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Post by Erika Widowmaker on Aug 29, 2017 22:02:40 GMT
"You may be deceived if you trust too much, but you will live in torment if you don't trust enough." - Frank Crane***** Seeing questioning look in Erika Widowmaker's jade eyes, Volodja Uljanov 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!" A frown crossed the Irathiant woman's elegant face as she traced the scar that ran from the high cheek bone to the square jaw on the left side of her face with one red clay colored forefinger. She had now known the human man in front of her for some time now and knew his proclivity for self sacrifice, even when it wasn't necessary. Erika trusted Volodja explicitly in all matters - except when it had to do with his own safety. Erika narrowed her jade eyes as she said authoritatively, "We need to stick together. There is no need to play live bait to Skarr's Sharkgator. He probably knows we both are loose by now, so it makes sense that we watch each other's back. Besides, two heads are better than one. I will be glad to follow your lead - as long as I can keep you in sight." Erika smiled slightly as she added, "Besides, your new wife will never forgive me if something happened to you before your honeymoon. Now, we probably should find some weapons..." ***** In the jungle south of capital City where Erika and her husband were currently, Sandy wiped the sweat from her brow as she un-shouldered her assault rifle with the fire nanos to guard over the two doctors and their patient thinking to herself not for the first time, "Hell of a Honeymoon!" As Dr. Micha Quinn prepared the surgery tent Sandy had set up for her and Dr. Wolfram von Eschen calmed the agitated Synth girl Whitney who just happened to have a singularity bomb in her womb instead of the baby she thought she had there, Sandy walked the periphery of their camp guarding them from whatever dangers the surrounding jungle might present. Sandy was hot but also bothered at the quiet of a normally noisy jungle. She wondered where all the wildlife was, remembering she wondered the same thing when they scanned the area from the Vigilant to find a remote area that if the worse happened - if the bomb in Whitney blew up - there would be little collateral damage other than herself, the doctors, and Whitney herself. Scanning the horizon with an upraised tan hand to shade her squinting eyes, Sandy thought she saw movement far away. She raised her rifle to use the telescopic vision on it's scope and what she saw made her blue eyes go wide in surprise. It wasn't what she saw so much as what she didn't see her that made her apprehensive for she saw the jungle canopy part in the distance as if something large below it was pushing its way through the underbrush. If she was by herself, she would run for the Black Matter portal she had set up, but the Doctors counted on her to protect them as they attempted to save Whitney's life and she wasn't about to betray their trust by running. "Besides," Thought Sandy to her EGO Psyche Sarge with a grim grin, "Retreat just isn't my style!" "Never has been," Agreed Sarge via the telepathic link they shared warning, "But you might want to rethink your strategy: What's coming is traveling just under the surface and it's big - very big!" Sandy kept watching through her scope and saw something break the surface in the distance proving what Sarge had said was true and then some. A huge wedge shaped head with a big mouth housing row upon row of large sharp teeth broke from underneath the ground before plummeting back into the earth and out of sight again. Sandy recognized the creature, not from ever seeing one but from having heard of them from traveling Ark Hunters but had thought them tall tales. Now she wished they were for there was one headed her way. "Land shark" Muttered Sandy as she checked the magazine on her assault rifle, "Why did it have to be a land shark?!?!"  ***** Marcel Lestrange kissed Lena Marr'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..." "Yeah... I'd want my father - if I had a father - to be angry if somebody chipped me and go after the culprit," Admitted Lena with her long lashed sky blue eyes downcast, but then she looked up with a defiant look back on her chalk white face as she exclaimed, "But what if we can't trust them! I've trusted people I took an immediate like to and found myself helplessly strapped to a lab table in a sewer! How do we know we can trust them not to betray us?" Lady Christianna flashed her Mona Lisa smiled then walked with open arms and embraced Lena saying as she did, "Trust me!" "O-okay BFF," Stuttered Lena, then said to the three Synths, "You'll find my friendship chip behind your left ear. Remove it now." As all three Synths removed the offending chip, Yvette said with a grin as she snapped her chip in two, "No harm, no foul Lena. I can understand how it's hard to trust people you barely - " Brooke angrily pushed her way through accidentally knocking Lady to the ground but grabbing Lena by her alabaster neck and hoisting her into the air and out of Marcel's grasp with one hand while brandishing her clawed other hand in a threatening manner as she growled, "Give me one good reason I shouldn't tear your heart out for what you did to me!" Lena's feet dangled two feet off the ground as she desperately grasped at Brooke's strong hands with both of her's as her face turned red while she replied in a choking voice, "Would it *gulp* help if *wheeze* I said *gasp* I'm sorry?" 
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Aug 30, 2017 5:12:12 GMT
"I will give you that reason, Mademoiselle," said Marcel Lestrange blankly right before kicking Brooke in her hocks and wiping her off her feet. Brooke lost her grip of Lena and before she maintained to regain her balance, Marcel pushed to the ground, making her lay on her back. Then he put his bare foot on her throat but instead of gorilla's chest slamming he said in his blank manner:
"With one easy move I can add some pressure to my heel and crush your throat as it was nothing. It takes only an impulse from my brain but I am able to hold that impulse under control. Unlike you, Mademoiselle. You acted first and thought later. I think and act and speak simultaneously. And now I would like to share my thoughts and you will have to listen, good people. The pressure I put on you, Mademoiselle Brooke, is equal to the pressure, you put on Lena. But the pressure you put on Lena is unequal with what she did to you. Your life was not threatened. Even not for a second. As for this situation..." Marcel made a slight pause and measured everyone with his steely eyes before explaining:
"This unfortunate situation is nothing more than an example what might happen if someone tries to harm Lena. I know that it might have a negative impact to our possible business relations but threatening life of possible employer is not exactly a way to act during the job interview. Especially when Lena decided to trust you and gave you a chance to peacefully remove those chips, assuming that her trust is not betrayed by any of you. Instead of that you attacked her."
Marcel eased the pressure on Brooke's throat but did not hurry to remove his leg yet because he had something more to say:
"You should thank your luck that I acted first, because I am quite a reasonable man and I do not like unnecessary violence. But in my place right now could have been Monsieur Batman and as you can see, that man is already VERY angry and it is only a matter of time when his anger takes completely over. Then he needs only a slightest motive to reduce the Synth population of this planet by one lovely Mademoiselle Brooke with extreme prejudice and in most painful and messy manner and you, Mademoiselle, gave him that by pushing Madame Batman off your way. Compris? He would have probably regretted that afterwards and arranged extraordinary beautiful funeral to ease his conscious but now we managed to avoid that from happening. I probably saved your life, Mademoiselle, but I am not expecting any gratitude and understand completely if you are upset with me. People have their prejudices about me and Lena, no matter what we do, but we are above that attitude. I will remove my leg if you promise to behave and keep that promise, so we can discuss about our issues like mature people do. Does it not sound like a fair and balanced offer, Mademoiselle?"
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Post by Wolfram von Eschen on Aug 30, 2017 6:41:53 GMT
"I am not worried about sterility," said Michaela Quinn. "I have never seen an ill Synth before. Not that I have seen many Synths in my lifetime," she added.
"They might catch a computer viruses, that I know, but I haven't heard about travelling Trojans in the un-computerized jungle," added Wolfram von Eschen. "But what about Synth anatomy? I haven't thought about that."
