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Post by Atticus Batman on Sept 4, 2017 11:52:49 GMT
"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?"
As Marcel entered and started talking, I had placed my bottle of Irathient Kräuterlikör on a nightstand, before leaning against a wall, where I pulled out and started and started playing with one of my many knives. So when he made his remark about pricking him with sharp objects, without bothering to look his direction, I simply remarked, "Perhaps I should test that."
It sounded like one of the girls stifled a giggle at my one-liner but I wasn't sure because right at that moment, we finally heard the german voice I was expecting to interupt me, in the first place.
"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."
Brooke replied somewhat venomously, "Not if it means controlling people's minds!"
I put my knife away and replied, "It doesn't matter. Whitney will decide what she wants. Besides with the doctor-ordered bed-rest, she has plenty of time to think about what she wants to do."
Then I retrieved my bottle of 'medicinal' Kräuterlikör from the nightstand, as I said to Marcel, "Speaking of adventure, I think it's time for you and me to go to the Bridge to find out what the planning committee has figured out. So us men of action can put together a team, or if needed two, to implement that plan and go on our rescue mission. Then my favorite part: Terminate Skarr with EXTREME PREJUDICE!"
As I walked past Wolfram and Marcel, I said, "Wolfram since you are here to see the girls, you should know they are to be moved to the most comfortable quarantine room in Haele's lab, where they will be protected from any outside signals that are being broadcast to manipulate Synthetic brainwaves. So please help Doctor Quinn get them moved and settled in."
Then I headed towards the Bridge, knowing Lady would soon follow, and suspecting Marcel would soon follow as well, since I was sure Lena would already be on the Bridge as Sandy was determined to enlist her help in the 'brainstorming' process.
As I walked onto the Bridge, Lena grinned wickedly as she rubbed her two palms together in expectation exclaiming, "Sounds like we're going to space like I said! YAY!"
Attila replied with, "That sounds like a good way of interfering with the signal. However I still think we better do MY idea of making the half-dozen portable devices just in case we need the help of Yvette and her sisters before we permanently terminate the device. Besides it would be a good idea for the rescue team to take one with them for Ruby as she may be in the same building as Skarr's device!"
So I walked over to where they were, as I said, "Sounds like quite the interesting discussion. So perhaps you better fill us in Sandy. Then we can put together however many teams we need and decide which team is best suited where."
Then I once again removed my helm and secured it to my chest plate of armor. Once that was done, I opened my 'medicine' bottle, and took a hearty swig of it as I awaited Sandy's explanation of whatever plan, or plans, they had come up with.
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Sept 4, 2017 15:40:43 GMT
"Dear Mademoiselle Brooke," said Marcel and stroke his stache. "For the sake of clarity, I have to say that your sister was not under the influence the chip when Lena made her proposal and she accepted. No mind twisting there. All was fair and square. To show you that I do not hold a grudge, I will help this Boche to escort you into safety." Marcel was man of his word at least this time. He actually helped to deliver Whitney and her sisters to Haele's laboratory and only after that he headed to the bridge where he declared: "Congratulations! I believe that you just broke the world record by building an enormous tin foil hat. Thye biggest tin foil hat in the world. Have to admit that saying - "One size fits all" - became quite clear to me after I saw your protecting measures. All our dear Synth sisters fit in there and there was enough room for the Boche shrink as well. I know, since I helped them with logistics. All there is left to do is hope that this tin foil actually works."  In the other end of invisible line which connected Synth sisters to Skarr Erika Widowmaker and Volodja Uljanov inspected dead Synth officer and his heritage, including death warrant on General Kima. "Recipe for judicial murder," said Volodja. "In cases like this, trials are only formality, a modus operandi to fulfil the predestination. Oh my! (after reading the document). Can't believe that you committed everything what's written here! I will do anything possible to prevent that trial with determined results from happening. I'd like to begin with releasing Kima but unfortunately there isn't any cell keys among his possessions. We have to find some jail guards. They have keys for sure." The only key that officer had was used to open cell hatches, including Kima's. Probably for introducing Kima with his verdict. Volodja used the key to open Kima's hatch so they could talk with him without a need to shout through the door and attract unwanted attention. "Don't worry General," whispered Volodja once the hatch was open. "You can't leave anyway, so I will kindly ask to remain into your cell until we return. I believe that you are least of Skarr's problems right now. First he wants to find us, because..." "Because?" asked Erika somewhat impatiently. "Because he can't afford any rogues who might ruin his plans!" said synthetically modulated voice and another Synth stepped to the light and pointed his pistol to Erika and Volodja. "Put your weapons down and keep your hands where I can observe them!" Volodja and Erika switched glances and after reaching mutual understanding, they did what they were told to. After putting their guns to the floor and showing that their hands were empty Erika and Volodja begun to move with teeny tiny almost unnoticeable steps. Synth moved towards them. Erika and Volodja stepped backwards. Synth approached them slowly, probably suspecting that they might still attack Their movement wasn't exactly straightbackward one to tell the truth. Instead of that their feet draw a slight half moon to the floor until Synth's back was exactly in front of Kima's cell door and Erika and Volodja leaned theirs against the opposite wall. "Mind to give us a hand, General?" asked Volodja when he saw that Synth was exactly there where they wanted him to be. Kima didn't released a single noise but Erika and Volodja could see how pair of strong hands dashed out of the food hatch like couple of angry snakes, caught the Synth by his belt and pulled him against the cell door. "BLAM!" said the door metal when Synth's head hit it. "Clink!" said Synth's pistol after it's owner released it from his grasp. "Error," added the Synth guard and slid to the floor just like his pistol a mere moment ago. Now he was sitting in front of Kima's door and his neck was so temptingly close to the hatch so Kima's fingers were placed on Synth's throat and begun to strangle him. "Avoid the fatal error," suggested Volodja. "We might need this one alive. If he is connected to Skarr's Synth manipulation device, we could use him to track down it's location." |
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Post by Sandy Bell on Sept 5, 2017 21:04:39 GMT
"Conflict is drama, and how people deal with conflict shows you the kind of people they are. - Stephen Moyer
***** On the bridge of the Vigilant, Attila Constantine said, "That sounds like a good way of interfering with the signal. However I still think we better do MY idea of making the half-dozen portable devices just in case we need the help of Yvette and her sisters before we permanently terminate the device. Besides it would be a good idea for the rescue team to take one with them for Ruby as she may be in the same building as Skarr's device!" Captain Sandy Bell nodded assent to Atilla and said enthusiastically with a big grin, "Okay team, we got a plan, now make it happen! Remember, we're on a time clock and Commander Batman needs this ASAP!" Atticus Batman and Lady Constantine entered the bridge and walked over to where they were, as Atticus said, "Sounds like quite the interesting discussion. So perhaps you better fill us in Sandy. Then we can put together however many teams we need and decide which team is best suited where." Sandy briefed both Atticus and Lady on the plan, whereupon Lady gave her enigmatic smile and said in her minimalist way, "Awesome." As the Constantine twins left to work on the project, Lena Marr, the Batman couple, and Sandy watched them go until Lena noticed Sandy glaring at her with narrowed blue eyes and the grin was noticeably absent whereupon Lena looked to either side of her with wide unblinking sky blue eyes before pointing to herself with one chalk white forefinger asking incredulously, "Were you talking to me? I really can't tack on my feel-good program until they create your Skarr blocking program sooooo...I was planning on finding Marcel, getting some food maybe at the local diner, then find our room for a little session of in-and-out-if-you-know-what-I-mean! Doesn't ASAP mean Always Stop And Play?" Sandy was not amused and that was clear on her face as she explained, "No, ASAP means As Soon As Possible and really Lena, with your experience and intellect, you could really help the team developing what you called the Skarr blocking program. Besides, you're still under contract to help in any way in this mission, you don't want to forfeit your scrip, do you?" A pretty pout passed upon Lena's alabaster face as she grumbled, "No... I don't." Then she crossed her arms tightly against her ample bosom turning to follow the Constantine twins but saying over her shoulder, "You know being a slave driver is not an attractive trait for a new wife... unless maybe Volo like the whip and tight leathers!" ***** "Avoid the fatal error," suggested Volodja Uljanov. "We might need this one alive. If he is connected to Skarr's Synth manipulation device, we could use him to track down it's location." "Unless he is a Skarr loyalist," Warned Erika Widowmaker aiming her quick blaster at the hapless captured Synth guard, "Then he will not only be dead weight but also put us in danger in that he might try to warn Skarr. Better to eliminate him sooner then later!" Her jade eyes flashing, Erika grabbed the Synth lifting him off the ground and into the air with one hand showing her great strength as her other hand held her handgun under his chin asking, a sneer on her scarred red clay colored face, "Tell me where Chancellor Cael is and I might let you live Skarr lackey! Lie and I'll show you an Irathient mother's wrath!"  
