Adrian watched as the new followers settled in for the night. "Cedric, I'm going out tonight to take out more ferals. Protect the base while I'm gone, though I'm not expecting any issues." Cedric nodded, not surprised by Adrian's words, knowing how strong he'd gotten over the last few days. "Will do boss." Cedric said as he gave a joking salute. Adrian smirked then turned and left the safety of the walls. The sun was past the horizon but was still kind of light out, so he walked slowly in the direction of his goal.
Free nanobots available: 28,821
Adrian had a constant desire to increase his nanobots, more and more, that was one drive to head out into the night. But the other reason was he wanted to see if he could find that Alpha Feral again. Taking that thing out would minimize the danger to their new base as well as give him the opportunity to learn more about their possible capabilities. The farther he got from base the more he began to hear distant howls and growling. They were coming already. So Adrian picked up the pace to a quick jog towards the noise that was getting louder the closer he got.
The neighborhood he arrived at was crawling with ferals. Adrian hid as his heightened senses scanned the large group, not seeing the alpha feral anywhere, he got to work. He sprinted at a ridiculous speed straight into the fray. Causing damage and inciting carnage along his run. Some ferals even turned and ran away. The desperate ones came at him with all the ferocity they could muster but it was useless. Adrian was ruthlessly taking them out as he went, raking his claws along their bodies leaving them in twisted bloody masses as he just kept going. He only stopped momentarily here and there for the nanobots to flow to him.
Free Nanobots Detected. Assimilate? [Y/N]
"Yes." his breathing heavy from the extra need for oxygen and from the adrenaline of the fight.
Assimilation complete. Free nanobots gained: 23,874. Total available: 52,695
The jump in the amounts was staggering, giving him absolute dominance over the ferals now. His enhanced capabilities mixed with the bonus made him feel superhuman, and the night was quite young. He chased after the fleeing ferals, not wanting to let any escape. He had now become the apex predator in this area and was going to utilize his advantage to its fullest. Catching up to the running pack, he took them down like weeds. Calling out to the system to assimilate as he went.
Assimilation complete. Free nanobots gained: 2,345. Total available: 55,040
Assimilation complete. Free nanobots gained: 1,673. Total available: 56,713
Assimilation complete. Free nanobots gained: 4,178. Total available: 60,881
As he took out two more ferals something alerted him, he stopped and looked down the street. He was here, the alpha feral, his cold black eyes staring daggers at Adrian. The alpha didn't waste any time and sent his feral subordinates after Adrian with a roar, pointing at their intended target as they moved. Adrian could only smirk, jogging towards the incoming horde with glee, all their nanobots will be his. "Come get some." he said as he dove into the pile of charging bodies, claws out, swinging wildly, aiming to cause as much damage as possible, in as little time as he could.
They fell as fast as they could reach him. They flew by dead before they hit the ground. Thrown like bags of so much garbage in every direction, landing against buildings and on top of cars. He made steady strides towards his target. Each feral that the alpha sent towards Adrian only fueled his strength and determination, driving him harder to his goal.
Free Nanobots Detected. Assimilate? [Y/N]
"Yes." he said, arms up as a shimmering cloud of nanobots flowed into him, almost enough to block his view of the alpha.
Assimilation complete. Free nanobots gained: 36,932. Total available: 97,813
The boost was immediately felt. Power at a level he hadn't experienced to this point. As he thinned out the group, the feral horde started becoming more cautious, looking to their leader for help. They no longer wanted to come for Adrian, their limited intelligence causing them to back off not wanting to end up like the others. The Alpha screamed furiously, knowing he couldn't control them enough to drive them to their deaths at the hands of Adrian.
The Alpha stepped down from the car roof he was standing on, walked slowly toward Adrian, only stopping a few feet away. They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity before they both moved at the same time. The alpha was much faster and stronger than the regular ferals. Attacking with claws, swiping at Adrian's face and targeting vital points on his body. Both landing blows on the other that should have taken them out. The Alpha's abilities were more than he expected, he seemed able to heal quickly from devastating wounds without any effort.
Adrian's brain was calculating possible ends to this fight, but everything he tried the alpha easily took. They were fighting to a stalemate neither gaining ground. Adrian dodged a swipe of his claw, only to grab and throw the alpha back toward the wall. They rolled in the air only to land against the wall and then leap back into the fray once again, both swiping claws left and right with crazy speed. The alpha bared his teeth like a wild animal, snarling and howling.
Adrian jumped back, about 10 feet, with blinding speed. Taking a breath and calculating his next strategy, but the alpha didn't give him a moment's chance before charging at him again. They attacked each other furiously, causing damage but watching as what should be deadly strikes healed like quick fire. Each looking as if their wounds were never there, seeking a way to destroy an alpha was harder than he would have ever thought. With his mind occupied the Alpha struck him in the chest with a front kick sending Adrian sliding back along the ground.