"I did and decided that we'll manage," confirmed Dr. Quinn. "Since Syths are originally meant to be replicas or individuals who have to live among people they have to share common features with humans or Votans. Including anatomical. You can't replace someone with a Synth when they look like mechanisms inside. Everything might happen and a Synth will revealed when someone has to perform a medical operation to them just like we are doing right now. And these girls are more than simple replicas. They are carefully hand crafted so I am quite sure that Whitney even has an appendix..."
"Next problem will be anaesthesia," reminded Wolfram. "Local or general? Although I am not a surgeon, I'd suggest local no matter how risky it might be. This poor girl might blame us for lying if she wakes up and sees results of operation. It would be only honest thing to do to let her see that we don't manipulate with her, unlike Skarr did. I think that it's better handle the immediate shock than have a long rehab afterwards."
"Agreed. This is your field of operation, Wolfram, and I am not going to squat there. You may call me Michaela if you want. We are colleges after all."
"Shall we begin, Michaela?"
Dr. Quinn took a syringe and made the first injection. Since they lacked medical personnel, they both had to perform duties of operational nurses as well and do everything by themselves. While Dr. Quinn used her tools on Whitney, Wolfram acted as her assistant and passed her variety of scalpels and scissors and such while calming Whitney with his raspy voice. Those two didn't let themselves distract even after Sandy gave them a shark warning. Wolfram von Eschen didn't even shrugged but took piece of clean cotton between medical clippers and tapped Dr. Quinn's sweaty forehead and at thye same time he kept comforting Whitney.
"I wish that I could congratulate you," said Dr. Quinn when she held sticky singularity bomb in her rubber gloved hands. "Luckily it wasn't connected to any of your internal organs. I believe that it was due to the fact that Skarr didn't want to break an illusion of impregnation by performing a surgery of his own."
"I know it's hard for you," said Wolfram von Eschen comfortingly to Whitney who's blue eyes became full of pain. "I am also sure that you will meet a nice young man who is worthy of your love, unlike Skarr, and become a real mother one day. It happened even to me, except the parent part, and I have been living in seclusion for decades while you are young and attractive and among friends and probably are going to have a larger social life than I ever had if you are giving your life a chance and let that happen." Dr. von eschen kissed Whitney's forehead with all the tenderness he had under that rough and scratchy bark
Outside the tent there was a struggle on it's own. Sandy's shouts and shots and landshark noises and such, so asking Sandy to come to disarm the darn bomb wasn't even a slightest option now. Instead of that Dr. Quinn begun to close Whitney's operational wound and put the bomb on medical tray. She was determined to sew the wound even it was the last thing on Earth.
"How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb," muttered Dr. von Eschen absent-mindedly letting Whitney's pretty head gently to the pillow and taking the bomb into his hands.
"Be back soon," he added and rushed outside the tent as fast as his old legs could carry him. Seeing an opened mouth of the landshark Wolfram's mind begun to work in extended regime and gave him of short but logical commands. When we have a ball like object like singularity bomb and a basket like object like the mouth of the landshark, we can put those two things together and play a bit basketball. That is how Wolfram's mind worked at moment, so he rose his hands and tossed the singularity bomb into the throat of the landshark from a short distance, scoring two points. Then he grabbed Sandy's tan hand into his and pulled her into the tent, saying:
"Great job by keeping the shark at bay, Sandy-liebchen! We are done, so it's time to get the fuck out of here. Open the portal and get inside and we'll roll our patient in after you. No, I am not being just gallant but also reasonable, because you are the one who know how to operate those things, so you must be ready to close the door once we all, except the shark, are inside. Ready? Go! And let us hope that the bomb keeps ticking until Captain Hook appears to have a tête-à-tête with the Tic Toc Croc."
The landshark dug itself into the ground after swallowing the pill and only muffled explosion announced that the bomb was set off somewhere really deep. As a next thing the ground begun to dimple, predicting the birth of a new jungle valley. Despite the temptation Wolfram didn't want to witness that and as soon as Sandy entered the Dark Matter portal and Dr. Quinn followed her smart example, he pushed their wheeled operation table with Whitney out of the way of the trouble as well. His push was so strong that when Wolfram released his hands he lost his balance and fell to his stomach only few inches from the portal, yelling to Sandy and Dr. Quinn:
"Close the damn thing already! Or grab my hand and pull me in without leaving the ship and close the door after that if you haven't got enough of my charming personality which unfortunately has a sprained limb. Both options are acceptable!"
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Post by Atticus Batman on Aug 30, 2017 11:47:09 GMT
As all three Synths removed the offending chip, Yvette said with a grin as she snapped her chip in two, "No harm, no foul Lena. I can understand how it's hard to trust people you barely - "
Brooke angrily pushed her way through accidentally knocking Lady to the ground but grabbing Lena by her alabaster neck and hoisting her into the air and out of Marcel's grasp with one hand while brandishing her clawed other hand in a threatening manner as she growled, "Give me one good reason I shouldn't tear your heart out for what you did to me!"
Lena's feet dangled two feet off the ground as she desperately grasped at Brooke's strong hands with both of her's as her face turned red while she replied in a choking voice, "Would it *gulp* help if *wheeze* I said *gasp* I'm sorry?"
Seeing Lady hit the ground, my anger flared more and I instinctively grabbed one of my throwing knives. However just before the flick of my wrist that would have sent it into the back of Brooke's neck, Lady said, "S'okay Atticus. Accident."
Hearing Lady's voice, I stopped mid-action and put away the blade. Then I offered Lady a hand an helped her up. However I was still angry, so once Lady was back on her feet, I produced an electric ball of lightning in my hand and was about to turn and throw it and knock Brooke temporarily offline, when I looked her direction and realized Marcel had beaten me to it; in his own way, for she was on the ground with him resting a foot firmly on her throat, as he told her how he felt about the situation. Although I wasn't sure what he, Lena, or even Brooke had said up to this point. So what I heard, when I had finally turned my attention to them ready to hit Brooke with the electric ball, had she not already been on the ground, was:
"...As for this situation..." Marcel made a slight pause and measured everyone with his steely eyes before explaining:
"This unfortunate situation is nothing more than an example what might happen if someone tries to harm Lena. I know that it might have a negative impact to our possible business relations but threatening life of possible employer is not exactly a way to act during the job interview. Especially when Lena decided to trust you and gave you a chance to peacefully remove those chips, assuming that her trust is not betrayed by any of you. Instead of that you attacked her."
Marcel eased the pressure on Brooke's throat but did not hurry to remove his leg yet because he had something more to say:
"You should thank your luck that I acted first, because I am quite a reasonable man and I do not like unnecessary violence. But in my place right now could have been Monsieur Batman and as you can see, that man is already VERY angry and it is only a matter of time when his anger takes completely over. Then he needs only a slightest motive to reduce the Synth population of this planet by one lovely Mademoiselle Brooke with extreme prejudice and in most painful and messy manner and you, Mademoiselle, gave him that by pushing Madame Batman off your way. Compris? He would have probably regretted that afterwards and arranged extraordinary beautiful funeral to ease his conscious but now we managed to avoid that from happening. I probably saved your life, Mademoiselle, but I am not expecting any gratitude and understand completely if you are upset with me. People have their prejudices about me and Lena, no matter what we do, but we are above that attitude. I will remove my leg if you promise to behave and keep that promise, so we can discuss about our issues like mature people do. Does it not sound like a fair and balanced offer, Mademoiselle?"
