Chapter 20 - Subway Tracks

Having made it to the subway station in a trip that could largely be considered uneventful by local standards, Lucas and Jonathan are waiting a bit behind the big yellow line indicating a safe waiting distance. Lucas had certainly gotten some odd looks on the way here, but a bright smile was consistently sufficient to have them turn away.

Starting from the top of the stairs, all the way through the turnstiles and down to the tracks themselves, every available surface is so densely covered in layered graffiti that the original tile color is unknown. Not even the ceiling was spared, somehow, which is now holding Lucas's undivided attention. Well, not quite undivided, it's too much of a challenge to ignore the smell.

'Seriously though, how did they get up there? Some supe did it right? I'd say it's a waste, but I can't really comment in that department.'

[I'd bet on levitation. Though it could have been telekinesis, that's one way of testing your fine control at a bit of range.]

Lucas turns towards Jonathan with the intent of making a bit of small talk to pass the time, but instead immediately bursts into laughter after seeing he has the collar of his shirt pulled up to cover his nose. His eyebrows are scrunched up enough that it's a pretty easy guess that he's frowning.

"Hey, you may be laughing, but DAMN what is that stench?" Slightly muffled by the shirt, Jonathan turns his attention from the ceiling over to look back at Lucas. Apparently, the stink is so bad that it temporarily drove away his stutter. Silver lining?

Lucas takes a deep breath before gagging a few times. His eyes are now watering a bit from his efforts.

"I'd say... At least one rotting hobo corpse. Hmm, some drunks probably had a vomiting contest, and the loser must've switched to urinating in some strange effort to keep up?" Lucas's speculations only get an eye roll in response from Jonathan, who afterward turns his attention back up to the creative ceiling. Seems the distressing scent is too much for Jonathan to bother giving a polite response.

From a bit of distance, the screech of an approaching subway train can be heard. Not long after, two men that were waiting not far behind Lucas seem intent on being louder than the incoming train. In a language Lucas isn't familiar with, they are clearly using profanities. Before long, fists are introduced to enhance their conversation further.

[Hm, later start than I would have expected. Alert; a new minor GDV task has been assigned. Please prevent further escalation of the fight ongoing beh-]

Before 427 can finish, or Lucas can turn around for that matter, a heavy impact to his back causes Lucas to stagger forward a step. As he turns to look behind him, he catches sight of the man further behind the one that was shoved into him start lifting his leg. In an exaggerated display of force, both Lucas and the loser of the scuffle are sent flying towards the tracks with a single kick.

Having originally not been paying any attention, when Jonathan notices the movement from his peripheral vision, he turns to look at the now aerial duo.

[-ind you. Shit, LUCAS!]

Feeling like everything is moving in slow motion, Lucas can see Jonathan's eyes widen as he starts running towards him, the shirt falling from his face. His face is twisted with horror, mouth open yelling something that can't be heard over the oncoming subway train.

Both of them reach out towards each other, however, the panic seems to be inhibiting Jonathan's shaky at best control over his power. By the time Jonathan manages to grab Lucas's wrist, there isn't enough platform left to brace himself, and the momentum just pulls Jonathan out over the tracks as well.

The headlights of the nearby subway train are so bright that the trio of amateur gymnasts are forced to close their eyes. While there is the distinct screech of brakes, this is the beginning of the platform and it's a large train, so it still has some distance to go before it will come to a full stop.

'Fuck that guy.'

Just as Lucas and the foreign man make contact with the tracks with a bone-cracking thump, the subway train also decides to join in. The train had diminished its momentum enough that it doesn't instantly kill Lucas, instead, it starts to drag him under it and rip him apart before that fatal moment. The tracks and lower front of the train are painted red, spotted with chunks of flesh and broken bone. The tattered bits of rainbow-speckled cloth are far less humorous in this new environment.

As Jonathan was still aerial at the time, the curved front of the train drives him up and over, rolling his body along on the top of the train for a small distance before falling onto the platform-facing side. The fatality of his impact is undetermined, but the smeared trail of blood isn't very promising.

Now back onto the train platform; with his whole body trembling, Lucas begins curling forward and gasping out for a deep breath, choking once again on the putrid air. Snapping his eyes open as he straightens himself, he realizes his location. Still disoriented, and coughing violently, he can't quite tell at what point in the argument the two men are at.

Jonathan notices the sudden breath and movement on Lucas's side, turning to look at him in confusion and a bit of concern.

[Shit, it is only a small rollback. Lucas watch out! Alert; a new minor GDV task has been assigned. Please pre-]

Too late. This time Jonathan sees what's happening right away, all this accomplishes is that he also reaches the tracks before receiving the train's affection.

Back onto the train platform again. This time, as he shudders and draws in a deep choking breath, he immediately ducks to the side away from Jonathan. The sound and movement grab Jonathan's attention, letting him watch the ensuing action.

[FUCK! Alert; a new-]

In the area that Lucas vacated, the losing side of the argument staggers backward. As the would-be-victor starts raising his leg, Lucas lunges towards him and grabs him by the collar. With an expression of pure fury on his face, Lucas lifts him off the ground and hurls him onto the tracks in an overhand throw.

The late-combatant-previously-turned-projectile straightens up and glares at Lucas, body radiating hostility. Still in a rage state, Lucas grabs and flings him down too, slamming him into the other man moments before the train hits them both.

There's no mistaking it, 427 definitely whistles this time.

Having witnessed this chain of events, Jonathan stands in his original spot wide-eyed, eyes moving from the part of tracks that are freshly painted red over to Lucas. Still clearly angry, Lucas's face has a touch of red to it and he breathes heavily while clenching both fists.

Rather than seeming frightened, Jonathan has a slightly vacant expression, deep in thought.

The few random people on the platform that were also waiting to use the subway all shift position to enter a different train car than Lucas, but they mostly don't give any other reaction to recent events.

[Well then. Congratulations on completing your minor GDV task, let's just say your total GDV remains unchanged.]

Huffing out a few more breaths, Lucas starts to calm down.

'Damn right. Fuck.'

-----

Lucas kills this chapter: 2

Lucas total kills: 6

Lucas deaths this chapter: 2

Lucas total deaths: 6

Lucas current GDV: 4.33 (+.05 -.05 = 0 net change)

Jonathan current GDV: .65 (+.01 net change)

-----

Little character theater:

Jonathan, lost in thought and muttering to himself: No, he can't have strength with precognition, they're not compatible types...

Lucas, now slightly less adrenaline-fueled: That asshole was a supe right? A normal person shouldn't be able to kick like that?

427, who would be nodding if he could: [Right, a minor strength supe, you would have beaten him in an arm-wrestling contest.]

Author, shaking their head: Sorry, Jonathan, you won't be able to guess the truth.