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Modern/Delta Green - The Beginning of the End (COMPLETED)
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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 5481535" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>Gothic: Part 8 – Dr. Knightsbridge, I Presume</strong></p><p></p><p>The shadowy room they entered was in perfect order. An old cot stood to one side, its heavy blanket pulled taut and straight. Lances and swords were carefully hung on the spotless walls. A great desk stood against the south wall with inkwell, papers, and other items perfectly in place.</p><p></p><p>Sitting at the desk was a tall man in his late forties, with a neat beard and moustache, and black hair with distinguished gray streaks. He was dressed dapperly in a fine suit, and smoked a fine cherry wood pipe. There was an air of skepticism about him, as if he has heard it all. Incongruously, a sword was strapped to his back. </p><p></p><p>Hammer cocked his Beretta, the gun barrel pointed at the back of the man's head. "Don't move."</p><p></p><p>"Dr. Knightsbridge?" asked Jim-Bean in surprise. </p><p></p><p>The doctor put his hands up. "Jim?" He turned around. "Jim Baxter? What are you doing here?"</p><p></p><p>Hammer looked over his shoulder. "You know this man?"</p><p></p><p>Jim-Bean nodded. "From the States. Yes."</p><p></p><p>"So you're hunting Nadasdy too?"</p><p></p><p>"I think we need to catch up," said Jim-Bean. He sat down at the table in the center of the room. Hammer was polite enough to not point his gun directly at Knightsbridge's head but that was all the courtesy he gave the man. Guppy sat across the table from Knightsbridge, as did Archive.</p><p></p><p>"Enolsis came across Count Nadasdy only recently. He consists almost exclusively of body thetans, a creature of pure negative energy. He's rather ancient."</p><p></p><p>"Ancient?" asked Archive, skeptical.</p><p></p><p>"Yes. He was married to Elizabeth Bathory in 1575. He died in 1604. I believe his resurrection from the dead and subsequent blood-drinking habits caused Elizabeth to believe she could also cheat death if she drank and bathed in blood. When his wife was found out and imprisoned, Count Nadasdy fled Csejthe Castle. The countess’ accomplices confessed that Ferencz Nadasdy had returned to Csejthe Castle shortly after his burial."</p><p></p><p>"So that's when he became a vampire." Archive's interest was piqued. </p><p></p><p>Knightsbridge nodded. "Nadasdy was one of the living dead. The hunt for the Count was on, and he was forced to flee his native Hungary. He made his way across Europe, eventually settling here in the eighteenth century in the Severn River Valley. He established himself with the aid of Sir Gilbert Morley, who arranged for a safe dwelling for the fugitive Count and supplied him with sufficient victims to feast upon. In return, Nadasdy transformed Morley into a vampire. The count has dwelled in the area since."</p><p></p><p>"And you just happen to be here when we are," said Guppy suspiciously.</p><p></p><p>"I could say the same thing about you," said Knightsbridge. "I've set up a base of sorts to track the fiend to his lair."</p><p></p><p>"By yourself?" asked Jim-Bean. "How exactly do you plan on defeating him?"</p><p></p><p>Knightsbridge was indignant. "I have my own resources. And I'm not alone."</p><p></p><p>"No?" Hammer looked around. "Where are your companions?"</p><p></p><p>Knightsbridge took a puff on his pipe. "They will come at my call."</p><p></p><p>Sweat beaded on Guppy's brow. "I think he's lying. I think this is a trap."</p><p></p><p>"You think everything's a trap," said Jim-Bean. He turned back to Knightsbridge. "I'm not sure how you got into the U.K. PISCES watches everything."</p><p></p><p>"PISCES?" asked Knightsbridge innocently.</p><p></p><p>"The government agency responsible for dealing with the paranormal." Jim-Bean watched Knightsbridge closely. "They've been taken over by brain spiders – body-hopping things that can possess a man. PISCES is literally crawling with possessed agents."