As Brooke agreed and sprung to her feet, everybody turned my direction to see exactly what Marcel was hinting it. As they did so, they saw the angry ball of energy in the palm of my hand, as I angrily snapped, ENOUGH!"
Next I angrily threw the lightning ball up into the sky, where it safely exploded like a pretty blue firework.
Then I continued with, "Marcel is right about most of it. However if I did deem it your time to die, there would be NO funeral and definitely NO REGRET from me! Nobody is under anybody's control here anymore...so IF you lay a hand on Lady in an unfriendly manner again, you WILL regret it! Just as Marcel will make you regret it, if you touch Lena like that again! AM I CLEAR?!"
Just as Brooke and the other two Synth nodded in agreement, we all felt a distant rumbling travelling through the ground, and Attila looked around hastily as he asked, "Landshark, earthquake or...."
Hearing him, I snapped, "Let's NOT find out! Everybody on the shuttle, NOW!"
As soon as I said that, everybody quickly ran to the shuttle in silent agreement, with Apparition and myself following behind to make sure everybody got onboard safely. As I entered, I looked back at Apparition and he said politely, "Farewell my new friend. Perhaps we will meet again. Until then, I have a Lord and Queen of the Jungle to meet and offer my Guardianship services to."
I replied with, "As you wish, Apparition. Good journeys and may you find what you are looking for out there."
With that said, Apparition slammed the door shut, as I yelled up to our pilot Poe Dameron, "Dameron get us the hell out of here and back to the Vigilant!"
With that, the shuttle rose to the air, with Apparition flying up beside it. Then he flew a quick circle around it as he waved goodbye, before he descended back into the jungle to follow his own path wherever it may lead. After Apparition had departed our company, Poe turned the shuttle and we headed back to the Vigilant, with minimal conversation the whole trip back. Once Poe had gotten clearance to dock from the Bridge, he flew us in and docked the shuttle back in place. Then he said, "Commander Captain Yar, said you better report to the Dark Matter room immediately as something came up during your absence and Captain Bell may require your assistance there."
By that time, I had calmed down and my aura had returned to it's usual very feint blue. So I calmly replied to Poe with, "Tell her I am on my way."
Then I said to the others, "Attila take Brooke and Yvette to medical to get them checked out or to Haele's lab if Haele or Quinn thinks Haele can assess their medical needs better. The rest of you should take a breather while we have time."
Next I turned and headed to the Dark Matter room, with Lady of course following right behind me, whether I felt it safe for her or not. |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Aug 31, 2017 6:28:05 GMT
"I guess that arming ourselves to the teeth is going to be the easiest part of our mission," said Volodja Uljanov. "Skarr pays lot of attention to his personal safety and probably has provided himself with the equivalent of former Pontificia Cohors Helvetica aka Swiss guards of the Holy See which used to be one of the oldest military units still in service and only branch which of Swiss guards that was still allowed to serve foreign powers. They weren't only ceremonial guards in colourful uniforms, but had at least basic military training in Switzerland. Plus the constant training they had during their active service in Vatican because they had to be able protect Pope's life after all. One should never be careless when men in colourful costumes walk around. Take clowns, for example...Sorry about the lame joke, Erika. Just couldn't force myself not to make that comparison. Anyway...I also believe that Skarr's bodyguards are equipped with quality staff, suitable for the close quarters combat and that is exactly what we need. All we have to do is ambush one of the patrols who are probably make their circles in Skarr's basement."  Some time later Erika and Volodja followed Skarr's patrol from a delicate distance, waiting for a moment to take them out. The most suitable moment seemed to be when the patrol made a stop in front of one of prison cells, peeked through the looking glass and made some mocking remarks about the prisoner inside. Their laughter was abruptly cut when both Volodja and Erika put their palms of the guards mouths and dragged them into some hidden corner. "Let's look inside to find out what was so funny," said Volodja and peeked inside the cell after guards were tied, gagged and stripped from their weapons and ammunition. "Damn it. It's General Kima." After some through the door communication with their possible ally Erika and Volodja were informed that General Kima was arrested after explaining to Skarr that giving an oath to serve his country means serving the country and not Skarr's personal cause and replaced by one of Skarr's puppets while Kima was accused in treachery and locked into the cell to wait his public trial and execution because conviction was ready and only issue was staging the process in a way that everything looks legitimate and convincing. "We have an additional problem now," whispered Volodja to Erika after their conversation was over. "We need to get Kima out of his cell and reinstate him to his former position. This revolution is going to be more challenging than I expected." |
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Post by Lady Christianna on Sept 1, 2017 6:58:38 GMT
Lady Christianna's short legs rushed to keep up with Atticus Batman's long strides as they left the Vigilant's shuttle bay to go to the cargo hold where the Black Matter Portal was set up. Lady was determined to stick close to her husband for it seemed to her that every time she strayed from his side she got into trouble of some kind. Once they reached their destination they met Sandy Bell and Wolfram von Eschen; Dr. Micha Quinn having already left to take the Synth girl Whitney to the infirmary. Sandy informed Atticus Batman that all hands were now on deck from the surface except his sister Erika Widowmaker, Volodja Uljanov, and the Synth envoy Ruby. Sandy, needlessly in Lady's eyes, apologized profusely for leaving her post as the Vigilant's Captain, explaining the events that had occurred from when they had discovered the singularity bomb Skarr had put in Whitney's womb until Wolfram had bravely tossed the bomb into the Land Shark's gullet and Sandy pulled the old man back through the Black Matter Portal to the safety of the Vigilant telling him, "Leave no man behind." Lady however didn't hear the details of Sandy's briefing as her mind wandered back to the conversation that had transpired on the shuttle during the trip back to the Vigilant as Lady sat resting her white tousled head on her husband's massive shoulder as she quietly watched and listened to the others... "I'm just tired of people mucking around with my mind - Skarr, Lena, and even Father!" Brooke complained angrily to her Synth Sister Yvette as they sat across from Lady and Atticus, adding, "If Ruby wasn't missing, I think I might have just stayed in the jungle and lived the life of a wild hermit! I'm just so sick of people!" Yvette tossed her blond hair and forced a grin, "Surely you aren't tired of you sisters - of me." Seeing the hurt in Yvette's purple eyes, Brook then quickly answered, "Of course not! I love you and all my Synth sisters - we're family - just... sometimes... I just want to be alone... and be left alone." Brooke shifted her golden eyes to scowl at Lena Marr who sat on one side of Lady leaning on her lover Marcel Lestrange much like Lady leaned on Atticus. Lena however seemed to not see Brooke's piercing stare as her own sky blue eyes were downcast while she was deep in thought. Attila Constantine had found some clean but ill fitting coveralls in the Shuttle's overheads compartments before he took his seat next to the pilot, so at least the "diabolical duo" were now clothed. Lena was uncharacteristically silent since they boarded the shuttle. There was an odd look on Lena's face that Lady had never seen before. Lady couldn't tell what the look on Lena's face meant other than definitely not repentant for putting her "friendship chips" on Apparition, who they had left in the jungle as was his choice, and the two Synth Sisters. Suddenly Lady's white eyebrows shot high above her wide pink eyes as she realized what the look on Lena's face was: A look of confusion and introspection, both conditions usually foreign to Lena. Lady realized that Lena didn't have any inkling that what she had done was wrong; that forcing somebody to like you through artificial means was absolutely wrong! It was in that moment that Lady understood that the problem with Lena, or at least one of the problems for Lena had many, was the fact that Lena was incredibly lonely. Of course, Lena had Marcel as her lover but maybe, just maybe, that was all he was to her. Lady had no idea as to what their relationship was other than they shared a criminal partnership and had sex every second they could spare, but she wondered if they ever just talked like Lady and Atticus often did; although admittedly she would had to twist his arm initially to first speak about his feelings. Lady was not a big talker either but they always made time to discuss personal matters involving themselves and there children. Furthermore Lady had the other Protectors to talk to, especially Erika and Sandy and at one time her mentor Belle Starr. Lady missed her big sister but understood why Belle left to chase her destiny. But as to Lena, Lady felt guilty. Lena always claimed that Lady was Lena's BFF, but if that was so, Lady thought she was a bad one. In fact Lady liked Lena and enjoyed their times together, although if asked why she would have a hard time finding reasons - she just did. Those few times they were alone in a social setting, Lena would joke and Lady would giggle and they would speak of things only young girls do and would have a grand time together. Lady didn't know when their relationship changed from Lena trying to kill her to being Lena's BFF but it had. And now it was obvious to Lady that she had been a poor friend not to see how lonely Lena really was. At that moment in the shuttle Lady had vowed to become a better friend to Lena, beginning by reaching over and grabbing her hand giving it a quick squeeze of reassurance. That little gesture told Lena that Lady was there for her for the long haul no matter what Lena did, no matter what mistakes Lena made, and that made Lena smile - not her usual wicked smile, but a real smile backed by real feelings of friendship.  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Sept 1, 2017 11:36:41 GMT
Sandy informed me that all hands were now on deck from the surface except my sister Erika Widowmaker, Volodja Uljanov, and the Synth envoy Ruby. Sandy, needlessly in Lady's eyes, apologized profusely for leaving her post as the Vigilant's Captain, explaining the events that had occurred from when they had discovered the singularity bomb Skarr had put in Whitney's womb until Wolfram had bravely tossed the bomb into the Land Shark's gullet and Sandy pulled the old man back through the Black Matter Portal to the safety of the Vigilant telling him, "Leave no man behind."
