The Vespidian

Arc 11 Blood Moon

Chapter 12

It was oddly satisfying to get my hands on Nightmare finally. This was a new side of me that I had never known, the darker side, twisted and depraved, sadistic and maniacal. I liked it. The feeling of literally holding life in my hands and knowing that at any moment, I could crush it like an insect. She must not have high pain tolerance, passing out after only an arm being torn off and the other broken. I had been planning to taunt her more… well, there will be plenty of time for that later.

The stump bled profusely. At this rate, she would bleed out soon. My thick clawed fingers peeled off some of the fabric from her costume and tied the stump tightly to restrict blood flow. It wouldn’t due to let her die. She had to suffer for what she has done. I won’t let her die until I am satisfied.

The smell of blood permeated this place as I glanced over the pulped remains of Captain Metal. Nothing. I felt no strong emotions over what I had done. Not regret, not sadness, not even pleasure. A part of me had the thought that he was likely controlled like the others, perhaps outside of Nightmare’s influence, he might have been a decent man. I suppose he was a victim in this as well. As quickly as that thought came, it was drowned.

The flickering lights of Disk’s costume led me over to him. He didn’t appear to be too hurt, though his suit was broken and torn in places. All the gadgets and stuff were cracked and malfunctioning. My lower fingers coiled around him and picked him up. He was a nice kid, a little shy, but he certainly didn’t deserve to die here because of Nightmare.

“Crikey! You sure did grow, didn’t you? Hard to imagine a month did that to you. You really took these wankers to destination fucked,” said a voice that I had not heard in a while.

I turned to find that weirdo from the sewers. She was all smiles, even laughing a little. The brown skin looked a little lighter under the moonlight. She was a lot more skimpy than I recalled, then again last I had seen her she was in a swat suit. Tight light-brown shorts and even her shirt was rather short as well revealing the midriff. Over her ample mounds were pockets.

What was her name? It took a moment, but I remembered. Sheila. The self-proclaimed mutant hunter herself had shown up. Another strange person has decided to bother me.

“Can I help you, or do you just enjoy showing up, uninvited?” I said, gazing down at her, “Last I recall you ditched me.”

“You are the one who ran off,” She rubbed her neck, “Well I do certainly like popping out and spooking people. Ah, but that not what I came here for this time.”

My antennae raised slightly, “Oh, and what did you come here for.”

“For that,” she said, pointing to the maimed woman in my hand.

“And why should I give you my new toy?” I pointedly stared down at her.

Sheila wagged her hand, dismissively, “I don’t want that cunt, but the boss does so I will be taking her off of your hands for now.”

“Boss?” I asked.

“Yeah, nasty little munchkin about this tall and likes to beat people with turnips.” Said Sheila shivering a little.

“Ah… you have experienced the turnips as well I see,” I nodded in understanding. “What does Molotov want with her?”

The one-eyed woman shrugged, “Interrogate her most likely. A high up Chimera cunt like that likely knows all the wibbly diddleys.”

I didn’t particularly want to get in a fight with Molotov, especially when it sounds like Nightmare is going to get the turnip treatment although that didn’t mean that I trusted Sheila as far as I could throw her. As I thought it over, an explosion reverberated in the direction of the city. Sirens and weapons fire erupted as distant echoes. It seems the Mad Dogs were getting into a lot of trouble.

“I don’t trust you enough that I will hand her over. I think I will hand her off, personally.”

“Oh I see, no worries there mate, oh ah could you drop me off back at base? Kinda a long walk.”

“Take you back? Weren’t you going to carry Nightmare back?”

“Well, yeah, but If I don’t gotta, then why would I make things more of a hassle? Besides it, not every day one gets to ride on a giant fuck me off wasp now is it?”

I tilted my head slightly, “Are you coming on to me?”

She seemed confused for a moment, “Eh… oh no. I eh not into bugs. I mean I like animals, but I am not that into animals, you know? It is just a turn of phrase.”

“So, you are saying I am an animal?”

“You sure as fuck, not human now is you?” Sheila said, nodding to herself.

I squinted at her, “Fair enough.”

She didn’t appear to be upset or dodgy about it, so she most likely was telling the truth.

“Alright get on,” I said, lowering a hand for her to get into.

She tentatively stepped into it, unsure for a moment before I let the fingers wrap around her snuggly.

“Oi! This ain’t what I imagined!”

“Unless you like tentacles, then just shut up and be still.”

Her protests lowered. I looked about to see if there was anything I had missed. Only the bloodied remains of Captain Metal lay to the side all mashed and squished. My grip reaffirmed on Nightmare’s limp body even as blood drizzled from her stump. Xava will have to do a better job at that than I did.

