going to be heading home in a little bit, but for now I have to go take care of some things. I'll leave you all here and be back soon."

JT turned, making his way through a door. from the corner of my eye, I saw the new guy shield his eyes from the light that shone through the door. Now why would he need to do that? Hm. Interesting. It was probably a modification. He turned to face the rest of us, bowing his head letting messy Brown hair cover his face.

"Um... I'm TC-3, but everyone just calls me Tech.. or TC... whichever is easier." he said.

So he was shy. Hm.

"I'm Angel, Stealth A-4 and the best Stealth there is," some girl said arrogantly.

Ivy rolled her eyes. She already didn't like her. Crap like that is how people end up getting killed. I should know. I've killed arrogant people like her during training before. Ivy had to stifle the urge to scoff. The best she knew of. If Ivy had been put in Stealth, she'd be the second best, and that wasn't being cocky or arrogant like this chick. It was just a fact.

"Ivy, Combat B-5," I spoke.

Ivy took in everyone as they spoke, analyzing them.

"How about you?" Tech asked.

"Cody, Medic D-9," answered the guy with bright eyes and dark hair. He was tall, tall enough to catch someone's eye, as was Tech.

He was well muscled as well with Five O' Clock shadow, but with being a medic, that was expected, but not his pale skin. That did come as a surprise to Ivy, though. Hey eyes didn't fail to see the scars or marks left from injections. She wondered what his modifications were that would leave such obvious signs.

Ivy then turned her attention to the girl. Ivy was at least a good head or more taller than her, but her skin was darker than Ivy's, only by a shade or two. Through the dark shades she wore, her eyes were a stormy Grey with a Black Bandanna covering the rest of her face. She wondered why on Earth anyone would do that, then shrugged. To each her own. Ivy made her way over to a wall and leaned herself against it as she heard footsteps making their way to them.

"Just a heads up Tech, someone's coming," Ivy announced.

"How would you know?" Angel spoke up.

"Because I can see into the future," Ivy answered smartly. "How else would I know? I can hear it. Common sense."

She would have to keep a cooler head around the girl. Something about her agitated Ivy. She turned her head expectantly toward the door as footsteps grew louder. a few moments later, light flooded the room as JT stepped inside, letting the door close behind him.

Sorry about the delay- life chewed me up.

Cody:

"Just a heads up Tech, someone's coming,"

"How would you know?"

"Because I can see into the future, how else would I know? I can hear it. Common sense."

Cody raised his brows at the two girls- not five minutes together and they were already at one another throats- this was going to be an interesting group dynamic. He came out of his dark corner- hands up.

“Hey now, lets be friend okay? We're stuck together- no need to start out on the left foot,” He smiled his gentle calming smile, “We're all a little tense, lets just take a deep breath and-” Cody got no futher- for Mr. Threat walked into the room smiling.

“Well then- getting along are we?” He was met with dead silence but that didn't seem to bother him- he walked towards us and rubbed his hands together grinning- like a shark. “I've settled everything, it's time to go kids.”

“I'm not a kid.” The small girl said glaring daggers at the older man- crossing her arms before her,

“My Mistake, it's time to go kids- and Miss Angel.” Mr Threat repeated with a slight tone of annoyance. Everyone stood, Angel snorted, Ivy bounced on the balls of her feet, Tech slipped on his glasses and Cody watched them all intently.

Mr.. Threat led the way out of the conference room and down a long clinical white hallway with no windows or pictures- plain white walls, plain white trim and white tiles. Cody noticed Tech falling behind and slowed his long strides.

“You okay Tech?” Gently he grabbed the other boys arm and guided him, “Too bright for you huh? Don't worry it'll be over soon, I”ll help you- watch out for the steps man, don't want to fall.”

“I can see a little....” Cody smiled at him,

“That's great! Are your eyes robotic or cellar interface with bionic chips installed on your middle cortex?” Tech looked at him startled,

“Wh-what?” Cody shrugged,

“I'm interested in what they did to you, your “alterations” I can see the arm but what about the eyes? They're clearly photosensitive- which would suggest Bionic chips as those are very light sensitive.”

