Identity Crises

Lena's actions didn't passed unnoticed. Old Wolfram observed her behaviour but did it unusually delicate manner. When Lena snapped at him and Marcel Lestrange, he told: "Sorry about that, young lady. That was an old tradition in Europe that masters talked not only about their servants in third person, but used the same form even when they talked with them. Like: "Mmmm...Marcel is so kind and pulls master's boots off." Or something similar. Mind if I speak with Marcel again? About you, because you are his responsibility." 

Wolfram nodded to Lena and turned to Marcel:

"Before you say or do something, Marcel, I will tell you that we, psychiatrists, are used with observing our clients and fixate any kind of signs which differ from their normal conduct. But Lena has such a colourful character that we must redefine "normal" in her case. And this "I am a modest Castithan maid, willing to serve and fulfil my master's wishes without arguing" is very unusual to her. But there are few glimpses here and then when she shows us different emotions. Lena like emotions. Normal emotions. I have only one thing to say about that. Lena is one tough nut, Marcel. A fighter. She fights against her re-education program with the help of...I am not sure what that is, though, but it surely helps her."

Moira, Marcel's EGO psyche, whispered into the ear of her host:

"Old Doctor obviously doesn't know that Lena's mind is quite overcrowded with different personalities who have a voice of their own. Not exactly voices of reasons most of the time, but there are exceptions. Now these voices keep express themselves when Lena does, sees or hears something and thus they help to preserve her true personality. With possible exception of Sloth who is usually way too lazy. Should we tell Wolfram about that? We could ask Lena, but that would be complicated when you look at this problem from the philosophical-ontological-existential point of view. Is maid Lena allowed to tell about voices of Lena Marr? Or do any of her voices represent wholeness of her mind when we haver to look them as separate entities?"

"Moira! Be so kind and shut the fuck up! I got rid of one pointless philosopher and word maker already and now you begin your mantra. Sometimes you are worse than Volodja, you know."

"I might shut the fuck up as you asked, but the problem still remains, Marcie-baby. You know very well that you don't want to decide that question of passing delicate information about Lena to the third party because you appreciate her as an individual who is equal to you, and want her permission for that. Usually you don't give a damn, but Lena is an exception. So...?"

“Mad Matter: "Have I gone mad?"
Alice: "I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are.”

Wolfram von Eschen looked Lena Marr as she was a specimen of some extremely rare species while Marcel Lestrange described Lena's mind with the help of Moira because Lena sort of allowed them to reveal her little secret when she blurted it out. Wolfram was once more convinced that Lena was a really unique specimen and now her uniqueness was complemented by having voices in her head. Earlier Wolfram would have been extremely worried about it but since he joined Protectors he already had experience with variety of problems of most extreme kind and voices in Lena's head were one those occurrences. 



He looked at Lena once more and said: "This is an interesting case indeed. I believe that whoever tried to erase your original features didn't took the possibility that you may have multiple EGO psyches under consideration. They are EGO psyches I assume. I think that we have to release your main EGO psyche from the influence of your so called "re education" program. Then we have higher chance to get our Lena back and take those voices under control. But how can we do it?"

Marcel Lestrange was not a theoretician. In matter of fact he was not even a psychiatrist but he had couple of ideas of his own and one of those ideas presented itself at this very moment, making him say:

"You, Boche, are not going to do anything. I remember that someone once said that body remembers, even if mind does not. And I am going to try to silence some of those voices by helping Lena to satisfy some of her urges."

"But..."

"Boche! At moment I have chosen to satisfy her fleshy urges but if you keep blabbering, I will change my mind and let her satisfy that other urge of cutting your throat and stealing your wallet! The choice is yours! I must warn that I already feel tempted to Let Lena do that thing to you."

"When you express your suggestions in way like this, I think that I will give you a try," replied Wolfram von Eschen.

"Très Bien! Get out, Doctor Bosche, and leave everything to Doctor Feelgood," said Marcel and pushed Wolfram out of the quarters of Synth girls. Then he took Lena to his strong hands and said her: "Our test polygon is going to be this neatly made bed right here." Then he tossed her gently into the bed, saying: "If we succeed, we will include the maid game into our bed activities." Then he added with grin:

"One possible way  to make sure that we have succeeded, will be this bed - if you do not feel an urge to rearrange sheets and blankets after we have finished, then I believe that we are making progress in bringing you back, Honey Pot."

"Brother Dear," Began Erika Widowmaker still looking at the information on her computer console confirming she had a son that her sister-in-law Lady Christianna had brought up there for her perusal, "I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that I have a son named Cael that was the duly elected Chancellor of the Votanis Collective so I think I'd best pass up the promotion for the moment. Besides, Sandy is more than able to fulfill the duties of second-in-command."

"Ditto that," Interjected Lady with an enigmatic smile on her teenage Castithan face.

