Crimson Comet by Merrunz
Artwork of one of my SC Heroes, Holt aka the Crimson Comet. Artwork is done by :Merrunzicon: and the original is over here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/26770574/ While you're at it, feel free to check out my patreon over patreon.com/GryphWriting
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A particularly hard bounce nearly threw Holt from his chair, the tiger snarling as he grabbed onto the handle to keep from bouncing off the window, “Do you have to drive like an insane person?”
Trip's focus was laser sharp as he swerved his way around and through traffic, fitting the ambulance into gaps with almost magical precision when people refused to move out of his way. “Do you have to complain when I drive like a bat out of hell? What are you worried about anyway, not like a wreck would even slow you down, Superman.”
Holt ground his teeth as the ambulance lurched to the side as it rode over a curb. “More worried about anyone we hit. These things are tanks.”
Engine rumbled to life as they hit a clear straightaway. The spotted hyena ripped his eyes away from the road for just a split second to flash a grin to his partner, “Yeah, SERT doesn't skimp on their gear.” The rig lurched around a corner, wheels chirping ever so slightly, “And you can show off your driving skills once you stop being the rookie. So what do we have?”
Teeth ground as he breathed out a low chuff, the tiger holding on. He reached out and tapped the screen between them, “Looks like a single car accident, called in by the automatic crash system. Backed up by a second call of bystander.”
A slight frown creased Trip's muzzle, “Single car crash, bit pedestrian don't ya think?”
“Nope, sounds like he hit a tree.”
Trip looked like he was about to say something when they came up on the scene of the accident, both starting to assess the scene even as the rig lurched to a stop. “You said he hit a tree, not that he wrapped around it.” Throwing it into park, the hyena launched himself out of the seat before Holt had even gotten his seat belt off.
Holt was out and had the back of the rig open just in time for Trip to practically leap out, the leaner hyena hauling a bag with him as Holt pulled the stretcher free. Holt slipping down the embankment to the driver's side while trip skidded around the passenger side. “Sir, are you okay?” he asked as he peered into the window.
The fox tried to shake his head but winced, “What do you think?” Holt shot a glance towards Trip as the hyena rolled his eyes. “Guess I was more tired than I thought,” he groaned and tried to reach up for his neck to rub it.
“Sir, gonna need you to stay still.” Trip tried the passenger door and managed to wrench it open before hopping in. While he started to examine, Holt cast a quick glance around to figure out how they were gonna get him out of here. “How's that driver's side looking?” Trip was practically laying across the dash as he worked the neck brace on.
“Pretty mangled,” he glanced along his side, which looked like it had taken the brunt of the collision. Metal was crumpled and smashed into a shape barely recognizable as a door panel. A quick glance showed him that there were a few bystanders, but most of them were far enough away that he didn't have to worry too much. “Might be able to get it open with a little work.” The lift of his brow was a clear signal to his partner about what he was going to try.
One that Trip picked up immediately, “Sir, gonna need you to keep your head forward and hold as still as you can.”
Just grabbing the door panel wouldn't do anything, it was all sheet metal. Grabbing the frame, he planted his hip against the crumpled rear panel and heaved. Muscles strained for just a second before the metal gave way with a crack as he ripped it free of the lock and mangled mess. Between the wreck and the tiger's strength the hinges gave way and the entire driver's door ripped free.
He spared the door a moment's glance as it bounced off the ground. Six months ago and he'd have had to wait for the rescue guys to get there with the jaws. Guess the accident had some upsides to it.
Stepping in, he reached into a pocket and snapped out his knife, cutting right through the seatbelt. “Okay, let's get a better look at you.” They were able to get the fox out onto the gurney and were working it up the hill when his earpiece chimed.
A near musical voice chimed into his earbud, “Forgiveness for the interruption, but your presence is required on a more urgent matter, Crimson Comet.” Holt glanced towards Trip, the hyena giving him a look in return. No doubt Dispatch giving him the same message, “A BDY unit has already been sent to your location.”
Holt brushed his fingers against the ear piece, “Rodger that.”
Trip slipped back towards him as he was pushing the stretcher up into the rig, “Eta shouldn't be long. Slip into that alleyway, Supes.” He flashed a quick smile and hopped up into the rig.
As luck would have it, Trip had parked fairly close to a building near the embankment, which meant that Holt had decent cover as he slipped around and broke into a quick jog. “Thanks Trip, I'll have to get you a beer later. Dispatch, am moving to change now.”
Trips voice came low over the earpiece, using his throat mic so the fox didn't hear him, “Can't do a beer tonight, I've got a hot date lined up with this lovely piece I met at a club. Tomorrow maybe, depending on how the date goes.”