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Post by Atticus Batman on Sept 6, 2017 11:10:20 GMT
Sandy briefed both Lady and myself on the plan, whereupon Lady gave her enigmatic smile and said in her minimalist way, "Awesome."
I replied with, "Well at least we have a plan of sorts. However the sooner we can put a team together to go find Erika, Cael, Volodja and Ruby, the better. I am so ready to get my hands on Skarr!"
As the Constantine twins left to work on the project, Lena Marr, the Batman couple, and Sandy watched them go until Lena noticed Sandy glaring at her with narrowed blue eyes and the grin was noticeably absent whereupon Lena looked to either side of her with wide unblinking sky blue eyes before pointing to herself with one chalk white forefinger asking incredulously, "Were you talking to me? I really can't tack on my feel-good program until they create your Skarr blocking program sooooo...I was planning on finding Marcel, getting some food maybe at the local diner, then find our room for a little session of in-and-out-if-you-know-what-I-mean! Doesn't ASAP mean Always Stop And Play?"
Sandy was not amused and that was clear on her face as she explained, "No, ASAP means As Soon As Possible and really Lena, with your experience and intellect, you could really help the team developing what you called the Skarr blocking program. Besides, you're still under contract to help in any way in this mission, you don't want to forfeit your scrip, do you?"
A pretty pout passed upon Lena's alabaster face as she grumbled, "No... I don't." Then she crossed her arms tightly against her ample bosom turning to follow the Constantine twins but saying over her shoulder, "You know being a slave driver is not an attractive trait for a new wife... unless maybe Volo like the whip and tight leathers!"
As Lena walked off, I looked at Sandy and remarked, "Don't answer that. There are just some things even I do NOT want to know."
Not long after, Marcel entered the bridge where he declared:
"Congratulations! I believe that you just broke the world record by building an enormous tin foil hat. The biggest tin foil hat in the world. Have to admit that saying - "One size fits all" - became quite clear to me after I saw your protecting measures. All our dear Synth sisters fit in there and there was enough room for the Boche shrink as well. I know, since I helped them with logistics. All there is left to do is hope that this tin foil actually works."
I said, "That lab and it's quarantine rooms were built specifically to keep all signals from entering or exiting them. I have seen the old documentation on that. Hell I believe Sandy can attest to that personally. Of course if a signal does somehow get through and Skarr regains control of the Synth sisters, then Lexy activates the emergency lockdown, and immediately notifies a security team to go investigate the lab. If that happens, the Boche psycho-babbling brewer knows that he better get his ass out of that quarantine chamber BEFORE that door seals shut. That is provided his stubborn old ass doesn't decide that he would rather be sealed in with three beautiful young women...He is German after all."
I then turned to Sandy and said, "Now back to our discussion. When the time comes, I will of course lead one team. If we need a second team, then you will lead it. If it does call for two teams, then once we have decided what each team needs to accomplish, we will assign people to the teams accordingly."
Upon leaving the Bridge, the Constantine twins headed to Engineering. Once there, the went to an unused work station, where Atika accessed a computer terminal and started trying to figure out the best way to design the program in question. While she was working on it, Attila went and gathered a huge box of materials that he thought he would need for his portable devices. Once he had placed the box of materials at the work station, he went and retrieved all the tools he would need. Then he began his tinkering and making of the first device.
While that was happening, Lena walked into the room, and Atika glanced over at her. Then Atika smiled in her usual friendly manner as she said, "Miss Marr, glad to see you! I may be able to read and comprehend these computer languages, but that does not mean I am skilled enough to make as complex of a program as Captain Bell wants, as quickly as she wants it!...That is unless you are willing to help. Sooo...Would you please come help me?!"
After a little time had passed, Attila finished tinkering on and making, not one but, two devices. Then he made and modified both a necklace and a ring to securely hold one of the small devices, and conceal it in a way that it would just look like a gemstone. Next he securely attached one to the ring, and one to the bracelet.
Once he had finished that, he said over his shoulder, "Alright ladies, I have two small devices made. Now I just need to make a few more while you two finish the programs. So you can install your works into my first two devices, whenever you are ready."
Then he picked them up, holding the ring in one hand and the bracelet in the other, as he turned towards Lena and Atika to show them his designs, as he added, "I think, I did a good job at concealing the devices as stones...So what do you two think? Ring or Bracelet?"
Atika responded with, "Ooh both are pretty. So if both work the same and take the same time to make, then I suppose it would probably be up to the wearer's preference."
 
(For those that are interested, the jewelry in the pics really is 'smart' jewelry.) |
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Sept 7, 2017 5:22:51 GMT
"We are lucky that Boche didn't heard that diagnosis," said Marcel with devilish grin. "As long as I am aware, that Boche does not consider himself sex obsessed German or Austrian. He always claims that he is Lichtenstenian when I have pointed out the German connection. And he is not Freudian as well. At least he says that himself. So I assume that if he hears something like that, he will probably is going to try to use his cane on you at one point, so perhaps being sealed off is the best option for him. That would keep him away from causing trouble. I am not sure about that other part under the tin foil hat, though. As I said, he is not psychoanalyst and does not reduce everything to suppressed sexual urges. In matter of fact he is an antipsychoanalyst and practices sex himself as long as well all know. Unlike that self restricting Volodja Uljanov, the Boche knows what is good for his health. Especially to his prostate. And Wolfram's habits might lead into..." Marcel grinned again, constructed a circle with the help of his left palm, put his straight right hand pointing finger through it and moved it forth and back to illustrate his point.  Marcel's grin widened and he continued with hollow tone as he was narrating an x category horror movie a la "Attack of the Bath Sponges": "You know how those health maniacs are. After decades of letting himself go, the freshly converted become fanatics and decide to catch up with everything they missed and improve their health no matter what, so no wonder if that Boche is going to take cleaning his pipes verrrrry serrrrriously. Perhaps you should have left him behind when you had a chance but it is not too late to avoid the doooooom and get rid of him right now when the airlock is still functional." |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Sept 7, 2017 9:12:34 GMT
"Err..." said Synth. Then his eyes became more lively and he told: "Dearest Erika. I was sure that I managed to get rid of that nuisance, Cael. But now you are telling me that he is alive. I could tell that you are denying the obvious, but I have learned to be careful and avoid wishful thinking. Assuming he is alive, I have no other choice than finishing the job. Thank you for the warning Erika. As a sign of my gratitude, I will kill you first because you shouldn't live in misery due to the knowledge that you betrayed your own son. If you want to kill this Synth, then go ahead. I have more slaves and losing one is a small price for letting you channel your negative emotions and face your demise with somewhat calmed mind. As for you, Mr. Uljanov...You are a real pain in bottom and you cost me my interrogation specialist...Twice!"
"Pain in bottom?" asked Volodja innocently. "In that spider bottom of yours? I guess that poke with the lamp might caused pain indeed. Not to mention humiliation. You want to kill me that world wouldn't hear anything about that episode. Reasonable."
"I will skin you alive, maggot!" snapped Synth. "And the world probably thanks me for that, you nauseatingly annoying piece of human filth!"
