Gone AWOL(Saber,Prythian)

[Mani4c]

Viral Mani4c clutched his face and cursed, "CHRIST! Give me a second to talk would you Ted Nugent?" Viral Mani4c waited for his skull to knit back together before speaking "Mani4c told me to help, so I'm here. I'll let him explain when we boot Mr. Reaper in the @$$, and besides... If I wanted you dead you'd be dead already." Totenkopf stood up, "How many times do I need to kill you?" Viral Mani4c just laughed. "You stupid f*** do you really think that I'm going to let my little bro get the ax from a p**** like you?" Totenkopf fumed, "WHO ARE YOU!?" Viral Main4c just laughed darkly, and he began speaking in a menacing tone. "I am the most powerful virus to grace the net, I am the apocalypse of which legend speaks, and I am... for once and for all your executioner!" Viral Mani4c's voice suddenly became sing song, "But you can call me Viral Mani4c."

Totenkopf roared and charged at Viral Mani4c. "DIE YOU FREAK!" Viral Mani4c just grabbed the scythe's shaft and kicked Totenkopf in the chest, wrenching the blade from his grip. "Sorry Mr. Bojangles, but I got s*** to do." Viral Mani4c casually swung the scythe at Totenkopf, impaling him in the stomach, "GRAH, NO!" Viral Mani4c Smiled sadistically, "That was for stabbing my bro." Viral Mani4c tore the scythe out of Totenkopf's chest, then smashed him in the back of the head with the flat of the scythe, Knocking him to the ground.

"This-" Viral Mani4c Slammed the blade into Totenkopf's spine pinning him to the ground. "ARGH, PLEASE! HELP ME!" Totenkopf reached towards the two stunned NPD officers. "-Is for scaring the hot succubus/vampire chick." Viral Mani4c manifested his armor, though he hadn't summoned his arm cannon, instead having a second clawed hand.

"And Finally..." Viral Mani4c Squatted down over Totenkopf's face, grabbing his skull and sinking his claws into the reaper's face. "This is for being a f***ing coward and threatening Baretta, Baby bro didn't like that." Viral Mani4c began to pull on Totenkopf's head, ignoring the avatar's agonized screams. After about thirty seconds, the sickening sound of ripping flesh and splintering bone filled the air, as Viral Mani4c tore the vigilante's head off.

The viral avatar held the severed head in his hands, and began channeling viral energy into the severed head. The viral energy melted the flesh off of Totenkopf's skull, leaving bleached bone in it's place. "To be or not to be...Ah screw this." Viral Mani4c crushed the skull in his hands, and proceeded to activate his arm cannon. He then turned around and fired a blast of viral energy at Totenkopf's corpse, reducing all but the scythe to dust. 

Viral Mani4c deactivated his armor and looked at the two NPD avatars. "If you need a minute go ahead. That was a bit more brutal than I normally am. I prefer blowing people to bits, but he needed to learn his lesson."

[Saber]

Saber and Baretta stared dumbstruck as Mani4c's viral half went medieval on Totenkopf, going so far as to rip off his skull and vaporize him. Saber was the first to snap out of it, walking over and picking up the scythe, looking at it oddly as he focused his attention on Mani4c "I see the suppression program was damaged...Why did you help us, last time you got free, you tried to kill all of us..."

"Thats what I'd like to know as well..." Baretta was standing where she was before, arms crossed and tapping her pistols against her armor impatiently.

[Mani4c]

Viral Mani4c just shrugged, "Who knows? Baby bro asked me to help Baretta, and I didn't like the fact that he brutalized Mani4c either... Not to mention he scared the crap out of that sexy succubus lady. What was her name, Lilith!" Viral Mani4c turned, towards Baretta "And... I made a deal with him. I was impressed with his chutzpah when he went up against Halberd, hell he was the most effective one out of all of you, and he had the stones to tell Kate to stick it. So I offered to let him use my power, I'd reign in his nuttiness, and he'd blast the bad guys."

Viral Mani4c smirked, "I think his righteous demeanor's getting to me though, I'm a lot more mellow than I used to be. I'm not harming you am I?" Viral Mani4c walked over to the wall of the building Mani4c was pinned to and leaned against it. "And... Since I'm in a good mood. I can tell you how I came to be, and the reason for Mani4c's recent aggro behavior if you want. It might prove useful."