That musical voice returned, “Affirmative. BDY unit will be there momentarily.”
It was a good thing that he'd usually been more fond of longer sleeve shirts, especially after his recent career change. The tiger was barely out of sight when he started to unbutton his uniform, revealing the deep blue of his outfit underneath, the bright, crimson colored comet logo making its appearance as he worked his shirt off.
A noise made him stop and look up, a nearly naked tiger standing at the other end of the alley. As it approached, the body altered slightly, height and build adjusting to match his own. This was the BDY Unit, an android loaded with mimicry software, designed for the singular purpose of allowing superheroes to slip away unnoticed when the calls came in. “That's kind of weird, you know, how your body changes like that.” He tossed his shirt towards the android.
“That's kind of weird, I know,” came the rather stilted response, taking on a tone similar to his own. Eyes fixed on him as it shrugged into his shirt.
Off came his boots, “I don't know why they don't keep a vocal pattern and image loaded onto you guys. Some sort of security concern I guess.”
The repsonse was quicker this time, more natural sounding. “It is, don't want copies running around without supervision.” It traded a bag for his pants, the other odds and ends of his super suit stashed within. While it worked on his pants, he was fitting on the boots. A tug making them tighten and seal against his legs.
“Could always be worse,” he admitted.
“Could always leave Sterling out to dry,” the android agreed.
Holt laughed, “Trip, Dispatch. If it starts calling him Sterling then people will know something is up.” On came his hood, securing to the suit and powering up.
“Apologies,” whispered the voice into his ear as his goggles sprang to life. “Information has been updated and added to the database.”
The BDY blinked at him and shook his head, “Gotta get back to help Trip with that fox. Later, Crimson.”
Holt shot the android a salute, “Not a problem, Citizen.” Watching the android leave, he shook his head and leapt, bounding off one building before making to the roof of the other, “Do I really walk like that? Never mind, where's the emergency?”
Bolting across the roof, he leapt into the air and reached out. Fingers brushing against a ribbon of energy that only he could see. Power surged through his body, flaring into a crimson aura around him as he began to ride the ribbon towards downtown. “Doctor Destruction has just exited the Price Industries tech lab.” A small screen sprang to life in the corner of his goggles, showing the hulking opossum leaping from the building.
“Doesn't he know I work this shift? On my way.”
------
A particularly hard bounce nearly threw Holt from his chair, the tiger snarling as he grabbed onto the handle to keep from bouncing off the window, “Do you have to drive like an insane person?”
Trip's focus was laser sharp as he swerved his way around and through traffic, fitting the ambulance into gaps with almost magical precision when people refused to move out of his way. “Do you have to complain when I drive like a bat out of hell? What are you worried about anyway, not like a wreck would even slow you down, Superman.”
Holt ground his teeth as the ambulance lurched to the side as it rode over a curb. “More worried about anyone we hit. These things are tanks.”
Engine rumbled to life as they hit a clear straightaway. The spotted hyena ripped his eyes away from the road for just a split second to flash a grin to his partner, “Yeah, SERT doesn't skimp on their gear.” The rig lurched around a corner, wheels chirping ever so slightly, “And you can show off your driving skills once you stop being the rookie. So what do we have?”
Teeth ground as he breathed out a low chuff, the tiger holding on. He reached out and tapped the screen between them, “Looks like a single car accident, called in by the automatic crash system. Backed up by a second call of bystander.”
A slight frown creased Trip's muzzle, “Single car crash, bit pedestrian don't ya think?”
“Nope, sounds like he hit a tree.”
Trip looked like he was about to say something when they came up on the scene of the accident, both starting to assess the scene even as the rig lurched to a stop. “You said he hit a tree, not that he wrapped around it.” Throwing it into park, the hyena launched himself out of the seat before Holt had even gotten his seat belt off.
Holt was out and had the back of the rig open just in time for Trip to practically leap out, the leaner hyena hauling a bag with him as Holt pulled the stretcher free. Holt slipping down the embankment to the driver's side while trip skidded around the passenger side. “Sir, are you okay?” he asked as he peered into the window.
The fox tried to shake his head but winced, “What do you think?” Holt shot a glance towards Trip as the hyena rolled his eyes. “Guess I was more tired than I thought,” he groaned and tried to reach up for his neck to rub it.
“Sir, gonna need you to stay still.” Trip tried the passenger door and managed to wrench it open before hopping in. While he started to examine, Holt cast a quick glance around to figure out how they were gonna get him out of here. “How's that driver's side looking?” Trip was practically laying across the dash as he worked the neck brace on.