I replied, "Yes, Marcel did mention briefly, something about Volodja falling through the same portal that Erika and Ruby were drug through. So I doubt we need to worry about him. Knowing your husband and my foolish friend, he has most likely already come up with some harebrained scheme to help Erika and Ruby while he is trapped behind enemy lines. Unintentionally becoming our 'Man on the inside' seems to be one of his many talents. One he is good at pulling off and, I must say, one I appreciate a lot more than most of those boring lectures of his. As for your decision to leave the ship with Wolfram and Quinn to help Whitney, there is nothing to forgive. Tasha Yar is more than capable of captaining the Vigilant or Kaj would never have appointed her as his first officer.
I picked you as my first for this mission for similar reasons. I know we have our differences but I agree that you made the right choice by leaving the Vigilant in Yar's capable hands, while you put your experience to great use where it was currently needed most. Besides it sounds like you were instrumental in protecting them and then getting them back before anything really bad happened to them. So quit apologizing. To do so when you did nothing wrong is a sign of weakness.
Now I suggest we go back to the Bridge and put those tactical talents of yours to use, coming up with a plan to help our loved ones. After my earlier discussion with Lord Lodja and Dee of the Jungle, it sounds like if we can find a way to disable Skarr's ability to control other Synths, then we can count on Lodja and his people to come to our aid if needed."
Then I turned to Wolfram and said, "Well Wolfram, do you regret leaving your office and joining us on our trip, after that little jungle adventure of yours?...By the way, I expended quite a bit of energy down in the jungle, and it seems that my flask got a hole in it down there, as it is sadly empty. So did you ever put those Irathient ingredients I gave you to good use, or do I need to stop by the Mess for another bottle of MY rum before going to the Bridge? "
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Post by Wolfram von Eschen on Sept 2, 2017 6:02:42 GMT
"In retrospective my actions were quite careless, but inevitable," admitted Wolfram von Eschen. "At least those which occurred OUTSIDE of our medical tent. And as our a posteriori analysis shows, they solved two problems with one effort..." Wolfram von Eschen made a slight pause in his conversation with Atticus but filled that pause with content, because he grabbed one of the crew members by his suit lapels and ordered: "Get my doctor's bag, boy. All my medicine is stored in there. You can keep one bottle for your trouble. And get my cane as well. Why I do see you here yet? One leg here another there. Catn't you see that I have a patient waiting. Rush, rush, rush!" And Wolfram pushed the crew member gently to the right direction. Then he continued with the explanation. "Where was I?...Jawohl! That part where I was about to describe killing two flies with one slap of the flyswatter. Sandy was the only one who knew how to disable the bomb, but her hands were full because she had to keep that landshark away from us. That created a classical dilemma where one had to choose between equally bad options. She couldn't leave the bomb for shark's and the shark for the bomb's sake because both of theme posed immediate threat to our lives. That's where I came in and proved that minus and minus equal plus just like in mathematics by throwing a bomb into shark's mouth, thus uniting those two threats and making them to neutralize each other. Just because I had spare hands, time and not enough common sense to hide my head under the sand. Sandy beat the crap out of that shark already and that made my task easier. After that her hands were free so she got us into the safety and saved my life. We couldn't pull that off without each other's help. Ah! There you are, you snail!" That last remark was meant for the crew member who stood there Wolfram's black bag in one and his redwood walking cane in other hand. Wolfram took his possessions and after short trip in his bag passed one of his schnapps bottles to the crew member. "Here you go, Herr Batman," said Wolfram after the crew member left to spend some time with the medicine he received. Saying that, Wolfram pulled out the bottle of colourful Iranthient schnapps and passed it to Atticus. "This intergalactic Kräuterlikör is distilled exclusively for your needs, Herr Batman. Contains those herbs and ingredients you once gave me. Even I haven't tried it yet because I needed an opinion of yours. OK. I lied! I tried it and liked it. I wouldn't dare to treat people with garbage. Happy customers are best customers and even might return into my humble shop. Especially when there is something to return for."  Wolfram leaned to his cane while awaiting reaction to his action - a bit worn out, tired, bruised but yet proud about his work because there still seemed to be enough land for...not old, but well preserved men, like him. |
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Post by Sandy Bell on Sept 2, 2017 9:43:50 GMT
"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." - Charles R. Swindoll***** Commander Atticus Batman said,"...I picked you as my first for this mission for similar reasons. I know we have our differences but I agree that you made the right choice by leaving the Vigilant in Yar's capable hands, while you put your experience to great use where it was currently needed most. Besides it sounds like you were instrumental in protecting them and then getting them back before anything really bad happened to them. So quit apologizing. To do so when you did nothing wrong is a sign of weakness." Sandy Bell winced at the last statement for she really did feel guilty that she had left her post that her superior officer had stationed her at even though she would do it again in the minute. Sandy was not the type of officer who would make her soldiers take risks to do a dangerous job that she wouldn't do especially if she was the best one for that job. As a frown graced her pretty tan face, Sandy's attention was drawn to Lady Christianna who stood slightly behind her husband who then shrugged dramatically and rolled her pink eyes at his statement about "weakness" obviously to make Sandy feel better about the comment. Lady flashed her classic Mona Lisa smile and Sandy smiled back at her as they exchanged wordlessly the shared belief that Atticus had a long way to go in learning how to give praise. Atticus continued "Now I suggest we go back to the Bridge and put those tactical talents of yours to use, coming up with a plan to help our loved ones. After my earlier discussion with Lord Lodja and Dee of the Jungle, it sounds like if we can find a way to disable Skarr's ability to control other Synths, then we can count on Lodja and his people to come to our aid if needed." "Yes sir," Said Sandy briskly giving a curt salute but wincing at having done so for the Protectors were not military or even paramilitary in nature but old habits are hard to break so she went on with her plan, "Synths seem to have a unique physiology when it comes to telepathic communication - kind of like the hive minds between a queen and her drones. I believe that's true even with our Synth Sisters who are advanced models. Somehow Skarr has waylaid the wave length, at least locally, from the Synth Sisters' Father who is like the queen in a beehive. If we can find the wavelength of that transmission of Skarr's that is blocking Father's, I think we can trace it to the device that is allowing Skarr to control the Synths in this area. Once on the Bridge, I'll brief the Constantine twins on the problem and maybe draft Lena too for the team and we'll work together on finding Skarr's transmission wavelength." Sandy started to turn to leave when she had a sudden uneasy thought so she added, "That said, we might want to order our Synth Sister friends to sit this mission out and quarantine them even though they seem resistant to Skarr's transmissions at the moment. As we get closer, they might find it harder or even