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Post by Atticus Batman on Sept 22, 2017 11:14:00 GMT
Erika didn't waste any time letting the other Protectors know what happened and Amber's warning, especially Sandy's husband, Volodja Uljanov, and Erika's own brother, Commander Atticus Batman, who although would undoubtedly be the last attacked should have to be told as the leader of the Protectors. However, since she didn't consider the diabolical duo Protectors, she didn't warn them not because of maliciousness, but because of a lack of foresight. Inadvertently then, Erika may have aided Skarr's plan in an unexpected way.
Listening to Erika via comm channels, I responded with, "Dak! I am tired of those daking spider masks! Erika, the mask is what is controlling her! If she can be subdued, Lena has the experience and knowledge to remove it without much issue. You should also know that Attila made three rings and three bracelets that would prevent Skarr's control transmissions from controlling Synth. From the two masks we encountered earlier, Lena was sure they had their own mind-control chips built in, so Attila's devices probably won't counter the mask's affects, so it needs removed. However, once it is removed, I suggest you get one of those devices on her because Skarr's control system is still active....
Atika had located five support towers across the city relaying the signal and they are shielding the main source and designed in a way that even if the main source were located and destroyed, the support towers would just take over and reroute the signal. So the towers need destroyed before we can destroy the main source. I sent a team led by Murdoch in the shuttle, Eagle and piloted by Poe Dameron, to take them out. However, there has been a minor complication....They destroyed four with an areal strike, however Skarr's Synths and bots formed an anti-air artillery chain around the fifth tower, located in the northern part of the city.
Sandy was going to have her team go disable the artillery so that the Eagle could finish it's job, but with her injured ... I need you to send her team, or another team of your choosing, to do so. As soon as the artillery is down, the Eagle can finish it's job. Then, you can have the Eagle bring Sandy to the Vigilant for medical aid. However, if she needs it sooner, tell me now and I will send another team for her. Then, that leaves the main source. We know it is somewhere on the Palace grounds, however, as I said, due to it's design, we can't pinpoint it's exact location or destroy it until the final support tower is destroyed. Also, since it is located in the Chancellor's palace and you and all of Cael's ... and now your ... supporters are heading there to help take it back from Skarr's control, a ground team will need to locate and destroy it.....Also ...
You need to know that I encountered Cael, with his Kabule personality mainly calling the shots, earlier in the jungles when I had a meeting with Synth led by Volodja's Synth counterpart, Lodja. Cael did retake control of his mind to talk with Lodja and after they came to a mutually beneficial agreement Lodja agreed to gather some volunteers to help get Cael back to the palace. Lodja contacted me a few hours back and told me that while he was only able to get five volunteers, Cael ... actually Kabule again ... felt that was all he needed. So Cael/Kabule and his small infiltration team are on their way to the palace. I gave Lodja three of my untraceable hailers and he informed me that he handed two over to Cael's team. So I can contact Cael, if I need to do so."
Meanwhile Kabule's/Cael's team had finally finished sneaking through the opposition and were now on the outskirts of the Palace yard. They maintained silence, only relying on hand signals, as the silently moved along the outer walls of the Palace's concrete fence. However, it didn't take long until they had come to a section that a grenade or something had blown a chunk out of, recently enough that some of the concrete dust was still in the air. So they slipped through the destroyed section and worked their way into the palace yard. As they worked to where Kabule was certain he found find General Kima's main team, they did encounter some opposition. However, most of Skarr's followers that they saw were already locked into combat with either some of Kima's men or some others that either opposed Skarr, sympathized with Chancellor Cael, or respect interim Chancellor Widowmaker. So Kabule's/Cael's team was able to continue on their path mostly un-bothered.
When they had gotten to Kima's location, they stepped out of the shadows and Kabule approached General Kima saying, "It's about time you gave those filthy traitors what they deserve, General!"
Kima turned and seeing Cael said, "Yes sir. Glad to see you are alive. I know your mother will be as well."
Kabule/Cael said curtly, "That makes three of us then. Now take me to Er ... er my mother, so that I can inform her of OUR return and see if we can be of aid in getting my palace back completely under our control."
Then seeing a worried Volodja Uljanov, Kabule/Cael said, "If I remember right its Volodja Uljanov, my uncle's faithful advisor right? Why so worried? It looks like you are doing quite well here. So let us go see my mother and let her know in person of my triumphant return!"
Then he whispered to Volodja, "I see it in your eyes. You know that I am Kabule the Younger ... I so detest that 'Fakebule' moniker!...However, do not worry, Cael is fine and I will return control of his mind to him when we see his mother, provided I feel it is safe for him at the moment."
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Post by Erika Widowmaker on Sept 23, 2017 4:05:52 GMT
As Erika Widowmaker finished binding Sandy Bell's wounds she also finished her telepathic communique with her brother, Atticus Batman, thanking him for the good news about her son. Then she went to the door out of the communications room, opening it and looking out at Sandy's team. She suddenly saw a blue flare behind Marcel Lestrange and Ruby appearing behind him with her red scythe upraised ready to strike him down. Erika was about to shout warning when suddenly his lover Lena Marr sprang into action behind him with her twin Bowie blades upraised blocking Ruby's downward stroke. Ruby's Synth Sister raised her rapier freezing Ruby in place as Lena lowered her frozen solid body to the ground. Lena silently replacing her blades in her chalk white hands with tools from her belt as she quickly and adeptly removed the mind-controlling spider mask and replacing it with the ring Atilla had made to block the effects of Skarr's rays.
