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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Aug 25, 2017 12:49:58 GMT
"Erika," said Volodja Uljanov. "We need to think about our tactics and strategy. Direct hit might not be fastest way to get rid of Skarr. At least not the most efficient one. At least from my point of view. I'd suggest a detour which liberates Synths who are under Skarr's influence right now and gives them a choice of freedom, so they could join us, go home and hid until everything is over or...even choose Skarr's side if they want to. At least they will have their own will to lead them in their decisions, not Skarr's. That would also resolve our Ruby-going-wild-problem. But if you want to go to look for Cael, then maybe you can give me any clues about best places where to hide the Synth control centre since you know this place." Volodja draw his breath and continued: "Why I am assuming that this centre must be here somewhere? Because I tried to walk couple of yards with Skarr's spiderlegs and if I was him, I would want to keep this support of my power close to me so nobody else couldn't use it against me. It might have originally been outside this Kumonosu-jō, which means Spider Web Castle, before the rise of Skarr but to avoid his fall he had to deliver everything here. Sorry about that Japanese reference, but I find it somewhat suitable, because Akira Kurosawa's film "Kumonosu-jō" was considered to be one of the best adaptations of Shakespeare'sn "Macbeth" which also tells a story about the lust for power, seizing the power...and losing it. I won't bother you with my lecture any more, though. At least if you tell me where are best possible places for the aforementioned centre, I won't." And now we leave this dimly lit but otherwise dark and dump dungeon and climb to the green lap of the mighty jungle where nude Marcel Lestrange faced Synth girl Brooke and her Cheshire cat like grin and...claws which made him to say: "Remember, Mademoiselle. Punches under the belt are considered unfair in boxing. So would you mind trying to hit me only above the place where my belt used to be, before I was stripped by this...unnatural nature?" Brooke measured Marcel from the top of his head to his...other parts and her pretty mouth fell open when she saw Marcel in his full glory because his stiffness didn't show any signs of intention to have a break. Marcel did not bothered to ask about her impressions but acted. He grabbed couple of cut vines ad stuck those bits and pieces to the tips of Brooke's sharp claws, making them look like she was using them as grilling rods and tried to roast some green marshmallows or sausages. After securing himself from the sharp touch temporarily, Marcel begun to descend as fast as he could, because he felt that in his condition having the fight up there was unreasonable. He was not a monkey after all and if his hands were full of fight, the only free "limb" was not exactly as elastic as a monkey tail but much much more rigid, so there was no chance that he could use his "equipment" to secure his foothold up in treecrown. Marcel's bare feet touched the ground but Brooke, swift as a jungle cat, just dropped herself to the ground, standing right in front of him again. She moved her claws and with couple of quite elegant moves flung vine pieces away. Her claws were free again and approached Marcel's bare skin with the rest of Brooke, making Marcel to feel a bit uncomfortable and ask himself "Does Brooke remember those boxing rules they discussed about?" At first she seemed to, because she attacked Marcel's face, not his other regions. Marcel pulled his head abruptly backwards and sharp claws merely passed his nose tip. Brooke's other hand thrust forwards, making Marcel to jump back and accidentally step on the tail of one of Lady Christianna's jaguars. The beast jumped up with a mighty roar but Lady rose her thin white hand wiped him to lay down again since she saw that it was an unintentional accident. The roar caught Brooke's attention for a moment and that moment was enough to Marcel to create a plan and execute it at once by leaping forward, pushing Brooke down with his massive muscular body and putting one bare foot to Brooke's chest to keep her laying on the ground. Then he drummed his chest like a victorious gorilla. "Honey Pot," said Marcel after he saw that his victory drumming was enough to catch Lena's attention. "Can you help me out as well when you are done with Mademoiselle Yvette?"  |
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Post by Erika Widowmaker on Aug 26, 2017 9:13:18 GMT
"The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them." - Ernest Hemingway***** In the Chancellor's Palace in Capital City, Erika Widowmaker stopped her forward march to turn and look at Volodja Uljanov with intense jade eyes before frankly admitting, "You are right of course Volo. My Irathiant warrior nature gets the best of me sometimes. I lose sight of important long term priorities when I feel righteous anger at an immediate wrong I perceive and then I go head first to right it. First things first, we need to find that Synth controlling device as you say. Where it might be hidden? I suggest the main ballroom where Cael would hold big state functions. Skarr's present body is powerful but also large and that chamber would give him plenty of room to maneuver in or... it could be on the roof for maximum coverage and where the auto defenses of the Palace could defend it. A third place - and I know this sounds odd - would be the large back part of Skarr's present body, which would be the abdomen in a spider. That would be a perfect place to hide such a device - and keep it close at hand" ***** Everyone could see the electricity still angrily surging through Atticus Batman's blue outfit, as Atticus laughed (in his usual maniacally-sinister way) at Yvette; the same laugh that always gave Lena and most others the creeps, but usually seemed to affect Lady in a more carnal manner in past situations. After he had finished my uncontrollable bout of laughter, Atticus finally said, "That would be like telling a cat to take off their claws! Perhaps we should ask Brooke if she is able to remove hers!.......You little FOOL! Don't you get it girl?! The blue 'suit' is part of me and therefore it can't be removed! If you don't believe me, then try for yourself!" Yvette laughed back although more amused than menacing and tossed her blond hair before saying, "I never could not take a dare!" Lena Marr recognized the trap Yvette obviously didn't mumbling, "Oh boy," under her breath as her chalk white face grimaced and she closed her eyes