"Can you be more careful with words?" asked Volodja, wiping demonstratively his eye. Less "F"-s and "T"-s, if you don't mind. At least until you have worked on your diction. Are you interested of speech lessons? Repeat after me: "And I can't stand him!" Remember, round tones and less spitting. Spitting was one of many reasons which broke Clark and Lewis act apart."
"I don't know who they were but I'll make sure that you will be beheaded and spit down on your throat after that, nuisance," hissed Synth. "How do like that kind of break? Anyway, I am done with talking. Let my servant go or kill him. It won't change the outcome because you are doomed! Doomed!"
Synth's eyes turned less lively again and Volodja dared to whisper: "Sophie tracked the signal. Skarr is hiding in his personal panic room, gives orders to his troops from there and we can't get in. Too secured. But I might have an idea how to smoke him out."
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Post by Erika Widowmaker on Sept 8, 2017 0:02:47 GMT
"Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress." - Mahatma Gandhi***** When Erika Widowmaker tied up and gagged their Synth prisoner a slight smile crossed her scarred red clay colored faced, glancing at Volodja Uljanov with a sparkle of amusement in her jade green eyes as she commented, "I have learned from my brother that it sometimes pays to play the berserker! While Skarr thought he was gaining important intelligence from me, I in fact gained important intelligence from him. Our interactions with the Synth Sisters proved they could be both communication receivers as well as transmitters, so I suspected Skarr would take advantage of his mentally controlled Synths. I now know that he does not have Cael prisoner in the dungeons here and hasn't a clue where he is or he would have killed him already. During the years I was the Directer of National Security for the Votan Collective, I learned a trick or two! As you humans say now I can breathe a sigh of relief and concentrate on the job at hand." Erika holstered her quickblaster and unshouldered her disrupter rifle liking it's heavier heft and knowing it had a greater firing power as her her smile widened while saying, "Volo, you know I prefer the direct approach in battle, but I have learned over the years that subterfuge may sometimes be more effective. Let us discuss your plan away from prying Synth ears." ***** On the Vigilant, Atticus Batman turned to Sandy and said, "Now back to our discussion. When the time comes, I will of course lead one team. If we need a second team, then you will lead it. If it does call for two teams, then once we have decided what each team needs to accomplish, we will assign people to the teams accordingly." Captain Sandy Bell frowned her blue eyes narrowing before saying passionately, "Sir, I know your mind is probably already made up on this, but I would be remiss if I didn't point out that the Protectors need their Commander here on the command deck. You are too important to be out on the field, for if the improbable happened and you were killed, your soldiers would have not only suffered the loss of an able leader but also the heroic icon of the Protectors, which might shatter their morale thus losing not only the battle but the war with Skarr. There is no need for you to take point on this, I could do it as could Officer Yar, and if either of us were - God forbid - killed in the battle, you would be in place to continue the war." Knowing her husband well, Lady Christianna sighed shaking her white tousled head slowly as she whispering under her breath, "Not going to listen..." ***** Lena Marr walked into the workroom, and Atika Constantine glanced over at her, then smiled in her usual friendly manner as she said, "Miss Marr, glad to see you! I may be able to read and comprehend these computer languages, but that does not mean I am skilled enough to make as complex of a program as Captain Bell wants, as quickly as she wants it!...That is unless you are willing to help. Sooo...Would you please come help me?!" Lena rolled her long lashed sky blue eyes as if to say, "Why me Lord," then said in an exasperated tone, "If I must... Gods, save me from amateurs!" However before Atika could respond, Attila Constantine said over his shoulder, "Alright ladies, I have two small devices made. Now I just need to make a few more while you two finish the programs. So you can install your works into my first two devices, whenever you are ready." Then he picked them up, holding the ring in one hand and the bracelet in the other, as he turned towards Lena and Atika to show them his designs, as he added, "I think, I did a good job at concealing the devices as stones...So what do you two think? Ring or Bracelet?" Atika responded with, "Ooh both are pretty. So if both work the same and take the same time to make, then I suppose it would probably be up to the wearer's preference." Lena reached a chalk white hand between the Constantine twins picking up the ring and examining it with a watchmaker's loupe before admitting, "Actually... the work you did is pretty neat and the miniaturization is superb! Maybe you ain't so wet behind the ears!" Lena turned to Atika exclaiming enthusiastically with a wicked grin, "If your work is half as good as your brother's, we should be able to whip out this Scum-blocking program in no time then I can tack on my feel-good program and we'll be ready for action, easy-peasey!" That said, Lena immediately stood at a computer console typing away as her sky blue eyes narrowed in concentration and her pink tongue peeked out of the corner of her mouth through lush alabaster lips totally absorbed in the programming challenge.  
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Post by Atticus Batman on Sept 8, 2017 11:48:46 GMT
Captain Sandy Bell frowned her blue eyes narrowing before saying passionately, "Sir, I know your mind is probably already made up on this, but I would be remiss if I didn't point out that the Protectors need their Commander here on the command deck. You are too important to be out on the field, for if the improbable happened and you were killed, your soldiers would have not only suffered the loss of an able leader but also the heroic icon of the Protectors, which might shatter their morale thus losing not only the battle but the war with Skarr. There is no need for you to take point on this, I could do it as could Officer Yar, and if either of us were - God forbid - killed in the battle, you would be in place to continue the war."
Knowing her husband well, Lady Christianna sighed shaking her white tousled head slowly as she whispering under her breath, "Not going to listen..."
As my aura started to darken, and my eyes turned to a dark blue with my incoming bout of anger, I snapped, "You are just saying that because you want to be the one to save Volodja! However we both know I am NO hero! I am just a monster doing what has to be done! So shut up, stand back and let me daking do it for once!!!"
Then after I took a few seconds to fight off my current bought of anger before I could lose control, I sighed heavily, before continuing with, "....Ugh...FINE!!! If you really want to be the one that leads the team to infiltrate the base and get our people out, then so be it! However Marcel goes with you!! I know he will kill Skarr, if I am not there to do it, while you may not!!! That's the stipulation!!! Either I lead the team to rescue everyone and terminate Skarr with extreme prejudice, or you lead it, but Marcel goes in my place to make sure Skarr's termination is completed!!!"
I glanced over at Marcel and said, "You heard me, so get prepared...and make sure there is nothing left of him to be brought back to life this time!!! If you have your EGO send me live video-proof of his extermination so that I know he was terminated with extreme prejudice, then I will give you a kill-shot bonus...and remember I WILL know if the footage was doctored!!!"
Then I turned back to Sandy, and added, "True, if your plans for disabling or blocking Skarr's signal works, then you are right that we will only need one team to go in. However I am NOT just going to sit up here and be useless! So if you are leading the rescue team, then I will set up a little surprise of my own for Skarr. If the Constantines and Lena can do what you planned; Then while you lead the rescue team, with Marcel going along to carry out Skarr's termination; Tar will stay here to command the Vigilant, while Lady and I will go to locate Lord Lodja, and if the Constantines do have some working portable-Synth-control-jammers built, then Lady and I will take Brooke and Yvette as backup.
Then once my four-person team re-locates them; based on the locater signal Lodja gave me to find him; I can help Lodja, Dee, and Apparition setup a little army and we will supply them with some weapons if needed. That way, once you notify me that Skarr's synth-control has been terminated, I can have Lodja send a rebel attack on the main gate as a diversion to help take some of the heat off your team. Once that attack has been set in motion...then I will return to the Vigilant, and wait for word on whether you succeeded or need me to go in and pull your daking asses out of the fire!"
Lena reached a chalk white hand between the Constantine twins picking up the ring and examining it with a watchmaker's loupe before admitting, "Actually... the work you did is pretty neat and the miniaturization is superb! Maybe you ain't so wet behind the ears!" Lena turned to Atika exclaiming enthusiastically with a wicked grin, "If your work is half as good as your brother's, we should be able to whip out this Scum-blocking program in no time then I can tack on my feel-good program and we'll be ready for action, easy-peasey!"