“They're real, just with some changes.... but how did you know?” Tech stammered, growing poppy red.

“I found a book on Bionic body modifications and read it. I was trying to figure out if they did anything like that to me.... they didn't.” Chuckling Cody ran a hand through his hair, “ I didn't get anything cool like your eyes or arm.”

“No you didn't- you just can't die.” Mr. Threat spoke loudly, turning on the boys, “Isn't that right Cody?” Cody blinked,

“I'm not sure.... They never tested it fully.”

Tech "TC"

Tech listening to the two girls bicker with tense muscles. He wanted to interject, to calm the atmosphere, but couldn't bring himself to speak or even think of the proper words to say in such a situation. He could see Ivy's body temperature rise as she became angrier, and grew nervous.

"Thank you," he stuttered in response to Ivy's warning, but no one could hear him over noise. Still, he covered his eyes.

Thankfully, the medical student - what was his name? - Cody, interjected. Just as he was speaking, TC heard the door open.

“Well then- getting along are we? I've settled everything, it's time to go kids.”

TC colored slightly at the address. He'd never been referred to like that before, it was always TC-3, or Tech with those that knew him a little better - mostly his private teachers and experiment team. He didn't mind either, it made him feel more comfortable around the man, like he was wanted. He slipped on his glasses as Mr. Threat announced they were leaving, and felt his way out of the door. He realized they didn't leave the way they came in, and being in strange, unfamiliar places made TC uncomfortable. He didn't like not knowing where he was. He could have taken off his glasses, but wouldn't be able to see for the super bright lights anyway. They wouldn't burn his eyes like pure sunlight did, but it would still be difficult for him.

“You okay, Tech?”

He felt someone grab his arm and recognized the voice as Cody's.

“Too bright for you huh? Don't worry it'll be over soon, I”ll help you- watch out for the steps man, don't want to fall.”

"I can see a little..."

Which was more lie than truth, but he didn't want Cody to think he was totally helpless, it was embarrassing.

“That's great! Are your eyes robotic or cellar interface with bionic chips installed on your middle cortex?”

Tech turned quickly towards the boy with a look of surprise slapped on his face. He didn't cross many non-Techs that knew so much about the study, he didn't cross many non-Techs at all, mostly just the medics that came to him when he was having problems, but they didn't know much about the technical field and TC usually had to reduce the explanation of his alterations to simple and easy to understand phrases - usually 'I can see super well when it's dark because of A, B, C, D, etc.'.

“I'm interested in what they did to you, your “alterations” I can see the arm but what about the eyes? They're clearly photosensitive- which would suggest Bionic chips as those are very light sensitive.”

“They're real, just with some changes.... but how did you know?”

“I found a book on Bionic body modifications and read it. I was trying to figure out if they did anything like that to me.... they didn't. I didn't get anything cool like your eyes or arm.”

“No you didn't- you just can't die,” Mr. Threat interjected. “Isn't that right Cody?”

“I'm not sure.... They never tested it fully.”

"Sounds pretty cool to me," TC replied with a smile. "The rest of us are as mortal as ever. Though I'm sure Ivy and Angle would be harder to kill than me."

He heard another door open and his left arm registered high levels of UV rays, causing a warning screen to pop up on his glasses. TC closed the notification and adjusted the settings on his arm to improve environment sensitivity, it was mostly how he navigated in open areas. His arm gave a constant reading of the changing factors of the area - light, air pressure, elevation, etc - which were registered on an app installed into his eyes that combined those factors into a map of sorts. It didn't do much to help his details or even accurate figures, but it stopped him from walking off any cliffs or bumping into any walls. He created the program himself after one too many embarrassing encounters with closed doors and sharp turns.

He was guided into what felt like the back of some vehicle, and it was confirmed when he felt the first uneven bumps of terrain under the wheels.

"You're okay now, Tech, the windows are tinted," he heard Mr. Threat announce.