readying herself for the inevitable pain when the trap was set off. Yvette, still holding Lena by the neck walked confidently over to where Atticus stood and grabbed his blue suit by the chest taking the full charge of electricity that he had readied for her. Both Yvette and Lena trembled violently for a minutes as the electricity cascaded over both their bodies with Yvette subconsciously protecting Lena from most of the energy surge. Once Atticus released them from his trap, both women fell to the ground although Lena somersaulted to her feet immediately while Yvette lay again unconscious on the ground. "What a rush!" Exclaimed Lena with a wicked grin still standing nude but with her white hair standing on end. Without another word Lena grabbed her tool kit and began taking the mind-controlling Spider mask off Yvette's face. Meanwhile, Marcel Lestrange's roar caught Brooke's attention for a moment and that moment was enough to Marcel to create a plan and execute it at once by leaping forward, pushing Brooke down with his massive muscular body and putting one bare foot to Brooke's chest to keep her laying on the ground. Then he drummed his chest like a victorious gorilla. For her part Brooke did not resist although if Marcel would have looked down at the feline Synth girl he would have seen her lovely face scrunched up in pain as her claws dug into the ground while she mentally resisted her mask's influence. "Honey Pot," said Marcel after he saw that his victory drumming was enough to catch Lena's attention. "Can you help me out as well when you are done with Mademoiselle Yvette?" "Just a sec Pooh Bear," Lena shouted over her shoulder as she quickly and expertly defused the trap on Yvette's mask and removed it. ***** In the Vigilant sitting in the command chair, Sandy Bell had a wide grin on her pretty tan face as her blue eyes looked appreciatively at each crew member on the bridge saying with pride over the intercom so the whole crew would hear, "Great job each and every one of you on getting the Vigilant flight ready. Now... lets go find our lost lambs then hand Governor Skarr his ass!" The crew gave a hearty cheer before going on on with their jobs like the professionals they were. Meanwhile Wolfram Von Eschen had just finished his psychology session with the Synth Sister Whitney minus the couch when she said, "You may be right when you say Governor Skarr is a fiend but... what about his and my baby?" "Baby? What baby?" Asked Wolfram with a pain beginning in the back of his skull foretelling of bad things to come. "The one Skarr implanted in me where a human woman would call her uterus," Answered Whitney excitedly with wide ice blue eyes and and an expression of bliss on her beautiful pale face. "Skarr said that it would make our union eternal! He put shields there so I couldn't see her saying he wanted to keep the sex of our baby a secret until it was born, but I bet she's a girl. I can feel the baby trembling within me now. She must be getting ready to be born. Doesn't that proves he loves me? Isn't it just sooooo exciting!" 
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Post by Atticus Batman on Aug 26, 2017 10:59:30 GMT
Yvette, still holding Lena by the neck walked confidently over to where I stood and grabbed my blue suit by the chest taking the full charge of electricity that he had readied for her. Both Yvette and Lena trembled violently for a minutes as the electricity cascaded over both their bodies with Yvette subconsciously protecting Lena from most of the energy surge. Once I grabbed Yvette's hand and managed to pry it from my protective grid 'suit', I let go of her arm and released them from my trap, then both women fell to the ground, although Lena somersaulted to her feet immediately while Yvette lay again unconscious on the ground.
As I released Yvette's arm, I said in a wicked tone, "Shocking!"
 
"What a rush!" Exclaimed Lena with a wicked grin still standing nude but with her white hair standing on end.
Glancing at Lena and seeing her nipples at attention, I remarked, "Obviously. Now get the damn mask off, before she gains consciousness again....and believe it or not Lena, I really am glad you are fine."
Without another word Lena grabbed her tool kit and began taking the mind-controlling Spider mask off Yvette's face. Meanwhile, Marcel Lestrange's roar caught Brooke's attention for a moment and that moment was enough to Marcel to create a plan and execute it at once by leaping forward, pushing Brooke down with his massive muscular body and putting one bare foot to Brooke's chest to keep her laying on the ground. Then he drummed his chest like a victorious gorilla. For her part Brooke did not resist although if Marcel would have looked down at the feline Synth girl he would have seen her lovely face scrunched up in pain as her claws dug into the ground while she mentally resisted her mask's influence.
"Honey Pot," said Marcel after he saw that his victory drumming was enough to catch Lena's attention. "Can you help me out as well when you are done with Mademoiselle Yvette?"
"Just a sec Pooh Bear," Lena shouted over her shoulder as she quickly and expertly defused the trap on Yvette's mask and removed it.
As Lena did her work, I felt even more light-headed but ignored it, as I turned back to Lady, who was still sitting there watching my every move. So I said lovingly, "I don't know what I else can say to get you to believe or remember me, but I do love you completely..."
I glanced down at my weapons and armor, as I tend to feel naked without it, but then another thought came to mind. So I decided, I would get my gear AFTER I tried my next attempt on convincing Lady of who I am. So I continued in a matter-of-fact tone, "...However as a man of action, I know damn well that some things are better proven with actions anyway."
Then before Lady could respond, I quickly closed the distance between us. Then I gently but quickly grabbed her and kissed her passionately. As I did so, I cradled her head in one hand and her bottom in the other, like I do quite often when we are in the privacy of our quarters. Meanwhile one of the jaguars was nearby growling in warning, but I ignored it as I continued the loving embrace and kiss, trying to put all my love for Lady into my actions.
In the Vigilant sitting in the command chair, Sandy Bell had a wide grin on her pretty tan face as her blue eyes looked appreciatively at each crew member on the bridge saying with pride over the intercom so the whole crew would hear, "Great job each and every one of you on getting the Vigilant flight ready. Now... lets go find our lost lambs then hand Governor Skarr his ass!"
