[Jody]

Just wanted to chime in El: This has been a wonderful tale. You're fleshing out the characters in more ways than one. Cheers!

[Fonk]

Very cool. 8) Your build-ups are always worth it because it gives the characters depth when they start mysteriously sprouting muscles. 😉

[El_Roy_1999]

Open warfare

Outside, the Russian couple had reached the entrance rather quickly. They had waited for a while to see whether their guests had found something. After a few minutes of consideration, they went in, Anatolij still in his wife’s “backpack”. As they followed the footsteps in the dust, a strange, rhythmic sound, becoming louder and louder was heard outside. Ekaterina quickly stepped back to the entryway and looked out. Her eyes took moments to adjust back to the brightness outside, and then she saw them.
Large, heavy helicopters, two of them, approaching. Their massive frames suggesting stability and power, the machines cleared the woods and entered the open area. Ducking back into the darkness, she asked:
“What’s going on? Who are these people?” Her husband answered quietly.
“I don’t know. They look like our machines, but seem to be privately owned. Maybe they’re army surplus. Looks like one of our local oligarchs got himself some toys.”
“Do you think it’s Lemontov? We should have gotten rid of him when he came here the first time.”
The machines were now descending, their landing gears slowly folding out. The wind caused by the propellers blasted the dust and snow around, creating little streams of grey particles around the cobbles on the floor.
As the helicopters landed, people in winter gear jumped out, crouched low and ran for cover. Ekaterina slid further inside the complex. It was best not to be seen in the first place. Her massive form merged with the shadows around her, just as two of the soldiers inspected the doorway.
Suddenly, she heard a series of screams and clangs. Clearly, their guests were still alive, but not for long. She instantly assumed that the beasts would take care of them. The most important part for now would be to protect the materials in place. Anatolij climbed out of the backpack and said:
“Keep them busy. I’ll check the files.” He picked up one of the flashlights, squeezed it’s handle and set off into the darkness.
Ekaterina remained silently, waiting. The first soldier entered the building, the second one quickly covering the area with his rifle. Instantly, the first one checked the next doorway, while his partner advanced. The fantastically built woman waited in the shadows beside the doorway, her muscles tensing. As he passed the arch, he slid on his night-vision goggles. A high-pitched whine was heard as the device was switched on. He looked to his right. Nothing. Quickly, he twisted his head around, only to witness Ekaterina’s fast-approaching fist. Performing a marvellous direct, she projected the man’s limp body across the room, her shoulder muscles vibrating under the thick winter clothing. As her victim crashed into the furniture, she had already left the room, rushing his partner.
The surprised man could barely raise his rifle before she grabbed him by the front of his uniform. She lifted him up with a single hand, knocking his head against the ceiling. Groggily, the man hung his head. A second blow from her left fist smashed him back on the ground. He was instantly unconscious. She picked up their weapons and goggles and disappeared into the shadows. Outside, the remaining soldiers advanced only to find the two scouts out cold.
Meanwhile, Lemontov had climbed out of the helicopter. The Americans were quite professional about the whole situation, but had clearly been surprised by the sudden counter-attack. He decided not to interfere. After all, they were trying to do him a favour.

Inside the complex, Michelle urged Calvin to leave the area.
“We’ll come back later. For now, we should get away before Ekaterina shows up. Besides, I don’t want to be eaten alive.”
“I know, I know, but look at this: It’s my opportunity. The opportunity. I can be a superhero. You’ve got to help me. Please.”
“Honestly, we must get out. Let’s just scoop up a bit, we’ll see how it works in a lab later on.”
Reluctantly, Calvin did so. As he filled one of the dusty coffee mugs that the scientists had kept in the area, he felt a pang of jealousy. He had barely realised what had happened to his colleague, and neither had she. Still, he felt awkward. He had dragged her into this mess, and oddly enough, she had reaped the reward. Of course, her argument was sound, but with strength like her, he would easily hold his own against any critters in this cursed place. Just as she was examining the room in search of a useable exit, he scooped up a large amount of the goo and smeared it in his jacket. It must have been the same amount that she had “absorbed”.
As she called him, he mumbled a little and followed her. Entering the next area, they found themselves in a convoluted area which must have been the scientists living quarters. Behind them, their shadowy pursuers were creeping on, anxious to stay out of sight. Looking around, they found a derelict elevator. Being out of power, it was shut tightly. Michelle gave Calvin a helpless look. In reply, he put his hands together by their backs and made a motion of “pushing apart”. Slowly realising her possibilities, Michelle nodded at him and proceeded to knack her knuckles.