Erika smiled slightly admired at the efficiency at how they had handled the situation, then informed Sandy's team of the intelligence Atticus had told her of the North tower, ordering, "With Sandy down, you Atilla are the senior Protector so I am making you the head of the Strike team, and take the two sub-contractors with you. Whitney, if you would please bring your sister into the room and watch over her and Sandy making them as comfortable as you can, I have a speech to make to reassure my people until the true Chancellor arrives."
Once Lena was sure they were safe from Ruby, she hugged and kissed Marcel passionately, then muttered with tears in her unblinking sky blue eyes, "I'm sorry I put you in danger! It's my history with Skarr that got you almost killed," while hoping that he could forgive her for her past endangering him yet again and wondering what she would ever do if he was ever killed whether by her past or his own.
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Post by Attila Constantine on Sept 23, 2017 11:19:36 GMT
Erika smiled slightly admired at the efficiency at how they had handled the situation, then informed Sandy's team of the intelligence Atticus had told her of the North tower, ordering, "With Sandy down, you Attila are the senior Protector so I am making you the head of the Strike team, and take the two sub-contractors with you. Whitney, if you would please bring your sister into the room and watch over her and Sandy making them as comfortable as you can, I have a speech to make to reassure my people until the true Chancellor arrives."
Attila responded with, "I'm in charge? I think you have the wrong Constantine! I am not the bossy one! That would be my sister!....Oh well, it's your call. So I guess I am leading this little team to destroy an anti-artillery chain then. No Problem!"
Once Lena was sure they were safe from Ruby, she hugged and kissed Marcel passionately, then muttered with tears in her unblinking sky blue eyes, "I'm sorry I put you in danger! It's my history with Skarr that got you almost killed," while hoping that he could forgive her for her past endangering him yet again and wondering what she would ever do if he was ever killed whether by her past or his own.
As that private moment happened, Attila looked around trying to give Marcel and Lena a minute to their selves. However shortly after Marcel had responded to Lena, Attila spotted a closet that caught his attention. So he said, "As soon as you are both ready to go, then we better head out....meanwhile it looks like that is a small weapons closet. So I am going to go check it for ammunition while we are here."
With that said, Attila walked over to the closet he had mentioned, to give Lena and Marcel a little more time to themselves. When he tried the closet's door, it popped open. It was indeed a weapons closet but it was mostly empty of it's weapons. However where it lacked weaponry, it made up for with plenty of extra ammo.
After he grabbed enough extra ammo of the right types for himself and his teammates, he turned back towards them. However, he thought he saw movement on the floor by Lena's feet. So he glanced at the ground where he saw the spider mask, that Lena had removed from Ruby, still on the ground. However, as he looked down at it, he saw that it had lifted itself up on it's 'legs' and started to crawl toward the room that Erika, Whitney, and Ruby had just entered.
So Attila quickly walked over to the crawling mask and snatched it up before it could go anywhere. Then he said, "Looks like this little thing has a one track mind....perhaps we better destroy it to be sure it's no longer a threat. However I do hate destroying such things before I've had a chance to see how they work. So let's see..."
Attila then looked it over closely and found a small compartment which he opened up. Upon opening it he discovered the tiny quantum battery powering it. So he pulled out his own small toolset and proceeded to remove the battery. Once he removed it, he secured it in his tool-belt. Then he said, "Well good thing I examined it before destroying it. That could have cause a BIG boom if I shot it! Lena you seem to have some experience with this mask. So here. Make sure it is indeed offline without it's power source. If it's not then we will need to finish disabling it, or destroy it. Either way, I will hold onto the quantum battery because it may come in handy later. I also got some extra ammo for all of us.
Anyway, you two heard Erika. Lena, once you are certain that mask is no longer a threat, then we need to go to this north tower. I am having my EGO get the information from Atticus as we speak."
A few seconds later Attila said, "Alright, I have the information and am sharing it with your EGOs now. However, we don't seem to have any time to waste, so we will move out just as soon as you two are ready."