The crew gave a hearty cheer before going on with their jobs like the professionals they were. After a little while, Attila who had finished making sure all external and internal sensors were once again working correctly, noticed something he found odd on the ship's external sensors. So he said, "What the Hell?! Sandy! I think you better look at this! This is odd! We detected several considerable surges of Grid energy in a clearing near a large pond or something, but from what I can tell there have never been Grid sightings in this jungle before! Am I missing something, or are the sensors more fucked than I thought?!"
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Post by Wolfram von Eschen on Aug 27, 2017 8:00:52 GMT
Wolfram von Eschen became more worried with every second now. While Whitney chatted with him in her cute manner he had plenty of time to analyse Skarr's psychological profile. Jawohl, he actually had his mental profile stored in his data base because once he and Volodja had an idea to create one in addition of creating psychological records of Paradise Protectors and their allies, and supplement it every time when they got new information. Volodja Uljanov, no matter how much he preferred peaceful solutions whenever possible, subsidised that idea by referring to the classic - Sun Tzu - who 2500 years ago formulated that:
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
Since everyone didn't possessed expanded memory to store everything in their mind, they also created that data base. Wolfram von Eschen who despite of his own opinion was usually considered too elderly and fragile for long and hard field trips took care of keeping and maintaining it while Volodja who moved around and met new people gave ideas and information and evaluations, so together they formed a thorough psychiatrist with armchair/couch and field experience.
Now Wolfram von Eschen was worried indeed, because by their humble opinion, Skarr was a creature who's every move was based on dry emotionless calculation and everything Sakrr did so far, seemed to confirm that so there wasn't much need to change their opinion towards the already familiar palette of Skarr's motifs. And now Skarr had taken advantage of this naive and trusting and inexperienced Synth girl by planting his seed inside her. Why? To get himself a heir? But in that case he would keep Whitney as close to him as possible to guarantee baby's safety instead of sending her into dangerous mission. And why the hell he wanted to hide the nature of the baby even from her mother? And why Wolfram von Eschen can't strangle that scumbag Skarr for taking advantage of this innocent girl and other crimes he committed?
"Whitney, dear," he said as softly as his usual crackly and cranky voice allowed, stroking her white hair in most unprofessional but personal manner. "I am afraid that we have to inform others about this fact. Not to use it against Skarr because using your unborn as a hostage is not something we'd do. But to decide what can we do to help you and make sure that everything is fine with the baby. You need decent medical attention in your delicate state, dear."
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Aug 27, 2017 11:30:10 GMT
"Mmmm," said Marcel Lestrange thoughtfully. "I think that we need gather ourselves and get the fuck out of here as fast as we can. I thought about our situation and came...Came to conclusion that man behind this mask...or that one....or third one did not acted alone. He needed somebody to put those masks to these girsl. And that somebody might be luring us right now. Our synthetic guests are quite strong and agile and so on as we found out not so long ago, so whoever put masks to their pretty faces must be strong and agile and cunning as well. Besides - Lena and I lack some clothing and weapons because nature stripped us from everything and if you do not want us to try to strip those jaguars bare handed, and risk upsetting Madame Batman in process, so we could get at least nice furry undergarments, we should do something about that. Since we can not tan and prepare those jaguar hides, it would be a waste of a good material if we happen to win the match. It would be a shame to throw those pelts away afterwards. I am willing to risk so we can gain afterwards but we should not take any unnecessary risks, dear Protectors. Risking just for the sake of risking is effete and might lead to defeat. That is what I am trying to say."  |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Aug 27, 2017 12:10:41 GMT
"I am not blaming you, Erika," said Volodja. "I am sinner myself when I went to protect Ruby's honour by kicking Skarr's butt. I might be a self proclaimed knight errant, but that doesn't mean that I won't follow my code of honour, so I am not mind if you are angry with me now. Especially when Skarr refused to accept the challenge and fled. Can't call him coward, though. He probably didn't wanted to take an unnecessary risk and fight a human mano a mano. That would have been the most shameful thing in his eyes - to fight a human with a chance of losing the fight. Life is fantastic and those other words...Just a song reference which occurred in my mind so don't pay attention to that. But there is something worthy of your attention, Erika - drawing Skarr's attention to my unworthy person might give us some edge when to think about it."
Seeing questioning look in Erika's jade eyes, Volodja explained: "I believe that I am one of his main concerns now. Ruby is at least partly under his control she can't act against him right now. You, Erika, are officially sitting in the back up bench, because Skarr doesn't know yet that his pet torturer is disabled and you are already regained your freedom and can roam around, putting spokes to his wheels while he is looking for me. But he might to check for you any time, so we must act fast. I do hope that he doesn't keep that device stored on his person because getting that out from there would be quite hard, but knowing my luck he probably stuffed the Synth controller right up his back-door. Damn!"