</p><p></p><p>Did he detect a flicker of emotion? Dismay? Or was it something else? </p><p></p><p>"Intriguing. I had thought the Shan had been confined…"</p><p></p><p>"Who?" asked Jim-Bean.</p><p></p><p>"He's lying," hissed Guppy. He was damp with perspiration, but everyone's eyes were on Knightsbridge.</p><p></p><p>Hammer shushed him.</p><p></p><p>"75 million years ago there was a Galactic Confederacy, which consisted of 26 stars and 76 planets including Shaggai, Xiclotl, Thuggon, L'gy'hx and Earth. The planets were overpopulated, with an average population of 178 billion. The Shan leaders were about to be deposed from power, so they devised a plot to eliminate the excess population from their dominions. With the assistance of psychiatrists, they summoned billions of these citizens together, paralyzed them and captured their souls. These souls were brainwashed and reinserted into the bodies we have now, but there was a civil war and the Shan leaders were imprisoned. It appears they have escaped."</p><p></p><p>"You've got to be kidding me," said Hammer.</p><p></p><p>Knightsbridge held up one hand. "Unbelievable, I know, but it's all true. But first and foremost we must deal with Nadasdy. I can help—"</p><p></p><p>"GIVE ME YOUR TONGUE!" shrieked Guppy.</p><p></p><p>Electricity crackled beneath the table as Guppy lunged with his stun gun at Knightsbridge.</p><p></p><p>Quick as a cat, Knightsbridge unsheathed the longsword at his back and leaped onto the table. "Fools! I told you I was not alone!"</p><p></p><p>The air boiled around them. Shadowy forms rose up out of the floor. Misshapen skeletons, gorilla-like demons, and a host of other horrors were suddenly in the room with them.</p><p></p><p>"Bloody hell," sighed Jim-Bean. He fished a tool out of his satchel. </p><p></p><p>Knightsbridge kicked Guppy backwards so he had more room to swing his sword. Guppy stumbled, bouncing off the wall behind him. </p><p></p><p>"By the power of the Elder Sign I repel thee!" shouted Archive.</p><p></p><p>Just as quickly as they had come, the demons disappeared with a flash. </p><p></p><p>Knightsbridge planted one foot on Guppy's chest. "PISCES is going to take you apart, piece by piece." He pointed his blade at Guppy's throat. </p><p></p><p>The retort of a pistol rocked Knightsbridge. He dropped his sword, falling to his knees. A bullet had pierced his cheek. </p><p></p><p>Hammer was about to holster his pistol when a shape appeared out of Knightsbridge's head, flapping above the ground on leathery wings. The thing which flew whirred towards Jim-Bean, wings slapping the air at incredible speed.</p><p></p><p>Huge lidless eyes stared in hate at Jim-Bean, the jointed tendrils seemed to twist from the head in cosmic rhythms. It had ten legs, covered with black shining tentacles and folded into the pallid underbody, with semi-circular ridged wings covered with triangular scales. Jim-Bean saw the three mouths of the thing move moistly and Jim-Bean knew he was facing a Shan. A brain spider. </p><p></p><p>Another shot from Hammer caused it to bank left. It flew upwards into the ceiling and out of sight. </p><p></p><p>"So he was actually possessed by a brain-spider?" said Hammer, uncertain as to what he had just witnessed.</p><p></p><p>"Which means PISCES is already here." Jim-Bean threw a multi-tool to Guppy. </p><p></p><p>"Was anything he told us true?" asked Archive.</p><p></p><p>"Who knows?" Hammer looked around the room. "Are you sure all those things are gone?"</p><p></p><p>Archive yanked an amulet off of Knightsbridge's neck. "This is a symbol of the Templars." It had two knights riding one horse. </p><p></p><p>Hammer hefted Knightsbridge's blade. "The same symbol is on the hilt of his sword."</p><p></p><p>Jim-Bean frowned. "So Enolsis has been infiltrated by the Templars, which were infiltrated by the brain spiders." He shook his head. "Damn bugs are everywhere."</p><p></p><p>Guppy straddled Knightsbridge's dying form. He was whispering something.