Daughter of Destruction

As information flowed into her lines of data seemed to flow across her seemingly lifeless optical sensors. Information on so many people were pulsing through her mind. Famous mages from all spectrums of legality. Famous battles from the distant past and recent events. Some information was clearer than others for some mages were more flagrant and flashy with their powers, some events more well recorded and less fragmented that others. Their techniques, their spells, their personalities, their histories, miscellaneous trivia, all information that was available in the magic council's archives or in Harrigan's own archive was instilled within her. Routines began to be calculated, algorithms written, scenarios thought of and planned for. Half of these were to counter those mages whether they were fighting solo or fighting together whilst the other half were ways of fighting with them. These were less likely scenarios to come about for the most part, unless Savage Skull mages, and so were given lower priority and less detail, but they were still there.

As these were processed through her mind they began to flicker on screens showing various scenarios, tools, weapons, allies, environment etc and the likelihood of them succeeding. She began to speak as these occurred mentioning threat rates of the mages shown as all scenarios were processed.

"Heero Reynolds 74%, Zack Rose 56%, Harrigan Crawford 89% originally reduced to 52%" and so on and so forth. Some were still very high, like Heero, despite all the information on him. These were because they were generally powerful mages and not only incredibly powerful, but also incredibly resourceful using more than just magic or physicality, but the actual environment itself to their advantage. Too many variables made it hard to narrow it down to reduce his threat rate. Eventually the screens faded and she spoke again. "Threat rate of 7.86934% of mages above 50%. Suggested course of action to rectify: Upgrade. Suggested Method: Acquire from other nations. Suggested primary target: Bosco. Suggested secondary target: Ca-elum. Initiating mission plan subroutine." With that she went silent again. Yet information still passed through her eyes and her body began to glow and shift. Machines nearby began to whir into action building equipment which was then somehow liquified and poured into her causing her body to temporarily shift to that piece of equipment before returning to normal. This machias would be a true machine of death and yet she herself thought she was incomplete.

Yet even an incomplete state such as this she was a force to be reckoned with. Her arsenal contained many lethal weapons for both close range and distance fighting. One weapon in particular, based off of the Crawford's signature 'Artillery' magic and combined with a bit of knowhow from other mages, was very interesting. A large cannon with a scope attachment that fitted over the eye. It had insane range and destruction capability. It was specifically designed to reduce building and airships to rubble. Another was based on the jupiter cannon. A multi-elemental beam, granting immunity to slayers, and powerful enough to shatter armors specially based on defense. Yet one would catch almost any eye. If only because its name was not fully revealed. It was merely called MoSSE. The complexity of its design and the readings it was showing were interesting. It took concepts from lesser weapons and combined them into one final weapon. A last resort as it were.

"Output of MoSSE cannon estimated to be at 62% of full capability. MoSSE cannon deemed priority. Original goal reduced to secondary priority. Adding acquisition of supplementary parts to goals of mission. Subroutine execution time revised. Estimated time of completely 43 minutes, 52 seconds." she suddenly stated out of nowhere. Despite being a machine there was a note of bitterness at her words. Almost as if the MoSSE should be able to be completed but couldn't or that her plan should take less time than that. "Processor upgrade required. Adding as tertiary goal."

Her voice, resonating through the glass confines that surrounded her. A momentarily glimpse of herself. it was the first sense of self awareness she showed towards the outside world. Until now she was nothing more then a mind trapped in a body. Floating in the nothingness of her own mind. Until after days of processing and learning, she finally became. At that moment Harrigan knew it was almost ready, and as he placed his hand against the glass he could almost see his own victory reflecting in it.

'you...' he said enigmatic with a voice that was above all foreboding 'you will be my vessel of destruction, my harbinger of conquest. You will be my everything what has been denied to me all this time... you will become the physical embodiment of my wrath and you will lay waste to everything the legal guilds stand for'

Suddenly out of nowhere a soldier appeared, clad in black armor with a cloak surrounding him. Concealing most of his face. Yet one thing was apparently visible, a large white emblem. A single emblem that carried more meaning then just mere words. It was the raging grim face of the darkest of guilds Savage Skull.

