Aberrant: Dead Rising - God of Fear - Born of War [Complete]

[Ali Badren]

During those waiting days, Ali's super abilities were identified by self-analysis and some careful testing with Martin elsewhere in town. For lack of better words, his mind, body and senses had grown to superhuman levels, musculature much more developed, he had already performed feats that would amaze an Olympian gymnast, and didn't sleep during those days of training, much to the chagrin of Martin, at least in that he had much more endurance than the younger man.

And durability too. Of course, as much as the benefits were, twice when he determined the density increase power he fell through floors and had to claw up through basements. That was annoying. What really lurked in Ali's mind was the Wolf though. It was a foe to match supers, and even if he was one now and a group of four... there was still the raw part of his psyche that remembered being a normal human not long ago. And the undercurrent of fear along with grief and rage when Hercules murdered his parents. The fear was still there.

[Dawn OOC]

Sylvan came back to report she’d seen the Wolf. “He’s at the northern edge of his range, up near the Colorado border.” Martin’s eyebrows rose. He’d been getting a feel for the area by studying maps, particularly the ones around Olympus. He knew how far away from the border they were.

“How’d you find him?” Martin had to ask.

“It’s easy. You look for the pile of corpses.” Sylvan sounded angry, but he knew she was afraid. He could understand that, if it had nearly killed a friend who was also a super. But he couldn’t share her fear.

Calvin was a big guy; he towered over everyone else by at least a head and had to duck when he went through low doorways. He had thick chestnut hair and beard that he wore long. Some kind of rifle was slung over his shoulder; a sharpened crowbar was hanging at his hip. He was a quiet man with a deep voice.

“So, we know about where to go,” Steve said when they gathered to plan. “We can set up an ambush. Any thoughts on what kind of attack we want to proceed with?”

[Einherjar]

"Lure and spring." Martin said calmly as he regarded the maps, the featureless glow of his eyes narrowing as he considered. "It's a predator, with senses better than human. Sneaking up on it isn't likely, and as it's a zombie catching it asleep isn't a factor either. As soon as it scents us, it'll come straight for us anyway, so why bother trying to play stalking games?" He looked up at the others, hands gesturing as he explained. "This thing doesn't care about numbers - it just goes after the meat. So I'll be meat. I'll find a good spot upwind and cut my arm - the blood should focus it's attention. You'll set up for an ambush and hit it with everything you have. I'll do my best to give it indigestion."

He looked around at them all. "That's the basic plan. Suggestions and refinements?"

[Ali Badren]

Ali pursed his lips at Martin volunteering to be the bait. "Definite refinement: I be the bait. I have a far better chance of surviving the initial Wolf attack before we can spring the surprise." Martin shook his head strongly. "Not a chance. I'm not letting anyone else put themselves at risk for this, even you Ali." Ali opened his mouth more to disagree, but looking into Martin's glowing eyes and sensing his utter seriousness- and adverse by nature to 'following the leader' closed it.

At some point, it was going to bite them in the butt, but Ali currently wasn't up to overcoming old habits. And to be fair, the Wolf apparently had nearly killed Calvin, with apparently comparable durability. This was high-risk for all of them.

[Dawn OOC]

Chloe nodded her head. “If you have to be the big hero, then fine, but at least use a deer for blood. You don’t have to wound yourself when any blood will work for bait.”

“She’s right.” Calvin looked at Martin. “You might be super-whatever, but it’s better if you don’t start out hurt.”

“Good idea.” Martin managed a smile for Chloe which she returned, but it couldn’t erase the dark look of worry from her expression.

The conversation turned to the next steps and refinement of the plan.

---

Sylvan was busy for the next few days, flying scouting missions. She trailed the Wolf for days, using a map and a walkie-talkie to get them closer and closer to the monster. The last twenty-four hours were spent getting Martin into a defensible position upwind of it.

Finally, they were ready to go. Martin got his Tupperware of fresh deer blood open as the others came around from downwind. Sylvan was with Martin, watching the scene as a hawk high on a branch. Time dragged by for Martin and the waiting fighters—but particularly for Martin, since he was the bait.

The forest fell silent; Sylvan’s head rose and her feathers ruffled. Martin dropped his eyes from the bird to tersely watch the foliage before him. The world itself seemed to be waiting for something to happen; a movement or a sound.

When the Wolf came, it was with no warning. The foliage burst apart in a gray streak as a massive canine threw itself at Martin. The boy got one shot with his bow; then he had to drop it to bring out Grasscutter. As the red sword was ripped free of its scabbard, a pale form dropped on the Wolf from above: another wolf, smaller and pale gray. Sylvan was not letting Martin fight alone.

The Wolf didn’t seem to notice the arrow or Sylvan; it charged Martin and bowled into him. “It’s here!” Martin screamed into the communication device before he went down.

Back with the others, Calvin grabbed Ali and Steve, and leapt into the air. The two men bit their tongues and managed to avoid screaming like girls. Calvin landed behind the Wolf and set the two men down, even as Ali and Steve cleared their rifles and advanced.

The pale wolf closed her teeth around an ear and tore; Martin had gotten his blade between his body and the Wolf and now he pushed against its body. The blade cut through fur and flesh, releasing a putrid blood that stank of death. Ali and Steve aimed carefully, firing at almost point-blank range to avoid allies. Calvin brought his sword to bear, swinging it overhand and driving it into the monster’s back.

The Wolf turned on Calvin then as he split its blood. Ali and Steve fired into the gray hide, not sure if they were doing anything. Sylvan and Martin fought side-by-side, the shapeshifter harrying the Wolf as Martin slashed and cut at it. The fight lasted past the point where Steve collapsed, too injured and weary to fight on. Sylvan was tossed aside by a blow of the massive paw, while Calvin fell, ripped open.

It was Martin and Ali who were the last standing, flanking the monster. Martin hacked with blows that were slowly weakening while Ali was out of ammo and whaling on it with the butt of his rifle. The two timed their blows for one last strike. Grasscutter struck it in the neck while Ali’s rifle caved its skull. Somehow, they’d won.

They camped out for three more days, letting the injured recover. The four supers walked away; Steve had to be carried by Calvin back to camp.

The important thing though, was that the Wolf was dead and there was an alliance between the two refuges.