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Post by Lady Christianna on Sept 24, 2017 1:38:22 GMT
"Wicked thoughts and worthless efforts gradually set their mark on the face, especially the eyes." - Arthur Schopenhauer***** From his command chair in the Vigilant, Atticus Batman said "... if I need to do so." Lady Christianna uttered a small sigh, feeling useless on the bridge, and got up unnoticed from her small chair next to his. She knew the chair was meant to be symbolic of her importance to the team - to him - but she equally felt it was meant so that he could keep an eye on her to keep her out of trouble. Whichever was the reason, Lady felt useless on the Bridge and pretty much so throughout the current mission. Lady believed she had been a distraction to her husband during the mission if she had played any role at all, so she got up from her chair silently sure she wouldn't be noticed but having a prepared excuse of needing to use the "little girls'room" if anyone asked. Lady made her way unobtrusively to that room anyway, turning the water on at the sink and throwing cold water into her chalk white face. her pink eyes stared intently in the mirror at her dripping inflection. Dark circles were around those eyes and the teenager wondered when her thin faces had got even thinner. Lady even imagined that the laugh lines at the corners of her lips were more pronounced and turned down now. Lady forced a smile, it disappeared quickly as she truly believed her trademarked Mona Lisa smile just looked sad now. When Lady had joined the Protectors under the guidance of her mentor Belle Starr, she was thrilled for she felt she was entering a life of adventure. Early on, she found love with Atticus Batman, married him, and soon had twins with him. Most Castithan women would have been satisfied with that but Lady had not been, seeking to be a member of the Protectors' team equal to all others including her husband. Today her husband was the Commander of the Protectors and she was less a help to him than a hindrance causing distractions that he didn't need. Belle's guidance was lost to her, probably forever. Now when Lady went on missions part of her always felt a mother's guilt for leaving her twin toddlers with a sitter no matter how good or how trustworthy. Lady continued to look into the mirror as she sighed once again thinking to herself, "Last mission. Going home. See my Daddy. Raise my kids. No more distracting Atticus. No more thinking change the world. Now just change my little section of it." Lady left the Vigilant's restroom heading back to her chair on the bridge for what she thought the last time, feeling more tired and more sad with each step she took. ***** Attila Constantine said, "Lena you seem to have some experience with this mask. So here. Make sure it is indeed offline without it's power source. If it's not then we will need to finish disabling it, or destroy it. Either way, I will hold onto the quantum battery because it may come in handy later. I also got some extra ammo for all of us." Lena had been staring intently into her lover Marcel Lestrange's impassive steel gray eyes waiting some sort of response to what she had confessed when the mention of her name drew her attention with a start. "Anyway, you two heard Erika," Continued Attila, "Lena, once you are certain that mask is no longer a threat, then we need to go to this north tower. I am having my EGO get the information from Atticus as we speak." Lena said nothing, believing she had Marcel's answer from his silence so she threw herself into her work examining the mind-controlling spider-mask of Skarr's and finding both a backup power source and a self destruct mechanism. She quickly disabled both despite the roar of strident voices in her head all spouting meaningless advice on what she should do in her love life. Of the voices representing the seven deadly sins, Pride, Greed, Envy and Wrath advocating leaving Marcel with Greed and Wrath saying to kill him first. Lust and Gluttony said stay with him and enjoy the ride, whereas Sloth said she just didn't care. Only little Hope, the newest voice in her head, asked what Lena really wanted to do, and Lena didn't have an answer to her. Lean truly loved Marcel after years of thinking she could never love anyone but herself, but felt his being with her would be the death of him sooner than later. She believed that he was already becoming more reckless letting his heart rule defending her so-called "honor" (something she never kidded herself into believing she ever had) then his normal decisive and calculating brain ever let him do before. Lena would rather die herself than let him sacrifice his life for someone as worthless as herself, and that was a fact. A few seconds later Attila said, "Alright, I have the information and am sharing it with your EGOs now. However, we don't seem to have any time to waste, so we will move out just as soon as you two are ready." Lena put the now harmless spider mask into one of the the large cargo pockets of her loose coveralls, standing up and dusting herself off as she avoided Marcel's eyes and replied in a lackluster voice, "Ready... tick-tock." 
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Post by Atticus Batman on Sept 24, 2017 10:23:11 GMT
On the Vigilant's Bridge, I had been busy coordinating and trying to keep track of everything going on down on the ground. I had sensed Lady leave my side and could tell something was bugging her but I rarely ever pried as I figured she would tell me when she was ready. While she was away, I had ordered another team to assemble in the hangar, this one also containing a medic, that way I have a team on standby in case Erika decides that I do indeed need to send a team for Sandy.
When Lady re-entered and took her seat by my side, I said, "Tianna, I have a team on standby in the hangar, and if I need to send them for Sandy or any other injured, then I would like you to lead that team. As the leader, you will of course get to pick which of the shuttles your team will be taking...."
Turning to look at her and seeing apparent sadness in her eyes, I leaned into her and gently kissed her cheek as I whispered, "....that is unless you would prefer I pick somebody else to lead the team, as I know you have been worried about leaving my side since our crash, for some reason. So are you ready to tell me what's bugging you Snow Angel? I do so hate seeing you this sad. Yar can handle the bridge while we go to the conference room and discuss whatever is bugging you."
Meanwhile at the Chancellor's Palace, once Attila's little team was ready to move out, they went to where General Kima and his troops were gathered. Once there, Attila addressed him saying, "Eseneziri General. I am not sure if you remember me but I am Attila Constantine. My team are being sent to the northern part of the city and I was wondering if you had a working roller that we could borrow, as our mission is of the utmost importance and somewhat time sensitive."
General Kima responded with, "Yes I do remember you. As for your request, just give me a minute to check."
General Kima then turned and talked to some of his men, before he turned and once again talked to Attila saying, "You are in luck young man. We do have one we can spare."
Attila responded with, "Thank you General."
Attila and his team then followed the soldier that General Kima had directed them to. He led them outside to an older V.C. military jeep and handed Attila the keys. Once Attila's small team was inside, Attila started the engine and off they went. It was a bumpy ride and even with following his EGO's navigational directions, they did occasionally run into a little trouble. However it wasn't anything that they couldn't handle. So it wasn't long until the were near the hillside that the tower was on. Even from where Attila had stopped the jeep, they could see the anti-air guns and the synth and bots surrounding the tower, seemingly oblivious to anything but their order to guard the tower no matter what.
As they surveyed the opposition, Attila said, "Shit! Well it looks like we may have to deal with a small army before we can disable those anti-air guns. All I can think of is:
Plan A: we leave the vehicle here and silently work our way up the hill. Then we cloak once in range and focus on sabotaging the artillery and hope we can do so completely unnoticed.
Plan B: One of us provides a distraction while the other two sneak in and sabotage the anti-air units. Then once they are down we quickly get out of range and I give the Eagle the order to destroy the Tower and it's guardians. Then we will clean up any remaining opposition. So I can notify Erika that our task is done and receive our next one.