My orange membranes vibrated and spread fully, flapping until they generated lift. The familiar buzzing noise rose as we took off over the desolate slum streets.

Distantly the city was alive with lights and sounds, the flashing of sirens and the glare of fires. The Mad Dogs had undoubtedly gotten themselves into trouble. Animalist howls called to one another as they scurried about the streets below. Cars clogged streets where they had swerved and crashed into one another. Normies were running about, fleeing as best they could as those in the back were picked off, Subhumans pouncing on them.

I would deal with that in a bit, for now, I flew past the commotion letting the screams die down as my lair soon came into view. Slowly we descended, and I entered into the parking garage. Machines greeted me with miniguns pointed in my direction. There were a good number of them patrolling about the floor.

After a moment they lowered their weapons, and the door opened, allowing me into the elevator. Xava was waiting within that brightly lit room. Her usually plastic smile met me as I entered. One of my tentacles lightly slathered her in an affectionate rub.

“From the sounds of things out there, it seems you had a lot of fun tonight.” She said, looking up at me, her eyes glancing over those in my hands, “Seems you have brought back souvenirs as well. Care to fill me in?”

The elevator began to descend with the brief moment of weightlessness, “It certainly was a good time, well up until this bitch made the Mad Dogs go crazy. Ah speaking of which, make sure she doesn’t die, Molotov wants her.”

Neon Nurse thought it over for a moment nodding, “If Molotov wants her, then we will have to comply. Personally, I would rather kill her and be done with it. Speaking of which… what is Sheila doing here?”

“Eh, I thought you would know? Apparently, Molotov sent her to get Nightmare.” I said.

Seeing both of us looking at her questioningly, Sheila spoke up, “I was the insurance policy to make sure things went smoothly, just in case you went and got yourself mind controlled.”

It was at this moment, something clicked. “You knew. Wait, did you know as well Xava?”

“Know what?” both of them asked.

I crossed my arms, “That Nightmare was with the Mad Dogs.”

“I knew she was in the Slums. I did not know she was hiding under the Mad Dog’s roof.” Said Xava.

“Ah, Molotov figured it out last time Glitter Kitten reported in.” Nodded Sheila.

“Why is it that no one seems to think that I need to know these things?” I asked, glaring at them.

“Don’t blame me,” said Xava, “I was ordered not to tell you.”

“Why?”

“You will have to ask Molotov about that. I don’t know.”

I spit on the floor, grumbling, “I am getting tired of being used as bait. I would at least like to know if I am going into a dangerous situation or not.”

A little robot emerged wiping the viscous fluid off of the floor as Xava wagged her finger at me, “Vesper, it is bad to spit on the floor.”

I snarled back, “Well, excuse me! I am in a bad mood. I got cockblocked, some crazy animal bitch ripped my ovipositor off, I just found out some of my friends have been mind controlled, tortured, and have now gone insane, and I find out I am lied to almost all the time. Why the fuck would I be in a good mood? I still have to go back out there and beat my friends into submission before they kill too many people or get killed themselves.”

“Your ovipositor has been removed?” Xava asked, rather distressed.

“It will grow back. Do not worry. You will get your eggs Incubator. Though I should probably punish you for lying to me.”

“I didn’t lie to you.”

“You did. An omission is lying. I could have gotten killed or something today. From now on, tell me everything you know. Understood?”

Xava looked at the floor, before nodding, “Understood… my Queen.”

My anger simmered down a bit, and I idly pat her head. Overall it wasn’t her fault. Even I was scared of Molotov, so it was understandable that she would follow orders. Still, it seems me and Molotov were going to have to talk after this gets sorted out.

The door opened ahead of us, and I stepped out, followed by Xava. Ahead there were a few of her other bodies waiting for us. I handed off Nightmare to their waiting arms, and they carried her off for medical attention. Instead of returning to my room next we arrived at one of the other unoccupied rooms. After entering my abdomen cracked open and out flopped Gnome. She lay twitching and spasming on the floor. Her body covered in slimy condensation from being held within my carapace for so long.

Xava looked her over before gazing up at me, “What did you have planned with her?”

“Restrain her for now. I will lay eggs in her later.” I said, already leaving the room.

“As you desire,” she said binding the paralyzed woman’s limbs and sedating her.

Next, we arrived at another room. I left Disk Jockey laying on the floor, “Keep him sedated for now since he might be able to influence your systems. I know that everything in here is automated so better safe than sorry.”

Xava removed all of his gear stripping him naked in case he had any gadgets hidden on him. She tied him up as well as binding his arms and legs so that he could not move.

“What did you plan to do with him?”