“Pretty mangled,” he glanced along his side, which looked like it had taken the brunt of the collision. Metal was crumpled and smashed into a shape barely recognizable as a door panel. A quick glance showed him that there were a few bystanders, but most of them were far enough away that he didn't have to worry too much. “Might be able to get it open with a little work.” The lift of his brow was a clear signal to his partner about what he was going to try.
One that Trip picked up immediately, “Sir, gonna need you to keep your head forward and hold as still as you can.”
Just grabbing the door panel wouldn't do anything, it was all sheet metal. Grabbing the frame, he planted his hip against the crumpled rear panel and heaved. Muscles strained for just a second before the metal gave way with a crack as he ripped it free of the lock and mangled mess. Between the wreck and the tiger's strength the hinges gave way and the entire driver's door ripped free.
He spared the door a moment's glance as it bounced off the ground. Six months ago and he'd have had to wait for the rescue guys to get there with the jaws. Guess the accident had some upsides to it.
Stepping in, he reached into a pocket and snapped out his knife, cutting right through the seatbelt. “Okay, let's get a better look at you.” They were able to get the fox out onto the gurney and were working it up the hill when his earpiece chimed.
A near musical voice chimed into his earbud, “Forgiveness for the interruption, but your presence is required on a more urgent matter, Crimson Comet.” Holt glanced towards Trip, the hyena giving him a look in return. No doubt Dispatch giving him the same message, “A BDY unit has already been sent to your location.”
Holt brushed his fingers against the ear piece, “Rodger that.”
Trip slipped back towards him as he was pushing the stretcher up into the rig, “Eta shouldn't be long. Slip into that alleyway, Supes.” He flashed a quick smile and hopped up into the rig.
As luck would have it, Trip had parked fairly close to a building near the embankment, which meant that Holt had decent cover as he slipped around and broke into a quick jog. “Thanks Trip, I'll have to get you a beer later. Dispatch, am moving to change now.”
Trips voice came low over the earpiece, using his throat mic so the fox didn't hear him, “Can't do a beer tonight, I've got a hot date lined up with this lovely piece I met at a club. Tomorrow maybe, depending on how the date goes.”
That musical voice returned, “Affirmative. BDY unit will be there momentarily.”
It was a good thing that he'd usually been more fond of longer sleeve shirts, especially after his recent career change. The tiger was barely out of sight when he started to unbutton his uniform, revealing the deep blue of his outfit underneath, the bright, crimson colored comet logo making its appearance as he worked his shirt off.
A noise made him stop and look up, a nearly naked tiger standing at the other end of the alley. As it approached, the body altered slightly, height and build adjusting to match his own. This was the BDY Unit, an android loaded with mimicry software, designed for the singular purpose of allowing superheroes to slip away unnoticed when the calls came in. “That's kind of weird, you know, how your body changes like that.” He tossed his shirt towards the android.
“That's kind of weird, I know,” came the rather stilted response, taking on a tone similar to his own. Eyes fixed on him as it shrugged into his shirt.
Off came his boots, “I don't know why they don't keep a vocal pattern and image loaded onto you guys. Some sort of security concern I guess.”
The repsonse was quicker this time, more natural sounding. “It is, don't want copies running around without supervision.” It traded a bag for his pants, the other odds and ends of his super suit stashed within. While it worked on his pants, he was fitting on the boots. A tug making them tighten and seal against his legs.
“Could always be worse,” he admitted.
“Could always leave Sterling out to dry,” the android agreed.
Holt laughed, “Trip, Dispatch. If it starts calling him Sterling then people will know something is up.” On came his hood, securing to the suit and powering up.
“Apologies,” whispered the voice into his ear as his goggles sprang to life. “Information has been updated and added to the database.”
The BDY blinked at him and shook his head, “Gotta get back to help Trip with that fox. Later, Crimson.”
Holt shot the android a salute, “Not a problem, Citizen.” Watching the android leave, he shook his head and leapt, bounding off one building before making to the roof of the other, “Do I really walk like that? Never mind, where's the emergency?”
Bolting across the roof, he leapt into the air and reached out. Fingers brushing against a ribbon of energy that only he could see. Power surged through his body, flaring into a crimson aura around him as he began to ride the ribbon towards downtown. “Doctor Destruction has just exited the Price Industries tech lab.” A small screen sprang to life in the corner of his goggles, showing the hulking opossum leaping from the building.
“Doesn't he know I work this shift? On my way.”
7 years ago
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