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Post by Sandy Bell on Aug 27, 2017 14:40:28 GMT
On the bridge of the Vigilant, Attila Constantine who had finished making sure all external and internal sensors were once again working correctly, noticed something he found odd on the ship's external sensors. So he said, "What the Hell?! Sandy! I think you better look at this! This is odd! We detected several considerable surges of Grid energy in a clearing near a large pond or something, but from what I can tell there have never been Grid sightings in this jungle before! Am I missing something, or are the sensors more fucked than I thought!?" As Sandy Bell sat in the command chair, her tan forehead creased and her blue eyes narrowed in thought until she smiled at what she concluded saying, "It has to be Commander Batman! He's fused with Grid energy and he often uses it in both defensive and offensive ways. I'd bet the farm on it if I owned a farm. I'd also bet that where he is we'll find Lady Christianna too and if he's in battle fighting to defend her we better get there fast! Not that I'm worried about him - he can handle himself - but there are several primitive tribes down there and I'd hate to see any natives become collateral damage," Sandy turned her gaze to Attila, Atika's twin brother and evidently lovers (which was a fact Sandy was still dealing with) and ordered, "Attila, you're through here, so grab Poe and a shuttle and get down there and pick up our people if they are there. Scout it out first from the air and go in armed - just in case it isn't them and it's hostiles laying a trap." A light began blinking on the armrest of the command chair denoting that something that couldn't be generally discussed was demanding the attention of the Captain of the ship, which in this case was Sandy, so she quickly flicked the appropriate switch only to hear the voice of the ship's doctor, Doctor Michaela "Micha" Quinn, who said with concern in her voice, "Captain Bell, I have the Synth girl Whitney in my Sick Bay and am seeing things in her abdomen - well, I'm not sure what I'm seeing. Would you please come down here for a consultation?" "On my way Doc," replied Sandy without hesitation, then said before leaving the Bridge and hurrying to Sick Bay, "Yarr, take the Command Chair please!" When Sandy entered the Sick Bay she met Dr. Quinn outside one of the ICU rooms there who briefed Sandy solemnly, "Dr. Von Eschen admitted the patient, the Synth girl Whitney, and is in there with her now, stating that she was carrying a baby, that it was Governor Skarr's, and warning me that her abdomen was shielded in such a way that the mother could not scan herself as to what was really concealed there as I understand Synths of her generation usually can. I have studied several of the more primitive generations of Synths, but I'm no expert by any means. I tried X-rays as well as many conventional and unconventional ways to find out what was being hidden there with no success, although I was getting energy reading from what was in her abdomen that I had never seen before. I was considering surgery, when I remembered a technique pediatricians often use to observe fetuses in their mother's womb. I did a sonogram and actually got a fairly good picture of what is in Whitney, but... I just don't know what I was seeing, just that I don't think its a baby by any means!" "Take me in and show me Doc," Ordered Sandy with a feeling of unease that was growing exponentially by the second. When Sandy entered the ICU room she saw Whitney there chatting happily with the psychiatrist Wolfram Von Eschen who was holding her pale hand in his. Dr. Quinn performed the sonogram on Whitney again allowing Sandy to watch. What Sandy saw was a small spheroid whose center contained a continual cascade of energy that Sandy unfortunately recognized. She had seen similar devices many times in her life especially during the Pale Wars but never so small. "Crap! It's a singularity bomb - but I've never seen one that small! It has to be Synth technology wedded to Votan! Damn Synths are masters of miniaturization!" Thought Sandy to her EGO Psyche hoping he had a suggestion on how to proceed. Sarge responded but it was a suggestion that she didn't want to hear when he said emphatically, "Captain, your duty is to the ship and its crew. You don't have a choice. You have to get the Synth girl off the ship - immediately!" "There has to be another way!" Thought back Sandy through the telepathic link she shared with her EGO psyche. Sandy gestured to Dr. Quinn and Dr. Von Eschen to meet with her outside the ICU room whereupon she briefed them about the situation and said in a sad tone, "My only choice to save the Vigilant and her crew may be to jettison Whitney out of the ship. That's my duty - unless one of you two can give me some options pronto!"  |
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Post by Wolfram von Eschen on Aug 27, 2017 17:33:23 GMT
Both medics looked at each other. Despite their difference of age and disciplines they represented, bot of them had given an oath to use treatment to help the sick according to their ability and judgement, but never with a view to injury and wrong-doing. Dr. Wolfram von Eschen gulped and adjusted his collar. Dr. Michaela Quinn fidgeted slightly and after few whispered words which turned into whispered argumentation and then whispered agreement and whispered plan making, they both turned to Sandy Bell.
"Decided," said Wolfram. "You will send us down into some empty uninhabited and preferably fruitless place with Whitney and necessary equipment. We are going to perform a Caesarean section once we are there. Dr. Quinn will perform it and I will assist her, so there will be no need to risk with lives of others. It's our duty as medics and conscious human beings who can't risk with lives of innocent bystanders and that is why we don't take anybody else along with us. All you have to do is float in safe distance and wait for the outcome.
Fastest and softest way to send us down would be using Dark Matter portals. In case we don't have any at our disposal, you will have to sacrifice an emergency pod. If we succeed, you'll get it back. If not, then...then you have to follow the usual order and write it off. Simple as that. We could try to perform the whole thing in emergency pod, ready to be ejected, but there is no guarantees that you can kick us out on time if something goes in a way we didn't planned. So we have to be on down there during the operation."
Saying that, Wolfram von Eschen already stepped over that invisible line which separated living from potentially dead if something goes wrong. That is why he used terms "we" and "you" when he spoke. Suddenly Wolfram declared with a grin on his wrinkled face:
"Ave, Aesclepius, medici te salutant."
Then he added: "I do feel like a gladiator before the match. Thus the paraphrase. Actually we already had one sparring match, because I tried to convince Dr. Quinn to leave behind and leave everything to me, but she refused because this stubborn Dr. Quinn also had nerve to question my abilities to use a scalpel. I hate to admit that she is probably correct, because her knowledge about anatomy and operating it is a bit fresher than mine, so we will go together. But I also have to admit that hate losing. Thus I declare that I refuse to allow myself more than one lost fight a day, so now we HAVE to win. Send us down when you are ready. We are already ready."