impossible to resist it. Just a suggestion sir." True to her word, Sandy went back to the Vigilant's bridge resuming her post in the command chair as she gave orders to proceed to Capital City in the Votan Collective's borders. Telling the crew to be on their toes as they progressed to their destination, she turned to Atika and Attila Constantine and briefed them on the problem of Skarr's control of the Synths and her own theory as to how he was doing it. "Okay, we need to brainstorm the problem before we cross into Votan airspace so any idea no matter how absurd or unlikely will be welcomed," Sandy remarked, then added, "Speaking of absurd and unlikely, I'm going to ask Lena Marr to join us in this confab." ***** Lena Marr quietly hung on her lover Marcel Lestrange as they left the shuttle until she finally broke the silence saying in a small depressed voice to Marcel, "I'm going to go to the infirmary to get some of those blue pills of Doctor's Quinn's that make me feel better Pooh Bear. I'll meet you in our quarters... or you can come with me if you want, although I won't be very good company until I take my blue pills." Lena kissed her lover then stared long at him with unblinking sky blue eyes before saying defensively, "I really, really did think my friendship chips were a good idea but I guess they weren't although I don't know why. I mean, Belle Starr who founded these damn Protectors was always blabbing on and on about how good it was to make friends, so you think they would be applauding me instead of condemning me! I just don't get it," Lena shook her white tresses sadly but suddenly then jutted our her chalk white chin and said defiantly in a much stronger voice, "Anywho, I don't care what any of them think of me - except you Pooh Bear! I always care what you think!" Lena wasn't fooling anyone, not even herself, for she did care what the Protectors' thought of her, particularly Atticus and Lady, and somehow yet again she had failed to live up to their expectations and yet again she didn't know why. She walked oblivious to whether her true love accompanied her or not but her EGO psych Hope got Lena's feet to get her to the infirmary while trying to console her over the other more loud voices in Lena's head who basically advised Lena to just kill them all. Lena was too tired for that so when the nurse led her to a bed curtained off from other similar beds saying she would get the doctor, Lena mechanically followed her orders. While waiting, Lena had laid down on the bed and was just getting comfortable by finally fluffing the pillow until it felt just right under her head when she heard a weeping coming from the curtained bed next to her. Irritated at her peace being disturbed, Lena angrily got up and threw open the curtain between the beds but her anger quickly dissipated when she saw the pitiful sight on the bed next to her. The Synth girl Whitney lay in a fetal position crying white tears making her eyeliner run in uneven streaks, her elegant white battle dress replaced with an austere hospital gown. Feeling something she hardly ever felt - sympathy - Lena sat on Whitney's bed grabbing her pale hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze awkwardly mimicking how Lady had done grabbing hers earlier on the shuttle, then asked instinctively already knowing the answer, "Awwww, Whitney, Skarr again?" Whitney sat up on the bed next to Lena, nodding her pretty white haired head in assent then admitting in a weepy voice, "Skarr put a singularity bomb in my womb promising me it was his baby! Can you believe I fell for that? I'm such a fool Lena..." Although it made her feel uncomfortable, Lena forced herself to put her arm around Whitney's shoulders as Whitney began another weeping bout waiting for it to subside before replying, "Yeah, that sounds like Skarr although a bit of an overkill for ending a relationship if you ask me! Still... I've been where you are. Skarr used me, abused me, and threw me away too... but I survived for better days and you will too!" Whitney's ice blue eyes grew wide as she looked at Lena and the room became decidedly colder, "Do you really think so? Even though I know my heart is artificial, I can feel it breaking in my chest and it-hurts-so-much!" As Whitney began to sob again, Lena gave her a genuine hug and smile, surprising herself as she said in a comforting tone, "That's a very human reaction - Votan too - to having your trust betrayed, believe me! Men are always doing it to women who love them, yet we keep on going on to love the next man until we finally find the right one, like I found my Pooh Bear. Believe me, with your obvious attributes, the men will be beating each other up just to get near you." Whitney stopped crying again and the room became its normal temperature as she asked incredulously, "Really?" "Really!" Affirmed Lena, but her smile suddenly went wicked as an idea formulated in her mind and she said in a sweet voice,"Saaaaaay, I know a couple of nice guys who would absolutely worship you! Bert and Ernie work for Marcel and me in our business in Paradise and are really sweet if a bit dim but that can be a good thing in a relationship. I've been looking for a personal assistant sooooo... how bout you come back with me to the Bay Area when all this is over where you cannot only have a job but meet a couple of great guys!" Whitney rubbed the streaks of eyeliner off her face with a corner of the bed sheet as she thought about it then turned to Lena with a happy smile answering, "I think I'd like that! Of course, I'll need to talk it over with my sisters..." "Of course, take all the time you need! Marcel and I and our business will still be there as will be my offer! Promise!" Said Lena cheerfully. Then Lena heard Sandy Bell's voice in her EGO, "Lena. We need you on the bridge pronto for an important project. Remember you are still under contract." "Yeah, yeah, hold your hobby horses, I'm on my way," Answered Lena telepathically through her own EGO but thinking to herself, "No rest for the wicked!" ***** In the labyrinth under the Chancellor's Palace in the Votan Collective's Capital City, a cloaked Erika Widowmaker made her way in back of a second generation Synth officer twisting his head to face her and breaking the connections from his brain to his body thus ending his functions before he could give an alarm. She dragged the Synth body into the side room where her fellow Protector, Volodja Uljanov, was already armed and dressing in the uniform of the guards captured earlier. Erika quickly stripped her kill dressing in his officer's uniform and taking his weapons. As Erika examined the officer's quick blaster and disruptor rifle, she asked Volodja, "I know you would rather not kill the Synths under Skarr's control but he was an officer so I believe working for Skarr voluntarily. More importantly, he was carrying General Kimba's death order signed by Skarr himself and would have executed it I'm sure. I agree we need to rescue General Kimba now, Volo, but how? I'm following your lead, for you have the clearest head of the two of us. I'm afraid my concerns as to my son are fogging my judgement, so you should give the orders here."  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Sept 2, 2017 12:53:15 GMT
"Yes sir," Said Sandy briskly giving a curt salute but wincing at having done so for the Protectors were not military or even paramilitary in nature but old habits are hard to break so she went on with her plan, "Synths seem to have a unique physiology when it comes to telepathic communication - kind of like the hive minds between a queen and her drones. I believe that's true even with our Synth Sisters who are advanced models. Somehow Skarr has waylaid the wave length, at least locally, from the Synth Sisters' Father is like the queen in a beehive. If we can find the wavelength of that transmission of Skarr's that is blocking Father's, I think we can trace it to the device that is allowing Skarr to control the Synths in this area. Once on the Bridge, I'll brief the Constantine twins on the problem and maybe draft Lena too for the team and we'll work together on finding Skarr's transmission wavelength."