</p><p></p><p>"W-wait." He drooled blood. "The Shan left me…I'm okay now…"</p><p></p><p>Guppy, eyes filled with tears, pried his jaw open as Knightsbridge gagged on his blood. </p><p></p><p>A strangled gurgle was Knightsbridge's only protest. His eyes rolled in their sockets as he knew what was going to happen next.</p><p></p><p>Guppy shoved the multi-tool into Knightsbridge's mouth, grabbed hold of his tongue, and pulled.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 5481535, member: 3285"] [b]Gothic: Part 8 – Dr. Knightsbridge, I Presume[/b] The shadowy room they entered was in perfect order. An old cot stood to one side, its heavy blanket pulled taut and straight. Lances and swords were carefully hung on the spotless walls. A great desk stood against the south wall with inkwell, papers, and other items perfectly in place. Sitting at the desk was a tall man in his late forties, with a neat beard and moustache, and black hair with distinguished gray streaks. He was dressed dapperly in a fine suit, and smoked a fine cherry wood pipe. There was an air of skepticism about him, as if he has heard it all. Incongruously, a sword was strapped to his back. Hammer cocked his Beretta, the gun barrel pointed at the back of the man's head. "Don't move." "Dr. Knightsbridge?" asked Jim-Bean in surprise. The doctor put his hands up. "Jim?" He turned around. "Jim Baxter? What are you doing here?" Hammer looked over his shoulder. "You know this man?" Jim-Bean nodded. "From the States. Yes." "So you're hunting Nadasdy too?" "I think we need to catch up," said Jim-Bean. He sat down at the table in the center of the room. Hammer was polite enough to not point his gun directly at Knightsbridge's head but that was all the courtesy he gave the man. Guppy sat across the table from Knightsbridge, as did Archive. "Enolsis came across Count Nadasdy only recently. He consists almost exclusively of body thetans, a creature of pure negative energy. He's rather ancient." "Ancient?" asked Archive, skeptical. "Yes. He was married to Elizabeth Bathory in 1575. He died in 1604. I believe his resurrection from the dead and subsequent blood-drinking habits caused Elizabeth to believe she could also cheat death if she drank and bathed in blood. When his wife was found out and imprisoned, Count Nadasdy fled Csejthe Castle. The countess’ accomplices confessed that Ferencz Nadasdy had returned to Csejthe Castle shortly after his burial." "So that's when he became a vampire." Archive's interest was piqued. Knightsbridge nodded. "Nadasdy was one of the living dead. The hunt for the Count was on, and he was forced to flee his native Hungary. He made his way across Europe, eventually settling here in the eighteenth century in the Severn River Valley. He established himself with the aid of Sir Gilbert Morley, who arranged for a safe dwelling for the fugitive Count and supplied him with sufficient victims to feast upon. In return, Nadasdy transformed Morley into a vampire. The count has dwelled in the area since." "And you just happen to be here when we are," said Guppy suspiciously. "I could say the same thing about you," said Knightsbridge. "I've set up a base of sorts to track the fiend to his lair." "By yourself?" asked Jim-Bean. "How exactly do you plan on defeating him?" Knightsbridge was indignant. "I have my own resources. And I'm not alone." "No?" Hammer looked around. "Where are your companions?" Knightsbridge took a puff on his pipe. "They will come at my call." Sweat beaded on Guppy's brow. "I think he's lying. I think this is a trap." "You think everything's a trap," said Jim-Bean. He turned back to Knightsbridge. "I'm not sure how you got into the U.K. PISCES watches everything." "PISCES?" asked Knightsbridge innocently. "The government agency responsible for dealing with the paranormal." Jim-Bean watched Knightsbridge closely. "They've been taken over by brain spiders – body-hopping things that can possess a man. PISCES is literally crawling with possessed agents." Did he