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Post by Lady Christianna on Aug 27, 2017 18:10:55 GMT
Atticus Batman gently but quickly grabbed Lady Christianna and kissed her passionately. As he did so, Atticus cradled her head in one hand and her bottom in the other, like he did quite often when they were in the privacy of their quarters. Meanwhile one of the jaguars was nearby growling in warning, but Atticus ignored it as he continued the loving embrace and kiss, trying to put all his love for Lady into his actions. Lady at first stiffened in Atticus' embrace as her pink eyes grew wide, but she quickly melted in his grip and her eyes closed enjoying the moment. Lady's form shimmered into a bright light which soon disappeared leaving it's wake the normal teenage Castithan girl that was Lady Christianna. When the kiss ended, she continued to hold tightly to Atticus but with an enigmatic smile on her pretty chalk white face. When she finally spoke, Lady merely said one word, "Awesome!" Meanwhile Lena Marr efficiently and effectively worked at removing the mind controlling spider-mask from the Synth Brooke just like she had her sister Yvette who now sat on the ground massaging her temples muttering, "I really thought I'd give him more of a challenge in battle..." Once Lena had finished with the mask's removal, Brooke un-clenched her claws growling, "Thank you Ms. Marr. Now I'm going to tear out Skarr's black heart." "No problemo. But I think you'll have to wait in line to kill Skarr," Lena replied with a wicked grin glancing mischievously at Yvette, "BTW, only I can give the Big Guy a challenge in battle and..." Lena added in an afterthought, "Thanks for taking most of his electric charge back there." The blonde Synth girl merely nodded her head with a grin while still massaging her temples hoping the headaches there would end soon. "Mmmm," said Marcel Lestrange thoughtfully. "I think that we need gather ourselves and get the fuck out of here as fast as we can. I thought about our situation and came...Came to conclusion that man behind this mask...or that one....or third one did not acted alone. He needed somebody to put those masks to these girls. And that somebody might be luring us right now. Our synthetic guests are quite strong and agile and so on as we found out not so long ago, so whoever put masks to their pretty faces must be strong and agile and cunning as well. Besides - Lena and I lack some clothing and weapons because nature stripped us from everything and if you do not want us to try to strip those jaguars bare handed, and risk upsetting Madame Batman in process, so we could get at least nice furry undergarments, we should do something about that. Since we can not tan and prepare those jaguar hides, it would be a waste of a good material if we happen to win the match. It would be a shame to throw those pelts away afterwards. I am willing to risk so we can gain afterwards but we should not take any unnecessary risks, dear Protectors. Risking just for the sake of risking is effete and might lead to defeat. That is what I am trying to say." As if understanding what Marcel said, the two jaguars quickly left the clearing and disappeared into the jungle as Lena quipped, "Don't worry about me, I like being naked and it certainly is cooler in a hot jungle this way! Besides my perfectly good knives are right there on my belt next to my ruined armor! Sooooo... Skarr will definitely get my point... or even two!   |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Aug 28, 2017 12:44:26 GMT
Lady at first stiffened in my embrace as her pink eyes grew wide, but she quickly melted in my grip and her eyes closed enjoying the moment. Lady's form shimmered into a bright light which soon disappeared leaving it's wake the normal teenage Castithan girl that was Lady Christianna. When the kiss ended, she continued to hold tightly to me but with an enigmatic smile on her pretty chalk white face.
When she finally spoke, Lady merely said one word, "Awesome!"
I merely responded with one word as well, "Always."
Meanwhile Lena Marr efficiently and effectively worked at removing the mind controlling spider-mask from the Synth Brooke just like she had her sister Yvette who now sat on the ground massaging her temples muttering, "I really thought I'd give him more of a challenge in battle..."
Once Lena had finished with the mask's removal, Brooke un-clenched her claws growling, "Thank you Ms. Marr. Now I'm going to tear out Skarr's black heart."
"No problemo. But I think you'll have to wait in line to kill Skarr," Lena replied with a wicked grin glancing mischievously at Yvette, "BTW, only I can give the Big Guy a challenge in battle and..." Lena added in an afterthought, "Thanks for taking most of his electric charge back there."
The blonde Synth girl merely nodded her head with a grin while still massaging her temples hoping the headaches there would end soon.
"Mmmm," said Marcel Lestrange thoughtfully. "I think that we need gather ourselves and get the fuck out of here as fast as we can. I thought about our situation and came...Came to conclusion that man behind this mask...or that one....or third one did not acted alone. He needed somebody to put those masks to these girls. And that somebody might be luring us right now. Our synthetic guests are quite strong and agile and so on as we found out not so long ago, so whoever put masks to their pretty faces must be strong and agile and cunning as well. Besides - Lena and I lack some clothing and weapons because nature stripped us from everything and if you do not want us to try to strip those jaguars bare handed, and risk upsetting Madame Batman in process, so we could get at least nice furry undergarments, we should do something about that. Since we can not tan and prepare those jaguar hides, it would be a waste of a good material if we happen to win the match. It would be a shame to throw those pelts away afterwards. I am willing to risk so we can gain afterwards but we should not take any unnecessary risks, dear Protectors. Risking just for the sake of risking is effete and might lead to defeat. That is what I am trying to say."
As if understanding what Marcel said, the two jaguars quickly left the clearing and disappeared into the jungle as Lena quipped, "Don't worry about me, I like being naked and it certainly is cooler in a hot jungle this way! Besides my perfectly good knives are right there on my belt next to my ruined armor! Sooooo... Skarr will definitely get my point... or even two!"