TC slipped off his glasses and saw that they were all gathered in the back of what he believed to be a limousine. On the left of him sat Ivy, across from her was Angel, next to angle sat JT, and on the right of TC was Cody.

"Alright guys, we're on our way home, but before we get there a few things need to be explained. I don't suppose any of you actually know what happens after graduation, as you shouldn't, but it's time to find out since your first arena is tomorrow."

"Arena," TC asked.

"Yes. It's pretty obvious that your childhood has not been a normal one, I suspect all of you already know that. You've been engineered and trained since basically birth to be killers. A horrible set of events really, but those are the cards you've been dealt. After each graduation there's a year long tournament where graduates from each training camp all over the nation come together to fight for survival in a test of skill. Basically a really bloody final exam. Right now, you all are in debt to your organization. The only way out is to win the tournament or else you end up a slave to them for the rest of your life. It's not such a good living. You know all of those experts you've been around through the years, they all didn't entirely choose to be there, not all of them. Some winners don't want to leave the organization and end up teaching, I don't recommend that plan of action if I can interject some opinion here. There's two ways to lose in the arena, either you die or, if you're the last person on your team, you can choose to forfeit and save your life. The first arena is tomorrow-"

"Tomorrow?!"

One of the girls had exclaimed, he didn't know who, his mind was reeling and he felt extremely sick to his stomach. But really it all made perfect sense, and on a second thought TC realized he shouldn't have been surprised at all. It was perfectly logical, but that didn't stop the emotion bubbling to the surface.

"Tomorrow," JT confirmed. "I know it's all very sudden, but I picked you guys because I thought your were the best. Don't prove me wrong. You'll be fine, I promise."

The car jerked to a stop and Threat scooted over and out of the door.

"The driver will take you all to the orphanage, which is now home to you. I'll meet you all there, I have a few things to pick up, your weapons mainly. When you get home find Ms. Sally and she'll show you to your rooms. Bye, kids."

He closed the door and the car pulled off again. TC swallowed hard and wrung his hands together.

"I... I'm not a killer," he mumbled.

~Ivy~

JT looked to all of us as the door closed behind him. “Well then, getting along are we?"

His question was met with silence, which didn't seem to bother him. “I've settled everything, it's time to go kids.”

“I'm not a kid." Angel said, glaring daggers at the older man- crossing her arms before her.

Ivy smirked. Of course she wasn't.

“My Mistake, it's time to go kids- and Miss Angel.” Mr Threat repeated, the agitation apparent in his voice.

Mr.. Threat led the way out of the conference room and down a long clinical white hallway with no windows or pictures- plain white walls, plain white trim and white tiles. They weren't going the same way we'd originally come from, Ivy noticed, but didn't say anything. She just watched and followed as she went. Tech and Cody were a few paces behind me. Angel was walking beside Ivy, and she had the strangest urge to stick her foot out and trip her for some reason she couldn't fathom. Ivy gave herself a mental shake and shrug and continued on, letting her eyes wander around. Cody or Tech must have said something Ivy hadn't caught, because JT turned towards them.

“No you didn't- you just can't die.” Mr. Threat spoke loudly, “Isn't that right Cody?”

“I'm not sure.... They never tested it fully.” Cody answered.

Ivy resisted the urge to laugh at that as they were guided into the back of a waiting vehicle.

"You're okay now, Tech, the windows are tinted," JT announced.

Tech slipped his glasses off and looked at us all for a moment.

"Alright guys," JT started. "we;re on our way home, but before we get there a few things need to be explained. I don't suppose any of you actually know what happens after graduation, as you shouldn't, but it's time to find out since your first arena is tomorrow."

"Arena?" Tech asked.

