Nox Vs. Luke

[Black Philip]

Reserved for Suneater

"Please state next mission parameters," Nox said to Lt. Hall, a gruff looking man in his early 40's. He was at the facility of Project Twilight, and he had arrived hoping to receive his requested mission. He wore stealth gear, all black and would be wearing a mask to cover his face. He brought no guns, but plenty of tasers, and chains. A coil of thick metal rope, was clipped to his belt, ready to bind an incredibly strong man.

"You will rescue Alice tonight, and are cleared to engage the rabbit. Be prepared for swordplay, and do not look him in the eyes for even a moment."

"Understood sir," Nox chirped, saluting and standing otherwise perfectly at attention. His face was sculpted marble. His body seemed restricted by his clothes, his muscles screaming for escape. He had been given a dose of dreamcatcher and something else they said would dull his emotions. He felt dull, almost robotic. They feared his anger when it got going. He'd overheard the doctors saying that they thought he might kill someone on accident. His energy was high despite the numbness of his mind, and with only a few more partial instructions he was off into the night.

On route there, he was informed that the target was walking around Chinatown, and that he looked like he was returning to Wonderland. Nox wasn't sure if he'd get an opportunity to engage. Eventually, Nox caught up with him. He wanted to just run out to him, and pin him down to the ground. However, people were watching and his training told him to wait until Luke was alone, or purposely exposed himself. Nox even kicked some dirt and stomped loudly, hoping to see if the prey would react. He'd keep following, hoping for an opportunity to strike.

[suneater]

Something isn't right.

The thought had intruded on his musing as he walked through the city. He'd felt uneasy for a while, but that made sense; he wasn't supposed to be here. Jake had sworn him off of Chinatown for political reasons, and Luke had agreed to stop seeing Harm at his apartment. How was he supposed to resist an early afternoon lunch/dinner with Harm after not seeing him for nearly a week, though? Between Harm's medical work schedule and Luke's newfound role of sheriff, there had been precious little time for the two of them, especially considering that Harm's place was now off limits. Harm had been practically drowsy through their diner date, and headed home to crash before the bill was settled.

His thoughts had been consumed by Harm, and by work. Now that he was running the show in fact, there was always something to do- a schedule to adjust, a report to read, a training session to implement. His current pet project was improving the district's armory with weapons that would prove useful against a variety of threats. He was glad for the multiple distractions because it kept him from thinking about Project Twilight. Apparently they were making moves. According to Jake, they'd attacked one of his spies. There was no evidence that they had tracked down Luke, but the fact that they'd managed to corner one of the Nossies... well, Luke was dubious on that count.

He was clad in gray sweats, sneakers, and a deep blue hoodie. He kept his hands plunged into the pouch pocket at the front of it, but the hood wasn't drawn. He was vigilant on his worst days, and he preferred a clear view of his periphery to the anonymity it would provide.

He didn't slow his step or alter his body language in the slightest when his internal alarms started going off. If there was someone nearby planning to make a move, they were much more likely to make mistakes if they thought they were catching him unawares. He continued on his intended path, but was ready to change course if he felt like he needed to shake a tail.

He studied the reflections in the wide windows that he passed, watching for signs to confirm his suspicions. It was several minutes before he caught a glimpse of his shadow; a figure all in black, masked, creeping along at a distance. His pulse quickened, but again, he kept his rolling stride the same and maintained the lost in thought expression he'd been wearing. Whoever it was, they had skills. Luke had only seen them disappear into a patch of shadow. Given the amount of foot traffic, for someone dressed like that to go unnoticed, they had to be beyond professional. It fairly screamed Project Twilight.

Deja vu struck him suddenly. He was almost to the bus depot where he'd confronted Jake. Just like that time, he was being pursued. He'd had less control then, though. He'd been more desperate, unable to think of himself as anything but predator or prey. This time he didn't even entertain that paradigm. He had a lot more options, and a lot more support. If they wanted a crack at him, they'd have to earn it. Luring them off to some isolated spot was probably exactly what they wanted. If he was them, he'd have teams nearby, ready to move on every likely location for a confrontation. In that case...

A strange sound tugged at his attention, and he managed to catch a glimpse of the obscured figure again out of the corner of his eye. They were close now, and it was almost as if they wanted to be caught. That information conflicted with his assessment of his quarry being a well-trained operative, but not enough for Luke to change his plan.