Still holding Lady to me, I moved us over to where my armor and weapons lay. Then I released her just long enough to put my armor back on. As I was securing the chest armor, I said, "Lena I don't care who kills Skarr, just as long as I can disintegrate his brain to make sure he STAYS dead this daking time!"
Then as I secured my weapons in place, I said to Marcel, "What you are saying is Skarr found or perhaps created an agent to do his bidding here in the jungles for him. You are right that it definitely makes sense. However this is a big jungle. So the question is: Did he return to Skarr once he was done with his masking duties, or is he still here somewhere? The most likely answer is of course that he is likely still watching from somewhere. After all if the girls failed, that means the agent failed with their mission, and we all know Skarr does NOT accept failure in any way. So the agent will of course be forced to show him or herself soon, when they try to finish the job themselves."
As I finished that thought we saw a shuttle flying overhead as we got a message from it on both our hailers and EGO channels. It was Attila saying, "Do you people need a ride?"
However just a few seconds later, before we could respond, Attila said over channels, "Zöndöö! (Mongolian for fuck!) Our sensors just picked up something in the air moving fast in your direction and it will be passing by us soon!"
Just then all of us from the ground watched as what appeared to me a green-armored being flew past the shuttle. As it did, a laser beam shot from it's head and whoever was piloting the shuttle, (I thought, "Damn, must be Dameron!) managed to just barely avoid the energy beam. Then the shuttle pulled up higher in an evasive pattern, as the being continued in our direction. So Attila said over comms, "Zöndöö! That was close!"
Seconds later the green-armored being landed on 'his' feet right in front of us. Then The obviously synthetic being clad in green armor with apparently red skin said, in an almost monotone voice, "Try your bio-energy powers on me, Lightning-Bat! Let's see how you fare against one who can fight back!"
As I put on my helmet, I responded back with some annoyance, "How about you tell us who the dak you are and just what the daking hell you want first!"
The synthetic being replied with, " I was meant to be Father Skarr's Vision, so I suppose you can call me Vision as I do not have a name. Father Skarr wants you dead."
I responded with, "And just what do YOU want?!"
He hesitated for a second before responding, with a little apprehension in his tone, "I do not want to kill any of you, just as I did not want to place control masks on my 'cousins'. However the control masks were what Father Skarr wanted me to do, so it is what I had to do. Just as my programming says that, since they failed, I must now kill all of you, myself. Especially the race-traitor Lena Marr, and the murderous Batman who wants Father Skarr dead just for fun, according to Father Skarr."
I replied with, "Need I mention just how naïve that makes you sound?"
He responded with, "Well I was born yesterday."
Hearing that, I growled, "OBVIOUSLY!!!....However that is what Skarr wants! If we were able to find a way to disable Skarr's control, what do YOU want, Vision?!"
'Vision' once again hesitated. During this second hesitation, I aimed my pistol at Vision's head, ready to pull the trigger if needed. However he ignored my action, as he finally continued, with a hint of sadness in his tone, "I stand forever at the crossroads of mind and heart. For instance, at this moment, I seek your counsel because I am internally conflicted regarding the most logical course of action against the man who controlled me."
Hearing that, Lady placed a hand on my arm and looked at me, as if to ask, 'Does he have to die?' Seeing the look in Lady's eyes, I lowered my pistol. Then I said, "You want our guidance?! Fine, first you let our shuttle land. One of our more inventive engineers is onboard. Lena here is one of the best programmers I know. So perhaps between the two of them, they can figure out how to get to Skarr's control program inside you and disable it."
Vision glanced at Lena, then up at the shuttle circling high above, before finally saying, "Fine. However I am scheduled to report back to Father Skarr in twenty minutes. He told me that if I am more than five minutes late in reporting in, he will activate the force-control procedures of the program to force me to do what it takes to succeed...and if after another ten minutes I have not reported that the job has been finished, then he will consider me a failure and send a kill command to my 'heart'. "
I notified Attila to have Poe land the shuttle near us. Then I responded to 'Vision' with, "Well it's a good thing that Attila and Lena are used to working under pressure then. However if they do succeed, then what will you do Vision?"
As the shuttle started a slow descent, Vision rubbed his head, then said, "The first one I put a mask on seemed to be a protective of other Synths and their freedom. So if your engineer and programmer can stop Father Skarr's control program and 'heart' detonation program, then perhaps I could see if this 'Dee of the Jungle' and her Lord 'Lodja' would need a protector of their own. Second, after hearing it a couple times....I do not think I like 'Vision'. So perhaps a synonym of it?...Hmm yes. I think I prefer Apparition. So call me Apparition."
As the shuttle finally landed and Attila stepped out with his shotgun in hand, I responded with, "Apparition, it is. Lena, you and Attila better get to work, as it seems you are on a very short deadline."