Plan C. I fire my hydra launcher at them a few times to try to lower their numbers. Then I switch back to my shotgun and we go in fighting. However I do not like plan C as it sounds very messy.
So Marcel since you seem to be the tactical expert on our little team, and perhaps the most experienced at warfare, perhaps you have a better suggestion. So what do you recommend we do?" |
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Sept 24, 2017 11:27:45 GMT
As a man with few words (OK. Usually with few words, unless followed an urge of successful businessman to teach everybody and gave others a lesson or two about business to others), Marcel Lestrange walked behind Lena Marr and begun to rub her white neck and slender shoulders. His tan fingers were moved over Lena''s bare skin, stimulating her blood circuit and easing tension of her muscles. Marcel did not forgot to nibble Lena's ear as well to get her attention before stating: "I am sure that I paid decently to Skarr for his attempt to our lives. Generously. He probably suffers from great pain which rots his already rotten brain like a brain abscess. I could not let Skarr get away with doing wrong to you, Honey Pot. If there is a list of his enemies, I feel that climbing up in that hierarchy suits me, because I like to live exciting life and I made Skarr's situation suitable for a tiny obnoxious spider, he is. Although I do not believe that Skarr will be able to make rearrangements in his lists any time soon. He is too busy with his deteriorating health. Deserves him well! Every decent man would do the same! Marcel Lestrange will stand up for the woman he loves!" Then he looked at Attila while still giving Lena a massage and said: "As for your problem with the crowd...Are you willing to borrow the jeep? You better are because Uncle Marcel is going to lure this bunch of imbéciles away from the tower with the help of it. And you, dears will hide, until Uncle Marcel is done! Do not worry. I am not planning any kind of heroics. Only something simple but effective."  |
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Post by Lena Marr on Sept 25, 2017 3:47:51 GMT
"Women must learn to find self-worth within themselves, not through others. It is important to carve out a place just for you." - Georgette Mosbacher
*****
Lena Marr's unblinking sky blue eyes grew wide as a shocked expression took over her strikingly beautiful Castithan face when she heard Marcel Lestrange's plan, then she grabbed her lover by the labels shaking him vigorously like a dog shakes a cloth toy while exclaiming, "NO! Just... no. Don't you understand Pooh Be... Don't you understand Marcel, you're the one who is important. I'm nothing - less than nothing - without you! I was a worthless murdering whore before you and I'll be a worthless murdering whore once you're gone, but with you... with you my life actually meant something other than just to myself."
Lena pushed him to the ground then blurred past Attila picking his pocket of the roller's keys as she did shouting over her shoulder, "I'll give them a diversion they soon won't forget! Anybody can sabotage artillery so don't hand me any BS that you need me to do that! Only you can build that empire for misfits like me Marcel, only you! You're destined for great things! Me, I've always been destined for an unmarked shallow grave! Just know Marcel, I always loved you - til death do us part!"
With that Lena continued her blur to the roller, getting in and starting the engine with a wicked grin finally feeling that maybe, just maybe, her life finally had meaning.
*****
When Lady Christianna re-entered and took her seat by Atticus Batman's side, Atticus said, "Tianna, I have a team on standby in the hangar, and if I need to send them for Sandy or any other injured, then I would like you to lead that team. As the leader, you will of course get to pick which of the shuttles your team will be taking...."
Turning to look at her and seeing apparent sadness in her eyes, Atticus leaned into her and gently kissed her cheek as he whispered, "....that is unless you would prefer I pick somebody else to lead the team, as I know you have been worried about leaving my side since our crash, for some reason. So are you ready to tell me what's bugging you Snow Angel? I do so hate seeing you this sad. Yar can handle the bridge while we go to the conference room and discuss whatever is bugging you."
"No," Said Lady pointing a small chalk white forefinger at Atticus with a forced enigmatic smile, "Needed on bridge," Then pointing the same finger at herself, "Just a distraction. Faster back to the children, best for them and me, better for you and the Protectors."
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Sept 25, 2017 5:26:57 GMT
"Merde!" said Marcel before his strong feet carried him to the vehicle that Lena commandeered. With on magnificent jump he crossed last few metres between him and his destiny and he landed to the seat behind Lena, putting his arms tightly around her waist, explaining with devilish grin: "This is not fair to your partner, Honey Pot, if you want all the fun to yourself. Especially when I remember that we have built our company up from a scratch together. That makes us partners and more. I am not going to use the field of Yin and Yang, which is already occupied anyway, as an example, but the Big Bang where I might be Big, as you sort of put it, but in that case you are the necessary Bang which makes everything happen. From our first successful operation we have been together, baby. That is why I have every reason to believe that WE are meant for success. You and me. And once again that means that you are not tagging along, as you interpreted it, but walking by my side and we work together. Just like Marie and Pierre Curie did. I can not be the Big without my lovely little unique Bang. Without you there can not be an empire."  Marcel Lestrange did not loosen his hold and said: "We can work together even during this distraction. You will drive and and will do the necessary shooting. I am not mind letting you to drive. I promise that I will not be the front seat driver and concentrate merely on special effects. How about that idea that this time you will be the Big and I will do Bang?" |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Sept 25, 2017 12:17:07 GMT
"No," Said Lady pointing a small chalk white forefinger at me with a forced enigmatic smile, "Needed on bridge," Then pointing the same finger at herself, "Just a distraction. Faster back to the children, best for them and me, better for you and the Protectors."