There was a subway stop up ahead. He tended not to ride it if he could avoid it. Something about being underground, with so many people around, rankled him. Right now, it was just what he needed. They could hardly cover every stop on the line. They could ostensibly pull strings and get the train shut down, but that would require some real pull, and would be a dead giveaway as to what was going on. He was confident he'd be able to escape, either into the crowd or the tunnels.

With his hands clenched into fists but still hidden in his pockets, he headed down the stairs and into the brightly lit subway station. Despite his aversion, he kept a few tickets on him, so he didn't even need to stop; he just made his way right through the turnstile and walked a ways down the platform to give himself a good vantage point of every means of entrance.

A self-satisfied smirk twisted his lips. Your move, asshole.
 

[Black Philip]

Luke was leading him into smaller quarters, the vertical nature of the train station making the fight exist in closer quarters. He waited until Luke's footsteps were well beyond the turnstile, but then slowly headed in after. It was empty save for them. The trains didn't run very reliably at night, and were known for crime so people tended to avoid them. It was a clever spot to choose, well lit, potential for witnesses, easy escape, and a visible approach. Of course, Nox had ways of countering some of these factors. He got to the turnstile, and pulled out a ticket. He would need to time this well. He went through and weaved the darkness that existed between the flashing lights, and corners of shadow. It cloaked the soldier, and the area around him, and he move rapidly towards Luke.

Nox's eyes could see fine, and he studied Luke as he approached. He looked well, better in fact. The vampires were feeding him and letting him train. That was for certain. Nox wished this could go another way, but he'd been given orders, and this was for Krake's own good. Once his mind was freed of the vampires, he'd understand. Nox and Luke would fight together again. He remembered their first day at the facility.

We're going to stick together out there, right?

He raised his hand, and when he was close enough he'd blind him. It would all be downhill from there.

[suneater]

Luke frowned at the mass of darkness coming through the turn-style. He could almost make out a humanoid form within it, but only barely, and only for instants at a time. It wasn't especially subtle in such a brightly lit environment. He was glad he'd opted to get in off the streets, because that veil of shadow would have been a real bitch to deal with otherwise. It did make the possibility of escaping into the tunnels a daunting one, though, so that was one option cut-off to him. It wasn't much use to try to analyze exactly how his pursuer was managing the trick, or what else they might be capable of. If they were from Project Twilight, which seemed almost certain at this point, they could be just as much of a hodgepodge as he was.

He took stock of his surroundings. The subway station was set up with two platforms, with two train tracks between them - one for trains heading east, the other for those heading west. The other platform looked just as vacant as the one they were on, just as well lit. There weren't really any obstacles to make use of. He could hear the distant rumble of a train approaching on the other track. He guessed that it would be at least a minute before it arrived, and that was a lot of time to soak up.

He didn't like the idea of engaging directly, not with so little information and the inability to even clearly see his target. He spotted a large, sturdy looking trash can against the nearby wall. He reached it and grabbed hold, lifting it easily and then wheeling to face the approaching assailant. He hefted it overhead with his left arm and then settled his monstrous right hand against the bottom before launching it straight at the center of the veil of darkness, adjusting the trajectory for its rate of movement. He couldn't be sure where the actual body was, but dead center was as good a guess as any, and it was at least something to think about.

With that done, he sprinted down the platform to the very end. The rattling, grinding sound of the approaching train was definitely closer. He drew a deep breath and the leaped down between the two tracks. His augmented strength made for some pretty impressive jumps, but he would have needed a running start to clear the thirty feet from one platform to the other. Landing in a neat crouch, he exploded upward again, launching himself onto the other platform. The light of the approaching east-bound train was visible in the tunnel. It was wishful thinking to hope that his opponent wouldn't be able to cross just as easily as he had, but hopefully it would buy him enough time to get aboard.

With no witnesses, he didn't need to worry about adjusting his speed, so he poured it on as he sprinted down to the other end of the platform. He had to hope that was at least one advantage he had. If he could just get on the train, he liked his odds. The enclosed space would probably benefit him more than them, given his capabilities.

[Black Philip]

The trash can came at Nox faster than he thought, and he had to pivot to the wall to avoid being hit. It smacked the pavement, sending out a loud bang into an otherwise silent subway station. Luke's run to the end of the track was interpreted as weakness, a frightened man trying to avoid a direct fight. Even the trash can felt desperate and Nox's blood ran hot as he pursued his prey. The approaching train was a concern. It was too unpredictable as a variable and he wanted to end this before it's arrival.

