[GLaDOS, Peter] He called himself the God of Death.

[notawastedlife]

The portal shivered, shook even harder and then with a strobe of light imploded, vanished; the thread of light that had connected it and Tony's repulsor snapped, and he almost fell, heedlessly staring.

At the point where Duo had disappeared.

No, that was the wrong word. That's what they used for what happened to people, what removed them

Comments

[gla_dos]

"I know you're there," came a voice, somehow more computerized in broadcast quality but human in tone, and distant.

"I can feel you here."

[daretodo]

There's no time for chit-chat or last words. It seems wrong in a way I can't pinpoint -- disrespectful -- but Duo just gave his life to save the Island, and the best thing we can do for him right this second is make sure that jump wasn't for nothing.

It's funny how many people I've known who died from falling. But then, maybe he isn't dead. Maybe he's just--

Focus, Parker.

Somehow, I don't expect to hear GLaDOS still, like a lingering ghost in the walls, but it's enough to stir me into movement. Blinking once, twice, I tear my eyes away from the empty space where the portal was just a second ago, spinning on my heel to sprint towards Iron Man, a task that's easier said than done when the floor refuses to stay put. Catching myself on a singed railing, I glance his way as I straighten, not needing to so much as a glimpse at what he's seeing to know what the problem is

[gla_dos]

"Hel-looooo?"

[notawastedlife]

"I'm- shut up," he said, although he wasn't even certain she could hear, anymore. "I'm aware," he finished, voice tight, rerouting and diverting every bit of power he possibly could to the thrusters.

Laser grids across the station shut down, as did the experimental labs, every console. Lights started shutting off, except in the areas where he got life signs of people still running for the exit portal. Which would have been a decent helping of extra power, but he couldn't. One person was enough. He couldn't take more than that, he could barely take this.

"I can soften the impact a little, there's no more juice," he said. "Have to hope they got everyone on the ground somewhere safe."