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Post by Sandy Bell on Aug 28, 2017 13:27:33 GMT
Wolfram Von Eschen said, "Send us down when you are ready. We are already ready." Captain Sandy Bell frowned shaking her blonde tresses slowly before saying, "Why am I not surprised knowing you two? However, there are three things you haven't considered: (1) You're going into a dangerous environment with lots of animal predators. Who's going to watch you're back while you're operating? (2) What are you going to do with the bomb, especially if you set it off but it doesn't blow up immediately? I doubt either of you know anything about bomb disposal. And (3) Either of you know how to set up a Black Matter Portal where you are going for the return trip?" Sandy looked at Dr. Micha Quinn and Dr. Wolfram Von Eschen and could tell from their faces that the answer was probably "no" to one or more of her questions before shaking her head again then admitting, "You two have put me in quite the moral quandary. As Captain, I have a duty to stay with the ship but I can't in good conscience ask anybody else who's capable of getting you down and protecting you on what is probably a suicide mission. However, your mission is important not just for saving Whitney's life but in fostering good relations with the Synth Empire. Damn!" Sandy stared at the two doctors with intense blue eyes noting that they would not be dissuaded from their chosen path then grinned before commanding, "Okay, looks like you're determined and I can't say your motivations aren't noble but I'm going to go with you. Even though Commander Batman is probably going to tear me a new one for abandoning my post, I can't ask anyone to go into this type of danger while staying safe and sound in my command chair." Once Sandy's mind was made up, she went into action issuing a series of commands first replacing herself as the Vigilant's captain with Tasha Yarr briefing her on the plan to save Whitney. She then ordered the crew in the cargo bay to set up their Black Matter portal there and have portable surgery and bomb disposal equipment as well a a portable Black Matter portal to set up on the other end. After they gathered a confused but compliant Whitney from her ICU room, she had them all stop by the armory before leaving for her light armor, shield, and weapons. She insisted the two doctors have at least sidearms and shields although Whitney insisted that all she needed was her rapier. Once Yarr found a suitable nearby clearing that the radar indicated was devoid of humanoid and even most animal life, Sandy, Micha, Wolfram and Whitney with the equipment on hover sleds went through the portal to the ground below. Once there, the doctors began setting up the mobile surgery tent as Sandy built the portable Black Matter portal so that it would be ready in case they had to make a quick exit. The Synth girl Whitney helped where she could, but all the while asking, "Why are we out here? What are you going to do? Are you going to save my baby?" Leaving Dr. Von Eschen to deal with what could be as reluctant patient, Dr. Quinn raised an eybrow and asked Sandy, "Do you really know how to defuse a singularity bomb?" "Probably better than anyone brought on the Vigilant... except maybe Lena Marr and she's not available. During the Pale Wars I had a bomb disposal class getting ready for the secret mission that ended with me in stasis for twenty years and we actually went through the procedures of dealing with a singularity bombs, although they were much bigger back then sooooo... hopefully I won't have to though." All the while Sandy thought to herself, "Hell of a Honeymoon!"  |
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Post by Lena Marr on Aug 28, 2017 22:21:53 GMT
As the shuttle finally landed and Attila stepped out with his shotgun in hand, Atticus Batman responded with, "Apparition, it is. Lena, you and Attila better get to work, as it seems you are on a very short deadline." A wicked grin crossed Lena Marr's pretty chalk white face as she replied from where she had just strapped on her utility belt to her naked body, "I love a challenge!" As Lena walked over to Vision now Apparition she said seductively as she touched his defined pecs with one hand, "Oooooh, aren't you the muscular one! Would you please get on you knees and tilt your face downwards please. Doctor's orders!" Lena kept talking nonstop as she placed and unwrapped her tool kit on the ground so that both she and Attila would have access to it during the operation saying, "I'm not really a doctor Appa, but I have played the part of the naughty nurse sometimes. Say, you should feel privileged, I don't usually operate in the nude except for my lover over there Marcel Lestrange. Wave to the nice man Marcel! Appa, you can't see it from your position but Pooh Bear is waving - Atilla, you see that explosive device just right of where I'm working? Would you disable it please? Thank you very much! - Anywho, Marcel and me have an equal opportunity business enterprise back in Paradise which is a bit north of here - Atilla hon, we need to unscrew these two screws simultaneously to take the cover plate off where I can plug in my the programming pad so turn clockwise with me at the count of 3. 3-2-1. Well done cutie! - Now where was I, oh yeah, that laser of yours is really neato and I can picture about a zillion ways you could help our business with it! See, Pooh Bear and I provide needed services to folks who can't get them elsewhere for a modest fee but sometimes other people want to stop us and halt free enterprise and stuff. - Okay Atilla, you finished on your end? Good, just let me finish typing in these final lines... done! So what you say, you want to come work for me? - Okay, closing the head plate and... double done! Lena sashayed to in front of Apparition then took his chin in her hands turning his head upward as she bent down and thrust her pert breasts forward almost touching his face as she asked while batting her long lashed eyes, "So what do you say? I promise you it will be fun?" As Lena took both his hands in her and pulled him to his feet, Apparition smiled as he answered, "Yes, I think working for you would be...fun. I feel strongly attracted to you Lena and feel I can trust you completely. Please take me with you Lena. You are a marvelous individual." Still sitting on the ground rubbing her temples, Yvette grinned looking up at Lena and saying, "Yeah, Lena really is the best! Can I also join your organization Ms. Marr?" "I feel strangely loyal to Lena too so count me in," Growled Brooke shaking her head as if to throw off the effects of a bad dream. Yvette's purple eyes grew big as she clasped both her hands over her mouth and Brookes pretty face scrunched into a deep frown as though both were perplexed at their responses although Apparition just continued to smile as he looked into Lena's unblinking sky blue eyes. Attila looked confused, Lady crossed her thin arms narrowing her pink eyes as she glared at Lena and Atticus' eyes flared showing his anger while Marcel quickly lit a cigarette he had retrieved from his ruined clothes looking anywhere but at the confrontation enfolding. Grinning like the cat that ate the canary, Lena turned to Atticus and Lady whereupon the smile disappeared replaced with a feigned look of shock as she exclaimed, "Whaaaat? I can't make friends?"  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Aug 29, 2017 11:05:27 GMT
Grinning like the cat that ate the canary, Lena turned to Atticus and Lady whereupon the smile disappeared replaced with a feigned look of shock as she exclaimed, "Whaaaat? I can't make friends?"