The stranger spoke with a deep voice, similar as how you would hear a movie character speak with a Russian accent in his english vocabulary. Either way, it ripped Harrigan's focus away from the his very obsession for a moment. Only to notice a sense of distress in the mans voice.

'Master Crawford' he said 'our sensors have picked up movement. Quite many even, we suspect that Bosco finally has caught wind of our experiments sir. Meaning that they are probably launching a full scale attack on your estate.'

'Tch' he responded with a small hissing noise, showing is agitation. 'Guess it can't be helped, they were bound to find out sooner or later... but why now.. when I am so close.'

'Our response sir?'

'Get them off my back as long as possible, stall them with everything you can think of! Release the failure even if necessary! Everything till she is completed!'

With a 'yes sir' the Savage Mage acknowledged the request his master gave him. And quickly slammed his fist against his own chest as if he was part of some strict regime before he rushed off. Harrigan instead returned his focus towards his Machias. It was still to early to release her fully, as her most prioritized weapon was still incomplete. Forty three minutes and counting to be exact, a time estimate which Harrigan doubted he had that long.

It seems he was left with no choice. Since he already had given up a portion of his own power to fuel his project, he was in no real state to face off against enemies with such overwhelming odds. No not like he used to. Knowing this, he grabbed mechanical helmet. One with many tubes and cables sticked in it, cables that connected all the way to the large cryogenic chamber the Machias was resting in.

'I'll give you my all!'

"Utlising extra processing power, utilising extra magic power." the voice of the machine stated. The information flashing across its eyes began to move faster and the countodnw that had set 43 minutes dropped dramatically. "Threat perceived. ETA puts unit at Risk activating emergency assimilation protocol." Various machines around the room began to be highlighted in a strange pale blue energy before rising in the air and flying over towards the tube and seemingly pasting themselves onto the glass. Some of these almost clipped Harrigan's head, but all missed narrowly. As more parts began to attach themselves they seemed to begin to melt and phase through the glass of her tube and onto her body. The time began to reduce a bit more quickly though what was seen inside the tube was far more grotesque now. The parts had not been well assimilated and were instead attached almost hapzardly. Or that was how it appeared at first. As more parts began to be merged with her the form began to change back to what it was becoming more slender and well designed.

From outside a deafening crash could be heard. The sound of breaking glass and falling bodies. Someone had entered the building through an unorthodox means. It was unlikely to be someone marked with the skull of the savage. As if knowing this the machine spoke. "Threat perceived. Initating defense procedure alpha zeta seven." Screens began to appear around the room showing various footage of people invading and the assimilation stopped. What's more the time returned to its normal pace, now with 14 minutes remaining. Her mind was otherwise occupied. A figure could be seen in one of the screens near an open window. Well, if broken could be described as open. He looked around and began to head down the halls when suddenly something shot him right between the eyes killing him instantly. "Initial threat neutralized."

The gaze of the machine suddenly dropped down to look at Harrigan. "Subject Harrigan Crawford. Protection Priority: High. Chance of survival in current state: 0.29%. Activating defense protocol." With that machinery began to clamp itself onto harrigan's body incasing him in a kind of makeshift ironman esque armor complete with weaponry. "Chances of survival increased to 15%. Releasing reject models 1 and 2. Mission: Protect Harrigan Crawford." With that two tubes opened and from them emerged mechanical figures far less advanced looking than herself. They were barely humanoid and seemed mostly composed of weapons. "Survival chance increased to 42%. Any further use of power will slow unit's progress and increase risk. Parameters deemed appropriate. Resuming full speed processing."

Everything seemed to come to live, every piece of technology started glowing and move on its own. And like a powerful magnet, it flew towards the subject itself. Forming around her, growing and growing. Until she was unrecognizable from before. But before anyone could utter a word about her current appearance. The technology that had formed around her started to twist and twirl. Their form slowly melting and becoming one with the subject. Slowly taken in.