[Saber]

Baretta's foot tapped impatiently as Viral explained himself. He may not be as hostile or insane as before, but she still didn't feel safe around him, not yet. "Well, if you can give us some incentive on why he's so quick to anger and violence now, that would be helpful, especially if I want to patch things up with him and the precinct. So lets' hear it."

[Mani4c]

Viral Mani4c exhaled through his nose. "Well, the secret to Mani4c's temper is also linked to my existence. So I'll start there..." Viral Mani4c closed his eyes and began to speak, "When Mani4c first overloaded on viral energy, I was nothing more than the pure psychotic rage of a virus, guided only by the instinct to hunt and kill. It wasn't until Mani4c started working at the NPD that the conditions became right for me to gain sentience. Do you know why that is?"  Viral Mani4c didn't even wait for a response. "It's because in an effort to look like a good cop, he buried every...single...negative emotion he had. He buried it under his sense of humor and justice. But that hate, that rage against the world that held for being treated like a monster, and for being infected in the firstplace had to go somewhere, and it found me."

Viral Mani4c's eyes snapped open, his eyes glinting angrily, though it wasn't aimed at either of the NPD officers. "I was nothing more than a amalgamation of hate and sorrow, and it drove me even nuttier than Mani4c. I wanted to make everyone else suffer as I felt that I had, and that's what I tried to do when Noxus unleashed me...But now, it seems like that chip did something to my personality, I'm more...stable, more balanced. And because of that, more of Mani4c's negative emotions are coming through, he's becoming more viral. And he doesn't know how to deal with it, he never has, and that's where the second part of our deal comes in. I agreed to re-write part of his code, so he wouldn't lose himself to his anger anymore. It wouldn't change who he is, but he'd be more like his old goofy self, and I know that both of you miss that. Especially you Baretta."

[Saber]

Baretta crossed her arms and looked away when Viral Mani4c began explaining why Mani4c was more angry, and quick to violence, actually feeling bad for Mani4c now "...I knew he felt like an outsider...But I never realized how bad it was until now..."

Saber paid attention to the technical aspects of Viral's explanation, finding the fact a viral, psychopathic split personality for one of his allies was making a deal for his host body "...So, Mani4c is going to be the way he was before you were unleashed, is that going to make you the fighting specialist? Or is he going to hold onto some of that fighting aggression?" Saber stepped a few strides closer to Viral Mani4c "As much as we would both appreciate having Mani4c back to how he was before, I'm not too keen on having a crazed killer with brutal methods fighting on my side, not unless it's in some location like the arctic wasteland, or the underground network."

[Mani4c]

Viral Mani4c just smirked, "Says the cop who just went Wolverine on his brother. And to answer your question, I'll come out when needed, but Mani4c can still fight on his own. and if Mani4c and I share our body like we are now, I should pick up on his more positive traits and stabilize in terms of personality, that was his end of the bargain. I share my power and help him get stronger on his own and I become less insane."

Viral Mani4c stepped closer to Saber, almost nose to nose with him. "And last I checked it wasn't your decision, I'm sick of people making choices for him, he's his own person and if anyone has a problem with that..." Viral Mani4c's hands crackled with energy, "They answer to me. I may not show it, but I DO give a s*** about his well being, if only because if he goes, I do too. The fact that he's earned my respect is just the proverbial cherry on top." Viral Mani4c stepped back, "That reminds me...I need to have a chat with your Captain, Mani4c said his piece, and I'm involved now whether or not either of you like it." 

[Saber]

Saber looked down at Viral's hands as he was trying to intimidate him, meeting Viral's glare with his own, calm gaze "Whether or not I say yes or no is irrelevant. I said I wasn't keen on the idea, I didn't say I was against it."

Stepping to the side, he walked past Viral, carrying the scythe on his shoulder "I'm going ahead to drop this off at R&D, you two do what you need to do." His speeder materialized in front of him, and he mounted the bike, speeding off. Baretta sighed softly and shook her head "Never the subtle one...He never changes." Baretta holstered her guns and looked at Viral "...I just know Kathryn isn't going to like this...Hop in." Her police car materialized beside them, and she hopped into the driver's seat.