Sandy started to turn to leave when she had a sudden uneasy thought so she added, "That said, we might want to order our Synth Sister friends to sit this mission out and quarantine them even though they seem resistant to Skarr's transmissions at the moment. As we get closer, they might find it harder or even impossible to resist it. Just a suggestion sir."
I gave Sandy a 'relaxed' Irathient salute in return to her curt EMC salute out of a sign of respect, even though those who know me closely know how much I had grown to disdain several military customs due to my past experiences with both Earth and Votan militaries, and as such do not stand by such formalities. Even though I never try too much to dissuade them, as others do still respect them, as is their right.
Then I said, "Sandy I do know some about hive minds, since Grid are of a hive mind as well. When Kakusi was forced to join with me so long ago, it severed his link to the Grid hive. However after the Zhena Array accident merged our physiologies, I instinctively created my own connection with Kakusi and, after putting a piece of myself in Lady's locket, a connection with the little bit of myself that Lady carries around with her. Since that piece of me gave it's life-force to Lady, so I could bring her back from the singularity accident, Lady and I seem to have some sort of psychic connection of our own, as we do with the new piece I put in her locket, and ever since the twins were conceived, I have been able to sense their needs and wants as well. So all of what you said definitely makes a lot of sense. So your idea on severing Skarr's link is definitely a good one. However according to Kakusi just shutting off the link at once may cause severe feelings of loss and confusion, and possibly anger, in those who were connected to Skarr's hive mind for an extended period. Just as it did in Kakusi and the other Grid that were forced to go through the Votan experiment that we went through.
Speaking of which, Kakusi thinks it would be best if you and the others try to find a way to do it, in a way that instead makes them feel relief at losing that connection with Skarr.... You said you are considering recruiting Lena to help as well. She proved in the jungle that she has a knack for altering that signal so the Synth will feel happiness at switching to a hive mind of her own creation. So perhaps you can find a way to convince her to use those talents to make the synth feel relief at gaining freewill and being removed from Skarr's control. Provided you can get her to do so without pulling one of her tricks, that is.
That said, I agree that the Synth sisters should remain on the Vigilant until we are sure we have Skarr's link completely severed. So I will inform Yvette and Brooke before I rejoin you on the Bridge."
As Sandy left, Wolfram finally saw the opening to respond to what I had said to him. "In retrospective my actions were quite careless, but inevitable," admitted Wolfram von Eschen. "At least those which occurred OUTSIDE of our medical tent. And as our a posteriori analysis shows, they solved two problems with one effort..."
Wolfram von Eschen made a slight pause in his conversation with me but filled that pause with content, because he grabbed one of the crew members by his suit lapels and ordered:
"Get my doctor's bag, boy. All my medicine is stored in there. You can keep one bottle for your trouble. And get my cane as well. Why I do see you here yet? One leg here another there. Can't you see that I have a patient waiting. Rush, rush, rush!"
And Wolfram pushed the crew member gently to the right direction. Then he continued with the explanation.
"Where was I?...Jawohl! That part where I was about to describe killing two flies with one slap of the flyswatter. Sandy was the only one who knew how to disable the bomb, but her hands were full because she had to keep that landshark away from us. That created a classical dilemma where one had to choose between equally bad options. She couldn't leave the bomb for shark's and the shark for the bomb's sake because both of them posed immediate threat to our lives. That's where I came in and proved that minus and minus equal plus just like in mathematics by throwing a bomb into shark's mouth, thus uniting those two threats and making them to neutralize each other. Just because I had spare hands, time and not enough common sense to hide my head under the sand. Sandy beat the crap out of that shark already and that made my task easier. After that her hands were free so she got us into the safety and saved my life. We couldn't pull that off without each other's help. Ah! There you are, you snail!"
That last remark was meant for the crew member who stood there Wolfram's black bag in one and his redwood walking cane in other hand. Wolfram took his possessions and after short trip in his bag passed one of his schnapps bottles to the crew member.
"Here you go, Herr Batman," said Wolfram after the crew member left to spend some time with the medicine he received. Saying that, Wolfram pulled out the bottle of colourful Irathient schnapps and passed it to me.
"This intergalactic Kräuterlikör is distilled exclusively for your needs, Herr Batman. Contains those herbs and ingredients you once gave me. Even I haven't tried it yet because I needed an opinion of yours. OK. I lied! I tried it and liked it. I wouldn't dare to treat people with garbage. Happy customers are best customers and even might return into my humble shop. Especially when there is something to return for."
Wolfram leaned to his cane while awaiting reaction to his action - a bit worn out, tired, bruised but yet proud about his work because there still seemed to be enough land for...not old, but well preserved men, like him.
I took a sip and savored it for a second, then took a bigger drink before saying, "I forgot to warn you about the ditarra I left with you, so I was expecting to have to suggest you cut the ditarra down a little, if you are planning on drinking more of it or sharing it with others because I figured you probably don't know this, being a human doctor, but that plant is used to make a very hallucinogenic and somewhat addictive drug called Sabdi that is used in some Irathient rituals, and we wouldn't want to create more patients for you. However I must say that you managed to use just the right amount of it to enhance the flavor....and judging from the lack of any sort of hallucinogenic side effect, it seems Orion must have warned you in my stead...."
I then took a big swig of it, before continuing with, "Personally I think it needs a pinch more alcohol to further enhance the flavor. Other than that, it's great. I love the mixture of aromatic herbs and spice you used, but perhaps just a tiny bit more crushed Dinara petal would further tie the herbs and spices together and give it a little more vibrant color. Keeping that in mind, you can count me as a repeat customer. I think it would go great with some of my meals. Nothing will ever replace my rum, but it seems this is a close second. So it appears that I now have two different medicinal elixirs to choose from."
After Wolfram's response, I said to Lady, "Well Snow Angel, it looks like I am off to the infirmary to check on the Synth sisters and inform them that it would be best they stay here with their sister, Whitney, when we go to rescue our friends and family. Care to join me?"
After Lady gave her subtle agreement, I remarked to Wolfram, "Heading our way?"
After his response, I offered Lady my hand to hold, then we headed to the Infirmary to talk to Brooke and Yvette and see how Whitney was doing so far, given what Sandy said the young girl had been through.
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Post by Lady Christianna on Sept 3, 2017 9:49:47 GMT
As Atticus Batman asked Dr. Micha Quinn in the Vigilant's infirmary about the Synth Sisters' condition, Lady Christianna listened to her diagnosis, "There is nothing physically wrong with any of them that I can see, and their physiology is just like a human's only made with synthetic materials. Barring any physical mishaps, they could live five hundred years or more without needing any replacement organs - even longer with them. That said, Whitney is an emotional basket case although the visit from Ms. Marr seemed to have calmed her down quite a bit, and her sisters are now in there with her. All three seem very concerned for the safety of their missing sister, Ruby. Actually, Dr. Von Eschen would be of more use to them than me at this point."