Shot were heard, loud bangs and explosion. Which send the mansion above them trembling on its very foundations. It seems that the Bosco forces were mowing down any defenses the Savages had put up. With relative ease if I may add. To the point, the doors towards the large underground basement flew open. And the remainders of what was left of the defense grid stormed in.
Around fifteen members of what used to be up to seventy guards seemed to survived to ordeal, which off course still wasn't over.

They'd shut the door behind them. Barred it with everything they could find. Until some of them finally noticed the sudden change of atmosphere of the room they were in. As they turned around, they would lay eyes upon the large metal suit that had formed around the man they served. Along with two separate humanoid shaped entities next to it.

'..sir?..' said one of them 'what's going on?'

The moment he asked that, a laugh escaped Harrigan. A maniacal laugh that sounded hollow through the iron helmet encaging his face. Yet eerie none the less. Some of the men started to stare at each other, probably wondering if the Crawford had finally lost his mind.

'Victory! That is whats going on!' he cackled 'Relentless! Undeniable! Victory! It has come to fruition, my creation!'

The door behind them banged, trembled with every hit the storm ram gave it. And the Savages quickly took up defensive position around Harrigan and the subject itself. Ready to defend it to the last breath. Just in time as the door flew open with a fiery explosion, allowing a swarm of soldier to enter and take on offensive positions around the door.

'Now my creation! My will! My force! My Rosetta!! Rain hell upon them! Show them what I ought you to be!'

Her eyes glowed brightly and the glass around her, as well as much of the remaining machinery, exploded sending smoke and dust everywhere. As the smoke cleared a figure was seen standing there female and naked, her brown hair messy and seemingly unkempt. With each step forward she took her body began to change, the flesh itself taking on the form of a futuristic looking suit. Above her chest was a blue crystal glowing with faint energy. "DOWN ON THE GROUND." shouted some men from the doorway training guns on her with laser sights all focused upon her. "You're outnumbered and outgunned." The figure smiled and took another step forward causing fingers to go to triggers. "STAND DOWN. YOU ARE OUTNUMBERED AND OUTGUNNED."

"You have numerical superiority equalling to approximately 33.3%. However, your weaponry has a superiority of negative 422%." The men stared at her and one went to speak, but suddenly there was a hole in the back of his head approximately on the opposite side to where his mouth was and above the same size too. Yet it seemed that the figure had not moved. The men began to look about, looking for another possible shooter. However, that was there mistake. Suddenly holes formed in each of their heads, seemingly all at once. Tiny holes, but still fatal. All of them were dead.

"Subject Harrigan. Should I initiate self destruct protocol?" she said looking back at the suited Harrigan. With a snap of her fingers the suit flew over towards her, as did the rejects, and merged with her. The process was much swifter this time. Her eyes seemed to flicker briefly a bright vivid blue with white text before returning to normal. "Memo: Remove reject data from body at first available opportunity."

The remaining guards just stood there. Their guns hanging loosely in their hands, while their jaws dropped open when they saw the sudden extermination of their enemy. Who at first so easily penetrated through their defenses. But now simply dispatched as if they were nothing more then wet paper.

With holes in their heads, the enemy almost simultaneously dropped down on the ground. Lifeless and while slowly creating an increasingly large puddle of the crimson liquid that was their lifeline. The perpetrator of this horrid crime on the other hand, the very creation that Harrigan had created. Just stood there, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. No instead she just went on to the next task at hand.

'Yes.' he replied to her inquiry 'Start the self-destruct sequence, but make sure the blast will be sufficient enough to wipe out everything in a two mile radius. I don't want anything left standing, not a single tree. Not a single piece of evidence'

After all, the last thing Harrigan would want. Is that his own research would fall in the hands of others. Especially in the hands of the Bosco Government, whom he suspected didn't infiltrated his mansion to wipe out a potential enemy. But more that his creation could benefit them as well. No, the very idea of someone possessing an army of these things besides him was just something he couldn't stand for. There for this place had to be destroyed. Evidence and all.