My aura once again flashed an angry blue, and I started instinctively recharging my powers by absorbing the bio-electrical energies of the grass that I was standing on, as I angrily snapped, "Not like that you can't! You were supposed to remove the control programs and give them their free will back! Instead you are acting no better than Skarr! I assume Marcel is not just your lover but also your friend and by his own choice, and I know that Lady is your friend also by her own choice! Hell, even when Yvette was under Skarr's control, she managed to resist it enough to keep you from getting hurt in any way.
So obviously you ARE capable of making friends WITHOUT using programming to force people to be your friends! I am betting Yvette and Brooke's fighting protocols were directed by Skarr's control chips. So they would be much more capable fighters and allies if they were in complete control of their own faculties! Besides they all resisted Skarr's control in some way. Dak, Apparition admitted he was created as Skarr's vision. However he resisted so much that he asked for our help. Then he created a new image for himself as: Apparition. As well as already coming up with an idea of what he wants to do with his newfound freedom!
So daking fix it...and this time, none of your daking tricks! You have proven before that you are capable and willing of doing the right thing when needed, so prove it again!.........DAK!!! Just when the HELL did I become the father figure and voice of reason around here?!"
Then I mentally said to Lady via our private EGO channel, "Damn, just where is my Best Fool, when I daking need him and his silver tongue?!...So Snow Angel, tell me again just what you see in Lena that makes her your best friend, because I do NOT see it at the moment. Everytime I think I may see a glimpse of something, she pulls THIS shtako and makes me wonder why I haven't put a bullet in that pretty head of hers yet!"
 
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Post by Lena Marr on Aug 29, 2017 12:47:15 GMT
Atticus Batman said angrily, "So daking fix it...and this time, none of your daking tricks! You have proven before that you are capable and willing of doing the right thing when needed, so prove it again!.........DAK!!! Just when the HELL did I become the father figure and voice of reason around here?!" Lena jutted out her chin frowning with an determined look on her chalk white face, her naked body language the epitome of rebellion as she replied belligerently, "No... I will not. All I did - all my friendship chip does - is make it so they won't hurt me and be more amiable to my suggestions. Maybe it worked a little better than I planned, I put them together in a hurry without testing, but... it's self defense! You heard Apa! He called me a race traitor and was specifically here to kill me! And the four Synth sisters...I knew sooner of later they would turn on me - on us - ever since I met them so I cobbled four of these together in the Vigilant after secretly studying and taking readings on them on the way here. I like them - I really do but sure enough, they attacked me - attacked us - right here in this clearing. I swear Atticus, since you have been running with these Protectors you have become sooooo trusting, sooooo... there's no other words for it, soft and squishy! Don't be a sap! Let the friendship chips fall where they may!" Lena stood firm although inside she was shaking for Atticus had always frightened the hell out of her. Still she felt strongly about protecting herself and those few she held close to her. Furthermore, having super powerful Synths on the payroll could only help her and Marcel Lestrange's criminal business, and that was a good thing, wasn't it? The ends justify the means. She rarely felt strongly about anything, but when she did, she would fight to the death to uphold it. Still, Lena wasn't totally sure she was right in this particular matter, so she glanced with unblinking sky blue eyes at her lover for reassurance. Then Atticus mentally said to Lady via their private EGO channel, "Damn, just where is my Best Fool, when I daking need him and his silver tongue?!...So Snow Angel, tell me again just what you see in Lena that makes her your best friend, because I do NOT see it at the moment. Everytime I think I may see a glimpse of something, she pulls THIS shtako and makes me wonder why I haven't put a bullet in that pretty head of hers yet!" Lady Christianna looked at Lena then back to Atticus with sad pink eyes answering on their EGO channel, "Broken. Could have been me. Needs me... makes me laugh," Then turned to Lena and asserted in her minimalist way, "Wrong Lena. Just... wrong!" Abashed, Lena kicked the dirt once with one bare foot, before turning to Marcel and asking in a voice like a small girl caught with her hand in the cookie jar, "What do you think Pooh Bear?"  |
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Aug 29, 2017 17:32:16 GMT
"I think that Lena did not anything wrong," said Marcel and let out small smoke cloud. "She did not made those Synths to do anything that might hurt their dignity, like...mmmm...singing "Happy Happy Joy Joy" song by Stinky Wizzleteats. Or made them do something else like that...
I totally agree with what they said about Lena. By the way - they said that without any struggle. Just like I do when I say that Lena IS the best but she is often misunderstood. She did not meant any harm and I would be glad to accept Synths as members of our company. We have humans, we have Votans. We even have Bert and Ernie on our payroll! Having Synths would be only logical because they represent the new species of the world and we are willing to offer them an equal chance to become somebody. But there are some complications as well..."
Marcel moved behind Lena's back and put his hands around her as a sign of his affection and stood very close to Lena, so she could feel Marcel's chest touching her back and his newly aroused...poker touching her firm buttocks. He also moved his hips slightly like he was slow dancing on one place, while he placed his tan palm in front of Lena as a fig leaf.
Then he kissed Lena's ear, and said over her shoulder: "Where was I? Mais oui, complications. I am sure that these Synths would join our company form their free will because they are intelligent enough to understand what is good for them, but at moment there is somebody else who might not like the idea. A father figure, since you spoke something about them, Monsieur Batman. THE Father Figure. Their so called Father who might not like the idea losing his baby girls, although they deserve to see the world and do great deeds under our égide. Can we afford a possibly angry father going after us? That is the question..."
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