[Fonk]

I'm looking forward to seeing how this progresses now! I've got some ideas but I'll keep quiet for the minute and sit tight.

In short, I'm lovin' it! 8)

[El_Roy_1999]

Just a small piece today. Sorry.

Ill met

Anatolij was checking the files as quickly as he could, but soon realised that they had come too late. The Americans had apparently found what they had been looking for. He cursed under his breath. He’d have to go down there and retrieve the documents. From their mangled and half-eaten corpses probably. His loathing for this place had been so great that he’d decided for himself not to return, and so the data had remained here, rotting over the years. Still, there must have been enough information in there to arouse their interest, and the last thing he’d want would be to have the whole situation exposed.
He quickly followed their footsteps, sighing as he found out that the ladder had broken down. Also, since their bodies were nowhere to be seen, he’d have to get down. He cursed again. In his eyes, a deep fear of the things below danced. Stuffing his flashlight into his coat’s pocket, he proceeded to climb down the last remains of the ladder before jumping down. As he touched down, he instantly ran for cover. Around him, the hissing noises of the beasts became louder. He kept his head low, waiting for them to calm down. Seconds later, he turned the light on and sprinted for the door.

Meanwhile, Michelle inhaled, exhaled, and pushed the jammed doors apart. The gears and motors screeched vaguely, but to no avail. She forced the door open until it was wide enough for the both of them to get through and walked into the elevator shaft. The cabin hung between the next level and this one, bent as if subjected to great strain. Calvin gave her an impressed smile and entered it himself. He touched her bare shoulder gently, surprised at it’s hardness.
“Wow. Those are for real, aren’t they?”
She nodded approvingly:
“I guess they are. This is odd, but it feels good. Besides, we’ll be able to get out. Look, there’s a trapdoor in the cabin floor. I’ll see if I can climb up.” Moments later, she was up there, here massive frame perched in the remains of the elevator shaft, easily pulling herself up from miniscule ledges. As she pushed open the trapdoor, they both heard a sudden scream. The old man came running, his flashlight swaying wildly. Behind him, a group of several of the bizarre denizens of this building came running. They made strange noises, almost human, sounding vaguely like speech.
“Help me! Please, help me!” Michelle reached down, grabbed Calvin by the hand, and lifted him up. He took hold of the hole and climbed in. The old man scrambled inside, his foes fast approaching. Michelle swung down again, picked him up and jumped back up. She cleared the ground just as the first creature smashed into the elevator shaft, instantly followed by it’s peers.
The man struggled with the opened trapdoor and Calvin was forced to help him in. Below, Michelle got a good look at the assailants for the first time as they struggled to get up. That guy would have some things to explain!

[El_Roy_1999]

Sorry for the delay. The joys of vacation and the pains of writer's block.

History lessons

“Okay, doctor, what are these things? What’s going on down here? And, most important: What the hell happened to me?”
They had found refuge in a calmer part of the complex, the concrete silence occasionally interrupted by explosions and the sound of gunfire. Clearly, the marines were still struggling with his wife. He smiled.
“I don’t have the slightest idea, but I wish to thank you for the rescue. Without your help, these creatures surely would have eaten me. Thank you.”
Calvin frowned.
“You’re lying. Tell us the truth. I don’t want to threaten you.” Michelle had retreated into the darkness. She felt ill, clearly a consequence of the drop of adrenaline. She eased herself in a seating position and added flatly:
“Tell me or I’ll feed you to your monsters. I’ve seen that they recognise you.” His mood instantly changed. Gravely, he replied:
“Alright. I’ll tell you. As I have said before, I worked on the Stachanov project. It was a derivative of our own super-soldier programme. We were asked to create a system for preparing our soldiers for modern nuclear war. They wanted a soldier who would be able to withstand the harshest conditions, which are, alas, characteristic for our homeland. He should also be able to wear a “suit of armour” of some kind to protect him from firearms and radiation while not being encumbered by it. As I have told you the programme failed dismally. As you may have guessed, the things, as you have called them, are failed test subjects. Human ones mostly. I am far from proud of my role in the proceedings and have stayed around to make sure that the information remains where it is. Clearly, I have failed now.
Also, I am very surprised at your “transformation”. Even though it is hard to predict the stability and effect of the chemical agent we created, it must have changed over the years. It seems to have “aged” well.” He snickered. “I intensely hope that it has become stable. I’d hate to see you turn into a mindless monster…”