'The rest of you, prepare the airship.'

The human made machias nodded and her eyes began to flicker once more. A cable from within a wall removed itself and attached itself to her hand. After a few moments of being attached to the wall several dozen more 'rejects'/'prototypes' walked in and merged into her. "Self destruct sequence activating. Radius parameter: 2 miles. Desired result parameter: Barren wasteland. Self destruct sequence initiated. Explosion in t minus 3 minutes." she turned to Harrigan again the wire detaching from her arm. "Subject Harrigan, suggest retreating to airship immediately."

As they entered the airship and it began to take off dozens upon dozens of anti-air weapons from the invading force lit up and began to prepare to bring it down. One of the pilots turned to Harrigan as if to ask what to do when suddenly the weaponry began to explode killing the operators as well as many nearby. A preliminary explosion that from above would read the words 'Happy Holidays from Savage Skull.' Perhaps not the most appropriate words from the minds of most. However, the birth of such a powerful asset for the guild would surely, at least within the guild and maybe other dark guilds, become a day worth celebrating on an annual occasion. Besides, from what she'd learned of some past members of Savage Skull, such as Sinali and Naraku, a bit of fun to invoke fear was part of being a member of Savage Skull. The explosions had also been enough of a distraction to prevent many enemy forces even taking aim at the ship, let alone hitting it. It was plenty enough to allow the ship to escape the majority of the Bosco forces.

In around two and a half minutes times, about twenty or thirty seconds before the explosion was due to occur, beams of energy shot up from around the grounds and coalesced in the sky above the two mile radius specified. Slowly it began to form into a huge skull with a rather familiar structure. Those who knew the Crawford family well would recognise its structure as being very similar to that of Harland. There was a big booming laugh of evil before the skull descended, opening its mouth, and essentially swallowing the two mile radius whole vaporizing everything within and leaving a massive vertical crater. The depth of the crater was exactly two miles deep. Harrigan had specified everything within a two mile radius and the machias had taken that as a sphere rather than a circle. Even the very foundations of the building were gone.

Yet that was not the final nail in the coffin for the land on which the house stood. No, the ground was covered in a thick layer of a white crystalline substance. Salt. The very land had been blown away and sown with salt. Nothing would grow there for many years to come. A perfect ending to a perfect beginning or at least it would of been if there hadn't of been four Bosco airships who had flown to intercept them.

"Miscalculation acknowledged. Possible corruption due to absorbing prototypes. Will need to be dealt with later. What are your orders Subject Harrigan."

From behind the safety of a glass window, Harrigan watched the sky lit up in a colorful orange display. Yet instead of the serene setting of a sun, this orange glow had a far more grim meaning. As the source of this orchestra of bright warm colors, was nothing more then a fiery explosion that unfolded itself to become large enough to eat away a rather large chunk of lushful green and woodlands.

As the explosion started to settle, and the ground was nothing more and a tarnished reminder of their presence there, Harrigan would turn around and look at the men who managed to make it to the airship in time. As well as the newborn entity that goes by the name Rosetta. Who at the moment also asked him what her next orders where to be.

'My orders...' responded Harrigan rather enigmatic. While pondering on what to do next. Was it really time to return to the guild? To once again walk among the darkest and vilest of Fiore, namely the Savages from Savage Skull. Maybe not, maybe there was more to do. Why stop now, why stop just at Rosetta. I mean, if his information was correct there were many more potential assets that could benefit him, and thus the guild. No, it was a waste to return right away, there were many more things that needed to be done. Many more people to collect, if they wanted it or not.

'Rosetta, set a new destination for us please, at these coordinates' he ordered, while a small Archive screen popped up. Revealing a set of numbers and alphabetical letters. 'There are some people I desperately want to meet...'