"Yes," Jt nodded. "It's pretty obvious that your childhood has not been a normal one, I suspect all of you already know that. You've been engineered and trained since basically birth to be killers. A horrible set of events really, but those are the cards you've been dealt. After each graduation there's a year long tournament where graduates from each training camp all over the nation come together to fight for survival in a test of skill. Basically a really bloody final exam. Right now, you all are in debt to your organization. The only way out is to win the tournament or else you end up a slave to them for the rest of your life. It's not such a good living. You know all of those experts you've been around through the years, they all didn't entirely choose to be there, not all of them. Some winners don't want to leave the organization and end up teaching, I don't recommend that plan of action if I can interject some opinion here. There's two ways to lose in the arena, either you die or, if you're the last person on your team, you can choose to forfeit and save your life. The first arena is tomorrow-"

"Tomorrow?!" Angel spoke.

"Tomorrow," JT confirmed. "I know it's all very sudden, but I picked you guys because I thought your were the best. Don't prove me wrong. You'll be fine, I promise."

The car jerked to a stop and Threat scooted over and out of the door. "The driver will take you all to the orphanage, which is now home to you. I'll meet you all there, I have a few things to pick up, your weapons mainly. When you get home find Ms. Sally and she'll show you to your rooms. Bye, kids."

Ivy turned to look at Tech, looking a bit distraught. He swallowed hard and wrong his hands together. "I... I'm not a killer," he mumbled.

Ivy sighed for him. He seemed like a sweet heart, and she couldn't help but fell bad for him.

Ivy touched his shoulder. "Hey. Take a deep breath, and don't worry about it, Ok? It's highly unlike that you'll have to shed any Blood."

TC nodded his thanks and bowed his head, looking grateful for the reassurance, but couldn't stop his hands from shaking. "Thanks. I just don't know how to take all of this."

Ivy touched his shaking hands. "Don't worry. It'll be fine. You've got the rest of us here to watch our for you."

He nodded again and look down at his lap, silent. Ivy bit on her lip, not knowing what else to do. She looked to Cody, who just shrugged, and sighed.

Ivy nudged him with her elbow. "Hey."

He looked back at me, his eyes still in turmoil.

"How about this?" she tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear, which he followed with his eyes. "I promise to have your six as long you have mine."

"Six?" he frowned.

"It means, as long as I have your back, you have mine. We watch each other's backs. Sound good?" Ivy smiled, holding out her hand.

"Sounds good." His hand swallowed mine as he shook it.

Something about his hands stroke Ivy as odd, and she ran her hand along his palm, feeling the calluses. Hm. She'd expect calluses on Cody's hands, or even Angel's, but not Tech.

"Why are your hands so rough?" Ivy ran her fingers along his palm again.

"U-um," he stammered, his face turning Beet Red as he looks down. "Circuit shorts and experiments gone bad."

Ivy smiled inside. Tech must not really be used to Female contact. She was probably making him uncomfortable. She puller her hand away and sat back. "My apologies. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, but you must be feeling better, because your hands stopped shaking."

As if just noticing, he looked down at his hands, realizing they had stopped shaking. Ivy smiled. "You're welcome."

Angel Raziel - Damon and Angel

Listening to Tech and Ivy talk, got Angel to thinking about what's ahead. Yeah Tech may not have to shed blood, but to think about, Angel is the one who'll have to do it, Ivy to. Cody and Tech are support, and Ivy and herself are offense, now the question begs to be asked: Who are there enemies from the Organization? Angel closed her eyes and remembered what she heard just an hour ago.

"For Mr. Williams, SA-8, CB-15, TC-9, and MD-4. For Ms. Arlic, SA-3, CB-1, TC-18, and MD-10"

SA- 8 and 3 are her enemies, people she had to watch for, what are there surgeries, upgrades, mutations? Angel had no idea what there names are or what they could possibly have. She looked down at her arm to see the screen inbented there, she had been under antiseptic during the time of her surgeries. But to think, having your arm cut off from the elbow down must hurt incredibly. But Angel had felt like the arm was apart of her, always has been from the second she was born. She was given synthetic skin to make the arm look normal enough but still to think she could peel it back and see robotic parts.

"Ladies and Gentleman, this is your stop." the driver said.

Angel opens her eyes and see's they had indeed pulled in front of the orphanage. Angel beings closest to a door, reached for the handle and stepped out. Angel looked up and saw the Orphanage, it wasn't that big surprise to say. It looked about two stories, but it seemed dull and devoid of color in the evening light. Tech, Ivy, and Cody got out Ivy and Cody slamming the doors behind them. We gathered on the side walk, I looked down the road to see a passing car.

