Are You One of Them? (Semi-Open)

((Well I was hoping Angela would post, but here is one last chance before we advance on.))

((Hmm... I think Angela may be waiting for me to post. I would have done so sooner, but I was sort of AFK for the past week.))
TNS-4 thought over Viktor's proposition. He had only one thing he cared about right now, and that was survival. If this mechanized man could help him to do that, he would be willing to allow Viktor to observe as he wished.
"And if you don't perceive 'favorable results,' if you decide that you and your 'Glorious Evolution' benefit more from killing and dissecting me, what then? You still do not seem at all trustworthy."
He looked at Garth.
"And why are you here? What do you wish from me?"

Viktor looked to TNS-4 as the lad spoke to him, asking him what he would do should he perceive unfavorable results, at which point the self-augmented techmaturgist merely shook his head. "Results are exactly what they are, regardless of my beliefs or impressions. I would prefer to think that you have much to offer me, and to the Glorious Evolution. Technology is truly amazing, holding endless potential and possibility. Technology always improves, it is constantly evolving, advancing from one obsolete state to the more innovative one. Humanity hasn't changed, despite all the time that they've been given they still refuse to change and reject any meaningful concepts that would otherwise save them from their self-destruction. And you need not be concerned of whether or not I would bring you any harm, for my only intent is in observing what you have to offer and assessing if it is beneficial to the Glorious Evolution. After all, I have yet to see what, precisely, your link with your techmaturgical devices is. Such a detail is far too important to compromise with any notion of.....dissecting you. It is a messy and inconvenient process, anyhow."

Then Viktor returned his attention to Garth, who continued on his tirade concerning his fellow Zaunite Champions. "Perhaps you did not near my words the first time, boy, but your words are naught by slander. Although each of them has benefited significantly, they have still made progress that could be used to the benefit of so many more. Life and death are just parts of he natural order, and it matters not whether one's mortality reaches its intended end or expires prematurely. One can not simply spend their life and time concerning themselves over such trivial moral compunctions, instead they should devote themselves to whatever and wherever their talents lie. Your speech stems heavily from your own jaded experiences by Zaun and its people, I can see that, but it doesn't give you anything other than a severely narrow and biased view on the greater world. You have no idea how the world works. One can not gain anything without first losing something - and that which is lost varies considerably from person to person. Zaun is a place that knows all too well what drives the world around us, its people are privvy to what is required in order to realize one's greatest ambitions..."

Arcane energy began to wisp out of the left side of Viktor's mask, as his glare intensified such that it became obvious that he was indignant with Garth. "Suffering, too, is a part of the natural order. As is joy....success.....danger.....security....even pain. Everyone knows these things at least once each in their lifetimes, yet some experience them more than others. People are fragile. They are lost. They serve only themselves at the cost of others. Nobody is exempt. All of humanity is like this. For it is the nature of humanity....to cause suffering, and to profit from the misfortune of others. Morality is but another tool that humanity has invented for their own selfish ends, one which they use to justify their existence and their actions. Who has the right to say what is good? Or evil? Who is it that decides what justice is, and how to issue penance for what is perceived as injustice? Everything that we know in this world has been tailored to benefit specific individuals for specific criteria, but ultimately everything revolved around a single cause: self-gratification. Selflessness doesn't exist....Such a distinction is merely a delusion, a reassurance by the self-serving that their conceit might benefit others, but in the end they still act in their own best interest. Such notions are ludicrous! They lack logic and clarity! I promise people a change, one which can keep them from destroying themselves and allow the world to continue without the endangerment that humanity presents to it! Only when you see this truth can you ever attempt to speak to me on equal terms, and only then will your words hold any meaning. Otherwise, you are nothing more than a brat throwing a tantrum."

TNS-4 looks at Viktor, then at Garth, the woman seemed to be in league with Viktor. Viktor claimed that harming him would not give him anything, but he found out it did help to progress this 'Glorious Evolution,' it seemed like Viktor would not hesitate to harm or even kill TNS-4. Garth seemed to want nothing from TNS-4. He wanted to help him for some reason, even though he had nothing to gain. But if he was from where it seemed--Piltover--then it was a logical thing for him to do based upon the culture, and Garth was far more trustworthy as well. He also seemed to have gone through something similar to what TNS-4 did.

TNS-4 made his decision, and stepped toward Garth.
"I will go with you."

Unfortunately, the nanomachines would find themselves rather ineffectual to Viktor as he stood his ground. His mask was specifically designed so as to prevent any harm to his still humanly face, as it was one of the few things he had yet to replace with augmentations. Additionally, the tiny machines would find it nigh-impossible to assimilate whatever material the artificial parts were made from, as the end of Viktor's staff was alit with a golden flame indicative of his Evolving Technology - his Power Augment was in full effect now, as it supercharged all of his devices and significantly enhanced his durability...

But it seemed that TNS-4 was not alone in his retaliation, as Garth had also deigned to fight back by firing with the rifle slung on his back. Some of the shots, however, veered off course for the sole fact that the weapon was fired from the hip, reducing accuracy, this due to the diversion that the Power Transfer projectile had produced. Speaking of which, the rapidly rotating device made its return to its creator after a very brief flight, whereupon it released the energy it stored within as the familiar barrier that one would see on the Fields of Justice. The barrier clearly contributed to warding off the nanomachine swarm, improving upon the Herald's already impressive fortitude as it absorbed most of the shots that were actually on course, although the first few had hit Viktor himself and, if they had not been recalled, likely the nanomachines as well.

"Your resistance is futile. Your designs are inferior to my own. You, who merely rely upon your devices as a means to an end, have no hope of matching one who has replaced his own anatomy with his own devices. What you see before you is the pinnacle of techmaturgical engineering! I am the epitome of technological superiority! I have converted my own body into a system of varying mechanisms, each superior to what you lesser life forms are capable of! I advise you to simply welcome your destruction, for it was inevitable and you have the honor to meet it at the hands of the Machine Herald!"

Garth noticed the other scientist had joined in the attack and sighed. Why? He told TNS-4 to not harm her, but now they had every right to defend themselves. At the sight of her preparing a rifle he shouted out to TNS-4, "Watch out! She has a gun too!" The young man dove behind a rock right as the gunshot sounded. He heard the bullet slice through the air where he was, but wasted no time jumping back to his feet and continuing his retreat. He heard the sound of mechanical footsteps behind him, and closing fast!

The symbol on the mana converter began to glow a bright blue as Garth focused his mana into the barrel of his rifle. He turned and saw the mechanical hound leaping right at him. Well, this time he had a surprise of his own! The barrel of his LS-457 would glow bright blue before discharging a shotgun blast of mana. The blast launched many sharp shards of mana within a ten foot cone in front of Garth. However, this shotgun blast would be most effective within five feet of Garth, which the alpha wolf was well within that optimal range.

Furthermore, the sheer recoil knocked the aspiring detective back five feet from the Alpha wolf, and the Zaun scientist behind it. As the two escapees would approach the crest of the rocky formations, they would see some individuals, dressed similar to Garth approaching. The young man waved them back to a caravan not far behind the approaching group, "Get back to the caravan! Hurry!" He yelled at the group, who did not question his orders and began to make their way back to the caravan.