[Mani4c]

Viral Mani4c scoffed at Saber before getting into Baretta's speeder, "Cocky prick...Sorry, I should start keeping that stuff to myself." Viral Mani4c was quiet for a while, before finally speaking, "Hey, I'm uh... Sorry, about when I came out before. I don't blame either of you for being leery of me." Viral Mani4c became quiet again, his discomfort with the situation was palpable. 'God I suck at this "Friendly" thing...' Finally Viral Mani4c spoke up, "He says don't worry. Mani4c I mean, he figured that you'd be worried about his new aggression after hearing my explanation and he says "Don't worry sis, I've gone through this before, I'll be alright." Viral Mani4c looked at Baretta, "He also says that Lilith's symptoms scared him a bit, you have any idea what that was about?"

[Saber]

Baretta sighed softly when Viral called Saber a cocky prick "...He has his days...but he's normally a good person to be around...He's just getting used to the new you, the less murderous side I mean." When Viral apologized for the last time they met, she was silent for a while, revving the engine of her speeder and driving off while trying to figure out how to respond. She didn't blame him for it, but being around him still makes her wary of her safety. "...It's alright...All of that rage and viral hostility can be more than one avatar alone can handle, split persona or not...As long as your not out to kill everything in sight, I suppose I can trust you enough not to attack me."

Then, Viral commented on Mani4c saying he's gone through this kind of thing before, and than he would be alright, sighing again "...He shouldn't have to go through anything like that..." When the topic of Lilith's symptoms came up, she thought about it for a moment, trying to figure out what happened. "To be honest, I have no idea. I just know that whatever it was, it didn't happen until after that Totenkopf character got too close to her."

[Mani4c]

Viral Mani4c sighed when Baretta mentioned him killing everything in sight, "When it comes to people like Gat, I make no promises, but I won't hurt anyone without provocation."

When Baretta mentioned that Mani4c shouldn't have to go through his emotional instabilities he scowled, "You're preaching to the choir on that one hon. I have a front row seat to that crap, it's not pretty, but I've gotta respect him for putting on a brave face and trying to power through."

Viral Mani4c was quiet for the rest of the ride, when they arrived at the NPD server, he looked at Baretta. "You mind leading in with this one? I'm not in the mood to be shot at by trigger happy cops." Viral Mani4c glanced at two standard NPD avatars, both of whom were giving him sharp looks. "Nor am I in the mood to be gawked at, HEY YOU TWO!" the two cops flinched, evidently they thought that he didn't notice them, "KEEP YOUR EYES FORWARD OR YOU'LL LOSE 'EM!" The to avatars immediately looked away, "Hmph, D***s." Viral Mani4c looked at Baretta, "And, as you can see, I don't have the temperament for it either."

[Saber]

"...I can tell...Look, if you want this to go over well with the captain, you need to try and at least tone the anger down, at least a little bit. I'll try to convince Kathryn not to get P***y herself, but I need to know you'll go into this with at least a little bit of tact. Can you at least promise me that?" Baretta parked in front of HQ, waiting for Viral to give her some hope that this won't end in disaster. "I mean, you're technically Net Ops, so you aren't required to stay at the precinct. If you or Mani4c need to be away from the stress of being around the other officers, then take some time away from HQ."

[Mani4c]

Viral Mani4c sucked in a breath, trying to calm himself, "Okay, I'll behave. Those two weren't worth it anyways." Viral Mani4c cracked his neck, he wasn't comfortable with restraining himself. But seeing as he and Mani4c both needed to work out their issues with Kate, he'd have to play nice for the foreseeable future. "Alright, let's go, before I change my mind."

[Saber]

Baretta sighed and stepped out of the vehicle first, waiting for Viral to follow suit before shutting down the speeder program. Leading Viral into the precinct, they were met by a swarm of curious looks, which Baretta quickly dismissed "Mani4c is here under my escort, to consult with the captain. No one is to treat him with hostility, or prejudice, or they answer to me, is that understood?" There were some quiet murmurs, and Baretta's face scrunched up in a disapproving scowl "I said is that understood!"

There was a sudden chorus of "Yes sir!" echoing through the main lobby, and Baretta nodded in approval, leading Viral toward the transport hub and showing Viral what to press "We'll hold the meeting within my office, so there won't be any unwanted eavesdroppers. I'll send Captain Bale a message informing her you wish to speak with her...I won't lie, she likely won't greet you very kindly the first couple of times, until she believes you're not a threat to the safety of her subordinates, but that's how she is normally."