It doesn't stop and rides right on past us, but I could see in the window as the car pasted us. he had red hair, freckles across his face, a smug look I wish I could wipe off but never could. His name is Damon, my best friend, worst enemy. I felt someone behind me, I turned my head and saw Cody I was afraid he saw the emotion in my eyes.

"Is something wrong, Angel?" he asked, the look of concern on his face clear.

"No, everything is fine," I lied, "I just need some time alone."

Cody;

“No, I just need some time alone.” Angel said scowling, Cody backed off- he knew that look, that look meant ~Back off now or you lose a testicle~ Cody stepped away and back to Tech's side- men need to stick together no? The thought made him chuckle.

“What's so funny?” Tech asked- shuffling- the sunlight obviously making him uncomfortable. Cody took two steps to the right and stood- back to the sun to offer Tech what shade he could,

“Nothing, just a whimsy.”

“A what?” Ivy asked, brow raised, Cody blushed crimson.

“Sorry, when I was young there was this nurse who used to laugh at some of the strange thoughts I told her of- she called them my Whimsy thoughts- and then just my whimsys.” He shrugged, then heard Angel snort and he wanted the sidewalk to eat him.


“So cody- is what JT said true?” Tech asked, “Can't you die? Did they make that big of changes to you?”

“Well,” Cody said thinking, “I know I'm really hard to kill, they tried some stuff in the lab. But I don't know- if I did die it would take a lot to do it.... but, I'm alive, and everything that's alive must die at some point.”

“Dude, that's kinda deep....”

“Sorry, I read too much Freud.” Cody laughed, “ I was on this Psych kick for a while- that was after the infectious diseases stint and before the Genetic to bionic interface Phase.” He winked at tech.

Angel had wandered away from the group- cody watched her kick a pebble across the sidewalk and into the bushes- face drawn in her continual scowl/sneer. He wondered what bothered her so much...

“Well come on!” Suddenly he felt a hand on his and looking up saw Tech holding onto his arm for deal life while Ivy dragged Tech up the steps of the Orphanage, adventurous grin on her face. “Lets see what's up there, I want to get changed and eat something.
Cody followed Tech following Ivy, looking over at angel he called,

“Come on! We're going inside.” She looked up and glared sullenly- but followed all the same.

Tech "TC"

TC gently untangled his arm from Ivy's as he heard the door to the house close behind them. With a grimace he rolled the joints of his left arm and listened to them creak. He'd have to do some work before the arena. He screwed up his face at the idea, but at a second thought it didn't seem too... illogical. It made perfect sense once he looked back at his life in the organization. Of course they were being trained as killers. He actually chided himself for not figuring it out sooner. But just because it made sense didn't mean he was any more inclined towards murder.

He was shaking the thoughts out of his head just as a female's voice started speaking.

"Hi y'all," she drawled with a heavy country accent. "I'm Ms. Sally, I'll be your supervisor here now let me see if I can get this right. You are... Angel. You're Ivy. You must be TC. And you're Cody, I'm guessing? I've been trying to learn ever since I heard y'all were coming home so just give me a few days and I'll know y'all inside and out. Alright rooms are upstairs just find the door with your name on it. Dinner will be in a few. I always make it extra special before the "big day"."

"Y-you know too," Tech questioned.

"Oh yes, honey! What would make you think I wouldn't? A shame, really, but Threat and I are here to help you win. I'm a Medic myself, you see, graduated around... well I don't wanna age myself," she laughed. "Old Threat is a Stealth. He didn't tell y'all? I'm always reminding that boy about manners and stuff. He just doesn't know when he needs to open his mouth. Always yappin about stuff that a'int important. Anyway, dinner will be coming right up just go up to your rooms and get settled. See y'all later."

He heard footsteps click away on the soft carpet, followed by another chorus of feet which sounded as if they were ascending a stair case. TC had just start mapping out the area when a hand lay gently on his arm.