I glared at Lady, as my eyes glowed green, and I snapped, "You are NOT just a distraction! You are an equal and valuable member of our team! You are one of our four best pilots ... actually I have seen your piloting enough to know that you have quickly surpassed both Taffer and myself in piloting a shuttle! So that makes you one of the two best pilots tied only with Poe Dameron! You have proven more than capable of leading and making hard choices more than once and I have never, in all my years, seen anybody else that can handle a Crime-fighter shotgun as well as you! You also have a way with calming people that even puts Volodja's silver tongue to shame! So do NOT give me that crap! You can ask anybody onboard if you don't believe me! ... "
Then I stopped myself and stood up, and, not giving Lady another chance to argue or refuse to join me in the Conference room, I gently and lovingly picked her up and carried her to the Officers' Conference room, Telling Tasha Yar as we left the Bridge that she was in Command for a few minutes.
Then once Lady and I were in the Conference Room with the door locked behind me, I gently sat her on the table, then stepped back as I looked at her seriously and said sternly,
Damn it, Lady Christianna Batman! Behind your fears and doubt is a very confident, smart and curious woman! You have shown that more than once! You showed it with the Singularity bomb incident, you showed it when the Seto chip took control of me, and you showed it in the daking sub in Australia when you saved me from death! Hell you proved it on that daking fishing float when those neuro-toxins took control of my mind! Hell after you saved the base from that singularity bomb with your command decisions and act of self-sacrifice plenty feel that you deserve that seat by my side as my equal.... and better half. In Irathient culture, it is the position usually filled by a co-Commander or First Officer (second in command), and usually a spouse or family member. With the Second Officer (or my man Friday and third in command) sitting to my left where Tasha is! That is why you are always on my right when we are both on the Bridge or in the War Room! Although if we were going by ancient Italian mob culture then my Second in Command or Underboss (also usually a family member or spouse) would be to my left, with my Consigliere or' man Friday' to my right."
Then I calmed down again and my mischievous smile appeared, as I lovingly (and any shock or annoyance no longer present in my voice) said, "Damn, Snow Angel! You even proved it a few hours ago in our quarters, when you were confident that you would be able to get me to relax and get my mind back on track, which you most definitely succeeded in ..... and that trick you came up with, thanks to your smart and curious mind, was most definitely a great thing for both of us!
You may not believe me but, I fell in love with you because even in your curiosity about me being in Belle's quarters, you were very confident in yourself and willing to do what it took to protect your friend before anybody was even aware that she may need protection! Hell you even disguised yourself to take her place to ensure her safety and you didn't waver from that determination until I impulsively kissed the brave and confident young woman before me and we both felt the connection in that kiss ... Our first kiss, and the one that showed us that we are soul-mates. ..... Look I know I can be over-protective of everybody; especially you, our children, and even Erika. She has most definitely pointed that out to me enough, however you are not a distraction. Quite the opposite. With you by my side, I know I can focus on my work because you will take care of any secondary issue before it can distract me.
That said, you and I both know that I am still getting used to having people care about me (in a good way) in my life, and ... "I glanced back at the door to double-check that I had locked it so nobody would walk in on my confession, then I removed my mask and continued with, " ... I guess my fear of once again being alone has caused me to be too over-protective and, according to Erika ; sometimes makes her feel like a gazelle trapped in an anaconda's grasp. So if you think I am being too over-protective of you or our children, then tell me so and I will do my best to back off and give you some space ... if that is what you feel you want or need."
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Post by Attila Constantine on Sept 25, 2017 12:20:40 GMT
Lena pushed Marcel to the ground then blurred past Attila picking his pocket of the roller's keys as she did shouting over her shoulder, "I'll give them a diversion they soon won't forget! Anybody can sabotage artillery so don't hand me any BS that you need me to do that! Only you can build that empire for misfits like me Marcel, only you! You're destined for great things! Me, I've always been destined for an unmarked shallow grave! Just know Marcel, I always loved you - til death do us part!"
With that Lena continued her blur to the roller, getting in and starting the engine with a wicked grin finally feeling that maybe, just maybe, her life finally had meaning.
Attila responded out-loud with, "What the hell just happened?!"
"Merde!" said Marcel before his strong feet carried him to the vehicle that Lena commandeered. With on magnificent jump he crossed last few metres between him and his destiny and he landed to the seat behind Lena, putting his arms tightly around her waist,
As Attila watched Marcel leap into the jeep, he said to himself and his EGO, "What the hell, Ganbaatar?! Why does Erika think I can command anybody ... and then put me in charge of a team that even Atticus seems to sometimes have trouble getting to follow his orders!"
Ganbaatar answered in Mongolian with, "She knows you can handle it because you are MONGOL!!! ... and Irathient! Both are used to strong-willed and self- confident warriors! So suck it up, and make it work for you!"
Attila responded to Ganbaatar with, "Well, I suppose a two person distraction would definitely get the bots' and Synths' attention better and give me more time to sneak in and sabotage those guns! ...Although that means fewer bots and Synths will be killed in the explosions when the Eagle destroys the tower! So it looks like we will still have to take care of most of them ourselves. Good thing those two are also two of the best fighters on the team! Damn!"
Then Attila said over HIS 'team's' EGO channel, "Fine, I got this!!! You two handle the distraction and keep those bastards away from me, while I disable the Anti-air turrets! Then after the Eagle destroys the Tower, the three of us can mop up any of these bastards that are still fighting on Skarr's side!"