He didn't get that chance, as Luke's speed was greater than his own. Nox wasn't prepared to cross the track. He was stronger than Luke though, and was able to clear that jump without a running start. This factor alone prevented him from being crushed by the train, and he rolled into the wall, smacking it at high speed. He stood just as the doors were opening, and he was seeing his prey about to board. He managed to get on the train before the door closed, his car almost empty except for a sleeping homeless man. The train was conveniently light on people, and Nox began crashing  through the various train cars, hoping to trap Luke in the front of the train.

He pulled out a retractable night stick, and placed a serious pair of brass knuckles on his free hand. If Luke wouldn't come quietly, Nox would make him. That being said, Nox wasn't interested in harming him more than he needed to. After all, he wanted Luke back in the fold.

[suneater]

Luke veered onto the train, catching a glimpse of the animate darkness further down the platform. Damn. They'd both be on the train, along with whatever urban denizens were embarked. It was both fortunate and unfortunate that there weren't many of them. If the train had been packed, it likely would have deterred an open confrontation, and since it wasn't, that meant fewer bystanders to get caught in the crossfire.

Likely would. His pursuer had burst into the station wreathed in blatantly supernatural darkness. Sure, there weren't likely to be many witnesses, but it was still reckless- much more reckless than he would have guessed a Project Twilight operative to be. Maybe he had it wrong. Maybe this was something else. One of Jake's enemies, or some random threat. He was probably being paranoid- no, he was definitely being paranoid, that was sort of his gig.

The doors slid closed with an automated chime. The subway crawled forward and then steadily picked up speed as it moved through the tunnel. Luke stalked across the car toward the door that led to the next furthest one away from his pursuer. A sign warned against passing between cars while the train was in motion, but Luke ignored it and pressed forward, pulling the door open and stepping out. The sound of the speeding train was almost deafening without the insulation of the metal cabin. The door opened onto a small platform, and there was another, with a door into the next car, almost abutting it. Comically thin chains hung between the cars, as if they'd actually have a chance of stopping someone who lost their footing from falling into the tunnel.

He paused for just long enough to familiarize himself with the layout of the between-space. There weren't any handholds for climbing onto the roof of the car, but he could have gotten up there if he wanted to. He wasn't sure what the clearance of the tunnels was, though, or what might be there for him to gain purchase on. Strong as he was, he wasn't sure how he'd fare trying to hold onto sleek metal at 70 m.p.h. Still, it was worth noting in case it came up.

He moved into the next car, and then the next one. The third was empty, not a single soul on it. He mused for all of a second before deciding that this was the best place to make his stand. No witnesses, no casualties. He took stock of the train car, but there were precious few features worth noting. Just seats and the poles spaced evenly for riders to hold onto. He opted to take up a spot to the immediate right of the door he had just passed through, flattening himself up against the wall beside it. There was nowhere to actually hide, but if his pursuer wasn't careful, he might not spot Luke until it was too late.

He concentrated on his right arm and began to mold it. The gray flesh warped and stretched, flowed and then flattened, leaving an eighteen inch blade at the end of its enhanced length. He would have reach on most weapons, but it wasn't so long that it would be awkward to use in the confined space of the car. Better safe than sorry. If he went for non-lethal force, it might not be enough. Better to hope that he could incapacitate whatever it was without killing it, if he could affect it at all.

All there was now was to wait. He kept himself tensed and poised to attack, breathing evenly. His vantage point gave him a view of the full car in case his foe decided to get tricky and approach from elsewhere, while still giving him immediate awareness of the door they would have to come through if they took the same path he had.

[Black Philip]

Nox began moving quickly through the cars. He avoided running to not rouse the suspicion of the few passengers. His trick in the station had been because of no witnesses, but he was already feeling tired from weaving the shadows. He needed to end this quickly. He was ready to engage once he reached the end of the train, assuming Luke would hold up there. Each time he entered a car, he scanned the area, but it was far from a comprehensive look. His training suggested more caution, but his blood was running hot, and he wanted to talk to Luke so desperately. When he reached the third car he kept moving forward without looking, and set himself up for an attack. Luke had gotten the drop on him, however, Nox was far from out of tricks. He would deflect the arm blade with his nightstick if Luke attacked. It was possible that Luke could slip back into the fourth car if Nox managed to move into the second.

"Kraken," he yelled out. "Krake, this is Nox. Stand down and submit for arrest."

He had no idea Krake was standing poised to kill him.