“I don’t know. I will figure something out after things calm down.”

“I see.”

A trembling came from atop my head, and I remembered the passenger that was coiled up there. Snowball. I returned to my room, walking over to my bed. The tentacles lowered down the kitten onto the soft bedding. My hand pet her a few times until she calmed down a bit, stretching and purring as she got comfortable.

“That is it. Just stay here. Keep her company. I am going to go get her mother.” I said, standing.

“Understood,” replied Xava setting one of the other bodies to the task of pampering the kitten, “Was there anything else, Vesper?”

“No… ah, restrain Sheila for now. I don’t trust her. If she really does work for Molotov, then we will find out soon enough.”

Xava pulled out her syringe gun, “Acknowledged.”

“OI! I am on your side!” Raised Sheila as she tried to escape, but my fingers held firm despite me not being able to see her any longer.

“I am not taking chances,” I replied.

Xava approached and pushed the needle into thin air. After a moment the mutant hunter materialized collapsed and I handed her off. Vaguely I stood there rubbing my chin as I thought things over. Was there anything I was forgetting? Nightmare, Gnome, Sheila, Snowball, and Disk were all taken care of. Which only left the Mad Dogs for now. I am pretty sure Den Mother is still passed out so then it is just Glitter Kitten and Thumper I have to worry about… although Thumper had a broken leg, so it is really just Glitter Kitten.

“Xava.”

“Yes?”

“What is the best way to catch a Speedy Super?”

She started thinking, “Hmm well, that would depend. Ice works well; something very sticky can slow them down and even get them stuck.”

“I see. Do we have anything like that?”

“I have some sticky grenades left over from Chief. I take it you will try to restrain Glitter Kitten?”

“Yeah, can I get some of your sedative syringes as well?”

“Of course,” said Xava handing over a syringe gun. It held ten shots in it. So I would have to use them wisely.

“How many of these will it take to bring her down?”

“One. Those are the extra strength ones I use on you, after all.” Xava smiled.

“Oh bring me a large metal box, balls of yarn, and a laser pointer,” I said, thinking of things that I could use against Glitter Kitten.

Another Neon Nurse arrived carrying a utility belt. The middle pocket had sticky grenades. The other items were in the other pockets. I tightened it around my upper right arm like a bandoleer. It certainly would not fit around my hips. My bottom left hand had the syringe gun ready to be used. It appeared that I was prepared for the confrontation.

“Ah… would you happen to know where Glitter Kitten is?”

Xava tapped her temple. Her eyes moving left and right as she looked over various camera feeds throughout the city. After a minute of silence, she returned to her senses, “She appears to be in the Down Town area, attacking people in the Plaza. The cyber swat teams are dealing with the rest, but those two are beyond their capabilities.”

“Ok, I will leave the rest to your guys.”

***

The Plaza expanded out below me. The area had no normies running about; everybody had taken shelter. Those who had not were already dead. Thrashed bodies laid strewn about the place with streak marks of blood zigzagging across the hard concrete. Vaguely I could see a few places where the walls were dented in from a person being thrown or dragged up the side blood splattering behind.

It was a grizzly sight that I was not accustomed to. I had always heard that the Blood Moon was terrible and dangerous, but this was the first time I saw it first hand. I thought that they were just horny animals though, I wonder why they are killing instead of trying to mate? Likely has to do with what Nightmare did to them.

My many eyes scanned about searching for my quarry, however, the area was still, save a broken fire hydrant that sprayed water up and the flickering of a cracked mega Tron screen attached to the movie theater across the street from me. She had to be here somewhere. While I would prefer a sneak attack, it seems I would have to lure her out.

I lowered to the ground level by the destroyed fountain in the middle of the Plaza. I tapped my utility belt, and pulled out the large box, set it to the side. I got the laser pointer into my lower right hand and held the yarn balls in my right hand. I was ready to capture the cat… I think.

My eyes gaped for movement in all directions as I yelled, “Glitter Kitten! Get out here!”

My voice echoed out into silence, after a brief moment movement drew my attention behind me, to the movie theater. Windows shattered on the upper floors as something was quickly moving about within. With the glass, people were falling as well, flailing and screaming through the air before thudding onto the concrete below.

I approached, looking over the bodies all of them had claw marks and bites tearing through their flesh. Some had even been cut in half or were missing limbs. My wings beat as I rose up to the floor where the outburst had happened. Awaiting me was Glitter Kitten crouched and ready to attack. She pounced out like bottled lightning, tackling into me. Her hulking claws sheered through the orange membrane cutting off one of my wings.