At the mention of Lena Marr's name, Lady's white eyebrows shot up while her pink eyes grew wide in concern as the young Castithan hurriedly rapped on the patient's room door even entering before waiting for an answer then saying once she saw the startled looks on the Synth sisters' faces, "Whassup?"
Sitting in a padded chair with one shapely leg draped over the arm, Yvette tossed her blonde hair answering with a grin, "Evidently our usually logical, scientific and technical whiz of a sister has lost her mind!"
The Synth Sister Brooke had been nervously pacing back and forth with her arms folded tightly across her chest and her feline ears twitching when Lady came in added with a growl, "Whitney wants to go join Lena's gang after we rescue Ruby. Evidently she's not satisfied with making just one bad life shaking decision this week, she needs to make two!"
Unlike her two sisters who were dressed in their street clothes, Whitney was in a hospital gown sitting up in the bed. Probably the most beautiful of the four Synth Sisters with her long white hair pulled up in a pony tail, her satiny pale skin, and her striking ice blue eyes, she also seemed to be the most naive. Right now that pretty face was in a pout as she pointedly concentrated at filing her white painted fingernails with a nail file she had borrowed from the nurse.
"I know you all don't like Lena, but she was nice to me," Protested Whitney without looking up, "Plus she's an ex of Skarr's too, so understands why I fell in love with him which none of you do. Ruby is always telling us that sooner or later we all need to split our ways and see the world and that's just what I'm doing! Lena has given me the opportunity and I'm going to take it - at least once Ruby is safe!"
Lady frowned interjecting, "Lena is... complex. Be careful."
Whitney smiled brightly as she looked up at Lady saying, "Does that mean you approve! I knew you would being her friend and all! Don't worry, I'll be careful. I know it's a dangerous world out there but that's why I think its best to start out in it with friends like Lena and Marcel."
Before Lady could protest that that was not what she meant Yvette asked urgently, "Speaking of Ruby, when are we going to mount a mission to rescue her? I know she can handle herself, but none of us can contact her through the usual means and that concerns me," Then Yvette's grin grew bigger as an excited gleam appeared in her striking purple eyes as she added, "And frankly, I could use some action!"
Lady turned to Atticus who had entered the room, wondering what his response would be.
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Post by Atika Constantine on Sept 3, 2017 10:44:02 GMT
True to her word, Sandy went back to the Vigilant's bridge resuming her post in the command chair as she gave orders to proceed to Capital City in the Votan Collective's borders. Telling the crew to be on their toes as they progressed to their destination, she turned to Atika and Attila Constantine and briefed them on the problem of Skarr's control of the Synths and her own theory as to how he was doing it.
"Okay, we need to brainstorm the problem before we cross into Votan airspace so any idea no matter how absurd or unlikely will be welcomed," Sandy remarked, then added, "Speaking of absurd and unlikely, I'm going to ask Lena Marr to join us in this confab."
Attila responded with, "Well, if we can figure out the wavelength Skarr is using, then I can make a small device that would block his signal from reaching the user. I could make it to fit a bracelet or neckless or whatever you want. However it would only shield one Synth from Skarr's control. So I would have to make several. It wouldn't take long to make one for each of the Synth sisters once I have the right frequency, but more than half a dozen would take longer than I am guessing we have. However in the jungle, Lena made a chip that over-rode Skarr's signal and replaced it with her own. So perhaps we could use her design but instead of replacing Skarr's signal with another, we alter it so it bounces his signal back at him, and therefore allows those using our deflective jammers to retain their freewill."
Atika responded with, "Well Til's idea definitely sounds like a good way to protect a few of our friends. However we will still have to find a way to shut it down to help the others. So perhaps we could also put a frequency locater chip on the device after Lena and Til make one. Then if Skarr does try to contact one of the sisters, when his signal is bounced back to it's starting location, I would be able to trace it, no matter how many rerouting routines Skarr's program sends it through!
Then once we locate it, perhaps we could find a way to hijack it and transmit a signal of our own on his frequency that would be designed to take several minutes to reawaken the freewill of any Synths affected. By making the program do it slowly over a course of several minutes then....hopefully... that would keep them from suffering the feelings of loss and anger that you mentioned could be an issue, if it were done instantly. However that is just off the top of my head. However while you think about it, we will continue to brainstorm and then when Lena arrives we can fill her in and get her ideas as well."
As if on cue, Lena walked onto the Bridge, as Atika had mentioned the Castithan girl's name, in her last sentence.
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Post by Atticus Batman on Sept 3, 2017 12:08:52 GMT
After listening to Doctor Quinn, I went to see the Synth sisters, where I knew Lady Christianna had already gone to. As I got near the door, I heard, "I know you all don't like Lena, but she was nice to me," Protested Whitney without looking up, "Plus she's an ex of Skarr's too, so understands why I fell in love with him which none of you do. Ruby is always telling us that sooner or later we all need to split our ways and see the world and that's just what I'm doing! Lena has given me the opportunity and I'm going to take it - at least once Ruby is safe!"
Lady frowned interjecting, "Lena is... complex. Be careful."
Whitney smiled brightly as she looked up at Lady saying, "Does that mean you approve! I knew you would being her friend and all! Don't worry, I'll be careful. I know it's a dangerous world out there but that's why I think its best to start out in it with friends like Lena and Marcel."
Before Lady could protest that that was not what she meant Yvette asked urgently, "Speaking of Ruby, when are we going to mount a mission to rescue her? I know she can handle herself, but none of us can contact her through the usual means and that concerns me," Then Yvette's grin grew bigger as an excited gleam appeared in her striking purple eyes as she added, "And frankly, I could use some action!"
Lady turned to me, as I had chosen that moment to step out of the shadows and enter the room, wondering what my response would be.
As I entered the room, I said calmly to Yvette, "I know you are anxious to get into battle and I definitely respect that. I also get your need to go help your sister. Don't worry, we will save both of our sisters. However with Skarr's ability to control any Synth he can at will, it is not a good or safe idea for any of you to go with us. So it is best if all three of you are transferred to a comfortable room in Haele's lab where no foreign outside frequencies can reach instead, not only for the safety of the crew but your safety as well.
That said we have our best team working on a way to jam, or better yet destroy, Skarr's signal. Of course, if that happens before my team leaves, Yvette, then I do not see any reason not to take you and Brooke with us. However if it happens after my team has left on our rescue mission, but before our return, then I do not see any issue with the two of you being sent to provide us with additional backup. However it is best for Whitney if she remain on bed rest, until Doctor Quinn and Doctor Von Eschen both clear her for any sort of active duty."
Then I said, "Wait, let's back up. Did you say Whitney was about to make two mistakes? I must correct you on that. If she joins Marcel's and Lena's criminal empire, then she will make lots of mistakes from now on."
Next I turned and said to Whitney in a matter-of-fact tone, "With friends like Marcel and Lena, you don't need enemies. After all, they are usually only really nice if they are up to something bad. That would include killing anybody onboard if enough money was involved, or even for no other reason than Lena was just really bored and felt like it.