"Come on, Tech, your room's next to mine," he heard Cody say.

TC smiled up at him and shook his head.

"No, it's fine for right now. I have some mapping to do."

"Mapping?"

"There's an app installed in the chips in my eyes that allows me to make a map of the area using um.. this thing." He waved his left hand around briefly.

"Oh. Okay, cool. If you need help just call."

"Thank you, Cody."

"No problem."

He heard Cody walk away and waited until the room was silent before starting. He found a wall and placed his hand against it before starting to walk. He'd been mapping for about thirty minutes - give or take - when a hand pushed into his chest, stopping him.

"What are you doing back here?"

"...Ms. Sally?"

"You're not allowed back here, honey. I'm going to have to turn you around."

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't know, I was just-"

"I know, sweetie. I know. Just come on, I'll get you to the kitchen. Dinner's already over but I saved you a plate. It's okay now, but try not to wander off by yourself anymore, especially when you can't see."

"Okay, I'm sorry."

---

Tech sat with his back against the headboard of his bed, legs folded under him, and the various pieces of his arm laid out on the spread. His room was pitch black, curtains drawn in tight to block the moonlight, and his eyes glowed faintly in the darkness. He was only halfway through his cleaning job on the joints, and had only put his arm back together up to the elbow. The fingers were the hardest to clean and he was procrastinating, playing with some settings on his vision.

He'd just resolved to quit for the night and wake up early to finish when he saw his room door open. JT stood silently in the door, carrying a large backpack. He closed the door slowly behind him before proceeding forward into the room.

"What are you doing?"

Threat jumped from surprise and nearly dropped the bag.

"Christ, TC, you scared the life out of me! Why are you awake?"

"Why are you sneaking around?"

Tech reached over to his bedside and turned on the lamp.

"I was just coming to deliver your things. You do realize we have to leave for the arena in-" He paused to check his watch. "Three and a half hours, Tech do you even know what time it is?"

"I didn't really pay attention... I have to clean my arm before the arena or else the joints won't work as well."

"Here, I'll help you out and then you've gotta get to sleep, alright?"

"Okay..."

Threat put down the bag and helped TC finish the process. It took maybe another thirty minutes before everything was clean and working at top condition, even a little better since Tech could finally get in and update the sensors and wires inside of the hand.

"Thank you," he said once Threat stood up to leave. "And what's in the bag?"

"Everything you'll need for the arena. Weapons, tools, and even a few little special something Sally and I packed. Alright, sleep now. You've only got two hours until game time."

"Right... goodnight."

"Bye."

Angel Raziel - The Raziel Family

Angel didn't know what to make of the new place that they would be staying, all she could make of it was that. She would eventually end up killing her closest friend, greatest enemy. Memories of there time together flashed in her mind, all the times they laughed together, all the times they fought each other it all came rushing back as if it were yesterday. Angel was slowly sorting out her emotions about him, allowing herself to cry now so she wouldn't have to cry when the inevitable came. Damon, her friend, Damon, her enemy.

The next mourning, Angel was slow to wake up as she never had a bed this comfy before. But the time she stayed up to allow herself to cry before drifting off to sleep was also partly reason why she was taking so long. Angel slowly got up and out of bed, she made her way over to the window to look outside, it was a beautiful day with overcast skies and not a single cloud in the sky. Angel turned and made her way to the door, she was soon downstairs the smell of cooking soon hit her and it made her hungry to have something to eat.

She soon found herself at the source, Ms. Sally was cooking up breakfest, Mr. Threat was already sitting at the table with a glass of milk, toast, eggs and bacon, and hash browns.

"Take a seat hon, I I'll have something cooked up for right away," Ms. Sally said with her heavy southern accent.

Angel did, she took a seat across from Mr.Threat and waited patiently as Ms. Sally cooked up her breakfast. Mr. Threat points his fork at her as he finishes eating a piece of bacon.