[Mani4c]

Viral Mani4c smirked, "Trust me, I'm used to hostile greetings. You shot me in the face a little while ago, remember?" Viral Mani4c chuckled, as if a bullet to the head was as minor as a splinter. "Also, thanks for shutting the peons up, I owe you one." Viral Mani4c pushed the button and was transported to Baretta's office, he looked around and whistled. "Nice place, you guys get the best toys." Viral Mani4c saw a chair and decided to sit down and let Baretta send Kate her message.

[Saber]

"Don't mention it." Viral disappeared, and Baretta sent Kate a message informing her about the sudden surprise visit by an unlikely person. She was met by a not too pleased response, but Baretta tried to calm her down and convince her to give Viral a chance.

<His virus data of all things? I just know this isn't going to end well...Alright, I'll hear him out, but if he tries to do any harm to the precinct, it's on your head, understood?> "Understood."

When Baretta reappeared close to Viral, the chat window for Kate soon followed, a restrained, cautious glint in her eye behind that calm demeanor <Alright, what can I do for you, 'viral' Mani4c?>

[Mani4c]

Viral Mani4c smirked, "Captain, it's good to finally meet you face to face. Well, face to video screen, I was honestly considering jacking a holo-bot and talking to you in person. But I figured you'd blow holes in me before I could utter a syllable." Viral Mani4c snickered before continuing, pacing about the office as he spoke. "As for why I'm here... I want to help my bro out, he's earned some serious points with me by being brave enough to call you out, not to mention feeding Halberd a couple of teeth before getting wasted. So, I've elected to offer my...services to you fine people."

Viral Mani4c stopped pacing before shooting Kate a serious look. "BUT, I do have three stipulations regarding my employment. two of them are more like facts about how I act as opposed to a requirement. The third is a proper requirement on your end however."

Viral Mani4c paused for a moment before continuing. "One: If anyone tries to start s*** with Mani4c or me. Insults him for being part virus or, heaven help them, lays a hand on him. I'll delete them so quick it'll make their processors spin." Viral Mani4c's expression was dead serious, he wouldn't hesitate to end someone who threatened Mani4c.

"Second: I'm only going to take orders from three people..." Viral Mani4c gestured to Baretta, "Baretta, and by extension you, and Alexi. If anyone else tries to pull rank on me or give me orders, I'm not going to listen unless Mani4c says otherwise." Viral Mani4c paused to let Kate and Baretta digest this info.


 

[Saber]

Kate crossed her arms, listening to Viral's explanation about his conditions regarding Mani4c being reinstated to Net Ops. While she didn't approve of the first condition he laid out, she respected the second condition, seeing as most Net Ops are specially requested assistance for the more tactical operations.

<Very well...While I may not approve of the first condition, I would prefer to have someone as dangerous as yourself on our side rather than against us...What's number three?>

[Mani4c]

Viral Mani4c smiled, "Number three is simple, I simply want access to the NPD's R&D department to upgrade and maintain myself. After all, If we want to beat Halberd and keep Hyperion off our collective rear ends until we have the chance to waste them, I'll need to keep up to date. After all, if you think I'm strong now... Just wait until I have a good reason to show those pricks why it's a bad idea to p**s me off."

Viral Mani4c's smile was downright predatory. "Other than that, I've got no issues, though if we get our hands on Gat, both me and Mani4c would like to have a first crack at interrogating him. Unless Baretta's eager for some payback."


Viral Mani4c clapped his hands and smiled, "So, now that we've got that bit outta the way, what do you say? Pals?" 

[Saber]

Kate crossed her arms and gave Viral a disapproving glare "I'll allow you access to the R&D department to maintain your programming, but nay upgrades you have in mind will have to be run past me first. I've learned my lesson regarding illegal programs, you'll have to follow your 'brother's' example to keep from making the same mistake I made."

Her eyes narrowed as the topic of Gat came up "As for your request regarding Gat, denied. I know full well Mani4c's vengeful nature when his friends are involved. I've been breaking protocol just as much as I've been letting it get broken, and it's time I put a stop to that before internal affairs gets involved.

"If you can come to terms with that, we have a deal."