She kicked off of me, lunging several rooftops over as I spiraled out of the air. I shook off the blow rising to my feet and stared her down. Glitter Kitten had gotten larger. She was at least a foot taller, all of her limbs were thicker with hardened muscles, her fur had grown out a few inches, and the huge bloodshot eyes gaped like emeralds glistening in the night. Red bubbles drooled from her mouth as she snarled at me.

I threw the yarn ball between us, and she darted, tackling it so hard and fast it got obliterated. Uh oh… ok, ok, round two. I tossed the second one right in front of me. In a flash, she pounced it tearing into it with her claws. I lunged down, trying to get a hold of her and she bolted away, leaving a trail of broken concrete.

It appears that she attacks anything that moves. She is reactionary, which means I can use that against her. I clicked the laser pointer, and the red dot came to life. Her head snapped instantly in the direction of the spot. She hunched over, wiggling her tail as she watched. She stalked the dot on all fours scurrying about the Plaza chasing it as I moved it. She pounced several times, crushing the ground as I made the dot flee. Her tail was thrashing by this point as she snarled getting irritated. She moved faster and faster bounding after it to the point I was having problems keeping it ahead of her.

I brought it back to me right in front, my arm ready to stab her with the syringe gun when she pounced it. The blur of a cat jumped the dot, and I struck down. It pierced her back, but she recoiled, taking my whole hand off as she slammed into a building across from me. Dust filled the air as it collapsed. She didn’t get a full dose, of that I am sure. She appeared again on another rooftop, glaring down at me.

Her body vibrated, and she flickered, moving so fast it barely registered. In a moment she closed the gap between us and jumped onto my back. Her claws stabbed into my carapace as she climbed up. My tentacles attacked her, trying to wrap her up as I twisted, reaching for the feline. Her claws ripped through the muscled appendages severing several before more managed to grasp her arms.

She kicked off of my spine, using it as a springboard. She darted away before I could get a proper hold on her. I watched her circling, attempting to formulate some sort of strategy to bring me down in that primitive mind she currently had. She moved again, attacking from the side. Her claws left gouges in my carapaces and yellow spilling out for several seconds before the hardened shell would close up again.

Glitter Kitten was far too fast for me. I could see her blurred movements, but I could not react quickly enough. Like a whirlwind of claws and teeth, she swept by tearing and cutting at me. She retreated as I shook off her trifling attacks. I think that she was trying to do the death by a thousand cuts type of thing. Unfortunately for her minor wounds heal almost instantly. She might be scissors, but I am the rock. She would have to do something grievous to even leave a dent in me.

While she hesitated, I reattached the tentacles and wing that she had removed. Seeing the damage that she had just inflicted be negated, the cat became even more cautious. Or perhaps she was getting tired out. Hmm, this certainly does remind me of being a cat owner and trying to hold a kitty that didn’t want to be held. This was going to be a battle of endurance between the pet owner and the stubborn feline that doesn’t want to be loved.

Was she perhaps not completely stupid like this? Well, that is not good. I was banking on her being in a blind rage to fall into my trap.

I tapped the belt, opening it and pulling out several grenades. I tossed them on the ground, and they burst coating the area like a fly trap. I stood in the middle of the sticky stuff so that she would have to go through it to get to me. She growled, circling like a predator.

“Come here little kitty, kitty, kitty~” I said, trying to provoke her or even coax her over.

Her movements had dulled, either due to fatigue or more likely the sedative. She flanked from the side charging at me before leaping over the goo, claws out. My hands rose to keep her from my face. The ferocious feline bounced off, leaving several deep cuts that began to close on my arms. She landed and spun, nearly falling over, her balance was off now. The drugs were definitely starting to take effect.

Glitter Kitten panted, drooling as she frothed. Her eyes focused in on me as she started to move again. She gained momentum and hurtled at me. She was slow enough now that I could adequately react to her. My body braced for impact, and all four of my hands caught her mid-air. My abdomen lunged up, stabbing my stinger into her as she screamed and raved, struggling to escape. Her claws raking and ripping as she bit and yowled like a feral beast. The venom sac pulsed and she writhed as my stinger injected her.

Her final resistance culminated in a burst of movement. She had broken free from my grasp, but she didn’t get far. Her foot had gotten stuck in the sticky goo. She yanked as I watched it stretched and break. She stumbled, retreating and falling over several times until she was crawling away. Glitter Kitten drug herself to the side of the box and slumped into it, curling up. Finally, I had subdued the cat.

I picked the box up covering it to take my kitty home. This was certainly an ordeal. I looked about at the carnage that had been wrought. My lips curled into a frown. This didn’t feel like a victory.

“Let’s get you home before you can get into any more trouble,” I said as my wings flapped.