Atika huffed, "My work will be just fine thank you! However this programing calls for stuff that I could NOT learn from the books I have found and read! However if you really are an expert, then you should be able to modify whatever Scum-blocking program I come up with, so it works perfectly with the program that you are working on!"
Lena rolled her eyes and smirked at the Irathient, that she had just riled up, and simply replied, "Challenge accepted!!!"
That said, Lena immediately stood at a computer console typing away as her sky blue eyes narrowed in concentration and her pink tongue peeked out of the corner of her mouth through lush alabaster lips totally absorbed in the programming challenge.
Once Lena had accepted the implied challenge and started her work, Atika pushed her gray braids back out of her face, then turned back to her own computer terminal and went back to working on her portion of the programming.
As Attila listened to the interplay between the two women, he bit his lip to keep from chuckling when he realized that Lena purposely riled up Atika, so that his sister would focus on making the program as perfect as she could; if for no reason other than to prove to Lena that she really is a great programmer, despite being young and inexperienced at it. After he silently reveled in the knowledge that Lena gave his sister the push that she obviously needed, while also riling her up, he then went back to his own work.
 
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Sept 8, 2017 13:53:54 GMT
"I think that best place to discuss that plan will be the communication centre, because that plan of mine includes some broadcasting," said Volodja Uljanov. "I am sure that Skarr is able to hear anything in his panic room because he likes to hold his fingers on the pulse of life The only thing Skarr loves equally to his person is power and when he is convinced that he is lost it, he will exit his shelter to claim it back. Or save his hide. That leads us to the plan - I am going to give him a spectacle in the spirit of Orson Welles's infamous radio drama "The War of the Worlds" which was an adaptation of H. G. Wells' novel with the same name. It allegedly caused mass panic, although the scale of the panic is disputed since the program had relatively few listeners. We have an advantage because we need to sell that thing to our one and only listener - Skarr." Volodja looked into Erika's somewhat confused jade eyes and told: "You probably wonder why the heck he would buy it? Calm and normal Skarr probably wouldn't. But we don't deal with calm and normal Skarr any more. From our conversation I conclude that Skarr is pissed off and that affects his judgement abilities. And thus enables us to convince him that his power is threatened by the piece of human filth, as he called me not so long ago. Quite a degradation for uptight Skarr when human takes candy away from him. Shall we try it?" Erika nodded, although she still had doubts about success, but Volodja's idea was the only thing they had in that moment and she decided that they could give it a try. What harm it could do anyway? After sneaking past guards and surveillance systems and other precautions they were in Skarr's communication room where Volodja sat in front of the microphone and after coughing couple of times, he begun his speech: "Honourable Votans! I have a somewhat grave announcement to make. Chancellor Skarr had to abandon his post. Since that self proclaimed chancellor was sort of hurrying, he didn't had any time to name his successor, so heavy heartedly, I occupied that vacant position..." And so on. And so on. Volodja sprinkled his speech with pathos and mentioned "principles" and "new winds" and promised amnesty to political prisoners arrested by Skarr's orders and such. Volodja got carried away as it sometimes happens with orators and only when Erika pulled his shoulder, he woke up and saw peculiar expression on her face. "Volo! There are bunch of people to see you," said Erika. "Your speech went viral! Someone delivered all over the City all the time." Erika couldn't continue because the door of communication centre pushed open and Votans of every age, size, shape and position rushed into the room. There were senators and soldiers in palace guard uniforms, ordinary soldiers and officials. Large masses hadn't an access to the palace so they weren't represented though. In the lead of the crowd seemed to be General Kima who was obviously liberated from his cell by united forces of his men and those palace guards who weren't under Skarr's influence. Now he stepped closer in most determined manner and stopped only after reaching in front of Volodja. "I assume that you came to arrest me for usurping the power," said Volodja Uljanov. "Quite opposite," said General Kima and...saluted him. "We came to support the new chancellor - you! As soon the word spread, my loyal men came to liberate me and informed me about the coup and your speech. Remember that I told you that I serve my country not someone's personal ambitions. I decided that I can serve my country best during your chancellorship." "But...but...but I am not even Votan. I know that there were cases in the history of Earth where someone from a different country or at least some distant province came and claimed the position of the head of some huge state but they were at least same species." "I'd rather serve the human chancellor than Skarr," said an old Castithan senator. "You are outsider but Favi Widowmaker and General Kima know you and nobody can say that you are somebody's marionette because you come outside our system and we all stand behind you." "You mean that I am suitable to fulfil the vacuum of power?" asked Volodja. "But I don't want that power. I don't need that power. I know that seizing power might lead into totalitarianism. I am happy to resign right away! All I wanted to do was luring Skarr out by pretending to seize his throne." "Even better!" said another senator. Irathient one. "Man who doesn't want the power and knows where it might lead to. Total opposite of Skarr. But you have to remain to that position now, because..." "Because at moment my crazy stunt made you all to march under the same banner despite of your usual dissensions. Once we have subverted Skarr completely, you can resume your usual routine. Until that you need that banner and since the rightful chancellor Cael is not here right now then I have to be that banner." "Young man seems to have some experience in politics," said old Castithan. "Don't worry. As soon as Cael returns, you can resign. Or until free elections are over. It takes a week at most. Or a month. Or a year." Volodja felt that he was trapped. If it was about escaping from custody after unsuccessful attempt to seize the power, he would plan his escape and execute his plan, but now he couldn't do that. Escaping would mean betraying hopes of all those people who decided to fight against Skarr. Volodja's plan backfired in unexpected way and now he had to accept the who-know-how-long-lasting position of the Chancellor of Votanis Collective. It was too late for him to shout: "Io Saturnalia!" He had to stay and play along. "We must find Cael soon. Or I have lead a revolt against Skarr and his lackeys first and Votanis Collective later," he whispered to Erika. "First I am willing to do if it helps your people to get rid of the dictator, but the latter...I am an adventurer, not an adventurist. And I still haven't had my honeymoon with my wife." Erika whispered something back to Volodja's ear making him grin. Then he said decisively: "I think that I found another reason to resign and break the world record of being the shortest term in office in the history of Votanis Collective. The long tradition of...hatred aginst humans which Votanis Collective based their historical identity. We can't allow this state fell into the chaos of civil war, do we? Thus I resign immediately and offer this post to Erika Widowmaker who reminded me that important aspect. The world record is set, but I am sure that next chancellor won't endanger that any time soon. Your decision to show Skarr his proper place was carried out by your emotions, not the rational thinking and I am glad that chalice will be passed onward. But I'll do everything I can, that my successor doesn't have to drink it's bitter contents alone." Volodja smiled again and sighed from relief. After beating William Henry Harrison's office record by a month he was a knight-errant once again. |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Sept 10, 2017 11:32:07 GMT
After Sandy reluctantly agreed to my decision to go meet with Lodja and my stipulations for her team, requiring that Marcel go to ensure that Skarr dies, I said, "Sandy, I think it's best if Dameron be your team's pilot. I will pilot my team's shuttle, and take two security officers to guard the shuttle when we leave it, to go find Lodja and his people. So I will go prep a shuttle, my team's gear, have a crate of spare weapons delivered to my assigned shuttle, and then get myself some nourishment, as I do not think my 'medicinal tonics' are quite enough at the moment. So you and Tar have the Bridge. Just notify me when Lena and the Constantines have some of those portable devices ready, so I can go inform Yvette and Brooke that I need them to join me. Then notify me again, when it is time for my team to depart on our part of the mission."
Sandy gave her agreement, then I left the Bridge with Lady quickly catching up to me and gently taking my hand. I glanced down at her and she gave me her patented smile, so I smiled back. Then we headed to the main armory. Once there I informed the quartermaster, Mahoney, that I needed a couple of crates of weaponry delivered to the main hangar and put on the shuttle assigned to my away team A.S.A.P.