"I've done some research on the four of you, I have come to believe you are the best option to lead the other three in the arena. Hand-to-hand combat, Tactical Analyzes, weapon training, study of psychology. I need you to lead the others in the arena," he said.

"I was probably going to anyways," Angel said as Ms. Sally continued to cook.

"Good, cause worst case scenario, Ivy or Tech will probably have to lead. They ain't fit to lead like you are," he said.

A few minutes pass as Mr. Threat continues to eat and Ms. Sally brings over Angel's breakfast, eggs and bacon with a side of butter toast and a glass of milk. As she dug in, Mr. Threat was just finishing up his plate and glass of milk, he gets up and taking the plate and glass, take places it in the kitchen sink then returning to the table, Angel continued to eat.

"Tell me, how much do you know about your real family, not the one from the organization, but the real mother and father gave birth to you or even know what your last name is?" Mr. Threat asked.

Angel swallowed down the last of her bacon and was about to move onto her eggs, she shook her head. It had never occurred to her about who her real parents were, she waited for Mr. Threat to continue.

"Well, your last name is Raziel, and I want to make sure you have a reason to fight and survive in the arena, you keep everyone alive in the arena and win, I'll keep telling you more and more about them," he said, dirty trick Angel knew. But to know about her real family, to good to pass up.

"Fine," she said with a note of reluctance in her voice.

~Ivy~

Ivy leaned against the wall, listening to their conversation.

"I've done some research on the four of you, I have come to believe you are the best option to lead the other three in the arena. Hand-to-hand combat, Tactical Analyzes, weapon training, study of psychology. I need you to lead the others in the arena," he said.

So JT was putting her in charge of the team? Ivy was trained in those fields as well, and much more so since than Angel because she was Combat. The only thing Angel had on her was the study of Psychology. It irritated her that JT would pick her for the same things she was more than qualified in. She guessed there was some other reason he picked her, and wondered what it had to do with her family. She shook her head. She doubted they would last long if Angel was in charge. Ivy didn't have much faith in Angel's ability at this point, but who knows? Ivy shrugged. Maybe that would change, though she doubted, she would have to wait and see. Ivy walked into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. JT smiled at her.

"Good morning, Ivy." he said.

"Morning." say back.

"So how did you sleep last night?" he watches her.

Ivy shook her head. "I didn't sleep."

Ivy had always had trouble sleeping, and thinking of being sent into the arena hadn't helped. Sleeping wouldn't have been an issue for Ivy anyway. She could go days on end without eating or sleeping, so this was nothing for her.

"Why not?" JT frowned.

"I wasn't tired," Ivy simply shrugged. "And I don't really need sleep as much as you or the others would."

"That's right," JT recalled. "I read in your file you had sleeping problems, though I didn't realize it was anything like this."

Ivy didn't say anything, but instead just nodded her head and sat back in her chair. Ivy always had problems sleeping in the past, but no one could ever figure out why, but she'd always know why and had never told anyone. JT continued to stare at her.

"They never determined the cause of it," he continued. "They figured it was related to your past, which they actually knew nothing about, because you were just just left somewhere near by for us to find."

Ivy stared back at him, her gaze unwavering . "True. They don't know a thing about my life before then."

"I wonder why." JT rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Ivy didn't say anything to that, but she did say something." Good morning guys."

They stopped as they walked in and looked at her in surprise.

"How did you know?" Tech took the seat next to me.

Cody took the seat on the other side, also waiting to her her answer. She simply raised her hand and tapped her ear. "I heard the room to your doors open and close. I also heard your foot steps."

They nodded in understanding, not saying anything. Ms. Sally comes over, setting plates of for down for the rest of us. Ivy thanked her as she walked away.

"You're more than welcome, hon" she smiled back.

As the others dug into their food, Ivy's thoughts went to the Arena. She'd be killing the only other people she'd known and trained with for years, and there really wasn't anything she could do about it. She'd become friends with a few, and only hoped they would die before she got to them. It sounded cruel, but she didn't want to be the one to kill them, and if put in that position, she would kill them. Looking to JT, who'd still been watching Ivy, she began eating.