Sandy's mouth formed a grim line as her blue eyes stared at her army boots before she looked up locking her narrowed eyes on Atticus Batman's glowing ones as she answered in a low tone so only he would hear, "Yes sir, I'll be your second-in-command on this mission because a rescue mission is always a good one and I'll follow your orders to a 't' as I was trained to as a soldier but - I'll also always tell you when I think you are wrong and the reasons why as a good officer should... and then still follow your orders to the letter. I may not like you but I've served faithfully under officers I didn't like before during the Pale Wars and I respect your position as the chosen Commander of the Protectors. However after this mission, I... just don't know yet. I agree with the Synth Empires goals and I don't think my conscience will let me undermine them in any way." Then Sandy's tan forehead wrinkled in concern as she asked, "Commander Batman, didn't you send Volodja on a mission? I figured you did when he didn't show up to our mission two hours ago and he wasn't on base. I hope he hasn't taken one of his walks alone as he was awfully depressed last time I saw him..."

Then Atticus stood up and looking at the Synth Envoy holding out both armored hands palms up as he said, "Eseneziri Ruby. I am afraid that circumstances kept me from meeting you personally until now. However I have met a couple of your helpful sisters already....Speaking of which, it looks like one is missing....As I met her earlier, I know it is Brooke. As what I have to discuss with you involves her directly, I would prefer to tell her personally. So where is she anyway?!"

Ruby responded with, "I believe she is with the one named Volodja."

Sandy blue eyes went wide as the blood flowed from her pretty tan face for she still felt she had somehow betrayed Volodja with the Synth Sister Brooke when the feline Synth girl stole a kiss from Sandy but Sandy hadn't immediately resisted and they had hugged each other in comfort for some time after so Sandy uttered a low startled "Oh!"

As Atticus spoke with the Synth Envoy Ruby, Lady was the only one who visibly seemed to noticed Sandy's reaction to that revelation that Volodja and Brooke were off somewhere together as Lady turned to her with a cocked snow white eyebrow and sparkling pink eyes. It would be no surprise to Sandy as Lady was always a "people-watcher" and had become quite adept at reading body language as well as the subtle changes of speech. Sandy met Lady's glance with one of her own as they made an unspoken promise to speak of the matter later in more a more private setting.

Both women's attention were drawn to Atticus again as he gestured at his huge view-screen as he continued with, "As you can see I am going through all the information that we have on Governor Skarr and Chancellor Cael. The reason for that is that I have it on good authority that Brooke killed a clone and the real Cael is still alive somewhere. I will save those exact details for when Brooke is here so I can tell her exactly what I know about that incident. In the meantime I am having trouble shortening our area of search. Although as you already heard, I feel the most likely location to find Cael is within easy travel distance from Skarr. So we are planning to go on a rescue mission for my nephew somewhere in the Votanis Collective. However any insight that you may have on the matter would be helpful. Also given you and your sisters' personal involvement with this matter, I feel it best we assign the four of you quarters on the Vigilant that way you and I can easily visit if needed during our travels and Atika will make sure to give all four of you a tour so that you and your sisters can have full use of all amenities while you are on the Vigilant. I am also willing to consider letting the four of you accompany us on our rescue mission, if you request it. Although before deciding on that, I would have to discuss it with my Second and my faithful adviser first. I am sure you can understand that...and why I will not give the exact details that I have about Cael until Brooke is present to hear it and see my evidence first hand."

Ruby put her small hand's palms together peaked in front of her as she made a small bow to Atticus then said with a warm smile, "We will be happy to help you and your Protectors in any way possible. Father has given me permission and if our investigation shows that Governor Skarr is indeed following his own agenda rather than the Synth Empire's than we have been ordered to remove Skarr from his position of authority and to terminate him if he resists capture. I have been told that I should temporarily replace him if necessary."

The attractive white haired Synth Sister Whitney scowled showing emotion for the first time since the Protectors first met her as she said venomously,"Oh Skarr is a traitor alright! He tricked me into rigging the defensive auto-guns at that bunker outside Capital City to kill Taffer and his party even though father had told us not to! I owe him for that and I hope it's my rapier that will pierce his black heart when we find him!"

A frown crossed Ruby's pale cherubic face as turned to Whitney wagging her small forefinger as she ordered, "You will do no such thing until all the evidence is in! Father's orders!" Then to Atticus she continued with a smile once again, "As I said, we will help in any way possible and hope you will let us accompany you when the time comes to confront Governor Skarr. As to where he might be, we only met him a few times before being sent to that bunker to await Taffer and his group. However when we met him, it was always a place that was large enough to allow his huge spider-like lower robotic body to operate freely and usually dark but with trappings of authority. I know he likes regal surroundings but don't know why he likes the dark - maybe because he was entombed in the dark in that radioactive room under Synth City for so long until Father found him. Therefore my best guess is that he will be found now that Capital City has been conquered in the large audience hall in the Chancellor's Palace. If when we arrive we can see from the outside that the windows of that room are covered or boarded up, I think we will know for sure that he is there. Furthermore from the blueprints I have seen of the Palace, there is a large dungeon under the Palace to keep Chancellor Cael conveniently close if he is indeed alive."