After that was done, Lady and I left the armory and continued on to the main hanger. Once there, I had the flight team assign a shuttle to my away team. Then Lady and I entered it. Once onboard she happily sat in the co-pilot's seat to keep me company while I made sure everything met my standards.
When I was certain I had the shuttle prepped for when my team would need it, Lady and I left the shuttle. As we did, Mahoney's team arrived with some crates of weapons. So I opened the crates and examined the weapons to make sure they were up to my usual exacting standards. Then I had them load the crates into my team's shuttle. After that was done, Lady and I left the hangar. then we my Commander's armory so I could do any repair or maintenance that Lady's and my gear would need.
As I always make sure our gear is up to my exacting standards, it didn't take long. However when I was done with them, I was about to tweak my pistol, when Lady said knowingly, "Not necessary, know it's just stress relief."
I looked at her, then the gun on the workbench, then back at her as I said, "Hmm, you know me so well my Snow Angel."
She then smiled, as she picked up my pistol and slid it back into my sidearm holster. Then she winked as she said, "Get food, then 'special' stress relief."
I nodded in agreement, so she grabbed my hand and guided us to the Mess Hall. Once there I ordered a huge tomahawk-cut blue steak, while Lady ordered something more to her liking. We just sat there and enjoyed each other's company until our food came. Then we ate it. After it was done and we had just sat and relaxed for a few minutes, Lady took my hand as she stood up. So I smartly stood and went with her. She led the way to our private quarters, where she immediately shut and locked the door behind us. Once that was done, she unfastened my weapons and placed them by the bed. Then she unfastened my chest armor and lowered it to the floor. she then proceeded to do the same with the rest of my armor. Once that was done, Lady kissed me as she pushed me gently against our bed.
Loving where I was certain this was going, I re-absorbed my Grid-jumpsuit into my skin, as I sat on the bed. As I sat down, Lady slowly and teasingly stripped, making sure I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Once she was completely naked, She smiled as she lowered herself to her knees between my legs. Then proceeded to begin giving me an amazing blowjob to work me up. However she stopped before I could cum and let me calm before building me up again. Once she was certain she had me worked up enough she finally gave me the relief I needed.
After the amazing blowjob, she stood up and kissed me as she rubbed her wonderful little body against my own huge body. Then she climbed into bed. Once she was comfortable, I turn and began kissing her. After we made out for a little while I worked my way down, stopping to worship every part of her body for a little while on my way down to her feet. After reaching her feet, I slowly worked my way up. This time I stopped and her crotch where I began to gently but teasingly lick and nibble her all over, enjoying her flavor as always.
I built her up several times, but each time I stopped just before she went over the edge, giving her a taste of her own medicine. Then after I was certain she couldn't take anymore teasing, I finally lavished in giving her an amazing orgasm. After she climaxed and I happily licked her clean, I just gently and lovingly kissed her all around her crotch as she came down from her post-orgasmic bliss. Then I moved up beside her and lovingly cuddled with her as she began kissing me again. Before long, she had obviously caught her breathe because she nudged me to get me to lay on my back. Once I had done so, she straddled me and proceeded to teasingly grind her crotch against mine, the rubbing only working us both up again as her copious juices also provided plenty of lubrication.
Then once she was certain we were both built-up enough, she raised herself up, point my dick up and then very slowly impaled herself to the hilt on me. Once I was completely in her, she just lay on my chest and lovingly kissed me for a little while, until we both started grinding together, as we began to make love.
Meanwhile in Engineering, Attila eventually said, "Alright. I have six rings and six bracelets made. How are you two doing?" Atika responded with, "Lena and I are putting the finishing touches on my program. Then after she finishes her program, we will do the necessary tweaks on both so that we can combine them. Once that is done, we will run some computer tests to make sure they still work like we want. Then once we are certain they are where we want them, we will be ready to upload them to your devices." Attila nodded in understanding. Then he proceeded to cleanup his workspace and give his devices a more thorough examination to make sure they were indeed what he wanted, as he had nothing else to do until it was time to install Lena's and Atika's programming onto them. |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Sept 11, 2017 10:22:20 GMT
In the communication room, among the crowd a strong looking Iratihient in the uniform of a Captain of the Palace Guards begun to move and make his way through Votans. "Must...kill...fake...Chancellor. His eyes and his pistol shifted between Erika and Volodja. Seemed that Captain wasn't sure what to do and who to aim. After short struggle Captain turned his eyes (and pistol) towards Erika and... BANG! Muscular Iranthient fell to the floor. Everyone turned their glances to Iranthient's lifeless body and the grinning man who stood above it. Grin on his face faded and he said with certain concern: "Such a pity! It was 21st century Skarr after all. Few hundred years and it might have been priceless piece of ceramic. But on the other side - by destroying it I actually rose the rarity level and thus the price of other Skarr era vases." That grinning man was Volodja Uljanov, the body belonged to the Captain and the sound was caused by a decorative vase, which Volodja (who used the moment of Captain's inner struggle to act) grabbed from the small table and smashed it against Captain's head, knocking him unconscious. Volodja examined Captain thoroughly and said thoughtfully: "Looks like an advanced Synth to me. Probably a sleeper agent from that time when Skarr's sister tried to affect events here. I believe that Skarr gave him command to get rid of the new Chancellor but meanwhile we shifted centre of power and Synth who witnessed that wasn't sure which new Chancellor he is supposed to kill - freshly resigned one or his successor. When he reached to a decision it was already too late because it gave me time to react and with the cost of a vase..." A shower of bullets from outside cut Volodja's speech. It also cut through windows and destroyed two more Skarr era decorative vases, making rest of them even rarer. Everyone in the room threw themselves to the floor. Volodja and Kima and Erika were first to crawl under the window and peek out. Palace courtyard was filled with aggressively bleeping junkbots.  "Looks like that old Skarr gave an order to attack. I am sure that it's a distracting manoeuvre," whispered Volodja (who squeezed Synth Captain's pistol in his palm). "He isn't mad enough to try the famous last storm to this palace. We got him cornered earlier and have every reason to I believe that he wants to get out of his panic room, once he realized that his assassin Synth is disabled. Quite a Skarr like move from Skarr. Now we have to get rid of his pawns first and he can use that time to hide because we need every able man and woman here. Damn!" Bots bleeped again and begun to move towards the palace. There were several junkbots marching on their metallic feet. There were indeed pawn like swarmbots which rose to air and floated towards palace windows. There were couple of junk made tankbots which shot frantically at people inside the palace, breaking most of palace windows in matter of seconds. All members of that metallic junk army were determined to invade the palace no matter what. General Kima was chosen to be head of defence in matter of seconds and he begun to organize the battle. Kima gave several commands and soon everyone in the communication centre and other rooms were prepared to fend off the enemy. Civilians who weren't able to use weapons were sent to hide in windowless rooms top avoid civilian casualties. Those with weapons and the skill and the will to use them were positioned near windows. "Colonel Trav!" said Kima. "You are in charge of the right wing of our defence. Colonel Krok'Et takes command of the left one. Favi Widowmaker! As a Chancellor, you must remain safe, so most reasonable option for you will be joining those those civilians. Mr. Uljanov...Where should we send you? You have made a certain reputation and I am sure that you will use the first opportunity to get involved with the fight anyway, so I will put you to protect the centre. At least then I can keep my eye on you. Ready?! Let them closer and shoot when you can see white of their...ee...light bulbs." |
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Post by Sandy Bell on Sept 12, 2017 5:41:38 GMT