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Post by Lena Marr on Sept 25, 2017 22:36:17 GMT
"A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water." - Eleanor Roosevelt
*****
Sitting next to Lena Marr in the roller, Marcel Lestrange said, "We can work together even during this distraction. You will drive and and will do the necessary shooting. I am not mind letting you to drive. I promise that I will not be the front seat driver and concentrate merely on special effects. How about that idea that this time you will be the Big and I will do Bang?"
Lena's long lashed sky blue eyes grew large as she faced her lover sputtering, "I - you - but...," Then her eyes narrowed as a wicked grin took over her pretty chalk white face and she muttered as the car went racing towards enemy lines, "Okay, so you don't want to be saved by me! It was only a moment of weakness that made me offer. Kind of like eating a bad burrito - something comes over you, you get it out of you, then you go on with life!"
However even as Lena said that, she reached over with the hand that wasn't driving and grabbing his crotch and giving it a quick but gentle squeeze of appreciation. Lena loved Marcel, and Marcel loved Lena, and the diabolical duo knew it so they didn't have to say it out loud anymore - at least Lena felt that way and at least today at this moment and at least until they found a modicum of quiet and privacy.
As Attila Constantine watched the strange pair drive off, his vision suddenly went dark and he felt a pair of warm hands over his eyes as a familiar voice said, "Hey there lover boy, guess who?"
Suddenly before Attila could react, strong arms spun him around as soft lips met his but when the kiss ended Attila saw the face of the Synth sister Yvette standing before him, a mischievous grin on her pretty Synth face as she pointed to her ring finger sporting the ring he had manufactured to block Skarr's mind controlling rays with her other power gloved hand quipping, "Hey, guess we're engaged now! Hope Atika isn't jealous - unless you got her one too! Anyway, now we can all band together!"
The feline Synth sister Brooke crouched behind Yvette, her black tail swishing from side to side and her raven hued ears twitching in merriment as she said with a slight smile when she caught her sister's infectious good humor replying as one clawed held onto the necklace around her slender neck that Attila made, "You are so punny Yvette! After Atticus and we returned to the Vigilant, we came back down to look for Ruby but found her safe although unconscious, so once Commander Widowmaker told Yvette what you were up to - and more importantly who you were up to it with - she insisted we come play backup and so I tracked you here," Brooke flashed her golden eyes toward where Lena and Marcel's car raced growling before she looked back at Attila, "And looked like it was a good thing too! Anyway, we both are at your command - I mean, in a soldier type of way, not a sexual one - I mean, don't get me wrong, you're awfully good-looking and I wouldn't mind - I mean...
Attila wasn't sure, but he thought he spotted a blush under the light fur covering Brooke's lovely face.
*****
On the Vigilant, Atticus Batman glanced back at the briefing room's door to double-check that he had locked it so nobody would walk in on his confession, then he removed his mask and continued with, " ... I guess my fear of once again being alone has caused me to be too over-protective and, according to Erika ; sometimes makes her feel like a gazelle trapped in an anaconda's grasp. So if you think I am being too over-protective of you or our children, then tell me so and I will do my best to back off and give you some space ... if that is what you feel you want or need."
The small Castithan teenager sitting on the conference table facing him replied, "Not too much, just right!"
Then Lady Christianna leaned over and hugged him tight around his waist before letting go and hopping off the table, whereupon she stood on her tip toes and kissed him as he leaned over for her to reach his lips before she said with determination, "Take the Hydra with Joy leading a med team. Get Sandy and any other injured team mates. See you when we get back!"
With an enigmatic smile and a curt wave, Lady headed out the door and to the bay where the shuttles were parked in the Vigilant.
*****
Meanwhile in the communications room of the Chancellor's Palace far below, Erika Widowmaker made a reassuring speech to the Votan people until her son Cael entered whereupon a slight smile crossed her face. The seven foot tall Irathiant woman resisted the urge to run to him hugging him with her strong muscular arms but instead merely handed him the microphone so that he could tell the people of the Votan Collective that its true Chancellor was back.
On the floor below them, the wounded Sandy Bell woke up and asked sleepily, "WhadImiss?"
*****
As she exited warp space, Belle Starr flew her small but exotic spacecraft through the asteroids and pirates dominating no man's sky on her way to the Gek space station. She destroyed two of the pirates' crafts before entering the safety of the station, taking no glory from their deaths but realizing that her mission as a Traveler was more important than their lives and even her own. Belle still wasn't precisely sure what the mission was but with each piece of the puzzle she recovered she felt her path was the right one and that was of paramount importance to her now.
During her travels, she had found many unexplored galaxies which she had dutifully named including this one which she designated out loud to herself with a smile on her beautiful freckled face, "Welcome to Starr Galaxy XII."
