The Marigiri Files: Legend of the Meteor Man

[Mathamune]

The Marigiri Files: Legend of the Meteor Man
by Publicus

"All Watchers and Warders and government affiliates of a martial nature are to report to the Watchhouse."

Marianne Marigiri stopped mid-operation, slapping her patient Gerald in the face whilst his arm was in the process of being grafted. "Wake up Gerald, I have to go! Duty calls. Gerald?" A few minutes, a notice of resignation from practicing as a Doctor, and a note to the Scrivener's later, Inspector Marigiri was out the door and receiving a briefing from an Agent of the Spellguard, commonly known as Mad Rudy. Also there were a few watchers, a couple of warders, and Black Prefect #3.

"Hello men, I don't know why we bothered hiring you, but if you don't all leave right now to see what happened to our Meteor team, you're all fired."

"Yes Mad Rudy, whatever you like," said Marianne with a loving smile.

Used to being nearly-fired, Inspector Marigiri turned for the door to the Watchhouse, gripping the doorknob with such force that would put shame to even Brett Janowski, the strongest man in town, throwing it wide open.

When she got outside, there he was. Brett Janowski, the strongest man in town. "FUCK!" screamed Brett Janowski.

"What is it, Brett? What are you trying to say, boy?"

"Fuck?"

"Oh ok Brett. You can come with us," offered Marianne.

The grizzled faces of the tasked men and women of Sanctuary pushed on in the face of career loss, plunging themselves deep into the Bowels of the Machine in search for Meteor team. Deep. Very deep. But not actually that deep.

"Hey look its Meteor team," claimed Inspector Marigiri, brimming with excitement. The scene was in disarray and red. Warders, Engineers, and Watchers lay on the ground, giant holes in their torsos or large stab wounds that had caused them to bleed out. "I wonder what happened here," Marianne wondered aloud. "It's a mystery," claimed Warder Nivero, his eyes alight with wonder.

"Worry not, Inspector Marigiri is on the case!"

"I wonder what this does," claimed Nivero, pushing a button that immediately shined bright lights. A Spellguard Agent appeared. He said a few things, and disappeared. Nivero pushed another button, and the same thing happened. And another. And another. And after four awful bouts of listening to projections of Spellguard Agents, Inspector Marigiri had had enough.

"ENOUGH!"

And there was silence. And more silence. Enough silence to drive a man mad. And it did.

"FUUUUUUUUUUCCCCKKKKK!" screamed Brett Janowski, the strongest man in town, echoing throughout the Underdark. Followed by more silence.

Among the silence, subtle breathing was heard. There he was, the Meteor Man, appearing out of the darkness to breathe a single, awful phrase.

"Kheee... Khielleil.. Hreagghhhhh.. neaaghieghih!!"

And then the Meteor Man was gone, faded back into the darkness.

But not for long! Because out of the black, he appeared, dragging away Engineer Mary, a longtime member of the engineers, never to be seen again as he screamed away into the shadows.

And the dead awoke, mangled Watchers, Warders, and Engineers rose, falling into a sprint towards Inspector Marigiri and her crew to do battle. These beings were tireless, rising again and again and again. And then the Meteor Man appeared again. Holy sword raised, Marianne charged, slashing him into two halves like an avocado. Unlike an avocado, however, the two halves immediately joined together seamlessly, as if she had not struck. Marianne raised her holy blade, Marianus, again, arcing the blade down upon the Meteor Man. This time, her blade boucned off the Meteor Man harmlessly. He was adapting. He was

Invincible.

There would be no victory.

"Let's get out of here!" said Marianne!

"FUCK!" said Brett Janowski, the strongest man in town.

"Sounds good!" said Warder Nivero, eyes blazed with worry.

All ran, walls of tentacles clawing at them as they turned. Most began climbing up, out of the deep Bowels. Black Prefect #3 ran straight into the walls of tentacles. "What are you doing, idiot?" yelled Marianne. But it was too late, the Meteor Man was upon her, ripping her to bits. A lone hero among them, Sergeant Khessa Bolton dived back down into the pits to retrieve the Black Prefect bits before joining the others in their escape.

"Now that we've escaped lock it down." Warder Nivero pushed a button and the post of the Meteor team exploded, killing all inside. Inspector Marigiri breathed a sigh of relief. At least they all escaped alive. Well, most of them. Hopefully Mad Rudy wouldn't be too mad and they could all keep their jobs and get paid.

"Case closed, boys."

...to be continued...


About the Author:

Publicus is a group of authors for the public by the public. Other works of theirs include 'public record'[/I] and Inspector Marigiri and the Mysterious Case of the Melted Scholar. Check them out!