As Sandy Bell reluctantly agreed to Atticus Batman's decision to go meet with Lodja and his stipulations for her team, requiring that Marcel go to ensure that Skarr dies, he said, "Sandy, I think it's best if Dameron be your team's pilot. I will pilot my team's shuttle, and take two security officers to guard the shuttle when we leave it, to go find Lodja and his people. So I will go prep a shuttle, my team's gear, have a crate of spare weapons delivered to my assigned shuttle, and then get myself some nourishment, as I do not think my 'medicinal tonics' are quite enough at the moment. So you and Tar have the Bridge. Just notify me when Lena and the Constantines have some of those portable devices ready, so I can go inform Yvette and Brooke that I need them to join me. Then notify me again, when it is time for my team to depart on our part of the mission." Sandy watched Atticus and his wife, Lady Christianna leave the Vigilant's bridge to prepare for their mission doing who knows what. Sandy was certain that Commander Batman had missed her point and that her concern was not so much for his safety or even those of their crew mates still missing, his sister and her her husband, but that as the Protectors' leader his duty was to stay on the bridge and monitor the activities of any strike teams sent down, including hers. Whether he liked it or not, he was their general, not just another grunt, and his place was to lead from the safety of the Vigilant's bridge. The Vigilant's crew needed their leader there to inspire them and to keep their morale high in what could be a coming war with Skarr's forces. Sandy was about to explain her viewpoint to him when Lady who was standing behind him put a chalk white fore finger to her lips and shook her white tousled head vigorously in the negative. It was clear that Lady was warning Sandy that any further protestations would fall on deaf ears and Sandy might lose what progress she had gained, so Sandy heeded her advice and merely agreed to Atticus' orders with pursed lips and a quick nod of her head. Sandy would be leading the team to rescue Volodja and Erika, and to kill Skarr although she felt the latter was a secondary mission. Sandy had to admit that tasking the mercenary Marcel Lestrange to be Skarr's killer was a good move on Atticus' part for both Atticus and she knew Sandy was no assassin and preferred to take on her foes head on and not from hiding. Marcel would do whatever was necessary to get the job done whereas Sandy had a soldier's code of honor that might get in the way when push came to shove. Marcel would have no problem sleeping afterwards no matter how he did his task as long as he got paid. Sandy Bell wouldn't and she recognized that truth. With a sigh, Sandy got on the comm ordering Poe and Strike Squad "A" to meet her at the shuttle she had christened "Eagle." Narrowing her blue eyes, Sandy turned to Marcel saying in a commanding tone, "Please get your gear and meet me in the shuttle bay at the Eagle Mr. Lestrange. The Commander has given us both our marching orders." Then Lena Marr, Marcel's partner-in-crime and paramour, entered the bridge just in time to hear Sandy's orders replying with a wicked grin, "Marcel's not going anywhere without me to watch his back - and his front too because that's where all his best parts are! I've done all the damage I can do here with my feel-good program for the Synths finished," Lena opened her alabaster hand showing two rings, "And I even got a couple of souvenirs to help our esteemed Synth Envoy or whoever we need to be safe from Skarr's mind control thanks to Atilla, who should be notifying Atty-baby of our successes as we speak!" "M'am," Began Officer Tasha Yar addressing Sandy from the communication's console, "Got a weird wide-band transmission." "Let's the whole bridge hear it - and pipe it to the Commander too," Commanded Sandy. Sandy listened to Volodja Uljanov's voice and his strange claim of being the new Chancellor of the Votan Collective and a grin slowly grew on her face as she thought that such a bold move was so like her new husband. Sandy was happy and relieved to hear his voice for she knew it was a live transmission and that meant Volodja was alive too. However, she knew the bigoted politics of the Votan Collective against humans so also was not surprised when he quickly stepped down from the position putting Atticus' Iranthient sister in his place of command. "Citizens of the Votan Collective," Sandy heard the calm voice of Erika Widowmaker transmitted throughout Capital City, "The usurper Skarr has fled and be sure that I'm the duly appointed interim Chancellor until the true elected Chancellor is found alive or democratic elections can be held. I ask those that are not military to stay safely in your homes while the loyal forces of the Votan Collective under General Kimba round up the criminals who followed Skarr and were let behind in his wake. If you are in the military and believe in the sanctity of our noble nation, come to the Chancellor's Park across from the Palace to receive your orders from General Kimba. Stay firm fellow Votans, Gods guide you all, and long live our beloved nation!" Sandy turned to Marcel and Lena saying before they all left for the Vigilant's shuttle bay, "Well, I think that's our cue. We know where our people are and our destination, so let's go!"  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Sept 12, 2017 11:37:40 GMT
While still making love to Lady, we heard our door-chime. However I ignored whoever it was as I continued to make love to my wife. Of course whoever it was didn't let the nonresponse go and just chimed again. Hearing that I muttered, "damn coitus interruptus!"
  
Lady giggled but neither of us stopped our lovemaking. Besides, knowing me so well, Lady knew just how close we were both to our climaxes. So she once again kissed me deeply, as she began to quickly increase our rhythm and therefor speed up our impending climaxes, while still keeping it very enjoyable for both of us. I suppose that is where a Castithan's natural knowledge of sex comes in.
So fortunately for whoever it was at the door, Lady and I both orgasmed before the chiming got too annoying. As Lady and I both started coming down from our mutual orgasms, the person had his EGO contact my EGO. That is when Dinara, my EGO psyche, informed me that it was the Constantine twins at the door. As Lady snuggled into my chest as we recovered, I quietly said, "Damn Snow Angel! That new trick sure made it interesting and intense! Did Lena tell you how to do that, or did you come up with it yourself.....Never mind. It doesn't matter. All that matters is that we both LOVED it and the intense orgasms it caused."
Then after holding her to me for a minute or so, I kissed Lady lovingly, then nibbled her ear as I whispered into it, "I love you, Snow Angel. However obviously duty calls and will not wait any longer judging from that daking chiming! Remind me later to change our door chime to something less annoying."
After saying that, I reluctantly got up, as I made my grid jumpsuit and mask reappear on my body. When I was on my feet, I walked over to our closet and removed Lady's robe. Then as I turned back towards the bed, she started getting up. So I admired Lady's lovely nude-form as she got out of bed and stretched, before walking over to me and giving me a quick kiss as I handed her robe to her. Then she stepped back and teased me slightly as she put it on. After I was once again enclosed in my Grid-cloth and Lady's robe was securely closed, I walked over and opened the door just enough for the Constantines to see my face as I snapped,
"What is so important that you couldn't just send a daking message?!"
As Attila choked on his words, his sister Atika peeked through the door and noticed Lady behind me in her robe, and could easily smell the sex in the room. So as Atika blushed slightly she apologetically responded with, "Uuuummm sorry for the interuption Commander, but we thought you would like us to personally come tell you as soon as we had some devices ready for use. However I suppose we should have messaged you first....sorry again for interrupting your...uuuuummmmm......aaaahhhh.......private time Commander and Mrs. Batman."
Before Lady or I had a chance to respond to Atika, Dinara informed me that Sandy was forwarding an ongoing broadcast from the surface to our team's EGO channel, as she felt we needed to hear it. Just then all our EGO proceeded to play the broadcast for us.
We heard Volodja Uljanov's voice and his strange claim of being the new Chancellor of the Votan Collective. However as I heard that I grumbled, "Clever but there is no way that any of the Collective will EVER stand for a human being in charge for long! They would appoint a daking Saberwolf before ever appointing a human!" However as I made my remark Volodja quickly stepped down from the position putting my Irathient sister in his place of command.
"Citizens of the Votan Collective," We heard the calm voice of Erika Widowmaker transmitted throughout Capital City, "The usurper Skarr has fled and be sure that I'm the duly appointed interim Chancellor until the true elected Chancellor is found alive or democratic elections can be held. I ask those that are not military to stay safely in your homes while the loyal forces of the Votan Collective under General Kima round up the criminals who followed Skarr and were let behind in his wake. If you are in the military and believe in the sanctity of our noble nation, come to the Chancellor's Park across from the Palace to receive your orders from General Kima. Stay firm fellow Votans, Gods guide you all, and long live our beloved nation!"
After listening to the broadcast, I said, "Well at least we know they are alive and currently safe. Alright you two, give me five of those devices and take the remaining to Sandy since she will probably need you on her away team anyway."
Attila, who finally found his voice, said, "Actually I made six rings and six bracelets, Atticus. Lena took two rings to Sandy. So who gets the rest of the devices?"