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Sept 26, 2017 8:25:27 GMT
Two pairs of worried eyes observed Sandy Bell. They were disturbingly similar looking just like eyebrows above and straight Greek noses beneath them. Same applied to mouths and chins. Two pairs of worried eyes, two identical faces. Underneath the neck line differences begun, making distinction easier. Fabric covered one chest while the other was revealed to the wind and sunshine. Actually there were some differences in the degree of cleanness as well. Dressed specimen was covered with dried sweat and plaster dust and the other was relatively clean and neat. They weren't twins. They weren't even brothers. They were the same person. Or at least used to be until their paths separated and one of chem changed his name from Volodja to Lodja. "My fault," whispered Volodja Uljanov. "I made a choice not to follow Ruby but handle the general threat. If I only..." "You couldn't predict consequences," said Lodja and put his hand to Volodja's shoulder. "And you chose eliminating the direct danger and save maybe hundreds of lives when you stood up against Skarr." "You are rationalizing emotional matter," sighed Volodja. "You have done the same several times for others. I am you, so...But I should have known that doctor is familiar with his own medicine." "Indeed," smiled Volodja. Sadly. "Haven't seen you for a long time, by the way." "You probably would have missed me this time as well, but I had to look after my fellow Synths who protected Cael. So I followed them. And found out what happened with Sandy so I decided to search for you. After all - I know you as well as myself." Two men went silent as they looked at Sandy once again. Then they moved further from her bedside to avoid disturbing her and begun conversation. Lodja used that chance to distract Volodja from sinking into dark and gloomy thoughts, so initiative came from him. "Actually there is one more reason why I am here," told Lodja. "A certain contract between us and Votanis Collective which grants us isolation and let's us avoid so called progress. Cael was willing to sign it after the situation here stabilizes. Funny that Synth who is designed to change whenever it's necessary works to keep piece of land and it's inhabitants from changing." "Maybe it is because you stood up to your original purpose?" assumed Volodja. "A reaction." "Look who's rationalizing now," chuckled Lodja. "Maybe it it is so because I found a suitable person to be and suitable piece of land to protect while you are trying to protect the whole planet." "Matter of perspective," said Volodja. "I am not sure who's task is harder - your or mine. Acting globally or locally. Remember that old anthropologist we met years ago?" "The one who told us about his journeys and field studies among tribes? And added that when he headed back to work on his information and publish it, he found himself reading newspapers in airport and wondered why the hell people worry about nonsensical things like a world peace and disasters and globalization and such, because all that matters is to catch an animal and feed the tribe or something similar. Easy life and easy tasks." "Exactly. His way of thinking changed depending of his surroundings. You chose the tribe life and issues while I am trying to do something here and there and everywhere. So we have different scales of thinking now. Different problems to solve and..." "Indeed. But that doesn't matter. What matters is how good we are at our tasks." Lodja smiled and adjusted his sword. "I have a reason to believe that we are. I heard about your reign. And the record you broke. There is another record you broke together. A quick quiz question to you - Which period lasted from the year 69 to the year 69 Anno Domini in Europe? "They had four emperors in that year in ancient Rome - Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian - and that is why they called it the Year of the Four Emperors! We had four Chancellors if we include Skarr and we had all in one day! We made history having the Day of Four Chancellors." "Look Volodja! Sandy is opening her eyes! What the heck you are staring me now. Go to her!" And he grabbed Volodja by his arms, turned him around and pushed towards the spot, Sandy was laying on. |
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Post by Attila Constantine on Sept 26, 2017 11:23:27 GMT
Suddenly before Attila could react, strong arms spun him around as soft lips met his but when the kiss ended Attila saw the face of the Synth sister Yvette standing before him, a mischievous grin on her pretty Synth face as she pointed to her ring finger sporting the ring he had manufactured to block Skarr's mind controlling rays with her other power gloved hand quipping, "Hey, guess we're engaged now! Hope Atika isn't jealous - unless you got her one too! Anyway, now we can all band together!"
The feline Synth sister Brooke crouched behind Yvette, her black tail swishing from side to side and her raven hued ears twitching in merriment as she said with a slight smile when she caught her sister's infectious good humor replying as one clawed held onto the necklace around her slender neck that Attila made, "You are so punny Yvette! After Atticus and we returned to the Vigilant, we came back down to look for Ruby but found her safe although unconscious, so once Commander Widowmaker told Yvette what you were up to - and more importantly who you were up to it with - she insisted we come play backup and so I tracked you here," Brooke flashed her golden eyes toward where Lena and Marcel's car raced growling before she looked back at Attila, "And looked like it was a good thing too! Anyway, we both are at your command - I mean, in a soldier type of way, not a sexual one - I mean, don't get me wrong, you're awfully good-looking and I wouldn't mind - I mean...
Attila wasn't sure, but he thought he spotted a blush under the light fur covering Brooke's lovely face.
Attila responded with, "Well Brooke I think you are cute as well, and I KNOW Atika finds you very beautiful. However we can have that discussion later, because I do NOT intentionally do anything that may upset Atika or make her jealous....
Then he continued with a small hint of sadness in his tone, "...and yes Yvette, Atika and I do have basic 'wedding' rings that I made shortly before I ..... we 'chose' to leave Mongolia. She also has and treasures our birth-mother's locket, even though we were extremely young when our parents died, so we don't actually remember them. However I know my lovely sister would like for us to one day have traditional Mongolian wedding rings full of symbolism ... once she is certain that our Protector 'family' really can and will accept our relationship now that we have brought it out into the open."
Then Attila cleared his throat and said, "Anyway we need to focus on our task at hand. Marcel and Lena are using our jeep to provide a distraction and keep the attention of the bots and Synth guarding the anti-air guns so I can sneak in and disable them. Once the anti-air guns are down, we will fall back to a safe distance at which time the Eagle will do an aerial strike on the tower and destroy it with their photon torpedoes. Once that is done, we will regroup with Marcel and Lena, at which point we will mop up any of the remaining bots or Synth that still want to kill us in the name of Skarr. Ready, you two?"
When the lovely Synth sisters agreed, the three of them snuck very quietly past the enemy line that was focused on firing at the jeep being driven by Lena. Once they got to the artillery, Attila looked one over and realized that they had all been retro-fitted with modern digital control systems. So he pulled out his small tool kit and proceeded to hack into one. Once he had succeeded, he discovered that the anti-artillery unit had a built-in self-destruct (most likely to ensure they didn't fall into enemy hands). He quietly asked the Synth sisters if they would be able to do what he had just done and they both said yes. So he quickly counted how many units they would have to hack and calculated how long it would take to hack each one, as well as an estimate on how long it would take them to sneak back the way they had come. Then he told the sisters exactly what he had in mind, so they could synchronize their efforts.