Michelle stared at him. The weapon noises ended.
“Do you mean that you have no idea what is going on? You’ve got to tell me what’s going to happen! This is no time to play games!” She lunged forward, gripped him and lifted him up as easy as one might lift a child. She slammed him against the wall and lifted her fist, her knuckles whitening. He struggled futilely and whimpered:
“Don’t hit me. It’s no use. If I knew something, I’d tell you. Please. Let me go. Please.”
Michelle gave him a hateful stare and continued to hold him. She turned to Calvin who had fallen strangely silent. He seemed to be distraught at the sight of something in his jacket. She snapped at him:
“What’s going on with you? What are you looking at?”
“Err… Michelle, I seem to have a problem here. You see, I was quite jealous of your transformation, so I, well, took some of the jelly down there and smeared it in my jacket. And now, it somehow disappeared. In my body. So… I’m…” His voice trailed off as he collapsed.
As Michelle stepped forward to catch him, the elevator’s sad remains were blown apart. Ekaterina tore though the wreckage, tossed her head around and smashed her huge fist into Michelle’s stomach.

[David]

More!!!! Gimme more!!!

[Fonk]

That's a fantastic chapter! If this is what happens after writer's block… give me some! 😉

[El_Roy_1999]

Head to head

Michelle was lifted of her feet, glided through the air, turned elegantly and hit the wall feet first. She jumped away, rolled on the ground and got back up. For a second she hesitated, surprised at her sudden agility. Her adversary seized the opportunity, ran at her and smashed into her with her shoulder.
Meanwhile, the old man had gotten back to his feet. He rubbed his throat, trying to massage life back into it. Calvin was still lying on the floor, occasionally groaning in discomfort. Michelle rolled with the punches, trying to get some distance between her and her aggressor. The larger woman finally cornered her and started raining blows on her. Michelle ducked at first, but soon realised that she’d only get her face smashed in if she stayed down. With lightning speed, she managed to escape another volley of iron fists and clambered on her foes knee, stepped on the surprised woman’s chest and head before jumping in the air. She cleared the confused attacker, spun around and kicked her in the small of her back.
Blinded by fury, Ekaterina turned around, screamed at Michelle and charged her head first. The lither woman grabbed her by the shoulders and vaulted over her, forcing her to smash into a nearby wall. The decade-old structure, already weakened by the relentless assault of time, collapsed under the added weight.
Michelle stood back up, grabbed Calvin and pulled him to the room’s exit as her opponent shook off her stupefaction. She fled as fast as she could. As she ran, she could feel the adrenaline pumping through her bloodstream again. She was ecstatic. Her new body was wonderful. She darted through the now easily pierced darkness and dodged the odd piece of debris with the elegance of a ballet dancer. She ran on, at last reaching a steel door, which seemed to be an exit. She stopped and put Calvin down. As she lowered him gently to the ground, she realised that he had grown heavier. Although she would have barely been able to lift him before, she had quickly accepted the easiness with which she could carry him.
Irritated, she looked more closely. She stripped him of his shirt and gave out a surprised sound. Apparently, the formula had worked on him too. His already considerable muscularity had clearly increased, giving him a surprisingly powerful chest. She smiled. He’d got his wish after all. Now two things were in order. First, they had to escape from this place in the middle of nowhere. Second, they had to get to a doctor and hope that this whole thing wasn’t harmful. At this thought, Michelle held her breath for a second, as if uttering a little prayer.

At last, she opened the door, revealing a few ramshackle buildings in the pure white snow. The houses were low, unlike the monstrous building they had just escaped from. Clearly, some of them were broken down living quarters and depots, but one of the larger ones was easily identifiable as a garage. She picked up Calvin’s grown form and stepped out into the cold. Even though her clothes had been torn to rags and her shoes had deteriorated, she felt no cold. Running as quickly as she could, she arrived at the garage and broke open it’s door. Inside, the musty smell of dust and grime was overwhelming. Looking around, she quickly discovered a truck and a smaller off-road vehicle. Running towards it, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.
Close by, attached to a pin board, several portrait photos in faded colour smiled at her. She instantly recognised Ekaterina on one of them. The man close to her was quickly identified as Anatolij. All of a sudden, it dawned to her. This must have been the Stachanov project’s main room. A side project if there ever was one. Laying the still unconscious Calvin on the car’s passenger seat, she explored the building. Minutes later, she found a dusty and broken-down laboratory in the back of a side-building.