Despite having no conscious memory of her son, Erika visibly winced at the envoy's last comment.

Volodja Uljanov's eyes widened in surprise. Then a tiny twinkle appeared into them when he helped Sandy rose back to her feet. He just looked her in silence until he sighed happily and said:

"Finally we reached to this point! I lacked guts to propose you, so I am grateful that you had courage for both of us. I will accept your proposal. With pride and pleasure and plenty other positive feelings. I do believe that we have some time before another attempt of saving the world to squeeze in a modest wartime wedding ceremony into our tight schedule. Damn...I don't know what else to say, except that I love you so much!"

He looked around before closing Sandy into his embrace. After a long kiss, and a moment which Volodja needed to regain his breathe again, he said: "We begin a new chapter of our story. It might have it's highs and lows, storms and sunshine but we are together. Together with you, Sandy. On that roller coaster ride, called marital life. That's what counts." Then he took Sandy's face between his palms and kissed her again. Long long long time. 

The audience spread themselves into different corners and room and galleys and hall of the Fortress K'Shaa and on their way they didn't forgot to spread the message as well. The message was simple: "Somebody's getting married!" 

  I watched Lena closely as I slowly walked around her from a distance hoping Ruby's conversation would distract her enough to keep her attention away from me and give me enough time to get to her. However just as I was closing in on her from behind, she proved that she really hated what she had been told...violently as usual for her.

  "Whaaat?!?!?!" Yelled Lena in anger pricking Ruby's cheek with her knife drawing a single drop of white fluid that trailed down Ruby's round face to her chin. "Who would take somebody who already has mental problems because they are hearing voices and fuck with their brain even more!!!! What kind of inhuman monsters are you!?!?"

  Then Lena screamed like a Banshee raising her knife to plunge it into Ruby's right eye!

  Right as Lena started the action, I quickly sprung forward and grabbed her hand yanking it back just before it could reach Ruby's eye. Fortunately since I was so quick, Ruby still had her eye, but was staring in shock. However as I pulled Lena towards me by her knife-weilding hand and took her knife with my other hand, I could hear the feint unholstering and cocking of several service pistols. I knew that it must have been Tasha Yar and the security officers on Bridge duty; as it is what they had been trained to do when dealing with an armed-assailant by whatever military, police or paramilitary organization they had each once been a part of.

  As I pulled Lena into my chest, knowing that any more potential outbursts would now be directed at myself and no other for the time being if Lena's true personality were indeed resurfacing as she always focused on the one who was either in charge or made themselves the biggest threat to her, and of course I was both at the moment. However I said calmly but gruffly to the room, "Lower the weapons. It is under control....Yvette, that goes for you and Whitney as well."

  Then I glanced back at Ruby and her sisters and said sternly, "And THIS is just ONE of the reasons why people should NEVER mess with somebody's daking mind! Hopefully your father really does realize that now! I know I am daking tired of people trying to fuck with mine and do NOT like that Erika's and Lena's were fucked with!"

  I continued more calmly with, "It had to be said. Anyway Ruby, perhaps now is a good time for Atika and Attila to show you and your sisters around the Vigilant and get you some quarters onboard as well. So you can take some time to calm down after such a stressful moment. I will notify Sandy and have her show Brooke onboard so they can meet you in the Mess or something."

  Then I said to Lena who I  still had securely in my arms, "Lena, I am afraid they are right about the voices. However you are not alone when it comes to sharing your head with others. Believe me it takes a lot of getting used to. Now I am going to release you but I think it's best if I hold onto the knife for now. Just calm down, and I hope you don't get more upset, but I think I better contact Marcel and let him know where you are. If you agree to be good, I will release you. Then you can sit down and Lady and I will keep you company."

  After that, I said to Erika, "And Sister Dear...just relax. It sounds like the memories of Cael should come back to you on their own, but I still think you should go talk to Kara since you won't talk to me."

  As Erika responded, I led a somewhat reluctant and still very confused Lena to an empty chair and gestured toward it. After Lena finally sat down, with me sitting near her just incase I needed to quickly react again, I made several EGO calls.

  I first sent Sandy an EGO message asking that when she brings Brooke onboard to contact Attika to find out where onboard to meet her and Brook's sisters.

  Second, I contacted Lestrange via EGO saying, "Marcel there has been an incident involving Lena. You may want to come to the Vigilant right away. She will be waiting on the Vigilant's Bridge. I suggest you meet us there here soon as you can as Lena seems VERY confused about everything at the moment." Then I proceeded to quickly fill him in on the situation in my usual straight-forward manner as I kept my eye on Lena.

  Third, I mentally said to Lady via our private EGO channel, so only she could hear, "Snow Angel, I contacted Marcel and am sure he is on his way, but do you think I should notify the Old Goat (Von Eschen ) as well? I may dislike psycho-babblers as a rule, but he did prove that some of his methods actually work....otherwise I may still have been locked away in my self-imposed house-arrest when you returned."