[suneater]

The door opened. His pursuer stepped in. He didn't seem to notice Luke at all. His entire body had been tensed to strike, but the obliviousness threw him off. It meant there was a chance he could escape without engaging. He wasn't sure what was preferable. There were too many variables, many of them uncertain, for a clear decision to emerge. Ideally he could subdue them- well, him. Probably him, anyway, judging from the details of the figure he could make out now that he was closer. Take him in for interrogation. But that might not be possible. He had to attack with overwhelming force, and if his opponent had a normal human constitution, he wasn't likely to survive it.

His split second of debate was interrupted by the shout. Krake. Nox. The words meant something to him. There was a memory, something that had surfaced, that he couldn't quite recall. Him, a man, a small room, studying. This person knew him. He knew this person. He just knew nothing about how, other than that he was definitely part of Project Twilight.

The rest of the second passed. Shit shit shit. Nothing was shaking loose in his brain. No helpful little flashback this time. He had to make a decision, and he had to do it without any details. He knew he couldn't strike a killing blow, though. Whoever this Nox was, they'd been... friends?... once. That was his gut sense, anyway.

Subdual it is. He shifted his weight just slightly and launched himself forward in a brutal tackle. The sound of the attack would easily be swallowed up by the sound of the moving train. He didn't spare any strength. His hope was to barrel Nox to the ground, disarm him, and immobilize him. He spared just enough concentration to soften the blade he'd forged, shifting it into a thick, solid tentacle which began to lengthen. Most of his focus was on the tackle, though. He came in low, to slam into the small of Nox's back. As soon as he did, he'd press his knee into the back of Nox's to disrupt his footing and make it easier to drive him to the ground. In theory, the result should have been Nox flat on his stomach, or at least crouched forward, with Luke behind him, ready to grapple and strike.

He didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say, or trust himself to speak. His mind wanted to keep trying to dredge up the recovered memory, but he had to focus. He'd get his answers later.

[Black Philip]

Nox was not expecting an attack from behind, and the knee in his back caused him to cry out in pain and fall to his knees. He knew this had to be Krake, and he cursed at himself for not following protocol and sweeping the cars more closely. Now on his hands and knees, he kicked a boot back, hoping to connect with his attacker's gut, knee or crotch. He needed a destabilizing blow if he was going to get back up and turn around. He dropped the nightstick, feeling like it might throw off his balance if he needed to place his palm flat on the dirty train floor.

"Stand down soldier," he yelled, scrambling forward.

[suneater]

From the floor, his pursuer shouldn't have had enough leverage to mount a serious assault. Luke twisted so that the backward kick would merely brush him, but nearly stumbled when Nox's boot clipped his hip. Nox. That was his forgotten name. Nox was apparently very strong. Pain jolted through him from the point of impact; it was a good thing he'd opted to partially dodge, because otherwise he probably would have been thrown backward into the door.

This changed things. He didn't want to get into a clinch with someone stronger than him. He took the split second required to reset his footing and then lifted his left foot and stomped on the back of Nox's left knee. He left his foot slide off, and the instant his weight was centered again, he lifted his right arm and then slammed it down toward the back of Nox's skull. The very end of the tentacle had shaped into a lumpy sphere, turning his arm into a makeshift morningstar. The organic weapon arced downward with trained precision. Hopefully Nox wasn't as tough as he was strong.

The shouted command made him flinch, made the breath freeze in his lungs, but he powered through whatever old impulse it had conjured. If Nox had something to say, he could say it chained and caged. Luke wasn't about to take any chances, not when it came to a Project Twilight special asset.

[Black Philip]

When Nox's kick landed, he felt a rush of adrenaline, and for a moment felt he could fix this if he just stood up. However, before he could Krake was on him, and while he tried to throw back an elbow it was to no avail. The blow to the head came too quick to respond, and Nox felt his skull fracture as the blow knocked his head directly into the floor. He was instantly unconscious.

When Nox opened his eyes he was standing over his body, and looking at Luke. He'd only astral projected a few times, and always while meditating. However, something about Luke's blow had pushed him outside his body. He looked around and saw his initial error. He'd been to zealous about hunting Luke that he'd made rookie mistakes, and allowed himself to be struck. Nox made no attempt to communicate, knowing he couldn't be heard in this form.

As he stared down at this bleeding head, he wondered if he would die like this. He'd almost died once this week, why not twice? He didn't fear death, but he did fear failing his mission, and that dying here meant he wouldn't ever keep someone safe again.

Don't take me to the vampires Krake. Come on. Please.

It was all pointless. Luke saw and heard nothing. He had only his own self to decide what to do about a bleeding Nox.