Whitney, I have learned it is indeed good to have friends. However you should never fully trust anybody, until they have proven they truly deserve that trust. Surely the despicable ways that Skarr used and abused your trust, should prove that. However, I was once on a more dangerous path in life than Lena, until a young stranger showed me an act of kindness and friendship just because she felt I was lonely and needed a friend....that same wonderful person is like a big sister to Lady and I have seen myself that she taught Lady that it is a good thing to show that type of compassion, if you truly possess it, which I do not. So perhaps Lena could use another friend, but it does not mean you should join her criminal empire just because you want to be her friend. If she truly wants to be your friend then she would do so, even if you choose not to join her business ventures..."
Then my aura started to darken slightly, as I said firmly, "What you do with your life, is your choice! I would prefer we all continue to be friends, however I will tell you the same thing that I have told Lena and Marcel! IF your choices or actions lead to hurting those I care about or have sworn to protect, then --- I WILL BECOME YOUR WORST NIGTMARE!!!"
After saying that, I saw the look Lady was giving me. So I took several deep breaths and focused solely on Lady's beautiful face for a few seconds to calm back down, as the poor girl I just threatened has already been through enough, without me terrifying her more.
Then I said calmly, in my normal gruff tone, to Whitney, "Look I didn't mean to scare you or raise my voice, it's just that I am very passionate about my family and their safety and well-being. I am sure all of you can understand that."
Then without looking at the door, because I knew this is usually where Volodja (who wasn't on the Vigilant at the moment) or Wolfram would enter and tell me to control my anger, I said, "Wouldn't you agree Doctor Von Eschen?"
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Sept 3, 2017 15:21:18 GMT
"Of course I would understand," was said with accented voice. But that accent was not German one but French and owner of that voice was Marcel.
"That is what I am about to do here, Mesdames et Messieurs. To protect my family. First rule in in advertising, commercialising and promoting your own product is - you must praise your own goods. Lena and I did not had chance to praise our little cosy company. Unfair - that is what I call it! Once again I had to come myself because I was haunted by a question.
I do not know why Protectors have to intervene when we are trying to hire someone really talented? We need good people just like any other company and as soon when we find suitable one, some Protector will jump out and tell how bad Lena and me are and that we are not capable of showing good will and so called higher traits of the human or Votan nature and working with us is a mistake. The unfairness! The cruelty! Do we not....mmm....something something...Merde!...Mais oui, bleed...when you prick us with something sharp?"
"If it wants to be reference Venetian merchant," muttered Wolfram von Eschen. "Then I have to add that Schylok was the main antagonist in that play." After all - Wolfram had quite a literature baggage. Especially he was known for his Goethe obsession but there was enough space for other authors as well in his heart and mind, so he recognized Shakespeare. Even in Marcel's interpretation. Wolfram wanted to correct him but held his horses because he decided that caution is the eldest child of wisdom because in edited form Marcel's line would have been more like: "Do THEY not bleed when Lena and Marcel prick them with some sharp and teethed object?"
"I heard that," stated Marcel. "But we deserve a fair chance to make friends and allies. For the sake of balance and fairness. We do not represent evil! We represent business. A profitable and adventurous business where every human, Votan or Synth is welcome to participate. With us you can you find pleasure and search the world for treasure and you can begin to make your dreams all come true when working with us. Unlike protectors, I do not want to bend your arms though, Mademoiselle Whitney. But I will have to say that our door is always open to you. Oui."
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Post by Sandy Bell on Sept 4, 2017 9:56:56 GMT
Sandy Bell listened to Atika Constantine suggest, "Well Til's idea definitely sounds like a good way to protect a few of our friends. However we will still have to find a way to shut it down to help the others. So perhaps we could also put a frequency locater chip on the device after Lena and Til make one. Then if Skarr does try to contact one of the sisters, when his signal is bounced back to it's starting location, I would be able to trace it, no matter how many rerouting routines Skarr's program sends it through! Then once we locate it, perhaps we could find a way to hijack it and transmit a signal of our own on his frequency that would be designed to take several minutes to reawaken the freewill of any Synths affected. By making the program do it slowly over a course of several minutes then....hopefully... that would keep them from suffering the feelings of loss and anger that you mentioned could be an issue, if it were done instantly. However that is just off the top of my head. However while you think about it, we will continue to brainstorm and then when Lena arrives we can fill her in and get her ideas as well." As if on cue, Lena Marr walked onto the Bridge, as Atika had mentioned the Castithan girl's name, in her last sentence. Sandy asked Atika to brief Lena on the discussion so far. As Atika did, Sandy's blue eyes narrowed as she thought back to an undergraduate term paper she had written in college back before the Pale wars in a class called "American History II." Lena put a chalk white forefinger to the corner of her lush lips and rolled her sky blue eyes heavenward for a few minutes as she thought about the problem before concluding, "Sure I can adapt the program I wrote for my Friendship Chip to send a feel-good vibe, but the way of transmission seems a bit cumbersome to me. Couldn't we fly this baby into space and nuke the Chancellor's Palace in Capital City safely from there? I'm sure you got one here some place. That would get wherever Skarr is hiding his mind-controlling transmitter and probably get Skarr too." Sandy scowled at Lena scolding her, "Way too much of an overkill! We have friends down there, including I think my husband and Atticus' sister. So no nukes!" Sandy stopped for a moment thinking before saying, "However... I do agree we need a strike team down on the ground to find and destroy Skarr's transmitter in the long run, but the question becomes how do we free the Synths under Skarr's mind control until we can get the job done. Hmmmm." Sandy grinned before lecturing like a university Professor, which she might have been if she hadn't felt the call of duty and joined the EMC during the Pale Wars,"Before the Votans arrived and long before I was born, there used to be a bloodless conflict for the hearts and minds of the people of Eastern Europe called the Cold War. The United States of American and the Soviet Union, the two superpowers at the time had very differing ideologies as to how government should operate, with the United States espousing Democratic values and the Soviet Union believing Communism was best." Sandy took a breath before continuing, "The Soviet Union was occupying Eastern Europe, but both countries were nuclear powers but didn't want to get into a nuclear war, so as I said, it became a war of words with each side trying to convince the world that they were right. Radio Free Europe or Radio Liberty was United States government-funded broadcasting organization that provided news, information, and analysis to countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East, where it claimed 'the free flow of information is either banned by government authorities or not fully developed.' During the Cold War, Radio Free Europe was broadcast to Soviet satellite countries and Radio Liberty targeted the Soviet Union. RFE was founded as an anti-communist propaganda source in 1949 by the National Committee for a Free Europe. RL was founded two years later and the two organizations merged in 1976. Communist governments frequently sent agents to infiltrate RFE's headquarters, but mostly radio transmissions into the Soviet Union were regularly jammed by the KGB, the Soviet Union's secret police." * As the two Irathiants and the Castithan looked perplexed at Sandy wondering why they were being lectured about ancient human history, Sandy was quick to explain, "The EMC sent similar propaganda transmissions to the Votans during the Pale Wars, and the Votan government blocked it regularly as well while they sent their propaganda to us and we blocked it - that is until we changed our transmissions wave lengths and they changed theirs, then the whole process would repeat again much like in the Cold War. However, satellites were used by the EMC as the best way to transmit our message and block theirs. The Vigilant is space worthy so we could do the same thing to Skarr from there. Lexxy could keep shifting the wave length of our blocking transmission to match whenever Skarr changed his and we could tack on our feel-good program as Lena called it to ours. What do you guys think?" Lena grinned wickedly as she rubbed her two palms together in expectation exclaiming, "Sounds like we're going to space like I said! YAY!" * Hats off and a hearty thank you to Wikipedia!  |
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