Once that was set he showed them how to set the self-destruct on the unit he was already hacked into. Then the three of them proceeded to hack all the others and set their self-destructs for progressively less time for each one they hacked. That way if calculated right, all the artillery units would explode at about the same time so it's (distracted) guardians wouldn't have time to realize what was happening and save any of them. By the time the had finished, they had just enough time to sneak away to a safe distance. However one of the Synth finally realized that the jeep wasn't actually aggressively attacking for some reason. So 'he' looked back towards the artillery as Attila had finished hacking the last one. Unfortunately for that curious Synth, as he turned and saw Attila, Yvette slammed a power glove into his face and knocked his head off. That unfortunately caused a chain-reaction because the head flew back and hit one of the bots which caused it to turn and start firing at the intruders it now saw. Once it started firing the other bots and Synth turned their attention back to the artillery and also started firing at the three intruders. So Attila and the sisters were forced to defend themselves even though they were no in no-man's land trapped between an angry enemy force and artillery set to self-destruct very soon.
That of course meant there was no time for a plan B so instead Attila said, "Shit! Alright! I guess we have no choice but to fight our way past the bots and just keep running until we are either out of range of the explosions...or it no longer matters to us!"
The sisters exchanged a quick look, then the three did just what Attila had said. They got lucky and managed to get through the opposition with only minor scratches and scrapes. However it cost them some very precious time. So as they ran down the hill, and away from the soon-to-explode-artillery, Attila sent Lena an EGO message saying, "Lena, time to see just how good your driving is! I need you to drive by us and only slow down just enough for us to jump on. Then you need to accelerate and get us back down the hill to where you left me, as fast as possible! There is less than two minutes left before the artillery self-destructs and takes us with it! So you better step on it!"
The small Castithan teenager sitting on the conference table facing me replied, "Not too much, just right!"
Then Lady Christianna leaned over and hugged me tight around my waist before letting go and hopping off the table, whereupon she stood on her tip toes and kissed me as I leaned over for her to reach my lips before she said with determination, "Take the Hydra with Joy leading a med team. Get Sandy and any other injured team mates. See you when we get back!"
I smiled and said, "As usual, I can't wait for your return."
With an enigmatic smile and a curt wave, Lady headed out the door and to the bay where the shuttles were parked in the Vigilant.
As I waved back, I said slightly confused, as I just registered the shuttle name she mentioned, "Wait ... which one is the Hydra?!"
Of course it was too late as she was already out the door. However it didn't actually matter anyway since I would know as soon as the Bridge gave Lady's shuttle clearance to depart.
So I put my mask back on as I said to those in my head, "Wait did I actually manage to give a successful pep talk for once?"
My split-personality, Kabule, responded with, "That doesn't count! Your little wifey is always cheered up by you!"
Hearing that, my EGO, Dinara responded with, "Hush Kabutt! I think he did quite well!"
Then unexpectedly my Grid-symbiote's personality , Sazri Kakusi, spoke up as well, "Yes our Fleshling did, but he is no Blue-eyes. I miss hearing the Belle Starr's enthusiastic and energetic talks."
I sighed and mentally responded with, "We all do Kakusi, we all do."
Then I left the Conference Room and returned to the Bridge. Once there I contacted my sister saying, "Erika we have a medical-aid shuttle ready to send down to retrieve Sandy and any other wounded. Just say the word and we will send them down."
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Post by Sandy Bell on Sept 26, 2017 13:56:43 GMT
Sandy Bell smiled when she saw her new husband, Volodja Uljanov, standing over her, then when she saw his Synth duplicate Lodja quipped, “Guess I’m worse off than I thought! I’m seeing double!” Volodja knelt by his wife concern written on his face asking, “Are you okay Sandy?” “Well, about as well as anybody who had a 3 foot scythe blade stuck through her body. Seriously, I’m mostly numb in my right arm and… it only hurts when I laugh,” Then as if to emphasize the comment, Sandy laughed without conscious thought followed by a loud, “OWWW!” As if on cue, Sandy’s Synth doppelganger Dee entered the Chancellor’s Palace Communication Room dressed in a leopard skin bikini and carrying a wooden spear, looking neither right and left but striding straight up to Lodja and reporting, “The People are in position my chief! We await your command.” Lodja gave his orders, whereupon Dee turned as if on a dime, nodding briefly to Sandy laying on the cot without saying a word before quickly exiting the room, whereupon Sandy said to Volodja in a low tone, “Damn Volodja, did I ever have a stick up my ass like she does?”  |
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Post by Lena Marr on Sept 26, 2017 14:19:30 GMT
With her lover Marcel Lestrange next to her in the passenger seat, Lena Marr raced her roller to the front lines of the enemy's artillery emplacement. Once there, she expertly did several doughnuts driving with one hand while zipping down her coveralls with her other exposing her chalk white breasts.
Stopping the roller for a moment, Lena thrust her ample bosom out the open driver's window shouting, "Bet you'd like to get your hands on these! Catch me if you can!"
Then Lena stomped on the accelerator looking at the rear view mirror with unblinking sky blue eyes and smiled wickedly as she saw several military vehicles following her as other soldiers shot fruitlessly at her retreating vehicle.
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