detect a flicker of emotion? Dismay? Or was it something else? "Intriguing. I had thought the Shan had been confined…" "Who?" asked Jim-Bean. "He's lying," hissed Guppy. He was damp with perspiration, but everyone's eyes were on Knightsbridge. Hammer shushed him. "75 million years ago there was a Galactic Confederacy, which consisted of 26 stars and 76 planets including Shaggai, Xiclotl, Thuggon, L'gy'hx and Earth. The planets were overpopulated, with an average population of 178 billion. The Shan leaders were about to be deposed from power, so they devised a plot to eliminate the excess population from their dominions. With the assistance of psychiatrists, they summoned billions of these citizens together, paralyzed them and captured their souls. These souls were brainwashed and reinserted into the bodies we have now, but there was a civil war and the Shan leaders were imprisoned. It appears they have escaped." "You've got to be kidding me," said Hammer. Knightsbridge held up one hand. "Unbelievable, I know, but it's all true. But first and foremost we must deal with Nadasdy. I can help—" "GIVE ME YOUR TONGUE!" shrieked Guppy. Electricity crackled beneath the table as Guppy lunged with his stun gun at Knightsbridge. Quick as a cat, Knightsbridge unsheathed the longsword at his back and leaped onto the table. "Fools! I told you I was not alone!" The air boiled around them. Shadowy forms rose up out of the floor. Misshapen skeletons, gorilla-like demons, and a host of other horrors were suddenly in the room with them. "Bloody hell," sighed Jim-Bean. He fished a tool out of his satchel. Knightsbridge kicked Guppy backwards so he had more room to swing his sword. Guppy stumbled, bouncing off the wall behind him. "By the power of the Elder Sign I repel thee!" shouted Archive. Just as quickly as they had come, the demons disappeared with a flash. Knightsbridge planted one foot on Guppy's chest. "PISCES is going to take you apart, piece by piece." He pointed his blade at Guppy's throat. The retort of a pistol rocked Knightsbridge. He dropped his sword, falling to his knees. A bullet had pierced his cheek. Hammer was about to holster his pistol when a shape appeared out of Knightsbridge's head, flapping above the ground on leathery wings. The thing which flew whirred towards Jim-Bean, wings slapping the air at incredible speed. Huge lidless eyes stared in hate at Jim-Bean, the jointed tendrils seemed to twist from the head in cosmic rhythms. It had ten legs, covered with black shining tentacles and folded into the pallid underbody, with semi-circular ridged wings covered with triangular scales. Jim-Bean saw the three mouths of the thing move moistly and Jim-Bean knew he was facing a Shan. A brain spider. Another shot from Hammer caused it to bank left. It flew upwards into the ceiling and out of sight. "So he was actually possessed by a brain-spider?" said Hammer, uncertain as to what he had just witnessed. "Which means PISCES is already here." Jim-Bean threw a multi-tool to Guppy. "Was anything he told us true?" asked Archive. "Who knows?" Hammer looked around the room. "Are you sure all those things are gone?" Archive yanked an amulet off of Knightsbridge's neck. "This is a symbol of the Templars." It had two knights riding one horse. Hammer hefted Knightsbridge's blade. "The same symbol is on the hilt of his sword." Jim-Bean frowned. "So Enolsis has been infiltrated by the Templars, which were infiltrated by the brain spiders." He shook his head. "Damn bugs are everywhere." Guppy straddled Knightsbridge's dying form. He was whispering something. "W-wait." He drooled blood. "The Shan left me…I'm okay now…" Guppy, eyes filled with tears, pried his jaw open as Knightsbridge gagged on his blood. A strangled gurgle was Knightsbridge's only protest. His eyes rolled in their sockets as he knew what was going to happen next. Guppy shoved the multi-tool into Knightsbridge's mouth, grabbed hold of his tongue, and pulled. [/QUOTE]
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