I respond with, "Give me three rings and three bracelets. Take the rest to Sandy. If she doesn't need them all, then put the ones she doesn't want on my shuttle. As none of our new shuttles had been named yet, I christened my team's shuttle: 'Ghost-Bat'. "
Attila and Atika opened the two boxes they were holding and re-sorted the devices as per my orders. Then Attila handed me the box that now contained three rings and three bracelets, while Atika held on to the box containing one ring and three bracelets. Then they left to get geared up and go report to Sandy, where they would give her the box of devices they carried, and inform her that if she felt she didn't need them all, they were to get them onto the 'Ghost-Bat' before my team left.
Once the were gone, I reclosed and locked my door. Then I walked over to my wife and kissed her as I untied her robe and slipped it off her slender shoulders, as I once again absorbed my grid-suit. After admiring her natural beauty for a few seconds, I pulled Lady into our bathroom as we needed a shower. Unfortunately it was a quick one, strictly to rinse off the smell of sex, but we could always take a much more enjoyable one after we had finished our missions and were once again on our way home. After we got out we quickly dried off and returned to our room as I once again donned myself in my Grid-suit. Then I proceeded to 'help' Lady get dressed, sneaking kisses and caresses as much as she would let me get away with. Once done, she returned the favor by lovingly helping me into my heavy armor. After we were both dressed and ready for work again, we left our quarters.
I held Lady's hand in one of my own, as I carried the box of anti-Skar-control devices in my other. Once we left our quarters we headed straight to Haele's lab. Once there I presented the 'jewelry to the three sisters so they could pick which they wore, as I informed Yvette and Brooke that I would like them to once again accompany us into the jungle. That way I could convince Lodja that this would be a good idea for him and his people to join Caele's followers in the rebellion against Skarr. I would also give Lodja an untraceable and unhackable hailer so I could contact him as soon as Sandy gave us word that Skarr's control device was down. Then at that time, Lodja would be able to send his rebels in to provide backup to Cael's followers and Sandy's team without fear of Skarr taking control of any of them.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Sept 14, 2017 7:52:03 GMT
"Save your shots until you are sure that you are able to hit!" ordered Volodja. "Do we have anyone from the palace security here?"
"I am!" announced young and eager looking Castithan Corporal who was armed with a pistol. No matter how big or small a fighting unit is there is usually someone young, eager and unexperienced among them. It's like a rule of some kind.
"Take two men with you and get us more ammunition from the armoury. And something decent to shoot from instead of this pea gun." Volodja pointed to Corporal's pistol and then he added. "While you are there, can you find me something better as well? But the main thing will be ammunition. We don't want to make beginners mistake who usually end up with more guns than ammo, do we? This is not a movie when you magically have all the ammo you need, unless those, who are responsible for a script and plot development, decide otherwise. And keep you heads down while moving. That applies to other men as well. No unnecessary risks!"
"Too many words, Uljanov," said General Kima. "But your orders are correct. Have to give you that."
"Not the first time to defend a position," admitted Volodja. "Stray down!"
Attacking bots sprayed the palace with bullets, projectiles and even fire from flame throwers. Defenders replied with less rapid but more punctual shots and several bots were turned into metal rubble.
"For junk you are made of and to junk you will return," paraphrased Volodja Uljanov after taking down overly curious eyebot with couple of pistol shots and pulling his head down watching new row of bullet holes to appear on the opposite wall of the window when bots begun to shoot in response.
"We are back," said Corporal. He and his men were carrying ammo boxes and everyone had at least couple of rifles on their shoulders.
"Stay where you are, put the crates to the floor and push them to us. Don't mind the parquet," taught Volodja. Soldiers did what they were told and cares, boxes and guns travelled from one wall to other one. Then the supply team went to after a new load while remaining men divided delivered ammo and guns among themselves. One of palace guards listened sounds from outside and rose to his feet, leaned out of the window and shot whole magazine at approaching tankbot which turned bright red and exploded spreading metal pieces all over the courtyard. The guard retreated immediately and when he was safely back on the floor, shouted: "Grenades! We need grenades!"
"You heard the man!" said Volodja to their Quartermaster Corporal and supply team went to another trip into the armoury. Volodja looked to his side and his glance met with eyes of one of Kima's soldiers who smiled nervously and said to him: "My friends and family would find hard to believe all of this when I tell them about the battle! I am an army technician after all." Then he begun to lift himself to shoot but fell to the floor...
"Why did you have to do that?" asked technician from Volodja, who took a quick peak outside after reaching to the height of the windowsill and pulled the soldier to the floor along with himself. He did it on time because they both managed barely to avoid another bullet swarm. Volodja wasn't sure what made him to act that way. Maybe his cultural heritage was to blame, because you know how things tend to happen in texts about battles - guy talks about his family first, then he begins to chat about the future and then gets hit by a bullet or a splinter. But technician wouldn't probably understand that and that is why Volodja just pointed his forefinger to the row of new bullet holes.
The battle went on and on and on. Supply team delivered last ammo boxes, assumed positions and begun to shoot at bots as their band of brothers. Attacks of robots were pushed back one after another and every time they left more scrap metal to the palace courtyard. Volodja had his defence segment to care about and he knew that at least those men who were posted under his command did a good job and held their positions. Matter of perspective, you know. Volodja had much narrower perspective than General Kima who had to operate in much larger scale because he was in charge of the whole defence. Since there weren't any orders from him, Volodja assumed that everything went well and their defence was strong all over the front-line. Or was it?
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Post by Atticus Batman on Sept 14, 2017 12:49:10 GMT
After I had talked to the sisters, Whitney took a ring, while her sisters both took bracelets, explaining that since they were both hand to hand fighters a ring would be likely to be destroyed. I told Yvette and Brooke that they were to meet Lad and myself in the hangar, once they were done talking with their injured sister, who would of course have to stay behind with Doctor Von Eschen keeping her company if he isn't busy with another patient.
After Lady and I left the sisters in the quarantine chamber of Haele's lab, I contacted security and had Murdock and Private Perkins assigned to my team. Then I contacted the two via EGO channel and informed them to gear up and meet me and the rest of my team onboard the shuttle, 'Ghost-Bat'.
As Lady and I headed to the hangar, she reminded me of something, as she said, "Can pilot too."
I nodded as I replied, "I know. That is why you are the co-pilot. However if you are comfortable with it, then you can pilot our shuttle, and I will only take over if you feel it necessary. That way while you are piloting, I can track Lodja's signal and look for a fairly safe landing zone, while also watching for any other threats."
Lady squeezed my armored hand lovingly as she gave me her patented Mona Lisa smile and we continued to the hangar. So when we arrived at the Hangar, Lady entered the 'Ghost-Bat' and began her pre-flight checks and tests, while I double-checked the equipment that was loaded. As I was double-checking the weapons crates, Murdock and Perkins arrived. So I filled them in on what their part in the mission would be, then went back to my inspections. Not long after I finished my inspections Yvette and Brooke arrived. All that was needed now was Sandy's O.K. for us to depart.
When Sandy eventually contacted us and gave us the green-light to depart, the Hangar staff opened the main doors and Lady easily maneuvered our shuttle out. Then we were on our way. It wasn't long before we were flying over the jungle canopy with me working on locating Lodja's signal. when I pinpointed his rough location, I looked over our scans of the area and gave Lady the co-ordinates to the closest clearing to our approximate destination. However as the clearing came onto view far below, we could see two injured people on the ground with some of Skarr's robot soldiers advancing on their location. After I pulled out my viewing scope to get a closer look, I saw the head of one of the robots split as if hit by a high-powered sniper. The direction the shot came from was just inside the forest line surrounding the clearing with the two injured people between the bots and whoever made the shot.
Just then our comm. channel picked up an encrypted message (sent using a Votanis version of Morse code) requesting our help, and broadcast on an obsolete Votanis frequency. What got my attention is that not only was the frequency, the exact same one I had used back in the Pale Wars, back when Kabule was in control of my body, but whoever was sending the message was claiming to be me. Translated from Votanis code, the message read: "Paradise Protector shuttle. This is Atticus Batman. Under attack. Two injured. Running low on bullets. Need immediate evac."