As he got up Adrian smiled and rubbed his chest. Feeling real pain for the first time in battle in a while let him know that even though he had elevated capabilities, deep down he was still human. Then Adrian had a thought, "I need more nanobots to take this one out." Glancing past the Alpha there was still a large group watching but not daring to get in between the two powerhouses that had been dueling in the streets. Without hesitation he shot towards the alpha, pretending to attack with an obviously telegraphed swing of his fist. The alpha ducked but then was surprised to see Adrian rushing towards the feral horde behind him instead.
Adrian descended on the horde before they could figure out what was happening. His claws ripping through them as he went. The screams and looks of terror drove him harder, taking them out one by one as fast as he could. The alpha ran up behind Adrian attempting an attack but he ignored him, focusing on strengthening himself through the gathering of more nanobots.
Free Nanobots Detected. Assimilate? [Y/N]
"Yes." he said, he said without stopping his onslaught
Assimilation complete. Free nanobots gained: 12,841 Total available: 110,654
Adrian was a machine of death, not letting any nearby feral escape. Grabbing dead ones and throwing them at the alpha that was on his heels as he moved through the crowd of ferals. To them he was death incarnate, here to send them on their way from this world and with almost no effort. The alpha screamed in frustration, his real power of control over the weaker ferals becoming useless. Even if he could still control them they weren't listening, their own fear of survival overpowering the alphas mind control abilities.
Free Nanobots Detected. Assimilate? [Y/N]
"Yes."
Assimilation complete. Free nanobots gained: 15,562 Total available: 126,216
Adjusting to the rush of power he turned on the alpha again as the feral pack fled in all directions. Their survival instincts drove them away fast. Now it was just Adrian and the alpha. The alpha's earlier composure cracked, Adrian could see now the alpha was starting to lose his mind as he was and attacking wildly, swipes coming from all directions. The speed of it was amazing but Adrian was faster. Blocking and dodging without effort now.
Adrian caught both of the alpha's hands in his, brought him close and stomped into his chest, sending his flying backwards into a car denting the whole side in the process. Glass flew everywhere. His caved in chest wound was taking longer to heal from the massive amount of damage that had been dealt.
Adrian didn't relent, lunging forward to take advantage of the alpha's weakened state. He drove his claws deep into the body, lifting it off the ground as his hand slid around the heart, which was beating rapidly from adrenaline and fear. Adrian squeezed the life out of the heart, the alpha's eyes widened as it screeched and flailed trying for Adrian's face. He ignored it as his grip slowly crushed its organ to bursting. Then he ripped it from the alpha's body, tossing the heart away, and letting the body drop to the ground.
The alpha lay limp on the ground but still alive, its nanobots working tirelessly to try and repair the lethal damage, but he didn't let them. He swung over and over at it's face, smashing the head into bits until all that was left was a stain where once a head had been.
Free Nanobots Detected. Assimilate? [Y/N]
"Yes. Finally." he said out of breath and exasperated, but he won.
Assimilation complete. Free nanobots gained: 20,934 Total available: 147,150
A wide smile broke across Adrian's face as he sighed loudly before turning his gaze to the other ferals now far away. He feinted like he was going to come after them, causing the horde to run away faster. He shook his head and enjoyed the power he had gained from tonight's harvest. As he was basking in his victory and enhanced power he heard people clapping. It started slowly but was building. Confused, Adrian looked around and saw people emerging from their homes, thankful for the death of the alpha and the horde that had held the whole neighborhood hostage for the last few days.
He waved them all over walking towards them as he retracted his claws. People were patting him on the back, or hugging him with tears in their eyes. He had saved them from the slow death they had resigned themselves to. "Everyone, we have a base of operations in the industrial district, I would advise you to join the others we have rescued. Bring any supplies you can carry as we will need all we can get for now." His voice boomed over the chatter coming from the group. Nods of approval came before they headed back to their hiding places to gather whatever they had.
Adrian stood guard over the new survivors making sure he wasn't going to lose any to the horde that he knew wasn't too far, though not visible now. While he scanned the area he heard a small noise, glancing around before looking up and seeing a small drone watching him from about one hundred feet in the air. He sneered at the drone, knowing that the people watching him were not expecting the show they just got.
It took the group about a half hour to regroup once they had their things, then he led the crowd back to the foundry location, adding them to the rest of the rescued.
Followers: 32
Adrian mused to himself, "In the morning I'll try and get some of the specialist spots filled and start moving them forward". With the immediate threat taken out he could now focus on making the living space better.