[El_Roy_1999]

I sure take my time. Sorry for the delay. I had to rethink the storyline I'm planning and was completely stuck for a few weeks.

Keeping track

The room’s furniture was as minimal as could be. A few derelict microscopes, some broken and dusty laboratory equipment, a yellowed calendar and a few nondescript chairs, tables and workbenches were arranged in it. The dust which covered everything clearly showed that this room had been untouched for decades. Michelle leafed through the notes, struggling with the Cyrillic characters. After a while, she recognised the “Stachanov”-folders, wrapped them into a dusty laboratory coat and returned to the car. She opened the door and realised that Calvin was slowly awakening.
She climbed in, sat down beside him and hugged him. Suddenly all the stress fell from her. She was in a state of calm, almost blissfully aware that she was still alive. Seconds later she started to cry, all the emotions finally precipitating into sobbing outbursts. Calvin moaned louder, took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes. He blinked. Finally, he embraced her. After a while, he asked:
“Are we safe?”
“For now. We’ll have to get away soon, but right now, we’re not in danger. They lost us. I just wanted to wait until you woke up. You’ve gotten heavier, so I preferred you to carry your own weight.” She smiled at him as he looked down on himself. His eyes widened.
“We did it. We did it!” The second time, he almost screamed with elation. “We’re superheroes!” He laughed, only calming down when he noticed her serious expression.
“We did it, that’s right. But you have to see that we’ve been subjected to completely unknown chemicals, and I must say that I’m quite happy that we didn’t turn into one of the Frankenstein monsters down there.”
“Whatever. Do we still have a sample of the chemicals? Yes? Well, that’s perfect. We just get back home and get them analysed. I’m pretty sure that your Auntie knows a couple of discrete analytical chemists who can take a look at it!”
“Ah yes, my “Auntie”, as you call her will probably want to have a say on the whole affair. As far as I can see, you’re not interested in me publishing this story, and neither do I. So I guess that we’ll have to give her something in return. Just because she’s my mother’s kid sister doesn’t mean that she’s all that fond of me. Still, we’ll see what happens when we’re there. First of all, we’ll have to get out of here.”

Michelle started the car. Of course, it did nothing. She tried it again, but the battery was clearly flat. She screamed and cursed. Calvin stepped out, opened the hood with perfect ease and shook his head. His partner howled:
“Don’t go mechanic on me! Do something!”
“I don’t know what to do. If this base has been abandoned for thirty years, all the batteries they might have had in store must be broken. I can’t do anything and I’m happy that those muscle-powered flashlights still work.”
“I’ll look outside.” She suddenly remembered the gunfire. There must have been someone else in the complex. Besides, where did she leave Anatolij? She slowly realised that he must have remained somewhere in the base. She had completely forgotten about him.
She walked over to the steel sliding door, grabbed it and pushed it aside with perfect ease. The half-ton door which originally had been electrically powered slid back, revealing a blasted, frozen landscape. In the background, the dark forest loomed.
She realised that it was cold but maintained a distant relation to the fact. Indeed, her tattered clothes barely covered her, but she seemed calmly at ease. She stepped out, the crushed snow welling up between her toes. She looked down at her monstrous legs and wondered. She slowly closed the door, adding “I’ll be right back.” and looked around. Nothing. She smiled mischievously and ran. Her freezing breath left a trail of mist for fragments of seconds. She sprinted relentlessly towards the horizon, smiling in complete elation. At last, she jumped, throwing herself into the air. She left the ground, taking the air for a few seconds, covering a more than Olympic distance. Landing, she rolled, getting back up laughing. She tore the sorry remains of her clothes from her, merely leaving her underwear. Her tank-top barely covered her midriff, displaying her fist-sized abs. Taking a few steps, she suddenly saw the waiting helicopters.
Interestingly enough, the marines guarding them had not seen her until this second. The resulting pause lasted about as long as that.

[Author]

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