After translating the message out-loud to the others, I said, "Dak, it has to be a trap! However why the dak would Skarr be having one of his 'people' pretend to be me unless he somehow managed to daking copy me! NOBODY COPIES ME!"
As the others looked out the window, they all voiced their opinion that no matter who the messenger was or claimed to be, the two people in the clearing were clearly injured and still in grave danger.
Lady didn't say anything but I could see in her eyes that she felt the same as the others, even though I knew she would almost always back my decisions even if she disagreed. SO I stood up as I said, "Alright Yvette, Brooke you are with me. Lady take us as close to the jungle canopy as you dare so the three of us can jump onto the treetops right behind those daking bots. Once we are out, pull back up out of their firing range. I will notify you when it is safe to land."
Once that was set, Yvette, Brooke and I stood next to the shuttle's door with Murdock manning the door waiting to open it on Lady's signal and close it immediately after the Synth sisters and I were clear of the shuttle. When Lady said we were in position, Murdock opened the door and we noticed Lady was able to get us just a couple feet above the rooftops. So I stepped out with Brooke and Yvette right behind me.
Once Yvette had cleared the shuttle, Murdock closed it, and Lady immediately pulled it back up into the sky above just as one of the bots turned our direction and took a shot. However right as it fired, the Sniper (claiming to be me and from the looks of it almost as good a shot as Kabule or myself) took a shot of his one and his point-on shot severed the bot's gunarm from it's shoulder causing it's bullet to miss the shuttle and my three party team by quite a bit as it flew almost harmlessly into the air. I say almost harmlessly for the bullet somehow hit and killed a bird that was flying away from the treetops that we had just landed in.
Quickly I drew my Amakune blade and leapt from the treetop bringing my blade down into the metal skull of the now one-armed bot that had shot at us. As I split it's skull in half, the girls also quickly left the trees. Brooke dropped down, and started slicing at another of the bots and Yvette ran into the fray punching one of her power-gloves right through the chest of one of the remaining bots, with it coming out the back. So when she removed her fist from it, we could literally look through the hole in it's chest to see the sniper across the clearing from us just as he shot and destroyed the last bot standing.
As I stared angrily at the sniper that definitely looked similar to me, with some noticeable differences, I ordered Yvette and Brooke to check on the two injured individuals who I recognized as two of the natives that Lodja had sent with Atika earlier, when they had escorted her back to the Vigilant, as I addressed the sniper who was still hiding in the shadows of the tree line, "Is it safe for my shuttle to land so we can take care of the wounded you just saved, or do we have a problem?"
The individual replied in a voice that was intimately familiar to me, "Your shuttle is safe from me. So have it land."
Hearing that, I stared angrily at the sniper that definitely looked similar to me with some noticeable differences, as I sheathed my sword and raised up my own sniper rifle pointing it at his head as I gave Lady the all-clear to land in the clearing near us. The very familiar (to me) sniper, responded to my implied promise of a bullet to his head if he was a threat by lowering his rifle and slinging it over his shoulder.
As the two of us continued to stare at each other across the distance, with Yvette and Brooke doing what they could to calm the two wounded natives, the shuttle landed not far from me. When the shuttle's doors were opened Murdock and Perkins knelt in the opening with guns at the ready, as Lady stepped out of the shuttle. She walked to Brooke and Yvette with a med-kit in hand and gave it to them. Then came up and stood by me as she looked in the direction I was staring.
As she looked at the shadowy figure, he stepped into the clearing and said to her, "What's wrong Lady Christianna? Don't you recognize your husband when you see him?"
Lady replied stubbornly with, "Standing next to me."
The sniper, who everyone could now clearly see was wearing similar armor to mine but carrying all Votanis weapons, responded to her with, "And just how can you be sure he isn't a synth or clone with me being the real Atticus and just recently escaped from Skarr's?"
Lady replied with, "Too skinny and short to be Atticus."
the sniper replied, "Months of malnourishment and muscle atrophy from a long captivity could explain that. What else you got Wife?"
Lady stated in a matter-of-fact-tone, "Atticus wouldn't stay captured that long."
He nodded and said, "Fair point, got more observations for me?"
She pointed at his light armor, then tapped my heavily armored chest plate, as she said, Wrong armor. yours light. His heavy."
The Sniper chuckled and said, "That all?"
Lady stated matter-of-factly, "Nope. Kabule's symbol on you. Atticus' signal is bats, and carved Saint Julian's symbol on his weapons."
As she took a breathe, the sniper responded with, "One must make due with what they got."
Lady responded with, "True, but called me wife and full name. Atticus does not."
The sniper, who I had now completely figured out the identity of, (but had my EGO verify with a quick DNA scan just in case), nodded and said to me, "You picked your wife well, Assicus. Not much slips past her, does it?"
Hearing him call me Assicus, Lady looked at me then back at him as she asked cautiously, "Kabule?"
Before he could respond, I said, "Close enough. EGO scans say it's Cael's body. However obviously Kabule 'the younger' is in control of it. Aren't you Kafool?"
Fakebule, nodded as he removed the light armored-helm to reveal Cael's face. Then he responded with, "Well at least 'The Younger' is much nicer than Fakebule. Don't worry about your nephew. He is safe and will be back when I feel it is safe for him to be, much like my older counterpart did for you. If you are here, I take it that means you discovered Skarr replaced Cael with a clone, after I discovered he was back and plotting a ruthless takeover and disappeared so I could retaliate from the safety of the shadows?"
I replied, "Yes. Although safe seems to be a relative term these days. What are you doing out in the open and what's with the two injured?"
'Cael' responded with, "I saw all your activity earlier and came out hoping I could find a way to get a message to you. Better for you to help, than nobody. As for those two, the bots just sort of stumbled onto them, and I stumbled onto the bots injuring them. Damn Cael was whining in my head that we needed to help those natives. So I did, but only to shut him up. Then I noticed your shuttle overhead as I came to their aid, so I sent that signal. So what the hell are you doing here, other than answering distress messages from yourself that is?"
I responded with, "Looking for their leader to see if I can convince his people to come to the aid of General Kima and Acting Chancellor Widowmaker."
Then I turned to Yvette and Brooke and said, "How are they?"
Yvette said, "Commander they are scared and injured but they can walk."
I nodded then walked over to and knelt by one of the natives and talked to him in his language, though I was nowhere near as fluent at it as Atika, "Do you recognize me?"
After he nodded yes, I said, "Can you two walk, and are you willing and able to take me to Lord Lodja?"
He nodded yes again as he stood and helped his companion up. I told Murdock and Perkins to protect the shuttle. Then the rest of us followed the injured natives into the jungle, with Lady directly on my right side, and Cael/Kabule 'the Younger' directly on my left. After a short hike through the jungle, we were led into Lodja's encampment where the injured man I had been talking to filled Lodja in as best as he could.
Then I said, "Eseneziri Lord Lodja. Sorry to bother you again so soon. However as you can see Chancellor Cael is alive and we have come to request your aid. If you agree to send an army of your own to aid Cael's followers as an ally to the Collective and their rightful leader, I will supply you with two huge crates of weapons, armor, and shields. They are back at my shuttle. I need to return to the Vigilant and coordinate all our allies from there. So I will also give you these three untraceable and unhackable hailers. That way we can stay in contact and I can let you know once one of my other teams has destroyed the synth-controller so your army can move in and help Cael and his followers retake the city at that time. I also have two anti-skarr-control rings and one anti-skarr-control bracelet that I will hand over to you."
Cael/Kabule 'the younger' responded with, "Sounds like a valid plan Assicus. However I am staying here with these Synth and natives since I will be able to tell them which Votans are my followers and which are Skarr's. Besides I can't wait to put a bullet in that Spider-bastard's ugly mug!"
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